UV Sterilization Light Fixture with Sensor-Controlled Air Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED lighting fixtures may not provide sufficient flux or energy density of pathogen-inactivating radiation, such as at 405 and 470 nm, to effectively inactivate airborne pathogens due to the large volume of rooms they are placed in, and higher doses of 405 nm radiation can be irritating to human eyes.
Innovation Solution
A white light LED fixture with a fan to draw air into a UV sterilization box, where the air is irradiated with UV LED chips, enhancing the flux and energy density of UV radiation within a small volume, and combining it with peak wavelengths at 405 and 470 nm for pathogen inactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LED fixtures are used to provide pathogen-inactivating radiation in large room volumes, then the fixture structure is simple and energy consumption is low, but the flux and energy density of UV radiation are insufficient to effectively inactivate airborne pathogens
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the space into two functional zones: a large-volume illumination zone for general lighting and a compact sterilization chamber for concentrated UV-C treatment. Air is circulated from the illumination zone through the sterilization chamber where pathogens are inactivated, then returned to the illumination zone. This segmentation allows high-intensity UV radiation to be concentrated in a small volume without requiring the entire large space to contain dangerous radiation levels.
Solution Approach 2:
A fan-driven air circulation system acts as an intermediary, transporting air between the illumination zone and sterilization chamber. This mediator enables the separation of functions: white light LEDs provide general illumination and some disinfection in the large space, while UV-C LEDs deliver concentrated pathogen inactivation in the compact chamber, with air circulation connecting both functions.
2Reliability
If higher doses of 405 nm radiation are used to inactivate viruses, then viral disinfection effectiveness improves, but human eye irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates viral disinfection function into a dedicated sterilization chamber isolated from the occupied space. High-dose UV-C radiation (200-280 nm) is confined within this enclosed chamber where viruses in circulating air are inactivated. The chamber design prevents direct human exposure to the harmful UV-C wavelengths while maintaining effective viral disinfection through concentrated radiation dosage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the system use different radiation wavelengths and intensities appropriate to their function: the sterilization chamber contains high-intensity UV-C (200-280 nm) for viral inactivation, while the illumination zone uses visible white light with peaks at 405 nm and 470 nm that provides both lighting and supplementary disinfection without causing eye irritation to occupants.
3Reliability
If a compact sterilization chamber is used to increase UV radiation flux density, then pathogen inactivation effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple functions into a single integrated fixture: white light LEDs provide general illumination, white light with 405/470 nm peaks provide supplementary disinfection, UV-C LEDs deliver concentrated viral inactivation, and the fan system provides air circulation and heat management. This consolidation achieves high sterilization effectiveness while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate devices through unified design and shared infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture design incorporates multi-functionality where components serve multiple purposes: the fan system enables both air circulation for sterilization and heat dissipation for LED thermal management; the white light LEDs provide both illumination and disinfection; the structure serves as both housing and optical pathways. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high sterilization performance.
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 by increasing the flux and energy density of UV radiation, ensuring complete disinfection of air within the fixture before reintroducing it into the room or building.
Implementation Method 1
405 nm radiation causes reactive oxygen species generation in cells, which in turn prevent cell metabolism and effectively suppresses bacterial growth
Implementation Method 2
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
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor system useable in conjunction with one or more environmental fixtures is disclosed. Each of the fixtures preferably includes illumination functionality as well as UV sterilization functionality provided by a fan and UV LED chips in the fixture. One of the fixtures is preferably programmed as a master which executes a control algorithm to control and/or monitor the system. The sensor module includes a plurality of sensors for sensing different environmental conditions where the system is utilized. These sensed conditions are provided to the master fixture, whose control algorithm can use the sensed conditions to control one or more functions in each of the fixtures, such as illumination, UV sterilization, and/or fan speed. The master fixture can output necessary controls to other secondary fixtures in the environment. The system may further communicate with or include external devices that can wirelessly communicate with the system using an application.