Pollination Barrier Structure With Releasable Fixings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pollination bags are prone to deformation and damage due to their flexible material, leading to potential harm to plants and inefficiencies in controlling pollination over large areas.

Innovation Solution

A pollination control structure comprising a support, support fixings, and a barrier member with releasable fastenings, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of barrier member pieces without altering the support fixings, and using non-woven materials for better pollination control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a flexible material bag is used for pollination control, then the bag can be easily fitted and removed, but the bag is easily deformed and can cause plant damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fitting and removing bagVSAvoidresistance to deformation and plant damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier member is divided into multiple separate pieces that can be independently attached to the support structure. This segmentation allows the barrier to conform to plant shapes while being supported at multiple points, preventing deformation and plant damage while maintaining ease of installation and removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediate fixing mechanism is introduced between the barrier member pieces and the support fixings. This intermediary layer allows for easy attachment and detachment of the barrier pieces without requiring adjustment of the support structure itself, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If small pollination bags are used for individual plants, then each plant is protected, but controlling pollination over large areas becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepollen control for individual plantsVSAvoidefficiency of pollination control over large areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple barrier member pieces are combined into a single continuous barrier that can cover large areas while maintaining the protective function for individual plants. The support structure integrates multiple support fixings that work together to hold the extended barrier, enabling efficient pollination control across large planting areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the barrier member is directly attached to the support fixing, then the structure is simple, but the barrier member material experiences increased wear and tear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of attachment structureVSAvoidservice life of barrier member material

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediate fixing component is introduced between the barrier member and the support fixing. This intermediary element absorbs the wear and tear from attachment/detachment operations, protecting the barrier member material while adding minimal complexity to the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The intermediate fixing allows for changes in the attachment parameters, enabling the barrier member to be attached and removed without subjecting it to excessive mechanical stress. This extends the service life of the barrier material while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12302813B2Plant pollination control structures

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 PBS INT LTD

AI summary

A pollination control structure comprises a support; a plurality of support fixings, each support fixing being attached to or integral with the support, and; a barrier member comprising a plurality of barrier member pieces. At least one of the barrier member pieces is releasably attached to at least one of the support fixings by an intermediate fixing. The barrier member piece is releasably attached to the intermediate fixing, and the intermediate fixing is releasably attached to the support fixing.