Fascia Gutter Water Management for Insulated Panel Seals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Insulated panel coverings face issues with water accumulation and overflow due to deteriorating internal seals, leading to reduced lifespan, and the use of wrapping kits adds weight, cost, and potential failure points, while not providing adequate support.

Innovation Solution

Employing a fascia gutter that runs transverse to the joint, open to channels and ducts, allows water to flow into the gutter, reducing seal exposure and eliminating the need for wrapping kits, thus maintaining joint integrity and allowing column placement closer to the perimeter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If internal seals are applied to joints to prevent water leakage, then water tightness is improved, but the seals deteriorate faster due to water accumulation and exposure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater tightnessVSAvoidseal lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the water accumulation problem from the joint system by introducing a drainage channel that leads water away from the seal area. The channel allows water to be removed from the joint cavity, preventing it from accumulating and deteriorating the internal seals, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining water tightness and extending seal lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage channel acts as an intermediary element between the joint and the exterior. It provides a controlled path for water to escape the joint cavity without compromising the seal's water tightness function, while simultaneously removing water that would otherwise accumulate and damage the seal over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Shape

If wrapping kits are used to cover gutters, then appearance is improved, but weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidcovering weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The fascia board is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the aesthetic covering for the gutter, acts as a structural support element, and integrates with the drainage system. By making the fascia board multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate wrapping kits, thereby reducing weight and cost while maintaining appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Shape

If wrapping kits are added to cover gutters, then appearance is improved, but the number of potential failure points increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of the gutter covering and the fascia board into a single integrated component. The fascia board serves as both the aesthetic covering and a structural element, eliminating the need for separate wrapping kits and reducing the number of potential failure points while maintaining appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Stability of the object's composition

If columns are placed away from the perimeter to provide support, then structural stability is improved, but usable space decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidusable space

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fascia board is designed with pre-integrated drainage channels and attachment mechanisms that allow it to be installed at the perimeter and immediately provide both aesthetic and structural functions. This preliminary design allows columns to be positioned closer to the perimeter without compromising stability, as the fascia board itself provides the necessary support and drainage functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution extends the lifespan of the covering by reducing seal exposure to water, preventing overflow, and enabling column placement closer to the perimeter without the need for wrapping kits, thereby maintaining structural integrity and optimizing space usage.

Implementation Method 1

water to flow into the gutter, reducing seal exposure and eliminating the need for wrapping kits

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10190317B2Fascia gutter system and coverings using the same

Publication Date: 2019.01.29 ADAMS MIKE

AI summary

A covering employing a fascia gutter is disclosed. The fascia gutter includes a front member, bottom member, a rear member, a ledge, a guiding groove, a protrusion and a receiving space. The bottom member connects the front member to the rear member. The receiving space is defined by the front member, the bottom member, and the rear member. The ledge is connected to the rear member. An opening is defined by the ledge and the protrusion.