Prefabricated Module Integrating Technical Facilities for Rapid Construction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Construction of residential buildings in isolated or unserviced areas faces challenges such as high costs, lengthy design times, environmental impact, and inefficiencies due to the need for customized and labor-intensive construction of technical facilities like water, electricity, and plumbing, especially when resources are limited.

Innovation Solution

A prefabricated module integrating a shower, toilet, kitchen, and technical compartments in one piece, optimized for compact transport and easy maintenance, which includes domestic water supply, energy supply, and wastewater treatment, allowing for autonomous operation without connection to service infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If customized construction is used for each building unit, then the building can be adapted to specific needs and terrain, but the construction time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebuilding customizationVSAvoidconstruction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The building is divided into standardized modular units that can be manufactured off-site and assembled on-site. Each module contains complete functional spaces (living, sleeping, kitchen, bathroom) and can be independently constructed, then rapidly assembled together to form complete buildings, thus maintaining adaptability while dramatically increasing construction speed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal modular units that can serve multiple functions and be configured in various arrangements to meet different building requirements. The standardized modules can be adapted to different terrains and uses through flexible assembly configurations, maintaining customization capability while using standardized components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If technical facilities are distributed throughout the building, then each space can be independently serviced, but the construction complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefacility accessibilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates all technical facilities (water supply, sewage, electricity, heating) into a centralized technical compartment within each module. This merging of facilities into a single location simplifies construction by reducing the number of penetration points needed in module walls, while maintaining ease of operation through dedicated access openings for maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If modules are arranged to maximize living space, then the usable area increases, but the technical facilities become less efficient and require more space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliving spaceVSAvoidtechnical facility efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By consolidating technical facilities into a centralized compartment, the patent reduces the space required for utilities and minimizes distribution losses. The compact arrangement of facilities within the technical compartment improves efficiency while the modular design allows flexible configuration to maximize living space in the remaining module volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If construction is done on unserviced sites, then the building can be located in isolated areas, but the cost and difficulty of bringing materials and labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesite location flexibilityVSAvoidconstruction ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent manufactures complete modular units off-site in a controlled factory environment where all technical facilities are pre-installed and tested. This preliminary action eliminates the need to bring materials and skilled labor to remote construction sites, as only completed modules need to be transported and assembled on-site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By dividing the building into transportable modular units, the patent enables construction in isolated areas where complete buildings cannot be delivered. The segmented modules can be transported individually to remote sites and assembled on-site, making construction feasible in locations that would otherwise be inaccessible

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11421416B2Prefabricated module for a building and construction method

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 LITTOW ARCHITECTES

AI summary

Disclosed is a prefabricated module including, in one piece: a shower compartment, with a shower; a toilet compartment, with a toilet seat, the shower compartment and the toilet compartment being arranged longitudinally opposite one another; a kitchen compartment, which included a sink and a cooking appliance; a technical compartment, which included: a domestic water supply and a water heater, supplying domestic water to the shower and sink; an energy supply, supplying energy to the cooking appliance and the water heater; the kitchen compartment and the technical compartment being arranged between the shower compartment and the toilet compartment, which are transversely opposite one another, of the prefabricated module.