Lintel Cover With Drain Ports For Moisture Egress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lintel covers are unable to effectively egress liquid that accumulates between the lintel and the cover, leading to unsightly oxidation and potential structural issues due to moisture accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A cover for lintels featuring a front surface-concealing portion, upper and lower surface-engaging members, and at least one drain port within the lower surface-concealing portion, which facilitates the egress of accumulated liquid while concealing the lintel's surfaces, ensuring a secure coupling with the lintel and effective liquid drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a lintel cover is installed to conceal the lintel and prevent oxidation, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but liquid accumulates between the lintel and cover causing oxidation and structural issues
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is segmented to include discrete drain ports that allow liquid to escape from the space between the lintel and cover, while the main body of the cover remains intact for aesthetic concealment
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful liquid accumulation is extracted from the sealed space between the lintel and cover through drain ports, removing the harmful factor while preserving the cover's aesthetic function
2Ease of manufacture
If the cover is designed to fully conceal the lintel surfaces, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but liquid egress is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The cover has different local qualities: most of the cover surface provides aesthetic concealment, while specific localized areas (drain ports) provide liquid drainage functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The drain ports act as intermediaries that connect the sealed concealment space to the external environment, allowing liquid to pass through without compromising the overall aesthetic concealment
3Reliability
If drain ports are added to the cover for liquid egress, then liquid drainage is improved, but the aesthetic appearance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The drain ports are designed with color matching or complementary colors to the cover, making them visually less prominent while maintaining their drainage function
Solution Approach 2:
The drain ports are designed to be visually subtle, potentially using porous or textured materials that blend with the cover's surface while allowing liquid passage
Data Source
AI summary
A lintel cover is disclosed. The cover comprises a front surface-concealing portion for concealing the front surface of the lintel, an upper surface engager defining an upper surface-engaging member for engaging the upper surface of the lintel, a lower surface engager defining a lower surface-engaging member for engaging the lower surface of the lintel, a lower surface-concealing portion that defines at least one drain port. Engagement of the upper surface engaging member and the lower surface engaging member to the lintel effect coupling of the cover to the lintel to obtain an assembled configuration. In the assembled configuration, the front surface-concealing portion is concealing at least a portion of the front surface, and the lower surface-concealing portion is concealing at least a portion of the lower surface, and the at least one drain port is operative for facilitating egress of liquid that has accumulated between the cover and the lintel.