Modular Growing Sleds with Rotational Plant Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor farming technologies face challenges in scalability, re-configurability, and optimal use of space due to the need for custom configurations in non-uniform urban settings, limited floor space allocation for plant growth, and inadequate light exposure from multiple angles, which hinder yield increases and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A scalable and re-configurable system comprising growing sleds with multiple plant stations, forced frames, and a plant support assembly that allows for uniform plant growth, efficient irrigation, and rotational light exposure, enabling flexible placement and maximizing usable space around obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom configurations are used for each building, then the system adapts to non-uniform urban settings, but the setup time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The growing system is divided into modular racks that can be independently configured. Each rack is a self-contained unit with standardized components, allowing workers to assemble and reconfigure multiple identical modules rather than designing custom solutions for each building layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal rack designs with standardized mounting holes, adjustable shelving, and interchangeable components that can be adapted to various building configurations through different arrangement patterns rather than customizing each individual rack.
2Productivity
If more floor space is allocated to growing, then yield increases, but access to plants for tending and harvesting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from two-dimensional floor-based growing to three-dimensional vertical growing structures. Multiple shelving levels stack plants vertically above the access pathway, maximizing growing area per footprint while maintaining ground-level access for workers.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack structure implements nested positioning where plant containers sit on shelves that are nested within the vertical rack framework. This nested arrangement allows dense packing of plants in vertical space while maintaining open access corridors at ground level.
3Productivity
If light is provided from all sides, then plant growth is optimized, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system uses asymmetric positioning of light sources around plants, with primary illumination from above and supplementary side lighting only where needed based on plant orientation and rack configuration, rather than symmetric lighting from all directions.
Solution Approach 2:
Lighting is localized to specific zones around each plant station rather than providing uniform illumination throughout the entire growing area. Adjustable light panels position illumination locally where plants need it most, reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a scalable and re-configurable system for indoor growing. The scalable and re-configurable system for indoor growing is comprised of a plurality of growing sleds, in which each growing sled has a plurality of plant stations. Plants are grown in receptacles on each plant station. The plant station is rotated by a drive system. Each plant station provides irrigation. Each plant station has a forced frame connected to the top of a plant support assembly. A forced frame is used to confine each plant to a known foot-print. This is necessary in indoor growing in order to make the production uniform and efficient.