ES2290521T3 - MECHANISM FOR FIXATION BETWEEN MODULAR CONSTRUCTION UNITS. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a mechanism for securing together room sized modular building units in the construction of a building. The mechanism comprises mutually aligned detent means on the facing outside walls of each pair of adjacent modular building units, link means to be lowered between two adjacent but mutually spaced modular building units in the final building for engaging with the mutually aligned detent means to lock them together in the vertical direction, and resilient means permitting the link means to engage the detent means but preventing movement in the return direction. By lowering the link means into the gap between adjacent modules and linking together the modules at a number of spaced points around their entire peripheries, the modules can be connected together along all edges in the vertical and horizontal planes.

Description

Mechanism for fixing units together Modular construction.

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to units Modular construction, to be used in office construction, hotels and houses of prefabricated flats on a large scale, as well as buildings of a similar general nature. These modular units for the construction are some box-like structures that can be manufactured and mounted off-site, and then transported to construction site for final assembly and forming rooms  internal of a building. The building is assembled by stacking of individual modules in a horizontal arrangement and vertical and fixing them together to form a structure rigid The invention provides a novel mechanism for fixing the modules adjacent to each other.

For the document BE-A-888354 a mechanism is known for fixing the building modules with each other.

Prior art

Particularly in the construction of hotels, student apartments and flats the fact of build buildings from lightweight building modules, each of which is a skeletal piece of steel formed to from lightweight and welded steel structural sections in a box-like structure and lined with board such as plasterboard, plywood or board oriented cables (OSB). Each building module is made initially as a lined piece, and then assembled with the Desired standard of internal factory decoration before being transported to the final construction site to incorporate it into a building.

The individual building modules to erect in a horizontal and vertical layout in such a building are described and claimed in the patent application co-pending no. WO68004. Other modules are known for construction, made mainly from frames of Wood and wood board.

A difficulty arises in fixing the individual modules with each other. A first module can be maneuvered  towards its position by means of a crane and be anchored or, fixed to the foundations of the building. Then, the next module can be maneuvered and positioned next to it, although the edge that falls from the side of the foundations immediately adjacent to the original module fixed, it is inaccessible, and only the accessible sides of the base of the module can be fixed to the foundation. Similarly with all the following floors of the building, only the first module to maneuvering into position can be fixed on all edges lower. All the following modules have at least one edge bottom hidden by the adjacent module or modules, so that the fixation is limited to non-hidden edges.

The invention

The invention provides a mechanism for fixing each other some building modules the size of a room in the construction of a building as claimed herein claims. The mechanism can be used in fixing the first row of building modules at a foundation or base structure, or for fixing any row that Follow the bottom row. The resulting building is one in which each building module is fixed along both sides longitudinal and preferably along all sides of the adjacent structure in both directions, vertical and horizontal.

Drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic view in perspective of eight building modules stacked in one typical, vertical and horizontal arrangement of 2x2x2, of a part of a modular building constructed from such modules;

Figure 2 is a vertical section through a first embodiment of a fixing mechanism according to the invention, which ensures four of the modules of the fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a part of the fixing mechanism of fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical section through a second embodiment of a fixing mechanism according to the invention to secure each other two modules horizontally adjacent to fig. 1, although the fixation is shown in fig. 4 lateral of only one of those modules for clarity; Y

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the mechanism of fig. 4.

First of all with reference to figure 1, in the a part of a building is schematically illustrated built from modular building units, such as those described and illustrated, for example in the application for co-pending patent no. WO068004. These modules they are illustrated in a 2x2x2 arrangement, although in a building Full layout could be much larger. The rooms of double bottom are a common feature of such buildings, like the outer walls of the modules can be Pre-assembled with external windows. The walls internal can be provided with communication doors or sections of aisle, to arrange floor designs familiar to everyone those aware of modern layouts of hotel bedrooms. The number of modules in each aisle depends on the size of the place only, and the height of the building is dictated only by the resistance of individual units and stiffness and capacity load bearing of the lower units.

Figure 1 shows three modules 1, 2 and 3 of the four modules on the ground floor. A fourth module of the ground floor, which should take reference 4, is hidden from the view. On the top floor, however, all the four modules 5, 6, 7 and 8.

If the individual modules were put in position according to the previous number sequence, it would be seen that the module 1 can be fixed to the foundation (or to the ground below if the illustration outside at a higher level of the building) by all four of its base edges, because none of those edges are hidden by an adjacent module when said module 1 He is the only one in the place. When module 2 is put into position from the side, however, cannot be fixed to the foundation or row bottom along its short bottom edge as it stops with module 1. In the past it has been fixed only on the other sides inferior, discovered. Similarly, module 3 has been fixed only along two short base edges and one base long; and module 4 should be fixed only along one edge Long and one short. Exactly the same limitations are applicable when modules 5 to 8 are lifted into position and fix them to modules 1 to 4.

Figures 2 and 3 show a mechanism of fixing according to the invention, which holds all modules along all its edges or sides in both directions, vertical and horizontal. The four building modules Illustrated are modules 1, 2, 5 and 6 of Figure 1, although naturally any adjacent series of four modules could be connected to each other in the same way. The corner detail of the individual modules is as described and claimed in the co-pending patent application no. WO68005. Every one of the mutually facing vertical walls of the modules individual is illustrated as double thickness, with more wall outside of each module bearing reference 10. The representation of the walls as double thickness is not relevant for this invention, and is purely a consideration of the fact that individual building modules, which can be like the described and claimed in the patent application co-pending WO68004, are made from a internally lined skeletal frame and finished with equipment before being transported to the building site.

What is important for this invention is that each module has a grooved member attached to its outer wall metallic section 11 with sunken high part extending around the outside of the module along each wall that in the finished building has to face the wall of a module adjacent. One of said ribbed members 11 is fixed around from the top of each module as illustrated for modules 1 and 2; and another one is fixed around the bottom of each module as illustrated for modules 5 and 6. Each individual module, by therefore, it has two of said 11 ribbed members around its periphery or part of its periphery, one at a low level and one at a high level. Each ribbed member 11 is parallel to the corner adjacent to the module and separated from that corner with a constant separation "d".

When the modules are stacked together there is a small but constant separation between vertical walls adjacent. This is a necessary requirement for isolation. acoustic, and is used in the fixing mechanism of the invention. Joining means 12 are inserted in the space between adjacent modules 1 and 2 as shown in figure 2, and then ensure the upper parts of those two modules before Modules 5 and 6 are placed in position. The means of union 12, illustrated more clearly in Figure 3, comprise a strip of base 13 made of rigid galvanized steel from which there is a regular arrangement, along the length of the base strip, with flexible and elastic legs 14 each having a flange of retention 15 formed along its upper and outer edge. Under the base strip 13 there is a regular arrangement symmetrically similar of flexible and elastic legs 16 having each a retention tab 17 formed along its edge lower and outer. The vertical space between the base strip and Tabs 15 and 17 is the distance "d".

When the joining means 12 are inserted into the gap between adjacent modules 1 and 2, legs 16 flex inward until the tabs pass below the ribbed members 11, and then elastically return to outside thanks to its own elasticity retaining the means of attachment firmly with its base strip 13 butting the surface upper of adjacent modules 1 and 2. Then, the base strip 13 is secured by its longitudinal edges to modules 1 and 2 of below, for example, by screws. Some screws self-tapping in the structural steel frame of the modules give a chain fastener; alternatively, the base strip could be welded by spot welding or seam welding to a peripheral channel of the upper edges of the modules. In the Figure 3, with 18 the points of the screws or of spot welding.

When they have been insured as described more above, modules 1 and 2 are held together along their upper edges, both vertically and horizontally, by means of joining 12. On the other hand, the legs elastically flexible rights 14 and retention tabs 15 se position to fit with the lower ribbed members 11 of the next level of modules 5 and 6 as they are located  in position As modules 5 and 6 are descended towards the position on the upper parts of modules 1 and 2, the elastically flexible legs flex and return with their retention tabs 15 fitting over the ribbed member 11 of the associated module, providing a safe incorporation of the next layer of modules around all edges of each module, upper and lower.

The base piece 13 of each insert 12 has Another important function. It completely covers and closes the existing gap between adjacent modules. Therefore, when modules are being erected in place there is only a short moment during which rain or dust can sneak between modules adjacent, which is a highly interesting feature in The same place of building. Likewise, when completing the building the creation of a chimney or continuous vacuum from the base is avoided from the roof of the finished building, which is a great advantage since the point of view of fire safety. In figure 3 the strip The base is illustrated as flat. However, a preferred way is to configure the base strip as a gutter, so that the rain that may fall on the building modules during the lifting of the building is led to one or the other end of the building itself.

It should be understood that adequate acoustic insulation between adjacent modules and between modules and inserts 12, although none of them are shown in the drawings For example, an acoustic barrier could be created between adjacent modules by placing a layer of a acoustic insulating material, such as neoprene foam, between outer walls 10 of each module and the corrugated members 11; or well, covering the outer surface of the corrugated members 11 With a similar material.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a mechanism alternative fastener according to the invention. Each module It has a series of guide channels 21 on its outer wall 10. Each guide channel 21 is mounted on a fixing plate 22 which is secured to the outer wall 10, for example, by welding or screws, or bolted through a layer of sound insulation (not illustrated). Each guide channel 21 is shifted out of its fixing plate 22 with a distance "d1" (figure 4) in the direction of the adjacent modules of the building. The distance "d1" is less than one half of the space that remains between adjacent modules when they are located in its position in the final construction, as illustrated in the Figure 1, so that in the final construction there is a space between adjacent and mutually aligned guide channels 21.

Each guide channel has a guide neckline 23 formed on its outer face, which extends from a throat divergent 24 towards a parallel-sided receptacle portion 25. Attached to the bottom of the fixing plate 22, and falling into the guide channel 21, there is an elastically laminated sheet deformable spring steel 26 that acts as a retainer for a connector pin element 27 which will be described later. There is a circular opening 28 in the elastic retention member 26, which is positioned to match along the bottom of the receptacle portion 25 of the guide channel 23 in order to receive one end of the connector pin element 27.

The connector pin element 27 is located in a lower end of an insertion bar 29. When two single-floor modules of a building are in their positions adjacent ends to each other as depicted in figure 1, by For example, the guide channels 21 of said two modules are immediately adjacent to each other. The insertion bar 29 is descended into the gap between adjacent modules and the pin element 27 is guided by the divergent sides of the throat 24 in receptacle portions 25 of the two channels of adjacent guide 21. As the insertion bar 29 is lowered, it bends the steel retaining element elastic 25 inward, but it returns elastically with the ends of the pin member 27 housed in the opening circular 28. The spring steel retaining elements 26 prevent pin 27 from moving in the direction vertical, and the shoulders 30 of the pin member 27 fit behind the wall of the guide channels 21 defining the receptacle portions 25 to prevent lateral movement of a constructive module with respect to the other.

The guide channels 21 can be provided in any point and at any height from the outer sides facing each other from the building modules. If they are provide for a low level, near the base of the modules, then it may be convenient to incorporate additional guiding means to facilitate the engagement of the pin element 28 in the channels of guide 21 as the insertion bar is lowered from the upper part of adjacent modules.

Conveniently, as it is completed each level of the building a steel cover strip is fixed on the small gap between adjacent modules, to take shelter of the time of the place before the building is finished and to act as a firewall in the finished building. Said cover strip also helps to fix the adjacent modules, since it links the edges together of the adjacent modules in the horizontal plane. The invention therefore encompasses a construction method in which such sheet metal, with a gutter formed therein, is fixed on the existing unions between the upper parts of adjacent modular building units of each floor of the building. Preferably, the gutters formed in those sheet metal conducts rainwater and / or condensation to building exterior

Claims (8)

1. A mechanism for fixing to each other modular building units the size of a room in the construction of a building, comprising mutually aligned grooved means (11, 21) in the outer facing walls (10) of each pair of adjacent modular construction units, joining means (12, 27) intended to be lowered between two adjacent modular construction units but spaced apart in the final construction and passing vertically between mutually aligned grooved means (11, 21) to fit with mutually aligned grooved means (11, 21) and lock them together, characterized by elasticly predisposed hooking means (14, 26) that allow the joining means (12, 27) to pass vertically between the aligned fluted means ( 11, 21) to couple the fluted means (11, 21) but prevent movement in the return direction. 2. A mechanism according to claim 1, in which the coupling means elastically predisposed they comprise spring supports (16) for the joining means (12) allowing the joining means (12) to flex and pass vertically between the fluted means (11) as the joining means (12) are descended, and they return elastically under a shoulder of the ribbed means (11) to prevent a return movement. 3. A mechanism according to claim 2, in which the joining means comprise a pair of tabs turns outward (17) over the bottom edges of the supports spring (16), and the ribbed means (11) comprise a pair of corrugated members fixed to the outside of the modules so that the eyelashes fit under the shoulders of the limbs fluted when the joining means are descended into space existing between adjacent building modules. 4. A mechanism according to claim 3, in which the spring supports depend on a base plate (13) which is wide enough to cover the space covered between adjacent modules and which, in use, is fixed to the parts upper construction modules to prevent movement relative between them in the horizontal plane. 5. A mechanism according to claim 4, in which an additional pair of spring supports (14) is extend upwards from the base plate (13) to end in a tabs directed outwards (15) intended to fit over the upper parts of another pair of ribbed members (11) fixed to the outside of the modules as the next module layer is moved to its position to form the next floor of the building. 6. A mechanism according to claim 1, in which the joining means comprise a pin member double headed (27) extending transversely in space between adjacent building modules and is supported by a insertion bar (29) on which the pin member (27) it can be descended in the mentioned space; and each of the media Ribbed is a ribbed member on the outer wall of each construction module comprising a guide channel (21) for guiding an extreme portion of the pin member (27) while the pin member heads (27) fit the means fluted aligned mutually to lock them together. 7. A mechanism according to claim 6, in which the elastic means are a spring member (26) that it has an opening (28) in which one end of the pin (27), so that the descent of the joining means in the space between the building modules produces the flexion of the spring member (26) until the end of the pin (27) is accommodates in the opening, after which the spring member (26) elastically returns to retain the pin member (27). 8. A method to build a building from of a plurality of modular building units of size of a room, which includes joining units of adjacent modular construction using an agreement mechanism with any of the preceding claims, and set on the horizontal joints between the upper parts of the adjacent modular building units a sheet metal in which is formed a gutter intended to drive water from rain or condensation from the top of each floor of modular building units of the building to the outside of the building itself.