Insulated Building Block With Serpentine Insert And Single Core Hole
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating concrete building blocks face issues with insulation displacement during transportation and stacking, are cumbersome due to two grout holes, and lack optimal insulation properties and structural stability, making them difficult to handle and position correctly.
Innovation Solution
A three-segment building block design with a serpentine configured insulating insert and wedge holes, featuring a single core hole for easier re-bar alignment and handling, and weep holes for water drainage, which maintains insulation continuity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an insulation insert is pressed into the center of the concrete block, then insulation is provided, but the insulation insert is displaced during production and transportation making it difficult to stack the block
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates recesses in the concrete block before inserting the insulation material, and provides ledges that protrude into the core hole. These preliminary structural features prevent the insulation insert from moving during production and transportation, ensuring it remains positioned flush with the block surface for easy stacking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies specific local areas of the concrete block by creating recesses in certain regions and providing ledges in the core hole. These localized structural modifications anchor the insulation material at critical positions without affecting the overall block structure, preventing displacement while maintaining stacking ease.
2Ease of manufacture
If the building block has two grout holes, then grouting is enabled, but the block becomes heavy and cumbersome requiring lifting over re-bars
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes one of the two traditional grout holes, extracting the unnecessary component while retaining the essential grouting function through the single remaining core hole. This reduction in the number of holes decreases block weight and eliminates the need to lift blocks over re-bars, while grouting capability is maintained through the enlarged single core hole.
3Shape
If sections have squared or linear configurations, then structural form is provided, but easy fracturing occurs when strain is exerted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces squared or linear section configurations with curved or rounded contours. This spheroidality principle applies to the block sections, eliminating sharp corners and straight edges that are prone to stress concentration and fracturing, thereby improving overall strength while maintaining structural form.
4Stability of the object's composition
If main sections are approximately the same size, then structural balance is achieved, but maximum insulation properties cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric section sizing where the insulating section occupies a larger portion of the block compared to the concrete sections. This asymmetric configuration maximizes the insulation volume and thermal performance while maintaining structural balance through the strategic distribution of materials, rather than using equal-sized sections.
Data Source
AI summary
An insulated building block having a three-section configuration wherein a first cementitious segment containing the internal core hole of the block is interlocked with second cementitious segment by a serpentine configured insulated insert. The insulation insert is operatively arranged to have multiple lips that mate with various indented ledges on each of the other segments in a location proximate to the surface of the cementitious segments. The insulating insert is also configured with wedge holes that accommodate wedges which press into the installation to maintain continuity of the block. The insulation insert has groves that in combination with the other segments form a trough in fluid communication with weep holes which extend through the insulation insert which allows for condensation and seepage of water to drain from the block.