Modular Pot Connection Structure for Stable Height Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular plant twining apparatuses fail to support the weight of the pot-soil-plant load, leading to instability during transportation and tipping, and lack durable, secure connection mechanisms that allow modular extension and easy disassembly.
Innovation Solution
A modular pot design featuring detachable connection elements with flexible arms and pressable tips, allowing modular height extension and secure attachment, enabling stable lifting and transportation without disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If modular plant twining apparatuses are used to extend height, then the plant can grow taller, but the apparatus cannot support the weight of pot-soil-plant and tips over
Solution Approach 1:
The modular pot system is divided into multiple detachable connection elements that can be stacked vertically to extend height. Each connection element includes connection tips with flexible arms that can be independently attached to the pot body, allowing the structure to grow in segments while maintaining stability at each level.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection elements are pre-designed with flexible arms that are initially in a locked position, providing immediate stability when attached. The flexible arms are engineered to automatically engage with the pot body connection slots before the pot is filled with soil and plants, ensuring the support structure is ready to bear the intended load from the beginning.
2Ease of operation
If connection elements are made detachable for easy disassembly, then the modular pot can be easily transported, but the connection elements may come out unintentionally during use
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element design incorporates flexible arms that can change their mechanical state between locked and unlocked positions. When attached, the flexible arms are in a locked state providing secure connection. When the user needs to disassemble, they apply force to change the state to unlocked, enabling easy removal. This parameter change allows the same structure to provide both secure attachment and easy disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible arms are designed to automatically lock into the connection slots upon attachment, requiring no additional securing steps. The structure self-secures through the elastic deformation of the flexible arms, which naturally snap into the locked position when engaged with the pot body, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the modular pot structure is extended to allow plant growth, then the plant can grow taller, but the structure becomes less stable and may tip over
Solution Approach 1:
The modular pot system allows the structure to adapt to plant growth by adding segmented connection elements vertically. Each segment maintains the stability characteristics of the base structure, preventing the entire extended structure from becoming unstable. The segmentation allows incremental height increase while preserving structural integrity at each level.
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 design ensures a stable, portable, and durable modular pot that can be easily lifted and transported, preventing tipping and allowing modular extension as the plant grows, with the ability to be disassembled when needed.
Implementation Method 1
each connection tip having two pressable flexible arms with an arm opening extending therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A modular pot having a pot for carrying soil and plant load, in which ivy type plants can be grown, comprises a plurality of pot connecting pieces circumferentially arranged around a pot body, integrally formed with the pot body, and each having a pot connecting slot; a plurality of detachable connection elements adapted to extend the height of the modular pot and capable of being removed by the user as desired after attachment, wherein each connection element comprises a cylindrical connection element body, two opposing connection tips extending in opposite directions from the connection element body, each connection tip having two pressable flexible arms with an arm opening extending therethrough; and a plurality of intermediate connection pieces configured to engage with the connection elements of the same height to form intermediate layers, thereby enabling the modular pot to be raised modularly.