Hybrid Grass-Cork Surfacing for Playground Impact Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ground surfacing products in public play areas face challenges in meeting industry standards for impact attenuation, durability, maintainability, and aesthetics while providing effective protection from falls.
Innovation Solution
A ground surfacing product comprising an artificial backing layer with upwardly extending artificial grass blades, a growth media layer with natural grass, and a cork layer beneath, designed to provide varying thicknesses for different fall heights, ensuring impact attenuation and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If natural grass is used alone for ground surfacing, then aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits are improved, but impact attenuation and fall protection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines natural grass with artificial grass blades and a cork layer to create a composite ground surfacing system. The artificial grass provides structural integrity and impact attenuation, while the natural grass contributes aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating materials with complementary properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-layer nested structure where artificial grass blades are embedded in a backing layer, natural grass is sown in the growth media layer above the backing, and a cork layer is positioned beneath the backing layer. Each layer is nested within the overall structure to provide different functions simultaneously - impact absorption, aesthetics, and root permeation.
2Reliability
If ground surfacing product thickness is increased for better fall protection, then impact attenuation is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ground surfacing product into distinct functional segments: an artificial grass section with backing layer, a growth media layer with natural grass, and a cork layer beneath. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity and manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The backing layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the artificial grass, acts as a root-permeable barrier, and serves as an attachment surface for the growth media layer. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby simplifying the overall structure.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If artificial grass is used alone for ground surfacing, then durability and impact attenuation are improved, but aesthetic appeal and environmental integration are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges artificial grass and natural grass into a single integrated ground surfacing system. The artificial grass provides durability and consistent appearance, while the natural grass adds aesthetic variety and environmental integration. The two types of grass are combined in the same visual field to achieve both durability and aesthetic appeal simultaneously.
4Reliability
If cork layer thickness is increased for better impact protection, then fall protection is improved, but weight and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the cork layer thickness to specific parameters (40mm, 60mm, or 90mm) to achieve different levels of impact attenuation for various fall heights. This parameter optimization ensures adequate fall protection while minimizing unnecessary weight and material usage, balancing safety requirements with practical installation considerations.
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 product achieves compliance with industry standards for fall protection, durability, and aesthetic appeal, offering varying thicknesses for enhanced safety and injury prevention across different fall heights.
Implementation Method 1
a second section comprising only a layer of cork positioned beneath the backing layer of the first section and roots of the natural grass extending at least through the cork
Implementation Method 2
an artificial, root-permeable backing layer
Data Source
AI summary
A ground surfacing product comprising a first section (3) comprising an artificial, root-permeable backing layer (7), artificial grass having blades (9) attached to and extending upwardly from the backing layer, a growth media layer (11) positioned over the backing layer (7) to at least partially cover the backing layer and the artificial grass blades, natural grass sown in the growth media layer and having blades (13) extending upwardly from the growth media layer and roots (15) extending downwardly through the growth media layer and the backing layer, and a second section (5) comprising a layer of cork (17) positioned beneath the backing layer of the first section and roots of the natural grass extending at least through the cork.