Lamp

Abstract

A luminaire (1) comprising a light source for generating visible light, a circuit for driving the light source, a photocatalytic element (4) having a photocatalytic material for causing a photocatalytic reaction on its surface upon exposure to visible light generated by the light source of the luminaire and / or an external light source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technical field of this application generally relates to lighting equipment. In particular, this application relates to disinfection lighting equipment or luminaires. Background Technology

[0002] Lighting devices for providing light are known. Furthermore, disinfection lighting devices for providing ultraviolet (UV) radiation or UV germicidal lamps are also known, where UV light is applied directly or in combination with a UV photocatalyst to kill germs. However, UV radiation is harmful to humans and animals, so special measures must be taken to reduce the health risks associated with the use of such lamps. For example, UV germicidal lamps are typically activated for a very short time, especially when no one is present, and then turned off again. Therefore, bacteria and viruses may reactivate when people return. Additionally, to avoid direct exposure to UV light, some lighting devices place the UV lamp inside a container and provide a special fan to circulate the air. However, these measures do not completely eliminate the risk of UV leakage and result in complex designs and high costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this application is to provide a particularly simple and safe disinfection lighting device.

[0004] According to an embodiment of this application, a lamp is provided. The lamp includes a light source (particularly an LED light source) for providing visible light, circuitry (particularly a driver) for driving the light source, and a photocatalytic element having a photocatalytic material, the photocatalytic element being used to cause a photocatalytic reaction on its surface when exposed to visible light generated by the lamp's light source and / or by an external light source. This lamp can be configured, in particular, as a table lamp, a light panel, a light bulb, a ceiling light, a food storage lamp, and / or a bedside lamp.

[0005] Photocatalytic elements may specifically include photocatalytic materials or photocatalysts that generate reactive free radicals when exposed to visible light. For example, light can generate electron pairs and holes, and photogenerated electrons can react with O2 to produce chemically active anionic free radicals, such as O2. - On the other hand, holes can generate chemically active -OH radicals by reacting with water. Organic matter on their surface can be oxidized and decomposed, ultimately forming carbon dioxide and water. Therefore, lamps can help degrade organic pollutants, sterilize, purify the air, deodorize, and prevent contamination.

[0006] Photocatalyst materials can provide a virtually unlimited supply of hydroxyl radicals, which can react with organic matter and destroy pathogens, bacteria, and fungi. With increasing consumer concern about organic pollutants, bacteria, and viruses, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic, disinfection lamps with visible light-activated photocatalysts can play a significant role in mitigating the spread of infectious diseases.

[0007] In particular, the absorption spectrum of photocatalyst materials can be found in a wide wavelength range from 250 nm to 780 nm. Therefore, unlike conventional photocatalysts that can generate chemically active free radicals when exposed to UV light, photocatalytic elements can be activated by visible light. Specifically, the photocatalytic elements of lamps can be activated by both visible and UV light.

[0008] In the case of LED light sources, the light generation efficiency in the UV spectral region can be lower than that in the visible light spectrum. Therefore, by using photocatalytic elements that can be activated by visible light, the overall efficiency of the luminaire can be improved.

[0009] In some embodiments, the luminaire includes optical components for shaping light generated by a light source, wherein a photocatalytic element is formed as part of the optical component and / or disposed on the optical component. The optical component may include, in particular, a lens, a diffuser, a reflector, or any combination thereof. The photocatalytic element may be attached to or applied to the optical component, in particular.

[0010] In some embodiments, the luminaire includes mechanical components, particularly housings and / or mounting elements, wherein a photocatalytic element is formed as part of the mechanical components and / or disposed on the mechanical components. The mechanical components may particularly include housing elements, mounting elements, decorative elements, or any combination thereof. The photocatalytic element may particularly be attached to or applied to the mechanical components.

[0011] By arranging or attaching photocatalytic elements to the optical and / or mechanical components of the luminaire, any conventional luminaire (especially any indoor luminaire) can be easily converted into a disinfection luminaire.

[0012] Photocatalytic elements may include membranes containing photocatalytic materials. In particular, membranes containing photocatalytic materials can be arranged on the optical and / or mechanical components of a luminaire. Due to the shape of the membrane, the photocatalytic material can be used in a particularly cost-effective manner.

[0013] Membranes containing photocatalytic materials can be produced by spraying, brushing, dip coating, and / or roll coating. These technologies are suitable for producing membranes with a wide range of thicknesses.

[0014] The membrane of the photocatalytic material can be, in particular, a monolayer membrane. The thickness of the membrane can be less than 0.1 mm.

[0015] In some embodiments, the film having a photocatalytic material comprises a protective coating and a photocatalytic material layer. The protective coating may comprise, in particular, amorphous silica and / or water. The photocatalytic layer may comprise, in particular, titanium dioxide, water and / or amorphous silica. The thickness of such a film may be in the range of 0.2 μm to 50 μm.

[0016] Photocatalytic materials can be composite materials comprising a matrix material or coating material and a photocatalyst material. Matrix materials may include, in particular, polyurethane-acrylic copolymers, silicone-acrylic copolymers, silicones, and / or water.

[0017] Photocatalytic elements can be readily formed on the solid surface of optical and / or mechanical components of luminaires by using composite materials in conjunction with matrix materials and photocatalyst materials. Photocatalyst materials may include tungsten trioxide, titanium dioxide, copper oxide, Bi₂O₃, BiOBr, and / or water. These materials can act as photocatalysts when exposed to visible light.

[0018] The light source is an LED (light-emitting diode) light source, which produces white light with a correlated color temperature (CCT) in the range of 2200K to 10000K. Therefore, the visible light produced by the light source can cover almost the entire CCT white light spectrum between extremely hot and extremely cold light.

[0019] In the following description, details are provided to describe embodiments of this specification. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without such details.

[0020] Some parts of the implementation have similar sections. Similar sections may have the same name or similar section numbers. Where appropriate, the description of one section is applied to another similar section by reference, thereby reducing textual repetition without limiting this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a lamp according to one embodiment is shown, and Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a lamp according to another embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a lamp according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 1 In this embodiment, the luminaire 1 includes an LED light source (not shown) and a driver (not shown) for driving the LED light source. The luminaire 1 further includes mechanical components 2 (particularly a housing component) and optical elements 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the luminaire 1 is a ceiling light, wherein the optical element 3 is an optical diffuser for providing diffused light. The luminaire also includes a photocatalytic element 4 applied in the form of a film or coating to the optical element 3 and the housing 2 of the luminaire 1.

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a lamp according to another embodiment is shown. Figure 2In an exemplary embodiment, the lamp 1 is shaped like a table lamp, including an LED light source (not shown) and a driver (not shown) for driving the LED light source. The lamp 1 further includes a housing 2 and optical elements 3. The table lamp further includes a base 5 for arranging the lamp 1 on a solid surface such as a table surface, and an adjustable arm 6 for adjusting the position of the light source relative to the base. Figure 2 In an exemplary embodiment, the lamp 1 also includes a support 7, on which an adjustable arm 6 is mounted. Figure 2 The luminaire 1 also includes a photocatalytic element 4 applied in the form of a film or coating to the optical element 3 and the support 7 of the luminaire 1. The photocatalytic coating may also be applied to the housing 2, or to the base 5 or arm of the luminaire 1.

[0024] Photocatalytic films can be applied by spraying, brushing, dipping, or roller coating. The photocatalytic film may include one or more photocatalytic materials that are responsive to visible light, particularly visible and UV light.

[0025] Specifically, the photocatalytic material can have a composition consisting of one or more compounds, particularly a two-component mixture of type A+B. The first component A is a photocatalytic material, which may include tungsten trioxide, titanium dioxide, copper oxide, and / or water. The second component B is a coating material, which includes a polyurethane acrylic copolymer, a silicone acrylic copolymer, silicone, and / or water. In some embodiments, the coating film comprises a single layer of the mixture. The coating film thickness may be less than 0.1 mm. In some embodiments, the coating film comprises a protective layer having amorphous silica and / or water and a photocatalytic layer having titanium dioxide, water, and / or amorphous silica. The overall film thickness of the coating film can range from 0.2 μm to 50 μm.

[0026] Optical element 3 may be a diffuser, lens, and / or reflector. The photocatalytic element may be excited by visible light generated by lamp 1 as well as external light (e.g., from the sun or other light sources).

[0027] Applying this coating to various components of a luminaire can help increase the photocatalytic area and extend the working time of the photocatalytic element, thereby eliminating or destroying viruses and bacteria in the surrounding environment and resulting in a healthier working and / or living environment. Therefore, the principle of this invention allows for the combination of lighting and sterilization / air purification, providing safe and long-lasting sterilization so that people can live and work normally in a healthier environment. Furthermore, by applying the photocatalyst to the luminaire's housing, diffuser, and / or other components, higher photocatalytic efficiency can be achieved due to the increased area and proximity to the light source.

[0028] The photocatalytic coating is a commercially available coating that exhibits photocatalytic performance under visible light. Several suppliers are available on the market, such as Raze Technology Limited and Shin-Etsu Chemical Co.

[0029] By applying a coating to the mechanical and / or optical components of the luminaire (such as housing or body components, diffusers, reflectors, and / or lenses), the luminaire can be readily provided based on existing luminaires without any major modifications to them. Furthermore, the application of this principle is not limited to any particular type of lamp, such as ceiling lights, bulbs, table lamps, panels, cabinet lights, food storage lights, bedside lamps, etc.

[0030] While at least one exemplary implementation has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be understood that numerous variations exist. It should also be understood that the exemplary implementations are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of this disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient roadmap for implementing the exemplary implementations.

[0031] Reference symbols and numbers 1. Lighting fixtures 2 Mechanical components 3 Optical components 4 Photocatalytic elements 5. Base 6 Adjustable arms 7. Support components.

Claims

1. A lighting fixture comprising: a. A light source used to produce visible light. b. A circuit used to control the light source, and c. A photocatalytic element (4) having a photocatalytic material for causing a photocatalytic reaction on its surface when irradiated by visible light generated by a light source of a lamp and / or an external light source, wherein the photocatalytic material includes tungsten trioxide, copper oxide, Bi2O3 and / or BiOBr.

2. The luminaire according to claim 1, wherein the luminaire (1) includes an optical component (3) for shaping light generated by the light source, and wherein the photocatalytic element (4) is formed as part of the optical component (3) and / or disposed on the optical component (3).

3. The luminaire according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the luminaire includes mechanical components (2), particularly housing and / or fastening elements, and wherein the photocatalytic element (4) is formed as part of the mechanical components (2) and / or arranged on the mechanical components (2).

4. The luminaire according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the photocatalytic element (4) comprises a membrane having a photocatalytic material.

5. The luminaire according to claim 4, wherein the film having the photocatalytic material is a coating film produced by spraying, brushing, dipping and / or rolling.

6. The luminaire according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the membrane having the photocatalytic material is a single-layer membrane made of the photocatalytic material.

7. The luminaire according to any one of claims 4, 5 or 6, wherein the film comprises a protective layer and a photocatalytic material layer.

8. The luminaire according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the photocatalytic material is a composite material comprising a matrix material and the photocatalytic material.

9. The luminaire according to claim 6, wherein the matrix material comprises polyurethane acrylic copolymer, silicone acrylic copolymer, silicone and / or water.

10. The luminaire according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source is an LED light source that produces white light having a correlated color temperature in the range of 2200K and 10000K.

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