EP4592466A1

EP4592466A1 - A mobile foldable building with extendable walls and a method of extending and connecting the walls of a mobile foldable building

Info

Publication number: EP4592466A1
Application number: EP24154271.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Wieslaw Mikolajczyk
Original assignee: Modeagroup Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia
Current assignee: Modeagroup Spolka Z Ograniczona Odpowiedzialnoscia
Priority date: 2024-01-26
Filing date: 2024-01-26
Publication date: 2025-07-30

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a mobile foldable building with extendable walls, characterized in that it contains a base element (1) with a cuboid shape, containing fixed wall modules (4) and movable wall modules (3) provided with rotating wheels (9) and/or trolleys (10) on the 5 bottom, as well as a base module (2) and floor modules (5) provided with running rails (7, 8) constituting a track for the movement of the movable wall modules (3). The subject of the application is also a method of extending and connecting the walls of the mobile foldable building.

Description

The subject of the invention is a mobile foldable building with extendable walls and a method of extending and connecting the walls of the mobile foldable building.
From the patent application EP 1983118 A2 a mobile, extendable building is known, consisting of a rear wall and sliding modules, each of which comprises side walls and a roof. The sliding modules are made in such sizes that it is possible to slide them one into another completely when folded, and when unfolded they telescopically overlap each other only to a small extent. The invention also comprises the possibility of easy movement of the entire system.
On the other hand, from the patent application US 3774955 A a mobile housing unit is known, consisting of an upper part and a lower part, wherein the upper part comprises a box frame structure which is supported on the ground by means of wheels attached by means of brackets to the frame structure. The upper part has fixed walls. The lower part, which is connected to the upper part, has a horizontally extending floor and at least one upper and one lower wall section. The lower part is vertically movable so that after activation of the lifting mechanism of the frame structure it is in the upper part. After the lower part is moved along with the floor, the lower wall section and the upper wall section move vertically to a position of telescopic nesting with stationary walls of the upper part to allow the vehicle to be placed under the upper part between the supports and connect it to a mobile housing unit. The walls of the upper and lower parts may have openings and telescopic door providing exit and entrance to the mobile housing unit.
On the other hand, from the application DE 4405781 A1 a house is known, consisting of several segments that are slidable relative to each other. These segments are connected by means of push-in connectors. The weight and dimensions of the house are selected so that it can be transported as a complete unit, without the need to disassemble it into individual parts. Gaps of various sizes in the connection points are sealed by means of standard cover plates.
The existing solutions do not allow for the erection of mobile buildings with a complicated structure and layout of rooms. The technical problem is the development of a new mobile foldable building with extendable walls of various structural configurations, provided with many rooms of various sizes and a new way of extending and connecting its walls. The essence of a mobile foldable building with extendable walls consists in the fact that it contains a base element with a cuboid shape containing fixed wall modules and movable wall modules provided with rotating wheels and/or trolleys on the bottom, as well as a base module and floor modules provided with running rails constituting a track for the movement of the movable wall modules.
Preferably, the running rails have a cross-section in the shape of a structural channel and constitute a running track for the rotating wheels.
Preferably, the running rails have a cross-section in the shape of a closed structural channel with edges bent inwards and constitute a running track for trolleys.
Preferably, the floor modules are provided with sockets provided with a structural channel constituting a support platform for a trolley and/or a rotating wheel, under which there are through openings in which sleeves provided with a telescope are located.
Preferably, under each socket there is a hydraulic actuator assembly comprising an upper support platform and a lower support platform, a hydraulic actuator located between them and threaded rods, wherein the upper and lower support platforms are attached one above the other to the support beam by means of the threaded rods.
Preferably, on the upper support platform rest telescopes, on which rests the support platform, on which the trolley or the rotating wheel is located.
The method of extending and connecting the walls of a mobile foldable building is as follows:

a) in the first stage, the base element with a cuboid shape containing the base module and movable wall modules and fixed wall modules is placed on the foundation, on which the floor modules are also placed and connected with each other and with the base module;
b) in the second stage, under the sockets located in the floor modules, hydraulic actuator assemblies are mounted, and then the movable wall modules are slided along the running rails to the docking position, wherein the movable wall modules moving on rotating wheels are stopped in intermediate positions, the angular position of the movable wheels is changed and only then the movable wall modules are moved to the docking position;
c) in the third stage, the movable wall modules are seated on the floor modules by means of the hydraulic actuator assemblies.

Preferably, after extending all the movable wall modules, the geometry is measured and - preferably - adjustments are made to the arrangement of the movable wall modules.
Preferably, after seating the movable wall modules on the floor modules, the hydraulic actuator assemblies are disassembled.
A mobile foldable building according to the invention is shown in the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1: shows the base element in the folded position (I) in a perspective view;
Fig. 2: shows the building in the unfolded position (II) in a perspective view in the first embodiment;
Fig. 3: shows a building in the position (I) provided with floor modules in a perspective view;
Fig. 4: shows the building during unfolding in a perspective view;
Fig. 5: shows the building during unfolding in a perspective view;
Fig. 6: shows the building during unfolding in a perspective view;
Fig. 7: shows the building during unfolding in a perspective view;
Fig. 8: shows the building in the unfolded position (II) in the second embodiment;
Fig. 9: shows the structure in the position (II) unfolded and covered with a roof/flat roof in the second embodiment;
Fig. 10: shows the base module in a perspective view;
Fig. 11: shows detail A in Fig. 10;
Fig. 12: shows the base module in a plan view;
Fig. 13: shows detail B in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14: shows the floor module in a perspective view in the first embodiment;
Fig. 15: shows the floor module in a perspective view in the second embodiment;
Fig. 16: shows detail C in Fig. 15;
Fig. 17: shows the floor module in a perspective view in the third embodiment
Fig. 18: shows the wall module provided with a rotating wheel;
Fig. 19: shows detail D in Fig. 18;
Fig. 20: shows detail E in Fig. 1;
Fig. 21: shows the wall module in a bottom perspective view;
Fig. 22: shows detail F in Fig. 21;
Fig. 23: shows the wall and floor module in a cross-section with a perspective view;
Fig. 24: shows detail G in Fig. 23;
Fig. 25: shows the floor module in a perspective view in a further embodiment;
Fig. 26: shows detail H in Fig. 25;
Fig. 27 hydraulic: shows a fragment of the floor module in a perspective view from the bottom with the actuator system visible.

The base of the mobile foldable building according to the invention, and as shown in the drawing, is the base element 1 with a cuboid shape, which comprises the base module 2 and the movable wall modules 3 and the fixed wall modules 4. Each wall module, both movable 3 and fixed 4 one, consists of at least one wall, preferably provided with window and/or door openings. In the folded position (I) all wall modules, both movable 3 and fixed 4 ones, are placed on the base module 2. In the unfolded position (II), the movable wall modules 3 are located outside the base module 2, on the floor modules 5 attached during assembly.
The base module 2 - similarly to the other structural elements of the building according to the invention - is prefabricated and serves as one of the floor modules 5. Each floor module 5 comprises structural and insulating elements. The structure of the floor module 5 consists of support beams 6 constituting a truss structure made of KVHC24 wood. The elements that fills the truss structure and constitutes the filling of the floor module 5 are prefabricated laminated layered panels with a box structure made of OSB3 boards, in which there is an insulating material in the form of a low-pressure polyurethane foam. So insulated floor composed of floor modules 5, after selecting the appropriate thickness of the laminated panel or using additional insulation, meets the requirements of the WT 2021 standard.
The floor modules 5, including the base module 2, are provided with running rails 7, 8 made of S235JR structural steel, which constitute a track for the movement of the movable wall modules 3. The running rails 7, 8 are mounted in the channels milled in the upper planes of the support beams 6 or are mounted directly on the support beams 6, while in both cases the principle of operation of the running rails 7, 8 remains unchanged. Rotating wheels 9 and trolleys 10 move on the running rails 7, 8 and are attached from the bottom to the movable wall modules 3, preferably provided with ground beams. The running rails 7, 8 are available in two variants: as open running rails 7 and as closed running rails 8. The closed running rails 8 have a cross-section in the shape of a closed structural channel with edges bent inwards and constitute a track for trolleys 10 attached from the bottom to the movable wall modules 3. The trolleys 10 moving in the closed running rails 8 allow for moving the wall modules 3 in one axis of the horizontal plane. The open running rails 7 have a cross-section in the shape of a structural channel and constitute a track for the rotating wheels 9 attached from the bottom to the movable wall modules 3. The rotating wheels 9 can rotate by 90°, and moving in the open running rails 7, they allow moving the wall modules 3 in two axes of the horizontal plane. Both the rotating wheels 9 and the trolleys 10 are attached from the bottom to the movable wall modules 3 by means of mounting platforms 11.
The running rails 7, 8, with which the floor modules 5 are provided, can be placed on these modules 5 with an offset relative to the edge of the module 5, to which they are parallel, in such a way that when two adjacent floor modules 5 are put together, the running rail 7 or 8 located on one module 5 overlaps with the other one to ensure an even surface of the track for the rotating wheels 9 or the trolleys 10 of the movable wall modules 3.
Adjacent floor modules 5 are connected with each other by means of carpenter's overlap-type cuts and carpentry screws. These connections make it possible to connect adjacent floor modules 5 with each other in such a way as to create a stable floor of the building, and at the same time ensure an even surface of the track for the rotating wheels 9 or the trolleys 10 of the movable wall modules 3, in particular in places where two floor modules 5 contact one another.
The floor modules 5 also contain sockets 12 for support platforms 13 of trolleys 10 and rotating wheels 9, which enable the movement of the movable wall modules 3 in the vertical plane (lowering and lifting), as well as control of the position in the horizontal plane (position adjustment to maintain the overall dimensions provided for in construction documentation). The sockets 12 are in the form of rectangular cavities in the surface of the floor module 5, they are provided with a structural channel constituting a support platform 13 of the trolley 10 or the rotating wheel 9 and are located at the docking points where the rotating wheels 9 and the trolleys 10 are placed in the unfolded position (II). Under each socket 12 there are two through openings 14, 14', in which sleeves 15 are placed, provided with a telescope 16 that can be slided in a vertical plane. Below each floor module 5, outside the building, there is a hydraulic actuator assembly 17, which comprises two support platforms - the upper one 18 and the lower one 19, hydraulic actuator 20 and threaded rods 21. The upper support platform 18 is made of a structural channel and is attached to the support beam 6 by means of M12 threaded rods 21 made of S235JR structural steel. The lower support platform 19 is also made of structural channel and is attached to the support beam 6 by means of the same threaded rods 21 below the upper support platform 18. The rods 21 are attached to the support beam 6 by means of integrated holders 22 which are located on the upper part of the support beam 6 of the floor module 5 near the sockets 12. The upper support platform 18 can move in a vertical plane and can also be locked in a fixed position by means of locking nuts 23 located on the threaded rods 21. On the lower support platform 19 there is located the hydraulic actuator 20, on the head of which directly rests the upper support platform 18. On the upper support platform 18 rest telescopes 16, on which in turn rest the support platform 13, on which the trolley 10 or the rotating wheel 9 is placed. Extending the piston rod of the hydraulic actuator 20 causes the upper support platform 18 and the support platform 13 of the trolley 10 or the rotating wheel 9 to move upwards. Lowering the hydraulic pressure causes the gravitational return of the piston rod and the downward movement of the upper support platform 18, the support platform 13 of the trolley 10 or the rotating wheel 9 and the movable wall module 3. The support platform 13 also enables the movement of the trolley 10 and/or the rotating wheel 9 in the horizontal and vertical plane, depending on the location and type of the movable wall module 3, until the movable wall module 3 contacts with the floor module 5. An important advantage of such a system is that it is suspended under the floor modules 5 and has no contact with the ground, which speeds up assembly and improves safety.
The movable wall modules 3 and the fixed wall modules 4 contain external and internal insulating layers and - depending on the needs - external façade and internal cladding with HVAC elements and electrical installation elements. The structure of the movable wall modules 3 and the fixed wall modules 4 is constituted by the support beams 6 forming a truss structure made of KVHC24 wood. The elements that fill the truss structure and constitutes the filling of the movable wall module 3 are prefabricated laminated layered panels with a box structure made of OSB3 boards, in which there is an insulating material in the form of a low-pressure polyurethane foam. So insulated wall modules 3, 4 , after selecting the appropriate thickness of the laminated panel or using an additional insulation, meet the requirements of the WT 2021 standard.
The building according to the invention, after the walls have been extended, is provided with flat roof or ceiling 25, on which the roof truss and the roof are mounted. Finishing works can begin after the ceiling has been installed, after securing the structure with wind insulation, which protects against weather conditions.
Below, in the embodiment, a method of extending and connecting walls of mobile foldable buildings according to the invention is presented.
Prefabricated elements have been delivered to the construction site, including the base element 1 with a cuboid shape containing the base module 2 and the movable wall modules 3 and the fixed wall modules 4, and then the building was constructed in the following order:
First, the base element 1 was placed on foundation blocks 24, and then the floor modules 5 were installed, which were also seated on the foundation blocks 24 and connected together in such a way that they formed the floor of the building. Then, the hydraulic actuator assemblies 17 were installed and the extension of the movable wall modules 3 began in the order specified in the instructions attached to the building. The order in which the movable wall modules 3 are extended depends on the layout of the rooms of the building. The movable wall modules 3, moving in one axis of the horizontal plane, were arranged in the docking position, and the movable wall modules 3, moving in two axes of the horizontal plane, were stopped in intermediate positions, the angular position of the rotating wheels 9 was changed and the rotating wheels were moved to the docking position. Then, after moving all the movable wall modules 3 to their docking positions, the geometry of the building was measured in relation to the structural design and appropriate adjustments were made to the position of the movable wall modules 3. The movable wall modules 3 of the building according to the invention remain connected steplike, which has a positive effect on the thermal insulation of the building. Finally, the locks of the upper support platforms 18 were released in order to lower the support platforms 13 of the trolleys 10 and the rotating wheels 9 and seat the rotating wheels 9 and the trolleys 10 in the sockets 12, and thus seat the movable wall modules 3 on the floor modules 5. Upon completion of this operation, the hydraulic actuator assemblies 17 were disassembled for use on another construction site. On the extended and seated walls of the building according to the invention, a roof or a flat roof is placed, and then the finishing works are started.
The advantage of the mobile buildings according to the invention is a very short assembly time, which is about 24 hours from the moment of foundation of the base element 1 on the foundation blocks 24. In addition, no crane is needed to erect the walls. Structural elements are prefabricated and, ready for assembly, delivered to the construction site, and then assembled and extended. What's more, the strength of one person is enough to move the movable modules. Prefabricated elements can be delivered to the construction site already partially provided, e.g. with façade, internal finishes, elements of electrical, water and sewage and HVAC installations. Thanks to the possibility of moving the walls in two planes, the solution according to the invention gives great possibilities of shaping the body of the building. The basic element 1 is preferably sized to allow transport without special transport permits (not oversized transport), which allows to reduce transport costs. Moreover, the wall modules 3, 4 constituting the structure of the building according to the invention are transported together with the base module 2, and the load takes up less space than in the case of conventional structures of this type. In addition, thanks to the use of materials such as wood, wood derivatives, e.g. OSB boards, steel, the structure is almost 100% recyclable.

Claims

A mobile foldable building with extendable walls, characterized in that it contains a base element (1) with a cuboid shape, containing fixed wall modules (4) and movable wall modules (3) provided with rotating wheels (9) and/or trolleys (10) on the bottom, as well as a base module (2) and floor modules (5) provided with running rails (7, 8) constituting a track for the movement of the movable wall modules (3).
The mobile foldable building according to claim 1, characterized in that the running rails (7) have a cross-section in the shape of a structural channel and constitute a running track for the rotating wheels (9).
The mobile foldable building according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the running rails (8) have a cross-section in the shape of a closed structural channel with edges bent inwards and constitute a track for trolleys (10)
The mobile foldable building according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that the floor modules (5) are provided with sockets (12) provided with a structural channel constituting a support platform (13) of the trolley (10) and/or the rotating wheel (9), under which there are through openings (14, 14') in which sleeves (15) provided with a telescope (16) are located.
The mobile foldable building according to claim 4, characterized in that under each socket (12) there is a hydraulic actuator assembly (17) containing an upper support platform (18) and a lower support platform (19), a hydraulic actuator (20) located between them and threaded rods (21), wherein the upper support platform (18) and the lower support platform (19) are attached one above the other to the support beam (6) by means of threaded rods (21).
The mobile foldable building according to claim 4-5, characterized in that on the upper support platform (18) rest telescopes (16), on which rests the support platform (13), on which the trolley (10) or the rotating wheel (9) is located.
A method of extending and connecting the walls of the mobile foldable building, characterized in that:
a) in the first stage, the base element (1) with a cuboid shape containing the base module (2) and the movable wall modules (3) and the fixed wall modules (4) is placed on the foundation on which the floor modules (5) are also placed and connected with each other and with the base module (2);

b) in the second stage, under the sockets (12) located in the floor modules (5), hydraulic actuator assemblies (17) are mounted, and then the movable wall modules (3) are slided along the running rails (7, 8) to the docking position, wherein the movable wall modules (3) moving on the rotating wheels (9) are stopped in intermediate positions, the angular position of the movable wheels (9) is changed and only then the movable wall modules are moved to the docking positions;

c) in the third stage, the movable wall modules (3) are seated on the floor modules (5) by means of hydraulic actuator assemblies(17).
The method of extending and connecting the walls of the mobile foldable building according to claim 7, characterized in that after extending all the movable wall modules (3), the geometry is measured and - preferably - adjustments are made to the arrangement of the movable wall modules (3).
The method of extending and connecting the walls of the mobile foldable building according to claim 7, characterized in that after seating the movable wall modules (3) on the floor modules (5), the hydraulic actuator assemblies (17) are disassembled.