LED Plant Lighting with Independent Spectral Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional greenhouses face high energy costs and light pollution due to inefficient lighting solutions, and existing LED-based solutions do not optimize spectral distribution for plant growth, leading to suboptimal energy use and plant development.
Innovation Solution
An enclosure with a transparent panel and a two-dimensional grid of lighting assemblies, each comprising a first light source emitting in the 600-750 nm range and a second light source emitting in the 375-500 nm range, with independent control and cooling, optimized for energy efficiency and spectral balance to complement daylight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional sodium or metal hydride lamps are used to provide growing light, then plants receive sufficient illumination for growth, but energy consumption increases significantly and light pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameters of the light source by using LEDs with specific peak wavelengths (612 nm orange and 660 nm red) instead of broad-spectrum sodium or metal hydride lamps. This selective wavelength approach provides sufficient illumination for plant growth while consuming less energy and reducing light pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple LED types with different spectral characteristics (orange LEDs at 612 nm, red LEDs at 660 nm, and blue LEDs). Each segment targets specific photosynthetic absorption peaks, providing efficient illumination while reducing overall energy consumption compared to single broad-spectrum sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If full-spectrum LED lighting is provided to meet all plant lighting needs, then plant growth requirements are satisfied, but energy efficiency is reduced and spectral optimization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different spectral compositions at different locations or times. The lighting system uses orange LEDs (612 nm) and red LEDs (660 nm) with independent control, allowing the spectral distribution to be locally optimized according to specific plant growth stages or environmental conditions, thereby improving energy efficiency while meeting plant lighting needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is made dynamic through independent control of different LED types. The controller can adjust the intensity and timing of orange LEDs, red LEDs, and blue LEDs separately, allowing the spectral distribution to adapt dynamically to plant growth requirements, day time, and environmental conditions, thus avoiding energy waste from providing constant full-spectrum lighting.
3Illumination intensity
If red and blue LEDs are used together for plant growth, then spectral distribution is improved, but device complexity increases due to independent control requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality to manage multiple LED types (orange, red, and blue LEDs) with a single device. This universal control approach simplifies the system architecture while maintaining the ability to independently adjust each LED type's output, thereby improving spectral distribution without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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 reduces energy consumption, minimizes light pollution, and enhances plant growth by optimizing the spectral distribution of light, achieving a balance between blue and red light emission for improved plant development and reduced energy waste.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source provided inside the enclosure for supplementing the daylight admitted into the enclosure, said light source emitting light predominantly in a wavelength range of from 600 nm to 750 nm
Implementation Method 2
a second light source inside the enclosure, said second light source emitting light predominantly in a second wavelength range of 375 to 500 nm
Implementation Method 3
means for cooling at least the first light source, wherein said means for cooling comprise a tube, and a cooling liquid fluid flowing through the tube
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a lighting assembly for growing plants. The lighting assembly has a first light source emitting light in a first wavelength range of 600 to 750 nm; a second light source emitting light in a second wavelength range of 375 to 500 nm; and a controller for controlling the output of the first light source independent from the output of the second light source. Disclosed are also an enclosure for growing plants, and a method for growing plants.