Mobile Fertilizer Device with Modular Storage and Safety Drain

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing greenhouse fertigation systems, such as the YaraTera SUBSTRAFEED™ system, are costly and complex, making them inaccessible to existing and smaller greenhouses, requiring a more affordable and easier-to-install solution for storing and supplying multiple liquid fertilizers.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device with a housing containing multiple storage units, each equipped with level measurement, filling, and venting systems, along with a safety drain for spilled fertilizers, a dosing and controlling system, and connections for water input and fertilizer output, designed as a 'stand-alone' unit that can be easily connected to greenhouse fertigation systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a sophisticated fertigation system like SUBSTRAFEEDTM is installed, then fertilizer management precision and nutrient efficiency are improved, but system cost and installation complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefertilizer management precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into modular components: multiple storage units (each capable of holding different fertilizers), a mobile housing unit with dosing system, and separate safety drain collectors. This segmentation allows the complex fertigation functionality to be distributed across independent modules that can be installed and managed separately, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision fertilizer management capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device housing serves multiple functions: it contains storage units for different fertilizers, houses the dosing and controlling system, provides safety drain collection, and can be moved to different locations. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single integrated unit, reducing complexity while maintaining precise fertilizer management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If a sophisticated fertigation system like SUBSTRAFEEDTM is installed, then fertilizer management precision is improved, but installation cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefertilizer management precisionVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses simpler, more cost-effective materials and construction methods compared to permanent sophisticated systems. The mobile housing can be made from readily available materials, and the modular design allows for easier manufacturing and lower installation costs while maintaining the precision fertilizer management functionality needed for high-value crops

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be transported to different greenhouses or repositioned within a greenhouse as needed. This dynamic design reduces installation costs by eliminating the need for permanent infrastructure and allows the system to be deployed in existing greenhouses without major modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple storage units for different fertilizers are provided, then fertilizer supply versatility is improved, but risk of harmful interactions between fertilizers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefertilizer supply versatilityVSAvoidharmful interactions between fertilizers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful aspect of potential fertilizer interactions is extracted and isolated through separate storage units and a dedicated safety drain system with separate collectors. Each fertilizer is stored in its own container, and the safety drain system is designed to collect and separate any spills, preventing harmful interactions between different fertilizer chemicals while maintaining the ability to supply multiple fertilizer types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If a mobile stand-alone unit is used, then ease of installation and flexibility are improved, but system capacity compared to fixed systems is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidsystem capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple storage units are nested within the mobile housing structure, with each storage unit containing different fertilizers. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space within the mobile unit, increasing the total fertilizer capacity while maintaining the compact, movable design that provides ease of installation and flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11582901B2Mobile fertilizer device for storing and supplying multiple fertilizers to a greenhouse

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA

AI summary

A mobile device for storing and supplying multiple liquid fertilizers, comprising a housing, enclosing: two or more storage units, each suitable for storing a liquid fertilizer, wherein each storage unit is provided with a storage unit level measurement system, a storage unit filling system and a storage unit venting system; a safety drain liquid fertilizer storage, comprising at least two separate collectors for the separate containment of spilled liquid fertilizer; a dosing and controlling system; and wherein the housing is equipped with a connection for the input of a water flow, at least two connections for the output of liquid fertilizer, and an output for venting gasses.