Interlocking Panel Building Assembly for Single-User Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor building assemblies are complex, requiring multiple people and tools for assembly, leading to longer construction times and needing professional builders due to heavy and bulky components.
Innovation Solution
A building assembly system featuring interlocking panels with upper and lower notches that connect to form a skeleton structure, allowing for easy assembly by a single user using lightweight materials, with a floor frame, roof, and walls that can be easily constructed from a kit with minimal tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional building assembly methods are used with heavy and bulky components, then structural strength and stability are improved, but assembly complexity and difficulty increase, requiring multiple people and professional builders
Solution Approach 1:
The building structure is divided into modular panels that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each panel is a self-contained unit with standardized dimensions and interconnection features, allowing the structure to be built from discrete, manageable segments rather than large, difficult-to-handle components
Solution Approach 2:
Notches are introduced as intermediary connection features between panels. These notches serve as mediators that facilitate joining panels together through simple insertion and interlocking, eliminating the need for complex fastening systems or heavy lifting equipment while maintaining structural integrity
2Strength
If traditional building assembly methods are used, then adequate structural support is achieved, but assembly time and construction duration increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Panels are pre-manufactured with notches and connection features already integrated into their structure. This preliminary preparation of connection elements allows panels to be quickly assembled on-site without requiring time-consuming field fabrication or complex alignment procedures, significantly reducing overall assembly time while maintaining structural support
Solution Approach 2:
The interlocking notches are designed to self-align and self-secure panels during assembly. The geometric configuration of the notches provides automatic positioning and locking capabilities, eliminating the need for additional fastening operations or complex alignment procedures, thereby accelerating assembly while ensuring structural integrity
3Ease of operation
If interlocking panels with notches are used, then assembly simplicity and speed are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The notches are designed as universal connection features that serve multiple functions: alignment, positioning, and mechanical interlocking. This multi-functionality allows the same basic notch geometry to be used across different panel types and locations, standardizing manufacturing requirements while simplifying assembly procedures through consistent, repeatable connection mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A building assembly includes a floor frame, a roof, and walls extending between the floor frame and the roof and interconnected to define an interior and exterior of the building assembly. Each wall includes panels each defining an axis and having first and second ends, inner and outer sides, top and bottom surfaces, an upper notch formed through the top surface, and a lower notch formed through the bottom surface. Each notch is spaced inwardly along the axis from at least one end. The panels include first and second panels. The lower notch of the first panel mates with the upper notch of the second panel to form an interlocking joint to interconnect the first and second panels and form adjacent interconnected walls of the building assembly.