Modular Indoor Vertical Farm for Precise Crop Control Near Consumers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to grow a variety of crops efficiently and deliver them to consumers quickly while maintaining ideal growing conditions, and to grow crops near their end consumers.
Innovation Solution
A portable, modular, indoor vertical agricultural machine that allows for precise control of nutrition, water, ventilation, and ultraviolet light, and can be moved indoors to grow crops almost anywhere, including near the end consumer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If crops are grown in traditional outdoor or fixed indoor facilities, then growing conditions can be maintained, but the crops cannot be delivered quickly to end consumers and cannot be grown near consumers
Solution Approach 1:
The growing system is divided into modular, self-contained units that can be independently deployed and moved. Each module includes its own growing chambers, lighting, and environmental controls, allowing the system to be segmented into transportable components that can be positioned near consumers for rapid delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The growing facility is designed with dynamic, movable components including wheeled bases and collapsible structures that enable the system to be easily relocated. This dynamic design allows the facility to transition between stationary operation and mobile deployment, solving the contradiction between maintaining stable growing conditions and achieving mobility for quick consumer delivery.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single fixed growing facility is used, then infrastructure costs are reduced, but the facility cannot efficiently grow diverse crops under ideal conditions for different plant types
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses segmented modular units that can be configured in different arrangements to accommodate various crop types. Each module can be optimized for specific plant requirements while maintaining overall system versatility, allowing diverse crops to be grown under ideal conditions without requiring a single complex fixed facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized connections that allow the same basic modules to serve multiple functions across different crop types. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment for each crop, managing complexity while maintaining adaptability for diverse agricultural production.
3Manufacturing precision
If traditional farming methods are used, then equipment simplicity is maintained, but precise control of nutrition, water, ventilation and light cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors and controllers that continuously monitor environmental parameters such as humidity, temperature, light intensity, and nutrient levels. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adjustment of growth conditions to maintain optimal precision for each crop type, while the automated control reduces the operational complexity burden on users.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular units are designed with self-regulating features where each module can independently manage its own environmental controls based on built-in sensors. This self-service capability allows precise environmental control without requiring complex centralized management, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high precision in crop growing conditions.
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 machine efficiently grows diverse crops under ideal conditions and delivers them fresh to consumers by providing precise environmental control and mobility.
Implementation Method 1
precise control and dosing of nutrition, water, ventilation and ultraviolet light to the growing crop
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes a portable, deployable, modular, indoor vertical agricultural machine comprising a cabinet with a ventilation system, lighting system, structural column support, plant support system, fertigation supply system, fertigation drain and return system, an interface for an environmental control system, an environmental control system, and a nutrition supply control system. Exemplary embodiments of software and computers for controlling same are disclosed as well as exemplary embodiments for using growing trays, hanging pod structures, and lattice structures for viney plants.