Autonomous Light Therapy Device for Grass Growth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Outdoor sports facilities face challenges in maintaining healthy grass due to inadequate light and heat distribution, especially in shaded areas, leading to difficulties in grass regrowth and photosynthesis, and existing mobile lighting and heating systems are inefficient and require continuous operator monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A device with a motorized, steerable frame equipped with LED lamps and a heating system, integrated with GPS or laser guidance for autonomous movement, data processing for position control, and carbon dioxide injection, allowing for targeted illumination and heating of grass or algae beds, optimizing photosynthesis and growth.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If mobile systems with lamps are used for lighting and heating the lawn, then grass growth is improved, but continuous operator monitoring and positioning is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrass growthVSAvoidoperator monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses autonomous robots equipped with sensors, lamps, and heating elements that automatically navigate the lawn surface, detect grass growth needs, and apply treatments without human intervention. The robots self-coordinate their movements and operations based on real-time environmental sensing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning systems with automated robotic platforms that use sensors, processors, and actuators to autonomously navigate and position themselves on the lawn surface based on detected grass conditions and growth requirements.

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

2Illumination intensity

If sodium lamps erected several meters above the ground are used, then grass coloring is improved, but heating and photosynthesis promotion are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrass coloringVSAvoidsoil heating
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs multiple types of lamps (sodium lamps for coloring, LED lamps for photosynthesis, heating lamps for temperature) positioned at different heights and orientations above specific grass zones, allowing each area to receive the specific combination of light and heat it needs for optimal growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple lamp technologies (sodium vapor lamps, LED lamps, heating lamps) in a single integrated system, allowing simultaneous achievement of grass coloring, photosynthesis promotion, and soil heating that cannot be achieved with a single lamp type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lamp types are used for different functions, then comprehensive grass treatment is achieved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrass treatment functionsVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the lawn into multiple zones and assigns different robot units with specialized lamp configurations to treat specific zones. Each robot carries a subset of lamp types (sodium, LED, heating) appropriate for its assigned area, reducing individual robot complexity while maintaining overall system versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs robotic platforms with interchangeable lamp modules and adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow the same robot structure to perform multiple functions (lighting, heating, photosynthesis promotion) by changing lamp configurations rather than requiring dedicated robots for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Extent of automation

If automated positioning systems are implemented, then operator intervention is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning controlVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to continuously monitor grass growth conditions, robot position, and environmental parameters, then feeds this information back to the control system which automatically adjusts robot positioning and lamp operation. This closed-loop control achieves high automation while using relatively simple sensor-controller-actuator circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

The device automates the distribution of light and heat, enhancing grass growth in demanding areas, increasing algae production, and providing energy efficiency and independence from external power sources, while maintaining the grass in optimal condition with minimal operator intervention.

Implementation Method 1

a device for light therapy and for heating a plant cover or beds of algae, comprising a suitable lamp to activate photosynthesis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a suitable lamp to activate photosynthesis

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotosynthesis: Photosynthesis

Implementation Method 3

a device for light therapy and for heating a plant cover or beds of algae

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3154332B1Device for treating a grass area using light therapy
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 ETAB SPARFEL
  • EP3154332B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3154332B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3154332B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1, 31) for providing light therapy to vegetation cover or masses of algae and heating same, said device comprising: a lamp that can activate photosynthesis, a frame (4) supporting the lamp, and a motorised movement means mounted on the frame, characterised in that the device includes a guiding means, a means for controlling the motorised movement means, and a data-processing means intended to analyse at least a first information item relating to the position of the guiding means and configured to activate the control means of the motorised movement means according to said position information item.