Container-Top LED Lighting Module for Stacked Crop Growth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional storage solutions in vertical farming systems face the challenge of inadequate lighting within stacked containers, which inhibits efficient crop growth due to the lack of light exposure.
Innovation Solution
A lighting module designed to fit atop storage containers in an automated storage and retrieval system, providing internal or external power, and handled by container handling vehicles, ensuring flexible lighting for enhanced crop growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If storage containers are stacked vertically in an automated storage and retrieval system, then space utilization is improved, but light availability to container contents deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the vertical farming space into multiple stacked container modules, each independently illuminated. This segmentation allows light to be delivered to each layer separately, solving the problem of light deprivation in vertically stacked containers while maximizing vertical space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
Lighting modules serve as intermediary components positioned between the stacked containers and the light sources. These lighting modules deliver light internally to each container, acting as mediators that enable vertical stacking while maintaining adequate illumination for crop growth.
2Productivity
If lighting modules are integrated into stacked containers for vertical farming, then crop growth efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting modules are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as structural components of the stacked container system and as light delivery mechanisms. This universal design reduces overall system complexity by combining multiple functions into single integrated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting modules are nested within or integrated into the container structure itself, with lighting components housed within the container walls or lids. This nesting approach consolidates multiple system elements into a compact integrated unit, reducing space requirements and simplifying the overall system architecture.
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 lighting module addresses the issue of insufficient light in stacked containers, promoting efficient crop growth by illuminating the interior of storage containers effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The lighting module can be internally or externally powered and can be handled by a container handling vehicle of the automated storage and retrieval system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a lighting module (700) configured to fit atop a storage container for an automated storage and retrieval system. The lighting module can be configured as a container lid. The lighting module can include an array of LEDs (706). A stacker frame to hold the lighting module and one or more storage container is also disclosed. A power supply module for providing power to a stacker frame is further disclosed.