Downlight with sterilization functionality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing downlight lamps lack efficiency and effectiveness in providing both illumination and air sterilization, often resulting in recirculation of sterilized air and limited distribution of disinfectant effects due to their design.

Innovation Solution

A downlight lamp design featuring angled air inlet and outlet channels, a sterilization chamber, and a fan for air circulation, with an ultraviolet light emitter for sterilization, positioned to protrude from the mounting surface in the direction of visible light emission, reducing recirculation and enhancing air distribution and safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If air inlet and outlet openings are positioned at the same location or angle in a conventional downlight lamp, then the structure is simple, but sterilized air recirculates back into the inlet channels reducing sterilization effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidair channel structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning air inlet and outlet openings at different angular locations around the downlight lamp. Specifically, the air inlet opening is positioned at an angle of 45° to 135° relative to the air outlet opening, creating an asymmetric air flow path that prevents sterilized air from recirculating back to the inlet, thereby improving sterilization effectiveness while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Quantity of substance

If the downlight lamp is mounted flush with the mounting surface, then installation is simple, but the volume of air accessible for sterilization is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair volume for sterilizationVSAvoidmounting complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flush mounting to a three-dimensional protruding structure. The air inlet and outlet openings are positioned on a protruding portion of the downlight lamp that extends away from the mounting surface, creating additional spatial dimension for air access. This allows the lamp to draw air from a larger volume while maintaining simple installation through the mounting hole

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If air inlet and outlet openings face the same direction, then air flow path is short and simple, but sterilized air distribution is limited to a narrow column

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair distribution areaVSAvoidopening arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses asymmetric positioning of air inlet and outlet openings at different angular locations (45° to 135° apart) to create a divergent air flow pattern. The air outlet opening directs sterilized air in a direction that spreads across a wider area rather than forming a narrow column, improving air distribution effectiveness while maintaining a relatively simple opening arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 design effectively sterilizes a larger volume of air while minimizing recirculation and exposure to UV radiation, improving the dual function of illumination and air disinfection, making it suitable for various environments.

Implementation Method 1

a sterilization device configured to sterilize air in the sterilization chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet light emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

a fan for moving air through the one or air inlet channels and out of the one or more air outlet channels via the sterilization chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectForced air circulation: Fan

Data Source

PatentEP4332428A1Downlight with sterilization functionality
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP4332428A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4332428A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4332428A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A downlight lamp that provides both visible light illumination and air sterilization. Unsterilized air is drawn through one or more air inlet channels, sterilized by a sterilization device and expelled through one or more air outlet channels. The movement of the air is controllable by a fan. The opening(s) of the air inlet channel(s) are angled with respect to the opening(s) of the air outlet channel(s). The openings are positioned in a protruding portion of the downlight lamp, being a portion that protrudes outwardly from a supporting surface in a same direction as visible light is emitted.