Soil-Free Cultivation Shelf With Root Anchoring Recesses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current soil-free vertical cultivation systems face issues with root anchorage complexity, high production costs due to frequent replacement of support layers, and proliferation of fungi and bacteria, which complicate plant density control and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A vertical cultivation system using plastic seeding and growth bars with recesses that house seeds directly, eliminating the need for support layers and promoting controlled hydroponic/aeroponic feeding, along with a sensor system for environmental monitoring and LED lighting for optimized growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If support/gripping layers (non-woven layers) are used in vertical cultivation systems, then root anchorage and seed support are improved, but production costs increase due to frequent replacement and disposal at each production cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the support/gripping layer from the cultivation system, allowing roots to anchor directly to the support shelf surface. This extraction eliminates the need for disposable non-woven layers while maintaining root anchorage functionality, thereby reducing production costs associated with layer replacement and disposal.
Solution Approach 2:
The support shelf surface itself serves the dual function of structural support and root anchorage, eliminating the need for separate support layers. The system uses its own structural components to provide the anchorage function, reducing material consumption and operational costs.
2Reliability
If support/gripping layers are used during growth, then seed support is improved, but replanting operations become complex and costly due to the need to transfer plants from one shelf to another
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the support layer, the patent enables direct root contact with the support shelf, allowing plants to remain in the same location throughout their growth cycle. This eliminates the need for complex replanting operations involving transfer between shelves, as the support structure itself provides continuous support without requiring intermediate layers.
3Reliability
If non-woven support layers are used in cultivation, then root gripping is improved, but proliferation of undesired fungi and bacteria increases, compromising plant health
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the non-woven support layer that serves as a substrate for fungal and bacterial growth. By allowing roots to contact the smooth, non-porous support shelf surface directly, the system removes the organic material that would otherwise support harmful microorganism proliferation, thereby improving plant health without compromising root gripping.
4Reliability
If substrates are placed in grooves of floating trays, then seed support is improved, but production costs increase due to loading operations required at each production cycle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the substrate material from the cultivation system entirely, supporting seeds and plants directly on the support shelf surface. This elimination of substrate eliminates the need for loading operations at each production cycle, reducing labor costs and simplifying the production process while maintaining effective seed support.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A method for cultivating plant products without soil, comprising the following steps: preparing at least one cultivation shelf (7), which comprises one or more seeding and growth bars (9) made of plastic material, which are provided with seats (10) adapted to house seeds (SM) and have on the corresponding bottom walls (11) a through opening (12) structured for being traversed by, and remaining in direct contact with, the roots of the plant product during growth thereof, arranging seeds (SM) within the seats (10) in direct contact with the inner surface of said seats (10), without any interposition of one or more support/gripping layers of the roots of the plant products supplying the bars (9) with fertilizer- based substances.