Drainage Cell With Transverse Members For Debris Deflection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern building and agricultural practices lead to water being unable to drain naturally, resulting in floods and soil erosion due to overflowing drainage systems, as water cannot return to the ground to form groundwater, causing flooding and erosion.

Innovation Solution

A drainage cell system with perforated boundary walls and transverse members that deflect debris, combined with an auxiliary channel for sediment collection and a modular assembly for ground water attenuation, allowing controlled dispersal into the ground or drainage system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If water is allowed to flow freely through drainage systems, then drainage capacity is improved, but flooding and erosion occur due to overflow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage capacityVSAvoidflooding and erosion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage system is divided into multiple drainage cells with perforated boundary walls, creating segmented compartments that control water flow distribution. Each cell acts as an independent unit for water attenuation and dispersal, preventing uncontrolled overflow that causes flooding and erosion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The perforated boundary walls serve as intermediary structures between the through-channel and the surrounding ground. These walls allow controlled water dispersal into the ground while maintaining structural containment, acting as a mediator that regulates the transition from free-flowing water to controlled groundwater recharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If transverse members are added to deflect debris, then debris removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebris removal efficiencyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse members are integrated directly into the boundary walls of the drainage cell, merging the debris deflection function with the existing structural elements. This combination allows debris to be deflected into the auxiliary channel without requiring separate, complex debris removal mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse members automatically deflect debris into the auxiliary channel based on the natural flow direction, without requiring external control systems or additional operational intervention. The structure itself performs the debris removal function passively through its geometric configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If auxiliary channel is added for sediment collection, then sediment removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesediment removal capabilityVSAvoidchannel configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary channel is positioned adjacent to and integrated with the through-channel, with the two channels forming a nested configuration. The auxiliary channel collects sediment that settles from the main flow, creating a hierarchical structure where smaller functional elements are integrated within the larger drainage system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Adaptability or versatility

If modular assembly is used for groundwater attenuation, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem configurabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage system is designed as multiple identical drainage cells that can be assembled in series or parallel configurations. Each cell is a self-contained modular unit with standardized dimensions and connection interfaces, allowing flexible adaptation to different site requirements while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through repetition of standard components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Effectively prevents flooding and erosion by allowing controlled water dispersal into the ground, reducing the risk of overflow and maintaining groundwater levels, while removing debris from flowing water.

Implementation Method 1

the transverse members are orientated in substantially vertical planes substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the through channel... Portions of the transverse members may extend into the through channel and thereby serve to deflect larger debris

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDebris deflection:

Implementation Method 2

perforated boundary walls... the water is able to disperse into the ground at a more steady rate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPercolation: Permeation

Implementation Method 3

an auxiliary channel fluidly connected to said through channel via said fluid connections... an auxiliary channel may serve to provide an outlet for debris and particulate matter which may have been deflected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSediment transport:

Data Source

PatentEP2949826B1Drainage cell
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 POLYPIPE LTD
  • EP2949826B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2949826B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2949826B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A drainage cell (1) for a ground water handling system, the cell comprising a through channel (25), the cell comprising one or more transverse members (5) extending from or adjacent the edge of the through channel (25) towards a base of the cell (1) for deflecting, in use, particulates or debris carried in a fluid flowing in said through channel (25).