Livestock LED Lighting System for Swine Welfare and Energy Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Swine facilities face energy inefficiency and harsh environmental conditions, which affect lighting durability and swine welfare due to the use of high-wattage incandescent bulbs and inadequate light modulation, leading to stress and weight issues in swine.

Innovation Solution

A lighting system with dimmable LED assemblies that transition from white to red or blue light, undetectable to swine, to simulate dark periods for rest and attract them to food, while maintaining visibility for humans, using a programmable timer and water-tight design to withstand environmental challenges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If high-wattage incandescent bulbs are used for lighting in swine facilities, then adequate illumination is provided for worker visibility, but energy consumption increases and lighting durability decreases due to harsh environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the light source from incandescent to LED technology, fundamentally altering the energy conversion parameters. LEDs convert electrical energy to light more efficiently, reducing energy loss while maintaining adequate illumination intensity for worker visibility in swine facilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs LED lighting assemblies that are more durable and longer-lasting compared to incandescent bulbs. The LED design includes protective features and robust construction that withstand the harsh barn environment, reducing replacement frequency and operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Illumination intensity

If high-wattage incandescent bulbs are used for lighting in swine facilities, then adequate illumination is provided for worker visibility, but lighting durability decreases due to exposure to water, feces, and harsh environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidlighting durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a protective casing or housing around the LED lighting assembly that acts as a barrier against water, feces, and other harsh environmental elements. This protective shell prevents direct exposure of the electrical components to damaging substances while allowing light to pass through to the swine and workers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the harsh environmental conditions (water, feces) that would normally damage traditional lighting to actually cool the LED components and prevent overheating. The protective casing allows these elements to pass through or around the LED assembly without damaging it, while the environmental factors serve to regulate temperature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Illumination intensity

If continuous light is provided in swine facilities, then worker visibility is maintained, but swine stress increases and welfare is affected

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidswine stress

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic lighting cycles that alternate between illuminated and dark periods. The lighting system operates during daytime hours when workers are present and transitions to darkness during nighttime hours when swine require rest. This periodic action allows workers to see clearly during operational periods while providing swine with adequate dark periods to reduce stress and improve welfare.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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 cost-effective, energy-efficient lighting that enhances swine weight gain, reduces stress, and optimizes feeding behavior, while ensuring the lighting remains functional and safe from water exposure.

Implementation Method 1

A lighting system with dimmable LED assemblies that transition from white to red or blue light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

The lighting assemblies are dimmed from a white color that allows workers or others to see clearly within a livestock facility. The lighting assemblies are then dimmed from the white color to specific predetermined wavelength

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight modulation:

Data Source

PatentUS10537012B2System and method of illuminating livestock

Publication Date: 2020.01.14 SIGNIFY NORTH AMERICA CORP

AI summary

A system and method for illuminating livestock within an agricultural dwelling. The system has a plurality of lighting assemblies that are electrically connected to a dimming device. The lighting assemblies are dimmed from a white color to predetermined wavelength to result in a predetermined behavior of the livestock. The predetermined wavelength and behavior includes a red wavelength that is undetected by the livestock thus resulting in the predetermined behavior of the livestock sleeping while workers can continue to work or function within the agricultural dwelling.