Reusable Modular Building Steel Skeleton with Tight-Fitting Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing temporary buildings, such as aluminum-based structures and container-based buildings, face challenges including difficulty in making them airtight, excessive roof volume, complicated ceiling installations, heavy supporting pillars, poor thermal insulation, and inability to meet stringent regulations for kitchen and restaurant facilities, making them unsuitable for long-term use or modifications.

Innovation Solution

A reusable modular building with a self-supporting steel skeleton comprising releasably coupled rectangular steel floor and roof frames, steel supporting pillars, and a robust clamping mechanism that allows for easy assembly and disassembly, avoiding the need for welding and enabling flexible configuration and repeated use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If aluminum-based structures are used for temporary buildings, then they provide quick assembly and lightweight construction, but they suffer from poor thermal insulation, difficulty in making airtight, and inability to meet stringent regulations for kitchen and restaurant facilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidthermal insulation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The building is divided into modular components (walls, roof, floor panels) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each module incorporates insulated sandwich panels with sealed joints, ensuring thermal performance while maintaining quick assembly capabilities through standardized connection elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite sandwich panels consisting of outer aluminum or steel skins combined with thermal insulation cores (such as polyurethane or rock wool). This composite structure provides both the lightweight advantage of aluminum and the thermal insulation performance required for kitchen and restaurant facilities, while sealed joint systems ensure airtight construction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Weight of moving object

If aluminum-based structures are used, then they provide lightweight construction, but they require heavy supporting pillars which complicate erecting and dismantling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure weightVSAvoiderecting and dismantling simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The supporting structure is segmented into standardized columns and beam elements that can be independently assembled. The columns are designed with integrated connection details that simplify erection, and the modular nature allows for easy disassembly and reuse, offsetting the weight disadvantage through operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the dimensions and distribution of supporting pillars based on load calculations and span requirements. By carefully selecting pillar spacing and cross-sectional dimensions, the structure achieves the necessary load-bearing capacity with minimized material usage, reducing overall weight while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If container-based buildings are used, then they provide structural stability, but their interior arrangement is limited due to fixed container sizes and lack of free span

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinterior configuration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using fixed container units, the building employs a modular panel system where walls, roof, and floor are separate components that can be arranged in various configurations. This segmentation allows the interior space to be freely adapted to different functional requirements while the standardized connection systems ensure structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The modular design enables the building to be dynamically reconfigured by adding, removing, or repositioning wall and roof panels. The standardized connection elements facilitate easy modification of the interior layout without compromising structural integrity, allowing the space to adapt to changing operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of manufacture

If aluminum-based structures are used, then they provide initial cost effectiveness, but any extensions, modifications and replacements of parts are expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial construction costVSAvoidmodification cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The building is constructed from standardized modular components that can be independently replaced or modified. If a panel or connection element needs replacement, only that specific module needs to be accessed and replaced, not the entire structure. This modular approach significantly reduces modification and maintenance costs compared to conventional aluminum structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs universal connection elements and standardized panel dimensions that can be used across different building configurations and modification scenarios. The same connection details and panel types used in initial construction are reused in modifications and repairs, eliminating the need for custom fabrication and reducing overall lifecycle costs.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3580408B1A resuable modular building and a method for erecting the same
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 C D HLDG BV
  • EP3580408B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3580408B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3580408B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The invention relates to a reusable modular building (1) and a method for erecting the same. The reusable modular building comprises a self-supporting steel skeleton (2) comprising releasably coupled elongated steel profiles (4) for rectangular steel floor and roof frames that are releasably interconnected by steel supporting pillars (7). Each elongated steel profile is provided with at least two tubular steel receiving members (8) that are arranged at its opposite ends. Each steel supporting pillar is provided at its ends with at least one elongated steel protrusion (9). Each of said tubular steel receiving members and each of said elongated steel protrusions are configured to establish a releasable tight-fitting coupling upon insertion of said elongated steel protrusion into said tubular steel receiving member. Due to its simple and robust construction, the modular building according to the invention can more easily and quickly be built and can be reused many times.