Rotating Carousel Growth Chamber with Moveable Divider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional growth chambers for photoperiodic plants, such as soybeans, are inefficient as they only allow for a single layer of plants to be exposed to artificial light, limiting space utilization and growth rates.
Innovation Solution
A growth chamber design featuring a rotating carousel system with two plant supports and a moveable blackout divider that alternates light and dark regions, allowing for efficient use of space by rotating plants between light and dark positions to simulate natural photoperiodic conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single layer of plants is used in the growth chamber, then the light exposure control is simple, but the space utilization is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-layer horizontal arrangement to a multi-layer vertical arrangement using a carousel system. Multiple plant supports are stacked vertically and rotated to alternate between light and dark regions, effectively utilizing the vertical dimension to increase plant density while maintaining photoperiod control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotating carousel mechanism that dynamically moves plant supports between light and dark regions. The system alternates exposure by rotating the carousel 180 degrees, allowing the same physical space to serve multiple photoperiod functions at different times. The divider also moves between blocking and non-blocking positions to control light access
2Productivity
If multiple layers of plants are added to increase space utilization, then the growth rate improves, but the control of light exposure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into unified components: the carousel structure simultaneously provides mechanical support for multiple plant layers and enables photoperiod control through rotation; the movable divider simultaneously separates light and dark regions and controls access to both layers. This integration reduces overall system complexity despite handling multiple plant layers
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic rotation of the carousel to alternately expose different plant layers to light and darkness. By rotating the carousel to position one layer in the light region while another is in the dark region, and then reversing positions, the system efficiently manages photoperiod requirements for multiple layers through repetitive cyclic motion
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
This design enables more efficient use of growth chamber space, allowing for simultaneous growth of multiple layers of plants by alternating light exposure, thereby enhancing growth rates and space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
an artificial light source
Implementation Method 2
the divider is moveable between a first divider position in which the divider prevents movement of the plant supports between the first and second position and a second divider position in which the divider does not prevent movement
Data Source
AI summary
A growth chamber carousel is provided which may be used to grow plants in a chamber. The chamber includes an artificial light source, a plurality of plant supports, a supporting structure configured to rotate the plant supports between two positions, the first position being closer to the artificial light source than the second, and a divider separating the chamber into a light region containing the artificial light source and one of the plant supports in the first position and a dark region containing the other plant support in the second position. The divider is moveable between a first divider position in which the divider prevents movement of the plant supports and a second divider position in which the divider does not prevent movement of the plant supports.