Modular Plant-Growing Column Segments With Diffuser-Based Water Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing growing columns for vertical indoor farming are bulky, difficult to transport, install, and maintain, and inefficient in water distribution, especially for tall columns, leading to uneven hydration of plants.
Innovation Solution
A modular column segment system comprising wall panels, a diffuser, and a locking ring that allows for easy assembly and disassembly, ensuring watertight connections and efficient water distribution to plant openings, facilitating flexible column heights and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If columns are made as whole units or large segments, then structural integrity is maintained, but transportation and installation become difficult and require large freight volume
Solution Approach 1:
The column is divided into multiple modular segments that can be easily transported and assembled. Each segment contains a diffuser and wall panels that can be connected together to form complete columns of various heights, eliminating the need to transport entire columns while maintaining structural integrity through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser is positioned within the wall panels such that it forms an integrated assembly. The diffuser fits into the cavity formed by the wall panels, and the locking ring secures the diffuser in place, creating a nested structure that is compact for transport yet functional when assembled.
2Productivity
If columns are made tall to increase plant capacity, then more plants can be grown vertically, but water distribution becomes uneven and water loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The column is divided into multiple segments with diffusers positioned at regular intervals along the column length. Each diffuser distributes water locally to the plants in its segment, ensuring that plants throughout the entire column height receive adequate water without relying on gravity-fed flow from the top alone, thus maintaining uniform water distribution even in tall columns.
3Ease of manufacture
If columns are made as large single pieces, then manufacturing is simpler, but cleaning and maintenance become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The column is constructed from multiple detachable segments that can be easily disassembled for cleaning. Each segment can be removed and cleaned individually, and the modular design allows access to internal components such as diffusers and water distribution channels, making maintenance significantly easier compared to large monolithic columns.
Solution Approach 2:
The column system is designed to be dynamically configurable, allowing segments to be assembled and disassembled as needed. This dynamic nature enables easy access for cleaning and maintenance while still providing the option to configure columns of various heights for different farming needs.
4Ease of operation
If columns are transported as complete units, then no assembly is needed, but freight volume and transportation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The column system is divided into compact segments that can be transported in smaller volumes compared to complete columns. The segments can be stacked or arranged efficiently during transportation, reducing freight volume and costs. At the destination, the segments are easily assembled into complete columns through standardized connection interfaces, eliminating the need for complex assembly procedures.
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 modular design reduces transportation and storage costs, enables easy installation and cleaning, and ensures uniform hydration of plants across varying column heights, enhancing the efficiency and scalability of vertical farming systems.
Implementation Method 1
a diffuser which is configured to locate the wall panels in a predetermined position that forms an internal cavity, and to distribute liquid into the internal cavity such that a greater amount of fluid is directed proximate the at least one opening in the wall panels
Implementation Method 2
a locking ring which secures the wall panels and diffuser together in the predetermined position
Data Source
AI summary
The following disclosure relates to column segments for the growing of plants or crops. These column segments comprise a plurality of wall panels, at least one opening in the wall panels in which at least one pot for holding plants can be located; a diffuser which is configured to locate the wall panels in a pre-determined position that forms an internal cavity, and to distribute liquid into the internal cavity such that a greater amount of fluid is directed proximate the at least one opening in the wall panels relative to the rest of the cavity; and a locking ring which secures the wall panels and diffuser together in the predetermined position.