Conveyor-Based Plant Processing for Urban Farming Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current farming methods are inefficient and costly due to the need for extensive resource distribution and movement, which is time-consuming and land-intensive, and fail to effectively automate repetitive plant processes, especially in urban areas where space is limited and multiple plant types are desired.

Innovation Solution

A centralized system where plants on a conveyor move sequentially to a central resource for repetitive processes such as watering and nutrient administration, reducing resource movement and duplication, and allowing for multiple plant types to be grown simultaneously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If resources are moved to each plant location for every process, then plant processes can be executed, but it is tedious and time-consuming requiring high sophistication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of plant process executionVSAvoidtime for resource movement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving resources to plants, the patent inverts the approach by moving plants to a central resource location. Plants are placed on a conveyor belt that transports them sequentially past stationary resources (watering cans, nutrient dispensers, pruning shears) located at a central processing station, eliminating the need for resource movement throughout the farm space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual resource movement with an automated conveyor belt system. The mechanical conveyor automatically transports plants through the processing sequence, substituting human labor and complex resource coordination with a simple, reliable mechanical transport system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If resources are positioned all over the farm space, then plant processes can be executed, but it results in multiple installations and high cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of resources for plant processesVSAvoidnumber of resource installations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple distributed resource installations into a single centralized processing location. All resources (watering, nutrient administration, pruning tools) are consolidated at one station, eliminating the need for multiple scattered installations across the farm space while maintaining full functional capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized resource station serves multiple functions sequentially - watering, nutrient administration, and pruning - all at one location. A single multi-functional processing station replaces multiple single-function installations, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If traditional farming methods are used in urban areas, then farming can be conducted, but extensive land usage and resource distribution are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefarm output in urban areasVSAvoidland area for farming

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal land-based farming to vertical conveyor-based processing. Plants are grown in containers arranged vertically or in compact configurations, then transported through a vertical or compact conveyor system, enabling high-density urban farming with minimal footprint by utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The farming system is segmented into discrete, modular components - individual plant containers on a conveyor belt, with resources positioned at specific stations. This segmentation allows for compact, space-efficient arrangement in urban environments while maintaining efficient processing of each plant unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10094116B2Central processing horticulture

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 MAWENDRA ARAVINDA RAAMA

AI summary

A plant-cultivation method and system that aids automation of farms/lawns, home-farms, roof-farms and similar conveyor-based farms.The plants are held on the conveyor preferably the whole of their life. The conveyor is operated such that the plants repeatedly visit the same processing resource(s) throughout their life. Repetitive plant processes are automated and centralized including watering, nutrient-feed, pruning, inspecting, treatment, harvesting, etc.Eliminates duplicate resources. Multiple types of plants can be grown simultaneously. Applicable to lawns and eliminates noisy gasoline mowers.Converts building-roofs and walls into fully automated lawns/farms. Home & building owners farm on their building and enjoy the organic harvest and optionally sell to neighbors. Saves on the building energy costs, farming resource capacity and the fossil fuel usage.Helps farming in non-fertile lands.Increases green-house resources efficiency.Adaptable with hydroponic, aquaponic or aeroponic farming methods.