Modular Aeroponic Growth System with Mobile Vertical Drawers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Setting up and operating a large-scale indoor plant growth facility efficiently and effectively, while maximizing available space and infrastructure, is complex due to the need for integrated systems for plant growth, water supply, electrical power, and monitoring/control systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular plant growth system with vertically stacked drawers and a distributed control unit that allows for flexible arrangement of growth space modules, sharing resources like a control module, dosing system, and liquid supply, enabling efficient use of space and infrastructure, and allowing for mobile rows to reconfigure aisles for access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If many plant growth modules are arranged within available building space, then crop production and plant growth are promoted, but the complexity of connecting to infrastructure (water supply, drain pipes, electrical power, control systems) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into self-contained plant growth modules that can be independently connected to infrastructure. Each module contains its own plant support structure, nutrient delivery system, and control components, allowing incremental deployment and simplified connection to building infrastructure through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The modules are designed with universal connection interfaces that can interface with standard building infrastructure (water supply, drainage, electrical power). The control system uses standardized communication protocols that can integrate with existing building management systems, reducing the complexity of custom integration work.
2Productivity
If modules are integrated with many systems for satisfying plant growth needs, then plant growth requirements are met, but setting up and operating large scale facilities becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple plant growth modules are vertically stacked to form integrated racks that share common infrastructure connections (water supply, drainage, electrical power, control signals). This merging reduces the number of individual connections required and simplifies operation by providing centralized control interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically monitors and adjusts plant growth parameters (nutrient delivery, lighting, environmental conditions) without requiring manual intervention. The system self-diagnoses and self-adjusts to maintain optimal growth conditions, reducing operational complexity.
3Productivity
If vertically stacked drawers are used to improve yield per floor space, then space utilization is maximized, but access to drawers for maintenance and operations becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drawer assemblies are designed to be mobile on vertical tracks, allowing them to be easily moved in and out for access. The drawers can be independently positioned at different heights and removed without disturbing other drawers, maintaining ease of access while achieving high vertical space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
An aeroponic plant-growth system includes growth space and a control unit that may be assembled using factory made modules. The growth space includes layers at different heights, and each layer includes plant holders and misters positioned to apply a mist to roots of plants in the plant holders. The control unit employs a controller to execute a program that operates a liquid supply system to provide liquid flows to the misters in the layers. Each of the liquid flows may be regulated according to the height of the layers.