Liquid drainage system for flat surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid drainage systems for flat surfaces, such as roofs and car parks, face challenges in maintaining efficient drainage while minimizing variations in roofing edge heights and reducing the risk of leaks.
Innovation Solution
A drainage system featuring rectangular plates with upper surfaces that have a continuously variable incline, shaped as a slice of the lateral surface of an elliptical cone, allowing for smooth variation in slope from the smallest at the longer axis to the largest at the shorter axis, thereby optimizing drainage without excessive height variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the path of falling water to the drain is made as short as possible using geometrically optimal surfaces, then drainage efficiency is improved, but the maximum heights of pitch elements at corners may exceed the assumed height of the attic surrounding the roof
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the drainage surface from a circular cone to an elongated cone with different slope angles for different directions. By adjusting the slope parameters (steeper in one direction, gentler in the other), the system achieves efficient drainage while controlling the maximum height of roofing elements to fit within attic constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies asymmetry by creating an elongated conical surface where the slope angles differ between the two principal directions. This asymmetric geometry allows the drainage path to be optimized independently in each direction, enabling short drainage paths while keeping edge heights within acceptable limits by directing steeper slopes toward the drain and gentler slopes toward the edges.
2Productivity
If flat surfaces at distant ends are joined to form corner baskets with central gutters, then drainage is achieved, but the joints of roofing materials are concentrated in these elements which significantly increases the risk of leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the angular corner baskets and central gutters with a continuous curved conical surface. This curvature eliminates the need for sharp corners and multiple joining elements, creating a smooth, continuous drainage surface that reduces the number of joints and potential leak points while maintaining effective water collection and channeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the separate corner basket and central gutter elements into a single integrated conical drainage surface. This consolidation eliminates the interfaces between separate components, removing the joints that would otherwise concentrate leak risk, while preserving the drainage function through the continuous sloped surface.
3Productivity
If conventional drainage systems are used to ensure effective drainage, then water drainage is improved, but large differences in roofing edge heights occur at bathhouse sidewalls, car park edge slabs, and attic roofing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the slope parameters of the drainage surface by using an elongated cone geometry with different slope angles in different directions. This parameter adjustment allows the drainage surface to achieve effective water flow while producing more uniform edge heights across the roofing, eliminating the large height variations caused by conventional circular conical designs.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 3a~5a
AI summary
The object of the invention is a liquid drainage system for flat surfaces, especially roofs, terraces, baths, car parks, designed to drain water or other liquids from the area of the surface, a system comprising at least one rectangular plate (1), the lower surface (4) of which is substantially flat and the upper surface (5) is non-flat, characterised in that at points (A1, A2, A3, ..., An; B1, B2, B3, ..., Bn; C1, C2, C3, ..., Cn) of the upper surface (5) at least at a part of the upper surface (5) the inclination of the upper surface (5) is smoothly variable.