Modular Drainage Tile With Interference Fit Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage systems for basements fail to provide an effective flow path for water seeping between foundation walls and footings, leading to wet or damp floors, as they require overlapping tiles to span the length of the footing without gaps, which can be prone to blockages and pressure buildup.
Innovation Solution
A drainage device with a wall member and protrusions that allow for an interference fit with other devices, creating a continuous flow path along the footing and supporting the concrete floor without obstructing water flow, while allowing for easy inspection and installation before pouring concrete.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If overlapping drainage tiles are used to span the length of the footing, then the drainage device can be installed before pouring concrete, but gaps between tiles may cause blockages and pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is divided into multiple modular drainage devices, each comprising a wall member with protrusions. These segmented units can be individually installed on the footing before concrete pouring, maintaining the ease of installation while reducing gap issues through precise modular connection
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions on each wall member are designed to nest within corresponding recesses on adjacent drainage devices, creating an interference fit that connects the segmented units. This nesting mechanism eliminates gaps between tiles while allowing pre-installation on the footing, thus resolving both the ease of manufacture and reliability requirements
2Ease of operation
If drainage tiles are overlapped to cover the entire footing length, then water flow path is provided, but the overlapping configuration is prone to blockages
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having recesses on one tile and protrusions on the other, the invention inverts the traditional overlapping approach by having protrusions on each wall member that fit into corresponding recesses on adjacent units. This inverted connection method creates a more reliable, gap-free configuration that is less prone to blockages while still providing the necessary water flow path
3Area of stationary object
If multiple drainage tiles are used to span the footing length, then coverage is achieved, but gaps between tiles may obstruct water flow
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage devices are installed on the footing before the concrete is poured, allowing for preliminary positioning and connection of the modular units. This preliminary action ensures proper alignment and connection of the protrusions and recesses, eliminating gaps that would obstruct water flow while achieving complete footing coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The nested connection of protrusions within recesses of adjacent drainage devices creates a continuous, gap-free surface that spans the entire footing length. This nesting mechanism ensures both complete coverage and unobstructed water flow continuity by eliminating spaces between the modular units
Data Source
AI summary
A drainage tile used on a footing of a foundation to promote drainage of water along the footing and away from a foundation wall. The drainage tile comes in lengths that are less than the length of the footing. The drainage tile can be secured together with other drainage tiles to span the length of the footing.