Self-Supporting Corrugated Mesh for Gutter Debris Exclusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rain gutter debris preclusion devices face challenges with excessive water flow, leading to debris accumulation and clogging, and require complex support systems that increase weight and cost.
Innovation Solution
A self-supporting corrugated mesh with apertures for water passage and debris exclusion, featuring corrugations for stiffness and a debris collection trough, allowing rainwater to enter the gutter while preventing debris, and optionally using stainless steel, plastic, or metal materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple mesh is used for debris preclusion, then the device is easy to manufacture and install, but the mesh lacks sufficient stiffness to support itself over the gutter without additional support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh is formed with corrugations that create an asymmetric cross-sectional shape, providing structural stiffness in the direction needed to support the mesh over the gutter while maintaining flexibility for installation and water permeability in other directions
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugations introduce curved surfaces and geometric complexity to the otherwise flat mesh, creating inherent structural strength that allows the mesh to support itself without additional rigid support structures
2Reliability
If the mesh aperture size is reduced to prevent smaller debris, then debris exclusion effectiveness improves, but water flow capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh structure incorporates varying aperture sizes or configurations in different regions, or uses corrugation patterns that create effective barriers for debris while maintaining larger effective openings for water flow, allowing different parts of the mesh to optimize for different functions
3Strength
If heavier materials are used to increase mesh stiffness, then self-supporting capability improves, but installation difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated geometry provides structural strength through shape rather than material weight, allowing the use of lighter materials that are easier to handle and install while achieving the required stiffness through the asymmetric corrugated cross-section
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 effectively prevents debris entry into gutters, supports the mesh without additional weight, and maintains functionality during heavy debris loads, reducing clogging and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
corrugations in the mesh; and a debris collection trough disposed along a longitudinal axis of the mesh
Data Source
AI summary
A roof gutter for the purpose of keeping small debris out of the gutter and allowing rainwater to pass into the gutter. The covering is comprised of a water permeable, weather resistant mesh having apertures of a pre-determined size for passing water, the mesh sized to substantially cover a rain gutter; corrugations formed in the mesh; a debris collection first trough disposed along a longitudinal axis of the mesh, formed by making at least two bends in the mesh, the first trough located between a longitudinal midline of the mesh and a front gutter end of the mesh.