Terrain Structure With Root-Growth Part For Deep Water Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In terrains with a dry layer of low permeability and water-holding capacity, plant roots struggle to grow into a water-containing layer below, requiring continuous large water supply and making plants vulnerable to external impacts.

Innovation Solution

A terrain structure with a root-growth part filled with water-permeable and hygroscopic materials between the ground surface and water-containing layers, allowing water to permeate and facilitate root growth into the water-containing layer, supplemented by a water supply unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a dry layer with low permeability is formed below the ground surface layer, then water can be retained in the ground surface layer, but plant roots cannot grow into the water-containing layer below

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater retentionVSAvoidroot growth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The terrain structure is divided into distinct functional layers: a ground surface layer for water retention, a dry layer as a barrier, and a water-containing layer for deep root access. The root growth guide structure segments the dry layer to create a designated pathway for roots, allowing the dry layer to maintain its water-retaining function while enabling root penetration through the segmented opening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The root growth guide structure acts as an intermediary element between the dry layer and the water-containing layer. It provides a mediated pathway that allows roots to traverse the dry layer barrier without compromising the overall water retention function of the dry layer structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a large amount of water is continuously supplied to prevent plant death, then plants can survive, but roots grow shallowly along the side below the ground surface layer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant survivalVSAvoidroot depth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The root growth guide structure is installed in advance within the dry layer, creating a pre-formed pathway that directs roots downward before planting occurs. This preliminary structural arrangement guides root growth direction from the beginning, preventing shallow lateral growth even when water is continuously supplied to the ground surface layer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dry layer has different properties in different locations: it maintains low permeability in most areas for water retention, but contains a localized root growth guide structure with modified properties that allows root penetration. This local modification creates a specific pathway for deep root growth while preserving the overall water retention function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If roots grow shallowly along the side below the ground surface layer, then plants can access moisture, but plants become vulnerable to uprooting by external impacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture accessVSAvoidresistance to uprooting

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The root growth guide structure segments the dry layer to create a focused downward pathway, encouraging roots to grow deeply into the water-containing layer rather than spreading shallowly. This segmentation concentrates root growth in a vertical direction, developing a deep anchor system that provides resistance to uprooting while still allowing moisture access through the structured pathway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 roots to grow deeply into the water-containing layer with reduced water usage and increased resilience to external disturbances, shortening cultivation time and reducing water consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a water-permeable material and/or a hygroscopic material is filled between the ground surface layer and the water-containing layer to allow the water supplied to the ground surface layer to permeate into the water-containing layer through the root-growth part

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

a water-permeable material and/or a hygroscopic material is filled between the ground surface layer and the water-containing layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHygroscopic absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS20240268284A1Terrain structure and method of growing plants using the same

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 LEE GI WON

AI summary

A terrain structure includes a ground surface layer; a dry layer, a water-containing layer, and a root-growth part. The dry layer is formed under the ground surface layer and has a relatively low water-permeability for allowing water to permeate thereinto from the ground surface layer and/or a relatively low water-containing capacity for containing the water. The water-containing layer is formed under the dry layer, and has a relatively high water-permeability and/or water-containing capacity. The root-growth part has a structure in which a water-permeable material and/or a hygroscopic material is filled between the ground surface layer and the water-containing layer to allow the water supplied to the ground surface layer to permeate into the water-containing layer through the root-growth part, so that when a plant having roots is planted on the ground surface layer, the roots of the plant can grow from the ground surface layer to the water-containing moisture layer.