Rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting

Abstract

The invention relates to a rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, which can be installed in any space and harvests water that would otherwise end up in the rainwater. The rain collector consists of a base (1), a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting (6), which is deployed and retracted when conditions require it. The foldable surface for rainwater harvesting (6) ends in a gutter (11 ) with a conduit (12) for collecting water in a reservoir or other suitable surface. The base (1) has buttresses (4) on both sides of the harvesting surface (6 ), thanks to which it is raised so that there is no lateral water loss. The invention can be applied to steeply sloping ground, as well as to inaccessible areas, whereas it is environmentally friendly and can be easily and quickly installed.

Description

[0001] PCT / GR2025 / 000021

[0002] RAIN COLLECTOR WITH A FOLDABLE SURFACE FOR RAINWATER HARVESTING DESCRIPTION

[0003] THE FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0004] This invention relates to the field of solid constructions and in particular in the field of buildings. More specifically, it relates to the field of water supply and sewage installations, and to the field of installations or methods of obtaining, harvesting or distributing water. At the same time, it relates to the field of roof coverings and in particular to special configurations or devices pertaining to roof coverings and roof drainage. In this particular case, it relates to a rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting.

[0005] THE HISTORY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The herewith disclosed invention of a rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting has not been disclosed in the prior art.

[0007] Global water scarcity is one of the most serious environmental challenges of the 21 st century. The increasing water demand, in combination with climate change and inadequate management of water resources, have led to a crisis that threatens human health, economic development and

[0008]

[0009] environmental balance. Climate change, in conjunction with global population growth, undoubtedly contribute to the reduction of water reserves. At the same time, however, the inadequate management of water resources and the insufficient investment in infrastructure further intensify the problem. The lack of investment in modern water supply and sewage infrastructure leads to water losses due to leaks and reduces the effectiveness of water resource management. In addition, water wastage at domestic, agricultural and industrial levels due to inadequate infrastructure and habits further exacerbates the problem.

[0010] To date, systems have been proposed to reduce water wastage, which often include smart water supply networks that utilize sensors and IT technologies to monitor water quality and quantity in real time, detect leaks and optimize distribution. Similarly, desalination solutions have been proposed, among others, which will allow the desalination of seawater, making it potable. Even though the above solutions offer alternatives, they do not focus on the harvesting of rainwater, which if not fallen directly into a reservoir, often simply ends up on the ground or in the sea, and thus is not immediately exploitable. At the same time, rainwater harvesting solutions often include some pipes that lead the water of a specific surface to a given reservoir. The main problem with this solution is that it can only be applied to the roof of a building, where in fact the entire building’s infrastructure network must have been provided for and installed from the beginning. Similarly, however, there is no provision for rainwater, which falls on fields

[0011]

[0012] or other non-inhabitable surfaces, thus this specific volume is not immediately exploitable.

[0013] Therefore, the object of this invention is to advantageously address the aforementioned disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior technology by proposing a rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting.

[0014] A further object of this invention is to provide a rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, which consists of an autonomous mechanism, through which sel -supporting and foldable artificial rainwater harvesting surfaces can easily be created.

[0015] A further object of this invention is to provide a rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, which can be placed in any area, such as plains, mountains, roofs, courtyards, parking lots, sea and other water bodies surfaces. Based on the above, the system can be installed in high rainfall areas, allowing the transfer of water to areas with a lower rainfall index.

[0016] A further object of this invention is to provide a rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, which harvests rainwater and can, through pipes, lead it to appropriate points, such as any type of reservoir, dams or to embankment points for creating lakes. In this way, the storage of water in arid areas for use during periods of high demand is made possible.

[0017]

[0018] PCT / GR2025 / 000021

[0019] A further object of this invention is to present a rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, where the foldable water collection surface is made of a suitable material, such as, indicatively, fabric and plastic tarpaulin with special reinforcement.

[0020] A further object of this invention is to present a rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, where the foldable surface for rainwater harvesting can be deployed and retracted, so as to be protected from solar radiation or dangerous weather phenomena and to be used only when required. In this way, its lifespan is extended, whereas the possibility of deforestation and cleaning of the underlying soil during the summer months is also offered.

[0021] Another object of this invention is to provide a rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, which has raised edges around the perimeter, to ensure that there will be no water loss due to side winds, thus ensuring greater storage rates.

[0022] Some advantages of this invention are also its low construction cost, its easy and quick installation, as well as the possibility of installing it in difficult and inaccessible areas, where it can be installed by the separate transportation of its individual parts, since they are small volume and weight. In addition, the installation of the said rain collector in an urban environment may provide water to existing reservoirs of households and

[0023]

[0024] hotels, whereas its installation in mountainous environments or forests may provide water for firefighting and immediate extinguishing of fires in places that fire trucks are difficult to reach.

[0025] These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following detailed description.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying drawings in which it is illustrated in an indicative, non-limiting manner.

[0028] Drawing 1 shows through a foreshortening the base of the invention ’ s rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting.

[0029] Drawing 2 shows in detail and deployed the invention’s foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, along with the side wire rope available for suspending its side edge to prevent water leakage due to strong winds.

[0030] Drawing 3 shows the gutter with the foreign body protection filter that the invention offers in detail, along with a water routing pipe. At the same time, the double pipes available in the system to create a smooth flow of the collected water on the harvesting surface are also presented.

[0031] Drawing 4 shows the harvesting surface in operating position,

[0032]

[0033] whereas the winding pipe and the operating mechanism are visible.

[0034] Drawing 5 shows the harvesting surface in a retracted position, as it is typically the case during the dry season or when extreme weather events are expected.

[0035] Drawing 6 shows the winding pipe in detail, in operating position.

[0036] Drawing 7 correspondingly shows the winding pipe in the disengaged position, for transport and storage.

[0037] Drawing 8 shows an indicative illustration of the rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, installed on steeply sloping ground.

[0038] Drawing 9 shows an indicative illustration of the invention’s pitched installation, applicable to areas with strong winds.

[0039] Drawing 10 shows an indicative illustration of the installation of the invention’s rain collector, applicable to large water collection units.

[0040] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED APPLICATION

[0041] Referring now to the accompanying drawings we will describe illustrative applications of the rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting.

[0042]

[0043] PCT / GR2025 / 000021

[0044] The invention’s rain collector consists of a base (1), Dr- 1, formed by several beams (2), which are arranged in parallel and perpendicular to one another. The structure of the base (1 ) is always inclined, with one side being higher than the other, so as to create the appropriate inclination for leading the harvested water. At the edges of the highest beams (2), as well as at the edges of the lowest beams, a total of four supports (3) are placed, perpendicular to the ground, which bear two buttresses (4), Indicatively, the buttresses (4) are wire ropes with several clips (5), Dr- 2, placed along their length. The clips (5) are used for laterally raising the surface for rainwater harvesting (6), so as to avoid possible leaks of water that has accumulated on the harvesting surface (6), in case of side winds. In this way, the loss of collected water is minimized.

[0045] The harvesting surface (6) is made of a suitable material, preferably of fabric, plastic with special reinforcement or any other material, which is highly resistant to tear, is not water-permeable, and is resistant to ultraviolet radiation. The harvesting surface (6) is wrapped around a winding shaft (7), Dr- 4, which is rotated manually, by means of a crank (8) or electrically. Also at its lower edge, the harvesting surface (6) ends in a tension shaft (9), Dr- 5. The stabilization of the tension shaft (9) on the base (1), when the harvesting surface (6) has been extended, is performed by using a pin that penetrates it. Additionally, there is a stabilizing shaft (10) Dr-3 at the bottom of the base (1), above which the tension shaft (9) passes and locks when the harvesting surface (6) is extended, which creates curvature and ensures the

[0046]

[0047] water’s laminar flow, before it ends up in the underlying gutter (11). The gutter (11) extends along and below the harvesting surface (6) and has at least one hole for connecting to at least one conduit (12), which connects it either to a piping network for transferring water to a remote location or to closed and open storage areas. Advantageously, the gutter (11) is covered from above with a particle retention filter (13), so as to prevent the penetration of unwanted particles into the gutter (11) and consequently into the conduit (12) and the piping.

[0048] The winding shaft (7) is mounted on two extensions (14) of the rear and higher beams (2), which bear at least one, and preferably, two notches (15), into which an engagement and disengagement system (16), Dr- 7, of the winding shaft (7) is screwed. The engagement and disengagement system (16) consists of a moving piece (17) with a pin (18), on which the winding shaft (7) fits and around which it rotates. When it is desirable to transfer the winding shaft (7) along with the harvesting surface (6) for storage or repair purposes, the screws (19) holding the piece (17) on the extension (14) can be loosened and by moving them within the notch (15) they can be removed from the winding shaft (7), thus disengaging the pin (18) from the shaft. As a result of this action, the necessary space to extract the harvesting surface (6) with the winding shaft (7) is created. Correspondingly, during operation, Dr- 6, the pin (18) is inserted into the winding shaft (7) and the screws (19) tighten the piece (17) onto the extension (14). Advantageously, such pieces (17) with a pin (18) should be

[0049]

[0050] PCT / GR2025 / 000021

[0051] preferably located on both sides of the winding shaft (7).

[0052] The installation of the rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting can be performed on any appropriate ground, even if it is steeply sloping, Dr- 8. Furthermore, due to its easy extensibility, the invention can also be implemented as a pitched installation,. Dr- 9. for example in the case of strong winds, while at the same time there is the possibility of its industrialization, for installations able to harvest large volumes of water. Dr- 10.

[0053] At this point it should be noted that the description of the invention was carried out with reference to indicative application examples, to which it is not limited. Therefore, any change or modification regarding the shape, dimensions, morphology, materials used and components of construction and assembly, as long as they do not constitute a new inventive step and do not contribute to the technical development of what is already known, are considered included in the purposes and goals of the present invention.

[0054]

Claims

CLAIMS• Rain, collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, consisting of an inclined base (1) with beams (2) for holding a foldable harvesting surface (6), made of material impermeable to water and ultraviolet radiation, a winding shaft (7) at the upper point of the base (1) that is mounted on two extensions (14) of the beams (2) for deploying and retracting the harvesting surface (6), each extension (14) having at least one notch (15), with a tension shaft (9) for stabilizing the harvesting surface (6) when deployed, a gutter (11) with at least one conduit (12) for collecting and removing water at the lower point of the base (1), four supports (3 ) perpendicular to the ground that bear two buttresses (4) on both sides of the harvesting surface (6), for the lateral holding and raising, with the use of clips (5), of the harvesting surface (6), and at least one engagement and disengagement system (16) of the winding shaft (7), characterized in that the engagement and disengagement system (16) consists of a moving piece (17) with a pin (18), on which the winding shaft (7) fits and around which it rotates, where the piece (17) moves within the notches (15) of the extensions (14) and is screwed (19) onto them.• Rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, according to claim 1, characterized in that there are two engagement and disengagement systems (16) on both sides of the winding shaft ( 7).• Rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the gutter (11 ) is covered from above with a particle retention filter (13).* Rain collector with a foldable surface for rainwater harvesting, according to claim 1, characterized in that in the lower part of the base (1) there is a stabilizing shaft (10), above which the tension shaft (9) passes and locks, when the harvesting surface is extended (6).

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