Capillary Loop Watering Device with Air Vents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant watering systems fail to provide a balanced supply of water and air to potted plants, leading to underhydration or overhydration, and often result in root asphyxiation or rot due to lack of air circulation.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic conductor system with a capillary action mechanism, featuring a loop configuration and air circulation slots, is used to supply water to the plant substrate while maintaining air exchange, ensuring neither excessive nor insufficient water is provided, and allowing for continuous and controlled hydration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a simple wick is inserted into the flowerpot to provide moisture, then water supply is improved, but air circulation deteriorates leading to root asphyxiation
Solution Approach 1:
The wick is segmented into multiple functional zones: an upper section with capillary channels for water supply, a middle section with air circulation holes for oxygen transport, and a lower section for water absorption. This segmentation allows simultaneous water supply and air circulation, preventing root asphyxiation while maintaining adequate hydration.
Solution Approach 2:
The wick incorporates porous materials with controlled pore sizes and distributions. The porous structure provides both capillary action for water transport and interconnected pores for air circulation, enabling dual functionality of water supply and oxygen delivery to plant roots.
2Quantity of substance
If continuous water supply is provided to the substrate, then plant hydration is improved, but excess water accumulates causing rot
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts water supply based on substrate moisture conditions. The wick's capillary action automatically modulates water flow rate according to the moisture gradient between the wick and substrate, providing continuous supply without accumulation when needed and reducing flow when substrate is sufficiently moist, thereby preventing rot.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where substrate moisture sensors detect water content levels and signal the water supply system to adjust flow rates. This closed-loop control ensures continuous hydration while preventing excess water accumulation that would lead to root rot.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air circulation holes are added to the wick, then air supply is improved, but water supply efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the wick have locally optimized properties: the upper section has dense capillary channels for efficient water supply, while the middle section has strategically placed air circulation holes. This local quality differentiation ensures water supply efficiency is maintained in critical zones while air circulation is provided where needed, without compromising overall water delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The wick is constructed as a composite material combining hydrophilic capillary fibers for water transport with hydrophobic air channels for oxygen circulation. This composite structure enables simultaneous water supply and air circulation with minimal interference between the two functions, maintaining water supply efficiency while providing necessary aeration.
4Reliability
If a complex self-regulating micro-greenhouse system is created, then plant environment control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wick system is designed to be self-regulating through passive capillary action and evaporative cooling mechanisms. The structure automatically adjusts water flow and air circulation based on environmental conditions without requiring external control systems, sensors, or power sources, thereby maintaining reliable plant environment control while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical control mechanisms with passive physical phenomena: capillary action substitutes for pumps, evaporative cooling substitutes for air conditioning, and natural convection substitutes for fans. This substitution maintains effective plant environment control while dramatically reducing device complexity and eliminating the need for external power sources.
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 system provides a balanced and continuous supply of water and air to the plant substrate, preventing root asphyxiation and rot, while allowing plants to thrive in their original pots without the risk of overhydration or underhydration.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic conductor (10) configured to convey the liquid by capillary action
Implementation Method 2
The tube includes at least one opening configured to allow air circulation between the inside and outside of the tube
Data Source
Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a liquid-supplying device (1) configured to supply liquid (52) to a plant contained in a pot (50) comprising a substrate (51, 51a, 51b), the liquid-supplying device (1) comprising at least: a hydraulic conductor (10) having a first end (11) and a second end (12), and a tube (20) having a first outlet (21) and a second outlet (22). According to the main features of the liquid-supplying device (1), the hydraulic conductor (10) forms a loop (13) intended to contact the substrate (51, 51a, 51 b); at least one end of the hydraulic conductor (10), selected between the first end (11) and the second end (12), is intended to contact a liquid source; and the tube (20) has at least one opening (24, 26) configured to allow airflow between the inside and the outside of the tube (20).