Transformable Greenhouse Beams for Adjustable Plant Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing greenhouse systems are complex, inefficient, and limited by fixed row distances, requiring heavy structures and inflexible movement, which hinders optimal use of space and increases labor costs.
Innovation Solution
A transformable greenhouse system with hinged horizontal beams and adjustable vegetation receptacles, driven by a winch and electric motor, allowing for dynamic reconfiguration of plant spacing and height adjustment, enabling optimal use of space and creating wide service passageways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rotor-planetary type device with massive structure and rails is used to rotate plant rows, then the system can rotate rows for service access, but the device complexity and structural weight increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the horizontal beams movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The beams can rotate about vertical posts and adjust their position to create service passageways, eliminating the need for massive rotating platforms and rails. This dynamic configuration allows service access without complex infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the greenhouse structure into independent modular units with individual horizontal beams that can be adjusted separately. Each beam segment can be independently positioned to create service passages, avoiding the need for a single massive rotating structure that would require complex rails and support systems.
2Productivity
If fixed distance between vegetation capacities is maintained, then the structure remains simple, but the useful area utilization and optimization for different crop sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal beams are designed with adjustable positioning capabilities along the vertical posts, allowing the distance between vegetation capacities to be dynamically changed. This enables optimization for different crop sizes and densities while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of standardized adjustable mechanisms rather than complex reconfigurable systems.
3Ease of operation
If additional intermediate supports are added to move the platform on rails in long greenhouses, then the platform can be moved, but the structure becomes even heavier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for heavy rails, platforms, and intermediate supports by using a different approach: individual adjustable horizontal beams that remain stationary while providing service access. This removes the entire rail-based mobility system and its associated weight and complexity.
4Productivity
If vegetation receptacles are placed at fixed heights, then the structure is simpler, but the labor costs for service and harvesting increase
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal beams can be adjusted to different heights along the vertical posts and fixed at optimal positions for various service operations. This dynamic height adjustment capability improves service efficiency and reduces labor costs while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of straightforward adjustable and fixable mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A transformable greenhouse system comprises devices for growing plants arranged in rows (2), where each of the devices includes vertical bearing posts (3) to which horizontal beams (5) are hinged, on which the vegetation receptacles of plants (10) are hung. The horizontal beams have the ability to turn and move in the vertical plane by way of a drive. In addition, the mentioned beams have the capability of being fixed in the vertical plane to place the vegetation receptacles of plants at different heights. The vegetation receptacles of plants are located on horizontal beams with the capability of adjusting the distance between them.