Plant Lighting Spectral Control Under Mixed Natural and LED Light

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing artificial lighting systems fail to adapt to the specific needs of cultivated plants in terms of light quality and intensity, leading to suboptimal photosynthesis and potential biological harm, while also being inefficient in energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling an artificial lighting device that combines primary and secondary radiation sources to achieve a targeted spectral distribution tailored to the plant's needs, using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to emit radiation in specific wavelength bands, adjusting based on environmental and plant-specific factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If natural light is used for plant growth, then plants can grow, but insufficient light reaches lower storeys and underground plants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intensityVSAvoidcoverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from horizontal light distribution (natural sunlight) to vertical light distribution by suspending LED light sources from the ceiling. This dimensional change allows light to reach plants on lower storeys and underground areas that cannot receive sufficient natural light, thereby expanding the effective coverage area while maintaining high illumination intensity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If artificial light sources are used, then light can be provided to lower areas, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs LED technology which fundamentally changes the energy efficiency parameter of artificial lighting. LEDs consume significantly less energy compared to traditional artificial light sources while providing sufficient illumination for plant growth. This parameter change allows the system to maintain expanded coverage area without proportionally increasing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If multiple light sources are installed to cover all areas, then all plants receive light, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal lighting system where LED modules serve multiple functions: they provide illumination for plant growth, act as structural elements of the greenhouse framework, and can be arranged in modular configurations. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity compared to installing separate dedicated lighting systems, as the same light sources serve both structural and illuminative purposes across all areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides energy-efficient lighting that promotes optimal photosynthesis without exceeding the plant's saturation threshold, enhancing growth and development while minimizing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

The invention relates to a lighting device (101) for promoting the growth of a plant, wherein the lighting device comprises a light source (111) having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4478872B1Method for controlling a lighting device for promoting the growth of a plant
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 ROUGE ENGINEERED DESIGNS
  • EP4478872B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4478872B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4478872B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for controlling an artificial lighting device arranged to produce radiation which promotes the growth of a plant (100), said device comprising at least: - a set of primary lighting units (U11) arranged to produce primary radiation (Rp) in a primary wavelength band; - at least one set of secondary lighting units (U21, U22) arranged to produce secondary radiation (Rs21, Rs22) in a secondary wavelength band, the radiation produced by the artificial lighting device resulting from the combination of the primary radiation and of the secondary radiation. The control method comprises the following steps: - obtaining (E2) a spectral energy distribution of the radiation produced by the artificial lighting device and received by the plant (100); - determining (E6), over a wavelength band comprising at least the primary wavelength band and the secondary wavelength band, a spectral energy distribution of a total radiation resulting from the combination of the artificial lighting and of a natural lighting, which total radiation is received by the plant (100); - obtaining (E8) at least one target model of the spectral energy distribution of the total radiation received by the plant (100); - determining (E10) at least one command (Cmd1, Cmd2, Cmd3, Cmd4) intended for the artificial lighting device on the basis of the spectral energy distribution of the total radiation, the target model and the spectral energy distribution of the radiation produced by the artificial lighting device.