Elevated Track Circuit for Uniform Vine Lean and Lower
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lean-and-lower growing systems for vine-based produce face performance deficiencies in efficiently guiding and supporting plant growth, particularly in uniformly leaning and lowering vines, which affects productivity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system featuring an elevated track circuit with arcuate and straight track sections, driven by a motorized toothed sprocket assembly, allows trolleys with roller hooks to move along the track, simultaneously leaning and lowering vines by means of a cable system, ensuring uniform growth and efficient irrigation for vine-type produce.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual leaning and lowering of vines is used, then flexibility in handling individual plants is maintained, but productivity and uniformity of growth management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the mechanical conveyor automatically leans and lowers vines through the arcuate track mechanism without requiring manual intervention for each plant, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining operational simplicity through centralized control
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations of leaning and lowering vines are replaced by an automated mechanical conveyor system with motorized drive, transforming the operation from labor-intensive manual handling to automated mechanical processing that improves both productivity and uniformity
2Manufacturing precision
If non-uniform vine leaning is used, then adaptability to individual plant variations is maintained, but manufacturing precision of growth management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies localized quality control by allowing the conveyor to handle each vine individually through the arcuate track while maintaining uniform mechanical action, ensuring that each plant receives precise lean-and-lower treatment adapted to its specific growth stage and requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically by adjusting the position and timing of the lean-and-lower action for each vine as it passes through the arcuate track, enabling uniform growth management while adapting to individual plant variations through controlled parameter modification
3Productivity
If automated conveyor system is implemented, then productivity and uniformity are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is designed with multi-functionality, serving as a universal platform that can handle multiple plant types and growth stages through its arcuate track mechanism, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices and thereby managing complexity while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The arcuate (curved) track design provides a compact and efficient mechanism for achieving the lean-and-lower action, allowing the conveyor to perform multiple functions (transport, lean, lower) within a space-efficient configuration that reduces overall system complexity compared to linear alternatives
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
The system automates the leaning and lowering process, increasing efficiency and productivity by uniformly managing vine growth, reducing manual labor, and enabling uniform watering for plants like tomatoes, hops, and cucumbers, while being adaptable for hanging baskets.
Implementation Method 1
drive assembly comprising a motor for moving the trolleys along the track circuit
Implementation Method 2
allows trolleys with roller hooks to move along the track, simultaneously leaning and lowering vines by means of a cable system
Implementation Method 3
idle end may further include pulleys about which the cable connecting the trolleys passes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A system for growing plants includes an elevated track circuit comprising two straight track sections and two arcuate track sections, with the straight track sections each including a cavity. A plurality of wheeled trolleys that each include a wheel configured to roll within the cavities and each include a shaft extending downwardly form the wheel. A drive system is configured to move the wheeled trolleys along the track circuit with the wheeled trolleys connected together by a cable, and with the shafts of the trolleys configured to support plants coupled thereto to selectively move the plants along the track circuit. Uses of the system include for growing produce of vine plants in a lean-and-lower manner, or transporting hanging plants through an irrigation device of the system.