Mixed Turf Profiled Fibers Water Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixed turfs face challenges in maintaining vegetative development and durability due to high drainage infill materials leading to dehydration and pollution issues, while synthetic turfs suffer from superheating and environmental discomfort, limiting their applicability and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A mixed turf design featuring a mat with profiled artificial fibers forming channels to store water, combined with a loose infill material that includes organic and mineral components, allowing for efficient water retention and root growth above the substrate, ensuring the turf's elasticity, shock absorption, and resistance to heavy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If loose infill material with high drainage capability is used to keep artificial fibers vertical, then the artificial turf structure is maintained, but the natural plants suffer from water stress and dehydration
Solution Approach 1:
The infill material is segmented into multiple functional layers: a lower drainage layer for water evacuation and an upper water-retention layer with higher water capacity. This segmentation allows simultaneous fulfillment of drainage requirements for fiber stability and water retention requirements for plant survival.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the infill material have different water retention properties. The upper layer has higher water retention capacity to nourish plant roots, while the lower layer has higher drainage capability to maintain fiber orientation and prevent waterlogging.
2Reliability
If frequent irrigation is applied to prevent plant dehydration, then plant survival is improved, but nutritive substances disperse and underground pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The infill material is pre-configured with water-retention capabilities in the upper layer, allowing the system to withstand irrigation intervals without external water input. This preliminary water storage capacity eliminates the need for frequent irrigation and prevents nutrient dispersion into the underground.
3Stability of the object's composition
If synthetic turf is used to ensure steadiness and grip, then playing field stability is improved, but superheating and environmental discomfort occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines synthetic artificial fibers for structural stability and grip with natural plant elements for thermal regulation. The natural turf components provide cooling through evapotranspiration, counteracting the superheating effect of the synthetic materials while maintaining playing field steadiness.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If natural turf is used to provide aesthetic and environmental performance, then environmental benefits are improved, but the turf wears quickly and requires expensive maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a composite turf structure where natural plant elements provide environmental benefits and aesthetic qualities, while the synthetic fiber matrix and infill material system provide structural support and durability. The artificial fibers absorb mechanical stress and foot traffic impacts, protecting the natural plants from wear while maintaining environmental performance.
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 prolonged vegetative development, improved durability, and ease of installation and removal, maintaining optimal playing field characteristics for sports and ornamental purposes without compromising environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
at least one part of said plurality of fibres of artificial material has a profiled shape comprising: a main blade having a polygonal cross section; at least one side wing that extends from said main blade, wherein said, or each, side wing has, in cross section, a curved profile forming a channel that is substantially parallel to said main blade
Implementation Method 2
a loose infill material distributed on said first face, said loose infill material adapted to keep said fibres of artificial material substantially vertical
Implementation Method 3
a natural turf comprising a plurality of plants belonging to at least one vegetable species, wherein said natural turf is radicated into said loose infill material between said fibres of artificial material
Implementation Method 4
ensuring the turf's elasticity, shock absorption, and resistance to heavy use
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
Turf (1) for sports, recreactional activities and/or for ornamental purposes comprising a mat of flexible material (10) equipped with a first face (11) and a second face (12) opposite to each other. To the mat (10) a plurality of fibres (20) are connected of an artificial material in such a way that it forms an artificial turf (50) that protrudes from the first face (11). The turf (1) comprises, furthermore, a measured amount of a loose infill material (50), for example of granular type, distributed on the face (11) of the mat (10). The turf (1) comprises, furthermore, natural vegetable material, i.e. plants, belonging to one, or more plant species (30) put in the loose infill material (50) by means of sowing, traplantation of portions of plants, or a combination of the two solutions. The fibres of artificial material (20) have a profiled shape comprising a main blade (21) and at least one side wing (22). More precisely, the side wing (22) has a curved profile suitable for forming a channel (25) arranged substantially parallel to the main blade (21) in order to form a channel that is substantially parallel to said main blade, so that the profile of the channel partially or completely encircles the spaces that are occupied by water, roots and loose infill material, creating a water reserve for roots.