Ring LED Lighting for Lower Canopy Light Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for cultivating flowering plants, such as cannabis, are suboptimal in maximizing floral yield due to limitations in light penetration and energy efficiency, leading to stunted growth and low bud production during the flowering stage.
Innovation Solution
Irradiating the lower half or third of the flowering plant with a calibrated band of light, predominantly in the 580 nm to 780 nm range, using a ring-shaped LED lighting device clamped to the stalk or positioned at ground level, to enhance light penetration and promote bud development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional overhead broad-spectrum lighting panels are used throughout the vegetative and flowering stages, then the lighting covers the entire plant canopy, but light penetration through the full canopy is insufficient leading to stunted growth and low yield
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple zones with different spectral characteristics. The lower canopy receives enriched red light (600-700nm) to promote bud development, while the upper canopy receives blue-rich light (400-500nm) for vegetative growth. This segmentation allows each zone to receive optimized light for its specific function, improving overall light penetration and floral yield.
Solution Approach 2:
Different spectral qualities are applied to different spatial locations within the plant canopy. Red-enriched light is directed specifically at the lower flowering zone where it is most needed for bud development, while blue light is concentrated in the upper vegetative zone. This local quality optimization ensures that each region of the plant receives the appropriate light spectrum for its developmental stage and function.
2Use of energy by moving object
If low power consumption LED lighting is used, then energy efficiency is improved, but light penetration through the full canopy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system dynamically adjusts spectral parameters (red/blue ratio) and intensity parameters based on plant developmental stage and canopy depth. During the flowering stage, the system increases red light intensity to enhance light penetration and bud development without proportionally increasing total power consumption, as red light is more efficiently absorbed and utilized by flowering plants.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system transitions dynamically between different spectral configurations. During the vegetative stage, blue-rich lighting promotes compact growth. During the flowering stage, the system shifts to red-enriched lighting to maximize light penetration and floral yield. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain energy efficiency while optimizing light penetration at each growth stage.
3Illumination intensity
If extensive pruning of lower plant portions is performed, then light distribution to upper canopy is improved, but plant stress increases and growth becomes stunted
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potential harm of insufficient light to the lower canopy into a benefit by using red-enriched lighting to specifically target and stimulate bud development in the lower flowering zone. Instead of pruning to solve the light penetration problem, the lighting itself is modified to penetrate and effectively illuminate the lower canopy, transforming the light deficiency issue into an opportunity for enhanced floral production.
Solution Approach 2:
Red-enriched light acts as an intermediary that facilitates energy transfer and stimulates physiological processes in the lower canopy without requiring physical intervention like pruning. The red light wavelength penetrates deeper into the canopy and triggers bud development and flowering responses, serving as a mediator that enables lower plant portions to thrive without removal or stress.
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 method increases the number and quality of floral blooms or buds by ensuring adequate light penetration and reducing stress on the plant, resulting in improved yield compared to conventional overhead broad-spectrum lighting techniques.
Implementation Method 1
a ring-shaped LED lighting device
Implementation Method 2
irradiating the lower half or third of the flowering plant with a calibrated band of light, predominantly in the 580 nm to 780 nm range
Data Source
AI summary
A method for increasing the yield of a flowering plant includes positioning a lighting device with respect to a lower minor height of the flowering plant, i.e., at a height of less than half of the plant's total height. The method includes irradiating the lower minor height of the plant with light in a predetermined range of the electromagnetic spectrum for a duration of a flowering stage of a life cycle of the flowering plant. The lighting device may be an annular clamshell design that circumscribes a stalk of the flowering plant. Such a design may be clamped to the stalk via a spring force of a pair of spring-loaded clamps. The lighting device may include a plurality of ref LEDs arranged in an arcuate manner. At least 80 percent of the light from the lighting device is in the predetermined range of 580 nm to 780 nm, and may be in the range of 600 nm to 700 nm.