Device for draining surface water

Abstract

Water flowing into a drainage channel is to be purified using a filter substrate (4) and then supplied to an irrigation system to supply surrounding vegetation. However, it should be noted that known filter substrates are not able to filter salt loads from the incoming surface water. The invention therefore provides to direct the water to different drainage basins depending on the salt load. Since the volume of water and the salt load are greater in winter, less or no water should be directed to the vegetation. In summer, there is less salt load, and the plants require more water. The invention provides that, with the help of shut-off devices (11, 13, 15), the incoming water is directed as needed to a winter drain (9) or a summer drain (8).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for draining surface water from a traffic area, comprising at least one inlet channel section with an upper inlet opening and a lower outlet opening, wherein a filter substrate is arranged between the upper inlet opening and the lower outlet opening, wherein the inlet channel section is assigned at least one drain unit into which the lower outlet opening opens and wherein the drain unit has a summer drain connected to an irrigation device for surrounding vegetation.

[0002] Such a solution is already known in the art and is marketed under the name Meaclean Pro. It uses a plastic gutter in which a filter substrate is arranged above a kept-clear collection section. The collection section is drained from below via a pipe, which is connected to an annular drainage pipe in the root area of ​​the vegetation to be supplied. As a result, the surface water can flow into the plastic gutter via an inlet opening, is filtered through the filter substrate, enters the collection section and can then be fed into the drainage pipe by gravity. This makes it possible, particularly in the area of ​​sealed surfaces in cities, to use surface water accumulating on the sealed surfaces to supply the surrounding vegetation.

[0003] However, the problem is that conventional filter substrates cannot filter out all plant-harmful substances from surface water. In particular, salt loads, which accumulate due to road salt on sealed urban surfaces, especially in winter, are not filtered out by conventional filter substrates, causing the salt concentration near the roots of plants to rise sharply during these times. Although this provides plants with particularly good nutrients, especially during the summer months, this can be more damaging in the winter months when the salt load is highest.

[0004] Furthermore, a system for tree irrigation is known from DE 10 2021 130 099 A1, for example, which allows water to enter from the side of a curb. Incoming water is then first checked with appropriate sensors and, if it appears possible to pass into the planting area, is allowed through. However, if measured parameters determine that passing the water is not desired, for example, due to excessive salt content, the valve is closed. In this case, however, the drainage element described here no longer drains any water, so the water remains in the area to be drained.

[0005] Another solution is known from DE 20 2023 100 235 U1, in which a street drain arrangement is provided with an upper inlet and two lower outlets. Incoming surface water is initially directed to the upper of the two outlets, which also has a settling basin. Only when the capacity of the upper outlet is exceeded does the water flow through overflow openings into the area of ​​the lower outlet, where it becomes available as a supplement. This is therefore a pure overflow solution.

[0006] DE 20 2021 101 713 U1 also provides for an inlet channel into which surface water can flow. The water entering this channel is pre-treated and stored in a reservoir, from which it is distributed as needed using a pump. Such a system naturally relies on such a pump and requires corresponding maintenance and operating costs, as well as corresponding investment.

[0007] Based on this, the present invention sets itself the task of creating a device for draining surface water which enables effective drainage of the traffic areas to be drained, is simultaneously capable of enabling irrigation of vegetation in the vicinity of the traffic areas and finally also ensures that, in a simple and low-maintenance manner, it is ensured that the plants are supplied mainly with uncontaminated surface water and that the supply of water does not cause any damage to the plants.

[0008] This is achieved by a device for draining surface water according to the features of independent claim 1. Useful embodiments of such a device can be found in the subsequent dependent claims.

[0009] In this respect, a device for draining surface water from a traffic area is provided, comprising at least one inlet channel section with an upper inlet opening and a lower outlet opening, wherein a filter substrate is arranged between the upper inlet opening and the lower outlet opening, wherein the inlet channel section is assigned at least one drain unit into which the lower outlet opening opens and wherein the drain unit has a summer drain connected to an irrigation device for surrounding vegetation. Such a device is characterized according to the invention in that the drain unit is additionally assigned a winter drain connected at least indirectly to a sewer system and shut-off means for influencing the water distribution between the summer drain and the winter drain.

[0010] Such a device ensures that incoming surface water is initially pre-cleaned using a filter substrate. This pre-cleaned water, which, however, cannot be completely freed of its salt content due to the filter substrate, is only made available to the surrounding vegetation when the salt content is as low as possible. This is particularly true in summer, when plants also have the greatest water demand. Thus, the present arrangement ensures that the water is passed unhindered to the vegetation in summer, while in winter it is drained into the sewer system.

[0011] In a specific design, this can be achieved by either positioning the summer drain geodetically above the winter drain or by assigning an upwardly open pipe bend with a free and open end to the summer drain as a shut-off device, with the free and open end of the pipe bend being located geodetically above the winter drain. In this way, it can be regulated that water quantities contaminated with salt that occur in winter are only discharged from the drain unit via the lower winter drain, and that water can only be released into the vegetation via the summer drain during major rainfall events, which tend to occur in summer. Although such an arrangement does not ensure a continuous supply of surface water to the vegetation in summer, it largely ensures that salt loads that occur in winter are not released into the surrounding vegetation.Instead, these can be discharged via the sewer system, which is connected to the winter drainage system.

[0012] In order to improve this system, it can further be provided that the summer drain and the winter drain are connected to the lower outlet opening by means of a shut-off means in the form of a valve arrangement and, depending on the valve position, a connection of the outlet opening can be established either with the summer drain or with the winter drain or with both.

[0013] This, of course, also implies that a connection to neither of the two outlets can be established if such a valve position is desired. This ensures that excessively contaminated surface water, which is excessively contaminated despite the previous filter arrangement, only enters the winter outlet, while the summer outlet, which is connected to the surrounding vegetation, is cut off from the contaminated water.

[0014] Specifically, the valve arrangement can be designed as a rotary adjuster, and depending on the setting position of the rotary adjuster, a connection between the outlet opening and the summer drain and / or the winter drain can be established. Such a rotary adjuster can be operated both manually and mechanically and represents an easy-to-use arrangement that can be accessed, for example, by opening a cover arranged on the drain unit. If a mechanical or electronic control is provided, the rotary adjuster can also be controlled by remote control.

[0015] Specifically, the rotary adjuster can be designed such that the summer drain, the winter drain, and the outlet opening are located in one plane and, preferably offset by 90° to one another, distributed around the drain unit, so that the rotary adjuster can mediate between them. In this case, the rotary adjuster can preferably form a substantially T-shaped passage channel with three inlets. In such a case, it can also be provided that the rotary adjuster can assume four positions: a first position in which the outlet opening is blocked, a position in which the outlet opening is only connected to the winter drain, a position in which the outlet opening is only connected to the summer drain, and a position in which the outlet opening is connected to both the summer drain and the winter drain.

[0016] An alternative embodiment can provide for the valve arrangement to be designed as a sliding adjuster, and depending on the setting position of the sliding adjuster, a connection between the outlet opening and the summer drain and / or the winter drain can be established. In this way, the sliding adjuster can be used essentially according to the same functional principle as the rotary adjuster, with the key difference that, in the case of a sliding adjuster, the pure rotary movement of the rotary adjuster is at least essentially converted into a linear movement. A superposition of a rotation and a sliding movement is also possible in principle.

[0017] In a specific embodiment of such a slide adjuster, it can be provided that the outlet opening is connected to the winter drain via a connecting element, and the slide adjuster operates a poppet valve, which opens or closes a bottom-side opening in the connecting element depending on the setting position of the slide adjuster. If the slide adjuster is in the closed position, a direct connection can be established, preferably to the winter drain, which additionally branches into the summer drain when the poppet valve is opened. Due to the lower position of the summer drain, drainage there is then preferred, which is advantageous for making even small amounts of water available to the vegetation in summer.The slide adjuster can also operate any other sliding device, such as raising a locking slide that is located in front of the outlet opening, the summer drain or the winter drain.

[0018] Specifically, it can be provided that the summer drain and / or the winter drain can be closed using shut-off devices in the form of flaps, slide valves, orifices, floats, or taps. In principle, however, the invention is not limited to specific actuating devices as shut-off devices. Both automatically operated and manual shut-off devices can be used. In the case of automatic operation of the shut-off devices, this can be achieved via electrical actuators, in particular electromagnetic switches and electric motors, with spindle drives being particularly advantageous since they remain in their position without power and can be held for extended periods. An electrical supply to the actuators, if used, can be ensured in particular using solar elements and / or accumulators and / or batteries.This allows for minimal installation effort, as no pipes need to be laid near the device. However, laying pipes is also a sensible solution if appropriate or necessary. When at least one float is used, this preferably releases the summer drain, blocks the winter drain, or both, while floating and being raised due to accumulated surface water. Preferably, such a float is used in conjunction with orifices that successively or suddenly close or open the access to the drains.

[0019] If the actuators are to be operated automatically, it is particularly advantageous to associate sensors with the automatic control system to measure temperature, precipitation, solar radiation, or electrical conductivity, which then issue control commands to the automatic control system. In principle, other types of sensors can also be used, which can either ensure the quality of the water and its suitability for distribution to the vegetation or allow a clear decision regarding the season, enabling the water accumulating on the traffic areas to be distributed to the vegetation based solely on this information.

[0020] Gas pistons and / or liquid pistons are particularly suitable as means for automatic operation. These pistons contain an actuating medium that expands or contracts in response to weather-dependent temperature changes. This is particularly advantageous because additional external control is no longer necessary. Because an expanding gas is present in a gas piston, for example, the prevailing temperatures in summer and the resulting expansion in the gas piston can actuate the piston and open the summer drain. In winter, the piston then remains closed due to the ambient temperature. The fact that the shut-off device can then also open due to the temperature in particularly mild winters is not undesirable, since in a mild winter the salt load is correspondingly low or even eliminated entirely.

[0021] With some advantage, a throttle can also be assigned to the winter drain, whereby the throttle can preferably represent at least a local pipe taper. This is provided that the summer drain and the winter drain are generally designed with the same cross-section. If the winter drain is designed directly with a smaller cross-section, an additional throttle can of course be omitted.

[0022] If the winter outflow is throttled for particular benefit, the degree of throttling depends on the connected discharge area and the expected rainfall during the winter months. This always results in a throttled partial discharge. The accessibility of the summer overflow interacts with the throttling effect of the winter outflow, meaning that the system is designed to discharge minimal amounts of precipitation, including salt loads, at a reduced rate in winter, preventing any buildup that could potentially flow into the overflow, for example, if positioned higher up.

[0023] The design of the device can be adapted to the environment as needed. For example, it can be advantageous for the drainage unit to be a shaft or a second inlet channel section. A shaft has the particular advantage that, by lifting the shaft cover, any manually operated shut-off devices located underneath are easily accessible. In the case of a second inlet channel section, it can be provided, in particular, that it is laid below the first inlet channel section, whereby the second inlet channel section can also run completely below the first inlet channel section.

[0024] To ensure that contaminated surface water from the traffic area cannot flow directly into the drainage unit, the drainage unit can be particularly advantageously equipped with a waterproof cover. The water accumulating in the traffic area must then be directed via the inlets of the inlet channel section and thus also pass through the filter substrate provided there.

[0025] To ensure sufficient capacity of the inlet channel section, a channel base can be assigned to the inlet channel section, in which a drainage pipe with a perforated pipe casing is laid, connected to the outlet opening on at least one side. This drainage pipe can be additionally coated with a filter fleece if required. If the drainage pipe is then covered with the filter substrate in the inlet channel section and the filter substrate is sufficiently filled in the inlet channel section, the incoming surface water can pass through the filter substrate and collect in the drainage pipe within a reasonable time, even in areas of the inlet channel section that are further away from the outlet opening, and be discharged via the drainage pipe and the outlet opening into the drainage unit.

[0026] It can also be advantageous to provide a buffer storage, preferably a settling storage, between the outlet opening and the drainage unit, or between a surface inlet and the inlet opening, or between the winter drain and the sewer system. The settling storage preferably has infiltration openings. This additionally ensures that salt loads can be removed from the accumulating surface water through pure settling, especially during winter operation.

[0027] If the arrangement of a buffer storage tank in front of the inlet channel section is not desired, it is particularly preferred if the inlet opening of the inlet channel section is located in the traffic area to be drained, i.e. the inlet channel section is laid in such a way that its cover can directly absorb the accumulating surface water.

[0028] The invention described above is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment.

[0029] It shows Figure 1a shows an inlet channel section with a terminally arranged drainage unit in a lateral cross-sectional view, Figure 1b shows a detail of the Figur 1a concerning the drainage unit in a lateral cross-sectional view, Figure 2a a drainage unit in the form of a shaft in a plan view, Figure 2b the drainage unit according to Figur 2a with cover removed, Figure 2c the drain unit according to Figur 2a in a cross-sectional view from above through a rotary adjuster arranged there, Figure 2d the drain unit according to Figur 2a in a side cross-sectional view, Figure 3a an alternative drainage unit in a plan view from above with the cover removed, and Figure 3b the drainage unit according to Figur 3a in a lateral cross-sectional view.

[0030] Figur 1ashows an inlet channel section 1, which is connected at its end to a drainage unit 6. The inlet channel section 1 consists of several individual channel sections of a trough-shaped channel, at the bottom of which a drainage pipe 5 is arranged. The drainage pipe 5 is closed on one side and opens into the drainage unit 6 on the opposite side via an outlet opening 3. A filter substrate 4 is piled up above the drainage pipe 5, which is therefore located in the channel bottom of the inlet channel section 1, through which surface water flowing in through a water-permeable cover 2 of the inlet channel section 1 initially passes and can enter the inlet channel section 1 at the bottom of the inlet channel section 1, i.e. after passing through the filter substrate 4 for cleaning, via the perforated outer wall of the drainage pipe 5.Due to the filtering effect of the filter substrate, a pre-cleaning of the surface water already takes place, although salt loads in the surface water cannot be retained or at least only incompletely by the filter substrate 4.

[0031] The plan is to make the surface water collected in this way available to the surrounding vegetation, enabling planting even in heavily sealed cities. The surface water, which has been purified in the filter substrate 4, is to be supplied via the drainage unit 6, into which the surface water can flow after passing through the filter substrate 4 and entering the drainage pipe 5, which is preferably surrounded by a filter fleece.

[0032] The drainage unit 6 can, in particular, be designed as a shaft into which pre-cleaned surface water enters from one or more inlet channel sections 1. Due to the prior cleaning of the surface water, it is preferable to close the drainage unit 6 with a water-impermeable cover 7, which can be used for maintenance purposes or for adjusting the shut-off devices described below, but through which no water can penetrate unfiltered into the shaft of the drainage unit 6.

[0033] Figur 1bshows a first, simple and largely maintenance-free solution for this, in which a winter drain 9 is arranged in the area of ​​the floor of the drain unit 6, while a summer drain 8 is slightly raised and provided with an upper, open end 11 by a pipe bend 10. If surface water runs into the inlet channel section 1 via the water-permeable cover 2 of the inlet channel section 1, this water is pre-filtered by the filter substrate 4, passes through it due to gravity and collects in the drainage pipe 5, where it can flow into the drain unit 6 via the outlet opening 3. It will only accumulate to such an extent that it can be discharged into the sewer system via the winter drain 9.However, during particularly heavy rainfall events in summer, so much water can accumulate in the drainage unit 6 that it backs up to the open end 11 of the pipe bend 10 and then flows into the summer drain 8. However, because the water volumes are generally not as high in winter, it is ensured that this is only summer water loads, which do not carry excessive salt loads due to road salt. These water masses can be safely released into the vegetation. Therefore, the summer drain 8 is directly connected to a plant pit or other depression that can supply the surrounding vegetation.

[0034] In addition to this purely passive solution, other solutions can also be provided. Figur 2aan alternative drainage unit 6, which in turn has a water-impermeable cover 7. Here, it is provided that the outlet opening 3 of the inlet channel section 1 (not shown here) opens into the drainage unit 6 from the side, whereby here too the summer drain 8 and the winter drain 9 are led out of the drainage unit 6 via other walls.

[0035] Figur 2bshows the drain unit 6 without the cover 7. A rotary adjuster 13 is used here, which is actuated by means of a gas piston 17. The gas piston 17 is connected on one side to a wall of the drain unit 6 and on the opposite side to the actuating piston eccentrically attached to the rotary adjuster 13. Due to a weather-related temperature change, the gas piston 17 can be deflected or contracted, whereby such contraction or expansion occurs due to the pressure medium used in the gas piston 17. This can be selected so that a particularly strong expansion or contraction occurs in the temperature ranges by which winter operation must differ from summer operation. Due to such a contraction or expansion of the gas piston 17, the rotational position of the rotary adjuster 13 changes, as in the Figur 2cThe rotary adjuster 13 can form a T-shaped passage 14 in its interior, which in the position shown initially connects the outlet opening 3 of the inlet channel section 1 with the winter outlet 9. If the gas piston 17 expands in the summer, the rotary adjuster 13 leads Figur 2b a clockwise rotation, which is due to the increased temperature and does not require any external intervention. In Figur 2c After a further quarter turn, the outlet opening 3 will be connected to the summer outlet 8, while the winter outlet 9 will be closed. If the outside temperature cools down again to the freezing point, at which activities to keep the roads clear begin, the gas piston 17 will contract again and return to the position shown. Figur 2c return. The drain into the planting hole is now closed again.

[0036] Figur 2dshows the same configuration again in a side view. In the setting shown here, the surface water approaching from the outlet opening 3 will flow into the rotary adjuster 13 and its passage channel 14 and then be drained away to the rear of the image toward the winter drain 9. The summer drain 8 remains temporarily blocked, as shown in the image. Since any other escape of the surface water from the connecting element 12 shown here is not possible, this ensures that the salt loads accumulating in winter leave the drainage unit 6 only through the winter drain 9 and thus not into the surrounding vegetation.

[0037] Figur 3a shows a further embodiment of the drain unit 6, in which a sliding adjuster 15 is used. As in Figur 3bshown, a gas piston 17 is also provided here, which is initially fully engaged in winter operation. A poppet valve 16 is operated via the slide adjuster 15, which closes an opening in the base of the connecting element 12. Incoming water can therefore be fed through the outlet opening 3 in the winter setting shown and discharged through the winter drain 9. If, due to the increased temperatures in summer, the gas piston 17 opens the poppet valve 16 by moving the slide adjuster 15 downwards, incoming water masses will flow from the outlet opening 3 into the connecting element 12 and into a lower area through an opening opened by the poppet valve 16. From there, the water can now flow into the summer drain 8 and be carried away towards the surrounding vegetation.

[0038] Both the rotary adjuster 13 in the Figuren 2as well as the slide adjuster 15 in the Figure 3 can also be operated manually without the gas piston 17 shown or with other actuators. Electronic remote control is also possible without any problems.

[0039] What is described above is a device for draining surface water which, depending on the salt load occurring at any given time, allows the water to be fed either via a winter drain into the sewer system or via a summer drain into the surrounding vegetation. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0040] 1Inlet channel section 2Water-permeable cover 3Outlet opening 4Filter substrate 5Drainage pipe 6Drain unit 7Water-impermeable cover 8Summer drain 9Winter drain 10Pipe bend 11Open end 12Connecting element 13Rotary adjuster 14Pass-through channel 15Sliding adjuster 16Poppet valve 17Gas piston

Claims

1. Device for draining surface water from a traffic area, comprising at least one inlet channel section (1) with an upper inlet opening and a lower outlet opening (3), wherein a filter substrate (4) is arranged between the upper inlet opening and the lower outlet opening (3), wherein the inlet channel section (1) is assigned at least one drainage unit (6) into which the lower outlet opening (3) opens and wherein the drainage unit (6) has a summer drain (8) connected to an irrigation device for surrounding vegetation, characterized in that the drainage unit (6) is additionally assigned a winter drain (9) which is at least indirectly connected to a sewer system and shut-off means for influencing the water distribution between the summer drain (8) and the winter drain (9).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe summer drain (8) is arranged geodetically above the winter drain (9) or an upwardly open pipe bend (10) with a free and open end (11) is assigned to the summer drain (8) as a shut-off means, wherein the free and open end (11) of the pipe bend (10) is located geodetically above the winter drain (9).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the summer drain (8) and the winter drain (9) are connected to the lower outlet opening (3) by a shut-off means in the form of a valve arrangement and, depending on the valve position, a connection of the outlet opening (3) to the summer drain (8) and / or to the winter drain (9) can be established.

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the valve arrangement is designed as a rotary adjuster (13) and, depending on a setting position of the rotary adjuster (13), a connection of the outlet opening (3) to the summer drain (8) and / or to the winter drain (9) can be established.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the summer drain (8), the winter drain (9) and the outlet opening (3) lie in one plane and are distributed around the drain unit, preferably offset by 90° to one another, wherein the rotary adjuster preferably forms a substantially T-shaped passage channel (14) with three inlets.

6. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the valve arrangement is designed as a sliding adjuster (15) and, depending on a setting position of the sliding adjuster (15), a connection of the outlet opening (3) with the summer drain (8) and / or with the winter drain (9) can be established.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe outlet opening (3) is connected to the winter drain (9) via a connecting element (12) and the slide adjuster (15) operates a poppet valve (16) which opens or closes a bottom-side opening in the connecting element (12) depending on the setting position of the slide adjuster (15).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the summer drain (8) and / or the winter drain (9) can be closed by means of shut-off devices in the form of flaps, slide valves, diaphragms, floats or taps.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shut-off devices are assigned means for automatic operation.

10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the means for automatic operation comprise electric actuators, in particular electromagnetic switches, and electric motors, in particular spindle drives.

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe electrical actuators are powered by solar panels and / or accumulators and / or batteries.

12. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that Sensors for detecting temperature, precipitation, solar radiation or electrical conductivity are assigned to the means for automatic operation, which sensors issue control commands for the means for automatic operation.

13. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the means for automatic operation comprise gas pistons (17) and / or liquid pistons which contain an actuating medium which expands or contracts in response to weather-dependent temperature changes.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the barriers can be operated manually.

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thata throttle is assigned to the winter drain (9), wherein the throttle is preferably an at least local pipe taper.

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drainage unit (6) is a shaft or a second inlet channel section.

17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the drain unit (6) has a water-impermeable cover (7).

18. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drainage unit (6) runs at least partially under the inlet channel section (1).

19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet channel section (1) has a channel base along which a drainage pipe (5) with a perforated pipe casing is laid under the filter substrate (4), said drainage pipe being connected to the outlet opening (3) at least on one side.

20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in thatthe pipe casing of the drainage pipe (5) is covered with a filter fleece.

21. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a buffer storage, preferably a settling storage, is arranged between the outlet opening (3) and the drainage unit (6), or between a surface inlet and the inlet opening or between the winter drain and the sewerage system, wherein the settling storage preferably has infiltration openings.

22. Device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the inlet opening of the inlet channel section (1) is located in the traffic area to be drained.

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