RU2720024C2 - Changing color and disinfecting surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: disinfecting systems.SUBSTANCE: light-emitting unit comprises a plurality of light-generating layers. Light-emitting surface layer is configured to disinfect the vehicle and comprises first and second electrodes, multiple printed light-emitting diodes (LED), photoluminescent and light-transmitting layers. First electrode covers part of partially transmissive glass panel. LEDs are suspended in semiconductor inks on the first electrode and are configured to emit disinfecting radiation. Second electrode is in electrical connection with multiple LEDs. Photoluminescent layer is configured to convert the excitation radiation into output radiation of the second wavelength. Light-transmitting layer forms inner surface of glass panel, is in connection with second electrode and is configured to pass disinfectant radiation so, that part of disinfecting radiation falls on inner surface of vehicle.EFFECT: preventing the spread of diseases and infections.20 cl, 7 dwg

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a partial continuation of the application for the grant of US patent No. 14603636, filed January 23, 2015 and entitled "DOOR ILLUMINATION AND WARNING SYSTEM", which is a partial continuation of the application for the grant of US patent under No. 14086442 filed November 21, 2013 and entitled "VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH PHOTOLUMINESCENT STRUCTURE". VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM. " The aforementioned related applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to disinfecting systems, and more particularly, to disinfecting systems having thin profiles that can be made to fit snugly against non-planar surfaces.

BACKGROUND

Diseases and infections can spread due to indirect contact through various surfaces, which can correspond to touch surfaces, which are often exposed. Disinfecting such surfaces can help prevent the spread of diseases and infections in order to reduce associated health risks. The invention provides various systems and devices that can be used to disinfect various surfaces. At least one example of surfaces that may be sanitized by the disclosed device may be various surfaces of automobile vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed a disinfecting device configured to disinfect a vehicle. The device comprises a first electrode substantially covering a portion of a partially light transmitting panel. A plurality of printed light emitting diodes (LEDs) are suspended in semiconductor ink on a first electrode and configured to emit disinfecting radiation. The second electrode is in electrical connection with multiple LEDs. In conjunction with the second electrode and / or one or more intermediate layers, a light transmitting layer is disposed forming the inner surface of the glass panel. The light transmitting layer is configured to transmit at least a portion of the disinfecting radiation through itself, so that a portion of the disinfecting radiation is incident on the inner surface of the vehicle.

In a further aspect, the first electrode and the second electrode correspond at least partially to the light transmission layers.

In another further aspect, said device further comprises a controller in communication with the first electrode and the second electrode.

In yet a further aspect, the controller is configured to selectively activate the disinfectant radiation in response to at least one state of the vehicle.

In yet a further aspect, at least one state corresponds to an unoccupied vehicle.

In yet a further aspect, said device further comprises at least one occupancy sensor in communication with the controller.

In yet a further aspect, the at least one occupancy sensor corresponds to at least one of a seat sensor, a proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, a camera, and a microphone.

In yet a further aspect, said device further comprises a photoluminescent layer deposited between the second electrode and the light transmission layer.

In yet a further aspect, the photoluminescent layer is configured to convert a portion of the disinfecting radiation to output radiation, configured to illuminate at least a portion of the vehicle.

In yet a further aspect, the disinfecting radiation corresponds to a wavelength shorter than about 380 nm, and the output radiation is greater than about 400 nm.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a light emitting surface layer for a vehicle is disclosed. The surface layer comprises a pair of electrodes essentially covering a portion of the glass panel of the vehicle. A plurality of printed LEDs in semiconductor ink are disposed between the electrodes and are configured to emit excitation radiation of a first wavelength. The photoluminescent layer is located closer to one of the electrodes and is configured to convert the excitation radiation into the output radiation of the second wavelength.

In an additional aspect, the surface layer is attached to the inner surface of the glass panel using an adhesive that is substantially light transmitting.

In another further aspect, the surface layer is adapted to receive light from a glass panel and pass at least a portion of the light into the interior of the vehicle.

In yet a further aspect, said surface layer further comprises a light scattering film located closer to the photoluminescent layer and configured to scatter the output radiation so that the output radiation is emitted substantially uniformly from the radiating surface of the surface layer.

In yet a further aspect, the surface layer forms a flexible thin-film layer configured to adhere closely to non-planar surfaces.

In yet a further aspect, the surface layer has a profile thickness of from about 0.1 mm to 2 mm.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a light emitting assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly contains a plurality of light generating layers or stacked emitting layers. Each of the light-generating layers comprises a pair of electrodes substantially covering a portion of the vehicle glass panel, and a plurality of printed LEDs. Many printed LEDs are suspended in semiconductor ink and located between the electrodes. A plurality of LEDs are configured to emit excitation radiation of a first wavelength. At least one of the light-generating layers comprises a photoluminescent layer closer to one of the electrodes, configured to convert the excitation radiation into at least a first output radiation of a second wavelength.

In an additional aspect, each of the light generating layers is configured to generate output radiation corresponding to a different wavelength of light.

In another further aspect, said light emitting unit further comprises a controller configured to selectively activate each of the light generating layers so that the combined output radiation corresponds to a variety of different light wavelengths.

In yet a further aspect, the controller is configured to bring into operation a first light generating layer from a plurality of light generating layers to emit a first light color in response to a heating operation, and to activate a second light generating layer from a plurality of light generating layers to emit a second color of light in response to a cooling operation.

These and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention will be understood and taken into account by those skilled in the art to study the following description of the invention, claims, and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

figure 1 is a perspective view of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle containing a lighting unit and / or surface layer;

figure 2 is a detailed side view of the light generating unit;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a light generating unit showing a photoluminescent layer configured to convert a wavelength of light;

4 is a detailed side view of the implementation of at least a translucent color-changing surface layer located on the glass surface of the vehicle;

5 is a detailed side view of the implementation of at least a translucent color-changing surface layer located on the glass surface of the vehicle;

6 is a flowchart of a method for controlling the luminance of a light generating unit.

7 is a structural diagram of a lighting device configured to control the glow of a light-generating unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the invention, which may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily intended for detailed design, and some diagrams may be exaggerated or understated to show a general representation of the function. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed in the materials of this application should not be interpreted as limiting, but only as representing the basis for training a person skilled in the art to apply the present invention in different ways.

As used in the materials of this application, the term "and / or", when used in a list of two or more elements, means that any one of the listed elements can be used on its own, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements can be applied . For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B and / or C, the composition may contain only A; exclusively B; exclusively C; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B and C in combination.

In some embodiments, implementation, the following invention describes a luminous and / or disinfecting device for use with a fixed part. The disinfecting device may correspond to a surface layer or a radiating layer. The surface layer can be used for various surfaces that can be configured to emit disinfecting radiation to disinfect the area closest to the surface layer. The surfaces discussed herein may correspond to at least partially transparent surfaces. Such surfaces may include, but are not limited to, at least partially light-transmitting surfaces, and may include a variety of surfaces that may be closest to the surfaces, often contacted throughout their normal use.

The disinfecting device may correspond to a thin flexible assembly that can be used in a variety of applications. For the purposes of this disclosure, a fixed part may indicate a reference to any internal or external part of the vehicle equipment or part thereof suitable for receiving various implementations of the device described in the materials of this application. In an exemplary embodiment, the fixed part of the vehicle may correspond to a glass portion or window of the vehicle. Despite the fact that the various embodiments of the devices described in the materials of this application are mainly aimed at the use of a motor vehicle, it should be understood that the device or system can also be implemented in other types of vehicles designed to transport one or more passengers, such as, but not limited to, ships, trains, and aircraft.

With reference to FIG. 1, the passenger compartment 10 of a motor vehicle 12 is generally shown, showing the diversity of the inner surfaces 14. During the use and operation of the vehicle 12, the inner surfaces 14 can often be contacted by the driver, passenger or otherwise, so that bacteria and germs can accumulate on internal surfaces 14. Such surfaces may include, but are not limited to, door handles, handrails, armrests, head restraints, work surfaces ty (for example, supporting surfaces), controls, seats and a variety of additional fixed parts and surfaces that can be contacted throughout the normal use of the vehicle 12. The invention provides a disinfecting device 22 configured to emit light radiation capable of disinfecting at least least a portion of the inner surface 14.

The disinfecting device 22 may be located on the window 15 of the vehicle in the form of a surface layer and / or in the form of a complete layer of the window 15 of the vehicle. A vehicle window, as discussed in the materials of this application, may correspond to at least partially light transmitting parts of the vehicle 12, including, but not limited to, the windows of the vehicle and their sections. In general, vehicle windows 15 may correspond to a windshield 16, a transparent sunroof 18, a passenger window 20, and any other at least partially transparent or light-transmitting panels or fixed parts of the vehicle 12. The invention provides at least one implementation of the sanitizer 22, located on the surface of the window 15 of the vehicle, in the form of a surface layer and / or in the form of a complete layer of the window 15 of the vehicle. The disinfecting device 22 may be configured to release at least one wavelength of light configured to illuminate and / or disinfect a portion of the vehicle 12.

In some implementations, the invention further provides a lighting device 24 configured to illuminate at least a portion of the vehicle 12. The lighting device 24 may be configured to adjust the color of the scattered light in the vehicle 12 by controlling the color of the light emitted from the lighting device 24 In some implementations, the lighting device 24 may be implemented in combination with a disinfecting device 22 in the form of an integrated disinfection system ktsii and lighting, hereinafter referred to as a built-in device 26 illumination. In such embodiments, the integrated lighting device 26 is configured to control the color of the scattered light in at least a portion of the vehicle 12, and also provides for the disinfection of the inner surface 14 of at least a portion of the vehicle 12.

In some embodiments, at least some of the devices 22, 24, and 26 discussed herein may be associated with a controller 172 (not shown). The controller 172 may further be associated with a vehicle control module. The vehicle control module may provide signals to the controller 172 in response to various user input signals, vehicle operation information, vehicle status information, heating / cooling information, location information, identity information of the occupying person, etc. d. In response to one or more signals received from the vehicle control module, each of the devices 22 and 26 may be configured to output light radiation, which may be configured to substantially disinfect at least a portion of the interior area 10 of the vehicle 12 Additionally, visible light may be emitted from each of the devices 24 and 26 and controlled by a controller 172 to correspond to different light wavelengths and combinations thereof. Further details regarding the controller 172 and the vehicle control module are discussed with reference to FIG. 7.

With reference to FIG. 2, a detailed side view is shown illustrating a radiating layer 34 or a light generating layer located on a glass surface 36, which may correspond to at least a portion of at least one of the devices 22, 24 and 26. The radiating layer 34 may match the assembly of thin-film or printed light emitting diodes (LEDs). For example, the radiating layer 34 may exhibit many common features or elements that may be included in each of the devices 22, 24, and 26. Although each of the devices 22, 24, and 26 may have specific combinations and / or configurations of elements, surface layers shown 1 and 2, may provide exemplary configurations for each of the devices 22, 24 and 26.

An emitting layer 34 is shown having a base 42 located on the glass surface 36 of the vehicle window 15. The base 42 may be substantially transparent or translucent and may correspond to a thin film. The radiating layer 34 can be used in a variety of applications that may require a small overall thickness. Base 42 may be made of a polymer, for example polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc. In some embodiments, the base 42 may be pulled out of a roll to be embedded in the assembly operation for the radiating layer 34, and may be from about 0.1 mm to 2 mm in thickness. In an exemplary implementation, the radiating layer 34 may be less than 1 mm in thickness, and in some implementations, may be less than 0.6 mm in thickness.

The first electrode 44 may correspond to a cathode conductive layer (hereinafter, cathode 44) and may be located on the basis of 42. The cathode 44 and / or various electrodes or conductive layers discussed herein may contain a conductive epoxy compound, such as silver or a copper-containing epoxy compound. The cathode 44 is galvanically connected to the first conductive bus or cathode conductive bus 46. The cathode conductive bus 46 and other conductive busbars or wires discussed herein may be made of metal and / or conductive materials that can be screen printed on the electrodes or conductive layers. The conductive busbars can be used in the radiating layer 34 to galvanically connect a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) sources 48 to the power source through the controller 172. Thus, the cathode conductive bus 46 and other conductive buses used in the radiating layer 34 can be configured to supply an electric current substantially uniformly along and / or across the cathode 44 and other conductive layers in the radiating layer 34.

The LED light sources 48 may be printed, dispersed, or otherwise deposited on the cathode 44 using semiconductor inks 50. The semiconductor inks may correspond to a liquid suspension containing a concentration of LED light sources 48 dispersed therein. The concentration of light sources on the LED can vary based on the required radiation intensity of the light-generating unit. The LED light sources 48 can be dispersed arbitrarily or in a controlled manner within the semiconductor ink 50. The LED light sources 48 can correspond to micro-LEDs from gallium nitride elements, which can be approximately 5 microns to 400 microns wide, oriented essentially perpendicularly the surface of the cathode 44. Semiconductor ink 50 may include various binders and dielectric materials, including, but not limited to, one or more of gallium, indium, silicon carbide, handicap and / or translucent polymer binders. In this configuration, the semiconductor ink 50 may comprise various concentrations of LED light sources 48, so that the scattering density of the LED light sources 48 can be adjusted for various applications.

Semiconductor ink 50 can be applied, thanks to various printing processes, including processes with ink nozzles and silk stencils, to a selected portion (s) of cathode 44. Semiconductor ink 50 is applied so that LED light sources 48 can form a circuit between the cathode 44 and the second electrode 54 or the anode conductive layer (hereinafter, the anode 54). More precisely, it is foreseen that the LED light sources 48 are dispersed in the semiconductor ink 50 and endowed with a shape and size, so that a substantial number of them are preferably oriented perpendicular to the cathode 44 and the anode 54 during the application of the semiconductor ink 50. Some of the LED light sources 48 are as a result, they are electrically connected to the electrodes 44, 54 and can be illuminated by a voltage source applied parallel to the cathode 44 and the anode 54. Additional information regarding the design of the light-generating unit, similar to the radiating layer 34, is disclosed in the publication of US patent No. 2014-0264396 A1 on Lowvental and others, entitled "Ultra-thin printed layer of the LED removed from the substrate" ("Ultra-thin printed led layer removed from the substrate"), with a filing date of 12 March 2014, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

At least one dielectric layer 56 may be printed on top of the LED light sources 48 to encapsulate and / or fix the LED light sources 48 in place. At least one dielectric layer 56 may correspond to a first dielectric layer 56a and a second dielectric layer 56b, which may be of a transparent material. The anode 54 may correspond to a top layer of a transparent conductor printed over the dielectric layer 56 to electrically connect the electrodes 44, 54 through the LED sources 48. Anode 54 is galvanically connected to a second conductive bus or anode conductive bus 58. The conductive busbars 46, 58 can be used in the radiating layer 34 to galvanically connect multiple LED sources 48 to a power source through a controller 172.

The busbars 46, 58 can be printed along the opposite edges of the electrodes 44, 54 and electrically terminated at the terminals of the anode and cathode. The connection points between the conductive busbars 46, 58 and the controller 172 may be located at opposite angles of each conductive bus 46, 58 to evenly distribute the current across the electrodes 44, 54. In an example implementation, each of the electrodes 44, 54 may be indium oxide and tin ( ITO) or similar conductive materials that are substantially translucent.

In action, the LED light sources 48 may be configured to output light emission corresponding to a particular wavelength. Radiation may be referred to as excitation radiation. Excitation radiation may correspond to different wavelengths of light. In an exemplary implementation, the excitation radiation of the LED light sources 48 may correspond to a blue spectral, violet and / or ultraviolet color range. The blue spectral color range contains a wavelength range generally expressed as blue light (~ 440-500 nm). In some implementations, the first wavelength λ1 may comprise a wavelength in the ultraviolet or near ultraviolet color range (~ 100-450 nm). In general, excitation radiation, as discussed in the materials of this application, is used at least partially for the commissioning or excitation of photoluminescent materials, which can be enclosed in the devices discussed in the materials of this application.

In some embodiments, the radiation emitted from the LED light sources 48 may correspond to a variety of light colors in the range of visible light. For example, LED light sources may be configured to emit red light (~ 620-750 nm), green light (~ 526-606 nm), blue light (~ 430-500 nm), and various combinations thereof. Additionally, LED light sources 48 may be configured to emit various emissions configured to excite photoluminescent materials so as to emit red light, green light, white light, and various colors of light. As further discussed, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the lighting devices in the materials of this application can be configured to selectively output radiation of various wavelengths in response to various signals received by the controller 172, which may correspond to different states, operating conditions, and t .d. of the vehicle.

Further, with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, in some implementations, a photoluminescent layer 60 may be deposited on the anode 54. The photoluminescent layer 60 may be configured to convert at least a portion of the unconverted radiation 72 or excitation radiation from the light sources 48 to LEDs into the output radiation 74 corresponding to the light in the visible spectrum. The photoluminescent layer 60 may have a limited concentration of photoluminescent material, so that the first part of the excitation radiation or untransformed radiation 72 is converted to output radiation 74, and the second part of the unconverted radiation 72 is emitted from the radiating layer 34 in the form of disinfecting radiation.

In this configuration, the output radiation 74 may be emitted from the radiating surface 114 of the device to illuminate at least a portion of the inner surface 14 of the vehicle 12 with visible light while the second portion of the untransformed radiation 72 can pass through the photoluminescent layer 60. The second portion of the untransformed radiation 72 may be emitted from the radiating surface 114 in the form of a disinfecting radiation configured to disinfect at least a portion of one or more of the early surfaces 14. Essentially, the emitting layer 34 may be configured to output light radiation configured to illuminate and disinfect at least a portion of the vehicle 12.

The photoluminescent layer 60 may correspond to a coating, layer, film and / or photoluminescent base. The photoluminescent layer 60 may be applied by screen printing, flexography and / or otherwise attached to the anode 54 or the intermediate layer between them. In various implementations, the LED light sources 48 may be configured to emit non-converted radiation 72 corresponding to ultraviolet (UV) light as a disinfecting radiation. The LED light sources 48 may be configured to emit untransformed radiation 72 as excitation radiation onto the photoluminescent layer 60 so that the photoluminescent material becomes excited. In response to receiving the unconverted radiation 72, the photoluminescent material converts a portion of the unconverted radiation 72 from the first wavelength into the output radiation 74 containing at least a second wavelength greater than the first wavelength.

Unconverted radiation 72 may be emitted from LED light sources 48, which may be configured to emit ultraviolet light. The LED light sources 48 may be configured to emit untransformed radiation 72 or excitation radiation corresponding to a wavelength of the ultraviolet light range from about 10 nm to 400 nm. In an illustrative embodiment, LED light sources 48 may be configured to emit ultraviolet radiation in the range of about 10 nm to 400 nm, and in some embodiments, may emit radiation in the range of about 200 nm to 300 nm, which may be particularly suitable for disinfection.

The light transmission layer 62 or the protective outer layer of the radiating layer 34 may correspond to one or more coatings. The light transmission layer may be at least partially permeable to ultraviolet and visible light. In some implementations, the light transmission layer 62 or the protective layer may correspond to a plurality of layers configured to provide the desired sensation and appearance by projecting light onto at least a portion of the vehicle 12. The light transmission layer 62 may correspond to one or more coatings of the sealing layers and may be deposited on the outer surface of the photoluminescent layer 60 or anode 54. For example, a light transmission layer 62 may be deposited on the anode 54.

The light transmission layer 62 may be combined with the photoluminescent layer 60 to convert the first portion of the untransformed radiation 72 into the output radiation 74. In this configuration, the output radiation 74 may be configured to illuminate at least a portion of the vehicle 12 with light corresponding to the visible light spectrum. Additionally, a second portion of the untransformed radiation 72 corresponding to the ultraviolet light spectrum can be emitted from the light transmission layer 62. The second part may be emitted into the vehicle 12 to sanitize at least a portion of the inner surfaces 14. The light transmission layer 62 may correspond to an outer layer configured to protect the anode and / or the photoluminescent layer 60 and various other parts of the radiation layer 34 from damage and wear.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, a detailed view of the photoluminescent layer 60 and the light transmission layer 62 of the emitting layer 34 is shown. As discussed herein, the photoluminescent layer 60 may be used in some embodiments to convert at least a portion of the unconverted radiation 72 to the output radiation 74 in the visible light range. The LED light sources 48 are in electrical communication with the electrodes 44, 54 and the power source through the controller 172, so that untransformed radiation 72 can be output from the LED light sources 48.

As previously discussed, in some implementations, the untransformed radiation 72 emitted from the LED light sources 48 may correspond to a disinfecting radiation having a first wavelength approximately corresponding to the ultraviolet spectral color range. The first wavelength may contain a wavelength in the ultraviolet and near ultraviolet color range (~ 100-450 nm). In an exemplary implementation, the first wavelength may be approximately equal to 270 nm. Additionally, embodiments may be selected including a photoluminescent layer, special photoluminescent materials such that the photoluminescent layer 60 has an absorption range corresponding to the first wavelength. In this configuration, the photoluminescent material of the photoluminescent layer 60 can emit output radiation 74 in response to receiving the untransformed radiation 72.

In embodiments that do not include the photoluminescent layer 60, the unconverted radiation 72 can pass directly to the light transmission layer 62. In embodiments that include the photoluminescent layer 60, the unconverted radiation 72 is transmitted to the at least partially light transmitting material of the photoluminescent layer 60. The unconverted radiation 72 is emitted from the LED light sources 48 and may be configured such that the first wavelength corresponds to at least one d apazone absorption of one or more photoluminescent materials located in the photoluminescence layer 60. For example, the photoluminescent layer 60 may be configured to convert the unconverted portion 72 of the radiation at the first wavelength into output light 74 having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The photoluminescent layer may contain a specific concentration of photoluminescent material to ensure that only a portion of the unconverted radiation 72 is converted to the output radiation 74. The output radiation 74 may contain one or more wavelengths, one of which may be longer than the first wavelength. The conversion of the untransformed radiation 72 to the output radiation 74 may be referred to as the Stokes shift.

In some embodiments, implementation, the output radiation 74 may correspond to multiple wavelengths. Each of the many wavelengths can correspond to substantially different spectral color ranges. For example, at least a second wavelength of the output radiation 74 may correspond to a plurality of wavelengths (e.g., second, third, etc.). In some implementations, multiple wavelengths can be combined in the output radiation 74 to appear as essentially white light. A plurality of wavelengths can be formed by emitting red radiation by a photoluminescent material having a wavelength of approximately 620-750 nm, emitting green radiation by a photoluminescent material having a wavelength of approximately 526-606 nm, and emitting blue or blue-green radiation by a photoluminescent material having a wavelength, greater than the first wavelength λ1, and approximately 430-525 nm. Multiple wavelengths can be used to form a wide variety of light colors from each of the photoluminescent parts converted from the first wavelength. Although specific colors of red, green, and blue are mentioned in the materials of this application, various photoluminescent materials can be used to form a wide variety of colors and combinations to control the appearance of the output radiation 74.

The photoluminescent materials corresponding to the photoluminescent layer 60 may contain organic and inorganic fluorescent dyes configured to convert the unconverted radiation 72 to the output radiation 74. For example, the photoluminescent layer 60 may contain a photoluminescent structure of rylene, xanthenes, porphyrins, phthalocyanines or other materials for a specific Stokes shift determined by the absorption range and emission fluorescence. In some embodiments, implementation, the photoluminescent layer 60 may have at least one inorganic luminescent material selected from the group of phosphors. Inorganic luminescent material can more specifically be formed from a group of cerium-activated garnets, such as YAG: Ce. Essentially, the photoluminescent parts can be selectively driven by a first wavelength received from the untransformed radiation 72 to emit an output radiation 74 having the desired color.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the emitting layer 34 may further include a light transmitting layer 62 in the form of at least partially translucent layer. In some implementations, the light transmission layer 62 may correspond to a plurality of layers configured to provide a desired appearance for the glass surface 36 of the window portion of the vehicle 12. The light transmission layer 62 may correspond to one or more coatings of the sealing layers and may be applied to the surface of the photoluminescent layer 60 or the anode 54. The light transmitting layer 62 may correspond to a protective outer layer and may contain at least one stabilizing layer, made with the possibility to protect the photoluminescent material photoluminescent layer 60 from thermal or photolytic degradation, and physical and chemical damage that occurs from exposure to the environment. The stabilizing layer may be in the form of a layer optically bonded and adjacent to the photoluminescent layer 60. The stabilizing layer may also be combined with the photoluminescent layer 60.

In some implementations, the light transmission layer 62 may be combined with a photoluminescent layer 60 and a stabilizing layer to form a single photoluminescent structure 76 by sequentially coating or printing each layer or by sequential layering or embossing. Additionally, several layers can be combined by sequential coating, layering or embossing to form a substructure. The substructure can then be layered or embossed to form a single photoluminescent structure 76. Once formed, the photoluminescent structure 76 can be deposited on the anode 54 so that the unconverted radiation 72 is received from the LED light sources 48 and converted to the output radiation 74. Additional information regarding the structures of photoluminescent structures to be used in at least one photoluminescent part of a vehicle are disclosed in US Pat. Number 8232533 at Kingsley and the other entitled "Sustainable photolytic AND IN RELATION TO THE ENVIRONMENT multilayer structure for high-conversion efficiency of electromagnetic energy and duration of the emission of secondary radiation» ( «PHOTOLYTICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY STABLE MULTILAYER STRUCTURE FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY CONVERSION AND SUSTAINED SECONDARY EMISSION "), With a filing date of July 31, 2012, the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

With reference to FIG. 4, a detailed side view is shown illustrating an implementation of a multilayer lighting unit 92 located on a glass surface 36. The lighting unit 92 may correspond to devices 24 and 26, and may be configured to emit output radiation 74 having a variety of wavelengths Sveta. For example, the lighting unit 92 may be configured to emit output radiation 74 in the form of red light, green light, blue light, ultraviolet light, and / or various combinations thereof. Each of the plurality of layers shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may correspond to structures similar to the radiating layer 34 discussed with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, having identical reference numbers. More specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the layers form a plurality of stacked emitting layers 94 comprising a green emitting layer 96, a red emitting layer 98 and a blue emitting layer 100. The green emitting layer 96 and the red emitting layer 98 may comprise a green photoluminescent layer 96a and the red photoluminescent layer 98a, respectively. In this configuration, the controller 172 can independently drive the printed LED layer 102 of each of the layers 96, 98, and 100 to drive the output radiation 74 to illuminate at least a portion of the vehicle 12 with a desired color.

The multilayer lighting unit 92 may correspond to a lighting device 24 or an integrated device 26 configured to generate untransformed radiation 72 and output radiation 74 at multiple wavelengths. A multilayer lighting unit 92 is shown laminated on or otherwise attached to the glass surface 36 of a portion of the window 15 of the vehicle 12. The lighting unit may be attached to the glass surface 36 with an adhesive 106, which may correspond to a substantially light transmitting adhesive or an optically transparent adhesive. An example of an optically transparent adhesive that can be used for adhesive 106 is an optically transparent acrylic adhesive such as 3M ™ Clear Adhesives 8171 or 8172. Thus, the laminated lighting unit 92 can be attached to the glass surface 36 so that ambient light 108 outside the vehicle 12 can pass through part of the window 15 and into the laminated lighting unit 92.

The mounting surface of the multilayer lighting unit 92 may correspond to a base 42 or a film layer. The base 42 may correspond to a dielectric material layer configured to protect and electrically isolate the first stacked emitting layer, for example, a green emitting layer 96. Each of the stacked emitting layers 94 may include a cathode 44 and anode 54 with a printed LED layer 102 printed on the surface between them using a liquid suspension containing a concentration of light sources 48 on the LEDs, dispersed in it. Additionally, each of the stacked radiation layers 94 may be separated by a substrate 42 as a film layer or a dielectric layer. In this configuration, the controller 172, coupled to each of the electrodes 44 and 54 of the respective stacked emitting layers 94, can selectively drive the printed LED layer 102 to produce an output radiation 74 corresponding to red light, green light, blue light, or any combinations thereof, of respective stacked radiating layers 94.

As discussed herein, each of the stacked emitting layers 94 may be substantially transparent or at least partially light transmitting so that ambient light 108 can pass through the multilayer lighting unit 92 and into the vehicle 12 in combination with the output radiation 74. Thus, stacked emitting layers 94 of the multilayer lighting unit 92 can be configured to illuminate the inner surface 14 of the vehicle 12, as well as mixing with the surrounding volume 108, passed through part of the window 15 and into the multilayer lighting unit 92. Various implementations discussed in the materials of this application provide a lighting device configured to illuminate the inner surface 14 of the vehicle 12 with almost any color of light, and can also be used to emit a disinfectant emitting ultraviolet light into the vehicle to disinfect at least a portion of the inner surface 14 of the vehicle 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, stacked emission layers 94 are arranged so that the green emission layer 96 is closest to the glass surface 36, the blue emission layer 100 is closest to the interior of the vehicle 12 or the emission surface 114, and the red emission layer 98 may be located between them. The radiating surface 114 may be configured to diffuse the unconverted radiation 72 so that the colors corresponding to each of the radiating feet 94 are emitted substantially uniformly from the radiating surface 114 of the light emitting layer 62. In some implementations, the order of each of the radiating layers 96, 98 and 100 may vary. However, it may be noted that, in some exemplary implementations, it may be advantageous to include in the composition of the blue radiating layer 100 closest to the radiating surface 114.

As shown in FIG. 4, the printed LED layer 102 of each of the stacked emitting layers 94 may include LED sources 48 configured to emit excitation radiation corresponding to substantially blue light having wavelengths of about 420 nm to 500 nm. With the blue emitting layer 100 closest to the emitting surface 114, with respect to the red, green, and blue emitting layers 96, 98, and 100, the blue light generated by the printed layer 102 of the LEDs of the blue emitting layer 100 can be output to the vehicle 12. B of this configuration, blue light may be emitted from the radiating surface to form at least a portion of the untransformed radiation 72 without being converted to a different wavelength of light by the photoluminescent layers 60. This configuration may be particularly useful for non which specific implementations of lighting devices discussed in the materials of this application, but should not be considered limiting various combinations of LED light sources, configured to emit other wavelengths of light to excite the respective photoluminescent materials in each of the stacked radiation layers 94, as described in the materials of this application.

For example, as further discussed with reference to FIG. 5, a particular printed LED layer of a stacked emitting layer may be configured to emit a first excitation radiation corresponding to a wavelength of light configured to substantially excite a first photoluminescent material. Additionally, at least the second stacked emitting layer may comprise a second photoluminescent material configured to have a substantially different absorption range than the first photoluminescent material. In this configuration, the first excitation radiation can excite the first photoluminescent material, meanwhile, having little to no effect on the second photoluminescent material. Each of the photoluminescent materials may be included in the lighting and / or disinfecting unit in the form of a combined photoluminescent layer, as discussed in FIG. 5, or a plurality of photoluminescent layers, as discussed, referring to FIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 5, a detailed side view is shown illustrating an implementation of a multilayer lighting unit 122 located on a glass surface 36. The lighting unit 122 may correspond to devices 24 and 26, and may be configured to output unconverted radiation 72 and output radiation 74, having a variety of wavelengths of light. Each of the plurality of layers shown in FIG. 5 may correspond to the similar layers discussed referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 and have identical reference numbers. More specifically, referring to FIG. 5, the layers form a plurality of stacked emitting layers 94 comprising a first emitting layer 124, a second emitting layer 126 and a third emitting layer 128. In this configuration, the controller 172 can independently activate the printed LED layer 102 of each from layers 124, 126, and 128 to generate output radiation 74 to illuminate at least a portion of the vehicle 12 in a desired color.

In contrast to the multilayer lighting unit 92, the multilayer lighting unit 122 comprises a combined photoluminescent layer 130 containing a plurality of photoluminescent materials. Each of the photoluminescent materials may be configured to have a specific absorption range corresponding to radiation from one of the first emitting layer 124 or the second emitting layer 126. For example, the first emitting layer 124 may be configured to emit a first excitation radiation configured to aim at a first absorption range of a first photoluminescent material 129 enclosed in a combined photoluminescent layer 130. Thus, the first excitation radiation It may be configured to initiate a first photoluminescent material 129.

The second emitting layer 126 may be configured to emit a second excitation radiation configured to target the second absorption range of the second photoluminescent material 132 enclosed in the combined photoluminescent layer 130. The second absorption range may correspond to a significantly different light wavelength range than the first absorption range . Thus, the second excitation radiation can be configured to excite the second photoluminescent material 132 essentially independently of the first photoluminescent material 129. In this configuration, each of the first emitting layer 124 and the second emitting layer 126 can be configured to bring each of the the first photoluminescent material 129 and the second photoluminescent material 132 are essentially independent.

As described herein, multilayer lighting units 92 and 122 may be configured to emit light corresponding to a wide range of colors by selectively activating each stacked emitting layer 94 independently to generate output radiation 74 in a wide range of combinations. The first photoluminescent material 129 and the second photoluminescent material 132 may be configured to emit a first color of visible light and a second color of visible light, respectively. For example, the first color may correspond to essentially green-colored light, and the second color may correspond to essentially green-colored light. Additionally, the third emitting layer 128 may be configured to emit blue colored light that can be selectively combined with red and green light to control the color of the output radiation 74, so that the output radiation 74 can appear in any of a variety of light colors and combinations thereof .

In some embodiments, implementation, the first absorption range may correspond to longer wavelengths of light than the second absorption range. Thus, the first photoluminescent material can be illuminated independently of the second photoluminescent material 132. Absorption ranges and resulting radiation can be configured with specific photoluminescent materials used for each of the photoluminescent materials 129 and 132. Various combinations of photoluminescent materials can provide a wide range of colors and wavelength combinations .

The term absorption range as used in the materials of this application defines the wavelength range that excites the photoluminescent material of the photoluminescent layer or the combined photoluminescent layer and causes the photoluminescent material to become excited. In response to excitation, the photoluminescent portion emits radiation having at least one wavelength of light that is at least partially outside the absorption range. In various implementations, the absorption range of photoluminescent materials, as discussed in the materials of this application, may vary. Additionally, light emission in the form of emitted fluorescence can be selected based on the material properties of the photoluminescent structures discussed in the materials of this application.

An example of a specific combination of photoluminescent materials and light sources is described below. The specific materials and ranges discussed in the materials of this application are given for illustration, and not limitation. The first absorption range may correspond to a wavelength range in the blue and / or near UV (ultraviolet, UV) light range having wavelengths of approximately 390-450 nm. The second absorption range may correspond to a substantially non-overlapping wavelength range in the UV and / or blue light range having wavelengths of about 250-410 nm. The first excitation radiation may have a value of approximately 430 nm, configured to cause the first photoluminescent material 129 to emit green radiation of approximately 525 nm. The second excitation radiation may have a value of approximately 370 nm, configured to cause the second photoluminescent material 132 to output orange-red radiation of approximately 645 nm. Thus, each of the photoluminescent materials 129 and 132 can be selectively excited by the first emitting layer 124 and the second emitting layer 126 to independently output substantially green-colored light and substantially orange-red colored light, respectively.

In general, photoluminescent materials 129 and 132 can be combined in various proportions, types, layers, etc., to form a variety of colors for each of the luminescent radiation. Although specific materials and structures of photoluminescent materials are discussed in the materials of this application, various materials can be used without departing from the essence of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the first photoluminescent material 129 may be configured to have a first absorption range that is substantially larger than the second absorption range. Additionally, the second excitation radiation may correspond to a substantially shorter wavelength or wavelength range than the first excitation radiation.

In some implementations, the first photoluminescent material 129 may comprise an organic fluorescent dye configured to convert the first excitation radiation of substantially green-colored light. For example, the first photoluminescent material may contain a photoluminescent structure of rylene, xanthenes, porphyrins, phthalocyanines or other materials suitable for a particular Stokes shift determined by the absorption range and emission fluorescence. The first photoluminescent material 129 can be selected to have a greater Stokes shift than the second photoluminescent material 132. Thus, each of the photoluminescent materials 129 and 132 can be independently illuminated by the first emitting layer 124 and the second emitting layer 126 to output different colors of light.

The second photoluminescent material 132 may comprise a photoluminescent structure configured to generate a greater Stokes shift than the first photoluminescent material 129. The second photoluminescent material 132 may comprise an organic or inorganic material configured to have a second absorption range and a desired output wavelength or color. In an exemplary embodiment, the second photoluminescent material 132 may be from at least one inorganic luminescent material selected from the group of phosphors. Inorganic luminescent material can more specifically be formed from a group of cerium-activated garnets, such as YAG: Ce. This configuration may provide that the second Stokes shift of the second photoluminescent material 132 is greater than the first Stokes shift of the first photoluminescent material 129.

Further, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, additional stacked emitting layers 94 may be included in the multilayer lighting units 92 and 122. Additionally, one or more of the stacked emitting layers 94 may not be included in the multilayer lighting units 92 and 122 For example, a stacked ultraviolet emitting layer may be added to or used in place of one of the stacked emitting layers 94 of the multilayer lighting units 92 and 122. The stacked ultraviolet emitting layer may correspond to the learning layer 34, as discussed, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, having LED sources 48 configured to emit ultraviolet light. In this configuration, the controller 172 may be configured to control the color of the output radiation 74, as well as emit the untransformed radiation 72 as a disinfecting radiation to the vehicle 12.

With reference to FIG. 6, a flowchart of a method 150 for operating a lighting device is shown. The method may relate to a control circuit for a lighting device configured to control the color of the output radiation 74. The color of the output radiation 74 may be controlled in response to climate control or temperature control of the vehicle 12. As described herein, method 150 may include a lighting device to illuminate the passenger compartment 10 of the vehicle 12 with a cold or bluish light during a vehicle cooling operation and warm or red light during the heating operation of the vehicle.

The controller 172 may initiate a heating or cooling control procedure (152) for the vehicle’s climate control system and / or the lighting device, which may correspond to the lighting device discussed in this application. The control procedure may begin by monitoring the heating and cooling systems of the vehicle 12 (154). The controller 172 can control the heating and cooling systems using vehicle control systems, communication buses, or various alternative messages received by the vehicle corresponding to various systems of the vehicle 12.

Once put into operation, the control procedure can be processed by the controller 172 to determine if the cooling system is active (156). If the cooling system is active, the controller 172 can enhance the blue tint of the output radiation 74 regarding the difference between the temperature of the passenger compartment 10 and the temperature setting of the passenger compartment 10 (158). If the vehicle cooling system is judged inactive at step 156, the controller 172 may continue the control procedure to determine if the heating system is active (160). If the heating system is active, as determined in step 160, the controller 172 can enhance the red tint of the output radiation 74 regarding the difference between the temperature of the passenger compartment 10 and the temperature setting of the passenger compartment 10 (162). By identifying the operating state (activity) of the heating and cooling systems of the vehicle 12, the procedure 150 may return to step 154 to monitor the heating and cooling systems of the vehicle 12.

Similar to method 150, the controller 172 can be configured to control the lighting device to emit a color of light corresponding to various vehicle conditions, signals received from the vehicle bus or from any peripheral or measuring device connected to the controller 172. For example, the controller 172 may receive a signal based on a vehicle’s location from a global positioning system (GPS) device and change the color of the output radiation 74 in response to the position of the vehicle 12.

With reference to FIG. 7, an exemplary block diagram of a system is shown. The system may correspond to devices 22, 24, and 26 for vehicle 12. As discussed herein, controller 172 may be used to control various systems similar to those discussed herein, including combinations and variations of such devices. Each of the devices 22, 24 and 26 may include radiating layers 34 and 94. The controller 172 may be in communication with the vehicle control module 174 via the communication bus 176 of the vehicle 12. The communication bus 176 may be configured to send signals to the controller 172, identifying various vehicle conditions. For example, the communication bus 176 may be configured to inform the controller 172 of the gear selection of the vehicle 12, the ignition state, the door state is open or open, the LED sources 48 are remotely activated, the heating, cooling or microclimate control system of the vehicle is heating or cooling means, or any other information or control signals that can be used to commission or control the radiating layers 34 and 94. Although the controller 172 is discussed in rials herein, in some embodiments, the devices 22, 24 and 26 may be controlled by one or more electrical or electromechanical switches.

The controller 172 may include a processor 178 having one or more circuits configured to receive signals from the communication bus 176 and transmit output signals to control the emitting layers 34 and 94. The processor 178 may be associated with a memory 180 configured to store control commands the activation of the emitting layers 34 and 94. The controller 172 may further be associated with a scattered light sensor 182. The scattered light sensor 182 may be operative to report a light mode, for example, a brightness level or a scattered light intensity closer to the vehicle 12. In response to the scattered light level, the controller 172 may be configured to adjust the light intensity emitted from the emitting layers 34 and 94. The intensity of the light emitted from the emitting layers 34 and 94 can be adjusted by controlling the relative on-time, current or voltage supplied to the LED sources 48.

The controller 172 may further be associated with one or more occupancy sensors 184, configured to detect the presence of a occupying person in the vehicle. The occupancy sensor 184 can typically be configured to detect whether a living passenger (eg, an animal) is inside the vehicle 12. The occupancy sensors 184 may include weight sensors in the passenger seats and / or floor, infrared sensors, cameras, microphones, and various proximity sensors that can be configured to detect weight, temperature, movement, sound, etc., in the passenger compartment 10 of the vehicle 12. The controller 172 can use the signals received from the sensor 184 busy to identify if the occupying person is located in the interior of the vehicle 12. When determining that the vehicle 12 is not occupied, the controller 172 may activate the unconverted radiation 72 in the form of a disinfecting radiation generated by one or more radiating layers 34 and 94 Thus, the controller 172 can determine that the vehicle 12 is not occupied before disinfecting the vehicle 12 with unreformed radiation 72 in the form of disinfecting radiation.

In combination with messages received via the communication bus 176, the controller 172 may be configured to identify whether the occupying person is in the passenger compartment 10 of the vehicle and additionally whether the interior of the vehicle is securely protected (for example, the guards are closed and vehicle windows). In this configuration, the controller 172 may be configured to control the unconverted radiation 72 so that it is released from the emitting layers 34 and 94 when the vehicle 12 is unoccupied and safe. Additionally, the windows of the vehicle 12 may include a filtering or blocking ultraviolet coating, which may be configured to limit the incoming ultraviolet radiation from the sun, as well as to prevent the exit of untransformed radiation 72 from the inner region of the vehicle 12.

For the purpose of describing and defining the boundaries of these doctrines, it is noted that the terms “essentially” and “approximately” are used in the materials of this application to represent the necessarily inherent degree of uncertainty that can be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement or other representation. The terms "essentially" and "approximately" are also used in the materials of this application to represent the extent to which the quantitative presentation can deviate from the set reference value without leading to a change in the main function of the subject matter of the invention.

It should be understood that various variations and modifications may be made to the aforementioned design without departing from the concepts of the present invention. Although discussed in various illustrative examples, referring to vehicle surfaces, a disinfecting device can be used for various surfaces that can correspond to surfaces that are often exposed to. The surfaces discussed herein may correspond to at least partially transparent surfaces. Such surfaces may include, but are not limited to, door handles, handrails, armrests, head restraints, work surfaces (eg, supporting surfaces), controls, seats, and a variety of additional fixed parts and surfaces that may be exposed to contact throughout normal use of the vehicle 12. In addition, it should be understood that the concepts of the present invention are intended to be understood by the following claims, if the claims are The tendency of its wording does not determine otherwise in a direct form.

Claims (24)

1. A light emitting surface layer configured to disinfect a vehicle, comprising: a first electrode substantially covering a portion of a partially light transmitting glass panel; a plurality of printed light emitting diodes (LEDs) suspended in semiconductor ink on a first electrode and configured to emit disinfectant radiation; a second electrode in electrical connection with said plurality of LEDs; and a light transmitting layer forming an inner surface of said glass panel and connected to the second electrode, wherein the light transmitting layer is configured to pass at least a portion of the disinfecting radiation through itself, so that a part of the disinfecting radiation is incident on the inner surface of the vehicle. 2. The surface layer according to claim 1, in which the first electrode and the second electrode correspond at least partially to the light transmitting layers. 3. The surface layer according to claim 1, further comprising a controller having communication with the first electrode and the second electrode. 4. The surface layer according to claim 3, in which the controller is configured to selectively activate the disinfectant radiation in response to at least one state of the vehicle. 5. The surface layer according to claim 4, in which at least one state corresponds to the unemployment of the vehicle. 6. The surface layer according to claim 3, further comprising at least one occupancy sensor in communication with the controller. 7. The surface layer according to claim 6, in which at least one occupancy sensor corresponds to at least one of the seat sensor, proximity sensor, infrared radiation sensor, camera and microphone. 8. The surface layer according to claim 1, further comprising a photoluminescent layer deposited between the second electrode and the light transmission layer. 9. The surface layer of claim 8, in which the photoluminescent layer is configured to convert part of the disinfectant radiation into output radiation, configured to illuminate at least part of the vehicle. 10. The surface layer according to claim 9, in which the disinfecting radiation corresponds to a wavelength of less than approximately 380 nm, and the output radiation is more than approximately 400 nm. 11. A light emitting surface layer configured to disinfect a vehicle, comprising: a pair of electrodes substantially covering a portion of a glass panel of a vehicle; a plurality of printed light emitting diodes (LEDs) in semiconductor inks disposed between the electrodes and configured to emit excitation radiation of a first wavelength; and a photoluminescent layer closest to one of the electrodes, configured to convert the excitation radiation to the output radiation of the second wavelength. 12. The surface layer according to claim 11, wherein the surface layer is attached to the inner surface of the glass panel using an adhesive that is substantially light transmitting. 13. The surface layer according to claim 11, wherein the surface layer is adapted to receive light from the glass panel and to pass at least a portion of the light into the interior of the vehicle. 14. The surface layer of claim 11, further comprising a light scattering film located closer to the photoluminescent layer and configured to scatter the output radiation so that the output radiation is emitted substantially uniformly from the radiating surface of the surface layer. 15. The surface layer according to claim 11, wherein the surface layer forms a flexible thin film layer configured to adhere closely to non-planar surfaces. 16. The surface layer according to claim 11, wherein the surface layer has a profile thickness of from about 0.1 mm to 2 mm. 17. A light emitting assembly for a vehicle, comprising: many light generating layers containing: a pair of electrodes substantially covering a portion of a glass panel of a vehicle; and a plurality of printed light emitting diodes (LEDs) in semiconductor ink disposed between the electrodes and configured to emit a first wavelength excitation radiation, wherein at least one of the light generating layers comprises a photoluminescent layer closest to one of the electrodes configured to convert excitation radiation in at least a first output radiation of a second wavelength. 18. The light emitting assembly according to claim 17, wherein each of the light generating layers is configured to generate output radiation corresponding to a different wavelength of light. 19. The light emitting assembly of claim 18, further comprising a controller configured to selectively activate each of the light generating layers so that the combined output radiation matches a variety of different light wavelengths. 20. The light emitting assembly of claim 19, wherein the controller is configured to bring into operation a first light generating layer from a plurality of light generating layers to emit a first color of light in response to a heating operation, and to bring into operation a second light generating layer from a plurality of generating light layers to emit a second color of light in response to a cooling operation.

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