Infill Removal Device for Artificial Turf Using Inertia Beating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for removing infill material from artificial turf are inefficient, as they either fail to remove all infill material or require additional processing steps, leading to costly and cumbersome transportation to separate facilities.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising guides, strip supports, and a beating mechanism that utilizes inertia to separate infill material from artificial turf, with a rotating brush to remove rubber granules and a sand particles removal device that uses a fluttering motion and gravity to dislodge sand particles, allowing for on-site complete removal of infill material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If existing removal devices are used, then some infill material is removed, but not all infill material is removed and additional processing steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfill material removal completenessVSAvoidprocessing steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The removal device is divided into multiple functional sections: a lifting section with rotating brushes for removing rubber granules, and a separation section with beating devices for removing sand particles. This segmentation allows each section to target specific infill materials with specialized mechanisms, achieving complete removal while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device employs dynamic elements including rotating brushes that spin at controlled speeds to agitate and remove rubber granules, and beating devices that move back and forth to dislodge sand particles. The artificial turf strip itself is moved dynamically through the device, allowing continuous processing without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If infill material is removed at separate processing facilities, then removal is possible, but transportation costs and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfill material removalVSAvoidtransportation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines multiple removal functions into a single integrated device that can be deployed directly at the sports field. The lifting section and separation section work together in one location, eliminating the need to transport the entire artificial turf strip to separate facilities for different processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed to be self-contained and portable, capable of being transported to the field and operated in situ. The lifting mechanism raises the turf strip, the rotating brushes remove rubber granules, and the beating devices remove sand particles, all at the original location, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external processing facilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If artificial turf is rolled up with infill material, then handling is simplified, but separation requires additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehandlingVSAvoidinfill material separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary separation actions during the handling process itself. As the artificial turf strip is fed through the device, the lifting section and rotating brushes immediately begin removing rubber granules, and the beating devices simultaneously remove sand particles. This preliminary action prevents infill material from becoming embedded during transport or storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device introduces intermediary mechanisms between the rolled-up turf and the final separated materials. The rotating brushes act as an intermediary to capture and remove rubber granules, while the beating devices serve as intermediaries to dislodge sand particles. These intermediaries enable separation without requiring the turf to be fully unrolled or manually processed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 enables the efficient removal of all or substantially all infill material from artificial turf, reducing the need for further processing and transportation, and allows for on-site separation of rubber granules and sand particles, enhancing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a beating device for removing infill material from the strip of artificial turf, wherein the beating device is constructed to beat the strip on the side of the grass blades, such that use is made of the inertia of the infill material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertia: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

a sand particles removal device that uses a fluttering motion and gravity to dislodge sand particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2796034B1Infill removal device for removing infill from a strip of artificial turf
Publication Date: 2015.10.14 SCHUURMAN HLDG
  • EP2796034B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2796034B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2796034B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a removal device (10) for removing infill material from a strip of artificial turf, the device comprising: • one or more guides for guiding the strip of artificial turf through the removal device, • a beating device (56) for removing infill material from the strip of artificial turf, wherein the beating device is constructed to beat the strip on the side of the grass blades, such that use is made of the inertia of the infill material.