Gravity-Driven Ball Mechanism for Downspout Cord Conveyance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downspout noise attenuation devices fail to easily insert a cord or similar flexible material through downspouts with multiple bends, limiting their effectiveness in eliminating dripping sounds in complex gutter and downspout assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism utilizing a heavy rolling object attached to a harness, which rolls down the downspout using gravity, dragging a cord or flexible material behind it, designed to accommodate bends and curves, with the ability to secure the cord at the top end to prevent sliding and allow for easy attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a cord or flexible material is forced through a bent downspout by exerting vertical downward force, then the cord can be inserted, but the material cannot readily bend a second time to proceed vertically downward
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spherical object (ball) as the conveyance mechanism. The spherical shape allows the object to naturally navigate bends and curves in the downspout by rolling along the interior surface, automatically adapting to the downspout's geometry without requiring forced insertion through multiple directional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cord as an intermediary element that connects the spherical object to the target location. The cord is pulled through the downspout by the rolling ball, which acts as a mediator to transport the cord through complex bends that would be difficult to insert directly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If materials with flexibility to snake through multiple bends are used, then the cord can navigate the downspout, but the materials are too pliable to be significantly pushed
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical object maintains structural rigidity while its curved geometry allows it to roll through bends. Unlike flexible cords that are too pliable to push, the rigid sphere can be effectively pushed by gravitational force while still navigating curves through its rolling motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the ineffective pushing mechanism with a gravitational rolling mechanism. Instead of trying to push flexible material through bends, a rigid spherical object is allowed to roll down the downspout under gravity, which naturally propels it through curves without requiring additional pushing force.
3Productivity
If a heavy rolling object is used to drag a cord through the downspout, then the cord can be conveyed through bends, but the object must be dimensioned to fit within standard downspout interior dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully selects the size parameters of the spherical object to optimize both its rolling effectiveness and its ability to fit within standard downspout dimensions. The ball is made large enough to provide sufficient weight for dragging the cord through bends, but small enough to pass through the interior of typical downspouts without obstruction.
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
Effectively conveys a cord through downspouts of multiple stories in height with bends, reducing dripping noise by utilizing gravity and the inclined nature of downspout segments, ensuring the cord remains in place and can be reused, providing a durable and efficient solution for noise attenuation.
Implementation Method 1
A mechanism utilizing a heavy rolling object attached to a harness, which rolls down the downspout using gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A downspout cord or the like conveyance device and method, comprised of a sufficiently heavy and at least partially rolling mass, preferably that rotates around an axle which is connected to a harness and to which a cord or the like may be attached and pulled down a bent downspout largely by the force of gravity.