Hydroponic Substrate Layer for Nutrient Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydroponic cultivation methods fail to provide essential nutrients that plants typically absorb from soil, leading to potential long-term sanitary issues due to nutrient deficiencies in humans consuming the plants, as they rely solely on formulated nutrient solutions without soil-derived elements.
Innovation Solution
A mixed cultivation method combining hydroponic nutrient supply with a substrate that acts as both a nutrient source and physical support, using 'V'-profile sheets with overflow orifices to ensure the substrate remains moist and provides soil-derived elements to the roots, along with a recycling system for nutrient solution and aeration tubes for improved oxygenation and disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydroponic cultivation uses only formulated nutrient solutions, then plant growth conditions are optimal from a theoretical standpoint, but plants do not receive soil-derived elements that are essential for long-term human health
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hydroponic nutrient solution delivery with a substrate layer that provides soil-derived elements. The substrate is positioned between the plant roots and the nutrient solution channels, creating a hybrid system that merges the advantages of both hydroponic and soil-based cultivation methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite structure consisting of plastic sheets forming channels, a substrate material layer, and nutrient solution. This composite arrangement allows the substrate to provide soil-derived elements while the formulated solution ensures optimal nutrient delivery.
2Reliability
If a substrate is added to provide soil-derived elements, then nutritional completeness is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides soil-derived elements to plants, acts as a physical support medium for root anchoring, and facilitates controlled interaction between roots and nutrient solution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is nested within the hydroponic channel structure, with the plastic sheets forming channels that contain both the substrate and nutrient solution. This nested arrangement integrates multiple functions within a unified structure rather than requiring separate systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If substrate is used as physical support, then plant stability is improved, but nutrient solution circulation efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates different zones with different properties: the upper portion contains substrate for plant anchoring and soil-derived element delivery, while the lower portion maintains open channels for efficient nutrient solution circulation. Each zone is optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cultivation medium is segmented into distinct layers: substrate material for plant support and soil-derived elements, and formulated nutrient solution for optimal nutrition. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function without interfering with the other.
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 method enhances plant growth by providing essential nutrients absorbed from the substrate, improving root oxygenation and preventing nutrient deficiencies, thus reducing the risk of diseases and ensuring better nutritional value for human consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the substrate remains moist
Implementation Method 2
aeration tubes for improved oxygenation
Implementation Method 3
orifices made for the overflow of the nutrient solution
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
On the basis of an installation formed from plastic sheets (1), (3), (4), of pairs of parallel, horizontal rods or cables (2), defining several superimposed layers (13-17-18), which are closed by means of an upper cover (5) traversed by the plant stems (9) that are supplied, through a perforated tubing (16), with a nutrient-bearing solution for the plants in a hydroponic cultivation system, the invention consists of substantially filling the upper level (13) with a natural cultivation substrate mass (14) such that the plants basically take root on said substrate (14), extracting the nutrients both from the substrate mass and from the solution provided, with controlled nutrient layers. A second tube (19) allows the supply of gases for oxygenation, carbon fertilisation or disinfection, which reaches all levels (13-17-18) of the installation through the nutrient solution overflow orifices (10) and (12).