Inclined Cultivation Bed Layout for Uniform Strawberry Nutrient Flow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In strawberry cultivation, the use of smaller cultivation beds leads to root mats growing in height and thickness, blocking nutrient solution flow and creating concentration and temperature gradients, which affects productivity.

Innovation Solution

A plant cultivation device with an inclined cultivation bed, multiple discharge holes, and grooves that guide nutrient solution flow, combined with controlled nutrient supply ratios, reduces concentration and temperature gradients.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If smaller cultivation beds are used to increase planting density, then productivity per unit area is improved, but root mats grow thicker and block nutrient solution flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproductivity per unit areaVSAvoidroot mat blocking

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cultivation bed is divided into multiple grooves that segment the root mat growth areas. Each groove acts as an independent channel that prevents root mats from forming continuous blocking layers across the entire bed surface, allowing nutrient solution to flow through each groove segment effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a vertical dimension by creating grooves with specific depth and angle configurations. The grooves extend downward into the cultivation bed substrate, creating a three-dimensional flow path that prevents root mats from blocking the nutrient solution flow path from above.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Duration of action of moving object

If longer cultivation periods are used for plants like strawberries, then plant growth and fruit production are improved, but root mats increase in thickness and block nutrient solution flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecultivation periodVSAvoidroot mat thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The groove structure segments the cultivation bed into multiple independent flow channels. This segmentation prevents root mats from forming continuous blocking layers over time, as each groove acts as an independent path that maintains open flow even as root mats grow thicker in the spaces between grooves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the natural tendency of root mats to grow thicker over time into a beneficial pattern by using grooves to channel root growth away from the nutrient solution flow paths. The root mats grow in the groove structures themselves rather than blocking the flow channels, allowing long-term cultivation without flow obstruction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Quantity of substance

If nutrient solution flows through thick root mats, then nutrient delivery to plants is maintained, but concentration and temperature gradients form between upstream and downstream sides

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenutrient deliveryVSAvoidconcentration uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The groove structure divides the nutrient solution flow into multiple separate channels, each with its own flow path. This segmentation ensures that nutrient solution travels shorter distances through each groove, reducing the development of concentration and temperature gradients between upstream and downstream sections while maintaining adequate nutrient delivery to plants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each groove creates a localized flow environment with controlled characteristics. By confining nutrient solution flow within individual grooves, the system maintains more uniform concentration and temperature conditions in each local area, preventing the formation of large-scale gradients that would occur in a single continuous flow path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 device ensures uniform nutrient distribution and growth, increasing planting density and productivity by minimizing gradients and promoting even nutrient supply.

Implementation Method 1

a cultivation bed (10) having a bottom surface (10a) on which a plant (P) is placed and which is inclined... the nutrient solution supplied into the cultivation bed flows on the bottom surface along the direction in which the bottom surface is inclined

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity-driven flow: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20260007113A1Plant cultivation device and plant cultivation method

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 MITSUBISHI CHEM AQUA SOLUTIONS CO LTD

AI summary

A plant cultivation device (1) which is an embodiment of a plant cultivation device includes: a cultivation bed (10) having a bottom surface (10a) on which a plant is placed and which is inclined; a first solution supply member (20); and a second solution supply member (30) extending along a direction (F1) in which the bottom surface (10a) is inclined. The second solution supply member (30) includes a plurality of nutrient solution discharge holes disposed along the direction (F1).