Flat Roof Tile Adjustment Portion for Wind-Driven Infiltration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tile designs for low-sloped roofs face challenges in watertightness due to wind-induced rainwater infiltration and poor drainage, particularly at slopes less than 25%, where the wind's impact disrupts rainwater flow and increases the risk of infiltration between tiles.
Innovation Solution
A tile with a substantially flat structure featuring an adjustment portion inclined opposite to the roof slope, creating a divergent zone that collects and directs rainwater, and includes a support bar and sealing strips to enhance sealing and drainage, reducing capillary infiltration and facilitating assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tiles are laid at a shallow angle on low-slope roofs, then the roof can accommodate extreme slopes and flat surfaces, but rainwater runoff becomes slower and the risk of infiltration increases due to wind impact and capillary action between tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The tile is divided into distinct functional zones: a gauge portion for water reception, an adjustment portion with variable cross-section for flow control, and an upper interlocking portion for sealing. This segmentation allows each zone to address specific aspects of the watertightness problem independently, enabling reliable performance on low-slope roofs where previously tiles failed due to wind-driven infiltration.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment portion features a variable cross-section with different geometries at different locations: a first cross-section that receives water from the gauge, a second cross-section that directs flow, and a third cross-section that interfaces with the upper interlocking portion. This local variation in geometry allows the tile to control rainwater flow at different stages, preventing infiltration while maintaining adaptability to low slopes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional overlapping tile arrangements are used, then tiles can interlock to provide structural stability, but wind-driven rainwater seeps through the overlapping areas and tile joints causing leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment portion is designed to counteract wind-driven rainwater infiltration before it reaches the interlocking joints. By creating a controlled flow path with varying cross-sections, the tile preemptively addresses the harmful effect of wind-driven water, preventing it from penetrating into the overlapping areas and compromising the structural stability provided by the interlocking system.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment portion acts as an intermediary element between the gauge (water reception area) and the upper interlocking portion (sealing area). It mediates the rainwater flow by controlling its path and velocity, preventing direct contact between wind-driven water and the interlocking joints, thus protecting the structural stability while managing water flow.
3Ease of manufacture
If tiles have a conventional design without flow control features, then manufacturing is simpler, but rainwater drainage is poor and capillary infiltration occurs between tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment portion utilizes changes in geometric parameters, specifically the cross-sectional area, to control rainwater flow. The variable cross-section (with first, second, and third distinct cross-sections) creates different flow conditions at different locations, enhancing drainage efficiency without requiring complex mechanical components or manufacturing processes. This parameter-based control achieves improved productivity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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
The design improves watertightness and rainwater management by creating a larger reservoir for collected rainwater and enhancing the sealing between tiles, effectively reducing infiltration and ensuring efficient drainage even in high wind and rain conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The angle of the adjustment portion improves the watertightness of the upper overlap zone with an adjacent tile in the longitudinal direction. This is because the adjustment portion is inclined in the opposite direction to the slope, resulting in different inclinations between the upper and adjacent tiles in the longitudinal direction within the overlap zone.
Implementation Method 2
During strong gusts of wind, rainwater tends to seep into the overlapping areas of these types of tiles laid at a shallow pitch, particularly through capillary action between two tiles, thus causing leaks in the tile joints.
Implementation Method 3
The contact between the support bar and the adjustment portion of the adjacent tile in the longitudinal direction is made on the first adjustment portion. This creates a pressure drop for rainwater flowing under the support bar, which then enters the second adjustment section with a sudden increase in the cross-sectional area.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tile (1) having a substantially flat structure, comprising an inner surface (3) opposite a roof having a slope and an outer surface (2) opposite the inner surface (3), the outer surface (2) comprising: - a gauge (4), - an upper interlocking portion (5), the upper interlocking portion (5) being configured to be overlapped by an adjacent tile in the longitudinal direction, - an outer lateral interlocking portion (6), the outer lateral interlocking portion (6) being configured to be overlapped by an adjacent tile in a transverse direction of the roof, wherein the outer surface (2) has an adjustment portion (19) which is substantially planar and located between the upper interlocking portion (5) and the gauge (4), at least a part of the adjustment portion (19) being configured to be overlapped by the adjacent tile in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the adjustment portion (19) is inclined in a direction opposite to the slope of the roof with respect to the gauge (4).