Window And Door Top Drainage With Wicking Against Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional weep holes in window and door frames are prone to clogging due to debris, leading to water ingress and damage, and lack a uniform profile for aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

A drainage system incorporating wicking structures with an absorption layer, such as open-cell foam, to direct water away from the interior and prevent insect intrusion, integrated into the window or door frame design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional weep holes are used for water drainage, then water can be removed from the frame, but the weep holes are easily blocked by debris and difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater drainage reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the drainage function from traditional weep holes and relocates it to the top head of the frame. A dedicated water channel is created at the top, separated from the main frame cavity, allowing water to be removed at the source before it can enter the frame or be blocked by debris in traditional weep hole locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary wicking structure with absorption material positioned within the water channel. This intermediary component absorbs and transports water through capillary action from the water channel to the exterior, preventing water accumulation while the integrated design eliminates the need for accessible cleanout points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If traditional weep holes are used for water drainage, then water can be removed from the frame, but the appearance is compromised by unsightly openings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater drainage reliabilityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the drainage function from visible weep holes and relocates it to the top head of the frame. The water channel is positioned where it is not visually prominent, and the wicking structure is integrated into the frame profile, eliminating unsightly openings while maintaining drainage functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different functional qualities to different parts of the frame. The top head area contains the water channel and wicking structure for drainage, while the rest of the frame maintains a uniform, clean appearance. The drainage function is localized to where it is most effective without compromising overall aesthetics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If water is allowed to drain through the frame, then water ingress can be prevented, but water pooling can occur leading to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater ingress preventionVSAvoidwater pooling risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary drainage action by positioning the water channel and wicking structure at the top head of the frame. Water is removed at the source before it can accumulate or penetrate deeper into the frame structure, preventing both water ingress and pooling through proactive water removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional gravity-dependent drainage mechanisms with capillary action-based wicking. The absorption material in the wicking structure draws water through capillary forces, providing reliable water removal that is not dependent on gravity or mechanical components that could fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Effectively prevents water pooling and ingress, reduces maintenance, and maintains a uniform appearance by ensuring consistent water evacuation without clogging.

Implementation Method 1

a first wicking structure positioned within the water channel, wherein the first wicking structure includes an absorption layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the absorption layer is an open-cell foam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250320772A1Top drainage system for windows and/or doors

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 HAWKES DESIGN & CONSULTING LLC

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present disclosure include drainage systems for window and/or door frames and methods of manufacturing the same. An example drainage system includes a frame with a head. The example drainage system also includes a water channel adjacent to the head defined between a water channel opening and a water channel outlet. Water travels along the water channel. The example drainage system further includes a first wicking structure positioned within the water channel. The first wicking structure includes an absorption layer and the water traveling along the water channel exits on an exterior side of the frame.