Aerated Polymer Putting Green Surface Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial putting greens lack the flexibility and resiliency of natural grass, often causing injuries and failing to realistically simulate the tightly mown texture and feel of a golf course, especially when used indoors where access to outdoor facilities is limited.
Innovation Solution
Aerated polyethylene and polyurethane foams are used to create a porous, fibrous surface through mechanical or chemical abrasion, allowing for variable density and texture to mimic different grass types and conditions, with a sufficient thickness to simulate a golf cup depression, enhancing realism and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional artificial surfaces are used for putting greens, then the surface provides a stable and durable playing area, but the surface lacks flexibility and resiliency, causing injuries and failing to simulate natural grass
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses aerated cellular polymers with open or closed cells that provide both structural stability and flexibility. The porous structure allows the material to deform underfoot while maintaining overall integrity, simulating the give of natural grass while preventing delamination and injury
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines aerated cellular polymer materials with specific density ranges (0.5-5.0 lbs per cubic foot) to create a composite structure that integrates the stability needed for a durable surface with the flexibility and resiliency of natural grass, eliminating the need for rigid substrates
2Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional artificial turf is used, then the surface provides durability, but it lacks the resiliency of grass and may delaminate
Solution Approach 1:
The aerated cellular structure provides inherent resiliency through its ability to compress and rebound, preventing the delamination issues associated with conventional artificial turf while maintaining long-term durability through the integrated foam construction
3Ease of operation
If aerated polymers with thickness sufficient for cup depression are used, then the surface provides realism and safety, but the material consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes foam density parameters (0.5-5.0 lbs per cubic foot) and thickness (0.25-4.0 inches) to achieve the minimum necessary material volume that still provides sufficient thickness for cup depression while maintaining realism and safety, reducing overall material consumption
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
The solution provides a flexible and realistic artificial putting green that simulates the feel and texture of natural grass, reducing the risk of injury and enhancing practice authenticity, suitable for indoor use by mimicking various golf course conditions.
Implementation Method 1
aerated polymers, which are also known as foams or foamed polymers, such as, for example, certain open and closed cell foams
Implementation Method 2
the top portion, or playing surface of the polymer, may be ruptured to form a porous surface. The rupturing may be accomplished by mechanical or chemical abrasion
Data Source
AI summary
A foamed polymer having a top portion with ruptured cells and a bottom portion of non-ruptured cells is provided. The ruptured cells are formed using mechanical or chemical abrasion to form a plurality of fibrous members that simulate a grass-like surface. The abrasion may be accomplished using sanding or solvents that rupture the cells of the top portion.