Rainwater Gutter Fluidtight Sleeve Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rainwater gutters suffer from leakage between connected channels due to the lack of sealing, leading to water infiltration and damage beneath the gutter system.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates U-shaped channels with sloping internal walls and fluidtight connections using sleeves and annular seals, along with metal reinforcing brackets and bolts, to ensure watertight connections between adjacent channels, preventing water infiltration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If adjacent channels are connected using bolts fitted through end faces, then the connection is simple and easy to assemble, but rainwater can seep between the end faces causing damage to the construction beneath the gutter
Solution Approach 1:
A sleeve is introduced as an intermediary component between the adjacent channels. The sleeve comprises an inner sleeve fitted inside the outer channel and an outer sleeve fitted over the inner channel, creating a intermediary sealing structure that prevents water leakage while maintaining the simplicity of bolted connection. The sleeve acts as a mediator that combines both channels and provides the necessary sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible sealing element (gasket) is incorporated within the sleeve structure. This gasket can be made of rubber, plastic, or other flexible materials that can deform to create a watertight seal between the inner and outer channels. The flexible sealing element adapts to the connection geometry and ensures reliable sealing without complex rigid sealing structures.
2Reliability
If sleeves are used for watertight connection of adjacent gutters, then rainwater leakage is prevented, but the connection structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure is segmented into distinct functional components: the inner sleeve, outer sleeve, and sealing element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall assembly process. The inner sleeve provides structural connection, the outer sleeve provides external support, and the sealing element provides watertightness, making the complex sealing function modular and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure employs a nested arrangement where the inner sleeve is fitted inside the outer channel and the outer sleeve is fitted over the inner channel. This nested configuration allows multiple sealing surfaces to be contained within a compact structure, reducing the overall space required and simplifying the connection geometry while maintaining effective sealing.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A rainwater gutter defined by at least two channels (3) connected end to end to each other in fluidtight manner by a first sleeve (12) projecting inside one of the channels (3), a second sleeve (13) projecting outwards of the other channel (3) and inserted inside the first sleeve (12), a first annular seal (15) interposed between the first sleeve (12) and the second sleeve (13), a second annular seal (16) fitted between two end faces (11) of the two channels (3), and fastening means for fastening the two end faces (11) one to the other with the interposition of the second annular seal (16).