Modular Pallet System for Plant Transport and Growth
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current transportation systems for plants and fungi lack efficient and integrated solutions for controlled growth and rapid deployment in various environments, such as ocean containers, warehouses, and retail channels, leading to challenges in maintaining freshness and reducing inventory losses due to short shelf-life.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained transportation pallet system incorporating modular components like pallets, liquid collectors, posts, rails, and electronic modules with processors and controllers, enabling controlled growth environments through adjustable tray systems, irrigation, and customizable lighting and irrigation systems for efficient plant and animal cultivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional transportation systems are used for plants, then simple structure is maintained, but plant freshness is lost and inventory losses increase due to short shelf-life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines transportation pallets with integrated growing shelves, lighting systems, irrigation systems, and environmental control systems into a single unified unit. This merging allows plants to be transported while simultaneously receiving water, light, and controlled environmental conditions, maintaining freshness without requiring complex separate systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The transportation pallet system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it transports plants, provides structural support through integrated shelves, delivers water through irrigation systems, provides light through LED panels, and controls environmental conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized systems for each purpose, reducing overall complexity while improving reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If integrated growing systems are deployed in various environments, then adaptability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components including individual pallet units, interchangeable shelf assemblies, separate lighting modules, and independent irrigation systems. This segmentation allows the system to be configured for different environments (ocean containers, warehouses, retail channels) by selectively assembling and disassembling modules, improving adaptability while managing complexity through standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable elements such as movable shelves, extendable rails, and adjustable lighting positions that can be modified based on specific deployment requirements. This dynamic capability enables the same basic system to adapt to various environments without requiring complete redesign, balancing versatility with manageable complexity.
3Productivity
If rapid deployment is implemented in urban areas, then productivity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system components are pre-assembled and pre-configured on standardized pallets before deployment to urban locations. All necessary growing shelves, lighting systems, irrigation components, and structural elements are prepared in advance in a modular fashion, allowing for rapid unpacking and assembly at the destination without requiring complex on-site construction or configuration.
4Productivity
If controlled growth environments are created, then cultivation effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates environmental control functions directly into the pallet structure by combining lighting systems, irrigation systems, and shelving into a single unified unit. This merging allows for controlled growth environments to be created without requiring separate complex environmental control systems, as all necessary functions are consolidated within the pallet itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A system including components and electronic modules that together form a transportation and growing system for plants and fungi is provided, the system including at least_two components, the components further including one or more of pallets, liquid collectors, posts, rails for trays, and accessories useful for managing use of the trays; and one or more electronic modules, the electronic modules further including one or more of processors, logic systems and/or controllers useful for controlling functionality of the system.