Green Wall Heating Cooling System for Substrate Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Green walls in urban environments face challenges in maintaining optimal growing conditions, particularly in extreme temperatures, which can lead to reduced beautification and production of fruits and vegetables throughout the year.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heating and cooling system into the green wall structure, which includes a reversible heat pump and internal heat exchangers, to regulate the temperature of the planting substrate, thereby maintaining optimal growing conditions regardless of seasonal changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a green wall is used in an urban environment without a heating and cooling system, then the structure remains simple and economical, but the beautification period and plant production are significantly reduced during extreme temperature periods (summer heat and late autumn/early spring cold)
Solution Approach 1:
The heating and cooling system is integrated into the green wall structure, allowing the same system to serve dual functions: protecting plants during cold periods through heating and during hot periods through cooling. This multi-functionality extends the beautification period without requiring separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters (heating or cooling mode) based on seasonal temperature conditions. The control unit adjusts the system's thermal output to match environmental conditions, enabling the green wall to adapt to both cold and hot extremes while maintaining plant health throughout the year.
2Productivity
If a green wall is used in an urban environment without a heating and cooling system, then the structure remains simple and economical, but plant production is significantly reduced during extreme temperature periods
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated heating and cooling system provides year-round temperature regulation, enabling continuous plant production regardless of seasonal extremes. The system's ability to switch between heating and cooling modes ensures optimal growing conditions are maintained throughout the entire year, maximizing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively regulates temperature before extreme conditions can harm the plants. By maintaining optimal temperature ranges in advance during both hot and cold periods, the system prevents stress-related production losses and ensures consistent growth throughout the year.
3Reliability
If the green wall uses only foliage for cooling in summer, then no additional cooling system is needed, but the cooling effect is insufficient to prevent plant drying out or death during high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system acts as an intermediary between the external hot environment and the planting substrate. It mediates the temperature differential by actively removing excess heat from the substrate, providing reliable protection against overheating and ensuring plant survival during extreme summer conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from passive cooling (relying solely on foliage evapotranspiration) to active cooling when temperatures exceed thresholds. The control unit monitors temperature parameters and activates the cooling function only when needed, providing reliable protection while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during moderate conditions.
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 heating and cooling system extends the beautification period and increases plant production throughout the year by protecting plants from freezing in winter and excessive heat in summer, while also providing insulation benefits for buildings.
Implementation Method 1
in cold periods, to heat the planting substrate, and therefore to avoid in particular the freezing of the plants planted in the green wall
Implementation Method 2
in hot periods, to cool the planting substrate and avoid excessive evapotranspiration of the planting substrate (which could lead to drying out of the plants planted in the green wall)
Implementation Method 3
when a green wall according to the present invention is positioned against a wall of a building, such as a facade of a building or a dwelling, it also makes it possible to heat the building in cold periods and to cool it in hot periods
Data Source
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AI summary
The green wall comprises a wall structure (3) delimiting an internal volume (6) configured to receive a planting substrate (SU), the wall structure (3) comprising a plurality of passage openings (8) opening into at least first and second external faces (4.1, 5.1) of the wall structure (3) and configured to allow the expansion of plants, planted in the planting substrate (SU), out of the wall structure (3); an irrigation system configured to irrigate the planting substrate (SU); and a heating and cooling system (19) configured to operate according to a cooling mode in which the heating and cooling system (19) is configured to heat the wall structure (3) and a heating mode in which the heating and cooling system (19) is configured to cool the wall structure (3).