Floating Hydrophyte Planting Device with Height-Adjustable Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydrophyte planting methods are ineffective in deep water areas due to challenges in controlling plant depth, water quality issues, and high costs, with submerged plants struggling in deep lakes and large water bodies where sunlight is scarce and temperature is extreme.

Innovation Solution

A floating hydrophyte planting device with a height-adjustable support system, buoyant rope, planting net rope, and stabilizing rope allows for flexible control of plant height, independent of water level changes and freezing, using a twisting pull rod mechanism to adjust the depth of submerged plants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If submerged hydrophyte planting method is used, then hydrophytes can be planted in water areas, but it is hard to control the depth of hydrophytes in deep water areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedepth controlVSAvoidapplicability to deep water areas
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic height-adjustable support system where the support height can be adjusted according to different water depths. The support includes an adjustable length component that allows the planting device to adapt to varying depths, enabling effective planting in both shallow and deep water areas. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by making the system versatile across different water depth conditions while maintaining ease of depth control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the support system by providing multiple adjustable height positions. The support height parameter can be modified to match different water depths, allowing the same device to be effectively used in various water conditions. This parameter change approach enables the device to maintain optimal planting depth control regardless of whether the water area is shallow or deep.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If hydrophytes float on the water surface, then they receive sufficient illumination, but the illumination is too strong and temperature is too high causing hydrophytes to wither

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesunlight receptionVSAvoidover-illumination and high temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a differentiated lighting environment for different parts of the hydrophyte system. The floating support structure provides shading for the submerged planting portions while allowing the floating leaves to receive adequate light. This local quality approach ensures that sensitive submerged parts are protected from over-illumination and high temperature, while photosynthetic surfaces still receive sufficient light for growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The floating support structure acts as an intermediary element between the sunlight and the hydrophytes. It mediates the light and heat transmission, providing appropriate shading to protect hydrophytes from harmful over-illumination and high temperature while still allowing sufficient light penetration for photosynthesis. This intermediary function resolves the contradiction by filtering and regulating the environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If existing submerged hydrophyte planting device is used, then planting can be performed, but the building cost is high and it is hard to apply to large water areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconstruction costVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the planting system into modular floating units that can be independently constructed and then assembled to cover large water areas. Each floating support unit is a self-contained module with standardized components. This segmentation allows for cost-effective manufacturing of individual units and flexible deployment across extensive areas by simply replicating and connecting modules, thereby reducing overall construction costs while enabling coverage of large water bodies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a copyable modular design where standardized floating support units can be mass-produced using identical components and assembly procedures. By copying the same proven design pattern across multiple units, the system achieves economies of scale in manufacturing, reducing the cost per unit. This copying approach enables cost-effective deployment over large areas without requiring expensive custom engineering for each location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Reliability

If hydrophytes are planted in deep water areas, then water purification can be achieved, but the existing methods cannot regulate the depth of growing plants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater purification effectVSAvoiddepth regulation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic depth regulation mechanism where the support height can be adjusted to control the vertical position of hydrophytes at different growth stages. As hydrophytes grow and their buoyancy increases, the support height can be modified to maintain optimal planting depth. This dynamic adjustment ensures reliable water purification by keeping plants in the effective depth range while providing ease of operation through simple height regulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback control where the plant growth status (particularly buoyancy changes) is monitored and used to adjust the support height accordingly. When plants grow and become more buoyant, the feedback mechanism triggers an adjustment to reduce support height or add weighting, maintaining plants at the optimal depth for water purification. This feedback loop ensures reliable purification performance while making depth regulation straightforward and automatic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 device enables effective water purification, increases plant diversity, and is cost-effective, making it suitable for large-area aquatic plant planting in deep water bodies while being environmentally friendly and easy to manage.

Implementation Method 1

Multiple foam floating balls 2-2 are fixedly arranged on the buoyant rope 2

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS11440628B2Floating hydrophyte planting device
Publication Date: 2022.09.13 FISHERY MACHINERY & INSTR RES INST CHINESE ACADEMY OF FISHERY SCI
  • US11440628B2 patent drawing
  • US11440628B2 patent drawing

AI summary

The present invention relates to a floating hydrophyte planting device, comprising a height-adjustable support, a buoyant rope, a planting net rope, a stabilizing rope and hydrophytes. The height-adjustable support comprises a fixed part and a movable part. The fixed part comprises columns and inclined stayed and fixed steel wires. A sawtooth groove is arranged on one side face of the column in the height direction and has multiple notches at different heights. The movable part comprises a twisting pull rod. The twisting pull rod is provided with a cross locking column vertical to the body of the twisting pull rod. The locking column is limited in the notch. After the twisting pull rod is twisted, the cross locking column may separate from the notch; after the twisting pull rod moves in the vertical direction and is twisted again, the cross locking column is limited in another notch.