Incubator LED Lighting Layout for Egg Hatchability Without Heat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial hatcheries face challenges in promoting hatchability and sex selection in eggs due to the inefficiencies of existing lighting systems, which produce heat, are difficult to implement, and increase production costs, while also being unsuitable for the compact design of incubation chambers.

Innovation Solution

The development of a light supporting device that uses directional lighting and specific wavelengths to promote biological responses in eggs, with a control system to provide pre-determined light and dark periods, and a compact design that fits within existing incubation chambers, minimizing heat production and allowing for easy installation and egg handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional lighting systems are used in incubation chambers, then illumination is provided, but heat is produced and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting for eggsVSAvoidheat production

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spectral parameters of light by using LED technology that emits specific wavelengths (480-520nm blue-green and 620-680nm red) that are effective for penetrating egg shells and promoting hatchability, while these wavelengths generate minimal heat compared to conventional full-spectrum lighting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs LED bulbs which are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and cost-effective compared to conventional lighting systems, reducing both operational costs and replacement frequency while maintaining effective illumination for hatchability promotion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If lighting systems are added to incubation chambers, then hatchability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehatchabilityVSAvoidlighting system implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the incubation chamber into multiple zones with independent lighting control, allowing different wavelengths and intensities to be applied to different trays or sections, thereby improving overall hatchability while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system is designed to serve multiple functions: promoting hatchability through specific wavelengths, providing illumination for monitoring, and potentially influencing sex selection, thereby achieving multiple benefits from a single system addition without proportionally increasing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If lighting devices are installed in incubation chambers, then biological responses are promoted, but space for egg handling is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiological response promotionVSAvoidspace for egg handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions lighting devices vertically above egg trays rather than horizontally alongside them, utilizing the vertical dimension to provide effective illumination without encroaching on the horizontal space required for egg handling and tray access

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system provides targeted illumination specifically at the egg shell level where it is most needed for biological response promotion, rather than uniformly lighting the entire chamber, thereby reducing the spatial footprint of the lighting infrastructure while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Illumination intensity

If conventional lighting is used, then illumination is provided, but hatchability improvement is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight exposureVSAvoidhatchability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution significantly improves hatchability by up to 6% and reduces hatching time, while maintaining efficient egg production and allowing for quick egg handling, by providing targeted light exposure that penetrates egg shells effectively without overheating the incubation environment.

Implementation Method 1

The lighting device has a circuit board with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) thereon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

directional lighting and specific wavelengths to promote biological responses in eggs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDirectional lighting:

Data Source

PatentUS11259504B2Systems and methods for promoting biological responses in incubated eggs

Publication Date: 2022.03.01 SIGNIFY NORTH AMERICA CORP

AI summary

A system and method to promote biological responses within incubated eggs using lighting devices within an incubation chamber. A light supporting device is installed within the incubation chamber in spaced relation to an incubation device housing a plurality of eggs. The light supporting device is positioned to direct light at pre-determined wavelengths into the interior cavity of the incubation device to irradiate the plurality of eggs to promote a biological response within the eggs.