Horticultural LED Mesh Lighting for Custom Plant Growth Recipes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horticultural lighting systems lack the ability to optimize light output for different plant species and growth stages, relying on inefficient and less controllable traditional bulbs.
Innovation Solution
A horticultural lighting system utilizing an array of LEDs with adjustable peak wavelengths and a fixture mesh network, allowing for precise control of light intensity and spectrum through a wireless communication network, enabling customizable light recipes for various plant growth phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bulbs are used for horticultural lighting, then the lighting system is simple to implement, but the ability to optimize light output for different plant species and growth stages is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent LED channels, each emitting at a specific peak wavelength (e.g., 450nm, 470nm, 530nm, 630nm, 660nm). Each channel can be individually controlled to provide spectrally tailored light for different plant species and growth stages, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by dividing the system into manageable, specialized components
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control through a mesh network that allows real-time adjustment of light intensity and spectrum for each LED channel. This enables the lighting system to adapt its output dynamically based on specific plant needs and growth stages, achieving high versatility while maintaining manageable complexity through intelligent control
2Ease of operation
If an array of LEDs with adjustable peak wavelengths is used, then light control flexibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh network control system serves multiple functions: it manages individual LED channel intensities, coordinates spectral composition, enables wireless communication, and supports various control modes. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate control systems, improving ease of operation while containing device complexity through a unified control platform
3Productivity
If traditional horticultural lighting is used, then the system is easier to manufacture, but plant health and yield optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing different spectral compositions to different plant species and growth stages. Each LED channel is optimized for specific photosynthetic requirements (e.g., blue LEDs for vegetative growth, red LEDs for flowering), enabling precise optimization of plant health and yield while using standardized, manufacturable LED components
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
Enhances plant growth optimization by providing flexible and efficient light control, improving plant health and yield through tailored light mixes for different plant species and growth stages.
Implementation Method 1
An array of different colored light emitting diodes (LEDs) operating at various peak wavelengths
Data Source
AI summary
A horticultural lighting system including a plurality of horticultural lights and a wireless fixture mesh network. Each horticultural light includes a plurality of LED color groups, a current control channel in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of LED color groups, and a fixture control configured to control light intensity of LEDs via the current control channel, and receive, via an interface of the fixture control, a user input recipe from a remote user device. The wireless fixture mesh network includes the plurality of fixture controls in communication with each other across multiple wireless communication paths. The fixture control is configured to transmit, via the wireless mesh network, the user input recipe from the fixture control to at least one other fixture control of at one other horticultural light.