Modular Relocatable Habitat Unit Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current military combat training environments lack the flexibility and realism to simulate various terrain types efficiently, requiring extensive resources and labor for setup and disassembly, especially in remote or high-altitude locations, and often necessitate the use of permanent structures or specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A modular, scalable, and reconfigurable Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU) system using lightweight composite panels with pultruded fiberglass reinforced plastic beams and fire-retardant materials, assembled and disassembled with a single hand tool, allowing for easy relocation and replication of different environments, including urban and suburban settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If prefabricated building components are brought to a training site and assembled, then realistic training environments can be created, but special equipment and considerable man-hours of labor are required, sometimes requiring Military Construction Units
Solution Approach 1:
The building is divided into modular panels that can be independently manufactured and assembled. Each panel is a self-contained unit with standardized connection points, allowing the structure to be built piece by piece without requiring complex construction equipment or large crews.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal panel system that can be used to construct various types of buildings (habitats, bunkers, command posts) using the same basic panel design and connection methodology. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for specialized construction equipment for different building types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If non-permanent structures are used to comply with regulations at locations like the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Center, then the structures can be relocated, but they require easy assembly and disassembly capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The panels are pre-manufactured with integrated connection features (male and female connectors) already attached during fabrication. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site welding, drilling, or complex fastening operations, allowing rapid assembly by simply connecting the pre-equipped panels.
3Productivity
If structures are designed to be disassembled for relocation to another training site, then resource efficiency improves, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the panel connection system to allow for easy disassembly and recovery of panels for reuse. The male-female connector system enables panels to be quickly disconnected and reused in new configurations, maximizing resource efficiency while maintaining simple structural design through standardized connection points.
Data Source
AI summary
A construction set and method for assembling a single-level Relocatable Habitat Unit (RHU) requiring a plurality of flat panels that include male (M) and female (F) lock connectors located on their respective peripheries and a frame constructed from a plurality vertical corner posts and horizontal beams. The panels are a wall panel, a ceiling panel, or a floor panel. The entire RHU can be assembled using a single, hand-operated tool to engage a selected M lock with a selected F lock in addition to other securing hardware. First the floor is established and leveled. Next, starting at a corner, the walls are erected around the floor using vertical corner posts and horizontal beams. Finally, the roof is created. The hand-operated tool is used for each task.