High-Intensity Light Weed Control Using Solar-Powered Tractors

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current agronomic weed control methods rely on toxic chemicals and fuel-intensive tillage, which have environmental and economic drawbacks, necessitating a more sustainable and energy-efficient approach.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a solar-powered tractor with a high-intensity light subassembly that uses renewable energy to control unwanted vegetation growth by exposing it to high-intensity light, minimizing fuel use and environmental impact, while integrating with smart grid technology for energy management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If toxic chemicals and genetically modified crops are used for weed control, then weed control effectiveness is improved, but environmental damage increases and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweed control effectivenessVSAvoidenvironmental damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical weed control methods with a physical/optical system using high-intensity light sources (LEDs or lasers) to kill weeds through photothermal effects. This substitution eliminates toxic chemicals from the agricultural system while maintaining effective weed control, directly addressing the contradiction between control effectiveness and environmental harm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by using renewable energy sources (solar, wind) to power the light-based weed control system, and by adjusting light intensity, wavelength, and exposure duration to optimize weed killing efficiency. This parameter optimization maintains effectiveness while reducing environmental impact compared to chemical methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If flame weeder is used to kill weeds, then chemical use is avoided, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical avoidanceVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes the combustion-based thermal system (flame weeder) with an electrical/optical system using high-intensity light sources powered by renewable energy. This substitution eliminates fossil fuel consumption while maintaining the thermal mechanism for weed control, resolving the contradiction between avoiding chemicals and reducing fuel use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the energy source parameter from fossil fuels to renewable energy (solar, wind), and optimizes the light delivery parameters (intensity, duration, wavelength) to achieve effective weed control with minimal energy input, thereby reducing overall energy consumption compared to flame weeding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If high intensity light source is used for weed control, then environmental impact is reduced, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by using on-farm renewable energy sources (solar panels, wind turbines) to power the high-intensity light weed control system. This allows the system to generate its own energy requirements, eliminating the need for external fossil fuel-based power and making the energy consumption sustainable and environmentally neutral.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes energy parameters by selecting appropriate light wavelengths (particularly blue and red spectra for plant damage), controlling exposure duration, and adjusting intensity levels to achieve maximum weed control efficiency per unit of energy consumed, thereby minimizing overall energy requirements while maintaining environmental benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This method effectively controls weed growth using less total embodied energy than chemical or tillage methods, powered by on-farm renewable energy, and optimizes energy usage through smart grid integration, reducing costs and environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

Growth management and weed killing may be accomplished by localized heating and tissue damage of target vegetation or by another mode of action induced by exposing plant tissue to high intensity light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotothermal effect:

Data Source

PatentUS20230276723A1Method and apparatus for weed control using a high intensity light source

Publication Date: 2023.09.07 BENJEGERDES TROY R

AI summary

An apparatus and method for control of undesired vegetation. A renewable power source, tractor, and high intensity light source are provided and moved over an area of land. Exposure of unwanted vegetation to the high intensity light kills the unwanted vegetation.