Partly Rigid Liquid Flow Diverter With Flexible Sealing Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid flow diverters made of flexible rubber struggle with proper adaptation and positioning within downpipes, leading to inadequate liquid collection capacity.
Innovation Solution
A liquid flow diverter with a body made of partly rigid material and an extension made of a flexible material, such as rubber, that couples around the outer side of the body, providing flexibility and a watertight seal with the downpipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the liquid flow diverter is made of flexible rubber, then it can be easily inserted into the downpipe, but it cannot properly adapt to the wall of the downpipe and may hang at any angle or position
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid flow diverter combines rigid material (for structural integrity and positioning accuracy) with flexible rubber material (for ease of insertion and sealing). This composite construction allows the device to be easily inserted while maintaining proper positioning and adaptation to the downpipe wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible rubber component forms a sealing element that can deform to match the downpipe wall contour, ensuring proper adaptation and preventing leakage while maintaining the positioning accuracy provided by the rigid structure.
2Ease of operation
If the liquid flow diverter is made of flexible rubber, then it can be readily inserted, but it has limited capacity to receive and collect liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid portion of the diverter provides a structurally sound collection chamber with adequate volume and proper orientation, while the flexible rubber portion provides sealing and ease of installation. This combination ensures both easy installation and full liquid collection capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid flow diverter is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid structural portion for maintaining collection capacity and proper positioning, and a flexible sealing portion for ease of installation. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its specific function.
3Ease of operation
If the collection unit is made of flexible rubber, then it can be easily inserted, but it may not be accurately adapted to the wall of the downpipe
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid material provides a stable framework that maintains accurate positioning and adaptation to the downpipe wall, while the flexible rubber material provides conforming sealing capability. Together they ensure both ease of insertion and reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible rubber sealing element can deform to precisely match the downpipe wall surface, ensuring reliable sealing while the rigid structure maintains proper positioning and orientation during insertion and operation.
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 solution allows for easy and proper positioning of the channel profile within the downpipe, enabling full capacity liquid collection and efficient fluid communication with a liquid reservoir.
Implementation Method 1
The extension is made of a second material... made of an elastically deformable material that resets
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid flow diverter (130) for a downpipe (120) includes a body (132). The body (132) includes a channel profile (136) between a first end (131) and a second end (133). The channel profile (136) includes a helix shape and allows flow of a liquid therein. The body (132) further includes a liquid outlet (139) associated with the first end (131). The liquid outlet (139) allows fluid communication of the liquid flow diverter (130) with the downpipe (120). The liquid flow diverter (130) is characterized in that the body (132) is made of a partly rigid material with the helix shaped channel profile (136) having a lead (L) of at least a height (H) of the channel profile (136) at its first end (131).