Modular Aeroponic Garden With Closed-Loop Fog Circulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional aeroponic and fogponic systems suffer from environmental instability due to open-loop configurations, leading to resource wastage, increased maintenance, and limited canopy space, while direct spraying nozzles require pressurized systems and generate larger droplets that are inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A modular aeroponic garden system with a closed-loop configuration using conduits and fog generation devices, allowing precise control of environmental conditions and efficient resource use, with customizable and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If open-loop configuration is used, then system simplicity is improved, but environmental stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a growth chamber for plants, a reservoir for nutrient solution, and a fog generation system. This segmentation allows the growth chamber to be sealed for environmental stability while keeping the reservoir accessible for refilling, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and environmental stability.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealed growth chamber acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the plant roots. The chamber maintains controlled temperature and humidity conditions internally while being connected to the external reservoir through controlled openings, enabling environmental stability without complete system enclosure.
2Device complexity
If open-loop configuration is used, then system simplicity is improved, but resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealed growth chamber creates a closed-loop environment where humidity and temperature can be monitored and controlled. Condensed moisture from evapotranspiration can be collected and returned to the reservoir, reducing water and nutrient loss while maintaining resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and reuses resources by collecting condensation from the sealed growth chamber and returning it to the nutrient reservoir. This reduces water and nutrient wastage while maintaining a simple overall system structure.
3Device complexity
If single enclosed reservoir is used, then system simplicity is improved, but canopy space deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the reservoir from the growth chamber, allowing the growth chamber to be designed with optimized canopy space for plant growth while the reservoir serves its storage function. This segmentation enables both compact design and adequate plant growth space.
Solution Approach 2:
The growth chamber is designed as a vertical structure with multiple levels or tiers, allowing plants to grow upward rather than only outward. This dimensional change maximizes canopy space utilization within a compact footprint, enabling more plants to be grown in limited space.
4Device complexity
If direct spraying nozzles are used, then system simplicity is improved, but droplet size control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces direct mechanical spray nozzles with a fog generation device that uses ultrasonic vibration or similar mechanisms to atomize the nutrient solution. This substitution produces fine, uniform droplets suitable for aeroponic delivery without requiring high-pressure mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The fog generation device changes the physical parameters of droplet production by using high-frequency vibration or acoustic energy to create extremely fine droplets. This produces consistent, small droplet sizes ideal for aeroponic nutrient delivery without the complexity of pressurized spray systems.
5Device complexity
If direct spraying nozzles are used, then system simplicity is improved, but maintenance complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Replacing pressurized spray nozzles with a fog generation device eliminates high-pressure mechanical components that require frequent maintenance. The fog device operates at atmospheric pressure with simple atomization mechanics, significantly reducing maintenance needs while improving droplet quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The fog generation device uses simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than complex pressurized nozzle systems. This approach prioritizes ease of replacement over long-term durability, simplifying maintenance for the overall system.
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 system reduces maintenance time, optimizes resource usage, and enhances plant growth by maintaining stable environmental conditions and improving droplet size for better nutrient delivery.
Implementation Method 1
one or more fog generation devices submerged in the volume of fluid and are configured to atomize fluid to be circulated by one or more fog distribution devices throughout the conduit
Implementation Method 2
Regulating the growth environment in fogponic systems is commonly accomplished with the use of ultrasonic transducers, fans and various mechanisms to condition the temperature of the solution
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a modular aeroponic garden system for growing plants. Through circulating an atomized fluid, nutrients and air through a conduit circuit the modular aeroponic garden system provides a closed-loop aeroponic system for growing plants. The closed-loop configuration allows the user to better control the internal environmental conditions of the modular aeroponic garden system, therein facilitating improved plant growth. Modular sections of conduit and modular joints allow the user to customize the aeroponic garden system to unique spaces and grow a variable quantity of plants. In doing so, the closed-loop system reduces time spent on maintenance, cleaning and monitoring of the plants grown within the modular aeroponic garden system and the system itself while better conserving resources such as water, electricity, and nutrients than comparable open-loop systems. In addition, novel open systems are provided, wherein fog generation devices are placed within the garden system.