Equestrian Ground Slab with Studded Panels for Water Drainage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional equestrian arena and sports field floor panels made from plastic materials, particularly PVC, pose environmental risks due to potential leaching of harmful substances like lead and plasticizers, especially when in contact with water, and do not effectively manage moisture and drainage.
Innovation Solution
A floor panel design using a structural panel with studs on a carpet base, where the panel is made from less harmful materials like PE or PET, with spacers and optional through-openings for drainage, and coupled with adjacent panels for enhanced elasticity and stability, reducing plastic material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional plastic materials (PVC) are used for floor panels, then elasticity and durability are achieved, but harmful substances (lead, plasticizers) leach into the soil when in contact with water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by replacing PVC with PE or PET, which have different chemical properties and do not leach harmful substances. This parameter change maintains durability while eliminating the harmful leaching effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor panel uses a composite structure combining a structural panel (PE/PET) with a carpet layer and elastic elements. This composite approach achieves both durability and environmental safety by combining materials with complementary properties.
2Strength
If thicker structural panels are used, then stability and load-bearing capacity are improved, but mass and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure where a thinner structural panel (PE/PET) is combined with a carpet layer and elastic elements. The carpet and elastic components contribute to load distribution and structural integrity, allowing the use of thinner structural panels while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor panel is segmented into multiple functional layers: structural panel, carpet layer, and elastic elements. Each layer performs a specific function, allowing the structural panel to be thinner since other layers contribute to overall strength and stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If plastic materials are used for floor panels, then structural integrity is maintained, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material composition parameters by using PE or PET instead of PVC. These materials maintain structural integrity through their inherent mechanical properties while being environmentally benign and non-leaching.
4Strength
If carpet is used as base layer, then elasticity and slip resistance are improved, but water drainage capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies that the carpet layer has a porous structure with water permeability. This allows the carpet to provide elasticity and slip resistance while maintaining water drainage capability through its porous architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different layers have different local qualities optimized for their specific functions: the structural panel provides stability, the carpet provides elasticity and slip resistance, and the porous structure of the carpet enables water drainage. Each layer's properties are locally optimized.
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 minimizes environmental impact by using less harmful materials, improves elasticity and slip resistance, and enhances moisture management and drainage, creating a safer and more durable surface for equestrian and sports fields.
Implementation Method 1
The distance formed by this at least one spacer allows water to be distributed between them and thus drain more effectively through the carpet to the subfloor and/or flow to an edge region
Implementation Method 2
The carpet to which the at least one structural panel is attached supports the slip resistance and elasticity of the floor panel
Implementation Method 3
The carpet to which the at least one structural panel is attached supports the slip resistance and elasticity of the floor panel
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
An environmentally friendly flooring panel (18) for equestrian arenas and sports fields (10), which can be laid on a substrate (12), essentially consists of a carpet (30) and at least one structural panel (20) made of a plastic material on the upper side of the carpet (30) facing away from the substrate (12), wherein the at least one structural panel (20) has a thin base panel (21) on the upper side of which facing away from the substrate (12) a plurality of studs (22) are provided and which is fastened to the carpet (30) by at least one connection (40).