Self-Mounting Modular Structure for Rapid Protected Environment Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current quick intervention techniques for setting up protected environments, such as emergency shelters and exhibition spaces, are inefficient, requiring extensive time, manual labor, and skilled personnel, and are not suitable for rapid assembly or disassembly, especially in critical conditions.

Innovation Solution

A self-mounting modular structure comprising preassembled profiled peripheral columns, extractable crosspieces, adjustable wheels, and a mechanical or electro-mechanical control unit for automatic assembly and disassembly, allowing quick setup and stabilization of protected environments with minimal manual effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual assembly methods are used for setting up protected environments, then the structure can be assembled, but it requires extensive time and skilled personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The structure components are pre-assembled into modular units with all necessary connections and fittings prepared in advance. The columns are pre-mounted with wheels and adjustment mechanisms, and the crosspieces are pre-drilled with alignment holes, eliminating the need for on-site fabrication and reducing assembly time significantly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The protected environment structure is divided into independent modular units (columns, crosspieces, roofing sections) that can be assembled separately and then quickly connected. Each module is self-contained with its own mounting features, allowing parallel assembly by multiple workers or even single-operator assembly

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If manual assembly methods are used, then the structure can be assembled, but it requires a large physical presence of skilled personnel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

All complex connections, fastenings, and alignment features are pre-prepared during manufacturing. The modular units arrive at the site ready-to-assemble with all necessary hardware attached, transforming a complex multi-step assembly process into simple connection operations that require minimal skill

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The modular structure incorporates self-aligning features such as tapered connections, guide rails, and keyed mounting points that automatically position components correctly during assembly. The design allows the structure to guide its own assembly process, reducing the need for skilled operators to perform precise measurements and alignments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If traditional assembly methods are used, then the structure can be set up, but it requires preparation of the site and subsequent dismantling and storing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidpreparation and dismantling time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The modular units are pre-assembled and pre-positioned in compact configurations that can be rapidly deployed. The structure includes pre-attached transport wheels and folding mechanisms that eliminate the need for site preparation and enable quick deployment directly onto the target location

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The structure incorporates movable and collapsible elements such as foldable columns, telescopic crosspieces, and roll-up roofing sections. These dynamic features allow the structure to be quickly assembled and disassembled by simply moving components rather than performing complex fastening and unfastening operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2539523B1Self-mounting modular structure, for constituting protected environments
Publication Date: 2014.12.03 PILI TIZIANO
  • EP2539523B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2539523B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2539523B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A self-mounting modular structure comprises profiled peripheral columns (1, T) which exhibit upper overlapped and spaced fulcrums (2, 2'), wherein the rear portions of two series of crosspieces (3, 3') engage, the front ends whereof connect to upper (4) and lower (41) fulcrums of the central support rack (5) of a control unit (6) the stem whereof (7) connects, through a coaxial joint (8) and movable radial levers (9), to the front extensions (3") of the lower crosspieces (31). In feedback, the stem (7) rises and pushes the columns (1, T) outwards, which move on standard or roller tracked wheels (11), causing the lifting in the middle and "at the ceiling" of the crosspieces (3, 3'), located within the same columns. Peripheral section bars (19), also comprised in closure in the peripheral columns (1, T), delimit the structure with roll-up sheets (21), along with an upper cover (22) engaged, in the middle, with said rack (5).