Artificial turf comprising antimicrobial polyurethane backing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing artificial turfs are prone to microbial contamination, which reduces their usable life, and there is a lack of effective solutions, especially for artificial turf structures with a polyurethane thermoset backing.

Innovation Solution

An artificial turf with a polyurethane antimicrobial backing is developed, where a biocide agent such as zinc pyrithione is added to the polyurethane reaction mixture, and a chelating agent is used to control the polymerization reaction, ensuring a homogeneous and void-free polyurethane backing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If antimicrobial agents are added to artificial turf structures, then antimicrobial properties are improved, but the polymerization reaction of polyurethane backing is retarded and structural stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial propertyVSAvoidpolymerization reaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A chelating agent is introduced as an intermediary substance that binds to the antimicrobial agent (zinc pyrithione) and prevents it from interfering with the polymerization reaction. The chelating agent mediates between the antimicrobial requirement and the polymerization process, allowing both to coexist without conflict.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The chemical state of the antimicrobial agent is changed by forming a chelate complex. This parameter change modifies the antimicrobial agent's interaction with the polymerization system, eliminating the retarding effect while preserving antimicrobial activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If polyurethane reaction mixture is applied to form backing, then structural stability is improved, but voids and gaps are formed where microbial growth occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidmicrobial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The chelating agent is pre-added to the polyurethane reaction mixture before application. This preliminary action ensures that the antimicrobial protection is in place before microbial contamination can occur, preventing the harmful effect rather than treating it afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The polyurethane backing is formed as a composite material system containing polyurethane polymer, antimicrobial agent, and chelating agent. This composite structure provides both structural stability and antimicrobial protection, with the chelating agent ensuring uniform distribution and preventing void formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If zinc pyrithione is added to polyurethane reaction mixture, then antimicrobial properties are improved, but polymerization reaction speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial propertyVSAvoidpolymerization reaction speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The chelating agent acts as a mediator that separates the antimicrobial function from the polymerization process. It binds to zinc pyrithione in a way that prevents the antimicrobial agent from interfering with polymerization kinetics while maintaining its biological activity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 an artificial turf with improved antimicrobial properties, extended usable life, and maintained structural stability and pile pulling characteristics, while preventing microbial growth in voids and gaps.

Implementation Method 1

a biocide agent such as zinc pyrithione is added to the polyurethane reaction mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action: Preservative

Implementation Method 2

a chelating agent is used to control the polymerization reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

ensuring a homogeneous and void-free polyurethane backing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS20250052016A1Artificial turf comprising antimicrobial polyurethane backing

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 SYNTHETIC TURF RESOURCES

AI summary

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing an artificial turf (600) and the artificial turf obtained by this method, the method comprising: incorporating an artificial turf fiber on a carrier (104); adding a polyurethane reaction mixture on the back side of the carrier (106); and hardening polyurethane reaction mixture to form a polyurethane backing, characterized in that pyrithione zinc is added in the polyurethane reaction mixture to provide antimicrobial property to the polyurethane backing.