Human-Safe LED Lighting Technologies and Innovations
16 patents in this list
Updated:
Modern LED lighting systems face competing demands between efficiency, visual comfort, and biological safety. Current installations can achieve luminous efficacies above 150 lm/W, but often with significant blue light content (450-480nm) that may disrupt circadian rhythms and potentially cause retinal stress over prolonged exposure. Field measurements show that poorly designed LED systems can emit up to 30% of their energy in the biologically active blue region.
The fundamental challenge lies in creating white light that maintains high energy efficiency while addressing both the physiological impacts of blue light exposure and the need for excellent color rendering.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including volumetric phosphor conversion techniques, broad-spectrum blue LED excitation sources, optimized multi-phosphor combinations, and targeted narrow-spectrum approaches. These and other developments focus on delivering lighting that is both energy-efficient and biologically appropriate for human environments.
1. White LED Lighting with Broad-Spectrum Blue Excitation and Optimized Green-Yellow and Red Phosphors
Intematix Corporation, 2023
White LED lighting that closely mimics natural sunlight and has improved color rendering compared to traditional LEDs. The device uses broad-spectrum blue LEDs as the excitation source and optimized green-yellow and red phosphors. The broad blue excitation fills in the cyan trough between blue and green phosphors, boosting color rendering. Full-spectrum white light appears more natural, has higher CRI, and reduces eye damage from excessive blue light exposure.
2. Lighting Fixtures with Dual Illumination and Ultraviolet Pathogen Deactivation Capabilities
KENALL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 2022
A method to provide lighting fixtures that can both illuminate an environment and disinfect it by deactivating pathogens using ultraviolet light. The fixtures are arranged and powered to deliver the necessary dose of germicidal UV light to all exposed surfaces in the space, but without exceeding safe levels. This involves determining the fixture arrangement and power level based on the space size, desired illuminance, and estimated occupancy over time. The fixtures are then installed and operated to deliver the determined power density of UV light.
3. Solid-State Light Source with Volumetric Phosphor Conversion and Composite Converter
Infinite Arthroscopy, Inc. Limited, 2021
A highly efficient, safe, and controllable solid-state light source that uses a volumetric phosphor conversion technique. The light source has an LED or laser diode emitting a primary spectrum. The emitted light is directed onto a composite converter containing phosphor particles. The converter absorbs the primary light and re-emits converted light of a different spectrum. A reflector focuses the converted light towards an output filter that conditions the final emitted light. The volumetric phosphor conversion allows more efficient conversion of the primary light compared to thin phosphor coatings.
4. Light-Emitting Device with Blue LED and Quad-Phosphor System for Enhanced Color Rendering and UV-Blocking Resin
NICHIA CORPORATION, 2020
Light-emitting device with improved color rendering properties and germ-reducing capability. The device achieves good color rendering across the visible spectrum using phosphors with specific emission wavelengths. It contains a blue LED combined with four phosphors: a blue/green emitting phosphor, a green-emitting phosphor, a red/orange emitting phosphor, and a red/orange emitting phosphor. The combination of these phosphors allows white light to be generated with high color rendering properties across a range of Ra 90-100. The device emits light that makes objects and colors appear more natural compared to standard white LED lighting. The device also uses a UV-blocking resin to reduce the proliferation of germs.
5. Eye-Safe Light Source with Enhanced Emission Efficiency and Distribution Characteristics
SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA, 2020
An eye-safe light source that maintains light emission efficiency while improving light distribution characteristics.
6. Light-Emitting Device with Phosphor Composition for Blue Light Excitation
NICHIA CORPORATION, 2020
A light-emitting device with good color rendering and germ-reducing properties. It contains a light-emitting element emitting in the blue light range, and a phosphor that emits yellow, green, and red light when excited by the blue light. The phosphor composition includes europium-activated alkaline-earth phosphate, europium-activated halogen-containing alkaline-earth silicate, cerium-activated rare-earth aluminate, and europium-activated silicon nitride containing aluminum and at least one of strontium and calcium.
7. Lighting Device with Multi-Wavelength LED Array for Pathogen Reduction and Aesthetic Illumination
KENALL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 2019
A lighting device that kills harmful germs in an environment like a hospital room or food processing facility using a combination of LED lights that are both effective against pathogens and visually appealing. The device has LEDs emitting different narrow ranges of visible light that mix to create a non-white light. This allows the device to provide pleasant lighting while also continuously disinfecting the air and surfaces in a room. The lighting device is designed to stay cool and be mounted anywhere like a regular light fixture.
8. Three-Part Grounded Connector System for LED Tube Lamp Heat Sink and Component Grounding
Michael W. May, 2019
A grounded connector system for LED tube lamps that provides a safe, reliable and convenient solution for grounding the LED heat sink and internal components. The system includes a three-part connector that securely attaches the ends of the LED tube to the fixture while also grounding the exposed heat sink. The connector parts have pins and sockets to mechanically connect and electrically ground the tube ends. A connector sleeve can be used to hold the two connector parts together during installation. The grounded connector system protects against electrical shock and fire hazards from exposed components, provides surge protection, and ensures proper grounding of the heat sink.
9. LED Lighting System with Targeted Pathogen-Deactivating Narrow Spectrum Integration
KENALL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 2019
A lighting system that deactivates pathogens like viruses and bacteria using a targeted narrow spectrum of visible light while providing visually appealing white light. The system has LED lights that emit a specific wavelength range known to kill pathogens. These lights are combined with other LEDs to create white light that meets color quality standards for indoor lighting. The white light masks the pathogen-killing light so the device can be used continuously in occupied spaces.
10. LED Lighting Device with 470nm Emission and Phosphor-Converted Longer Wavelengths for Pathogen Deactivation
KENALL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 2019
Lighting device that deactivates pathogens like bacteria and viruses in the air of a room while providing visually appealing light. The device uses LEDs emitting narrow spectrum visible light at 470nm that can deactivate pathogens. Phosphor coatings convert some of the light to longer wavelengths above 500nm. The device irradiates the air with a minimum of 0.01 mW/cm2 of the 470nm light mixed with longer wavelength light to sanitize.
11. Lighting Device with Pathogen-Deactivating LEDs Emitting Non-White Visible Light
KENALL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 2018
A lighting device that deactivates dangerous pathogens while providing visually appealing light. The device uses LEDs in specific wavelength ranges that mix together to form visible light other than white light. This allows the light to both kill pathogens and illuminate spaces without objectionable effects like disorientation or headaches. The device can be used in environments like hospitals to reduce pathogens without toxic chemicals or special UV lighting.
12. Semiconductor Laser Light Source with Perpendicular Wire Configuration and Curved Reflective Substrate
SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA, 2018
An eye-safe light source that improves the light emission efficiency while regulating light distribution characteristics. The light source includes a semiconductor laser joined to a substrate with the wire perpendicular to the laser emission direction. The substrate has a curved reflection surface that faces the laser emission end to reflect the laser light. This avoids shadows and scattering bodies between the laser and reflector.
13. LED Lighting Fixture with Magnetically Secured Replaceable Module and Integrated AC to DC Conversion Circuitry
MOLEX INCORPORATED, 2018
LED lighting system comprising a fixture with a replaceable LED module. The module can be easily inserted into and removed from the fixture. Magnets secure the module in place. The fixture contains the AC to DC power conversion circuitry. This allows for efficient operation and a touch-safe interface. The modular design enables easy replacement of the LED module if it fails or becomes outdated without having to replace the entire fixture.
14. Light Puck with Adjustable Biasing Mechanism for Wire Rope Tension Grid Attachment
InterAmerica Stage, Inc., 2018
A light puck designed for attaching to a wire rope tension grid in theaters and performance venues to provide stage lighting. The puck has a top cover with slots to receive wire ropes from the grid, a bottom cover with an opening, a light fixture with LEDs that extends through the opening, and a biasing plate with an adjustment screw that biases the fixture against the top cover. This allows the puck to securely attach to the wire ropes without obstructing the grid or causing tripping hazards.
15. Lighting Module with Bottom Plate Heat Dissipation and Sealed Lens Protection
LG INNOTEK CO., LTD., 2018
A lighting module and device with improved heat dissipation and eye protection for LED lighting. The lighting module includes a bottom plate for heat dissipation, a light emitter with lenses, and a protective upper case. A gasket seals between the outer frame of the lenses and the upper case to keep out contaminants and shield the light. This provides good heat sinking from the bottom plate, while protecting the light output from the lenses by sealing the protection case.
16. Lighting Device with Configured Heat Sink, Reflector, and Reflective Sheet for LED Light Source
LG INNOTEK CO., LTD., 2018
A lighting device for efficiently emitting light from an LED light source while protecting the eyes of users. The device uses a specific configuration of heat sink, light source, reflector, and reflective sheet to optimize light output and distribution.
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These patents show how advancements in LED lighting technology prioritize the safety and welfare of people. These innovations highlight how settings may be made healthier and more comfortable, from adopting pathogen-deactivating qualities to better color rendering and eye safety by imitating natural sunshine.