Aeroponic or fogponics plant growing system

Abstract

An aeroponic or fogponics plant growing system is provided. The system comprises a structural frame, a rotatable base, a garden tower and a first spray pipe. The structural frame includes a bottom. The rotatable base is disposed on the bottom and includes a rotation driving surface having a plurality of fastening units. The garden tower includes an upper end portion having an opening, a lower end portion having a rotation following surface and, a tower wall having a plurality of planting cavities, wherein the tower wall is between the upper end portion and the lower end portion. The rotation driving surface transmits rotation motion to the lower end portion through the plurality of fastening units, whereby the rotatable base drives the garden tower to rotate together. The first spray pipe is extended into the garden tower and sprays a first liquid toward the tower wall.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This disclosure relates to an aeroponic plant cultivation system, and more particularly to an aeroponic system with a rotating planting tower. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Nowadays, crops are increasingly being grown without soil (soilless culture), instead using nutrient solutions to supply the nutrients needed for crop growth. This avoids soil-borne diseases and continuous cropping obstacles, and also eliminates the need for fertilization and weeding. In nutrient solution culture, aeroponics sprays the nutrient solution onto the roots of the target crop. It is carried out in an artificial system that controls the crop's growth environment. The structure height is customized according to the space required by the target crop, and atomized water and nutrients are provided for the plant to absorb.

[0003] Existing technologies (such as Republic of China Patent Publication Nos. I863340B and M544768) provide a three-dimensional rotating planting device for root and leaf irrigation, which consists of a frame, a plurality of planting drums, a drive unit, a spraying unit, a lighting unit, and an intelligent control assembly. The plurality of planting drums are driven by a geared motor, gear set, and belt located above to generate rotational motion. This type of device uses a variety of transmission components, among which the gears and drive shafts (i.e., the upper and lower covers in Publication No. I863340B) are heavy, so the power required to drive the rotation is large and energy-intensive. Moreover, because the plurality of planting drums share the power transmitted by the geared motor and the timing belt, if one planting drum needs to be stopped for maintenance or repair, all planting drums must stop rotating.

[0004] Furthermore, the power components, transmission components, water tanks and pumps of the aforementioned conventional equipment are all located on the top of the frame, which will block the sunlight from coming from above, and is not conducive to the plants receiving sufficient sunlight on sunny days. [Summary of the Invention]

[0005] In view of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art, this invention provides an aeroponic plant cultivation system that uses a more energy-efficient power mechanism to drive the movement of each planting tower, which can rotate independently. The system has a large, unobstructed top, allowing more sunlight to penetrate and enter, so that the plants can receive sufficient sunlight.

[0006] In one aspect disclosed herein, this application provides an aeroponic plant cultivation system, comprising: a structural frame including a bottom; a rotating base disposed on the bottom, including a rotating active surface having a plurality of fixed units; a planting tower including an upper end having an opening, a lower end having a rotating driven surface, and a tower wall having a plurality of planting holes, wherein the tower wall is located between the upper end and the lower end; and a first spray pipe extending from the opening of the upper end into the tower wall; wherein the rotating active surface transmits rotational motion to the rotating driven surface through the plurality of fixed units, thereby the rotating base drives the planting tower to rotate together.

[0007] In another embodiment disclosed herein, the aeroponic plant cultivation system further includes an insect-proof net having a specific color that promotes photosynthesis, wherein the structural frame includes a top and at least one side, and the insect-proof net covers the top or the at least one side.

[0008] In another embodiment disclosed herein, the structural frame includes a first side portion, a second side portion opposite to the first side portion, a third side portion and a fourth side portion opposite to the third side portion, the third side portion and the fourth side portion being connected to the first side portion and the second side portion respectively, and the first side portion, the second side portion and the third side portion allowing air from outside the structural frame to enter.

[0009] In another embodiment disclosed herein, the first side, the second side and the third side are respectively provided with a foldable or rollable shielding screen.

[0010] In another embodiment disclosed herein, the aeroponic plant cultivation system further includes a liquid delivery module, which includes a first spray pipe with a plurality of first nozzles, a first liquid delivery pipeline, a first liquid tank, a second liquid delivery pipeline with a plurality of second nozzles, and a second liquid tank. The first liquid delivery pipeline delivers a first liquid in the first liquid tank to the first spray pipe, and the second liquid delivery pipeline delivers a second liquid in the second liquid tank to the plurality of second nozzles. The plurality of second nozzles spray the second liquid outside the tower wall.

[0011] In another embodiment disclosed herein, the aeroponic plant cultivation system further includes a recovery module, which includes a water collection tank with a drainage hole and a recovery pipeline, wherein the recovery pipeline passes through the rotating base and is connected to the drainage hole, wherein the first spray pipe sprays the first liquid toward the tower wall, and the water collection tank receives the falling first liquid and is transported to the first liquid tank by the recovery pipeline; wherein the water collection tank is disposed between the lower end of the planting tower and the rotating base, and is interconnected with the plurality of fixed units to transmit the rotational motion to the rotating driven surface.

[0012] In another aspect disclosed herein, the aeroponic plant cultivation system further includes a pulse device, which is installed in the first liquid delivery pipeline.

[0013] In another embodiment disclosed herein, the aerosol cultivation system further includes a microbubble generating device or an ozone generating device, which generates a nutrient solution rich in dissolved oxygen or a nutrient solution rich in ozone into the first liquid in the first liquid tank.

[0014] In another embodiment disclosed herein, the aeroponic plant cultivation system further includes a lighting module, which includes the plurality of LED lights and a light sensor, wherein the plurality of LED lights are respectively disposed on the first side, the second side and the third side, and when the light sensor detects that the sunlight illuminance is lower than a threshold, the plurality of LED lights are activated.

[0015] In another embodiment disclosed herein, the aeroponic plant cultivation system further includes a solar panel, wherein the structural frame includes a cultivation area for housing the plant tower and an electromechanical equipment area separated from the cultivation area, and the solar panel is disposed above the electromechanical equipment area to generate electrical energy to supply the power required by the electromechanical equipment area.

Implementation Method

[0016] The following description illustrates preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. The present disclosure will be described below with reference to embodiments and drawings. Therefore, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but rather to conform to the principles disclosed herein. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will make various modifications or variations based on the present disclosure and incorporate them into the spirit and scope of this document and the appended claims.

[0017] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an aeroponic plant cultivation system disclosed herein. The aeroponic plant cultivation system 10 is divided into a cultivation area 10A and an electromechanical equipment area 10B. The former sprays the culture solution onto the roots of the target plant to produce crops, while the latter centrally houses the electromechanical equipment required for crop production.

[0018] Referring to Figure 1, the aeroponic plant cultivation system 10 includes a structural frame 11, a plurality of planting towers 12, a plurality of water collection tanks 13, a plurality of rotating bases 14, a plurality of support bases 15, one or more fans 16, foldable or rollable shielding screens (171, 172), and solar panels 21. The structural frame 11 is mainly composed of metal or plastic steel tubing, and its internal space is divided into a cultivation area 10A and an electromechanical equipment area 10B by partitions 115. The plurality of planting towers 12 are housed within the cultivation area 10A. The fans 16 are located on the side of the structural frame 11, allowing forced convection of air between the inside and outside to regulate the temperature of the cultivation area 10A. The solar panels 21 are located above the electromechanical equipment area 10B, generating electricity to supply power to the fans 16, the plurality of rotating bases 14, and pumps.

[0019] The structural frame 11 is mainly a rectangular structure composed of a plurality of uprights 111, a plurality of crossbeams (112a, 112b), and a plurality of supports 113, as shown in Figure 2A. However, this embodiment is not limited to this one, and the structural frame 11 can also be designed in other shapes, such as square or hexagonal. The structural frame 11 includes a top 11U, a bottom 11D, a first side 11F, a second side 11B opposite to the first side 11F, a third side 11R, and a fourth side 11L opposite to the third side 11R. The third side 11R and the fourth side 11L are respectively connected to the first side 11F and the second side 11B, and the first side 11F, the third side 11R, and the fourth side 11L allow air from outside the structural frame 11 to enter. The top 11U is covered by glass 114 to prevent rainwater from falling into the interior. The periphery of the first side 11F, the third side 11R and the fourth side 11L is provided with a foldable or rollable shielding screen (171, 172) that can be fully extended to block rainwater from entering when it rains.

[0020] The lighting module includes a plurality of LED lights 18 and a photodetector (not shown). The plurality of LED lights 18 can be installed on the inner surfaces of a plurality of columns 111 and a plurality of supports 113. When it is cloudy or rainy, they will generate light to illuminate the plants, or emit light according to the set time of the control unit (not shown) to compensate for insufficient sunlight. When the photodetector detects that the sunlight illuminance is below a threshold, the plurality of LED lights 18 can also be activated.

[0021] Figure 2B depicts a perspective view of the structural frame and related components of an aeroponic plant cultivation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. An insect-proof net 19 and various sensors can be optionally placed below the glass 114 at the top 11U. However, this embodiment is not limited to this; the insect-proof net 19 can also be optionally placed on the first side 11F, the third side 11R, and the fourth side 11L. The insect-proof net 19 is made of a recyclable plastic material, and the color of the netting is not limited to pink; it can be designed to suit the effective energy areas for plant photosynthesis. Therefore, it can promote plant photosynthesis, increase crop yield, and advance harvest time. Due to the special color design of the insect-proof net 19, the wavelength range of the light it emits differs from the visible light wavelength range of insect vision, thus effectively suppressing pests and reducing pesticide usage. The sensor can be placed at an appropriate location on the structural frame 11 (not shown) to detect temperature, humidity, photon flux density (PPFD) of photosynthesis, etc. within the structural frame 11, and can be further refined and controlled by AI models.

[0022] Figure 3 depicts a perspective view of a planting tower and nutrient solution delivery pipeline in a cultivation area according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A planting tower 12 with a plurality of planting holes 121 and a water collection tank 13 are connected together and fixed to a rotating base 14. When the rotating base 14 rotates, the planting tower 12 and the water collection tank 13 also move together, potentially rotating 360 degrees. The rotating base 14 is mounted on a support 15. Both the support 15 and the rotating base 14 have openings in the center, allowing the port portion of the recovery pipeline 311 located below the support 15 to pass over the rotating base 14 and connect to the water collection tank 13. The recovery module 31 includes the water collection tank 13 and the recovery pipeline 311, and can recover unabsorbed and unused nutrient solution.

[0023] The rotating base 14 includes a rotating active surface 142 with a plurality of fixed units 141. By means of the plurality of fixed units 141 and the bottom surface of the water collection tank 13 being adhered or locked to each other, the water collection tank 13 can transmit rotational motion to the upper planting tower 12, thereby driving the rotating driven surface 1221 of the lower end 122 of the planting tower 12 (in this embodiment, the surface that is engaged with the water collection tank 13; in other embodiments, it can be directly engaged with the rotating active surface 142) to rotate, that is, the rotating base 14 drives the planting tower 12 to rotate together. The water collection tank 13 can be integrated with the planting tower 12 as one unit, or they can be two separate but combinable components. Alternatively, the planting tower 12 can be a plurality of components that are injection molded in sections and then snapped together from bottom to top to form a tower body.

[0024] An opening 1231 is provided at the upper end 123 of the planting tower 12, allowing the first spray pipe 321 to extend into the tower wall 124 of the planting tower 12. A plurality of first nozzles 322 may be provided on the outside of the first spray pipe 321, which can spray a first liquid, such as nutrient solution, towards the plant roots inside the tower wall 124. The first liquid delivery pipe 323 will deliver the first liquid to the first spray pipe 321. Located between the two rows of planting towers 12, one or more second liquid delivery pipes 324 are also provided below the top 11U of the structural frame 11. A plurality of second nozzles 325 may be provided on the outside of the second liquid delivery pipes 324, which can spray a second liquid towards the plant stems and leaves outside the tower wall 124. For example, depending on the climate conditions and intended use, cooling water or biological control solutions can be sprayed. The first spray pipe 321, the first nozzle 322, the first liquid delivery pipe 323, the second liquid delivery pipe 324, and the second nozzle 325 constitute the liquid delivery module 32, which is responsible for delivering the nutrient solution, water, and / or pesticide solution required by the cultivation area 10A. Several different types of sensors (not shown in the figure) can be installed inside the planting tower 12 as needed to detect the temperature, humidity, dissolved oxygen, etc. inside the tower, and more precise artificial intelligence control can be achieved through AI models.

[0025] Figure 4 depicts a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an aeroponic plant cultivation system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. A net basin 81 can be placed in the planting hole 121 of the planting tower 12, in which plants 82, crops, or seedlings are planted. When the planting tower 12 is driven to rotate, a plurality of first nozzles 322 can spray a first liquid 91 toward the roots of the plants 82 within the tower wall 124. Some of the first liquid 91 spray that is not absorbed and utilized will fall into the collection tank 13 below. The port of the recovery pipe 311 below the support base 15 extends over the rotating base 14 and is connected to the drain hole 131 in the center of the collection tank 13. The first liquid 91 is returned to the first liquid tank 23 by the recovery pump 22. The bottom surface of the water collection tank 13 can be an inclined surface. The first liquid 91 that falls down flows along the inclined surface to the drain hole 131 (or drain pipe) located in the center. The drain hole 131 (or drain pipe) does not contact the recovery pipe 311, so it can rotate in the recovery pipe 311 and discharge the liquid.

[0026] The first liquid 91 in the first liquid tank 23 is drawn by the first pump 24 and transported to the first liquid delivery pipeline 323 and the first spray pipe 321. Similarly, the second liquid 92 in the second liquid tank 25 is drawn by the second pump 26 and transported to the second liquid delivery pipeline 324. The pulse device 27 is installed in the first liquid delivery pipeline and can generate pulse waves in the pipeline to inhibit scale, algae and reduce microbial growth. The microbubble generating device 29 or an ozone generating device is located in or above the first liquid tank 23 and supplies air or ozone to the first liquid 91 in the first liquid tank 23.

[0027] The recovery pump 22, the first pump 24, and the second pump 26 are all housed within the electromechanical equipment area 10B, and can receive signals and power from the control unit (not shown) within the electrical control box 28. The solar panel 21 is positioned above the electromechanical equipment area 10B, generating electrical energy that can be converted and stored in the energy storage device (not shown) within the electrical control box 28 to supply power to the fan 16, the plurality of rotating bases 14, the recovery pump 22, the first pump 24, and the second pump 26. The electrical control box 28 may also include various sensors, such as those capable of detecting temperature and humidity within the cultivation area 10A, and determining the nutrient solution spraying time and volume according to different crops and different growth stages. In addition to independently adjusting and controlling the growth conditions within the 10A cultivation area, the system can also control a single system or multiple systems via Wi-Fi or Ethernet using a mobile phone or remote computer and tablet. The collected data (big data) can also be used for deep learning through artificial intelligence (AI) to more intelligently monitor growth conditions.

[0028] Figure 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of a rotating base according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The rotating base 44 includes an outer guide rail 441, an inner guide rail 442, and a rotating ring 443. The rotating ring 443 can move relative to the fixed outer guide rail 441 and inner guide rail 442, and has ball bearings 446 in the middle to reduce friction and thus reduce energy consumption. Above the rotating ring 443 is a rotating active surface 445. A plurality of fixing units 444 are provided on the rotating active surface 445, which can be adhered to or locked to the bottom surface of the water collection tank 13. The rotating ring 443 is directly driven by a motor 447 and a drive wheel 448 to generate rotational motion.

[0029] Although this disclosure is written with reference to specific embodiments and implementations, various changes and modifications will be made by those skilled in the art. The purpose is to include such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0030] In order to fully understand the nature, advantages and preferred embodiments of this disclosure, the following detailed description can be understood more clearly by referring to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 depicts a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an aeroponic plant cultivation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 2A depicts a perspective view of the structural frame and related components of an aeroponic plant cultivation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 2B depicts another perspective view of the structural frame and related components of an aeroponic plant cultivation system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 3 depicts a perspective view of a planting tower and nutrient solution delivery module in a cultivation area according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 4 depicts a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an assembly of an aeroponic plant cultivation system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 5 depicts a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a rotating base according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An aeroponic plant cultivation system, comprising: a structural frame including a bottom; a rotating base disposed on the bottom, including a rotating active surface having a plurality of fixed units and a motor, wherein the motor drives the rotating active surface to generate rotational motion; a planting tower including an upper end having an opening, a lower end having a rotating driven surface and a tower wall having a plurality of planting holes, wherein the tower wall is located between the upper end and the lower end; and a first spray pipe extending from the opening of the upper end into the tower wall; wherein the rotating active surface transmits the rotational motion to the rotating driven surface through the plurality of fixed units, thereby the rotating base drives the planting tower to rotate together.

2. The aeroponic plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an insect-proof net having a specific color that promotes photosynthesis, wherein the structural frame includes a top and at least one side, and the insect-proof net covers the top or the at least one side.

3. The aeroponic plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the structural frame includes a first side, a second side opposite to the first side, a third side and a fourth side opposite to the third side, the third side and the fourth side being connected to the first side and the second side respectively, and the first side, the second side and the third side allowing air from outside the structural frame to enter.

4. The aeroponic plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first side, the second side and the third side are respectively provided with foldable or rollable shielding screens.

5. The aeroponic plant cultivation system as described in claim 1 further includes a liquid delivery module, which includes a first spray pipe with a plurality of first nozzles, a first liquid delivery pipeline, a first liquid tank, a second liquid delivery pipeline with a plurality of second nozzles, and a second liquid tank, wherein the first liquid delivery pipeline delivers a first liquid in the first liquid tank to the first spray pipe, the second liquid delivery pipeline delivers a second liquid in the second liquid tank to the plurality of second nozzles, and the plurality of second nozzles spray the second liquid outside the tower wall.

6. The aeroponic plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 5 further includes a recovery module comprising a water collection tank with a drain hole and a recovery pipeline, wherein the recovery pipeline passes through the rotating base and is connected to the drain hole, wherein the first spray pipe sprays the first liquid toward the tower wall, and the water collection tank receives the falling first liquid and transports it to the first liquid tank by the recovery pipeline; wherein the water collection tank is disposed between the lower end of the planting tower and the rotating base, and is interconnected with the plurality of fixed units to transmit the rotational motion to the rotating driven surface.

7. The aeroponic plant cultivation system as described in claim 5 further includes a pulse device disposed in the first liquid delivery pipeline.

8. The aeroponic plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 5 further includes a microbubble generating device or an ozone generating device, which generates a nutrient solution rich in dissolved oxygen or a nutrient solution rich in ozone into the first liquid in the first liquid tank.

9. The aeroponic plant cultivation system as described in claim 3 further includes a lighting module comprising a plurality of LED lights and a light sensor, wherein the plurality of LED lights are respectively disposed on the first side, the second side and the third side, and the plurality of LED lights are activated when the light sensor detects that the sunlight illuminance is lower than a threshold.

10. The aeroponic plant cultivation system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a solar panel, wherein the structural frame includes a cultivation area housing the plant tower and an electromechanical equipment area separated from the cultivation area, the solar panel being disposed above the electromechanical equipment area to generate electrical energy to supply the power required by the electromechanical equipment area.

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