Sunk Turf Barrier with Connection Grid for Overgrowth Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing artificial turf barriers are unsuitable for low-maintenance lawns, as they either hinder mowing or allow overgrowth, and can pose tripping hazards and irrigation system inefficiencies due to grass encroachment, leading to uneven water distribution and safety risks.

Innovation Solution

An artificial turf barrier system comprising a connection grid and surface, where the artificial turf is sunk into the ground to prevent overgrowth, with a recess for irrigation nozzles and flexible design to avoid tripping, made from durable thermoplastic materials for easy installation and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the plate is designed to rest on the ground with several centimeters height, then the barrier effectively prevents overgrowth, but it creates a tripping hazard and hinders mowing on low lawns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveovergrowth preventionVSAvoidtripping hazard
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the visible plate structure from the ground surface by completely sinking it below ground level. Only the narrow top edge of the plate remains visible, eliminating the tripping hazard while maintaining the barrier function. The artificial turf is attached to this sunk plate, creating an effective overgrowth prevention system without surface protrusions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies preliminary anti-action by pre-sinking the plate below ground level before turf installation, preventing the tripping hazard from occurring in the first place. The plate is positioned at a depth where its top surface is flush with or slightly below the ground, proactively eliminating the safety issue before use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the plate is completely sunk into the ground with narrow width, then the tripping hazard is reduced, but grass easily overgrows the plate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetripping hazardVSAvoidovergrowth prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite materials by combining the inorganic plate structure with organic artificial turf. The artificial turf is attached to the sunk plate, creating a composite barrier that leverages the structural stability of the plate and the overgrowth-preventing properties of the turf, effectively solving the problem of grass encroachment on narrow sunk plates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by attaching artificial turf specifically to the narrow sunk plate at the boundary area. This localized application of turf provides enhanced overgrowth prevention exactly where needed (at the lawn edge) without requiring the entire plate surface to be wide or visible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If additional staff are used to clear overgrown irrigation systems, then irrigation efficiency is maintained, but maintenance costs and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveirrigation efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The artificial turf barrier provides self-service by automatically preventing grass and weed growth that would otherwise encroach on irrigation nozzles and pathways. This eliminates the need for manual clearing operations, allowing the irrigation system to maintain efficiency without requiring staff intervention for vegetation management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Shape

If manual clearing of weeds and grass from beds and paths is performed every 2-3 weeks, then tidy appearance is maintained, but maintenance frequency and labor requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetidy appearanceVSAvoidmaintenance frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The artificial turf barrier serves itself by continuously maintaining a tidy appearance through its inherent resistance to grass and weed penetration. The dense artificial turf structure actively prevents vegetation encroachment, eliminating the need for repeated manual clearing operations to maintain aesthetic boundaries between lawns and adjacent areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2781150B1Turf barrier with artificial turf edge
Publication Date: 2017.04.26 ANTON HUBER
  • EP2781150B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2781150B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an artificial turf barrier (10) comprising a turf barrier (2), an artificial turf (1), and a connection surface (4) for the artificial turf (1). The invention is characterized by the provision of a connection grid (3). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an artificial turf barrier with a turf barrier (2) and a connection grid (3), wherein the turf barrier (2) and the connection grid (3) are formed by injection molding. The method according to the invention is characterized in that a cut section of artificial turf (1) is placed in an injection mold, and the turf barrier (2) and the connection grid (3) are permanently bonded to the artificial turf section (1) during injection molding.