Systems and methods for raising a cart in a modular grow tower
The present disclosure presents systems and related methods for raising a cart in a modular grow tower assembly. One such system comprises a modular grow tower assembly including a plurality of body frames and a plurality of lift frames. The body frames are configured to support a plurality of carts moving along a path from a top end to a bottom end of the modular grow tower assembly. A harvest frame is positioned adjacent to one of the lift frames. A raising lift mechanism is configured to pull a cart from the modular grow tower assembly into the harvest frame. The raising lift mechanism comprises fork members that are configured to engage wheels of the cart. The raising lift mechanism is further configured to move vertically within the harvest frame to position the cart for subsequent harvesting and reinsertion into the modular grow tower assembly.
1 . A system for raising a cart in a modular grow tower assembly, comprising:
a modular grow tower assembly including a plurality of body frames and a plurality of lift frames, the body frames configured to support a plurality of carts moving along a path from a top end to a bottom end of the modular grow tower assembly;
a harvest frame positioned adjacent to one of the lift frames, the harvest frame including a rectangular base frame, vertical supports, and a top support;
a raising lift mechanism configured to pull a cart from the modular grow tower assembly into the harvest frame, the raising lift mechanism comprising a base frame, a rail with fork members, and rollers, wherein the rail is rotatably and longitudinally movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and the fork members are configured to engage wheels of the cart; and
wherein the raising lift mechanism is further configured to move vertically within the harvest frame to position the cart for subsequent harvesting, sanitizing, seeding, and reinsertion into the modular grow tower assembly.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the raising lift mechanism is configured to rotate about a z-axis to overturn the cart for harvesting, sanitizing, and/or seeding.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a harvesting component with a tray rotatably mounted within the harvest frame, the tray being positionable between a receiving position and a harvesting position.
4 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to detect if crop materials in the cart are ready for harvesting and adjusting movement of the cart and/or lighting, watering, nutrient delivery, and/or growth conditions of the crop material based on the detected readiness.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the path comprises a serpentine path.