Modular Building Exterior Sealing System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular building units in construction lack an effective exterior sealing system to prevent water and moisture ingress, leading to inefficiencies in construction time and cost.
Innovation Solution
An exterior joint system comprising elongate frame members with weather-proofing interfaces that engage adjacent modular building units to form a seal, ensuring a continuous and robust moisture barrier along the perimeter of the building facade.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing methods are used between modular building units, then installation is simple, but water and moisture ingress occurs leading to poor sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The exterior joint system is divided into multiple frame members (upper frame member, lower frame member, first side frame member, second side frame member) that can be separately manufactured and assembled. Each frame member contains a weather-proofing interface with sealing surfaces that engage with adjacent modules, allowing the sealing function to be segmented across multiple components while maintaining overall reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The weather-proofing interface acts as an intermediary element between adjacent modular building units. It includes a first weather-proofing interface on the upper frame member, a second on the lower frame member, a third on the first side frame member, and a fourth on the second side frame member, each configured to engage with corresponding interfaces on neighboring modules to form a continuous seal
2Reliability
If precise alignment of modular building units is required for effective sealing, then sealing performance improves, but construction time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The weather-proofing interfaces are designed with adjustable parameters including the configuration of sealing surfaces, the compliance of sealing elements, and the geometry of engagement features. These parameter changes allow the system to accommodate variations in module alignment while maintaining seal integrity, reducing the need for precise alignment during construction
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system incorporates dynamic elements that can adapt to alignment variations. The weather-proofing interfaces are configured to engage and form seals that can accommodate minor misalignments through the inherent flexibility and adjustability of the joint system, allowing for dynamic adaptation rather than requiring fixed precise positioning
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a robust sealing system is implemented across all exterior joints, then water ingress prevention improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frame members are designed with multi-functional weather-proofing interfaces that perform multiple sealing functions. Each interface is configured to engage with adjacent modules and form seals against water and moisture ingress, providing universal protection across all exterior joints of the modular building structure
Solution Approach 2:
The weather-proofing interface is integrated directly into the frame members rather than being a separate component. The first weather-proofing interface is incorporated into the upper frame member, the second into the lower frame member, the third into the first side frame member, and the fourth into the second side frame member, combining the sealing function with the structural frame to simplify manufacturing
Data Source
AI summary
A modular building assembly of a building includes a modular building unit that forms a portion of the building. The modular building unit includes a structural frame having an exterior side arranged adjacent to an exterior of the building. A façade is mounted on the structural frame. A joining frame is mounted on the structural frame of the modular building unit independently of the façade. The joining frame includes a weather-proofing interface extending along an outer perimeter of the joining frame. The weather-proofing interface engages a joining frame of at least one other modular building assembly to form a seal with the at least one other modular building assembly when the modular building assembly and at least one other modular building assembly are arranged next to one another in the building.