Horticultural LED Optic System for Uniform Illuminance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LED-based horticultural lighting systems fail to provide adequate light uniformity and spectral tuning for indoor applications, with light intensity decreasing at increasing emission angles relative to the optical axis, and lack control systems for efficient light distribution and power usage.
Innovation Solution
The development of an adaptive LED lighting system using a combination of UV and non-UV LEDs, with a lens array to modify light distributions, achieving maximum intensity at specific beam angles and minimizing intensity at the center, and utilizing wireless and wired networks for spectral and color temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional LED-based horticultural lighting systems are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but light uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into multiple independently controllable LED modules, each with its own optical characteristics. This segmentation allows different zones to be optimized for uniformity while maintaining overall energy efficiency, resolving the contradiction between energy efficiency and light uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lighting system use LEDs with spectrally tailored emissions and varying intensity profiles. By applying local quality variations across the lighting array, the system achieves uniform illuminance distribution while maintaining high energy efficiency through targeted spectral optimization in each zone.
2Device complexity
If conventional LED-based horticultural lighting systems are used, then device simplicity is improved, but spectral tuning capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamically controllable LED modules with adjustable intensity and spectral output. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt spectral tuning to different horticultural needs while maintaining a relatively simple device architecture through modular design and centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED modules are designed with universal characteristics that enable multiple functions: they can operate in different spectral configurations, adjust intensity profiles, and serve various horticultural applications. This multi-functionality provides spectral tuning capability without significantly increasing device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional LED-based horticultural lighting systems are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but light distribution control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into standardized modular units that are simple to manufacture but provide sophisticated light distribution control when assembled. Each module maintains manufacturing simplicity through standardized components while enabling complex distribution patterns through modular arrangement and independent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls light distribution by changing operational parameters of individually addressable LED modules rather than requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This approach maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving precise light distribution control through electronic parameter adjustment.
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 system achieves uniform illuminance across large surfaces, increasing intensity with angle, and allows for precise control of light spectrum and color temperature, simulating natural sunlight and improving plant growth conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a lens array to modify light distributions, achieving maximum intensity at specific beam angles and minimizing intensity at the center
Implementation Method 2
a combination of UV and non-UV LEDs
Implementation Method 3
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been utilized since about the 1960s
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for a horticultural light that projects either a substantially uniform target illuminance onto a flat surface or an increasing target illuminance onto a flat surface. The horticultural light uses a refractor to receive the raw light distribution from one or more LEDs and then distributes an optically varied distribution having a minimized intensity at centerbeam with an increasing beam intensity as the beam width increases. The horticultural light utilizes both ultraviolet (UV) LEDs and non-UV LEDs arranged as an array to produce the optically varied distribution. A lens array is disposed in relation to the LED array and is comprised of UV compatible lenses and non-UV compatible lenses. A device may be disposed in relation to the UV compatible lenses to disallow incidence of UV radiation onto non-UV compatible lenses.