Draining Sill With Auxiliary Channels For Wheeled Traffic
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing window and door sill designs face challenges in effectively managing water while maintaining a low profile to accommodate wheeled traffic, such as wheelchairs and carts, without compromising the integrity of the water management system.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a primary drain channel and one or more auxiliary channels that collect and direct water into the primary drain channel, which includes drain openings to remove water, enhancing fluid control and water management in areas with increased water flow, such as corners and intersections of window or door panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional sill design is used to manage water effectively, then water management capability is improved, but the profile height increases blocking wheeled traffic passage
Solution Approach 1:
The sill is divided into multiple functional segments: a low-profile outer sill structure and an integrated drainage system with channels and openings. This segmentation allows the drainage function to be distributed throughout the sill structure rather than requiring a single high barrier, enabling effective water management while maintaining a low overall profile that accommodates wheeled traffic
Solution Approach 2:
The sill structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a structural base for the window or door assembly, manages water drainage through integrated channels and openings, and maintains a low profile for accessibility. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate high barriers and drainage systems, achieving both water management and low-profile requirements
2Ease of operation
If the sill profile is reduced to allow wheeled traffic passage, then accessibility is improved, but water management capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system utilizes hydraulic principles with gravity-driven water flow through channels and openings in the sill. The channel configuration and opening placement are designed to capture and redirect water flow effectively, providing reliable water management through passive hydraulic action without requiring mechanical pumps or complex active systems
3Reliability
If auxiliary channels are added to capture water in high-flow areas, then water capture capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple auxiliary drainage channels are merged into a single integrated drainage system that converges at a common outlet or connects to the main drainage path. This merging approach allows water capture from multiple locations including high-flow areas while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, avoiding the complexity of completely separate drainage systems for each channel
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
This configuration simplifies water management by effectively capturing and draining water, even in high-flow situations, while maintaining a low profile to allow for easy passage of wheeled traffic.
Implementation Method 1
water captured by the one or more auxiliary channels in one or more embodiments of the draining sills may be drained into a primary drain channel which, itself, includes one or more drain openings formed through the sill to remove water captured in the auxiliary and primary drain channels
Data Source
AI summary
Draining sills, frame assemblies incorporating the draining sills, and methods of using the same are described herein. The draining sills include a primary drain channel and one or more shorter auxiliary channels to capture and control water passing over the sill. The auxiliary channels provide additional fluid control capability to the draining sills which may be useful in locations where the flow rate of water passing over the sill may be increased.