Germicidal Lighting Fixture with Shielded Upward Beam
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for fixtures that can provide pathogen-killing light or energy without compromising safety for living beings or sensitive items, as existing solutions are often incompatible with their presence.
Innovation Solution
The development of an apparatus that includes a germicidal energy source, such as an LED emitter, configured to emit light upward from a horizontal plane without crossing it, and a shield to prevent light from reaching the plane, along with a controller to adjust energy delivery based on air volume and flow rate, and sensors to detect living bodies and adjust beam characteristics accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pathogen-killing light is emitted to disinfect air and surfaces, then germicidal effectiveness is improved, but safety for living beings and sensitive items deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into separate functional zones: a germicidal zone above the horizontal plane where UV-C light is emitted for disinfection, and a protected zone below the horizontal plane where living beings and sensitive items are shielded from harmful radiation. The shield physically segments the light propagation path to prevent harmful exposure while maintaining germicidal effectiveness in the target area.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield provides selective protection by blocking harmful UV-C radiation only in specific locations (below the horizontal plane) while allowing the germicidal light to effectively treat air and surfaces above the horizontal plane. This localized approach maintains germicidal effectiveness where needed while ensuring safety in occupied zones.
2Reliability
If germicidal light is emitted continuously to maintain disinfection, then pathogen reduction is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller activates the germicidal light source periodically based on detected air flow rates and occupancy conditions rather than continuous operation. During periods of high air flow or when no living beings are detected, the system increases germicidal activity. When occupancy is detected or air flow is low, the system reduces or suspends emission, maintaining pathogen reduction effectiveness while significantly reducing energy consumption during non-critical periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to detect air flow rates and presence of living beings, providing feedback to the controller which adjusts light source activation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures germicidal action is applied only when and where needed, optimizing the balance between pathogen reduction effectiveness and energy consumption by responding to real-time environmental conditions.
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 apparatus effectively disinfects air and surfaces above the horizontal plane while ensuring safety by preventing light from reaching living beings or sensitive items, providing a controlled and targeted germicidal energy delivery.
Implementation Method 1
an LED emitter, configured to emit light upward from a horizontal plane without crossing it
Implementation Method 2
a shield to prevent light from reaching the plane
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, methods and instructions for disinfecting air. The apparatus may include, and the methods may involve, a fixture. The fixture may include a germicidal light source. The fixture may include a fan. The fan may circulate air through a volume into which the germicidal light source propagates germicidal light. The light source may be configured to emit, upward from a horizontal plane, a beam that, absent reflection off an environmental object, does not cross the horizontal plane. The apparatus may include a shield that prevents light from the light source from crossing the horizontal plane. The sensor may face upward from the horizontal plane. The sensor may face downward from the horizontal plane.