Cable-Guided Nozzle for Level-by-Level Concrete Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 3D printing technologies for concrete structures are limited by the achievable heights of towers and positioning cables, making it difficult to construct tall buildings or structures.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for building multi-level structures using a cable-guided nozzle, where cable support masts are installed on previously built levels, allowing the nozzle to be suspended and moved to print additional levels, thereby overcoming height constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If ground-level towers are used to support positioning cables for cable-guided nozzle movement, then the structure can be constructed with initial support, but the achievable building height is constrained by the tower height
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into multiple levels. Instead of using single ground-level towers, the patent employs intermediate support structures (such as previously constructed building levels) to bear the nozzle at different elevations. This segmentation allows the building height to exceed the height of any single support structure, as the nozzle is progressively supported from multiple stacked levels throughout the construction process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional ground-level support plane to a three-dimensional multi-level support volume. By utilizing the vertical dimension of previously constructed building levels as support points, the system enables the nozzle to be positioned at heights far exceeding ground-level tower capabilities, effectively using the building's own structure as a support framework
2Length of moving object
If taller towers are erected to achieve greater building heights, then the height constraint is relaxed, but the equipment complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The constructed building structure itself serves as the support system for continuing construction. Previously built levels of the building are used to bear intermediate supports and positioning cables for nozzle operation at higher elevations. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external tall towers, as the building progressively supports its own construction process
Solution Approach 2:
The building structure serves dual functions: it is both the product being constructed and the support infrastructure for continued construction. Each completed level simultaneously serves as structural element of the building and as support platform for the next construction phase, maximizing resource utilization and eliminating dedicated support towers
Data Source
AI summary
A 3D printing system for 3D printing of concrete buildings or other concrete structures. A set of cable support masts are temporarily installed at corners of a two-dimensional footprint area of any given level of a multi-level building to enable 3D printing of wall sections or other structural components of that given level of the building using a cable-guided concrete dispensing nozzle suspended from said cable support masts by a set of movable, motor-driven positioning cables. The building is built in stage-wise fashion, level-by-level, with the set of support masts being moved up level-by-level as the levels of the building are completed. The construction of the building is not dependent on a set of ground-level towers distributed around the ground-level footprint of the building, thus notably reducing equipment requirements for the 3D printed construction of tall, multi-storey buildings.