Plant Container Grid Spacing for Vertical Farm Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vertical farming, dense foliage among plants inhibits effective control of growing conditions such as light, temperature, humidity, and atmospheric composition, leading to inefficient plant cultivation and excessive mutual shading, which current solutions like manual spacing or complex machinery do not adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A method involving alternatingly arranging first and second plant containers in a joint structured grid formation, allowing simultaneous vertical movement of the second containers to increase interspace, facilitated by a separation device, enabling efficient and automated adjustment of plant spacing without extensive manual labor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If plants are positioned closely together to increase production per area, then yield per surface area is improved, but ventilation flow is inhibited due to dense foliage forming a barrier layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustable plant container assemblies that can dynamically change spacing between plants. The system transitions from a static fixed-spacing arrangement to a dynamic adjustable-spacing system, allowing the boundary layer thickness to be controlled by modifying the physical distance between plant containers, thereby resolving the contradiction between high density and ventilation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces vertical adjustment capability to the horizontal plant arrangement. By adding the vertical dimension of adjustability to the traditional horizontal spacing, the system can control ventilation flows without sacrificing horizontal planting density, effectively using dimensional expansion to resolve the contradiction.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of plant spacing is performed to improve ventilation and light penetration, then growing conditions are improved, but labor requirements and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the plant container system into modular assemblies with individual adjustable units. Each plant container assembly can be independently adjusted, allowing localized spacing modifications without requiring complex system-wide logistics or conveyor systems, thus simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-adjusting mechanisms within the plant container assemblies that can modify spacing automatically or with minimal intervention. This eliminates the need for extensive manual labor or complex external logistics systems, as the system performs the spacing adjustment function inherently through its designed mechanical or automated structures.
3Quantity of substance
If dense foliage is allowed to develop naturally, then plant production density is maximized, but boundary layer thickness increases and gas exchange is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary spacing adjustments at early growth stages, preventing excessive boundary layer formation before it becomes problematic. By proactively managing spacing before dense foliage fully develops, the system maintains optimal gas exchange conditions throughout the growth cycle rather than attempting to correct the issue after boundary layers have thickened.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the physical parameter of plant spacing in response to growth stage and foliage density. By adjusting this key parameter, the system optimizes the balance between maintaining high plant density and preventing excessive boundary layer thickness, thereby controlling gas exchange efficiency throughout the cultivation period.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of increasing interspace among plant containers. The method comprises: providing a set of plant containers, the set comprising first and second plant containers; arranging the first plant containers in a first structured grid formation along a horizontal plane; and arranging the second plant containers in a second structured grid formation along said horizontal plane, whereby when viewed from above the first and second plant containers are alternatingly arranged in a joint structured grid formation in a first area. The method comprises, for increasing the interspace among the plant containers, mutually simultaneously moving the second plant containers in their second grid formation away from the first plant containers in a vertical direction and subsequently placing the second plant containers in a second area.