Pipe Lead-Through Structure With Shared Floor Waterproofing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lead-through elements for pipes in building structures are challenging to install, require precise alignment, and often compromise on space due to individual water barrier membrane requirements, making it difficult to maintain accessibility and waterproofing during renovations.

Innovation Solution

A lead-through element with a continuous water barrier membrane connection for multiple pipes, allowing for reduced space requirements and easier installation by forming a single effective water barrier membrane between spaces, enabling the alignment of pipes and secure wet sealing, and facilitating the use of prefabricated plumbing arrangement elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If individual water barrier membranes are used for each pipe, then waterproofing is achieved, but space requirements increase and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovewaterproofingVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual water barrier membranes into a single common water barrier membrane that serves multiple pipes simultaneously. This common membrane is integrated into the lead-through element structure, allowing multiple pipes to pass through while maintaining waterproofing with reduced space requirements compared to individual membranes for each pipe.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common water barrier membrane serves a universal function for multiple pipes, acting as a shared waterproofing solution rather than requiring separate membranes for each pipe. This multi-functional approach reduces the overall space needed for waterproofing while maintaining reliability across all pipe connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If precise alignment of vertical pipe lines is required, then waterproofing reliability is improved, but installation time increases and installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewet sealingVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lead-through element is pre-configured with integrated water barrier membranes and alignment features during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation ensures that when installed on-site, the element automatically provides proper alignment and wet sealing without requiring time-consuming precision work during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lead-through element acts as an intermediary component that bridges the floor/ceiling structure and the pipes. It incorporates built-in alignment features and sealing mechanisms that facilitate easy connection while ensuring reliable wet sealing, eliminating the need for complex on-site alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If tight tolerances are maintained for dimensional variation, then installation success is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation successVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lead-through element is designed as a modular, segmented structure that can be manufactured in standardized sections. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing with standard tolerances while maintaining installation success, as the modular design accommodates dimensional variations without requiring tight overall tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3220032B1Lead-through element
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 UPONOR INNOVATION AB
  • EP3220032B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3220032B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3220032B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

A lead-through element (1) for leading pipes (70) through a floor structure (180) is disclosed. The lead-through element (1) comprises a first part (10) with first openings (11, 12, 13), a second part (20) with second openings (21, 22, 23) and intermediate casings (31, 32, 33) that extend from the first openings (11, 12, 13) to the second openings (21, 22, 23) to form lead-through channels (310, 320, 330) between the first part (10) and the second part (20). At least one pipe (70) may be led through each lead-through channel (310, 320, 330) from a first space (801) to a second space (802). Also a system and method for leading pipes (70) through floor structures (180) are disclosed.