Modular Building with Detachable Skeleton and Surface Elements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building construction methods, whether solid on-site construction or prefabricated elements, face challenges such as high manual labor errors, limited flexibility for reconfiguration, and dependency on weather conditions, with prefabricated methods offering limited cost advantages and reduced flexibility for adapting to changing usage needs.

Innovation Solution

A modular building system composed of detachable skeletal and surface elements, where skeletal structural elements are connected to form a flexible framework, and surface elements are pre-fabricated with integrated installation components, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and modification to adapt to changing requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If solid construction with on-site building materials is used, then building stability is ensured, but manual labor increases and construction errors rise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebuilding stabilityVSAvoidmanual labor and construction errors
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The building is divided into standardized modular elements (walls, floors, roofs, foundations) that are pre-manufactured off-site and assembled on-site like Lego blocks. This segmentation reduces manual labor and construction errors while maintaining stability through standardized connection systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Building elements are pre-manufactured in factories with precise quality control before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary action ensures high manufacturing precision and reduces on-site construction errors while maintaining building stability through controlled production processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If prefabricated elements are used, then construction speed increases, but flexibility for reconfiguration decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction speedVSAvoidflexibility for reconfiguration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection system between modular elements is designed to be dynamically adjustable rather than permanently fixed. Elements can be easily connected, disconnected, repositioned, and reconnected, enabling the building to adapt to changing usage requirements while maintaining construction speed through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The building is segmented into independent modular elements with standardized connection points, allowing individual elements or groups to be removed, added, or repositioned without affecting the entire structure. This maintains construction efficiency while enabling flexible reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional prefabricated construction is used, then some cost advantages are achieved, but flexibility for conversion measures is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecost advantageVSAvoidflexibility for conversion measures
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Standardized modular elements are designed to serve multiple functions and be used in various configurations. The same wall, floor, or roof elements can be assembled in different arrangements to create various building layouts and conversions, providing both cost efficiency through standardization and flexibility for conversion measures.

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

4Duration of action of stationary object

If buildings are constructed to last long service life, then durability increases, but adaptability to changing usage requirements decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice lifeVSAvoidadaptability to changing usage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The building system incorporates dynamic, reversible connections that allow elements to be easily reconfigured over time. This enables the building to adapt to changing usage requirements throughout its extended service life without requiring permanent modifications or demolition, thus maintaining both durability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

When building elements need to be replaced or upgraded, they can be easily disconnected and removed, with the option to reuse them in new configurations or locations. This reduces waste and enables continuous adaptation throughout the building's service life while maintaining durability through material reuse.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Data Source

PatentEP2222924B1Modular building
Publication Date: 2018.06.06 HEIDENREICH BERND
  • EP2222924B1 patent drawingFigure 1~11
  • EP2222924B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2222924B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a modular building (1), which is produced from base elements, said base elements comprising skeleton structural elements, from which a skeleton structure is formed, and planar elements comprising at least wall, floor, and ceiling elements (8, 6, 7) and being attached to the skeleton structure, wherein the skeleton structure elements are detachably connected to each other to form the skeleton structure and the planar elements are detachably connected to the skeleton structure and to each other. Furthermore, a method for producing a modular building (1) is created, which is produced from base elements, wherein skeleton structure and planar elements, which comprise at least wall, floor, and ceiling elements (8, 6, 7) being produced and/or provided as the base elements, characterized in that the skeleton structure elements are detachably connected to each other to form the skeleton structure and the planar elements are detachably connected to the skeleton structure and/or to each other.