Lamp with Metameric Light Sources for Melanopic Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lamps cannot independently adjust the circadian or melanopic effect of the light emitted while maintaining a constant color temperature, as changes in intensity of warm and cold white light sources alter the color temperature.

Innovation Solution

A lamp with two metameric light sources, each with distinct spectral distributions represented by different color loci within a MacAdam ellipse, allowing independent intensity control to adjust the melanopic effect without changing the color temperature, and a light exit area that can be adjusted to enhance the melanopic effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the intensities of warm white and cool white light sources are adjusted to change the melanopic effect, then the circadian effect factor is improved, but the color temperature changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemelanopic effect adjustmentVSAvoidcolor temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The light source is segmented into multiple LED types (warm white, cool white, and yellow LEDs) with distinct spectral characteristics. Each LED type contributes differently to the melanopic effect while having minimal impact on color temperature, allowing independent adjustment of circadian influence without altering perceived color

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the spectral composition parameters by adjusting the intensity ratios of different LED types rather than using traditional warm/cool white mixing. This parameter transformation enables melanopic effect control through selective activation of LEDs with specific spectral power distributions that have low color temperature influence

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources with different spectral distributions are used to control melanopic effect, then the circadian influence is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral control capabilityVSAvoidnumber of light sources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple LED types serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide illumination, control melanopic effect, and maintain color stability. The yellow LEDs specifically target the melanopic sensitivity peak while the warm and cool white LEDs provide complementary spectral components, creating a multi-functional light source system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple LED types with different spectral characteristics into a single integrated luminaire assembly. The control unit merges the output of warm white, cool white, and yellow LEDs to achieve the desired melanopic effect while maintaining constant color temperature, consolidating complex spectral control into one device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 the adjustment of the melanopic effect factor of the light emitted by the lamp without altering the color temperature, maintaining a consistent color impression and allowing for precise control of the circadian influence on the viewer.

Implementation Method 1

a first light source (1) for generating a first light (1*) with a first spectral distribution... a second light source (2) for generating a second light (2*) with a second spectral distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3061321B1Lamp which influences the melanopsin production
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 ZUMTOBEL LIGHTING GMBH
  • EP3061321B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3061321B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3061321B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a lamp, comprising a first light source (1) for producing a first light having a first spectral distribution, wherein the first light is represented by a first set of chromaticity coordinates in a chromaticity diagram, and comprising a second light source (2) for producing a second light having a second spectral distribution, wherein the second light is represented by a second set of chromaticity coordinates in the chromaticity diagram, the second spectral distribution being different from the first spectral distribution. Furthermore, the lamp has a control unit (3) for controlling the first light source (1) and the second light source (2), which control unit is designed in such a way that an intensity of the first light can be changed independently of an intensity of the second light. The lamp is designed in such a way that the first set of chromaticity coordinates substantially corresponds with the second set of chromaticity coordinates. In this way and by changing the intensities of the first light and of the second light, the weighting of the two lights can be changed in such a way that the melanopic effect factor of the light emitted by the lamp is thereby changed without the color temperature of the light changing.