Movable Cultivation Bed Control for Nutrient Overflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant cultivating apparatuses face issues with nutrient solution overflow due to excessive supply, improper light energy distribution, and inadequate nutrient delivery when the cultivation bed is mispositioned, leading to inefficiencies in plant growth.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a bed check unit to detect the movement of the cultivation bed and a level check unit to monitor the nutrient solution level, allowing for adjusted nutrient supply and ensuring uniform light energy distribution, thereby preventing leaks and optimizing nutrient delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the nutrient solution supply amount is increased to meet plant growth demands, then the nutrient supply adequacy is improved, but the nutrient solution may overflow from the cultivation bed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where a level detection unit continuously monitors the nutrient solution level in the cultivation bed and sends signals to the control unit. The control unit adjusts the nutrient solution supply amount based on the detected level, increasing supply when level is low and decreasing or stopping supply when level is high, thereby preventing overflow while ensuring adequate nutrient delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the nutrient solution supply rate based on real-time level detection. The supply amount is not fixed but varies continuously according to the current nutrient solution level in the cultivation bed, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and prevent overflow while meeting plant growth demands
2Ease of operation
If the cultivation bed is made movable to improve accessibility and maintenance, then the ease of operation is improved, but the risk of mispositioning increases leading to reduced light energy supply and inadequate nutrient delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a position detection unit to continuously monitor the cultivation bed position and provides feedback to the control unit. When mispositioning is detected, the control unit issues warnings or automatically adjusts the position, ensuring that the cultivation bed remains in the correct position for optimal light energy supply and nutrient delivery while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-positioning capabilities where the cultivation bed can automatically return to or maintain its correct position through detection and control mechanisms. The bed check unit detects position and the system self-corrects or warns the operator, reducing reliance on manual positioning accuracy while maintaining accessibility
3Ease of manufacture
If simple detection configurations are used to reduce manufacturing costs, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the measurement precision of nutrient solution level and bed position may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, cost-effective detection components such as basic level sensors and position switches that are inexpensive and easy to manufacture. These simple detectors provide sufficient precision for the application requirements without the need for complex or expensive measurement systems, achieving a balance between manufacturing cost and detection accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A plant cultivating apparatus includes a body that defines a cultivation chamber, a cultivation bed disposed on the cultivation chamber and configured to move relative to the body, a nutrient storage configured to store nutrient solution, a pipe configured to supply the nutrient solution to the cultivation bed, a bed checker configured to detect movement of the cultivation bed, a level checker configured to detect a level of nutrient solution in the cultivation bed, and a controller configured to receive a signal from the bed checker and the level checker and to adjust the nutrient solution supplied to the cultivation bed. The cultivation bed includes a signal connector that is disposed on one surface of the cultivation bed corresponding to the bed checker and the level checker and that is selectively connected to the bed checker and the level checker according to whether to move the cultivation bed.