Drainage Device with Buoyancy-Actuated Retaining Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage systems for structures, particularly flat roofs, face challenges with blockages due to solid components like leaves, which can lead to water accumulation and subsequent damage, especially during extreme weather events, as they require regular maintenance and are difficult to access, and existing solutions either oversize the drainage system or rely on complex geometries that are not always effective.
Innovation Solution
A drainage device with a movably arranged retaining device that utilizes a buoyancy element to automatically transition from a rest position to an emergency drainage position when a predetermined liquid level is reached, significantly enlarging passage openings to prevent water accumulation and facilitate self-cleaning, using a securing means to manage movement and prevent re-blockages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drainage system is oversized to handle extreme weather events, then the drainage capacity is improved, but the structural and architectural constraints are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that automatically adjusts its opening area based on water level. During normal operation, the device maintains a closed position with small openings for filtration. During extreme weather events, when water level rises, the device automatically opens to a large opening position, providing high drainage capacity without requiring the system to be permanently oversized.
2Reliability
If a retention device with pronounced convex shape is used to retain particles, then the particle retention is improved, but the blockage risk is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device dynamically changes its state between a closed position for particle retention and an open position for clearing blockages. When particles accumulate and cause blockage, the rising water level automatically triggers the device to open, allowing the accumulated particles to be flushed out, thus preventing permanent blockage while maintaining effective particle retention during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The water accumulation that causes concern is converted into a beneficial force that triggers the automatic opening mechanism. The rising water level, which would normally indicate a blockage problem, instead activates the emergency drainage function that clears the blockage by flushing particles out through the large opening.
3Reliability
If regular cleaning of the retention system is performed to prevent blockages, then the drainage reliability is improved, but the maintenance cost and accessibility requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device performs self-maintenance by automatically clearing its own blockages. When particles accumulate and cause blockage, the rising water level triggers the device to open and flush the accumulated particles out, eliminating the need for manual cleaning intervention and reducing maintenance costs and accessibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of particle accumulation and blockage is converted into a beneficial self-cleaning mechanism. The water level rise that indicates blockage also activates the emergency drainage function that automatically clears the blockage, transforming a maintenance problem into an automatic self-service function.
4Reliability
If sieves or grids are used to prevent contamination, then the water quality is improved, but the blockage susceptibility is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The retention device with sieve or grid structure dynamically transitions between a closed position that provides effective filtration and an open position that clears accumulated particles. The device maintains its filtration function during normal operation while automatically clearing blockages when water level rises, thus maintaining both water quality and preventing permanent blockage.
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 effectively manages water flow to prevent damage by automatically enlarging drainage openings and ensuring self-cleaning, reducing maintenance needs and addressing the limitations of existing systems in handling blockages and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
At least one buoyancy element (9) is provided, which can be positioned at a vertical distance (a) to the collection surface (2), such that when a certain liquid level of water accumulation on the collection surface (2) is reached, a buoyancy force (F) of the buoyancy element (9) acts
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drainage device (1) for precipitation water that is intended for draining a structure, having a retaining device (4), which encloses a drain (3) of the structure, for solid constituents, such as, in particular, plant parts. In order to avoid a situation in which the collected precipitation water accumulates as a result of blocked passage openings (5) and finally causes damage to the structure, the retaining device (4) is arranged on the drainage device (1) so as to be vertically movable on a guide (7) between an inoperative position and an emergency drainage position. As soon as the liquid level has reached a buoyancy element (9), the buoyancy force of the buoyancy element (9) acts on the retaining device (4), which consequently floats, with the result that a peripheral annular gap is obtained between a bottom-side bearing surface (10) of the retaining device (4) and the collecting surface (2). The backed-up water can thereby flow unhindered into the drain (3), with the thus resulting high flow rate entraining the solid constituents and discharging them through the drain (3) without blockages occurring in the process.