Flower Pot Sealing Mechanism for Root Rot Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flower pots fail to effectively control the water supply rate over a long period, leading to excessive water movement and difficulty in preventing root rot, due to lack of sealing between the outer and inner pot bodies and complex structures that are hard to implement in practice.

Innovation Solution

A flower pot design with a folding portion and an elastic sealing member between the outer and inner pot bodies, utilizing a nonwoven fabric for water supply based on capillary phenomenon, and adjustable threaded portions for precise sealing control, made from materials like polycyclohexane dimethylene terephthalate for improved hydrolysis resistance and transparency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a double-layered flower pot structure is used without a sealing portion, then the structure remains simple, but the water supply rate cannot be controlled and excessive water moves to the inner pot body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidwater supply control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the outer and inner pot bodies. This sealing portion includes a sealing member that can be elastically deformed to contact the inner pot body, creating a seal that allows controlled water supply while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member's elastic deformation property is utilized to change the sealing parameter dynamically. By elastically deforming the sealing member, the contact state with the inner pot body changes, enabling control over water supply rate without complex mechanical structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If no sealing portion is provided between outer and inner pot bodies, then manufacturing remains simple, but internal pressure of water supply portion cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidinternal pressure control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing portion acts as an intermediary that provides pressure control functionality. The sealing member's elastic deformation capability allows it to adjust the internal pressure of the water supply portion by modifying the seal contact, achieving pressure control without complex pressure regulation mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a complex structure with gouged wood block and plate spring is used, then water supply control is attempted, but the structure becomes complicated and difficult to implement in practice

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater supply controlVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex gouged wood block and plate spring mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler sealing member. The essential function of controlling water supply is retained through the sealing member's elastic deformation, while removing unnecessary structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using mechanical components like plate springs and gouged wood blocks, the invention utilizes the elastic deformation parameter of the sealing member to achieve water supply control. This parameter-based approach simplifies the structure while maintaining control functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If excessive water is supplied to the inner pot body, then the water supply chamber functions freely, but root rot cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater supply freedomVSAvoidroot rot
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing portion serves as an intermediary control mechanism between the water supply chamber and inner pot body. It regulates water flow to prevent excessive water accumulation, thereby controlling the harmful effect of root rot while maintaining ease of water supply operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member's elastic deformation property is used to dynamically adjust water supply parameters. By controlling the degree of elastic deformation and contact pressure, the system regulates water flow rate to prevent root rot while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This design allows for precise control of the water supply rate over an extended period, reducing root rot and enabling automatic water supply with high accuracy, even in simple structures, while maintaining hydrolysis resistance and transparency.

Implementation Method 1

water stored in the water supply portion is supplied through a nonwoven fabric member inside the inner pot body on the basis of a capillary phenomenon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary phenomenon: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

a sealing portion having an elastic member mounted thereto is provided between the folding portion and the upper end surface of the sidewall of the outer pot body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3488688B1Flower pot
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 YAITA SEISAKUSHOKK
  • EP3488688B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3488688B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3488688B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is a flower pot generating little root rot by controlling a water supply rate for a relatively long period of time even using a simple structure regardless of its size. The flower pot includes: an outer pot body; an inner pot body housed in the outer pot body with a gap as a water supply portion; a vertical position changeable member provided in a predetermined place to connect the outer pot body and the inner pot body; a flange provided on an upper end surface of the sidewall of the inner pot body; and a sealing portion formed of an elastic member and provided between the flange and the upper end surface of the sidewall of the outer pot body, in which water stored in the water supply portion is supplied to the inner pot body through a nonwoven fabric member.