EP4561339A1

EP4561339A1 - An automatic plant growing system for local manufacture and animal feed

Info

Publication number: EP4561339A1
Application number: EP23825597.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ismail BOZDAG; Mustafa Tugay SERT
Original assignee: Yildiz Teknik Ueniversitesi Teknoloji Transfer Ofisi; Yildiz Teknik Universitesi
Current assignee: Yildiz Teknik Ueniversitesi Teknoloji Transfer Ofisi; Yildiz Teknik Universitesi
Priority date: 2022-07-26
Filing date: 2023-07-21
Publication date: 2025-06-04
Also published as: EP4561339A4

Abstract

The invention relates to a more-efficient, multi-purpose automatic plant growing system for local manufacture and animal feed with a lower investment and operating cost as compared to mobile rack systems used today, enabling the more than one conveyor to operate in a combined manner.

Description

AN AUTOMATIC PLANT GROWING SYSTEM FOR LOCAL MANUFACTURE AND ANIMAL FEED

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a more-efficient, multi-purpose automatic plant growing system for local manufacture and animal feed with a lower investment and operating cost as compared to mobile rack systems used today.

STATE OF THE ART

The decreasing water, decreasing fertile soil, increasing world population and increasing food demand in our world have forced humanity to produce the alternative solutions in agriculture. The leading system among these is the vertical farming. In the vertical farming system, the mobile rack systems have been used to provide automation, ease of planting and reaping, and homogeneous light and water distribution. Thus, while the crop yield increased, the cost of water, fertilizer, energy and required manpower decreased.

It is predicted that the food and agriculture will be among the most critical problems of our generation in the next thirty years. In 2050, our population is estimated to be 9.8 billion, 68 percent of whom will live in the city center, and we need to produce 70 percent more than now in order to feed this huge population. To emphasize the magnitude of the number, we can say that we will need to grow more food in the next 35-40 years than the total of the past 10,000 years. To put it simply, our population is not only growing, but intensifying. There will be a need to produce much more using far less soil and resources. Trying to keep up with this huge change in population is one of the main problems facing the agricultural industry today. The agricultural industry uses the most freshwater at around 70 percent worldwide. Unlike the traditional two-dimensional farming, the vertical farming is performed using the mobile racks in most of the new farms. In the largest facilities, the number of the rack layers can be up to 14-16. Various systems have been put forward with the inventions such as US2019159415A1 titled “Vertical Farming Systems and Methods.”

In the vertical farming systems, the plants are grown on the high racks. The trays in which the plants are grown must be transported for planting, harvesting and control processes. These processes negatively affect the business in terms of time, manpower and cost. In addition, the height of the vertical farming system to be built will be restricted.

As a solution to this problem in the state of the art,

• the racks are transported up and down with the classical vertical conveyor systems by using many separate conveyors,

• the man-powered elevator systems are used for the stationary racks,

• the moving belt system is used,

• the spiral conveyor system is used.

Although the above systems are put forward, they are insufficient and affect the business negatively in terms of time, manpower and cost.

DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention eliminates the disadvantages described in the state of the art and meets the needs.

The present invention relates to a more-efficient, multi-purpose automatic plant growing system for local manufacture and animal feed with a lower investment and operating cost as compared to mobile rack systems used today.

We can state that the present invention has the following advantages and differences compared to the similar ones in the state of the art:

Since a single motor enables the combined operation of the multiple vertical conveyors, the moved and conveyed product can be moved not only vertically but also horizontally, thus achieving a cyclical movement. 1- Multiple carousels work with a single drive system in a synchronized and combined manner.

2- All trays in the system can move through the entire system - hence through all vertical carousels - in the horizontal and vertical planes without any discontinuity.

3- The direction determination of the successive trays is performed mechanically by means of the guiding apparatus. Apart from the motor, no external force is applied and the electronic components such as controllers and sensors are not found in the system, making the system unique and economical, and reduces the maintenance and installation costs.

4- Since the system is symmetrical, it overcomes the force balance and stabilization problems, so it has the potential to have much larger dimensions for more products compared to other systems. In this way, the amount of product obtained per unit area increases.

5- The fact that the trays in the system can pass through a single point allows the farmer (system operator) to carry out all necessary agricultural activities (planting, reaping, control) from a single and effective point. Since the required manpower does not move to reach the products and the equipment such as elevators, moving belts, etc. are not used in the system, the areas that need to be reserved for people and equipment can be used for the agricultural production, saving manpower and time.

REFERENCE NUMERAL LIST

1 . Motor

2. Reducer

3. Worm shaft

4. Back plate

5. Worm gear

6. Chain wheel

7. Bearing shaft

8. Chain 9. Holding apparatus

10. Guiding apparatus

11 . Tray

12. Main body

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a representative general view of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the close detail views of said system of the invention.

Fig. 3 is the close detail views of said system of the invention.

Fig. 4 is the close detail views of said system of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a representative view of the main body 12 of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a representative view of the gear transmissions of the invention.

Fig. 7 is a representative view of the gear transmissions of the invention.

Fig. 8 is a representative top view of the gear transmissions of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a close detail view of the present invention.

Fig. 10 shows a system formed by the combination of the laterally arranged vertical carousel elements.

Fig. 11 shows the vertical carousel formed by the combination of two opposed conveyor chain systems.

Fig. 12 shows the conveyor chain system element.

Fig. 13 is a representative view of the system operation.

Fig. 14.1 is a representative view of the 1^st step of the system operation.

Fig. 14.2 is a representative view of the 2^nd step of the system operation.

Fig. 14.3 is a representative view of the 3^rd step of the system operation.

Fig. 14.4 is a representative view of the 4^th step of the system operation.

Fig. 14.5 is a representative view of the 5^th step of the system operation.

Fig. 14.6 is a representative view of the 6^th step of the system operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is an automatic plant growing system for local manufacture and animal feed and comprises the following elements: • there exists a motor 1 , a member providing power necessary for the system, which actuates a worm shaft 3 and causes the worm gears 5 to rotate.

• there exists a reducer 2 which functions for providing the desired torque and rotational speed.

• there exists a right and left on the worm shaft 3 in rows. Thereby, the internal forces formed on the worm shaft 3 are balanced while the vertical carousels arranged side by side move together. The worm shaft 3 rotates by the power from the motor 1 and thus, causes the worm gears 5 and the chain wheels 6 having a key-shaft connection with the worm gears 5 to rotate. It is designed to extend through the entire system. Thus, it allows the all gears to operate synchronously since each worm gear 5 is rotated by the same worm shaft 3, and it distributes the power obtained from the motor 1 to the system.

• It comprises a back plate 4 to which a shaft providing a bearing for the worm gear 5 and the chain wheel 6 is connected in an embedded manner.

• There exists a worm gear 5 which transmits the energy obtained from the worm screw to the chain wheel 6 via the key-shaft connection. Thus, a movement is transmitted to a chain 8 carrying the trays 11.

• It provides movement for the chain 8. It comprises a chain wheel 6 arranged on both side to be able to operate with the next carousel.

• It comprises a bearing shaft 7 providing a bearing for the worm gear 5 and the chain wheel 6.

• It comprises a chain 8 which is a carrying member enabling the trays 11 to rotate and thus, to be advanced within the system. The chain 8 rotates around two opposite large chain wheels 6.

• It comprises a holding apparatus 9 which is an apparatus allowing the trays 11 to be hold on the chain 8. It operates concentrically and in alignment as they carry the same tray 11 together towards a guiding apparatus 10. It moves concentrically between two chains 8.

• There exists a guiding apparatus 10 designed to provide a safe passage of the trays 11 between the chains 8. It allows the trays to be advanced on a horizontal plane by guiding the trays 11 to the right and left which only moves downwardly and upwardly in a vertical manner between two chain wheels 6. Thus, a tray 11 circulates the entire area of the system thoroughly. It is located on a front plate and in the middle of two worm gears 3. It sends the next tray 11 to the other direction by mechanically guiding the trays 11 during each tray 11 passage. • It comprises a tray 11 which is a symbolic area on which a product to be grown is located, the shape and size thereof may be varied. It is integrated with the system via the holding apparatus 9 mounted on the chains 8. It is carried by two mutual side-by-side chains 8 and the opposite matching chains 8, that is, by a total of 4 chains 8 and 4 holding apparatus 9. It is directed to a direction pointed by the guiding apparatus 10 when reached the guiding apparatus 10, and moves the guiding apparatus 10 so that the next tray 11 is sent to the other direction.

• It helps the system to operate regularly by keeping the system parts thereon. It comprises a main body 12 designed to increase the structural strength of the system.

The system makes it possible for the vertical carousels arranged side by side to exchange with each other using a unique method. It enables the material to be carried to move both in vertical and horizontal plane by the tray 11 . In this way, planting, reaping and control processes in vertical farming are carried out from a single point, and the number of products passing through the single point is greatly increased compared to other systems. The fact that the system may have substantially large dimensions along with the void-free structure and load balance thereof also significantly increases the amount of product obtained from the unit area. Also, when used in a storage area, more product is stored with the lower costs due to the vertical movement of the system as compared to the conventional vertical carousels. This system is simpler and cheaper than the other systems as this cyclic movement is completely mechanical. The forces in the system are in balance, as the worm shaft 3 in the system is in the form of a right and left screw in rows and the chains 8 carry an equal amount of load on both sides. Thus, the energy is spent only for the friction losses by the system while moving. The carrying capacity may be increased to higher extents as compared to other systems as the forces are balanced and stable.

The working principle of the system is as follows:

The rotational energy obtained from the motor 1 is converted into the desired torque and rotational speed by the reducer 2 and distributed to the system. The output shaft (worm shaft 3) in front of the reducer 2 moves the worm screw and transmits the energy to the worm gears 5. A key shaft connection is used in order for the worm gear 5 to transfer the movement to the chain wheel 6. The movement of the system is transferred to the chain wheel 6 as a result of the chain wheel 6 being driven by the worm gear 5 by this connection. The chain wheels 6 stay sequentially in the front-back position in order to control the movements of the tray 11 , and there is a guiding apparatus 10 mounted on the front plate in the middle of the chain wheels 6. The chains 8 on the chain wheel 6 move by means of the rotational speed transferred to the chain wheel 6. There exists holding apparatus 9 on the chains 8, which holds the trays 11. The holding apparatus 9 is located concentrically between two chains 8 and helps the tray 11 move in a controlled manner. The trays 11 move upwards and downwards and to the right and left in the system. The upward and downward movement is realized by the chain 8, and the right and left movement is realized by the guiding apparatus 10. The guiding apparatus 10 ensures the tray 11 to open depending on the direction of arrival and to move in the right direction. This guiding apparatus 10 operates completely mechanically.

Detailed description of the system:

The system consists of vertical carousel elements, which are arranged side by side as a main member, do not have a direct mechanical connection with each other and move at the same speed. The vertical carousel consists of two conveyor chains 8 arranged mutually. Each conveyor chain 8 system consists of two chain wheels 6 downstream and upstream, and an integral chain 8 attached to these two chain wheels 6. There exists holding apparatus 9 mounted in order to hold the trays 11 on the chains 8.

All of the chain wheels 6 (four in number) of each vertical carousel rotate in the same direction. In other words, the chain wheels 6 (two in number) of the conveyor chain 8 system of each vertical carousel rotate in a direction same as the chain wheels 6 of the opposite conveyor chain 8. As the worm screw is sequential as a right and left screw, the chain wheels 6 of each vertical carousel rotate in the opposite direction of the chain wheels 6 of the vertical carousel preceding, or subsequent thereto. The trays 11 are placed between the mutually arranged conveyor chain 8 system of the vertical carousels.

The trays 11 which are stacked in the vertical plane between two vertical carousels arranged side by side, are carried by the holding apparatus 9 mounted on the chains 8. The chain wheels 6 of the vertical carousel, which rotate in different directions sequentially, enable the trays 11 to be carried upwards or downwards by means of the chains 8. A tray 11 between two vertical carousels is carried by a total of four holding apparatus 9, with two being on each side.

The tray 11 , the upward or downward movement of which is completed by these apparatus, reaches a crossroads in order to determine the horizontal direction thereof. The tray 11 reached the crossroads is met by the guiding apparatus 10 placed between the conveyor chain 8 systems of both vertical carousels arranged side by side. If the arm of the guiding apparatus 10 is on the left side, then the tray 11 moves to the right side, and if the arm of the guiding apparatus 10 is on the right side, then the tray 11 moves to the left side. The tray 11 , the horizontal direction of which has been determined, now begins to follow the semicircular path of a single vertical carousel. The tray 11 is carried by the holding apparatus 9 (two in number) of a single vertical carousel from the crossroads. Upon completion of the circular path, the holding apparatus 9 in the next carousel is also included in carrying the tray 11 , and the tray 11 is carried by the 4 holding apparatus 9 again up to the next guiding apparatus 10. While the trays 11 follow the circular path, they actuate the arm of the guiding apparatus 10 by hitting the moment arm of the guiding apparatus 10 and so, the guiding apparatus 10 turns in the other direction. If the arm of the guiding apparatus 10 is on the left before the tray 11 hits the moment arm, it moves to the right, but if it is on the right, then it moves to the left. In this way, a second tray 11 which reaches the crossroads subsequent to said tray 11 moves to the right or left in the opposite direction of the related tray 11 . The system thus repeats itself.

Claims

CLAIMS An automatic plant growing system for local manufacture and animal feed, characterized in that it comprises:

• a motor (1), a member providing power necessary for the system, which actuates a worm shaft (3) and causes the worm gears (5) to rotate,

• a reducer (2) which functions for providing the desired torque and rotational speed,

• a worm shaft (3) on which a right and left worm screws are present in rows, thereby balancing the internal forces formed on the worm shaft (3) while the vertical carousels arranged side by side move together, wherein the worm shaft rotates by the power from the motor (1) and thus, causes the worm gears (5) and the chain wheels (6) having a key-shaft connection with the worm gears (5) to rotate, wherein the worm shaft is designed to extend through the entire system and thus, allows the all gears to operate synchronously since each worm gear (5) is rotated by the same worm shaft (3), wherein the worm shaft distributes the power obtained from the motor (1) to the system,

• a back plate (4) to which a shaft providing a bearing for the worm gear (5) and the chain wheel (6) is connected in an embedded manner,

• A worm gear (5) which transmits the energy obtained from the worm screw to the chain wheel (6) via the key-shaft connection and thus, transmits a movement to a chain (8) carrying the trays (11),

• A chain wheel (6) which functions for providing movement for the chain (8) and is arranged on both sides to be able to operate with the next carousel,

• a bearing shaft (7) providing a bearing for the worm gear (5) and the chain wheel (6),

• a chain (8) rotating around two opposite large chain wheels (6), which is a carrying member enabling the trays (11) to rotate and thus move through the system,

• A holding apparatus (9) which is an apparatus allowing the trays to be hold on the chain (8), wherein the holding apparatus (9) is an apparatus that operates concentrically and in alignment as they carry the same tray (11) together towards a guiding apparatus (10), wherein the holding apparatus moves concentrically between two chains (8), • A guiding apparatus (10) designed to provide a safe passage of the trays (11) between the chains (8), wherein the guiding apparatus allows the trays to be advanced on a horizontal plane by guiding the trays (11) to the right and left which only moves downwardly and upwardly in a vertical manner between two chain wheels (6), thereby a tray (11) circulating the entire area of the system thoroughly, wherein the guiding apparatus is located on a front plate and in the middle of two worm gears (3), wherein the guiding apparatus sends a next tray (11) to the other direction by mechanically guiding the trays (11) during each tray (11) passage, • a tray (11) which is a symbolic area on which a product to be grown is located, wherein the tray is integrated with the system via the holding apparatus (9) mounted on the chains (8) and is carried by two mutual side-by-side chains (8) and the opposite matching chains (8), that is, by a total of 4 chains (8) and 4 holding apparatus (9), wherein the tray is directed to a direction pointed by the guiding apparatus (10) when reached the guiding apparatus (10),

• a main body (12) which helps the system to operate regularly by keeping the system parts thereon and is designed to increase the structural strength of the system.