Awning Gutter with Forward-Extended Front Wall
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outdoor awnings are structurally complex and costly, with a high bulk due to the need to position the front profile above the gutter for rainwater conveyance, making them difficult to install and maintain, and they lack optimal rainwater unloading efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The design features a support structure with a reduced size front profile and appendage that allows rainwater to flow into the gutter without needing to be positioned above it, using a gutter with a containment wall and appendage to direct water efficiently, and a simpler installation method that allows adherence to a vertical wall, reducing bulk and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the front profile is positioned above the gutter to convey rainwater, then rainwater conveyance is achieved, but the awning bulk and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the rainwater conveyance function from the front profile and implements it through the gutter system alone. The gutter is designed with a front wall that extends forward to receive water directly from the awning sheet, eliminating the need for the front profile to be positioned above the gutter for water conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
The front wall of the gutter acts as an intermediary element between the awning sheet and the gutter body. It receives rainwater falling from the awning and directs it into the gutter, serving as a mediator that enables effective water conveyance without requiring complex positioning of the front profile.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the front profile is positioned above the gutter, then rainwater conveyance is achieved, but the awning bulk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the rainwater reception function from the front profile and assigns it to the gutter's front wall. This allows the front profile to be reduced in size and positioned lower, thereby reducing the overall bulk of the awning structure while maintaining effective rainwater conveyance.
3Volume of moving object
If the awning is installed closer to the wall, then space is saved, but rainwater unloading efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends the front wall of the gutter in the horizontal dimension forward from the gutter body. This dimensional extension allows the gutter to effectively capture and channel rainwater even when the awning is installed closer to the wall, maintaining unloading efficiency without requiring large horizontal clearance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design results in a structurally simpler, cost-effective, and easier-to-install awning with improved rainwater unloading efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements, allowing the awning to be installed closer to the wall without increasing the risk of water leakage.
Implementation Method 1
The longitudinal members are usually arranged tilted downward from their rear end (fixed to the wall) to their front end (sustained by the columns) in order to make the rainwater descend towards the front side of the awning, in a manner so as to convey the water into the aforesaid gutter.
Implementation Method 2
Such gutter is adapted to receive the rainwater that descends from the sheet of the awning
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Outdoor awning, which comprises a support structure (2) provided with two longitudinal members (3) parallel to each other; a sheet (8) arranged between the longitudinal members (3) and being extended between a rear edge (9) thereof constrained to the support structure (2), and a front edge (10) thereof fixed to a front profile (7), which is movable along longitudinal guides of the longitudinal members (3) between a closed position, and an open position in which it is arranged at the front ends (4) of the longitudinal members (3) themselves in order to spread the sheet (8) above a surface to be covered; a gutter (16) which is fixed to the support structure (2) at a front side (40) of the awning, and is provided with a rear containment wall (17) and with a front containment wall (18) delimited on the upper part respectively by a first longitudinal edge (17') and by a second longitudinal edge (18'), which define an inlet opening (20) adapted to allow the entrance into the gutter (16) of the rainwater susceptible to descending from the sheet (8). In addition, the front profile (7) of the awning is provided with an appendage (24), which is projectingly extended towards the front side (40) of the awning itself, has the front edge (10) of the sheet (8) fixed, and is placed at a greater height than that of the first longitudinal edge (17') of the rear wall (17) of the gutter (16), in a manner such that, when the front profile (7) is positioned in the open position, the appendage (24) is placed above the gutter (16) between the first and the second longitudinal edge (17', 18') of the latter in order to convey into the gutter (16) the rainwater susceptible to descending from the sheet (8).