Removable Flood Barrier Panels With Watertight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flood barriers for homes lack removability, water-tight sealing, and efficient water management features, and are not economically viable.
Innovation Solution
A flood barrier system comprising interconnected panels with water-tight gaskets, removably secured into slots around a house, equipped with actuators for deployment, and a sump pump for water removal, powered by a battery backup and controlled by a smart system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If flood barriers are made removable and installable in slots around a house, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier is divided into multiple removable panels that can be individually installed in slots around the house. Each panel is a separate component that fits into the slot system, allowing for easy installation and removal without requiring complex permanent structures. This segmentation enables the barrier to be deployed as needed while maintaining relative simplicity in each individual component.
2Reliability
If water-tight gaskets are added to seal panels, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Water-tight gaskets are incorporated as flexible sealing elements between the panels and within the slots. These gaskets are thin, flexible components that create water-tight seals through their elasticity and conformability, rather than through complex mechanical sealing mechanisms. The gaskets flex to accommodate panel movements while maintaining the water-tight seal, achieving reliability without significant complexity.
3Productivity
If actuators and sump pumps are added for automated water management, then productivity and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates actuators that can automatically deploy the flood barrier panels without requiring manual intervention. The sump pump automatically removes water that accumulates around the house. These self-service mechanisms handle the deployment and water removal functions autonomously, improving productivity and reliability while the complexity is contained within specialized automated components rather than requiring complex overall system architecture.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple interconnected panels are used around the house, then coverage and protection are improved, but device complexity and material cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flood barrier system uses multiple standardized panels that can be interconnected to cover the required area around the house. Each panel is a uniform component that connects to adjacent panels through standardized interfaces, allowing for easy expansion to cover different areas. This segmentation approach achieves comprehensive coverage while maintaining relative simplicity in the connection mechanisms, as each joint is a standardized interface rather than a custom complex connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A flood barrier for homes includes a plurality of panels and an actuation assembly. The plurality of panels are interconnected one to each other. The panels are secured via a plurality of bracing members. The plurality of panels are inserted into slots disposed on a perimeter around a house to protect the house from water damage caused by a storm. Each of the plurality of panels having water-tight gaskets disposed along a bottom and mating edges of each of the panels. The actuation assembly includes actuators to automatically displace the plurality of panels.