Skylight Cover Frame Mounting for Leak Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Skylights on sloped roofs often develop leaks due to weatherproofing seal degradation, leading to structural damage and costly repairs, and are vulnerable to environmental elements without adequate protection.
Innovation Solution
A skylight cover with a transparent body and angled side walls is installed directly to the skylight frame, using fastener location features to secure it without damaging the roof, promoting airflow and water drainage, and featuring spacers to maintain a gap for insulation and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a skylight cover is installed directly to the roof, then the protection against leaks and environmental elements is improved, but the roof structure and shingles may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary attachment system consisting of fastener location features on the skylight cover that connect to the skylight frame rather than directly to the roof. This intermediary connection method allows the cover to be secured without penetrating or damaging the roof structure and shingles, while still providing effective protection against leaks and environmental elements.
2Reliability
If the skylight cover is securely fastened to prevent movement, then the protection and stability are improved, but the ability to remove for service deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic fastening system where the skylight cover can be easily attached and detached from the skylight frame using the fastener location features. The cover is secured during normal operation to provide stability and protection, but can be quickly removed when service or maintenance is needed, allowing the system to transition between fixed and removable states as required.
3Shape
If the side walls are positioned close to the skylight frame for aesthetic appearance, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but airflow and drainage are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the side walls at specific distances from the skylight frame to achieve different functions in different regions. The side walls are close enough to the frame to provide aesthetic appearance and protection, but maintain sufficient spacing to allow airflow and water drainage channels to function effectively, creating optimal local conditions for both appearance and operational requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A skylight cover for protecting a skylight fixed to a roof of a building via a skylight frame is provided. The skylight cover has a body including a top wall and a plurality of side walls extending downwardly from the top wall to a flange extending outwardly from at least some of the plurality of side walls for abutment with the roof. Further, a plurality of fastener location features are formed in at least some of the plurality of side walls. The plurality of fastener location features facilitate fixation of the body directly to the skylight frame without fixing the body directly to the roof.