IT202000014005A1 - LAMP FOR AMBIENT LIGHTING, ALSO EMITTING UV RADIATIONS - Google Patents

Description

Description

of industrial invention entitled:

LAMP FOR AMBIENT LIGHTING

EMITTING ALSO UV RADIATIONS

[001] The present invention relates to the technical field of lighting devices used in closed environments; in particular, the present invention consists of a sanitizing accessory which emits UV radiation capable of breaking down the microbial load present in the environment, which is particularly useful in the case of pathologies with modality? of airborne transmission.

[002] Among these pathologies there are many of considerable importance, both in human and veterinary medicine. The implicated pathogens can be viruses, bacteria, fungi, which can be transmitted by breathing, speaking, coughing, sneezing, moving dust, spraying liquids, flushing the toilet or through any activity? generating aerosol particles or droplets.

[003] Although there is an ongoing debate as to whether the currently ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is an airborne disease, from a practical point of view it can be claim that it is ( Is the coronavirus airborne? experts can?t agree. Nature Vol 580, 9 April 2020, p. 175).

[004] The article https://www.erinbromage.com/post/the-risks-know-them-avoid-them explains that when we breathe, talk, sing, sneeze, cough, we emit a quantity virus particle variable. A single cough can release 3,000 virus particles, while a single sneeze releases 30,000. A single breath can release 50-5,000 virus particles. As we speak, we emit 200 viral particles per minute. Viral particles are released as aerosol droplets, most of which are large (usually >5 µm) and rapidly fall to the ground under gravity. However, the most read remain in the air and can cross a room in seconds, aided by ventilation systems. For a practical example of what can? happen, see the case of the restaurant described in the same article. An asymptomatic carrier? sat at a table with nine friends for dinner. About 50% of the people sitting at the porter's table became ill in the next 7 days. Two people sitting at another table, which was downwind of the porter's table, fell ill. Two other people upstream from the table also fell ill, probably from the turbulent airflow. Other people sitting in the same room at other tables out of the airflow did not get sick.

[005] Ultraviolet radiation (UV or ultraviolet light or ultraviolet light) is a range of electromagnetic radiation, with a wavelength immediately lower than the visible light (400-750 nm) of the human eye, and immediately higher than that of X-rays. Ultraviolet radiation constitutes about 10% of the light emitted by the sun, and is produced from ionized gases and particular lamps (mercury vapor lamps and Wood's lamps).

[006] UV radiation can be divided into different bands, differently defined according to the fields of study. When considering the effect of UV rays on human health, the range of UV wavelengths is? usually divided into:

- UV-A (400-315 nm),

- UV-B (315-280nm),

- UV-C (280-100nm).

[007] The sun emits photons in a wide range of frequencies, covering those of ultraviolet light in all three bands UV-A, UV-B and UV-C, but, due to absorption by the ozonosphere , about 99% of the ultraviolet rays that reach the earth's surface are UV-A. In fact almost 100% of UV-C and 95% of UV-B ? absorbed by the earth's atmosphere.

[008] The biological effects of UV radiations, due to their interaction with organic molecules, are responsible for phenomena such as tanning, freckles, sunburn; moreover they represent the main cause of skin cancer.

[009] In particular, ? it is known that UVC radiation having a wavelength between 260 nm and 280 nm causes the formation of pyrimidine base dimers (cytosine, thymine), which are the union of two adjacent pyrimidine residues within a DNA molecule or RNA by a covalent bond between the C5 and C6 carbons of the two pyrimidine bases. If not repaired, pyrimidine base dimers lead to transcription blockage, mutations, cell death and cancer.

[0010] An alternative mechanism that explains the action of UV radiation on viruses? mentioned in the article by Conti et al. How to reduce the likelihood of coronavirus-19 (CoV-19 or SARS-CoV-2) infection and lung inflammation mediated by IL-1, Journal Of Biological Regulators & Homeostatic Agents 2020;34(2). UV radiation is absorbed by oxygen molecules (O2) causing the breaking of the covalent bond and leading to the formation of ozone (O3), which is capable of inhibiting viral replication.

[0011] Ultraviolet rays are invisible to most humans. The human eye does not normally perceive light having a wavelength of less than 390 nm.

[0012] In this moment in which we are trying to fight the Covid-19 epidemic, all the means capable of reducing the contagion represent possibilities? interesting. A possibility? ? that of reducing the number of viral particles capable of transmitting the contagion present in the air of the environments frequented by a multiplicity of? of people, such as classrooms, waiting rooms, bars, restaurants, etc.

[0013] In art? The use of UV radiation for the disinfection of environments has long been known. For example ? known the use of UV lamps in laboratories and fume hoods. These UV lamps are normally used when the environments are not frequented by people, due to the health problems explained above.

[0014] Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation offers an object called Hygeaire https://ultraviolet.com/hygeaire-ultraviolet-indirect-air-disinfection/, which ? shown in the USD358637 design, which ? essentially a device that emits UV radiation directed towards the flow of air that enters the device.

[0015] The vast majority of devices on the market emit UV radiation using mercury lamps.

[0016] Mercury lamps have a quantity of problems. They have a fairly limited duration of use, in the order of 500-2,000 hours of operation. The performance of mercury lamps deteriorates over time. Often the devices that host them do not have counters that signal to the user that the lamp is? exhausted and must be replaced, generating a false sense of security in the user. The mercury contained in the lamp? a highly toxic substance that must be disposed of at the end of its life. The conversion efficiency of electricity into UV radiation ? rather low; is produced a quantity? of heat which in some cases must be disposed of. The spectrum of UV radiation emitted by mercury lamps is not? well defined, which makes the conversion efficiency of electrical energy into UV radiation even more useful. low.

[0017] UV LEDs are currently available on the market, which have numerous advantages over mercury lamps: much longer duration of use; long (20,000-40,000 hours), constant performance throughout their life of use, better conversion efficiency of electrical energy into UV radiation, minimum heat generation, well-defined emission spectrum.

[0018] The purpose of the present invention? provide a suspension or ceiling lighting device which, in addition to illuminating the rooms in which it is located, with visible light installed, also emits UV radiation for the disinfection of the air in the rooms so as not to damage the health of the people present in the room.

[0019] This purpose? obtained with an apparatus having the characteristics of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments and refinements are specified in the dependent claims.

[0020] The lighting device according to the present invention substantially comprises a combination of room lighting lamps coupled with a UV sanitizing accessory, in the form of UV radiation emitting LEDs and visible blue light emitting LEDs. These lamps are located at a well-defined distance from the ceiling, so as to project visible white light (with a wavelength between 400 and 750 nm) downwards and/or upwards, while towards the ceiling and/or the portion more above the side walls, said accessory emits UV radiation (400-100 nm) capable of reducing the microbial load present in the air.

[0021] In one embodiment, the LEDs emitting visible white light on one side, and the UV LEDs and the LEDs emitting visible blue light on the other side are mounted on the same electronic board; in an alternative embodiment, the visible white light emitting LEDs are mounted on an electronic board, while the UV LEDs and the visible blue light emitting LEDs are mounted together on a separate electronic board.

[0022] In one embodiment, the LEDs emitting visible light of a blue color (400-500 nm) when turned on illuminate a signaling element which makes it possible to establish that the UV LEDs are turned on, since the UV radiation is? invisible to the human eye. The UV sanitizing accessory according to the present invention can optionally replace a part of the LEDs emitting visible white light towards the ceiling for indirect lighting.

[0023] In one embodiment, said UV LEDs can emit UV radiation at the same time as the emission of visible white light.

[0024] In one embodiment, said UV LEDs can emit UV radiation alternatively to the emission of visible white light.

[0025] In one embodiment, the opening cone of said UV LEDs upwards and laterally can be determined with suitable optics.

[0026] In one embodiment, the light of said UV LEDs ? projected towards the walls of the room using a tripartite mechanical accessory.

[0027] In one embodiment, said UV sanitizing accessory is part of the lamp as well as how it is produced in the factory.

[0028] In one embodiment, said UV sanitizing accessory is mounted on ceiling or pendant lamps already in use. installed in their definitive location (retrofit).

[0029] In one embodiment, the UV sanitizing accessory is mounted on ceiling or pendant lamps which have a substantially parallelepiped shape, with a much wider axis. longer than the other two (indicatively 1000 x 80 x 120 mm or 2800 x 40 x 120 mm). As an indication, a module of a parallelepiped-shaped suspension lamp has a length of about 1-2.8 metres, while the UV sanitizing accessory according to the present invention has a length of around 30-40 cm.

[0030] In one embodiment, the UV sanitizing accessory is mounted on the upper side of ceiling lights having a circular shape. In this case, the accessory? mounted lying on one side, thus emitting the UV radiation perpendicularly to the direction of emission of the visible white light, that is? essentially towards the walls of the room.

[0031] The advantages of the present invention are many.

[0032] A first advantage consists in the protection of the health of people who, by means of the UV sanitizing accessory according to the present invention, can stay in common environments, reducing the risk of transmission of airborne pathologies.

[0033] A second advantage? the possibility? to use the same UV sanitizing accessory even when the rooms are not frequented by people, directing the UV radiation downwards for surface disinfection.

[0034] The third advantage? given by the fact that the lighting device makes use of UV LEDs, with all the economic advantages, duration and disposal at the end of its life illustrated above.

[0035] A fourth advantage? the possibility? to install the UV sanitizing accessory according to the present invention on already installed ceiling or pendant lamps? existing (retrofit), therefore benefiting from the reduction of the risk of contagion without the need? having to replace the existing lamps and already? installed.

[0036] Further advantages and features of the present invention are described in the following description, wherein exemplary embodiments are explained in detail based on the drawings:

Figures 1, 1A Parallelepiped pendant lamp, assembled isometric and frontal view;

Figure 2 Parallelepiped pendant lamp, exploded isometric view;

Figures 3, 3A UV sanitizing accessory, assembled isometric and front view;

Figure 4 UV sanitization accessory, isometric exploded view; Figures 5, 5A Circular suspension lamp, assembled isometric and frontal view;

Figures 6, 6A UV sanitizing accessory, assembled isometric and front view;

Figure 7 UV sanitization accessory, isometric exploded view; Figures 8, 8A Embodiment with optical elements, assembled and exploded isometric view;

Figure 9 Embodiment with tripartite accessory, isometric view; Figure 10 Embodiment with tripartite accessory, front section.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a ceiling-suspended lamp 1 (not shown) according to the present invention in an assembled isometric view, while Figure 1A shows the same lamp 1 in a front view. The lamp 1 has a parallelepiped-shaped lamp body 2, measuring approximately 1000 x 80 x 120 mm or 2800 x 40 x 120 mm, which is attached to the ceiling thanks to a pair of cables 3 of suitable length. On the upper side of the lamp from the outside ? a signaller 4 bearing a UVC or similar writing, or a symbol is visible. Signalman 4? constructed in such a way that when the UV LEDs are turned on (which emit radiations of wavelength not visible to the human eye) said indicator 4 appears illuminated, in a way that will be? better explained more after you.

[0038] Figure 2 shows the lamp 1 in an exploded isometric view. Lamp body 2 includes:

- a lower covering element 21, consisting of an opal polycarbonate screen;

- A structural element 22 which has an H section;

- A box-shaped body 23 which has grooves inside it which are able to stably receive the structural element 22;

- A pair of upper covering elements 24;

- A UV sanitizing accessory 10 according to the present invention.

[0039] If the lamp 1 is a lamp with direct downward lighting and indirect upward lighting, between the covering element 21 and the boxed body 23 there is an LED board (not shown) mounted on the element 22 which carries LEDs emitting white light visible downwards, while between the element 23 and the covering elements 24 there is a LED card (not shown) which carries LEDs emitting white light visible upwards.

[0040] If the lamp 1 is a lamp with downward lighting only, between the covering element 21 and the boxed body 23 there is an LED board (not shown) mounted on the element 22 which carries emitting LEDs downward visible white light.

[0041] If the lamp 1 is a lamp with only indirect upward lighting, between the element 23 and the covering elements 24 there is an LED card (not shown) which carries LEDs emitting visible white light upwards ?high.

[0042] The covering elements 24 are generally polycarbonate screens.

[0043] In a standard lamp, the upper cover element 24 would consist of a single piece as long as the box-shaped body 23. In the lamp according to the present invention, said upper cover element 24 is instead broken so as to allow the lamp to be fixed. housing for the UV 10 sanitizing accessory.

[0044] Figure 3 shows the UV sanitizing accessory 10 in an assembled isometric view, while Figure 3A shows the same UV sanitizing accessory 10 in a front assembled view.

[0045] Figure 4 shows the UV sanitization accessory 10 in an exploded isometric view. It includes:

- A structural element 43 provided at its ends? two feet 44 for fixing the UVC sanitizing accessory 10 to the lamp body 2;

- An electronic board 41 on which ? mounted a plurality? of LEDs 42 suitable emitters of UV radiation and LEDs emitting visible blue light;

- A covering element 45 in quartz or silicone, permeable and resistant to UV wavelengths;

- A signaling element 4, made of UV-resistant material.

[0046] Figures 5 and 5A show an alternative embodiment: a lamp 51 suspended from the ceiling of a circular shape, held by a plurality of of cables 53, on the upper face of which at least one UV sanitizing accessory 50 according to the present invention is placed.

[0047] Figures 6 and 6A show a UV sanitizing accessory 50 in assembled isometric view and in assembled front view. This UV 50 sanitizing accessory? a boxed object also provided with a signaling element 54, which is placed lying down on one side on the upper side of the circular suspension lamp 51.

[0048] Figure 7 shows the UV 50 sanitizing accessory in an exploded isometric view. It includes:

a box element 52, inside which ? accommodated

- an electronic card 55 on which ? whipped

- a plurality? of LEDs 57 emitting UV radiation of suitable wavelength and LEDs emitting visible blue light,

- a signal element 54,

- a covering element 56 of quartz or silicone, permeable and resistant to UV radiation.

[0049] The signaling element 4 or 54 works as follows. The signaling element 4 or 54 protrudes perpendicularly to the electronic board which mounts the LEDs. Said perpendicular element ? in milled ground glass or equivalent laser-worked material and bears letters (for example UVC) or symbols. On the electronic board 41 or 55, in addition to the UV LEDs (100-400 nm), some LEDs are also mounted which emit visible blue light (400-500 nm). The visible light emitted by the blue LEDs strikes the milled portion of the letters and/or symbols and illuminates it, making them visible. The UV LEDs and the visible blue light emitting LEDs are connected in series to ensure that when the UV LEDs are on, the blue LEDs are also on. In this way ? You can always know when the lamp is emitting UV radiation.

[0050] Figures 8 and 8A show an embodiment 80, in which an optical element 83 formed by a plurality of optical elements is superimposed on an electronic board 81 of lenses 85, one for each LED 84, to control the light beam.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, these lenses 85 are made of UV-resistant but transparent silicone materials. These lenses control the light beam emitted by these LEDs, emitting a light cone of about 20? of opening.

[0052] The accessories shown up to now make use of a single electronic board on which the UV radiation and visible blue light emitting LEDs are mounted.

[0053] Figure 9 shows a further embodiment 90, applicable only to pendant lamps with a parallelepiped shape, in which ? a tripartite mechanical accessory 92 is provided, which generates three distinct compartments A, B, C.

[0054] Figure 10 shows the same embodiment in front section.

[0055] Said mechanical accessory 90 has a radiated front section, comprising two intermediate fins 93 and two terminal fins 96. The terminal wings 96 rest stably on the upper face of the lamp body 2 of a parallelepiped-shaped lamp 1.

[0056] Starting from a terminal wing 96, we find:

- a first compartment A between the first end flap 96 and the first intermediate flap 93;

- a second compartment B between the first and second intermediate fin 93;

- a third compartment C between the second intermediate fin 93 and the second terminal fin 96.

[0057] The two intermediate fins 93 are mutually arranged so as to provide a flat base 95 suitable for housing an optional electronic card (not shown) in compartment B, while the fins 93 and 96 are connected to each other so as to form a angle of about 82?.

[0058] The mechanical accessory 92 ? made of a material that is not permeable to light.

[0059] In the side compartments A and C, which are slightly inclined upwards and outwards, an electronic board 91 is mounted for each compartment, which also mounts LED 94 emitting UV radiation alternating with LED 94 emitting visible blue radiation . The combination between compartments A and C, which contribute to laterally delimiting the cone of light emitted by the LEDs, and the cone of light emitted by the LEDs mounted on the electronic boards 91, leads to the emission of a cone of light having an aperture of about 60?. This cone of light is projected partly on the ceiling and partly on the lower portion. high of the side walls of the room in which the lamp according to the embodiment 90 ? installed.

[0060] The central compartment B can? accommodate a further electronic card (not shown) for indirect lighting of the environment, which rests on the central base 95. In this case the electronic card can? mount only LEDs emitting visible white light, or alternatively LEDs emitting visible white light alternating with LEDs emitting UV radiation and visible blue light.

[0061] Alternatively, compartments A and C can house an electronic card 91 each, which mounts LEDs 94 emitting UV radiation and visible blue light, while the electronic card which mounts LEDs emitting visible white light ? housed (not shown) inside the lamp body 2, and said visible light emitting LEDs emit white light directed towards the floor of the room. Of course, all combinations are possible.

[0062] In a further embodiment, UV LEDs can also be mounted in the lamp body 2 which emit their light beam towards the floor of the room. In this case, these UV LEDs can only be turned on when there are no people in the environment. To protect people's health, the electronic board that mounts these UV LEDs features a presence sensor, so that the emission of UV radiation is blocked if even just one person is present in the room.

[0063] In a further embodiment, which is produced in the factory and does not allow for retrofitting, the electronic boards are fitted with both LEDs emitting visible white light, UV LEDs and LEDs emitting visible blue light; obviously these electronic boards are installed in the lamp so as to emit UV radiation only towards the ceiling and the upper portion of the side walls of the room. Alternatively, if the UV LEDs emit radiation towards the floor, they can only be switched on when there are no people in the room, preferably using a presence sensor which blocks the emission of UV radiation if it senses that there is no light in the room. present a person.

parallelepiped lamp

lamp body

cable

beacon

UV sanitizing accessory lower covering element structural element

box body

electronic board upper cover element

UV LEDs

structural element

presser foot

cover element for circular lamp UV sanitization accessory

box element

cable

signal element

electronic board

cover element

LEDs

embodiment equipped with electronic board optics

structural element

optical element

LEDs

lenses

embodiment

electronic board

tripartite element

intermediate fin

LEDs

central base

terminal fin

Claims (10)

Claims 1. Combination of pendant or ceiling lamps (1, 51, 80, 90) to be installed in a room comprising a ceiling, a floor and side walls, said lamps comprising: - at least one LED capable of emitting visible white light of wavelength 400-750 nm, - at least one UV sanitizing accessory comprising at least one LED capable of emitting visible blue radiation of wavelength 400-500 nm and at least one LED capable of emitting UV radiation of wavelength d ?wave 100-400 nm, characterized by the fact that these UV LEDs and visible blue light LEDs are mounted in series, so that when the UV-emitting LEDs are on, the visible blue-emitting LEDs are also on for sure, and by the fact that these UV LEDs and visible blue light LEDs are mounted so as to direct their light beam towards the ceiling or towards the most? high of the walls of the room where the lamp? installed. 2. Combination of pendant or ceiling lamps (1, 51, 80, 90) according to claim 1, wherein the UV sanitizing accessory comprises at least one electronic board on which said UV LEDs and LEDs emitting visible blue radiation are mounted said at least one electronic card of said sanitizing accessory and/or said sanitizing accessory being provided in the form of a UV sanitizing accessory (10) which can be combined with the structure of said lighting lamp or with an electronic card which mounts the white light emitting LEDs visible light of said lighting lamp according to two alternatives: - The said UV sanitizing accessory (50) ? consisting of a separate and independent device with its own independent structure which houses said at least one electronic card on which said UV LEDs and LEDs emitting visible blue radiation are mounted, which device ? that can be coupled in a separable manner to the structure of said lighting lamp; - The said UV sanitizing accessory (10) ? made up of at least one electronic board on which the said UV LEDs and LEDs emitting visible blue radiation are mounted which ? independent from said at least one electronic card that mounts LEDs emitting visible white light and ? mountable on or in the structure of said lighting lamp; or as an alternative: - The said UV sanitizing accessory ? constituted by a device (91, 92) which ? stably integrated with the structure or case of said lighting lamp; - The said sanitizing accessory ? made up of at least one electronic card on which the three types of LEDs are mounted: UV LEDs, visible blue radiation emitting LEDs and visible white light emitting LEDs and ? mountable on or in the structure of said lighting lamp. 3. Combination of pendant or ceiling lamps (1) according to claim 1 or 2, having a parallelepiped shape. 4. Combination of pendant or ceiling lamps (51) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lamps (51) have a circular shape, and the UV accessory (50) which mounts said UV LEDs and said LEDs emitting visible blue light ? an independent element which contains an electronic card inside a box-shaped element (52). 5. Combination of pendant or ceiling lamps (1, 51) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein said UV accessory (10, 50) is ? fit to be inserted in or placed on pendant lamps already? installed (1, 51) (retrofit). 6. Combination of pendant or ceiling lamps (1, 51) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein said UV accessory (10, 50) has an indicator element (4, 54) which protrudes perpendicularly to the electronic card, which bears milled or laser-worked letters and/or symbols; these letters and/or symbols, being struck by the visible blue light emitted by the LEDs located on the electronic board, light up signaling that said accessory is emitting UV radiation. 7. Combination of pendant or ceiling lamps (1, 51, 80, 90) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein an optical element (83) is superimposed on the electronic card (41, 55, 81) on which the LEDs are mounted, comprising a plurality of of lenses (85) each of which ? placed in correspondence with each LED (84). 8. Combination of pendant or ceiling lamps (90) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein on the upper portion of the lamp body (2) ? supported a tripartite element not transparent to the light (92) which has two intermediate fins (93) and two terminal fins (96) arranged in a radial pattern which define three compartments (A, B, C), each of which ? able to house an electronic board (91); in the two external compartments (A, C) there are electronic boards (91) which mount UV LEDs and visible blue light emitting LEDs, which direct the UV radiation towards the ceiling and towards the lower portion. higher than the walls of the room; optionally the central compartment B houses an electronic board (91) which can? emit visible white light or UV radiation and visible blue light. 9. Combination of pendant or ceiling lamps (1, 51, 80 90) according to claim 8, wherein in the lamp body (2) ? accommodated: - an electronic card which emits visible white light towards the floor of the room, or - an electronic card which emits visible white light towards the ceiling, or - two electronic boards which emit visible white light respectively towards the floor and towards the ceiling of the room. 10. Combination of pendant or ceiling lamps (1, 51, 80 90) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, wherein in the lamp body ? housed an electronic card which mounts LEDs emitting UV radiation and LEDs emitting visible blue light directed towards the floor of the room; these LEDs can be powered only when there are no people in the room, optionally via a presence sensor which prevents the power supply of said UV LEDs when it detects the presence of a person in the room.