Road drainage grating including solar cells

Smart road storm drain that automatically raises and lowers solar cell blocks via humidity sensor signals to open and close drainage holes

This technology is a road drainage grating featuring solar cells. Solar cell blocks are inserted into each drainage hole of the grating, and a lifting mechanism automatically raises or lowers the support beneath the blocks to keep the holes closed during dry weather and open them when it rains.

Road gratings are designed with a grid pattern to allow rainwater to pass through while preventing people and vehicles from falling in. However, these holes are frequently clogged with trash, fallen leaves, cigarette butts, and debris. This leads to recurring issues, such as foul odors rising from the accumulated waste and rainwater backing up and overflowing during heavy downpours.

When the first humidity sensor inside the transparent cover detects precipitation on the road surface, this technology lowers the support to remove the block and open the waterway. If the second humidity sensor on the support detects backflow inside the drain, it raises the support to seal the drainage holes. Signal converters send four types of signals to a lifting mechanism composed of a motor, right-angle gears, and a rack-and-pinion system. Electricity generated by the solar cells is stored in a battery to power the motor and LED signage. An elastic transparent cover and elastic members under the support plate absorb vehicle impact. Suitable for urban side streets, busy commercial pedestrian areas, flood-prone low-lying zones, and smart city infrastructure, this system blocks odors and debris on clear days, opens automatically when it rains, and closes if backflow begins, effectively reducing flood damage.

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Key Features:

• A grating coupled to the top of a storm drain, including a plurality of drainage holes for water discharge, with a solar cell block inserted into each hole
• A first humidity sensor equipped with a first signal converter that detects precipitation based on road surface humidity changes and transmits signals to lower or raise the support
• A support disposed beneath the solar cell block, equipped with a second humidity sensor that detects rainwater backflow based on humidity changes inside the storm drain
• A lifting mechanism connecting the inner side of the storm drain to the support, which automatically raises or lowers the support based on signals received from the solar cell block and the support

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This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy for the development of an expandable transparent solar cell platform.

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