LED Light Emitting Unit for Microbial Control and Vitamin D3
Solution Overview
Problem
Animal farming and indoor human environments face challenges in reducing microbial pressure from zoonoses, bacteria, and viruses, while also addressing vitamin D3 deficiency due to insufficient UV-B exposure, leading to health risks and increased antibiotic use.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting unit configured with UV-B and UV-C LEDs emitting specific wavelengths, such as 297 nm, 283 nm, and 233 nm, to reduce microbial pressure and stimulate natural vitamin D3 production, while providing visible work light without harming humans or animals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV-B and UV-C LEDs are used to reduce microbial pressure and stimulate vitamin D3 production, then health benefits are improved, but the risk of harmful UV exposure to humans and animals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting and controlling the wavelength parameters of LED light sources. Specifically, it uses UV-B LEDs emitting at 280-315 nm (preferably 297 nm) to stimulate vitamin D3 production, and UV-C LEDs emitting at 200-280 nm (preferably 233 nm) for microbial inactivation. The system controls the intensity and exposure duration parameters to ensure therapeutic benefits while preventing harmful effects, thus resolving the contradiction between health benefits and UV exposure risk.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LED types are combined to provide UV-B, UV-C, and visible light functions, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a single lighting system that performs multiple functions: UV-B LEDs (297 nm) stimulate vitamin D3 production, UV-C LEDs (233 nm) inactivate microorganisms, and visible light LEDs provide illumination. This multi-functional integrated system eliminates the need for separate devices for each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility across different application scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the lighting system into distinct LED modules with specific wavelength functions. Each LED type (UV-B, UV-C, visible light) is independently controllable, allowing flexible configuration and operation. This modular segmentation enables the system to adapt to different requirements by activating only the necessary LED types, thereby managing complexity while maintaining versatility.
3Reliability
If UV-C LEDs at 233 nm are used for microbial inactivation, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but the ability to provide visible work light deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light sources into a single integrated system. UV-C LEDs at 233 nm provide disinfection effectiveness, while separate visible light LEDs provide illumination for work activities. By combining these different LED types in one system, the patent simultaneously achieves both disinfection and lighting functions without requiring separate devices, thus resolving the contradiction between disinfection effectiveness and visible light provision.
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
Significantly reduces microbial pressure and enhances vitamin D3 production, minimizing health risks and antibiotic use, while providing effective and safe lighting conditions for both humans and animals.
Implementation Method 1
at least one UV-B Light Emitting Diode (LED) configured for emitting monochromatic UV-B light... at least one UV-C Light Emitting Diode (LED) configured for emitting monochromatic UV-C light... reducing the microbial pressure
Implementation Method 2
Vitamin D3 is produced in the skin from 7-dehydrocholesterol by ultra violet (UV) light of the B-type (UV-B)... UV-B is present in the spectrum of natural light and hence the exposure of skin to natural light drives the formation of Natural vitamin D3 (ND3) in the skin
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and light emitting units with light emitting diodes may be for facilitating production of vitamin D, reducing microbial pressure and optionally providing work light inside buildings. A light emitting unit is provided for reducing the microbial pressure in a building preferably in combination with sensors, and for promoting formation of natural vitamin D3 in animals and/or humans, and preferably also providing visible work light. A light emitting unit may include at least a first UV-B LED configured for emitting monochromatic UV-B light with maximum intensity between 292-302 nm, 295-299 nm, 296-298 nm, or 297 nm, and at least a second UV-B LED configured for emitting monochromatic UV-B light with maximum intensity between 278-288 nm, 281-285 nm, 282-284 nm, or 283 nm and/or at least a first UV-C LED configured for emitting monochromatic UV-C light with maximum intensity between 228-238 nm, 231-235 nm, 232-234 nm, or 233 nm.