Adjustable Façade Gutter Support Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drainage channels for facade and terrace areas require fixed spacers for adjusting the distance between the channel body and the building wall, limiting flexibility and increasing installation complexity and costs due to the need for different spacer thicknesses for varying distances.

Innovation Solution

A drainage channel design featuring a support device with a contact element and guide unit that allows adjustable displacement in the transverse direction, enabling precise adjustment of the distance between the channel body and the building wall, eliminating the need for on-site spacers and simplifying installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed spacers are used to maintain distance between drainage channel and building wall, then the channel is properly supported and ventilated, but the installation complexity increases and flexibility is limited due to needing different spacer thicknesses for varying distances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of distance to building wallVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is made movable along the guide unit, transforming the static fixed-spacer system into a dynamic adjustable system. This allows the distance between the drainage channel and building wall to be varied during installation to accommodate different site conditions, directly resolving the adaptability issue while maintaining simple installation procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide unit with movable support element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables distance adjustment, and guides the installation process. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple different spacer types, reducing installation complexity while improving adaptability to various building wall distances

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed thickness spacers are used, then manufacturing is simple, but different spacer types are required for varying distances, increasing inventory complexity and costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of manufacturing multiple fixed-thickness spacers, the invention provides a single spacer design with a movable support element that can be adjusted to different positions. This dynamic adjustment capability allows one universal spacer type to replace multiple fixed-thickness variants, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while achieving distance adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support element's position along the guide unit can be changed to adjust the distance parameter. This parameter change capability allows the same spacer component to adapt to different installation requirements without requiring different manufacturing specifications, reducing inventory complexity and costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If on-site spacers are used with fixed thickness, then installation is straightforward, but precision is limited and alignment with varying building base conditions is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance adjustment precisionVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable support element allows precise adjustment of the distance between the drainage channel and building wall during installation. This dynamic adjustment capability enables precise alignment with varying building base conditions while maintaining straightforward installation procedures, resolving both precision and ease of operation requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3854962B1Gutter for façade and/or terrace, set and gutter system
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 ACO AHLMANN SE & CO KG
  • EP3854962B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3854962B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3854962B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a drainage channel (10) for facade and/or terrace surfaces, comprising a longitudinally extending channel body (11) with a receiving chamber (12) for receiving a liquid to be drained, wherein the receiving chamber (12) is bounded by two opposing side walls (13) and a bottom (14), and includes at least one support device (15) for lateral support, wherein the support device (15) comprises at least one mounting element (16) and at least one guide unit (17), wherein the guide unit (17) slidably mounts the mounting element (16) in the transverse direction of the drainage channel (10) in order to adjust a distance between the channel body (11) and a counterpart (18), in particular a wall, during installation by sliding the mounting element. The invention further relates to a set and a channel system.