Design of the compact, stable vertical rice seedling frame for cold regions with DLI-based dynamic light control

Authors

  • Lifeng Guo 1. College of Intelligence Science and Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; 2. College of Agricultural Equipment and Energy Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Northeast Smart Agricultural Technology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
  • Fahui Wu 2. College of Agricultural Equipment and Energy Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Northeast Smart Agricultural Technology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
  • Junjie Huang 2. College of Agricultural Equipment and Energy Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Northeast Smart Agricultural Technology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
  • Yizhe Wang 2. College of Agricultural Equipment and Energy Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Northeast Smart Agricultural Technology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
  • Yujian Bao 2. College of Agricultural Equipment and Energy Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Northeast Smart Agricultural Technology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
  • Ziliang Li 2. College of Agricultural Equipment and Energy Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Northeast Smart Agricultural Technology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
  • Yuzhu Wu 2. College of Agricultural Equipment and Energy Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Northeast Smart Agricultural Technology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
  • Ru Tang 4. Zhejiang Cfmoto Power Co., Ltd., , Hangzhou 311103, China
  • Zhongbin Su 3. Key Laboratory of Northeast Smart Agricultural Technology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
  • Qiuju Xie 1. College of Intelligence Science and Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
  • Zheng Ma 1. College of Intelligence Science and Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Northeast Smart Agricultural Technology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
  • Liwei Wang 1. College of Intelligence Science and Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China; 3. Key Laboratory of Northeast Smart Agricultural Technology of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Harbin 150030, China
  • Xin Zhang 5. School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacturing of Precision Medicine Equipment, Nanjing 211189, China

Abstract

Traditional flat-bed rice nurseries in cold regions require large areas and suffer from inefficient tray movement and instability. A compact vertical rice seedling frame is developed in this work, which integrates a triangular-stabilized tray support, a four-point conveying mechanism, and anti-tilt/anti-torsion features, coupled with a dynamic lighting control strategy based on daily light integral (DLI). The mechanical design was validated by finite-element analysis under design loads, and collision-free operation was confirmed by digital mock-up simulation and prototype tests. In greenhouse trials comparing the vertical frame to conventional flat cultivation, the frame increased space-use efficiency to ΔP = 119.29% (i.e., ≈19.29% higher than the flat bench), while maintaining seedling coverage at 98%±1% (ns) and stem diameter (ns), and producing significantly shorter (more compact) seedlings (p<0.05; a/b). These results demonstrate a practical pathway for high-density automated seedling production in cold climates using intelligent vertical systems.      

Keywords: vertical seedling frame; four-point conveying; anti-tilt rod; daily light integral; LED control; finite-element analysis; greenhouse experiment.

DOI: 10.25165/j.ijabe.20261902.10316

 

Citation: Guo L F, Wu F H, Huang J J, Wang Y Z, Bao Y J, Li Z L, et al. Design of a compact, stable vertical rice seedling frame for cold regions with DLI-based dynamic light control. Int J Agric & Biol Eng, 2026; 19(2): 112–119.

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Published

2026-05-21

How to Cite

(1)
Guo, L.; Wu, F.; Huang, J.; Wang, Y.; Bao, Y.; Li, Z.; Wu, Y.; Tang, R.; Su, Z.; Xie, Q. Design of the Compact, Stable Vertical Rice Seedling Frame for Cold Regions With DLI-Based Dynamic Light Control. Int J Agric &amp; Biol Eng 2026, 19, 112-119.

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 2 (2026): IJABE

Section

Power and Machinery Systems

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