Building, in particular a hospital

Abstract

A modularly constructed hospital which consists of stackable modules for patients and which is accessed from the outside by means of a service tower without the access paths and the paths for the patients intersecting with each other.

Claims

1. A hospital comprising: a core area including a patient treatment station; a plurality of patient modules forming a ring around the core area, each of the patient modules including a bottom with a groove for engaging a guide rail attached to the hospital, the groove having a triangular cross-sectional shape which allows a height of the module to be adjusted, and at least one height adjustment element is arranged at the bottom of the module, the at least one height adjustment element bearing upon a surface of the hospital when the module is inserted into the hospital; an annular corridor disposed between the ring of patient modules and the core area; and at least one elevator in the core area; wherein each of the patient modules is wedge-shaped and has at least one window arranged along a major end face and at least one door arranged along a minor end face.

2. The hospital as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a moving walkway disposed within the annular corridor.

3. The hospital as claimed in claim 2, wherein the annular corridor includes an outer sidewalk and an inner side walk.

4. The hospital as claimed in claim 3, wherein the moving walkway is disposed between the outer sidewalk and the inner side walk.

5. The hospital as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modules are stackable and have central connections for electricity, hot water, or wastewater.

6. The hospital as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a skeletal structure with a plurality of floors, wherein the modules are inserted into said skeletal structure, wherein each of the modules is inserted on a corresponding guide rail, which is attached to the skeletal structure.

7. The hospital as claimed in claim 6, further comprising fire protection intermediate ceilings in the skeletal structure.

8. The hospital as claimed in claim 6, further comprising at least one service tower arranged outside of the skeletal structure and connected thereto with at least one corridor.

9. The hospital as claimed in claim 6, wherein the modules have a bottom with a groove in which the guide rail engages, and wherein at least one height adjustment element is arranged at the bottom of the module, which bears upon the skeletal structure in the inserted state of the module.

10. The hospital as claimed in claim 9, wherein the skeletal structure has a round cross-sectional shape or a polygonal cross-sectional shape with at least five corners.

11. The hospital as claimed in claim 9, wherein the groove is arranged approximately centrally.

12. The hospital as claimed in claim 1, further comprising sliding doors for segmenting the corridor.

13. The hospital as claimed in claim 1, further comprising service lines for water, waste water, and/or electricity running vertically through the hospital, the modules connected to the service lines.

14. The hospital as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a patient area and a service area, which are accessible with separate paths and separate entrances.

15. The hospital as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a front side and a rear side, wherein the entrance of the patients area is located on the front side and the entrance of the service area is located on the rear side.

16. The hospital as claimed in claim 1, further comprising floors which are interconnected by elevators, wherein a first elevator is arranged in a patient's area, and a second elevator is arranged in a service area which is located outside the patients area and is structurally connected to the floors.

17. The hospital as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second elevator is connected with a hospital building via a corridor.

18. A hospital complex, comprising: a plurality of buildings joined together by at least one common lower floor, each of the buildings including: a core area including a patient treatment station; a plurality of patient modules forming a ring around the core area each of the patient modules including a bottom with a groove for engaging a guide rail attached to the hospital, the groove having a triangular cross-sectional shape which allows a height of the module to be adjusted, and at least one height adjustment element is arranged at the bottom of the module, the at least one height adjustment element bearing upon a surface of the hospital when the module is inserted into the hospital; an annular corridor disposed between the ring of patient modules and the core area; and at least one elevator in the core area; wherein each of the patient modules is wedge-shaped and has at least one window arranged along a major end face and at least one door arranged along a minor end face.

19. A module for insertion into a hospital, the module comprising: at least one room; a bottom with a groove for engaging a guide rail attached to a skeletal structure of the hospital, the groove having a triangular cross-sectional shape which allows a height of the module to be adjusted; and at least one height adjustment element is arranged at the bottom of the module, the at least one height adjustment element bearing upon the skeletal structure when the module is inserted into the hospital; wherein the patient module is wedge-shaped and has at least one window arranged along a major end face and at least one door arranged along a minor end face.

20. The module as claimed in claim 19, wherein the module has rounded room corners next to a floor thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will now be described in more detail by way of schematically illustrated exemplary embodiments and with reference to the drawings of FIG. 1 through FIG. 22.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a hospital in a cross-sectional view along a horizontal plane.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of a single patient module which forms a patient room.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a hospital with a total of more than 500 beds.

(5) FIG. 4 shows the principle of the elevators which are divided into a clean patient side and a service side.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a main building.

(7) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the individual floors are stacked one upon the other.

(8) FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary skeletal structure of a main building.

(9) FIG. 8 shows the insertion of modules into the skeletal structure.

(10) FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a main building with sliding doors.

(11) FIG. 10 shows the particularly short distances given due to the inventive building concept become clearly apparent.

(12) FIG. 11 shows a building complex similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3.

(13) FIG. 12 shows a front side elevational view of the building complex.

(14) FIG. 13 shows a rear side elevational view of the building complex.

(15) FIG. 13a shows main buildings of different heights.

(16) FIG. 14 shows the insertion of a module into the skeletal structure in more detail.

(17) FIG. 15 shows a view in which a portion of beam can be seen, on which the rail is mounted and which has a triangular cross-sectional shape.

(18) FIG. 16 shows a schematic sectional view of a module.

(19) FIG. 17 shows a detailed view of the configuration of the wall and floor of an exemplary module according to the invention.

(20) FIG. 18 shows a view of one exemplary embodiment of a module for patients.

(21) FIG. 19 shows that it is possible to provide two module types which have a mirror-inverted configuration.

(22) FIG. 20 shows a UV lock which is in particular employed in the corridor.

(23) FIG. 21 shows an automatically moving vehicle that may be used for the inventive building concept.

(24) FIG. 22 illustrates the cleaning of the floor of a module using a cleaning robot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(25) FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a hospital 1 in a cross-sectional view along a horizontal plane.

(26) Hospital 1 comprises a circular main building 2.

(27) In main building 2, patient rooms 3 are arranged around a central circular core area 5.

(28) Patient rooms 3 are preferably configured as self-supporting prefabricated modules. Each patient room 3 has one or more patient beds (not shown) arranged therein.

(29) It will be clear that patient rooms 3 are not rectangular in this exemplary embodiment but rather are widening towards the outer wall of main building 2. The core area 5 may also be a prefabricated module.

(30) In core area 5, treatment stations 7 are located, which in conventional manner comprise rooms or at least partitions inside of which there are treatment areas where doctors treat or examine the patients.

(31) Furthermore, elevators 6 are provided in core area 5, through which the patients or staff can pass to other stations of the main building 2.

(32) A corridor with an annular moving walkway 8 extends around core area 5. Via the moving walkway 8, the individual patient rooms 3 are reached quickly and through short distances.

(33) Adjacent to moving walkway 8, a respective walkway or sidewalk 9, 10 extends on both sides thereof.

(34) In order to enter a patient room 3, for example, the particular person may pass over to sidewalk 10 and may then enter the patient room 3 through the door (not shown).

(35) It goes without saving that the individual patient rooms 3 may likewise furthermore contain partitions to divide them into a plurality of individual rooms.

(36) Patient rooms 3 preferably have opposite bathrooms 15, 16 which can be connected to an intermediate service shaft 17.

(37) The wall 4 of main building 2 preferably consists of the sections of the individual modular patient rooms 3.

(38) The main building 2 is equipped with a rotatable solar module 18 which has its axis of rotation mounted in the core area 5.

(39) Adjacent to main building 2, a multi-floor service tower 27 is located.

(40) Service tower 27 includes elevators 13, 14.

(41) Through elevators 13, 14, the individual floors of hospital 1 are supplied with medicines and other articles.

(42) The corridor extending from service tower 27 is preferably divided into two areas 11, 12. For example, articles are transported away via corridor 11 and are brought in via corridor 12.

(43) As a result of this concept, the areas in which patients are transported within the core area 5 do not overlap or intersect with the paths in the service area.

(44) FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of a single patient module 20 which forms a patient room 3.

(45) Module 20 is configured so that it can be stacked with other substantially identically configured modules and can be assembled into an annular section of the building.

(46) Module 20 has a window 21 in the outer wall thereof.

(47) In this exemplary embodiment, a plurality of beds 19 are arranged in the module 20.

(48) Furthermore, module 20 has a bathroom 16, which is supplied with water and power via central connections (not shown).

(49) Module 20 can be entered through a non-touch automatically opening door 23.

(50) Non-touch opening door 23 opens to a corridor in which the moving walkway 8 is arranged.

(51) Now, when a patient is brought from patient room 3 to the core area, he or she can reach the moving walkway 8 via sidewalk 9 and can then enter the core area via sidewalk 10 through a further non-touch automatically opening door (not shown) to reach treatment station 7.

(52) Furthermore, patient module 20 includes a hatch 24 adjacent to a bathroom, through which for example towels may be introduced from the corridor into the bathroom 16.

(53) Another hatch 26 is provided for food and medicines.

(54) Due to the hatches, medicines and food can be introduced into the patient room 3 without need to enter.

(55) FIG. 3 shows a hospital 1 with a total of more than 500 beds.

(56) Hospital 1 comprises a plurality of main buildings 2, in the present embodiment three, which correspond to that of FIG. 1 and may in particular include a rotatable solar module 18.

(57) The individual main buildings 2 are connected with a service tower 27 via corridors 28.

(58) The service tower 27 also essentially corresponds to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, but in the present exemplary embodiment the service tower is intended for simultaneously supplying three main buildings.

(59) On the side of the hospital, at which there is no main building, access roads are provided for supplying the hospital.

(60) There is a delivery area for medical products 29, a delivery area for food 30, a delivery area for laundry 31, a delivery area for building maintenance 32, and a garbage collection area 33.

(61) In this way, delivery to the service tower 27 is managed efficiently.

(62) The service side is completely decoupled from the patient side, which furthermore reduces the risk of transmission of pathogens.

(63) In service tower 27 and in corridors 28, the directions on which the goods are moved are separated from each other.

(64) It is in particular contemplated that via the service tower which includes elevators, and via the corridors, automated vehicles (not shown) deliver medicines and other articles to the individual main buildings.

(65) FIG. 4 shows the principle of the elevators which are divided into a clean patient side 34 and a service side 35.

(66) In this exemplary embodiment, the elevators comprise wind turbines 36 in the lower and upper parts of the elevator shafts for generating energy which may also contribute to the power supply of the hospital.

(67) Patients are transported using the elevators on the clean side 34.

(68) Elevators 13 and 14 are used for supply purposes to the building.

(69) Elevators 6 are provided with non-touch automatically opening doors.

(70) FIG. 5 shows a perspective schematic diagram of a main building 2.

(71) Main building 2 has a circular cylindrical shape and comprises a rotating solar module 18.

(72) In a central core area, at least one elevator 6 is provided for patients and hospital staff.

(73) Wind turbines 36 are arranged above and below elevator 6.

(74) The hospital comprises a plurality of floors 37.

(75) The floors include treatment stations 7. The treatment stations 7 arranged on the different floors can be reached by means of elevator 6.

(76) Furthermore, a moving walkway is provided on each floor, which extends around core area 5.

(77) In the core area, an air conditioning shaft 39 is provided running vertically through the core area.

(78) The individual modules (not shown) are connected to the air conditioning shaft 39 via air conditioning connections 42.

(79) Preferably, the modules are kept under a slight excess pressure, so that there is no air circulating in the building. The risk of transmission of pathogens is further reduced in this manner.

(80) Furthermore, a shaft 38 for power supply is provided.

(81) The individual modules are connected to the power supply shaft via electrical connections 43.

(82) Furthermore, connections to a garbage chute 41 are provided, as well as water connections 40 which are also connected to a central duct.

(83) Waste collection may also be accomplished centrally via the core area, through a garbage chute 41.

(84) FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the individual floors 27a to 27d are stacked one upon the other.

(85) Each floor consists of a plurality of modules (FIG. 2). The core area 5 preferably also has a modular configuration and is stackable.

(86) On floor 27a, a parking garage and storage space for the supply of the hospital can be provided, for example. Floor 27b includes a lobby, and floors 27c and 27d comprise patient rooms in the outer annular area and treatment stations in the core area.

(87) It will be clear that the main building illustrated here may be coupled to a service tower as illustrated in the preceding drawings.

(88) FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of an exemplary skeletal structure 48 of a main building 2.

(89) The skeletal structure 48 has an annular configuration and comprises a plurality of different beams 44a to 44e.

(90) With this exemplary embodiment it has been succeeded to construct such a skeletal structure with five different types of beams 44a-44e. Here, beams 44d form the outer surface.

(91) Beams 44e extend from the outer surface to the core area 5 which may as well be made from cement, for example.

(92) Between each respective pair of beams of the type 44e there is space provided for accommodating two modules (not shown).

(93) For this purpose, a shorter beam 44a mounted centrally therebetween extends from the outer surface towards the center of the core area 5. Two further beams of beam type 44a of the same length extend from an outer connection point of beam 44a in triangularly diverging manner and are each connected to a respective beam 44e. At the end of central beam 44a, this central beam fans out into beams 44b and 44c. These four converging beams support the inserted modules from below. In the core area, elevators 46a to 46c are provided which are used to transport guests, patients, and staff.

(94) In a separate service tower, supply of the main building 2 can be ensured using elevators 47a to 47b.

(95) With reference to FIG. 8, the insertion of modules 49 into the skeletal structure 48 will be explained.

(96) It can be seen that the modules 49 are inserted into the skeletal structure from outside.

(97) Rail 45 of the skeletal structure serves to guide the respective module. Rail 45 can be integrated in the skeletal structure 48 with high accuracy and provides for easy radial positioning of the respective module 49.

(98) FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a main building with sliding doors 50 which in their closed state divide into segments the corridor 51 provided between core area 5 and the ring 93 consisting of the individual modules.

(99) Sliding doors 50 can be inserted into the ring 93.

(100) Sliding doors 50 allow to provide for both fire protection and isolation of individual areas.

(101) The inventive building concept thus allows in a very simple manner to rededicate individual areas of a conventionally used hospital into isolation stations within short term.

(102) Referring to FIG. 10, the particularly short distances given due to the inventive building concept become clearly apparent.

(103) The movement direction of people when leaving the building is indicated by arrows.

(104) It can be seen that the building can be left over very short distances through the corridor located in the core area 5.

(105) FIG. 11 shows a building complex 52 similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3.

(106) Building complex 52 comprises three main buildings 2, each one having a core zone around which the modules for accommodating patients or guests are arranged.

(107) A service tower is located centrally between the main buildings 2.

(108) Service is accomplished via a rear side, as has already been illustrated in FIG. 3.

(109) In contrast to FIG. 3, the building complex 52 comprises a large circular lower floor 55, on which the main buildings 2 and the service tower 27 are arranged.

(110) Opposite to the service area, that means on the front side of the building, there are entrances to the reception 53 and to the clinic 54.

(111) Thus, the service paths are separated from the paths for guests, staff, or patients.

(112) FIG. 12 shows a front side elevational view of such a building complex 52.

(113) The entrances 56 to the clinic or to the reception can be seen, which are located on the lower floor 55 which connects the individual main buildings 2.

(114) FIG. 13 shows a rear side elevational view of building complex 52.

(115) In this exemplary embodiment, delivery ramps labelled with numbers 1 to 6 are provided for supplying the building complex with laundry and food, by vehicles, and also for ensuring garbage collection.

(116) FIG. 13a illustrates that it is possible with the inventive modular building concept to erect main buildings 2a to 2c of different heights in a very simple manner with identical components.

(117) Building 2a only has four floors, while building 2c has eight floors.

(118) With reference to FIG. 14, the insertion of a module 49 into the skeletal structure will be described in more detail.

(119) Module 49 has a groove 47 that engages rail 45 on which the module 49 is inserted.

(120) Between the lateral walls of module 49 and vertical beam 56 of the skeletal structure there is a respective gap 59. Gap 59 preferably has a width of several centimeters.

(121) Gap 59 permits to compensate for component tolerances of the module 49 or of the skeletal structure.

(122) Rail 45 ensures that the module 49 is automatically placed in centered manner between vertical beams 56.

(123) Then, module 49 can be exactly aligned horizontally using lateral height adjustment elements 58.

(124) Height adjustment elements 58 may additionally include an elastomeric portion as well, and may thus serve as dampers.

(125) The remaining gaps 59 can be concealed with a covering (not shown) which may especially form part of the facade.

(126) FIG. 15 shows a detail view.

(127) A portion of beam 44d can be seen, on which the rail 45 is mounted which has a triangular cross-sectional shape in this embodiment.

(128) The bottom 60 of the module has a corresponding groove 57, with a triangular cross-sectional shape in this embodiment.

(129) FIG. 16 shows a schematic sectional view of a module 49.

(130) It can be seen that the module comprises a living room 61 with a window 62 which in the installed state defines the outer surface of the main building.

(131) In addition to the living room, which in the case of use for a hospital in particular comprises a bed, the module includes a wet room 63 with at least a toilet and a sink. Wet room 63 includes an air conditioning system 64 which may be arranged under a sink (not shown), for example.

(132) Through a fresh air inlet 66, fresh air reaches the air conditioning system 64.

(133) Furthermore, the module has connections for water inlet/outlet 65. The air conditioning system 64 discharges used air 68 to the outside, or the latter is centrally collected to recover energy. The module itself may as well comprise heat exchangers for cooling down the used air being discharged and preheating the fresh air which is sucked-in.

(134) The technical installations of the module 49 are easily accessible from one side via access 67.

(135) FIG. 17 shows a detailed view of the configuration of the wall and floor of an exemplary module according to the invention.

(136) Support 69 is shown, which forms the bottom of the module and which comprises the groove enabling insertion of the module.

(137) Support 69 is provided with a fireproof coating 70.

(138) Both walls and floor are provided with an insulation coating 71.

(139) On insulation coating 71, floor covering 72 and wall covering 73 is applied.

(140) Furthermore, a metal profile 74 is mounted between floor covering 72 and wall covering 73, which is rounded and forms a joint between the wall and floor coverings.

(141) In this way, because of the rounded corner, the module of the invention is easily cleaned, even wet, using a robot.

(142) FIG. 18 shows a view of one exemplary embodiment of a module 49 for patients.

(143) Module 49 is wedge-shaped and is accessible through a non-touch opening sliding door 78 at the short side.

(144) Also at the short side there is a wet room 63 inserted into the module, which in particular includes a shower and a sink 79.

(145) Wet room 63 is accessible from the rear side via doors 81. In this manner maintenance may be performed. Optionally, it is also conceivable to introduce towels or laundry into the wet room from the rear side via doors 81.

(146) The wet room also has a non-touch actuable sliding door 82.

(147) The table 76 and the shelves 80 are preferably only attached to the wall, so that the floor below can be cleaned by a robot.

(148) The wedge-shaped design illustrated herein allows for optimal utilization of space.

(149) A further embodiment of a module, which substantially corresponds to the module shown in FIG. 18, comprises an entrance area with an air lock.

(150) The air lock is in particular intended for putting on a protective suit.

(151) For this purpose, the air lock to the living room of the patient is accessible via an automatic door.

(152) The air lock is kept under excess pressure with respect to the living area of the module, so that when the automatic door opens contamination of the air lock and thus of the hospital area behind is avoided.

(153) A cabinet is provided in the air lock, in which protective clothing can be stored, for example. Furthermore, the cabinet preferably includes a dispenser for a disinfectant liquid to be used by the staff when entering the air lock.

(154) As illustrated in FIG. 19, it is possible to provide two module types 49a and 49b which have a mirror-inverted configuration.

(155) The modules have a perpendicularly configured lateral side where the wet room and the beds are arranged, whereas the opposite side has no right angled corners. Since this area serves as a living area, a rectangular configuration is not needed and optimum utilization of space is made possible, so as to form a ring of the building together with further modules.

(156) FIG. 20 shows a UV lock 83 which is in particular employed in the corridor (12 in FIG. 1) extending from the service tower and illustrated in FIG. 1, for example.

(157) The vehicles used for service in the building are disinfected using the UV light, and this reduces the risk of infection while the service vehicles are in the patient area of the hospital.

(158) FIG. 21 shows an automatically moving vehicle 84 that may be used for the inventive building concept.

(159) The vehicle 84 comprises a sensor unit 85. The configuration of automatically moving vehicles is per se known to persons skilled in the art.

(160) Simply designed vehicles orientate themselves based on strips introduced in the floor, such as a magnetic strip, and have infrared or ultrasonic sensors to stop the vehicle when confronting a person.

(161) The vehicle of the invention is battery powered and has two chambers 87, 88, one chamber of which is intended for delivering hot meals, while the other chamber is cool and serves to store fruits or cold beverages, for example.

(162) It is also possible for chambers 87, 88 to be cooled using a refrigeration device, or to be heated.

(163) Chambers 87, 88 are closed by roller shutters 89.

(164) When the food is distributed, the roller shutters are slid upwards thereby gradually clearing food inserts. In this manner, it is ensured that the respective insert is only opened when the food is being delivered.

(165) FIG. 22 illustrates the cleaning of the floor 89 of a module using a cleaning robot 90.

(166) Cleaning robot 90 comprises sensors 91 and peripherally arranged brushes 92 or rags.

(167) The rounded corners and edges all around through which the floor 89 merges into the wall allow for fully automated cleaning of the entire floor including the corners and edges.

(168) The invention permits to provide a hospital with short distances, which can be operated with substantially increased efficiency, for optimal patient care. Moreover, the hospital can be erected within a short time, it is energy-efficient and has a space-saving configuration.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(169) 1 Hospital 2 Main building 3 Patient room 4 Wall 5 Core area 6 Elevator 7 Treatment station 8 Moving walkway 9 Walkway 10 Walkway 11 Corridor 12 Corridor 13 Elevator 14 Elevator 15 Bathroom 16 Bathroom 17 Service shaft 18 Solar module 19 Bed 20 Patients module 21 Window 22 Table 23 Door 24 Hatch 25 Hatch 26 Hatch 27 Service tower 28 Corridor 29 Delivery area for medical products 30 Food delivery area 31 Laundry delivery area 32 Delivery area for maintenance 33 Garbage collection area 34 Clean side 35 Service side 36 Wind turbine 37 Floor 38 Shaft for power supply 39 Air conditioning shaft 40 Water connection 41 Garbage chute 42 Air conditioning connection 43 Electrical connection 44a-e Beam 45 Rail 46a-c Elevator 47a-b Elevator 48 Skeletal structure 49 Module 50 Sliding door 51 Corridor 52 Building complex 53 Reception 54 Clinic 55 Lower floor 56 Beam 57 Groove 58 Height adjustment element 59 Gap 60 Floor 61 Living room 62 Window 63 Wet room 64 Air conditioning system 65 Water inlet/outlet 66 Fresh air inlet 67 Access 68 Exhaust air 69 Support 70 Fireproof coating 71 Insulation coating 72 Floor covering 73 Wall covering 74 Metal profile 75 Bed 76 Table 77 Shower 78 Sliding door 79 Sink 80 Shelf 81 Door 82 Sliding door 83 UV lock 84 Vehicle 85 Sensor component 86 Handle 87 Chamber 88 Chamber 89 Floor 90 Cleaning robot 91 Sensor 92 Brush 93 Ring