Hollow-Core Slab Drainage Tray for Controlled Water and Dust Containment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Draining water from hollow-core slabs during construction or maintenance often results in uncontrolled water flow, causing damage and reducing drill lifespan due to concrete dust contamination.

Innovation Solution

A tray with a base and sides to collect water, featuring a collar to prevent water from escaping during drilling, and anti-rotation means for stability, supported by the drill to guide water out in a controlled manner, preventing dust spread and ensuring the tray remains in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If drilling is carried out to drain water from hollow-core slabs, then water can be removed from cavities, but water gushes out uncontrolled and runs over the driller and drilling device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater removalVSAvoiduncontrolled water flow
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A tray is introduced as an intermediary device between the drilling operation and the water flow path. The tray collects water draining from the cavity through the drill hole and channels it through a controlled outlet away from the operator and drilling equipment, preventing uncontrolled water flow while maintaining effective water removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful uncontrolled water flow is extracted and separated from the drilling operation by using the tray to intercept and redirect the water. The tray's collection volume and guided outlet extract the water flow from the harmful uncontrolled path and redirect it along a controlled trajectory

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If drilling is carried out in an already finished building, then cavities can be drained, but water flowing out causes damage when it spreads to the floors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainageVSAvoidwater damage to floors
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tray serves as an intermediary that captures water at the source (drill hole) and provides a controlled discharge path that directs water away from vulnerable areas such as floors. This prevents water from spreading uncontrollably and causing damage to finished building surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray is positioned and ready before drilling begins, with its collection volume and outlet already in place to intercept and redirect water flow. This preliminary preparation ensures that when water starts draining during drilling, it is immediately captured and directed away from areas that could be damaged

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If drilling is carried out without protection, then cavities can be punctured, but concrete dust falls on the driller and drill, reducing service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling operationVSAvoidconcrete dust contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tray acts as an intermediary barrier between the drilling operation and the environment. It captures not only water but also concrete dust generated during drilling, preventing dust from falling on the operator and drilling equipment, thereby extending service life while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 tray effectively collects and directs water away from the operator and drill, reducing damage and extending drill life by containing water and dust, facilitating controlled drainage and recovery.

Implementation Method 1

The tray is configured to be supported at least in part on the drill bit or the drill or both during drilling... allows the water that is removed by gravity through the hole drilled into the cavities to be received in a controlled manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

a collar configured to surround the second opening, which collar extends from the base in the direction of drilling and is configured to prevent, at least for the most part, water from leaving the tray via the second opening when the drill bit runs through the second opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4403285A1Tray for water reception and system and method for draining a hollow core slab of water
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 FINNPOLE OY
  • EP4403285A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4403285A1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4403285A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a tray (20) for receiving and guiding water flowing from cavities (18) belonging to hollow-core slabs (12) in a controlled manner, wherein the tray (20) includes - a base (22) and sides (24) that form a volume for the water to be received, - a first opening (26) arranged in the base (22) for guiding the water out of the tray (20), - a second opening (28) arranged in the base (22) for a drill bit (16) of a drill (14), and - a collar (30) configured to surround the second opening (28), which collar (30) extends from the base (22) in the direction of drilling and is configured to prevent, at least for the most part, water from leaving the tray (20) via the second opening (28) when the drill bit (16) runs through the second opening (28), - anti-rotation means (21) arranged eccentrically with respect to the second opening (28) for preventing a rotation of the tray (20), wherein the tray (20) is configured to be supported at least in part on the drill bit (16) or the drill (14) or both during drilling. The invention also relates to a system and to a method.