UV Fan Light Fixture for Airborne Pathogen Inactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED lighting fixtures with disinfection properties, such as those emitting 405 nm radiation, may not be effective against viruses and may have insufficient energy density to inactivate airborne pathogens, and can be irritating to the human eye.
Innovation Solution
A white light LED fixture with a fan to draw in air and irradiate it with UV radiation from UV LED chips, providing intense disinfection within a small volume, including significant emission peaks at 405 nm and 470 nm for pathogen inactivation, and outputting sterilized air back into the room or building.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 405 nm radiation intensity is increased to kill viruses, then viral disinfection effectiveness is improved, but human eye irritation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the radiation source into multiple LED chips with different wavelengths (405 nm and 470 nm) that work together. The 405 nm LEDs provide viral disinfection capability while the 470 nm LEDs contribute to antibacterial/antifungal effects and reduce overall 405 nm intensity requirements, thereby maintaining effectiveness while reducing eye irritation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spectral parameters by incorporating multiple wavelength peaks (405 nm and 470 nm) instead of relying solely on 405 nm radiation. This multi-wavelength approach allows achieving viral inactivation through the combination of wavelengths rather than high-intensity single wavelength, reducing harmful effects while maintaining disinfection reliability
2Reliability
If light fixture volume is increased to provide sufficient UV radiation energy density for airborne pathogens, then disinfection effectiveness is improved, but device size and complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the radiation parameter by using multiple LED wavelength sources (405 nm and 470 nm) that together provide sufficient energy density for airborne pathogen inactivation. This allows achieving effective disinfection in a compact fixture volume through optimized multi-wavelength radiation rather than requiring large volume single-wavelength UV sources
Solution Approach 2:
The light fixture serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing illumination through white light LEDs and providing disinfection through UV LED chips. This multi-functionality allows the compact fixture to deliver both lighting and comprehensive pathogen inactivation (bacteria, fungi, viruses) without requiring separate dedicated disinfection equipment
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 inactivates bacteria, fungi, and viruses with high intensity UV radiation, providing comprehensive disinfection in a compact and safe manner, suitable for areas like hospitals and grow light systems.
Implementation Method 1
The LED chip includes a first LED that emits light at 405 nm in the near ultraviolet (UV) range
Implementation Method 2
radiation at that wavelength is known to disrupt certain microbial biological processes. For example, the '417 Publication explains that 405 nm radiation causes reactive oxygen species generation in cells, which in turn prevent cell metabolism and effectively suppresses bacterial growth
Implementation Method 3
The LEDs in the chip are coated by a phosphor material, and for the most part the 405 nm radiation passes through the phosphor without absorption. The 450 nm radiation by contrast interacts with the phosphor where it is converted to higher wavelengths, which results in a broader white light emission spectrum
Implementation Method 4
the white light LED fixture includes a fan to continuously draw air into the light fixture. The air drawn in is irradiated with UV radiation within the fixture
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting fixture is disclosed with effective disinfection properties against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. The fixture includes a fan to continuously draw air into the light fixture. The air drawn in is irradiated with UV radiation within the fixture, such as is provided from UV LED chips. The relatively small volume of the light fixture allows the flux or energy density of the UV radiation to be made more intense. After the air is sterilized, it can be put back into the room or building in which the fixture is placed. The white light provided by white light LEDs in the fixture provides illumination, and can further provide significant emission peaks at 405 nm and 470 nm which is also useful to pathogen inactivation.