EP2357291A1

EP2357291A1 - Modular architecture

Info

Publication number: EP2357291A1
Application number: EP10001465A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hsu-Hua Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-12
Filing date: 2010-02-12
Publication date: 2011-08-17

Abstract

The present invention discloses a modular architecture. The modular architecture comprises a first main part and a first extended part. The first main part comprises a first main side, a second main side, a first sub side, a second sub side, and a first empty room. The first extended part can be stowed in the first empty room, or be extended from the first main side of the first main part to increase the interior space of the modular architecture. The second main side of the first main part has at least one connecting frame, and the first sub side or the second sub side has a side connecting frame. The connecting frame or the side connecting frame is used to connect the architecture to connecting frames of other modular architectures.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a modular architecture; more particularly, the present invention relates to a modular architecture capable of extending its interior space as well as being horizontally connected to or vertically stacked on other modular architectures.

Description of the Related Art

Currently, there are still some unevenly-formed plots of land distributed in urban areas. These unevenly-formed plots cannot be used to build new architectures due to insufficient space or some property disputes. In order to utilize these unevenly-formed spaces, people could set up simple architectures, such as modular/prefabricated houses or container houses, to increase residential space. On the other hand, if a natural disaster such as an earthquake or typhoon occurs, this kind of simple architecture can also be utilized to quickly build modular houses to meet the urgent need for residential space.
In known prior arts, the available interior space of this kind of architecture is basically equal to the interior space of its main part. Therefore, the interior space of each architecture is fixed, with only very limited space for extension. Further, the application of this kind of architecture is inflexible, and the combinations of these architectures are limited. Moreover, the appearance of an assembled system of these architectures is ordinary. In addition, in known prior arts, this kind of architecture is very inconvenient for people to assemble, disassemble, or even transport.
Further, in known prior arts, these modular architectures are usually built only one story high due to the structural design. There are no modular architectures built with two stories by way of stacking in known prior arts.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a novel modular architecture to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular architecture capable of extending its interior space.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a modular architecture capable of being assembled by means of stacking.
To achieve the abovementioned objects, the modular architecture of the present invention comprises a first main part and a first extension part. The first main part comprises a first main side, a second main side, a first side, a second sub side, and a first empty room. The first extended part can be stowed in the first empty room of the first main part, or it can be extended from the first main side of the first main part to increase the interior space of the modular architecture. The second main side of the first main part further has at least one connecting frame, and the first sub side or the second sub side can also have a side connecting frame. The first main part can be freely connected to other modular architectures via the connecting frame or the side connecting frame.
To achieve another abovementioned object, the modular architecture of the present invention comprises a first main part, a first extended part, a second main part, a second extended part, and a supporting assembly. The first main part comprises a first main side, a second main side, a first sub side, a second sub side, and a first empty room. The second main part is stacked on the first main part. The second main part comprises a third main side, a fourth main side, a third sub side, a fourth sub side, and a second empty room. The first extended part is connected to the first main side, and the second extended part is connected to the third main side.
The first extended part and the first main part can be arranged in either a stowed status or an extended status. In the stowed status, the first extended part is stowed in the first empty room; in the extended status, the first extended part is extended from the first main side. The second extended part and the second main part can be arranged in either a stowed status or an extended status. In the stowed status, the second extended part is stowed in the second empty room; in the extended status, the second extended part is extended from the third main side.
The supporting assembly is used for supporting the second main part or the second extended part. The supporting assembly comprises a plurality of pillars, a plurality of transverse struts, and a plurality of oblique struts.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, which disclose several embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for purposes of illustration only, and not as a definition of the invention.
In the drawings, wherein similar reference numerals denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first architecture according to the present invention.
FIGs. 2A-2C illustrate schematic drawings showing the process of extending a first extended part from a first main part according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a modular architecture during an assembly process according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic drawing showing applications of the modular architecture according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the first architecture assembled with a supporting assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the modular architecture according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the modular architecture according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view showing the first architecture assembled with the supporting assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the modular architecture according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the modular architecture according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic drawing showing an extended part moving from a stowed status to an extended status by means of utilizing an oil hydraulic cylinder according to the present invention.
FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the modular architecture with a large-size connecting frame according to the present invention.
FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic drawing showing the connection of the modular architecture according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Please refer to FIG. 1, which illustrates a perspective view of a first architecture according to the present invention. The size and volume of the first architecture 10 preferably corresponds to associated with that of a general sea container for easy transportation. For example, the first architecture 10 can be a long architecture, a short architecture, or a small architecture. In this embodiment, the first architecture 10 is a long architecture. The first architecture 10 comprises a first main part 20 and a first extended part 30. The first main part 20 comprises a first main side 21, a second main side 22, a first sub side 23, and a second sub side 24. The first main side 21, the second main side 22, the first sub side 23, and the second sub side 24 are four faces of the first main part 20, such that these four faces can form a first empty room 25 (as shown in FIG. 2) of the first main part 20.
Please refer to FIG. 1 as well as FIGs. 2A-2C. FIGs. 2A-2C illustrate schematic drawings showing the process of extending the first extended part from the first main part according to the present invention. The first extended part 30 is connected to the first main side 21. The first extended part 30 can be stowed in the first empty room 25 (as shown in FIG. 2A), or it can be extended from the first main side 21 of the first main part 20 (as shown in FIG. 2C). If the first extended part 30 is extended from the first main side 21, the interior space of the first architecture 10 can be increased accordingly.
More precisely, the first extended part 30 and the first main part 20 can be arranged in two implementations. The first implementation refers to a stowed status, as shown in FIG. 2A; the first extended part 30 is stowed in the first empty room 25 of the first main part 20. If there is a need to extend the first architecture 10, the first extended part 30 can be pushed out from the first main side 21 of the first main part 20. After a first protruding part 61 of the first main side 21 of the first main part 20 and a second protruding part 62 of the first extended part 30 are wedged with each other, the first extended part 30 and the first main part 20 are arranged in the second implementation, as shown in FIG. 2C, which refers to an extended status. For example, an oil hydraulic device can be used to drive the first extended part 30 to move from the stowed status to the extended status; or from the extended status to the stowed status.
Please refer to FIG. 11, which illustrates a schematic drawing showing an extended part moving from a stowed status to an extended status by means of utilizing an oil hydraulic cylinder according to the present invention. In this embodiment, two oil hydraulic cylinders 40 are installed in the exterior of the first extended part 30, wherein each oil hydraulic cylinder 40 comprises a telescopic arm 42. One end (which is the right end as shown in FIG. 11) of the oil hydraulic cylinder 40 is mounted to a fixed position (such as a wall); while the other end (which is the left end as shown in FIG. 11) of the oil hydraulic cylinder 40 is connected to the first extended part 30. When the telescopic arm 42 of the oil hydraulic cylinder 40 gradually extends, the telescope arm 42 drives the first extended part 30 to gradually move to the stowed status. When the telescopic arm 42 of the oil hydraulic cylinder 40 gradually shrinks, the telescopic arm 42 drives the first extended part 30 to gradually move to the extended status. Please note that the structure of driving the first extended part 30 is not limited to an oil hydraulic cylinder, and that the installation position is not limited to the above description.
Please return to FIG. 1. The second main side 22 of the first main part 20 further has a plurality of connecting frames 221, 222, and 223. The first sub side 23 or the second sub side 24 can also have at least one side connecting frame 231. The first main part 20 can be freely connected to connecting frames of other modular architectures via the plurality of connecting frames 221, 222, and 223 or the side connecting frame 231. The first main part 20 can be designed in different sizes and connected via the connecting frame.
Please note that the number and area of the connecting frames of the second main side 22 is not limited to the above description. For example, the second main side 22 can have only one or two connecting frames. Further, the connecting frame can be a large-sized connecting frame (as shown in FIG. 12), wherein its total area is larger than three-fourths of the total area of the second main side 22. The large-sized connecting frame is especially suitable for business purposes.
One of the preferred embodiments of utilizing the connecting frame to connect to the first architecture will be described hereinafter. Please refer to both FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the modular architecture during an assembly process according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the first architecture 10 is a long architecture, the first architecture 40' is a short architecture, and the first architecture 40 is a small architecture. The connecting frame 223 of the first architecture 10 is connected to the side connecting frame of the first architecture 40', and the side connecting frame 231 of the first architecture 10 is connected to the connecting frame of the first architecture 40. By means of utilizing the connecting frame of each modular architecture to connect the architectures to each other, an assembled system can be formed accordingly, thereby enlarging the scope of the architecture. Next, please refer to FIG. 4, which illustrates a schematic drawing showing applications of the modular architecture according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the connecting frames 221, 222, and 223 or the side connecting frame 231 not only can be used to connect to the connecting frames of other architectures, but also can be used to connect to other assembly components 50. For example, the assembly component 50 can be, but is not limited to, a sunshade 51, a deck 52, or a door panel. The assembly component 50, such as the sunshade 51 or the deck 52, is not limited to be connected to only one connecting frame; it can be connected to two or more connecting frames at the same time according to a user's requirement.
Please refer to FIGs. 5-7. FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view showing the first architecture assembled with a supporting assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the modular architecture according to one embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the modular architecture according to one embodiment of the present invention. The modular architecture 1 of the present invention can be assembled with two architectures by means of vertically stacking, so as to form a two-story architecture. The modular architecture 1 comprises the first architecture 10, a second architecture 10', and a supporting assembly 80. The first architecture 10 comprises the first main part 20 and the first extended part 30. The second architecture 10' comprises a second main part 20' and a second extended part 30'. In this embodiment, the structure of the first architecture 10 is identical to that of the second architecture 10', but please note that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above description.
The second main part 20' is stacked on the first main part 20. The second main part 20' comprises a third main side 21', a fourth main side 22', a third sub side 23', a fourth sub side 24', and a second empty room 25'. The second extended part 30' is connected to the third main side 21'. In this embodiment, the first main side 21 and the third main side 21' face opposite directions. That is, the first extended part 30 and the second extended part 30' are extended along opposite directions. Because the structure of the second architecture 10' is identical or similar to that of the first architecture 10, there is no need to describe the characteristics of the second architecture 10' in detail.
The supporting assembly 80 is connected to the first main part 20 and the second main part 20', and the supporting assembly 80 is used for supporting the second main part 20' or the second extended part 30'.
In order to easily and stably stack the second architecture 10' on the first architecture 10, the first main part 20 and the second main part 20' respectively have a plurality of insertion grooves 28 (as shown in FIG. 7) arranged in their corners. Further, the supporting assembly 80 comprises a plurality of pillars 82 (as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7). The shape of the plurality of pillars 82 corresponds to that of the plurality of insertion grooves 28; therefore, the plurality of pillars 82 can be placed in the plurality of insertion grooves 28 of the first main part 20 and the second main part 20'.
In this embodiment, each insertion groove 28 is in the shape of a rectangle, and each pillar 82 is a square pillar. As shown in FIG. 7, the upper portions of the four pillars 82 are placed in the four insertion grooves 28 of the bottom corners of the second main part 20', and the lower portions of these four pillars 82 are placed in the four insertion grooves 28 of the top corners of the first main part 20. Therefore, the second main part 20' can be stably stacked on the first main part 20.
Further, in order to make the modular architecture 1 more stable and durable, the supporting assembly 80 further comprises a plurality of transverse struts 84 and a plurality of oblique struts 86. One part of the transverse strut 84 is connected to the pillar 82, and the other outwardly extended part of the transverse strut 84 and its connected oblique strut 86 are used for supporting the second extended part 30' (as shown in FIG. 6).
Moreover, in order to avoid or reduce the inconvenience of land preparation, the modular architecture 1 further comprises a fixation board 90 and a plurality of stands 70. The fixation board 90 is directly laid on the ground, and the lower ends of the plurality of stands 70 are mounted to the fixation board 90. The plurality of stands 70 are used for supporting the first main part 20 or the first extended part 30. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, auxiliary struts 86a are disposed between the first extended part 30 and the stands 70. Therefore, the stands 70 are capable of supporting both the first main part 20 and the first extended part 30 at the same time.
Next, please refer to FIGs. 8-10. FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view showing the first architecture assembled with the supporting assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the modular architecture according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the modular architecture according to another embodiment of the present invention.
With regard to the modular architecture 1a of this embodiment, the first main side 21 of the first main part 20 and the third main side 21' of the second main part 20' face the same direction. That is, the first extended part 30 and the second extended part 30' are extended along the same direction. Further, the positions of the transverse struts 84 and the oblique struts 86 of the supporting assembly 80 are slight different from those described in the previous embodiment. More precisely, the outwardly extended transverse struts 84 are located between the first extended part 30 and the second extended part 30' at the extended status (as shown in FIG. 9), such that the transverse struts 84 and their connected oblique struts 86 can support the second extended part 30'.
Next, please refer to FIG. 13, which illustrates a schematic drawing showing the connection of the modular architecture according to the present invention. A third main part 20a' can be flexibly connected to the first main part 20a via a connecting body with a passageway 100 (such as the connection between two cars of a train).
Although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

A modular architecture, comprising:
a first main part, comprising:
a first main side;

a second main side;

a first sub side;

a second sub side; and

a first empty room;

and
a first extended part, connected to the first main side, wherein the first extended part and the first main part are arranged in one of the following two statuses:
a stowed status: wherein the first extended part is stowed in the first empty room; and

an extended status: wherein the first extended part is extended from the first main side.
The modular architecture as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
a second main part, stacked on the first main part, the second main part comprising:
a third main side;

a fourth main side;

a third sub side;

a fourth sub side; and

a second empty room;

a second extended part, connected to the third main side; and

a supporting assembly, used for supporting the second main part or the second extended part;
wherein the second extended part and the second main part are arranged in one of the following statuses:
a stowed status: wherein the second extended part is stowed in the second empty room; and

an extended status: wherein the second extended part is extended from the third main side.
The modular architecture as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first main part and the second main part respectively have a plurality of insertion grooves arranged in their corners.
The modular architecture as claimed in claim 3, wherein the supporting assembly comprises a plurality of pillars, where the plurality of pillars can be placed in the plurality of insertion grooves of the first main part or the second main part.
The modular architecture as claimed in claim 4, wherein the supporting assembly further comprises a plurality of transverse struts and a plurality of oblique struts.
The modular architecture as claimed in claim 5 further comprising a plurality of stands used for supporting the first main part or the first extended part.
The modular architecture as claimed in claim 6 further comprising a fixation board, wherein the plurality of stands are mounted to the fixation board.
The modular architecture as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first main side further comprises a first protruding part, and the first extended part further comprises a second protruding part, such that the first protruding part and the second protruding part can be wedged with each other when the first extended part is extended from the first main side.
The modular architecture as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second main side further comprises at least one connecting frame.
The modular architecture as claimed in claim 9, wherein the connecting frame is connected to an assembly component.
The modular architecture as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first main part further comprises at least one side connecting frame disposed to the first sub side or the second sub side.
The modular architecture as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the total area of the at least one connecting frame is larger than three-fourths of the total area of the second main side.
The modular architecture as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 further comprising:
a third main part; and

a connecting body with a passageway, allowing the second main part to be flexibly connected to the first main part.
The modular architecture as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11 further comprising an oil hydraulic device, wherein the oil hydraulic device drives the first extended part to move along the first main part from the stowed status to the extended status.