Plant Support Tray With Sloped Drainage Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor and greenhouse farming faces inefficiencies in space utilization, lighting, watering, and air flow, leading to waste and increased risks of mold and disease, which affect productivity.
Innovation Solution
A shelving system with vertically stacked plant support trays and a forced-air ventilation system, integrated with a lighting system and drainage channels, allowing for efficient space use, easy maintenance, and optimized care of plants by providing controlled environments for lighting, ventilation, and water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If vertically stacked plant support trays are used, then space utilization is improved, but water drainage and waste removal becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is segmented into multiple functional zones: a plant support surface for cultivation, sloped drainage channels for water removal, and a collection trough for waste accumulation. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function efficiently, resolving the contradiction between vertical stacking for space utilization and effective water drainage.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage channels are designed with a three-dimensional sloped configuration that directs water from the plant support surface down to the collection trough. This dimensional change from a flat surface to a sloped channel system enables gravity-driven water and waste removal in the vertical stacking arrangement.
2Loss of substance
If integrated drainage channels and collection troughs are added to trays, then water waste is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage channels and collection trough are merged into a single integrated tray structure, forming a unified water management system. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall device while effectively preventing water waste through the connected drainage and collection features.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If forced-air ventilation system with ducts is implemented, then mold and disease risks are reduced, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is segmented with ducts positioned at specific locations below the support racks, creating targeted air flow paths. This segmentation allows the system to address mold and disease risks in specific areas without requiring a completely complex ventilation infrastructure throughout the entire facility.
4Productivity
If vertically stacked plant support trays are used, then productivity is improved, but maintenance accessibility becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical stacking system is segmented into discrete, modular trays that can be individually accessed. This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to reach and service specific trays without having to access or move the entire vertical structure, maintaining productivity while preserving maintenance accessibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances space utilization and maintenance efficiency, reducing water waste and mold risks while ensuring optimal plant growth conditions, promoting healthier plant cultivation and increased productivity.
Implementation Method 1
The drainage channels extend below the intermediate plane, and are sloped downwardly from the rear end region of the plant support surface to a front end region of the plant support surface, toward the trough.
Implementation Method 2
The forced-air ventilation system includes a duct positioned below an upper one of the support racks
Data Source
AI summary
A shelving system for plant cultivation includes a frame, at least two vertically-spaced support racks, a plant support tray positioned atop each of said support racks, an optional forced-air ventilations system, and an optional lighting system. A pair of upright frame portions have support racks extending between the upright frame portions. The plant support trays each have a pot-supporting surface and a series of grooves or channels extending below the pot-supporting surface. Optionally, the plant support trays have integral water runoff troughs that receive runoff water from the grooves, channels, or openings. Optionally, a drive mechanism is coupled to the frame and is operable to cause the frame to translate along a floor surface.