Trellis lighting apparatus, system, and method of use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional overhead lighting systems in indoor agricultural facilities, such as cannabis cultivation facilities, fail to provide adequate light to inner leaves and flowers within the plant canopy as plants grow, leading to reduced light penetration and potential damage from excessive light exposure.

Innovation Solution

A trellis lighting system with LED assemblies and heat sinks that provide intra-canopy lighting and support, using a hexagonal heat sink design with multiple LED strips oriented to direct light radially and dissipate heat, along with a gas delivery system for cooling and nutrient delivery, ensuring even lighting and preventing plant damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If overhead lighting systems are raised up as plants grow, then the lighting system maintains position above plants, but light penetration to inner leaves and flowers within the canopy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight penetrationVSAvoiddistance from light source to inner canopy

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is segmented into multiple LED assemblies positioned at different heights and locations within the canopy. Instead of a single overhead light source, multiple light sources are distributed throughout the plant structure, with some LEDs positioned above and others below the canopy layer, enabling light to reach inner leaves and flowers from multiple directions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system transitions from a single-dimensional overhead arrangement to a three-dimensional intra-canopy configuration. LED assemblies are positioned both above and below the canopy layer, creating light paths from multiple spatial dimensions and enabling comprehensive illumination of inner canopy elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If LED strips are positioned close to plants for effective lighting, then light intensity to plants increases, but heat generated by LEDs may harm (burn) the plants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight intensity to plantsVSAvoidheat damage to plants

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A translucent cover is introduced as an intermediary element between the LED strips and the plants. The cover allows light to pass through to illuminate the plants while simultaneously blocking direct contact between the heat-generating LEDs and the plant tissue, preventing thermal damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat generated by the LED strips is converted into a beneficial function by using it to warm the root zone of the plants. The system captures and directs LED heat toward the plant roots, transforming a potentially harmful byproduct into a useful thermal input that supports plant growth

Inventive Principle:

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

3Illumination intensity

If multiple LED strips are used to provide comprehensive intra-canopy lighting, then light distribution improves, but heat generation and cooling requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distributionVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple LED strips are merged into a single integrated assembly unit that includes the LEDs, heat sink, and translucent cover. This consolidation allows the system to manage heat from multiple LED strips through a unified cooling structure while maintaining comprehensive light distribution throughout the canopy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 trellis lighting system effectively increases light penetration to the plant canopy, enhancing yield while preventing damage by distributing light evenly and maintaining optimal temperatures, and supports plant growth with targeted gas delivery.

Implementation Method 1

a heat sink... so as to dissipate heat generated by the at least one LED strip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a gas delivery system for cooling... maintaining optimal temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

at least one light emitting diode (LED) strip positioned within the lumen of the hollow tube

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emitting diode effect: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS11236901B2Trellis lighting apparatus, system, and method of use

Publication Date: 2022.02.01 LUMINET LLC

AI summary

A heat sink for use in a lighting assembly and including a hexagonal body extending a length. The body including an outer surface, an inner surface opposite the outer surface, a lumen defined by the inner surface, at least one hole extending through the hexagonal body from the inner surface to the outer surface, first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth body portions extending the length. The first, second, and third body portions including planar surfaces extending the length. Each of the first, second, and third body portions configured to support an LED strip thereon. The fourth, fifth, and sixth body portions including fins extending outward therefrom. The inner surface including a plurality of fins extending inward and positioned around a perimeter thereof.