Balcony Chassis Drainage Beam With Serviceable Filter Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing balcony drainage systems face challenges in safely and efficiently draining liquids, including rainwater, hot liquids, and chemical spills, while maintaining architectural aesthetics and compliance with safety regulations, and are prone to blockages and unsightly gaps.

Innovation Solution

A balcony chassis with a porous or impervious flooring system and integrated drainage channels, featuring interlocking plates and beams with angled surfaces and internal void spaces, along with a deflector to direct water away from the building facade, ensuring efficient drainage and compliance with safety standards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a traditional balcony chassis is used, then the structure is simple, but the load-bearing capacity is insufficient and deformation occurs under heavy loads

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The balcony chassis is divided into multiple reinforcement zones (first reinforcement zone near the load application point, second reinforcement zone at the support point) with different structural configurations. This segmentation allows targeted strengthening without uniformly increasing the entire structure's complexity, resolving the contradiction between load-bearing capacity and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different structural characteristics to different regions of the chassis. The first reinforcement zone has a specific structural configuration optimized for handling load application points, while the second reinforcement zone is configured for support points. This local differentiation provides high load-bearing capacity where needed while maintaining simplicity in other areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the balcony chassis is reinforced to increase load-bearing capacity, then deformation under load is reduced, but the weight of the structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeformation resistanceVSAvoidchassis weight
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the reinforcement into specific zones rather than uniform reinforcement, the patent reduces unnecessary material usage in areas not subjected to high loads. This targeted approach increases deformation resistance where needed while minimizing the overall weight increase compared to full-structure reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial reinforcement only to the necessary zones (first and second reinforcement zones) rather than reinforcing the entire chassis uniformly. This partial action provides sufficient deformation resistance for the critical load-bearing areas while avoiding the excessive weight that would result from complete reinforcement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the balcony chassis uses fixed support points, then the structure is stable, but adaptability to different installation locations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidinstallation location flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support points are designed to be adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the balcony chassis to be adapted to different installation locations and configurations. This dynamic adjustability maintains structural stability through proper support point positioning while enabling versatility for various installation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable support point design allows the same balcony chassis structure to serve multiple installation locations and configurations. This universality enables the structure to maintain stability across different applications while providing the adaptability needed for versatile installation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4251815B1Balcony chassis
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 ALMODULAR LTD
  • EP4251815B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4251815B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4251815B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a balcony chassis for supporting a balcony floor with an improved water drainage system. Water which lands on the balcony floor (30) passes through the floor and is collected by angled plates (130) supported by intermediate beams (120). The plates (130) direct the water to the front edge of the chassis and to the main structural beam 110. Beam 110 has a passage (111) through which the water passes from the inlet (112) to the outlet (113). A deflector (118) diverts the water flow horizontally outward from the outlet (113). A channel (115) is provided in the top edge of the beam (110) to locate a filter 116, which can be accessed from above for maintenance. The invention provides a balcony water management system with a "porous" structural beam at the front edge of the chassis which has a serviceable filtering system.