Greenhouse Ventilation Adapter for Screen Assembly and Airflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing horticultural and agricultural greenhouses face difficulties in providing a passage for ventilation systems within the fabric screen and reinforcing its edges, making assembly and installation challenging.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a ventilation device adapter that secures the ventilation system to transverse frames, eliminating the need for a passage within the fabric screen and allowing the screen to be divided into sections, reducing the width and complexity of installation, while minimizing light blockage and improving air flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a passage is provided within the fabric screen for the ventilation system, then air flow between roof space and cultivation space is enabled, but the assembly and installation becomes difficult due to the need for edge reinforcements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow functionVSAvoidassembly and installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fabric screen is divided into two separate screen portions positioned on either side of the ventilation device adapter. This segmentation eliminates the need to create a passage through a single large screen, as the ventilation adapter is installed between the screen portions rather than within them. The screen portions can be independently attached to transverse frames, simplifying assembly and eliminating the need for complex edge reinforcements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the fabric screen width is reduced to simplify assembly, then installation becomes easier, but the structural integrity and coverage may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinstallationVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation device adapter combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as a structural support element, an air flow conduit, and a mounting interface for the ventilation device. By integrating these functions, the adapter eliminates the need for separate reinforcements at screen edges, maintaining structural integrity while simplifying installation. The adapter extends over substantially the frame length, providing adequate coverage and support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the ventilation device is positioned to maximize air displacement, then ventilation efficiency is improved, but light blockage in the cultivation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation efficiencyVSAvoidlight blockage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation device is positioned and oriented to draw air from the roof space above the fabric screen rather than from within the cultivation space. The adapter's base beam extends over the frame length, and the ventilation device is configured to access air from the roof space dimension, allowing effective ventilation while minimizing shadowing of the cultivation space. This spatial arrangement reduces light blockage while maintaining ventilation productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 simplifies the assembly and installation of the greenhouse, reduces light blockage, and enhances air flow by using a U-shaped base beam and suction tubes that direct air effectively between the roof and cultivation spaces, improving climate control and reducing the need for edge reinforcements.

Implementation Method 1

The ventilation device is configured for drawing in and subsequently displacing air from both the roof space and the cultivation space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir displacement:

Implementation Method 2

a suction tube having an air inlet, an air outlet and an air channel extending between the air inlet and the air outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3790379B1Horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 DALSEM BEHEER BV
  • EP3790379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3790379B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3790379B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

The invention relates to a horticultural and/or agricultural greenhouse for cultivating crops therein, comprising: multiple rows of support columns connected by transverse frames for forming a roof support construction, each of the transverse frames having a frame length; a substantially horizontal fabric screen for at least partially darkening and/or thermally shielding the greenhouse, wherein the fabric screen is suspended between adjacent transverse frames and divides the greenhouse in a cultivating space below the fabric screen and a roof space above the fabric screen; and a ventilation system with a ventilation device for displacing air within the cultivation space and/or between the roof space and the cultivation space, wherein the ventilation system further comprises a ventilation device adapter having a longitudinal axis and configured for receiving the ventilation device and for being secured to one or more of the transverse frames.