Vegetation Substrate with Lava Sand and Random Turf Fibers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for stabilizing natural sports turf, such as hybrid turf systems, face challenges in adequately stabilizing the root zone and turf surface, particularly under high usage and maintenance, with risks of fiber damage during care measures and insufficient anchoring resistance.

Innovation Solution

A mixture of organic matter like topsoil and/or peat with lava sand, which allows for longer, randomly distributed artificial turf fibers that entangle and provide high pull-out resistance, stabilizing both the turf and root area, while being easily mixed and transported.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If hybrid turf systems with artificial turf fibers are used to stabilize the turf surface, then the turf surface stabilization is improved, but the root zone stabilization is insufficient and fibers may be damaged during maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveturf surface stabilizationVSAvoidroot zone stabilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the sand component by using lava sand instead of conventional quartz sand. The lava sand has specific grain size distribution (0-3mm), porous structure, and surface properties that enhance both turf surface stability and root zone anchoring. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by creating a substrate that simultaneously provides surface stabilization and root zone reinforcement without fiber damage during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining organic matter (topsoil and/or peat) with lava sand and artificial turf fibers. This composite paving material integrates multiple components with complementary functions: the organic matter provides nutrient and water retention, the lava sand provides structural stability and drainage, and the fibers provide tensile strength. The composite structure enables both turf surface stabilization and root zone stabilization simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional quartz sand is used in the paving material, then the material is easy to mix and transport, but the anchoring resistance for roots is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing and transportabilityVSAvoidanchoring resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the sand component from conventional quartz sand to lava sand with specific properties: grain size 0-3mm, porous structure, and rough surface texture. These parameter changes enhance the anchoring resistance for roots while maintaining workability. The lava sand's surface characteristics provide better mechanical interlocking with roots and fibers compared to smooth quartz sand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the porous structure of lava sand to enhance root anchoring. The pores and cavities in the lava sand particles create mechanical interlocking points that increase resistance to root pull-out. This porous material property resolves the contradiction by providing superior anchoring strength while the particle size and shape maintain ease of mixing and transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Ease of manufacture

If artificial turf fibers are arranged in uniform vertical orientation, then the turf structure is simple to manufacture, but the root system stabilization is limited and fibers are vulnerable to damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidroot system stabilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by distributing artificial turf fibers randomly rather than in uniform vertical orientation. This random distribution creates asymmetric fiber arrangements that provide multi-directional support for root growth and stabilization. The asymmetric layout enhances root system stabilization by providing anchoring points in various orientations, while the lava sand matrix protects fibers from damage during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from one-dimensional vertical fiber arrangement to three-dimensional random distribution within the paving material matrix. This dimensional change allows fibers to be embedded throughout the volume of the organic matter and sand mixture, providing stabilization in multiple directions and planes. The lava sand provides a protective matrix that secures fibers in this three-dimensional arrangement, preventing damage during maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Strength

If longer artificial turf fibers are used to increase pull-out resistance, then the anchoring resistance is improved, but the mixing and distribution in the substrate becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepull-out resistanceVSAvoidmixing and distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the substrate by using lava sand with grain size 0-3mm and porous structure. This substrate modification facilitates the mixing and distribution of longer artificial turf fibers. The lava sand particles act as spacers and distributors, preventing fiber clumping and ensuring uniform random distribution throughout the paving material while maintaining the beneficial long fiber length for pull-out resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution enhances playability, reduces maintenance costs, and improves sport functionality by providing increased anchoring resistance and structural stability for the root zone and turf surface.

Implementation Method 1

lava is a porous igneous rock that can be installed in a shear- and position-fixed manner and is both water-permeable and water-storing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

The rough surface of the lava sand in contact with the artificial turf fibers also ensures a high pull-out resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

there is inevitably a kinking or a change of direction (also several times) and this results in the possibility of an entanglement and a stronger pull-out resistance for roots

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical interlocking:

Implementation Method 4

lava is a porous igneous rock that can be installed in a shear- and position-fixed manner and is both water-permeable and water-storing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP1990470B8Material which serves as a layer of vegetation and substrate for natural grass playing surfaces
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 H CORDEL U SOHN INHABER KARLHEINZ CORDEL

AI summary

The material has a mixture of organic substance such as top soil and peat, and of sand e.g. lava sand. Volume percentage of the lava sand amounts to 20-45 percentages, where lava sand has a sieve fraction of preset value. Artificial turf fibers (3) of a length of 12 centimeters to 23 centimeters are loosely added with the mixture. The length of the fibers corresponds to 1.5 times of installation height of a vegetation-and base course (2). The artificial turf fibers are made of green colored polyethylene, polyamide and/or polypropylenes.