Cold Frame Roof Element with Fine-Mesh Lattice for Pest Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Generic cold frames with translucent roof elements are limited in usage due to inability to function in colder weather and lack of protection against pests and extreme weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A cold frame design featuring a roof element with a fine-meshed, light- and air-permeable lattice element that allows ventilation, protects against pests, and can be adapted with a removable window element for temperature regulation, enabling continuous use from early spring to late autumn.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fine-meshed lattice element is added to protect against pests, then protection against flying pests is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective function against pests with the existing roof structure by integrating a fine-meshed lattice element into the roof element. The lattice element is incorporated within the frame structure, merging pest protection with the thermal protection function already provided by the translucent roof, thereby avoiding significant increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a fine-meshed lattice element with porous structure that allows air and light to pass through while blocking flying pests. The mesh size is specifically designed to be small enough to prevent pest entry but large enough to maintain ventilation and light transmission, solving the contradiction between protection and permeability.
2Temperature
If the roof element is made closed for thermal protection, then protection from excessive cooling is improved, but ventilation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a flip-up roof element that can dynamically change its position between closed and open states. This dynamic structure allows the cold frame to adapt to changing weather conditions - closed during cold periods for thermal protection, and open during warm periods for ventilation, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal protection and overheating prevention.
3Productivity
If the cold frame is used continuously throughout the year, then productivity is improved, but the reliability decreases due to inability to withstand extreme weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional roof element that provides thermal protection, pest protection, and weather protection simultaneously. The translucent material provides thermal insulation, the fine-meshed lattice blocks pests while allowing light and air passage, and the overall structure can withstand heavy rain and hail. This universal design enables continuous use from early spring to late autumn without compromising reliability under various weather conditions.
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 design allows for continuous use throughout the growing season, protects plants from pests and extreme weather, maintains ventilation, and regulates temperature effectively, ensuring plant safety and growth.
Implementation Method 1
The sun's rays hitting the fine-meshed lattice element are scattered on the lattice element
Implementation Method 2
the translucent roof elements contain glass panels or highly transparent twin-wall panels made of plastic... the sun shines, the roof elements are gradually folded up further
Implementation Method 3
The heat generated in the cold frame can escape upwards through the fine-mesh lattice element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cold frame with at least one translucent roof element arranged on the top of the cold frame, wherein the roof element (15, 20, 31, 39) comprises an outer frame (16, 21, 32, 40) which supports a fine-mesh, light- and air-permeable grid element (17, 22, 33, 42) spanning the interior of the cold frame and arranged in the interior of the frame.