Multi-Bed Plant Cultivation Watering With Residual Water Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant cultivation apparatuses face challenges in efficiently supplying water to multiple beds while preventing odor and nutrient solution contamination.
Innovation Solution
A plant cultivation apparatus with a cabinet containing multiple beds, a residual water detection sensor, a water supply module, and a controller that manages the water supply process based on detected residual water levels, ensuring only the necessary amount of moisture is supplied to each bed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water is continuously supplied to multiple beds, then plant growth is improved, but residual water accumulation and odor occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses residual water detection sensors to detect the presence of water in each bed and provides feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the water supply operation based on this feedback, performing water supply only to beds that do not have residual water, thereby preventing odor and contamination while maintaining efficient plant growth
Solution Approach 2:
The water supply system dynamically adjusts its operation by sequentially supplying water to different beds based on real-time detection of residual water conditions. Instead of continuous or uniform supply to all beds, the system adapts the water supply pattern to actual needs, moving from static to dynamic water management
2Productivity
If water is supplied to all beds simultaneously, then water distribution efficiency is improved, but water waste and odor increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cultivation room is divided into multiple independent beds, each equipped with residual water detection sensors. The water supply module can independently control water supply to each bed based on individual water needs, segmenting the water supply process to avoid wasting water on beds that already have sufficient moisture
Solution Approach 2:
Each bed receives water supply according to its specific local conditions detected by the residual water detection sensor. The system applies different water supply decisions to different locations (beds) based on their individual water status, ensuring water is supplied only where needed rather than uniformly to all beds
3Loss of substance
If residual water detection and selective water supply are implemented, then water waste is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables beds to essentially self-regulate their water needs through the residual water detection sensors that automatically detect water presence and trigger appropriate water supply actions. The controller automatically manages the selective water supply process without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in monitoring and adjusting water distribution
Data Source
AI summary
A plant cultivation apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a cabinet defining a cultivation chamber in which a plurality of beds are accommodated, and a liquid supply module provided in the cultivation chamber to supply liquid to at least one of the plurality of beds. A controller determines when to supply liquid to the plurality of beds, determines, based on information collected by the sensor, whether liquid is present in the plurality of beds in response to determining to supply liquid to the plurality of beds, and sequentially perform a liquid supply operation to one or more beds, of the plurality of beds, in which liquid is not present.