Light Shaft Drain Cover with Segmented Sieve and Sealing Rib
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light shaft designs lack reliable sealing and easy assembly, allowing contaminants like sand to enter the drain pipe and complicating the connection of drainage lines, which can impair functionality and make installation difficult.
Innovation Solution
A light shaft design featuring a cover with a radially inwardly projecting rib for secure sealing and easy rotation, combined with a two-stage sieve arrangement to retain leaves and sand, and a siphon arrangement with an automatic odor barrier, facilitating easy assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple cover design is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but sealing reliability deteriorates allowing contaminants to enter
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented into functional zones: a radially inwardly projecting rib creates a sealing surface, while a two-stage sieve arrangement (coarse sieve for leaves, fine sieve for sand) filters contaminants. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function independently, achieving reliable sealing and filtration without complex overall design
Solution Approach 2:
The radially inwardly projecting rib acts as an intermediary sealing element between the cover and drain pipe. This rib structure provides a positive sealing surface that prevents contaminants from entering the drain pipe, while maintaining a simple cover design that is easy to manufacture
2Reliability
If a complex connection module is used, then drainage line connection reliability is improved, but assembly complexity increases making blind assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connection function is extracted from a separate complex connection module and integrated directly into the drain pipe structure. The drainage line connects directly to the drain pipe with the radially inwardly projecting lip forming a stop, eliminating the need for intermediate connection modules and simplifying blind assembly while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of inserting the connection module into the drain pipe from below as in conventional designs, the drainage line is inserted directly into the drain pipe from below. The radially inwardly projecting lip provides a stop that specifies the desired engagement length, inverting the conventional approach and simplifying assembly
3Reliability
If the cover is securely sealed, then contaminant retention is improved, but ease of removal for cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover transitions from a fixed sealed state to a removable state for cleaning. The bayonet catch mechanism allows the cover to be securely locked during operation to retain contaminants, while enabling easy removal by rotational movement for maintenance of the sieve arrangement
4Reliability
If a bayonet catch mechanism is used, then cover security is improved, but manipulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet catch mechanism utilizes rotational movement along a curved path to engage and disengage the cover. This curved engagement path provides secure locking while allowing simple rotational manipulation for removal, balancing security with ease of operation
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
Ensures long-lasting functional reliability by preventing contaminants from entering the drain pipe and simplifying the connection of drainage lines, while maintaining easy access for cleaning and reducing odor issues.
Implementation Method 1
a two-stage sieve arrangement to retain leaves and sand
Implementation Method 2
a siphon arrangement with an automatic odor barrier
Implementation Method 3
reliable sealing by means of the seal provided above the rib
Data Source
AI summary
In a drainage system for a shaft open at the top and closed at the bottom by a base (1), in particular a light well that can be attached to a building, with a drainage channel (4) provided at the bottom, reliable drainage of the shaft can be achieved by providing a drain pipe (3) containing the drainage channel (4), which can be installed in the base (1) of the shaft, which has at its upper, inlet-side end a seat arrangement (11) for a detachably attached cover (10) provided with a sieve arrangement (14, 15), and which is provided on its inside with a radially inwardly projecting stop (7) for a drainage pipe (6) that can be inserted from below, and on its outside with a radially outwardly projecting, circumferential creepage water barrier (9).