Terrace Canopy Gutter Lip Condensate Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing terrace canopies suffer from condensate droplets forming on the underside of panels or slats, which can fall on users or objects below, and rainwater is not effectively managed, leading to potential splashing and inefficient drainage.
Innovation Solution
A terrace canopy design featuring a rain gutter with an upright edge containing lips that extend to each slat or panel, accompanied by a condensation gutter parallel to the rain gutter, capturing and redirecting condensate to prevent it from reaching the underside and ensuring effective water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If rain gutters are provided to capture and carry off rainwater, then rainwater drainage is improved, but condensate droplets still form on the underside of panels and fall on users
Solution Approach 1:
The gutter system is segmented into two distinct components: a rain gutter for collecting rainwater from the canopy surface, and a condensation gutter for capturing condensate from the underside of panels. This segmentation allows each gutter to address specific water management needs independently, preventing condensate from falling on users while maintaining effective rainwater drainage
Solution Approach 2:
The condensation gutter acts as an intermediary structure between the panel underside and the user space. It intercepts condensate droplets before they can fall onto users or objects, effectively mediating the harmful effect of condensate while allowing the rain gutter to continue its rainwater management function
2Ease of operation
If the terrace canopy is open on the sides for ventilation, then air circulation is improved, but outside temperature contact with panels increases condensate formation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of condensate formation into a manageable situation by providing the condensation gutter. The open-sided design that causes temperature contact and condensate formation is maintained for ventilation benefits, while the condensation gutter captures the resulting condensate, transforming the harmful moisture into a controlled drainage system
3Reliability
If lips are provided on the upright edge to seal with slats, then lightproof and airtight sealing is improved, but water management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upright edge with lips is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides lightproof and airtight sealing by contacting the slats, while also serving as the mounting structure for the condensation gutter. This multi-functionality achieves reliable sealing without proportionally increasing structural complexity, as the same vertical edge serves both sealing and condensate management purposes
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 design provides a lightproof, airtight, and watertight seal, preventing water and condensate from splashing and effectively directing it away, enhancing user comfort and protection from moisture.
Implementation Method 1
It is known that condensate, inter alia, may occur on the underside of said panels
Data Source
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AI summary
Terrace canopy with a series of slats (2) or panels (3) that extend between two horizontal profiles (4) of the terrace canopy (1), whereby at least one of said profiles (4) is provided with a rain gutter (7) extending in the longitudinal direction (A) of the profile (4) for capturing and carrying off the rainwater that falls on the terrace canopy (1), and whereby the rain gutter (7) contains at least one upright edge (10), whereby the upright edge (10) is provided with at least one lip (11) that reaches to slats (2) or panels (3) of the terrace canopy (1), and whereby a condensation gutter (12) is provided at the upright edge (10) with lip (11) for capturing condensate, said condensation gutter (12) extending next to and parallel with the rain gutter (7).