Plant Growing Apparatus With Mobile Containers And Horizontal LED Lighting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cannabis cultivation methods face limitations in increasing plant density and yield per square foot, managing high-intensity lighting and heat generation, and controlling pathogens and insects, while traditional overhead lighting results in inefficient light distribution and lower quality yields from lower plant portions.
Innovation Solution
A light diffusion and recycling chamber with opposing walls and LED panels that emit light horizontally, allowing for even light distribution from bottom to top, combined with a ventilation system for air circulation and pathogen control, and mobile plant containers for efficient space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If overhead lighting is used to maximize light contact with upper flowering portions, then light distribution to upper plant areas is improved, but light distribution to lower plant portions becomes insufficient and plant density per square foot is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional overhead (vertical) lighting to side-mounted horizontal lighting arrays. This dimensional change allows light to penetrate the plant canopy from the sides, illuminating both upper and lower flowering portions simultaneously, thereby increasing effective light utilization and yield per square foot without requiring excessive plant spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of lighting from above (conventional approach), the patent inverts the lighting direction by mounting LED arrays horizontally on side walls. This inverted configuration enables light to enter the plant canopy from lateral directions, improving light distribution to previously shaded lower portions and increasing overall photosynthetic efficiency.
2Illumination intensity
If high-intensity lighting is used to increase yield, then light availability for photosynthesis is improved, but heat generation increases causing heat stress to plants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reflective and insulative materials as intermediaries between the LED light sources and the plant canopy. These materials reflect light toward the plants while blocking thermal radiation, effectively decoupling light delivery from heat transfer and enabling high-intensity illumination without proportional heat stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the lighting system by using LED technology with specific spectral characteristics and positioning them at controlled distances from plants. By adjusting light intensity, wavelength composition, and spatial distribution, the system maximizes photosynthetic efficiency while minimizing thermal load on the plant canopy.
3Productivity
If plant density is increased to improve yield per square foot, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but light distribution to individual plants becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By mounting lighting arrays horizontally on side walls rather than positioning them vertically overhead, the patent creates multiple light entry paths through the plant canopy. This dimensional reconfiguration allows light to reach individual plants from lateral directions even at high densities, maintaining sufficient illumination without requiring reduced plant spacing.
4Device complexity
If traditional overhead lighting is used, then lighting system simplicity is maintained, but light recycling and diffusion efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements light recycling through reflective surfaces positioned to capture and redirect light back toward the plant canopy. This feedback mechanism ensures that light energy is utilized multiple times rather than being lost after a single pass, significantly improving photosynthetic efficiency without proportionally increasing system 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 system enables higher light intensities up to 1800 μmol/m2/sec, reduces heat stress, and maintains optimal climate conditions, resulting in increased yields and cannabinoid potency by evenly illuminating all plant parts, minimizing pathogen and insect damage.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of light emitting diodes may be mounted directly or indirectly on each interior side
Implementation Method 2
light emitted from the light emitting diodes from each interior side may have reflective, refractive, and light scattering interactions with the one or more of reflective and diffusive material
Implementation Method 3
One or more of a reflective and diffusive material covering a substantial portion of the interior sides may be provided wherein light emitted from the light emitting diodes
Data Source
AI summary
A plant growing apparatus is provided that comprises a transport and positioning system, the transport and positioning system comprising a mobile plant container with a first set of wheels configured to allow selective movement of the mobile plant container to engage with or disengage from the growing chamber; and a track assembly configured to guide movement of the mobile plant container along a pathway from outside the growing chamber to inside the growing chamber.