Vertical Garden Troughs With Wick Irrigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vertical garden technologies, particularly hydroponic systems, are costly, require frequent maintenance, and limit the types of plants that can be grown due to high water consumption and specific cultivation requirements, making them impractical for widespread implementation.
Innovation Solution
A system of interconnected water troughs and pots with irrigation elements, where absorbent wicks or substrates deliver water to plants, allowing for adjustable liquid levels and reduced evaporation, enabling the growth of various plant species without the need for complex installation or regular servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If hydroponics system is used for vertical garden, then aesthetic appearance and insulation function are improved, but implementation cost increases significantly to 800-1000 EUR/m2
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components: water troughs, flower pots, and irrigation wicks that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for simpler, cheaper production of individual elements while maintaining the overall aesthetic vertical garden structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive hydroponic infrastructure with simpler, more affordable components. Basic water troughs, conventional flower pots, and simple wick-based irrigation replace costly hydroponic equipment, making the system economically viable for widespread implementation.
2Shape
If hydroponics system is used for vertical garden, then unique appearance is achieved, but water consumption increases to 2 l/m2
Solution Approach 1:
The irrigation wicks automatically draw water from the troughs to the flower pots through capillary action without external intervention. This self-regulating system ensures water is delivered only where needed and only in the amount plants require, eliminating waste from over-irrigation or evaporation.
Solution Approach 2:
The irrigation wicks act as intermediaries between the water source (troughs) and the plants (in flower pots). They control water transfer through capillary action, ensuring efficient water delivery directly to plant roots while minimizing evaporation and runoff losses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hydroponics system is used for vertical garden, then plants devoid of soil can be grown, but professional and technical prowess is required for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of growing plants without soil (hydroponics) which requires specialized knowledge, the patent inverts the approach by using traditional soil-based flower pots with simple wick irrigation. This reversal maintains plant cultivation flexibility while eliminating the need for professional hydroponic expertise in maintenance.
4Stability of the object's composition
If hollow concrete blocks system is used for vertical garden, then structural stability is improved, but weight increases preventing high walls and interior application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy concrete blocks with lightweight water troughs and flower pots that can be mounted on walls using minimal fixation. This allows the system to be applied to interior walls and high exterior walls where weight would be prohibitive, while still providing structural stability through proper mounting.
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
This solution reduces water consumption, simplifies maintenance, and allows for the growth of a wide range of plant species, making vertical gardens more accessible and cost-effective, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and environmental benefits.
Implementation Method 1
Aterno, at least one irrigation element (4), which is immersed in the liquid in the water trough (1), is inserted into each pot (2)... absorbent wicks or substrates deliver water to plants
Implementation Method 2
absorbent wicks or substrates deliver water to plants
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Vertical garden for exteriors and interiors according to this invention comprises horizontally and vertically interconnected water troughs (1), wherein each trough (1) contains back supporting wall (11) for attaching to a building wall, or the trough (1) is fixed to the building wall directly, and it further comprises at least two flowerpots (2) for soil and plants, wherein each pot (2) is attached to the water trough (1) with at least one fastening element (3) and the water trough (1) is interconnected with the pot (2) by an irrigation element (4) for distribution of the liquid to the pot (2), at least two water troughs (1) form a row in the horizontal plane, the row being connected with other row of water troughs (1) with an overflow tube (5) allowing the transport of liquid to lower rows of water troughs (1), and further each water trough (1) contains a sidewalls (12) having an opening (13) for distribution of the liquid to adjacent troughs (1).