Adjustable Scattering Lighting Cover for Plant Growth Stages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting technologies for controlled-environment agriculture lack the ability to dynamically adjust optical scattering to accommodate varying growth stages of plants, leading to inefficient light utilization and potential damage from excessive luminous intensity.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device and method that incorporates a cover film with multiple scattering zones, each with different degrees of optical scattering, controlled by a driving unit and adjusted based on the growth state of plants, using varying concentrations, types, and sizes of optical-scattering agents, and optionally a detachable supplementary lighting cover for enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a fixed light-diffusion film is used to scatter light evenly, then optical transmissivity is improved and brightness uniformity is enhanced, but the ability to adapt to different plant growth stages is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the light-diffusion film adjustable rather than fixed. The film can change its optical scattering properties dynamically to match different plant growth stages. Specifically, the system uses a multi-layer film structure where at least one layer can be moved or adjusted to change the overall scattering degree, allowing the lighting system to adapt from high scattering for seedlings to low scattering for mature plants.
2Illumination intensity
If white light is used for plant illumination, then all wavelength bands are provided, but energy efficiency decreases because plants only use specific wavelength bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the local quality principle by making different parts of the lighting system have different spectral characteristics. Instead of using uniform white light throughout, the system can provide different wavelength compositions to different plant zones or growth stages. For example, blue light (450-495nm) can be enhanced for vegetative growth while red light (620-750nm) is emphasized for flowering and fruiting stages, matching the specific photosynthetic needs of plants at different developmental phases.
3Productivity
If high luminous intensity is used to increase productivity, then light output is improved, but plant damage from excessive light intensity occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling real-time adjustment of light intensity and scattering properties. The system can dynamically reduce scattering when high intensity light is needed for productivity, and increase scattering when lower intensity is required to prevent plant damage. This dynamic control allows the system to optimize the balance between maximizing photosynthetic efficiency and preventing photodamage to plant tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by using the light-diffusion film to pre-distribute and soften high-intensity light before it reaches the plants. The film acts as a protective intermediary that scatters intense light rays to reduce hot spots and prevent direct exposure damage, while still delivering sufficient total light energy for high productivity. This cushioning effect protects plants from the harmful concentrated beams while maintaining overall light availability.
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 allows for optimized light distribution tailored to the growth state of plants, preventing damage from excessive light and ensuring uniform irradiation, thereby increasing productivity and plant health.
Implementation Method 1
provides good optical diffusion to evenly scatter the transmitted light in many directions
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device, a lighting attachment device, and a method of manufacturing a lighting cover having a film coated with an optical-scattering agent are provided. The lighting device includes: a lighting unit having a lighting cover, the lighting cover having an adjustable degree of optical scattering; and a control unit configured to adjust the lighting cover to an appropriate degree of optical scattering according to the growth state of a cultivation subject. The method for manufacturing a lighting cover includes: partitioning a lighting cover of a synthetic resin material into a plurality of scattering zones; and coating an optical-scattering agent on the lighting cover such that each of the scattering zones has a different degree of optical scattering.