Facade Joint Drainage Device Preventing Horizontal Water Spread
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connection methods between mullion and transom profiles in facade construction allow rainwater to penetrate into connection areas, leading to undesirable effects such as liquid ingress into glazing areas due to insufficient sealing, especially with material aging or deformations.
Innovation Solution
A drainage device with a sealing element that includes a vertical and horizontal section, where the sealing element is arranged at a 90-degree angle to prevent horizontal spread of liquid and forms a vertical drainage channel to direct liquid away from the connection area, ensuring effective drainage and improved tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing elements are used in the connection area, then the structure remains simple, but rainwater can penetrate into the connection area and spread horizontally along the transom profile into glazing areas
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage device is divided into distinct functional sections: a horizontal drainage section with sealing elements to prevent horizontal water spread, and a vertical drainage section to channel water downward. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function effectively while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage device acts as an intermediary element between the connection area and the glazing area. It provides a controlled path for water drainage while preventing uncontrolled horizontal spread, thus mediating between the need for simple construction and the requirement for liquid tightness.
2Reliability
If sealing elements are provided to prevent liquid penetration, then liquid tightness improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional drainage components
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage device combines sealing elements and drainage functionality into a single integrated component. The horizontal and vertical sections are merged into one structure that performs both sealing and water channeling functions, reducing the need for multiple separate parts and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the connection area against water penetration, provides a horizontal barrier to prevent water spread, and creates a vertical channel for water drainage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining sealing performance.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the drainage device prevents horizontal water spread, then glazing areas remain dry, but the drainage device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage device transitions water management from a two-dimensional horizontal sealing approach to a three-dimensional solution by adding a vertical drainage dimension. This allows water to be redirected downward instead of being contained horizontally, protecting glazing areas while using a relatively simple L-shaped configuration.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device (100) has a vertical section (120) and a horizontal section (110) arranged in installation condition. A region of the device turned toward inner surfaces (21, 22) of a latch profile (20) in the installation condition includes a seal element (150). One of the inner surfaces of the latch profile turned toward the region of the device includes an outer flange (111) that extends parallel to a base, and inner surfaces of the latch profile runs perpendicular to a post profile. An upper flange (112) runs parallel to the base. An independent claim is also included for a post-controller-profile arrangement for a facade.