US20230052907A1

US20230052907A1 - Modular building structure

Info

Publication number: US20230052907A1
Application number: US17/777,084
Authority: US
Inventors: Elena MUSSINELLI; Andrea TARTAGLIA; Gianpaolo CUGOLA; Joseph DI PASQUALE; Roberto MANDURINO
Original assignee: Politecnico di Milano
Current assignee: Politecnico di Milano
Priority date: 2019-11-21
Filing date: 2020-11-09
Publication date: 2023-02-16
Also published as: IT201900021816A1; WO2021099882A1; EP4062002A1

Abstract

A building structure (1) comprises a supporting structure (2), a plurality of constructive units (3), configured to accommodate one or more users (20), at least a facility (4), which comprises a first functional portion (41) obtained inside the supporting structure (2); the supporting structure (2) comprises a plurality of seats (5), each seat (5) is configured to accommodate a respective constructive unit (3), each constructive unit (3) is independently insertable and removable from the respective seat (5), the facility (4) comprises at least a second functional portion (42) for each constructive unit (3) and placed in the constructive unit (3), the second functional portion (42) is configured to connect to the first functional portion (41) when the respective constructive unit (3) is inserted in the respective seat (5).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a modular building. The building according to the present invention can be usefully employed in the construction of residential premises, offices, common areas and still more.

BACKGROUND ART

It is known in the background art a building comprising a supporting structure. In particular, such supporting structure comprises walls and floors dividing it into a plurality of functional units, such as flats or offices, in turn comprising several rooms. The building, to be fit for use by one or more users, comprises facilities of different types, such as electrical, hydraulic, ventilation, gas, heating facilities or still more. These facilities are generally obtained inside the walls and/or floors of each functional unit.

PROBLEM OF THE PRIOR ART

Disadvantageously, in case a facility needs to be modified or renewed, disruptive interventions are required, as it is necessary to break the walls and/or floors wherein the facility is contained, making the whole construction unit or part thereof unfit during the work.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to provide a building structure which overcomes the above described drawbacks of the prior art.
In particular, it is the object of the present invention to make available a building structure enabling less invasive and more rapid interventions.
The defined technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a building structure comprising the technical characteristics set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Such building structure overcomes the technical problem in that it comprises constructive unit modules that are insertable and removable into/from a supporting structure. The single constructive units can be replaced, while the supporting structure is intended for a longer lifetime. In particular, facilities comprise a first functional portion obtained inside the supporting structure, and at least a second functional portion for each constructive unit, placed in the constructive unit itself. When a constructive unit is inserted into the supporting structure, the respective second functional portion is connected to the first functional portion and the facility is active.
In case one or more facilities in a constructive unit need to be modified or replaced, it is sufficient to remove the single constructive unit and act on the single removed unit, in particular on the second functional portion in the constructive unit. Thereby disruptive interventions on the supporting structure are prevented. When the constructive unit is re-inserted into the supporting structure the facility is made active again. Possibly, it is also possible to replace the removed constructive unit with a new one that is already prepared, already provided with the required facility modifications. Working times are thereby reduced considerably.
Thanks to the building structure according to the present invention it is possible to modify facilities with no invasive interventions and in shorter times.
Furthermore, such building structure enables to move the whole constructive unit in case a user desires to move from one office to another.

LIST OF FIGURES

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the approximate and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a building structure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a building structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the building structure of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an assembly step of the building structure of FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are a view from above of a portion of the building structure of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a system comprising the building structure of FIG. 1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the appended figures, 1 indicates a building structure 1 according to the present invention.
According to a preferred solution, the building structure 1 according to the present invention is designated as a residential complex. Alternatively, for example, the building structure 1 according to the present invention may be designated as an office complex or a public structure, such as a hospital.
Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the building structure 1 comprises a supporting structure 2. The building structure 1 also comprises a plurality of constructive units 3, configured to accommodate one or more users 20.
The supporting structure 1 comprises a plurality of seats 5. In particular, each seat 5 is configured to accommodate a respective constructive unit 3. More in detail, each constructive unit 3 is insertable and removable from the respective seat 5 independently of the other constructive units 3.
In order to be fit for residential use, the building structure 1 comprises at least a facility 4. In the hereafter description, the term facility 4 will refer to the assembly of units designated to deliver a utility inside a structure, intended to supply single devices inside the structure itself. For example, the facility 4 may be a hydraulic, gas, ventilation, electrical, heating, network facility or still more.
In particular, the facility 4 comprises a first functional portion 41 obtained inside the supporting structure 2. The facility 4 also comprises at least a second functional portion 42 for each constructive unit 3, placed in the constructive unit 3.
For example, the first 41 and the second 42 functional portions are configured for transporting energy carriers of the consumption fluids.
It is worth noting that the second functional portion 42 is configured to connect to the first functional portion 41 when the respective constructive unit 3 is inserted into the respective seat 5.
More in detail, according to a preferred embodiment, the first functional portion 41 comprises a plurality of first connection units 410. Each first connection unit 410 is placed in a respective seat 5. According to such embodiment, each second functional portion 42 comprises a second connection unit 420. Such second connection unit is configured to face the respective first connection unit 410 when the construction unit 3 is inserted into the respective seat 5.
In further detail, referring to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b , each second connection unit 420 is configured to be connected to the respective first connection unit 410 when the constructive unit 3 is inserted in the respective seat 5. For example, first 410 and second 420 connection units form a connection interface comprising male-female connectors. According to this embodiment, a user connects the second connection unit 420 to the first connection unit 410 when the two connection units 410, 420 are at such a distance as to enable the connection. Alternatively, first 410 and second 420 connection units comprise connection interfaces that are configured to automatically connect by means of contact.
The supporting structure 2 comprises a façade 6, which has a plurality of apertures 7. In this context, façade 6 means the assembly of one or more walls facing an outer environment.
The supporting structure 2 further comprises horizontal and/or vertical dividing elements 8. Such dividing elements 8 are enclosed inside the façade 6. In particular, the horizontal dividing elements 8 divide the supporting structure 2 into several floors. The vertical elements 8 instead subdivide the inner space of a floor.
It is worth noting that the plurality of seats 5 is defined at the plurality of apertures 7 by horizontal and vertical dividing elements 8. Preferably, the number of apertures 7 being present on the façade 6 corresponds to the number of seats 5. In particular, each aperture 7 is sized such to enable inserting/removing the constructive unit into the seat 5, i.e. the width of an aperture 6 corresponds to the width of the constructive unit 3.
Referring in particular to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b , it is worth noting that the seat 5 does not necessarily have the same size as the constructive unit 3, but it can be larger. Preferably, the apertures 7 are mutually equally sized. Accordingly, also the constructive units 3 are mutually equally sized. Still more preferably, the constructive units 3 are standard, i.e. they comprise a set of common elements, and can in addition comprise other elements customizable by the one or more users 20. Advantageously, it is possible to obtain a residential complex completed in a short time from a supporting structure 2 and a series of standard constructive units 3.
More in detail, each seat 5 is upperly and lowerly defined by the respective horizontal dividing elements 8. In particular, each seat 5 is defined by a lower horizontal dividing element 8 and by an upper horizontal dividing element 8. Each seat 5 is also defined by vertical dividing elements 8. Preferably, the seat 5 is defined by a rear vertical dividing element 8. The term “rear” means the side of the seat 5 opposite to the aperture 7.
Optionally, each seat 5 is defined also laterally by two vertical dividing elements 8. Alternatively, a seat 5 is defined laterally by one (or no) vertical dividing element 8. This alternative form is useful in case continuity rather than separation between the several adjacent constructive units 3 is desired, thereby defining a single volume.
Referring to FIG. 3 , inserting/removing the constructive unit 3 occurs by sliding within the respective seat 5. In this regard, each seat 5 comprises a guide 91 and each constructive unit 3 comprises sliding means 9 configured to slide into the guide 91. The guide 91 and the sliding means 9 are adapted to enable a correct positioning of the constructive unit 3 into the respective seat 5 when it is inserted therein. Preferably, the guide 91 is placed on the lower horizontal dividing element 8.
Each constructive unit 3 comprises a platform 11. Such platform 11 is a base support which accommodates other elements forming part of the constructive unit 3 itself. Preferably, the platform 11 is configured to slide on the lower horizontal dividing element 8 of the respective seat 5. According to such embodiment, the lower horizontal dividing element 8 is configured to accommodate the platform 11 of the constructive unit 3 when it is inserted in the respective seat 5. According to a preferred embodiment, the sliding means 9 comprise wheels 14. Such wheels are preferably underlying the platform 11. According to such embodiment, the guide 91 comprises grooves configured to accommodate such wheels 14 and sized consistently with them.
Preferably, each first connection unit 410 is located in the respective seat 5 at the rear vertical dividing element 8. Accordingly, the second connection unit 420 of the respective constructive unit is arranged at a platform 11 end. In particular, the second connection unit 420 is placed at the platform 11 end which faces the rear vertical dividing element 8 when the constructive unit 3 is inserted into the respective seat 5. In other words, when the constructive unit 3 is inserted into the respective seat 5, the second connection unit 420 is located at the part opposite the aperture 7.
Each constructive unit 3 comprises a floor 12, placed above the platform 11, and frames 13. It is worth noting that the second functional portions 42 of the facility 4 are at least partially gathered inside the floor 12 and/or the frames 13.
Each constructive unit 3 comprises closure elements 10. Such closure elements are placed at a platform 11 end, in particular at the opposite end with respect to the second connection unit 420. Such closure elements 10 are configured to be positioned at the respective aperture 7 when the constructive unit 3 is inserted into the respective seat 5. More in detail, the closure elements 10 are placed above the respective aperture 7, entirely covering it, when the constructive unit 3 is inserted in the respective seat 5. The closure elements 10 are further configured to guarantee thermal insulation. Preferably, closure elements 10 comprise elements for filtering the natural light and/or for saving heat. Preferably, such closure elements 10 comprise a window 15 and/or a door and/or a French window. Still more preferably, closure elements 10 comprise a veranda 16. According to a preferred embodiment, such veranda 16 protrudes outwardly with respect to the seat 5 wherein the constructive unit 3 is inserted. According to such embodiment, the veranda 16 may comprise solar panels 17.
Each constructive unit 3 has at least a side free from outer walls. In other words, each constructive unit 3, singularly forms a space at least partially open. Each constructive unit 3, when inserted in the respective seat 5, defines a closed space with the respective seat 5. Such space is lowerly defined by the platform 11 of the constructive unit 3 and upperly defined by the respective upper horizontal dividing element 8 of the seat 5. Such space is further closed at the aperture 7 by closure elements 10. Furthermore, such space may be referred to a single constructive unit 3 or to a plurality of adjacent constructive units 3. In other words, a single flat or office may extend inside one or more constructive units 3 placed side by side.
According to a preferred embodiment, the constructive unit 3 may comprise one or more of the following elements pre-assembled on the platform 11: inner walls, kitchen, bathroom, furniture items and various devices, such as TV set and/or lights, even built-in in an inner wall, and still more. In other words, the constructive unit 3 according to such embodiment comprises what makes the space fit for use by one or more users 20. Preferably, the constructive unit 3 also comprises elements intended to improve the air quality inside the living space. For example, the constructive unit 3 comprises a system for filtering air and/or a system for measuring/adjusting the content of carbon dioxide.
Preferably, the frames 13 extend along the length and width of the respective platform 11. Thereby, the second functional portions 42 are adapted to connect to the various devices being present and to deliver the utilities inside the whole living space.
The present invention also has as an object a system 100 comprising the above-described building structure 1. Such system 100 comprises, in addition to the building structure 1, a control unit 101 for each constructive unit 3. Such control unit 101 is connected to the respective second functional portions 42. The control unit 101 may comprise one or more hardware components and/or one or more software programmes for controlling the second functional portions 42. The implementation of the control unit 101 can be made on local hardware, in one or more virtual machines and/or can be distributed on one or more devices connected in the network via cables or wireless connections.
The system 100 comprises a user interface 102, placed in signal communication with the control unit 101. Advantageously, the user 20 can manage by the user interface his own living space and the devices connected to the respective second functional portions 42. For example, the user interface 102 enables to adjust and/or control the lights and/or environmental conditions of the living space, such as the carbon dioxide content and/or air conditioning/ventilation facilities. The user interface 102, for example, is formed in a panel placed inside the constructive unit 3 and/or in a mobile device.
The system 100 also comprises a central unit 103, placed in signal communication with each control unit 102. Such central unit 103 is configured to monitor the performances of the whole building structure 1 acting on the single control units 101. For example, the central unit 103 is configured to keeps consumptions under predefined thresholds such as to the optimise energy saving.

Claims

1. A building structure comprising:

supporting structure having a façade having a plurality of apertures and horizontal and/or vertical dividing elements,

a plurality of constructive units, configured to accommodate one or more users,

at least a facility comprising one first functional portion obtained inside the supporting structure;

said supporting structure comprising a plurality of seats, each seat being defined by said dividing elements at said plurality of apertures, each seat being configured to accommodate a respective constructive unit, each constructive unit being independently insertable and removable from the respective seat, each constructive unit comprising a platform configured to slide onto the lower horizontal dividing element of the respective seat, said facility comprising at least one second functional portion for each constructive unit and placed in the constructive unit, said second functional portion being configured to connect to the first functional portion when the respective constructive unit is inserted in the respective seat, wherein each constructive unit, when inserted in the respective seat, defines with the respective seat at least partially a closed space, the closed space being defined below from the platform of one or more adjacent constructive unit and above from the respective upper horizontal dividing element of the corresponding seats.

2. The building structure according to claim 1, wherein each constructive unit has at least one side with no external walls, each constructive unit realizing individually a space at least partially open.

3. The building structure according to claim 1, wherein the first functional portion comprises a plurality of first connection units, each first connection unit being placed in a respective seat, each second functional portion comprising a second connection unit configured to face and be connected to the respective first connection unit when the constructive unit is inserted in the respective seat.

4. The building structure according to claim 1, wherein each constructive unit is configured to slide into the respective seat to be inserted or removed, each seat comprising a guide, each constructive unit comprising sliding means configured to slide into the guide to allow a correct positioning of the constructive unit when it is inserted in the respective seat.

5. The building structure according to claim 1, wherein each constructive unit comprises closure elements placed at an end of the constructive unit, said closure elements being configured to be positioned at the respective aperture when the constructive unit is inserted in the respective seat to define a closed space.

6. The building structure according to claim 1, wherein each platform comprises floors and frames, said second functional portions of the facility being enclosed at least partially inside said floors and/or frames.

7. The building structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each constructive unit defines with the respective seat a living space when it is inserted in said seat.

8. The building structure according to claim 4, wherein said sliding means comprise wheels underlying said platform.

9. The building structure according to claim 5, wherein said closure elements comprise a window.

10. A system comprising:

a supporting structure having a façade having a plurality of apertures and horizontal and/or vertical dividing elements,

a plurality of constructive units, configured to accommodate one or more users,

at least a facility comprising one first functional portion obtained inside the supporting structure

said supporting structure comprising a plurality of seats, each seat being defined by said dividing elements at said plurality of apertures, each seat being configured to accommodate a respective constructive unit, each constructive unit being independently insertable and removable from the respective seat, each constructive unit comprising a platform configured to slide onto the lower horizontal dividing element of the respective seat, said facility comprising at least one second functional portion for each constructive unit, and placed in the constructive unit, said second functional portion being configured to connect to the first functional portion when the respective constructive unit is inserted in the respective seat, wherein

each constructive unit, when inserted in the respective seat, defines with the respective seat at least partially a closed space, the closed space being defined below from the platform of one or more adjacent constructive unit and above from the respective upper horizontal dividing element of the corresponding seats, wherein the system also comprises:

a control unit for each constructive unit, connected to the respective second functional portion;

a user interface, in signal communication with the control unit,

a central unit, in signal communication with each control unit.