Modular Water Barrier Units for Rapid, Angled Flood Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flood protection systems are not quick and easy to set up and cannot be spatially adapted to the shape of the object to be protected, making them inefficient in containing and diverting water during flooding events.

Innovation Solution

A water barrier device comprising modular barrier units with a wall element and a flat floor element connected at an angle, featuring a connecting round rod with an internal cavity and a connecting pin, allowing units to be angled relative to each other, thus enabling flexible and rapid deployment without the need for additional fastening means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If permanently installed protection systems are used, then protection reliability is improved, but setup time and adaptability are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidspatial adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The protection system is divided into multiple individual barrier units that can be independently positioned and connected. Each barrier unit consists of a wall element and a floor element that can be separately placed on the ground, allowing the system to be adapted to various spatial configurations while maintaining protection reliability through the interconnected barrier structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier units are designed to be movable and repositionable rather than permanently fixed. The connecting elements allow barriers to be assembled, disassembled, and reconfigured quickly, providing dynamic adaptability to different flood scenarios and protected areas while maintaining reliable protection when deployed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If mobile protection systems are used, then adaptability is improved, but setup time and ease of installation are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial adaptabilityVSAvoidease of setup
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system consists of modular barrier units with standardized connecting elements that simplify assembly. Each unit can be independently handled and connected to adjacent units through simple insertion of connecting pins into receiving holes, making the system easy to set up while maintaining spatial adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier units are designed to be self-aligning and self-securing through their connecting elements. The connecting pins automatically align with receiving holes in adjacent barriers, and the weighted floor elements provide automatic stabilization, reducing the need for complex installation procedures or additional fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If additional fastening means are used, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and setup time are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting elements combine multiple functions into a single integrated component. The connecting pins serve both as mechanical connectors and as alignment guides, while the receiving holes provide both positioning and structural connection. This merging of functions achieves reliable connections without requiring separate fastening devices, brackets, or anchoring systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting elements are designed to be self-securing through the interaction between pins and receiving holes. The weighted floor elements provide automatic downward force that secures the connection without additional fasteners. This self-service mechanism achieves reliable connections while minimizing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate fastening means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 device can be quickly and spatially adapted to contain and divert water during flooding events, providing efficient protection against various flooding scenarios without slipping or being washed away, while maintaining a watertight seal at any angle.

Implementation Method 1

The connecting rod has a hollow space at least partially located inside, and has a connecting pin at an opposite end of the wall width, wherein the connecting pin is arranged such that the connecting rod of the first barrier unit with the internal cavity can be plugged onto the connecting pin of the second barrier unit, so that the two connected barrier units can be angled relative to each other by means of the connecting pin as a rotation axis.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4632152A1Water barrier device for stopping and/or draining water
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 MOBILDEICH GMBH
  • EP4632152A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4632152A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4632152A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a water barrier device for keeping out and/or draining water, wherein the water barrier device has at least a first barrier unit and a second barrier unit, wherein the respective barrier unit has a wall element with a wall width, a wall height and a wall depth and a flat floor element for setting up on a floor, and the flat floor element is connected at an angle to the wall element along the wall width and has a side exposed relative to the wall element, wherein the respective barrier unit has a connecting round rod at one end of the wall width aligned in its longitudinal dimension in a direction of the wall height, wherein the connecting round rod has a hollow space at least partially located inside, and has a connecting pin at an opposite end of the wall width, wherein the connecting pin is arranged such thatthat the connecting rod of the first barrier unit with the internal cavity can be plugged onto the connecting pin of the second barrier unit, so that the two connected barrier units can be angled relative to each other by means of the connecting pin as a rotation axis.