Floating Housing Using Insulated Shipping Containers on Pontoons

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing housing solutions, such as prefabricated homes and shipping container conversions, fail to provide comfortable, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly accommodation that can be quickly deployed and relocated, often lacking in architectural appeal and insulation.

Innovation Solution

A housing arrangement featuring interconnected pontoons with adapted shipping containers, providing insulation, windows, doors, and a heat pump system, allowing for flexible and cost-effective creation of living spaces that can be temporarily or permanently located on water, serving as housing, hotels, offices, or schools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If shipping containers are converted to housing space, then housing can be provided at short notice and for low cost, but the housing lacks adequate insulation and comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of housing deploymentVSAvoidinsulation quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing system is segmented into modular shipping container units that can be independently insulated and assembled. Each container serves as an independent module with its own insulation layer, allowing rapid deployment while maintaining insulation quality through standardized modular construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies composite insulation structures combining multiple materials (such as rigid foam boards, reflective insulation, and vapor barriers) to the shipping container walls. This composite approach provides adequate thermal insulation while maintaining the rapid deployability of container-based housing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Loss of time

If prefabricated housing is used, then housing can be provided quickly, but the cost becomes too expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime for housing constructionVSAvoidhousing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes universally available shipping containers as the base structure for housing. These standardized containers can be obtained from multiple sources and used in various housing configurations, significantly reducing costs compared to custom prefabricated housing while maintaining quick deployment capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs inexpensive, readily available shipping containers that can be quickly deployed and, if needed, relocated or repurposed. This approach prioritizes cost-effectiveness and flexibility over permanent, expensive construction, allowing housing to be provided rapidly at low cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Loss of time

If trailer homes are used to create housing space at short notice, then deployment is quick, but the housing lacks required level of comfort and environmental friendliness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment timeVSAvoidenvironmental friendliness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the parameters of shipping containers by adding insulation layers, weatherproofing, and environmental control systems. This transforms basic containers into environmentally friendly housing units that meet comfort standards while maintaining rapid deployment capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If known housing arrangements constructed from shipping containers are used, then housing can be provided at low cost, but the configuration is simple with little architectural inspiration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing costVSAvoidarchitectural appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric arrangements of shipping containers, varying orientations, and diverse connection configurations to create architecturally appealing housing structures. This breaks away from simple cubic arrangements while maintaining the cost-effectiveness of container-based construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution offers a quick, affordable, and environmentally friendly way to create comfortable living spaces that can be easily relocated, addressing the need for versatile and aesthetically appealing housing solutions while maintaining low costs and environmental sustainability.

Implementation Method 1

a housing arrangement for floating on water, the housing arrangement comprising a plurality of interconnected pontoons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

by insulating the walls of the shipping containers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS11072400B2Housing unit

Publication Date: 2021.07.27 UDVIKLING DANMARK

AI summary

A housing arrangement for floating on water is provided with a plurality of interconnected pontoons—The pontoons have a polygon outline. A plurality of shipping containers are arranged on each of the pontoons. The shipping containers are habitable by providing at least one door and at least one window in the shipping containers and by insulating the walls of the shipping containers. A plurality of gangways interconnects the pontoons.