Color Separation Lighting Devices with Segmented Light Engines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional artificial lighting systems, such as ceiling lights, often lack sufficient melanopic light (480-500 nm) necessary for circadian entrainment, and existing solutions like light therapy boxes are intrusive or uncomfortable for extended use, while indirect lighting is ineffective in large spaces.
Innovation Solution
The development of lighting apparatuses that utilize two distinct colors of light, separated and mixed by an optical diffuser, to create a high melanopic to photopic ratio (M/P ratio) greater than 1, with colder colors emitted upward to simulate natural light and warmer colors emitted downward, providing efficient and aesthetically pleasing biological lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional ceiling lights are used, then general illumination is provided, but melanopic light content is insufficient for circadian entrainment
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent light engines, each producing specific color temperatures (e.g., 2000K, 6504K, 10000K). This segmentation allows independent control of melanopic content while maintaining overall illumination, resolving the contradiction between general lighting and circadian effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes spectral parameters by adjusting the intensity ratios of different color temperature light engines. This enables real-time optimization of melanopic content (M/P ratio) while maintaining acceptable visual comfort, thereby improving circadian entrainment effectiveness without sacrificing general illumination quality.
2Illumination intensity
If light therapy boxes are used, then high melanopic flux is delivered, but user comfort and ease of use deteriorate due to intrusiveness
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the lighting fixture emit different color temperatures and melanopic contents. The system provides high melanopic flux in specific directions (e.g., upward for ceiling mounting) while maintaining warmer, more comfortable light in user-facing regions. This local differentiation allows high melanopic delivery without compromising overall user comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting fixture serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides general illumination, circadian entrainment, and ambient lighting all in one device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate light therapy boxes, improving ease of use while maintaining high melanopic flux delivery capability.
3Ease of operation
If indirect lighting is used, then visual comfort is improved, but effectiveness in large spaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes vertical and directional light distribution in addition to horizontal spreading. By emitting light in multiple dimensions (upward, downward, sideways) with different spectral characteristics, the system extends effective coverage to large spaces while maintaining visual comfort through controlled glare and appropriate color temperature distribution.
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
These lighting devices deliver high melanopic flux effectively to the eyes, enhancing circadian entrainment and user comfort, even in open plan offices, while minimizing glare and energy waste, by optimizing spatial distribution and color temperature preferences.
Implementation Method 1
The enclosure has an optical diffuser, where the optical diffuser is positioned over a first region, a second region and a third region of the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
The first light engine produces a first light spectrum having a first correlated color temperature (CCT) greater than or equal to 7000 K. The second light engine produces a second light spectrum having a second CCT less than or equal to 6500 K
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments, a first light engine produces a first light spectrum having a first CCT. A second light engine produces a second light spectrum having a second CCT. The first light spectrum is emitted from a first region of an enclosure; a second light spectrum is emitted from a second region; and a mixture is emitted from a third region that separates the first and second regions. The second CCT is less than the first CCT; a difference between the first and second CCTs is at least 10,000K. The first light spectrum may have a first emission peak in a range of 450 to 480 nm and a second emission peak in a range of 380 to 420 nm. The second light spectrum may have a third emission peak in a range of 480 to 500 nm and a fourth emission peak in the range of 450 to 480 nm.