Vertical Plant Cultivation System with Embedded Irrigation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Urban and suburban residents face challenges in balancing space for gardening and other activities due to limited yard sizes and the unappealing, noise-transmitting nature of conventional masonry or concrete walls, which also contribute to a carbon footprint.

Innovation Solution

An automated outdoor modular vertical plant cultivation system that transforms property fences into vertical gardens, using structural posts and shelves with embedded irrigation and power systems, and modular panels for sound attenuation and aesthetic purposes, allowing for flexible placement of planter vessels and illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional masonry or concrete walls are used for fencing, then sound attenuation and privacy are provided, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates and carbon footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound attenuationVSAvoidcarbon footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from conventional masonry/concrete to recycled plastic composite material, transforming the harmful carbon footprint into a beneficial eco-friendly solution while maintaining sound attenuation properties through the structural design of the fence panels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses recycled plastic materials that would otherwise be waste products, converting short-lived disposable materials into durable long-term fencing solutions, thereby reducing carbon footprint while maintaining functional performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional masonry or concrete walls are used for fencing, then sound attenuation is provided, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesound attenuationVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates colorants and pigments in the recycled plastic composite material to achieve various aesthetic appearances, allowing the fence to provide sound attenuation while enhancing rather than detracting from the visual appeal of the property

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If yard space is allocated for gardening, then plant cultivation is enabled, but space for other activities is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplant cultivationVSAvoidyard space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions plant cultivation from a horizontal ground-based activity to a vertical wall-mounted system, utilizing the vertical dimension of the fence structure to grow plants without occupying additional yard space, thereby enabling gardening while preserving horizontal space for other activities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Length of stationary object

If modular shelf structure is used with embedded members, then structural span is extended and height reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshelf spanVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the shelf into modular components (shelf body, embedded structural members, mounting brackets) that can be manufactured separately and assembled together, extending the shelf span while managing manufacturing complexity through standardized modular units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent embeds structural members within the shelf structure itself, nesting support elements inside the shelf body to extend span and reduce height without requiring additional external support structures, thereby simplifying the overall assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11147215B2Automated outdoor modular vertical plant cultivation system

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 URBAN PLANTER LLC

AI summary

An automated outdoor modular vertical plant cultivation system forming a vertical structure is provided. The system includes a plurality of shelves, each shelf having a web and flanges; two posts, each post having a web and flanges. Each shelf of the plurality of shelves is mounted between the two posts with incremental spacing between each adjacent shelf along a vertical length of the two posts. The web of each shelf includes a plurality of openings for retaining planter vessels. The flanges of each shelf retain an embedded structural member. The system includes a fluid circulatory system including shelf irrigation piping extending longitudinally above the web of each shelf; and power or power and data and fluid members for the system distributed from vertical risers located in proximity to the web of the posts, wherein the flanges of the shelves have provisions to retain the fluid circulatory system.