Masonry Block With Segmented Chambers For Re-bar And Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional masonry blocks face difficulties in incorporating insulation due to the presence of re-bar, making it challenging to provide insulation economically and securely, while also lacking features for alignment and electrical cable management.

Innovation Solution

The masonry block design includes chambers for insulation, re-bar reinforcement, and features like notches for line pins and a narrow cavity for electrical cables, allowing for straight alignment and improved structural strength, insulation value, and reduced construction costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If re-bar is inserted in conventional masonry blocks for reinforcement, then structural strength is improved, but it becomes difficult to securely and economically provide insulation within the blocks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidease of providing insulation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The block is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber, second chamber, third chamber) that are separated by partitions. This segmentation allows insulation material to be placed in specific chambers without interfering with re-bar insertion in other chambers, thereby maintaining both structural strength and insulation capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different chambers serve different functions: some chambers are designed for re-bar reinforcement while others are designated for insulation material. This local differentiation allows each part of the block to optimize its specific function without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional masonry blocks are used without additional features, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but alignment precision and electrical cable management capabilities are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment notches are pre-formed in the blocks during manufacturing. These notches allow line pins to be inserted and lines to be stretched taut, ensuring precise alignment of blocks during construction without requiring complex alignment procedures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If conventional masonry blocks are used without integrated cable management, then block structure remains simple, but electrical cable placement becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblock structure complexityVSAvoidease of cable placement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The block design integrates multiple functions: structural reinforcement through re-bar chambers, thermal insulation through dedicated insulation chambers, alignment through notches for line pins, and electrical cable management through narrow chambers. This multi-functionality allows a single block design to address diverse construction needs without requiring separate systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9863145B2Masonry block system

Publication Date: 2018.01.09 GENEST CHRISTOPHER

AI summary

A masonry block having chambers and cavities that form recesses in the block such that, when the blocks are laid on bond, re-bar may be inserted in horizontal and vertical directions for rectangular grid reinforcement, and the wall may be constructed without the use of mortar. The masonry block includes a stretcher block, end block, and a half-block and each block block has recesses for receiving insulation, re-bar, and/or a line pin.