Granular Thermoplastic Layer for Synthetic Grass Turf Drainage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing synthetic grass turf substrates face challenges in achieving adequate dimensional stabilization and anchorage of filiform formations, while also requiring effective drainage to prevent water puddles, which is compromised by traditional drainage opening designs.

Innovation Solution

A substrate comprising a pad made from polyester with a stabilizing mesh and a granular thermoplastic layer that provides mechanical anchorage and drainage, where the granular material is distributed sparsely to allow for water permeability, and the pad and mesh are thermobonded with a heater to enhance cohesion and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If drainage openings are provided in the substrate, then water drainage is improved, but dimensional stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater puddlesVSAvoiddimensional stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the drainage function from the substrate structure itself and relocates it to a separate granular layer positioned above the substrate. This allows the substrate to maintain its structural integrity for dimensional stability while the granular layer handles water drainage through its inherent porosity and distribution channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The granular layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides drainage capacity, acts as a stabilizing agent for the substrate, and contributes to the overall structural integrity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate drainage openings in the substrate, resolving the contradiction between drainage and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Strength

If a continuous adhesive layer is applied to anchor filiform formations, then anchorage is improved, but water permeability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveanchorageVSAvoidwater permeability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a continuous adhesive layer, the invention uses locally distributed granular material that provides anchorage points at specific locations. The granular particles are dispersed throughout the substrate thickness, creating localized anchoring zones that maintain water permeability while providing sufficient mechanical attachment for the filiform formations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The granular layer and dispersed particles create a porous structure that allows water to penetrate through while maintaining mechanical anchorage. The voids between particles enable fluid flow, resolving the contradiction between anchorage strength and water permeability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If granular material is densely distributed for anchorage, then mechanical stability is improved, but water drainage capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidwater drainage
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies a moderate, sparse distribution of granular material rather than dense packing. This partial action provides sufficient mechanical stability through distributed anchorage points while maintaining adequate void spaces for water drainage, avoiding the excessive density that would compromise drainage capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 solution achieves excellent dimensional stability, resistance to mechanical stresses, and rapid water drainage without creating a continuous adhesive layer, ensuring the synthetic grass turf maintains its structural integrity and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

the pad and mesh are thermobonded with a heater to enhance cohesion and stability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermobonding: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2011919B1Flooring material and methods of manufacture
Publication Date: 2014.03.19 MONDO SPA
  • EP2011919B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2011919B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2011919B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

A substrate (10, 20, 12) for floorings, such as synthetic grass turf, comprises: - a pad (10) made of a first heat-meltable material; - a stabilizing mesh (20) made of a second heat-meltable material; and - a connection layer (12) set between said pad (10) and said mesh (20). The connection layer (12) comprises a third heat-meltable material with a melting point lower than the melting point of the first and of the second heat-meltable materials. The connection layer (12) is a discontinuous layer with a granular structure, so that the substrate is permeable to liquids in order to enable, for example, draining-off of rainwater.