Pivotable LED Lighting in Vertical Farming Containers for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vertical farming containers face spatial challenges due to limited space, complicating operations such as planting, maintenance, and repairs, and there is a need for efficient use of space to avoid collisions with movable components.
Innovation Solution
A vertical farming container with movable planting walls and a pivotable lighting system, where light emitting elements can be moved into a non-operating position, allowing increased space for maintenance and reducing collision risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the lighting system is fixed in position to provide continuous illumination, then plant growth is optimized, but space for maintenance and operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is designed with movable light emitting elements that can dynamically change position between an operating position (close to planting walls for optimal illumination) and a retracted position (away from planting walls to provide maintenance space). This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between maintaining optimal plant growth conditions and providing adequate space for maintenance activities.
2Productivity
If planting walls are kept stationary to maintain cultivation areas, then crop production is stable, but flexibility for maintenance and repairs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The planting walls are designed to be movable along guide rails, allowing them to be repositioned when maintenance or repairs are needed. The lighting system also moves coordinates with the planting walls, maintaining optimal illumination distances. This dynamic configuration enables the system to alternate between production mode (walls in cultivation positions) and maintenance mode (walls moved to access sides of container), resolving the contradiction between stable crop production and maintenance flexibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If the container size is reduced to lower costs, then investment is reduced, but space for operation and maintenance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The movable lighting system and movable planting walls enable the container to efficiently utilize its internal space. During operation, the lighting elements are positioned close to the plants for optimal illumination with minimal space requirement. During maintenance, the lighting elements retract and planting walls can be moved to create adequate working space. This dynamic space management allows smaller, more cost-effective containers to provide sufficient operational and maintenance space when needed.
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 solution provides additional space for operations, reduces collision risks, and lowers maintenance costs by allowing components to be moved without obstruction, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the lighting system comprises at least one light emitting element, particularly a controllable LED
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a Vertical farming container (1) comprising multiple planting walls (20), wherein the planting walls (20) are arranged parallel to each other, wherein the planting walls (20) are movable towards each other, a container ceiling (3), and a lighting system (10) that is directly or indirectly connected to the container ceiling (3), wherein the lighting system (10) comprises at least one light emitting element (12), particularly a controllable LED (12), wherein the light emitting element (12) is pivotable relative to the container ceiling (3) between an operating position and a non-operating position.