Polymeric Foam Support Layer with Drainage Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing artificial turf systems face challenges in efficient water drainage and shock absorption, which can lead to safety and user-friendliness issues, particularly during rainfall events.
Innovation Solution
A support layer made of polymeric foam with through drainage holes and channels, featuring elevated portions and widened entrance drainage holes, is designed to facilitate water flow and improve shock absorption, ensuring effective drainage and enhanced user safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a support layer is used for artificial turf, then shock absorption is improved, but water drainage capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support layer is constructed as a polymeric foam material with inherent porosity, allowing water to permeate through while maintaining shock absorption properties. The foam structure provides both cushioning and drainage pathways simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The support layer incorporates through-drainage holes that extend vertically through the entire thickness of the layer, segmenting the water flow path into distinct upper and lower sections. This allows water to drain efficiently while the surrounding foam material provides shock absorption.
2Productivity
If through drainage holes are added to the support layer, then water drainage capability is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The use of polymeric foam as the base material provides a porous structure that inherently accommodates drainage holes without significantly compromising overall structural integrity. The foam's cellular structure distributes stresses around the holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage holes extend through the entire thickness of the support layer, creating three-dimensional drainage pathways. This vertical dimension allows efficient water removal while the horizontal extent of the foam material maintains structural strength.
3Strength
If the support layer is made from polymeric foam, then shock absorption is improved, but water permeability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric foam is specifically selected and configured to have porous characteristics that enable water permeability. The foam's cellular structure provides both shock absorption and water transmission pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
Through-drainage holes are incorporated into the foam structure, segmenting it into regions that provide shock absorption (the foam material) and regions that provide water permeability (the holes). This segmentation allows both functions to coexist.
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 support layer effectively drains water and provides superior shock absorption, meeting or exceeding industry standards for water permeability and impact resistance, thereby improving the safety and usability of artificial turf systems.
Implementation Method 1
An effect of the support layer according to the invention is the provision of shock absorption and dewatering to the artificial turf covering said support layer
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of through drainage holes extending from the upper side to the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow via the plurality of drainage holes from the upper side to the lower side
Data Source
AI summary
A support layer for supporting an artificial turf assembly. The support layer being formed of a polymeric foam, preferably having a density of between 20 and 70 grams per liter, such as a polyolefin foam; and having an upper side and a lower side, wherein in use the support layer has been placed with the lower side thereof on a base surface and supports, on the upper side thereof, the artificial turf assembly, the support layer including a plurality of through drainage holes extending from the upper side to the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow via the plurality of drainage holes from the upper side to the lower side, and also including a plurality of channels at the lower side for allowing liquid such as rain water to flow through the channels along the lower side, wherein each of said plurality of drainage holes debouches into one of the plurality of channels. The support layer is further included in an artificial turf system, that includes an artificial turf assembly with the support layer supported on a base surface such as a layer of sand, wherein the support layer forms, at the upper sides thereof, a closed support surface supporting the artificial turf assembly.