Building Module Recess-Projection Interlock for Staggered Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-storey building construction methods using precast concrete modules require complex interlocking and strong side walls to ensure stability, leading to inefficiencies in production and increased costs due to undesired gaps between rooms and the need for robust connections.

Innovation Solution

The building module design features flat components with recesses and projections that allow for a shear-resistant connection between modules, enabling staggered arrangement and reducing the need for strong side walls, with the ceiling and floor elements resting on side walls for support, and using screw connections for easy assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If building modules are arranged staggered to save space and materials, then productivity and cost-efficiency are improved, but undesired steps occur between rooms and structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction speedVSAvoidbuilding stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flat components are segmented with recesses and projections that divide the connection interface into interlocking parts. This segmentation allows staggered arrangement of building modules while maintaining stability through the interlocking geometry of the recesses and projections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The recesses and projections are designed with asymmetric geometry where the projection of one component fits into the recess of another. This asymmetric design enables stable interlocking in staggered arrangements while preventing undesired steps between rooms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Strength

If strong side walls are used to ensure stability, then structural strength is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing function is extracted from the side walls and transferred to the flat components through recesses and projections. This allows the side walls to be simpler and easier to manufacture while the stability function is performed by the interlocking flat components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the entire side wall structure stronger and more complex, the invention applies local quality enhancement at specific connection points through the recesses and projections in the flat components. This provides strength where needed while keeping overall manufacturing simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If complex interlocking connections are used to ensure rigidity, then structural rigidity is improved, but ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuilding rigidityVSAvoidassembly simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing and interlocking functions are merged into a single integrated design of recesses and projections in the flat components. This eliminates the need for separate complex connection mechanisms, simplifying both manufacture and assembly while maintaining rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The recesses and projections are designed to automatically align and interlock building modules during assembly. This self-aligning mechanism reduces the need for complex adjustment procedures and specialized assembly equipment, improving ease of manufacture and assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3334869B1Building module and multi-storey building
Publication Date: 2023.02.15 IGLAUER BERND
  • EP3334869B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3334869B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP3334869B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The invention relates to a planar component (1) that has a rectangular base surface, for producing a ceiling panel or a base panel of a building. The component (1) comprises, in at least one lateral edge section (2), recesses (4) between which projections (5) are formed such that two planar components (1) can be arranged with the projections (5) of the one component (1) engaging with the recesses (4) of the other component (1), and vice versa.