Movable Plant Holder with Load Cell Integration for Evaporation Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing movable plant holders used in greenhouses face inaccuracies in measuring water evaporation due to differences in climate conditions between sample plants and the rest, and potential water loss from the growth medium during weight measurement.
Innovation Solution
A movable plant holder equipped with a frame, support surface, crossbeams, load cells, and roller devices, where the load cells measure the force exerted on the support beams by the frame, allowing for accurate detection of weight changes and wireless transmission of data for evaporation monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sample of plants is placed on a scale to measure weight change for evaporation monitoring, then evaporation can be estimated, but the sample plants are at a greater distance from the support surface creating different climate conditions and potential water loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the plants with the support surface by integrating load cells directly into the support structure. The support surface itself becomes the measurement platform, eliminating the need for separate sampling and ensuring all plants are measured under identical conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical scale system with an integrated load cell system embedded in the support surface. This substitution eliminates the need for separate measurement platforms and ensures consistent measurement conditions for all plants.
2Ease of operation
If roller devices are mounted on crossbeams to allow the holder to be rolled across rails, then movement is enabled, but structural rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support structure into separate crossbeams and support beams. The crossbeams provide structural rigidity while the support beams with roller devices enable movement. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The support beams act as intermediaries between the rigid crossbeam structure and the mobile roller devices. They transfer loads while allowing controlled movement, mediating between the conflicting requirements of rigidity and mobility.
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 solution enables precise monitoring of water evaporation by plants, reducing inaccuracies associated with climate differences and water loss, and allows for continuous data collection and trend analysis to optimize greenhouse conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the support beams is thus connected to the frame via one or more the load cells, and the support surface is completely supported on the support beams via the load cells, so that change in weight carried by the frame can be detected by the load cells.
Implementation Method 2
Pairs of roller devices, each comprising one or two roller elements, are mounted on two of the crossbeams, allowing the holder to be rolled across a pair of rails or tubes.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A moveable holder (1) for a plurality of plants is provided, comprising a frame (10) with a support surface (30) for supporting thereon the plurality of plants, wherein the frame (10) is attached via load cells (304A, 404A) to support beams (301) to which roller (7A) devices are attached for allowing rolling movement of the holder (1, 200) across a pair (223) of rails or tubes (101), e.g. as may be present in a greenhouse. The holder (1, 200) is provided with one or more transmitters which are connected to corresponding load cells (304A, 404A), and which can wirelessly transmit messages containing data on the force exerted on the support beams (301) by the frame (10) as measured by the load cells (304A, 404A). In this manner, a change in weight of the plants that is indicative of evaporation of water by all of the plants held on the support surface (30) can be obtained. An assembly (500) of a plurality of holders (1, 200) having similar dimensions, in particular having support surfaces at substantially same heights when the holder (1, 200) is supported on a pair (223) of rails or tubes (101), wherein some of the holders (1, 200) are provided with load cells (304A, 404A) and others are not.