Modular Hydroponic Tank With Removable Dams For Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydroponic cultivation systems face challenges in even distribution of culture solution and structural integrity, particularly in indoor plant factories with limited space, leading to complex assembly and maintenance, and potential load-bearing issues in multi-level setups.
Innovation Solution
A configurable hydroponic cultivation unit with a tank featuring separation bars and removable dam members to create customizable passageways and depths, along with flow-splitting bars and dispensers for even solution distribution, and a modular design with removable components for easy assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a multi-level plant cultivation system is applied to accommodate limited building space, then the cultivation area is increased, but the load-bearing requirements and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cultivation system is divided into multiple independent levels or modules that can be stacked vertically. Each level contains its own cultivation tanks and support structures, allowing the system to expand upward rather than outward, thereby increasing cultivation area while distributing structural loads across multiple independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from horizontal expansion to vertical expansion by utilizing the third dimension (height). Multiple cultivation levels are arranged vertically within the building space, effectively increasing the cultivation area without proportionally increasing the load on any single floor level.
2Productivity
If deep cultivation mode is used in multi-level systems, then the cultivation capacity per level is increased, but the load and structural requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows adjustment of cultivation parameters such as liquid depth, tank configuration, and plant density to optimize cultivation capacity. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system achieves high productivity while managing the weight and load implications through optimized tank designs and material selections.
3Strength
If conventional assembly methods with welding and screw fixation are used, then structural strength is ensured, but assembly and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame and cultivation tank are designed as an integrated or pre-assembled unit, combining structural support and cultivation functions into a single module. This reduces the number of separate components that need to be assembled and connected, thereby simplifying assembly and maintenance while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design creates universal components that can be used across multiple levels and configurations. Standardized interfaces and interchangeable parts allow for easy assembly and maintenance without requiring complex custom fabrication, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining strength.
4Strength
If metal parts and PE films are used in the main frame and tanks, then structural strength and thermal insulation are achieved, but rust and material lifespan issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs composite material constructions, such as metal frames with anti-corrosion coatings or alternative materials like reinforced plastics or aluminum alloys that provide both structural strength and rust resistance. The combination of different materials leverages the advantages of each to achieve both mechanical strength and corrosion resistance.
5Adaptability or versatility
If on-site customization and assembly are performed, then the system adapts to building constraints, but labor costs and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cultivation units are designed as pre-fabricated modules with standardized dimensions and configurations that can be adapted to different building constraints through modular arrangement rather than custom fabrication. This preliminary preparation of standardized components significantly reduces on-site assembly time and labor requirements while maintaining adaptability to various building layouts.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydroponic cultivation system includes a plurality of hydroponic cultivation units vertically stacked one over another, each configured to provide a cultivation bed for the plants and including: a tank with an integrated structure; separation bars on a bed of the tank; a planting board; a plurality of removable dispensers, and a plurality of removable dam members. Every two neighboring hydroponic cultivation units are hydrologically coupled to one another such that the culture solution flows top-to-bottom through each of the plurality of hydroponic cultivation units on each level. The removable dam members and the separation bars are configured to facilitate flexible control of depths and passageways of a culture solution flowing in the tank, thereby allowing for convenient switching between a deep cultivation mode and a shallow cultivation mode to support different growth stages of plants being cultivated in the tank of the hydroponic cultivation unit.