Multi-Directional LED Lighting for Crop Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lighting systems, such as those using High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamps, fail to provide uniform lighting as plants grow, leading to insufficient illumination for mature plants with thick foliage, which can jeopardize productivity, especially for vegetables like tomatoes.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system that combines vertical and horizontal illumination using solid-state LED sources, arranged above and beside plants, allowing for adjustable volumetric illumination distribution to suit different growth stages, preventing foliage from overshadowing lower parts and ensuring consistent light exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional HPS lamps are used for vertical lighting, then initial uniform illumination is achieved, but lighting uniformity deteriorates as plants grow with thick foliage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces horizontal lighting sources arranged laterally around plants, adding a horizontal dimension to the traditional vertical-only lighting. This multi-directional approach ensures light reaches all plant surfaces including leaves that would otherwise be shaded, maintaining uniform illumination as plants grow taller and develop thicker foliage.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent lighting sources positioned at different locations (above and beside plants). This segmentation allows each light source to illuminate specific zones, and collectively they provide comprehensive coverage that maintains uniformity throughout the plant's growth cycle.
2Ease of manufacture
If ceiling-mounted HPS fixtures are used, then installation cost is reduced, but lighting coverage becomes insufficient for mature plants
Solution Approach 1:
By adding lateral lighting sources positioned at the sides of plants, the system expands illumination coverage without requiring complex overhead infrastructure. This approach maintains cost-effectiveness while significantly improving light distribution to all plant surfaces.
3Device complexity
If vertical lighting only is provided, then simple lighting arrangement is maintained, but light masking by foliage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction of horizontal lighting sources adds a lateral illumination dimension that penetrates through and around foliage, preventing light masking effects. This relatively simple addition of side-mounted lights dramatically improves light penetration to lower and inner plant surfaces.
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 solution provides uniform illuminance and prevents light masking by foliage, enhancing plant growth and productivity by ensuring consistent light exposure throughout the plant's life cycle, particularly during mature stages.
Implementation Method 1
Lighting installations employing solid-state radiation sources (Solid-State Lighting, SSL), e.g. with LED lighting sources
Data Source
AI summary
A system for lighting a space for growing vegetables, e.g. a greenhouse, wherein the system includes a first set of lighting sources for lighting the vegetables in a first, vertical direction, a second set of lighting sources for lighting the vegetables in at least one second direction, different from the vertical direction, e.g. in a horizontal and/or oblique direction.