Abstract: Systems and methods for use in automatic alignment of prefabricated building modules. Mating alignment structures on a new module and one more placed modules or mounted pilots interact as the new module is lowered to align edges of the new module relative to the placed components. Different alignment structure types are used to provide different degrees of positional alignment for different edges of a module during installation. When two edges of a module are simultaneously constrained, a horizontal position of one edge is constrained to a greater degree than the second edge. Alignment structures also can be configured so the degree of position constraint on a particular edge varies and to change which module edges are constrained as a module is lowered into position. The system and methods are suitable for use with prefabricated building modules having preinstalled interlocking façade panels.

Abstract: A connection node assembly for use in connecting an upper prefabricated building module to a lower module. Hollow vertical edge supports of the building modules have top and bottom connection parts. A connecting bolt can be passed through the top part of an upper vertical support in the upper building module and seated within the bottom part of that vertical support with the shank extending downward. The shank engages a threaded aperture in a connecting nut secured within the top part of a corresponding lower vertical support in the lower building module. Diaphragm plates sandwiched between the upper and lower vertical supports are used to tie horizontally placed modules together.