Biodegradable Plant Support Hinge Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing staking devices for crops like tomatoes are cumbersome, require frequent adjustments, are costly, and made from polluting materials, with excessive flexibility leading to handling difficulties and entanglement issues.
Innovation Solution
A holding device with a hinge that tends to return to an open position, featuring an elastically deformable U-shape with tongues and a hook mechanism for easy one-handed operation, made from biodegradable materials to prevent soil pollution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the hinge is made highly flexible to enable easy closing of the support device, then the ease of operation improves, but the device becomes difficult to handle with one hand and prone to entanglement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the hinge's flexibility characteristics. The hinge is designed with controlled flexibility - flexible enough to allow easy closing motion, but with sufficient structural rigidity to maintain shape during handling and prevent entanglement. This is achieved through specific geometric design of the hinge components and selection of materials with appropriate mechanical properties.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional plastic materials are used for the support device, then the manufacturing ease and durability improve, but environmental pollution and recycling difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional plastic materials to biodegradable materials. This material substitution maintains the manufacturing ease and durability requirements while fundamentally changing the environmental impact parameter. The biodegradable materials are selected to decompose naturally in soil, eliminating pollution concerns while preserving the functional performance of the support device.
3Reliability
If the support device uses a closed position mechanism to secure the plant, then the reliability of plant support improves, but the complexity of the closing mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by simplifying the closing mechanism. Instead of complex multi-component locking systems, the invention extracts the essential function of securing the plant to the wire by using a simple hook that engages with a corresponding feature on the support device. This minimalistic approach achieves reliable support stability while minimizing mechanism complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If frequent adjustments of support positions are made to accommodate rapid plant growth, then the adaptability to plant development improves, but the loss of time and increased maintenance cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the support device with adjustable positioning capabilities. The device can be easily repositioned along the wire at different heights and locations to accommodate rapid plant growth. This dynamic adjustability allows farmers to adapt the support system to plant development stages without requiring complete removal and reinstallation, thereby reducing maintenance time and effort.
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 device is durable, easy to implement with one hand, reduces maintenance frequency, and minimizes environmental impact while ensuring secure plant support without entanglement.
Implementation Method 1
the hinge tends to return the support device to its 'open' position, in that the closing means comprise at least one orifice, an inclined ramp
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a holding device (1) arranged to hold a plant (2) along a wire (3) comprising a first branch (4) and a second branch (5) connected to each other by a hinge (6) so as to be able to move between an "open" position and a "closed" position, and vice versa, the free ends of its first and second branches (4,5) being provided respectively with closing means (7) and complementary closing means (8) to hold them in the "closed" position, notable in that the hinge (6) tends to return the holding device (1) to its "open" position, in that the closing means (7) comprise at least one orifice, an inclined ramp and in that the complementary closing means (8) comprise a hook adapted to cooperate with said orifice, said inclined ramp serving to guide said hook to position it above said orifice.