Artificial Turf Cleaning Device Non-Contact Suction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for processing artificial turf surfaces cause significant wear due to the high impact of engaging brushes, which leads to inefficient cleaning and potential damage to the turf fibers.

Innovation Solution

A device with an engaging mechanism that loosens material without direct contact, using a supplier with a suction unit and optionally a rotating brush, and a processing device with a separator to minimize surface impact, featuring adjustable engaging members and sensors for optimal depth and speed control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a rotating brush with stiff tufts is used to take up material from the ground surface, then the material take-up efficiency is improved, but the processing wear of the artificial turf increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial take-up efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing wear of artificial turf
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful function of the rotating brush contacting the ground surface is extracted and removed. Instead of using a brush to take up material, the patent uses a suction unit that creates a low-pressure region to lift and remove material without mechanical contact, thereby eliminating the wear caused by brush tufts while maintaining material take-up efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical brush-based material take-up system is replaced with a pneumatic suction system. The suction unit creates a low-pressure region that mechanically lifts material without the need for direct mechanical engagement, substituting the harmful mechanical brush contact with a non-contact pneumatic field

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the supplier extends at a distance above the ground surface, then the processing wear is reduced, but the material take-up capability may be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing wearVSAvoidmaterial take-up capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs pneumatic principles through the suction unit that creates a low-pressure region. This pneumatic field extends above the ground surface to lift and transport material without mechanical contact, enabling the supplier to maintain distance while still achieving effective material take-up through pressure differential rather than mechanical force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 significantly reduces processing wear on the artificial turf surface while ensuring effective material loosening and separation, allowing for efficient cleaning with minimal damage to the turf fibers.

Implementation Method 1

The supplier may for instance comprise a suction unit for taking up material by creating a low-pressure region above ground level

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3392410B1Device and method for processing a ground surface of artificial turf
Publication Date: 2020.02.26 REDEXIM HANDEL & EXPL MAATSCHAPPIJ BV
  • EP3392410B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3392410B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3392410B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device for processing a ground surface of artificial turf comprising filler, the device comprising a frame and moving means arranged for moving the device over the ground surface in a working direction, a supplier arranged for taking up a flow of material from the ground surface, such as dirt and filler, and for supplying the flow to a processing device arranged for processing the flow of material, wherein the supplier extends at a distance above the ground surface and that the device further comprises an engaging device arranged for engaging the material on the ground surface for loosening said material, wherein the engaging device is arranged in front of the supplier seen in the working direction, wherein the engaging device comprises a plurality of engaging members, wherein the engaging members comprise elongate engaging members, wherein a first end of the elongate members is arranged for engaging the material and wherein a second end is held to the frame.