Interlocking Concrete Block with Tapered Protrusions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing concrete blocks require mortar for assembly and are limited in reuse due to single-purpose design, making them inefficient for construction and disassembly.

Innovation Solution

Interlocking hollow concrete blocks with protrusions and cavities that allow for multiple positioning options, enabling assembly without mortar and facilitating easy disassembly for reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If mortar is used to assemble concrete blocks, then the blocks are held together securely, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblock assembly stabilityVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the chemical bonding system (mortar) with a mechanical interlocking system. The tongue and groove joints provide direct mechanical connection between blocks, eliminating the need for mortar while maintaining assembly stability. This substitution simplifies the assembly process by removing the mortar application step while still achieving secure block connection through the interlocking geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If concrete blocks are designed for a single purpose, then they provide specialized functionality, but they cannot be reused for different construction purposes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidblock reuse adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs concrete blocks with standardized tongue and groove joint geometries that can accommodate multiple construction configurations. The consistent joint design across all blocks allows them to be used in various wall types, heights, and layouts, enabling reuse for different construction purposes while maintaining functional reliability through the proven interlocking mechanism.

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

3Strength

If traditional concrete blocks require mortar for assembly, then structural integrity is maintained, but disassembly and reuse become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connection between blocks into discrete, reversible mechanical joints rather than a continuous chemical bond. The tongue and groove joints create individual connection points that can be separated without damaging the blocks, enabling easy disassembly and reuse while maintaining structural integrity during use through the interlocking geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4353920A1Interlocking hollow concrete block and locking block
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 ECOUP OY
  • EP4353920A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4353920A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4353920A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An interlocking hollow concrete block (10) having two parallel long side walls (14) and two parallel short side walls (12) defining a hollow rectangular shape. Each of the two long side walls (14) and each of the two short side walls (12) have protrusions (20) on the top surface (16) and cavities (30) on the bottom surface (18). The protrusions (20) are identical in the width direction and the depth direction, and the protrusions (20) are tapered in the height direction. Each of the cavities (30) is configured to accommodate a protrusion (20) of a similar concrete block (10). The concrete block is further defined in that each of the long side walls (14) and the two short side walls (12) form an obtuse angle with the top surface (16) and each of the two long side walls (14) and the two short side walls (12) forms an acute angle with the bottom surface (18).