Wall Module Plant Cultivation System With Gravity Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall module systems for plant cultivation face challenges such as energy consumption due to pumps, requirement for electricity and water supply access, and uncontrollable water drainage, leading to inefficiencies and potential for overwatering or underwatering plants.
Innovation Solution
A wall module system with vertically spaced pots and a drainage system that conducts excess water through an underlying pot without contacting the potting soil, using a connection pipe and filter to prevent clogging, allowing for controlled water distribution and eliminating the need for pumps and water supply connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If a pump is used for water recirculation, then water can be distributed to plants, but energy consumption increases and power supply is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the plants' own root systems to pump water upward through capillary action and root pressure, eliminating the need for external pumps. Water is absorbed from the reservoir at the bottom and transported to the upper soil layers without mechanical assistance
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical pump system is replaced with a biological-mechanical system where plant roots act as natural pumps. The root structure creates capillary channels that replace mechanical pumping mechanisms, using surface tension and adhesion forces instead of mechanical power
2Ease of operation
If water is distributed by gravity from top to bottom, then installation is simple, but top plants are overwatered and lower plants are underwatered
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of watering from top to bottom, the system inverts the water distribution approach by placing the water reservoir at the bottom and allowing plants to pull water upward through their root systems. This reverses the gravitational flow direction and ensures uniform water uptake from the source
Solution Approach 2:
Each plant's root system creates localized capillary channels that draw water specifically to its own root zone. This ensures that each plant receives water according to its specific needs and position, rather than uniform gravitational distribution that causes overwatering at the top and underwatering at the bottom
3Loss of substance
If excess water drains through underlying pots, then water is reused, but water drainage becomes uncontrollable and may drip on the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The plant root system acts as an intermediary between the water reservoir and the drainage system. Roots absorb excess water that would otherwise drip onto the floor, converting uncontrolled drainage into controlled biological uptake. The roots regulate water flow based on plant needs, preventing both water waste and floor dripping
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the plants themselves to manage water drainage control. The root systems automatically regulate water uptake and drainage based on the plants' physiological needs, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms while preventing water from dripping onto the floor
4Ease of operation
If water contacts potting soil in underlying pots, then water is distributed, but plant diseases spread through pathogens
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water distribution paths for each plant, with individual reservoirs and root zones. This isolation prevents pathogen transmission between plants, as each plant's water system is separate and contained within its own pot and reservoir, blocking the spread of diseases through shared water channels
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 enables controlled water drainage, prevents the spread of plant diseases, and allows for flexible installation without access to electricity or water supply, ensuring consistent watering and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the water is distributed by means of gravity from one module to the underlying module
Implementation Method 2
Each pot has a drainage system wherein the excess water is led to the underlying pot... The drainage system comprises a separate chamber in each pot, a filter, a funnel, and a vertical inlet and outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
A wall module system (2) comprising a plurality of vertically displaced pots (6, 6', 6", 6"'), where the wall module system (2) comprises one or more tracks (4, 4', 4", 4"') constituting a base for mounting the pots (6, 6', 6", 6"'), where the pots (6, 6', 6", 6"') are configured to be attached to one or more tracks (4, 4', 4", 4"'), where each pot (6, 6', 6", 6"') is provided with means for draining excess water (22), characterised in that each pot (6, 6', 6", 6"') is provided with a water reservoir (52) inside the pot (6, 6', 6", 6"'), and a drainage member (10) that is configured to drain excess water (22) from the pot (6, 6', 6", 6"') in such a manner that the excess water (22) is conducted to an underlying pot (6', 6", 6") without bringing the excess water (22) into contact with a media such as potting soil, when the media such as potting soil is filled into the pot (6', 6", 6").