Autonomous Artificial Grass Maintenance Device

Solution Overview

Problem

Current maintenance devices for artificial grass sports fields rely on user discretion for scheduling and intensity of maintenance operations, leading to inconsistent quality and inability to meet stringent requirements, especially when maintained by volunteers, and require daytime operations for visual assessment of infill distribution.

Innovation Solution

A self-propelled maintenance device equipped with control means that follow a pre-programmed maintenance plan, including sensors and energy management, allowing autonomous operation and ensuring consistent quality by redistributing infill material and performing other maintenance tasks based on predefined criteria.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If maintenance operations are performed manually with user discretion, then flexibility in operation is maintained, but maintenance quality consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance operation flexibilityVSAvoidmaintenance quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance device autonomously performs maintenance operations without continuous human intervention. The control unit automatically controls the maintenance means based on a stored maintenance plan, enabling the system to service itself and eliminate variability introduced by different operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The maintenance plan stored in the control unit defines specific parameters for maintenance operations including timing, intensity, and coverage areas. By programmatically controlling these parameters, the system ensures consistent maintenance quality across different operations and time periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If maintenance operations require visual assessment during daytime, then operational simplicity is maintained, but productivity deteriorates due to time constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance operation simplicityVSAvoidmaintenance operation timing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual assessment with sensor-based detection systems. Sensors mounted on the maintenance device objectively measure infill material distribution and lawn conditions, eliminating the need for daytime visual inspection and enabling autonomous operation during nighttime hours.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit receives feedback from sensors that monitor maintenance conditions and infill distribution. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust maintenance operations and verify quality standards without human visual assessment, freeing operations from daytime constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If volunteer personnel perform maintenance, then operational cost is reduced, but reliability of maintenance quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance operational costVSAvoidmaintenance quality assurance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance device autonomously performs maintenance operations without continuous human intervention. The control unit automatically controls the maintenance means based on a stored maintenance plan, enabling the system to service itself and eliminate variability introduced by different operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit receives feedback from sensors that monitor maintenance conditions and infill distribution. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust maintenance operations and verify quality standards without human visual assessment, freeing operations from daytime constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2870293B1Device and method for maintenance operations on an artificial lawn

Publication Date: 2020.09.09 TEN CATE THIOLON BV

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for carrying out maintenance operations on an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial grass sports field, which device is movable across the artificial lawn. The invention also relates to a method for carrying out such maintenance operations, on an artificial lawn, in particular an artificial grass sports field, using a maintenance device. The object of the invention is to provide a device for that purpose, which device comprises maintenance means for carrying out maintenance operations on the artificial lawn and drive means for moving the device autonomously across the artificial lawn. The device further comprises control means for controlling the maintenance means and the drive means on the basis of a maintenance plan.