Modular Inflatable Flood Wall Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flood protection methods, such as sandbags, are labor-intensive, prone to seepage, and not entirely watertight, failing to effectively manage increased flood frequencies and magnitudes due to climate change.
Innovation Solution
A flood protection system utilizing inflatable sealing elements to ensure watertight connections between components, allowing for easy assembly and extension of both length and height, with shape-complementary connecting means and a sealing mechanism that prevents seepage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sandbags are used for flood protection, then flood protection can be provided, but the work is very labor-intensive and the connection areas are not tight causing seepage
Solution Approach 1:
The flood protection wall is divided into multiple individual components (U-shaped components) that can be independently handled and assembled. Each component has integrated connection parts that interface with adjacent components, allowing the wall to be constructed in modular sections rather than as a single large structure. This segmentation reduces labor intensity by making assembly more manageable while maintaining overall watertightness through the integrated design of connection areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection parts serve as intermediary elements between adjacent wall components. These connection parts include sealing elements that mediate the interface between components, ensuring tight connections without requiring excessive labor for manual sealing. The intermediary connection parts automatically provide sealing functionality when components are assembled together.
2Reliability
If conventional sandbags are used, then flood protection can be established, but seepage water forms behind the protective wall requiring additional removal work
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the connection parts themselves rather than being a separate element. The connection parts integrate sealing elements that automatically seal the interfaces between wall components when assembled. This merging eliminates the need for separate sealing operations or additional materials, preventing seepage while keeping the system simple and self-contained.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection parts are designed to automatically seal interfaces between components through their own structure and materials. When wall components are assembled together, the connection parts self-seal the interfaces without requiring external sealing materials or additional sealing operations. The system serves itself by incorporating self-sealing capabilities in the connection elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flood protection wall needs to be extended in length or height, then better coverage is achieved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wall is designed as a modular system of identical or similar U-shaped components that can be easily replicated and assembled in sequence. Each component has standardized connection parts that interface with adjacent components, allowing the wall to be extended in length by simply adding more identical modules. The segmented design with standardized interfaces keeps assembly complexity low even as the wall extends.
Solution Approach 2:
The U-shaped components are designed to be universal building blocks that can serve multiple positions and functions in the wall structure. Each component has connection parts on multiple sides, allowing them to be assembled in various configurations and easily extended in different directions. This universality simplifies assembly by using the same component design throughout, reducing the need for specialized parts when extending the wall.
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 system provides efficient, labor-saving, and completely watertight flood protection, effectively preventing seepage and allowing for flexible and secure deployment in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing element is provided with which a gap occurring between the assembled components or the connection area occurring between two components can be sealed at least in regions, the sealing element being an inflatable hose
Data Source
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AI summary
The system has transportable components (17, 18) emptyable and fillable with a fluid i.e. water, and joined to each other for forming a flood protection wall with lateral ends. The transportable components are held together in a joined position by connecting units (22, 23). A sealing element (19) seals a gap and/or a connecting area (16) developed between the two joined transportable components in area-wise. The connecting units are formed with a complementary shape.