Flaring Bell Vine Protector with Notches for Frost Insulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for protecting fruit trees and shrubs from frost, such as protective tarpaulins, propellers, and flaming bales of straw, are either expensive, inefficient, or pose operational and environmental challenges, particularly in preventing damage from concentrated sunlight and ice formation.
Innovation Solution
A bell-shaped protection device with a flaring design and notches to accommodate vine stocks, which provides insulation, windproofing, and incorporates a heat sink with halogen lamps or other heating elements, controlled by a sensor system to maintain a temperature that prevents ice formation and allows sunlight penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If protective tarpaulins are used to cover plants, then protection from frost and wind is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is divided into individual bell-shaped protectors for each plant rather than using large tarpaulins covering entire areas. Each bell is a separate, modular unit that can be independently installed and removed, reducing overall material cost while providing targeted protection where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The bell-shaped protector uses a thin, flexible transparent film material that provides effective protection against frost and wind while being inexpensive to manufacture. The thin film allows light transmission and can be easily molded into the bell shape, offering a low-cost alternative to rigid or heavy protective structures.
2Temperature
If propellers are used to stir air and increase ground temperature, then frost protection is partially improved, but protection from concentrated sunlight and ice formation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent bell-shaped film creates a microclimate around each plant that traps heat and maintains temperature without requiring mechanical agitation. The enclosed space prevents dew from forming and freezing on the plant surface, and the transparency allows sunlight to pass through without concentration effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The device converts the potential harm of sunlight into a benefit by using transparent material that allows solar radiation to enter and warm the internal environment during the day, while trapping that heat overnight to prevent frost formation. The structure transforms ambient sunlight into a heating source for frost protection.
3Temperature
If torches or burning straw bales are used to protect from frost, then temperature increase is improved, but operational complexity and environmental impact worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The bell-shaped protectors are self-regulating passive structures that do not require human operation or external energy sources. They automatically maintain appropriate temperature and humidity conditions through their physical design, eliminating the need for farmers to continuously monitor and adjust protective measures throughout the night.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent material converts ambient sunlight and ambient temperature fluctuations into a protective microclimate, eliminating the need for active heating sources like fires. The structure uses natural environmental factors rather than creating harmful artificial heat sources.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a bell-shaped structure is used to protect individual plants, then protection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective system is segmented into simple, identical bell-shaped units for each plant, reducing overall system complexity through standardization. Each unit is a single continuous piece of material with minimal structural features, making manufacturing and installation straightforward despite providing effective protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The simple bell-shaped structure performs multiple protective functions simultaneously: it shields from wind, traps heat to prevent frost, allows light transmission for photosynthesis, and prevents dew formation. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single simple geometric form rather than multiple complex components.
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
Effectively protects buds and fruits from frost, wind, and concentrated sunlight by maintaining a suitable temperature and allowing indirect sunlight, reducing the need for continuous human presence and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The bell can help keep the heat in the open space
Implementation Method 2
The bell can also provide a windproof effect
Implementation Method 3
incorporates a heat sink with halogen lamps or other heating elements
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a protective device (1) for a vine stock comprising a bell (1) open on one face (13) delimited by a lower edge (10.1, 11.1) of the bell (1) and having a shape flaring generally towards this lower edge (10.1, 11.1), the bell (1) having two notches (11.2) provided in said lower edge (10.1, 11.1), the notches (11.2) facing each other and being adapted to receive a vine stock.