Balcony Edge Linear Drain Assembly with Drip Lip for Water Redirection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing balcony drainage systems face challenges in effectively redirecting water away from the edges to prevent staining and moss buildup on vertical walls, particularly during heavy rain, and struggle with installation due to the intricate shape and difficulty in joining drip edge elements.
Innovation Solution
A balcony edge drainage system featuring a linear drain assembly with an elongate channel section, insert, and outlet assembly, designed to be positioned adjacent to the balcony edge, with a flange and leg portion directing water away from the vertical face, allowing seamless integration with flooring and easy installation using connector members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a drip edge element is installed along the external perimeter of the balcony to direct water away from the edge, then water redirection is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of installation increase due to its intricate shape
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is divided into separate functional components: a linear drain assembly for water collection and an elongate edge assembly with drip lip for water redirection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation compared to a single intricate drip edge element.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear drain assembly acts as an intermediary component between the balcony surface and the elongate edge assembly. It collects water from the balcony and transfers it to the edge assembly, which then redirects it away from the vertical wall, solving the water redirection problem through a coordinated two-component system.
2Productivity
If a linear drain system is mounted with tiles on opposite sides, then water draining capability is improved, but the drain placement is forced at least a tile width away from the edge, reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The edge assembly extends in a different dimensional orientation from the linear drain. While the drain runs parallel to the balcony edge, the edge assembly projects perpendicular to the drain direction, creating a three-dimensional configuration that allows the drain to be positioned optimally for water collection while the edge assembly handles the final water redirection at the actual edge location.
3Ease of operation
If gaps are left between adjacent drip edge elements to simplify installation, then ease of installation is improved, but water redirection effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separate connector members to join the linear drain assembly sections and the elongate edge assembly sections. This modular segmentation allows for simple installation with standardized connectors while maintaining continuous water redirection functionality, eliminating the need to leave gaps between adjacent elements.
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
The system effectively redirects water away from the balcony edge, preventing staining and moss buildup, while facilitating easy installation and seamless integration with existing balcony structures.
Implementation Method 1
the leg portion having a lip extending outwardly at an angle from a distal end of the leg portion; wherein the floor drain assembly is positioned adjacent to a free edge of the balcony and like outwardly extending external aspects of a building structure, with the leg portion and lip of the elongate edge assembly positioned to direct fluids away from a vertical face of the free edge
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates in general to a linear drain system for terminating installed tiles at the edges of balconies or terraces and redirecting water away from the walls below. The assembly has an elongate channel section forming a longitudinally extending trough, the trough having a floor with a first interior surface shape and a pair of wall sections extending substantially vertically upward from opposing longitudinal edges of the floor. An insert is releasably disposed in the elongate channel section to overlie the trough floor. At least one outlet assembly having a central mounting portion with a surface shape that is the same as the first interior surface shape of the floor and is connected to the floor. The at least one outlet assembly is coupleable to a plumbing system. An elongate edge assembly extends longitudinally from one of the pair of wall sections of the elongate channel section. A flange extends orthogonally from an upper edge of the wall section with a leg portion extending downwardly from a longitudinal edge of the flange. The leg portion has a lip extending outwardly at an angle from a distal end of the leg portion. The floor drain assembly is positioned adjacent to a free edge of the balcony with the leg portion and lip of the elongate edge assembly positioned to direct fluids away from a vertical face of the free edge of the balcony.