Vertically Movable Shelf System for Plant Cultivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
State-of-the-art agricultural greenhouses have low energy efficiency and high maintenance costs due to inefficient use of space and environmental control, limiting plant production and adaptability to different types of plants.
Innovation Solution
A reconfigurable system with vertically movable shelves, controlled lighting, hydration, and air flow, utilizing sensors and a control unit to optimize microclimatic conditions for each plant growth phase, and modular soil management to maximize space utilization and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If greenhouses are made stationary with fixed shelves, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the space utilization is inefficient and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The shelves are made movable along vertical guides, allowing dynamic adjustment of shelf positions based on plant growth stages. This enables optimal space utilization while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The greenhouse is divided into multiple independent shelf units that can be moved separately. Each shelf operates independently along its vertical guide, allowing flexible configuration of cultivation spaces without requiring complete system redesign, thus improving space utilization without excessive complexity.
2Productivity
If shelves are spaced far apart to ensure correct plant growth in height, then plants can grow properly, but the number of cultivations per volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Shelf positions are dynamically adjusted based on plant growth stages. During early stages, shelves are positioned closer together to maximize cultivation density. As plants grow taller, shelves are moved apart to provide sufficient growth space, thus resolving the contradiction between number of cultivations and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Shelves are pre-positioned at optimal distances for specific growth stages. The system anticipates plant growth requirements and adjusts shelf positions in advance, ensuring both high cultivation density and adequate growth space without requiring constant manual intervention.
3Reliability
If environmental control systems are added to maintain optimal conditions, then plant growth is optimized, but energy consumption and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Environmental control parameters are dynamically adjusted based on real-time plant growth stages and conditions. The system activates heating, cooling, or humidification only when and where needed, rather than maintaining constant optimal conditions throughout, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining reliable environmental control.
Solution Approach 2:
Environmental control is applied locally to specific shelf areas rather than uniformly throughout the entire greenhouse. Sensors detect local conditions and trigger control mechanisms only in areas requiring intervention, optimizing plant growth while minimizing energy consumption and maintenance requirements.
4Loss of energy
If greenhouse dimensions are reduced for indoor use, then energy waste is limited, but plant production capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for reduced greenhouse dimensions by dynamically adjusting shelf positions and environmental controls to maximize plant density and growth efficiency. This enables high plant production capacity within compact indoor spaces while minimizing energy waste through precise environmental management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes vertical space more effectively by moving shelves along vertical guides, creating multiple cultivation layers. This dimensional approach allows increased plant production capacity within reduced horizontal footprint, maintaining high productivity while limiting energy waste through compact overall dimensions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for vegetable garden and nursery cultivation of plants is described that includes a cabinet comprising a plurality of shelves on which to cultivate plants. The shelves are being positioned one on top of the other along a vertical axis, so as to identify a space interposed between the upper face of a shelf and the lower face of the overlying shelf. The space is adapted to cultivate the plants. Further, means for generating a light source, means for delivering a liquid, and means for suction/supply of a forced air flow are provided. Further, means for moving the shelves along the vertical axis are included, there being a control unit configured to control operation of the means for moving, the means for generating the light source, the means for delivering the liquid, and the means for suction/supply.