Hydroponic Planter With Segmented Plant Holders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing planters in hydroponic systems face issues with plants growing into each other, making harvesting cumbersome and limiting planting density without compromising plant growth.
Innovation Solution
A planter design featuring longitudinally extending liquid channels and plant holders on the outer circumference, with connecting formations for stacking, gas channels for improved gas exchange, and external attachment formations for supports and lighting, along with planting inserts for varied seedling needs, allowing for efficient growth and harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plants are grown close together to increase planting density, then productivity is improved, but plants grow into each other and become entangled, making harvesting cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The planter is divided into multiple independent compartments or chambers that physically separate individual plants. This segmentation allows high planting density while preventing plant entanglement, as each compartment acts as an independent growth space. The compartments can be arranged in series or parallel configurations within the planter body.
Solution Approach 2:
The plant holders are extracted from the traditional soil-based container approach and integrated directly into the planter body structure. This extraction allows for optimized spacing and positioning of plants, enabling higher density while maintaining easy access for harvesting through the integrated design of holders and access channels.
2Device complexity
If traditional planter designs are used, then structure is simple, but plants grow into each other and harvesting becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The planter body is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both the structural container and the distribution system for nutrients and water. Integrated features include built-in channels for liquid flow, compartments for plant separation, and access mechanisms for harvesting, all within a single unified structure that reduces overall system complexity while improving operational ease.
3Ease of operation
If plants are spaced apart to prevent entanglement, then harvesting is easy, but planting density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The planter utilizes three-dimensional space efficiently by arranging compartments in multiple levels or layers. This dimensional approach allows plants to be spaced adequately to prevent entanglement while maintaining high overall density through vertical stacking or layered arrangements, increasing productivity without sacrificing harvesting ease.
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
Enhances planting density while preventing plant entanglement, facilitating easy harvesting and optimizing growth conditions through improved liquid and gas circulation and support systems.
Implementation Method 1
The inlet opening may be located above the outlet opening to permit gravitational liquid flow into the plant holder through the inlet opening and liquid flow from the plant holder through the outlet opening
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a planter (10) forming part of a hydroponic system. The planter (10) includes a longitudinal body (12) defining at least two longitudinally extending liquid channels (14.1, 14.2) and at least two plant holders (16, 18) defined in the body (12), the plant holders (16, 18) spaced on the outer circumference of the longitudinal body (12), each one of the at least two plant holders (16, 18) in fluid flow communication with one of the at least two longitudinally extending liquid channels (14.1, 14.2).