Modular Plant Growing Apparatus with Inorganic Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional green walls face challenges with air-quality issues due to peat or soil substrates, difficulty in plant replacement, and complex maintenance, especially regarding airflow and irrigation systems.
Innovation Solution
A modular plant growing apparatus with detachable growing units, inorganic granular substrates, and a simple irrigation system that allows for easy plant replacement and efficient air and liquid circulation, eliminating the need for complex drainage structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional peat or soil substrates are used in green walls, then plants can grow, but air-quality problems arise due to allergens and mould spores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the substrate by replacing organic peat and soil with inorganic granular materials (such as mineral wool, expanded clay, or ceramic granules). This parameter change eliminates the biological conditions that promote mould spores and allergens while maintaining the structural integrity needed for plant growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite inorganic materials that combine the benefits of aeration, water retention, and lack of organic decomposition products. The substrate composite is designed to be biologically inert yet supportive of plant life, resolving the contradiction between providing a growth medium and preventing harmful airborne particles.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If green walls are built with integrated construction, then they can purify air through airflow, but it becomes quite difficult to change the plants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the green wall system into modular units with detachable plant containers that can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation allows the airflow and irrigation systems to remain integrated while providing easy access to individual plants for replacement or maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic elements such as movable plant holders and adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow plants to be easily changed without disrupting the overall integrated structure. The design balances stability for airflow with mobility for plant replacement.
3Productivity
If special construction for draining irrigation water is used, then irrigation can be effective, but the structure becomes complicated and demands maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-draining characteristics of the inorganic substrate material itself, which allows water to drain through capillary action and gravity without requiring complex external drainage systems. The substrate's inherent porosity and granular structure provide the drainage function, eliminating the need for additional complicated drainage components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses porous inorganic granular materials that naturally facilitate water drainage while maintaining structural support. The pore structure of the substrate allows irrigation water to pass through efficiently, providing effective irrigation without requiring separate complex drainage constructions.
4Ease of operation
If modular growing units are used, then plant replacement becomes simple, but the irrigation system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the modular growing units with universal irrigation interfaces that allow a single irrigation system to service multiple units. The standardized connection points and distribution mechanisms enable one irrigation system to effectively serve the entire modular structure, reducing overall system complexity despite the modular design.
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 provides effective air purification, easy plant maintenance, and scalable solutions for various applications, including bio-filtering and water purification, while minimizing maintenance and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
means fitted to the frame for creating an airflow through the substrate
Implementation Method 2
The irrigation of the apparatus can be implemented extremely simply to operate automatically by gravity from one growing unit to another
Implementation Method 3
the receptacle-like growing unit, set in place horizontally, permits the effective interaction of air and irrigation liquid and their passage through the substrate. Thus, the air is purified mainly in the entire volume of the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for the growing of plants, which includes a frame, to which plants can be set to grow in a substrate, irrigation means fitted to the frame, for irrigating the substrate with an irrigation liquid, and means fitted to the frame for creating an airflow through the substrate. At least some of the plants together with their substrates are placed in modular growing units and places are arranged in the frame for the growing units, into which they can be detachably installed, independently of the irrigation means. In addition, the invention also relates to a growing device.