Irradiation device with supplementary optical waveguide

Abstract

The invention relates to an irradiation device (1), in particular for use in the field of wellness, comprising at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30') for emitting radiation in a range of the spectrum which is substantially not visible to the human eye. Said device further comprises a receiving element (6) for receiving the at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30') and a light source (2) for generating light in the range of the spectrum which is substantially visible to the human eye. It further comprises an optical waveguide (5) for guiding light generated by the light source (2) in the range of the spectrum substantially visible to the human eye to the first irradiation element in order that an operating state of the at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30') can be signalled by the light in the range of the spectrum which is substantially visible to the human eye.

Description

[0001] Irradiation device with additional optical fiber

[0002] The present invention relates to an irradiation device according to the preambles of the independent claims.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for illuminating a device for use in a wellness area, all according to the preambles of the independent claims.

[0004] Technological background

[0005] In the wellness and / or therapy sector, applications are common that involve exposing a human or animal body to electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths that cannot be perceived by the human eye. Irradiation devices used in the wellness sector, in particular, are equipped with lamps that have bandwidths primarily in the ultraviolet and / or infrared spectrum and exhibit only insignificant or no emissions in the visible (VIS) range of the spectrum.

[0006] Irradiation with light in the aforementioned spectra is primarily used in the wellness and / or therapeutic fields to produce a desired physiological effect in the exposed person. For example, tanning beds use lamps designed to emit light in the ultraviolet spectrum to achieve a tanning of the skin. Similarly, lamps designed to emit radiation primarily in the infrared range of the spectrum can be used to achieve heating effects or improved blood circulation in the irradiated tissue. What these applications have in common is that they should preferably take place within a controlled and dosed framework. Ideally, the application can be controlled in terms of intensity and duration. For this purpose, numerous methods and means for controlling the dose and duration exist in the relevant technological field.Nevertheless, in the case of lamps that emit only or mainly in the non-visible range of the spectrum, it may be difficult for a user to easily determine the operating status of a lamp, e.g. without having to rely on additional electronic displays and aids.

[0007] To address these challenges, it would be beneficial to have technological approaches available to improve the safety and efficiency of non-visible irradiation sources. These approaches could help ensure, for example, that UV LEDs can be used in a way that ensures their operation without any effort.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] An object of the invention is to avoid at least one disadvantage of the known.

[0010] It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a device which is suitable for use in a device mentioned above in the wellness area and which enables the most efficient possible detection of an operating state of a lighting means in the said device.

[0011] This problem is solved by the characterising features of the independent patent claims.

[0012] One aspect of the invention relates to an irradiation device, in particular for use in a wellness area, comprising at least one first irradiation element for emitting radiation in a range of the spectrum essentially invisible to the human eye. It further comprises a receiving element for receiving the at least one first irradiation element and a light source for generating light in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye. It further comprises an optical fiber for guiding light generated by the light source in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye to the first irradiation element, such that an operating state of the at least one first irradiation element can be signaled by the light in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye.For the purposes of the present invention, radiation in a region of the spectrum essentially invisible to the human eye can be understood as electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of less than 400 nanometers or electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of more than 700 nanometers. Particularly preferably, this is electromagnetic radiation in the UV-A and / or UV-B range of the electromagnetic spectrum and / or radiation in the near infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[0013] For the purposes of the present invention, an optical waveguide can be understood as a dielectric waveguide for the transmission of electromagnetic radiation.

[0014] Those skilled in the art are familiar with suitable optical fibers for these applications. Optical fibers made of polymer optical fibers are particularly suitable.

[0015] In a particular embodiment, the light source for generating light in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye is a light source designed to emit light in a frequency range of between 400 and 700 nanometers. This is particularly preferably an LED light source. The light source can have a peak in a specific color range of the spectrum, so that the light in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye has a specific color. In a particular embodiment, the irradiation device according to the invention comprises a plurality of light sources for generating light in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye. This plurality of light sources is particularly preferably composed of light sources with different color spectra.Accordingly, optical fibers from a specific light source of a specific color can be used to signal different irradiation elements with a specific color. Alternatively and / or additionally, different irradiation elements can be configured to signal with the same color from one or more light sources to generate light in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye.

[0016] In the present invention, the operating state in its simplest embodiment is an on / off state. In the on state, for example, the irradiation element would be in operation to emit radiation in a range of the spectrum that is essentially invisible to the human eye and would emit this radiation. Accordingly, in an off state, no current or a sub-threshold current would flow in the first irradiation element, so that no corresponding radiation would be emitted. In the present example, the operating state is a binary state. Likewise conceivable in an alternative and / or supplementary embodiment, the operating state is a dynamic state. For example, a control unit can be provided which controls the light source to generate a dynamic light profile depending on the operating state of the at least one first irradiation element. The operating state can then, for example,depict an intensity, a frequency, a pulsation, a ramp-up and / or a ramp-down of the at least one first irradiation element. For example, the light source can be designed to generate a light spectrum that is representative of the operating state of the at least one irradiation element. For example, the off state can be signaled as a weak bluish light, while an on state with maximum intensity is represented as a strong red light. The light source can then be designed to scan the color spectrum between this blue light and red light and thus represent all intermediate states between on and off in a signalable manner.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the light source is designed to generate red light.

[0018] If the irradiation device according to the present invention is used in a device in a wellness area that has a plurality of irradiation elements, such as UV-A and UV-B irradiation elements, the light source can be designed to assign a specific light color to each of these different irradiation elements. Particularly preferably, a control element is designed to assign a specific spectral color to a specific irradiation element. The control element can control the light source and thereby signal the corresponding operating state of the irradiation element.

[0019] A further aspect relates to an irradiation device, in particular for use in a wellness area, which comprises a first irradiation element for emitting UV light and an optical waveguide for guiding light in the visible range. In addition, it also comprises a receiving element having a recess. The recess is assigned to the irradiation element, and the optical waveguide is arranged in or on the recess. A particular advantage of the present invention can be that the light source can be positioned spatially independently relative to the irradiation element. As a result, the irradiation devices according to the invention can be designed as modules and, in particular, can be freely placed in a device for use in a wellness area. This makes it possible to realize new geometries. Furthermore, energy-related advantages can be realized with the design according to the invention, for example byfor the different light sources, all heat conductors can be concentrated at one point, which facilitates heat dissipation and, in addition to better thermoregulation of the device, can improve the longevity of the light sources.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, the at least one first irradiation element for emitting radiation in a range of the spectrum essentially invisible to the human eye and the light source for generating light in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye are arranged spatially separated from one another. This can be the case, for example, if the light source for generating light is housed in a separate chamber within a housing. The housing can, for example, be the outer casing of a wellness device, in particular a solarium.

[0021] In a particular embodiment, the receiving element is designed as a carrier, in particular for receiving a plurality of first radiation emitting elements for emitting radiation in a region of the spectrum essentially invisible to the human eye, and wherein the carrier aligns the irradiation element(s) toward an exposure target. An exposure target can be, for example, a user of a wellness device, in particular a solarium.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the receiving element is designed for a plurality of first irradiation elements. Alternatively and / or additionally, the irradiation device according to the invention comprises at least one second irradiation element for emitting radiation in a range of the spectrum that is essentially invisible to the human eye. Particularly preferably, the range of the spectrum emitted by the second irradiation element differs from that of the first irradiation element. Thus, the first irradiation element can be designed to emit, for example, UV-A radiation and the second irradiation element to emit, for example, UV-B radiation. In a further particular embodiment, the irradiation device according to the invention comprises at least one third irradiation element for emitting radiation in a range of the spectrum that is essentially invisible to the human eye. This can, for example,be designed to emit light in the infrared region of the spectrum.

[0023] In a particular embodiment, the at least one first irradiation element for emitting radiation in a range of the spectrum that is substantially invisible to the human eye is arranged in an irradiation element arrangement, in particular wherein each irradiation element is / are arranged in a separate irradiation element arrangement.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, the irradiation element arrangement comprises a reflector, in particular each irradiation element arrangement comprises a reflector.

[0025] In a particular embodiment, the irradiation element arrangement comprises a receptacle for an optical fiber output, which is designed to guide the light guided by the optical fiber from the light source in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye to the first irradiation element and to emit it in its effective range.

[0026] In a particular embodiment, the irradiation device comprises an optical fiber connector which is designed to be connectable to the light source, so that a plurality of optical fibers can be operatively connected to the light source via the optical fiber connector.

[0027] In a particular embodiment, each optical waveguide for illuminating an irradiation element is designed to emit radiation in a region of the spectrum substantially invisible to the human eye.

[0028] In an alternative and / or supplementary embodiment, a plurality of optical waveguides for illuminating an irradiation element is designed to emit radiation in a region of the spectrum that is substantially invisible to the human eye.

[0029] In a particular embodiment, the plurality of optical fibers for illuminating the irradiation element is a plurality of optical fibers of equal length. Alternatively, the plurality of optical fibers is a plurality of optical fibers of different lengths. The optical fibers can, in particular, be designed such that they can spatially reach the various irradiation elements. In a particular embodiment, the optical fibers are designed such that they can be shortened to the required operating length. This can be achieved, for example, with provided predetermined breaking points and / or with pre-described cutting surfaces that sever the fibers at the designated point and thus shorten the optical fiber to the required distance.

[0030] In a particular embodiment, each light source comprises between 2 and 200 optical fibers, in particular between 5 and 50 optical fibers, and further in particular between 10 and 15 optical fibers.

[0031] In a particular embodiment, the optical fiber is coated, in particular with an opaque plastic.

[0032] In a particular embodiment, the irradiation device comprises a control unit for controlling the light source, in particular for controlling a light parameter of the light source, such as color, frequency and / or intensity of the light.

[0033] According to one embodiment, it is provided that the first irradiation element is arranged together with the associated recess in a reflector.

[0034] The reflector serves the purpose of focusing the light emitted by the first irradiation element and directing it in the desired direction.

[0035] Additionally, the reflector allows for precise and targeted illumination. This is particularly advantageous in wellness devices that need to treat specific areas of the body or face. The light intensity can be precisely adjusted to achieve the desired results without overexposing adjacent areas. This prevents UV-B light from reaching unwanted areas. This is crucial to ensure user safety and control exposure to UV-B radiation.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, the reflector has a conical shape. According to a further embodiment, an optical fiber distributor for enclosing the optical fiber is arranged below the receiving element.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, the optical fiber distributor is made of plastic and / or aluminum.

[0038] According to a further embodiment, the irradiation device has a control unit for adjusting the intensity and / or color of the light emitted by the light source.

[0039] The control unit can be designed to enable different lighting scenarios.

[0040] Furthermore, the control unit can be designed to adjust light intensity, color scheme, light design and other settings.

[0041] The control unit can be further designed to store time sequences and / or programs.

[0042] According to a further embodiment, the control unit is designed to be controllable with a remote control and / or a smartphone app.

[0043] This allows for straightforward and intuitive operation. Furthermore, this technology offers the flexibility to adjust the light from different positions within a room or even outside. A connection to smartphone apps also allows for personalized settings, allowing users to save their preferred lighting scenarios and automatically activate them depending on the time of day or occasion. The ability to update via the app also ensures that the irradiation device always remains up to date.

[0044] According to a further embodiment, the optical waveguide is made of glass, plastic or silicon.

[0045] Those skilled in the art are familiar with materials capable of transmitting light efficiently and minimizing optical losses. The optical waveguide preferably exhibits flexibility. Suitable optical waveguides are constructed from concentric layers; at the center lies a light-guiding core surrounded by a cladding with a lower refractive index. Additional layers, such as protective layers made of plastic, may be provided.

[0046] According to a further embodiment, the optical waveguide has a round cross-section.

[0047] In another special embodiment, the optical fiber is rigid. The optical fiber can, for example, be formed as an injection-molded part made of a light-conducting plastic to ensure a rigid connection between the recesses on the receiving element and the light source. The rigid optical fiber has the advantage of being easier to install than a series of flexible optical fibers, e.g., fiber optic cables.

[0048] In a particular embodiment, the optical fibers have a diameter of between 0.5 mm and 2 mm, preferably 1.5 mm.

[0049] One aspect of the present invention relates to a solarium comprising at least one irradiation device as described above, in particular comprising a plurality of such irradiation devices. The irradiation device is designed to emit light with a peak UV-B and / or UV-A spectrum. The irradiation element is preferably a UV-A and / or UV-B LED. The light source is preferably an LED.

[0050] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for illuminating a device for use in a wellness area. The method is particularly preferably suitable for illuminating a device which is used as a solarium. The method comprises a first step of providing a lighting device. A lighting device as described above can suitably be provided. The method further comprises the step of operating at least one first irradiation element. The irradiation element emits radiation in a region of the spectrum which is essentially invisible to the human eye. In the sense of the present invention, this can be understood to mean that the peak of the spectrum which the irradiation element emits lies in the range which is invisible to the human eye.However, secondary waves cannot be ruled out; these are in the visible range but are not sufficiently intense to be clearly perceived, for example, in daylight. Experts understand that most radiation sources, especially those that emit UV-A radiation, have residual radiation in the visible range.

[0051] The method according to the invention further comprises operating a light source to generate light in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye. This light is preferably located in a spectral range of between 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers. Within this spectral range, the light can have one or more peaks and thus exhibit a specific color, which can be selected by the person skilled in the art depending on the requirements and intended application. A particularly preferred light source is an LED light source, which can be modulated by the person skilled in the art, e.g., in its frequency or even pulsed, thus enabling stroboscopic lighting effects.

[0052] The method according to the invention further comprises guiding the light generated by the light source into a region of the at least one first irradiation element, so that an operating state of the at least one first irradiation element is signaled by this light.

[0053] Particularly preferably, this guiding of the light generated by the light source takes place by means of at least one optical waveguide.

[0054] For the purposes of the present invention, an operating state is signaled by this light if, for example, a specific area on at least one irradiation element is illuminated by this light. This area can, for example, comprise a specific circumference around the at least one first irradiation element. The area can also be defined, for example, by means of a reflector by accommodating the at least one first irradiation element. If the light which is in the visible range of the spectrum now hits this reflector, the reflector area is illuminated by this light. This creates for a user or observer an illuminated area around the first lighting element, which is itself in operation and emits light in the non-visible range of the spectrum, e.g. light with the intention of achieving a therapeutic and / or cosmetic effect, particularly preferably light in the UV-C, UV-A, UV-B and / or infrared range of the spectrum.In a particular embodiment of the method according to the invention, a control unit controls at least one light parameter of the light source. The light parameter can, for example, be selected from the group consisting of: color, frequency, and / or intensity of the light.

[0055] In a further particular embodiment, at least one second irradiation element is provided, with a spectrum that differs from the first irradiation element for emitting radiation in a range that is essentially invisible to the human eye. Particularly preferably, this embodiment comprises a second light source that generates light in the range of the spectrum that is essentially visible to the human eye and is operatively connected to said second irradiation element in a manner analogous to the way the first irradiation element is operatively connected to the first light source. Particularly preferably, this second light source comprises a different light color, which can be used to signal the difference in the irradiation element.

[0056] In a further embodiment according to the invention, the irradiation element emits radiation with a peak in a wavelength range selected from the group consisting of: between 207 nanometers and 220 nanometers, between 290 nanometers and 320 nanometers, between 100 nanometers and 290 nanometers, between 600 nanometers and 700 nanometers, and between 650 nanometers and 1200 nanometers. The combination of the irradiation elements in an irradiation device or in an application of the method according to the invention can be selected by the person skilled in the art depending on the desired therapeutic and / or cosmetic effect. The effects of the corresponding wavelengths on the human and / or animal body are known to the person skilled in the art.

[0057] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the irradiation element changes its distance from the irradiation object. The distance to the irradiation object can, for example, be fixed in a first state. In the case of an irradiation device installed in a solarium, a lying, standing, or sitting area is usually defined on which the user, i.e. the irradiation object, sits. The irradiation devices are arranged around this area in such a way that essentially the areas to be irradiated can be exposed to the emitted radiation. In the present example, the irradiation device can, for example, be designed to subsequently correct a distance from the irradiation object. This can be done, for example, by sensor input, for example by detecting, measuring, and evaluating the size and / or body dimensions of an irradiation object. For example,The utilization of the generated radiation can be optimized by optimizing the distance and radiation angle of the irradiation devices from the irradiated object. It is also conceivable that the distance or irradiation angle relative to the irradiated object changes during an irradiation session.

[0058] All movements of the irradiation device relative to a housing frame and / or an object to be irradiated are facilitated by the fact that, in the present invention, light sources and irradiation elements can be arranged spatially separate from one another. This makes it possible to construct the device for use in the wellness area in a modular manner, allowing the light sources and irradiation elements to be arranged wherever they are most conveniently located in terms of the device's geometry.

[0059] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program product for carrying out a method described above. The method is carried out in a wellness device. The method is particularly preferably carried out in a solarium and / or red light therapy device and / or infrared radiator. The computer program product is designed to be implemented in a control unit and to control the light source depending on the operating state of the at least one first irradiation element. The control takes place such that the operating state of the at least one first irradiation element is signaled by the light from the light source. This can mean that the area around the irradiation element or the irradiation element itself is illuminated by the light from the light source. The light source is particularly preferably spatially separated from the irradiation element.

[0060] In a further particular embodiment of the computer program product, a plurality of irradiation elements is provided. The operating state is signaled individually for each irradiation element. This can be ensured by assigning a specific light source to each irradiation element by means of an optical fiber. It is also conceivable for a light source to be assigned to a plurality of irradiation elements, e.g., a plurality of irradiation elements of the same type, i.e., which emit the same radiation in the non-visible range of the spectrum. The light source is controlled via the control unit depending on the operating state of the plurality of irradiation elements. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that all of the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in any desired combination, provided they do not exclude one another.It is also clear to a person skilled in the art that structural device features can be derived from the process features, and that process features can in turn be derived from the device features.

[0061] In the following, the present invention will be explained in more detail using concrete embodiments and figures, without being limited to these.

[0062] The figures are to be understood as schematic illustrations. For simplicity, identical parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0063] Character description

[0064] Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following figures. They show schematically:

[0065] Fig. 1 : a view of an irradiation device;

[0066] Fig. 2: an alternative view of the irradiation device of Fig. 1;

[0067] Fig. 3a: a front view of an irradiation device with a plurality of lighting elements;

[0068] Fig. 3b: a view of the irradiation device of Fig. 3;

[0069] Fig. 4: an internal view of a wellness device comprising an irradiation device according to the invention;

[0070] Fig. 4a: Structure of an optical waveguide arrangement with a plurality of illuminated irradiation element arrangements, and

[0071] Fig. 4b: Structure of an optical waveguide arrangement in which a plurality of optical waveguides lead into an irradiation element arrangement. Embodiment of the invention

[0072] Figure 1 schematically shows an irradiation device 1 with a plurality of optical fibers 5.1, 5.2, ..., 5.n, which are designed in a bundle connector 3 to guide light in the visible range of the spectrum from a light source 2 to a plurality of irradiation elements. The irradiation elements (on the opposite side in Fig. 1) are arranged on a receiving element 6, which is designed as a carrier plate. The receiving element 6 can be connected to a device frame, for example a casing of a wellness device such as a solarium, by means of supports 10.1, 10.2, ..., 10.n. A thread on the supports 10.1, 10.2, ..., 10.n enables a force-fitting connection and continuous adjustability of the receiving element 6 relative to the device frame.

[0073] The optical waveguides 5.1, 5.2, ..., 5.n extend through recesses 9 into the effective range of the irradiation elements (not shown). In the present example, they extend through recesses 9 of the receiving element 6 in reflector cones 8, which are formed on a reflector element 7. Each reflector cone 8 has a recess in its interior, i.e., at the pointed conical end of the cone, through which the light from the optical waveguides 5.1, 5.2, ..., 5.n exits and illuminates the reflector cone 8.

[0074] The light source 2 is designed to be controllable. A control signal can be sent from a control unit 12 to the light source via a control connection 14. The light source also has a power supply.

[0075] During operation, for example, the control unit 12 can be communicatively coupled to a control unit of the irradiation elements. This allows the control unit 12 to process the operating states of the irradiation elements. These signals are converted by the control unit 12 into corresponding control signals for the light source 2. The light source 2 generates light visible to the human eye, which is then guided through the optical fibers 5.1, 5.2, ..., 5.n to the corresponding irradiation elements.

[0076] The inventive solution provides an irradiation device that can be used flexibly in a wellness device. Not only does the inventive solution make the operating state of an otherwise invisible irradiation element clear and unambiguous, even for untrained users, it also enables the corresponding element to be used in a versatile and modular way in a wellness device. Its use is particularly suitable in a solarium or an infrared therapy device. The purpose of a solarium is to provide a cosmetic tan for a user by exposing them to UV-A rays. In addition to UV-A radiation, UV-B radiation can also be used, for example to stimulate vitamin D production in the body. Modern LEDs used for this purpose have a narrow spectral range, so that no or only insignificant amounts of visible light are emitted by these LEDs.In order to nevertheless demonstrate the effectiveness unambiguously to the user, the light sources described according to the invention are additionally provided, which guide their light to the place of action, i.e. to the corresponding source of the invisible radiation, by means of optical fibers.

[0077] Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon studying the preferred embodiments and the detailed description.

[0078] Fig. 2 shows a view of the irradiation device of Fig. 1. The light source 2 comprises an LED that emits light in the visible range of the spectrum. This light can be guided directly or via a lens into a bundle connector 3, from which a plurality of optical fibers 5.1, 5.2, ..., 5.n guide the light to a receiving element on which the irradiation elements to be illuminated are arranged.

[0079] The irradiation elements are each designed to emit light in a non-visible range of the spectrum, for example, for cosmetic and / or therapeutic purposes. This light can, for example, have wavelengths shorter than 400 nm and / or longer than 700 nm.

[0080] The irradiation elements can, for example, be provided to emit radiation in the UV-A and / or UV-B range (400-320 nm and / or 320-280 nm). The present invention is also suitable for illuminating irradiation elements that emit in the infrared range. Further areas of application can include the visualization of irradiation elements with peaks in the wavelength range between 10 pm and 10 nm. Fig. 3a shows a front view of an irradiation device 1 to illustrate the detection of operation by the light from the optical fibers. A reflector element 7 has a plurality of recesses on a front plate 24, each of which accommodates a reflector cone. These recesses form individually perceptible light units 20.

[0081] In the center of a reflector inner cone 21 there is an irradiation element 30, for example a UV LED 30. Although light from such an LED is not perceptible to the human eye when the LED is in operation, the operation is made perceptible by an illuminated irradiation element 22 into which light is guided by an optical fiber from a spaced light source.

[0082] Fig. 3b shows an enlarged detail in a top view of the front panel 24, which can be attached to a mounting element by means of a fastening screw 31. The non-operating UV LED 30 is not visible. The operating UV LED 30', for example, a UV-B LED, is made visible by light from a spatially spaced light source guided into the inner reflector cone by optical fibers.

[0083] Fig. 4 shows how such an irradiation device 1 can be installed in a wellness device, here a solarium.

[0084] In the present example, a translucent plate 40, in this case a frosted acrylic glass plate 40, is mounted between the user (at the location of the image viewer) and the irradiation device 1. This results in light scattering. The scattering of the light guided from the light source into the irradiation area facilitates visual detection of the operating state. This can serve as an indicator of whether an LED that primarily emits UV light is in operation. This visual detection is particularly useful for quickly and easily determining the operating state of the LED without, for example, having to rely on special measuring or testing devices. In the present case, the acrylic glass plate is manufactured using a surface treatment, for example by roughening and / or frosting one or both surfaces to enable light scattering and diffusion.

[0085] This device is particularly suitable for tanning beds that use both UV-A and UV-B LEDs. UV-A radiation is a form of UV light with wavelengths ranging from 320 nm to 400 nm. UV-A light in tanning beds is responsible for a gradual, longer-lasting tanning effect. Compared to UV-B, UV-A penetrates deeper into the skin and reaches the dermal layer, where it stimulates the melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells. As a result, melanin production increases, and the skin darkens over time.

[0086] UV-B radiation has shorter wavelengths, ranging from 280 to 320 nm. It is responsible for stimulating vitamin D production in the skin, for example, when exposed to sunlight, and contributes to the initial redness and sunburn following excessive sun exposure. Controlled UV-B exposure can promote vitamin D synthesis, which is important for calcium absorption and maintaining general health.

[0087] Through the translucent plate 40, the individual irradiation elements form visible exposure points 51 on the plate 40 with a surrounding halo, a visible light cone 52.

[0088] Fig. 4a shows how a light source 2, for example an LED, generates light in a bundle connector 3 by means of a lens 60. Several optical fiber connectors 61 .1, 61 .2, ..., 61 .n extend from the bundle connector 3, which in turn are

[0089] Optical fibers 5.1, 5.1, ..., 5.n lead into the optical fiber outlets 62.1, 62.2, ..., 62.n, which guide the light into irradiation element arrangements 70.1, 70.2, ..., 70.n. These can, as described above, be reflectors, in particular reflector cones. The light source 2 can be controlled via a control signal from a control unit 12 via a control connection 4. The control connection can, of course, also be wireless.

[0090] In this example, each optical waveguide 5.1, 5.1, ..., 5.n leads into a separate reflector, or irradiation element arrangement 70.1, 70.2, ..., 70.n.

[0091] Fig. 4b shows an alternative example in which a plurality of optical waveguides 5.1, 5.1, ..., 5.n lead into the same reflector, or irradiation element arrangement 70.1, 70.2, ..., 70.n.

[0092] Irradiation device 1

[0093] Light source 2

[0094] Bundle connector 3

[0095] Control connection 4

[0096] Optical fiber 5

[0097] Optical fiber 5.1, 5.1, ..., 5.n

[0098] Receiving element 6

[0099] Reflector element 7

[0100] Reflector, reflector cone 8

[0101] Recess 9

[0102] Support(s) 10.1 , 10.2, ..., 10.n

[0103] Control unit 12

[0104] Lighting unit 20

[0105] Reflector cone 21

[0106] Illuminated irradiation element 22

[0107] Console mounting element 24

[0108] Console rail 23

[0109] Irradiation element / UV LED 30

[0110] Illuminated irradiation element 30'

[0111] Fixing screw 31

[0112] Translucent surface 40

[0113] Visible impact point 51

[0114] Visible light cone 52

[0115] Lens 60

[0116] Fiber optic connectors 61.1, 61.2, ..., 61.n

[0117] Fiber optic output 62.1 , 62.2, ..., 62. n

[0118] Irradiation element arrangement 70

[0119] Irradiation element arrangement 70.1, 70.2, ..., 70.n

Claims

Patent claims 1. Irradiation device (1), in particular for use in a wellness area, comprising: a. at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30') for emitting radiation in a range of the spectrum essentially invisible to the human eye; b. a receiving element (6) for receiving the at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30'); c. a light source (2) for generating light in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye; d. an optical fiber (5) for guiding light generated by the light source (2) in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye to the first irradiation element, such that an operating state of the at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30') can be signaled by the light in the range of the spectrum essentially visible to the human eye.

2. Irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30') for emitting radiation in a region of the spectrum substantially invisible to the human eye and the light source for generating light in the region of the spectrum substantially visible to the human eye are arranged spatially separated from one another.

3. Irradiation device according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the receiving element is designed as a carrier, in particular for receiving a plurality of first irradiation elements (22; 30, 30') for emitting radiation in a region of the spectrum that is substantially invisible to the human eye, and wherein the carrier aligns the irradiation element(s) (22; 30, 30') towards an exposure target.

4. Irradiation device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30') for emitting radiation in a region of the spectrum that is substantially invisible to the human eye is arranged in an irradiation element arrangement (70; 70.1, 70.2, ..., 70.n), in particular wherein each irradiation element (22; 30, 30') is / are arranged in a separate irradiation element arrangement (70; 70.1, 70.2, ..., 70.n).

5. Irradiation device according to claim 4, wherein the irradiation element arrangement (70; 70.1, 70.2, ..., 70.n) comprises a reflector, in particular each irradiation element arrangement comprises a reflector.

6. Irradiation device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the irradiation element arrangement (70; 70.1, 70.2, ..., 70.n) comprises a receptacle for an optical fiber output (62.1, 62.2, ..., 62.n) which is designed to guide the light guided by the optical fiber (5) from the light source (2) in the range of the spectrum that is essentially visible to the human eye to the first irradiation element and to emit it in its effective range.

7. Irradiation device according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising an optical fiber connector which is designed to be connectable to the light source in such a way that a plurality of optical fibers (5.1 , 5.1 , ..., 5.n) can be operatively connected to the light source via the optical fiber connector.

8. Irradiation device according to claim 7, wherein each optical waveguide (5.1, 5.1, ..., 5.n) is designed to illuminate an irradiation element (22; 30, 30') for emitting radiation in a region of the spectrum substantially invisible to the human eye.

9. Irradiation device according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of optical waveguides (5.1, 5.1, ..., 5.n) for illuminating an irradiation element (22; 30, 30') is designed to emit radiation in a region of the spectrum that is substantially invisible to the human eye.

10. A method for illuminating a device for use in a wellness area, in particular a solarium, comprising the steps: a. Providing a lighting device (1), in particular a lighting device according to one of claims 1 to 9; b. Operating at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30') and emitting radiation in a range of the spectrum that is essentially invisible to the human eye; c. Operating a light source (2) to generate light in the range of the spectrum that is essentially visible to the human eye; d. Guiding the light generated by the light source (2), in particular by means of an optical fiber, into a region of the at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30'), such that an operating state of the at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30') is signaled by this light.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein a control unit controls a light parameter of the light source, consisting of the group selected from: color, frequency and / or intensity of the light.

12. Method according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein at least one second irradiation element (22; 30, 30') with a spectrum different from the first irradiation element is provided for emitting radiation in a region of the spectrum substantially invisible to the human eye, in particular wherein a second light source is provided for generating light in the region of the spectrum substantially visible to the human eye.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the irradiation element emits radiation having a peak in a wavelength range selected from the group consisting of: between 207 nm and 222 nm; 290 nm and 320 nm; 100 nm and 290 nm; 600 and 700 nm and between 650 nm and 1200 nm.

14. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the irradiation element (22; 30, 30') changes its distance from the irradiation object.

15. A computer program product for carrying out a method according to one of claims 10 to 14 in a wellness device, in particular in a solarium and / or red light therapy device and / or infrared radiator, wherein the computer program is designed to be executed in a control unit and to control the light source depending on the operating state of the at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30'), so that the operating state of the at least one first irradiation element (22; 30, 30') is signaled by light from the light source, in particular wherein the light source is spatially separated from the irradiation element.

16. A computer program product according to claim 15, wherein the operating state is signaled for a plurality of irradiation elements (22; 30, 30'), in particular the light source is controlled via the control unit depending on the operating state of the plurality of irradiation elements.

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