Modular Indoor Farming Layout for High-Density Crop Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vertical indoor farming systems are expensive and inefficient in space utilization, as they require significant space for human access and movement within enclosed rooms or containers, leading to suboptimal use of available space for crop growth.
Innovation Solution
Retrofitting standard shipping containers with a modular chassis system that includes vertical tiers, air and liquid circulation systems, and lighting, allowing for efficient use of space by integrating plant trays, carts, and environmental control systems, while minimizing the need for human access space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional indoor farming systems are implemented with enclosed rooms or containers, then environmental control is achieved, but space utilization is inefficient due to requirements for human access and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The indoor farming system is divided into multiple stacked modules, each module being a self-contained unit with its own environmental control. This segmentation allows human operators to access only specific modules rather than entering a large enclosed space, thereby maintaining environmental control while improving space utilization for crop growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a horizontal layout requiring floor space for human movement to a vertical stacked configuration. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the system achieves high-density crop growth while minimizing the footprint and allowing access through elevated walkways or robotic systems rather than traditional ground-level human access.
2Productivity
If shelving and racks are placed within enclosed rooms for holding plants, then crop growth is enabled, but much of the space is allocated for human access and movement rather than plant growing
Solution Approach 1:
Each stacked module contains its own shelving and racks configured for optimal plant growth, separating the crop growth function from the human access requirement. This allows maximum space within each module to be dedicated to plants while access is provided through module-level interfaces rather than requiring large open spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automated mechanisms such as robotic arms or automated conveyance systems that can perform maintenance, harvesting, and monitoring tasks without requiring continuous human presence in the crop area. This enables the shelving and racks to be densely configured for maximum productivity while minimizing the space needed for human access.
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
This approach enables cost-effective, high-density indoor farming by optimizing space utilization and environmental control, reducing operational costs and enhancing crop production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an air circulation system that maintains laminar airflow and humidity control
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a module and system for indoor farming. In some embodiments, an indoor farming module includes a container compartment divided into a grow zone and a control zone, wherein a grow zone comprises a chassis with a plurality of horizontal and vertical frame members configured to support a plurality of carts each carrying a tray with a plurality of plants and wherein the control zone includes an air blowing unit integrated so as to direct air between a drop ceiling and a structural ceiling of the indoor farming module and an air conditioning unit configured to condition an atmosphere in the grow zone by producing cool dry air that is blown into a plenum space located between the drop ceiling and a structural ceiling.