Modular Unit for External Building Services Renovation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current line renovation methods for old buildings are time-consuming, costly, and disruptive, requiring extensive planning and on-site coordination of different trades, which leads to delays and disturbance for residents, and are not easily adaptable to building requirements.

Innovation Solution

A modular unit system that allows for the external connection and renovation of building services components, such as pipes and electrical lines, using a variably adaptable installation frame that can be pre-assembled and attached to the building's facade, enabling quick and efficient replacement without extensive interior work.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional pipe renovation is performed inside the building, then complete replacement of supply lines is achieved, but renovation time is extended and residents are severely disturbed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete replacement of supply linesVSAvoidrenovation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent moves the renovation activity from the interior space to the exterior facade of the building. By installing modular units on the outside, the renovation process occurs in a different spatial dimension, allowing complete replacement of supply lines while minimizing disruption to residents inside the building and reducing renovation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The renovation system is divided into separate modular units that can be independently installed and replaced on the building facade. Each modular unit contains specific building services components, allowing for segmented renovation without requiring complete interior demolition and without affecting other parts of the building.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If traditional pipe renovation is performed inside the building, then supply lines are replaced, but extensive planning and coordination of different trades is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement of supply linesVSAvoidplanning and coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple building services components (water supply, drainage, heating, ventilation) that would traditionally require separate installation and coordination by different trades are merged into integrated modular units. This combination eliminates the need for complex scheduling and coordination of multiple trades, as all components are pre-integrated and installed as a single system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The modular units are pre-assembled with all building services components integrated before being installed on the building facade. This preliminary preparation of components in a controlled environment eliminates the need for extensive on-site planning and coordination, reducing device complexity during the actual renovation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If supply lines are permanently attached to the building, then structural stability is maintained, but replacement becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidreplacement speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The building services components are extracted from their traditional permanently attached positions within the building structure and relocated to external modular units mounted on the facade. This extraction allows the supply lines to be easily replaced by simply swapping modular units rather than dismantling and reinstalling permanently fixed pipes, dramatically increasing replacement speed while maintaining structural stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4321696A1Module unit
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 SISTEMS GMBH
  • EP4321696A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4321696A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4321696A1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

A modular unit (1) for receiving at least one building services component, wherein the at least one building services component (6, 8, 10, 12) serves for the supply and/or disposal of a building (20), and is attached to the outer wall of the building (20). Several modular units (1) can be assembled to form a module (100).