Greenhouse Fabric Screen Ventilation System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern greenhouses face heat loss from the lower growing area to the upper part, requiring additional heating, and moisture accumulation due to fabric screens that separate the cultivation and ridge spaces, necessitating additional air displacement means.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system with air displacing means, such as fans, is integrated into the greenhouse, positioned near the passage between the cultivation and ridge spaces, drawing air from both areas to circulate it efficiently, and a flap mechanism controls airflow to manage humidity and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If fabric screens are suspended to separate ridge space and cultivation space for heat insulation, then heat loss is reduced, but moisture accumulates in the cultivation space due to isolated humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ventilation function and air circulation function into a single air displacing means (fan). The fan is positioned to draw air from both the ridge space through the fabric screen passage and the cultivation space simultaneously, merging two separate air handling functions into one device, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining heat insulation benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The air displacing means is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides ventilation by drawing air from the ridge space and air circulation by drawing air from the cultivation space. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate ventilation and circulation systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective moisture and heat management
2Quantity of substance
If passages are arranged in the fabric screen to supply dry air from ridge space to cultivation space, then air humidity is reduced, but additional air displacing means are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ventilation function (supplying dry air from ridge space) and air circulation function into a single air displacing means. The fan is strategically positioned and oriented to draw air from both spaces through the same device, eliminating the need for separate ventilation fans while maintaining effective humidity control
Solution Approach 2:
The air displacing means is designed as a universal device that handles both ventilation and air circulation tasks. By positioning the fan to access air from both the ridge space passage and the cultivation space, it performs multiple functions simultaneously, reducing the total number of devices required while effectively managing air humidity
3Temperature
If heat is supplied to the greenhouse for crop growth, then optimal growing conditions are created, but heat accumulates in the upper part while the lower part requires additional heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the greenhouse into two distinct spaces (ridge space and cultivation space) using fabric screens, allowing differential temperature management. The air displacing means is configured to draw air from both spaces and distribute it appropriately, enabling separate control of air sources while maintaining overall thermal efficiency and preventing heat accumulation in the upper region
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 setup provides efficient climate control, reducing heat loss and humidity, allowing for compact and cost-effective operation by utilizing a single fan system and adjusting airflow based on measured parameters to maintain optimal growing conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The air displacing means preferably embodied as fan are for this purpose placed and configured to draw in air, for instance through the venturi effect, through the passage out of the ridge space and to draw in air out of the cultivation space and subsequently circulate this air in the cultivation space.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Agricultural and/or horticultural greenhouse (1) for cultivating crops therein, wherein at least a part of the greenhouse is provided close to the upper side with at least one horizontally suspended fabric screen (21,22) which defines in that part a cultivation space (12) for cultivating crops therein under the fabric screen and a ridge space (13) separated from the cultivation space (12), wherein the fabric screen comprises at least one passage (24) between the ridge space (13) and the cultivation space (12), wherein the greenhouse further comprises a ventilation system with air displacing means (31) for displacing air in the cultivation space of the greenhouse, wherein at least one of the air displacing means (31) is situated close to the passage (24) in the fabric screen (21,22) and is configured to draw in and subsequently displace air from both the ridge space and the cultivation space.