Modular CEA Lighting Fixture With Interchangeable LED Strips
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing agricultural lighting systems in controlled environment agriculture (CEA) are inflexible, energy-inefficient, and complex, leading to suboptimal plant growth, uneven light distribution, and high operational costs, with limited adaptability to different plant species and growth stages.
Innovation Solution
A modular lighting fixture with adjustable LED strips and a stroboscopic light source, integrated with a control system, allowing for customizable light management, including angle adjustment, spectrum customization, and independent power sources for optimized plant growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed lighting setup with high-pressure sodium lamps and metal halide fixtures is used, then plant growth can be maintained, but energy consumption increases and operational costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the lighting system by replacing traditional high-pressure sodium and metal halide fixtures with LED technology. This parameter change enables variable color temperature adjustment (e.g., 3000K, 5000K, 10000K) and dimming capabilities, achieving both energy efficiency and reliable plant growth support through optimized spectral output.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic control capabilities to the lighting system through dimmable LED fixtures and adjustable color temperature settings. This allows real-time adaptation of lighting conditions to match plant growth stages and natural circadian rhythms, maintaining plant health while reducing energy consumption during off-peak periods.
2Ease of manufacture
If a fixed lighting setup is used, then installation is simplified, but flexibility to cater to diverse light requirements of different plant species and growth stages is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability in lighting fixtures with dimmable LED technology and variable color temperature control. This allows the same fixture to adapt to diverse plant species and growth stages without requiring physical reconfiguration, maintaining installation simplicity while maximizing versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates universal lighting fixtures that can serve multiple functions: supporting different plant species, accommodating various growth stages, and adapting to different operational requirements. The dimmable LED fixtures with adjustable color temperatures replace multiple specialized fixtures, simplifying installation while enhancing adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional lighting fixtures are used, then initial setup is straightforward, but maintenance and operational complexity increases due to extensive rewiring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting system into modular LED fixtures that can be independently replaced or maintained. This segmentation eliminates the need for extensive rewiring during maintenance, as individual fixtures can be swapped without affecting the entire lighting system, reducing maintenance complexity while keeping initial setup straightforward.
4Power
If conventional lighting systems are used, then heat generation is unavoidable, but excessive heat becomes detrimental to plant health and complicates environmental control
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the technological parameter from traditional incandescent or discharge lighting to LED technology. This parameter change fundamentally alters the thermal characteristics, delivering the same or superior lighting output with significantly reduced heat generation, thereby protecting plant health and simplifying environmental control.
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 modular system provides versatile, energy-efficient lighting that adapts to various CEA conditions, ensuring uniform light distribution, reduced energy consumption, and improved plant health and yield.
Implementation Method 1
an adjustable and interchangeable light-emitting diode (LED)
Implementation Method 2
The LED strip can be mounted to the beam and can be in wired electrical communication with the fastener. The first power source can be in wired electrical communication with the first connector and the second connector. The first power source can power the LED strip.
Implementation Method 3
The stroboscopic light source can be disposed adjacent to the elongate body and the second power source can be in wired electrical communication with the stroboscopic light source.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular lighting fixture for controlled environment agriculture includes an elongate body with first and second connectors at opposite ends, and end plates having opposite low voltage charges. The fixture includes a beam removably coupled to the end plates via electrically conductive fasteners, with LED strips mounted to the beam and in wired electrical communication with the electrically conductive fasteners. A first power source powers the LED strips through the end plates, while a separate second power source operates a stroboscopic light source. The system enables easy LED strip interchangeability, adjustable beam angles for optimized light distribution, and dimming capabilities through a primary voltage circuit. The stroboscopic light source provides high-intensity illumination across an extensive spectrum range while operating at a reduced wattage.