Modular Vertical Farm Tray Handling System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vertical hydroponic farms face difficulties in handling crops arranged on multiple levels, requiring manual ladders or mechanized systems like trucks, which limit flexibility and modularity, and often necessitate structural modifications to accommodate column elements, restricting expansion and efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A modular and automated system for handling hydroponic farms with vertical modular elements that allows trays to be exchanged laterally, enabling flexible arrangement and expansion, independent operation of each module, and optimized use of space, with integrated lighting and irrigation zones, and a smart management system for plant traceability and optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional vertical hydroponic farms use manual ladders or mechanized systems like trucks to handle crops on multiple levels, then crop handling is possible, but flexibility and modularity are limited and structural modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into independent modular units, each capable of autonomous operation. These modules can be arranged in various configurations and scaled according to space availability, eliminating the need for structural modifications while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic, movable components including sliding trays on guides and movable handling units that can adapt to different module configurations. This dynamic design allows the system to reconfigure itself without permanent structural changes, enhancing both flexibility and ease of operation.
2Volume of moving object
If traditional vertical farms require structural modifications to accommodate column elements, then vertical space is utilized, but expansion is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the vertical farm into standardized modular units, the system achieves high vertical space utilization within each module while enabling easy expansion through horizontal addition of modules. No structural modifications are needed as modules are self-contained and can be added to existing configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design creates universal building blocks that can serve multiple functions and be deployed in various configurations. Each module is designed to be expandable and reconfigurable, allowing the overall system to adapt to different space requirements without structural changes.
3Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used for handling crops in traditional vertical farms, then crop management is possible, but productivity and operational efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates automated handling units that can independently collect, transport, and position trays without continuous manual intervention. The movable units autonomously navigate between modules and levels, significantly improving operational efficiency while maintaining ease of crop management through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with automated mechanical systems including motorized handling units, sliding mechanisms on guides, and automated tray positioning systems. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while dramatically increasing productivity and reducing labor requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic and modular system for handling trays (32) used for containing plants or the like to be grown through hydroponic, or aeroponic, or aquaponic farming, comprises a first module (30) with a quadrangular plan and a vertical arrangement delimited by respective vertical supports (31), said first module (30) comprising two lateral zones, each of which includes a plurality of substantially horizontal and overlapping supporting seats or guides (37, 37′) for trays (32), and a central zone in which a vertical tray transfer device (33) operates, slidably along a vertical axis (Z) arranged on a movement means activated by motorization assemblies (34) able to translate said vertical transfer device (33) from a lowered position to a raised position for bringing itself to each tray (32) and vice versa, said vertical transfer device (33) being provided with a resting shelf (33′) for a tray (32) and with a first means adapted to translate along a first horizontal axis (Y) said tray from and towards a respective seat provided inside one of said lateral zones. Said first module (30) further comprises a second means (36) arranged in said central zone in which said elevator device (33) operates, adapted to take in charge a tray (32) when the latter is located on the shelf (33′) of said elevator device (33) and to displace said tray (32) along a second axis (X) horizontal and orthogonal to said first horizontal axis (Y) for performing the direct transfer of said tray (32) towards a further shelf (33′) of a further vertical transfer device (33) of a second module (30) arranged adjacent and connected to said first module.