Temporally Modulated Lighting System for Plant Health
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric light sources with alternating current power exhibit flicker, which can have detrimental physiological and psychological effects on plants and animals, impacting their health and well-being in horticultural and agricultural settings, with limited research on long-term impacts and no effective solutions to mitigate these effects.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for temporally modulating light sources for plants, using a closed-loop feedback system to adjust peak radiant flux, duty factor, and pulse frequency based on monitored health parameters, incorporating sensors and light-emitting elements to optimize plant health and mitigate flicker effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If alternating current power sources are used to drive light sources, then the light sources provide sufficient luminous flux output, but temporal variations in luminous flux (flicker) occur that can have detrimental effects on plants and animals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using pulsed light delivery with specific duty cycles and pulse frequencies that mimic natural sunlight patterns. The system delivers light in controlled pulses rather than continuous illumination, with duty cycles ranging from 1% to 100% and pulse frequencies from 0.01 Hz to 1000 Hz, creating beneficial periodic stimulation for plant photopigments while avoiding harmful continuous flicker effects
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters including duty cycle, pulse frequency, and peak radiant flux to optimize plant response. By dynamically adjusting these parameters based on plant needs and environmental conditions, the system transforms the harmful alternating current flicker into beneficial temporal patterns that enhance photosynthesis and plant health without compromising luminous flux output
2Reliability
If light sources are temporally modulated to control plant response to flicker, then plant health can be optimized, but system complexity increases due to closed-loop feedback requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to monitor plant responses to light stimulation and automatically adjusting light delivery parameters. The system measures plant physiological responses and feeds this information back to the controller, which modifies duty cycle, pulse frequency, or peak radiant flux to maintain optimal plant health, creating a self-regulating system that manages complexity through automation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If peak radiant flux and duty factor are adjusted to maintain plant health, then plant stress is reduced, but energy consumption patterns become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic pulsed delivery with variable duty cycles to reduce plant stress while managing energy consumption. By delivering light in pulses rather than continuously, and by adjusting the duty cycle to match plant physiological needs, the system reduces harmful continuous exposure while maintaining beneficial stimulation, creating an energy consumption pattern that is complex in timing but optimized for plant welfare
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 solution effectively maintains plant health within predetermined limits by adjusting light source parameters, potentially improving growth and reducing stress in plants and animals, while also addressing the adverse effects of flicker in sustainable farming practices.
Implementation Method 1
an array of light-emitting elements (LEEs) mounted on an inner side of the outer pane
Implementation Method 2
the peak radiant flux emitted by a light source can be temporally modulated according to a plant's photopigments and cellular mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
Electric light sources typically exhibit temporal variations in luminous flux output, commonly referred to as “flicker.” Flicker, or temporal modulation, is known to influence the growth, health and behavior patterns of humans, and is also linked to growth, health and behavior patterns throughout the growth cycle of plants and animals. Control of peak radiant flux emitted by a light source to temporally modulate a light source will allow for the control of plants and animals for sustainable farming including but not limited to horticultural, agricultural, or aquacultural endeavors. The light source allows the transmission of daylight, which is combined with the flicker.