UV-A White Light Lighting Device With Adjustable CCT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current germicidal lighting systems using UV light for disinfection pose safety risks to humans due to the harmful effects of UV-C radiation, and existing solutions that combine UV-A and white light for safer use often compromise on the quality of ambient light or lack effective control over UV-A radiation exposure.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device that combines UV-A and white light with adjustable Color Temperature (CCT) values, utilizing an LED array with multiple LEDs and photo-luminescent materials encapsulated in a waveguide material, allowing for tunable adjustments to mitigate adverse effects of UV-A radiation while maintaining safe UV-A intensity for human exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV-C radiation is used for disinfection, then germicidal effectiveness is improved, but safety for human exposure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the radiation from UV-C (100-280 nm) to UV-A (315-400 nm), specifically using wavelengths between 315-405 nm. This parameter change maintains antimicrobial effectiveness while reducing harmful effects on human skin and eyes, allowing safe operation in occupied spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful UV-C radiation into beneficial UV-A radiation by using LED sources that emit in the 315-405 nm range. This transformation maintains the disinfection capability while eliminating the severe health risks associated with UV-C, turning a harmful approach into a safe and effective solution
2Object-affected harmful factors
If UV-A and white light are combined for safer disinfection, then safety for human exposure is improved, but control over UV-A radiation exposure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting system into separate controllable modules: UV-A LED sources for disinfection and visible LED sources for illumination. Each module can be independently controlled, allowing precise regulation of UV-A exposure levels while maintaining safe operation in occupied spaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic control capabilities where the intensity and wavelength of UV-A radiation can be adjusted in real-time based on occupancy sensors, time of day, and environmental conditions. This dynamic adjustment maintains safety while optimizing disinfection effectiveness
3Adaptability or versatility
If LED array with photo-luminescent materials is used, then tunability of CCT value is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple LED types (UV-A LEDs and visible LEDs) with photo-luminescent materials into a single integrated lighting device. This combination allows simultaneous emission of disinfection UV-A radiation and visible illumination with tunable CCT values, achieving multiple functions in one device while managing complexity through unified design
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 solution provides a safe and effective combination of UV-A and white light with adjustable CCT values, ensuring the quality of ambient light and minimizing risks associated with UV-A radiation exposure, while maintaining the antimicrobial benefits of UV-A light.
Implementation Method 1
at least one photo-luminescent material for shifting a CCT value of at least one of (a) the red LEDs, (b) the blue LEDs or (c) the UV-A LEDs
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide material having (i) a mixing region for mixing the shifted and any unshifted light so as to generate white light having the target CCT value
Implementation Method 3
Conventional LEDs emit light at a particular wavelength, ranging from, for example, red to UV light
Data Source
AI summary
Lighting systems combine UV-A and white light with an adjustable CCT value so that any adverse effects from the UV-A radiation are mitigated—that is, tunable adjustments to the output of the non-UV LEDs, or to all of the LEDs, result in an overall mixed output conforming to a target CCT value.