Hybrid UV-Visible Lighting for Mine Safety Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low light conditions in underground mines hinder the effectiveness of safety markings due to the reduced ultraviolet radiation from LED lighting, which are designed to fluoresce, making it difficult to identify and differentiate between objects and personnel.
Innovation Solution
A lighting unit that emits both visible and ultraviolet light, with the ultraviolet light transmitted broadly and visible light focused through a lens, combined with a camera and controller system to detect and differentiate reflective patterns on objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LED lighting is used to improve energy efficiency, then energy consumption is reduced, but ultraviolet radiation is eliminated which degrades the effectiveness of fluorescent safety markings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines LED technology with ultraviolet light sources in a hybrid lighting system. The LED array provides efficient visible light illumination while the ultraviolet light source (mercury vapor lamp or UV LED) emits UV radiation to activate fluorescent safety markings. This merging allows the system to achieve both energy efficiency and effective safety marking visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system uses a composite approach by integrating different light source technologies (LED and ultraviolet sources) with different spectral characteristics. The system combines the energy-efficient visible light output of LEDs with the fluorescent-activating ultraviolet output, creating a composite lighting solution that addresses both energy efficiency and safety marking effectiveness.
2Illumination intensity
If ultraviolet light is used to improve fluorescence of safety markings, then visibility of markings is enhanced, but the complexity of the lighting system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates ultraviolet light sources with LED arrays in a unified lighting housing and control system. The controller manages both light sources simultaneously, and the housing contains both types of emitters with appropriate optical components. This merging approach enhances safety marking visibility while consolidating system complexity into a single integrated unit rather than separate systems.
3Illumination intensity
If LED lighting is used to provide focused visible light, then illumination directionality is improved, but the spectral breadth is reduced which affects fluorescent material activation
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system employs a composite spectral output by combining LED visible light with ultraviolet radiation. The LED portion provides directed visible illumination with good directionality, while the ultraviolet portion adds the necessary spectral component for fluorescent activation. This composite approach expands the effective spectral breadth without compromising the directional illumination properties of the LED component.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system segments the illumination function into two distinct components: LED emitters for directed visible light and ultraviolet emitters for fluorescent activation. Each segment performs its specialized function, with the LED array providing focused visible illumination and the UV sources providing broad-spectrum ultraviolet radiation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while together they provide comprehensive illumination.
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
Enhances the visibility of safety markings and allows for accurate identification and tracking of objects in low light environments by utilizing the ultraviolet spectrum to improve fluorescence and a camera system to recognize and alert operators to specific patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a second ultraviolet light emitter (244) that emits light in the ultraviolet spectrum
Implementation Method 2
its use alters the spectral breadth of the light being produced. The lack of ultraviolet light degrades the effectiveness of safety markings placed on equipment and the clothing and safety equipment worn by personnel, in that many of such markings are designed to fluoresce, which requires the presence of UV spectral power
Implementation Method 3
A lens may be positioned at the front opening of the main housing and configured to transmit and direct both the visual and ultraviolet light emitted from the lighting assembly
Implementation Method 4
The lens is positioned at the front opening of the main housing and includes means for transmitting both the visual and ultraviolet light emitted from the lighting assembly
Implementation Method 5
A camera and controller system to detect and differentiate reflective patterns on objects
Data Source
AI summary
A system for detecting patterns on objects having reflective or high visibility colored material thereon. The system includes a lighting unit that includes a main housing having a front opening and a cavity, a first visual lighting assembly positioned within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the visible spectrum, and a second ultraviolet lighting assembly positioned a fixed distance from the first visual lighting assembly within the cavity of the main housing that emits light in the ultraviolet spectrum, a camera having a field of view within which the system is configured to detect patterns of reflective or high visibility colored material on one or more objects, a warning device to alert the operator when a marked object enters the camera's field of view. A controller/processor is programmed to detect when a pattern of reflective or high visibility colored material enters the camera's field of view. A variety of patterns can be used, and the controller can be programmed to associated each pattern with a specific object.