Prefabricated Chimney Watertightness via Integral Plastic Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prefab building parts, such as chimneys, face issues with water leakage due to non-watertight connections between interconnected metal parts, and lack sufficient grip for secure attachment of components like feet or lifting eyes.
Innovation Solution
A prefab building part with a load-bearing construction made from a single, integral plastic block, preferably EPS, featuring meander-cut holes for auxiliary elements to secure screws, ensuring a watertight seal and enhanced attachment strength, manufactured using a hot wire cutting machine to maintain structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the load-bearing construction part is made from interconnected metal parts, then it offers structural strength and flexibility in assembly, but it creates leakage paths between parts where water can penetrate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple metal parts into a single integral plastic load-bearing construction part. This eliminates the connections between parts that would otherwise create leakage paths, while maintaining structural strength through the continuous plastic material. The single-piece construction ensures complete watertightness without requiring additional sealing measures at joints.
2Reliability
If the load-bearing construction part is made from a solid plastic block, then it provides complete watertightness, but it offers insufficient grip for screws to firmly fix parts to it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the solid plastic block by creating holes through it, into which auxiliary elements (such as wooden slats or plastic inserts) are inserted. These auxiliary elements provide threaded surfaces that enable screws to engage and firmly attach parts to the plastic load-bearing construction part. The segmentation creates functional interfaces while maintaining the overall integrity and watertightness of the plastic structure.
3Productivity
If traditional manufacturing methods are used for prefab building parts, then it allows for flexibility in design and assembly, but it results in longer construction times and more complex assembly procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-manufacturing the load-bearing construction part as a complete integral plastic piece with all necessary features (holes for auxiliary elements, attachment points, etc.) already formed. This eliminates on-site assembly of multiple components and reduces construction time, while the modular design with standardized features maintains ease of manufacture through efficient injection molding processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a completely watertight prefab building part with improved attachment security and reduced construction time by eliminating seams and the need for fastening materials, while maintaining structural strength and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
the load-bearing construction part of the building part is manufactured from a solid plastic block by cutting away parts of the plastic block with a hot wire cutting machine
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A prefab chimney is constructed from a load-bearing construction part 3 against which brick slips can be fitted. A foot 7 is mounted against the underside 3a of the construction part, with which the chimney can be mounted on a roof. Holes 9 are provided in the construction part 3, which extend in horizontal direction. Auxiliary elements 11 are inserted into these holes. These auxiliary elements are there to provide support for screws 13 and 15 with which parts are fixed to the construction part. The screws 13 passing through the foot 7 are screwed with the threaded ends 13a into the auxiliary elements 11, so that the foot 7 is firmly attached to the construction part 3. The Screws 15 provided with a lifting eye 15b at an end are also screwed into the auxiliary elements 11 with a threaded end 15a. These screws are only present during the installation of the chimney.