External Light Module for Mini-Greenhouse Dome
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mini-greenhouses for indoor cultivation of leafy greens and fine herbs face issues with humidity buildup, light spectrum alteration, and yellowing of transparent plastic, leading to inconsistent light intensity and color, which affects plant growth and nutrient levels.
Innovation Solution
A growing device with a dome and external light module that maintains consistent light spectra by dissipating heat and humidity outside the dome, using reflective materials to evenly distribute light and customizable LED lights, and includes sensors for environmental control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light module is installed on the exterior of the dome to shine light through the transparent plastic layer, then plant growth is promoted, but the transparent plastic layer yellows over time reducing light intensity and the light spectrum cannot be efficiently customized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the exterior position and moves it inside the dome, eliminating the yellowing problem of the transparent plastic layer. The light module is now positioned within the dome cavity, allowing direct illumination of plants without passing through the plastic exterior, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining light intensity and ensuring long-term durability of the plastic material.
2Illumination intensity
If the light module is installed on the exterior of the dome, then light can be emitted into the dome, but heat generated by the light accelerates yellowing of the plastic and affects internal temperature and humidity levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heat-generating light source from the exterior position and relocates it inside the dome. This allows better thermal management through the dome's ventilation system and eliminates the acceleration of plastic yellowing caused by external heat. The internal positioning enables the dome's environmental control features to manage temperature and humidity more effectively.
3Illumination intensity
If the transparent plastic layer is used for the dome, then ambient light can penetrate to promote plant growth, but moisture buildup on the inside alters light color and intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from outside the dome and positions it internally, eliminating the need for light to pass through the transparent plastic layer. This removes the moisture buildup issue that alters light color and intensity, providing consistent light quality without relying on the plastic's optical properties.
4Illumination intensity
If conventional fluorescent light modules are used in grooves on the upper surface of the plastic dome, then light is provided for plant growth, but the configuration creates multiple problems affecting growing conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light module from the complex groove configuration on the plastic dome surface and simplifies it to an internal positioning system. The light module is mounted on the interior surface of the dome or on a support structure inside, eliminating the need for grooves, channels, and complex external mounting mechanisms, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining effective plant illumination.
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
Ensures consistent and durable growing conditions, enhancing plant growth with improved light quality and nutrient levels, resulting in healthier crops.
Implementation Method 1
a light module for projecting a light beam onto the crops, the light module comprising one or more lights provided at given locations, each light having a reflector portion through which a light beam is projected
Implementation Method 2
the light module being configured to dissipate the heat generated by the base of the lights away from the dome
Data Source
AI summary
A growing device (mini-greenhouse) comprising a dome for growing crops therein and a light module operably installed on an exterior of the dome for projecting a light beam onto the crops. The dome comprises one or more openings/cutouts therein poisoned at locations that match the locations of corresponding lights of the light module such that the path of the light beam is unobstructed by the material of the dome. The light module is configured to dissipate the heat generated by the lights away from the dome, whereby the base portion of the light which includes the necessary circuitry is contained within the light module and the light beam projected in the dome is either reflected by a protruding reflector that penetrates the dome or a flat reflector that projects the light through the opening. The light module may include vents and/or fans for dissipating the heat into the atmosphere.