Motor Vehicle Water Tray Dam Collar for Drain Blockage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water collecting tray arrangements in motor vehicles allow dirt particles to enter and block the water outlet or drain hose, causing overflow issues.

Innovation Solution

A water collecting tray with a dam collar that calms water flow, allowing dirt particles to settle before draining, featuring a frustoconical outer surface and optional separate or integral design with a seal to prevent blockages, and using the drain hose as the dam collar for simplicity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a water collecting tray with a water outlet is used to drain water from the motor vehicle, then water drainage is achieved, but dirt particles enter the water outlet and cause blockages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater drainage efficiencyVSAvoidwater outlet blockage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a drain filter as an intermediary component between the water collecting tray and the water outlet. This filter acts as a mediator that allows water to pass through while blocking dirt particles, thus preventing blockages in the drainage system while maintaining drainage functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the dirt particles from the water flow by using a removable filter element that can be easily taken out and cleaned. This allows the separation of the filtration function from the main drainage system, enabling maintenance without disassembling the entire water management system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If a filter is added to prevent dirt particles from blocking the water outlet, then blockage risk is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater outlet blockage preventionVSAvoidwater collecting tray structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the filter with the water outlet structure itself, making the filter an integral part of the water collecting tray assembly. This integration eliminates the need for separate filter housings and mounting mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective filtration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter is designed to be easily removable and cleanable by the user without requiring special tools or complex disassembly procedures. This self-service design allows users to maintain the filtration system themselves, reducing the need for service interventions and simplifying the overall system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Prevents dirt particles from entering the water outlet, reducing the risk of blockages and overflow, while maintaining a low-cost and efficient water drainage system.

Implementation Method 1

The buildup of the water has the effect that the water flow is calmed so that dirt particles carried along in the water are sedimented

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSedimentation: Sedimentation

Data Source

PatentUS10589606B2Water collecting tray arrangement

Publication Date: 2020.03.17 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A water collecting arrangement (2) for a motor vehicle has a water tray (10) with a water tray base (14) and an encircling water tray wall (16) extending up from the water tray base (14). At least one water outlet (12) is arranged on the water tray base (14). The at least one water outlet (12) has a dam collar (20; 20′; 20″) raised from the water tray base (14) and radially surrounding a water outlet opening (26).