Patent Publication Number: US-10774524-B2

Title: Assemblable panel structure

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to an assemblable panel structure and, more particularly, to an assemblable panel structure having an expansion module connectable to a core module in an expansive manner. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     A house has long served as the foundation on which mankind can maintain settled life. 
     The types of houses include an apartment, a detached house, a prefabricated house, and the like. 
     Such an apartment or a detached house is mostly a concrete structure. 
     Such a concrete structure is robust but is impossible to move once built and has a limited ability for structural modification. 
     For example, in order to expand a completed concrete structure, it is necessary to install the steel frame again and cure the concrete again. 
     This causes the construction period to be prolonged. 
     The technology that has emerged to shorten the construction period is the prefabricated house. 
     In construction technology, the prefabricated house is constructed using panels which are pre-manufactured and assembled to complete a house structure. 
     However, a prefabricated house in the related art has required separate processing of the panels to be assembled according to the design. 
     Accordingly, extra construction time and cost associated with panel processing may be required. 
     Furthermore, much time and effort have been required for the finishing work to maintain the airtightness between the panels to be assembled. 
     This is because panel shapes vary depending on the design of the prefabricated house, and the finishing work is required to be separately performed according to the connection between the panels having various shapes. 
     However, the prefabricated house in the related art may have poor heat insulation performance as compared with a concrete house. 
     Furthermore, when the prefabricated house in the related art which has been completed as designed is required to be expanded, a separate design is required again. 
     This is because the prefabricated house in the related art differs from the concrete structure only in that the construction method is a prefabricated type, and a separate design, a separate panel processing, and a separate coupling operation are required, which may be complicated, costly, and time consuming. 
     Furthermore, the prefabricated house in the related art may be difficult to move for installation once completed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and an objective of the present invention is to provide an assemblable panel structure having an expansion module connectable to a core module in an expansive manner. 
     In order to accomplish the above objective, according to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assemblable panel structure, including: a core module comprised of an upper core panel and a lower core panel, each having a regular thickness and a polygonal horizontal-section, wherein the core module has a space defined therein between the upper core panel and the lower core panel which are spaced apart from each other. 
     Furthermore, the core module may be configured such that predetermined portions thereof including multiple vertexes in the polygonal section are chamfered, outer side surfaces may be formed along a periphery of each of the chamfered upper and lower core panels, and expansion modules may be provided such that the number of expansion modules that are connectable to the core module may be equal to one half of the number N of the outer side surfaces. 
     Furthermore, each of the expansion modules may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the rectangular parallelepiped may be configured such that a vertical-section thereof has a regular thickness in four directions and a space is defined therein. 
     Furthermore, the expansion module may be configured such that a first end portion thereof is in surface contact with the outer side surfaces. 
     According to the present invention as described above, the following effects can be obtained. 
     First, the adoption of a modular structure makes it possible to quickly complete various types of prefabricated houses. 
     Second, the adoption of the modular structure also makes it possible to facilitate removal and movement for installation. 
     Third, the use of the side panel makes it possible to simplify the coupling between the modules. 
     Fourth, the adaption of an outer frame detachably coupled makes it possible to simply and effectively maintain the airtightness between the core module and the expansion module. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view showing an upper core panel  110  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a core module  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view showing a lower core panel  120  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a view showing a connection between an expansion module and a side panel according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing frame  600  coupled between the expansion module and the side panel according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are sectional view showing a sealing frame  800  according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B  and  FIG. 7C  are view showing a reinforcing member  910  according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A ,  FIG. 8B  and  FIG. 8C  are view showing coupling variation of the expansion module according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a skeleton of the upper core panel  110  according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention, specific examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below, since the embodiments of the present invention can be variously modified in many different forms. While the present invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the present description is not intended to limit the present invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals will refer to the same or like parts. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. 
     For instance, a first element discussed below could be termed a second element without departing from the teachings of the present invention. Similarly, the second element could also be termed the first element. The term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. 
     It should be understood that the terms defined by the dictionary are identical with the meanings within the context of the related art, and they should not be ideally or excessively formally defined unless the context clearly dictates otherwise in this specification. 
       FIG. 1  is a top view showing an upper core panel  110  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a core module  100  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     The core module  100  is comprised of the upper core panel  110  and a lower core panel  120 , each having a regular thickness and a polygonal horizontal-section. The polygonal horizontal-section shown in  FIG. 2  is a regular triangular horizontal-section, however the shape of the horizontal-section is not limited to the shape shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The core module  100  is configured such that predetermined portions thereof including multiple vertexes in the polygonal section are chamfered. 
     More specifically explained, the upper core panel  110  includes a first upper core panel chamfered portion  111 , a second upper core panel chamfered portion  112 , and a third upper core panel chamfered portion  113 . 
     The upper core panel  110  has outer side surfaces  114 ,  115 , and  116 . 
     The outer side surfaces  114 ,  115 , and  116  are formed along the periphery of each of the chamfered upper and lower core panels  110  and  120 . 
     The outer side surface that is referred to as a first upper core panel outer side surface  114  allows the first upper core panel chamfered portion  111  and the second upper core panel chamfered portion  112  to be connected to each other. 
     The outer side surface that is referred to as a second upper core panel outer side surface  115  allows the second upper core panel chamfered portion  112  and the third upper core panel chamfered portion  113  to be connected to each other. 
     The outer side surface that is referred to as a third upper core panel outer side surface  116  allows the third upper core panel chamfered portion  113  and the first upper core panel chamfered portion  111  to be connected to each other. 
     Each of the chamfered portions may be formed to be parallel to at least one of the outer side surfaces of a vertical-section of the upper core panel  110  or the lower core panel  120 . 
     In other words, the first upper core panel chamfered portion  111  is opposed to the second upper core panel outer side surface  115 . 
     The second upper core panel chamfered portion  112  is opposed to the third upper core panel outer side surface  116 . 
     The third upper core panel chamfered portion  113  is opposed to the first upper core panel outer side surface  114 . 
     The lower core panel  120  has chamfered portions the same as those of the upper core panel  110 . 
     In other words, the lower core panel  120  is also configured such that predetermined portions thereof including three vertexes are chamfered. 
     In other words, the lower core panel  120  has a first lower core panel chamfered portion  121 , a second lower core panel chamfered portion  122 , and a third lower core panel chamfered portion  123 . 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom view showing the lower core panel  120  according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     The core module  100  has a space  140  defined therein between the upper core panel  110  and the lower core panel  120  which are spaced apart from each other. 
     The side panel  400  allows the upper core panel  110  and the lower core panel  120  to be vertically connected to each other. 
     More specifically explained, the side panel  400  and the lower core panel  120  are vertically connected to each other at respective positions corresponding to the first upper core panel chamfered portion  111 , the second upper core panel chamfered portion  112 , and the third upper core panel chamfered portion  113 . 
     The side panel  400  has a first side connected to the chamfered portions  111 ,  112 , and  113  of the upper core panel  110  and a second side coupled to the chamfered portions  121 ,  122 , and  123  of the lower core panel  120 . 
     More specifically explained, the side panel  400  includes a first side panel  410 , a second side panel  420 , and a third side panel  430 . 
     The first side panel  410  allows the first upper core panel chamfered portion  111  and the first lower core panel chamfered portion  121  to be vertically connected to each other. 
     The second side panel  420  allows the second upper core panel chamfered portion  112  and the second lower core panel chamfered portion  122  to be vertically connected to each other. 
     The third side panel  430  allows the third upper core panel chamfered portion  113  and the third lower core panel chamfered portion  123  to be vertically connected to each other. 
     Meanwhile, the lower core panel  120  is provided with a fork insertion space defined in a lower surface thereof such that the forks of a forklift are inserted thereinto when the core module  100  is moved. 
     The fork insertion space is comprised of a first fork insertion portion  127 - 1 , a second fork insertion portion  127 - 2 , a third fork insertion portion  128 - 1 , a fourth fork insertion portion  128 - 2 , a fifth fork insertion portion  129 - 1 , and a sixth fork insertion portion  129 - 2 . 
     The fork insertion space may be depressed in the lower surface of the lower core panel  120  in a straight line. 
     The first fork insertion portion  127 - 1  and the second fork insertion portion  127 - 2  are parallel to each other, and the third fork insertion portion  128 - 1  and the fourth fork insertion portion  128 - 2  are parallel to each other, while the fifth fork insertion portion  129 - 1  and the sixth fork insertion portion  129 - 2  are parallel to each other. 
       FIG. 4  is a view showing a connection between an expansion module and the side panel according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     A first expansion module  310  is referred to as a first expansion module M 1 , a second expansion module  320  is referred to as a second expansion module M 2 , and a third expansion module  330  is referred to as a third expansion module M 3 . 
     The side panel  400  is provided between the first expansion module  310  and the second expansion module  320 . 
     An inner securing panel  500  is coupled to the side panel  400  while in a state of being in surface contact with an inner surface of the first expansion module  310  and an inner surface of the third expansion module  330 . 
     More specifically explained, the inner securing panel  500  includes a securing portion  501 , a first flange portion  502 , and a second flange portion  503 . 
     The securing portion  501  has opposite ends provided with the first flange portion  502  and the second flange portion  503 , respectively. 
     The first flange portion  502  is in surface contact with the inner surface of the first expansion module  310  while the second flange portion  503  is in surface contact with the inner surface of the third expansion module  330 . 
     The side panel  400  includes a first surface  401 , a second surface  402 , a third surface  403 , a fourth surface  404 , a fifth surface  405 , and a sixth surface  406 . 
     The second surface  402  is in close contact with a side surface of the first expansion module  310  while the third surface  403  is in close contact with a side surface of the third expansion module  330 . 
     The fourth surface  404  extends from the second surface  402 , and the fifth surface  405  extends from the third surface  403 . 
     The sixth surface  406  is in surface contact with the securing portion  501 . 
     Each of the first surface  401  and the sixth surface  406  may be parallel to the first upper core panel chamfered portion  111 . 
     Each of the second surface  402  and the third surface  403  may have an inclination with respect to the first surface  401 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing a sealing frame  600  coupled between the expansion module and the side panel according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     The sealing frame  600  includes a first portion  601 , a second portion  602 , a third portion  603 , a fourth portion  604 , and a fifth portion  605 . 
     The third portion  603  is in close contact with an end portion of the first expansion module  310 . 
     The fourth portion  604  extends vertically from the third portion  603 , and the fifth portion  605  extends from the fourth portion  604  to be bent toward the side panel  400 . 
     The first portion  601  extends vertically from the third portion  603  to be spaced apart from the fourth portion  604  by a predetermined interval. 
     The first portion  601  is greater in length than the fourth portion  604 . 
     The second portion  602  extends from the first portion  601  to be bent toward the side panel  400 . 
     The second portion  602  is greater in length than the fourth portion  604 . 
     The second portion  602  and the fourth portion  604  may be configured such that end portions thereof are not connected to each other. 
     The second portion  602  is in contact with the second surface  402 . 
     A sealing member  700  includes a first sealing portion  701  and a second sealing portion  702 . 
     The first sealing portion  701  is coupled to the fifth portion  605 , and the second sealing portion  702  is connected to the first sealing portion  701 . 
     More specifically explained, the second sealing portion  702  may have a hollow annular cross section and may be a flexible tube made of an elastic material. 
     The second sealing portion  702  is in contact with an outer surface of the first expansion module  310 , the fourth portion  604 , and the second surface  402  such that the airtightness between the first expansion module  310  and the side panel  400  is maintained. 
     A first sealing member  710  is coupled between the outer side surface of the first expansion module  310  and the side panel  400 , and a second sealing member  720  is coupled between an outer side surface of the third expansion module  330  and the side panel  400 . 
     The first sealing member  710  and the second sealing member  720  may have the same configuration as that of the sealing member  700  described above. 
     Thus, when the side panel  400  is coupled between the first expansion module  310  and the third expansion module  330  by the inner securing panel  500 , the first and second sealing members  710  and  720  block gaps between the first and third expansion modules  310  and  330  and the side panel  400 , thus maintaining the airtightness therebetween. 
       FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  are a sectional view showing a sealing frame  800  according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7A ,  FIG. 7B  and  FIG. 7C  are a view showing a reinforcing member  910  according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
     The sealing frame  800  is coupled to a coupling portion of the expansion module and the core module, thus blocking a gap therebetween. 
     More specifically explained, the sealing frame  800  is comprised of an upper sealing frame  810 , a lower sealing frame  820 , a first side sealing frame  830 , and a second side sealing frame  840 . 
     The upper sealing frame  810  has a first end  811 , a first lower surface  812 , an upper surface portion  813 , a central portion  814 , a second lower surface  815 , and a second end  816  and is in close contact with the upper core panel  110 . 
     The upper surface portion  813  defines an upper surface of the upper sealing frame  810 , and the central portion  814  defines the center of a lower surface of the upper sealing frame  810 . 
     The first end  811  is a vertical-section that defines a first end portion of the upper sealing frame  810 , and the second end  816  is a vertical-section that defines a second end portion of the upper sealing frame  810 . 
     The central portion  814  is recessed toward the upper surface portion  813 . 
     The first lower surface  812  inclinedly extends from the central portion  814  toward the first end  811 . 
     The second lower surface  815  inclinedly extends from the central portion  814  toward the second end  816 . 
     The lower sealing frame  820  is in close contact with the lower core panel  120  and may have a vertical-section having a regular diameter. 
     The first side sealing frame  830  and the second side sealing frame  840  are symmetrical to each other and may have the same shape. 
     More specifically explained, the first side sealing frame  830  includes a first upper end portion  831 , a first vertical portion  832 , and a first lower end portion  833 . 
     The first vertical portion  832  extends vertically and is configured such that upper and lower end portions thereof are provided with the first upper end portion  831  and the first lower end portion  833 , respectively. 
     The first upper end portion  831  is rounded toward the first end  811 , and the first lower end portion  833  is rounded toward a first end portion of the lower sealing frame  820 . 
     The second side sealing frame  840  includes a second upper end portion  841 , a second vertical portion  842 , and a second lower end portion  843 . 
     The second vertical portion  842  extends vertically and is configured such that upper and lower end portions thereof are provided with the second upper end portion  841  and the second lower end portion  843 , respectively. 
     The second upper end portion  841  is rounded toward the second end  816 , and the second lower end portion  843  is rounded toward a second end portion of the lower sealing frame  820 . 
     A first spring  901  has a first side connected to the first upper end portion  831  and a second side connected to the first end  811 . 
     A second spring  902  has a first side connected to the first lower end portion  833  and a second side connected to the first end portion of the lower sealing frame  820 . 
     The first spring  901  exerts an elastic force such that the first side sealing frame  830  is in close contact with the upper sealing frame  810 . 
     The second spring  902  exerts an elastic force such that the first side sealing frame  830  is in close contact with the lower sealing frame  820 . 
     A fourth spring  904  has a first side connected to the second upper end portion  841  and a second side connected to the second end  816 . 
     A third spring  903  has a first side connected to the second lower end portion  843  and a second side connected to the second end portion of the lower sealing frame  820 . 
     The fourth spring  904  exerts an elastic force such that the second side sealing frame  840  is in close contact with the upper sealing frame  810 . 
     The third spring  903  exerts an elastic force such that the first side sealing frame  830  is in close contact with the lower sealing frame  820 . 
     Meanwhile, the sealing frame  600  described above may correspond to a cross-section of the first vertical portion  832  and a cross-section of the second vertical portion  842 . 
     The reinforcing member  910  is provided with a hole into which a screw is inserted and is secured to an inner surface of each of the upper sealing frame  810 , the lower sealing frame  820 , the first side sealing frame  830 , and the second side sealing frame  840 . 
     More specifically explained, each of the upper sealing frame  810 , the lower sealing frame  820 , the first side sealing frame  830 , and the second side sealing frame  840  has a securing hole formed therein to be positioned on a straight line with the hole formed in the reinforcing member  910 , the securing hole into which a securing screw is inserted. 
     A stopper  920  blocks the securing hole formed in each of the upper sealing frame  810 , the lower sealing frame  820 , the first side sealing frame  830 , and the second side sealing frame  840 . 
       FIG. 8A ,  FIG. 8B  and  FIG. 8C  are a view showing coupling variation of the expansion module according to the present invention. 
     Each of the expansion modules M 1  to M 13  has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the rectangular parallelepiped is configured such that the vertical section thereof has a regular thickness in four directions and a space is defined therein. 
     The expansion modules may all be the same in size and specification. 
     The expansion module may be provided at an upper portion thereof with a solar panel capable of converting the light of the sun into electric energy. 
     The expansion module may have an upper roof having an inclination. 
     The number of the expansion modules that are connectable is equal to one half of the number N of the outer side surfaces. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 8A , when the core module  100  is triangular in horizontal-section (C 1 ), the number of the outer side surfaces is six and three expansion modules M 1 , M 2 , and M 3  are connectable to the core module  100 . 
     Meanwhile, as shown in  FIG. 8B , when the core module  100  is rhombic or quadrangular in horizontal-section (a second core module C 2 ), the number of the outer side surfaces is eight and a total of four expansion modules (the fourth expansion module M 4 , the fifth expansion module M 5 , the sixth expansion module M 6 , and the seventh expansion module M 7 ) are connectable to the core module  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8C , when the core module  100  is hexagonal in horizontal-section (C 3 ), the number of the outer side surfaces is twelve and a total of six expansion modules (the eighth expansion module M 8 , the ninth expansion module M 9 , the tenth expansion module M 10 , the eleventh expansion module M 11 , the twelfth expansion module M 12 , and the thirteenth expansion module M 13 ) are connectable to the core module  100 . 
     Each of the expansion modules may be configured such that a first end portion thereof is in surface contact with the outer side surfaces while a second end portion thereof is coupled to another core module. 
     For example, the second expansion module M 2  may be coupled to the second core module C 2  at the position of the fifth expansion module M 5  coupled to the second core module instead of the fifth expansion module M 5 . 
     Herein, a first core module C 1  is connectable to the second core module C 2  in a state where the first expansion module M 1 , the second expansion module M 2 , and the third expansion module M 3  are connected to the first core module, the second core module to which the fourth expansion module M 4 , the sixth expansion module M 6 , and the seventh expansion module M 7  are connected. 
     Alternatively, the second expansion module M 2  may be coupled to a third core module C 3  at the position of the tenth expansion module M 10  coupled to the third core module instead of the tenth expansion module M 10 . 
     Herein, the first core module C 1  is connectable to the third core module C 3  in a state where the first expansion module M 1 , the second expansion module M 2 , and the third expansion module M 3  are connected to the first core module, the third core module to which the eighth expansion module M 8 , the ninth expansion module M 9 , the eleventh expansion module M 11 , the twelfth expansion module M 12 , and the thirteenth expansion module M 13  are connected. 
     Meanwhile, it is preferable that an angle between the expansion modules is 720/N. 
     In this case, the angle is defined by virtual lines passing through the central axes of adjacent expansion modules of the N expansion modules. 
     For example, the first core module C 1  has three expansion modules M 1 , M 2 , and M 3 , and an angle between the central axis of the M 1  and the central axis of M 2  is a 120 degree angle. 
     Meanwhile, the upper core panel  110  may be a combination of six panels having the same shape. 
       FIG. 9  is a skeleton of the upper core panel  110  according to the present invention. 
     More specifically explained, the upper core panel  110  includes a first coupling member  151 , a second coupling member  152 , a third coupling member  153 , a fourth coupling member  154 , a fifth coupling member  155 , and a sixth coupling member  156 . 
     A coupling member  150  may partially constitute the upper core panel  110 . 
     A connecting member  157  is centrally provided. The connecting member  157  may have a cube shape having a coupling portion formed at a side surface thereof. 
     Each of the first coupling member  151 , the second coupling member  152 , the third coupling member  153 , the fourth coupling member  154 , the fifth coupling member  155 , and the sixth coupling member  156  has a first end coupled to the connecting member  157 . 
     A finishing member  159  is coupled to a second end of each of the first coupling member  151 , the second coupling member  152 , the third coupling member  153 , the fourth coupling member  154 , the fifth coupling member  155 , and the sixth coupling member  156 . 
     The first coupling member  151 , the third coupling member  153 , and the fifth coupling member  155  are the same in length and shape. 
     The first coupling member  151  and the fourth coupling member  154  are located on a straight line with each other. 
     The second coupling member  152  and the fifth coupling member  155  are located on a straight line with each other. 
     The sixth coupling member  156  and the third coupling member  153  are also located on a straight line with each other. 
     Meanwhile, the second coupling member  152 , the fourth coupling member  154 , and the sixth coupling member  156  are the same in length and shape. 
     An upper plate (not shown) may be coupled between the first coupling member  151  and the second coupling member  152 , between the second coupling member  152  and the third coupling member  153 , between the fourth coupling member  154  and the fifth coupling member  155 , and between the sixth coupling member  156  and the first coupling member  151 , and the overall shape thereof may be the same as in  FIG. 1