Plant Cultivation Light Spectrum Control for Active Ingredient Yield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light sources for plant cultivation primarily focus on providing light for photosynthesis without additional functions, failing to enhance the production of substances beneficial to humans such as chlorophylls, flavonols, and anthocyanins.
Innovation Solution
A light source system with a controller that adjusts the spectrum and duration of light emission based on the plant's growth stage, incorporating both visible light and ultraviolet-B wavelengths to optimize the production of active ingredients, including chlorophylls, flavonols, and anthocyanins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional light sources (incandescent and fluorescent lamps) are used for plant cultivation, then the light provides basic photosynthesis support, but it fails to enhance the production of beneficial substances such as chlorophylls, flavonols, and anthocyanins
Solution Approach 1:
The light source system is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides light for photosynthesis while simultaneously enhancing the production of beneficial plant substances (chlorophylls, flavonols, anthocyanins) through specific wavelength irradiation. The controller enables the system to switch between different operational modes (photosynthesis mode and substance enhancement mode) based on plant growth stages, making the light source versatile and multi-functional rather than single-purpose.
2Quantity of substance
If the light source provides only photosynthesis light, then the system remains simple, but it cannot increase the production of active ingredients in plants
Solution Approach 1:
The light source system incorporates a controller that dynamically adjusts the light emission based on plant growth stages. The system can switch between different wavelength patterns (visible light for photosynthesis, UV-B for substance enhancement) and adjust irradiation timing, creating a dynamic operational mode that adapts to plant needs rather than providing static light output.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic action by alternating between photosynthesis-promoting light periods and substance-enhancement light periods (including UV-B irradiation). The controller manages timed irradiation cycles, providing different wavelength patterns at different times to achieve both photosynthesis and active ingredient production without requiring continuous complex multi-wavelength emission.
3Quantity of substance
If UV-B light is added to enhance substance production, then beneficial substances increase, but the risk of plant stress or damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies UV-B light in periodic, controlled intervals rather than continuously. The controller manages the timing and duration of UV-B irradiation, alternating it with visible light periods, which allows the plant to benefit from UV-B induced substance production while avoiding excessive stress or damage from continuous UV exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies UV-B light at controlled, partial levels rather than full-intensity continuous exposure. By providing UV-B irradiation for specific durations and in combination with visible light periods, the system achieves sufficient substance enhancement while preventing the harmful effects of excessive UV-B exposure.
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 system effectively increases the content of beneficial substances in plants by tailoring light exposure to specific growth stages, enhancing their nutritional value and health benefits.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source and a second light source, wherein the controller is operable to control the first light source and the second light source
Implementation Method 2
Plants synthesize substances useful to humans while resisting a variety of stress factors
Data Source
AI summary
A light source includes a controller configured to turn on or off a plurality of light sources depending on a light period. The controller can be configured to turn on the light sources during each of a plurality of light periods such that the light sources emit a light having a spectrum with a plurality of peaks toward the plant. At least one light period can include a first period and a second period and the first period preceding or following the second period. The controller can adjust the spectrum of the light between the first period and the second period and/or during different light periods.