Adaptive Plant Light Exposure Control Using UV Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current controlled lighting systems for plants struggle to determine optimal light quality and intensity for plant health and economic returns, particularly in greenhouse environments, as external plant appearances do not reliably indicate physiological state or stress levels, leading to delayed detection of issues that can impact crop yield.
Innovation Solution
A smart lighting system that uses sensors to detect radiation reflected from plants and environmental conditions, with a controller adjusting irradiation settings based on predetermined optimal settings for various conditions, incorporating visible, infrared, and ultraviolet radiation sources to optimize plant growth parameters such as water, nutrients, and pesticide application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external plant appearance monitoring is used to determine plant health status, then the system is simple to implement, but the detection precision is insufficient and stress detection is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fluorescent markers as intermediary substances that bind to specific plant proteins and emit fluorescent signals when excited by UV light. These markers serve as mediators between the plant's physiological state and the detection system, enabling precise measurement of plant stress, nutrient status, and other physiological parameters through fluorescent intensity measurements rather than relying on external appearance alone
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional visual/mechanical inspection methods with optical detection technology. By using UV excitation light sources and fluorescent sensors to detect emitted fluorescent signals, the system substitutes manual or simple visual monitoring with automated optical measurement, achieving higher precision in detecting plant physiological states
2Productivity
If high intensity light irradiation is applied to promote plant growth, then productivity increases, but harmful factors such as light damage to plant cells increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of light irradiation parameters by continuously monitoring plant physiological status through fluorescent markers and adjusting light intensity, duration, and spectral composition in real-time. The system transitions from static fixed-intensity lighting to dynamic adaptive lighting that responds to plant needs, optimizing growth promotion while preventing light stress damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes multiple light parameters including intensity, wavelength, and duration based on plant physiological feedback. By adjusting these parameters dynamically according to detected plant status (via fluorescent markers), the system optimizes the balance between promoting growth and avoiding harmful effects such as photoinhibition or cellular damage
3Measurement precision
If multiple sensors and control mechanisms are added to optimize light quality and intensity, then measurement precision and control accuracy improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fluorescent marker-based detection system multi-functional, enabling a single system to simultaneously monitor multiple plant physiological parameters including stress levels, nutrient status, water deficiency, and disease presence. This universal approach replaces the need for separate specialized sensors for each parameter, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The fluorescent markers serve as universal intermediaries that provide information about multiple plant physiological states through a single detection mechanism. Different fluorescent markers or marker combinations can indicate different physiological conditions, allowing one sensor system to perform multiple measurement functions without requiring separate complex sensor arrays for each parameter
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 system enables precise control of light exposure to enhance plant growth by adjusting settings for different growth periods, improving flavonoid and antioxidant production without damaging plant cells, thereby improving crop quality and reducing stress detection delays.
Implementation Method 1
a radiation sensor that measures radiation reflected from a surface of the plant
Implementation Method 2
fluorescent radiation induced in the object
Implementation Method 3
a first set of radiation sources configured to irradiate the object with visible radiation and infrared radiation; a second set of radiation sources configured to spot irradiate the object in a set of locations with ultraviolet radiation
Data Source
AI summary
An approach for controlling light exposure of a light sensitive object is described. Aspects of this approach involve using a first set of radiation sources to irradiate the object with visible radiation and infrared radiation. A second set of radiation sources spot irradiate the object in a set of locations with a target ultraviolet radiation having a range of wavelengths. Radiation sensors detect radiation reflected from the object and environment condition sensors detect conditions of the environment in which the object is located during irradiation. A controller controls irradiation of the light sensitive object by the first and second set of radiation sources according to predetermined optimal irradiation settings specified for various environmental conditions. In addition, the controller adjusts irradiation settings of the first and second set of radiation sources as a function of measurements obtained by the various sensors.