Drainage device for agricultural area drainage

Abstract

Drainage device for agricultural area drainage, the drainage device comprising: - a drainage pipe (2), - an outlet piece (1) which is connected to one end of the drainage pipe (2) and which has an outlet opening (15), wherein the outlet piece (1) is designed to be height-adjustable in the sense that the vertical height position of the outlet opening (15) is adjustable, characterized in that the outlet piece (1) comprises or is formed by a flexible pipe part (12) which can be bent upwards for adjusting the height of the outlet piece (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a drainage device for agricultural surface drainage according to the preamble of patent claim 1 and a drainage system with such a drainage device.

[0002] Agricultural drainage is known for removing soil moisture, which is harmful to crops and soil cultivation. Agricultural drainage also improves soil aeration, allowing deeper soil areas to be reached by plant roots and allowing nutrients to be more effectively utilized. For agricultural drainage, drainage pipes are installed in the ground with a gradient adapted to the soil level. Drainage pipes are slotted and / or perforated and designed to absorb and drain excess water in the soil. Depending on the soil type, they can be coated with natural or synthetic filter materials.

[0003] Climate change is also presenting new challenges for agricultural soil water management. For example, soil encrustation and hardening caused by prolonged periods without precipitation mean that water cannot penetrate, or can only partially penetrate, to the depths of existing drainage systems, even during prolonged downpours. In some cases, the soil beneath a drainage system is so hardened that the seepage water takes the easier route via the drainage system and is diverted away, rather than seeping into deeper soil layers and raising the groundwater level.

[0004] DIN 1185, Annex A (as of 2015) stipulates that a certain degree of water retention can be achieved using so-called drainage shafts by raising the water outlet from the drainage shaft. This means that the accumulating water must first rise in the drainage shaft before flowing into a ditch via a collector pipe. This makes it possible to increase the water's residence time in the drainage pipe. This, in turn, has the effect that the drainage pipes can briefly act as irrigation pipes. The water thus has the opportunity to continue seeping away for a certain period of time. If the water pressure is so high that the drainage shaft reaches the height of the outlet pipe, the excess water flows away.

[0005] DE 10 2011 100 848 A1 discloses a drainage device comprising an elongated housing in the form of a gully. A drainpipe is arranged in the gully, through which water can flow from a connected drainage pipe. The drainpipe and the drainage pipe are rotatably connected to each other via a bend.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of providing a drainage device for agricultural area drainage, which enables flexible agricultural water management of soils.

[0007] This object is achieved by a drainage device having the features of patent claim 1 and a drainage system having the features of patent claim 19. Embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] Accordingly, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a drainage device for agricultural surface drainage, comprising a drainage pipe. According to the invention, an outlet piece is provided, which is connected to one end of the drainage pipe and has an outlet opening. The outlet piece is height-adjustable, meaning that the vertical height position of the outlet opening is adjustable.

[0009] The invention is based on the idea of ​​being able to influence water retention by varying the height of the outlet opening of an outlet piece that is connected to the end of a drainage pipe. If the outlet piece is raised so that the outlet opening is higher than if the outlet piece is not raised, the water in the surrounding soil must first rise until the water has reached the height of the outlet opening so that water can be transported out of the drainage pipe. Due to the hydraulic pressure, this creates the possibility of increasing the residence time of the water in the drainage pipe and ensuring that the drainage pipes briefly act as trickling pipes. This allows the water to seep away until the water level reaches the height of the outlet opening. This effect can be adjusted or not adjusted as desired using the height-adjustable outlet piece.Special structural measures such as the provision of drainage shafts are not required.

[0010] The invention provides that the outlet piece has or is formed by a flexible pipe section. A flexible pipe section can be bent and thus raised. A flexible pipe section provides the possibility of height adjustment in a simple and effective manner.

[0011] One embodiment provides for the outlet piece to be flexible only in a partial area. Thus, one exemplary embodiment provides for the outlet piece to comprise a first solid-wall pipe and a flexible pipe section, with the first solid-wall pipe forming one end of the outlet piece and being connected to one end of the drainage pipe. The flexible pipe section adjoins the first solid-wall pipe. In principle, the outlet piece can consist only of the first solid-wall pipe and the flexible pipe section, in which case the flexible pipe section forms the outlet opening at its end.

[0012] Another exemplary embodiment provides that the outlet piece further comprises a second solid-wall pipe, wherein the flexible pipe part is formed between the first solid-wall pipe and the second pre-wall pipe, and the second solid-wall pipe forms the outlet opening at its end facing away from the flexible pipe part. The second solid-wall pipe can be lifted via the flexible pipe part relative to the first solid-wall pipe, which provides the connection to the drainage pipe. The first solid-wall pipe and the second solid-wall pipe can be rigidly designed. This initial example enables good handling of the outlet piece, since rigid solid-wall pipes can be handled and only a portion of the outlet piece is flexible. The manner in which the outlet piece is designed to be fully or partially flexible follows known designs. For example, the flexible pipe part is designed as a corrugated pipe.Another design variant provides that the flexible pipe part has an internal, coated spring steel spiral.

[0013] Furthermore, the outlet piece can be designed to be infinitely height-adjustable, which requires that the height of the outlet opening can be adjusted in any way (not according to a grid). This is naturally the case with a flexibly bendable pipe section.

[0014] Another embodiment provides for the outlet piece to be formed as a single piece. This single piece can be achieved by manufacturing the entire outlet piece in a single process, with a flexible section being provided, for example, by a specific wall treatment. However, this single piece can also be achieved by first manufacturing several sections of the outlet piece and then joining them together with a material bond.

[0015] Alternatively, the outlet piece consists of sections that are plugged together or connected via connecting sleeves or flange connections.

[0016] A further embodiment of the invention provides that the outlet piece is surrounded by a protective housing designed such that, when installed in the ground, the height of the outlet piece can be adjusted within the protective housing without being affected by soil material. The protective housing thus ensures that the outlet piece is movable within the protective housing, and thus the height of the outlet opening can be adjusted. It is designed so that the height-adjustable outlet piece is always protected. This protects the outlet piece from external damage, for example, during trench maintenance.

[0017] The material of the protective housing must be sufficiently stable to absorb the resulting ground pressure and thus provide sufficient safety for the outlet piece. Examples of suitable materials for the protective housing include plastic, metal, or wood.

[0018] In one embodiment, locking means are provided that are firmly connected to the outlet piece and can be locked to the protective housing. The locking means are formed, for example, by a chain or cord attached to the outlet piece, or by a wire that can be attached to a hook or the like on the protective housing. A grid adjustment between the outlet piece and the protective housing can also be provided as a locking means.

[0019] One embodiment provides for the protective housing to have an openable flap arranged on the protective housing in such a way that the flap is accessible from the outside when the protective housing is installed in the ground. A fixed grate is integrated into the flap, through which water can drain from the protective housing, but which at the same time prevents soil and / or animals from entering. The flap is preferably locked in the closed position. This prevents the flap from opening spontaneously due to water pressure. At the same time, the flap offers protection during trench maintenance work. The flap allows easy access to the outlet piece when it is installed and allows its height to be manually adjusted by manipulating the locking means accordingly.

[0020] Alternatively, the height position of the outlet piece can be adjusted via a motor integrated into the protective housing and an electrical control.

[0021] The protective housing can, in principle, be designed in a variety of ways. Some designs provide for the protective housing to be constructed as a frame. For example, it has a triangular cross-section.

[0022] The protective housing, for example, is designed as a closed box with the aforementioned openable flap, preventing soil from entering the box. The flap is locked in the closed position.

[0023] The outlet piece has an unperforated wall in all its parts / areas, so that water is only released through the outlet opening.

[0024] In a further aspect of the invention, the present invention relates to a drainage system for agricultural area drainage, comprising: - a drainage pipe laid in the ground with a gradient and having a lower end, - a height-adjustable outlet piece according to claim 1, which is connected to the lower end of the drainage pipe, and - a protective casing surrounding the outlet piece in such a way that the height of the outlet piece can be adjusted within the protective casing without being affected by earth material.

[0025] The embodiments of patent claims 2 to 18 apply to the height-adjustable outlet piece and the protective housing of the drainage system.

[0026] In particular, one embodiment of the drainage system provides that the protective housing has an openable flap, wherein the protective housing is arranged adjacent to a side wall of a trench or shaft in the ground in such a way that access to the protective housing is possible from the trench or shaft via the openable flap and the height-adjustable outlet piece can be manually adjusted in height and fixed at a desired height via locking means.

[0027] In this case, one embodiment provides that the openable flap is formed by a side wall of the protective housing or is contained therein, wherein the side wall of the protective housing, in the installed state of the protective housing, is aligned with a side wall of a trench into which the outlet opening of the outlet piece opens, the position of the side wall being thus adapted to the angle of inclination of the slope of the trench.

[0028] For example, it is provided that the protective housing is triangular in cross-section, with one side of the triangle being aligned with the side wall of the trench when the protective housing is installed, and this side forming the openable flap.

[0029] In a further embodiment, the height of the outlet piece can be adjusted via an electric motor arranged in the protective housing.

[0030] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures of the drawing using several exemplary embodiments. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a drainage device with a height-adjustable outlet piece; Fig. 2 the drainage device of the Fig. 1 in a perspective view; Fig. 3 schematically shows the drainage cone and the standing water level of a drainage pipe laid in the ground according to the state of the art; Fig. 4 the drainage cone and the standing water level when using a drainage device according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with the outlet piece raised; Fig. 5 a representation according to the Fig. 3 in a longitudinal section; and Fig. 6 a representation according to the Fig. 4 in a longitudinal section.

[0031] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a drainage device comprising a drainage pipe 2 and an outlet piece 1. The drainage pipe 2 is a conventional drainage pipe with holes and / or slots along its length for collecting water. The drainage pipe 2 is laid in the ground with an appropriate gradient adapted to the ground level.

[0032] The outlet piece 1 is connected to the end of the drainage pipe 2. This can be done via connecting sleeves or plug-in arrangements (not shown). In the simplest case, the end of the outlet piece 1 is inserted into the drainage pipe 2, or vice versa. In some embodiments, the connection to the drainage pipe 2 can also include a reducer if the diameter of the drainage pipe 2 differs from the diameter of the outlet piece 1.

[0033] The outlet piece 1 comprises three pipe sections 11, 12, 13, namely a first solid-wall pipe 11, a flexible pipe section 12, and a second solid-wall pipe 13. All three pipe sections 11, 12, 13 are arranged in a protective housing 4, with the first solid-wall pipe 11 being connected to the drainage pipe 2 and protruding from the protective box 4 for this purpose. The passage of the first solid-wall pipe 11 through the protective housing 4 is sealed by a seal 3.

[0034] The flexible pipe section 12 consists, for example, of a corrugated pipe. It allows the adjoining second solid-wall pipe 13 to be continuously raised or adjusted in height according to the double arrow 17. The second solid-wall pipe 13 ends in an outlet opening 15, from which the water collected by the drainage pipe 2 flows out of the outlet piece 1. By raising the second solid-wall pipe 13, the vertical height position of the outlet opening 15 is adjusted.

[0035] Locking means in the form of a chain 5 are arranged on the second solid-wall tube 13. The chain 5 can be hooked into a hook 6 on the protective housing 4, whereby the height position of the second solid-wall tube 13 and thus of the outlet opening 15 can be adjusted according to the chain link selected for hooking.

[0036] The outlet piece 1 with the three pipe parts 11, 12, 13 can be formed integrally from a single pipe, with the flexible pipe part 12, for example, being formed by appropriately weakening and profiling the pipe wall. Alternatively, the three pipe parts 11, 12, 13 can be manufactured separately and connected to one another, for example, by joining them together. A flange connection or plug-in connection between the individual parts 11, 12, 13 is also possible.

[0037] The inner diameter of the three pipe parts 11, 12, 13, for example, is in the range between 50 mm and 300 mm.

[0038] The protective housing 4 in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a closed box which is triangular in cross-section, with one side of the box being designed as a flap 41 which can be opened upwards via a hinge 42. Via the flap 41, it is possible to gain access to the interior of the protective housing 4 from the outside. For example, it is provided that the flap 41 is arranged on the side wall of a trench into which the discharged / excess water of the drainage pipe 2 or the outlet piece 1 flows. As can be seen from the perspective view of the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 2, the protective housing can be designed as a frame construction, with three slats and two side walls forming the triangular protective housing 4. The protective housing 4 is completely closed to ensure unrestricted height adjustment of the outlet piece and, in particular, to prevent soil from penetrating the area of ​​the outlet piece.

[0039] The protective housing 4 is designed to ensure that the height-adjustable outlet piece 1 is always protected, allowing height adjustment without the need for excavation. In particular, the protective housing 4 protects against soil ingress. The protective housing 4 is made of plastic, metal, wood, and / or other suitable materials.

[0040] The Fig. Figure 2 also shows a variant in which a grid 16 is formed on the flap 41, which grid is associated with the outlet opening 15 and through which the water emerging from the outlet opening 15 can flow out of the protective housing 4. The grid 16 is locked in the closed state of the flap 41. Naturally, it is necessary for the protective housing to have openings that allow the escaping water to flow away. This can be done according to the Fig. 2 or in another way. The use of a grid 16 directly adjacent to the outlet opening 15 is advantageous, since the grid 16 prevents dirt or animals from entering the outlet piece 1 and thus the drainage pipe 2.

[0041] It is pointed out that the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is to be understood merely as an example. For example, it can alternatively be provided that the outlet piece 1 consists of only two pipe parts, wherein the first solid-wall pipe 11 is adjoined by a flexible pipe part which extends to the outlet opening 15. The second pipe part 13 of the Fig. 1 and Fig. In this variant, 2 is also designed as a flexible pipe section. The functionality is the same.

[0042] In another variant, the outlet piece 1 is designed entirely as a flexible pipe component, for example, a corrugated pipe. The transition to the drainage pipe 2 is provided, for example, via a connecting sleeve.

[0043] Another alternative design provides for the outlet piece to consist of an angled piece, which connects to the drainage pipe, and a riser pipe that connects to the angled piece and forms an outlet opening at its end. The orientation of the riser pipe can be pivoted, for example, between a vertical position and an inclined position, so that the vertical position of the outlet opening is adjustable even with such a design.

[0044] It is further pointed out that the design of the protective housing 4 in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 is to be understood merely as an example. In principle, any closed housing with a flap can form the protective housing. In some embodiments, it can be provided that the angle at which the side of the protective housing forming the openable flap extends relative to the horizontal direction can be adapted to the slope angle of the slope in which the protective housing 4 is arranged. This can be achieved, for example, by a protective housing in which the individual walls can be displaced relative to one another via a sliding mechanism, so that the angle of the side forming the flap is adjustable.

[0045] Based on the Fig. 3-6, the advantages associated with the drainage device according to the invention are explained below.

[0046] Regarding the background of the invention, it should first be noted that, particularly in the years 2018-2020, Germany experienced extended periods of very low rainfall. These extended dry periods led to crusting of the topsoil. This crusting and hardening of the soil extends further into the lower soil layers. Even during prolonged downpours, the water sometimes only penetrates to the depths of the existing drainage system and is then drained away.

[0047] Such a situation can be explained by the Fig. 3. This shows a typical drainage cone 30 that forms above a drainage pipe 2. The depth of the drainage pipe 2 in the soil defines the level 8, up to which groundwater or stagnant water is present, because higher-lying water within the drainage cone 30 is drained via the drainage pipe 2. A problem arises when the soil below level 8 is so hardened that seepage water takes the easier route via the drainage and is drained away, instead of seeping into deeper soil layers and raising the groundwater level.

[0048] The Fig. 5 shows the same situation in a longitudinal section. The drainage pipe 2 is laid in the ground with a slight gradient of 1 - 2 per thousand (i.e. 10 to 20 cm gradient per 100 m). It opens into a ditch 7 with excavation walls 71. Due to the predetermined gradient of the drainage, the water flows unhindered into the ditch 7. At the end of the drainage pipe 2 there is usually an outlet piece with a frog valve, through which water accumulating through the drainage flows into the ditch 7. The frog valve prevents animals from entering the drainage. Precipitation 31 seeps into the ground as seepage water 32 and is drained away within the drainage cone through the drainage pipe 2. The lower end of the drainage pipe 2 on the ditch side defines the level 8 down to which groundwater or backwater is present in the area of ​​the drainage pipe 2.

[0049] To prevent a further drop in the groundwater level, the drainage device according to the invention is used, which ensures that seepage water can seep deeper into the soil beyond the drainage. To this end, water absorption in the deeper soil layers is stimulated. The rainwater thus has the opportunity to penetrate further into the lower soil layers to the groundwater. This has the effect of stopping a further drop in the groundwater level or even raising it. However, this requires continuous moistening of the soil below the drainage up to the groundwater level. For this to happen, it is necessary to delay rainwater 31 entering the topsoil from flowing away too quickly through the drainage 2.

[0050] The Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 show in cross-section and in longitudinal section the situation that arises with the drainage device according to the invention. Fig. 6, a height-adjustable outlet piece 1 (shown in dashed lines) is used. This ensures that the level 8, up to which groundwater or backwater is present, is raised to the height of the outlet opening of the outlet piece 1. In particular, in the Fig. 4 shows that the area of ​​waterlogging has been raised by raising the outlet piece 1. By raising the outlet piece 4, the water is dammed up in the supply line for a certain length, depending on the installed gradient of the drainage pipe 2. The drained rainwater remains in the drainage pipes 2 for longer. Hydraulic water pressure builds up in the drainage pipe 2, resulting in trickling. The retained water can seep into the lower soil layers. By raising the outlet piece 1, the soil is thus stimulated to absorb water, aided by the water pressure in the dammed drainage pipe 2.

[0051] It can be provided that the drainage pipe 2 is unperforated in an area of ​​approximately 1 to 2 m, which adjoins the outlet piece 1. The exact length depends on the soil conditions and local circumstances. This prevents excess water from seeping into the slope of the trench 7 and softening the slope.

[0052] The height of the outlet piece 1 must be adjusted by the farmer, who can adapt it to his needs based on soil conditions, weather conditions, and crop. To do so, the farmer can raise the flap 41 aligned with the trench wall 71 and adjust the height of the outlet piece 1 using the locking devices 5, see Fig. 1 and Fig.6. If an expected downpour is not to be immediately drained through the drains, the farmer positions the outlet pieces 1 accordingly higher. The accumulated / retained water in the drainage pipes can then penetrate into the soil below the drains.

[0053] It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the concepts described herein. It is further understood that any of the described features may be used separately or in combination with any other features, provided they are not mutually exclusive. The disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and subcombinations of one or more of the features described herein.

Claims

[1] Drainage device for agricultural area drainage, the drainage device comprising: - a drainage pipe (2), - an outlet piece (1) which is connected to one end of the drainage pipe (2) and which has an outlet opening (15), wherein the outlet piece (1) is designed to be height-adjustable in the sense that the vertical height position of the outlet opening (15) is adjustable, characterized by that the outlet piece (1) comprises or is formed by a flexible pipe part (12) which can be bent upwards for adjusting the height of the outlet piece (1). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the outlet piece (1) further comprises a first solid wall pipe (11), wherein the first solid wall pipe (11) is connected to one end of the drainage pipe (2) and the flexible pipe part (12) is connected to the first solid wall pipe (11). [3] Device according to claim 2, characterized bythat the outlet piece (1) further comprises a second solid-wall pipe (13), wherein the flexible pipe part (12) is formed between the first solid-wall pipe (11) and the second pre-wall pipe (13) and the second solid-wall pipe (13) forms the outlet opening (15) at its end facing away from the flexible pipe part (12). [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the flexible pipe part (12) is designed as a corrugated pipe. [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the outlet piece (1) is designed to be continuously height adjustable. [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the outlet piece (1) is formed in one piece. [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the outlet piece (1) consists of sections (11, 12, 13) which are plugged together or connected to one another via connecting sleeves. [8] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the outlet piece (1) is surrounded by a protective housing (4) which is designed in such a way that the outlet piece (1) can be adjusted in height in the protective housing (4) when arranged in the ground, without being impaired by earth material. [9] Device according to claim 8, characterized by Locking means (5) which are firmly connected to the outlet piece (1) and can be locked to the protective housing (4). [10] Device according to claim 9, characterized by that the locking means (5) comprise a chain, rope or wire fastened to the outlet piece (1) which can be fastened to a hook (6) or the like of the protective housing (4), or the locking means comprise a grid adjustment between the outlet piece (1) and the protective housing (4). [11] Device according to claim 9, characterized bythat the locking means (5) and thus the height position of the outlet piece (1) can be adjusted via a motor integrated in the protective housing (4) and an electrical control. [12] Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized by that the protective housing (4) has an openable flap (41) which is arranged on the protective housing (4) in such a way that the flap (41) is accessible from the outside when the protective housing (4) is arranged in the ground. [13] Device according to claim 12, characterized by that the openable flap (41) is designed to be lockable. [14] Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized by that the protective housing (4) has a triangular cross-section. [15] Device according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized by that the protective housing (4) is designed as a frame. [16] Device according to one of claims 8 to 15, characterized bythat the protective housing (4) has a grid (16) for water to escape from the protective housing (4). [17] Device according to claim 16, as far as dependent on claim 12, characterized by that the grille (16) is integrated into the openable flap (41). [18] Device according to one of claims 8 to 17, characterized by that the protective housing (4) is designed as a closed box. [19] Drainage system for agricultural area drainage, which comprises: - a drainage pipe (2) laid in the ground with a gradient and having a lower end, - a height-adjustable outlet piece (1) according to claim 1, which is connected to the lower end of the drainage pipe (2), and - a protective housing (4) which surrounds the outlet piece (1) in such a way that the outlet piece (1) can be adjusted in height in the protective housing (4) without being affected by earth material characterized bythat the outlet piece (1) comprises or is formed by a flexible pipe part (12) which can be bent upwards for adjusting the height of the outlet piece (1). [20] Drainage system according to claim 19, characterized by that the protective housing (4) has an openable flap (41), wherein the protective housing (4) is arranged adjacent to a side wall (71) of a trench (7) or shaft in the ground in such a way that there is access to the protective housing (4) from the trench (7) or shaft via the openable flap (41) and the height-adjustable outlet piece (1) can be manually adjusted in height and fixed at a desired height via locking means (5). [21] Drainage system according to claim 20, characterized bythat the openable flap (41) is formed by or contained in a side wall of the protective housing (4), wherein the side wall, in the installed state of the protective housing (4), is aligned with a side wall (71) of a trench (7) into which the outlet opening (15) of the outlet piece (1) opens.

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