Rotational system for hydroponic equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In hydroponic crop systems, maximizing plant density per unit area is hindered by the need for accessible corridors, which reduces available surface area and requires expensive, complex, and difficult-to-assemble oscillating support systems that are not suitable for all greenhouse structures.

Innovation Solution

A rotational system using vertical struts with a 'V' section and swinging arms allows for vertical alignment of hydroponic crop supports, enabling increased density without reducing plant access, suitable for various greenhouse structures and outdoor installations, and can be actuated manually or by a powered gear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If oscillating support systems are used to maximize plant density, then plant density increases, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant densityVSAvoidsupport system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the greenhouse into multiple sections with vertical struts positioned at intervals, each supporting a limited number of plants. This segmentation allows high local density while maintaining overall system simplicity and accessibility corridors between strut sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making supports oscillate horizontally as in conventional systems, this invention inverts the approach by using fixed vertical struts with plants arranged vertically. The inversion eliminates the need for complex oscillating mechanisms while achieving similar space optimization through vertical stacking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Productivity

If oscillating support systems are implemented to increase plant density, then crop yield per area increases, but ease of manufacture and assembly decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrop yield per areaVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses modular vertical struts that can be independently manufactured and assembled in sections. Each strut is a simple, standardized component that can be easily fabricated and installed, eliminating the need for specialized assembly equipment and workers required by complex oscillating systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vertical struts are designed as simple, inexpensive structural elements that can be easily replaced if needed. Their simplicity in design allows for cheap manufacturing using conventional materials and methods, dramatically reducing both manufacturing and assembly costs compared to complex oscillating mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If supported from above oscillating systems are used, then plant density can be optimized, but greenhouse structure requirements become more demanding and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant densityVSAvoidgreenhouse structure strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of supporting plants from above with complex oscillating mechanisms that require strong greenhouse structures, the invention inverts the support approach by using ground-mounted vertical struts. This transfers the structural load to the ground rather than requiring the greenhouse roof and framework to bear heavy loads, making the system compatible with existing greenhouse structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from horizontal oscillating support to vertical ground-mounted struts, utilizing the vertical dimension for plant arrangement. This dimensional change allows plants to be stacked vertically on fixed struts rather than requiring horizontal oscillation, reducing structural demands on the greenhouse while maintaining high plant density.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Area of stationary object

If vertical struts with swinging arms are used, then space utilization increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidstrut mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses simple swinging arms that can rotate freely on vertical struts to adjust plant positions. This dynamic element allows flexible space utilization and plant accessibility without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms, maintaining system simplicity while enabling adaptive configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11793132B2Rotational system for hydroponic equipment

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 NEW GROWING SYST

AI summary

It relates to a straightforward system, which can be used in any greenhouse, as it is not linked to the greenhouse, and which can maximise the area of crop plants per hectare. For this purpose, the invention proposes a system that is supported by struts (1) with a horizontal shaft (3) on which a support mechanism (4) for pairs of supports (5) of the hydroponic crop in question swings, so that they can adopt a position in which they are aligned horizontally, and another position in which they are aligned vertically, so that this position allows access to the plants for harvesting their fruit and therefore not having to leave unused spaces when the plants are aligned horizontally.