Hydroponic Grow Module With Outward Lighting for Narrow Aisles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical hydroponic systems face challenges in providing adequate light distribution across grow walls while maintaining a compact footprint, leading to uneven plant growth and reduced yield potential due to issues with light source positioning and aisle width requirements.
Innovation Solution
A hydroponic plant growth module design with a grow light assembly that directs light outwardly away from vertically extending growth columns, allowing for closer module spacing and improved light coverage between opposed modules, reducing the aisle width and increasing yield potential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light sources are positioned above grow walls to illuminate plants, then plants receive adequate light for photosynthesis, but aisle width must be increased to accommodate light source positioning, reducing space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional overhead lighting to lateral lighting by positioning light sources on the sides of grow walls. This dimensional change allows light to be delivered from the lateral direction rather than from above, eliminating the need for wide aisles to accommodate overhead light positioning while maintaining adequate plant illumination for photosynthesis
2Productivity
If grow walls are positioned closer together to increase yield density, then space utilization improves, but light distribution becomes uneven causing shadowing and reduced plant growth
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of positioning light sources above grow walls and having light travel downward, the patent inverts the lighting approach by placing light sources on the lateral sides of grow walls with light vectors directed toward opposite grow walls. This inversion enables light to penetrate through the grow wall spacing from the sides, ensuring even distribution across plants even when modules are closely spaced, thereby eliminating shadowing issues while maximizing yield density
3Illumination intensity
If traditional overhead lighting is used to illuminate plants, then light coverage is provided, but the system requires large footprint space reducing the number of modules that can be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the lighting dimension from overhead (vertical) to lateral (horizontal), positioning light sources on the sides of grow walls rather than above them. This dimensional shift allows light coverage to be achieved within a compact footprint, enabling closer module spacing and increasing the total number of modules that can be accommodated in a given space while maintaining adequate plant illumination
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 design ensures even light distribution across plants, minimizing shadowing and increasing the number of modules that can be accommodated in a given space, thereby enhancing productivity and profitability in urban or space-constrained environments.
Implementation Method 1
The grow light assembly has at least one light source, and a light vector that directs at least 75% of light emitted from the at least one light source outwardly away from the growth columns in the forward direction
Data Source
AI summary
A hydroponic plant growth module includes a front module side facing in a forward direction, a frame having an upper end vertically spaced apart from a lower end, and a plant growth subassembly positioned at the front module side. The plant growth subassembly includes a plurality of vertically extending columns secured to the module frame and distributed in a lateral direction. Each column has a front column side facing in the forward direction and a plurality of growth pod ports in the front column side and vertically distributed along the column. The plant growth subassembly further includes a grow light assembly positioned outwardly of the columns in the forward direction. The grow light assembly has at least one light source and a light vector that directs at least 75% of light emitted from the at least one light source outwardly away from the columns in the forward direction.