Actuated foldable building system module

Abstract

A foldable building system module (FBSM) comprising an integrated deployable modular building system. The foldable building system module comprises prefabricated panels connected by hinges which allow the panels to be unfolded from a flat pack geometry to an unfolded, erected or deployed geometry. An actuating mechanism can be integrated in one or more of the panels and, by applying load to one or more of the panels, allow for automated erection of the module. Two or more of the FBSM's can be connected in series to provide a building system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foldable building system module comprising:
 prefabricated panels connected by hinges;   an integrated actuator mechanism; and   deployable struts,   wherein,
 the integrated actuator mechanism is connected to at least two of the panels to apply force to strategic points on the at least two panels and cause the foldable building system module to unfold from a folded flat pack geometry into a deployed building geometry, and 
 the panels include prefabricated strut connection points to which the struts can be connected during the unfolding process, to impart structural stabilizing forces to the foldable building system module. 
   
     
     
         2 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein at least one panel is prefabricated from a composite fiber reinforced polymer material. 
     
     
         3 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein at least one panel is prefabricated from timber comprising cross laminated timber, dowel laminated timber, or nail laminated timber. 
     
     
         4 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein at least one panel is prefabricated with (a) a rigid frame which performs all required structural requirements and (b) a nonstructural infill panel received within the rigid frame. 
     
     
         5 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , comprising five panels including abase panel, two wall panels and two roof panels, each wall panel having a first edge connected to the base panel, each roof panel having a first edge connected to a respective second edge of the wall panels, and each roof panel having a second edge connected to the second edge of the other roof panel. 
     
     
         6 . The foldable building system module of  claim 5 , wherein the folded flat pack geometry includes the base panel on a bottom of the pack ,the wall panels about on the base panel, and the roof panels on the wall panels. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable building system module of  claim 5 , wherein the deployed building geometry includes the base panel in a horizontal orientation, the two wall panels connected to respective transverse edges of the base panel and in a vertical orientation, and the roof panels forming a gable roof. 
     
     
         8 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein each of the panels has a planar geometry. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the panels has a corrugated geometry. 
     
     
         10 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the panels has a curved geometry. 
     
     
         11 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein at least one panel has integrated transparent or translucent panels prefabricated into it. 
     
     
         12 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the panels is without penetrations. 
     
     
         13 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein each panel includes a continuous integrated waterproofing gasket around a perimeter of the panel. 
     
     
         14 . The foldable building system module of  claim 13 , wherein the waterproofing gasket is connected to the panel by means of an adhesive bond, or by being embedded into an extruded track. 
     
     
         15 . The foldable building system module of  claim 13 , wherein the waterproofing gasket is connected to the modular panel by embedment into an extruded track made from fiber reinforced polymer or aluminum. 
     
     
         16 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein the hinges are integral to the panels and fabricated from the same material as the modular. 
     
     
         17 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein the hinges are separate components which are connected to the panels. 
     
     
         18 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator mechanism is embedded in a base panel. 
     
     
         19 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator mechanism performs in a linear fashion. 
     
     
         20 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator mechanism uses a screw jack type mechanism to convert rotation torque to linear motion. 
     
     
         21 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator mechanism uses a winch mechanism to convert rotation torque to linear motion. 
     
     
         22 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator mechanism utilizes a hydraulic jack to achieve linear motion. 
     
     
         23 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein an integrated deployable strut is prefabricated into at least one panel. 
     
     
         24 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein the deployable struts are separate from the panels and can be connected to the connection points during unfolding of the folding building system module. 
     
     
         25 . The foldable building system module of  claim 1 , wherein the deployable struts comprise timber, aluminum, steel, or fiber reinforced polymer. 
     
     
         26 . A modular building comprising:
 a foundation system;   a platform on the foundation system;   an end wall system;   
       plural foldable building system modules on the platform, each foldable building system module according to  claim 1 ;
 a plumbing circuit; and 
 an electrical circuit. 
 
     
     
         27 . The modular building of  claim 26 , wherein the foundation system includes leveling mechanisms to level the platform. 
     
     
         28 . The modular building of  claim 26 , wherein the foundation system includes ground screws to transfer structural forces from the modular building to earth. 
     
     
         29 . The modular building of  claim 26 , wherein the foundation system includes cast-in-place or precast concrete footings to transfer structural forces from the modular building to earth. 
     
     
         30 . The modular building of  claim 26 , wherein the foundation system includes one or more counterweights or ballasts to transfer structural forces from the modular building to earth. 
     
     
         31 . The modular building of  claim 26 , wherein the platform includes beam elements and bearing elements. 
     
     
         32 . The modular building of  claim 31 , wherein the beam elements comprise primary beam elements which connect directly to the foundation system and provide primary support of the foldable building system modules. 
     
     
         33 . The modular building of  claim 31 , wherein the beam elements include secondary beam elements which space a part the primary linear elements. 
     
     
         34 . The modular building of  claim 32 , wherein the bearing elements are located to spread heavy mechanical loads. 
     
     
         35 . A method of erecting a modular building comprising:
 unfolding foldable building system modules next to each other in a series arrangement, each foldable building system module according to  claim 1 ; and   connecting the foldable building system modules together to form a single building structure.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the foldable building system modules are placed directly on the primary beam elements. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein adjacent foldable building system modules are connected to one another at discrete points. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein adjacent foldable building system modules are connected continuously along shared edges. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , comprising extending a tension element through all adjacent foldable building system models and tightening the tension element to achieve a post tensioned effect resulting in diaphragm action across the adjacent foldable building system modules. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein end panels are erected at opposite longitudinal ends of the building structure. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the end panels are either structural or non-structural in nature and achieve a watertight seal at the longitudinal ends of the building structure. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein at least one of the end panels includes a door opening.