Horticultural Lens Array for Uniform LED Light Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 as the emission angle increases relative to the optical axis, leading to uneven illuminance and 'hot spots' in plant growth areas.
Innovation Solution
The use of a light fixture with a lens array that refracts light to maintain maximum intensity at a specific beam angle, optimizing light distribution and intensity across a wider area, and incorporating multiple LEDs with varying spectral outputs to simulate natural sunlight through tunable color temperature and spectrum 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 with intensity decreasing as emission angle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using multiple LEDs with different spectral compositions (blue, red, white) positioned at different locations within the fixture. Each LED emits light with specific spectral characteristics tailored to different plant growth requirements, creating spatially varying light quality that enhances both uniformity and spectral appropriateness across the illuminated area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces spectral dimension by incorporating LEDs with varying color temperatures and spectral outputs. This transforms the lighting system from a single-dimension (intensity only) to multi-dimensional control, allowing independent adjustment of spectral composition and spatial distribution to achieve uniform illuminance while maintaining energy efficiency
2Use of energy by stationary object
If conventional LED-based horticultural lighting systems are used, then power consumption is reduced, but light distribution uniformity deteriorates causing hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting system into multiple independent LED modules with different spectral characteristics. Each module can be controlled independently, allowing precise distribution of light intensity and spectral composition across different zones. This segmentation eliminates hot spots by distributing total luminous flux uniformly while maintaining low power consumption through targeted spectral output
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by varying the spectral composition (wavelength, color temperature) and intensity of individual LED modules. This allows dynamic adjustment of light distribution characteristics to achieve uniform illuminance patterns while optimizing power consumption based on specific horticultural requirements and ambient light conditions
3Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional LED-based horticultural lighting systems are used, then operational life is extended, but spectral adaptability deteriorates with fixed spectral output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling real-time adjustment of spectral composition and intensity for each LED module. The system can dynamically shift between different spectral configurations (e.g., blue-heavy for vegetative growth, red-heavy for flowering) and adjust overall intensity levels, providing adaptability across different growth stages while maintaining the long operational life of 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
This solution achieves uniform and increasing illuminance across a larger area, reducing vertical distances required between lights and plants, and allows for precise spectral control to mimic natural light conditions, enhancing plant growth and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
at least one refractor disposed in proximity to the at least one light source and configured to modify the first light distribution into a second light distribution
Implementation Method 2
The use of a light fixture with a lens array that refracts light to maintain maximum intensity at a specific beam angle
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for a horticultural light for use in a horticultural facility that projects either a substantially uniform target illuminance onto a flat surface or an increasing target illuminance onto a flat surface that increases as the beam angle increases with respect to the optical axis. 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.