Pitched Roof Building Module Assembly for Snow Load and Solar Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modular buildings with flat roofs face issues such as heavy snow load problems, difficulty in installing photovoltaic panels, lack of overhangs, and compromised sustainability, especially when constructed from wood-based materials like cross-laminated timber (CLT).
Innovation Solution
Constructing building modules with pitched roofs, using gable panels with or without prefabricated features, and temporary panels for assembly, ensuring no internal supports are needed to prevent twisting during assembly and transport, with pre-installed water and electrical lines in channels, and foundations for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flat roofs are used in modular buildings, then construction is simplified and cost is reduced, but structural reliability under snow load and sustainability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pitched roof geometry (curved/sloped surfaces) instead of flat roofs to modular building modules. The gable panels create angled roof surfaces that naturally shed snow and water, improving structural reliability under snow load while maintaining the modular construction approach. This resolves the contradiction by introducing curvature to the roof surface.
2Ease of manufacture
If flat roofs are used in modular buildings, then construction is simplified, but installation of photovoltaic panels becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pitched roof structure with its angled surfaces provides optimal mounting surfaces for photovoltaic panels. The slopes facilitate proper panel orientation for solar exposure and drainage, making installation more effective and easier compared to flat roofs, while the modular gable panel system maintains construction simplicity.
3Ease of manufacture
If flat roofs are used in modular buildings, then construction cost is reduced, but building sustainability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Pitched roofs improve building sustainability by enabling natural ventilation through ridge and eave effects, facilitating passive cooling in summer and trapping heat in winter. The sloped surfaces also improve water runoff and snow shedding, reducing structural stress and extending building lifespan, thereby enhancing sustainability while the modular approach controls costs.
4Reliability
If pitched roofs are used in modular buildings, then structural reliability and sustainability are improved, but construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pitched roof structure is segmented into standardized gable panels that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. Each gable panel is a self-contained module with predefined geometry, which simplifies the overall construction process despite the complex pitched roof form. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by breaking down complexity into manageable, standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The gable panels are pre-manufactured with precise geometry and connection details in a controlled factory environment before delivery to the construction site. This preliminary action ensures structural reliability is built-in during manufacturing, reducing the need for complex on-site adjustments and simplifying the assembly process.
5Ease of operation
If pitched roofs are used in modular buildings, then photovoltaic panel installation is facilitated, but construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pitched roof is divided into standardized gable panels that create uniform sloped surfaces, providing ideal mounting areas for photovoltaic panels. The segmentation into modular units with consistent geometry simplifies the installation process compared to custom-built pitched roofs, as panels can be systematically mounted across multiple standardized surfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a building body module (1), comprising the steps: a) placing a first gable plate (2); b) vertically aligning a base plate (6) with base supports (7) extending at predetermined intervals from one another; c) vertically aligning two side wall plates (8) and at least two roof plates (9) to form a body (1a) open on the side opposite the first gable plate (2); d) aligning a second gable plate (10) with the body (1a) open on the side opposite the first gable plate (2) and attaching the second gable plate (10) to it to form a closed body (1a); e) lifting the body (1a) standing on the first gable plate (2) and placing it on the base supports (7) of the base plate (6);f) Mounting at least two support frames (11) surrounding the side walls and the roof and attaching these support frames (11) to the body (1a) and to selected floor supports (7) to form the building body module (1). The invention further relates to a building body module (1) produced in this way.