Vertical Growing System Oblique Tray Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical growing systems face challenges with soil loss, difficulty in replacing plants and soil, and the cumbersome nature of mesh bags or socks, which complicates maintenance and portability.
Innovation Solution
A vertical growing system comprising a frame assembly with a support grid and removably attached mounting trays, which include a positioning member to orient propagation trays at an oblique angle, facilitating easy replacement and maintenance of plants and soil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If mesh bags or socks are used to contain soil, then soil loss is prevented, but the system becomes heavy and cumbersome requiring special machinery for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the soil containment function into separate components: a lightweight propagation tray holds the soil, while the mesh bag is used only for initial soil placement. This segmentation allows the main propagation tray to be lightweight and easily replaceable, while the mesh bag's containment function is temporarily utilized during setup only.
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh bag is extracted from the ongoing propagation process and used only during initial soil placement. Afterward, the mesh bag is removed entirely, leaving only the lightweight propagation tray with soil. This extraction eliminates the continuous weight burden of the mesh bag while maintaining soil containment benefits during the critical initial phase.
2Stability of the object's composition
If trays are fixed to support structures, then stability is improved, but replacement of plants and soil becomes difficult and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting tray incorporates a removable clip mechanism that transitions between engaged and disengaged states. When engaged, the clip provides stable fixation of the propagation tray to the support structure. When disengaged, the propagation tray can be easily removed and replaced. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between stability and ease of replacement based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the mounting function (providing stability) from the propagation function (holding plants and soil). The mounting tray with its clip mechanism handles stabilization, while the propagation tray handles plant containment. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function while enabling easy replacement of the propagation tray without compromising the stability provided by the mounting structure.
3Area of stationary object
If propagation trays are mounted vertically, then space utilization is improved, but sunlight and airflow optimization for plant health is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The propagation tray is designed with an asymmetric orientation where the front edge extends forward at an angle relative to the vertical support structure. This asymmetric positioning allows vertically mounted trays to project outward, creating better exposure to sunlight and airflow while maintaining vertical space efficiency. The asymmetric design optimizes both space utilization and plant health conditions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from purely vertical tray mounting to a three-dimensional configuration where trays extend forward in a second dimension. This dimensional change allows the propagation trays to be mounted vertically for space efficiency while projecting outward to optimize sunlight exposure and airflow circulation, thereby improving plant health without sacrificing vertical space utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
A vertical growing system includes a frame assembly extending above a base surface, the frame assembly includes a support grid defining a longitudinal axis. The system further includes a propagation tray having a chamber for holding a plant therein and a mounting tray. The mounting tray is removably attached to the frame assembly and includes an interior surface sized to receive at least a portion of the propagation tray therein. The system further includes a positioning member sized to extend from the interior surface of the mounting tray to the propagation tray when the propagation tray is received within the mounting tray. The positioning member is shaped to orient the chamber at a first oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the support grid.