Remote Sports Field Maintenance for Uneven Ice and Grass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sports field maintenance systems face challenges in efficiently and uniformly maintaining uneven ice and grass surfaces, requiring excessive energy and water consumption, and lack a reliable, efficient method for performing various maintenance tasks without human intervention.
Innovation Solution
A remotely operated sports field maintenance system comprising a device with moving mechanisms, actuators, and control systems that can be remotely controlled, allowing for automated maintenance of ice and grass surfaces, including leveling, cutting, and irrigation, with interchangeable actuators and shells for adaptability to different field types and conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional ice resurfacing equipment is used to maintain uneven ice surfaces, then the maintenance can be performed, but excessive water and energy consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using sensors to detect the specific thickness and condition of ice at different locations, then adjusting the planing depth and water application locally rather than uniformly across the entire ice surface. This targeted approach reduces overall water and energy consumption while maintaining necessary maintenance quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor ice surface conditions and provide real-time data to the control system. The control system adjusts planing depth, water flow rate, and heating element activation based on this feedback, optimizing energy and water usage while ensuring reliable maintenance results.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate maintenance devices are used for different tasks, then various maintenance functions can be performed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single maintenance device that integrates multiple functions: ice planing, water application, heating elements for ice formation, and sensor-based monitoring. This multi-functional device can perform various maintenance tasks (leveling, resurfacing, hole filling) without requiring separate specialized equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges previously separate maintenance functions into a single integrated platform. The planer, water tank, heating elements, and control systems are combined in one device that can execute multiple maintenance operations sequentially or simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple separate devices and simplifying the overall maintenance infrastructure.
3Ease of operation
If manual operation of maintenance equipment is used, then flexibility in handling different field conditions is achieved, but labor intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by incorporating autonomous navigation capabilities, sensor-based ice condition detection, and automated control algorithms that enable the maintenance device to operate independently. The device can detect ice thickness variations, automatically adjust planing depth, control water application rates, and navigate the ice surface without continuous human intervention, while still maintaining operational flexibility through programmable parameters and remote monitoring capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A sports field maintenance system and a method for maintaining a sports field includes maintaining the first part of the field with an actuator of a remotely controlled sports field maintenance device and maintaining the second part of the field with an additional device.