Modular Light Arrangement for CEA Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) systems face challenges with complex and costly artificial lighting installations that are difficult to maintain, service, and upgrade, leading to suboptimal yield and revenue optimization.
Innovation Solution
A modular light arrangement featuring a structural carrier with PCB mounting arrangements and a translucent cover, allowing for flexible configuration and easy assembly, disassembly, and servicing, with PCBs removably mounted to the carrier and end caps used to close off the assembly, enabling efficient maintenance and reuse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional artificial lighting installations are used in CEA systems, then lighting coverage is achieved, but system complexity and installation costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into modular units, each comprising a structural carrier with integrated PCB mounting arrangements, light emitters, and translucent covers. These standardized modules can be independently manufactured, installed, and replaced, significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable lighting coverage through systematic modular deployment
2Ease of operation
If traditional lighting systems are installed, then lighting function is provided, but maintenance and servicing become difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design allows individual lighting modules to be independently accessed and serviced. The structural carrier with integrated PCB mounting arrangements enables quick removal and replacement of light emitter boards without disturbing the entire lighting system, dramatically reducing maintenance time and improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The PCB with light emitters is designed as a separate, extractable component from the structural carrier. This extraction design allows maintenance personnel to remove faulty PCBs for replacement or repair without disassembling the entire lighting fixture, significantly improving maintenance efficiency
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lighting installations are used, then lighting coverage is achieved, but upgrading and refurbishing components is problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized modular design with consistent structural carriers and PCB mounting arrangements across all lighting units enables easy upgrading. Individual modules can be replaced with upgraded versions featuring improved light emitters or control electronics, while the overall system architecture remains compatible, facilitating incremental improvements without complex reconfiguration
Solution Approach 2:
The structural carrier is designed with universal PCB mounting arrangements that can accommodate different PCB configurations and light emitter types. This universality allows the same structural platform to support various upgrades and refurbishments, enhancing adaptability while maintaining system consistency
4Productivity
If intensive artificial lighting is deployed in CEA, then plant growth requirements are met, but overall system costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The modular lighting system allows for optimized deployment configurations where modules can be strategically positioned to provide intensive lighting exactly where plant growth requires it. The standardized modules enable cost-effective scaling, allowing CEA operations to achieve yield optimization through targeted lighting deployment rather than uniform intensive coverage across entire facilities
Data Source
AI summary
The current disclosure discloses a modular light arrangement for a Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) system and a method of assembling thereof. It further discloses a method of servicing a light installation of such modular light arrangements. The modular light arrangement comprises a structural carrier having a bottom face with a first PCB mounting arrangement, a first side face with a second PCB mounting arrangement and a second side face with a third PCB mounting arrangement. The modular light arrangement further comprises a PCB having at least one light emitter. The PCB is removably mounted to one of the bottom face, the first side face and the second side face. An at least partially translucent cover is coupled to the structural carrier.