Door Threshold Grid Drainage for Rain Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door sill systems face challenges in providing both effective rain protection and a low step-over height, with existing designs either failing to prevent moisture ingress or requiring complex structures that compromise accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A door sill system featuring a lattice-like tread area with integrated water collection chambers and outlet openings, combined with a sealing plane formed by the stop rabbet and base body, effectively diverts and removes moisture, allowing for a low installation height and reliable sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sloping profiles with undercuts are used to prevent liquid ingress, then protection against driving rain is improved, but the threshold height increases and accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The threshold is divided into a base body and a separate tread area that can be removed. The tread area contains the grid-like structure and water collection chambers, while the base body provides the sealing plane. This segmentation allows the drainage function to be integrated without increasing the installation height, as the tread area sits on top of the base body.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage function is moved from a vertical dimension (sloping profiles requiring height) to a horizontal dimension (grid structure within the tread area). The water collection chambers are positioned beneath the grid bars at the same installation height, allowing water to be collected and drained horizontally through outlet openings without requiring a raised threshold.
2Reliability
If the threshold is raised above exterior floor level to prevent moisture ingress, then protection against driving rain is improved, but the step-over height increases and user comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The water collection chambers are nested within the base body structure, positioned beneath the removable tread area. This nesting allows the drainage system to be integrated into the threshold without increasing its installation height, maintaining a low step-over height while providing effective moisture protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If a horizontal water collection channel is used to drain water, then drainage function is provided, but dirt accumulation occurs and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet openings are positioned at the lowest point of the water collection chambers, creating a local quality difference that facilitates complete drainage. The grid-like structure of the tread area also creates multiple localized drainage paths through the grid bars, preventing dirt accumulation by allowing debris to fall through rather than accumulating in a single horizontal channel.
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 system achieves excellent rain protection and user comfort by preventing moisture ingress while maintaining a low step-over height, ensuring barrier-free access and reduced heat loss.
Implementation Method 1
Moisture or driving rain is thus not directed towards the interior of the door assembly, but rather channeled away between the grid bars of the tread area. The moisture is trapped in the at least one water collection chamber
Implementation Method 2
a secure and lasting seal is only achieved through the interaction of the stop rebate on the swing door leaf with the stop on the base body
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a threshold system (1) for a front door, a tilt-and-turn door or the like, with a door frame with a threshold (2) and at least one hinged door leaf (3), wherein the threshold (2) includes a base body (21), wherein the hinged door leaf (3) has at least one stop rebate (34, 35) which interacts with at least one stop (21a, 21b) on the base body (21) and forms a sealing plane, wherein the base body (21) has a tread area (22) which provides a walking surface (22a) and serves to drain water to the outside. This door threshold system (1) is further characterized in that the step area (22) is designed in the manner of a grid and has at least one water collection chamber (22b) with a drainage slope in the floor area, wherein moisture enters the at least one water collection chamber (22b) via an inlet opening (22c) and drains outwards from it via outlet openings (22d).The invention further develops a generic door threshold system in such a way that its installation height can be reduced and particularly good protection against driving rain can be achieved.