Solar Panel Wiper Mechanism for Self-Cleaning Plant Growth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plant growing apparatuses fail to provide a comprehensive solution for growing a variety of plants in different environments, as they often lack a self-sustaining light source and efficient water management system, leading to inadequate protection and maintenance of plants across diverse climates.

Innovation Solution

A solar-powered plant growing apparatus that incorporates photovoltaic panels for energy harvesting, a lighting assembly for customizable light emission, a misting conduit for water management, and a wiper assembly to maintain panel cleanliness and direct water to the plants, all integrated within a framework that supports a planting bed, allowing for year-round growth in various conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If solar panels are used to power the plant growing apparatus, then energy self-sufficiency is improved, but the photovoltaic panels accumulate moisture and dirt that reduces their efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy self-sufficiencyVSAvoidpanel efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses its own solar panels to power the water pump and wiper assembly, making the cleaning function self-powered. The solar panels automatically clean themselves during daylight hours when sunlight is available, eliminating the need for external power sources or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The wiper assembly operates periodically rather than continuously, activating at intervals to remove accumulated moisture and dirt from the solar panels. This periodic cleaning maintains panel efficiency without requiring constant energy input, optimizing the balance between energy self-sufficiency and panel performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Device complexity

If the solar assembly is positioned at a fixed predetermined angle, then structural simplicity is improved, but the panels cannot optimize their angle for different times of day or seasons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidenergy harvesting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a pulley mechanism that uses the sun's own position to automatically adjust the panel angle. As the sun moves across the sky, the differential heating creates thermal expansion that mechanically triggers the pulley system to rotate the panels to optimal angles, requiring no external power or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If water is directed to the planting bed through the aperture, then plant hydration is improved, but moisture accumulation on the photovoltaic panel reduces energy generation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant hydrationVSAvoidenergy generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The wiper blade is positioned to remove water from the solar panel surface before it can drip into the planting bed. By extracting the water at the source (the panel surface), the system prevents both the harmful effect (energy loss from moisture accumulation) and ensures plants still receive adequate hydration through controlled dispensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables the growth of plants in all climates and conditions by utilizing solar energy for lighting and water management, extending the lifespan of solar panels and batteries, and ensuring efficient energy use and plant care through a self-sustaining system.

Implementation Method 1

The plant growing apparatus utilizes solar powered light panels to convert sunlight to electricity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Implementation Method 2

a watering assembly having a misting conduit in fluid communication with a water source and positioned proximate the photovoltaic panel and defining an aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through conduit:

Implementation Method 3

a wiper assembly operably coupled to said at least one photovoltaic panel, said wiper assembly including a pulley system and a wiper blade movable along the photovoltaic panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical wiping:

Data Source

PatentUS11337379B2Plant growing apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.05.24 JAMES TAMMY L

AI summary

A plant growing apparatus is disclosed that enables users to grow edible vegetation and other plants in all climates and year round. The plant growing apparatus includes a framework, a solar assembly coupled to said framework at a predetermined angle, the solar assembly including at least one photovoltaic panel operable to receive solar energy. A planting bed is coupled to said framework. A lighting assembly is connected to the photovoltaic panel and operably directed to emit light toward said planting bed. The plant growing apparatus includes a watering assembly having a misting conduit in fluid communication with a water source and positioned proximate the photovoltaic panel and defining an aperture and a wiper assembly operably coupled to said at least one photovoltaic panel, said wiper assembly including a pulley system and a wiper blade movable along the photovoltaic panel when said pulley system is actuated.