Adjustable LED Plant Illumination with Curved Reflector

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current plant illumination systems using thermal sources like high voltage sodium lamps result in inefficient energy use and uneven light distribution, leading to reduced space utilization and lower plant quality due to excessive heat and central luminous intensity disparities.

Innovation Solution

A plant illumination optical device featuring two adjustable LED lamp bodies with a curved reflector structure that reflects out-of-edge light back into the planting area, ensuring uniform illumination and reducing light waste by adjusting the angle between central light rays from 0° to 20°.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If thermal sources like high voltage sodium lamps are used for plant illumination, then the illumination intensity is sufficient, but the heat generated causes low space utilization and energy inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidheat generated
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal light sources with LED light sources, substituting a thermal-mechanical system with a solid-state electroluminescence system. This substitution eliminates the need for thermal radiation while maintaining illumination intensity, directly resolving the contradiction between sufficient lighting and heat generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the light source from thermal radiation (high temperature) to electroluminescence (low temperature). By changing the light generation mechanism and its associated physical parameters, the system achieves high illumination intensity without excessive heat, improving both space utilization and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If thermal sources are used, then illumination is provided, but the central luminous intensity is stronger than the sides, causing uneven distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous intensityVSAvoidluminous intensity distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the illumination system into multiple LED modules arranged in specific geometric patterns. By dividing the light source into discrete segments positioned at calculated locations, the system achieves uniform light distribution across the planting area, eliminating the central-intensity problem of conventional thermal sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a single-point or linear light source to a two-dimensional array of LED modules. This dimensional expansion allows light to be distributed uniformly across the entire planting area from multiple angles and positions, achieving even illumination intensity distribution that resolves the central-vs-side intensity contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If thermal sources are installed at a far distance to avoid heat influence, then plant damage is prevented, but space utilization decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat influence on plantsVSAvoidspace utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thermal light sources with LED sources that do not rely on thermal radiation for light generation. This substitution allows the light source to be positioned close to plants without causing heat damage, thereby maximizing vertical space utilization and enabling higher-density planting configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of the light source from high (thermal sources) to low (LEDs). This parameter change enables safe proximity placement of light sources to plants, increasing the number of planting layers and improving overall space utilization while preventing heat-related plant damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enhances energy efficiency, improves light distribution uniformity, and increases planting area density by allowing closer placement of light sources, thereby enhancing plant quality and space utilization.

Implementation Method 1

a curved reflector structure that reflects out-of-edge light back into the planting area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

two adjustable LED lamp bodies with a curved reflector structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3557119B1Optical apparatus for plant illumination and plant cultivation apparatus comprising said optical apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 FUJIAN SANAN SINO SCI PHOTOBIOTECH CO LTD
  • EP3557119B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3557119B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3557119B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to the field of plant illumination technology and specifically provides a plant illumination optical device which includes two LED lamp bodies. Each of the LED lamp bodies includes a reflector and an LED lamp located at an inner side of the reflector, and an angle between the central light rays of the two LED lamp bodies is adjustable. The present invention further provides a plant cultivation device containing the plant illumination optical device. The plant illumination optical device and the plant cultivation device provided by the present invention can reflect the light beyond the planting area to the planting area and can supplement the illumination on both sides of the illumination centerline, thereby avoiding light waste, improving energy efficiency, improving the illumination uniformity in the planting area, and improving planting quality of the planting area.