Sterilizing LED Lighting with 400-420 Nm Human-Safe Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultraviolet LEDs with sterilizing functions are harmful to humans and cannot be used in spaces where people are present, as they can cause eye and skin diseases, limiting their application in lighting apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A lighting apparatus that combines white light emitting diodes with a wavelength converter and a second light emitting diode emitting light in the 400-420 nm range, which is safe for human exposure and effective for sterilization, allowing for the creation of a sterilizing lighting system that mimics sunlight's color temperature changes over time and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultraviolet LEDs with sterilizing function are used, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but harm to human body (eyes and skin) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light source into two distinct LED components: a first LED emitting ultraviolet light for sterilization and a second LED emitting visible light for human safety. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without causing harm, resolving the contradiction between sterilization effectiveness and human safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two different light sources (ultraviolet LED and visible light LED) into a single lighting apparatus. The ultraviolet component provides sterilization while the visible light component ensures human safety, creating a combined system that achieves both sterilization effectiveness and harm reduction simultaneously.
2Reliability
If ultraviolet LEDs are used for sterilization, then sterilization function is achieved, but usability in spaces with people is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ultraviolet sterilization LEDs with visible light LEDs in a single lighting apparatus. This merging allows the system to provide both sterilization function and safe illumination for occupied spaces, eliminating the need to choose between sterilization and usability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting apparatus achieves multi-functionality by integrating both sterilization and illumination capabilities. The first LED provides sterilization while the second LED provides safe visible light for human eyes, making the single apparatus suitable for use in spaces with people while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.
3Illumination intensity
If blue light emitting diodes are used in white light sources, then white light is produced, but harm to human eyes and skin increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the LED light source. Instead of using blue LEDs with wavelengths that cause harm, the invention uses a visible light LED with a wavelength of 400-420 nm that is safe for human eyes and skin while still producing white light through wavelength conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wavelength converter as an intermediary substance that converts the light from the visible light LED into white light. This intermediary enables the production of white light without directly using harmful blue LEDs, thus reducing harm to human eyes and skin while maintaining illumination quality.
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 effectively sterilizes pathogenic microorganisms while being safe for human use, capable of operating in environments with people, and adjusts light dosage based on location and time to simulate natural sunlight, providing a sterilizing function without causing eye or skin diseases.
Implementation Method 1
the wavelength converter includes a plurality of wavelength conversion substances to convert light of the first light emitting diode into white light
Implementation Method 2
at least one second light emitting diode emitting light suitable for sterilizing at least one pathogenic microorganism, in which the second light emitting diode emits light having a central wavelength in a range of about 400 nm to about 420 nm
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting apparatus including a first light emitter including at least one first light emitting diode and a wavelength converter, and a second light emitter including at least one second light emitting diode, in which the first light emitting diode emits light having a central wavelength in a range of violet or blue, the second light emitting diode emits light having a central wavelength in a range of about 400 nm to 420 nm, the wavelength converter includes green and red phosphors to convert light of the first light emitting diode into the white light, in the white light, an irradiance of light emitted from the first light emitting diode is less than that from the red phosphor, and an irradiance of light emitted from the second light emitting diode is greater than that of the white light emitted from the first light emitter at the same wavelength.