Drainage System Segmented Gate for Maintenance Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current flap and flush gates in drainage systems are prone to wear and tear due to weather conditions and fluid contact, leading to inefficiency and complicating maintenance and repair processes, as they cannot be easily stopped or replaced without extensive measures.

Innovation Solution

A drainage system comprising a reservoir with a flap gate and outlet pipes, where the system includes gate valves and ejectors to manage water pressure and flow, allowing for efficient installation, maintenance, and repair by accumulating water for pressure and using it to clear clogs and maintain gate functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If flap gates and flush gates are used to control water flow and prevent backflow, then the drainage system can automatically open and close based on differential pressure, but the gates become worn out due to weather conditions and fluid contact, leading to inefficiency and complicated maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic operationVSAvoidgate effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the gate structure into separable components: a removable closure element that can be detached from the outlet pipe. This segmentation allows the closure element to be easily removed and replaced without affecting the entire drainage system, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving automatic operation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a retention mechanism as an intermediary component that holds the closure element in place during operation but allows for easy removal. This intermediary structure mediates between the need for reliable automatic operation and the need for easy maintenance, enabling workers to remove and replace closure elements without extensive measures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If traditional flap gates are used to prevent backflow, then water flow can be controlled automatically, but the gates cannot be easily stopped or replaced without expensive and massive measures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is designed as a separate, removable component from the outlet pipe structure. This segmentation enables maintenance workers to access, remove, and replace the closure element directly without needing to dismantle complex retaining structures or take extensive maintenance measures, thereby improving productivity while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure element can be completely extracted or removed from the outlet pipe for maintenance or replacement. This extraction capability allows workers to service the gate component independently without affecting the rest of the drainage system, significantly improving maintenance efficiency and reducing the complexity of maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the outlet pipe is under water, then the drainage system can function during flooding conditions, but the gates are exposed to constant water contact and weather conditions that accelerate wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflooding resistanceVSAvoidgate lifespan
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The closure element is designed as a replaceable component with a shorter service life, intended to be periodically removed and replaced rather than maintained indefinitely. This approach acknowledges that components exposed to constant water and weather contact will wear out, but by making them easily replaceable, the overall system remains adaptable to flooding conditions while managing the limited lifespan of exposed components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables easy discarding of worn closure elements and replacement with new ones. The simple removal and replacement mechanism allows rapid replacement of degraded components without extensive maintenance measures, thereby managing the reduced lifespan caused by environmental exposure while maintaining system adaptability to flooding conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 enables efficient installation, maintenance, and repair of drainage systems by utilizing water pressure to clear clogs and maintain gate functionality, reducing the need for extensive measures and ensuring effective water management.

Implementation Method 1

The water in the reservoir provides a pressure, which ensures a high water pressure through the outlet pipes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The water pressure thought the outlet pipes is used to keep the outlet piping system clear such that the outlet piping system do not clogged

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP3974592A1Drainage system
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 DANNOZZLE HLDG NEW APS
  • EP3974592A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP3974592A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3974592A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to the technical field of flap/flush gates, particularly to a drainage system (1)for opening and closing the discharge end of outlet pipes (6). It is an object of the invention to provide a drainage system (1) and a method, which leads to an efficient and agile installation to work in, when doing repairs, maintains or replacement of parts in a drainage system. The present invention addresses this by providing a drainage system (1) comprising: - a reservoir (2), having an inlet opening and at least one outlet opening (11), - a flap gate (4) arranged on the inner side of the reservoir (2) capable of covering the inlet opening, when the flap gate (4) is arranged in a closed position, and when the flap gate is in an open position, water is capable of running into the reservoir, - at least one gate valve arranged relative to said at least one outlet opening (11), such that said at least one gate valve is capable of covering said at least one outlet opening, when the gate valve is arranged in a closed position, and when the gate valve is in an open position, water is capable of running out of the reservoir through the at least one outlet opening, - at least one outlet pipe (6) having a first end opening and a second end opening, wherein the first end opening is arranged in fluid connection to the at least one outlet opening (11) in the reservoir (2), - a flush gate (7) arranged relative to said at least one outlet pipe's (6) second end opening where the flush gate (7) is capable of covering said second end opening, when the flush gate is arranged in a closed position, and when the flush gate is in an open position, water is capable of running out of the at least one outlet pipe 's second end opening.