Circular Hydroponic Planter Arrangement for Space-Efficient Cascading Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydroponics systems occupy large spaces and require additional room for light penetration, limiting their efficiency and yield per surface area.
Innovation Solution
A compact hydroponics planter arrangement featuring a hub and spoke configuration of plant containers with connecting formations, allowing for cascading liquid distribution without spillage, and incorporating root growth shapers and a gas circulation system to enhance nutrient delivery and plant growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional vertically stacked plant containers are used, then liquid can cascade from upper to lower containers, but root obstruction causes spillage and improper liquid distribution
Solution Approach 1:
A flow distribution member is introduced as an intermediary component between the inlet and the plant roots. This member receives liquid from the inlet and distributes it evenly across multiple outlets, preventing direct root obstruction of the main flow path while ensuring reliable liquid distribution to all plant containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The single liquid flow path is segmented into multiple separate flow paths through the flow distribution member with multiple outlets. This segmentation allows liquid to be distributed to multiple plant containers simultaneously, reducing the risk of spillage and ensuring even liquid distribution across all containers.
2Area of stationary object
If traditional hydroponics systems are arranged in linear or grid patterns, then liquid flow is simple, but large amounts of space are occupied requiring additional room for light penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from traditional two-dimensional linear or grid arrangements to a three-dimensional vertical stacking configuration. Multiple plant containers are stacked vertically with liquid cascading from upper to lower containers, dramatically reducing the horizontal footprint while increasing the number of plants that can be cultivated in a given space.
Solution Approach 2:
The plant containers are arranged in a circular configuration rather than linear or grid patterns. This circular arrangement optimizes space utilization, allows for even light distribution around the circumference, and enables efficient liquid flow from the central inlet through the flow distribution member to all containers in the circular pattern.
3Productivity
If plant containers are arranged in a circular hub and spoke configuration, then space efficiency and yield per surface area increase, but complex connecting formations are required
Solution Approach 1:
The flow distribution member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it receives liquid from the central inlet, distributes liquid evenly to multiple outlets arranged in a circular pattern, provides structural support for the plant containers, and acts as the connecting element between the inlet and all containers. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex connecting formations.
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 solution reduces space requirements while increasing yield by ensuring optimal liquid distribution and root growth, facilitating efficient light and gas exchange for improved plant health and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
an outlet at an operatively lower end of the body, the outlet being in liquid flow communication with the inlet for draining liquid under the force of gravity
Implementation Method 2
allows a liquid to cascade from vertically stacked plant containers with optimal liquid distribution over the roots
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
The invention provides a planter arrangement for hydroponics. The planter arrangement includes a plurality of plant containers arranged side by side, circumferentially about a central axis to define a circular configuration of plant containers. The invention further provides a vertical planter which includes at least two planter arrangements which are stacked in a vertical series such that outlets of plant containers in an upper planter arrangement direct liquid into inlets of plant containers in a lower planter arrangement.