Diffusion-Open Sealing Web for Wall Planting Troughs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall planting systems with troughs are expensive to produce, require complex assembly, and often suffer from mold growth due to trapped moisture, which cannot escape through the sealing layer.
Innovation Solution
A cover system featuring plastic or metal profile troughs with a diffusion-open sealing web that connects to the trough web, allowing moisture to escape while preventing water ingress, and includes design features like a V-shaped channel for improved moisture retention and water drainage, reducing the need for additional drainage systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing layer is used to prevent water ingress, then water protection is improved, but moisture cannot escape causing mold growth
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing web is designed with a porous structure that allows moisture to pass through via diffusion while maintaining water tightness. The pores are small enough to block liquid water but large enough to permit water vapor diffusion, thus preventing mold growth while protecting against water ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing web has different properties at different locations: it provides complete water sealing where liquid water contacts it, while allowing vapor diffusion in the bulk material. This local differentiation of sealing properties resolves the contradiction between water protection and moisture escape.
2Reliability
If complex assembly structures are used to ensure proper sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing web is integrated directly into the trough structure, merging the sealing function with the structural component. This eliminates the need for separate sealing elements and reduces assembly steps while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing web automatically adjusts to create a proper seal through its elastic properties and geometric design, without requiring precise manual adjustment or complex assembly mechanisms. The system self-regulates to maintain sealing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If expensive materials and processes are used to ensure durability, then product reliability is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the sealing web (thickness, width, profile shape) and material properties (porosity, elasticity) to achieve optimal performance. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves high reliability using cost-effective materials and manufacturing processes rather than expensive alternatives.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, easy-to-assemble wall planting system that prevents mold growth by allowing moisture to escape, while maintaining a secure seal against rain and splash water, and eliminates the need for downpipes by using the troughs for water storage and drainage.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing web protrudes from each rear wall at the top, which adjoins the trough above in a diffusion-open manner
Implementation Method 2
The plants and possibly a substrate store water and thus relieve the sewage system. In addition to the storage function, planting also cleans the excess water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The covering has troughs (1) with rear walls, which are connected with a building wall. An upper edge of bars of each trough is placed at a high position than a base of each trough. The rear walls and bars are formed as plastic or metal profiles. A sealing rib upwardly protrudes from the rear walls and is diffusively connected to the troughs. A diffusive seal (7) is arranged between the sealing rib and the trough bars. The sealing rib runs parallel to a trough bar region. The troughs are arranged on top of each other.