Open-Cell Flow Body Structure for Lightweight Vertical Greening
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing greenery systems for vertical greening, such as those used on building facades, face challenges including weight issues due to heavy modules, root system damage, limited height, and inefficient irrigation, leading to costly and complex installations.
Innovation Solution
A self-supporting greenery system with bodies through which a medium can flow, incorporating open-cell foamed plastic for nutrient and fluid absorption, allowing plants to grow directly on these bodies, which are designed to facilitate gravity-fed medium distribution and recycling, and include modular components for easy installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy wall-bound greenery modules are used to support plants vertically, then plant support capability is improved, but weight increases causing attachment problems to facades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional heavy mechanical support structure (wall-bound modules) with a lightweight fluid-dynamic system. Water flows through channels in the greenery elements, creating hydrodynamic pressure that supports plants vertically without requiring heavy structural modules. The supporting body provides mechanical stability while the fluid medium carries the load.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and distribution of water from static storage in heavy modules to dynamic flow through channels. By controlling water flow rate and pressure, the system achieves variable support capability for plants while maintaining lightweight construction suitable for facade attachment.
2Duration of action of moving object
If soil-bound systems are used for vertical greening, then plant growth is improved, but root systems damage the facade surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts plants from traditional soil-based systems and places them in a water-flow-based support system. The greenery elements contain channels through which water flows, providing support and nutrition without requiring soil or deep root systems that could damage facades.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water flow as an intermediary medium between the supporting structure and plant roots. Instead of roots directly contacting and damaging the facade, water serves as a mediator that transmits support forces and delivers nutrients hydrodynamically.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional irrigation systems are added to greenery modules, then water supply is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the irrigation function with the structural support function into a single integrated system. Water channels that provide structural support through hydrodynamic pressure also serve as the irrigation pathway, eliminating the need for separate irrigation infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The greenery elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide structural support through water flow, deliver irrigation to plants, and can be attached to facades. The supporting body and greenery elements are designed to perform both mechanical support and fluid transport functions.
4Adaptability or versatility
If climbing plant scaffolds with movable containers are used, then flexibility is improved, but installation complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the greenery system into modular greenery elements that can be independently installed and maintained. Each element contains its own water channels and plant support structure, allowing for easy replacement and maintenance without affecting other parts of the system.
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
Enables economical, low-maintenance vertical greening without facade damage, supporting plants to any height, with efficient water and nutrient supply, and reducing weight and installation complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the device for absorbing nutrients and/or fluid is made out of at least one open-cell foamed plastic
Implementation Method 2
the at least one greenery element is located on a surface... such that there is a slope for generating a flow and/or distributing medium
Data Source
AI summary
A body through which a medium can flow, in particular a body through which a fluid and/or gas can flow, with at least one exterior, wherein the body through which a medium can flow is self-supporting or includes at least one supporting body that provides mechanical stability, as well as a greenery system with at least one greenery element for installation on a surface, including at least one such body through which a medium can flow, in particular a body through which a fluid and/or gas can flow.