Modular Hydroponics Stacks for Flexible Crop Capacity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydroponics systems lack flexibility in crop type and quantity, require significant space, and are labor-intensive, limiting their efficiency and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A modular hydroponics system comprising vertically and horizontally stacked troughs with a shared nutrient solution flow, supported by a moveable structure, and integrated with a robotic system for automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional hydroponics systems are designed for a specific kind of crop, then the system structure can be simplified, but the flexibility in terms of crop type and quantity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The hydroponics system is divided into multiple independent modular units that can be stacked vertically. Each module contains its own trough, plant supports, and nutrient solution circulation components. This segmentation allows the system to be configured for different crop types and quantities by simply adding or removing modules, rather than redesigning the entire system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular units are designed with universal interfaces and standardized components that can accommodate various crop types. The same basic module structure can be used for different plants by adjusting parameters such as trough orientation, plant support spacing, and nutrient solution flow rates, providing multi-functionality without requiring complex specialized designs for each crop type.
2Device complexity
If conventional hydroponics systems use fixed production areas, then the system structure can be simplified, but the ability to expand or reduce size or capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs moveable support structures with adjustable height and position, allowing the production area to dynamically expand or reduce capacity. The modular units can be added or removed from the vertical stack, and the support structure can be reconfigured to accommodate different numbers of modules, providing dynamic adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple basic framework.
3Ease of operation
If conventional hydroponics systems have large areas of non-productive space, then the system can accommodate operational requirements, but the efficiency of space usage for growing crops is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a horizontal layout to a vertical stacked configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase productive growing space. Multiple troughs are stacked vertically with nutrient solution flowing between them, effectively multiplying the productive area within the same footprint while maintaining access pathways for operations at each level.
4Device complexity
If conventional hydroponics systems require large amounts of human labor, then operational control can be simplified, but the labor requirements for planting, maintaining, and harvesting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-service features including automated nutrient solution circulation through pumps and timers, self-regulating pH and EC monitoring, and automated lighting control. These features reduce the need for manual intervention in routine maintenance tasks while keeping the control system relatively simple through centralized management of automated functions.
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
Enhances crop flexibility, optimizes space usage, reduces labor requirements, and increases efficiency through automated processes, allowing for scalable and efficient crop production.
Implementation Method 1
nutrient solution flows from one hydroponic row to another hydroponic row in the stack
Data Source
AI summary
A hydroponics system is made up of one or more hydroponic stacks. Each hydroponic stack has a first horizontally extending trough and a second horizontally extending trough, each trough having an interior channel that extends from an inlet to an outlet. A supporting structure supports the first trough and the second trough so that the troughs are vertically spaced from one another. A flow connector connects the outlet of the first trough to the inlet of the second trough. The troughs contain a plurality of plants, and a nutrient solution is introduced into the inlet of the first trough and flows through the interior channel of the first trough to the outlet of the first trough, through the flow connector to the inlet of the second trough, and through the interior channel of the second trough to the outlet of the second trough. In one version, a plurality of hydroponic stacks are moveable relative to one another.