Integrated Grow-Light Airflow Assembly for Indoor Ventilation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor plant growth systems lack adequate airflow, leading to stagnant air, increased risk of mold and pathogens, weak plant growth, and compromised health and productivity due to insufficient ventilation and air circulation.
Innovation Solution
An agricultural system that integrates a light source and air movers to provide controlled airflow and light in the same direction, mimicking outdoor growing conditions, using adjustable LED emitters and fans driven by pulse-width-modulation signals to optimize light and airflow based on plant species and growth stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If indoor plant growth systems are used to provide light, then plants can be cultivated indoors, but airflow is insufficient leading to stagnant air and increased risk of mold and pathogens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light sources and air movers into a single integrated agricultural system unit. The light source is positioned to illuminate plants while the air mover simultaneously provides airflow through the same housing structure, ensuring that light provision and air circulation functions are merged to prevent stagnant air and mold growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves as an intermediary element that facilitates both light transmission and air flow. The housing includes features such as air inlet and outlet openings that allow air to pass through while maintaining the light source's illumination function, thus mediating between the light provision and airflow requirements.
2Illumination intensity
If indoor plant growth systems are used to provide light, then plants can be cultivated indoors, but airflow is insufficient leading to weak and spindly plant growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges light sources and air movers into a single integrated unit that simultaneously provides both illumination and airflow to plants. This combination ensures that plants receive adequate light for photosynthesis while also experiencing air movement that strengthens their stems and foliage, preventing spindly growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The air mover is configured to provide adjustable airflow parameters that can be optimized for different plant species and growth stages. By controlling airflow intensity and direction, the system strengthens plant stems and foliage while maintaining appropriate light levels for photosynthesis.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If ventilation is increased to improve airflow, then mold and pathogens risk is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ventilation function with the light source housing into a single integrated unit. The air mover is incorporated within the same housing that contains the light source, allowing airflow generation without requiring separate complex ventilation systems. This merging reduces overall system complexity while maintaining effective mold and pathogens prevention.
4Reliability
If adjustable airflow control is implemented, then plant health is optimized, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air mover is designed with adjustable airflow capabilities that can be dynamically controlled based on plant needs. The system includes control mechanisms that allow adjustment of airflow intensity and direction, enabling optimization of plant health while maintaining manageable system complexity through practical control interfaces.
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 resilience and growth by promoting stronger stems and sturdier foliage through controlled airflow, addressing issues of stagnant air and mold, and improving overall plant health and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a light source arranged circumferentially around the main aperture
Implementation Method 2
one or more air movers directed toward the main aperture
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an agricultural system includes a core assembly and includes a housing forming main aperture; a light source arranged circumferentially around the main aperture; and one or more air movers directed toward the main aperture. The main aperture defines an inlet and an outlet fluidically coupled by a flow passage formed by the housing.