Hybrid Plant Container with Waterfall Aeration and Air Pruning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plant pots fail to provide an efficient and uninterrupted supply of nutrients and oxygen to high-value crops grown in high-intensity environments, leading to suboptimal root growth and increased water and chemical waste, while also being inadequate for remote monitoring and temperature control requirements.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid plant container assembly with a mouldable structure, porous base plate, and reservoir tank that allows for hydroponic, aeroponic, and conventional growing methods, featuring a gravity-fed water system for continuous nutrient supply, air pruning, and easy assembly, disassembly, and cleaning, which includes a waterfall effect to aerate water and prevent water spraying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional plant pots are used, then simplicity and ease of manufacture are maintained, but nutrient supply efficiency and oxygen availability to roots are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The plant pot is divided into multiple functional components: a container body, a reservoir for nutrient solution, a wick system for water transport, and an air pruning layer. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The pot structure integrates multiple functions into a single system: water storage, nutrient delivery, air pruning, and root support. The reservoir serves both as water storage and as part of the nutrient delivery system through the wick mechanism
2Duration of action of stationary object
If water reservoir is added to plant pot, then continuous water supply is achieved, but water spillover and chemical/nutrient leachate occur
Solution Approach 1:
The air pruning layer acts as a feedback mechanism that regulates water uptake by roots. When roots attempt to grow beyond the substrate, they are pruned by the air layer, creating a feedback loop that prevents over-watering and nutrient leachate while maintaining continuous supply
Solution Approach 2:
The air pruning layer is designed as a porous barrier that allows controlled water vapor transmission while physically blocking liquid water and nutrient solution from escaping the substrate, preventing spillover and leachate
3Object-affected harmful factors
If root washing is performed to remove fertilizer residues, then harmful chemicals are cleaned, but water and nutrient waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air pruning layer continuously performs the function of root maintenance and substrate aeration without external intervention. It self-regulates water and nutrient distribution, reducing the need for manual root washing and associated water waste
4Productivity
If substrate temperature is changed rapidly to trigger compound production, then plant productivity increases, but conventional pots cannot achieve rapid temperature adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic connection between the reservoir and substrate allows rapid temperature adjustment of the nutrient solution. By controlling the temperature of the nutrient solution in the reservoir, temperature changes are quickly transmitted to the substrate through capillary action and thermal conduction
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 hybrid plant container ensures uninterrupted nutrient and oxygen supply, reduces water waste, facilitates efficient root growth, and supports remote monitoring and temperature control, enhancing plant productivity and reducing chemical accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
a porous base plate (120), and a reservoir tank (130), wherein a basic locking mechanism configured that is generally available to the public may work in conjunction with the sidewall (110), the porous base plate (120), and the reservoir tank (130)
Implementation Method 2
which includes a waterfall effect to aerate water and prevent water spraying
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a hybrid plant container assembly, which may configure with at least one sidewall characterized by a collection tank underneath a plurality of hollow pins with a porous base plate, mounted on top of a reservoir tank characterized by a test port for growing horticultural plants that are having high coercion for nutrients and oxygen. The hollow pins were configured to create a waterfall effect on draining water through the sidewall to increase the oxygen content, which is collected back through the collection tank located below. The plant pot represents hybrid functions of hydroponics, aeroponics, and conventional pots, wherein the hydro aero pot provides sufficient air pruning, oxygen, and uninterrupted nutrient supply through submerged root growth from the gravity-fed water collected in the reservoir tank to achieve multi-functional effects. The test port configured for manual or automated monitoring, while drainage and overflow outlets provide adequate maintenance.