Phosphor-Converted LED Light Source for Plant Supplemental Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing LED light sources for plant supplemental lighting are inefficient due to the need for multiple LED chips to achieve the right spectral composition, leading to high costs, increased energy consumption, and uneven light distribution, as they often lack essential wavelengths like ultraviolet and infrared, which are costly and difficult to implement effectively.

Innovation Solution

A single LED light source using blue LED chips to excite red and yellow phosphors, generating a full spectrum of light, reducing the need for multiple LED chips and improving light uniformity and efficiency, while also simplifying the circuit design and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional broad-spectrum lighting is used for plant growth, then plants receive all wavelengths of light, but a significant portion of the light spectrum is wasted and does not contribute to plant growth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight energy wasteVSAvoidspectral coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different spectral compositions to different plants or plant parts based on their specific growth requirements. The system uses multiple LED modules with different spectral characteristics (blue, red, green, yellow wavelengths) that can be selectively activated to match the photosynthetic needs of specific plant species or growth stages, rather than using uniform broad-spectrum lighting for all plants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the spectral composition, intensity, and duration of light emitted by different LED modules. The controller modifies operational parameters such as wavelength distribution, luminous flux, and photoperiod based on real-time plant growth monitoring data, enabling precise optimization of light delivery to minimize energy waste while maintaining adaptability to varying plant needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of energy

If individual plant lighting needs are customized, then energy efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidlighting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the lighting system into multiple independent LED modules, each capable of emitting specific wavelength ranges (blue, red, green, yellow). Each module can be independently controlled and optimized for specific plant types or growth stages. This modular architecture allows the system to deliver customized lighting prescriptions to individual plants or plant groups while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized module design and controller integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If LED modules are positioned close to plants for efficient light delivery, then light energy utilization improves, but risk of overheating and damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight energy utilizationVSAvoidthermal damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through controlled photoperiods and pulsing sequences where LED modules are activated in alternating patterns. The system uses duty cycles that alternate between active light emission and rest periods, allowing thermal dissipation while maintaining effective light delivery. This periodic operation enables the system to operate at high intensity when needed while preventing continuous overheating that would occur with constant full-power operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces thermal management intermediaries including heat sinks, heat dissipation fins, and thermally conductive materials positioned between the LED modules and plant tissue. These intermediary thermal management components act as heat transfer mediators that conduct away excess heat from LED modules while allowing optimal light transmission to plants, thereby decoupling the thermal and optical pathways to prevent thermal damage while maintaining high light energy utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution provides a more uniform and efficient light spectrum for plant growth, reducing costs by half and extending the service life of the LED light source, while improving plant growth and ornamental quality, as demonstrated by increased soluble sugar content and controlled flowering in plants like lettuce and Chrysanthemum.

Implementation Method 1

a first LED module comprising a plurality of blue LEDs having a peak wavelength of 450nm, a plurality of red LEDs having a peak wavelength of 660nm, a plurality of green LEDs having a peak wavelength of 530nm, and a plurality of yellow LEDs having a peak wavelength of 560nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3767167B1LED light source for plant light supplementation and lamp comprising the same
Publication Date: 2023.03.29 HANGZHOU HANHUI OPTO TECH CO LTD
  • EP3767167B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3767167B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses an LED light source for supplemental lighting for plants and a lamp with the light source. The LED light source for supplemental lighting for plants comprises a substrate, an LED chip, a first glue powder layer, and a second glue powder layer; the LED chip is fixed on the substrate through the first glue powder layer which is a mixture of glue and red phosphors; and the second glue powder layer covers the first glue powder layer. With the LED light source for supplemental lighting for plants according to the present disclosure, the red phosphors and yellow phosphors are excited by the blue LED chip, which not only allows formation of a full spectrum, but also outstands the light formulation of characteristic for photosynthesis of plants. Thereby, the light formulation for plants achieved by a combination of multiple LED chips such as a red LED chip, a blue LED chip, an infrared LED chip, an ultraviolet LED chip, and a green LED chip in the prior art is changed. Consequently, input cost for LED chips, circuit and heat dissipation device is greatly reduced.