JP2019140347A - Light-emitting module - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a light-emitting module capable of independently controlling ultraviolet ray and visible ray although conventionally the rays cannot be controlled independently.SOLUTION: A light-emitting module 100 switches between ultraviolet ray and visible ray for output. A first light-emitting element 10 emits ultraviolet ray. A second light-emitting element 20 emits visible ray. When either one of the first light-emitting element 10 and the second light-emitting element 20 emits light, the other element functions as a protective circuit for the element emitting light.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a light emitting module used for air sterilization.

  An ultraviolet sterilizer that sterilizes bacteria using ultraviolet rays is known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an ultraviolet sterilizer that sterilizes bacteria, viruses, and the like floating in the air with ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet sterilization apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an ultraviolet lamp and a predetermined resin member, and irradiates ultraviolet rays to the air between the ultraviolet lamp and the resin member to sterilize bacteria in the air and the resin member. Visible light that passes through is used as illumination light.

International Publication No. 2011/049047

The present inventor has obtained the following recognition regarding an ultraviolet sterilizer using ultraviolet rays.
In order to suppress air infection, it is desirable to install an ultraviolet sterilizer for sterilizing indoor air. However, if an ultraviolet sterilizer for air sterilization is provided separately from the indoor lighting equipment, the installation space and the burden of installation work are large.

In order to integrate the ultraviolet sterilizer with room lighting, it is conceivable to use a filter or a wavelength conversion member that transmits only visible light. According to this configuration, the air in the space from the light emitting unit to the filter can be sterilized with ultraviolet rays, and the visible light transmitted through the filter can be used for illumination. However, this configuration has a problem that ultraviolet rays and visible rays cannot be controlled independently. For example, there is a problem that visible light cannot be stopped even when sterilizing at midnight when no one is present.
From these, the present inventor has recognized that the ultraviolet sterilization apparatus has a problem to be improved from the viewpoint of enabling control of ultraviolet rays and visible light independently.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a light-emitting module capable of independently controlling ultraviolet rays and visible light.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a light emitting module according to an aspect of the present invention is a light emitting module that switches and outputs ultraviolet light and visible light, and includes a first light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light, and a first light emitting module that emits visible light. Two light emitting elements. When one element of the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element emits light, the other element is configured to function as a protection circuit for the one element.

  Note that any combination of the above-described constituent elements, and those obtained by replacing the constituent elements and expressions of the present invention with each other between methods and systems are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the light emitting module which can control an ultraviolet-ray and visible light independently can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows roughly an example of the light emitting module which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the 2nd light emitting element of the light emitting module of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows an example of the light emitting module of FIG. It is a circuit diagram explaining operation | movement of the protection circuit of the light emitting module of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows an example of the alerting | reporting part of the light emitting module of FIG.

The present invention will be described below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment and the modification, the same or equivalent components and members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description is appropriately omitted. In addition, the dimensions of the members in each drawing are appropriately enlarged or reduced for easy understanding. Also, in the drawings, some of the members that are not important for describing the embodiment are omitted.
In addition, terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second are used to describe various components, but this term is used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components. However, the constituent elements are not limited.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the configuration of the light emitting module 100 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of a light emitting module 100 according to an embodiment.

  The light emitting module 100 is a light emitting module that switches between ultraviolet light and visible light and outputs the electric power from the power supply 30. For example, the light emitting module 100 can be used as a light emitting module provided in a lighting device such as a room light or a desk light. The light emitting module 100 may be a lighting fixture. The light emitting module 100 can be configured to output visible light such as white light in a time zone in which a person is present and function as illumination. The light emitting module 100 can be configured to function as a germicidal lamp that sterilizes indoor air by outputting ultraviolet rays in a time zone such as midnight when no person is present.

  The light emitting module 100 includes a first light emitting element 10, a second light emitting element 20, a switching circuit 24, a control unit 28, a sensor unit 32, a fan 40, a photocatalyst unit 44, and a notification unit 48. Included.

  The 1st light emitting element 10 is an element which light-emits an ultraviolet-ray, and can employ | adopt the light emitting element of various principles. In the embodiment, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is employed as the first light emitting element 10. The first light emitting element 10 includes one or a plurality of LEDs. The wavelength characteristic of this LED is not limited as long as it can exhibit a desired bactericidal effect. In this example, the first light emitting element 10 alternately arranges LEDs 12 that emit ultraviolet rays having a peak wavelength of 260 nm to 290 nm and LEDs 14 that emit ultraviolet rays having a peak wavelength of around 380 nm. Ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 260 nm to 290 nm directly sterilizes air, and ultraviolet light having a wavelength of around 380 nm excites a photocatalyst 44m described later, and exhibits a sterilizing effect by the photocatalytic reaction. It is not essential to provide an LED having a plurality of wavelengths, and an LED having only one wavelength may be provided. As such an LED, an aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) LED is known.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the second light emitting element 20. The 2nd light emitting element 20 is an element which light-emits visible light, and can employ | adopt the light emitting element of various principles. In the embodiment, an LED 22 that emits white light is employed as the second light emitting element 20. The LED 22 includes an LED chip 22b that emits ultraviolet light 22e, and a conversion member 22c that converts the ultraviolet light 22e from the LED chip 22b into visible light 22f. The conversion member 22c may be formed of fluorescent glass that converts the emitted ultraviolet light 22e into visible light 22f and emits it.

  Next, a circuit of the light emitting module 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the light emitting module 100. In the example of FIG. 3, the first light emitting element 10 includes two units 15 in which three LEDs 12 and three LEDs 14 are alternately connected in series, and a unit 16 in which five LEDs 22 are connected in series. The two units 15 are connected in parallel in the same direction, and the unit 16 is connected in reverse parallel to the unit 15.

  The reverse parallel connection will be specifically described. The unit 15 has an inflow terminal 15b through which a current flows during emission and an outflow terminal 15c through which a current flows out. The inflow terminal 15b is the anode A of the LED 14 on one end side connected in series, and the outflow terminal 15c is the cathode K of the LED 12 on the other end side connected in series. The unit 16 has an inflow terminal 16b through which current flows during emission and an outflow terminal 16c through which current flows out. The inflow terminal 16b is the anode A of the LED 22 on one end side connected in series, and the outflow terminal 16c is the cathode K of the LED 22 on the other end side connected in series.

(Protection circuit)
The maximum rated value of the reverse voltage (hereinafter referred to as reverse voltage) of the LED is low, and if the reverse voltage is applied for some reason, the element may be destroyed. Further, a protection circuit for protecting the LED from currents in both positive and negative directions in one circuit is necessary. In addition, since all the LED circuits are connected, a circuit for preventing light emission in the direction where light emission is not necessary is also necessary. Therefore, in the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a protection circuit for protecting the LED from the reverse voltage is provided. Although a separate circuit may be provided as the protection circuit, in the embodiment, when one of the unit 15 and the unit 16 emits light, the other unit functions as a protection circuit for the one unit. Is done. In the embodiment, the unit 16 is connected to the unit 15 in antiparallel. Specifically, the inflow terminal 15b of the unit 15 is connected to the outflow terminal 16c of the unit 16 at the connection point m, and the inflow terminal 16b of the unit 16 is connected to the outflow terminal 15c of the unit 15 at the connection point n.

  The protection circuit shown in FIG. 3 also has a function of preventing an LED that does not require light emission from emitting light. An overcurrent in the reverse direction may be input to the LED due to factors such as a connection error, a surge current due to a lightning strike, and an inrush current when driving the device. In the embodiment, by providing the protection circuit shown in FIG. 3, the unit 15 and the unit 16 function to protect each other even when an overcurrent in the reverse direction is input.

  With reference to FIG. 4, the mechanism which protects LED from a reverse voltage is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating the operation of the protection circuit of the light emitting module 100. In this example, the total forward voltage (hereinafter referred to as forward voltage) VF15 of the unit 15 is set lower than the maximum reverse piezoelectric maximum rating VR16 of the unit 16. The total forward voltage VF16 of the unit 16 is set lower than the maximum reverse piezoelectric maximum rating VR15 of the unit 15.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, when a reverse voltage is applied to the unit 16, a forward voltage VF15 is applied to the unit 15 and a drive current I15 flows. In this state, this voltage is clamped at the forward voltage VF15, so that if VR16> VF15, the unit 16 is protected from the reverse voltage. As shown in FIG. 4B, when a reverse voltage is applied to the unit 15, the forward voltage VF16 is applied to the unit 16 and the drive current I16 flows. In this state, since this voltage is clamped by the forward voltage VF16, if VR15> VF16, the unit 16 is protected from the reverse voltage.

  Thus, if the forward voltage of the other unit is less than the maximum rating of the reverse voltage of one unit, the one unit is protected from the reverse voltage. The total forward voltages VF15 and VF16 are obtained by multiplying the forward voltage of one LED by the number of series connections. Therefore, the forward voltages VF15 and VF16 can be changed by changing the number of series connections.

(Switching circuit)
Returning to FIG. 3, the switching circuit 24 will be described. It is desirable that the light emitting module outputs visible light during a time period when a person exists such as daytime or evening, and outputs ultraviolet light during a time period when no person exists such as midnight. Therefore, the light emitting module 100 includes a switching circuit 24 that switches between the first light emitting element 10 and the second light emitting element 20 to emit light. The switching circuit 24 includes selection switches SW1 and SW2 that operate in conjunction with each other. The connection point m is connected to one of the positive output P and the negative output N of the control circuit by the selection switch SW1, and the connection point n is connected to the other of the positive output P and the negative output N by the selection switch SW2.

  When the connection point m is connected to the positive output P and the connection point n is connected to the negative output N, forward current flows through the unit 15, the unit 15 emits ultraviolet light, and the unit 16 functions as a protection circuit for the unit 15. To do. When the connection point m is connected to the negative output N and the connection point n is connected to the positive output P, forward current flows through the unit 16, the unit 16 emits visible light, and the unit 15 serves as a protection circuit for the unit 16. Function. The selection switches SW1 and SW2 may be mechanical switches that include mechanical contacts, or electronic switches that include semiconductor switching elements. The selection switches SW <b> 1 and SW <b> 2 may be operable by the user, or may be automatically switched under the control of the control unit 28. In the example of FIG. 3, the selection switches SW1 and SW2 are controlled by a control signal 28s from the control unit 28.

  Returning to FIG. The control unit 28 controls the selection switches SW1 and SW2 and the drive currents of the units 15 and 16. The control unit 28 may control the drive current I15 when the unit 15 is caused to emit light to the same value as the drive current I16 when the unit 16 is caused to emit light. In the embodiment, the control unit 28 independently controls the drive currents I15 and I16 so that each of the units 15 and 16 obtains a desired light output.

  The control unit 28 is configured to be able to operate ON / OFF of the light emitting module 100 and selection of visible light (VL) and ultraviolet light (UV) by operation of the operation unit 26 for user operation. The operation unit 26 includes a switch 26b for performing ON / OFF operation of the light emitting module 100 and a switch 26c for performing selection operation of visible light and ultraviolet light. In this case, the control unit 28 controls the units 15 and 16 according to the operation of the operation unit 26.

  The control unit 28 may include a schedule timer so as to output ultraviolet rays in a preset time zone such as midnight or a holiday.

(Sensor part)
When detecting the presence of a person, the light emitting module 100 desirably stops emitting ultraviolet light. Therefore, in the embodiment, the control unit 28 is configured to substantially stop the light emission of the first light emitting element 10 when the presence of a person is detected. Specifically, the light emitting module 100 includes a sensor unit 32 that detects the presence of a person, and the control unit 28 acquires a detection result from the sensor unit 32 and drives the unit 15 when the presence of a person is detected. The supply of the current I15 is substantially stopped. “Substantially stop” includes stopping and reducing the drive current I15 to a level that hardly affects the human body. In this case, the possibility that a person will receive ultraviolet rays can be reduced.

  After detecting a person and stopping the emission of ultraviolet rays, if the sensor unit 32 enters a state where no person is detected (hereinafter referred to as a non-detection state), the emission of ultraviolet rays may be resumed immediately. The light emitting module 100 of this form is configured to resume the emission of ultraviolet rays after a predetermined timer time has elapsed when it enters a non-detection state. In this case, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the person on the way of leaving receives ultraviolet rays.

  When the user performs an operation to emit ultraviolet rays by a manual operation, the emission of ultraviolet rays may be started immediately. However, the light emitting module 100 according to the embodiment is configured so that a predetermined timer time elapses when the operation is performed. It is comprised so that light emission of an ultraviolet-ray may be started. In this case, it becomes possible to start emission of ultraviolet rays after no one is present.

(fan)
The light emitting module 100 according to the embodiment includes a fan 40 for sending an air flow toward at least a part of the light emitting module 100. The fan 40 is disposed so that the airflow from the fan 40 passes through at least a part of the surfaces of the first light emitting element 10 and the second light emitting element 20. In this case, the first light emitting element 10 and the second light emitting element 20 can be cooled.

(Photocatalyst part)
The light emitting module 100 according to the embodiment includes a photocatalyst unit 44 having a photocatalyst 44m that receives light from the first light emitting element 10. The photocatalyst 44m is applied to the photocatalyst portion 44, and is excited by ultraviolet light having a wavelength of about 380 nm from the first light emitting element 10, and exhibits a bactericidal effect by the photocatalytic reaction. The photocatalyst unit 44 functions as a reflecting plate that reflects light from the first light emitting element 10. In this case, the ultraviolet rays emitted in the direction opposite to the room can be used effectively.

(Notification part)
The light emitting module 100 of the embodiment may include a notification unit 48 that notifies that the first light emitting element 10 is emitting light. The notification unit 48 notifies the person that the first light emitting element 10 is emitting light according to a signal that humans can perceive, such as visible light and sound. FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of the notification unit 48 of the light emitting module 100. In the example of FIG. 5, the notification unit 48 includes a notification LED 48 e provided on the path of the current flowing through the unit 15. The notification LED 48 e may emit visible light having a different color from that of the unit 16. According to the notification unit 48, the current flowing through the unit 15 also flows through the LED 48e, and when the unit 15 emits light, the LED 48e also emits light, thereby notifying that the first light emitting element 10 is emitting light. In this case, a person can know that the first light emitting element 10 is emitting light by the notification LED 48e.

  Next, an overview of one embodiment of the present invention will be described. A light emitting module according to an aspect of the present invention is a light emitting module that switches between and outputs ultraviolet light and visible light, and includes a first light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light and a second light emitting element that emits visible light, When one element of the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element emits light, the other element is configured to function as a protection circuit for the one element.

  According to this aspect, ultraviolet light and visible light can be switched and output, and the other element can function as a protection circuit for one element. By using this light emitting module, the interior lamp and the germicidal lamp can be formed integrally, so that the installation space and the burden of installation work can be reduced as compared with the case where they are provided separately. Further, the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element can function as a protection circuit that protects each other even when an overcurrent in the reverse direction is input.

  Each of the first light-emitting element and the second light-emitting element has an inflow terminal through which current flows during emission and an outflow terminal from which current flows out. The inflow terminal of the first light emitting element may be connected to the outflow terminal of the second light emitting element, and the inflow terminal of the second light emitting element may be connected to the outflow terminal of the first light emitting element. In this case, since the increase in the number of parts can be suppressed as compared with the case where an LED protection circuit is separately provided, the module can be easily reduced in size and weight.

  The second light emitting element may include an LED chip that emits ultraviolet rays and a conversion member that converts ultraviolet rays from the LED chips into visible light. In this case, it is possible to configure the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element by ultraviolet LEDs having similar characteristics.

  A switching circuit that switches between the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element to emit light may be provided. In this case, the light emitting module can output visible light in a time zone where a person exists such as daytime or evening, and can output ultraviolet light in a time zone where no person exists such as midnight.

  The light emitting module may be configured to substantially stop the light emission of the first light emitting element when the presence of a person is detected. In this case, the possibility of emitting ultraviolet rays when a person is present can be reduced.

  You may provide the fan for sending an airflow toward at least one part of this light emitting module. In this case, since the temperature rise of the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element can be suppressed, a larger light output can be obtained.

  You may provide the photocatalyst part which has a photocatalyst which receives the light from a 1st light emitting element. In this case, in addition to direct sterilization of air by ultraviolet rays, a sterilizing effect can be exhibited by a photocatalytic reaction of a photocatalyst.

  In the above, it demonstrated based on each embodiment of this invention. It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are illustrative, and that various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention, and that such modifications and changes are also within the scope of the claims of the present invention. It is understood. Accordingly, the description and drawings herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

  Hereinafter, modified examples will be described. In the drawings and description of the modification, the same reference numerals are given to the same or equivalent components and members as those in the embodiment. The description overlapping with the embodiment will be omitted as appropriate, and the configuration different from the embodiment will be described mainly.

  In the embodiment, an example in which a plurality of ultraviolet LED units and visible light LED units connected in series are connected in reverse parallel is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The light emitting module may be configured by connecting in series a plurality of anti-parallel connection of one ultraviolet LED and one visible light LED.

  In the embodiment, the example in which the LED 22 includes an ultraviolet LED chip and a conversion member has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The LED 22 may be an LED having three LED chips that emit light of three primary colors, or may be an LED having two LED chips that emit light of two colors complementary to each other.

  In the embodiment, an example of a single chip in which each LED includes one type of LED chip has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a multi-chip LED in which an ultraviolet LED chip and a visible light LED chip are housed in one package may be used.

  Each of the above-described modifications has the same operations and effects as the embodiment.

  Any combination of the above-described embodiments and modifications is also useful as an embodiment of the present invention. The new embodiment generated by the combination has the effects of the combined embodiments and modifications.

  10 .. First light emitting element 15.. Unit 15 b Inflow terminal 15 c Outflow terminal 16 Unit Unit 16 b Inflow terminal 16 c Outflow terminal 20 Second light emitting element 22e ... UV, 22f ... visible light, 24 ... switching circuit, 32 ... sensor unit, 40 ... fan, 44 ... photocatalyst unit, 48 ... notification unit, 100 ... light emitting module.

Claims (7)

A light-emitting module that switches between ultraviolet and visible light and outputs it,
A first light emitting element that emits ultraviolet light;
A second light emitting element that emits visible light;
With
The light emitting module, wherein when one element of the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element emits light, the other element functions as a protection circuit for the one element. Each of the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element has an inflow terminal into which a current flows during emission and an outflow terminal from which a current flows out.
An inflow terminal of the first light emitting element is connected to an outflow terminal of the second light emitting element;
The light emitting module according to claim 1, wherein an inflow terminal of the second light emitting element is connected to an outflow terminal of the first light emitting element. The second light emitting element includes an LED chip that emits ultraviolet rays;
A conversion member that converts ultraviolet light from the LED chip into visible light;
The light emitting module according to claim 1, comprising:   The light emitting module according to claim 1, further comprising a switching circuit that switches between the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element to emit light.   5. The light emitting module according to claim 1, wherein when the presence of a person is detected, the light emission of the first light emitting element is substantially stopped.   The light emitting module according to claim 1, further comprising a fan for sending an air flow toward at least a part of the light emitting module.   The light emitting module according to claim 1, further comprising a photocatalyst portion having a photocatalyst that receives light from the first light emitting element.

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