Modular Building Unit With Flexible Coupling Against Frame Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multi-story structures face challenges due to rigid steel structures that restrict movement, leading to potential damage from external loads during transportation and earthquakes, and result in high construction costs and labor intensity.
Innovation Solution
A volumetric building unit design featuring a support frame with spaced-apart coupling to modular interior walls and ceilings, allowing for flexibility and reducing deformation transmission, thereby enhancing structural robustness and reducing construction time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel structures are used to connect walls and roofs with exterior frames, then structural strength is improved, but the structure becomes rigid and susceptible to damage from external loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the connection parameter from rigid steel structure to flexible coupling system. The flexible coupling allows relative movement between modular components and the support frame, transforming the structural behavior from rigid to semi-flexible, thereby absorbing external loads without causing damage to walls and roofs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic capability to the structure through flexible coupling that permits controlled movement and deformation. This allows the structure to adapt to external loads such as earthquakes and transportation forces, converting the static rigid structure into a dynamic system that can dissipate energy through controlled displacement.
2Stability of the object's composition
If walls are made as one package with load-bearing structure, then structural integrity is improved, but surface materials are at risk of breaking under deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wall assembly into distinct components: load-bearing structure, insulation layer, and surface materials. The flexible coupling decouples these elements from the support frame, allowing each to function independently - the load-bearing structure provides integrity while the surface materials are protected from deformation-induced breakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible coupling acts as an intermediary element between the support frame and the wall modules. This mediator absorbs and distributes external forces, preventing direct transmission of deformation to the surface materials while maintaining structural connectivity.
3Stability of the object's composition
If modules are rigidly connected to form multi-story structures, then construction stability is improved, but construction time and labor intensity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-assembling complete modular units with all components (walls, roofs, floors, insulation) factory-prepared and pre-connected using flexible coupling. This allows modules to be manufactured off-site with controlled quality and then rapidly assembled on-site, significantly reducing construction time and labor intensity while maintaining stability.
4Strength
If steel structures are dimensioned to be rigid to prevent deformation, then structural robustness is improved, but construction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the structural parameter from rigid steel construction to flexible coupling system with modular components. This parameter change allows the use of lighter, less expensive materials that can be manufactured more easily, while the flexible coupling provides the necessary structural robustness through controlled deformation and energy dissipation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides enhanced structural robustness, reduces construction time and costs, and minimizes damage from external loads by incorporating a flexible coupling system between the support frame and interior components, allowing for efficient and cost-effective construction of modular buildings.
Implementation Method 1
the spaced apart coupling between the support frame and the interior walls and interior ceiling provides flexibility between the support frame and the interior wall and interior ceiling, so that the deformation of the support frame within a predetermined range is not transmitted to the interior wall and/or interior ceiling
Data Source
AI summary
A volumetric, building unit including a support frame having a plurality of support frame members, a plurality of modular interior wall units, a plurality of modular interior ceiling units and a plurality of modular floor units and wherein the spaced apart coupling between the support frame and the interior walls and interior ceiling provides flexibility between the support frame and the interior wall and interior ceiling, so that the deformation of the support frame within a predetermined range is not transmitted to the interior wall and/or interior ceiling. Disclosed also a method for manufacturing a building unit and a modular building.