Multi-functional lighting fixture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air filtration systems in indoor environments often fail due to improper maintenance, leading to ineffective removal of airborne pathogens, which can spread diseases.
Innovation Solution
A configurable lighting fixture with a sealed air plenum containing ultraviolet light emitting diodes and a negative ion generator, combined with a backup lighting system and remote control capabilities, to purify air and provide pathogen reduction while also offering mood and therapy lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If air filtration systems are installed to remove airborne pathogens, then pathogen removal effectiveness is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to improper maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines air filtration, UV-C irradiation, and negative ion generation into a single integrated lighting fixture. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate maintenance of multiple systems, addressing the reliability issue caused by improper maintenance while maintaining pathogen removal effectiveness through multiple complementary mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting fixture serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing illumination, filtering air, generating negative ions, and emitting UV-C radiation for pathogen destruction. This multi-functionality ensures that even if one mechanism requires maintenance, the other functions continue to provide pathogen protection, thereby improving system reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple functions are integrated into a single lighting fixture, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal lighting fixture that performs illumination, air filtration, negative ion generation, and UV-C pathogen destruction. This multi-functional design achieves high versatility while managing complexity through integrated circuit board control that coordinates all functions from a single control point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control circuit board as an intermediary that manages all fixture functions centrally. This mediator coordinates the LED drivers, UV-C irradiation, negative ion generation, and backup lighting operations, simplifying the user interface while enabling versatile multi-functional operation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If UV-C irradiation is used to destroy pathogens, then pathogen destruction effectiveness is improved, but safety risks increase due to ultraviolet exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting fixture into distinct functional compartments: a light-tight plenum for UV-C irradiation and a separate illumination compartment for visible light. This segmentation physically isolates the harmful UV-C radiation to the air treatment function while keeping the safe illumination function accessible, thereby maintaining pathogen destruction effectiveness while minimizing safety risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses light-tight baffles and compartmentalization as intermediaries to contain UV-C radiation within the air treatment plenum. These structural intermediaries prevent direct human exposure to harmful UV-C wavelengths while allowing the radiation to effectively treat airborne pathogens in the sealed chamber.
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 fixture effectively reduces airborne pathogens, provides backup lighting during power failures, and offers customizable lighting for various applications, enhancing safety and comfort in institutional settings.
Implementation Method 1
a first lighting source arranged in the plenum to irradiate air passing through the plenum to destroy pathogens
Implementation Method 2
The first compartment can also include a negative ion generator
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture includes a first compartment including a light sealed air plenum and a first lighting source arranged in the plenum to irradiate passing air through the plenum to destroy pathogens. A second compartment is configured to be external to the first compartment. A second lighting source is arranged in the second compartment to illuminate an area adjacent to the second compartment.