Horticultural Control System for Cannabis Under High PPFD
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Solution Overview
Problem
Horticultural lighting systems face challenges in maintaining optimal environmental parameters, such as temperature and humidity, when using high photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) for plant growth, particularly for cannabis, which can lead to suboptimal growth or tissue damage if not properly managed.
Innovation Solution
A horticultural control system that includes LED lighting fixtures, sensors for temperature and humidity measurement, and a processor to adjust these parameters within specific ranges (e.g., 81-83°F for daytime temperature and 55-60% relative humidity during the daytime, and 72-75°F and 55-60% at night) to ensure optimal growth conditions for cannabis plants under high PPFD conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high intensity lighting (1500 μmol/m2/s) is used to increase crop yield, then productivity is improved, but temperature and humidity control becomes more difficult leading to potential plant damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors temperature and humidity using sensors and automatically adjusts environmental parameters based on real-time feedback. The processor receives data from temperature and humidity sensors, compares current conditions against optimal ranges, and triggers HVAC system adjustments when parameters deviate from target values, enabling stable environmental control under high intensity lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts environmental parameters (temperature and humidity) based on lighting intensity and plant growth stage. Different temperature and humidity ranges are maintained during daytime versus nighttime periods, and parameters are optimized for specific growth stages such as flowering, allowing the environment to adapt to high PPFD conditions without causing plant stress.
2Productivity
If high intensity lighting is used to improve crop yield, then productivity is improved, but plant tissue damage may occur without proper environmental compensation
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively prevents plant tissue damage by maintaining environmental parameters within optimal ranges before stress conditions develop. By continuously monitoring and adjusting temperature and humidity to stay within predefined thresholds, the system prevents the accumulation of harmful conditions that could lead to lightburn or other tissue damage associated with high intensity lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time sensor feedback allows the system to detect and correct environmental deviations that could lead to plant damage. The processor continuously receives temperature and humidity data, and when parameters approach dangerous thresholds, the system automatically triggers HVAC adjustments to bring conditions back within safe ranges, preventing tissue damage before it occurs.
3Device complexity
If environmental parameters are manually monitored and adjusted, then system complexity is reduced, but time consumption and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-monitoring and self-adjustment of environmental parameters without requiring manual intervention. Sensors automatically detect temperature and humidity levels, the processor analyzes the data against predefined optimal ranges, and the HVAC system autonomously makes adjustments, freeing operators from continuous manual monitoring and adjustment tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated feedback loop continuously monitors environmental conditions and triggers appropriate HVAC responses without human intervention. The system establishes predefined temperature and humidity ranges for different periods and growth stages, then automatically maintains these parameters through continuous sensing and actuation, eliminating the time loss associated with manual parameter management.
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 system ensures healthier plant growth and higher crop yields by maintaining optimal environmental parameters during the flowering stage of cannabis plants, even under high PPFD conditions, by automatically adjusting temperature and humidity levels.
Implementation Method 1
each lighting fixtures includes one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Implementation Method 2
PPFD is a measure of how much light is received over a certain area (e.g., the grow area) per unit time... how much light is received... for sufficient photosynthesis
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods disclosed herein include a method of illuminating plants in an indoor farming environment, including illuminating one or more plants using one or more lighting fixtures at a light intensity of approximately 1500 μmol/m2/s during a daytime period, wherein each lighting fixtures comprises one or more LEDs, determining whether a daytime temperature of the indoor farming environment is within a daytime temperature range, adjusting the daytime temperature to be within the daytime temperature range in response to determining that the daytime temperature of the indoor farming environment is outside of the daytime temperature range, determining whether a daytime humidity of the indoor farming environment is within a daytime humidity range, and adjusting the daytime humidity to be within the daytime humidity range in response to determining that the daytime humidity of the indoor farming environment is outside of the daytime humidity range.