Adaptive LED Grow Light System with Reflected Spectrum Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior-art LED grow-light systems fail to provide optimal light spectra, intensities, and geometries tailored to specific plant growth stages, leading to inefficient energy use and suboptimal photosynthesis, as they do not adapt to the varying light needs of plants throughout their growth process.
Innovation Solution
A light system utilizing LED or QLED light sources with a light detector and driver that adjusts intensity and spectrum based on reflected light signals, combined with motorized adjustment of light source distance and angle, and employing artificial intelligence to determine a customized 'illumination recipe' for maximizing photosynthesis efficiency through chlorophyll fluorescence measurements and optimization algorithms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If LED grow lights provide constant illumination without adaptation, then the system structure is simple, but photosynthesis efficiency is suboptimal and energy use is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of LED light parameters including intensity, spectrum, and geometry based on real-time plant growth stage detection. The system transitions from static constant illumination to dynamic adaptive lighting that changes characteristics according to plant needs at different developmental phases, thereby optimizing photosynthesis efficiency without excessive complexity through structured control algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where plant growth stage is detected and used to adjust illumination parameters. The control system receives information about plant state and automatically modifies light intensity, spectrum composition, and geometric arrangement to match optimal requirements for each growth phase, creating a closed-loop system that improves productivity through adaptive response
2Use of energy by moving object
If LED lights provide high intensity illumination, then light energy is sufficient, but energy waste increases and photosynthesis organisms experience stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes illumination parameters including intensity, spectrum composition, and temporal patterns based on plant growth stage and environmental conditions. The system adjusts light intensity to match photosynthetic capacity at different growth phases, avoiding excessive intensity that causes stress while ensuring sufficient energy delivery, thereby optimizing energy use efficiency alongside photosynthesis productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic variation in illumination patterns including duty cycling and temporal modulation of light intensity. By applying light in optimized cycles rather than continuous constant illumination, the system improves energy efficiency while maintaining adequate total light dosage for photosynthesis, reducing both energy waste and photostress on plants
3Productivity
If fixed geometry illumination is used, then system structure is simple, but light energy absorption by plant is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of illumination geometry including position, orientation, and spatial arrangement of LED arrays relative to the plant. The system adapts geometric parameters based on plant growth stage, size, and canopy structure to optimize light distribution and absorption efficiency, transitioning from fixed geometry to adaptive spatial configuration that follows plant development
4Adaptability or versatility
If generic illumination profiles are used for all plants, then system operation is simple, but adaptability to different plant needs is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements customized illumination profiles tailored to specific plant types, species, and individual growth stages. Different plants receive locally optimized light parameters including spectrum composition, intensity patterns, and temporal profiles matched to their specific photosynthetic characteristics and developmental requirements, rather than applying uniform generic illumination to all plants
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 system optimizes photosynthesis efficiency by dynamically adjusting light parameters, reducing energy waste, and enhancing plant growth by providing tailored illumination profiles that adapt to the specific needs of different plant types, leading to improved growth rates and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The plant growth occurs as a result of 'photosynthesis' processes. As known in the art, the photosynthesis processes convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into organic materials using energy from the light. Specifically, the light energy is absorbed through special proteins containing chlorophyll pigments that exist in photosynthetic cell membranes called chloroplasts.
Implementation Method 2
chlorophyll only absorbs energy from particular parts or colors of the light spectrum. The effective spectra are across the blue and red color spectra.
Implementation Method 3
a light detector for detecting light reflected from the plant
Implementation Method 4
LEDs with increased power output or increased luminous intensity have been developed and used for illumination
Data Source
AI summary
A Light-Emitting Diode (LED) system for facilitating the growth of a plant includes at least one LED array having one or more LEDs for emitting colored light spectra absorbable by a plant, a light detector for detecting light reflected from the plant, and a LED light driver electrically coupled to the at least one LED array and the light detector. The LED light driver receives electrical power from a power source and drives the at least one LED array using the received electrical power; receives from the light detector a signal indicative of the reflected light spectra, and controls the at least one LED array to adjust at least one of the intensities and the spectra of the light emitted from the at least one LED array, based on the received signal.