Patent Description:
Conventionally, a lighting fixture embedded with a germicidal lamp, which is a box-shaped lighting fixture incorporating a germicidal lamp emitting ultraviolet light with a wavelength of <NUM> and a fluorescent lamp emitting light for illumination, has been proposed (see Patent Document <NUM>) for the purpose of using in places in which food is handled on a daily basis, such as cooking areas.

The germicidal lamp described in Patent Document <NUM>, which emits ultraviolet light with a wavelength of <NUM>, has been commonly used for the purpose of sterilization. However, the ultraviolet light emitted from this germicidal lamp exhibits an insect attracting effect (also known as "insect attracting property"). For this reason, lighting a germicidal lamp embedded in the lighting fixture such as the one described in Patent Document <NUM>, especially at night, is likely to attract insects to the fixture in response to the ultraviolet light emitted from the germicidal lamp. Attracting insects is a subject that should be avoided in places where hygiene problems may arise, especially in places where food or the like are handled.

Furthermore, besides the places where food or the like are handled, there is a need to avoid attracting insects in outdoor areas where people may pass by or stop nearby, for aesthetic reasons as well as for hygienic reasons.

In view of the above issue, it is an object of the present invention that provides a lighting device for inactivating bacteria or viruses, the device being capable of inactivating bacteria or viruses while inhibiting the attraction of insects.

A lighting device for inactivating bacteria or viruses of the present invention, includes: a first light source for emitting ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> and with light intensity suppressed in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>; and
a second light source that is composed of an LED element, for emitting white light for illumination.

Hereinafter, each term used in this specification is defined.

Hereinafter, "bacteria or viruses" may be collectively referred to as "germs".

<CIT> describes a light-emitting device comprising a layered structure containing a photoluminescent layer. The photoluminescent material is excited by excitation light of <NUM> and emits highly polarized light of from <NUM> to <NUM> and particularly about <NUM>. <CIT> discloses an ultraviolet sterilizer that switches between ultraviolet light and visible light. The sterilizer utilizes two LEDs, one emitting ultraviolet light at a peak wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM> and the other at a peak wavelength of about <NUM>. Low-pressure mercury lamps are used as ultraviolet lamps emitting ultraviolet light of <NUM> wavelength, which are generally used for sterilization applications, including the ultraviolet lamps described in Patent Document <NUM>. <FIG> is a graph illustrating the emission spectrum of the low-pressure mercury lamp.

As shown in <FIG>, the low-pressure mercury lamp strongly emits ultraviolet light with a wavelength of <NUM>, which is within the visual sensitivity range of insects, and also emits ultraviolet light in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> in addition to the ultraviolet light with a wavelength of <NUM>. Many insects have high visual sensitivity to ultraviolet light in this wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>. <FIG> is a graph illustrating the visual sensitivity of Drosophila as a representative of such insects (see Non-Patent Document <NUM>). <FIG> confirms that Drosophila exhibits high visual sensitivity in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>.

The Patent Document <NUM> also states that many insects are strongly attracted to ultraviolet light with a wavelength of <NUM> to <NUM>.

As described above in the "Technical Problem", the lighting fixture embedded with a germicidal lamp described in Patent Document <NUM> attracts insects by the ultraviolet light belonging to a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, which is emitted from the germicidal lamp installed in the lighting fixture, and furthermore, strongly attract insects by the ultraviolet light belonging to a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>.

In contrast, the lighting device for inactivating bacteria or viruses (hereinafter simply referred to as "lighting device with inactivation function") of the present invention is provided with a first light source emitting ultraviolet light for inactivation, the ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, and having light intensity in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> being suppressed. In other words, the ultraviolet light emitted from the first light source has light intensity suppressed in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, the wavelength band that exhibits insect attracting effect (insect attracting property). Specifically, the light intensity of the first light source on the light-irradiating surface from which the ultraviolet light is emitted, is <NUM> mW/cm<NUM> or less, and the light intensity thereof is less than <NUM>% with respect to the light intensity of a peak wavelength in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>. This configuration effectively reduces the insect attracting property.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating the irradiation spectra of the KrCl excimer lamp, which is an example of the first light source, and the low-pressure mercury lamp shown in <FIG>, in a superimposed manner, at the light-irradiating surface when the same power is supplied to both the lamps. <FIG> shows that ultraviolet light emitted from the low-pressure mercury lamp has a light intensity peak at a level far exceeding <NUM> mW/cm<NUM> in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>.

In contrast, in the case of KrCl excimer lamps, the light intensity in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> is less than <NUM>% with respect to the light intensity at the peak wavelength, and is suppressed to less than <NUM> mW/cm<NUM>. In <FIG>, the light intensity at the peak wavelength of the KrCl excimer lamp is lower than that of the low-pressure mercury lamp; this intensity difference is explained by the characteristics that, at present, the low-pressure mercury lamp has a higher light conversion efficiency than the KrCl excimer lamp.

In <FIG>, the KrCl excimer lamp is given as an example for convenience of explanation; however the first light source can be any light source having a peak wavelength in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, and having a light intensity in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> that is less than <NUM>% with respect to the light intensity at the peak wavelength, and less than <NUM> mW/cm<NUM>, similar to this KrCl excimer lamp.

Ultraviolet light in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> is known to pose a risk to the human body when irradiated thereto. The skin is divided into three sections, in order of proximity from near its surface: epidermis, dermis, and its deeper subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis is further divided into four layers in order of proximity from near its surface: stratum corneum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale. When the human body is irradiated with ultraviolet light in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, such as <NUM> as a germicidal ray, the light penetrates the stratum corneum, reaches the stratum granulosum or the stratum spinosum, or in some cases the stratum basale, and is absorbed by the DNA of the cells in these layers, thus resulting in the risk of skin cancer.

In contrast, ultraviolet light in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> (more preferably, ultraviolet light in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>), when irradiated to the human body, is absorbed by the stratum corneum of the skin and does not penetrate further inward (the stratum basale side). Keratinocyte in the stratum corneum is a cell without a nucleus, thereby it does not have DNA as does, for example, a squamous cell. Hence, the light with this particular wavelength band poses a low risk of destroying DNA due to absorption of light by cells, unlike the case of ultraviolet light in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> being irradiated. Furthermore, the light intensity in the band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> is also suppressed, thereby ensuring that the risk of damaging DNA is reduced due to absorption of ultraviolet light by cells. Therefore, it is more preferable that the ultraviolet light for inactivation emitted from the first light source have a peak wavelength in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, and have the light intensity in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> being suppressed.

As described above, the ultraviolet light emitted from the first light source has its light intensity suppressed in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, in addition to the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>. This configuration effectively reduces the insect attractive property and the adverse effect on the human body even if the first light source is turned on during the time when humans are present near the lighting device.

The ultraviolet light having the light intensity suppressed in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> further effectively reduces its adverse effect on the human body. Furthermore, the ultraviolet light having the light intensity suppressed in the band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> more reliably reduce its adverse effect on the human body while reducing its insect attracting property.

Irradiating ultraviolet light emitted from the first light source in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> is capable of inactivating the germs in the irradiated area. More preferably, irradiating ultraviolet light having the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> is capable of inactivating germs present in the irradiated area while reliably reducing the adverse effect on the human body. Suppressing the wavelength band is achieved, for example, by selecting an appropriate light source or by using an optical filter that suppresses the band concerned.

Incidentally, fluorescent lamps, which emit light for illumination, are known to contain light in the ultraviolet band in addition to visible light band. <FIG> is a graph illustrating the emission spectrum of a typical fluorescent lamp. In the example shown in <FIG>, the light-emitting color of the fluorescent lamp is daylight white color, which is commonly and widely used as the fluorescent lamp.

The spectrum in <FIG> confirms that the light emitted from the fluorescent lamp also contains ultraviolet light in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>. Hence, the ultraviolet light contained in the light emitted from the fluorescent lamp may attract insects.

In contrast, the lighting device with inactivation function of the present invention is provided with a second light source that is composed of an LED element that emits white light for illumination. In principle, the LED element can reduce the intensity of ultraviolet light in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> compared with a fluorescent lamp.

In other words, according to the lighting device with inactivation function of the present invention, the first light source emits the ultraviolet light for inactivation in the wavelength band having low insect attracting property and serving to inactivate germs, and the second light source emits the white light for illumination from an LED element having low insect attracting property. This configuration enables a lighting device for inactivating germs, and significantly reducing insect attracting property compared to a conventional lighting fixture embedded with a germicidal lamp.

This type of lighting device for inactivating germs is expected to be used in places where humans are nearby and hygiene control is highly required, such as food factories and cafeterias, and also in places where the outside air is likely to be exposed and unspecified people may approach. Examples of the latter include train stations, outdoor plazas, outdoor stadiums, outdoor theme parks, vehicles (cabs, trains, and buses), facility entrances and reception areas, and vending machines.

The lighting device with inactivation function according to the present invention provides sterilization and virus inactivation capability that are inherent in ultraviolet light without causing erythema or keratitis in the skin or eyes of humans or animals. In particular, unlike conventional ultraviolet light sources, the lighting device with inactivation function has a feature of operating in a manned environment. This feature enables the lighting device with inactivation function, when installed in an indoor or outdoor manned environment, to irradiate the entire environment and provide inactivation and sterilization of viruses in the air and on the surface of the components equipped in the environment.

This feature corresponds to the Goal <NUM> of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages", and also significantly contributes to achieving the Target <NUM> "By <NUM>, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases".

The first light source may irradiate an area with the ultraviolet light, the area being irradiated by the second light source.

In the space where humans work under the white light from the second light source, this configuration enables both the illumination of the space and the inactivation of germs in the space. As described above, the ultraviolet light from the first light source has a minimal adverse effect on the human body. Hence, even if humans using white light illumination is in the vicinity of the lighting device during the time when both the first and the second light sources activate, the lighting device inactivates germs, with inhibiting the adverse effect on the human body. In addition, with the effect of insect attraction being inhibited, the lighting device is likely to prevent the humans from feeling discomfort by seeing a large number of insects.

The second light source may irradiate an object operated by a person with the white light, whereas the first light source may irradiate the object with the ultraviolet light to inactivate bacteria or viruses attached to the object.

Examples of the above object include the operation buttons or the touch panels of ticket vending machines for admission tickets, boarding tickets, meal tickets, and vending machines or the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as "operation units"). For example, such objects that are intended to be operated by person's fingers are prone to adhesion of normal bacteria flora including Staphylococcus epidermidis or Micrococcus, which are present on person's fingers, or other bacteria. According to the above lighting device with inactivation function, the first light source irradiates the object with ultraviolet light for inactivation, thus inactivating bacteria attached to the object.

In addition, light for illumination is usually irradiated onto operation units including operation buttons and touch panels, since they need to be operated by a person. According to the above lighting device with inactivation function, the second light source irradiates the operation units including operation buttons and touch panels with white light for illumination, thus using the light as illumination for the operation.

As described above, the ultraviolet light for inactivation emitted from the first light source and the white light for illumination emitted from the second light source are both light that inhibits insect attracting property, thus inhibiting the side effect of attracting insects to the object during inactivation of germs or illumination.

The term "object operated by a person" includes a scale that functions when a person places his or her foot on a predetermined spot, or a visual acuity meter that functions when a person places his or her chin on a predetermined spot and looks into it. In other words, the above object may include a case in which a human body part other than fingers, clothes that cover the human body, belongings or the like touch the object.

The lighting device with the function of inactivating bacteria or viruses may be provided with a control unit for controlling to light the first light source and the second light source, and the control unit may control to repeatedly turn on and turn off the first light source within a lighting-off period of the second light source.

There may be a case in which the inactivation process of germs needs to be continued even when the second light source that emits white light for illumination is turned off. For example, even in an unmanned environment, there is a possibility that microorganisms such as mold and bacteria can proliferate, or that microorganisms and viruses from the outside world can invade if the environment is open to the outside air. For another example, there may be a case in which a ticket vending machine described above no longer needs to be irradiated in non-operating hours (i.e., non-business hours); however the ticket vending machine needs to continue the inactivation process of germs that may be attached thereon.

The illuminance of the area where the lighting device with the function of inactivating germs is installed, is relatively lower during the lighting-off period of the second light source, compared with that during a lighting-on period of the second light source. Hereinafter a case in which the first light source is turned on under a relatively low space illuminance (e.g., the space illuminance is less than <NUM> [lx]) is considered. In this case, the effect of attracting insects can occur even when the first light source emits ultraviolet light that inhibits insect attracting property, compared to the case in which the first light source is turned on under relatively high illumination in the space. The reason for this phenomenon is inferred as follows.

Many insects possess phototaxis, and tend to be attracted to light sources that are perceived to be relatively bright. For example, if the light source has even a small amount of emission intensity in the ultraviolet light in a wavelength band of <NUM> to <NUM> or in the visible light in a wavelength band of <NUM> to <NUM>, the insects will perceive the light from the light source as relatively brighter in a darker surrounding environment, thus even a faint light may be noticeable to the insects.

The ultraviolet light from the first light source is intended to have light intensity suppressed in the band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, which exhibits the effect of attracting insects; however, the light intensity of the band is not completely zero and may have a faint light intensity. In the case of the first light source being a discharge lamp, the discharge phenomenon produces a faint visible light, which relatively stands out in dark surroundings, thus presumably attracting insects to the faint light.

As for the configuration described above, the first light source, in contrast, is controlled to be turned on and off repeatedly during the lighting-off period of the second light source. Hence, although the relative illuminance decrease in surroundings causes insects to be attracted to the first light source during its lighting, the insects may lose sight of the source (target) of the ultraviolet light when the first light source is turned off, thus unlikely to be attracted toward the lighting device.

The extent to which germs is inactivated depends on the amount of ultraviolet light dosage (accumulated irradiation amount) to the area to be inactivated. Hence, even if the first light source is controlled to be turned on and off repeatedly, the inactivation of germs is achieved as long as the lighting is repeated.

The control unit may control to repeatedly turn on and off the first light source, with a lighting-on period of the first light source being set to <NUM> seconds or less, and a lighting-off period of the first light source being set to a time longer than the lighting-on period thereof.

The above configuration further enhances the effect of causing insects to lose sight of the ultraviolet light source.

The control unit may control to repeatedly turn on and off the first light source with the lighting-on period of the first light source being set to <NUM>% or less with respect to the lighting-off period of the first light source.

The above configuration further enhances the effect of causing insects to lose sight of the ultraviolet light source. It is more preferable that the lighting-on period of the first light source be set to <NUM>% or less with respect to the lighting-off period of the first light source.

The lighting device with the function of inactivating bacteria or viruses may be provided with a control unit that controls to light the first light source and the second light source. The control unit may control the first light source to provide the lighting-off period of the first light source within a lighting-on period of the second light source.

The first light source described above is a light source that emits ultraviolet light for inactivation with a peak wavelength in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>. Hence, although this ultraviolet light is irradiated to bacteria possessing a photoreactivation function in an environment under which white light for illumination from a second light source is being irradiated (lighting environment), the photoreactivation function is inhibited. Thereby, the effect of inactivation maintains without continuously lighting the first light source. This issue will be discussed later in the "DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS".

In this case, the control unit may control repeatedly to turn on and off the first light source.

The first light source may include an excimer lamp that contains Kr and Cl as light-emitting gases. This enables the first light source to emit ultraviolet light that has a spectrum with a peak wavelength near <NUM> and a half value width of approximately <NUM>.

The first light source may include an excimer lamp that contains Kr and Br as light-emitting gases. This enables the first light source to emit ultraviolet light that has a spectrum with a peak wavelength near <NUM> and a half value width of approximately <NUM>.

In the case that the ultraviolet light generated by the first light source contains a certain amount of light intensity in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, the first light source may be provided with a filter that blocks the propagation of light in the wavelength band thereof.

[Advantageous Effects of Invention] The lighting device with a function of inactivating bacteria or viruses enables both visible light illumination and inactivation of germs, while inhibiting more the effect of attracting insects than conventional systems.

Embodiments of a lighting system a function of inactivating bacteria or viruses will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It is noted that following each drawing is merely schematically illustrated; the dimensional ratios on the drawing do not necessarily match the actual dimensional ratios. Also the dimensional ratios between each drawing do not necessarily match either.

<FIG> is a schematic view of a lighting device with a function of inactivating bacteria or viruses illustrating an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the lighting device with inactivation function <NUM> is provided with a first light source <NUM> and a second light source <NUM>. As described below, the first light source <NUM> emits ultraviolet light L10 for inactivation, and the second light source <NUM> emits white light L20 for illumination. In the example shown in <FIG>, both of the ultraviolet light L10 and the white light L20 are schematically illustrated to be irradiated to a target area <NUM> from the lighting device with inactivation function <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective appearance view of a lighting device with a function of inactivating bacteria or viruses illustrating an embodiment. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the lighting device with inactivation function <NUM> is provided with a casing <NUM> that houses the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM>. The surface of the casing <NUM> includes a light extraction surface 10a of the ultraviolet light L10 from the first light source <NUM> and a light extraction surface 20a of the white light L20 from the second light source <NUM>.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of the lighting device with the inactivation function <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the lighting system with the inactivation function <NUM> is provided with a control unit <NUM> that controls to light the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM>, and a power supply unit <NUM> that supplies power for lighting the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM>. The power supply unit <NUM> includes a power circuit for converting the voltage applied from a power source (not shown) into the voltage required for lighting. The control unit <NUM> controls whether or not to supply the voltage generated by the power supply unit <NUM> to the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the power supply unit <NUM> is illustrated to be connected to the control unit <NUM> through a single line; however, the line is just schematically illustrated. In practice, the power supply unit <NUM> generates each of the voltage signals required to light the first light source <NUM> and the second light source <NUM>, and the voltage signal each can be independently supplied to the corresponding light sources (<NUM>, <NUM>) through the control unit <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM> performs the lighting control for the first light source <NUM> and the lighting control for the second light source <NUM> independently from each other. An example of the control contents performed by the control unit <NUM> will be described later.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the first light source <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic exploded view of the lamp house <NUM> of the first light source <NUM> shown in <FIG>, disassembling a main body casing part 12a and a lid part 12b.

In the following <FIG>, the description is given with reference to the X-Y-Z coordinate system, in which the extraction direction of the ultraviolet light L10 is the X direction and the plane orthogonal to the X direction is the YZ plane. In more detail, the direction of the tube axis of the excimer lamp <NUM> is the Y direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X and Y directions is the Z direction, as described below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first light source <NUM> is provided with the lamp house <NUM> having the light extraction surface 10a on its one side. The lamp house <NUM> is provided with the main casing part 12a and the lid part 12b. The main casing part 12a houses excimer lamps <NUM> and electrode blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>). In <FIG>, a case in which the lamp house <NUM> houses the four excimer lamps <NUM> is illustrated as an example. The electrode blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>) are electrically connected to power feed wires <NUM> and constitute electrodes for feeding power to each of the excimer lamps <NUM>. The power feed wires <NUM> are connected to the power supply unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

<FIG> is a plan view schematically illustrating the positional relation between the excimer lamp <NUM> and the electrode blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>).

As shown in <FIG>, the first light source <NUM> according to this embodiment is provided with the two electrode blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>) that are arranged to be in contact with the outer surfaces of the light-emitting tubes of the respective excimer lamps <NUM>. The electrode blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>) are spaced apart in the Y direction. The electrode blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>) are made of a conductive material, preferably a material that is reflective to the ultraviolet light L10 emitted from the excimer lamp <NUM>. Examples of the material of the electrode blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>) include Al, Al alloy, or stainless steel. In this embodiment, both of the electrode blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>) are arranged to straddle each excimer lamp <NUM> with respect to the Z direction, while being in contact with the outer surface of the light-emitting tube of each excimer lamp <NUM>.

The excimer lamp <NUM> has a light-emitting tube with the Y-direction as the tube axis direction, and the outer surface of the light-emitting tube of the excimer lamp <NUM> is in contact with each electrode block (<NUM>, <NUM>) at a separated position in the Y-direction. The light-emitting tube of the excimer lamp <NUM> is filled with the light-emitting gas G13. Based on the control from the control unit <NUM> (see <FIG>), when a high frequency AC voltage of, for example, several kHz to <NUM> is applied between the electrode blocks (<NUM>, <NUM>) from the power supply unit <NUM> through the power feed wires <NUM> (see <FIG>), the voltage is applied to the light-emitting gas G13 through the light-emitting tube of the excimer lamp <NUM>. This applied voltage induces discharge plasma in the discharge space where the light-emitting gas G13 is enclosed, excites the atoms in the light-emitting gas G13 to the excimer state, and generates excimer emission when these atoms shift to the ground state.

The light-emitting gas G13 is composed of a material having a peak wavelength in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, and a light intensity suppressed in the band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> during excimer light emission; and emits the ultraviolet light L10. Examples of the light-emitting gas G13 include KrCl and KrBr.

In the case in which the light-emitting gas G13 contains KrCl, for example, the excimer lamp <NUM> emits the ultraviolet light L10 having a peak wavelength near <NUM>. In the case in which the light-emitting gas G13 contains KrBr, for example, the excimer lamp <NUM> emits the ultraviolet light L10 having a peak wavelength near <NUM>. In the case that the light-emitting gas G13 contains these gases, the ultraviolet light L10 does not emit light that contains substantial light intensity in the band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>. It is noted that the term "near <NUM>" is intended to include individual differences in manufacturing excimer lamps, and to permit wavelength deviations within a range of ±<NUM> with respect to <NUM>, as well as <NUM>.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating the spectrum of the ultraviolet light L10 emitted from the first light source <NUM> when the first light source <NUM> is provided with an excimer lamp <NUM> in which the light-emitting gas G13 containing KrCl is filled in the light-emitting tube. As shown in <FIG>, in the case of the excimer lamp <NUM> in which the light-emitting gas G13 containing KrCl is filled in the light-emitting tube, the light intensity in the band from <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> is suppressed. In other words, the light intensity in the wavelength band from <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> in the ultraviolet light L10 emitted from the first light source <NUM> is <NUM> mW/cm<NUM> or less, and is less than <NUM>% with respect to the light intensity at the peak wavelength (in this case, near <NUM>), as described above with reference to <FIG>.

It is more desirable to appropriately suppress the light intensity in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> since the light has a risk of adversely affecting the human body when being irradiated thereto. Hence, the first light source <NUM> may be provided with an optical filter, for example, that transmits ultraviolet light in the band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> (more preferably, ultraviolet light in the band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>) while blocking ultraviolet light in the band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>. Examples of the optical filter include a dielectric multilayer film made of HfO<NUM> layers and SiO<NUM> layers. The similar consideration can be applied to a case in which the excimer lamp <NUM> mounted on the first light source <NUM> has a light-emitting tube in which a light-emitting gas G13 other than KrCl, for example KrBr, is filled.

The ultraviolet light L10 emitted from the first light source <NUM> has a light intensity suppressed in the band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, and a peak wavelength in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, thus ensuring its ability to inactivate bacteria or viruses. Hereinafter, this subject will be explained with reference to the verification results.

A petri dish with a diameter of <NUM> was filled with <NUM> of Staphylococcus aureus with a concentration of approximately <NUM><NUM>/mL, and was irradiated from above the petri dish with the ultraviolet light L10 having the spectrum shown in <FIG> under different illumination conditions. The solution in the petri dish, which had been irradiated with the ultraviolet light L10, was diluted to a predetermined magnification with saline solution. The diluted solution of <NUM> was seeded onto a standard agar medium and cultured for <NUM> hours under the culture environment of <NUM> temperature and <NUM>% humidity, then the number of colonies was counted.

<FIG> is a graph of the result on the above experimental procedure, with the horizontal axis corresponding to the amount of ultraviolet light L10 irradiated and the vertical axis corresponding to the survival rate of Staphylococcus aureus. It is noted that the vertical axis represents the ratio of the number of colonies of Staphylococcus aureus after the irradiation of the ultraviolet light L10 to the number of colonies of Staphylococcus aureus before the irradiation, the ratio being in a log scale.

<FIG> confirms that Staphylococcus aureus is successfully inactivated even when the irradiance of the ultraviolet light L10 is extremely low, such as <NUM>. 001mW/cm<NUM>. The ultraviolet light L10 has also been confirmed to have an effect of inactivation on other bacteria such as Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis.

As another verification, <FIG> is a graph of the verification results for influenza virus using the similar experimental procedure. <FIG> confirms that influenza virus is successfully inactivated by the irradiation of the ultraviolet light L10. Achieving an irradiation amount of the ultraviolet light L10, for example, of <NUM> mJ/cm<NUM>, requires irradiation time of <NUM> minutes in the case of an irradiance of <NUM> mW/cm<NUM>, whereas <NUM> minutes in the case of an irradiance of <NUM> mW/cm<NUM>. It is noted that the ultraviolet light L10 has also been confirmed to have an effect of inactivation on other viruses such as feline coronavirus. Therefore, the ultraviolet light L10 is confirmed to have an effect of inactivation on viruses as well as bacteria.

The extent of the inactivation effect of bacteria or viruses depends on the accumulated irradiation amount (dose) of the irradiated ultraviolet light L10.

The second light source <NUM> includes an LED element that emits white light L20 for illumination. <FIG> is a graph illustrating an example of the spectrum of white light L20 emitted from the LED element. In this example, the second light source <NUM> includes a blue LED element with a peak wavelength near <NUM>, and a phosphor that is excited by the blue light emitted from the blue LED element and emits fluorescence with a longer wavelength including yellow band. In the example shown in <FIG>, the white light L20 has a light intensity suppressed in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>.

In other words, the lighting device with inactivation function <NUM> is capable of inactivating bacteria or viruses that are present in the irradiation target area <NUM> by irradiating the irradiation target area <NUM> with ultraviolet light L10 for inactivation. This ultraviolet light L10 has a light intensity suppressed in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, in which insects are known to have relatively high visual sensitivity. Consequently, even when the first light source <NUM> is turned on for inactivation treatment, the ultraviolet light L10 emitted from this first light source <NUM> is inhibited from attracting insects.

Furthermore, this ultraviolet light L10 has light intensity suppressed in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>. Hence, the lighting device with inactivation function <NUM> is capable of performing the inactivation process even during the time when humans are present near the irradiation target area <NUM>.

Furthermore, this lighting device with inactivation function <NUM> irradiates the irradiation target area <NUM> with the white light L20 emitted from the LED element that constitutes the second light source <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, this white light L20 has light suppressed in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> compared to the white light emitted from a fluorescent lamp described above with reference to <FIG>. Consequently, even when the second light source <NUM> is turned on for illumination, the white light L20 emitted from the second light source <NUM> is inhibited from attracting insects.

In other words, the lighting system with inactivation function <NUM> is capable of inactivating bacteria or viruses while inhibiting the effect of attracting insects, especially in the case that the area to be irradiated overlaps with the area to be inactivated, or in other words, in the case that the irradiation target area <NUM> is irradiated with both the ultraviolet light L10 and the white light L20, as described above with reference to <FIG>.

The lighting device with the inactivation function <NUM> in the shape shown in <FIG> can be installed, for example, on an indoor ceiling or an indoor wall for lighting while inactivating bacteria or viruses present in indoor spaces and on fixtures such as desks and chairs.

As another example shown in <FIG>, the lighting device with the inactivation function <NUM> may find applications in irradiating objects operated by person's fingers. <FIG> schematically illustrates the state in which the lighting device with the inactivation function <NUM> is mounted on a ticket vending machine <NUM> as an example of the object.

A second light source <NUM>, which is provided in a lighting system with inactivation function <NUM>, irradiates white light L20 from a light extraction surface 20a to a touch panel <NUM>, so that the white light is used for illumination when an operator <NUM> operates the touch panel <NUM>. Moreover, since the touch panel <NUM> is intended to be operated by a plurality of operators <NUM>, it is likely to have bacteria or viruses attached thereto. In contrast, a first light source <NUM>, which is provided in the lighting system with the inactivation function <NUM>, irradiates ultraviolet light L10 from a light extraction surface 10a to the touch panel <NUM>, thereby inactivating bacteria or viruses attached to the touch panel <NUM>.

As described above, since the ultraviolet light L10 does not exhibit substantial light intensity in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, it inhibits the adverse effect on the human body of the operator <NUM> even if the ultraviolet light L10 is irradiated during the time when the operator <NUM> is present near the touch panel <NUM>.

In addition, even when the lighting device with the inactivation function <NUM> operates under dark surroundings such as at night and irradiates the touch panel <NUM> with the ultraviolet light L10 for inactivation and the white light L20 for illumination, insects are unlikely to be attracted near the ticket vending machine <NUM> including the touch panel <NUM>.

It is preferable that the first light source <NUM> operate intermittently from the viewpoint of further enhancing the effect of inhibiting insects from being attracted. Specifically, the control unit <NUM> may control the first light source <NUM> to turn on and off repetitively. In the case that the ultraviolet light L10 emitted from the first light source <NUM> contains a weak amount of light in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, the weak light relatively stands out under dark surroundings, thus may lead to attracting insects that possess extremely high phototaxis in response to this light. However, when the first light source <NUM> is temporarily turned off, insects that have once been attracted to the lighting device with the inactivation function <NUM> lose sight of the location (target) of the light source and tend to proceed toward other locations. Therefore, the effect of attracting insects is further reduced.

From the viewpoint of enhancing the effect of causing insects to lose sight of the target, it is preferable to set the lighting-on period of the first light source <NUM> to be <NUM> seconds or less, and then to set the lighting-off period to be longer than the lighting-on period. The control contents may be stored in the control unit <NUM> in advance.

Intermittent lighting control on the first light source <NUM> is effective when the second light source <NUM> is turned off, especially when the white light L20 for illumination is not irradiated. The reason for this effectiveness is that the surroundings become a brighter environment when the second light source <NUM> is turned on, making the relatively weak light less noticeable. In other words, the control unit <NUM> may perform intermittent lighting control to the first light source <NUM> when the control unit <NUM> detects the second light source <NUM> being turned off.

As described above, the extent of the inactivation effect of bacteria or viruses depends on the accumulated irradiation amount (dose) of the irradiated ultraviolet light L10. Hence, even when the first light source <NUM> operates intermittently, bacteria or viruses that are present in the irradiation target area <NUM> is effectively inactivated provided that the accumulated irradiation amount of ultraviolet light L10 from the first light source <NUM> is secured to be irradiated to the irradiation target area <NUM>. In other words, the intermittent lighting of the first light source <NUM> does not mean that bacteria or viruses cannot be effectively inactivated.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating the verification result of inactivating Staphylococcus aureus using the similar procedure as in <FIG>, except the ultraviolet light L10 operating intermittently. The irradiation conditions employed were intermittent lighting at a duty ratio of <NUM>% (lighting-on for <NUM> minutes/ lighting-off for <NUM> minutes) with an illuminance during lighting-on of <NUM> mW/cm<NUM>.

The result in <FIG> indicates that inactivation of germs can be achieved even in the case of the intermittent irradiation of ultraviolet light L10.

Furthermore, the ultraviolet light in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, in which the insect inducing properties are effectively reduced, and especially in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, and more preferably in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, is absorbed by the stratum corneum of the skin and does not penetrate to the further inner layer (basal layer side), even when irradiated to the human body, causing virtually no adverse effect on the human body. This makes it effective in inactivating bacteria or viruses in spaces where people come and go or on surfaces of objects.

In the cells of germs, there are nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) that contain genetic information. When germs are irradiated with ultraviolet light, the nucleic acids contained therein absorb the ultraviolet light, damaging the binding of DNA and RNA. The damage interferes with the transcriptional control by the gene, which hinders metabolism and leads to death. In other words, when germs are irradiated with ultraviolet light, the DNA and RNA contained in the germs are damaged by the ultraviolet light, resulting in losing the ability of metabolism and proliferation, and thereby killing the germs.

However, when germs have been inactivated by irradiating with ultraviolet light, for example, with a wavelength of <NUM>, and are irradiated with light in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less, some germs exhibit the repair of their damaged DNA. This phenomenon is caused by the activity of photoreactivation enzymes (e.g., FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide)) that bacteria possess, and is referred to as "photoreactivation of bacteria" below. The wavelength band of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less includes that of the sunlight and the visible light of white lighting, and it is known that the photoreactivation of bacteria proceeds under a bright environment. In the case of inactivating germs by irradiating them with ultraviolet light under the lighting environment, maintaining the inactivation state tends to be difficult because of the photoreactivation.

In contrast, in the case of inactivating germs by irradiating them with ultraviolet light in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less (especially ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength near <NUM>), it is confirmed that no "bacteria photoreactivation" is performed even when the above visible light is irradiated after the ultraviolet light has been irradiated; in other words, "bacteria photoreactivation" is confirmed to be inhibited.

FAD, which is a photoreactivating enzyme, is classified into riboflavin, which acts on photoreactivation, and ADP (adenine nucleotide). ADP is further classified into adenosine and phosphate. <FIG> is a graph illustrating the absorption spectra of FAD and riboflavin. <FIG> indicates that the absorbance of FAD with respect to ultraviolet light of wavelength <NUM> is almost equal to that with respect to ultraviolet light of wavelength <NUM>. In contrast, the absorbance of riboflavin, which acts on photoreactivation, with respect to ultraviolet light of wavelength band of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less is higher than that with respect to ultraviolet light of wavelength <NUM>.

In other words, it is inferred that when ultraviolet light in the wavelength band between <NUM> and <NUM> is irradiated to germs, the ultraviolet light effectively acts on the riboflavin contained in the FADs that germs possess, resulting in inhibiting bacteria photoreactivation from functioning. Furthermore, <FIG> indicates that the peak absorbance value of riboflavin is located near <NUM>, leading to an inference that the irradiation of ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength near <NUM> greatly inhibits the "bacteria photoreactivation".

With regard to adenosine, the absorbance with respect to ultraviolet light in the wavelength of <NUM> is higher than that with respect to ultraviolet light in a wavelength band between <NUM> and <NUM>. In other words, ultraviolet light with a wavelength of <NUM> is readily absorbed by adenosine, so that it is inferred that adenosine acts as a protective barrier that prevents riboflavin from acting effectively. On the contrary, it is inferred that ultraviolet light in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less is more likely to effectively act on riboflavin. From the above discussion, ultraviolet light near the wavelength of <NUM> is light that satisfies both of the above effective wavelength ranges, and is considered to effectively inhibit the photoreactivation effect of germs.

Hereinafter, the irradiation of ultraviolet light having different wavelengths that influence the photoreactivation effect of germs will be explained with reference to experimental results.

Staphylococcus aureus, which is a target for inactivation, was irradiated with ultraviolet light for inactivation for a certain period of time (in this case, <NUM> minutes) under an environment in which visible light containing a wavelength band between <NUM> and <NUM> was irradiated (under lighting environment), and afterward the ultraviolet light irradiation stopped. Then, the visible light irradiation continued for the period described below, and Staphylococcus aureus was cultured to confirm the variation in the survival rate thereof. The ultraviolet light used for inactivation was ultraviolet light from a low-pressure mercury lamp with a peak wavelength near <NUM> (Comparative Example <NUM>) as shown in <FIG>, and ultraviolet light from a KrCl excimer lamp with a peak wavelength near <NUM> (Example <NUM>) as shown in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a graph indicating the variation in the survival rate of bacteria in the case of Comparative Example <NUM>. <FIG> is a graph indicating the variation in the survival rate of bacteria in the case of Example <NUM>. In both cases, the variation in the survival rate of bacteria is shown when the illuminance of ultraviolet light is set to <NUM> mJ/cm<NUM>, <NUM> mJ/cm<NUM>, and <NUM> mJ/cm<NUM>. In other words, for both Comparative Example <NUM> and Example <NUM>, the experiments were conducted with ultraviolet light being irradiated for the same period of time at three different illuminances, and with different elapsed times (irradiation time of visible light) after stopping the ultraviolet light irradiation. In <FIG>, the vertical axis corresponds to the ratio of the number of colonies of Staphylococcus aureus after irradiation (Ct) to the number of colonies of Staphylococcus aureus at the time before irradiation (C0), the ratio being in a log scale.

The result in <FIG> indicates that the survival rate of the bacteria exhibits an upward trend with the elapse of time after stopping the ultraviolet light irradiation in a case of the low-pressure mercury lamp being used to inactivate the bacteria. This result suggests that, under an environment of visible light irradiation, the bacteria are being photoreactivated during stopping the irradiation of ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength near <NUM> after the ultraviolet light irradiation. Specifically, the number of surviving bacteria rises with the irradiation duration of the visible light after stopping the ultraviolet light irradiation, and recovers dramatically after elapse of approximately one to two hours after stopping the ultraviolet light irradiation.

In contrast, the result in <FIG> indicates that the survival rate of the bacteria remains substantially constant with the elapse of time after stopping the ultraviolet light irradiation in a case of the KrCl excimer lamp being used to inactivate the bacteria. This result suggests that, even under an environment of visible light irradiation, irradiating the bacteria with ultraviolet light near the peak wavelength of <NUM> inhibits their photoreactivation.

Bacteria with impaired photoreactivation will be dead (inactivated) without repairing its DNA since the DNA damage remains. Hence, irradiating bacteria with ultraviolet light near the wavelength of <NUM> effectively inhibits the recovery and the growth of bacteria. Therefore, devices and systems that use ultraviolet light near a wavelength of <NUM> as ultraviolet light for inactivation are particularly effective in an environment in which bacteria are likely to be photoreactivated, specifically in an environment in which visible light, including light with a wavelength between <NUM> and <NUM>, is irradiated.

Devices and systems that inactivate germs by irradiating them with ultraviolet light of a wavelength of <NUM> effectively inactivate bacteria or viruses that do not recover from light (e.g., Bacillus subtilis (so-called natto bacteria), influenza, etc.); however, they have difficulty in continuously inactivating bacteria that recover from light (e.g., Escherichia coli, Salmonella, etc.) in an environment of visible light irradiation. Therefore, using these devices and systems for inactivating germs is likely to create an environment in which specific bacteria with photoreactivation enzymes can survive, leading to concern for increasing the infection risk of such bacteria.

However, as described above, irradiation with ultraviolet light in the wavelength band between <NUM> and <NUM>, especially ultraviolet light near the wavelength of <NUM>, is capable of inhibiting the photoreactivation function of harmful bacteria that have photoreactivation enzymes, thus reducing the infection risk of bacteria.

Also, inhibiting the photoreactivation of the bacteria will inhibit the growth of viruses mediated by the bacteria. For example, viruses (bacteriophages) that infect bacteria are known to grow in bacteria as a vector. This bacteriophage is a general term for viruses that infect bacteria, but can also be harmful to humans. For example, lysogenic phages occasionally have toxic or drug resistance genes in their genomes, and these genes have been noted to have a potential to harm humans indirectly through bacteria. Examples are the toxins of cholera and diphtheria. Inhibiting the bacteria photoreactivation also leads to preventing the growth of viruses such as phages.

As described above, the lighting device with the inactivation function <NUM> provided with the first light source <NUM> that emits ultraviolet light L10 in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>, and especially in the wavelength band of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less, inactivates harmful bacteria or viruses present in a space or on the surface of an object, and effectively inhibits the bacteria photoreactivation after ultraviolet light irradiation, even when white light L20 for illumination is irradiated from the second light source <NUM>. This is an advantageous effect as an inactivation function that is added to the lighting system.

In addition, since the irradiation of ultraviolet light with a wavelength band between <NUM> and <NUM>, and especially ultraviolet light with a wavelength near <NUM>, inhibits the bacteria photoreactivation, the effect of inactivation is easily maintained even in the case in which a time period (pause time) of stopping the irradiation of the ultraviolet light L10 from the first light source <NUM> is provided, while white light L20 for illumination being irradiated from the second light source <NUM>.

Furthermore, the inventors' intensive research confirms that the irradiation of ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength of <NUM> also inhibits the photoreactivation function, unlike the irradiation of ultraviolet light with a wavelength of <NUM>. <FIG> is a graph illustrating variation in the survival rate of bacteria when ultraviolet light from a KrBr excimer lamp with a peak wavelength of approximately <NUM> (Example <NUM>) is used as ultraviolet light for inactivation. Note that the method of measuring data and the method of showing graphs are the same as those used in Example <NUM> and Comparative Example <NUM>. <FIG> is a graph illustrating the emission spectrum of a KrBr excimer lamp used in Example <NUM>.

The result in <FIG> indicates that the irradiation of ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength of <NUM> also exhibits the effect of inhibiting the bacteria photoreactivation, which is similar to the irradiation result of ultraviolet light with a peak wavelength of <NUM> shown in <FIG>. These results suggest that ultraviolet light with a wavelength of less than <NUM> has an apparent effect on the cellular tissues that constitute bacteria or viruses.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating the characteristics of the average absorption coefficient of protein in the wavelength band of ultraviolet light. As shown in <FIG>, protein does not readily absorb ultraviolet light at wavelengths above <NUM>, but in the band of wavelengths below <NUM>, the tendency of protein to absorb ultraviolet light increases sharply at shorter wavelengths. Hence, ultraviolet light with a wavelength of less than <NUM>, such as ultraviolet light from KrCl excimer lamps or KrBr excimer lamps, is effectively absorbed by protein, which are components of the cell membranes and enzymes of bacteria or viruses. Ultraviolet light in this band is absorbed at the surface of human skin (e.g., stratum corneum) and is difficult to penetrate into the skin, thereby ensuring safety for the skin. In contrast, since bacteria or viruses are physically much smaller than human cells, ultraviolet light can easily reach the inside of them even in a wavelength band shorter than <NUM>. Therefore, ultraviolet light with a wavelength of less than <NUM> is considered to act effectively on cells that constitute bacteria or viruses, especially including cell membranes or enzymes that contain protein components, thus enhancing the effect of inhibiting functions such as bacteria photoreactivation.

Furthermore, ultraviolet light in a wavelength band between <NUM> and <NUM> has an apparent effect on riboflavin contained in the FAD that germs possess, leading to infer that complex reasons inhibit the photoreactivation of the bacteria.

Here, the absorbance of the prepared stock solution of Escherichia coli was measured in order to confirm the absorbance characteristics on protein. The measurement method of absorbance and the preparation method of stock solution of Escherichia coli are as follows.

Escherichia coli (NBRC. <NUM> lyophilization product) was suspended in an LB medium and cultured at <NUM> for <NUM> hours with shaking. Next, the above suspension was diluted to a range of <NUM>/<NUM><NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM><NUM> in the LB medium. The diluted suspension of <NUM> was smeared onto a standard agar medium, and cultured at <NUM> for <NUM> hours. In addition, one colony was fished from the standard agar medium of <NUM> to <NUM> CFU/Plate with a platinum ear, suspended in an LB medium of <NUM>, and cultured at <NUM> for <NUM> hours with shaking. The suspension was centrifugally cleaned with sterile physiological saline to serve as stock solution of Escherichia coli. The concentration of the stock solution obtained in the above procedures is <NUM><NUM> CFU/mL. Absorbance measurement was conducted with NanoDrop of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. , using a reagent of concentration of <NUM><NUM> CFU/mL, which is diluted to <NUM>/<NUM> of the stock solution.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating the absorption spectrum of Escherichia coli (E. <FIG> indicates that the absorbance of Escherichia coli (E. coli) increases for light in the wavelength band of shorter than <NUM>, similar to the tendency of the average absorbance coefficient of protein. This result suggests that ultraviolet light with a wavelength band shorter than <NUM> has a more apparent effect on the cellular tissues that constitute bacteria, viruses or the like.

Claim 1:
A lighting device for inactivating bacteria or viruses (<NUM>), comprising:
a first light source (<NUM>) for emitting ultraviolet light (L10) with a peak wavelength in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM> and with light intensity suppressed in a wavelength band of <NUM> or more and less than <NUM>; and
a second light source (<NUM>) that is composed of an LED element, for emitting white light (L20) for illumination.