LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR STABLED ANIMALS

Abstract

A lighting system for housed animals, where the animals are distributed in different modules illuminated by LED strips (4), characterized in that each illuminated module has at least one lux meter (2) and an adjustable power supply (3) associated with at least one LED strip (4), the lux meters (2) and the adjustable power supplies (3) being connected to a common programmable logic controller (1), so as to generate a closed feedback loop for each illuminated module, wherein the power with which each adjustable power supply (3) feeds the LED strips (4) is a function of the degree of illumination detected by the lux meter (2) located in each illuminated module, the illumination being individual and adjustable in each module.

Description

Lighting system for housed animals TECHNICAL SECTOR The present invention relates to a lighting system that has been specially designed to be installed in animal facilities, stables or similar installations. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a lighting system that can be individually and automatically self-regulated, based on the specific lighting conditions of the space or module in which each animal is located, in order to optimize the breeding and maintenance process of animals, minimizing the level of stress, and optimizing visual function, circadian rhythms, and other key factors for the health and aging of the animals. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Some of the most modern lighting systems used in animal housing allow for individualized lighting for each animal, ensuring that all animals receive the same lighting. This is the case with LED lighting sets for breeding cages. However, in no case is this individualized lighting adjustable, so it does not allow the intensity or type of light to be adjusted to the needs of each species, strain, individual, or circumstance. In other cases, the stable room or area has adjustable lighting, but this lighting is not individualized for each animal or group of animals, so the lighting conditions will vary depending on the location of each individual or group of individuals within the room. For example, if the light source is ceiling-mounted, individuals will receive more or less illumination depending on whether they are housed closer to or further from the light source, both on the horizontal plane (depending on the opening angle of each light source) and on the vertical plane (if the animals are arranged on shelves or racks). Various scientific studies have demonstrated that ambient light is a key factor in the breeding and maintenance of animals, with proven effects on stress levels, visual function, circadian rhythms, and other factors crucial to health and aging (Shen and Tower, 2019; Arguelles-Prieto et al., 2019). This variable is especially important in animals used in experimentation, particularly when the studies are related to vision and blindness. Recent studies show that ambient light intensity significantly affects the onset and development of eye diseases (Kutsyr et al., 2020). Higher light intensity is associated with greater degeneration and vision loss, with effects on inflammation and oxidative stress. The applicant for the present invention is unaware of the existence of lighting systems that offer individual and adjustable lighting for each module in which the housed animal is located, defined by the needs to be met. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION The individually adjustable lighting system for housed animals proposed by the invention fully and satisfactorily solves the problem described above. To this end, the invention consists of an integral lighting system that provides each animal or group of animals with a homogeneous and regulated light source, which can be modified depending on the experimental or production requirements. Therefore, the lighting does not depend on the location of each individual, since all individuals will be at the same distance from the light source. The LED lighting for each individual or group of individuals is distributed homogeneously in each cage or enclosure. In this way, we provide lighting conditions tailored to each individual's needs and prevent differences in illumination between animals. The system is suitable for various facilities, rooms, or animal housing units, but it is particularly useful in animal experimentation units, especially those conducting studies related to vision and blindness. This new lighting system is based on a novel and original connection and arrangement of components. This new combination and interaction of available elements gives the lighting system properties not found in current lighting systems, representing a qualitative improvement in the lighting of housed animals and addressing previously unmet needs. The lighting system developed is a modular system made up of four fundamental elements: - A programmable logic controller for the control of the modules, which is common to all modules where the animals are housed. - One or more illuminance measuring devices (lux meter). - One or more adjustable power supplies. - At least one LED strip. Optionally, at least two LED strips. The number of lux meters, power supplies, and LED strips will depend on the number of modules or units to be illuminated. As for the programmable logic controller (PLC), it is an electronic control device designed to provide an interface (or interaction) between the signals captured by sensor elements (inputs) and the actions performed by the associated effector elements (outputs). This device thus consists of a monitoring system, a control system, and an operational section. The lighting system of the present invention shall have a programmable controller capable of regulating, by means of a closed-loop system, the level of illumination (or illuminance) programmed for each animal or group of stabled animals. Real-time monitoring of the lighting received by the animals (inputs) in each module will be carried out using illuminance measuring devices (lux meters). The programmed lighting (outputs) will be provided by LED strips installed in each module, which will adjust their light intensity based on the electrical power determined by the PLC through adjustable power supplies. A single programmable logic controller (PLC) can register and regulate the lighting of different rooms or modules, each with a different lighting pattern if necessary. Lux meters, on the other hand, are instruments that measure the illuminance of a space or module in real time. They are based on the activity of a photoelectric cell capable of measuring the illuminance variable. The individually adjustable lighting system for housed animals will have as many lux meters as there are modules, cages, or enclosures to be illuminated. Each lux meter will report the real-time illuminance to the programmable logic controller (PLC), allowing for the regulation of the light intensity emitted in each module. Regarding the adjustable power supplies, the LED strips will be powered via adjustable power supplies using an interface. The output power of these power supplies will be regulated based on the light intensity recorded by the lux meters through the signal generated by the programmable logic controller (PLC). Finally, the LED strips will consist of at least one LED strip (light-emitting diode) per module, cage, or enclosure occupied by an animal or group of animals, so that the generated light is distributed evenly, without shadow areas. Each LED strip will be mounted on a diffuser (opal LED) that will be placed on an aluminum profile appropriate to the dimensions of each module, cage, or enclosure. From this structure, a lighting system is obtained that can be individually regulated, according to the specific needs of each animal, in order to optimize the breeding and maintenance process of animals, minimizing the level of stress, and optimizing visual function, circadian rhythms, and other key factors for the health and aging of the animals. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To complement the description that follows and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred embodiment thereof, a figure is included as an integral part of said description, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an installation that integrates a lighting system for housed animals, made in accordance with the object of the present invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION In Figure 1, as an example, a housing facility for stabled animals is schematically represented, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which two modules (A) and (B) participate, for raising animals with different light requirements. Well, the system is made up of a programmable logic controller (1) responsible for managing both modules with their input (arrival arrow) and output (departure arrow) circuits. More specifically, in each module (A) and (B) there is a photocell or lux meter (2) responsible for reading the light intensity in said module, lux meters (2) that are connected to the programmable logic controller (1). In parallel, each module (A) and (B) will include an adjustable power supply (3), also connected to the programmable controller (1), a power supply that feeds a series of LED strips (4) distributed throughout each of these modules. As an example, for each module (A) and (B) three rodent cages (0) intended to be illuminated by LED strips (4) have been represented. In this embodiment, preferably two LED strips (4) are arranged for each illuminated module (A) and (B). Based on this structure, the programmable logic controller (1), lux meters (2), power supplies (3) and LED strips (4) generate a closed feedback loop, in which the programmable logic controller (1) regulates the power of the power supplies (3) and the LED lighting level (4) according to the signal relating to the degree of illumination captured or perceived by the lux meters (2), making the lighting individual and adjustable in each module. Although in the preferred embodiment two lux meters (2), two power supplies (3), and four LED strips (4) are involved, the system of the present invention will have as many lux meters (2) and power supplies (3) as modules to be illuminated, and the number of LED strips (4) can also be varied as deemed appropriate. Based on this structure, the invention is applicable in animal housing facilities, rooms or equipment, proving especially interesting in animal experimentation units and, particularly, if they carry out studies related to vision and blindness.

Claims

1. A lighting system for housed animals, where the animals are distributed in different modules illuminated by LED strips (4), characterized in that each illuminated module has at least one lux meter (2) and an adjustable power supply (3) associated with at least one LED strip (4), the lux meters (2) and the adjustable power supplies (3) being connected to a common programmable logic controller (1), so as to generate a closed feedback loop for each illuminated module, wherein the power with which each adjustable power supply (3) feeds the LED strips (4) is a function of the degree of illumination detected by the lux meter (2) located in each illuminated module, the illumination being individual and adjustable in each module.

2. A lighting system for housed animals, according to claim 1, characterized in that each illuminated module has at least two LED strips (4).