High-Fluence Optic With Funnel Reflector for Occupied-Space UV Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disinfection systems using UV light sources in occupied spaces face challenges in achieving high efficacy while adhering to safety regulations that limit irradiance to protect human eyes and skin, leading to complex occupancy sensor-based controls and reduced disinfection effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The development of UV irradiation systems with a funnel-shaped reflective surface and refractive optics that enhance fluence rate while maintaining irradiance within safety limits, ensuring effective pathogen inactivation by tailoring the angular intensity distribution to maximize horizontal fluence without exceeding eye exposure limits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV light sources are used for disinfection in occupied spaces, then pathogen inactivation efficacy is improved, but safety risks to human eyes and skin increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform angular intensity distribution where different angular ranges have different intensity characteristics. The optic concentrates UV energy in specific angular zones (e.g., 30-60 degrees from nadir) to maximize fluence rate for pathogen inactivation while maintaining lower intensity in other zones to reduce eye exposure risk, thus achieving both high efficacy and safety simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular intensity distribution parameter through optical design. By using reflectors, refractive optics, or lens arrays, the system transforms the conventional isotropic or nadir-concentrated emission pattern into a tailored distribution where intensity varies with angle. This parameter modification enables the system to deliver high fluence rates for disinfection while controlling irradiance levels to comply with safety standards
2Object-affected harmful factors
If irradiance is limited to protect human eyes and skin, then safety is improved, but disinfection effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from considering only irradiance (power per unit area) to incorporating angular distribution as an additional dimension. By optimizing the angular intensity profile, the system achieves high fluence rate (energy per unit area from all directions) for pathogens while maintaining acceptable irradiance levels for human safety. This dimensional expansion allows simultaneous optimization of both safety and effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform angular intensity distribution where different angular ranges have different intensity characteristics. The optic concentrates UV energy in specific angular zones (e.g., 30-60 degrees from nadir) to maximize fluence rate for pathogen inactivation while maintaining lower intensity in other zones to reduce eye exposure risk, thus achieving both high efficacy and safety simultaneously
3Device complexity
If conventional UV light distribution is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but fluence rate for pathogen inactivation is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary element (reflector, refractive optic, or lens array) between the UV LED and the environment. This intermediary modifies the light distribution pattern without requiring complex control systems or multiple light sources. The optical element transforms the LED's emission pattern into a tailored angular distribution that maximizes fluence rate while maintaining system simplicity and avoiding occupancy sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular intensity distribution parameter through optical design. By using reflectors, refractive optics, or lens arrays, the system transforms the conventional isotropic or nadir-concentrated emission pattern into a tailored distribution where intensity varies with angle. This parameter modification enables the system to deliver high fluence rates for disinfection while controlling irradiance levels to comply with safety standards
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 achieves enhanced disinfection efficacy by increasing fluence rate while ensuring compliance with safety regulations, allowing for efficient pathogen inactivation without complex occupancy sensors, thus optimizing UV light distribution for both airborne pathogens and surface disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
The reflector has a funnel-shaped reflective surface facing the support structure and has an apex positioned on the optical axis of the light source. The reflector is oriented with the funnel-shaped reflective surface expanding with increasing distance from the support structure along the optical axis.
Implementation Method 2
In some embodiments, the optic comprises a refractive optic mounted over the one or more UV light emitters on the support structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An irradiation method includes irradiating an environment with light using one or more one ceiling-mounted light sources, where each ceiling-mounted light source has an optical axis oriented vertically downward, and wherein each ceiling-mounted light source emits a light distribution having more angle-integrated intensity in a higher angular range relative to the optical axis of the ceiling-mounted light source than in a lower angular range relative to the optical axis of the ceiling-mounted light source. A ceiling-mounted light source may include a support structure, one or more light emitters disposed on a surface of the support structure, and a reflector with a funnel-shaped reflective surface facing the support structure and expanding with increasing distance from the support structure along the optical axis. The light emitters may be ultraviolet (UV) light emitters whereby the light source is a UV ceiling-mounted light source.