Fluid Dispenser Inversion for Substrate Hydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The storage life of plants in substrate bodies is uncertain due to issues like color change in UV light, mildew/fungus development, and humidity, leading to reduced sales periods and inventory losses, as existing methods for administering nutrients are inefficient and not conducive to long-term storage.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using fluid dispensers with pumps to introduce a controlled dose of fluid, such as water or hydrogel, into the substrate body through various angles and positions, ensuring uniform distribution and minimizing environmental impact, with adjustable dispensers and conveyors for efficient handling and treatment of multiple plants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If plants are sprayed from above to provide water and nutrients, then plants receive sufficient water and nutrients, but the upper face of the substrate body becomes impermeable to water and mildew/fungus develops on the leaves
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional spraying direction by introducing fluid from the lower face of the substrate body upward through the root zone, rather than spraying from above. This allows water and nutrients to reach the roots without wetting the leaves, preventing mildew and fungus while maintaining substrate permeability
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses the substrate body itself as an intermediary medium to transport fluid from the lower face to the root zone. The substrate acts as a controlled delivery system, distributing water and nutrients uniformly without direct contact with the leaves, thus avoiding fungal development
2Quantity of substance
If plants are sprayed from above to provide water and nutrients, then plants receive sufficient water and nutrients, but the environment becomes very humid which is problematic for working conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate body serves as an intermediary that confines water and nutrients to the root zone. By delivering fluid from below through the substrate matrix, the system prevents water from evaporating into the surrounding environment, thus maintaining low ambient humidity while ensuring adequate plant hydration
3Reliability
If a fixed dose of fluid is administered to each plant, then storage life consistency is improved, but the complexity of the device increases with multiple fluid dispensers and positioning systems
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the treatment process into discrete segments: a conveyor system that positions each substrate body individually at a treatment station, and multiple fluid dispensers that operate sequentially or simultaneously on opposite sides. This segmentation allows standardized dosing while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid dispensers are designed with multi-functionality, capable of administering precise doses through different routes (lower face, upper face, or lateral faces) depending on substrate body orientation and plant requirements. This universal design reduces the need for multiple specialized devices while maintaining dosing consistency
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 solution significantly extends the storage life of plants by ensuring consistent nutrient supply and reducing humidity, thereby improving working conditions and extending the sales period of plants by limiting deviations in storage life among batches.
Implementation Method 1
A device for introducing a dose of fluid into a substrate body (L) of a plant pot (P) or sowing tray comprises pressure means for introducing the dose of fluid into the substrate body (L)
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A device (1) for administering a fluid to substrate bodies provided with a plant, comprising a frame (2), at least one position station provided on the frame (2) for one or more substrate bodies and at least one fluid device at the position station for urging the fluid into the substrate body, wherein the fluid device comprises at least one fluid dispenser, a source (5) of fluid and a conduit (15) for fluid situated in between them, as well as pressure means (6) for supplying a dose of fluid under pressure to the fluid dispenser.