Illumination Device with Infrared Source for Natural Light Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current illumination devices that simulate natural light fail to replicate the full spectrum of visual and thermal effects experienced when light enters a room through a window, leading to an incomplete perception of natural illumination.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device comprising a directional visible light source and an infrared source, combined with a Rayleigh diffuser panel, which simulates natural illumination by creating a chromatic composition that mimics the effects of sunlight, including shadows and heat perception, while optimizing energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If only visible light sources are used to simulate natural illumination, then visual comfort is improved, but thermal perception and spectral completeness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources emitting at different wavelengths (visible light source and infrared light source) into a single illumination device. The visible light source provides visual illumination while the infrared light source adds thermal radiation, merging their effects to simulate complete natural sunlight that includes both visual and thermal components.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides visual illumination through the visible light source and thermal perception through the infrared light source. This multi-functional approach allows a single device to replicate the complete spectrum of natural sunlight, including both the visual and thermal effects that occur when sunlight enters through a window.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are added to replicate full spectrum, then spectral completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a visible light source unit and an infrared light source unit. Each module can be independently controlled and optimized, allowing the system to achieve spectral completeness while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
3Temperature
If infrared light source is added for thermal effects, then thermal perception is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared light source operates periodically or intermittently rather than continuously, activating only when thermal perception is needed. This periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption while still providing the desired thermal effects during specific periods, such as when natural sunlight would normally provide both visual and thermal illumination.
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 device effectively recreates the visual and thermal effects of natural sunlight, improving the naturalness of the perceived illumination and reducing energy consumption by accurately reproducing the spatial and spectral characteristics of solar radiation.
Implementation Method 1
the panel receives the light rays coming from the light source and acts as a so-called Rayleigh diffuser, i.e. it scatters the light rays analogously to what occurs in the earth's atmosphere in clear sky conditions
Implementation Method 2
an illumination device which simulates natural illumination and includes an infrared light source
Data Source
AI summary
Illumination device for illuminating an environment (7), including a visible source (2), which emits a visible beam, and a diffuse light generator (2, 4; 68; 150), which includes an optical structure (4; 64; 150) delimited by an inlet surface (Si; S3), which receives the visible beam, and by an outlet surface (S2). The generator emits from the outlet surface diffuse visible light and direct visible light. The illumination device further includes an infrared optical source (15), which is different from the first visible source and emits an infrared beam so as to impinge on the inlet surface; the optical structure transmits at least one portion of the infrared beam. The illumination system further includes a ventilation system (40) which can be coupled to the environment, which introduces air masses into the environment, in pulsed mode.