Modular Plant Irrigation with Capillary Mat Reservoirs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small-scale and retail plant growing operations face challenges in justifying investments in water distribution systems and require cost-effective, modular, and labor-efficient irrigation solutions due to dynamic plant arrangements and frequent changes in inventory and display configurations.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained plant irrigation apparatus with a fluid reservoir and capillary mat system, where the capillary mat is supported by platforms with a fluid reservoir below the maximum fluid elevation, allowing for efficient fluid distribution and reduced irrigation frequency, and featuring a modular design for easy reconfiguration and repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a water distribution system is invested in for irrigation, then irrigation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and capital investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation system is segmented into modular platforms that can be independently arranged and configured. Each platform contains integrated water reservoirs and capillary mats, allowing the system to be scaled and reconfigured based on specific needs without requiring a complete infrastructure investment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple functions into a single integrated platform structure: support for plants, water storage, water distribution via capillary mats, and drainage. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity while maintaining irrigation efficiency.
2Device complexity
If manual labor is used to water plants, then device complexity is reduced, but labor costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary mat system performs self-service irrigation by automatically drawing water from the reservoir through capillary action and distributing it to plant roots. This eliminates the need for manual watering while maintaining simple device architecture.
3Reliability
If a fixed water distribution system is installed, then irrigation reliability is improved, but adaptability to changing plant arrangements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a fixed infrastructure to a dynamic, reconfigurable arrangement of modular platforms. Platforms can be easily moved, added, or removed to adapt to changing plant inventories and display configurations while maintaining reliable irrigation through the self-regulating capillary mechanism.
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 apparatus reduces labor costs by minimizing irrigation frequency and allows for easy reconfiguration, making it suitable for small-scale and retail plant growing operations by providing a cost-effective and efficient irrigation solution adaptable to dynamic environments.
Implementation Method 1
A capillary mat is supported by the plurality of platforms. At least a portion of the capillary mat is disposed within the fluid reservoir below the maximum elevation of the fluid.
Data Source
AI summary
A plant irrigation apparatus for providing a fluid to one or more plants includes a plurality of platforms that are disposed in an array. Each platform has a support surface that is disposed at a platform elevation. A fluid reservoir for containing the fluid is defined at least partially in between adjacent platforms of the plurality of platforms. At least one fluid-regulating structure is configured to maintain a maximum elevation for the fluid, wherein the maximum elevation for the fluid is lower than the platform elevation. A capillary mat is supported by the plurality of platforms. At least a portion of the capillary mat is disposed within the fluid reservoir below the maximum elevation of the fluid.