Replacement LED Light Bulbs with Ultraviolet Emission
A sanitizing replacement LED light bulb provides visible light when powered and also provides ultraviolet light for sanitizing an area around the sanitizing LED replacement light bulb. In some embodiments, the ultraviolet light is emitted only when no motion is detected in the vicinity of the sanitizing LED replacement light bulb to prevent people and animals from being exposed to the ultraviolet light.
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This invention relates to the lighting and more particularly to replacement lighting that emit visible light, ultraviolet light, or both.
BACKGROUNDAs of today, many buildings and home use florescent or incandescent lighting. Today lighting based upon light emitting diodes has become widely available and is cost competitive with existing lighting technologies, especially considering the savings in lower energy costs. Incandescent lighting utilizes more energy for the same light output, therefore incandescent lighting is more expensive when considering the energy usage over the life of various lighting technologies. Florescent lighting is more efficient than incandescent lighting and, therefore, much more cost effective, but florescent lighting has disadvantages. For one, florescent bulbs contain mercury and used bulbs must be recycled properly so as not to pollute the water tables with mercury. Another disadvantage is handling of the florescent bulb as they are often fragile and breakage leads to exposing handlers to mercury. Another disadvantage is the time it takes for a florescent bulb to emit light from the instant it is energized, as florescent bulbs are not “instant on.”
In recent years, governments have limited the manufacturing and distribution of incandescent lighting. For example, in the United States, it is difficult to find an incandescent light bulb in the standard Edison format, though several smaller bulb sizes are available in incandescent format. Governments are helping to force the change to more efficient lighting technologies such as florescent and light emitting diode to reduce the burden on electricity production and, hence, reduce usage of fossil fuel in many locations.
For new construction, light emitting diode lighting (LED) technology is being designed directly into homes and buildings. As LEDs operate from voltages much lower than standard home and building service, the wiring to these integrated LED lights are often low-voltage. Further, as LEDs are generally either on (electric current is flowing) or off (electric current is not flowing), dimming is performed by duty cycle, turning the LEDs on and off very quickly so as not to be noticeable by those enjoying their light.
One problem is existing homes and buildings. Home and building owners must decide on replacing existing lighting fixtures to LED lighting fixtures or to keep the existing lighting fixtures and replace the bulbs with retrofit LED lighting having the same or similar shapes and sizes to the prior incandescent bulbs or florescent bulbs.
Homeowners often follow the replacement bulb route as existing incandescent or florescent bulbs fail and, in some instances, replace existing lighting fixtures with specialized LED lighting fixtures.
Building owners have a different issue due to the number of fixtures. Consider a high school having 5,000 florescent fixtures. The cost and down-time for replacing all of these fixtures with LED fixtures is very high. Instead, building owners often phase in LED lighting by using replacement LED bulbs, one room at a time, moving working florescent bulbs into storage for spares. Eventually, the entire building will be lit by these replacement LED bulbs.
All of the above are well known technologies, but recently, a global pandemic has struck and there is an increased need to kill pathogens in the air and on surfaces of every room. Existing lighting technology emits only visible light that has little effect on pathogens, but it has been shown that ultraviolet light is effective at killing or disabling many pathogens.
What is needed are replacement lights that emit visible light for people to be able to see and emit ultraviolet light to kill pathogens.
SUMMARYA sanitizing LED replacement light bulb provides visible light when powered and also provides ultraviolet light for sanitizing an area around the sanitizing LED replacement light bulb. In some embodiments, the ultraviolet light is emitted only when no motion is detected in the vicinity of the sanitizing LED replacement light bulb to prevent people and animals from being exposed to the ultraviolet light.
In one embodiment, a sanitizing LED replacement lighting device is disclosed. The sanitizing LED replacement lighting device includes an enclosure with at least two terminals for receiving power from an existing lighting fixture that pass through the enclosure. There is a power conditioning circuit within the enclosure which is electrically connected to the at least two terminals. The power conditioning circuit converts the power from the existing lighting fixture into a direct current voltage potential. A plurality of visible light emitting diodes and a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes are located within the enclosure. There is at least one driver within the enclosure that receives the direct current voltage potential and provides electric current to the plurality of visible light emitting diodes and the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes, the plurality of visible light emitting diodes emit the visible light and the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes emit the ultraviolet light. The visible light and the ultraviolet light pass through a translucent or transparent portion of the enclosure.
In another embodiment, a method of sanitizing an area around a replacement LED bulb is disclosed. The method includes providing electrical power from a fixture into which the replacement LED bulb is installed and converting the electrical power into a direct current. The method includes driving at least one visible light emitting diode with the direct current, thereby emitting visible light and driving at least one ultraviolet light emitting diode with the direct current, thereby emitting ultraviolet light.
In another embodiment, a sanitizing LED replacement lighting device is disclosed including an enclosure and a power conditioner within the enclosure. The power conditioner receives electrical power through terminals of the enclosure and converts the electrical power to direct current power. A motion detector within the enclosure is aimed outside of the enclosure for detection motion in the vicinity of the enclosure. There are a plurality of visible light emitting diodes and a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes within the enclosure. A first driver circuit receives the direct current power from the power conditioner and provides a first electrical current to the plurality of visible light emitting diodes thereby the plurality of visible light emitting diodes emit the visible light and the visible light passes through a translucent or transparent portion of the enclosure. A second driver circuit receives the direct current power from the power conditioner. The second driver circuit receives a signal from the motion detector indicating whether motion is detected and the second driver circuit provides a second electrical current to the plurality of infrared light emitting diodes unless the second driver circuit receives the signal from the motion detector, thereby the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes emit the ultraviolet light during an absence of motion and the ultraviolet light passes through the translucent or transparent portion of the enclosure.
The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.
The described replacement bulbs emit visible light and ultraviolet light either at different times or at the same time (overlapping). Although the embodiments shown are for certain configurations of replacement bulbs for clarity and brevity reasons, there is no limitation as to the size, shape, connection configuration, operating voltage, etc., of the disclosed replacement bulbs.
Throughout this description, the term visible light emitting diode refers to a light emitting diode that emits predominately visible light and the term ultraviolet light emitting diode refers to a light emitting diode that emits predominately ultraviolet light.
Referring to
Referring to
In operation of the replacement LED lighting 10A/106/10C of the prior art, when home/business power is applied to the terminals 12A/12B (e.g. a switch is turned on), the power conditioning circuit 30 provides conditioned power to the drive circuit 32 which, in turn, provides the proper voltage and current to each of the visible light emitting diodes 40.
Referring to
Referring to
In operation of the sanitizing replacement LED lighting 50, when home/business power is applied to the terminals 12A/12B (e.g. a switch is turned on), the power conditioning circuit 30 provides conditioned power to the drive circuit 32 which, in turn, provides the proper voltage and current to each of the visible light emitting diodes 40 and to each of the ultraviolet Light emitting diodes 42.
Referring to
In the embodiment of
In operation of the sanitizing replacement LED lighting 50A, when home/business power is applied to the terminals 12A/12B (e.g. a switch is turned on), the power conditioning circuit 30 provides conditioned power to the drive circuit 32 which, in turn, provides the proper voltage and current to each of the visible light emitting diodes 40. After which, when there is no motion detected by the motion detector 52, the second driver circuit 32A provides the proper voltage and current to each of the ultraviolet Light emitting diodes 42.
In the embodiment of
In operation of the sanitizing replacement LED lighting 50B, when home/business power is applied to the terminals 12A/12B (e.g. a switch is turned on), the power conditioning circuit 30 provides conditioned power to the drive circuit 32 which, in turn, provides the proper voltage and current to each of the visible light emitting diodes 40. After which, when there is no motion detected by the motion detector 52, the processor signals the power switch 54 to provide power to the second driver circuit 32A, which in turn, provides the proper voltage and current to each of the ultraviolet Light emitting diodes 42 thereby emitting ultraviolet light.
Referring to
In the embodiment of
In some embodiments, the wireless receiver 70 receives radio frequency signals from a wireless remote control 8 (see
In embodiments having a motion detector 52, if there is motion in the vicinity of the sanitizing replacement LED lighting 50C, the motion detector 52 detects such motion and signals the processor 60. The processor then signals the power switch 54 to inhibit power to the second driver circuit 32A, thereby preventing emission of ultraviolet light while motion is detected. Note that by having a processor 60 (or equivalent logic), the sanitizing replacement LED lighting 50C has the ability to include hysteresis in signaling the power switch 54. For example, once the motion is no longer detected, the processor 60 maintains the signal to the power switch 54 to inhibit power to the second driver circuit 32A for a period of time to allow for any person or animal to vacate the area around the sanitizing replacement LED lighting 50C.
In operation of the sanitizing replacement LED lighting 50C, it is anticipated that home/business power is constantly applied to the terminals 12A/12B and the power conditioning circuit 30 continuously provides conditioned power to the processor 60, the wireless receiver 70, and the motion detector 52 (optional). Under control of the processor, the proper voltage and electrical current is provided to each of the visible light emitting diodes 40 when controlled by a wireless remote control 8. In some embodiments, when there is no motion detected by the motion detector 52, the processor instructs the second power switch 56 to provide power to the second driver circuit 32A, thereby providing the proper voltage and current to each of the ultraviolet light emitting diodes 42.
Referring to
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Next, it is determined if a command has been received to toggle 476 operation of the motion detector and if the command has been received to toggle 476 operation of the motion detector, the operation of the motion detector is toggled 478 (changed back and forth between enabled and disabled).
Now, it is determined if the operation of the motion detector is enabled 480 (IR) and if the operation of the motion detector is enabled 480 (IR) and there is motion 452 in the vicinity of the replacement LED lighting 50A with motion detection, the one or more ultraviolet Light emitting diodes 42 are shut off or remain off and no ultraviolet light (or minimal ultraviolet light) is emitted. If there is no motion 452 or the motion detector is disabled 480 (IR), the one or more ultraviolet Light emitting diodes 42 are turned on or remain on and ultraviolet light is emitted for sanitizing the area around the replacement LED lighting 50A with motion detection.
Referring to
The sanitizing replacement LED lighting 50C as shown in its simplest form has a single processor 60 (e.g., controller, microcontroller, microprocessor, etc.). Many different computer architectures are known that accomplish similar results in a similar fashion and the present invention is not limited in any way to any particular processor 60. In exemplary systems, the processor 60 executes or runs stored programs that are generally stored for execution within a memory 620. The memory 620 is connected to the processor by a memory bus 615 and is any memory 620 suitable for connection with the processor 60, such as SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR, DDR-2, etc. Also connected to the processor 60 is a system bus 630 for connecting to peripheral subsystems. A non-transitory secondary storage 625 is interfaced to the processor 60 through the system bus 630 and is used to store programs, executable code and data persistently. Examples of non-transitory secondary storage 625 include battery-backed semiconductor memory, flash memory, etc.
The processor 60 communicates with one or more power switching circuits 54/56, each controlling a flow of electrical current through one or more visible light emitting diodes 40 or ultraviolet light emitting diodes 42.
In some embodiments, the processor 60 is interfaced to a wireless receiver 70 for receiving commands from a wireless remote control 8. The wireless receiver receives either radio waves (RF) or light waves (IR) from the wireless remote control 8 in response to one or more remote control switches 9 (e.g. buttons) being operated. For example, if the remote control switch 9 labeled “down” (down arrow) is operated, an encoded wireless transmission is sent from the wireless remote control 8 to the wireless receiver. The processor 60 receives this command from the wireless receiver 70 and responsive to such, communicates with one or more power switching circuits 54/56 to reduce the flow of electrical current through the one or more visible light emitting diodes 40. If the remote control switch 9 labeled “up” (up arrow) is operated, a different encoded wireless transmission is sent from the wireless remote control 8 to the wireless receiver. The processor 60 receives this command from the wireless receiver 70 and responsive to such, communicates with one or more power switching circuits 54/56 to increase the flow of electrical current through the one or more visible light emitting diodes 40.
Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.
It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.
Claims
1-14. (canceled)
15. A sanitizing replacement LED lighting device comprising:
- an enclosure;
- a power conditioner within the enclosure, the power conditioner receives electrical power through terminals of the enclosure and converts the electrical power to direct current power;
- a motion detector within the enclosure and aimed outside of the enclosure is for detecting of motion in the vicinity of the enclosure;
- a plurality of visible light emitting diodes within the enclosure;
- a plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes within the enclosure;
- a first driver circuit within the enclosure, the first driver circuit receives the direct current power from the power conditioner and provides a first electrical current to the plurality of visible light emitting diodes thereby the plurality of visible light emitting diodes emit visible light and the visible light passes through a translucent or transparent portion of the enclosure; and
- a second driver circuit within the enclosure, the second driver circuit receives the direct current power from the power conditioner, the second driver circuit receives a signal from the motion detector indicating motion is detected, the second driver circuit provides a second electrical current to the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes unless the second driver circuit receives the signal from the motion detector thereby the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes emit the ultraviolet light during an absence of motion and the ultraviolet light passes through the translucent or transparent portion of the enclosure.
16. The sanitizing replacement LED lighting device of claim 15, wherein the power conversion circuit converts supply alternating current into the direct current power.
17. The sanitizing replacement LED lighting device of claim 15, wherein the enclosure includes a transparent or translucent bezel through which light from the plurality of visible light emitting diodes and light from the plurality of ultraviolet light emitting diodes escapes from the enclosure.
18. The sanitizing replacement LED lighting device of claim 15, wherein the motion detector is an infrared motion detector.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 23, 2020
Publication Date: Dec 23, 2021
Applicant: RETURN TO PLAY INC (Clearwater, FL)
Inventor: Lisa M. Avery (Clearwater, FL)
Application Number: 16/908,838