FR3078857A1 - BELL FOR HORTICULTURAL DEVICE INCORPORATING AN LIGHTING SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

Bell (1) for plant lighting comprising a platform (4) and a tunnel (7) containing at least one wall (10) which is erected on the platform (4) in the direction of an opening, characterized in that that the bell according to the invention comprises a lighting system whose light beam projects on at least one side of a wall of the tunnel (7) directed towards the inside of the bell.

Description

The present invention is in the field of lighting for plants, and relates in particular to a bell and a device for horticultural cultivation promoting the growth of plants, particularly suitable for areas of reduced soil surface, as is the case of 'an apartment, or a garage.

The cultivation of plants in pots or above-ground, as in the case of hydroponics, makes it possible to grow plants on spaces of reduced surface. The growth of plants in the interiors of dwellings becomes possible thanks to these solutions, but it is restrictive because the exposure to natural light necessary for photosynthesis is made more difficult. Also under these conditions, the supply of water and nutrients that promote growth and improve plant yield must be tightly regulated.

Application WO2010139744 describes a waterproof box for plants provided with a ventilation, lighting and watering system with measurements made by sensors, and, a regulation which can be done with control and storage units. The absence of depressurization, and the positioning of the luminaires only on the cover in the upper part, are not ideal for optimizing the growth of biological material.

Other culture chambers are also known, such as that described in application JP2016220593 with the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs). However, the position of the light sources only in the upper part, and which are located on only one side, is not satisfactory because the light beam is not ideally positioned and the distribution of heat is not done well in the pregnant.

In addition to LEDs, the use of light guides and / or mirrors is known as shown in document JP2014147325. However, the use of such reflective systems is not satisfactory in the intended use, because this does not allow the diffusion of light rays and heat to be produced under the ideal conditions for the growth of plant material.

To overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art, the present invention relates to a bell for the lighting of plants comprising a platform and a tunnel containing at least one wall which is erected on the platform in the direction of an opening, characterized in that the bell according to the invention comprises a lighting system the light beam (s) of which protrudes, or projects, on at least one face of a wall of the tunnel directed towards the interior of the bell. The lighting system advantageously comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

In the case where the tunnel has a single wall, it is advantageously a cylindrical tunnel whose section is substantially circular, ellipsoidal, even ovoid. According to an alternative, the tunnel is advantageously a polygon comprising at least three walls: the tunnel comprises three walls for a tunnel of triangular section, six walls for a tunnel of hexagonal section etc.

Thanks to such a configuration, it becomes possible to come over a horticultural unit such as a potted plant, with lighting as close as possible to the growing plant material and over the entire height of the plant to be treated. Unlike the horticultural lighting system known from the prior art, where the light is distributed only over the upper part of the plant, the light beam (s) in the bell according to the invention is (are) distributed (s) ) homogeneously over the entire plant. Thus, the metabolism of the plant is activated to the maximum, because all the leaves benefit from optimal lighting. In addition, the distance between the sheets and the LED (s) of the bell according to the invention being small, there is only little light loss linked to the distance, unlike the devices of the prior art.

Advantageously, the lighting system according to the invention comprises:

- a first light emitting diode emitting in a first light emission spectrum;

- a second light emitting diode emitting in a second light emission spectrum; and

- a microcontroller designed to control the lighting of the light-emitting diodes independently of one another. Such a microcontroller makes it possible to order the production of light radiation, the nature of which is most suited to the needs of the growing plant. The lighting system advantageously comprises four types of LEDs, and preferably the four types of LEDs are:

- at least a first light emitting diode emitting in a first light emission spectrum comprising a UV-A emission peak between 350 and 400 nm;

- at least one second light emitting diode emitting in a second light emission spectrum comprising an emission peak characteristic of blue light between 400 and 500 nm;

- at least a third light emitting diode emitting in a third light emission spectrum comprising an emission peak characteristic of red light between 600 and 650 nm;

- at least a fourth light emitting diode emitting in a fourth light emission spectrum characteristic of white light;

and said microcontroller is provided for controlling the ignition of the four types of - namely said first, second, third, and fourth light-emitting diodes independently of each other. In this context, each type of LED is controlled independently thanks to a microcontroller, this allows for example to simulate a daily cycle, a seasonal cycle, or even an annual cycle. Thus the plant, as it grows, can permanently receive a light spectrum adapted to its needs. UV-A makes it possible to grow a plant in a limited space, because it induces stress in the plant which in response will give small leaves in very large numbers, rather than large leaves in less number. Thus, the leaves will never come into abutment against the walls, unlike other cropping systems in confined spaces known from the prior art. The stress induced in the plant by UV-A also allows the plant to go into so-called "survival" mode, which implies that the plant will seek to reach sexual maturity as quickly as possible. Blue LEDs play a major role in the first days of a plant's life, they have the effect of stimulating vegetative growth. They also make it possible to inhibit the elongation of the stem and to favor the shortening of the internodes (distance between two nodes on the stem of a plant) and enlargement of the stem. Thus, the plant adopts a compact and stocky structure perfectly suited to a restricted growing space, which also allows the stem to be able to support more massive flowers and / or fruits without the need to support it. The red LEDs come into play during flowering, these promote the growth of flowers and / or fruits. White LEDs play a major role throughout the entire life cycle of the plant. Being polychromatic, they cover a large part of the visible light spectrum that monochromatic LEDs alone cannot cover. In addition, white commercial LEDs are more powerful, so the light energy transmitted to the plant is more intense. The microcontroller can advantageously independently control the light intensity of each LED, and it becomes possible to regulate the power of the LED (for example in "PWM" mode) in order to control the maximum height that the plant must reach. In the context of the invention, the acronym "MLI" is used in its commonly accepted sense, and defines pulse width modulation (in English: puise width modulation, with the English acronym "PWM").

The microcontroller is optionally connected to an interface, such as a computer, to modify or update the parameters stored in the microcontroller. A removable SD® type memory card (from English “secure digital”) is possibly provided to store the data.

Advantageously, the bell tunnel according to the invention has six walls arranged such that the section of the tunnel is hexagonal, each of the six walls comprises thirty-six LEDs, preferably of SMD type (for CMS) 5050, configured in the form of four nine LED channels, as follows:

- a first channel comprising the first light emitting diode (s) emitting in the first light emission spectrum comprising a UV-A emission peak between 350 and 400 nm;

a second channel comprising the second light emitting diode (s) emitting in the second light emission spectrum comprising an emission peak characteristic of blue light between 400 and 500 nm;

- a third channel comprising the third light-emitting diode (s) emitting in the third light emission spectrum comprising an emission peak characteristic of red light between 600 and 650 nm;

- a fourth channel comprising the fourth light-emitting diode (s) emitting in the fourth light emission spectrum characteristic of white light;

and said microcontroller is provided for controlling the ignition of the four channels of light-emitting diodes independently of each other. Such a distribution of the LEDs on six associated hexagonal planes provides ideal illumination as close as possible to the plant, with control of the four types of light sources according to a scenario chosen according to the immediate and / or long-term needs of the plants. All of these LEDs are used to shape the plant throughout its life cycle - from the seed and / or the cutting until the end of its flowering - and force it to adopt a structure that allows it to '' make the most of the light energy emitted by LEDs. Thus, it is possible to obtain a ratio (plant mass) / (electricity consumed) much more interesting than that obtained by known horticultural lighting systems.

In the context of the present invention the acronym "CMS" in French for "surface mounted components" is the equivalent of the English acronym "SMD" for "surface mouted device".

Advantageously, the walls of the tunnel comprise two partitions, an optionally reflecting external partition, which delimits the exterior of the tunnel, and a transparent internal partition which delimits the interior of the tunnel, in which the lighting system comprises LEDs fixed between the two. walls in a configuration where the LED substrate is directed towards the external partition and the light beam of the LEDs is directed towards the internal partition.

In combination with the elements described above, advantageously, the platform of the bell according to the invention comprises two skins, an internal skin which is extended by the internal partition of the tunnel, and, an external skin which is extended by the external partition of the tunnel and includes an axial fan, the front of which opens into a lumen formed between the two skins. The front of the fan, also known as the front face, is the face which propels the air blown outside the fan. Such a configuration allows ventilation of the space provided in the double-wall and / or double-skin system of the tunnel and the platform, which allows air to be blown directly onto the LED substrate to cool the LEDs effectively and maintain a stable temperature under the bell, ideally equal to room temperature.

In combination with the elements described above, the tunnel advantageously includes ventilation holes on the external partition on the edges which delimit the above-mentioned opening of the tunnel. In this way, air flows from the fan to cool the LED substrate and exit through the ventilation holes.

Advantageously, the platform of the bell according to the invention comprises an additional lighting system comprising a white LED, so as to be able to additionally illuminate the plant from above and further improve the luminous atmosphere conducive to growth. The white LED is, on the one hand, preferably an SMD type LED (English acronym of "surface mouted device", which corresponds to "CMS" in French for "surface mounted components") and it it is a model sold under the commercial reference SMD 3000k 50w composed of fifty light chips, and on the other hand, is controlled by the microcontroller (for example in so-called "MLI" mode). A converging lens is advantageously used to focus the power of the LED, and a heat sink is advantageously positioned at the rear of the LED.

Advantageously, the platform is composed of a detachable cover from the tunnel on which the cover is designed to come to fit, and, the cover comprises at least one of the elements selected from an additional lighting system, a ventilation means. , such as a ventilator (for example an axial ventilator of the brand SUNON® of 10 watts, of useful surface 12cm / 12cm), a means of electrical supply, a microcontroller and a means of depressurization. The accessibility at the level of the cover facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the ventilation during maintenance. The bell according to the invention is removable, to facilitate the replacement of elements for its maintenance and to make it scalable by being able to modify the means of electrical supply used (cable connected to an external socket, battery, etc.). The positioning of the fan in the upper part allows a homogeneous distribution of the blown air throughout the height of the tunnel. The depressurization means is preferably a valve which makes it possible to regulate the pressure in the chamber of the bell when the humidity becomes excessive in order to create an optimal environment for the growth and the sustainability of the plant.

Advantageously, the bell according to the invention comprises a microcontroller which integrates data relating to at least one of the parameters chosen from temperature, relative humidity and pressure. The microcontroller is advantageously connected to at least one sensor chosen from a temperature, humidity and pressure sensor. The data acquired from said sensor are processed by the processing unit of the microcontroller which advantageously controls the lighting system, and / or at least one of the means selected from a depressurization means and a ventilation means. Such a microcontroller makes it possible to manage the lighting, the hygrometric parameters - and more generally the immediate environment of the growing plant - to adapt this environment according to the growth cycle of the plant (being able to mimic the alternation day / night, adapt the environment depending on the revolution of the root and / or aerial system, and the flowering cycle of a plant ...). A removable SD® type memory card (from the English “secure digital”) is possibly provided to store the data acquired from the sensors, and to be able to process this information in order to configure the microcontroller in order to generate lighting scenarios , ventilation, and depressurization.

The present invention also relates to a device for horticultural cultivation comprising a base comprising the following elements:

- a water reserve;

- a porous substrate intended to receive the root system of a plant;

- an air pump;

- a pipe partially submerged in the water reserve comprising a system with two tubes of different diameters composed of a large diameter tube and a small diameter tube inserted by a first of its ends into a first end of the tube large diameter, and such that the second end of the small diameter tube is connected to the air pump and the second end of the large diameter tube opens onto the surface of said porous substrate. Said tube opens to the surface of the substrate directly or indirectly, that is to say it can be connected to one or more tube (s) which opens (s) directly to the surface of the substrate for spraying water more important.

The oxygenation of the water is optimal thanks to such a base, and the channeling thus configured makes it possible to create a Venturi effect with a dispersion of water on the surface of the substrate and on the aerial part of the plant, in the form of fine droplets. Advantageously, the device for horticultural cultivation according to the invention comprises a bell as described above in the context of the present invention, positioned on the base. The bell rests on the base which it comes to cap to form a space which can be made airtight.

Advantageously, the device for the horticultural culture according to the invention comprises a microcontroller configured to actuate the air pump of the base, to control the speed of the ventilation means and to actuate the means of depressurization of the bell. The depressurization means is preferably a valve which makes it possible to regulate the pressure in the chamber of the bell when the humidity becomes excessive in order to create an optimal environment for the growth and the sustainability of the plant. Thanks to such a configuration, the substrate and the plant receive a supply of water and air which is tightly controlled as required, so that the humidity rate is in line with the needs of the plant.

The detailed description which follows presents embodiments of the present invention, given only by way of illustration and which must in no way be interpreted as limiting, and their appended figures among which:

- Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a part of an embodiment of the bell according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the part of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the interior of the bell tunnel according to the invention;

- Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the interior of the bell according to the invention according to another embodiment with 36 LEDs in the tunnel and a white LED in the cover;

- Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the base of the horticultural cultivation device according to the invention; and

- Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the entire device according to the invention.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show a bell 1 according to the invention comprising a platform 4 and a tunnel 7 of hexagonal shape, comprising six walls 10. In a preferred embodiment, the platform 4 is in the form of a cover detachable from the tunnel 7 on which the cover is designed to come to fit. The six walls 10 of the tunnel 7 of the bell 1 comprise a lighting system integrating light-emitting diodes 14 aligned in the form of channels 17.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, each of the six walls comprises thirty-six light-emitting diodes 14, configured in the form of four channels (17a, 17b, 17c, 17d) of nine light-emitting diodes 14.

The four channels are configured as follows:

a first channel 17a comprising the first light-emitting diodes 14a emitting in the first light emission spectrum comprising a UV-A emission peak between 350 and 400 nm;

a second channel 17b comprising the second light-emitting diodes 14b emitting in the second light emission spectrum comprising an emission peak characteristic of blue light between 400 and 500 nm;

- A third channel 17c comprising the third light-emitting diodes 14c emitting in the third light emission spectrum comprising an emission peak characteristic of red light between 600 and 650 nm;

- A fourth channel 17d comprising the fourth light-emitting diodes 14d emitting in the fourth light emission spectrum characteristic of white light.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the bell according to the invention comprises an additional lighting system 20 integrated in the platform 4 and comprising a white light-emitting diode 24 (see FIG. 3). The additional lighting system 20 is held in the platform on an annular bulb 27. Another holding element integrated into the platform 4 consists of a flat ring 30, useful for holding other elements such as ventilation means 34, a supply means, a microcontroller and a depressurization means.

According to preferred embodiments, the walls 10 of the tunnel comprise two partitions, or double-partitions 37a and 37b. This double partition is composed of an external reflecting partition 37a which delimits the exterior of the tunnel 7, and of a transparent internal partition 37b which delimits the interior of the tunnel. Also, the lighting system comprises light-emitting diodes 14 fixed between the two walls in a configuration where the substrate of light-emitting diodes 14 is oriented towards the external partition and the light beam of the light-emitting diodes is directed towards the internal partition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The walls 10 of the tunnel 7 are separated by uprights 38 comprising grooves 39 formed for the passage of the cables for the supply of the various LED panels 14 which equip the walls 10.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a base 40 of the horticultural device according to the invention 41, integrating:

- a water reserve 44;

- A basket 47 intended to contain a porous substrate 50 intended to receive the root system 54 of a plant 55;

- an air pump 57;

a pipe partially submerged in the water reserve comprising a system with two tubes of different diameters composed of a large diameter tube 60 and a small diameter tube 64 inserted by a first of its ends into a first end of the large diameter tube, and such that the second end of the small diameter tube is connected to the air pump and the second end of the large diameter tube 60 opens directly onto the surface of the porous substrate, or is connected to tubes 67 opening out on the surface of said porous substrate.

FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of the device according to the invention integrating the base 40 and the bell 1 which covers the base 40. The ventilation means 34 composed of a fan fixed on the platform 4 overhangs the lighting system additional 20. The fan is an axial fan 35 of the SUNON® brand of 10 Watts, of useful surface 12cm / 12cm, which allows to guarantee an ambient temperature in the enclosure, even when the LEDs operate at their maximum power. A valve 70 integrated in the platform 4 is the pressurization means presented above. The microcontroller (not shown) controls the ignition and power of each of the LEDs, the speed of the fan 35 and the opening of the valve 70.

These parameters directly influence several factors such as:

- the ambient temperature in the culture space;

- the ambient humidity in the growing space; and

- the light spectrum emitted in the culture space.

Thus, it is possible to create ideal conditions for a plant at each stage of its life cycle.

A removable SD® type memory card (from the English “secure digital”) is possibly provided to store the data acquired from sensors, and to be able to process this information in order to configure the microcontroller in order to generate lighting scenarios , ventilation, and depressurization.

The platform 4 of the bell according to the invention comprises two skins 74a and 74b, an internal skin 74b which is inserted in the extension of the internal partition 37b of the tunnel, and, an external skin 74a which is inserted in the extension of the external partition 37a of the tunnel and comprises the axial fan 35, the front of which opens into a lumen formed between the two skins. The front of the fan, also known as the front face, is the side that blows the air blown outside the fan. Such a configuration makes it possible to ventilate the space provided in the double-partition and / or double-skin system of the tunnel and of the platform, which allows air to be blown directly onto the LED substrate to cool the LEDs effectively and maintain a stable temperature under the bell, ideally equal to room temperature. The tunnel has ventilation openings 80 on the external partition on the edges which delimit the above-mentioned opening of the tunnel. In this way, air flows from the fan to cool the LED substrate and exit through the ventilation holes.

Claims (11)

1. Bell (1) for lighting plants comprising a platform (4) and a tunnel (7) containing at least one wall (10) which stands on the platform (4) in the direction of an opening, characterized in that the bell according to the invention comprises a lighting system whose light beams protrude on at least one face of a wall of the tunnel (7) directed towards the interior of the bell. 2. Bell (1) according to claim 1, in which the bell lighting system according to the invention comprises: - a first light-emitting diode (14a) emitting in a first light emission spectrum; - a second light-emitting diode (14b) emitting in a second light emission spectrum; and - a microcontroller designed to control the lighting of the light-emitting diodes independently of one another. 3. Bell (1) according to claim 2, in which the lighting system of the bell according to the invention comprises: - at least a first light-emitting diode (14a) emitting in a first light emission spectrum comprising a UV-A emission peak between 350 and 400 nm; - at least a second light-emitting diode (14b) emitting in a second light emission spectrum comprising an emission peak characteristic of blue light between 400 and 500 nm; - at least a third light-emitting diode (14c) emitting in a third light emission spectrum comprising an emission peak characteristic of red light between 600 and 650 nm; - at least a fourth light-emitting diode (14d) emitting in a fourth light emission spectrum characteristic of white light; and said microcontroller is provided for controlling the ignition of the first, second, third, and fourth light-emitting diodes independently of each other. 4. Bell (1) according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the tunnel (7) of the bell according to the invention has six walls (10) arranged such that the section of the tunnel (7) is hexagonal, each of the six walls has thirty-six light-emitting diodes (14), configured in the form of four channels (17) of nine light-emitting diodes, as follows: - a first channel (17a) comprising the first light-emitting diodes (14a) emitting in the first light emission spectrum comprising a UV-A emission peak between 350 and 400 nm; - a second channel (17b) comprising the second light-emitting diodes (14b) emitting in the second light emission spectrum comprising an emission peak characteristic of blue light between 400 and 500 nm; - a third channel (17c) comprising the third light-emitting diodes (14c) emitting in the third light emission spectrum comprising an emission peak characteristic of red light between 600 and 650 nm; - a fourth channel (17d) comprising the fourth light-emitting diodes (14d) emitting in the fourth light emission spectrum characteristic of white light; and said microcontroller is provided for controlling the ignition of the four channels of light-emitting diodes independently of each other. 5. Bell (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the walls (10) of the tunnel (7) comprise two partitions, an external partition (37a) possibly reflecting, which delimits the exterior of the tunnel, and an internal transparent partition (37b) which delimits the interior of the tunnel, in which the lighting system comprises light-emitting diodes (14) fixed between the two walls in a configuration where the substrate of the light-emitting diodes is oriented towards the external partition and the light beam from the light emitting diodes is directed towards the internal partition. 6. Bell (1) according to claim 5, wherein said platform comprises two skins (74a, 74b) an internal skin (74b) which is extended by the internal partition (37a) of the tunnel, and, an external skin (74a) which is extended by the external partition (37b) of the tunnel and comprises an axial fan (35), the front of which opens into a lumen formed between the two skins (74a, 74b). 7. Bell (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the platform (4) of the bell according to the invention comprises an additional lighting system (20) comprising a white light emitting diode (24). 8. Bell (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the platform is composed of a detachable cover of the tunnel on which the cover is designed to come to fit, and said cover comprises at least one elements selected from an additional lighting system (20), a ventilation means (34), an electrical supply means, a microcontroller and a depressurization means. 9. Bell according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the bell according to the invention comprises a microcontroller which integrates data relating to at least one of the parameters chosen from temperature, relative humidity and pressure. 10. Device for horticultural cultivation (41) comprising the bell (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, and a base (40), on which the bell is positioned, the base (40) comprising the following elements: - a water reserve (44); - a porous substrate (50) intended to receive the root system (54) of a plant (55); - an air pump (57); - a pipe partially submerged in the water reserve comprising a system with two tubes of different diameters composed of a large diameter tube (60) and a small diameter tube (64) inserted by a first of its ends in a first end of the large diameter tube, and such that the second end of the small diameter tube is connected to the air pump (57) and the second end of the large diameter tube opens to the surface of said porous substrate. 11. Device for horticultural cultivation (41) according to claims 8 and 10 taken together, wherein said device comprises a microcontroller configured to operate the air pump (57) of the base, control the speed of the ventilation means and to operate the means for depressurizing the bell.