Dual-Light Lighting Fixture With UV-Blocking Visible-Light Shield
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combining visible and ultraviolet light in a lighting fixture leads to material degradation and increased costs due to the need for UV-resistant materials or separate compartments, which can result in non-operational appearances.
Innovation Solution
A lighting fixture design that separates visible and ultraviolet light emitting components with a shield allowing visible light to pass through while blocking ultraviolet light, protecting standard components from UV exposure and maintaining a uniform illumination appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If visible and ultraviolet light emitting components are combined in a single lighting fixture, then the fixture can emit both types of light simultaneously, but ultraviolet light causes material degradation and discoloration of components
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting fixture is divided into separate compartments: a first compartment for visible light emitting components and a second compartment for ultraviolet light emitting components. This segmentation prevents UV light from degrading visible light components while allowing both types of light to be emitted simultaneously through the same fixture housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The visible light emitting components are extracted from the ultraviolet light environment by placing them in a separate compartment that is shielded from UV radiation. This extraction protects the visible light components from harmful UV exposure while maintaining the fixture's dual emission capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If separate compartments are used for visible and ultraviolet light emitting components, then material degradation is prevented, but the ultraviolet compartment appears non-operational since ultraviolet light is non-visible
Solution Approach 1:
The shield between compartments is designed with selective optical properties: it is transparent or translucent to visible light wavelengths, allowing visible light to pass through and illuminate the fixture uniformly, while it is opaque to ultraviolet wavelengths, blocking UV light from reaching visible light components. This local quality differentiation solves both the protection and appearance issues.
Solution Approach 2:
A shield acts as an intermediary element between the ultraviolet and visible light compartments. This shield selectively transmits visible light while blocking ultraviolet light, thereby protecting visible light components from UV degradation while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the fixture by allowing visible light to pass through.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If UV-resistant materials are used for all components, then material degradation is prevented, but the cost of the lighting fixture increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fixture into UV-exposed and non-UV-exposed compartments, only the ultraviolet light emitting components and the shield need to be made from UV-resistant materials. Standard materials can be used for visible light components, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while still preventing material degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
UV-resistant materials are applied locally only where necessary - specifically for the ultraviolet light emitting components and the shield that blocks UV radiation. Visible light components can use standard, less expensive materials since they are protected from UV exposure by the compartment separation and shield.
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
Enables cost-effective emission of both visible and ultraviolet light without material degradation and maintains aesthetic appeal by ensuring all components appear illuminated.
Implementation Method 1
one or more shields arranged and configured to enable the visible light to pass therethrough so that the visible light travels from the one or more visible light emitting compartments to the one or more ultraviolet light emitting compartments, the one or more shields arranged and configured to prohibit the ultraviolet light from passing therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture arranged and configured to emit visible (e.g., white) light and ultraviolet light. In one embodiment, the lighting fixture includes one or more visible light emitting compartments and one or more ultraviolet light emitting compartments for housing the visible light emitting components and the ultraviolet light emitting compartments, respectively. A shield is positioned between the visible light emitting compartment(s) and the ultraviolet light emitting compartment(s). The shield being configured to enable the visible light to pass therethrough while prohibiting the ultraviolet light from passing therethrough. Thus arranged, the visible light is allowed to enter the ultraviolet light emitting compartment(s) and mix with the ultraviolet light, while the ultraviolet light is prevented from entering the visible light emitting compartment(s) where it may degrade the components and materials of the visible light emitting compartment(s) contained within.