Side Outlet Device Concealing Weir in Box Gutter Rainhead
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing rainhead overflow devices for box guttering systems are limited in their application range and require visible weirs that can be aesthetically unpleasing and difficult to inspect, lacking the flexibility to handle blockages and high flow rates effectively.
Innovation Solution
A side outlet device is designed to work in conjunction with a rainhead, allowing it to be mounted externally on a building wall, featuring a concealed weir and a chute system that redirects overflow water vertically, providing a secondary overflow option and enhancing aesthetic appeal and inspection accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional rainhead overflow device is used with a visible weir, then water can discharge to atmosphere during blockages, but the visible weir is aesthetically unpleasing and difficult to inspect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a side outlet device that changes the discharge dimension from front-facing (visible) to side-oriented (concealed). The side outlet provides an alternative discharge path that is hidden from view while maintaining overflow functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and inspection accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The side outlet device acts as an intermediary element between the rainhead and the external environment. It provides a concealed discharge path that mediates between the need for aesthetic appearance (hiding the weir) and the need for functional overflow capability, while also facilitating easier inspection from the side.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rainhead is mounted external to the building, then it can discharge water to atmosphere, but it requires a visible weir that is aesthetically unpleasing
Solution Approach 1:
The side outlet device redirects the overflow discharge from the traditional front-facing direction to a side direction, changing the spatial dimension of water discharge. This allows the rainhead to maintain its external mounting position while concealing the weir from view, thus resolving the contradiction between mounting flexibility and aesthetic appearance.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a side outlet device is added to the rainhead, then inspection accessibility and aesthetic appearance are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side outlet device is designed to be integrated with the existing rainhead structure, merging the overflow function with the new side discharge capability. This integration approach minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving improved inspection accessibility and aesthetic appearance.
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 enables a wider range of applications for rainhead overflow devices, concealing the weir for a more attractive appearance, facilitating easy inspection, and ensuring effective water discharge even during blockages or high flow conditions, while maintaining compliance with stormwater drainage standards.
Implementation Method 1
water flowing from the roof is able to pass through the side outlet device to a downpipe via the overflow device
Implementation Method 2
a chute system that redirects overflow water vertically
Data Source
AI summary
A side outlet device suitable for use in combination with a rainhead to form an overflow assembly is adapted to enable the rainhead to be mounted external to the building in relation to a wall of the building, to one side of a box guttering extending interiorly along the wall, whereby water flowing from the roof is able to pass through the side outlet device to a downpipe via the overflow device. The side outlet device has a respective end section at first and second opposite ends, with the first end section having a form corresponding to the form of a box gutter end section such that, with the side outlet device mounted in relation to the wall, the first end section extends through the wall and is receivable in the gutter receptor of the overflow device. The second end section is adapted for connection to the box guttering to enable water to flow from the box guttering and through the side outlet device to the overflow device.