Non-melatonin suppressing light source with a cri that approaches that of white light

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016243379-A1
Application number	US-201415028143-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 8, 2014
Priority date	Oct 9, 2013
Publication date	Aug 25, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

The invention provides a lighting unit configured to generate white light wherein the white light has a spectral intensity in the visible wherein at least 40% of all photons in the wavelength range of 400-500 nm are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm (see also FIG. 1 b ). The lighting unit may especially be used for increasing alertness of a human while not or minimally suppressing melatonin production of the human.

First claim

1 . A lighting unit comprising at least one solid state light source, the lighting unit configured to generate white light wherein the white light has a spectral intensity in the visible wherein at least 40% of all photons in the wavelength range of 400-500 nm are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm, and wherein the white light has a ratio of the total number of photons in the wavelength range of 445-490 nm to the total number of photons wavelength range of 430-445 nm of at maximum 0.75.

2 . The lighting unit according to claim 1 , wherein at least 50% of all photons in the wavelength range of 400-500 nm are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm, wherein the white light has a ratio of the total number of photons in the wavelength range of 445-490 nm to the total number of photons wavelength range of 430-445 nm of at maximum 0.5.

3 . The lighting unit according to claim 1 , comprising:
a first light source configured to generate first light source light having spectral intensity in the visible, wherein at least 50% of the photons in the visible are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm, and a second light source configured to generate second light source light having spectral intensity in the visible, wherein at least 50% of all photons in the visible are found in the range of at least 500 nm, wherein the lighting unit further optionally comprises an optical filter configured to reduce propagation of second light source light having a wavelength below 500 nm, and
wherein the first light source and the second light source with optional optical filter are configured to generate said white light.

4 . The lighting unit according to claim 3 , wherein the first light source comprises a first solid state light source and wherein the second light source comprises a second solid state light source and a luminescent material configured to convert second solid state light source light into luminescent material light, wherein the second solid state light source with the luminescent material is configured to provide said second light source light.

5 . The lighting unit according to claim 3 , wherein the first light source comprises a first solid state light source and wherein the second light source comprises a fluorescent lamp.

6 . The lighting unit according to claim 3 , wherein one or more of the first light source and the second light source include an optical filter comprising a luminescent material.

7 . The lighting unit according to claim 1 , comprising a light source configured to generate light source light having spectral intensity in the visible, an optical filter configured downstream of the light source, wherein the light source and the optical filter are configured to provide said white light downstream of said optical filter, and wherein the optical filter is configured to reduce propagation of light source light having a wavelength in the range of 450-500 nm.

8 . The lighting unit according to claim 1 , comprising:
a first solid state light source configured to generate first solid state light source light having spectral intensity in the visible, wherein at least 50% of the photons in the visible are found in the wavelength range of 430-445 nm; a second solid state light source configured to generate second solid state light source light having spectral intensity in the visible, wherein at least 50% of the photons in the visible are found in the wavelength range of 500-570 nm; and a third solid state light source configured to generate third solid state light source light having spectral intensity in the visible, wherein at least 50% of the photons in the visible are found in the wavelength range of 600-750 nm.
wherein the first solid state light source, the second solid state light source and the third solid state light source are configured to generate said white light.

9 . The lighting unit according to claim 1 , having an optical power (Watt) in the wavelength range of 445-490 nm which is less than 20% of the total optical power in the visible.

10 . The lighting unit/system according to claim 1 , wherein the white light has a CRI of at least 60.

11 . Use of the lighting unit according to claim 1 , for increasing alertness of a human.

12 . Use of the lighting unit according to claim 1 , during a period selected from 6 pm to 9 am, for illuminating a work space.

13 . Use of the lighting unit according to claim 1 , for providing light with a CRI (color rendering index) above 60, and controlling a biological response of a human on said light.

14 . A method of providing light in a space comprising providing light with the lighting unit according to claim 1 to said space.

15 . A lighting system comprising the lighting unit according to claim 1 and optionally a further lighting unit, wherein the lighting system is configured to provide at the same time or at different times at least two types of light, with a first type of light comprising said white light and a second type of light having a relative higher contribution within the wavelength range of 450-500 nm to the total spectral intensity in the visible than the first type of light.

Assignees

• Philips Lighting Holding Bv

Inventors

• Hommes Vanja
• Schlangen Lucas Josef Maria
• Gimenez Marina Cecilia
• Skene Debra Jean
• Revell Victoria Louise

Classifications

• F21K9/64

  using wavelength conversion means distinct or spaced from the light-generating element, e.g. a remote phosphor layer · CPC title

• A61M2021/0044

  by the sight sense · CPC title

• F21V9/08

  for producing coloured light, e.g. monochromatic; for reducing intensity of light (with provision for controlling the colour F21V9/40) · CPC title

• A61N2005/0658

  characterised by the wavelength of light used · CPC title

• A61M21/02

  for inducing sleep or relaxation, e.g. by direct nerve stimulation, hypnosis, analgesia (for massage A61H; electrotherapy A61N, e.g. applying alternating or intermittent electric currents for producing anaesthesia A61N1/36021) · CPC title