Modular Vertical Plant Cultivation System for Urban Heat Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Urban environments face challenges with high real estate prices, decreased yard space, and environmental degradation due to increased human density, leading to compromised physical and mental health, and the need for innovative solutions to improve air quality and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
An automated outdoor modular vertical plant cultivation system transforms property fences into vertical gardens, using planter shelves and irrigation systems integrated with IoT devices to cultivate plants that reduce ambient temperature, improve air quality, and provide sound attenuation, while being adaptable to various environments and structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional masonry CMU fence walls are built to provide privacy and security, then sound attenuation and security are improved, but aesthetic appeal deteriorates and carbon emission footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional horizontal fencing to vertical wall structures, utilizing the vertical dimension to provide privacy and security while incorporating plant material to improve aesthetics. The vertical orientation allows for greater height and coverage while maintaining property boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines masonry materials (CMU blocks, concrete) with plant material to create composite wall structures. This integration provides both the structural benefits of masonry (sound attenuation, security) and the aesthetic/environmental benefits of plants (visual appeal, air quality improvement).
2Adaptability or versatility
If multi-story buildings are constructed to offset high real estate pricing, then housing affordability is improved, but ambient temperature increases and air quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of urban structures by adding vertical green walls to buildings. This modifies the thermal properties of building surfaces, providing cooling effects through evapotranspiration and shading, thereby reducing ambient temperatures in urban environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies plant material specifically to vertical surfaces of buildings, creating localized green zones that provide cooling and air quality improvement exactly where needed - on building facades that directly contribute to the urban heat island effect.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vertical green walls are implemented to improve air quality and aesthetics, then environmental quality is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vertical green wall system into modular segments that can be independently installed and maintained. The wall structure is divided into panels or sections, allowing for easier construction, access, and maintenance while achieving the same environmental benefits.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional opaque walls are used for sound attenuation, then noise blocking is improved, but visual appeal and biodiversity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite wall structures that combine sound-blocking materials (masonry, concrete) with plant material. This integration maintains the noise attenuation properties of opaque walls while adding visual appeal and biodiversity benefits through the incorporated vegetation.
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 system effectively reduces urban heat islands, improves air quality, enhances biodiversity, and provides a visually appealing solution that mitigates noise pollution, thereby improving the quality of life for urban dwellers while being scalable and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
The use of plant material reduces the ambient temperature while improving the air quality. This innovation aims to transform urban structures' vertical planes to become plant walls, thus reducing the urban mass ambient temperature acting as a cleanser to purify the air of carbon dioxide, harmful chemicals and other pollutants.
Implementation Method 2
The use of plant material reduces the ambient temperature while improving the air quality
Implementation Method 3
Some walls come in the form of a fence that one can see through, while others are opaque. Opaque walls, often used next to roadways, have sound attenuation properties, blocking sound transfer across the wall.
Data Source
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.