Plant Growing Device With Detachable Pipe Handles And Foldable Flaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant growing devices lack the capability to support large quantities of plants in long rows, are difficult to manually elevate and transport, and do not effectively prevent bird and insect interference while ensuring adequate water and sunlight exposure.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a deformable top and bottom member with foldable flaps, detachable pipe members for support and handling, and a guard member to prevent pests, along with a water delivery system that includes small-diameter water apertures and a timer-valve combination for automated irrigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional plant containers are used, then individual plants can be grown, but the capacity to support large quantities of plants in long rows is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple modular sections that can be connected together to form long rows. Each section contains its own growing material and plant support structure, allowing the system to scale from individual plants to large quantities of plants in extended rows.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from traditional single-level containers to a multi-level structure with upper and lower decks. This vertical arrangement allows plants to be grown in multiple dimensions, increasing the quantity of plants that can be supported within a compact footprint.
2Ease of operation
If deformable material is used for the container body, then flexibility and ease of transport are improved, but structural stability and lifting capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The container combines deformable material for the walls with rigid pipe members for structural support and lifting. This composite construction allows the container to be flexible enough for manual handling while maintaining the stability needed to support plants and water.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure is segmented into rigid pipe member components that provide structural integrity and deformable material sections that provide flexibility. The pipe members are positioned at critical locations to maintain stability while the deformable material allows for ease of transport.
3Ease of manufacture
If pipe members are made detachable, then ease of assembly and disassembly is improved, but connection strength and stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Connection mechanisms are pre-designed and pre-configured into the pipe members and support structures. This allows for quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining strong connections, as the connection points are prepared in advance to ensure proper alignment and structural integrity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If guard members are added to prevent bird and insect interference, then plant protection is improved, but device complexity and potential obstruction of water and sunlight are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The guard members are designed as thin, translucent structures that provide protection from birds and insects while allowing sunlight and water to pass through. This maintains plant growth conditions while preventing harmful interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The guard member structure is segmented and can be attached to specific sections of the device rather than covering the entire structure. This provides targeted protection where needed while minimizing obstruction of light and water to the plants.
5Manufacturing precision
If water apertures are made small-diameter, then water delivery precision is improved, but water flow rate is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The water delivery system uses hydraulic principles with small-diameter apertures that can maintain precise water delivery through controlled flow. The system includes features to regulate water pressure and flow rate to ensure both precision and adequate water quantity reaches the plants.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for growing plants above a selected surface includes a bottom member disposed upon a selected surface; a top member disposed upon and secured to said bottom member via two longitudinal securing seams, whereby, said top member includes two outer longitudinal flap portions and a longitudinal center portion, which ultimately receives a growing material in which plants and/or seeds are disposed. The longitudinal flap portions are ultimately folded above the growing material whereby longitudinal edge portions of the flap portions are separated a predetermined distance for allowing water and light to engage the growing material. Pipe members are removably secured to longitudinal edge portions of each longitudinal side of the bottom member, thereby enabling the manual lifting and transport of the device for disposal upon a selected surface.