Foamed Polypropylene Ground Protection Mat Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground protection mats made from high density polyethylene are heavy, requiring two people to transport and position them, which complicates their use in applications involving heavy equipment.
Innovation Solution
A ground protection mat made from a foamed polymeric material, such as foamed polypropylene or foamed ethylene vinyl acetate, with a thickness of at least 0.75 inches and a flexural strength of 2500-6000 kpa, providing necessary stiffness and traction while being lightweight enough for single-person transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If high density polyethylene is used for ground protection mats, then the mats provide sufficient stiffness and strength to support heavy equipment, but the mats become excessively heavy requiring two people for transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by switching from high density polyethylene to foamed polymeric materials with specific density ranges (33-280 kg/m3 for EVA, 140-220 kg/m3 for polypropylene) and thickness specifications (at least 0.75 inch) to achieve the desired stiffness-to-weight ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses foamed polymeric materials which are composite structures combining polymer matrices with air pockets, providing both the necessary mechanical strength for ground protection and reduced weight for easier handling by single operators
2Strength
If the mat thickness is increased to provide sufficient stiffness, then the mat can support heavy equipment better, but the mat becomes heavier and more difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameter to at least 0.75 inch while using foamed materials with controlled density, achieving the minimum thickness required for sufficient stiffness while minimizing weight through the cellular structure of the foam material
Data Source
AI summary
A ground protection mat is in the form of a sheet material that is made from foamed polymeric material, preferably a foamed polypropylene or foamed ethylene vinyl acetate, and more preferably a material having a flexural strength ranging from about 2400 to about 6000 kpa. The sheet material can include raised portions on a top side thereof, or both top and bottom sides to improve traction for people or equipment traveling over the ground protection mats. The ground protection mats are light weight so that one individual can easily carry one, or even two, to be positioned in a desired location, but provide the necessary stiffness and strength for transportation and use purposes.