System for plant cultivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor agricultural systems face challenges in optimizing plant growth due to limited space, inconsistent lighting, and inefficient use of resources, particularly in smaller operations, where vertical shelving is unstable and lighting is not tailored to the specific needs of plants at different levels.
Innovation Solution
A modular and movable plant cultivation system with vertically stacked decks that allow for adjustable lighting, ventilation, and irrigation, using telescopic legs and sensors to optimize light exposure and resource distribution, and a lift-and-lock mechanism for stability and easy repositioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If taller shelving units are used to increase vertical growing area, then the available growing area increases, but the shelving becomes unstable and dangerous to work around
Solution Approach 1:
The shelving system is divided into multiple independent deck modules that can be stacked vertically. Each deck is a self-contained unit with integrated support structures, allowing the system to achieve great height while maintaining stability through modular construction rather than relying on a single tall shelf structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from horizontal shelf extensions to vertical stacking of deck modules. By utilizing the vertical dimension through standardized module heights and stackable construction, the system maximizes growing area in the vertical direction while keeping each individual module compact and stable.
2Area of stationary object
If ceiling lighting is used to illuminate plants, then the lighting covers the growing area, but plants on different levels receive inconsistent light exposure
Solution Approach 1:
Each deck module is equipped with its own integrated lighting system positioned directly above that specific deck. This ensures that plants at each vertical level receive consistent and adequate light exposure tailored to their local needs, rather than relying on ceiling lights that create uneven illumination across different heights.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is designed as a universal component integrated into each deck module, allowing the same lighting unit to serve multiple decks at different vertical positions. This multi-functional approach ensures consistent lighting performance across all levels while simplifying the overall lighting infrastructure.
3Illumination intensity
If high output lighting is used to ensure sufficient light for occluded plants, then all plants receive adequate light, but the electric cost increases and upper level plants receive too much light
Solution Approach 1:
Each deck receives light from its own dedicated lighting system positioned immediately above it, providing exactly the amount of light needed at that specific location. This eliminates the need for excessive high-output lighting that would waste energy while trying to reach occluded plants, as each level's lighting requirements are met locally and efficiently.
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 system enhances plant growth by providing consistent and optimized lighting and resource distribution, improving crop yield while maintaining stability and safety, even in smaller spaces, by allowing for customizable light exposure and resource allocation based on plant growth stages.
Implementation Method 1
The decks may include light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to provide photosynthetically active radiation to promote plant growth
Implementation Method 2
Plants experience the best growth when exposed to both blue and red lights... exposure between that 400 nm and 700 nm range at the appropriate level for each stage of the plant's growth cycle results in healthy and productive plants
Data Source
AI summary
A system for plant cultivation includes decks having an upper face and a lower face, the decks disposed in a vertical array, each deck having sides connected at corners, each corner extending outward beyond the sides to form a protuberance.