Movable Planting Containers for Dynamic Hydroponic Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydroponic methods face low space utilization and light efficiency due to fixed plant arrangements, and frequent transplanting leads to labor costs, waste, and root damage.
Innovation Solution
A hydroponic apparatus with movable planting containers and a mechanism allowing for position substitution along a cultivation tank, enabling plants to be moved based on growth stages without transplanting, utilizing space efficiently and improving light utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If plants are kept at a sufficient distance from each other in fixed positions, then plant growth space is adequate, but space utilization and light utilization efficiency are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic positioning system where planting containers can be moved along the planting groove according to plant growth stages. The container includes a moving mechanism that allows it to be repositioned from an initial position to a harvested position, transforming the static cultivation system into a dynamic one that adapts to plant development needs while maximizing space utilization.
2Productivity
If plants are kept close together to improve space utilization, then light utilization efficiency improves, but plants require transplanting when space becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows plants to be cultivated closely together in the initial position to maximize space and light utilization. As plants grow and require more space, the entire planting container is moved dynamically to the harvested position, providing adequate growth space without the need for disruptive transplanting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cultivation process is segmented into distinct stages corresponding to different positions: an initial position for seedling and early growth stages where close spacing is beneficial, and a harvested position for later stages where plants require more space. This segmentation allows optimization of space utilization at each growth stage.
3Ease of operation
If transplanting is performed multiple times to maintain adequate plant distance, then plant growth space is maintained, but labor costs increase and root damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing multiple discrete transplanting operations, the system implements a single dynamic movement of the entire planting container from the initial position to the harvested position. This eliminates the need for repeated manual transplanting, reducing labor costs and avoiding root damage that occurs during multiple transplanting events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple transplanting operations into a single container movement operation. By combining the functions of multiple separate transplanting events into one integrated movement of the planting container, the system reduces operational complexity and labor requirements while maintaining adequate plant growth space.
4Illumination intensity
If transplanting is performed to increase plant distance, then light utilization efficiency improves, but light waste occurs and transplanting costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts plant positioning to optimize light utilization throughout the growth cycle. Plants are kept in the initial position where they can efficiently utilize available light during early growth stages, then moved to the harvested position when increased spacing becomes necessary, minimizing light waste and avoiding the energy costs associated with repeated transplanting operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A hydroponic apparatus includes a cultivation tank and planting containers. The cultivation tank includes an inner space and a top planting groove. Each of the planting containers includes a container body and a container brim The planting containers can be arranged on the planting groove along a width direction of the planting groove, and the planting containers can be moved along a length direction of the planting groove. A hydroponic method includes: placing the planting containers at n positions arranged along the planting groove, wherein each position corresponds to a plant growth and development stage, and is consistent with an order of the plant growth and development stages; and harvesting the plant at the position n at a specified time point, and moving the planting containers at other positions one by one to the positions corresponding to the next plant growth and development stages.