Flood suppression structure

Abstract

To provide a flood suppression structure equipped with a closing mechanism that displaces from an open position that opens an opening to a closed position that closes the opening by means of water pressure.SOLUTION: A flood suppression structure (4) closes an opening (3) formed between an exterior wall panel (1) and a building foundation riser (2) for underfloor ventilation. It comprises a closure mechanism capable of being displaced, by pressure (α2) from water with a rising water surface (α1), from an open position (P1) in which the opening is open to a closed position (P2) in which the opening is closed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure for preventing water from entering under the floor of a building, and in particular to a water-ingress prevention structure equipped with a closing mechanism that utilizes water pressure. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, in buildings such as houses, an opening for ventilation under the floor is provided between the bottom of the exterior wall panel and the top of the rising part of the building foundation. While this opening contributes to preventing mold growth in the space under the floor, it can also become an entrance for water to enter when the water level rises from the ground due to heavy rain, causing flooding under the floor. Therefore, it is desirable to leave the opening open for ventilation during normal times and close it in emergencies such as heavy rain.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2022-146381 (Patent Document 1) discloses a water intrusion suppression device that includes a main body that is attached to the lower end of an exterior wall panel and has multiple ventilation openings, and a lid member that is attached to the main body and has open openings and closed surface portions that alternate in the longitudinal direction. In this device, by manually sliding the lid member relative to the main body, the device switches between a state in which the open openings in the lid member and the ventilation openings in the main body are connected and open, and a state in which the closed surface portion of the lid member closes the ventilation openings.

[0004] Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-167731 (Patent Document 2) discloses a technology for fixing a waterproof member that blocks vents and ventilation holes to a base dripping provided at the lower end of an exterior wall panel. Specifically, when flooding is predicted, the waterproof member is fixed to the base dripping to block the vents and ventilation holes, and in normal times, the waterproof member is removed from the base dripping to ensure ventilation through the vents and ventilation holes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-146381 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-167731 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In both Patent Documents 1 and 2, the underfloor ventilation openings must be manually switched between open and closed. Therefore, when flooding is predicted, residents may forget to close the openings or may be away from home, making it uncertain whether the openings will be properly closed. Furthermore, if residents forget to return the openings to the open state after the water subsides, underfloor ventilation will be insufficient.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a water-ingress prevention structure that has a closing mechanism that is displaced by water pressure from an open position that opens the opening to a closed position that closes the opening. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The water-ingress prevention structure of the present invention is a water-ingress prevention structure that closes an opening for underfloor ventilation formed between an exterior wall panel and a rising portion of a building foundation, and is equipped with a closing mechanism that can be displaced from an open position that opens the opening to a closed position that closes the opening due to pressure from water as the water level rises.

[0009] Preferably, the closing mechanism comprises a water wheel having a plurality of blades, the water wheel being provided midway along the longitudinal direction of the opening, and a rotor extending along the longitudinal direction of the opening and adapted to rotate integrally with the water wheel blades.

[0010] Preferably, the rotating body is provided with an air vent plate having an air vent opening and a closing plate that blocks the passage of water, and in a normal state where there is no water pressure, the air vent plate is in a position that blocks the underfloor ventilation opening, and in a state where there is water pressure, the closing plate is in a position that blocks the underfloor ventilation opening.

[0011] Preferably, at least one of the exterior wall panel and the building foundation rising portion has a rotation stopper that prevents further rotation of the rotating body displaced to the closed position.

[0012] Preferably, the rotating body has a weight balance that allows the ventilation plate to return to a position where it closes the underfloor ventilation opening when it is not subjected to water pressure.

[0013] Preferably, the rotating body has a first rotating body located on one side of the water wheel and a second rotating body located on the other side of the water wheel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] In the present invention, the closing mechanism is displaced from the open position to the closed position by water pressure, so the opening can be switched between open and closed states without the need for human intervention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating a water ingress prevention structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a closing mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the closing mechanism is displaced from the open position to the closed position. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the closing mechanism is displaced to a closed position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like or corresponding parts are designated by like reference numerals and will not be described repeatedly.

[0017] <Embodiment> (About underfloor ventilation openings) Figure 1 shows an opening 3 for underfloor ventilation. The outdoor side is indicated by the symbol S1, and the indoor side is indicated by the symbol S2. The up and down (vertical) direction is indicated by the symbol Y. The same applies to the other figures.

[0018] The opening 3 is formed between the exterior wall panel 1 and the building foundation rising portion 2 (hereinafter referred to as the foundation 2). The exterior wall panel 1 includes an exterior wall material 11, furring strips 12, glass wool boards 13, a frame 14, and a heat insulating material 15. Note that this configuration is an example and is not limiting. Each component is hatched to make it easier to visually identify.

[0019] The foundation 2 is a typical concrete building foundation. In this embodiment, a water infiltration suppression structure 4 is provided in an opening 3 between the frame 14 and the top surface of the foundation 2.

[0020] (Water ingress prevention structure) The water inundation suppression structure 4 includes a closing mechanism 40 shown in FIG. 2. The closing mechanism 40 is provided along the longitudinal direction (perpendicular to the plane of the page) of the opening 3 shown in FIG. 2. The longitudinal direction is indicated by the symbol X in FIG. 2. The closing mechanism 40 includes rotors 41 and 42 and a water wheel 43.

[0021] The water wheel 43 is provided midway along the longitudinal direction of the opening 3 and includes a plurality of blades 431, a rotating shaft (not shown), and a pair of support plates 432, 432. The blades 431 are, for example, rectangular and are fixed to the rotating shaft at regular intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft. The pair of support plates 432 are provided on both longitudinal sides of the rotating shaft and rotatably support the rotating shaft. That is, the blades 431 are rotatable relative to the stationary support plates 432. The blades 431 are formed, for example, from a steel plate or a resin plate. The thickness of the blades 431 is, for example, approximately 2.0 mm to 3.5 mm, and the width in the longitudinal direction is, for example, approximately 20 mm. The diameter of the support plate 432 is, for example, approximately 42 mm, as long as it fits within the opening 3.

[0022] A pair of rotors 41, 42 extending in the longitudinal direction are provided on both sides of the water turbine 43 in the longitudinal direction X. That is, a first rotor 41 is located on one side of the water turbine 43, and a second rotor 42 is located on the other side of the water turbine 43.

[0023] Since the first rotating body 41 and the second rotating body 42 have the same structure, the following description will be made on the first rotating body 41. The first rotating body 41 has an air vent plate 411 having an air vent opening 4111, and a closing plate 412 that blocks the passage of water in a closed position described below.

[0024] The closure plate 412 is a rectangular plate-like member, and is arranged so that the center C (FIG. 1) of the short side coincides with the rotation center of the blade 431. The length of the short side is approximately the same as the diameter of the support plate 432 of the water turbine 43. The closure plate 412 is formed, for example, from a steel plate. The plate thickness is the same as that of the blade 431, for example, about 2.0 mm to 3.5 mm.

[0025] Although not shown, the closure plate 412 is connected to the rotating shaft of the blades 431 so as to rotate integrally with the blades 431 of the water turbine 43. In other words, when the support plate 432 of the water turbine 43 is disposed between the blades 431 and the closure plate 412, the blades 431 and the closure plate 412 rotate integrally, but the support plate 432 does not rotate.

[0026] A pair of ventilation plates 411 are provided in the vertical direction with a closure plate 412 sandwiched between them. That is, the ventilation plates 411 and the closure plates 412 are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction of the water turbine 43. The ventilation plate 411 is composed of a mesh portion 411a having ventilation openings 4111 and an outer frame 411b surrounding the mesh portion 411a. The mesh portion 411a may be, for example, a punched metal having a plate thickness of approximately 1.0 to 3.0 mm. The outer frame 411b is joined to the closure plate 412. Therefore, when the closure plate 412 rotates in the circumferential direction of the water turbine 43, the ventilation plate 411 also rotates.

[0027] An example of installing the closing mechanism 40 in the opening 3 is to install it via a base (not shown) that supports the exterior wall panel 1. That is, one method is to place bases at regular intervals on the foundation 2, connect the support plates 432 of the water wheels 43 to the bases, and then place and fix the exterior wall panel 1 on the bases. The water wheels 43 are arranged at intervals of, for example, 910 mm.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the water inundation suppression structure 4 has rotation stoppers 51, 52 attached to the exterior wall panel 1 (frame 14) and the foundation 2. The rotation stoppers 51, 52 control the rotation of the first and second rotating bodies 41, 42. The functions of the rotation stoppers 51, 52 will be described in detail later.

[0029] (Regarding the displacement of the closing mechanism) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the flood control structure 4 in normal times, and Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrams showing the rotation of the closing mechanism 40 in a situation where the water level is rising due to heavy rain or the like. These figures show the closing mechanism 40 as viewed from the first rotating body 41 side. Since the first rotating body 41 and the second rotating body 42 operate in the same way, only the first rotating body 41 will be described below.

[0030] In the state shown in FIG. 1 (when the closing mechanism 40 is not subjected to water pressure), the ventilation plate 411 extends in the vertical direction and is in a position to block the underfloor ventilation opening 3. The ventilation plate 411 has a mesh portion 411a. Therefore, the underfloor ventilation opening 3 communicates with the outdoor space via the ventilation opening 4111 of the mesh portion 411a, allowing underfloor ventilation. The mesh portion 411a also helps prevent insects and small animals from entering the underfloor space.

[0031] The closure plate 412 intersects (is perpendicular to) the ventilation plate 411, extends in a direction horizontal to the ground, and does not block the opening 3. In FIG.

[0032] 3 and 4 show the situation during heavy rain, and in both figures, rainwater is indicated by the symbol α and colored gray, and the water surface is indicated by the symbol α1. In both figures, the outline of the water wheel 43 is indicated by a dotted line, and the blades 431 are not shown.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows a state in which the water level has risen due to heavy rain or the like, and the water surface α1 has exceeded the top of the foundation 2. Rainwater α flowing indoors along the top surface of the foundation 2 reaches the closing mechanism 40 and applies a water pressure α2 indoors to the multiple blades 431 (FIG. 2) of the water wheel 43. Under the water pressure α2, the blades 431 rotate counterclockwise (on the page). Because the blades 431 and the closing plate 412 are formed to rotate integrally, the closing plate 412 also rotates, and the ventilation plate 411 fixed to the closing plate 412 also rotates. As the rotation progresses and the tip of the outdoor-side closing plate 412 enters the water, the water pressure α2 is also applied to the closing plate 412, accelerating its rotation. In this way, the closing plate 412 reaches the position shown in FIG. 4.

[0034] 4, when the closure plate 412 is subjected to water pressure α2, it is in a closed position P2 that blocks the underfloor ventilation opening 3. Rotation stoppers 51, 52 provided on the exterior wall panel 1 (frame 14) and the foundation 2 prevent further rotation of the closure plate 412 that has been displaced from the open position P1 to the closed position P2, and the closure plate 412 remains in the closed position P2 when subjected to water pressure α2.

[0035] In this embodiment, the rotation stopper 52 attached to the foundation 2 is positioned closer to the exterior than the rotation stopper 51 attached to the frame 14. Therefore, the closure plate 412 in the closed position P2 is inclined with its lower side positioned closer to the exterior than its upper side. Furthermore, the surfaces of the rotation stoppers 51 and 52 that contact the closure plate 412 are inclined, allowing the closure plate 412 to come into surface contact with them. Note that only one of the rotation stoppers 51 and 52 may be provided.

[0036] After heavy rain, when the water subsides (the water surface α1 drops) and the water pressure α2 on the closing plate 412 is released, the closing plate 412 in the inclined position rotates clockwise. Then, the closing plate 412 returns to the open position P1 shown in FIG. 1, and the ventilation plate 411 closes the opening 3.

[0037] When the first rotating body 41 is not subjected to the water pressure α2, the weight balance is such that the vent plate 411 returns to a position where it blocks the underfloor ventilation opening 3. As an example of achieving such weight balance, a weight may be provided at one end of the vent plate 411 (the lower end in the Y direction in FIG. 1).

[0038] The closing mechanism 40 of the present invention can be displaced from an open position P1 that opens the opening 3 to a closed position P2 that closes the opening 3 due to the water pressure α2 that it receives as the water surface α1 rises, so that flooding under the floor can be prevented without human intervention during flooding such as heavy rain.

[0039] In particular, the water turbine 43 rotates smoothly under the water pressure α2, and the closing plate 412 is brought to the closing position P2 as the water turbine 43 rotates, thereby achieving a reliable closing operation. In order to make the rotation of the water turbine 43 smoother, a bearing may be interposed between the rotating shaft of the water turbine 43 and the support plate 432.

[0040] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0041] In the embodiment, the ventilation plate 411 and the closing plate 412 are arranged so that they intersect at right angles, but the angle of intersection is not particularly limited as long as the ventilation plate 411 can block the opening 3 in normal times and the closing plate 412 can block the opening 3 in an emergency.

[0042] 1 may be made heavier than the outdoor portion, making it easier for the closing plate 412 to return from the closed position P2 to the open position. In this case, a rotation stopper may be provided to prevent the ventilation plate 411 from rotating clockwise when the closing plate 412 is in the open position.

[0043] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the closing mechanism 40 that rotates under water pressure is provided at the opening 3, but is not limited to a rotating mechanism as long as the opening can be closed using water pressure. For example, to close the opening between the outdoor side of the foundation 2 and the lower end of the exterior wall panel 1 (opening 3A in FIG. 1), a closing member with a specific gravity smaller than water may be arranged on the outdoor side of the foundation 2 so as to be able to move up and down, and the closing member may open opening 3A under its own weight under normal circumstances, and rise by buoyancy as the water level rises due to heavy rain or the like, thereby closing opening 3A.

[0044] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiments within the same scope as the present invention or within an equivalent scope. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 exterior wall panel, 2 building foundation rising portion, 3 opening, 4 water infiltration suppression structure, 40 closing mechanism, 41 first rotating body, 411 ventilation plate, 411a mesh portion, 411b outer frame, 4111 ventilation opening, 412 closing plate, 42 second rotating body, 421 ventilation plate, 421a mesh portion, 421b outer frame, 4211 ventilation opening, 422 closing plate, 43 water wheel, 431 blade, 432 support plate, 51, 52 rotation stopper, P1 open position, P2 closed position

Claims

1. A water ingress prevention structure that closes an underfloor ventilation opening formed between an exterior wall panel and a building foundation rising portion, A water ingress prevention structure comprising a closing mechanism that can be displaced from an open position that opens the opening to a closed position that closes the opening due to pressure from water as the water level rises.

2. The closing mechanism includes: a water turbine having a plurality of blades and provided at a longitudinal midpoint of the opening; The water ingress suppression structure according to claim 1 , further comprising: a rotor extending in the longitudinal direction of the opening and arranged to rotate integrally with the blades of the water turbine.

3. The rotating body includes an air vent plate having an air vent opening and a closing plate that blocks the passage of water, In a normal state where water pressure is not applied, the ventilation plate is in a position to block the underfloor ventilation opening, 3. The water ingress prevention structure according to claim 2, wherein the closing plate is in a position that blocks the underfloor ventilation opening when subjected to water pressure.

4. 4. The water ingress prevention structure according to claim 3, further comprising a rotation stopper on at least one of the exterior wall panel and the building foundation rising portion, which prevents further rotation of the rotating body displaced to the closed position.

5. 5. The water ingress prevention structure according to claim 4, wherein the rotating body has a weight balance that allows the ventilation plate to return to a position that blocks the underfloor ventilation opening when the rotating body is not subjected to water pressure.

6. The water inundation suppression structure according to claim 2 , wherein the rotors include a first rotor located on one side of the water wheel and a second rotor located on the other side of the water wheel.

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