Rain Head Segmented Body and Screen for Debris Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Rain heads in water harvesting systems often become blocked by debris, leading to water loss and maintenance challenges, as leaves and debris accumulate and block the flow of rainwater, causing splashing and inefficiency in water collection.
Innovation Solution
A rain head design featuring a lower body with a passage for rainwater flow and an upper body with a screen and hood structure, where the screen has a mesh with apertures to filter debris and a frame with a trough or recess for secure mounting, and the hood can be easily removed for cleaning and maintenance, directing splashing water back into the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If rain head is mounted with gap between downpipe and rain head to facilitate cleaning, then ease of maintenance is improved, but water loss due to splashing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rain head is divided into two separate bodies: an upper body that fits over the downpipe and a lower body that contains the screen and collection chamber. This segmentation allows the upper body to be easily removed for maintenance while the lower body remains in place, resolving the contradiction between ease of maintenance and water loss prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
A hood structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the upper body and the environment. The hood directs splashing water back toward the passage, preventing water loss while allowing the upper body to be easily removed for cleaning, thus resolving the contradiction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If screen aperture size is reduced to prevent mosquito ingress, then protection against insects is improved, but clogging by debris increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screening function is segmented into two levels: a fine mesh screen in the lower body for mosquito prevention and a coarse screen in the upper body for debris filtration. This segmentation allows each screen to be optimized for its specific function, preventing both mosquito ingress and debris clogging of the passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper screen performs preliminary filtration of debris before water reaches the lower body and passage. This preliminary action prevents large debris from reaching and blocking the passage, while the finer lower screen prevents mosquito ingress, resolving the contradiction between insect prevention and clogging resistance.
3Ease of repair
If rain head components are made removable for easy cleaning, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rain head is segmented into modular components (upper body, lower body, hood) that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Each component serves a specific function and can be removed independently for cleaning, providing ease of maintenance without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper body is designed to fit over the downpipe in a nested arrangement, and the hood fits over the upper body. This nesting structure allows for simple assembly by sliding components together and easy disassembly by pulling them apart, resolving the contradiction between ease of cleaning and device complexity.
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 design minimizes water loss by directing splashing water back into the system, facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance, and prevents mosquito ingress, ensuring efficient rainwater collection and reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The screen collects large debris and leaves from the water and prevents the large debris and leaves from further passage through the water collection system
Implementation Method 2
at least some water splashing in the rain head contacts the downwardly extending sidewall(s) of the upper body and the water is directed towards the passage in the lower body of the rain head
Data Source
AI summary
A rain head comprising a lower body, a screen and an upper body. The screen includes a frame having a trough or recess. Lower parts of the sidewalls of the upper body 14 can fit into the trough or recess to enable the upper body to be removably mounted to the rain head. The screen also includes a peripheral flange and a downwardly extending lip that enable the screen to be removably mounted to the upper part of the lower body. At least some water splashing off the screen during a rain event comes into contact with the upper body and is re-directed to flow into the lower body and out through the outlet of the lower body to a rainwater collection tank. The screen and upper body may be provided separately to the lower body.