Hybrid UV-White Light Source with Dual Diffuser Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing disinfection systems face challenges in efficiently and safely disinfecting large spaces, such as offices and public areas, due to limitations in UV light wavelength, intensity, and duration, which can be harmful to humans and require complex integration with HVAC systems.
Innovation Solution
A light generating system comprising a first visible light source and a second UV light source, with specific diffusers configured to optimize the reflection and transmission of UV light, allowing for the generation of system light that includes both visible and UV components, thereby enhancing disinfection efficiency while minimizing harmful effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If UV light intensity and wavelength are increased to improve disinfection capacity, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but harmful effects on humans increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between UV disinfection mode and visible light illumination mode. During UV mode, high-intensity UV-C light disinfects the space while humans are absent. During visible light mode, the space is safely illuminated for human occupancy. This periodic switching allows high disinfection capacity without continuous human exposure to harmful UV radiation.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system acts as an intermediary between the UV light source and the environment, managing when UV light is emitted based on occupancy detection. Sensors detect human presence and automatically adjust UV light emission, serving as a mediator that prevents direct harmful exposure while maintaining disinfection effectiveness during unoccupied periods.
2Area of stationary object
If UV light is used for disinfection in large spaces, then disinfection coverage is improved, but system complexity increases due to integration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system performs multiple functions: it provides visible light for illumination during occupied periods and UV-C light for disinfection during unoccupied periods. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated disinfection systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining large space coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines UV-C LED disinfection functionality with visible LED lighting functionality into a single integrated system. By merging these functions into one device with shared control and power systems, the complexity of implementing separate disinfection systems in large spaces is significantly reduced.
3Productivity
If UV light duration is extended to improve disinfection effectiveness, then disinfection capacity is improved, but harmful exposure to humans increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic operation with extended UV disinfection cycles during unoccupied periods followed by visible light cycles during occupied periods. This allows cumulative disinfection effectiveness to build up over extended UV exposure times without increasing harmful human exposure, since UV is only active when spaces are unoccupied.
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 efficiently produces both UV and visible light, reducing the homogeneity issues of visible light and allowing existing infrastructure to be used for both lighting and disinfection, thus effectively enhancing disinfection capacity in large spaces while ensuring safety.
Implementation Method 1
a first diffuser having a first reflectance arranged downstream of the visible light source and upstream of the UV light source, the first diffuser configured to diffuse the visible light
Implementation Method 2
the first diffuser having a first reflectance
Implementation Method 3
a second diffuser having a second reflectance arranged downstream of the UV light source; wherein the device light exiting the lighting device comprises white light and UV light
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a light generating system (1000) comprising a first light generating device (110), a second light generating device (120), a first diffuser (410), and a second diffuser (420); wherein: (A) the first light generating device (110) configured to generate first device light (111) having a first wavelength in the visible wavelength range; wherein the first light generating device (110) is configured upstream of the first diffuser (410) and upstream of the second diffuser (420); (B) the second light generating device (120) configured to generate second device light (121) having a second wavelength in the UV wavelength range; wherein the second light generating device (120) is configured downstream of the first diffuser (410) and upstream of the second diffuser (420); (C) the first diffuser (410) and the second diffuser (420) are (i) transmissive for the first device light (111) and (ii) diffusive for the first device light (111); (D) the second diffuser (420) is transmissive for the second device light (121); (E) the first diffuser (410) has a first UV reflection R21 for the second device light (121); the second diffuser (420) has a second UV reflection R22 for the second device light (121), wherein R21 is larger than R22; and (F) the light generating system (1000) is configured to generate system light (1001) comprising one or more of the first device light (111) and the second device light (121).