Drainage Element With Grooved Cell Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage systems for impermeable or hardly permeable surfaces face issues with uncontrolled water overflow and washing out of filling materials due to the lack of effective water management and structural stability, particularly when used on surfaces like roads and buildings.
Innovation Solution
A drainage element comprising mutually adjacent cells with a permeable polymer foil ultrasonically welded to a supporting member, featuring grooves on the bottom surfaces of the cells for efficient water drainage and a non-woven geotextile that prevents aggregate movement, reducing the amount of drainage material needed and ensuring the subsoil is not disturbed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drainage systems are used on impermeable surfaces, then water drainage is provided, but uncontrolled water overflow and washing out of filling materials occur
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage element is divided into multiple adjacent cells with peripheral walls, creating a segmented structure that controls water flow within defined boundaries. Each cell acts as an independent drainage unit, preventing uncontrolled overflow while maintaining effective water management across the entire drainage element.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral walls of the cells are designed with specific local features including grooves at the bottom surfaces and passage openings positioned in the upper half of the walls. These localized structural features enable controlled water drainage through specific paths while preventing material washing out in other areas.
2Device complexity
If constant width walls are used in chamber structures, then structural simplicity is maintained, but increased strain on lower parts of walls occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral walls are designed with asymmetric cross-section where the wall thickness varies along the height. The walls are thicker at the bottom and taper towards the top, creating an asymmetric profile that provides enhanced structural strength and strain resistance at the lower parts while maintaining overall structural efficiency.
3Reliability
If passage openings are positioned in the lower half of chamber walls, then water flow direction is controlled, but structural stability of upper walls is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The passage openings are preliminarily positioned in the upper half of the peripheral walls, specifically in the upper quarter to upper half region. This preliminary placement of openings higher in the structure allows water to drain effectively while maintaining the structural integrity and stability of the upper wall portions, avoiding the need to compromise wall stability for flow control.
4Productivity
If drainage material is used in large quantities, then drainage capacity is increased, but the amount of material and disturbance to subsoil increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral walls form thin-walled cell structures that enclose and contain the drainage material efficiently. The thin-walled design provides sufficient structural containment while minimizing the volume of material required, allowing effective drainage capacity with reduced material quantity and minimal subsoil disturbance during installation.
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 enhances water drainage efficiency, reduces the amount of drainage material required, and provides long-term stability by preventing aggregate movement and maintaining the integrity of the subsoil, allowing for effective water redistribution and secure application on various surfaces including roofs and terraces.
Implementation Method 1
a firm connection is formed between them by means of pressing force and ultrasonic vibrations
Implementation Method 2
grooves (8) formed on the bottom surfaces (6) of the internal cells (3) and the external cells (3')
Implementation Method 3
A permeable foil, e.g. a non woven geotextile, attached on the bottom side of the supporting member separates the aggregate and prevents its movement
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drainage element comprising a supporting member (1) consisting of mutually abutting internal cells (3) and external cells (3'). The bottom surface (6) of the walls (5,5') of the internal and the external cells (3,3') is larger than an upper surface (7) of said walls (5,5'). The bottom surface (6) of the internal cells (3) and the external cells (3') of the supporting member (1) is provided with grooves (8). A permeable foil (4) is connected to the bottom surface of the cells (3,3').