Module for modular green roof

Description

2 placement, whereby the walls can subsequently be partially removed in order to allow the contents (earth and the like) of adjacent modules to connect. However, little to nothing is said about the drainage method, the load-bearing capacity and the strength of the modules. 5 In the American patent US8,272,163, a modular unit is described with a base plate containing a multitude of reservoirs that allow drainage, though not along the underside of the reservoirs, since these may be in contact with a bottom on which the unit rests and thus possibly not allow drainage. The reservoirs are directly connected to one another via a channel, which offers the advantage of a balanced water distribution, but can pose a problem for the flexibility of the units, certainly in a loaded state. The channels have an opening to drain excess water,which, however, can lead to an excess of water in the reservoirs themselves. 15 In the American application US2014 / 0000161, a green roof module is described with a plate featuring longitudinal and transverse fold zones between rows and columns of reservoirs in the plate. Furthermore, openings are provided along the sides and undersides of the individual reservoirs to drain water from the reservoirs. This makes it difficult for a substrate introduced into the module to retain a water supply, and any planting is more susceptible to periods of drought. Moreover, it is possible that substrate leaks out of the modules little by little; for example, during heavy rainfall, a significant amount of substrate can be washed away through the openings. 25 The present invention aims to find a solution for at least some of the above-mentioned problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 30 In a first aspect, the invention concerns a module suitable for holding a substrate with vegetation, where the module has a bottom,encompasses a top and several upright sides; and a multitude of semi-open cells in a grid structure, where the cells are each defined by a substantially flat bottom, one or more upright walls on the bottom and an opening at the top of the 35 module, where at least one upright wall of each cell is provided with a fluid-permeable opening, where the upright walls have a bottom and a BE2025 / 5055 3 top and are attached at the bottom to the bottom of the cells, and where adjacent cells are attached to each other along the top of one or more upright walls of the adjacent cells; and where at least one upright wall of each cell is connected to at least one supporting rib, preferably two supporting ribs, at the bottom of the module with an upright wall5 of an adjacent cell of part cell; characterized by the fact that the upright walls of the cells that are not located on the sides of the module, all connected by two supporting ribs to the upright walls of each adjacent cell,and where the support ribs are located in the vicinity of the top of the attached upright walls; and that the fluid-permeable opening is integrated into a permeable element, formed from a volume that protrudes at least partially from the bottom, encompasses an open bottom, and is oriented in the direction of the top of the module, and where the permeable element protrudes partially inwards into the cell from an upright wall, with the opening located on an upper side of the permeable element. The protruding volume positions the fluid-permeable opening higher than the bottom of the cell, thereby improving water retention by means of a water reservoir being created at the bottom of the cells. This elevated positioning also prevents clogging of the openings and minimizes the loss of sand and nutrients through bottom flow, which improves the quality of the substrates, and thereby the vitality of promotes vegetation. Moreover, the protruding volume strengthens the connections between the bottom and the upright walls of the cell,whereby these are less susceptible to indentation or deformation under load. This design combines improved water retention, reliable drainage and structural strength, which contributes to the overall performance and durability of the module. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 illustrates a top view of the module. Fig. 2 illustrates a close-up of a cell centrally located in the module. Fig. 3 illustrates a bottom view of a cell with adjacent upright walls. Fig. 4 shows a close-up view of a pass-through element. BE2025 / 5055 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in the description of the invention, including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as they are generally understood by the skilled professional in the technical field of the invention. For a better assessment of the description of the invention,The following 5 terms are explicitly explained. The term "upright walls" refers to the vertical structures within a module that form the boundaries of a cell and are provided with a cell standing on the bottom. They are to be distinguished from the upright sides, which are located at the outer edge of the module. The term "upright sides" refers to the vertical edges of a module that define the outer perimeter. The term "substrate" refers to the material that is placed in the module to support vegetation, consisting of, for example, soil, sand, or organic matter, which retains water, provides nutrients, and stabilizes roots. The term "water retention" refers to the ability of the module to retain a certain amount of water for the nutrition of the substrate and the vegetation. synonyms are inclusive or open terms that indicate the presence of what follows25, and that do not exclude or prevent the presence of other components, characteristics, elements, members, steps,known from or described in the standard technique. In a first aspect, the invention concerns a module suitable for holding a substrate with vegetation, in which the module comprises a bottom, a top and several upright sides; and a multitude of semi-open cells in a grid structure, in which the cells are each defined by a substantially flat bottom, one or more upright walls on the bottom and an opening at the top of the module, in which at least one upright wall of each cell is provided with a fluid-permeable opening, in which the upright walls have a bottom and a top and are attached at the bottom to the bottom of the cells, BE2025 / 5055 5 and in which adjacent cells are attached to each other along the top of one or more upright walls of the adjacent cells; and in which at least one upright wall of each cell with at least one supporting rib, preferably two supporting ribs,connected to the bottom of the module with an upright wall of an adjacent cell of part of the cell; characterized by the fact that the upright walls of the cells not located on the sides of the module are all connected by two supporting ribs to the upright walls of each adjacent cell, and where the supporting ribs are located in the vicinity of the top of the attached upright walls; and that the fluid-permeable opening is integrated into a permeable element, formed from a volume that protrudes at least partially from the bottom, encompasses an open bottom, and is oriented in the direction of the top of the module, and where the permeable element protrudes partially inwards into the cell out of an upright wall, where the opening is located on an upper side of the permeable element. 15 First, the protruding volume ensures that the liquid-permeable opening lies higher than the bottom of the cell. As a result, a small amount of water remains at the bottom of the cell, which serves a crucial function as a water reservoir. This reservoir makes it possible to continuously supply the substrate with moisture,even during dry periods, without the drainage of excess water being obstructed.20 This improved water retention contributes to a more consistent supply of nutrients for the vegetation, which is essential for healthy growth and a longer lifespan of the green roof. In addition, the positioning of the liquid-permeable opening in the protruding volume prevents it from becoming clogged. At the bottom of the cell, there is often a layer of substrate that is heavily compressed by the weight of the overlying layers and any remaining water. If an opening were placed directly in the soil, the densely packed particles would easily block the opening, which would severely hinder drainage and potentially lead to water accumulation.30 By integrating the liquid-permeable opening into a protruding volume, it remains free from direct contact with these densely packed layers,which ensures consistent and reliable drainage of excess water. An additional benefit of the higher positioning of the liquid-permeable opening is that the loss of sand and nutrients is significantly limited. If an opening were located directly in the soil, flow could occur at the BE2025 / 5055 6 soil edge during water drainage, carrying away substrate particles. This phenomenon leads not only to the loss of nutrients essential for vegetation and the degradation of the substrate, but also to the clogging of the liquid-permeable opening. The elevated placement of the opening prevents this soil flow, thereby preserving the stability and durability of the substrate. The protruding volume also offers an additional advantage in terms of structural reinforcement. The connections between the floor and the upright walls of the cells typically form vulnerable points that are susceptible to indentation under load.10 These connections are interrupted by the protruding volume,which significantly increases the structural integrity of the cell. The protruding volume acts as a reinforcing element that better absorbs the forces exerted on the floors and walls, making the module more resistant to deformation and cracking. 15 In a specific design, the pass-through element protrudes from an upright wall at a position along the length of the upright wall between two support ribs. Upright walls form essential structural elements of the module, but are also vulnerable to deformation, such as indentation, under the influence of load or external pressure. By specifically positioning the pass-through element between two support ribs, the wall on both sides of the pass-through element is effectively supported, which prevents indentation at this location. This strategic placement not only protects the wall against deformation, but also offers direct benefits for the durability and functionality of the pass-through element itself. Since the pass-through element contains a fluid-permeable opening that naturally constitutes a potential weak point in the structure,deformation of the wall can lead to cracks or blockage of the opening. By reinforcing the wall around the culvert element with support ribs, the shape and integrity of the culvert element are preserved, even under heavy load, and the risk of cracks or blockages is minimized. 30 In addition, the positioning of the culvert element prevents water flows from occurring directly at the edge of the module. This minimizes the risk of uneven water distribution and water accumulation at the edges of the module, which can lead to instability at adjacent modules or vegetation problems. The design thus contributes to a more uniform water distribution within the modules and optimizes the drainage functionality. BE2025 / 5055 7 Moreover, placing the pass-through element exclusively in internal walls ensures that the edges of the module remain free of protrusions. This promotes a seamless connection of adjacent modules, making the system as a whole more stable and facilitating installation. Furthermore, the compact design facilitates the transport and storage of the modules,while maintaining the integrity and functionality of the system. In a specific design, the maximum dimension value of the pass-through element parallel to the longitudinal direction of the upright wall substantially corresponds to the distance between the two support ribs mentioned. By aligning the width of the pass-through element with the support ribs, the connections between the pass-through element and the upright wall are precisely aligned with the strongest points of the wall, namely the ribs. This design minimizes the risk of deformation of both the upright wall and the pass-through element, even under heavy load. The forces are absorbed directly by the support ribs,whereby the integrity of the module is preserved and the flow-through element can continue to perform its drainage function without disruption. Furthermore, this alignment contributes to a more efficient production process. The fixed relationship between the width of the flow-through element and the distance between the support ribs makes it possible to apply standardization in the manufacturing process. This simplifies the design of molds and reduces the chance of errors during the production process. The result is a consistent, high-quality product with improved production speeds and lower manufacturing costs. In one design form, a flow-through element is placed against each upright wall. One of the most important advantages is the good distribution of water drainage. By providing multiple flow-through elements per unit, the water that accumulates in the substrate is drained evenly over different points. This prevents water from concentrating in specific zones,which could otherwise lead to water accumulation and oversaturation of the substrate. An even water distribution not only contributes to an optimal moisture balance for the vegetation, but also prevents the weight of the water from concentrating in one place, which could cause structural loading of the module. Moreover, the presence of multiple flow-through elements provides built-in redundancy. Should a flow-through element become defective due to, for example, deformation, blockage, or damage, the other flow-through elements in the same cell remain functional. This significantly reduces the risk of complete drainage failure in a cell, which is essential for the consistency and reliability of the system, especially during heavy rainfall. This redundancy increases the operational sustainability of the module, because temporary defects in an individual flow-through element do not have a negative impact on the overall system. water management. Furthermore,A permeable element makes the upright wall more resistant to indentation. By providing a permeable element in all upright walls, the module as a whole becomes stronger, which significantly increases durability and functional quality. In one design form, the permeable element comprises a top surface, in which the liquid-permeable opening is provided. By placing the opening at the top, it remains accessible for water drainage from all directions. This design ensures that water can reach the opening unhindered, regardless of the orientation or position of the permeable element in the cell. This guarantees efficient and consistent drainage, even under challenging conditions, such as uneven substrate distribution or varying water flows. Furthermore, maintaining continuous sides of the permeable element contributes to increased strength. By keeping the sides free of openings,the structure of the pass-through element remains intact and more resistant to deformation or breakage. The continuous sides ensure that the forces acting on the pass-through element, such as pressure from the substrate or loads during transport, are evenly distributed over the entire structure. This not only increases the durability of the pass-through element itself, but also contributes to the overall strength and reliability of the module. 25 In a design form, the top surface comprises a straight edge, which is connected to the upright wall. This connection ensures that the top surface of the pass-through element is more resistant to indentation. Because the top surface is directly supported by the upright wall, the risk of deformation due to vertical pressure is significantly reduced. 30 In a design form, the top surface has a flat surface area of ​​at least 40 mm², and preferably at least 60 mm². This ensures sufficient space to provide a liquid-permeable opening in the top surface that is large enough for the effective passage of excess water,while the remaining part of the top surface35 retains sufficient strength to ensure the structural rigidity of the flow-through element BE2025 / 5055 9. This ensures an optimal balance between functional drainage capacities and mechanical durability. In one design form, the flow-through element comprises a curved upright side connected on one side to the bottom of the cells and connected on an opposite side5 via a smooth transition to the top surface, whereby the upright side curves at least partially around the top surface. The curves and rounding prevent protruding sections that form weak points and are susceptible to indentation. In addition, the rounding contributes to improved structural strength. By avoiding sharp angles, stress concentration is minimized, which further reduces the10 risk of cracking or failure of the flow-through element. In one execution form, the curvature of the curved side of the top surface corresponds substantially to the curvature of a circle. The circular curvature is a constant curvature,which directly contributes to an increased structural strength15 of the permeable element. In contrast to non-uniform or variable curvatures, a circular curvature offers an even distribution of forces over the upright wall. This even force distribution reduces the risk of stress concentrations, which could otherwise form weak points and cause deformation or indentation of the wall.20 In a design, the fluid-permeable opening substantially coincides with the center of the curvature of the curved upright side. The symmetrical placement of the opening minimizes stress concentrations around the edges of the opening. This limits the risk of cracking or damage to the permeable element25, which contributes to the structural integrity and durability of the module. In a specific design, the maximum distance between the top surface of the permeable element and the bottom is a minimum of 2 mm, and preferably a minimum of 3 mm. This distance guarantees that there is sufficient space to retain the correct amount of water on the bottom of the cell.This is essential for water retention and the nutrition of the substrate. This layer of water prevents the substrate from drying out during dry periods, while maintaining the drainage capacity for excess water. Additionally, this distance prevents the liquid-permeable opening from coming into direct contact with the densely packed substrate lying on the bottom. This significantly reduces the risk of clogging of the liquid-permeable opening, which contributes to continuous and reliable drainage. BE2025 / 5055 10 In a design form, the permeable elements are positioned in a grid pattern. This positioning results in an even distribution of fluid-permeable openings over the entire module, whereby the drainage of excess fluid is constant over the entire module. This prevents the local accumulation of fluid, which negatively affects the vitality of the vegetation by increasing the risk of, for example, oxygen deficiency or root rot. In addition, positioning the permeable elements in a grid pattern simplifies the production of the module,because a repeating pattern is easier to scale up, and reduces the risk of errors.10 In a design form, the pass-through element protrudes at least 5 mm, preferably at least 7 mm, from the vertical wall. This distance ensures that the liquid-permeable opening is positioned far enough from the vertical wall so that it is easily accessible from all directions for excess liquid, which enables efficient drainage.15 In addition, this dimension offers sufficient space to provide an opening of suitable size, while sufficient material, or load-bearing surface, is retained around the opening, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the pass-through element. 20 In a design form, the surface area of ​​the liquid-permeable opening amounts to a maximum of 50%, and preferably a maximum of 20%, of the flat surface of the top surface. This limitation contributes to the structural strength of the pass-through element,because the remaining load-bearing surface around the opening offers sufficient material to distribute the forces acting on the top surface evenly. This prevents deformation or cracking of the element under load. In what follows, the invention is described by means of non-limiting examples that illustrate the invention, and which are not intended or should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention.30 EXAMPLE Fig. 1 illustrates a top view of the module, showing different grid lines(10). The module has a rectangular shape, divided by the upright sides(11), and is divided into different cells(1). These cells35 have a substantial flat bottom(1) and are bounded by two, three or four upright walls(4), depending on the position of the cell relative to the sides BE2025 / 5055 11 (11). The upright walls(4) of adjacent cells merge into each other at the top with an arc-shaped structure, as more clearly visible in the perspective of Fig. 2 where a close-up of a cell, centrally located in the module,is shown. Each cell(1) contains several passage elements(2) for allowing water to pass through. The passage elements(2) are formed from a protruding volume that protrudes partly from the bottom and partly from an upright wall(4) of the cell. The passage element is therefore positioned on a connection between the bottom and an upright wall(4). The passage element(2) is open at the bottom and is formed from a single layer that flows into the upright wall(4) and the bottom of the cell(1), as illustrated in Fig. 3, which shows a bottom view of a cell(1) with adjacent upright walls10 (4).