Downspout Drain Filter with Segmented Debris Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water drainage systems for buildings often fail to effectively filter debris from runoff water, leading to clogging and potential flooding issues, as they lack efficient mechanisms to manage debris accumulation and overflow.
Innovation Solution
A drainage system incorporating a downspout and a filter with a grated plate and access panel, which divides the internal cavity into upper and lower chambers to trap debris and allows fluid flow, while an overflow opening directs excess water out when the filter becomes clogged, ensuring continuous water flow and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter is installed in the downspout to trap debris, then debris filtering capability is improved, but the risk of clogging and flooding increases when the filter becomes full
Solution Approach 1:
The internal cavity is divided into an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a grated plate. The upper chamber collects debris while the lower chamber receives filtered water. This segmentation allows the system to continue draining water even when the upper chamber is full of debris, preventing overflow and flooding.
Solution Approach 2:
The grated plate acts as an intermediary element that separates the upper and lower chambers. It allows water to pass through via its permeable structure while trapping debris on top, enabling continuous water flow even when debris accumulation occurs in the upper chamber.
2Reliability
If a grated plate is used to trap debris, then debris separation is improved, but access for maintenance and debris removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is segmented into removable components including the grated plate with a removable central portion and an access panel. This segmentation allows easy access to the upper chamber for debris removal by simply removing the access panel or central portion, without needing to disassemble the entire downspout system.
Solution Approach 2:
The access panel and removable central portion of the grated plate transform the static filter structure into a dynamic system that can be easily opened and closed. This allows maintenance personnel to access the upper chamber for debris removal when needed, while maintaining the sealed structure during normal operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the filter structure is made complex with multiple chambers and access panels, then functionality and maintenance capability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing serves multiple functions: it contains the upper and lower chambers, provides structural support, and incorporates the access panel for maintenance. The grated plate simultaneously acts as a debris trap, a separator between chambers, and a permeable filter for water flow. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The access panel is integrated directly into the housing structure, combining the access function with the housing itself. The removable central portion of the grated plate is combined with the plate structure, allowing debris removal access without requiring a separate mechanism. These merges simplify the overall structure while maintaining functionality.
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 filters debris from water flowing from eavestroughs to drainage conduits, preventing clogging and flooding by allowing trapped debris to be easily removed and signaling when maintenance is needed through an overflow mechanism, thus ensuring reliable water drainage.
Implementation Method 1
The grated plate is permeable such that the fluid flows from the upper chamber to the lower chamber
Implementation Method 2
The housing further defines an overflow opening that is disposed above the access panel and is configured to direct the fluid out of the internal cavity in response to the grated plate becoming clogged
Data Source
AI summary
A downspout drain filter includes a housing and a filter media. The housing defines an internal cavity, an inlet to the internal cavity along a top of the housing, and an outlet from the internal cavity along a bottom of the housing. The filter media is disposed within the internal cavity. The filter media divides the internal cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The filter media is configured to trap debris in the upper chamber from fluid flowing downward through the internal cavity. The filter media is permeable such that the fluid flows from the upper chamber to the lower chamber.