Shelf Flow Guide Device for Uniform Air Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rooms for cultivating biological organisms face challenges in uniformly supplying fresh air to densely packed shelves due to unregulated vertical supply air flows, which are costly and inflexible to adapt to varying plant or organism needs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a flow guide device on the shelves, formed by a wing protruding from the frame, to deflect the vertical supply air flow into a horizontal air flow, ensuring uniform air distribution and adaptability to different organisms without requiring changes to the room's structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If shelves are densely packed to maximize cultivation capacity, then the quantity of organisms that can be cultivated increases, but the uniformity of air supply to all organisms deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of organismsVSAvoiduniformity of air supply
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system is segmented into multiple independent air supply units, each responsible for a specific shelf or tray. Each unit includes an air supply channel that can be independently controlled, allowing precise regulation of air flow to each cultivation level, thereby maintaining uniform air supply even when shelves are densely packed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different air supply parameters (flow rate, velocity, distribution pattern) are applied to different locations within the cultivation room. The system adjusts air supply characteristics locally at each shelf level to match the specific needs of organisms at that position, ensuring uniform air supply across all densely packed shelves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If wall perforations or vertical channels are added to improve air distribution, then the uniformity of air supply improves, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of air supplyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply channels serve multiple functions: they distribute air uniformly across shelves, provide structural support for shelving units, and enable flexible adjustment of air flow parameters. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate air distribution components, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining uniform air supply

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The air supply system is designed to automatically regulate and distribute air through the shelving structure itself. The channels integrated into the shelves self-regulate air flow based on pressure differentials and geometric design, eliminating the need for complex external control mechanisms or additional active components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If fixed air supply structures are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different organism needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidflexibility for different organisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The air supply system incorporates adjustable components that allow dynamic modification of air flow parameters. Air supply channels can be reconfigured, and flow rates can be adjusted for different shelves, enabling the system to adapt to varying requirements of different organisms while maintaining relatively simple structural elements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The air supply channels are pre-configured with adjustable features that allow rapid reconfiguration for different cultivation needs. The system is prepared in advance with modular components that can be easily adjusted or repositioned, enabling quick adaptation to different organism requirements without complex structural changes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution allows for improved air supply and regulation of airflow, enabling uniform conditioning of room air for organisms on the shelves, reducing turbulence, and facilitating easy adjustment of airflow rates for biological experiments.

Implementation Method 1

the air conditioning device being configured to form a vertical supply air flow in the interior space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the vertical supply air flow being deflected by means of the flow guide device into a horizontal air flow in the receiving space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow deflection:

Data Source

PatentEP3533320B1Room and method for cultivation
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 WEISS TECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3533320B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3533320B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a room (10) and a method for cultivating biological organisms, such as plants, insects, marine life, or the like, comprising a climate control device (16) for conditioning room air and at least one shelf (17) arranged in an interior space (14) of the room, wherein a vertical supply air flow (34) can be formed in the interior space by means of the climate control device, wherein the shelf is formed from a frame (19) of vertically arranged uprights (20) and a plurality of trays (21) arranged horizontally one above the other on the uprights at a distance from each other for receiving organisms (22), wherein the shelf is designed to be open such that the room air can flow through a receiving space (23) for the organisms, each of which is bounded by the trays, and wherein the shelf has a flow guidance device (27).by means of which the vertical supply air flow can be at least partially deflected into a horizontal air flow (36) in the receiving space.