Modularized three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouse
By designing guide rails and sliding components, the problems of large vibrations and fixed spacing of planting boxes in vertical cultivation systems are solved, enabling smooth movement and modular adjustment of the planting boxes, thus improving the stability and maintenance efficiency of the equipment.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HUNAN UNIV
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
In existing vertical cultivation systems, the planting boxes suffer from problems such as large vibrations when moving in an arc, fixed and unadjustable spacing, complex structure, and difficulty in repairing malfunctions.
The system employs guide rails, sliding components, a drive unit, and a planting box assembly. The toothed structure on the guide rail meshes with the drive gear, and multiple guide grooves and guide wheels enable smooth movement of the planting box. The modular design allows for independent adjustment of the box spacing, and electromagnetic brakes and mechanical limit components ensure stability and rapid assembly.
It enables the planting box to move smoothly, adapting to different plant spacing requirements, improving the installation and troubleshooting efficiency of the equipment, and reducing equipment vibration and maintenance difficulty.
Smart Images
Figure CN224250286U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of three-dimensional cultivation, and in particular to a modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses. Background Technology
[0002] Vertical farming systems primarily utilize mechanical equipment to vertically stratify planting spaces, thereby optimizing planting space and reducing reliance on ground area. This technology is applicable to urban agriculture and the production of high-value-added crops; it can overcome arable land limitations, improve crop quality, and promote the development of agriculture towards intensification and intelligence, which is of great significance for ensuring food security and promoting sustainable development.
[0003] To improve the light penetration of the bottom crops, it is usually necessary to alternate the positions of multiple planting boxes. Current technologies use sprocket or belt drives to move chains and fixed fins on the chain links in a cyclical manner, which in turn moves the planting boxes in a cyclical manner. These technologies have some unavoidable problems, as follows:
[0004] First, the curved sections at the top and bottom of the vertical planting equipment, due to the width of the fins, experience significant vibration as the equipment moves along the curved path, leading to excessive swaying of the planting box. Second, the structure of fixing multiple fins to chains results in a fixed distance between the fins, which cannot be dynamically adjusted and is difficult to adapt to the spacing requirements of planting boxes when planting multiple plants together. Furthermore, the structure of fixing the fins to chains requires high structural integrity; if any link fails, the entire equipment will become unusable, and replacement is complex, hindering modular assembly. Utility Model Content
[0005] (a) Technical problems to be solved
[0006] This invention provides a modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses, designed to allow planting boxes to smoothly pass through the arc-shaped section of the guide rail. It also enables dynamic adjustment of the distance between adjacent planting boxes.
[0007] (II) Technical Solution
[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes a modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses, including guide rails, sliding components, driving devices, and planting box components.
[0009] Along the extension direction of the guide rail, the three sides of the guide rail are respectively provided with a toothed structure, a first guide groove and a second guide groove;
[0010] The sliding component is arranged around the guide rail and includes a connecting seat and a drive gear, a first guide wheel and a second guide wheel rotatably disposed on the connecting seat. The first guide wheel is engaged in the first guide groove and the second guide wheel is engaged in the second guide groove.
[0011] The planting box assembly is fixed to the connecting seat by a fin plate and is rotatably connected to the fin plate. The driving device is fixed on the fin plate. The driving gear meshes with the tooth structure and can drive the planting box assembly to move along the guide rail under the drive of the driving device.
[0012] A further technical solution is that the driving device includes a power supply, a drive motor, and an electromagnetic brake.
[0013] The output end of the drive motor is rigidly connected to the drive gear through a transmission shaft, and the electromagnetic brake is integrated into the axial position of the transmission shaft.
[0014] The power supply is fixed on the fin plate or connecting base and is electrically connected to the drive motor and the electromagnetic brake.
[0015] A further technical solution includes a mechanical limiting component, which comprises a handle, a connecting rod, a limiting head, and a spring.
[0016] The connecting rod has a handle and a limiting head installed at both ends, and a spring stop at the middle position;
[0017] The fin plate and the connecting seat are provided with coaxial sliding holes corresponding to the connecting rod, and a fixing baffle is provided on one side of the fin plate. The guide rail is provided with a limiting groove in the vertical direction on the side near the fin plate.
[0018] The connecting rod extends axially through the sliding hole, and the spring is compressed between the spring stop and the fixed stop. The limiting head has a meshing surface that is complementary to the shape of the limiting slot.
[0019] A further technical solution is that the guide rail has an elliptical closed track structure, with parallel straight edges formed on both sides of the major axis and arc-shaped transition sections formed on both sides of the minor axis;
[0020] The limiting slots are symmetrically arranged on the same side of the two parallel straight edges;
[0021] The sliding hole and the connecting rod are rotatably connected. When the sliding component moves from one parallel straight edge to another parallel straight edge through the arc transition section, the connecting rod rotates 180° axially so that the meshing surface of the limiting head forms a mating connection with the limiting groove on the current straight edge.
[0022] A further technical solution is that the first guide wheel or the second guide wheel can be selectively configured as one or more. When multiple first guide wheels or second guide wheels are configured, the multiple first guide wheels or second guide wheels are arranged longitudinally along the extension direction of the guide rail, and all of them are rotatably connected to the connecting seat.
[0023] A further technical solution is that the planting box assembly includes a frame and a box body;
[0024] The two ends of the frame are rotatably connected to the fins via pivots, and the frame can rotate freely around the pivots.
[0025] The bottom of the frame is bolted to the box, and the inside of the box is filled with sand for growing crops.
[0026] A further technical solution is that, corresponding to the rotating shaft, a hydraulic rotary damper is fixedly installed on the fin plate, and the rotating shaft is connected to the hydraulic rotary damper.
[0027] A further technical solution includes a frame, which comprises a connecting frame and a supporting frame;
[0028] The connecting frame is disposed between two parallel guide rails and is fixedly connected to the part of the guide rail not surrounded by the sliding component. The middle part of the support frame extends outward to connect to the support frame.
[0029] (III) Beneficial Effects
[0030] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: First, this solution uses a toothed structure on the outer side of the guide rail, which meshes with the drive gear to achieve the movement of the sliding component. This structure avoids unstable transmission caused by the chain driving the planting box when passing through the arc-shaped sections at the upper and lower ends of the guide rail, thus preventing large-scale swaying or vibration of the planting box. Second, the coordinated structure of multiple side guide grooves and guide wheels ensures smooth movement of the sliding component. Furthermore, because the sliding component in this solution has an individual modular structure, multiple sliding components can move independently, allowing for adjustments to different spacing between different planting boxes to accommodate the varying height requirements of different cultivated species. Moreover, this three-dimensional cultivation system is rapidly assembled from modular components, offering better installation and troubleshooting efficiency compared to traditional integrated equipment. Attached Figure Description
[0031] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses;
[0032] Figure 2A first-person view diagram showing the connection between the sliding component and the guide rail;
[0033] Figure 3 Another perspective view of the connection between the sliding component and the guide rail;
[0034] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle;
[0035] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of point B in the middle.
[0036] [Explanation of Labels in the Attached Image]
[0037] 1: Guide rail; 11: Toothed structure; 12: First guide groove; 13: Second guide groove; 14: Limiting slot; 2: Sliding assembly; 21: Connecting seat; 22: Drive gear; 23: First guide wheel; 24: Second guide wheel; 3: Drive device; 31: Drive motor; 32: Electromagnetic brake; 4: Planting box assembly; 41: Frame; 42: Box body; 5: Fin plate; 51: Fixed baffle; 6: Mechanical limiting assembly; 61: Handle; 62: Connecting rod; 621: Spring baffle; 63: Limiting head; 64: Spring; 7: Frame; 71: Connecting frame; 72: Support frame. Detailed Implementation
[0038] To better explain and facilitate understanding of this utility model, the present utility model will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0039] This embodiment provides a modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the device includes a guide rail 1, a sliding assembly 2, a drive device 3, and an implantation box assembly 4. Along the extension direction of the guide rail 1, three sides of the guide rail 1 are respectively provided with a toothed structure 11, a first guide groove 12, and a second guide groove 13. It should be noted that the toothed structure 11 is not shown in the figure; the number 11 represents the location of the toothed structure 11, and its specific structure is similar to that of a rack and pinion structure in the prior art. (Refer to...) Figure 5 As shown, the sliding assembly 2 is arranged around the guide rail 1, including a connecting seat 21 and a drive gear 22, a first guide wheel 23, and a second guide wheel 24 rotatably mounted on the connecting seat 21. The first guide wheel 23 is engaged in the first guide groove 12, and the second guide wheel 24 is engaged in the second guide groove 13. The planting box assembly 4 is fixed to the connecting seat 21 by a fin plate 5 and is rotatably connected to the fin plate 5. A drive device 3 is fixed on the fin plate 5. The drive gear 22 meshes with the toothed structure 11 for transmission and can drive the planting box assembly 4 to move along the guide rail 1 under the drive of the drive device 3.
[0040] The aforementioned guide rail 1, as the main load-bearing component, is made of steel, and there are two of them, arranged in parallel. Specifically, the outer surface of the guide rail 1 has a rack-like toothed structure 11, which can mesh with the drive gear 22 for transmission. The first guide groove 12 is located on the opposite side of the toothed structure 11, and the second guide groove 13 is located on the inner side of the two guide rails 1. It should be noted that the entire sliding assembly 2 surrounds the axial direction of the guide rail 1, but an opening must be reserved as a connection position for the frame 7 to avoid interfering with the sliding of the sliding assembly 2 on the guide rail 1. In this example, the opening is located between the drive gear 22 and the second guide wheel 24. The planting box assembly 4 is rotatably connected to the fin plate 5 to ensure that the opening of the planting box assembly 4 always faces upward during movement.
[0041] In this modular three-dimensional cultivation system for the greenhouse, the toothed structure 11 meshes with the drive gear 22 and is guided by a bidirectional groove, making the movement of the planting box assembly 4 more stable and reducing friction. The rotatable connection between the planting box assembly 4 and the fin plate 5 ensures that the cultivation surface always faces upwards, adapting to the curved track. Because the sliding assembly 2 has an individual modular structure, multiple sliding assemblies 2 can move independently of each other, allowing different planting boxes 42 to be adjusted to different spacings to accommodate the varying height requirements of different cultivated species.
[0042] Combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the drive device 3 includes a power supply, a drive motor 31, and an electromagnetic brake 32. Specifically, the output end of the drive motor 31 is rigidly connected to the drive gear 22 via a transmission shaft, and the electromagnetic brake 32 is integrated into the axial position of the transmission shaft. The power supply is fixed on the fin plate 5 or the connecting seat 21 and is electrically connected to the drive motor 31 and the electromagnetic brake 32. In this example, the drive motor 31 and the drive gear 22 are directly connected by a rigid transmission shaft, which not only eliminates the energy loss of the traditional transmission method but also achieves an instant braking function through the axially integrated electromagnetic brake 32, further ensuring that the planting box 42 can be accurately stopped at any position. The safety mechanism of the electromagnetic brake 32 automatically activating when the power is off effectively prevents the risk of slippage of the planting box assembly 4 in case of accidental events.
[0043] Reference Figure 5As shown, this embodiment also includes a mechanical limiting component 6. Specifically, the mechanical limiting component 6 includes a handle 61, a connecting rod 62, a limiting head 63, and a spring 64. The connecting rod 62 has the handle 61 and the limiting head 63 mounted at both ends, and a spring stop 621 at its middle position. Coaxial sliding holes are provided on the fin plate 5 and the connecting seat 21 corresponding to the connecting rod 62, and a fixed stop 51 is also provided on one side of the fin plate 5. A limiting groove 14 along the vertical direction is provided on the side of the guide rail 1 near the fin plate 5. The connecting rod 62 axially passes through the sliding hole, and the spring 64 is compressed between the spring stop 621 and the fixed stop 51. The limiting head 63 has a meshing surface whose shape is complementary to that of the limiting groove 14.
[0044] It should be noted that under normal conditions, spring 64 presses the limiting head 63 into the limiting slot 14 of guide rail 1, forming a rigid mechanical lock, effectively preventing accidental displacement of the system; this purely mechanical structure provides dual protection in the event of power failure or emergencies, especially when combined with electromagnetic brake 32 to form electromechanical complementary safety redundancy. (Refer to...) Figure 5 As shown, the limiting head 63 and the limiting slot 14 have a triangular inclined surface structure. The direction of the inclined surface is matched with the moving direction of the sliding component 2 to ensure that the axial movement of the sliding component 2 is not affected.
[0045] Reference Figure 1 As shown, the guide rail 1 in this embodiment has an elliptical closed track structure. Parallel straight edges are formed on both sides of the major axis of the guide rail 1, and arc-shaped transition sections are formed on both sides of the minor axis. Limiting slots 14 are symmetrically arranged on the same side surfaces of the two parallel straight edges. The sliding hole and the connecting rod 62 are rotatably connected. When the sliding assembly 2 moves from one parallel straight edge to another parallel straight edge via the arc-shaped transition section, the connecting rod 62 rotates 180° axially, so that the meshing surface of the limiting head 63 forms a mating connection with the limiting slot 14 on the current straight edge.
[0046] Additionally, one or more first guide wheels 23 or second guide wheels 24 can be optionally provided. When multiple first guide wheels 23 or second guide wheels 24 are provided, they are arranged longitudinally along the extension direction of the guide rail 1 and are all rotatably connected to the connecting seat 21. In this example, there is one first guide wheel 23 and two second guide wheels 24. Preferably, in another embodiment, two or more first guide wheels 23 can be optionally provided. When there are two or more first guide wheels 23, the stability of the structure is enhanced, and the structure of the connecting seat 21 is adjusted accordingly.
[0047] In addition, refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3As shown, the planting box assembly 4 includes a frame 41 and a box 42. Specifically, both ends of the frame 41 are rotatably connected to the fin plate 5 via pivots, and the frame 41 can rotate freely around the pivots. The bottom of the frame 41 is bolted to the box 42, and the box 42 is filled with sand for cultivating crops.
[0048] Furthermore, corresponding to the aforementioned rotating shaft, a hydraulic rotary damper is fixedly installed on the fin 5, and the rotating shaft is connected to the hydraulic rotary damper. A rotary damper, typically referring to a hydraulic rotary damper, generates damping by relying on the viscosity of its internal damping oil. In this embodiment, a bidirectional damper is used for buffering to prevent the planting box assembly 4 from experiencing large swing amplitudes when passing through the arc section of the guide rail 1.
[0049] Additionally, refer to Figure 1 As shown, the system also includes a frame 7, which comprises a connecting frame 71 and a supporting frame 72. The connecting frame 71 is positioned between two parallel guide rails 1 and is fixedly connected to the portion of the guide rails 1 not surrounded by the sliding component 2. The middle portion of the supporting frame 72 extends outwards and connects to the supporting frame 72. The bottom of the supporting frame 72 can be welded or bolted to a base on the ground. Optionally, a supplementary lighting source can be installed on the connecting frame 71 to provide sufficient supplementary lighting to the side of the planting box 42 that is away from sunlight.
[0050] It should be noted that all directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) in this embodiment are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a specific posture (as shown in the attached figure). If the specific posture changes, the directional indicator will also change accordingly.
[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. In the description of this embodiment, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.
[0052] In this embodiment, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this embodiment according to the specific circumstances.
[0053] It should be understood that the above description of the specific embodiments of this utility model is only for illustrating the technical route and features of this utility model, and its purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this utility model and implement it accordingly. However, this utility model is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. All changes or modifications made within the scope of the claims of this utility model should be covered by the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses, characterized in that, It includes a guide rail (1), a sliding assembly (2), a drive device (3), and a planting box assembly (4). Along the extension direction of the guide rail (1), the three sides of the guide rail (1) are respectively provided with a toothed structure (11), a first guide groove (12) and a second guide groove (13). The sliding component (2) is arranged around the guide rail (1) and includes a connecting seat (21) and a drive gear (22), a first guide wheel (23) and a second guide wheel (24) rotatably arranged on the connecting seat (21). The first guide wheel (23) is engaged in the first guide groove (12) and the second guide wheel (24) is engaged in the second guide groove (13). The planting box assembly (4) is fixed to the connecting seat (21) by the fin plate (5) and is rotatably connected to the fin plate (5). The driving device (3) is fixed on the fin plate (5). The driving gear (22) meshes with the tooth structure (11) and can drive the planting box assembly (4) to move along the guide rail (1) under the drive of the driving device (3).
2. The modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The drive device (3) includes a power supply, a drive motor (31) and an electromagnetic brake (32). The output end of the drive motor (31) is rigidly connected to the drive gear (22) through the transmission shaft, and the electromagnetic brake (32) is integrated into the axial position of the transmission shaft. The power supply is fixed on the fin plate (5) or the connecting seat (21) and is electrically connected to the drive motor (31) and the electromagnetic brake (32).
3. The modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses as described in claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes a mechanical limiting component (6), which includes a handle (61), a connecting rod (62), a limiting head (63), and a spring (64). The handle (61) and the limiting head (63) are respectively installed at both ends of the connecting rod (62), and a spring stop plate (621) is provided in the middle position. The fin plate (5) and the connecting seat (21) are provided with coaxial sliding holes corresponding to the connecting rod (62), and a fixed baffle (51) is provided on one side of the fin plate (5). The guide rail (1) is provided with a limiting groove (14) in the vertical direction on the side close to the fin plate (5). The connecting rod (62) passes through the sliding hole axially, and the spring (64) is compressed between the spring stop (621) and the fixed stop (51). The limiting head (63) has a meshing surface that is complementary to the shape of the limiting slot (14).
4. The modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The guide rail (1) has an elliptical closed track structure, with parallel straight edges formed on both sides of the major axis and arc-shaped transition sections formed on both sides of the minor axis; The limiting slots (14) are symmetrically arranged on the same side of the two parallel straight edges; The sliding hole and the connecting rod (62) are rotatably connected. When the sliding component (2) moves from one parallel straight edge to another parallel straight edge through the arc transition section, the connecting rod (62) rotates 180° axially so that the meshing surface of the limiting head (63) and the limiting slot (14) on the current straight edge form a mating connection.
5. The modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first guide wheel (23) or the second guide wheel (24) can be selected as one or more. When multiple first guide wheels (23) or second guide wheels (24) are provided, the multiple first guide wheels (23) or second guide wheels (24) are arranged longitudinally along the extension direction of the guide rail (1) and are rotatably connected to the connecting seat (21).
6. The modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The planting box assembly (4) includes a frame (41) and a box (42). The two ends of the frame (41) are rotatably connected to the fin (5) through a pivot, and the frame (41) can rotate freely around the pivot. The bottom of the frame (41) is bolted to the box (42), and the box (42) is filled with sand for growing crops.
7. The modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Corresponding to the rotating shaft, a hydraulic rotary damper is fixedly installed on the fin plate (5), and the rotating shaft is connected to the hydraulic rotary damper.
8. The modular three-dimensional cultivation system for greenhouses as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a frame (7), which includes a connecting frame (71) and a supporting frame (72). The connecting frame (71) is located between two parallel guide rails (1) and is fixedly connected to the part of the guide rail (1) that is not surrounded by the sliding component (2). The middle part of the support frame (72) extends outward to connect to the support frame (72).