Concealed Rooftop Rainwater Drainage Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gutters detract from the aesthetic appeal of buildings and are often unsightly due to issues like rot, sagging, and discoloration, necessitating a hidden rainwater diversion system that maintains architectural beauty while effectively draining water.

Innovation Solution

A rooftop rainwater drainage assembly with concealed downspouts and pipes, integrated into the building structure, including a flexible membrane cover and overflow mechanisms, to direct water away from the roof without visible obstructions, utilizing a combination of spouts, pipes, and parapet wall features to maintain architectural integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional gutters are installed to drain rainwater, then water diversion function is achieved, but aesthetic appeal of the building deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater diversion functionVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The downspout is extracted from its conventional external position and relocated to run through the interior of the building walls, removing the visually objectionable element from the building's exterior appearance while preserving the water diversion function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The downspout is nested within the building's wall structure, running through interior spaces and being concealed by wall surfaces, thereby hiding the drainage component within the building's architectural form

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Shape

If downspouts are concealed within building walls, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but accessibility for maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidaccessibility for maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The concealed downspout system is divided into accessible segments with inspection ports and maintenance access points located in convenient interior locations, allowing maintenance personnel to access and service the hidden downspout without exposing the entire system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Interior access panels and inspection ports serve as intermediaries between the concealed downspout system and maintenance personnel, providing a means to access the hidden component for cleaning and repair while preserving the aesthetic exterior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 diverts rainwater while being concealed from view, preventing water damage and maintaining the building's aesthetic appeal by integrating drainage components within the building's structure, providing visual cues for maintenance needs and ensuring efficient water flow.

Implementation Method 1

conventional gutters... deliver the water by gravity to a downspout for discharge away from the building structure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10428529B1Rooftop rainwater drainage assembly

Publication Date: 2019.10.01 TANGHONGS JAMES

AI summary

A rooftop rainwater drainage assembly that is at least partially concealed from view from an exterior of a dwelling. In particular, the rooftop drainage assembly can include an opening spout secured to a roof deck region of a dwelling, and an elongated downspout having a first region disposed between an exterior wall and an interior wall of the dwelling and secured to the opening spout, thereby at least partially concealing the downspout from view from both the interior wall and exterior wall of the dwelling.