Composite Park Bench Slats for Comfort and Algae Resistance

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Park benches with longitudinal wooden or plastic bars face issues of damage from impact, fungal infestation, algae growth, and maintenance due to smooth surfaces, while metal benches are uncomfortable and prone to algae infestation, and existing solutions fail to balance aesthetics, robustness, and low maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A park bench design featuring aluminum longitudinal beams with an oval or rectangular cross-section, covered with a rubber-elastic casing that reduces sliding resistance and prevents algae growth, combined with a modular frame and cover plates to conceal screws, ensuring easy maintenance and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wooden longitudinal bars are used for the seat, then seating comfort is improved (less heat in summer, less cold in winter), but vulnerability to damage and fungal infestation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseating comfortVSAvoidresistance to damage and fungal infestation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure combining an aluminum profile (metal) with a rubber-elastic casing (polymer). The aluminum profile provides structural strength and durability, while the rubber-elastic casing provides warmth to the touch, weather resistance, and protection against fungal infestation. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If extruded plastic profiles are used for longitudinal bars, then manufacturing cost and ease of production are improved, but UV resistance and durability deteriorate (look dull after a few years)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidUV resistance and appearance durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The aluminum profile serves as a UV-resistant structural core that maintains its strength and appearance outdoors, while the rubber-elastic casing provides weather resistance and aesthetic quality. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by using materials that are inherently resistant to UV degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If smooth surfaces are used for longitudinal bars, then ease of cleaning is improved, but algae and spore infestation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of cleaningVSAvoidalgae and spore infestation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber-elastic casing acts as a flexible shell that covers the longitudinal bars. This casing can be designed with specific surface properties that prevent algae adhesion while maintaining ease of cleaning. The flexible nature of the rubber-elastic material allows for self-cleaning effects and resistance to biological infestation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Object-affected harmful factors

If circular cross-section longitudinal bars are used, then algae infestation is reduced, but seating comfort deteriorates (insufficient comfort on hard surfaces)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealgae infestationVSAvoidseating comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rubber-elastic casing provides a softer, more comfortable surface for seating while the underlying aluminum profile can maintain various cross-sectional shapes including circular forms that reduce algae infestation. The composite structure allows the outer layer to provide comfort while the inner structure provides the shape that prevents biological growth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 design provides improved comfort, reduced algae infestation, and enhanced durability by using rubber-elastic material and stainless steel components, ensuring the bench remains aesthetically pleasing and low-maintenance while resisting damage and wear.

Implementation Method 1

The longitudinal bars 2 have a round or rounded cross-section and are covered with a rubber-elastic casing 21

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRubber-elastic material properties: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The rubber-elastic material of the casing results in a comfortable seat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP1872690B1Park bench

Publication Date: 2008.10.29 BURRI AG ZURICH

Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7~10

AI summary

The bench has a seating surface with a set of longitudinal bars (2), where each bar has an aluminum profile section (20) with an oval cross-section. Each profile section has a diametric transverse rib (23) with longitudinal bore-holes (25), which are arranged at a center of the ribs and run in a longitudinal direction of the ribs. A rubber elastic covering (21) is pulled over the section and is longer than the section. Screws are held on both sides of the bars and are engaged between front plates in the bore-holes, where the covering is compressed to the length of the profile section.