Keder Sheet Device Channels for Roof Leakage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Keder roof systems are prone to rainwater leakage, which can cause issues due to the need to maintain the interior dryness for various applications, and existing solutions do not effectively prevent water from contacting the keder rails.

Innovation Solution

A keder sheet device with keder sheet forcing elements and attachment mechanisms that form channels to direct rainwater away from the keder rails, ensuring the system remains non-leaking without altering the existing construction, and can be attached at any suitable position to optimize drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional keder roof systems are used, then the system provides temporary weather protection, but rainwater leaks inside the system by contacting the keder rails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproofing performanceVSAvoidrainwater leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A drainage system comprising drainage members is introduced as an intermediary between the keder sheet and the keder rails. This drainage system intercepts rainwater before it can reach the keder rails, preventing leakage while maintaining the traditional keder roof structure. The drainage members act as a mediating layer that manages water flow away from critical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage system is divided into multiple discrete drainage members that can be individually positioned and attached to the keder rails. These segmented drainage elements work collectively to channel water away, providing effective waterproofing through distributed water management rather than a single continuous barrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the entire construction, proportions and structure of the keder roof system are changed to prevent leakage, then waterproofing may improve, but the system complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewaterproofing performanceVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage system consists of multiple individual drainage members that can be independently manufactured and attached to existing keder rails. This segmented approach allows the waterproofing function to be added without redesigning the entire keder roof structure, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage members serve as intermediary components that bridge the existing keder sheet and rail structure without requiring fundamental changes to either. This intermediary approach enables waterproofing enhancement while preserving the original system's simple construction and proportions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If drainage components are added to prevent water contact with keder rails, then leakage prevention improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverainwater contact preventionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage members are positioned specifically at locations where water would naturally flow toward the keder rails. Rather than adding complexity throughout the entire system, the drainage components are strategically placed only where needed to intercept water flow, providing effective protection with minimal additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage members are simple intermediary elements that can be attached to existing keder rails without requiring complex integration with other system components. Each drainage member independently performs the water interception function, allowing the system to achieve leakage prevention through multiple simple, identical components rather than a single complex assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 keder sheet device effectively prevents rainwater from contacting the keder rails, ensuring the keder roof system remains dry and non-leaking, with the ability to be adapted to various sizes and applications, providing a durable and economical solution.

Implementation Method 1

draining rainwater by leading the water away from the keder sheet in the formed channel when the keder sheet is collecting rain water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4488478A1Keder roof system and keder sheet device
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 SCAFFCO HLDG AS
  • EP4488478A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4488478A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4488478A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a keder roof system (10) comprising: at least two opposing keder rails (20), a keder sheet (40), at least two keder sheet devices (100), wherein the keder sheet system can take at least two positions: an unforced position (UP), wherein the keder sheet is hanging unforced from the keder rails, such as hanging freely downwards due to gravity, and a forced position (FP), wherein the keder sheet is affected by being forced upwards, such as by the wind, wherein said at least two keder sheet devices are forcing the keder sheet to form at least two channels (600). The present invention further relates to a keder sheet device (100) configured for being attached to a keder roof system (10). Furthermore, the present invention further relates to a method for draining a keder roof system (10).