Circadian Lamp with Segmented Disc and Ring Light Sources
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting systems for circadian rhythm adaptation often result in unpleasant glare and high production costs, failing to provide a simple, intuitive, and comfortable solution for signaling day-night transitions while minimizing melatonin suppression.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with a disc-shaped and ring-shaped light source configuration, where the disc emits high-intensity white light with a high blue content for daytime and the ring emits low-blue white light for nighttime, allowing for gradual transitions and a large illuminated area to reduce glare and maintain scotopic adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a narrow ring light source is used for circadian illumination, then the spectral content can be controlled, but the light intensity per area becomes too high causing unpleasant glare
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system divides the illumination into two spatially separated sources: a central disc-shaped source for daytime high-blue light and an outer ring-shaped source for nighttime low-blue light. This segmentation allows each source to be optimized independently, with the ring source providing gentle nighttime illumination without excessive intensity concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lighting system provide different spectral qualities: the central disc emits light with high blue content (380-520 nm) for circadian stimulation during daytime, while the outer ring emits light with reduced blue content for nighttime. This local quality differentiation ensures appropriate spectral content at each location without causing glare.
2Shape
If indirect light reflection is used for warm light emission, then the direction of light can be changed, but the spectrum is altered by the reflecting wall color which is not useful for circadian illumination
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using indirect reflection, the system segments the light emission into direct paths: the central disc provides direct daytime illumination and the outer ring provides direct nighttime illumination. This eliminates the spectral distortion that would occur with reflection off colored surfaces while maintaining directional control through the spatial arrangement of the two sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources with different spectral distributions are used, then circadian rhythm can be adapted, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines two LED modules with different spectral characteristics into a single integrated lighting device. The central disc and outer ring are arranged concentrically within one housing, sharing common electrical connections and control circuitry. This merging achieves circadian rhythm adaptation while keeping the device structure simple and production costs low.
Solution Approach 2:
Each LED module serves multiple functions: the central disc provides both daytime circadian stimulation and ambient lighting, while the outer ring provides nighttime circadian protection and ambient lighting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall device.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the light source area is reduced to control intensity, then glare is reduced, but the illuminated area becomes too small to provide sufficient coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination area is segmented into two zones: a central disc region for daytime high-intensity illumination and an outer ring region for nighttime low-intensity illumination. This segmentation allows the total illuminated area to remain large for sufficient coverage, while each segment's intensity is controlled independently to prevent glare.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions provide different illumination qualities appropriate to their function: the central disc delivers higher intensity for daytime alertness, while the outer ring delivers lower intensity for nighttime relaxation. This local quality differentiation maintains large total coverage without causing glare in either region.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a comfortable and intuitive signaling of day-night transitions with low intensity per area, reducing melatonin suppression and glare, while being cost-effective and easy to manufacture, suitable for various environments including hospitals and rehabilitation centers.
Implementation Method 1
The first light source emits a first type of white light with a high content of blue light
Implementation Method 2
The second light source emits a second type of white light with a low content of blue light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A
Figure 3B
AI summary
A lighting system with a lamp comprising alighting area with a disc-shaped part emitting cold-white light and ring-shaped part emitting warm white light. The lighting system is programmed to automatically and periodically change between light from these two parts.