Artificial Grass Decking with Exposed Rigid Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional decking is often bland in appearance, requires extensive maintenance, and poses slipping hazards, especially for elderly users, due to its artificial and slippery nature.
Innovation Solution
Decking comprising artificial grass with a rigid wood or wood-like support material, featuring exposed strips that mimic a lawn appearance, providing a stable and aesthetically pleasing surface while reducing slip risk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional decking planks are used to provide a rigid level surface, then structural stability and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the surface becomes slippery when wet and appears bland and artificial
Solution Approach 1:
The decking combines artificial grass with a rigid support structure (wood, composite, or metal) to create a composite material system. This integrates the slip-resistant, natural appearance of grass with the structural strength and stability of rigid materials, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and slip resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial grass is applied specifically to the walking surface layer, while the rigid support structure remains underneath. This local application provides slip resistance where needed (on the surface) while maintaining structural strength in the support layer, addressing the contradiction between these two requirements.
2Strength
If traditional decking planks are used to provide a rigid level surface, then structural stability is improved, but the appearance becomes bland and artificial
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure combines the natural aesthetic of artificial grass with the structural properties of rigid materials. The grass layer provides a natural, green appearance that eliminates the bland, artificial look of traditional decking, while the rigid support maintains structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The artificial grass is applied to the visible surface layer to improve aesthetics, while the rigid support structure underneath maintains structural stability. This local differentiation allows each layer to fulfill its primary function - aesthetics for the surface, strength for the support.
3Shape
If artificial grass is added to decking to improve appearance and reduce slipping, then aesthetic appearance and safety are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial grass is implemented as a thin, flexible surface layer that can be easily applied to the rigid support structure. This minimizes the added complexity while achieving the desired aesthetic and safety improvements, as the grass layer conform s to the underlying structure rather than requiring a completely new complex design.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If artificial grass is added to decking to reduce slipping and improve appearance, then safety and aesthetics are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial grass is manufactured as a ready-to-apply thin film or mat that simplifies the manufacturing process. Rather than integrating grass fibers directly into the rigid material (which would be complex), the pre-manufactured grass layer can be easily attached to the rigid support, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while achieving slip resistance.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
Decking (1) comprising artificial grass (2) and a rigid support for said artificial grass can be constructed so that the material used for the rigid support provides at least one exposed region (3, 4) on the upper surface of the decking (1). This allows attractive decking (1) to be provided that can mimic strips of lawn (2) and can also provide a non-slip surface.