One-Piece Plant Tray With Capillary Water Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing irrigation systems for potted plants are often complex, unsuitable for retail and home use, and difficult to transport, leading to issues with inadequate watering and root rot due to insufficient control over water distribution.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece tray system with a capillary element and supporting element that allows for controlled watering through capillary action, featuring a tray with a bottom and upstanding peripheral wall, where the capillary element has an upper and lower part with a groove for water transport, and a kit including a plant pot that can be easily assembled and transported.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple-piece irrigation systems are used, then water control capability is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate irrigation components (tray, supporting element, capillary element) into a single integrated one-piece structure. This merging maintains the water control functionality of separate pieces while eliminating assembly complexity, allowing the system to be both reliable and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The one-piece tray system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides water storage, structural support, and capillary water transport all in a single component. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by delivering comprehensive irrigation control without requiring multiple separate pieces to be assembled.
2Ease of operation
If one-piece tray system is used, then ease of operation and transport are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
While the final product is integrated, the design incorporates distinct functional zones within the one-piece structure (water reservoir area, support legs, capillary channels) that can be manufactured using standard injection molding techniques. This segmented functional design within a unified structure balances manufacturing precision requirements with ease of operation.
3Reliability
If capillary element extends above supporting surface, then water distribution control is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary element acts as an intermediary between the water reservoir and the plant root zone. By extending above the supporting surface, it provides controlled water delivery without requiring complex pumping or valve systems. The capillary action itself serves as the simple yet effective mechanism for precise water distribution control.
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 tray system provides easy, controlled watering and is user-friendly, reducing the risk of over- or under-watering, making it suitable for retail and home use, and allows for stable transport and decorative presentation of plants.
Implementation Method 1
the capillary element comprises a groove configured for capillary action from the lower capillary part to the upper capillary part
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention comprises a one-piece tray system (10) for growing and/or transporting plants, comprising: a tray (100) comprising a bottom (101) and an upstanding peripheral wall (102); a supporting element (200) attached to the bottom on the inside (120) of the tray (100), the supporting element (200) comprising a supporting surface (211) parallel to the bottom (101) of the tray (100), wherein the height of the supporting element (200) is less than the height of the peripheral wall (102); and a capillary element (300) attached to the bottom (18) on the inside of the tray (100), the capillary element (300) comprising an upper capillary part (303) and a lower capillary part (309), the upper capillary part (303) extending above the supporting surface (211) and the lower capillary part (309) extending below the supporting surface (211), wherein the capillary element (300) comprises a groove (301) configured for capillary action from the lower capillary part (309) to the upper capillary part (303).