LED Group Control Circuit for Selective Spectral Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horticultural lighting systems lack the ability to selectively activate and deactivate LED groups to change spectral output efficiently, requiring complex and costly control systems to achieve desired color emissions for different plant growth stages.
Innovation Solution
A multicolor luminaire system with a detection and control circuit, including a microcontroller, that interprets power or dimming sequences to control switches, allowing for the selective activation, deactivation, or alteration of LED groups to achieve desired light outputs, using standard LED driver circuits and off-the-shelf controllers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a horticultural luminaire is designed to emit multiple colors including far red light, then the spectral output capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The luminaire is divided into multiple independently controllable LED groups, each emitting different colors (e.g., blue, white, far red). This segmentation allows selective activation of specific color groups based on plant growth needs without requiring a completely different luminaire design, thus improving spectral adaptability while keeping the overall system manageable through modular control
Solution Approach 2:
A single luminaire housing contains multiple LED groups that can perform multiple functions by selectively activating different color combinations. The same physical luminaire can provide vegetative growth lighting, flowering lighting, or a combination thereof, eliminating the need for multiple specialized luminaires and reducing overall system complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If far red LED group is always activated, then the spectral output for flowering enhancement is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The far red LED group is activated periodically according to predetermined schedules rather than continuously. The control circuit can turn the far red group on during specific time periods when flowering enhancement is needed, and turn it off during other periods, thereby achieving the desired spectral output while significantly reducing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The luminaire system transitions from a static on/off state to a dynamic, time-varying operation mode where different LED groups are activated based on temporal patterns. This allows the system to adapt its energy consumption profile to match the actual biological needs of plants at different growth stages
3Ease of operation
If simple control is used for LED groups, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to implement programmable schedules is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is configured to automatically execute predetermined schedules without requiring continuous user intervention. Once the scheduling parameters are initially set, the system self-manages the activation and deactivation of different LED groups according to the programmed timetable, maintaining operational simplicity while enabling complex temporal control patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit monitors power sequences and dimming sequences to automatically adjust LED group activation. By detecting power state changes and interpreting dimming signals, the system can autonomously determine when to switch between different LED groups, providing programmable schedule capability while maintaining ease of operation through automatic adaptation
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
Enables flexible and cost-effective control of LED light emissions, reducing the need for complex control systems and allowing for programmable schedules and dimming options, enhancing plant growth by providing optimal spectral output without increasing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
closes the first switch to short-out the second LED Group such that no light is emitted from the second LED Group
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
Systems, apparatus and methods for selectively activating and/or deactivating one or more groups of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of a luminaire. In an embodiment, a multi-LED luminaire includes a detection and control circuit, a first light emitting diode (LED) Group, a second LED Group connected in series to the first LED Group, and a first switch operably connected across the second LED Group. The detection and control circuit detects either a power sequence or a dimming sequence and, in response to detection of the power sequence or to the dimming sequence, operates to close the first switch to short-out the second LED Group such that no light is emitted from the second LED Group, operate to open the first switch to power the second LED Group to emit light along with the first LED Group, or operate the switch in a manner to alter the light output of at least one of the first LED Group and the second LED Group.