Hydroponics Cover Wick Capillary Root Immersion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydroponics systems face challenges in increasing productivity per unit area and reducing the amount of nutrient solution required, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A hydroponics device with a nutrient solution reservoir and a cover that supports plants with taproots longer than their shoots, where only the tip of the taproots is immersed in the nutrient solution, eliminating the need for a liquid level control mechanism and allowing for multistage cultivation shelves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid level control means is used to control liquid level according to plant growth, then root vegetables can be grown with roots permitted to dilate, but it becomes difficult to install multistage cultivation shelves and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the liquid level control mechanism from the hydroponics system. By using a wick that automatically absorbs and transports nutrient solution based on capillary action, the complex mechanical liquid level control means is removed entirely, simplifying the device while maintaining effective root zone moisture control
Solution Approach 2:
The wick material performs self-service by automatically regulating nutrient solution delivery through capillary action. The wick absorbs excess solution when liquid level is high and transports it to the root zone, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms while maintaining optimal moisture conditions for root vegetable growth
2Productivity
If cultivation containers are extended downward according to plant growth to maintain nutrient solution quantity, then root vegetables can be grown, but it requires complex height control mechanisms and reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the extensible bellows and height control mechanisms from the cultivation containers. The container structure is simplified to a fixed design, eliminating the need for complex extension mechanisms while the wick-based nutrient delivery system ensures proper moisture management without requiring container height adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the wick's automatic capillary action to self-regulate nutrient solution delivery, eliminating the need for mechanical extension of containers. The wick adapts to plant growth requirements automatically without human intervention or complex control systems
3Productivity
If multiple cultivation containers are used to grow root vegetables, then productivity increases, but a large quantity of nutrient solution is required increasing operational cost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies capillary action (a hydraulic principle) through the wick material to automatically transport nutrient solution from the reservoir to the root zone. This passive hydraulic system efficiently delivers water and nutrients directly where needed, minimizing evaporation and runoff losses, thereby reducing the total quantity of nutrient solution required compared to traditional flood-based hydroponics systems
Solution Approach 2:
The wick delivers nutrient solution locally and directly to the root zone based on actual plant needs, rather than flooding the entire container. This localized delivery system ensures efficient use of nutrient solution by applying it precisely where absorption occurs, reducing overall consumption while supporting higher productivity across multiple containers
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 configuration enhances productivity per unit area, reduces the amount of nutrient solution needed, and lowers operational costs by enabling efficient growth of root vegetables without the need for extensive liquid level control mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a wick 24 that absorbs the nutrient solution 11 through capillary action
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
There is provided a hydroponics device including a cover (14) forming an upper part of a cultivation planter (10) and a cover support (10C) supporting the cover (14) from beneath the cover and detachably connected to a pan (10B). The cover (14) supports plants (28P1, 28P2, 28P3, 28P4, 28P5 ... 28Pn), which are a predetermined number of different strains of the same species, so that tips (portions respectively including rootcaps and apical meristems) (28b) of taproots (28a) of the plants are immersed in a nutrient solution (LQ1) in the pan (10B).