Drive Device for Vertical Plant Units with Dynamic Spacing

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for growing plants do not efficiently increase the space between hanging units as plants grow, leading to inadequate space for larger plants.

Innovation Solution

A drive device comprising vertical elongate units suspended from a guide rail, with first and second engagement elements that allow units to be displaced outwardly and remain stationary during inward movements, ensuring increasing space between units as plants grow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If units are suspended close together at the start, then initial space utilization is optimized, but growing plants lack sufficient space later in the process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial space utilizationVSAvoidgrowing space adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static arrangement to a dynamic one where the distance between units changes over time. Drive means alternately perform outward movements to increase spacing and inward movements to maintain compactness, allowing the system to adapt its configuration as plants grow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drive means execute periodic cycles of outward and inward movements. During outward movements, units are displaced to increase spacing for growing plants. During inward movements, units return to a compact position. This periodic action enables the system to provide both initial compactness and later growing space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If drive means continuously displace units outward, then growing space is increased, but initial space efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrowing spaceVSAvoidinitial space occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The drive means execute periodic cycles of outward and inward movements. During outward movements, units are displaced to increase spacing for growing plants. During inward movements, units return to a compact position. This periodic action enables the system to provide both initial compactness and later growing space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static arrangement to a dynamic one where the distance between units changes over time. Drive means alternately perform outward movements to increase spacing and inward movements to maintain compactness, allowing the system to adapt its configuration as plants grow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If engagement elements are designed for continuous engagement, then units are constantly displaced, but control over displacement timing is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplacement continuityVSAvoiddisplacement control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drive means execute periodic cycles of outward and inward movements. During outward movements, units are displaced to increase spacing for growing plants. During inward movements, units return to a compact position. This periodic action enables the system to provide both initial compactness and later growing space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static arrangement to a dynamic one where the distance between units changes over time. Drive means alternately perform outward movements to increase spacing and inward movements to maintain compactness, allowing the system to adapt its configuration as plants grow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 system automatically increases the distance between hanging growing units over time, providing sufficient space for plants to grow without occupying more initial space, thus optimizing growing conditions.

Implementation Method 1

one or more drive means which alternately perform a first, outward movement and a second, inward movement, in particular one or more drive cylinders

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion:

Implementation Method 2

the first engagement elements and the second engagement elements are configured such that they, on the one hand, engage with each other in such a way when the drive means perform the first movement that the units whose first engagement element is situated in the vicinity... is displaced along the guide rail

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12336465B2Drive device for vertical elongate units suspended from a guide rail, such as growing units for plants

Publication Date: 2025.06.24 C C VAN DER GAAG HLDG BV

AI summary

Device for driving vertical units which are suspended from a guide rail for growing plants, wherein each unit comprises a first engagement element. Drive means cause the displacement members, each of which comprise a row of second engagement elements, to alternatively perform a first, outward movement and a second, inward movement. The first and second engagement elements are configured such that they engage with each other in such a way during this first movement that the units are displaced and are not displaced during the second movement. The second engagement elements are provided across the entire operating area of the one or more displacement members in such a way that the mutual distance increases. In this way, the units are guided through a growing space, with the mutual distance automatically being increased in order to give the plants more space as the growing process progresses.