FR3121946A1 - Modular rainwater collection assembly to form a facade rainwater collection system - Google Patents

Abstract

Modular rainwater collection assembly, of the ready-to-mount type on a facade (F) of a building (B) to form a facade rainwater collection system (1), comprising storage modules (2 , 3, 4, 5) configured to be assembled end to end or on top of each other in order to form together, when assembled, a stormwater storage space, each storage module having: - at least one connector male delimiting a male joint opening and at least one female connector delimiting a female joint opening, wherein a male connector is adapted to be sleeved in a complementary manner inside a female connector; - drilled legs for fixing the storage module to the facade or to a foundation screed (C) on the ground; - a removable inspection hatch to be able to access the interior volume. Abstract Figure: Figure 1

Description

Modular rainwater collection assembly to form a facade rainwater collection system

The invention relates to a modular rainwater collection assembly, of the ready-to-mount type on a building facade to form a facade rainwater collection system.

It relates more particularly to a modular rainwater collection assembly comprising storage modules configured to be assembled end to end or one on top of the other in order to form together, once assembled and mounted against the facade of the building , a rainwater storage space, in other words a vertical storage space as it extends along and against the facade of a building, such as for example a detached house, an apartment building, a building for professional use, industrial or commercial.

The invention finds a favorite application in the collection and storage of rainwater recovered at the level of the gutter system(s) provided on the building in question, for the purpose of supplying a rainwater distribution network which will be used for example for watering plants, cleaning operations, sanitary water supply, etc.

Most buildings are equipped with gutter systems that collect rainwater that runs off the roof, for disposal to a rainwater collection network, possibly in common with a wastewater collection network according to the common. It is known to recover this rainwater, rather than evacuating it, within a tank, possibly buried.

However, this collection solution in a tank is not suitable for collecting large volumes of rainwater, in particular for large-scale buildings such as multi-storey apartment buildings and buildings for professional, industrial use. or commercial (factory, warehouse, large commercial area, etc.).

The invention proposes a modular solution making it possible to install a rainwater collection system on the facade, in order to form a rainwater storage space which is adapted to the dimensions of the facade and which can be dimensioned as desired in terms of of storage capacity.

An object of the invention is to allow easy mounting of such a rainwater collection system on a facade, while meeting the mechanical strength constraints of the weight of rainwater stored vertically on a facade.

Another object of the invention is to facilitate the maintenance of the rainwater collection system on the facade, once installed.

Thus, the invention proposes a modular rainwater collection assembly, of the ready-to-mount type on a building facade to form a facade rainwater collection system, this modular rainwater collection assembly comprising storage modules configured to be assembled end to end or on top of each other in order to form together, when assembled, a stormwater storage space, each storage module internally defining an interior water storage volume rainfed and presenting:
- at least one male connector delimiting a male assembly opening and at least one female connector delimiting a female assembly opening, where a male connector of a storage module is adapted to be fitted in a complementary manner inside a female connector of another storage module in order to put in fluidic and sealed connection their respective rainwater storage volumes;
- pierced legs to allow the storage module to be fixed to the building facade or to a foundation screed on the ground;
- an inspection hatch to be able to access the interior volume of rainwater storage.

Thus, this modular rainwater collection assembly is in the form of a kit comprising several storage modules which are both suitable for being assembled together in a sealed manner thanks to their male and female connectors, for being fixed reliably on load-bearing structures (façade and foundation screed) thanks to their drilled tabs, thus ensuring mechanical strength of the assembly once installed, and to be cleaned individually and internally thanks to their inspection hatches.

It is then possible to mount storage modules on top of each other to form one or more vertical rainwater collection columns, and to assemble storage modules end to end to form one or more horizontal rainwater collection rows. water. The number of storage modules and the layout of the storage modules on the facade will be adapted to the facade and the desired interior storage volume, with of course the possibility of upgrading the system by adding storage modules.

Advantageously, each storage module is made from a plastic material, such as for example polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene terephthalate, or even from a recycled plastic material. Alternatively, each storage module is made of a concrete-based material, either entirely or at least in part.

Each storage module can be made in one piece (in the form of a single piece), or in the form of an assembly of at least two elements.

Advantageously, the storage modules each comprise a compartment receiving internally a section of tube or several interconnected sections of tube, the section or sections of tube defining the internal volume of rainwater storage, and the or each section of tube having at least one free termination mated to or forming a male connector or a female connector.

Such a design is particularly advantageous in terms of cost and manufacturing, starting from one or more pipe sections.

The locker can be made of a plastic material, as described above, or of a concrete-based material, and it can be made in one piece or in the form of an assembly of several elements.

According to one characteristic, the storage modules comprise linear two-way modules having a single male connector and a single female connector which are aligned along a main axis.

Such linear two-way modules can be adapted to form vertical columns and horizontal rows.

According to one possibility, the storage modules comprise at least one right-angled two-way module having a single male connector and a single female connector which are at right angles.

Such a right-angled two-way module can be adapted to form a junction between a vertical column and a horizontal row.

According to another possibility, the storage modules comprise at least one three-way module having three connectors including a male connector, a female connector and a male or female connector, where at least two connectors are at right angles.

Such a right-angle two-way module can be adapted to form a junction between a vertical column and a horizontal row in height, or a junction between a horizontal row and a vertical column halfway.

According to another possibility, the pierced lugs comprise vertical pierced lugs and horizontal pierced lugs which are mutually orthogonal and provided for fixing the storage module respectively to the building facade and to the foundation screed on the ground.

In this way, the storage module can be fixed both to the building facade and to the foundation screed on the ground, depending on its location and also according to its orientation.

In a particular embodiment, the modular assembly includes one or more covers designed to seal one or more storage module openings.

Such covers are used to block the free openings of the storage modules and there can thus be two models of covers: the model adapted to cooperate with a male connector and the model adapted to cooperate with a female connector.

In a particular embodiment, the modular assembly comprises at least one gutter junction funnel, which is tubular in shape and which has a narrowed upper opening designed to be connected to a gutter riser and an enlarged lower opening designed to be mounted in a sealed manner on a connector of a storage module.

This gutter junction funnel thus serves to connect the vertical gutter pipe to the storage space, and therefore to supply this storage space with the rainwater collected by the building's gutter system.

According to one characteristic, the modular assembly comprises one or more filters, intended to be placed inside a storage module or between two storage modules.

Such a filter can for example have a male connector and a female connector to be placed between two storage modules.

According to another characteristic, at least one storage module is equipped with an overflow system, for evacuation by overflow in the event of overflow.

The invention also relates to a facade rainwater collection system, mounted from a modular rainwater collection assembly according to the invention and therefore as described above, this water collection system rainwater on the facade comprising the storage modules assembled end to end or on top of each other by complementary fittings of male connectors inside female connectors between adjacent storage modules, in order to form together a water storage space rainwater, where the storage modules are pressed against a building facade by being fixed to the building facade or to a foundation screed on the ground by means of anchor screws passing through the pierced legs of the storage modules.

According to one possibility, several storage modules are assembled vertically on top of each other to form a vertical rainwater collection column.

Alternatively, the storage module which is located at the top of the vertical rainwater collection column is capped by a gutter junction funnel, which is tubular in shape and has a narrowed top opening connected to a pipe vertical gutter and an enlarged lower opening mounted in a sealed manner on a connector of this storage module.

According to one characteristic, the storage module which is located at the base of the vertical rainwater collection column is fixed to the foundation screed on the ground.

According to another characteristic, several storage modules are assembled horizontally end to end to form a horizontal row of rainwater collection which is either fixed to the foundation screed on the ground, or fixed in height to the facade of the building.

According to another characteristic, at least two storage modules are assembled horizontally in depth, in other words in a direction orthogonal to the facade.

In other words, it is possible to create several thicknesses of storage modules in a direction orthogonal to the facade. In this case, the "extra thickness" storage modules will not be fixed directly to the facade of the building, but they will be via other storage modules. If these "extra thickness" storage modules are located at ground level, they can however be fixed to the screed.

Thus, it is possible to deploy rows of storage modules in three directions, a vertical direction parallel to the facade, a horizontal direction parallel to the facade and finally a horizontal direction orthogonal to the facade.

Advantageously, the rainwater storage space is connected to a booster to supply a rainwater distribution network.

Such a booster will make it possible to deliver rainwater at a given pressure, usable for the rainwater distribution network, for purposes such as watering plants, cleaning operations, supplying water to toilets, etc.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description below, of a non-limiting example of implementation, made with reference to the appended figures in which:

is a schematic perspective view of a building of the detached house type having a facade on which is mounted and fixed a facade rainwater collection system according to the invention;

is a schematic front view of the collection system on the house of the ;

is a schematic perspective view of a building of the apartment building type having a facade on which is mounted and fixed a facade rainwater collection system according to the invention;

is a schematic front view of the collection system on the building of the ;

is a schematic view of two examples of storage modules of a modular assembly according to the invention, having served for the collection systems of Figures 1 to 4, with a linear two-way module on the left and a first three-way module on the right ;

is a schematic view of two other examples of storage modules of the modular assembly having been used for the collection systems of Figures 1 to 4, with a first four-way module on the left and a second three-way module on the right;

is a schematic view of two other examples of storage modules of the modular assembly having been used for the collection systems of Figures 1 to 4, with on the left a first right-angled two-way module and on the right a second two-way module at right angle ;

is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of a storage module of the linear two-way module type, suitable for a modular assembly according to the invention.

[Detailed description of embodiments of the invention]

In Figures 1 to 4 are illustrated two facade rainwater collection systems 1 which are mounted and installed on facades F of buildings B, respectively a detached house in Figures 1 and 2 and a three-storey apartment building. levels. Each system 1 is mounted and assembled by means of a modular set of rainwater collection, of the ready-to-mount type on the facade F, which comprises several storage modules 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, as well only screws (not shown) to fix the storage modules to the facade F or to a foundation screed C on the ground, one or more covers 7, and one or more gutter junction funnels 8.

Prior to assembly, it is advantageous to pour such a foundation screed C on the ground, along the facade F, to form a support base for the system 1. This screed C can advantageously be inclined inwards to form a kind of chute between the screed C and the facade F, or alternatively be at right angles to the facade F. This screed C will advantageously take up part of the weight of the system 1 and the rainwater that fills it, and thus make it more reliable mechanical strength.

Next, the storage modules 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 are selected to together offer a storm water storage space, which corresponds approximately to the sum of the storage volumes offered by the storage modules 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 selected, and to be distributed in one or more vertical columns 10 and in one or more horizontal rows 11 against the facade F. The choice of storage modules will depend on the dimensions of the facade F and the storage capacity sought.

Each storage module 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 internally defines an interior rainwater storage volume and has:
- at least one male connector 21, 31, 41, 51, 61 delimiting a male assembly opening and at least one female connector 22, 32, 42, 52, 62 delimiting a female assembly opening, where a male connector 21, 31 , 41, 51, 61 of a storage module is adapted to be fitted in a complementary manner inside a female connector 22, 32, 42, 52, 62 of another storage module in order to connect fluidic and sealed their respective rainwater storage volumes;
- Pierced tabs 23, 33, 43, 53, 63 to allow fixing of the storage module on the front F or on the yoke C;
- an inspection hatch 24, 34, 44, 54, 64 mounted in a removable and sealed manner to be able to access the interior volume of rainwater storage, and in particular to be able to carry out interior cleaning, for example by means of a sprayer water under pressure.

Advantageously, each storage module 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 comprises a rack 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 internally receiving a tube section or several interconnected tube sections, the tube section(s) defining the interior volume of rainwater storage. The or each tube section has at least one free termination coupled to or forming a male connector or a female connector. Advantageously, the or each section of tube is enveloped by a layer of thermally insulating material, such as for example a material made of expanded polystyrene, polyurethane, glass wool, rock wool, etc.

The locker 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 forms a frame on which are provided the pierced legs 23, 33, 43, 53, 63. The locker 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 advantageously has an outer face, preferably plane, provided with anchoring means to be able to fix an external element, such as for example a solar panel, a trim or cladding panel, a flower pot, etc. These pierced tabs 23, 33, 43, 53, 63 may project from the locker and thus protrude externally, or they may be recessed and accessible via recessed parts.

There illustrates an example of a storage module called a linear two-way module 2, which has a single male connector 21 and a single female connector 22 which are aligned along a main axis AP. Thus, this first three-way module 3 internally comprises a single section of tube. Two-way linear modules 2 are used in the systems 1 of Figures 1 to 4 to form vertical columns 10 and horizontal rows 11. Its pierced legs 23 are all coplanar and can be, depending on the orientation of the two-way linear module 2 , either vertical brackets for attachment to the front F or horizontal brackets for attachment to the yoke C.

There illustrates another example of a storage module called the first three-way module 3, which has three connectors including a male connector 31, a female connector 32 and a male or female connector (here a female connector 32), where two connectors are aligned according to a main axis AP and a third connector is at right angles to these two aligned connectors, so that this first three-way module 3 has a general "T" shape. Thus, this first three-way module 3 internally comprises two interconnected “T” tube sections. First three-way modules 3 are used in the systems 1 of Figures 1 to 4 to ensure the junction between a vertical column 10 and a horizontal row 11. As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, this first three-way module 3 can be integrated in a horizontal row 11 for a junction with a vertical column 10. This first three-way module 3 can also be integrated into a vertical column 10 for a junction with a horizontal row 11 in height. Its pierced tabs 33 are all coplanar and can be, depending on the orientation of the first three-way module 3, either vertical tabs for attachment to the front F or horizontal tabs for attachment to the yoke C.

There illustrates another example of a storage module called a four-way module 4, which has four connectors including two male connectors 41 and two female connectors 42, where two connectors are aligned along a main axis AP and two other connectors are at right angles to the both between themselves and vis-à-vis the two aligned connectors. Thus, this four-way module 4 internally comprises three interconnected tube sections. This four-way module 4 can be used in the systems 1 of Figures 1 to 4 to ensure the junction, at an angle or a corner of the building B, between a vertical column 10 and two horizontal rows 11 located in height and which would leave along two facades F at right angles; in Figures 1 and 2, no horizontal row 11 starts from such a four-way module 4 while in Figures 3 and 4, only one horizontal row 11 starts from such a four-way module 4. Its pierced tabs 43 are provided in two orthogonal and vertical planes (in position), to form vertical brackets for fixing on the two facades F.

There illustrates another example of a storage module called the second three-way module 5, which has three connectors including a male connector 51, a female connector 52 and a male or female connector (here a female connector 52), where each connector is at right angles vis-à-vis the other two, so that this second three-way module 5 has the general shape of a tripod. Thus, this second three-way module 5 internally comprises three interconnected tube sections. This second three-way module 5 can be used in the systems 1 of Figures 1 to 4 to ensure the junction, at the level of an angle or a corner of the building B, between a vertical column 10 and two horizontal rows 11 located on the screed C and which would leave along two facades F at right angles; in Figures 1 to 4, only one horizontal row 11 starts from such a second three-way module 5. Its pierced tabs 53 are provided in three orthogonal planes two by two, to form vertical tabs for attachment to the two facades F and horizontal lugs for attachment to the clevis C.

There illustrates two other examples of a storage module called a right-angled two-way module 6, which has a single male connector 61 and a single female connector 62 which are at right angles, so that this right-angled two-way module 6 has a shape general in "L". These two right-angle two-way modules 6 are distinguished by their right/left orientations. Thus, the right-angle two-way module 6 internally comprises two sections of tube interconnected in an “L”. These right-angle two-way modules 6 are not used in the systems 1 of Figures 1 to 4, but they could be used to ensure the junction between a vertical column 10 and a horizontal row 11 located on the yoke C, at the level of a termination of the horizontal row 11. Its pierced tabs 63 are provided in two orthogonal planes, to form vertical tabs for attachment to the front F and horizontal tabs for attachment to the yoke C.

Although not illustrated, the first three-way module 3, the four-way module 4, the second three-way module 5 and the right-angle two-way module 6 can also be used to connect and deploy, from a vertical column 10 or of a horizontal row 11, a storage module in a direction orthogonal to the facade F, in order to obtain a storage module in "extra thickness", offset from the facade F.

There illustrates a variant embodiment of a linear two-way module 200, comprising a single male connector 201 and a single female connector 202 which are in alignment along a main axis, and pierced tabs 203 which are all coplanar; its inspection hatch not being visible here. In this variant, the compartment 209 of the linear two-way module 200 has stiffening fins 205 on the outside, parallel to one another. One or more closing plates 206 can then be fixed over the stiffening fins 205. This type of structure for the locker of a storage module, with parallel stiffening fins, can of course be extended to other models of storage module.

As previously explained, storage modules are assembled by fitting the male connector of one of the two storage modules inside the female connector of the other of the two storage modules. It is advantageous to provide at least one seal at the junction between the male connector and the female connector. It is also advantageous to provide a flange system (with connection by bolting) or a strapping system (with tightening around the male connector) for an integral mechanical joint between the male connector and the female connector.

Once the storage modules have been assembled in one or more vertical columns 10 and/or in one or more horizontal rows 11, and optionally with one or more "extra thickness" modules, the connector which is located at the top of at least one vertical columns 10 is capped by a gutter junction funnel 8. This gutter junction funnel 8 is tubular in shape and has a narrowed upper opening connected to a vertical gutter pipe CG and an enlarged lower opening mounted in a sealed manner on a connector of this storage module located at the top. Thus, building B is equipped with a gutter system SG which recovers the rainwater which runs off the roof T of building B, and this gutter system SG is equipped with at least one vertical gutter pipe CG which is connected to this storage module located at the top, in order to supply and fill system 1 with rainwater.

Once the storage modules have been assembled in one or more vertical columns 10 and/or in one or more horizontal rows 11, and optionally with one or more "extra thickness" modules, the connectors of the storage modules which are free (in other words which are not joined to the connector of another module or to a gutter junction funnel 8) are closed tightly by covers 7.

Advantageously, the cover 7 of one of the storage modules located on the yoke C, and for example a storage module located at one of the ends of the horizontal row 11 located on the yoke C, is provided with at least one connector 70 for connecting the rainwater storage space of the system 1 to a booster (not shown) for supplying a rainwater distribution network.

Claims (15)

Modular rainwater collection assembly, of the ready-to-mount type on a facade (F) of a building (B) to form a facade rainwater collection system (1), said modular rainwater collection assembly rainwater comprising storage modules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 200) configured to be assembled end to end or on top of each other to form together, when assembled, a water storage space rainwater, each storage module (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 200) internally defining an interior volume for storing rainwater and having:
- at least one male connector (21; 31; 41; 51; 61; 201) delimiting a male assembly opening and at least one female connector (22; 32; 42; 52; 62; 202) delimiting a female assembly opening , wherein a male connector (21; 31; 41; 51; 61; 201) of a storage module (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 200) is adapted to be fitted in a complementary manner inside a female connector (22; 32; 42; 52; 62; 202) of another storage module (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 200) in order to put their storage volumes in fluidic and sealed connection respective rainwater;
- pierced tabs (23; 33; 43; 53; 63; 203) to allow fixing of the storage module (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 200) on the facade (F) of the building (B) or on a foundation screed (C) on the ground;
- an inspection hatch (24; 34; 44; 54; 64) to be able to access the interior volume for storing rainwater. Modular rainwater collection assembly according to claim 1, in which the storage modules (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 200) each comprise a compartment (20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 209) receiving internally a pipe section or several interconnected pipe sections, the pipe section(s) defining the internal rainwater storage volume, and the or each pipe section having at least one free termination coupled to or forming a male connector or a female connector. Modular rainwater collection assembly according to Claim 2, in which the or each section of pipe is enveloped by a layer of thermally insulating material, such as for example a material made of expanded polystyrene, polyurethane, glass wool, Rock. Modular rainwater collection assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the storage modules comprise linear two-way modules (2; 200) having a single male connector (21; 201) and a single female (22; 202) which are aligned along a main axis (AP). Modular rainwater collection assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the storage modules comprise at least one right-angled two-way module (6) having a single male connector (61) and a single female (62) which are at right angles. Modular rainwater collection assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which the storage modules comprise at least one three-way module (3; 5) having three connectors including a male connector (31; 51), a female connector (32; 52) and a male or female connector, where at least two connectors are at right angles. A modular rainwater harvesting assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pierced legs comprise either coplanar pierced legs (23; 33; 203) or both vertical pierced legs and horizontal openings (53; 63) which are orthogonal to each other and provided for fixing the storage module respectively on the facade (F) of the building (B) and on the screed (C) of the foundation on the ground. Modular rainwater collection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising one or more covers (7) designed to seal one or more storage module openings (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 200). Modular rainwater collection assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, comprising at least one gutter junction funnel (8), which is of tubular shape and which has a narrowed upper opening designed to be connected to a gutter riser (CG) and an enlarged lower opening adapted to be sealed to a connector of a storage module (2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 200). Facade rainwater collection system (1), mounted from a modular rainwater collection assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 9, said rainwater collection system (1) in facade comprising the storage modules (2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 200) assembled end to end or one on top of the other by complementary fittings of male connectors (21; 31; 41; 51; 61; 201 ) inside female connectors (22; 32; 42; 52; 62; 202) between adjacent storage modules, in order to form together a rainwater storage space, where the storage modules are pressed against a facade ( F) of building (B) by being fixed on the facade (F) of building (B) or on a screed (C) of foundation on the ground by means of anchor screws passing through drilled lugs (23; 33; 43); 53; 63; 203) storage modules. A rainwater harvesting system according to claim 10, in which several storage modules are assembled vertically on top of each other to form a vertical column (10) for rainwater harvesting. Rainwater collection system according to Claim 11, in which the storage module which is located at the top of the vertical rainwater collection column (10) is capped by a gutter junction funnel (8), which is tubular in shape and has a narrowed upper opening connected to a gutter riser (CG) and an enlarged lower opening sealed to a connector of this storage module. Rainwater collection system according to Claim 11 or 12, in which the storage module which is located at the base of the vertical column (10) for collecting rainwater is fixed to the foundation screed (C) at the floor. A rainwater harvesting system as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein a plurality of storage modules are joined horizontally end to end to form a horizontal row (11) of rainwater harvesting which is either attached to the foundation screed (C) on the ground, or fixed in height on the facade (F) of the building (B). A rainwater harvesting system according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the rainwater storage space is connected to a booster to supply a rainwater distribution network.