Radial Vertical Farm Module with Central Core Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional farming techniques contribute significantly to carbon footprints due to high energy consumption, capital equipment costs, poor space utilization, and pathogen containment issues in controlled-environment vertical farming, limiting their adoption on a larger scale.
Innovation Solution
A vertically-oriented grow module with radially arranged plants around a central column, featuring LED lighting, nutrient-rich water delivery, and temperature-controlled air handling, along with sensors and cameras for precise environmental control, enabling sustainable and cost-effective indoor agriculture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional farming techniques are used, then food production is achieved, but carbon footprint and energy consumption are high
Solution Approach 1:
The farming system is divided into multiple vertical layers or tiers, allowing plants to be grown in stacked configurations. This segmentation increases space utilization efficiency and reduces the total energy required for heating and lighting compared to traditional horizontal farming, directly addressing the energy consumption and carbon footprint issues
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional two-dimensional horizontal farming to three-dimensional vertical farming by stacking crops across multiple height levels. This dimensional change maximizes space usage and reduces the footprint per unit of production, thereby lowering energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with transportation and facility operation
2Area of stationary object
If controlled-environment vertical farming is implemented, then space utilization improves, but capital equipment costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical farming system is divided into modular units or bays that can be independently configured and operated. This segmentation allows for standardized, reusable components that reduce overall system complexity and capital costs while maintaining high space utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs universal components such as adjustable shelving units, interchangeable lighting modules, and standardized irrigation systems that can serve multiple crop types and growth stages. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized expensive equipment, lowering capital costs while preserving optimized space utilization
3Area of stationary object
If radially arranged plants around central column are used, then space utilization and environmental control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial arrangement merges multiple functions into the central column structure, which serves as both structural support, lighting housing, and environmental control hub. This consolidation reduces the need for separate complex systems, lowering overall device complexity while achieving superior space utilization and environmental management
Solution Approach 2:
The radial arrangement uses asymmetric positioning of plants around the central column to optimize light distribution and airflow patterns. This asymmetric design maximizes space utilization efficiency while the repetitive radial pattern itself provides structural simplicity, reducing the complexity of support structures and environmental control systems
4Manufacturing precision
If precise environmental control is implemented, then crop quality improves, but energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The environmental control system is segmented into localized zones around the central column, with independent temperature and humidity control for different radial distances from the center. This segmentation allows precise crop quality control while reducing total energy consumption by avoiding the need to control the entire facility environment uniformly
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements local environmental quality control by creating distinct micro-environments at different radial positions from the central column. Each zone can be independently adjusted for temperature, humidity, and light conditions to match specific crop requirements, achieving high crop quality with reduced overall energy consumption compared to uniform facility-wide control
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
This system allows for high-quality fruit and vegetable production in a sustainable and cost-effective manner, reducing energy consumption and improving space utilization while maintaining precise environmental control, thus overcoming the limitations of traditional vertical farming.
Implementation Method 1
The central column can house radially mounted lighting needed by the plants during their growth cycle
Implementation Method 2
a flow of temperature-controlled air can be directed into the grow module enabling a precise control of the environmental conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A vertically-oriented module for growing plants is disclosed where the module comprises: a base comprising a housing for one or more auxiliary systems that support the module; a silo positioned on top of the base, the silo comprising a central core; an outer frame surrounding the central core, the outer frame defining a plurality of columns arranged radially around the central core, wherein each column is configured to receive one or more removable panels of plants; and a plurality of lighting units coupled to and arranged radially around the central core such that each lighting unit projects light away from the central core towards a corresponding column in the outer frame