Transportable Building Unit Spanning Bridge Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transportable building construction faces challenges in achieving sufficient longitudinal dimension while maintaining structural stiffness and ride quality during transportation, due to height constraints and inadequate support systems, leading to potential damage from shock and vibration.
Innovation Solution
The use of near-zero slip joints and a unified beam structure, where building elements are integrated to act as a single unit, enhancing stiffness and resistance to bending, and a transportation system that allows the building unit to span unsupported distances like a bridge, eliminating the need for a traditional underframe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a steel frame and wheel sub-assembly is used for transportation, then the building unit can be transported, but the height is constrained to approximately 36 inches above ground, limiting the available height for living quarters and roof
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the traditional steel frame and wheel sub-assembly from the transportation system. Instead of using an external underframe with wheels positioned underneath, the building unit is transported with wheels positioned at the ends of the building, eliminating the need for a complex underframe structure and thereby increasing the available height for living quarters and roof.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial arrangement of the transportation support from a vertical configuration (wheels underneath the building) to a horizontal configuration (wheels at the ends of the building). This dimensional change allows the building to span between the wheels like a bridge, eliminating the need for a tall underframe and increasing vertical clearance.
2Reliability
If the floor is positioned above the axles or wheels are embedded into recesses, then ride quality may be improved, but the structural complexity and cost of equipment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wheels from the traditional underframe configuration and positions them at the ends of the building unit. This eliminates the need for complex floor-level wheel recesses or elevated floor assemblies, simplifying the structural design while maintaining transportation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The building unit's floor structure serves dual functions: it provides the living space and simultaneously acts as the support structure that spans between the wheels during transportation. This eliminates the need for a separate underframe and wheel assembly, reducing overall structural complexity.
3Length of moving object
If a dolly trailer is used to carry the building unit, then transportation is achieved, but the equipment cost increases and the building height is further constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the dolly trailer from the transportation system and integrates the wheel support directly into the building unit structure. The building unit itself becomes its own carriage, with wheels positioned at its ends, eliminating the need for expensive external dolly trailers.
Solution Approach 2:
The building unit is designed to be self-supporting during transportation, with its floor structure serving as the span element between the wheels. The unit transports itself without requiring external dolly trailers or specialized carrying equipment, reducing overall system cost.
4Strength
If the building unit spans unsupported distances like a bridge during transport, then the structural stiffness must be increased, but this may require additional structural elements
Solution Approach 1:
The floor structure of the building unit serves dual purposes: it provides the living space for occupants and simultaneously functions as the primary structural beam that spans between the wheels during transportation. This multi-functionality increases structural stiffness without requiring additional structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the floor structure with the transportation support structure. The floor joists and decking that form the living space are integrated with the span structure that supports the building during transport, creating a unified structural system that provides both functionality and strength.
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable building unit, and a method for constructing the same, which has sufficient strength to resist bending and other forces that otherwise may cause damage during transport, as well as a transportation system and method for transportable building units.