Multimode Color Tunable Light Source for Daylighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional daylighting systems using solar tubes face limitations such as dynamic changes in light quality and efficiency due to sun position, weather, and sky conditions, and are inadequate for nighttime illumination, often resulting in undesirable color differences between natural and artificial light sources.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system combining a solar tube with multimode color tunable light sources, such as RGB LEDs, and a control unit that adjusts the artificial light's color and intensity based on environmental sensor data to match natural light conditions, ensuring consistent and desirable lighting profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional daylighting systems use solar tubes alone, then natural light can be captured, but the light quality changes dynamically and color differences occur between natural and artificial light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color tunable light sources (such as RGB LEDs) that can dynamically adjust their color temperature and spectral composition to match the changing characteristics of natural light throughout the day. The system transitions from static artificial lighting to dynamic lighting that adapts in real-time to environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and stability by making the artificial light source as dynamic as the natural light it complements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of artificial light (color temperature, spectral power distribution, intensity) to match the varying parameters of natural light. Sensors detect the spectral characteristics of natural light, and the control system adjusts the artificial light sources accordingly, maintaining consistent overall light quality despite changes in natural light conditions.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If solar tubes are used for daylighting, then natural light is captured, but the system is inadequate for nighttime illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the solar tube daylighting system with color tunable artificial light sources into a unified hybrid system. The artificial lights are integrated within or adjacent to the solar tube structure, allowing seamless transition between natural light capture during the day and artificial illumination at night. This combination extends the illumination duration from daytime only to 24/7 operation while maintaining lighting quality through coordinated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid system performs multiple functions: capturing and transmitting natural light during the day, and providing artificial illumination at night. The color tunable light sources serve dual purposes of supplementing natural light when needed and providing primary illumination when natural light is unavailable, making the system universally functional across all lighting conditions.
3Illumination intensity
If artificial light sources are added to supplement natural light, then illumination is improved, but color differences between natural and artificial light create undesirable effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes color tunable light sources that can change their spectral composition and color temperature to match the characteristics of natural light. By adjusting the color properties of artificial light to complement rather than contrast with natural light, the system eliminates undesirable color differences and creates visually comfortable, harmonious lighting environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the spectral characteristics and intensity of natural light, feeding this information back to the control system. The controller adjusts the artificial light sources in real-time based on this feedback, ensuring that color matching and intensity balancing occur automatically, thereby maintaining visual comfort without manual intervention.
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 enhances the adaptability and quality of interior lighting by dynamically adjusting artificial light to complement natural light, eliminating color differences and providing effective illumination throughout the day, including nighttime, while optimizing energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
an optical conduit with highly reflective interior surfaces
Implementation Method 2
at least one artificial light source comprising RGB LEDs
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting system comprising:a natural light source configured to deliver natural light to the interior of a structure, a multimode artificial light source (207); an all sky camera (209), a control unit (211) in communication with said multimode artificial light source and said all sky camera and a mixing chamber (215) configured to receive light from said natural light source and light from said at least one multimode artificial light source, wherein said control unit (211) is configured to, in response to an environmental control signal from said all sky camera, output at least one control signal to said multimode artificial light source and wherein said multimode artificial light source (207) is configured to output light of varying color and color temperature in response to said at least one control signal.