Flat Roof Window External Screen Drainage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof windows with sloping pitches of 0-15° face challenges in efficiently draining rainwater due to obstructed natural runoff, and there is a need for enhanced weather protection and ventilation solutions.
Innovation Solution
A roof window design featuring a main supporting frame, a sash frame with a glazing unit, and an external screen with a non-parallel pane that creates a natural incline for rainwater drainage, combined with a socket-spline lock connection and additional sealing elements for enhanced weatherproofing and ventilation, allowing for both fixed and openable configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the roof window is mounted in a flat roof with sloping pitch of 0-15°, then the window can be installed in flat or low-slope roofs, but rainwater drainage becomes obstructed and natural runoff is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external screen frame with a pane positioned at a non-parallel angle to the glazing unit, creating a three-dimensional drainage channel above the window. This angular configuration (incline of at least 2°) transforms the two-dimensional flat roof surface into a sloped drainage path, enabling rainwater to flow naturally along the inclined screen pane away from the window without requiring roof slope.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an external screen is added to improve weather protection and rainwater drainage, then drainage efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The external screen frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a weather protection barrier, creates a rainwater drainage channel through its inclined pane, provides structural support for mounting, and enables ventilation when configured with openable sections. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity while achieving comprehensive weather protection and drainage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the screen pane is positioned non-parallel to the glazing unit to create drainage incline, then rainwater runoff is enabled, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The external screen frame and pane are pre-assembled as an integrated unit with the drainage incline already built-in during manufacturing. This preliminary configuration ensures the precise angular relationship (at least 2° incline) is established before installation, eliminating the need for complex on-site adjustments and reducing the precision requirements during the installation phase while maintaining the necessary drainage slope.
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 solution effectively addresses rainwater drainage and provides improved weather protection and ventilation by ensuring rainwater runoff and allows for the installation of thicker glazing units and accessories like roller shutters, enhancing functionality and usability.
Implementation Method 1
an external screen enabling at least to drain rain water from the window onto the roofing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The subject of the design is the roof window comprising the main supporting frame 1 and/or the sash frame 2 with the glazing unit 7a, 7b, whereas the sash frame is embedded in the notch of the main supporting frame and each profile of the sash frame has an arm overlapping the outer surface of the main supporting frame, and the window is intended to be installed in the flat roof with a sloping pitch of 0-15°, and the window has the external screen 3 consisting of profiles forming a screen frame in which at least one pane 3c is mounted in a position non-parallel against the glazing unit 7a, 7b of the sash frame.