LED Armature Lens-Reflector Layout for Uniform Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED armatures for indoor farming and growth lights face inefficiencies in light distribution and uniformity, leading to non-uniform growth rates among plants and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
The LED armature design incorporates a lens with a receiving side that reflects light towards adjacent reflectors, reducing light absorption by LEDs and enhancing efficiency, and includes a diffusing part to distribute light uniformly across a defined area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a lens receives light emitted by LEDs at a ninety degree angle to minimize reflections, then light transmission is maximized, but reflected light travels back towards the LED and is absorbed by the LED, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A reflector is introduced as an intermediary element between the lens and the LED. The reflector captures light that would otherwise be absorbed by the LED and redirects it back through the lens, converting a harmful effect into a useful one and improving overall light transmission efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of light being reflected back towards the LED into a beneficial effect by using the reflector to redirect this light back through the lens, thereby improving efficiency rather than simply avoiding the problem
2Illumination intensity
If numerous LEDs are employed for extensive durations to provide sufficient light for indoor farming, then adequate illumination is achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector creates a feedback loop where light that would be lost is captured and fed back through the lens, effectively recycling photons and reducing the total energy required to achieve the desired illumination intensity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the reflected light that would be absorbed by the LED, the invention recovers this light by redirecting it back through the lens, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining adequate illumination
3Illumination intensity
If light is provided uniformly to plants for uniform growth rates, then consistent plant development is achieved, but the complexity of light distribution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens utilizes curved surfaces to refract and distribute light uniformly across the target area. The curvature of the lens naturally spreads light in a controlled manner, achieving uniform illumination without complex mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is divided into multiple LED modules with individual lenses, where each module independently provides uniform light distribution. This modular segmentation simplifies the overall design while achieving comprehensive uniform coverage
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 design improves light transmission and reduces losses, resulting in more uniform light distribution and reduced power consumption, promoting consistent plant growth and cost savings.
Implementation Method 1
the receiving side of the lens is adapted for reflecting a part of the light emitted by one first LED among the plurality of first LEDs onto the reflector adjacent to that LED
Implementation Method 2
The ratio between transmission and reflection is in part determined by the angle at which light arrives at the lens
Implementation Method 3
allowing that part of the light to be reflected by that reflector towards the receiving side
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application concerns a light emitting diode, LED, armature and a lighting system comprising a plurality of LED armatures. The LED armature comprises a plurality of first LEDs facing a first direction, and arranged in a line in a second direction, substantially perpendicular to the first direction. For each first LED among the plurality of first LEDs, the armature comprises a reflector substantially facing the first direction, arranged adjacent to that first LED in a third direction, substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions. The armature further comprises a lens elongated in the second direction, of which a receiving side is configured to receive light from the plurality of first LEDs, and of which an emission side is configured to emit, as a bundle, light that was received on the receiving side, and that has passed through the lens. The receiving side of the lens is adapted for reflecting a part of the light emitted by one first LED among the plurality of first LEDs onto the reflector adjacent to that LED, allowing that part of the light to be reflected by that reflector towards the receiving side. The lighting system comprises one or more pairs of substantially parallel frame sections, and, in between each pair of frame sections, a plurality of LED armatures according to the invention. For each pair of frame sections, the LED armatures from the plurality of LED armatures are arranged substantially parallel to each other and/or substantially perpendicularly to each frame section from said pair of frame sections.