Automatic Buoyancy-Driven Flood Barrier Apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic rising type buoyancy barrier device comprising a vertical structure installed in close contact with a wall, a buoyancy barrier that is stored at the same level as the ground and rises due to buoyancy, a first tension spring that maintains the buoyancy barrier in a lying position, and a second tension spring that assists rotation during the rising process of the buoyancy barrier.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic rising type buoyancy water barrier device, and more specifically, to an automatic rising type buoyancy water barrier device that is installed embedded in the floor of a building entrance, parking lot, underground space, etc., and normally remains in a state of being stored at the same level as the ground, but is configured to automatically rise by buoyancy to perform a water barrier function when the inflow water exceeds a certain level during rainfall or flooding. Background Technology

[0003] Generally, underground or low-lying spaces such as building basement entrances, parking lots, machine rooms, and electrical rooms are susceptible to flooding damage caused by the inflow of rainwater or floodwaters during situations like torrential rain or river overflows. Since such flooding can cause serious damage to vehicles, electrical equipment, and machinery and lead to safety accidents, waterproofing technologies have been required to prevent it.

[0004] Conventionally, methods such as installing metal water barriers on the front of building entrances or manually installing movable water barriers as needed have been primarily used. However, these methods make it difficult to respond quickly in the event of an emergency, and pose a high risk because personnel must perform the work directly during the installation process. In addition, there was a problem where water barrier performance deteriorated due to installation errors or poor attachment.

[0005] To improve this, a buoyant watertight wall has been proposed in the past that is normally buried in the ground and automatically rises in the event of flooding. In this case, there is no need for external power or power supply, and the watertight wall can rise by the buoyancy of the water itself to perform a watertight function.

[0006] However, conventional buoyancy-type watertight walls had problems such as malfunctions occurring because the wall did not rotate smoothly during the rising process or was not stably fixed in the initial state. In addition, there were limitations in insufficient watertight performance, such as displacement caused by external water pressure when the wall was fully raised or leakage occurring through gaps at the joints with the side of the wall.

[0007] Therefore, there is a growing need for a structure that allows the water barrier to rise smoothly by buoyancy in flooding situations, remains stable in the retracted state, and is firmly fixed to withstand external water pressure once fully raised. Prior art literature

[0009] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2025-0017023 (Published on Feb. 4, 2025) The problem to be solved

[0010] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing a buoyancy-based automatic rising water barrier device capable of resolving issues such as the inability to respond quickly, the inconvenience of manual installation, incomplete water barrier, and lateral leakage that occur in existing water barriers during heavy rainfall or flooding.

[0011] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a structure that is stored at the same level as the ground under normal conditions so as not to obstruct traffic or vehicle movement, and automatically rises by the buoyancy of the incoming water to perform a water-blocking function in flooded situations.

[0012] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a structure in which the lower end of a buoyancy barrier is connected to a pivot axis that moves along a pivot slit, and a first tension spring and a second tension spring are connected at different positions thereto, thereby being stably fixed in the storage state, rotating smoothly by applying tension force in stages during the rising process, and being firmly maintained by the combined force of both springs in the completed rising state.

[0013] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a watertight structure capable of preventing leakage from the side while the buoyancy barrier is raised, by fixing the vertical structure so as to be in contact with the wall.

[0014] In addition, the present invention aims to provide an autonomous watertight structure that can be operated automatically using only buoyancy without an external power source or power device, thereby increasing the reliability of flood response and enabling repeated operation without separate human intervention even in emergency situations.

[0015] The problem to be solved by this specification is not limited to what is described above and can be extended to various matters that can be derived from the embodiments of the invention described below. means of solving the problem

[0017] An automatic rising type buoyancy barrier wall device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include: a vertical structure (110) installed to be in close contact with a wall; a buoyancy barrier (120) rotatably coupled to the vertical structure (110), normally stored at the same level as the ground, and rises by buoyancy to perform a barrier function; a first tension spring (130) connected in a tension direction between the lower end of the buoyancy barrier (120) and the vertical structure (110), providing a pulling force to maintain the lower end of the buoyancy barrier (120) in a flattened state; and a second tension spring (140) connected in a tension direction between the lower end of the buoyancy barrier (120) and the vertical structure (110), providing a pulling force in a rotational direction as the buoyancy barrier (120) rotates and rises.

[0018] According to one embodiment, a rotational slit (111) is formed in the vertical structure (110), and a rotational axis (121) is coupled to the lower end of the buoyancy barrier (120), so that as the buoyancy barrier (120) rises due to buoyancy and its angle changes, the rotational axis (121) can move along the rotational slit (111).

[0019] According to one embodiment, the first tension spring (130) and the second tension spring (140) are both connected to the rotation axis (121), and their respective other ends are fixed at different positions on the vertical structure (110), so that the tension direction may change according to the change in the rotation angle of the buoyancy barrier (120).

[0020] According to one embodiment, when the buoyancy barrier (120) is raised above a certain angle, the pulling force of the first tension spring (130) and the second tension spring (140) acts simultaneously, so that the buoyancy barrier (120) can be restrained in the raised state.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the vertical structure (110) is fixedly installed to be in contact with the wall, so as to perform a water-blocking function to prevent rainwater from flowing between the vertical structure (110) and the wall when the buoyancy barrier (120) is raised. Effects of the invention

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, since the buoyancy barrier is normally kept at the same level as the ground and automatically rises due to the buoyancy of the incoming water in a flooding situation, a device can be implemented that can immediately perform a water-blocking function without external power or human intervention, thereby having the advantage of enabling rapid and repeated response even in emergency situations such as heavy rain or flooding.

[0024] In addition, according to the present invention, a rotational slit formed in a vertical structure and a rotational axis of a buoyancy barrier are combined, so that the rotational axis moves along the slit as the buoyancy barrier rotates, thereby providing the advantage of smoothly inducing rotation and ensuring operational reliability during the process of the water barrier rising.

[0025] In addition, according to the present invention, the first tension spring and the second tension spring are commonly connected to a pivot axis, and their other ends are fixed at different positions of the vertical structure. This causes the tension direction to change according to the change in the pivot angle of the buoyancy barrier, thereby maintaining a stable storage state initially, assisting in a stepwise ascent thereafter, and providing the advantage of being restrained by a composite tension force in the fully raised state.

[0026] In addition, according to the present invention, since the vertical structure is installed to be in contact with the wall while the buoyancy barrier is raised, lateral leakage through the gap between the wall and the water-blocking wall can be prevented, thereby providing the advantage of further improving water-blocking performance.

[0027] In addition, according to the present invention, since it operates purely by the buoyancy of the incoming water without a separate mechanical drive device or power supply, it has the advantages of simple maintenance, fewer breakdowns, and stable operation for a long period as a flood prevention device.

[0028] It should be understood that the effects of this specification are not limited to the matters described above and can be extended to various contents that can be derived from the detailed description of the embodiments of the invention below. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an automatic rising type buoyancy barrier device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the buoyancy barrier (120) shown in FIG. 1 housed inside a vertical structure (110). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation process of an automatic rising type buoyancy barrier device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0031] In describing the embodiments of this specification, if it is determined that a detailed description of known configurations or functions could obscure the essence of the embodiments of this specification, such detailed description is omitted. Additionally, parts of the drawings unrelated to the description of the embodiments of this specification have been omitted, and similar parts are denoted by similar reference numerals.

[0032] In the embodiments of this specification, when a component is described as being "connected," "combined," or "joined" with another component, this may include not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection in which another component exists in between. Furthermore, when a component is described as "comprising" or "having" another component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude the other component but may include additional components.

[0033] In the embodiments of this specification, terms such as first, second, etc. are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component and do not limit the order or importance of the components unless specifically stated otherwise. Accordingly, within the scope of the embodiments of this specification, the first component in an embodiment may be referred to as the second component in another embodiment, and likewise, the second component in an embodiment may be referred to as the first component in another embodiment.

[0034] In the embodiments of this specification, distinct components are intended to clearly explain their respective features and do not imply that the components are necessarily separated. That is, multiple components may be integrated to form a single hardware or software unit, or a single component may be distributed to form multiple hardware or software units. Therefore, such integrated or distributed embodiments are included within the scope of the embodiments of this specification, even if not otherwise mentioned.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an automatic rising type buoyancy barrier device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the state in which the buoyancy barrier (120) shown in FIG. 1 is housed inside a vertical structure (110).

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an automatic rising type buoyancy barrier device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a vertical structure (110), a buoyancy barrier (120), a first tension spring (130), and a second tension spring (140).

[0038] The vertical structure (110) can be formed as an upright housing structure to support the buoyancy barrier (120) and guide its rotation. The vertical structure (110) can be positioned to be in contact with the wall when installed, and inside, a space for the rotational movement of the buoyancy barrier (120) and a fastening position for the tension spring can be provided together.

[0039] In particular, a curved pivot slit (111) may be formed on the side of the vertical structure (110), and a pivot shaft (121) integrally connected to the buoyancy barrier (120) may move along the pivot slit (111) during the pivoting process due to buoyancy. The pivot slit (111) may be formed as a continuous curved path from the bottom to the top and may guide the pivoting trajectory from the storage state to the rising state of the buoyancy barrier (120). Additionally, end portions that limit the range of rotation may be provided at both ends of the pivot slit (111).

[0040] Additionally, in the upper region of the vertical structure (110), a fastening portion for fixing the other end of the first tension spring (130) and the second tension spring (140) may be formed at different locations. Through this, each spring (130, 140) can be arranged to be tensioned in different directions with respect to the same rotation axis (121).

[0041] According to this structure, the first tension spring (130) can perform the role of maintaining the buoyancy barrier (120) in a lying position, and the second tension spring (140) can provide a pulling force in the rotational direction as the buoyancy barrier (120) rises while rotating due to buoyancy.

[0042] Additionally, a support surface may be provided at the bottom of the vertical structure (110) upon which the bottom rests when the buoyancy barrier (120) is housed. In one embodiment, a cushioning pad or a stopper pin may be provided to ensure positional stability during repeated operation. Furthermore, the vertical structure (110) may be manufactured as a steel plate bending structure or a casting or processing structure, and a flat processing may be applied to the side that contacts the wall to minimize the fastening gap. Additionally, in one embodiment, a sealing material may be inserted to assist in water-blocking performance.

[0044] The buoyancy barrier (120) is rotatably coupled to the vertical structure (110) so that it can be buried at the same level as the ground under normal circumstances, and can be rotated upward by buoyancy as the water level rises in a flooded situation to perform a water-blocking function.

[0045] Additionally, the buoyancy barrier (120) may be formed in a plate shape having a certain area, and may be manufactured with a hollow interior or filled with a buoyancy material so as to generate sufficient buoyancy when the water level rises.

[0046] Additionally, a pivot axis (121) may be formed at the lower side of the buoyancy barrier (120), and this pivot axis (121) may be combined with a pivot slit (111) formed in the vertical structure (110) to guide the pivoting motion. Accordingly, when the angle changes as the buoyancy barrier (120) rises due to buoyancy, the pivot axis (121) may move along the pivot slit (111), and in this process, the trajectory of the opening and closing motion of the buoyancy barrier (120) may be guided.

[0047] Additionally, a first tension spring (130) and a second tension spring (140) may be connected to the lower part of the buoyancy barrier (120). The two tension springs (130, 140) may be connected to the same rotation axis (121), and their respective other ends may be fixed at different positions on the vertical structure (110).

[0048] Accordingly, the buoyancy barrier (120) can be maintained in a lying position by the pulling force of the first tension spring (130) under normal conditions, and can be guided in a rotational direction by the pulling force of the second tension spring (140) when the water level rises and switched to a rising state.

[0049] In addition, the upper surface of the buoyancy barrier (120) can be positioned at the same height as the ground when installed, so as not to obstruct the passage of vehicles or pedestrians. In addition, a sealing pad made of rubber or synthetic resin can be attached to the outer surface of the buoyancy barrier (120) to ensure water-blocking performance, and when raised, it can be in close contact with the vertical structure (110) to suppress the inflow of water.

[0050] In addition, in one embodiment, the outer surface of the buoyancy barrier (120) may be covered with a metal cover, reinforced synthetic resin, or waterproof coating to withstand repeated opening and closing movements and external impacts.

[0052] The first tension spring (130) can be connected in a tension direction between the rotation axis (121) of the barrier and the vertical structure (110) to maintain the buoyancy barrier (120) in a normally lying-down state. One end of the first tension spring (130) can be coupled to the rotation axis (121) of the buoyancy barrier (120), and the other end can be fixed to a fastening part provided in the upper region of the vertical structure (110).

[0053] In this way, the first tension spring (130) can provide a continuous pulling force to maintain the buoyancy barrier (120) at the same level as the ground, and can prevent the buoyancy barrier (120) from being unnecessarily lifted or rotated unless a rise in water level is initiated from the outside.

[0054] Additionally, the first tension spring (130) may be formed by using a compression coil spring for tensioning or by manufacturing a coil spring exclusively for tensioning, and may be designed with appropriate wire diameter, pitch, and number of turns so that fatigue failure does not occur even with repeated tensioning or contraction. Additionally, the material of the compression coil spring may be a material with water resistance and corrosion resistance, such as stainless steel, alloy steel, or anti-corrosion treated steel wire, and a protective layer such as galvanizing, powder coating, or a resin film may be coated on the surface.

[0055] Additionally, a safety pin, a fastening bolt, or an eyebolt structure may be applied to the fastening portion of the first tension spring (130) to prevent the spring hook from coming off, and the fastening portion may be provided to be detachable so that the spring can be replaced or the tension adjusted during maintenance. In addition, in one embodiment, a tension correction device or a length adjustment mechanism may be included to maintain the initial tension constant or to adjust the tension according to the installation environment.

[0056] This first tension spring (130) normally allows the buoyancy barrier (120) to stably maintain a stored state, and when the water level rises and buoyancy begins to act on the buoyancy barrier (120), the rotational movement can be controlled until the point where the buoyancy and the pulling force of the first tension spring (130) are balanced. Subsequently, when the water level rises further, the buoyancy barrier (120) can be rotated together with the pulling force of the second tension spring (140) to switch to a rising state.

[0058] A second tension spring (140) can be connected in a tension direction between the rotation axis (121) of the buoyancy barrier (120) and the vertical structure (110) to provide a pulling force in the rotational direction as the buoyancy barrier (120) rotates in accordance with the rise in water level.

[0059] Additionally, one end of the second tension spring (140) can be connected to the pivot axis (121) of the buoyancy barrier (120) in the same way as the first tension spring (130), and the other end can be fixed to a vertical structure (110) fastening part at a different position from the first tension spring (130).

[0060] By arranging them to have different fastening positions in this way, the second tension spring (140) changes its tension direction whenever the buoyancy barrier (120) changes its rotation angle, and can generate a pulling force that acts gradually as the water level rises.

[0061] In particular, the second tension spring (140) may have a relatively small effect compared to the pulling force of the first tension spring (130) in the initial state, and may be operated so that its tension force gradually becomes dominant as the buoyancy barrier (120) is converted to an upward angle. Accordingly, while not interfering with maintaining the buoyancy barrier (120) in a horizontal state during normal times, it is possible to smoothly induce rotation of the buoyancy barrier (120) when the water level rises. In addition, when the buoyancy barrier (120) is raised above a certain angle, it provides a combined pulling force with the first tension spring (130), so that the buoyancy barrier (120) can be stably restrained in an upward state.

[0062] Additionally, the second tension spring (140) may be formed into a tension coil spring structure in the same manner as the first tension spring (130), and appropriate wire diameter, number of turns, and pitch may be set to withstand repetitive tensioning and contracting movements. Furthermore, the material of the second tension spring (140) may be made of alloy steel, stainless steel, or anti-corrosion treated steel wire with water resistance and corrosion resistance, and surface treatments such as galvanizing, powder coating, or resin coating may be applied.

[0063] Additionally, a safety pin or bracket may be provided at the connection portion of the second tension spring (140) to prevent the spring hook from coming off, and it may be formed to be detachable so that the spring can be easily replaced during maintenance. If necessary, a tension adjustment structure may be included to change the initial tension or adjust the tension characteristics according to installation conditions. With this configuration, the second tension spring (140) can assist the rotational movement of the buoyancy barrier (120) in response to changes in water level and provide a stable restraining force to prevent the position of the barrier from shaking unnecessarily in the completed rising state.

[0065] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation process of an automatic rising type buoyancy barrier device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3(a) shows a state in which the buoyancy barrier (120) is stored at the same level as the ground under normal conditions, FIG. 3(b) shows a state in which the buoyancy barrier (120) begins to rotate as the initial water level rises, and FIG. 3(c) shows a state in which the buoyancy barrier (120) is switched to a near-vertical water-blocking position to block the inflow of rainwater.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 3(a), normally, the buoyancy barrier (120) can be stored in a lying position around a pivot axis (121) combined with a pivot slit (111) formed in a vertical structure (110), and the first tension spring (130) is connected in a tension direction between the lower part of the buoyancy barrier (120) and the upper part of the vertical structure (110) to provide tension so that the buoyancy barrier (120) is maintained in a lying position.

[0068] At this time, the second tension spring (140) is connected between the lower part of the buoyancy barrier (120) and another position of the vertical structure (110), but since no rotation angle occurs, it generates only a relatively small tension, and overall, the buoyancy barrier (120) can be maintained in a stored state so that it does not move easily due to external force.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 3(b), when rainwater flows in above a certain level and the water level rises, the end of the buoyancy barrier (120) can be gradually raised by buoyancy. During this process, the rotation axis (121) of the buoyancy barrier (120) can move along the rotation slit (111) formed in the vertical structure (110), and accordingly, the rotation angle of the buoyancy barrier (120) can be gradually increased.

[0070] In the initial rising section, the tension of the first tension spring (130) still acts strongly to suppress the movement of the buoyancy barrier (120), but as the angle increases, the tension of the second tension spring (140) becomes relatively larger and can ultimately perform the role of assisting the rotation of the buoyancy barrier (120).

[0071] Referring to FIG. 3(c), when the water level rises further and the buoyancy barrier (120) rotates to a near-vertical state, the tension of the first tension spring (130) and the second tension spring (140) acts simultaneously to maintain the buoyancy barrier (120) in a raised state. At this time, the vertical structure (110) is installed in close contact with the wall, so that rainwater can be prevented from flowing in through the side of the buoyancy barrier (120), and the buoyancy barrier (120) can block the inflow of water by forming a water-blocking wall protruding above the ground.

[0072] This state can be maintained while the water level is maintained, and when the water level drops, the buoyancy barrier (120) can be returned to a lying-down state by its own weight and the tension of the first tension spring (130).

[0074] As described above, the present invention can be configured to perform a water-blocking function without external power or manual operation by including a buoyancy barrier that automatically rises by buoyancy when rainwater flows in. In particular, the vertical structure can be installed in close contact with the wall to prevent lateral inflow, and the buoyancy barrier can be formed to be stored at the same level as the ground under normal conditions, and then rotate along a rotation axis and a rotation slit to rise when the water level rises.

[0075] In addition, a structure can be implemented in which the first tension spring and the second tension spring are connected to the buoyancy barrier at different positions, so that they initially maintain a stable storage state and then assist in the rise of the buoyancy barrier as the water level rises.

[0076] Through this, the present invention enables the water barrier to be automatically deployed without the need for separate personnel or mechanical devices, even in situations of heavy rainfall or rapid water level rise, thereby providing a rapid and repeatable water barrier function in various locations such as parking lot entrances, lower floors of buildings, and underground facilities.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described in relation to some embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as understood by a person skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Furthermore, such modifications and changes should be considered to fall within the scope of the claims appended to this specification. Explanation of the symbols

[0080] 100: Automatic rising type buoyancy barrier device 110: Vertical structure 111: Rotating slit 120: Buoyancy barrier 121: Meeting Axis 130: First tension spring 140: Second tension spring

Claims

Claim 1 A vertical structure (110) installed to be in close contact with a wall; a buoyancy barrier (120) rotatably coupled to the vertical structure (110), normally stored at the same level as the ground, and rises by buoyancy to perform a water-blocking function; a first tension spring (130) connected in a tension direction between the lower end of the buoyancy barrier (120) and the vertical structure (110), providing a pulling force to pull the end of the buoyancy barrier (120) to maintain a lying-down state; The automatic rising type buoyancy barrier device includes a second tension spring (140) connected in a tension direction between the lower end of the buoyancy barrier (120) and the vertical structure (110), providing a pulling force in a rotational direction as the buoyancy barrier (120) rotates and rises, wherein a rotation axis (121) is coupled to the lower end of the buoyancy barrier (120), and both the first tension spring (130) and the second tension spring (140) are connected to the rotation axis (121), and their respective other ends are fixed at different positions on the vertical structure (110), so that the tension direction changes according to the change in the rotation angle of the buoyancy barrier (120). Claim 2 An automatic rising type buoyancy barrier device according to claim 1, wherein a rotating slit (111) is formed in the vertical structure (110), and as the buoyancy barrier (120) rises due to buoyancy and the angle changes, the rotating axis (121) moves along the rotating slit (111). Claim 3 delete Claim 4 An automatic rising type buoyancy barrier device according to claim 1, wherein when the buoyancy barrier (120) is raised above a certain angle, the pulling force of the first tension spring (130) and the second tension spring (140) acts simultaneously, thereby restraining the buoyancy barrier (120) in a raised state. Claim 5 An automatic rising type buoyancy barrier device, wherein, in claim 1, the vertical structure (110) is fixedly installed to be in contact with the wall, and performs a water-blocking function to prevent rainwater from flowing between the vertical structure (110) and the wall when the buoyancy barrier (120) is raised.

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