Gutter Deflector Grid Curved Strands Water Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gutter protection devices impair water outflow and allow small impurities to accumulate, obstructing free water flow.

Innovation Solution

The transverse strands of the tubular deflection grid are designed to be partially supported in the gutter trough, with outwardly curved sections that create channels for unimpeded water drainage and prevent accumulation of small particles, ensuring unhindered water flow and removal of impurities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transverse strands are closely spaced and fully supported in the gutter trough to prevent impurity passage, then the filtration effect is improved, but the water outflow is impaired and small impurities accumulate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectVSAvoidwater outflow
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse strands are curved outwardly to form arches, creating a wave-like pattern that spaces the strands from the gutter trough interior. This curvature allows water to flow freely underneath while still blocking larger impurities, resolving the contradiction between filtration and water outflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse strands are bent outwardly from the plane of the gutter trough, creating channels in the longitudinal direction underneath the strands. This dimensional change allows water to pass through the grid structure while maintaining impurity blocking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the transverse strands are spaced apart to allow free water drainage, then the water outflow is improved, but small impurities can accumulate in the gutter trough

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainageVSAvoidimpurity accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outwardly curved transverse strands create channels underneath that allow water and small impurities to flow through freely, preventing accumulation while maintaining drainage efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the transverse strands are fully supported in the gutter trough to provide structural stability, then the device stability is improved, but water flow and impurity removal are obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice stabilityVSAvoidwater flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse strands are curved outwardly at their midsections while remaining connected to longitudinal strands at endpoints, providing structural stability through the grid connections while creating flow channels underneath the curved portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse strands are divided into supported endpoint regions and unsupported curved midsections, allowing different parts of the same element to serve different functions: structural support and water flow facilitation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3241956B1Device for protection of in particular gutters against impurities
Publication Date: 2018.08.29 NORDDEUTSCHE SEEKABELWERKE AG
  • EP3241956B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3241956B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Gutters (11) are protected against debris such as leaves by means of grid tubes or tubular deflector grilles (12). It has been observed that the transverse strands (21) of the tubular deflector grille (12) resting in the gutter trough (13) obstruct the flow of water from the gutter (11), and that small solid particles can accumulate between the transverse strands (21) of the gutter (11). Over time, this leads to overflow and blockage of the gutter (11). The invention provides for the longitudinal strands (20) and/or the transverse strands of the tubular deflector grille (12) to be designed such that the transverse strands (21) are not supported in the gutter trough (13) or are only partially supported. This allows water to flow freely through the gutter trough (13) and also flush out fine solid particles from the gutter (11) that enter the gutter trough (13).