LED Light Fixture Lens Coating for Indoor Grow Optical Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor grow facilities face challenges with the degradation of LED optical quality over time due to airborne gases and fluid particles, leading to reduced light quality for plant growth.
Innovation Solution
A light fixture design incorporating LEDs, a lens cover with an encapsulating material that fills the space between the LEDs and the lens, and a protective coating on the exterior surface to maintain optical integrity and protect against environmental conditions, along with a heat management system and adjustable lighting control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LEDs are used in indoor grow facilities, then energy efficiency and light output are improved, but optical quality degrades over time due to airborne gases and fluid particles
Solution Approach 1:
A protective coating is applied to the exterior surface of the lens to act as an intermediary barrier between the LED optical components and the airborne gases and fluid particles in the grow facility environment, preventing direct contact and degradation
Solution Approach 2:
The protective coating creates a chemically inert environment on the lens surface that resists interaction with harmful airborne substances, effectively isolating the optical components from the degrading atmosphere
2Reliability
If protective measures are added to maintain LED optical quality, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A thin film protective coating is applied to the lens exterior surface, providing effective protection against environmental degradation while maintaining a simple, lightweight structure that does not significantly increase device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The lens is constructed as a composite structure with an encapsulating material filling the space between the LED and lens, and a protective coating on the exterior surface, combining multiple materials with complementary properties to achieve both protection and optical performance
3Reliability
If encapsulating material is used to fill the space between LED and lens, then optical quality is maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulating material is designed to be applied in a manner that allows it to self-level and fill the space between the LED and lens automatically, reducing the need for complex precision alignment and manual adjustment during manufacturing
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 maintains the optical quality of LEDs, enhances light distribution, and provides customizable lighting profiles to support plant growth by reducing environmental impact on the light fixture, ensuring consistent and efficient illumination.
Implementation Method 1
a protective coating provided over an exterior surface of the lens
Implementation Method 2
an encapsulating material that substantially fills the lens
Data Source
AI summary
A light fixture includes a housing, and a lighting module. The housing defines first and second portions. The second portion defines a window. The lighting module is at least partially disposed in the second portion. The lighting module includes a submount, a plurality of light emitting diodes, a lens cover, and an encapsulating material. The plurality of light emitting diodes is coupled with the submount and is configured to project light through the window. The lens cover includes an exterior surface and overlies the plurality of light emitting diodes and the submount such that the lens cover and the submount define an interior therebetween. The encapsulating material substantially fills the interior.