Concealed Transom Drainage Funnel for Flush Façade Water Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hidden drainage systems for building façades, particularly through transoms, often result in partially visible drains or channels, compromising aesthetic appeal, and are complex to implement.
Innovation Solution
A drainage funnel is integrated within the transom assembly of a building façade, featuring a body with opposing ends and an inner flow path, secured by mechanical fasteners, lateral tabs, or adhesive, to direct water from the interior to the exterior while maintaining a hidden and aesthetically pleasing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional hidden drainage systems are used in transom assemblies, then water drainage function is achieved, but the drainage components become partially visible compromising aesthetic appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage funnel is nested within the transom assembly structure, with the funnel body positioned inside the transom and the lower end extending through a gap in the exterior gasket. This nesting approach allows the drainage components to be concealed within the existing transom framework, achieving complete hidden drainage while maintaining effective water drainage function from the interior to the exterior environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage funnel acts as an intermediary component that bridges the interior and exterior environments. It receives water from the interior through the horizontal structural member aperture and channels it through its inner flow path to discharge outside, mediating the drainage function while remaining concealed within the transom assembly and avoiding visible drainage components on the exterior façade.
2Reliability
If conventional hidden drainage systems are used in transom assemblies, then water drainage function is achieved, but the implementation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage funnel serves multiple functions within a single component: it receives water from the interior, channels it through its inner flow path, and discharges it to the exterior environment. The lateral tabs provide both structural attachment functionality and sealing surface functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying implementation while ensuring reliable water drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage funnel combines the water channeling function, attachment to transom structure, and sealing interface with the exterior gasket into a single integrated component. By merging these functions into one piece rather than using separate components for each function, the implementation complexity is reduced while maintaining effective drainage performance.
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 drainage funnel effectively directs water from the interior to the exterior without visible drainage components, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics by ensuring a flush-mounted transom assembly.
Implementation Method 1
water accumulated within the interior drains from the interior to an exterior environment of the building through the inner flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A transom assembly for a façade assembly of a building includes a transom that defines an interior including a lower glazing pocket, a lower glazing assembly partially received within the lower glazing pocket, and a drainage funnel arranged within the interior. The drainage funnel includes a body having opposing upper and lower ends, the lower end laterally interposing a bottom of the transom and the lower glazing assembly, an upper opening defined at the upper end, a lower opening defined at the lower end, and an inner flow path extending between the upper and lower openings. Water accumulated within the interior drains from the interior to an exterior environment of the building through the inner flow path.