One-Piece Permeable Paver with Interlocking Cells for Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a one-piece water permeable paver that allows traffic and parking surfaces to be formed with grass growth or aggregate, enabling water permeation, while also being made from recycled plastics and providing effective drainage to prevent flash flooding and environmental damage.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece water permeable paver made from recycled plastics, designed to interlock and fill with aggregate or soil, which manages water flow, stabilizes soil, and can be used for various traffic surfaces, including roadways and sidewalks, incorporating features like inner flanges for load support and locking tabs for assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional solid paving surfaces are used, then structural strength and traffic support are improved, but water drainage capability deteriorates causing flash flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The paver is divided into multiple cells that create a modular structure with integrated drainage channels. This segmentation allows water to flow through designated pathways while the cell structures provide structural support, resolving the contradiction between strength and drainage capability
Solution Approach 2:
The paver incorporates porous aggregate material and designed void spaces within its structure. These porous elements enable water permeation through the paving surface while the overall structure maintains sufficient strength for traffic support
2Adaptability or versatility
If recycled plastics are used to manufacture the paver, then environmental sustainability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The paver combines recycled plastic materials with aggregate components to create a composite structure. This allows the use of sustainable recycled materials while maintaining manufacturability through established composite manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing process merges multiple functions into a single integrated paver unit: structural support, water drainage, and environmental sustainability through recycled materials. This consolidation simplifies the overall manufacturing approach despite the complexity of using recycled inputs
3Ease of operation
If the paver is designed as a one-piece molded unit, then assembly simplicity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
While the paver appears as a one-piece unit, it incorporates segmented internal features such as separate drainage channels and cell structures molded within the single unit. This allows complex drainage functionality to be integrated without requiring post-assembly operations
Solution Approach 2:
The one-piece molded design integrates multiple functions into a single manufacturing process: structural formation, drainage channel creation, and surface pattern generation. This multi-functionality simplifies assembly while requiring precise molding to achieve all features in one 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
The paver effectively prevents flash flooding, reduces environmental damage, improves soil stability, and provides safe and accessible pathways, while utilizing recycled materials to reduce landfill waste and promote natural drainage.
Implementation Method 1
enables grass to grow through the surface or contains aggregate, such as gravel, which allows water to permeate through the traffic and parking surface
Data Source
AI summary
A one piece water permeable paver for forming a surface suitable for traffic having outer flex joint connection cells connected to connectors, outer three connection cells connected to one of the outer flex joint connection cells, outer two connection cells connected to two outer three connection cells, a plurality of inner single flex joint connection cells connected to one of the connectors, and an inner dual flex joint connection cell engaging two connectors, inner four connection cells connected to a pair of outer three connection cells and a pair of inner single flex joint connection cells. Fastening slots are formed partially through outer surfaces of cells that form two sides of the paver. Locking tabs extend from outer surfaces of cells forming two sides of the paver opposite the sides with the locking tabs, enabling a first paver to securely interlock to an adjacent paver.