Floating Cabin Lines as Structural Reinforcement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ship cabin designs face challenges in achieving necessary rigidity during transport and installation while minimizing material and assembly costs, and often suffer from damage and accessibility issues due to external supply lines.

Innovation Solution

Integrating supply lines, such as those for air, water, data, electricity, and lighting, within the cabin to act as stiffening elements, allowing them to contribute to the cabin's rigidity and optimizing space, reducing the need for external support and increasing accessibility for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If supply lines are arranged outside the cabin, then accessibility for installation and maintenance is difficult, but the cabin structure remains simpler

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccessibility for installation and maintenanceVSAvoidCabin structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the supply lines with the cabin structure by integrating them into the wall elements. The supply lines are routed through channels within the walls, combining the functional role of supply lines with the structural role of walls, thereby improving accessibility while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The wall elements serve multiple functions: they provide structural support, insulation, and simultaneously house the supply lines within integrated channels. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate external routing of supply lines, improving accessibility without significantly increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Stability of the object's composition

If conventional floor construction is used, then material and labor costs are reduced, but the cabin lacks sufficient rigidity during transport and installation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCabin rigidity during transport and installationVSAvoidMaterial and labor intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the floor structure with the wall elements through integrated connection mechanisms. The walls are designed to interlock with the floor, creating a unified rigid structure that provides necessary stability during transport and installation without requiring additional complex reinforcement materials or labor-intensive assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If supply lines are integrated within the cabin, then the cabin's rigidity and torsional resistance increase, but the internal space is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCabin rigidity and torsional resistanceVSAvoidAvailable internal space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by routing supply lines through specific channels within the wall elements rather than occupying central internal space. The wall thickness and channel placement are optimized to provide structural reinforcement where needed while minimizing impact on the overall internal volume of the cabin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the supply lines from a three-dimensional occupation of internal space into the wall structure itself, effectively utilizing the wall thickness dimension. This dimensional reorganization allows supply lines to be integrated without significantly reducing the usable internal volume of the cabin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If external supply lines are used, then material usage is minimized, but the lines are vulnerable to damage during transport and installation

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveProtection of supply lines during transport and installationVSAvoidMaterial usage for cabin structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the supply lines with the protective cabin structure by integrating them into the wall elements. This integration provides inherent protection against damage during transport and installation without requiring additional external protective materials or components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated wall structure provides beforehand cushioning and protection to the supply lines during transport and installation. The walls act as a protective barrier that prevents external forces from directly impacting the supply lines, thereby reducing vulnerability to damage before any actual transport or installation events occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP2852524B1Cabin for a floating installation with lines which contribute to reinforcement
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG
  • EP2852524B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP2852524B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7c
  • EP2852524B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a cabin (70) for a floating installation, in particular for a ship (60), having a room unit (1) which is bounded at least by a ceiling (10) and walls (20), and lines (30) which supply the room unit (1), in particular with air, water, data, power, illumination, etc. Provision is made according to the invention for the lines (30) to extend in the room unit (1) in such a way that the lines (30) simultaneously act as reinforcing means for the room unit (1).