Method and means for enhancing greenhouse lights

• US 9,318,648 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2012
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valoya Oy
• Original Assignee: Valoya Oy
• Inventors: Aikala, Lars, Kivimaki, Ilkka
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Trinh
• Application Number:
  US13/695,518
• Publication Number:
  US 20130047503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,532 Days
• Field of Search: 47/581.LS, 47/581.R, 47D/IG.6, 47/17, 47/10.1 R, 977/774, 257/14, 257/89, 257/E33.008
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A01G 7/045 with electric lighting
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 33/06 within the light emitting region, e.g. quantum confinement structure or tunnel barrier
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 60/14 Measures for saving energy, e.g. in green houses

Abstract

An illumination device with a semiconductor light emission solution has a wavelength up conversion feature and is suited for plant cultivation in a greenhouse environment. The best mode is considered to be a light device with at least one blue LED (101) with wavelength up conversion binary alloy quantum dots (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160) made by colloidal methods that are arranged to produce an emission spectrum similar to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) spectrum with the blue LEDs. The methods and arrangements allow more precise spectral tuning of the emission spectrum for lights used in plant cultivation. Therefore unexpected improvements in the photomorphogenetic control of plant growth, and further improvements in plant (310, 311) production are realized. The device is especially advantageous for greenhouses that already have legacy LED systems. These LED systems can often just be upgraded by adding the quantum dot array to arrive at the lighting solution.

Claims

1. A light emitting component of a horticultural light, comprising:

a light emitting diode (LED) semiconductor chip; and

a light wavelength up-conversion quantum dot which is deposited in direct proximity of the LED semiconductor chip;

wherein the light emitting component is configured to emit two characteristic light emission peaks, the light emission at wavelengths of 500-600 nm being reduced below the intensity in the 400-500 nm band and below the intensity in the 600-700 nm band, and

the wavelength up-conversion quantum dot is configured to convert part of the light emission energy emitted by the semiconductor chip to the wavelength of 700 to 800 nm.

2. The light emitting component of claim 1, wherein the light wavelength up-conversion quantum dot is deposited directly on the surface of the LED chip or spaced out with other optical material.

3. The light emitting component of claim 1, wherein the light emitting diode (LED) semiconductor chip has peak emission within the range of 440 to 500 nm.

4. The light emitting component of claim 1, wherein the wavelength up-conversion quantum dot is configured to convert part of the light emission energy emitted by the semiconductor chip to the wavelength of 600 to 700 nm.

5. The light emitting component of claim 1, wherein the two characteristic light emission peaks are at 440 nm-500 nm and 600-700 nm, respectively.

6. The light emitting component of claim 1, wherein the two characteristic light emission peaks omit spectral characteristics one at least 50 nm full width of half maximum and another maximum of 50 nm full width at half maximum and both at different wavelength ranges.

7. A method for enhancing plant growth, comprising:

emitting light, by the at least one light emitting component of claim 1, to at least one plant with the said at least one plant in ambient light or in a dark cavity with said lighting device or fixture as the sole source of light.