Greening Roof Module With Segmented Water Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for greening inclined roof surfaces face challenges in even irrigation of the vegetation layer and controlled water management, especially during heavy rain events.
Innovation Solution
The module features a plant box with multiple chambers to collect and distribute water evenly, along with design elements such as a lower dust wall, trimmers on the upper front wall, and a lip on the lower front wall to manage water flow and prevent overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional add-on planting systems are used on pitched roofs, then the vegetation support layer can be filled before installation, but water is only trapped in the lowest part of the planter resulting in uneven irrigation
Solution Approach 1:
The planter is divided into multiple chambers by retaining walls, creating separate water collection zones. This segmentation allows water to be distributed more evenly across different areas of the vegetation support layer, preventing the concentration of water only in the lowest part of the planter.
2Reliability
If water is retained in the planter for irrigation, then vegetation can be watered during drought periods, but uncontrolled overflow may occur during heavy rainfall
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining walls are designed with a specific height that is lower than the longitudinal walls, creating a preliminary barrier that prevents uncontrolled overflow. This design anticipates heavy rainfall events and provides a controlled mechanism to limit water retention capacity, preventing water from overflowing uncontrolled while still providing sufficient irrigation during drought periods.
3Quantity of substance
If the retaining walls are made as high as the longitudinal walls to maximize water retention, then more water can be stored, but water build-up leads to uncontrolled overflow at the longitudinal walls
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining walls are given a different height than the longitudinal walls, creating local variation in the structure. The retaining walls are lower to allow controlled overflow and prevent water build-up, while the longitudinal walls remain higher to contain the overall water volume. This local quality differentiation enables both water retention and controlled drainage.
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 ensures more uniform irrigation of the vegetation layer, retains water for drought phases, and allows for controlled water release during heavy rain, reducing the burden on the sewage system and preventing water ingress into adjacent modules.
Implementation Method 1
Green plants are known to be able to convert atmospheric CO2 into oxygen and energy (glucose) through photosynthesis (oxygenic photosynthesis - formation of O2)
Implementation Method 2
The retaining walls create several chambers in the planter box in which water can collect
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a module for greening inclined roof surfaces, consisting of a planting box (3) which accommodates a vegetation layer and which has a base (4), two longitudinal walls (5), an upper end wall (6) and a lower end wall (7), characterized in that at least one dam wall (8) is arranged between the upper end wall (6) and the lower end wall (7), which extends between the longitudinal walls (5).