Modular Mikveh Vessel Construction for Sealed Lightweight Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Constructing a mikveh is a costly and complex process due to stringent Jewish regulations regarding water sourcing and vessel construction, making it difficult for communities to establish a mikveh without incurring significant expenses.

Innovation Solution

A modular, lightweight construction method using connected building units made of materials like plastic, polycarbonate, or glass, which are fixed to the ground and interconnected to form a sealed vessel capable of holding at least 575 liters of water, allowing for natural water sourcing and efficient heating, while adhering to Jewish regulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional heavy construction technology is used to build a mikveh, then the structure is stable and durable, but the construction cost and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mikveh structure is divided into modular building units that can be assembled together to form the complete vessel. Each unit is a self-contained component that contributes to the overall structure, allowing for simplified construction while maintaining structural integrity through the modular design approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional heavy construction technology is used to build a mikveh, then the structure is stable and durable, but the construction cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidconstruction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mikveh structure is divided into modular building units that can be assembled together to form the complete vessel. Each unit is a self-contained component that contributes to the overall structure, allowing for simplified construction while maintaining structural integrity through the modular design approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If lightweight modular building units are used to construct the mikveh, then construction cost and complexity are reduced, but the weight-bearing capacity and structural strength must be sufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction easeVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The building units are constructed from composite materials that provide both lightweight properties and sufficient structural strength. The use of composite materials allows the structure to meet the weight requirements for holding 575 liters of water while maintaining ease of construction and assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Ease of manufacture

If the vessel is hollowed to avoid containing water capability, then it is cheaper and more convenient, but other legal scholars doubt its permissibility as the vessel remains a 'tool' receiving impurity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction costVSAvoidreligious compliance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vessel is constructed from multiple separate building units that are assembled together, creating a structure that is not considered a single hollow vessel. This segmented construction approach allows the structure to be affordable while potentially addressing the religious compliance issue by transforming the nature of the water-containing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2636820B1Mikveh and method for constructing the mikveh
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 EBENSPANGER GIDON ISRAEL
  • EP2636820B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2636820B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2636820B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for constructing a mikveh (10), said method comprising the steps of permanently fixing at least one initial building unit (22) to the ground (28) or to a stationary substance of an installation site; connecting, in a sealed manner, additional building units (22) to said at least one initial building unit (22) and if necessary also one (22) to the other (22), for producing a sealed vessel (52); inserting into said vessel (52) at least one partition (16) comprising water transition (18), for partitioning thereof to at least one basin (30) comprising at least the minimal required volume of a mikveh according to the Jewish regulation, and to at least one immersion pool (20) comprising a volume sufficient for immersion, wherein the length of each of most of said building units (22) is at least 50 centimeters and the weight per area thereof is less than 250 kg per 1 square meter, thereby applying a modular and relatively lightweight technology, being permissible by Jewish regulation for a mikveh (10), rather than the conventional heavy construction technology.