Rainproof Curtain Wall with Resilient Bumps for Moisture Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breathable house wraps lack a water draining structure, leading to moisture accumulation and increased risk of mold formation, which shortens the service life of buildings and compromises heat insulation efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A rainproof curtain wall system comprising an inner lining layer with resilient bumps and a surface layer, creating a drainage and ventilation space that allows condensed dew to flow down and air to circulate, preventing moisture accumulation and promoting dry surfaces, while the resilient bumps act as a rainscreen to enhance drainage and ventilation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a breathable house wrap is attached onto the outer surface of a building to prevent dew condensation, then moisture permeability is improved, but moisture accumulation occurs on the surface due to lack of drainage structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture permeabilityVSAvoidmoisture accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The house wrap is segmented into multiple functional layers: a breathable membrane layer for moisture permeability, a drainage layer with grooves for water channeling, and a ventilation space created by resilient bumps. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function effectively, preventing moisture accumulation while maintaining breathability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A drainage layer with grooves is introduced as an intermediary between the breathable membrane and the outer wall surface. This intermediate structure captures condensed moisture and channels it away through gravity, preventing direct contact between moisture and the breathable membrane surface, thus eliminating mold growth conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If resilient bumps are provided to create drainage and ventilation space, then drainage performance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage performanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Resilient bumps are integrated directly into the house wrap membrane as a flexible, thin-film structure rather than adding rigid external components. The bumps are made from the same or similar material as the membrane, allowing them to be manufactured as a single integrated piece, thus improving drainage performance without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage function is merged with the house wrap membrane itself by incorporating resilient bumps and drainage grooves into the same continuous layer. This integration eliminates the need for separate drainage components, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining effective drainage and ventilation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a drainage framework with support struts is used to channel moisture, then drainage capability is improved, but manufacturing cost and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The complex drainage framework with support struts is replaced by extracting only the essential drainage function and implementing it through simple grooves molded directly into the house wrap membrane. This extraction eliminates unnecessary structural elements while retaining the core moisture-channels function, significantly reducing manufacturing cost and simplifying installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The drainage system is implemented using the house wrap membrane itself, which is a relatively inexpensive, thin, flexible material that can be easily manufactured and installed. The integrated grooves and bumps provide effective drainage without requiring expensive, rigid structural components, making the solution cost-effective while maintaining durability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 effectively prevents moisture accumulation, prolongs building service life, maintains heat insulation efficiency, saves energy, and reduces the risk of mold formation while being cost-effective and easy to install.

Implementation Method 1

condensed dews can flow down to prevent moisture from being accumulated on the surface of the heat insulation layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

air can flow from bottom to top in the in the drainage and ventilation space to bring the moisture out of the drainage and ventilation space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

Due to the capillary action, the moisture or condensed dew cannot be removed from the surface of the breathable paper as soon as possible

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP3885125B1Rainproof curtain wall, fabrication method and application thereof
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 SUZHOU ZIAN METAL PROD
  • EP3885125B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3885125B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3885125B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present application discloses a rainproof curtain wall, a fabrication method and an application thereof. The rainproof curtain wall includes an inner lining layer, a plurality of resilient bumps arrayed on a side of the inner lining layer, and a surface layer provided on a side of the resilient bumps departing from the inner lining layer. The present application can provide good effects of drainage and ventilation, reduce the costs of materials and man power, save the cost of construction and prolong the service life of a building.