Vertical Cultivation Air Diffusion Duct for Uniform Temperature and Humidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vertically built cultivation systems experience uneven temperature and humidity distribution within cultivation containers, affecting the quality and quantity of plant growth across different cultivation planes.

Innovation Solution

A vertically built cultivation system with a box-shaped air distribution duct interposed between columns of cultivation trays, featuring air diffusion walls with openings that evenly distribute conditioned air to all trays, supported by ventilation assemblies to manage airflow and adjust flow rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If traditional conditioning systems are used in vertically built cultivation systems, then the system structure is simple, but the temperature and humidity distribution becomes uneven across different cultivation planes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature distribution uniformityVSAvoidair distribution system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air distribution duct is divided into multiple sections with diffusion walls at different heights, each section independently distributing conditioned air to specific cultivation planes. This segmentation enables precise temperature and humidity control at each level while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional horizontal air distribution to vertical air distribution by introducing diffusion walls extending in the vertical dimension. This dimensional change allows conditioned air to be delivered to multiple cultivation planes simultaneously, achieving uniform environmental conditions across height levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If conditioned air is distributed to all cultivation planes, then uniform temperature and humidity are achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecultivation condition consistencyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Each diffusion wall section is equipped with independent control mechanisms that adjust air distribution according to the specific needs of each cultivation plane. This local quality control ensures reliable cultivation conditions at each level while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption by distributing air only where and when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The air distribution system incorporates dynamic control capabilities where diffusion wall openings can be adjusted based on real-time environmental conditions at each cultivation plane. This dynamic adjustment maintains consistent cultivation conditions across all planes while optimizing energy consumption by adapting air distribution to actual needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If cultivation trays are arranged on multiple vertical planes, then space utilization is improved, but temperature and humidity control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecultivation space utilizationVSAvoidclimate control difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The air distribution system is segmented into multiple diffusion wall sections corresponding to different vertical levels of cultivation trays. Each section independently controls air distribution to its corresponding cultivation plane, making climate control manageable despite the multi-level arrangement and maximizing space utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The diffusion walls act as intermediary structures between the conditioned air source and the cultivation trays at various heights. These intermediaries facilitate effective climate control by distributing air to multiple vertical planes while maintaining ease of operation through centralized air supply with distributed delivery points

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Ensures uniform temperature and humidity conditions across all cultivation planes, optimizing plant growth and reducing power consumption by using efficient airflow management.

Implementation Method 1

said air distribution duct comprises two air diffusion walls opposite each other, which extend on respective vertical planes which are parallel to each other and to said reference axis, the two air diffusion walls have support means structured to support said cultivation trays arranged on said two columns of trays in the respective cultivation planes, and have a plurality of through openings for selectively emitting the conditioned air present in said air distribution duct towards said cultivation trays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP4210469B1Vertically built cultivation system for cultivating plants and operating method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 ZERO SRL
  • EP4210469B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4210469B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4210469B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Plant cultivation system (1) comprising a cultivation container (2), a plurality of cultivation trays (5) for cultivating the plants, which are arranged on a series of cultivation planes (Li) arranged one on top the other with respective pre-set heights relative to a horizontal reference plane (Z), a box-shaped air distribution duct (9) having two air diffusion walls (10) which extend approximately vertically in the cultivation container (2) and which are parallel to each other and dimensioned so as to be adjacent to the cultivation trays (5). The air diffusion walls (10) are facing the respective cultivation trays (5) in the cultivation planes and have a plurality of through openings (14) which are facing the respective cultivation trays (5) and are designed to selectively convey the conditioned air from the air distribution duct (9) to the same.