Prefabricated Structure Tensioning Rod Panel Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current prefabricated structure assembly methods are inefficient, costly, and unreliable due to the need for extensive screwing or gluing, which leads to structural instability and difficulty in disassembly, especially when exposed to bad weather, and do not effectively manage slack or allow for easy removal.

Innovation Solution

A prefabricated structure featuring a frame with posts that use traction means, such as tie bars and screw nuts, to compact and block panels, eliminating the need for direct mechanical connections between panels and posts, allowing for efficient assembly, easy disassembly, and slack management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If panels are fixed to posts using screws or glues, then the structure achieves initial stability, but the assembly time increases significantly and disassembly becomes difficult or impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is divided into modular panels and posts that can be independently assembled and disassembled. Each panel can be separately fixed to posts using the tensioning rod mechanism, allowing rapid assembly without time-consuming adhesive applications or extensive screwing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tensioning rod system provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the structure to be assembled and disassembled easily. The rods can be tensioned to secure panels during assembly, and relaxed or removed for disassembly, eliminating the permanent fixation issues with screws and glues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If multiple screws are used to fix panels to posts, then the structure achieves firm connection, but the reliability decreases due to screw blunting and structural damage from numerous holes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidstructural reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the connection function from multiple discrete screws and replaces it with a single tensioning rod per panel that applies distributed force through the panel's reinforcement elements. This reduces the number of penetration points in the panel, minimizing structural damage and maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Reinforcement elements (such as metal strips or wooden battens) are introduced as intermediaries between the tensioning rod and the panel. These intermediaries distribute the clamping force across multiple points on the panel without requiring multiple holes through the panel itself, thus maintaining panel integrity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If glue is used to fix panels to posts, then the structure achieves firm connection, but disassembly becomes entirely impossible and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tensioning rod system provides dynamic, reversible connection. Panels can be securely fixed during assembly by tightening the rods, and easily released for disassembly by loosening or removing the rods, eliminating the permanent bonding characteristic of glue while maintaining connection strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Stability of the object's composition

If groove-and-tongue joints are used to connect panels, then the structure achieves stability without posts and screws, but the manufacturing cost increases due to expensive specialized machinery

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection function is segmented between the tensioning rods (providing the pulling force) and the reinforcement elements on the panels (providing the attachment points). This allows using standard drilling and reinforcement techniques rather than expensive groove-and-tongue machining equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

5Stability of the object's composition

If groove-and-tongue joints are used to connect panels, then the structure achieves stability without extensive fastening, but the junction points become exposed to weathering and prone to breakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidweather exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Reinforcement elements serve as intermediaries that protect the connection points between panels and posts. These reinforcement strips cover the attachment areas, shielding them from direct weather exposure while providing secure attachment points for the tensioning rods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2350402B1Structure for prefabricated
Publication Date: 2015.04.15 TI PE CO
  • EP2350402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2350402B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2350402B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention refers to a base structure for the realization of prefabricated in general comprising a frame (1) constituted by at least two posts (2, 2') opposed to each other. One or a plurality of panels (3) are framed within the posts in order to realize the base structure. In particular, according to the invention, the posts expects at predetermined heights h couples of holes (10) coaxial to each other to allow the insertion for each couple of tie bars (16) able to apply a reciprocal approaching action of the posts to block the panels comprised between them.