Modular Balcony Assembly With Sliding Joints and Drainage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional balconies require specialized personnel for assembly, are prone to structural integrity issues due to material limitations, and suffer from fluid infiltration, especially water, which can damage stored objects.

Innovation Solution

A modular balcony system with prefabricated components that use sliding mating parts for assembly, guiding fluid away from the surface area, and is made from materials like aluminum, plastic, or polymer, allowing easy assembly without heavy or specialized tooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional balcony assembly methods are used, then structural integrity can be maintained, but assembly requires specialized personnel and is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The balcony system is divided into modular components (beam modules, panel modules, corner modules) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each module contains integrated mating parts that simplify connection, allowing non-specialized personnel to assemble the structure quickly without compromising integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Mating parts serve as intermediary elements between different balcony modules. These pre-configured connection components eliminate the need for specialized assembly techniques, as the mating parts guide and facilitate proper alignment and securing of modules together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If wood components are used, then strength is improved, but vulnerability to expansion, shrinking, and rotting causes fluid infiltration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent strengthVSAvoidfluid infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The balcony system uses composite material construction, specifically aluminum extrusions combined with polymer or plastic components. This composite approach provides the strength needed for structural elements while the non-porous nature of these materials prevents water absorption, expansion, shrinking, and rotting that plague wooden balconies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The material parameters are changed from natural wood to engineered materials (aluminum and polymer) that have different physical properties. These materials maintain dimensional stability and resist biological degradation, fundamentally changing how the balcony responds to environmental factors like moisture and temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If steel components are used, then structural strength is achieved, but weight increases and rusting occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidbalcony weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces traditional steel structural components with aluminum extrusions and polymer materials. Aluminum provides sufficient structural strength for balcony applications while being significantly lighter than steel, and the polymer components add corrosion resistance without adding weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The material parameters are changed from steel to aluminum-polymer composites, altering the density and corrosion resistance characteristics. This substitution maintains structural integrity while reducing overall weight and eliminating rusting issues associated with steel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional balcony designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different configurations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The balcony is segmented into standardized modular units that can be configured in various arrangements. Each module is designed with consistent connection interfaces, allowing flexible adaptation to different balcony sizes, shapes, and applications without requiring custom manufacturing for each configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular modules are designed with universal mating parts that can accommodate different connection scenarios. The same basic module type can be used in various positions and orientations, providing multi-functionality and adaptability across different balcony designs while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12546104B2Modular balcony system, components thereof and method of assembly and installation thereof

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 LES ENTREPRISES LUC WILLIAMS INC

AI summary

Provided is a modular balcony system configured to be assembled with sliding mating parts and to guide fluid away from a surface area under the system. The modular balcony system comprises main beams having a gutter for guiding fluid away from the surface area. Along the length of the main beams are secondary beams supporting a floor and a soffit. Each of the main beams, secondary beams and soffit are secured to one another by sliding mating parts in notches. The soffit comprises an elevated surface for securing to the secondary beams and a low surface for guiding fluid towards the gutter of the main beams. A method of assembling and installing a modular balcony system is also provided.