Under Flashing Corner Element for Roof Felt Drainage Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flashing systems for roof elements installed in a lowered position in sloping roofs with roofing felt fail to provide adequate support and sealing, especially at the lower corners, leading to issues with water drainage and roofing felt installation.

Innovation Solution

An under flashing corner element with a sloping portion and stabilizing features, along with a bridging element, is used to support roofing felt and ensure proper water drainage by positioning it between the roof element and the adjacent roof edge, providing a stable and watertight installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a roof element is installed in a lowered position (Encastrée manner) in a sloping roof with roofing felt, then the aesthetic appearance and integration with the roof surface is improved, but adequate support and sealing of the roofing felt at the lower corners becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration with roof surfaceVSAvoidsealing and support of roofing felt
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flashing system is divided into multiple components: upper flashing members, side flashing members, bottom flashing member, and corner elements. Each segment performs a specific function, with corner elements specifically designed to address the sealing and support issue at the lower corners where roofing felt installation is difficult in lowered position installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Corner elements act as intermediary components between the roofing felt and the roof structure at the lower corners. These elements provide the necessary support and sealing function that cannot be achieved by standard flashing members alone, mediating the gap between the lowered roof element position and the need for reliable roofing felt installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If standard flashing members are used for a lowered roof element installation, then the installation procedure is simplified, but water drainage and sealing at the lower corners becomes inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation procedureVSAvoidwater drainage and sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The corner elements have specific local geometries designed for their particular function at the lower corners. The L-shaped cross-section with a first leg against the roof element side and a second leg extending parallel to the roof covering plane provides localized support and sealing exactly where needed, rather than requiring a complete redesign of all flashing members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The corner elements utilize three-dimensional positioning with legs extending in different directions (vertically against the roof element and horizontally along the roof surface) to create effective water drainage paths and sealing surfaces that address the multi-directional water flow challenges in sloping roofs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If the lower face of the roof element is positioned close to the adjacent edge of the opening, then the installation space is optimized, but space for the lifting portion of the bottom flashing member is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidspace for flashing member
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The corner elements are designed with flexible or adjustable components that can adapt to varying installation spaces. The stabilizing portions can be configured to provide the necessary support for roofing felt while accommodating different distances between the lower face of the roof element and the adjacent edge of the opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3594426B1An under flashing corner element; kits of elements; and a method of flashing a lower part of a roof element
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 VKR HOLDING AS
  • EP3594426B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3594426B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP3594426B1 patent drawingFigure 8~9

AI summary

An under flashing corner element (19) for supporting roofing felt at a lower corner of e.g. a roof window in a sloping roof covered by roofing felt, comprises a plane, generally L-shaped, first portion (21) extending in a first plane and comprising a side leg (23); a bottom leg (25) with an inner side edge (27); and a plane, sloping portion (31) extending from the inner side edge (27) and sloping downwards from the first plane at an acute angle to a second side edge (33). The sloping portion (31) further comprises a proximal side edge (35) extending from the first side edge (27) to the second side edge (33) and a distal side edge (37) extending from the first side edge (27) to the second side edge (33). One or more stabilising portions (39, 43) are extending from the sloping portion (31) towards the first plane.