DE102023121135A1 - Lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

A lighting system comprising a lighting device that is configured to be connected to an object. The lighting device includes a body and a control device. One or more sources of ultraviolet light are attached to the body and connected to the control device. The source(s) for ultraviolet light emit(s) ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm. The control device controls the frequency and duration of flashing of the ultraviolet light source(s). The control device cooperates with nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems to identify temporal gaps and protect against visible light illumination from the nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems. The controller synchronizes the flashing of the ultraviolet light source(s) with the absence of visible light illumination from nearby emergency visible lighting systems and/or flashing visible light during the designated time gaps.

Description

Cross-reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 18/354,088, entitled “LIGHTING SYSTEM,” filed July 18, 2023, which is a continuation-in-part, which takes priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 18/169,411, entitled "LIGHTING SYSTEM", filed February 15, 2023, which is a continuation-in-part overriding priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17/818,092 entitled “LIGHTING SYSTEM”, filed August 8, 2022, which is a continuation-in-part which takes priority of U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17/475,218, entitled “LIGHTING SYSTEM”. on September 14, 2021, which is a continuation-in-part claiming priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 17/111,605, entitled "LIGHTING SYSTEM", filed December 4, 2020, which is based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/943,560, entitled “LIGHTING SYSTEM,” filed December 4, 2019. The U.S. Nonprovisional Application 17/475,218 also claims priority to the US non-provisional application 17/076,738 entitled “LIGHTING SYSTEM,” filed October 21, 2020, on U.S. provisional application 62/924,363 , entitled “LIGHTING SYSTEM,” filed October 22, 2019. The US non-provisional application 17/818,092 also directly claims priority of the non-provisional U.S. application 17/076,738 . The present application also claims priority over the U.S. provisional patent application 63/498286 , titled “ULTRAVIOLET LED STROBE CONTROLLED BY A MICROCONTROLLER AND CONSTANT CURRENT POWER SUPPLY.” Each of the registrations listed above is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background of the invention

1. Field of the invention

The invention relates to additional lighting systems and in particular to lighting systems for transport devices that emit invisible light.

2. Description of the related art

Low light conditions pose a danger to individuals who are not well lit. Personal protective equipment is often used to promote visibility, such as reflective clothing or reflective clothing. However, personal protective equipment may not be effective if such equipment is not adequately lit. It may therefore be necessary for individual people to be adequately illuminated by various additional lights. Some auxiliary lights may include light emitting diodes (LEDs). The introduction of LED lighting technology has reduced much of the ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from an artificial source to almost zero. Although the efficiency of LED lighting is highly desirable, its use alters the spectral width of the light produced. The lack of UV light degrades the effectiveness of safety markings placed on equipment, vehicles and clothing worn by operators or security personnel, in that many such markings are designed to fluoresce, indicating the presence of a UV spectral power requires.

UV light is an electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of approximately 10 nm (30 PHz) to 385 nm (750 THz), which is a shorter wavelength than visible light but longer than X-rays. UV radiation is present in sunlight and is also produced by arc lights and specialty lights such as mercury vapor lamps, tanning lamps and black lights. Although UV light does not have energy to ionize atoms, long-wave ultraviolet radiation can affect chemical reactions, causing many substances to glow or fluoresce. Therefore, known artificial lighting systems may ineffectively illuminate equipment or individuals in low-light environments. It should be noted that electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of less than 385 nm is considered UV and visibility to the naked eye generally ceases at wavelengths below 365 nm. That being said, electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength of 395 nm still typically produces fluorescence in materials, although the light may be visible to the naked eye.

Furthermore, an area that is illuminated may vary in the amount of backlight present. Some areas or zones in a work zone or emergency scene may be particularly poorly lit, even if workers or responders are present within them. This may occur despite the presence of temporary lighting and/or flashing emergency lights in the surrounding space. Furthermore, conventional ultraviolet strobe lights can be bulky, expensive, and consume a lot of power.

Accordingly, there is a previously unmet need for a lighting system that provides required ultraviolet radiation directed at individual areas or zones that are otherwise poorly visibly lit and/or where workers are located to provide visibility of equipment and individuals in low light environments, in the form of an ultraviolet LED strobe that is compact, efficient and easy to control.

Summary of the invention

Embodiments of the lighting system described herein provide an ultraviolet LED strobe that is compact, efficient, and easy to control. The ultraviolet LED strobe can be used in conjunction with a vehicle's visible emergency lights to illuminate fluorescent materials carried by emergency responders. In some non-limiting embodiments, the lighting device may be one or more lighting devices that are removably or permanently mounted on a transport device. When visible emergency lights are turned off, the ultraviolet LED strobe creates a secondary or additional light that radiates from an object's reflective material. In any embodiment, the lighting system may illuminate one or more objects, including clothing of operators of transportation devices, workers and other workers near the transportation devices, and other objects containing such reflective materials near the transportation devices.

The invention provides an illumination system comprising an illumination device for emitting visible light and ultraviolet light. The lighting device may include a body, at least one visible light source connected to the body, and at least one ultraviolet light source connected to the body. Alternatively, the lighting device may include a body with only the at least one source of ultraviolet light connected to the body. In these and other embodiments, the lighting device may include a control device to flash or flash the visible light and the ultraviolet light on and off. When visible light is turned off, ultraviolet light is turned on to provide a secondary or additional light that radiates from an object's reflective material.

Embodiments of the lighting system described herein may relate to an ultraviolet LED strobe controlled by a microcontroller and powered by a continuous current power supply. The ultraviolet LED strobe may include one or more ultraviolet LEDs, a microcontroller, a continuous current power supply, and a housing. The microcontroller can be programmed to control the frequency and duration of the stroboscopic effect and the continuous current power supply can ensure that the LEDs receive a steady current. The housing is designed to protect the components and provide a means for attaching them to a mounting surface. The housing may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, or a composite material. The housing may also be designed to be waterproof or weatherproof depending on the application.

Continuous current power supply is used to ensure that the LEDs receive a steady state current. The continuous current power supply can be any type of power supply that can provide a steady state current to the LEDs, such as a linear regulator power supply or a switching power supply power supply. The continuous current power supply may be designed to provide a specific current intensity depending on the number and type of LEDs used.

The ultraviolet LED strobe may include one or more ultraviolet LEDs that emit light in the ultraviolet wavelength range. The LED chips can be of different types depending on the desired wavelength range, such as InGaN, AlGaN or AlInGaN. The LEDs can be arranged in a single array or multiple arrays depending on the application.

In at least one embodiment of the present lighting system, one or more optical transmitters, visible light sensors, motion sensors, thermal sensors, infrared sensors, human sensors, and/or cameras may monitor multiple areas or zones to enable a microprocessor or controller of the lighting system to cause sources of UV light from the lighting system will bathe such individual areas or zones in ultraviolet light if it is determined that the individual zone is poorly lit and/or occupied by workers. Such multiple areas or zones may include a region that only partially surrounds the lighting system or may include a full 360 degrees around the lighting system. If a camera is used, the camera can be used by the lighting system controller to detect movement, people and/or visible surroundings Search for exercise light or visible light from nearby systems for visible emergency lighting and/or flashing visible light. For purposes of this disclosure, “nearby” may be defined as sufficiently close to be included in a given emergency, situation, or project. Alternatively, for purposes of the present disclosure, "near" may be defined as sufficiently close that noticeably visible light is projected into the area of the present lighting system.

In such an embodiment of the present lighting system, the lighting system may be implemented with its own visible lights, such as yellow lights, or may not be implemented with its own visible lights and instead be implemented in conjunction with nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems be used. Regardless of whether the lighting system is provided with its own visible lights or not, the lighting system may be used in conjunction with emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems by detecting visible illumination of each individual area or zone passing through such systems are provided nearby for visible emergency lighting and/or flashing visible light. The lighting system may detect visible illumination for each individual area or zone provided by such nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems by using its own optical sensors, visible light sensors, motion sensors, thermal sensors, Infrared sensors, personal sensors and/or camera used. Alternatively, the lighting system may provide visible illumination of each individual area or zone provided by such nearby emergency visible lighting systems and/or flashing visible light by means of wired or wireless connections to such nearby emergency visible lighting systems and/or determine flashing, visible light.

In this case, a control device of the lighting system, using the one or more optical sensors, visible light sensors, motion sensors, thermal sensors, infrared sensors, people sensors and/or cameras of the lighting system and/or wired or wireless connections, can control the lighting of each individual area or ultraviolet light zone, schedule and adjust to synchronize the ultraviolet light illumination of each individual area or zone with the intermittent absence of visible light illumination in each individual area or zone by emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems. The lighting system controller may or may synchronize the illumination of each individual area or zone with ultraviolet light with the intermittent absence of visible light illumination in each individual area or zone by nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems on a constant basis do so intermittently, relying on the regularity of nearby visible emergency lighting and/or flashing visible light systems to maintain synchronization between synchronization events. In other words, the lighting system controller may intermittently omit illuminating each area or zone with ultraviolet light to update the timing of synchronization with nearby systems for emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light to verify.

In another embodiment of the present lighting system, additional optical ultraviolet light sensors may also monitor the plurality of areas or zones to allow the lighting system controller to cause sources of UV light of the lighting system to bathe such individual areas or zones in ultraviolet light only when other UV Lights do not do this. The controller of the present lighting system may re-schedule and adjust the illumination of each individual area or zone with ultraviolet light to synchronize the illumination of each individual area or zone with ultraviolet light with the intermittent absence of ultraviolet light illumination in each individual area or zone of nearby ultraviolet light lighting systems .

In another embodiment of the present lighting system, the lighting system controller may control the illumination of each individual area or zone with ultraviolet light with the intermittent absence of visible light illumination in each individual area or zone of nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible systems Synchronize light asymmetrically. That is, if the duration of "on" periods and "off" periods of visible light illumination of a given area or zone provided by nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems is considered not As a limiting example, are approximately the same duration, the controller will still apply a slightly longer period of ultraviolet light illumination of that individual area or zone, comprising the entire "off" period of visible light illumination and a portion of the "on" period of visible light illumination Light overlaps, either before or after the “off” period of visible light illumination, or both. Conversely, in this non-limiting example, the controller will also employ a slightly shorter period of time during which there is no ultraviolet light illumination of that individual area or zone, which does not include the entirety of the "on" period of visible light illumination. In this way, a stronger pulse of ultraviolet light illumination can be generated without overheating the ultraviolet LEDs' circuitry or their control circuitry.

It is further contemplated that the aforementioned embodiment may be used in reverse. That is, the controller will instead apply a slightly shorter period of ultraviolet light illumination of that individual area or zone, which does not include the entire "off" period of visible light illumination, and a slightly shorter period of time during which there is no ultraviolet light illumination of that individual area or zone Zone that includes the entire “on” period of visible light illumination and overlaps with a portion of the “off” period of visible light illumination, either before or after the “on” period of visible light illumination, or both.

Furthermore, the transitions between the periods of ultraviolet light illumination and the periods of no ultraviolet light illumination can be almost instantaneous, or as quickly as the LEDs or other ultraviolet light illumination devices can switch from no ultraviolet light production to full ultraviolet light production. Alternatively, within the control device of the lighting system or otherwise associated with the lighting system, circuitry and/or programming may be implemented that can ramp the LEDs or other ultraviolet light lighting devices between no ultraviolet light production to full ultraviolet light production and vice versa. In this way, overheating of the switching technology of the LEDs or their control switching technology is further avoided.

In another embodiment of the present lighting system, wireless devices carried by workers may communicate with the lighting system to provide distance and/or location information of the workers to the lighting system. In this manner, the lighting system may provide illumination of a given individual area or zone with ultraviolet light with the continuous or intermittent absence of visible light illumination in the given individual area or zone by nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible systems Only synchronize lights when there is at least one person in that single area or zone. In each of the aforementioned embodiments of the lighting system, the ultraviolet lights of the lighting system, when illuminated, cause a reflective material of an object to convert the ultraviolet light into a visible wavelength of light radiating from the object. The item may be, by way of non-limiting example, clothing, such as a high-visibility vest or other garment that is part of OSHA/EPA Level A, B, C or D Civilian Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), NFPA Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 PPE, MOPP Ready, 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 and/or ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 Type O, R, P and/or Performance Class 1, 2 or 3 or Supplemental Class E PPE.

In another embodiment of the present lighting system, the microcontroller is used to control the frequency and duration of the stroboscopic effect. The microcontroller can be any type of microcontroller with sufficient processing power and memory to run the required software. The microcontroller may be programmed using any suitable programming language, such as C or Python. The microcontroller may also be connected to other sensors or input devices, such as a motion detector or sound sensor, to trigger the strobe in response to certain events.

The microcontroller can control the frequency and duration of flashing of the LED strobe to produce pulses of 75 to 500 milliseconds of UV light, by way of non-limiting example 125 milliseconds. These 75 to 500 milliseconds long light pulses have a sufficiently long duration that the human eye can detect the fluorescence of materials that are illuminated by them. In particular, the human eye is able to detect lighting events as short as 100 milliseconds. The microcontroller can also control the frequency and duration of flashing of the LED strobe so that groups of two to seven Pulses are generated with 75 to 500 milliseconds of UV light. As a non-limiting example, groups of four pulses can be generated with 125 milliseconds of UV light, with 125 millisecond pauses between pulses. These grouped sets of pulses may be separated by longer intervals and the pattern of groups of pulses may be repeated continuously.

In this manner, groups of UV light pulses will intermittently occupy the short time intervals when none of the surrounding vehicle emergency lights are illuminated, thereby imparting high contrast to fluorescent materials worn by responders. Furthermore, the length of the pulse of UV light can be adjustable by the operator, as can the length of the pauses between pulses and the length of the intervals between pulse groups. The number of UV light pulses can also be changed by the operator. Furthermore, the microcontroller can be set up to switch back and forth between pulse groups. As a non-limiting example, the microcontroller may control the frequency and duration of flashing of the LED strobe to provide a number of groups of four 125 millisecond pulses of UV light with 125 millisecond pauses between pulses, followed by one Number of groups of six 150 millisecond pulses of UV light with 120 millisecond pauses between pulses. In this way, the groups of UV light pulses are more likely to intermittently occupy the short time intervals in which none of the surrounding vehicle emergency lights are illuminated.

In addition, the microcontroller can provide switch-on and switch-off periods during which different patterns of UV pulses can be used to facilitate operation and longevity of the LEDs. In this way and due to the pulse operation of the UV LEDs, the total electrical power consumed by embodiments of the present ultraviolet LED strobe through a microcontroller and the continuous current power supply can be reduced by 40 to 50 percent and an operating life of the LEDs can be compared can be doubled or tripled to form continuously supplied LED arrangements. The microcontroller may control the flashing of the LED strobe to be synchronized with surrounding vehicle emergency lights, unsynchronized with surrounding vehicle emergency lights, or customizably synchronized or unsynchronized with surrounding vehicle emergency lights.

In another embodiment of the present lighting system, the microcontroller or other control device of the lighting system cooperates with nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems to identify temporal gaps and protect against visible light illumination so that the source of Ultraviolet light of the lighting device is capable of synchronizing the illumination of the area surrounding the lighting device with ultraviolet light in the absence of visible light illumination from nearby systems for emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light during the designated time gaps. In this manner, this embodiment of the present lighting system is capable of causing workers wearing PPE containing fluorescent material to "stand out" or be very clearly distinguished from the background.

The lighting system's microcontroller or other control device may accomplish this by designating "timestamps" representing the designated time gaps and transmitting those timestamps electronically and/or wirelessly to nearby systems for emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light communicated, which are close to the embodiment of the present lighting system. The microcontroller or other control device may do this on a constant basis or intermittently, relying on the regularity of nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems to maintain synchronization between communication events. The timestamps communicated by the microcontroller or other control device to the nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems may be communicated prior to the timestamps or concurrently with the timestamps. The microcontroller or other control device may also determine when a new vehicle with emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems enters the vicinity of the embodiment of the present lighting system and may specifically communicate the designated timestamps to that vehicle when it does so .

Each of the timestamps may be, by way of non-limiting example, at least 50 milliseconds or 1/20th of a second in length, preferably 70 milliseconds in length, more preferably 100 milliseconds or 1/10th of a second in length, and may, also by way of non-limiting example, be controlled by the microcontroller or the other tax provision Direction can be displayed up to three times per second. Further, the microcontroller or other control device may cause the lighting device to wait a short period of time at the beginning of each designated time gap before illuminating the area with UV light, by way of non-limiting example at least about 38 milliseconds, and/or may cause that the lighting device stops illuminating the area with UV light for a further short period of time at the end of each designated time gap, by way of non-limiting example for at least about 38 milliseconds. In this manner, the embodiment of the present lighting system ensures that the lighting of workers wearing fluorescent PPE materials is more prominent and that these workers stand out even more from the background.

In any case, the microcontroller or other control device of the embodiment of the present lighting system provides at least 10 milliseconds of UV illumination per designated time gap, preferably at least 40 milliseconds of UV illumination per designated time gap, thereby providing UV illumination for human vision remains recognizable. Using a single pulse, multiple pulses, and even groups of multiple pulses of UV light, any designated temporal gap can be illuminated with UV light. This embodiment of the present lighting system may also be implemented in combination with other features previously discussed, such as one or more optical transmitters, visible light sensors, motion sensors, thermal sensors, infrared sensors, people sensors, and/or cameras that monitor multiple areas or zones. to enable the microprocessor or controller of the lighting system to cause UV light sources of the lighting system to bathe such individual areas or zones in ultraviolet light when the individual zone is determined to be poorly lit and/or occupied by workers, or can achieve the same using wireless devices carried by workers that communicate with the lighting system.

For purposes of the present lighting system, ultraviolet light typically means electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of approximately 10 nm (30 PHz) to 385 nm (750 THz). Here, embodiments of the present illumination system may effectively utilize light that propagates further in the range of 385 nm to 445 nm, by way of non-limiting example, 315 nm to 400 nm, or even utilize light exclusively within the range of 385 nm to 445 nm. In particular, ultraviolet light-producing sources, such as LEDs or other devices, sometimes produce light within a Gaussian spectral distribution of wavelengths, usually centered around a target wavelength. As a non-limiting example, an LED designed to emit light of a wavelength between 385 nm and 400 nm can still produce approximately thirty percent of its total light output at a wavelength of less than 365 nm. While pure ultraviolet light is considered to include light at wavelengths not exceeding 400 nm, and the range between 400 nm and 445 nm is considered "violet", with 445 nm being referred to as "going bluish", the range includes electromagnetic Radiation between 380 nm and 450 nm usually still contains a percentage of ultraviolet light at the lower end of the Gaussian spectral distribution. This is true even with high quality LEDs with a narrow spectrum of 445 nm according to industry standards.

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a lighting system. The lighting system includes a lighting device that is set up to be connected to an object. The lighting device includes a body, a control device, and at least two sources of ultraviolet light connected to the body and operably coupled to the control device. The sources of ultraviolet light are designed to emit ultraviolet light. At least one detection device is connected to the body. The detection device is set up to determine whether any of at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device are poorly visibly illuminated and/or whether workers are present therein. The lighting device is configured to illuminate any of the areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device with ultraviolet light as soon as it is determined that the affected area or zone is poorly lit and/or that workers are present therein.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a transport device with a lighting device attached to it. The lighting device includes a body, a control device, and at least two sources of ultraviolet light connected to the body and operably coupled to the control device. The sources of ultraviolet light are designed to emit ultraviolet light. At least one detection device is connected to the body. The detection device is set up to determine whether any of at least two areas or zones that are connected to the lighting device, is poorly lit and/or there are workers in it. The lighting device is configured to illuminate any of the areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device with ultraviolet light as soon as it is determined that the affected area or zone is poorly lit and/or that workers are present therein.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a method for providing lighting in the vicinity of a transport device. The procedure involves several steps. The first step is a configuration of a lighting device to be attached to the transport device. The lighting device includes a body, a control device, and at least two sources of ultraviolet light connected to the body and operably coupled to the control device. The sources of ultraviolet light are designed to emit ultraviolet light. At least one detection device is connected to the body. The detection device is set up to determine whether any of at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device are poorly visibly illuminated and/or whether workers are present therein. The second step is to further configure the lighting device to illuminate any of the at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device with ultraviolet light upon determination that the affected area or zone is poorly visibly illuminated and/or located therein stop workers.

In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a lighting system. The lighting system includes a lighting device that is set up to be connected to an object. The lighting device includes a body, at least one visible light source connected to the body, and at least one ultraviolet light source connected to the body. The at least one source for visible light is set up to emit visible light. The at least one source for ultraviolet light is set up to emit ultraviolet light. The at least one ultraviolet light source is operably coupled to the at least one visible light source. The lighting device is set up to flash the at least one source of visible light and the at least one source of ultraviolet light by turning on the at least one source of ultraviolet light as soon as the at least one source of visible light is switched off, and the at least one source of Turn off ultraviolet light as soon as the at least one visible light source is turned on, so that a reflective material of an object that is not illuminated by the at least one visible light source is illuminated by the at least one ultraviolet light source. The at least one source of ultraviolet light emits ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a lighting system that includes a lighting device that is set up to be connected to an object. The lighting device includes a body. At least one source of ultraviolet light is associated with the body. The at least one source for ultraviolet light is set up to emit ultraviolet light. The lighting device is set up to cooperate with at least one existing source of visible light. The lighting device is set up to switch the at least one source of ultraviolet light on and off together with the at least one existing source of visible light. The lighting device is a lighting device that operates alone. The at least one source of ultraviolet light emits ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a lighting system that includes a lighting device that is set up to be attached to a transport device. The lighting device includes a body. At least one forward-facing source of visible light is connected to the body. The at least one forward-directed visible light source is configured to emit visible light in a forward direction relative to the transport device. At least one backward source of ultraviolet light is associated with the body. The at least one backward-directed source of ultraviolet light is configured to radiate ultraviolet light in a backward direction relative to the transport device such that a reflection material of an object that is not illuminated by the at least one forward-directed source of visible light is illuminated by the at least one backward-directed source illuminated for ultraviolet light. A control device is operatively connected to the at least one forward visible light source and the at least one backward ultraviolet light source. The control device is set up to switch the at least one forward source of visible light and the at least one backward source of ultraviolet light on and off. At least one light sensor is operatively connected to the control device. The at least one light sensor is set up to detect ambient light and the control device to provide a signal. The control device is set up to switch the at least one backward source of ultraviolet light on and off in response to the signal from the at least one light sensor. The at least one backward source of ultraviolet light emits ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a lighting system that includes a lighting device that is set up to be connected to an object. The lighting device includes a body and a control device. At least two sources of ultraviolet light are connected to the body and operably coupled to the control device. The at least two sources of ultraviolet light are designed to emit ultraviolet light. At least one detection device is connected to the body. The at least one detection device is set up to determine whether any of at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device are poorly visibly illuminated and/or whether workers are present therein. The lighting device is adapted to illuminate any of the at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device with ultraviolet light upon a determination that the affected area or zone is poorly visibly illuminated and/or that workers are present therein. The at least two sources of ultraviolet light emit ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a lighting system. The lighting system includes a lighting device that is set up to be connected to an object. The lighting device includes a body and a control device. One or more sources of ultraviolet light are attached to the body and connected to the control device. The source(s) for ultraviolet light are designed to emit ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm. The control device is set up to control the frequency and duration of flashing of the source(s) for ultraviolet light.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to a lighting system that includes a lighting device that is set up to be connected to an object. The lighting device includes a body and a control device. One or more sources of ultraviolet light are attached to the body and connected to the control device. The source(s) for ultraviolet light are designed to emit ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm. The control device is set up to control the frequency and duration of flashing of the source(s) for ultraviolet light. The control device cooperates with nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems to identify temporal gaps and protect against visible light illumination from the nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems. The controller synchronizes the flashing of the ultraviolet light source(s) with the absence of visible light illumination from nearby emergency visible lighting systems and/or flashing visible light during the designated time gaps.

An advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that the lighting system emits UV light and visible light dual. In certain embodiments of the invention, the dual emission of UV light and visible light may serve to illuminate an area in front of the individual and the transport device and to illuminate an object carried by the individual. Another advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that the UV light and visible light are emitted in opposite directions to illuminate the individual and an area in front of the individual. Another advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that the lighting system extends the life of the UV light(s).

Another advantage of certain embodiments of the invention is that such embodiments of the invention target dangerous, dark areas and encourage high-visibility vests to be worn by workers in these poorly lit areas by monitoring multiple areas or zones and illuminating these individual areas or zones in ultraviolet light be submerged if it is determined that the individual zone is poorly lit and/or that workers are present within it. By using one or more light sensors, motion sensors, heat sensors, infrared sensors, human sensors and/or cameras of the lighting system and by timing and synchronizing the illumination of each individual area or zone with ultraviolet light in the intermittent absence of illumination with visible light in each individual area or zone by systems For emergency lighting and/or nearby flashing lights, such embodiments of the present invention are capable of adapting to the real-time lighting environment and increasing the safety of illuminated workers in each individual area or zone.

An advantage of embodiments of the present invention that utilize light that propagates further in the range of 385 nm to 445 nm, as a non-limiting example, 315 nm to 400 nm, or even light exclusively within the range of 385 nm to 445 nm is that it may be safer for the health of people exposed to ultraviolet light. Furthermore, ultraviolet light of lower wavelengths can degrade the plastics from which the lenses of the present invention are made. "UV degradation is a form of plastic degradation that affects plastics exposed to ultraviolet light. The problem manifests itself as discoloration or fading, cracking, loss of strength, or disintegration." (Ultraviolet. February 8, 2023. Retrieved on February 13, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.orq/wiki/Ultraviolet) By using light that propagates in the range 385 nm to 445 nm, by way of non-limiting example 315 nm to 400 nm, or Even excluding light within the range of 385 nm to 445 nm, the present illumination system still provides secondary or additional light radiating from a reflective material of an object while avoiding the aforementioned harmful effects to persons and the plastic lenses of the illumination system. Further In certain cases, LEDs with wavelengths centered around 395 nm may be less expensive than those with wavelengths centered around 365 nm, thereby allowing the safety benefits of the present invention to be achieved at a lower cost.

The ultraviolet LED strobe can be used in a variety of other applications such as forensics, leak detection and sterilization. The stroboscopic effect can be controlled to suit the specific application, such as by adjusting the frequency and duration of the stroboscopic effect.

Brief description of the drawings

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wobei das Beleuchtungssystem entfernbar mit einer Transportvorrichtung gekoppelt ist und in einem dualen Zustand betrieben wird, um nicht sichtbares und sichtbares Licht abzustrahlen, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht des Beleuchtungssystems aus 1, wobei das Beleuchtungssystem in einem Zustand sichtbaren Lichts betrieben wird, um lediglich sichtbares Licht abzustrahlen, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 3 eine schematische Ansicht einer anderen Ausführungsform eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wobei das Beleuchtungssystem in Form einer tragbaren Taschenlampe vorliegt, die entfernbar mit einer Transportvorrichtung gekoppelt ist, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 4 eine schematische Ansicht des Beleuchtungssystems aus 3, wobei das Beleuchtungssystem durch eine einzelne Person getragen wird und das Beleuchtungssystem in dem Zustand mit sichtbarem Licht betrieben wird, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 5 eine schematische Ansicht des Beleuchtungssystems aus den 3 bis 4, wobei das Beleuchtungssystem von der einzelnen Person getragen wird und das Beleuchtungssystem in einem Zustand mit nicht sichtbarem Licht betrieben wird, um lediglich nicht sichtbares Licht abzustrahlen, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 6 eine schematische Ansicht des Beleuchtungssystems aus den 3-5, wobei das Beleuchtungssystem von der einzelnen Person getragen wird und das Beleuchtungssystem in dem Dual-Zustand betrieben wird, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 7 eine schematische Ansicht eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wobei das Beleuchtungssystem eine Steuervorrichtung zum automatischen Aktivieren der verschiedenen Beleuchtungszustände des Beleuchtungssystems umfasst, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 8 eine schematische Ansicht eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wobei das Beleuchtungssystem in einem ersten Blitzzustand zum Abstrahlen von sichtbarem Licht betrieben wird, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 9 eine schematische Ansicht eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wobei das Beleuchtungssystem in einem zweiten Blitzzustand zum Abstrahlen von Ultraviolettlicht betrieben wird, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 10 eine schematische Ansicht eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 11 ein Schema, das eine beispielhafte Zeiteinstellung des ersten und zweiten Blitzzustands darstellt, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 12 eine schematische Ansicht eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 13 eine schematische Ansicht eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wobei das Beleuchtungssystem eine Steuervorrichtung zum automatischen Aktivieren der verschiedenen Beleuchtungszustände des Beleuchtungssystems umfasst, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 14 eine Ansicht von oben eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 15 eine perspektivische Ansicht von vorne und oben eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 16 eine perspektivische Ansicht von vorne und oben eines Beleuchtungssystems gemäß einer anderen Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 17 und 18 perspektivische Ansichten von Fahrzeugen, die Beleuchtungssysteme umfassen, gemäß weiteren Ausführungsformen der Erfindung, wie hierin beschrieben;
• 19 und 20 Schaubilder von Absorptionsspektren herkömmlicher Fluoreszenzmaterialien, wie hierin beschrieben; und
• 21 eine perspektivische Ansicht eines Fahrzeugs, das ein Beleuchtungssystem umfasst, gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung, wie hierin beschrieben.

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention and the manner in which these are achieved will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood with reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention together with the accompanying drawings. These show:

• 1 is a schematic view of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the lighting system is removably coupled to a transport device and operated in a dual state to emit non-visible and visible light as described herein;
• 2 a schematic view of the lighting system 1 , wherein the lighting system operates in a visible light state to emit only visible light as described herein;
• 3 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the lighting system is in the form of a portable flashlight removably coupled to a transport device as described herein;
• 4 a schematic view of the lighting system 3 , wherein the lighting system is worn by a single person and the lighting system is operated in the visible light state as described herein;
• 5 a schematic view of the lighting system from the 3 until 4 , wherein the lighting system is worn by the individual and the lighting system is operated in a non-visible light state to emit only non-visible light as described herein;
• 6 a schematic view of the lighting system from the 3-5 , wherein the lighting system is worn by the individual and the lighting system is operated in the dual state as described herein;
• 7 a schematic view of a lighting system according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the lighting system includes a control device for automatically activating the various lighting states of the lighting system as described herein;
• 8th is a schematic view of an illumination system according to an embodiment of the invention, the illumination system operating in a first flash state for emitting visible light as described herein;
• 9 is a schematic view of an illumination system according to an embodiment of the invention, the illumination system operating in a second flash state for emitting ultraviolet light as described herein;
• 10 is a schematic view of a lighting system according to another embodiment of the invention as described herein;
• 11 a diagram illustrating an example timing of the first and second flash states as described herein;
• 12 is a schematic view of a lighting system according to another embodiment of the invention as described herein;
• 13 a schematic view of a lighting system according to a further embodiment of the invention, wherein the lighting system includes a control device for automatically activating the various lighting states of the lighting system as described herein;
• 14 a top view of a lighting system according to another embodiment of the invention as described herein;
• 15 is a front and top perspective view of a lighting system according to another embodiment of the invention as described herein;
• 16 is a front and top perspective view of a lighting system according to another embodiment of the invention as described herein;
• 17 and 18 perspective views of vehicles including lighting systems according to further embodiments of the invention as described herein;
• 19 and 20 Graphs of absorption spectra of conventional fluorescent materials as described herein; and
• 21 a perspective view of a vehicle including a lighting system according to another embodiment of the invention as described herein.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout all of the views. The examples herein represent embodiments of the invention and such examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The following detailed description and accompanying drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings are intended to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way restrict. With respect to any of the methods described and illustrated, the steps presented are exemplary in nature and therefore the order of the steps is not required or essential.

As used herein, the term “visible light” refers to the spectrum of light that the human eye can see without the aid of a device. The term “non-visible light” refers to what the human eye cannot see without the aid of a device. As previously mentioned, for purposes of the present illumination system, ultraviolet light typically means electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of approximately 10 nm (30PHz) to 385 nm (750 THz), however embodiments of the present illumination system may include light extending further into the range of 385 nm to 445 nm extends, effectively using, as a non-limiting example, from 315 nm to 400 nm, or even using light within the range of exclusively 385 nm to 445 nm.

Reference will now be made to the drawing, and in particular to the 1 and 2 , in which a lighting system 10 is shown in schematic form. The lighting system 10 may take the form of a light source 12 that may be removably mounted on a transportation device, such as a fuel or electric vehicle or a human-powered vehicle. The transport device may, by way of non-limiting example, take the form of a bicycle B. The light source 12 has a body and emits visible light 14 and invisible light 16. The invisible light 16 may be in the form of UV light 16.

When the UV light 16 illuminates and interacts with reflective material 18, the reflective material 18 converts UV light 16 into visible light 20 to improve the visibility of the operator, individuals, and/or objects, including the bicycle B. A reflective material 18 may include any desired material, paint, coating, fabric, etc., which phosphoresces, that is, emits visible light upon absorption of UV radiation. It is understood that an object may include any desired object or thing, a worker and/or an animal. For example, the object may take the form of an article of clothing, for example a high-visibility vest or top, worn by the individual. In addition, the object can be in the form of markings on bicycle B, for example. By way of example only, the rider of bicycle B is shown wearing a garment with reflective materials 18, and the UV light 16 interacts with reflective materials 18 to form reflective materials lien 18 convert UV light 16 to visible light 20 to increase operator visibility.

In 1 1, the lighting system 10 is shown operating in a dual state for emitting both visible light 14 and non-visible light 16. In 2 1, the lighting system 10 is shown operating in a visible light state for emitting only visible light 14. The lighting system 10 may take the form of a portable or wearable device that may be carried by a single person or used on one or more transportation devices. The lighting system 10 can thus be removably connected to a transport device. The light source 12 may again have vehicle and non-vehicle applications. The lighting system 10 may have one or more connector features that couple to one or more connector features on the transport device. For example, the lighting system 10 may include track elements that cooperate with channels in a fixture attached to the bicycle B. Additionally or alternatively, the lighting system 10 may be removably connected to the transport device by means of one or more connecting elements, e.g. B. screws, Velcro®, etc. The lighting system 10 has a selectable emission of UV light 16 and visible light 14. It goes without saying that the lights can also be directed by one or more light directing devices, e.g. B. Traffic cones.

Referring to 3 Another embodiment of a lighting system 30 is shown. In the lighting system 30, the light source 12 is in the form of a portable flashlight 32. The portable flashlight 32 includes a body 24 and light(s) 34 and 36, e.g. B. light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which each emit visible light 14 and invisible light 16. The portable flashlight 32 includes a controller 22 that selectively turns on/off the visible light 14 and the non-visible light 16. The control 22 may be in the form of a switch or button 22 connected to the body 24.

The flashlight 32 may include one or more LEDs 34 to emit visible light 14 and one or more LEDs 36 to emit non-visible light 16. LEDs 34 and 36 may be connected to opposite ends of body 24. This allows the lights 14 and 16 to radiate from opposite ends of the body 24 of the light source 12. The ends of the flashlight 32 may include one or more light directing devices, e.g. B. traffic cones to direct the visible light 14 and the invisible light 16. The LED(s) 36 may include an extended spectrum that includes sources that emit UV light and sources that emit visible light, for example with a spectrum of 360 nm to 385 nm, for example from 360 nm to 670 nm. Lights 34 and 36 may be connected to the body 24 of the lighting device in any manner. The lights 34 and 36 may be positioned anywhere within or on the body 24 of the light source 12. If multiple lights are included in the portable flashlight 32, the visible lights 34 or the UV lights 36 may be positioned on a conventional substrate or die. It is understood that lights 14 and 16 may be emitted by any desired light sources.

The portable flashlight 32 may include one or more connector features and/or connectors that removably engage one or more connector features and/or connectors on the bicycle B. Additionally, the portable flashlight 32 may not include a designated connector feature and may instead be inserted into an appropriate attachment, e.g. B. a holder, a recess or another receiving element that fits on the bike B.

It will now be additional 4 until 6 Reference is made, in which three different states of the light source 12 are shown. In 4 only the visible light 14 is illuminated. In 5 only the invisible light 16 is illuminated. A combination of lights 14 and 16, both lit, is in 6 shown. In the 5 until 6 UV light 16 causes the reflective material 18 to be illuminated, thereby causing the visible light 20 to radiate from the reflective material 18. It is also understood that the portable flashlight 32 may be powered by any power source. For example, the portable flashlight 32 may be powered by one or more batteries. In addition, the portable flashlight 32 can be selectively connectable, for example, to an electrical power source of the transport device.

It will now open 7 Reference is made in which another embodiment of a lighting system 40 is shown. The lighting system 40 may be substantially similar to the lighting system 30, except that the light source 12 is in the form of a flashlight 42, that is, is automatically controlled. The flashlight 42 can be switched between its different lighting states by means of one or more light sensors 44 and a control device 46. The flashlight 42 may or may not include a switch 22 for optional manual control. Each light sensor 44 can be operatively connected to the control device 46. Each light sensor 44 may be coupled to the body 24 of the flashlight 42 at a desired location. Each light sensor 44 may be in the form of an optical sensor for detecting ambient light around the individual and/or bicycle B. For example, each light sensor 44 may detect ambient daylight and/or artificial light, such as street lights or vehicle headlights. Each light sensor 44 can provide the control device 46 with a light signal. For example, each light sensor 44 can send a well-lit signal to the controller 46 once a sufficient amount of ambient light has been detected. As used herein, the term “sufficient amount of ambient light” may refer to a level of ambient light at which the reflected visible light 20 from the UV radiation absorbed by the reflective material 18 is no brighter than the ambient ambient light.

The controller 46 may be operatively connected to the visible and ultraviolet lights 34 and 36, the sensor(s) 44, and/or the switch 22, if included. The control device 46 may be located in the body 24 of the lighting device 42. The control device 46 may be in the form of an analog and/or digital control device, such as a microcontroller. The control device 46 can, depending on the light signal from the light sensor 44, selectively activate the visible LEDs 34 and/or invisible LEDs 36.

It will now open 8th and 9 Reference is made, in which another lighting system 50 is shown schematically. The lighting system 50 generally includes a lighting device 52 that emits visible light 54 and non-visible light 56. The non-visible light 56 may be in the form of ultraviolet (UV) light 56. When the UV light 56 illuminates and interacts with reflective material 58, the reflective material 58 converts UV light 56 into visible light 60 to improve the visibility of objects 62. A reflective material 58 may again include any desired material, paint, coating, fabric, etc., that phosphoresces, that is, emits visible light upon absorption of UV radiation. The object 62 may include any object or thing, a worker, and/or an animal, including, for example, a single person's high-visibility vest, markings on a road or barrier, and a vehicle.

The lighting system 50 may be connected to or used in conjunction with an object 70. For example, the lighting system 50 may be movable, removable, or fixedly connected to the object 70. The object 70 may be in the form of a security, maintenance or work vehicle 70. Alternatively, the object 70 may be in the form of a stationary object, such as a barrier or a light. As shown, the object 70 may be in the form of a vehicle 70 that includes a vehicle control unit (VCU) 72. The lighting system 50 may assist in illuminating the operator or additional workers of the vehicle 70.

The lighting device 52 may or may not be operatively connected to the VCU 72 of the vehicle 70. The operation of the lighting device 52 can be controlled by the VCU 72. Alternatively, the lighting device 52 may include its own analog and/or digital controller and associated circuitry to control the operation thereof independently or in conjunction with the VCU 72. The control device of the lighting device 52 may be in the form of a switch that switches the on and off conditions of the visible light 54 and UV light 56. The lighting device 52 may have its own power source, e.g. B. a battery, and / or draw power from the vehicle 70 if it is coupled to it.

The lighting device 52 may also include a body 78, e.g. B. a housing, a light directing device, e.g. B. a lens, a shield, a reflector or a traffic cone, at least one visible light source 74 to emit visible light 54, and at least one UV light source 76 to emit UV light 56. The lighting device 52 may be in the form of a light bar with numerous sources 74 of visible light and sources 76 of UV light. The lighting device 52 may comprise any desired material.

The light sources 74 and 76 can be operatively connected to one another. For example, the light sources 74 and 76 may be wirelessly connected to each other or may be connected to each other using a specific electrical line. It is understood that the light sources 74 and 76 may be operatively connected to one another via an independent connection to a controller and/or VCU 72 that controls the operation of the light sources 74 and 76. The light sources 74 and 76 can also be connected to the lighting control device device 52 and/or VCU 72 are in operative connection. The light sources 74 and 76 may each be in the form of one or more of any visible light/lights 74 and UV light/lights 76. The lights 74 and 76 may be in the form of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for example. The LEDs may comprise an extended spectrum that includes sources that emit UV light and sources that emit visible light, for example from 360 nm to 670 nm.

The lights 74 and 76 are connected to the body 78 of the lighting device 52. The lights 74 and 76 may be positioned anywhere within or on the body 78 of the lighting device 52. The lights 74 and 76 may be positioned on a common substrate or the same die. For example, the lights 74 and 76 may be arranged in a multi-die LED chip configuration with a single UV emitter in the center and surrounded by adjacent visible light emitters. The light emitted from lights 74 and 76 can be directed by the light directing device.

The lighting system 50 will illuminate or activate reactive elements with reflective material 58, for example high-visibility vests, during this visible light off mode 54 so that any elements with reflective material 58 that are not currently illuminated by the visible light 54 from the visible light(s). ) (74) are illuminated by the UV light 56 from the UV light(s) 76. The lighting system 50 can be operated in several states. For example, the lighting system 50 may operate in a single steady state on state, a dual steady state, and/or flashing or blinking state. During the single steady state on state, the visible light(s) 24 of the illumination device 52 serves as a continuous light in the desired visible spectrum that was selected. During the dual steady state on state, both lights 74 and 76 serve as continuous lights for emitting visible light 54 and non-visible light 56. Once the lighting device 52 is placed in a flashing or blinking state, during the visible light "off" state 54, the UV light 56, outside the visible range, is “switched on” by the at least one UV light 76 in such a way that it flashes. Advantageously, this allows the introduction of a positive safety mode during a normal off state of visible light 54. In addition, the energy of the system is advantageously saved. Furthermore, the lifespan of the UV light(s) 76 is extended.

The UV light(s) 76 can emit UV light 56 in a wavelength range of 360 nm to 385 nm. The UV light 56 can be emitted at a wavelength of 365 nm, for example. At the wavelength of 365 nm, the lighting system 50 will not interfere with other lighting systems of other maintenance vehicles or workers. For example, some service vehicles may include lighting systems that emit blue light, and the UV light 56 will not interfere with or be confused with such a wavelength of the lighting system 50. Alternatively, as previously mentioned, embodiments of the present illumination system may effectively utilize light that propagates further in the range of 385 nm to 445 nm, by way of non-limiting example, 315 nm to 400 nm, or even light exclusively within the range of 385 nm use up to 445 nm.

It will now open 10 Reference is made in which another embodiment of a lighting system 90 is shown. As described above, the lighting system 90 may be substantially similar to the lighting system 50, except that the lighting device 92 includes a controller 94 and at least one light sensor 100 in addition to the one or more visible light source(s) 96 and source(s). ) 98 for ultraviolet light, ie, light(s) 96 and 98. The controller 94 may be operatively connected to the visible light source(s) 96 and ultraviolet light source(s) 98, the light sensor(s) 100, and/or the VCU 72. The control device 94 may be located in the body 78 of the lighting device 92. The control device 94 can be in the form of a switch, e.g. B. a relay switch or a microcontroller. The control device 94 can be an analog and/or digital control device.

Each light sensor 100 can be operatively connected to the control device 94. Each light sensor 100 may be in the form of an optical sensor for detecting ambient light around the object 70. Each light sensor 100 may, for example, contain ambient daylight and/or artificial light, e.g. B. Detect street lamps, lights of other maintenance vehicles, etc. Each light sensor 100 can provide the control device 94 with a light signal. For example, each light sensor 100 can send a well-lit signal to the controller 94 once a sufficient amount of ambient light has been detected. As used herein, the term “sufficient amount of ambient light” may refer to a level of ambient light at which the reflected light 20 is limited by the UV radiation transmitted through the reflective material 18 absorbed is not brighter than the surrounding ambient light. In such a condition where there is sufficient ambient light, the controller 94 may continue to flash the visible light source(s) 96 while maintaining the UV light source(s) 98 in an off state.

The control device 94 may be configured to selectively activate and/or direct source(s) 98 of UV light to a specific area or location relative to the object 70 and/or around the object 70. For example, the light sensor(s) 100 may identify one or more areas or locations adjacent to the object 70 that may have less ambient light than another area in the surrounding area. The control device 94 can then direct the UV light specifically to this specific, relatively poorly illuminated area. Thus, the controller 94 may optimize the effectiveness of the UV light source(s) 98 by irradiating specific areas that may expose the object 70 and/or workers to a more dangerous situation compared to relatively better illuminated areas.

It will also be on 11 Reference is made, in which a simplified timing diagram of the lighting systems 50 and 90 is shown schematically. As can be seen, when the visible light 54 is on, the UV light 56 is turned off. At time T0, the lighting device 52 emits visible light 54. At times T1, T3 and T5, the visible light 54 is turned off and the UV light 56 is turned on. In contrast, at times T2, T4 and T6, the UV light 56 is turned off and the visible light 54 is turned on. The timing and duration of these events may vary, such that UV light 56 may be on for only a portion of the time that visible light 54 is off. Furthermore, it is also contemplated that the UV light 56 may flash multiple times during an off time of the visible light 54.

At time T7, the visible light 54 remains constantly on and the UV light 56 remains off while the lighting device 52 transitions to an on state, either by automatic selection or by selection of an operator of the lighting system 50 and/or 90. Although not shown, When an operator selects an off state, both lights 54 and 56 are off. It is understood that an operator of the lighting system 50 and/or 90 may control the operation of the lighting device 52 and/or 92, and/or the controller 94 and/or the VCU 72 may control the operation of the lighting device 52 and/or 92.

Advantageously, the invention uses the off portion of a flashing visible light 54 to flash the UV light 56 to improve the visibility of the object 62. The invention can improve the output of a lighting system in that the UV light 56 is on only during the time that the visible light 54 is off so as to reduce power consumption, rather than having a UV light on all the time allow. Furthermore, during the flash phase (time T0-T6), the light emitters are only on part of the time, so more light output may be possible during the parts on, with the light elements having a short, off cooling state.

It will now open 12 Reference is made, in which another embodiment of a lighting system 120 is shown. The lighting system 120 may include one or more visible and/or non-visible light sources 122, with one or more light sensors 100 coupled to the one or more visible and/or non-visible light sources 124 work. For example, the lighting system 120 may be similar to the lighting system 50 or the lighting system 90, except that the lighting system 120 may not include an additional visible light source 74 or 96. Furthermore, the lighting system 120 may be in the form of a stand-alone UV lighting system 120 that includes at least one non-visible light source 122 for emitting non-visible light, e.g. B. UV light.

The lighting system 120 may cooperate with one or more nearby or additional visible light sources 124 or may operate independently of the one or more nearby or additional visible light sources 124. The one or more visible light sources 124 may be in the form of ambient light, visible lights on the vehicle 70, and/or visible lights on other objects. Advantageously, the lighting system 120 can eliminate the need to rewire the electronics of the vehicle 70 because the lighting system 120 can be operated in conjunction with one or more strobes or strobes in proximity to the vehicle 70. It is understood that the visible light source(s) 124 may or may not be coupled to the UV light source(s) 122.

By actively detecting visible light and/or passively waiting for a signal from visible light source(s) 124, the lighting system 120 can respond to the UV light source(s) 122, As explained in the Executive Summary section above, depending on the light source(s) 124 nearby, send a pulse in groups of pulses. The lighting system 120 may include, for example, a control device 94 and at least one light sensor 100. This allows the lighting system 120 to detect visible light using the light sensor 100. Then, the microprocessor 94 may pulse the UV light source(s) 122 accordingly when the light sensor 100 detects that the nearby visible light 124 is turned off or when there is an insufficient amount of visible light. Additionally or alternatively, the lighting system 120 may pulse the UV light source(s) 122 in groups of pulses whenever a signal is received from the visible light source 124, e.g. B. a visible strobe light. The nearby visible light source 124 may emit a low level electronic signal that notifies the lighting system 120 when the visible light from the light source 124 is turned off or on. Therefore, the visible light source 124 can electronically listen for the signal from the visible light source 124 and then coordinate and schedule the pulse transmission to the UV light source(s) 122. This allows a pulse to be sent to the UV light source 122 depending on the signal from the visible light source 124.

It is understood that the lighting system 120 may be coupled to and powered by the vehicle 70. Additionally or alternatively, the lighting system 120 can be powered by its own power source, e.g. B. battery. It will also be understood that the lighting system 120 may also be configured to sense or be signaled by an adjacent source of UV light to alter the operation of the source(s) 122 of UV light. It is also understood that the lighting system 120 may operate in a pulsed state, a strobe state, or a constant on state, or combinations thereof. In the strobe state or pulsed states, the UV light source 122 may be turned on or off or pulsed depending on an on or off state of the visible light source 124. In the constant on state, the UV light source 122 may remain on at all times unless a nearby light source sufficiently illuminates the surrounding area or object(s).

According to another aspect of the invention, the lighting system 120 may be configured as a monitoring system 120 that utilizes one or more visible lights 122, with one or more light sensors 100, that cooperate with one or more “smart” or conventional UV lights 124. Thereby, the lighting system 120 may include a visible light source(s) 122 with one or more light sensors 100 attached thereto, and UV light(s) 124.

In an exemplary embodiment, the monitoring system 120 may detect whether the surrounding area and/or objects are illuminated with light and, if not, the system may illuminate the area and/or objects with UV light. The monitoring system 120 may schedule the UV light source(s) 122 such that when other visible light and/or non-visible light strobes 124 are turned off, it may project the UV light into a respective zone. For example, if a truck has four yellow strobe lights and they all light up at the same time, they will leave a black hole during the off phase. In the dark phase or blackness, the system can illuminate the area with UV light. The controller 94 and/or the yellow strobes may include software, e.g. B. Algorithms that can change the strobe moment forward or backward in time towards dark times or blackness, so that the strobes can fill in the black moments. Therefore, the strobes on a truck could independently but intelligently adjust their lighting in real time. A person looking at the flashing vehicle may not be affected by synchronous and/or non-synchronous strobes. This means that people around the truck do not work in dark areas because the entire truck and the entire surrounding area are illuminated 100% of the time. If the timing of UV and visible light is mixed, the smart strobe could monitor the zone and adjust the visible flash and control the source of UV light appropriately.

In another exemplary embodiment, the one or more light sensors 100 may detect whether the surrounding area and/or objects are illuminated with light and, if not, the system may illuminate the area and/or objects with pulsed UV light illuminate. The lighting system 120 may schedule the pulsed UV light source(s) 122 such that when other visible light and/or non-visible light strobes 124 are turned off, it delivers the pulsed UV light to a respective zone projected. For example, if a truck has four yellow strobe lights and they all light up at the same time, they will leave a black hole during the off phase. In the dark phase or blackness this can happen Lighting system 120 illuminate the area with pulsed UV light. The microprocessor 94 may include software, e.g. B. Algorithms that can change the pulsed strobe groups forward or backward in time toward dark times or blackness so that the pulsed strobes can fill the black moments. Here, the pulsed stroboscopes on a truck could adjust their lighting independently but intelligently in real time.

A person viewing the flashing vehicle may not be affected by synchronous and/or non-synchronous pulsed strobes. This means that people around the truck do not work in dark areas because the entire truck and the entire surrounding area are illuminated 100% of the time. If the timing of the UV light and visible light is mixed, the lighting system 120 could monitor the zone and adjust the visible flash and appropriately control the source of UV light. Alternatively, the one or more light sensors 100 may detect whether the surrounding area and/or objects are generally illuminated with light and, if not, the system may illuminate the area and/or objects with pulsed UV light regardless of the timing of the other vehicle emergency lights. In this manner, the lighting system 120 focuses on dark areas while relying on the groups of UV light pulses to intermittently occupy the short time intervals in which none of the surrounding vehicle emergency lights are illuminated.

It will now open 13 Reference is made in which another embodiment of a lighting system 140 is shown. The lighting system 140 may be substantially similar to the lighting systems 10, 30, 40, 50, 90 and/or 12, except that the body 150 is arranged such that visible light 146 is directed in a forward direction relative to the vehicle (not shown). to which it is attached, and such that non-visible or UV light 148 is projected in a rearward direction relative to the vehicle to which it is attached. The lighting system 140 can be automatically controlled so that it can be switched between its various lighting states using one or more light sensors 154. The lighting system 140 may include one or no control switch or button 152 for optional manual control.

The light sensor(s) 154, the control switch or button 152, a forward visible light source 142, and a backward UV or non-visible light source 144 may each be connected to a control device 156. The light sensor(s) 154 may be in the form of an optical sensor for detecting ambient light around the lighting system 140. As with previous embodiments, the light sensor(s) 154 may detect ambient daylight and/or artificial light, such as street lamps or vehicle lights. The light sensor 154 can again provide a control device 156 with a light signal indicating whether a sufficient amount of ambient light has been detected. The term “sufficient amount of ambient light” may again refer to a level of ambient light at which reflected visible light 20 from the UV radiation absorbed by reflective material 18 is no brighter than the ambient ambient light. Reflective material 58 may again include any desired material, paint, coating, fabric, etc., which upon absorption of UV radiation emits visible light which then illuminates any object or thing, worker, and/or animal, including, for example, a single person's safety vest, markings on a road or barrier and a vehicle.

The control device 156 may again be in the form of an analog and/or digital control device, such as a microcontroller. The controller 156 may selectively activate the forward visible light source 142 and/or backward UV light or non-visible light source 144 depending on the light signal from the light sensor 154. Alternatively, the lighting system 140 may or may not be operatively connected to the VCU of a vehicle (not shown) such that operation of the forward visible light source 142 and/or rearward non-visible or UV light source 144 is provided by the VCU is controlled. The lighting system 140 can again use its own power source, e.g. B. include a battery, and / or draw power from the vehicle to which it is attached. The forward visible light source 142 and/or backward non-visible light or UV light source 144 may again be in the form of any visible light 142 and UV light 144, respectively. The forward source 142 and/or backward source 144 of non-visible light or UV light may be in the form of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for example. The LEDs may again comprise an extended spectrum, including sources that emit UV light and sources that emit visible light, for example from 360 nm to 670 nm.

As with previous embodiments, the lighting system 140 may operate in multiple states. For example, the lighting system 140 may operate in a single steady-state on state, a dual steady-state on state, and/or flashing or flashing states. During the single steady state on state, the forward visible light source(s) 142 serves as continuous light in the desired visible spectrum that was selected. During the dual steady-state on state, both the forward visible light source(s) 142 and the backward non-visible or UV light source(s) 144 serve as continuous lights for radiating visible light 146 in a forward direction and non-visible light or UV light 148 in a reverse direction.

When the lighting system 140 is placed in a flashing or blinking state, the forward visible light source(s) 142 becomes the non-visible or UV source(s) 144 during the "off" state -Light “switched on” by the control device 156 in such a way that it flashes. The timing and duration of these events may vary such that the backward-facing non-visible or UV light source(s) 144 may be turned on for only a portion of the time that the forward-facing source(s) 144 may be turned on for only a portion of the time. Visible light source(s) 142 is/are turned off. Further, it is also contemplated that the backward-facing non-visible or UV light source(s) 144 may flash multiple times during an off-time of the forward-facing visible light source(s) 142. can. This has the desired effect of causing the appearance of objects located rearwardly of the lighting system 140 to be highly visually salient to oncoming observers.

It will now open 14 Reference is made, in which another embodiment of a lighting system 200 according to the invention is shown. In the embodiment of the in 14 In the lighting system 200 shown, the lighting system 200 includes a lighting device 206 arranged to monitor, by way of non-limiting example, three zones: Zone 1, designated 210, Zone 2, designated 212, and Zone 3, designated 214. In order to monitor the three zones 210, 212 and 214, the lighting device 206 is designed with light, motion, heat and / or person sensors 216 for each of the three zones 210, 212 and 214, which are on the body 208 of the lighting device 206 are attached. The light, motion, heat, and/or people sensors 216 may each be connected to a control device (not shown) located within the body 208 of the lighting device 206, or may be located elsewhere. The control device uses the light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 to determine whether the three zones 210, 212 and 214 are each a poorly lit area 204 and/or whether there are workers in each of the three zones 210 , 212 and 214 are located. If the controller determines that any of the three zones 210, 212 and 214 is a poorly lit area 204 and/or that workers are present in any of the three zones 210, 212 and 214, the controller causes a source 218 for non-visible/UV light associated with this zone, illuminating the poorly exposed area 204 of this zone with UV light 220, which may be a pulsed UV light 220. In this way, the lighting system 200 targets dark areas and encourages high-visibility vests to be worn by workers in these poorly lit areas 204, thereby causing those workers to stand out in stark contrast for safety reasons.

The control device of the lighting system 200, which uses the light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216, may determine whether the three zones 210, 212 and 214 are each a continuously poorly lit area 204 and/or may determine whether the three zones 210, 212 and 214 are each an intermittently poorly lit area 204. In this manner, the lighting system 200 may be used in conjunction with emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems by detecting visible illumination of each individual area or zone 210, 212, and 214 made visible by such systems in the vicinity Emergency lighting and/or flashing visible light is provided. Further, the controller of the lighting system 200 may schedule and adjust the illumination and/or pulsation of each individual area or zone 210, 212 and 214 with ultraviolet light to provide the illumination of each individual area or zone 210, 212 and 214 with ultraviolet light with the intermittent absence of Synchronize visible light lighting in each individual area or zone 210, 212 and 214 of nearby systems for emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light. It is worth noting that although the in 14 Lighting system 200 shown has three zones 210, 212 and 214, it is contemplated that the lighting system 200 of the present invention has more or fewer zones, each with separate light, movement, heat and / or Personal sensors 216 and/or light sources 218 can be designed for invisible/UV light.

Alternatively, the one or more light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 may detect whether the three zones 210, 212 and 214 are generally illuminated with light and, if not, the system may detect the individual areas and/or illuminate zones 210, 212 and 214 with pulsed UV light regardless of the timing of the other vehicle emergency lights. The lighting system 200 refocuses on dark areas while relying on the groups of UV light pulses to intermittently occupy the short time intervals in which none of the surrounding vehicle emergency lights are illuminated.

15 and 16 show embodiments of the lighting system 200, which corresponds to the embodiment of the lighting system 200 14 is similar. Each of the embodiments of the in the 15 and 16 The lighting system 200 shown is formed with a lighting device 206 with a body 208. In the embodiment of the in 15 Lighting system 200 shown again includes three sets of light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 and three sets of sources 218 for non-visible/UV light. In addition, a camera 222 is formed that is connected to and used by the controller of the lighting system 200 to watch for movement, people, or light in each of the zones. Although the embodiment of the in 15 The lighting system 200 shown has both light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 and non-visible/UV light sources 218, as well as the camera 222, it is contemplated that the lighting system 200 is exclusively equipped with the camera 222 instead of the light, motion, heat and / or people sensors 216 may be equipped to determine whether each zone is a poorly lit area and / or whether there are workers in one of the zones.

As before, if the controller determines that any of the zones is a poorly lit area and/or that workers are present in any of the zones, the controller causes the non-visible/UV light source 218 to be activated associated with this zone, illuminates the poorly exposed area of this zone with UV light and/or a pulsed UV light. In this way, the lighting system 200 targets dark areas and encourages high-visibility vests to be worn by workers in these poorly lit areas 204, thereby causing those workers to stand out in stark contrast for safety reasons. The control device of the lighting system 200, which uses the light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 and/or the camera 222, can, also as before, determine whether the zones are each a consistently poorly lit area and/or can determine whether the zones are each an intermittently poorly lit area. In this way, the lighting system 200 can again be used in conjunction with emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems by detecting visible illumination of each individual area or zone provided by such nearby emergency visible lighting and/or systems flashing, visible light is provided. The controller of the present lighting system 200 may further reschedule and adjust the illumination of each individual area or zone with ultraviolet light to accommodate the illumination of each individual area or zone with ultraviolet light with the intermittent absence of visible light illumination in each individual area or zone of systems nearby for visible emergency lighting and/or flashing visible light.

Alternatively, as before, the one or more light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 may alternately detect whether the zones are generally illuminated with light and, if not, the system may detect the individual areas or areas Illuminate zones with pulsed UV light regardless of the timing of other vehicle emergency lights. The lighting system 200 refocuses on dark areas while relying on the groups of UV light pulses to intermittently occupy the short time intervals in which none of the surrounding vehicle emergency lights are illuminated, as explained above.

16 shows another embodiment of the lighting system 200, which includes a lighting device 206 arranged to monitor, by way of non-limiting example, eight zones. Each of the eight zones is equipped with light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 and non-visible/UV light sources 218 attached to the body 208 of the lighting device 206 and connected to a microprocessor (not shown). are. The embodiment of the lighting system 200 functions substantially similarly to the embodiment of FIG 14 lighting system 200 shown, except that full 360 degree coverage is achieved when determining whether the eight Zones are each a poorly lit area and/or whether there are workers in each of the eight zones, and in the controller that causes the non-visible/UV light source 218 associated with that zone to be the poorly lit area to illuminate this zone with UV light. In this way the aim is in 16 Lighting system 200 shown again targets dark areas and encourages high-visibility vests to be worn by workers in these poorly lit areas, thereby causing those workers to stand out in stark contrast throughout the entire 360 degrees for safety reasons. It should be noted that the 360 degrees around the in 16 The lighting system 200 shown is divided into eight zones. However, it is contemplated that the 360 degrees around the lighting system 200 may be divided into more or fewer zones.

It will now be on the 17 and 18 referenced; Embodiments of the lighting system 200 are shown that include vehicles or other transportation devices 202. Each of the embodiments of the lighting system 200 again includes one or more lighting devices 206 that have a body 208 and/or are integrated into vehicle marker lamps or are otherwise attached to the vehicle or other transportation device 202. The lighting devices 206 are again arranged to monitor multiple zones using light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 and/or cameras 222 for each of these zones. The light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 and/or cameras 222 are again connected to a microprocessor (not shown) in each lighting system 200. The microprocessor of each lighting system 200 again uses the light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 and/or cameras 222 to determine whether the zones are a poorly lit area and/or whether there are workers 224 in each Stop zones. If the microprocessor of each lighting system 200 determines that any of the zones is a poorly lit area and/or that workers 224 are present in any of the zones, the controller causes a non-visible/UV light source 218 to be activated associated with this zone and/or integrated into vehicle marker lamps or otherwise attached to the vehicle or other transportation device 202, illuminates the poorly exposed area of this zone with UV light and/or a pulsed UV light. In this way, the lighting systems 200 aim from each 17 and 18 again target dark areas and encourage reflective safety clothing 226 to be worn by workers 224 in these poorly lit areas 204, causing those workers 224 to stand out in stark contrast for their safety.

In the case of the embodiment of in 18 In the lighting system 200 shown, a wireless device 228 carried by workers 224 may communicate with the lighting system 200 to provide distance and/or location information of the workers 224 to the lighting system 200. In this manner, the lighting system 200 can provide illumination of a given individual area or zone with ultraviolet light and/or pulsed ultraviolet light with the continuous or intermittent absence of visible light illumination in the given individual area or zone by nearby emergency visible lighting systems and/or synchronize flashing visible light only when at least one worker 224 is in that single area or zone. Alternatively, the lighting system 200 may simply illuminate a given individual area or zone with pulsed ultraviolet light only when at least one worker 224 is in that individual area or zone, regardless of the timing of the other vehicle emergency lights. The lighting system 200 refocuses on areas where workers are present while relying on the groups of UV light pulses to intermittently occupy the short time intervals in which none of the surrounding vehicle emergency lights are illuminated, as explained above.

The ones in the 17 and 18 Lighting systems 200 shown may again be implemented with their own visible lights, such as yellow lights, or may not be designed with their own visible lights and instead be used in conjunction with nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems on the vehicles or other transport devices 202. Regardless of whether the lighting systems 200 are provided with their own visible lights or not, the lighting systems 200 may be used in conjunction with emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems by detecting visible illumination of each individual area or zone, provided by such systems in proximity to visible emergency lighting and/or flashing visible light. The lighting systems 200 may again detect visible illumination of each individual area or zone provided by such systems in proximity to emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light by using their own light sensors 216 and/or cameras 222. Alternatively, the lighting systems 200 may provide visible illumination of each individual area or zone provided by such systems in the vicinity of emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light via wired or wireless connections (not shown) to such systems in the vicinity Determine proximity for visible emergency lighting and/or flashing visible light. The controllers of the lighting systems 200 using the one or more optical or visible light sensors 216 and/or cameras 222 of the lighting systems and/or wired or wireless connections can again schedule the illumination of each individual area or zone with ultraviolet light adjust to synchronize the illumination of each individual area or zone with ultraviolet light with the intermittent absence of visible light illumination in each individual area or zone of nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems.

As noted in the Summary section above, embodiments of the present illumination system may effectively utilize light that propagates further in the range of 385 nm to 445 nm, by way of non-limiting example 315 nm to 400 nm, or even light exclusively within the range from 385 nm to 445 nm. The 19 and 20 show absorption efficiency versus wavelength graphs 300 with a frequency axis 302 and an absorption efficiency axis 304. The absorption efficiency versus wavelength graphs 300 show absorption spectra of a conventional fluorescent material 306, that is, the spectra of wavelengths over which the particular conventional fluorescent material will fluoresce. 19 also shows the Gaussian distribution of wavelengths of a 365 nm UV LED 308, which in this example is positioned to correspond to the greatest fluorescence of the material. 20 shows the Gaussian distribution of wavelengths of a 385 nm UV LED 310, which overlaps at least a portion of the spectra of wavelengths over which the particular conventional fluorescent material will fluoresce. Therefore, within the scope of the present lighting system, it is contemplated that LED lights ranging in the range of 385 nm to 445 nm, by way of non-limiting example, 315 nm to 400 nm, or even light within the range of may be used exclusively 385 nm to 445 nm, while still providing a secondary or additional light radiating from a reflective material of an object, while avoiding the aforementioned harmful effects on people and the plastic lenses of the lighting system and reducing the cost of the system.

It will now open 21 referenced; Another embodiment of the lighting system 200 is shown, again comprising a vehicle or other transportation device 202. The lighting system 200 again includes one or more lighting devices 206 that have a body 208 and/or are integrated into vehicle marker lamps or are otherwise attached to the vehicle or other transportation device 202. The lighting device 206 is again arranged to monitor multiple zones using light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 and/or cameras 222 for each of these zones. The light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 and/or cameras 222 are again connected to a microprocessor (not shown) in the lighting system 200. The microprocessor of the lighting system 200 again uses the light, motion, heat and/or people sensors 216 and/or cameras 222 to determine whether the zones are a poorly lit area and/or whether there are workers 224 in each Stop zones. As before, if the microprocessor of each lighting system 200 determines that any of the zones is a poorly lit area and/or that workers 224 are present in any of the zones, the controller causes a non-visible/UV source 218 to be activated. Light associated with this zone and/or integrated into vehicle marker lamps or otherwise attached to the vehicle or other transportation device 202 illuminates the poorly exposed area of this zone with UV light and/or a pulsed UV light.

In the case of the embodiment of in 21 In the lighting system 200 shown, a 90 degree lighting device 230 is arranged at a corner of the vehicle or other transport device 202. In the non-limiting example shown, the 90 degree lighting device 230 is located at the front vertical corner of the hood. In this way, the 90 degree lighting device 230 illuminates an area directly in front of the vehicle or other transport device 202 near the vehicle hood with UV light and/or pulsed UV light, which is an area that would otherwise be obscured from view by the vehicle hood Lighting device 206 illuminated area can be excluded. It is further contemplated that embodiments of the 90 degree lighting device 230 are provided as a non-limiting example the upper sides of the vehicle or other transport device 202 and/or along the rear side of the vehicle or other transport device 202.

In the case of the embodiment of in 21 In the lighting system 200 shown, a long-range lighting device 232 is further arranged on a rear surface of the vehicle or other transport device 202. The long range illumination device 232 functions similarly to the illumination device 206, except that it is configured to project UV light and/or pulsed UV light over a greater distance using a more focused projection area 234. It is further contemplated that embodiments of the long-range lighting device 232 may be located on other surfaces of the vehicle or other transportation device 202, including, by way of non-limiting example, forward and side-facing surfaces of the vehicle or other transportation device 202 In this manner, the long-range lighting device 232 illuminates an area remote from the vehicle or other transportation device 202 with UV light and/or pulsed UV light.

Like the one in 18 Lighting system 200 shown, wireless devices 228 carrying workers 224 can be connected to the in 21 The lighting system 200 shown communicates to provide distance and/or location information of the workers 224 to the 90 degree lighting device 230 and/or the long range lighting device 232. In this manner, the lighting system 200 may provide illumination of the areas near the surfaces of the vehicle or other transportation device 202 with ultraviolet light and/or pulsed ultraviolet light with the continuous or intermittent absence of visible light illumination in these areas from nearby systems for visible emergency lighting and/or flashing visible light only when at least one worker 224 is in these areas. Similarly, the lighting system 200 may provide illumination of areas remote from the vehicle or other transportation device 202 with ultraviolet light and/or pulsed ultraviolet light with the continuous or intermittent absence of visible light illumination in these areas of systems in the proximity for visible emergency lighting and/or flashing visible light only synchronize when at least one worker 224 is in these remote areas. Alternatively, the 90 degree lighting device 230 and/or the long range lighting device 232 may simply cover given areas near surfaces of the vehicle or other transportation device 202 and/or areas remote from the vehicle or other transportation device 202. illuminate with pulsed ultraviolet light only when at least one worker 224 is in that individual area, regardless of the timing of the other vehicle emergency lights. The 90 degree lighting device 230 and/or the long range lighting device 232 refocuses on areas where workers are present while relying on the groups of UV light pulses to intermittently occupy the short time intervals , in which none of the surrounding vehicle emergency lights are illuminated, as explained above.

Although this invention has been described with reference to at least one embodiment, the invention may be further modified in accordance with the spirit and within the scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any modifications, uses or adaptations of the invention employing the general principles thereof. Further, this application is intended to cover those departures from the present disclosure which are part of known or usual practice in the art to which this invention pertains and fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Reference symbol list

b

Bicycle

10

Lighting system

12

light source

14

Visible light

16

Invisible light/UV light

18

Reflective material

20

Visible light

22

Control/switch or button

24

Body

30

Lighting system

32

Portable flashlight

34

(Visible) light(s)/LEDs

36

(UV) light(s)/LEDs

40

Lighting system

42

flashlight

44

Light sensor(s)

46

Control device

50

Lighting system

52

lighting device

54

Visible light

56

Invisible light/UV light

58

Reflective material

60

Visible light

62

object

70

object

72

Vehicle Control Unit (VCU)

74

Visible light source

76

Source of UV light

78

Body

90

Lighting system

92

lighting device

94

Control device

96

Visible light source

98

Source of ultraviolet light

100

Light sensor

120

Lighting system/monitoring system

122

Source(s) for visible and/or non-visible light

124

Source(s) for visible and/or non-visible light

140

Lighting system

142

Visible light source

144

Non-visible/UV light source

146

Visible light

148

Invisible light/UV light

150

Body

152

Control switch or button

154

Light sensor(s)

156

Control device

200

Lighting system

202

Vehicle or other transport device

204

Poorly lit area

206

lighting device

208

Body

210

Zone 1

212

Zone 2

214

Zone 3

216

Light/motion/heat/people sensor

218

Non-visible/UV light source

220

UV light

222

camera

224

Workforce

226

Reflective clothing

228

Wireless device

230

90 degree lighting device

232

Long range lighting device

234

Focused projection area

300

Graph of absorption efficiency versus wavelength

302

Frequency axis

304

Absorption efficiency axis

306

Absorption spectra of conventional fluorescent materials

308

Gaussian distribution of wavelengths of 365 nm UV LED

310

Gaussian distribution of wavelengths of 385

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 17/475218 [0001]
• US 17/076738 [0001]
• US 62/924363 [0001]
• US 17/818092 [0001]
• US 63/498286 [0001]

Claims (10)

Lighting system with: a lighting device that is set up to be connected to an object, the lighting device having: a body; a control device; at least two sources of ultraviolet light connected to the body and operatively connected to the control device, the at least two sources of ultraviolet light being adapted to emit ultraviolet light; at least one detection device connected to the body, the at least one detection device being adapted to determine whether any of at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device are poorly lit and/or workers are present therein; and wherein the lighting device is adapted, upon a determination that the affected area or zone is poorly visibly lit and/or workers are present therein, to illuminate any of the at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device with ultraviolet light. Transport device with a lighting device attached thereto, the lighting device having: a body; a control device; at least two sources of ultraviolet light connected to the body and operatively connected to the control device, the at least two sources of ultraviolet light being adapted to emit ultraviolet light; at least one detection device connected to the body, wherein the at least one detection device is configured to determine whether any of at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device are poorly visibly illuminated and/or workers are present therein; and wherein the lighting device is configured to illuminate any of the at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device with ultraviolet light upon a determination that the affected area or zone is poorly lit and/or workers are present therein. Method for providing lighting in the vicinity of a transport device, comprising the steps: Configuring a lighting device to be attached to the transport device, the lighting device comprising: a body; a control device; at least two sources of ultraviolet light connected to the body and operatively connected to the control device, the at least two sources of ultraviolet light being adapted to emit ultraviolet light; at least one detection device connected to the body, the at least one detection device being adapted to determine whether any of at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device are poorly lit and/or workers are present therein; and further configuring the lighting device to illuminate any of the at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device with ultraviolet light upon determining that the affected area or zone is poorly lit and/or that workers are present therein. Lighting system comprising: a lighting device that is set up to be connected to an object, the lighting device comprising: a body; at least one visible light source connected to the body, the at least one visible light source being configured to emit visible light; and at least one source of ultraviolet light connected to the body, the at least one source of ultraviolet light being configured to emit ultraviolet light, the at least one source of ultraviolet light being operatively connected to the at least one source of visible light; wherein the lighting device is configured to flash the at least one visible light source and the at least one ultraviolet light source by turning on the at least one ultraviolet light source as soon as the at least one visible light source is turned off, and the at least one source for ultraviolet light is turned off as soon as the at least one visible light source is turned on, so that a reflecting material of an object that is not illuminated by the at least one visible light source is illuminated by the at least one ultraviolet light source; and wherein the at least one source of ultraviolet light emits ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm. Illumination system, wherein the control device is configured to flash the at least one source of visible light and to keep the at least one source of ultraviolet light in an off state as soon as the min at least one light sensor detects a sufficient amount of ambient light. Lighting system, comprising: a lighting device that is set up to be connected to an object, the lighting device comprising: a body; at least one source of ultraviolet light connected to the body, the at least one source of ultraviolet light being adapted to emit ultraviolet light; wherein the at least one lighting device is configured to be operatively connected to at least one existing source of visible light; wherein the lighting device is configured to turn on and off the at least one source of ultraviolet light together with at least one existing source of visible light; wherein the lighting device is a standalone lighting device; and wherein the at least one source of ultraviolet light emits ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm. Lighting device which is designed to be attached to the transport device, the lighting device having: a body; at least one forward visible light source connected to the body, the at least one forward visible light source configured to radiate visible light in a forward direction relative to the transport device; at least one rearward source of ultraviolet light connected to the body, the at least one rearward source of ultraviolet light configured to radiate ultraviolet light in a rearward direction relative to the transport device such that a reflective material of an object not penetrated by the at least one a forward visible source of visible light is illuminated by which at least one backward source of ultraviolet light is illuminated; a control device operatively connected to the at least one forward visible light source and the at least one backward ultraviolet light source, the control device being adapted to control the at least one forward visible light source and the at least one backward ultraviolet light source turn on and off; at least one light sensor operatively connected to the control device, wherein the at least one light sensor is configured to detect ambient light and to provide a signal to the control device, wherein the control device is configured to detect the at least one backward source of ultraviolet light in response to the signal of the at least one light sensor turn on and off; and wherein the at least one backward source of ultraviolet light emits ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm. Lighting system, comprising: a lighting device that is set up to be connected to an object, the lighting device comprising: a body; a control device; at least two sources of ultraviolet light connected to the body and operatively connected to the control device, the at least two sources of ultraviolet light being adapted to emit ultraviolet light; at least one detection device connected to the body, the at least one detection device being adapted to determine whether any of at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device are poorly lit and/or workers are present therein; wherein the lighting device is adapted to illuminate any of the at least two areas or zones adjacent to the lighting device with ultraviolet light upon a determination that the affected area or zone is poorly visibly illuminated and/or workers are present therein; and wherein the at least two sources of ultraviolet light emit ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm. Lighting system, comprising: a lighting device that is set up to be connected to an object, the lighting device comprising: a body; a control device; at least one ultraviolet light source attached to the body and connected to the control device, the at least one ultraviolet light source being configured to emit a source of ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm; and wherein the control device is configured to control a frequency and a duration of flashing of the at least one source of ultraviolet light. Lighting system, comprising: a lighting device configured to be connected to an object, the lighting device comprising: a body; a control device; at least one ultraviolet light source attached to the body and connected to the control device, the at least one ultraviolet light source being configured to emit ultraviolet light in a wavelength range of 10 nm to 445 nm; wherein the control device is configured to control a frequency and a duration of flashing of the at least one source of ultraviolet light; wherein the control device cooperates with nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems to identify temporal gaps and protect against visible light illumination from the nearby emergency visible lighting and/or flashing visible light systems; and wherein the control device synchronizes the flashing of the at least one ultraviolet light source with the absence of visible light illumination from nearby emergency visible lighting systems and/or flashing visible light during the designated time gaps.

Images