Modular Structural and Electrical Building System with Pre-installed Conductor Bars

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of electrical wiring systems in buildings, particularly at roof levels, is inefficient and poses safety hazards due to the need for electricians to work at heights, delaying other construction activities until power is available.

Innovation Solution

A pre-wired building system that integrates structural and electrical components, featuring longitudinally opposed structural members with conductor bars and connectors, allowing for efficient electrical distribution and reducing the need for on-site wiring, thereby enhancing safety and reducing installation time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical wiring systems are installed after structural members are in place, then structural integrity is maintained, but installation time increases and safety hazards arise from working at heights

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-installing conductor bars and electrical connectors onto structural members during the manufacturing phase before delivery to the construction site. This allows electrical distribution infrastructure to be ready in advance, eliminating the need for electricians to work at heights after structural assembly, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining structural integrity through factory-controlled precision installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges structural and electrical systems into an integrated assembly where conductor bars are permanently attached to structural members during manufacturing. This combination creates a unified structure that provides both structural support and electrical distribution functionality simultaneously, eliminating sequential installation steps and reducing overall project timeline.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If electrical wiring is installed at roof level in man-lifts, then electrical distribution is achieved, but safety hazards increase due to fall risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical distributionVSAvoidsafety hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates safety hazards by performing electrical installation activities in advance during factory manufacturing rather than at the construction site. Conductor bars and connectors are pre-installed in a controlled environment, so when the structure arrives at the site, the electrical infrastructure is already in place, removing the need for electricians to work at hazardous roof heights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the electrical installation process from the construction site environment and relocates it to the factory manufacturing environment. This separation removes workers from hazardous conditions at the construction site while maintaining the essential function of electrical distribution through pre-installed conductor bars and connectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If traditional conduit and wiring systems are used, then electrical distribution is provided, but considerable time and effort are required for installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical distributionVSAvoidinstallation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines structural members and electrical conductor bars into a single integrated assembly manufactured in the factory. This merger eliminates the need for separate electrical installation steps involving traditional conduit and wiring, allowing both structural and electrical systems to be installed simultaneously upon arrival at the construction site, thereby dramatically improving installation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs electrical system preparation in advance during factory manufacturing, with conductor bars and connectors pre-installed on structural members. This preliminary action eliminates time-consuming on-site electrical installation activities, allowing electricians to simply connect pre-positioned components rather than installing entire electrical systems from scratch at the construction site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If other trades wait for electrical power before proceeding, then electrical safety is ensured, but project completion time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical safetyVSAvoidproject completion time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables other trades to work simultaneously with structural assembly by pre-installing electrical conductor bars and connectors during manufacturing. This preliminary electrical preparation ensures safety through factory-controlled installation while allowing lighting and power to be available immediately when the structure is erected, eliminating waiting time for other trades and accelerating overall project completion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10224701B2Modular structural and electrical building system
Publication Date: 2019.03.05 BLUESCOPE BUILDINGS NORTH AMERICA INC
  • US10224701B2 patent drawing
  • US10224701B2 patent drawing
  • US10224701B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a modular structural and electrical building system. The system includes first and second structural support members. In use, the second end of the first structural support member is adjacent the first end of the second structural support member. The system further includes at least one conductor bar secured to each of the structural members. In addition, the system utilizes conductor bar connectors for maintaining electrical connectivity from one conductor bar to the next on the same structural support member and a power drop connector for connecting electrical power carried by the conductor bar to various pieces of equipment. In addition, a jump cable provides a bridge for electrical power from the conductor bar on the first structural member to the conductor bar secured to an adjacent structural member.