Artificial Grass Grid for Substrate Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for laying artificial grass do not allow for functional interaction between the grass mat and the substrate, limiting the grass's ability to stabilize the substrate and provide structural support, especially on loose materials like desert sand or sloping surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A method involving flat, deformable artificial grass strips arranged in a grid pattern with offset connections, allowing the grid to be anchored into the substrate and filled with stabilizing material to enhance stability and load-bearing capacity, while also providing a natural appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If artificial grass is laid as a complete mat with backing fabric, then installation is simple and quick, but the grass cannot functionally interact with the substrate to stabilize it
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial grass mat is segmented into individual strips that can be independently positioned and connected. Each strip has connection elements at its edges that allow it to be joined with adjacent strips, forming a grid structure that can interact with the substrate while maintaining ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional mat laid on the substrate to a three-dimensional grid structure that extends into the substrate. The strips are connected at offset locations to form vertices that can be anchored into the substrate, creating functional interaction in the vertical dimension while maintaining horizontal coverage.
2Reliability
If artificial grass strips are connected at offset locations to form a grid, then the grass can stabilize the substrate, but the installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connection elements are pre-attached to the strips during manufacturing, so that when the strips are laid out and pulled apart, the connections are already in place. This preliminary preparation of connection points eliminates the need for complex field assembly operations while still achieving the stabilizing grid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The grid structure itself provides the stabilization function without requiring additional external anchoring systems. The strips, when pulled apart and connected at offset locations, automatically form a self-supporting grid that can be filled with stabilizing material, making the system self-sufficient.
3Ease of manufacture
If artificial grass is supplied as a complete mat, then manufacturing and storage are simplified, but it cannot be quickly deployed or adapted to different substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The artificial grass is manufactured as segmented strips rather than complete mats. These strips can be quickly deployed by simply pulling them apart and connecting them at the edges, enabling rapid installation on various substrates while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardized strip production.
Solution Approach 2:
The strips are designed to be flexible and deformable, allowing them to be easily manipulated and positioned during installation. The connection elements enable the strips to be dynamically assembled into grid configurations that can adapt to different substrate conditions, enhancing deployment speed and versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for forming an artificial grass layer on a substrate, comprising the steps of supplying a pack of flat and deformable artificial grass strips, in which the strips are arranged with their flat faces side-by-side and are connected to each other at mutually offset locations, placing the pack of artificial grass strips on or partially in the substrate, pulling apart the artificial grass strips, thus forming a grid, and at least partially filling at least some of the openings in the grid with a stabilizing material. The invention further relates to a method for forming such a pack of flat and deformable artificial grass strips. And finally, the invention relates to an artificial grass product, comprising a pack of flat and deformable artificial grass strips, each strip comprising a substantially straight lower edge and an upper edge having artificial grass blades protruding therefrom, wherein the strips are arranged with their flat faces in side-by-side relationship and their straight lower edges in substantially the same plane, and are connected to each other at mutually offset locations.