Drainage Tile Blocker for Foundation Gap Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drainage systems for basements allow water to seep under foundation walls, leading to wet or damp floors and provide pathways for subterranean gases and insects to enter the building, as they do not effectively prevent water from flowing between the foundation wall and the basement floor.

Innovation Solution

A drainage tile system with a wall member and footing section that creates a gap between the foundation wall and the floor, combined with a blocker that attaches to the tile to close this gap, allowing water to flow while preventing gas and insect entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If drainage tile is applied to the foundation wall adjacent the footing to facilitate entry of water into the flow paths, then water drainage is improved, but subterranean gases and insects can enter the interior of the building through the same path

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater drainage effectivenessVSAvoidsubterranean gases and insects entry

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage system is segmented into two distinct functional components: the drainage tile for water flow and the blocker for gas/insect prevention. The blocker is a separate element that attaches to the drainage tile, dividing the single opening into two specialized functions - water can pass through the tile while gases and insects are blocked by the blocker's screening structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocker acts as an intermediary element between the drainage tile and the interior space. It intercepts subterranean gases and insects before they can enter the building through the drainage path, while still allowing water to reach the drainage tile. The blocker mediates the conflict between needing open drainage and preventing harmful entry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a flat wall member with feet extending downward is used to create flow paths for water, then water can be drained effectively, but the structure provides access for subterranean gases and insects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flow path creationVSAvoidaccess to subterranean gases and insects

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage structure is divided into the wall member with feet for water flow creation and a separate blocker component. The feet extend downward to create effective water channels along the footing, while the blocker attached to the wall member prevents gases and insects from using the same path

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the drainage system have specialized qualities: the feet are designed with open structures to facilitate water flow, while the blocker portion has screening or blocking characteristics to prevent gas and insect entry. Each component is optimized for its specific function while working together as a unified system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11808030B1Blocker for drainage tile

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 MCPHERSON KEVIN

AI summary

A drainage tile system includes a drainage tile and a blocker configured for mounting on the drainage tile. The drainage tile is configured to be used on a footing of a foundation to promote drainage of water along the footing and away from a foundation wall. The blocker is configured to attach to the wall member and to cover a gap between the wall member and the foundation wall.