Modular Wall Blocks With Conical Pegs and V-Grooves
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular wall construction methods face difficulties in keying blocks due to obstructed visibility during registration, strain on masons, and peg shearing issues with eccentric protrusions, particularly when using interlocking pins and integral knobs.
Innovation Solution
A block and peg combination featuring cast blocks with conical pegs and V-shaped grooves allows for easy installation by inserting pegs into holes on the bottom of blocks, with the conical surface protruding to fit snugly into V-shaped grooves on top, enabling tactile registration and reducing strain on masons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If interlocking pins with eccentric protrusions are used to key blocks, then the blocks can be keyed to one another, but the eccentric nature causes peg head shearing during installation due to torque exertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric V-shaped grooves in the block surfaces that correspond to the asymmetric conical peg configuration. The V-groove geometry is specifically designed to receive the conical peg in a non-eccentric manner, distributing forces evenly and preventing the torque-induced shearing that occurs with traditional eccentric protrusions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the keying system from traditional cylindrical pins with eccentric protrusions to conical pins with symmetric V-shaped grooves. This parameter change in the geometry of the peg and groove interface eliminates the eccentric loading condition that causes peg head shearing during block installation.
2Reliability
If blocks are keyed using existing schemes requiring peg manipulation through holes, then blocks can be interconnected, but the process requires simultaneous block movement and pin manipulation which complicates installation
Solution Approach 1:
The conical pegs are pre-installed into the blocks at the factory before shipment. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site peg manipulation through holes during block installation. The pre-installed conical pegs with protruding conical surfaces are ready to engage with corresponding V-grooves in adjacent blocks, simplifying the installation process to merely positioning and pressing the blocks together.
3Measurement precision
If masons use existing keying schemes requiring observation of registration, then blocks can be properly aligned, but the mason's view is obstructed and strain results from leaning over to observe registration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes contrasting color schemes between the conical pegs and V-grooves to enhance visual detection of proper registration. The distinct color contrast between the peg material and groove material provides clear visual feedback to the installer, eliminating the need for the mason to lean over or strain to observe alignment, while still maintaining precise registration capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If integral knobs are used on block bottoms for keying, then material cost is low and construction is simple, but the blocks are more difficult to package and transport as they do not stack neatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the keying function from the block bottom surface by installing conical pegs with protruding conical surfaces into holes in the block bottom, leaving the block exterior surfaces smooth and flat. This separation of the keying mechanism from the block outer surfaces allows blocks to stack neatly for packaging and transport while still providing the simple integral-keying construction approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A block and peg combination for a modular wall construction is disclosed including a cast block of cementations material having a front face, a rear face, two sides with each side extending between an edge of the front face and an edge of the rear face, a bottom, and a top parallel to the bottom. The front face, rear face and two sides are substantially normal to the bottom and top. The front face has a width between the two sides which exceeds the width of the rear face between the two sides whereby the block tapers at the sides from a wide dimension at the front face to a narrower dimension at the rear face for forming curved walls. The bottom defines at least four spaced-apart holes adjacent the respective sides of the block. At least two pegs, each peg having a conical head portion and a shaft portion, are utilized for insertion into the spaced-apart holes on the bottom of the block.