Modular Building Column Connections for Cable-Housed Vertical Stacking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular construction systems face challenges in efficiently connecting and stabilizing modular building units, particularly in ensuring secure and efficient vertical stacking and alignment, while accommodating tension cables that are often exposed and require additional modifications to other structural systems.
Innovation Solution
A column assembly with an elongate interior and cable mounts is used to house tension cables, allowing for secure coupling between modular building units, with cable mounts facilitating the attachment of tension cables to both underlying and overlying units, and a post-tension stressing jack for tensioning, enabling secure vertical stacking and alignment without external drag lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If tension cables are exposed in existing modular construction systems, then cable installation is possible, but additional modifications to structural systems are required and aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the structural column assembly with cable housing functionality. The column assembly's interior space is utilized to contain tension cables, merging the structural support function with the cable protection function into a single integrated component, thereby eliminating the need for separate cable routing modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The tension cables are nested within the interior space of the column assembly. This nesting arrangement allows the cables to be housed inside the structural columns, protecting them while utilizing existing structural space, thus avoiding additional modifications to the structural system
2Length of stationary object
If modular building units are vertically stacked, then building height is increased, but alignment precision and connection security become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The column assemblies are pre-configured with interior spaces and connection features before modular units are stacked. This preliminary preparation ensures that when units are vertically assembled, the alignment features are already in place to guide and secure proper positioning, maintaining precision throughout the stacking process
Solution Approach 2:
The column assembly acts as an intermediary component between adjacent modular building units. It provides a standardized interface with pre-defined connection points and alignment features, facilitating precise vertical stacking while accommodating the tension cables that secure the connection
3Force
If external drag lines are used for cable tensioning, then cable tensioning is achieved, but additional external equipment and structural modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable tensioning function from external drag lines and relocates it to a post-tension stressing jack. This extracted function is then integrated into the column assembly system, eliminating the need for external drag lines and their associated structural modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The post-tension stressing jack serves as an intermediary device between the cable and the column assembly. It provides the necessary tensioning force while being integrated into the column assembly's interior, avoiding the need for external drag lines and their associated structural modifications
Data Source
AI summary
A module building unit and associated components and methods for building. A modular building unit for use forming a portion of a building having other modular building units includes a plurality of beams and a column assembly attached to one or more beams of the plurality of beams. The column assembly includes an elongate interior sized and shaped to permit one or more tension cables to extend therein. A first cable mount is disposed in the elongate interior and is arranged to mount a first tension cable coupled to an underlying modular building unit of said other modular building units in the elongate interior. A second cable mount is disposed in the elongate interior and is arranged to mount a second tension cable coupled to an overlying modular building unit of said other modular building units in the elongate interior.