Multi-Wavelength Plant Light Source for Active Ingredient Enhancement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light sources for plant cultivation primarily focus on photosynthesis without enhancing the content of active ingredients beneficial to humans, such as chlorophylls, flavonoids, anthocyanins, chlorogenic acids, sesquiterpene lactones, and phenolic compounds, in plants like those from the Asteraceae family.
Innovation Solution
A plant cultivation light module comprising a first light source emitting visible light, a second light source emitting longer wavelength light, and a third light source emitting shorter wavelength light, controlled by a controller to generate specific light patterns, including ultraviolet wavelengths, to enhance the content of active ingredients in plants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional light sources (incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps) are used for plant cultivation, then plant photosynthesis is supported, but the content of active ingredients (chlorophylls, flavonoids, anthocyanins, etc.) in plants is not enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented into multiple LED modules, each emitting light at specific wavelengths (blue, red, green, yellow, orange). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each wavelength's contribution to photosynthesis and active ingredient synthesis, resolving the contradiction by enabling specialized spectral functions that conventional single-spectrum light sources cannot achieve
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spectral parameters of the light source by using LEDs with controllable emission wavelengths. By adjusting the intensity ratios of different wavelength LEDs (blue: 450-480nm, red: 610-680nm, green: 500-560nm, yellow: 560-590nm, orange: 590-610nm), the system optimizes both photosynthesis and active ingredient content, transforming the light source from a single-function to a multi-functional system
2Quantity of substance
If multiple light sources with different wavelengths are used to enhance active ingredients, then the content of beneficial compounds increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LED modules emitting different wavelengths are merged into a single integrated light source unit with a unified control system. This combining approach maintains the functional benefits of multi-wavelength illumination while simplifying the overall structure compared to using separate conventional light sources, as the LEDs share common mounting, cooling, and control infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The LED-based light module is designed with universal functionality to perform both photosynthesis support and active ingredient enhancement simultaneously. The same light module structure serves multiple purposes by adjusting the spectral composition, eliminating the need for separate specialized light sources and reducing overall system complexity
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional light sources are used, then the structure is simple, but additional functions (enhancing active ingredients, retaining inherent color) are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The light module incorporates dynamic control capabilities through a controller that adjusts the intensity ratios of different wavelength LEDs in real-time. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt to different plant growth stages and species-specific requirements, achieving additional functions such as enhancing specific active ingredients or retaining inherent plant colors while using a single versatile structure
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 light module increases the content of active ingredients in plants like those from the Asteraceae family by providing tailored light patterns, retaining their inherent color and promoting the synthesis of beneficial compounds.
Implementation Method 1
The first light source includes a first light emitter configured to emit first light having peak wavelength in a visible range and a second light emitter configured to emit second light having a longer peak wavelength to the first light
Implementation Method 2
The active layer is disposed on the first semiconductor layer to emit a light having a specific wavelength due to a band gap difference in an energy band depending on a material used to form the active layer
Data Source
AI summary
A light source can include at least one light emitter and is configured to emit a first light during a region of a light period and emit both the first light and a second light of a different wavelength during a remaining region of the light period. The emitter can include semiconductor layers and an active layer configured to emit light having a specific wavelength due to a band gap difference in an energy band depending on a material used to form the active layer. A plant cultivation device can include the light source and a main body in which a plant can be grown. The light period can be configured to increase a content of an active ingredient in the plant. The first light can have a longer peak wavelength than a peak wavelength of the second light.