Indoor Grow Cabinet Ventilation and UV Sterilization Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plant cultivation apparatuses face issues with contamination of culture solution, leading to mold or green algae growth, and inadequate ventilation, which compromises sanitation and cultivation control.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates an inlet duct for air circulation, an outlet duct for air discharge, and a light assembly with UV sterilization for the water tank, along with temperature and moisture control features to maintain separate cultivation spaces and improve sanitation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the culture solution is supplied to the entire tray, then the plant growth is supported, but the culture solution is exposed to the outside and thus is contaminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveculture solution supplyVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a culture solution supply unit with a nozzle that acts as an intermediary device to deliver culture solution directly to the root zone through the tray bottom, preventing exposure to the external environment while maintaining effective supply

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a closed environment is provided in a temperature region in which the plants are grown, then the temperature control is improved, but the culture solution is very easily contaminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature controlVSAvoidcontamination
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle system serves as an intermediary that enables closed-environment temperature control while preventing contamination by delivering culture solution through the tray bottom, isolating the solution from the external environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray bottom acts as a flexible barrier that allows culture solution to pass through to the root zone while preventing contamination from the external environment, maintaining both temperature control and sanitation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cultivation space is divided into a plurality of spaces, then the cultivation control is improved, but the device complexity is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecultivation controlVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cultivation space into multiple independent trays, each capable of receiving culture solution separately through individual nozzles, enabling independent control while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The supply unit is designed with multiple nozzles that can serve multiple trays simultaneously, providing universal functionality that enables independent control of multiple spaces without proportionally increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 prevents contamination, enhances ventilation, and allows for independent temperature control in different cultivation regions, ensuring improved sanitation and efficient plant growth.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light assembly for irradiating light onto the at least one shelf

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV sterilization: Photodissociation

Data Source

PatentEP4165985B1Plant cultivation apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4165985B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4165985B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4165985B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided is a plant cultivation apparatus. The plant cultivation device comprises a cabinet (10) forming a cultivation space (100) in which plants are cultivated; a door (13) connected to the cabinet (10) to open and close the cultivation space (100); at least one shelf (30) disposed in the cultivation space (100); a water supply module for supplying water on the at least one shelf; at least one light assembly (40) for irradiating light onto the at least one shelf; and an inlet duct (15) connecting the outside of the cabinet (10) and the cultivation space (100) and configured to guide outside air to flow into the cultivation space (100).