FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a luminaire; more particularly to a luminaire comprising a structural part arranged for repelling ionized molecules in air from the luminaire or for attracting ionized molecules in air to the luminaire. The invention further relates to such a luminaire comprising an ion generating source for generating said ionized molecules in air. The invention further relates to a system comprising a plurality of such luminaires. The invention further relates to a lighting arrangement comprising a first luminaire and a second luminaire. The invention further comprises a method of repelling or attracting ionized molecules in air performed by a luminaire. The invention further relates to a corresponding computer program product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The COVID-19 pandemic has been shaking the world in 2020. Said pandemic has already shown that it may cause economic recession, and that it may disrupt the mental wellbeing of people as a consequence of social distancing measures. However, irrespective of COVID-19, the health and wellbeing of people and/or animals has been contested periodically with other viruses and bacteria outbreaks already, such as for example the seasonal symptomatic influenza A/B outbreak, SARS, MERS, H1N1 and Bird Flu (Avian Influenza). Seasonal symptomatic influenza A/B has for example proven to be a returning economic burden. Future outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics are not excluded.

Consequently, to prevent economic loss and to improve health and wellbeing of people and animals, a clear need exists for health and wellbeing in for example the office domain, the public space and/or agriculture. Such a need may at least partly be met by various apparatuses and methods for air disinfection and/or air purification.

For example, ultraviolet (UV) illumination based disinfection devices are increasingly being applied in e.g. hospitals and offices, such as e.g. upper-air UV-C disinfection devices that disinfect air by exposing said air to UV-C illumination. However, since various spectra of UV illumination for disinfection may also be hazardous to humans and/or animals (and/or plants), in certain doses and time of exposures, such UV disinfection devices may require too stringent safety measures. Persons may e.g. not be present during the disinfection process, or the UV-C light source has to be concealed in an elaborate construction.

Air purifying devices are also commonly known to improve the health and wellbeing of people and/or animals. Such air purifying devices may include ion generators. These ‘ionizers’ generate ionized molecules in air (i.e. an ionization cloud, often negatively charged), which ionized molecules, in certain concentrations, may eliminate (airborne) bacteria, viruses, pollen, fungi, particulate matter, and other undesired contaminants in the air. The resulting improved air quality may e.g. be beneficial for the mental and physical wellbeing of people residing in a space.

However, the advantageous effect of such an air purifying device may highly depend on the concentration and/or density of the ionized molecules in air (i.e. ionization cloud). The ionized molecules in air will namely be generated, and be consequently present, in the near vicinity of the ion generating source. It may thus be required to convey the generated ionization cloud (with the necessary concentration and/or density of ionized molecules for disinfection and/or purification) to areas to be treated in a space.

Therefore, some air purifying device comprise a co-located fan to spatially distribute an ionization cloud in a space to be disinfected and/or purified. Since such a fan may be undesired due to noise, dust accumulation and servicing requirement, some air purifying devices simply rely on the intrinsic air flow in a space to distribute the ionized molecules from the ionizer into the space. However, such an air purification device may not be able to generate the desired concentrations and/or densities of ionized molecules at larger distances from the air purification device where the ionized molecules in air are generated. This clearly reduces the effectiveness of such an air purification device. A clear need exists to improve distributing ionized molecules in air throughout a space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved luminaire, which at least alleviates the problems and disadvantages mentioned above, and improves the effective of distribution of ionized molecules in air. Thereto, the invention provides a luminaire comprising a structural part, a controller, and a charging unit; wherein the controller is configured to control the charging unit to charge the structural part to a charge value; wherein, when charged to a first charge value, the structural part is arranged for repelling ionized molecules in air from the luminaire; and/or wherein, when charged to a second charge value, the structural part is arranged for attracting ionized molecules in air to the luminaire; wherein the controller is configured to obtain a lighting setting of the luminaire, wherein the controller is configured to determine the charge value based on the lighting setting of the luminaire; wherein the lighting setting of the luminaire comprises at least one of: a light intensity, a light color, a light scene, a light recipe, a color temperature, a light modulation, a light pattern.

Hence, the present invention provides a luminaire comprising a structural part, wherein the structural part may be charged to a charge value. Said charge value may either be a negative charge value to attract positively charged ionized molecules in air or to repel negatively charged ionized molecules in air; or said charge value may be a positive charge value to attract negatively charged ionized molecules in air or to repel positive ionized molecules in air.

A luminaire has an intrinsic function to be present in a space, and in operation illuminate at least part of said space. Therefore, by charging the structural part of the luminaire to a respective charge value, a luminaire may advantageously facilitate the distribution (or: spreading) of ionized molecules in air in said space by either attracting said ionized molecules and/or repelling said ionized molecules.

This advantageous effect is furthermore improved when having a plurality of such luminaire, because such a plurality of luminaires may cover a larger part of a space, and may even interact with each other in charging their respective structural part to actively distribute the ionized molecules in air. For example, one luminaire may be repelling at least part of the ionized molecules in air while an adjacent luminaire may be attracting said at least part of the ionized molecules in air.

For example, one initial luminaire may be charged with an initial second charge level, while another adjacent luminaire may be charged with a higher second charge level compared to the initial first charge level, such that the initial luminaire attracts ionized molecules in air and the adjacent luminaire attracts said ionized molecules in air even more, so as to render and improved distribution of ionized molecules in air (in a space).

Said luminaire may be mounted in a space. Ionized molecules in air may also be referred to as an ionization cloud throughout the application. An ionization cloud may moreover be defined as a cloud of ionized molecules in air having a particular concentration and/or density. Said particular concentration and/or density may be suitable for disinfection and/or purification. For example, said disinfection and/or purification referring to disinfection and/or purification of surface-located and/or airborne contaminants, bacteria, viruses, pollen, fungi, particulates, etc.

Said structural part may be at least one structural part. The structural part of the luminaire may be phrased to comprise a first function, i.e. a structural function. However, due to the present invention, said structural part of the luminaire may also comprise a second function, i.e. facilitating the distribution of ionized molecules in air throughout a space by either attracting said ionized molecules to the luminaire, or repelling said ionized molecules from the luminaire.

The ionized molecules in air, or at least part of the ionized molecules in air, may be generated by an ion generating source, or e.g. by another luminaire comprising an ion generating source. The ion generating source may be referred to as an ionizer, or part of an ionizer.

In an embodiment, the structural part may be arranged to repel or attract said ionized molecules in a first direction. For example, the structural part may be a surface and the first direction may be substantially perpendicular to said surface.

In an embodiment, the luminaire may comprise a luminaire housing, wherein the structural part may comprise at least one surface of the luminaire housing. Hence, the at least one surface of the luminaire housing may advantageously serve an additional function to facilitate the attracting and/or repelling of ionized molecules in air, thereby to improve the effective of distribution of ionized molecules. The luminaire housing may be an elongated luminaire housing, e.g. to accommodate a TLED. The luminaire housing may be a troffer or a panel.

In an embodiment, the structural part may comprise at least one of: a luminaire housing, a heat sink, a fin, a protrusion, a louvre, a luminaire optic, a luminaire mounting means. Hence, such structural parts of the luminaire housing may advantageously serve an additional function to facilitate the attracting and/or repelling of ionized molecules in air, thereby to improve the effective of distribution of ionized molecules.

In an embodiment, the charging unit comprises a voltage generator for charging the structural part to the charge value. The charge value may be a positive charge value or a negative charge value.

In an embodiment, the structural part may comprise a structural part material. Said structural part material may e.g. be a plastic. Said structural part material may e.g. be a di-electric material. Said ionized molecules in air may be generated by an ion generating source. The ion generating source may either be separate from the luminaire, co-located with the luminaire, or comprised by the luminaire. Hence, the present invention may further relate to the luminaire comprising an ion generating source for generating said ionized molecules in air. Therefore, in an embodiment, the luminaire may comprise an ion generating source for generating ionized molecules in air; wherein, when charged to the first charge value, the structural part may be arranged for repelling at least part of said ionized molecules in air from the luminaire.

Currently, an ionization cloud, which is generated by an ion generating source, remains near the ion generating source and relies on either an externally forced flow or on diffusion to be distributed within a space. However, due to the present invention, the ionization cloud, which is generated by the ion generating source of the luminaire itself, may be repelled by charging the structural part of the luminaire to the first charge value. The structural part of the luminaire may therefore serve an additional function of ‘boosting’ the generated ionized molecules (away from the luminaire) even further into a space. This improves the effective distribution of ionized molecules in air; and allows more distant areas of a space relative to the luminaire to obtain a particular concentration and/or density of ionized molecules in air.

Since an ion generating source, which principles may be known in the art, may commonly comprise an ionization needle to generate ionized molecules in air, the present invention advantageously utilizes the structural part of the luminaire to additionally repel (or: boost) the ionized molecules away from the (surroundings of the) ionization needle. In aspects, the structural part of the luminaire may be arranged co-located with the ion generating source. In aspects, the ion generating source may be arranged concentrically with the structural part of the luminaire. In aspects, the structural part of the luminaire may be arranged adjacent to the ion generating source. In aspects, the structural part of the luminaire may about the ion generating source.

In aspects of the invention, the invention provides a luminaire comprising a structural part, a controller, an ion generating source for generating ionized molecules in air, and a charging unit; wherein the controller is configured to control the charging unit to charge the structural part to a first charge value; wherein, when charged to the first charge value, the structural part is arranged for repelling at least part of said ionized molecules in air from the luminaire. As mentioned, the invention improves the effective of distribution of ionized molecules in air by means of the charging unit charging the structural part of the luminaire to the charge value. The controller of the luminaire may control the charging unit. The value of the charge value may not only determine whether the ionized molecules will be attracted or repelled, but may also determine to what extent the ionized molecules will be attracted or repelled. Hence, the controller may control the attracting power or repelling power of the structural part by determining a corresponding charge value.

In aspects, the charge value may be predetermined. In an embodiment, the charge value may be a constant. For example, the charge value may be factory-set or programmed into the controller as a constant, or predetermined value.

As partly mentioned, the controller may be configured to obtain a property of the luminaire, wherein the controller may be configured to determine the charge value based on the property of the luminaire.

As mentioned, in an embodiment, the property may comprise a lighting setting of the luminaire. In As mentioned, the lighting setting of the luminaire comprises at least one of: a light intensity, a light color, a light scene, a light recipe, a color temperature, a light modulation, a light pattern. Said lighting setting may be a current lighting setting. Said lighting setting may be received from a user control device for controlling said luminaire.

Such embodiments may be advantageous, because the lighting setting of the luminaire may serve as an input for determining the determine whether and to what extent the ionized molecules will be attracted or repelled. Hence, the controller may control the attracting power or repelling power of the structural part by setting, or determining, the charge value based on said lighting setting.

For example, the lighting setting of the luminaire may be a functional light scene. The functional light scene may be indicative of at least one person working in a space illuminated by the luminaire. The controller may then be configured to determine a higher charge value such that the ionized molecules in air will be attracted or repelled to a larger extent throughout the space, thereby purifying and/or disinfecting larger areas of the space.

For example, the lighting setting of the luminaire may be a low light intensity (e.g. 10 percent intensity). This low light intensity may be indicative of a standby mode of the luminaire, or a nighttime operation of the luminaire. Hence, for e.g. offices, such a light setting may be indicative of no persons present or working. The controller may then be configured to determine a lower charge value such that the ionized molecules in air will be attracted or repelled to a smaller extent throughout the space, thereby meeting the needs of purifying and/or disinfecting, but with less energy consumption.

For example, the lighting setting of the luminaire may be a light scene comprising a particular spectrum indicative of grow light for an animal. Such a light setting may be indicative of animals present within a space. The controller may then be configured to determine a higher charge value such that the ionized molecules in air will be attracted or repelled to a larger extent throughout the space, thereby purifying and/or disinfecting larger areas of the space, and e.g. reducing microbiological matter, contaminants and particulates around the animals.

For example, additionally or alternatively, in an embodiment, the property may comprise an installation property of the luminaire. In a further embodiment, the installation property of the luminaire may comprise at least one of: a type of the luminaire, a (mounting) height of the luminaire, a location of the luminaire, an orientation of the luminaire relative to gravity.

Such embodiments may be advantageous, because the installation property of the luminaire may serve as an input for determining the determine whether and to what extent the ionized molecules will be attracted or repelled. Hence, the controller may control the attracting power or repelling power of the structural part by setting, or determining, the charge value based on said installation property.

For example, the installation property may be a location of the luminaire in a space, such as an installation location. The charge value of the structural part of a luminaire installed in a comer of a square room may e.g. be set to a higher charge value compared to a luminaire installed in a center of square room, so as to enable effective of distribution of ionized molecules in air, but thereby also take into consideration energy consumption of the ion generating source. Such an example may be extra advantageous for the embodiments of the luminaire comprising the ion generating source.

Similar examples may be envisioned for other installation properties such as luminaire type, installation height of the luminaire and orientation of the luminaire.

As mentioned before, the effect of an improved effective of distribution of ionized molecules in air may be improved when having a plurality of luminaires according to the invention, because such a plurality of luminaires may cover a larger part of a space, and may even interact with each other in charging their respective structural part to actively distribute the ionized molecules in air. For example, one luminaire may be repelling at least part of the ionized molecules in air while an adjacent luminaire may be attracting said at least part of the ionized molecules in air.

Therefore, in an embodiment, the controller may be configured to obtain a further property associated with at least one other luminaire, wherein the controller may be configured to determine the charge value based on the further property.

In an embodiment, the further property associated with the at least one other luminaire may comprise at least one of: a lighting setting of the at least one other luminaire, an installation property of the at least one other luminaire, a charge value of the at least one other luminaire, an operational mode of the at least one other luminaire.

For example, the further property of the at least one other luminaire may be a charge value. The at least one other luminaire may be an adjacent luminaire. The at least one other luminaire may therefore be charged repelling ionized molecules in air. The controller may then obtain said further property and determine the charge value such that ionized molecules in air may be attracted towards the luminaire.

For example, the further property of the at least one other luminaire may be an operational on-mode. The at least one other luminaire may therefore be on, thereby e.g. indicative of a person present within the vicinity of said at least one other luminaire. The controller may then obtain said further property and determine the charge value such that the generated ionized molecules in air may be ‘boosted’ towards said at least one other luminaire. Such an example may be extra advantageous for the embodiments of the luminaire comprising the ion generating source.

For example, the further property of the at least one other luminaire may be an operational off-mode. The at least one other luminaire may therefore be off, thereby e.g. indicative of no persons present within the vicinity of said at least one other luminaire. The controller may then obtain said further property and determine the charge value such that the generated ionized molecules in air may not be ‘boosted’ towards said at least one other luminaire, since it is not required at such a moment. This will also reduce the energy consumption of the ion generating source. Such an example may be extra advantageous for the embodiments of the luminaire comprising the ion generating source.

In an embodiment, the further property associated with the at least one other luminaire may comprise a number of the at least one other luminaires turned on. In an embodiment, the further property associated with the at least one other luminaire may comprise a number of the at least one other luminaires turned off. In an embodiment, the further property associated with the at least one other luminaire may comprise a number of the at least one other luminaires turned to a particular operation mode.

In an embodiment, the further property associated with the at least one other luminaire may comprise a number of the at least one other luminaires within a first distance from the luminaire. Said first distance may for example be at most 10 meters, or at most 6 meters, or at most 3 meters.

In examples, the controller may be configured to obtain, i.e. determine itself, receive or retrieve, control commands for controlling the charging unit to charge the structural part of the luminaire to a charge value. Said control commands may e.g. be conveyed by a master controller and/or an electrical device external to the luminaire (in the latter cases).

Hence, in an embodiment, the controller may be configured to receive or retrieve the property of the luminaire from one of: a master controller, a remote server, a computer, a smartphone, a user interface device, a lighting device, a building management device, a tag, a USB stick.

Hence, in an embodiment, the controller may be configured to receive or retrieve the further property of the luminaire from one of: the at least one other luminaire, a master controller, a remote server, a computer, a smartphone, a user interface device, a lighting device, a building management device, a tag, a USB stick.

In aspects, the luminaire may comprise a second structural part, wherein the controller is configured to control the charging unit to charge the second structural part to a charge value; wherein, when charged to a third charge value, the second structural part is arranged for repelling ionized molecules in air from the luminaire; wherein, when charged to a fourth charge value, the second structural part is arranged for attracting ionized molecules in air to the luminaire. In aspects, the structural part of the luminaire and the second structural part of the luminaire may be endcaps. In aspects, the structural part of the luminaire the second structural part of the luminaire may be arranged on opposite sides of the luminaire. In aspects, the structural part may be charged to the first charge value, whereas the second structural part may be charged to the fourth charge value. Such a charge distribution over the structural part and the second structural part may render the ionization cloud to transport between the structural part and the second structural part.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved lighting system, which at least alleviates the problems and disadvantages mentioned above. Thereto, the invention further provides a lighting system comprising a plurality of luminaires according to the invention. The advantages and/or embodiments applying to the luminaire according to the invention may also apply mutatis mutandis to the lighting system according to the invention.

In an embodiment, the plurality of luminaires may be spatially arranged in a grid pattern. Said grid pattern may be a symmetrical grid pattern. By having the plurality of luminaires according to the invention spatially arranged in such a grid pattern, the space covered by said luminaires may be improved with more effective distribution of ionized molecules in air, due to the respective structural parts of the luminaires being charged to the respective charge value.

In an embodiment, the plurality of luminaires may be spatially arranged in an asymmetric pattern. This will provide flexibility in employment and may also assist in driving an ionization cloud along a path, such as an asymmetric path. In an embodiment, the plurality of luminaires may be spatially arranged in a symmetric pattern.

In an embodiment, the plurality of luminaires may be spatially arranged along the contours and/or edges of a first shape. The first shape may for example be a circle, a square, a rectangle, a star, a triangle, a polygon, an ellipse, etc. For example, the plurality of luminaires may be arranged in a circular shape. An ion generating source, or a luminaire comprising an ion generating source, may be present within the center of said circular shape. The luminaires arranged along the contours of the luminaires arranged in along a contour of a circular shape may be attracting ionized molecules in air, as defined above by the invention, so as to allow the distribution of the ionized molecules in air within the space towards and/or beyond the contours of said circle.

Alternatively, in case the concentration and/or density of ionized molecules in air is required to be maintained at a particular level within the contours of said circular shape and in case the diffusion of said ionized molecules outside the contours of said circular shape would dilute this concentration and/or density, the luminaires arranged along a contour of a circular shape may be repelling ionized molecules in air, as defined above by the invention.

In an embodiment, the lighting system may comprise a master controller, wherein the master controller is configured to control the controller of at least one luminaire of the plurality of luminaires. Said master controller may be standalone and remote from the plurality of luminaires. Said master controller may alternatively be part of a luminaire of the plurality of luminaires.

In an embodiment, the distance between two adjacent luminaires of the plurality of luminaires may be at most 10 meters, at most 6 meter, at most 3 meters or at most 2 meters. Having such luminaires closer together may improve the effectiveness of distributing ionized molecules in air by means of the respective structural part of the respective luminaire.

In an embodiment, the charge value of two respective luminaires of the plurality of luminaires may be different.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved lighting arrangement, which at least alleviates the problems and disadvantages mentioned above. Thereto, the invention further provides a lighting arrangement comprising a first luminaire according to the invention and a second luminaire according to the invention.

The first luminaire comprising a structural part, a controller, and a charging unit; wherein the controller is configured to control the charging unit to charge the structural part to a charge value; wherein, when charged to a first charge value, the structural part is arranged for repelling ionized molecules in air from the luminaire; wherein, when charged to a second charge value, the structural part is arranged for attracting ionized molecules in air to the luminaire.

The second luminaire comprising a luminaire comprising a structural part, a controller, an ion generating source for generating ionized molecules in air, and a charging unit; wherein the controller is configured to control the charging unit to charge the structural part to a first charge value; wherein, when charged to the first charge value, the structural part is arranged for repelling at least part of said ionized molecules in air from the luminaire.

The first luminaire is arranged adjacent to the second luminaire; wherein the ion generating source of the first luminaire generates ionized molecules in air, wherein the controller of the first luminaire is configured to control the charging unit of the first luminaire to charge the structural part of the first luminaire to the first charge value for repelling at least part of said ionized molecules in air from the first luminaire; wherein the controller of the second luminaire is configured to control the charging unit of the second luminaire to charge the structural part of the second luminaire to the second charge value for attracting at least part of the ionized molecules in air generated by the first luminaire. The advantages and/or embodiments applying to the luminaire and lighting system according to the invention may also apply mutatis mutandis to the lighting arrangement according to the invention. In an embodiment, the distance between the first luminaire and the second luminaire may be at most 10 meters, at most 6 meter, at most 3 meters or at most 2 meters. In an embodiment, the charge value of the first luminaire may be different to the charge value of the second luminaire. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved method, which at least alleviates the problems and disadvantages mentioned above. Thereto, the invention further provides a method of repelling ionized molecules in air, performed by a luminaire comprising a structural part, a controller, an ion generating source and a charging unit; wherein the method comprises: the ion generating source generating ionized molecules in air; the controller controlling the charging unit to charge the structural part to a first charge value; the structural part, when charged to the first charge value, repelling ionized molecules in air from the luminaire.

Thereto, the invention further provides a method of repelling or attracting ionized molecules in air, performed by a luminaire comprising a structural part, a controller and a charging unit; wherein the method comprises: the controller controlling the charging unit to charge the structural part to a charge value; the structural part, when charged to a first charge value, repelling ionized molecules in air from the luminaire; the structural part, when charged to a second charge value, attracting ionized molecules in air to the luminaire.

In aspects, the invention provides a lighting device comprising a structural part, a controller, and a charging unit; wherein the controller is configured to control the charging unit to charge the structural part to a charge value; wherein, when charged to a first charge value, the structural part is arranged for repelling ionized molecules in air from the lighting device; and/or wherein, when charged to a second charge value, the structural part is arranged for attracting ionized molecules in air to the lighting device. The advantages and/or embodiments applying to the luminaire according to the invention may also apply mutatis mutandis to the lighting device according to the invention.

In aspects, the charging unit may similarly serve as the controller. Hence, in aspects, the invention provides a luminaire comprising a structural part and a charging unit; wherein the charging unit is configured to charge the structural part to a charge value; wherein, when charged to a first charge value, the structural part is arranged for repelling ionized molecules in air from the lighting device; and/or wherein, when charged to a second charge value, the structural part is arranged for attracting ionized molecules in air to the lighting device. The advantages and/or embodiments applying to the luminaire according to the invention may also apply mutatis mutandis to the lighting device according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be further elucidated by means of the schematic nonlimiting drawings:

Fig. 1 depicts schematically an embodiment of a luminaire according to the invention;

Fig. 2 depicts schematically an embodiment of a luminaire according to the invention comprising an ion generating source;

Fig. 3 depicts schematically an embodiment of a lighting system according to the invention;

Fig. 4 depicts schematically an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

Fig. 5 depicts schematically an embodiment of a lighting arrangement according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present application recognizes that generated ionized molecules in air tend to remain in the near vicinity of the ion generating source. This prevents that areas within the same space, which are remote to the ion generating source, may not reach the necessary concentration and/or density of ionized molecules required for disinfection and/or purification. Hence, it is desired to improve distributing ionized molecules in air throughout a space.

Figure 1 depicts schematically, by non-limiting example, an embodiment of a luminaire 10 according to the invention. The luminaire may for example be a TLED or a panel. The luminaire 10 comprises a housing 11. The luminaire 10, and the corresponding housing 11, comprises a controller 14 and a charging unit 13. The luminaire 10 comprises a structural part 12, wherein the structural part 12 is a surface of the housing 11. The charging unit 13 is thereby configured to charge the structural part 12 to a charge value 16. The charging unit 13 may therefore be e.g. a voltage generator. The structural part may alternatively be any other surface of the luminaire, or at least one of: a housing, a heat sink, a fin, a protrusion, a louvre, a luminaire optic, a luminaire mounting means.

The luminaire 10 is mounted in a space 19. The luminaire may comprise a light source (not depicted) for illuminating at least part of the space 19 in operation. The luminaire may e.g. be surface-mountable, pendant or free-standing. The space 19 requires purification and/or disinfection. This is done by ionized molecules in air (i.e. an ionization cloud), which are in the present embodiment generated in the space 19 by another device (not depicted). The ionized molecules in air 17, also referred to as the ionization cloud 17, are in the vicinity of the luminaire 10, but still initially remote. The ionization cloud 17 comprises negatively charged ionized molecules in air, as may be common for purification / disinfection.

To improve the effective distribution of these ionized molecules in air 17 in the space 19, the luminaire 10 is arranged for attracting these ionized molecules in air 17 to the luminaire 10. This is done by the controller 14 controlling the charging unit 13 to charge the structural part 12 to a second charge value 16. Here, the second charge value 16 is a positive charge. Therefore, the structural part 12 attracts the negatively charged ionized molecules in air 17 (i.e. the ionization cloud 17) to the luminaire 10. Since the ionization cloud 17 is attracted and thereby distributed more within said space 19, without the need of e.g. forced air, the effective distribution of ionized molecules in air is improved. This effect may alternatively be improved further when applying a plurality of such luminaires within the space. Luminaires are particularly advantageous, because luminaires are often already organized spatially within a space, e.g. in a grid structure.

In a further embodiment, still referring to the embodiment depicted in figure 1, the controller 14 is configured to obtain a property (not depicted) of the luminaire 10. The property may either be stored in a storage means associated with the controller 14, or be received or retrieved from another source such as e.g. an external device. Said storage means may be the memory of the controller itself. The controller 14 determines the charge value 16 based on the property of the luminaire 10.

Here, the property is an installation property, and more particularly the location of the luminaire 10 in the space 19. The controller 14 retrieves said installation property from said a storage means associated with the controller 14. Alternatively, the controller receives or retrieves said property from an external device. The external device may for example be one of: an external server, a cloud, a bridge, a master controller, a building management system, a user input device, a user interface, a lighting device, a computer, a tablet, a commissioning device, a USB stick, a key fob, a tag, etc.

For example, since the controller 14 knows the location of the luminaire 10 in the space 19, the controller may determine to what charge value the structural part may be charged to optimize the effective distribution of ionized molecules in air in the space 19. The luminaire 10 may for example be mounted in a ceiling of a warehouse, thereby requiring a higher charge value to attract or repel the ionized molecules in air. The luminaire 10 may for example be mounted at a location close to an ion generating source, thereby requiring a lower charge value to attract or repel the ionized molecules in air.

Alternatively, said installation property may comprise at least one of: a type of the luminaire, a mounting height of the luminaire, a location of the luminaire in said space, a dimension of the luminaire, an orientation of the luminaire relative to gravity. Alternatively, said property may comprise a lighting setting. The lighting setting may alternatively be at least one of: a light intensity, a light color, a light scene, a light recipe, a color temperature, a light modulation, a light pattern. Alternatively, the controller may be configured to obtain a further property associated with at least one other luminaire, wherein the controller may be configured to determine the charge value based on the further property.

Figure 2 depicts schematically, by non-limiting example, an embodiment of a luminaire 20 according to the invention, which is partly similar to the luminaire 10 depicted in figure 1, but wherein the luminaire 20 now comprises an ion generating source 25.

More specifically: The luminaire 20 is mounted in a space 29. In this example, the luminaire 20 is pendant and hung with mounting means to a ceiling of said space 29. The luminaire 20 may comprise a light source (not depicted) for illuminating at least part of the space 29 in operation. The space 29 requires purification and/or disinfection. The luminaire 20 comprises a housing 21. The luminaire 20, and the corresponding housing 21, comprises an ion generating source 25, a controller 24 and a charging unit 23. The ion generating source 25 generates ionized molecules in air 27. Said ionized molecules in air may be referred to as the ionization cloud 27. The ionization cloud 27 comprises negatively charged ionized molecules in air.

The luminaire 20 further comprises a structural part 22, wherein the structural part 22 is a surface of the housing 21. The charging unit 23 is thereby configured to charge the structural part 22 to a charge value 26. Namely, the controller controls 24 the charging unit 23 to charge the structural part 22 to a first charge value 26. The first charge value is also a negative charge. Hence, the structural part repels at least part of said ionized molecules in air 27, which are generated by the ion generating source 25 of the luminaire, from the luminaire 20 and further into the space 29.

The generated ionization cloud 27 is thus repelled in a direction away from the luminaire 20. Since the ionization cloud 27 is repelled (after generation with the ion generation source 25 of the luminaire 20) and thereby distributed more within said space 29, without the need of e.g. forced air, the effective distribution of ionized molecules in air is improved. In examples, the structural part 22 may be arranged to repel said ionized molecules 27 in a first direction. For example, the structural part may be a surface and the first direction may be substantially perpendicular to said surface. The ion generating source may thereby be positioned concentrically and/or in plane and/or parallel with said surface.

In examples, the mounting means may be the structural part, and the charging unit may be configured to charge additionally or alternatively said mounting means to the charge value, so as to attract or repel the ionized molecules in air.

In a further embodiment, still referring to the embodiment depicted in figure 2, a lighting controller is configured to control a light source (not depicted) of the luminaire 20 according to a lighting setting in operation. The controller 24 may comprise the lighting controller, or be the same controller. Here, the lighting setting is a functional light scene, e.g. a concentrate light scene. This lighting setting may e.g. be selected by a user controlling the luminaire. The lighting setting may alternatively be at least one of: a light intensity, a light color, a light scene, a light recipe, a color temperature, a light modulation, a light pattern.

Still referring to the embodiment depicted in figure 2, the controller 24 obtains a property 28 of the luminaire 20. The property 28 is said lighting setting of the luminaire 20. The controller 24 obtains said property 28, for example, when the luminaire is set to the lighting setting. Moreover, the controller 24 determines the first charge value 26 of the structural part 22 based on the property 28 of the luminaire 20.

For example, since the light setting is a functional light scene, a person may be working in the area illuminated by the luminaire 20. Thus, the luminaire 20 may advantageously determine the charge value of the structural part 22 to a higher first charge value 26 compared to a condition in which no functional light scene is obtained, so as to repel or ‘boost’ the ionization cloud 27 further into the space from the luminaire 20. This enables that the ionization cloud 27 is distributed better within said space when a functional light scene is applied by the luminaire, i.e. indicative of a person being present within the space. This will also advantageously limit the additional energy usage in charging the structural part to times in which the functional light scene is applied.

Alternatively, said property may be an installation property of the luminaire. Said installation property may comprise at least one of: a type of the luminaire, a mounting height of the luminaire, a location of the luminaire in said space, a dimension of the luminaire, an orientation of the luminaire relative to gravity.

The property may be stored in the controller, such as a factory pre-set, or stored in the controller during commissioning and/or installation. Alternatively, said property may be retrieved or received from an external device. Said external device may for example be an external server, a cloud, a bridge, a master controller, a building management system, a user input device, a user interface, a lighting device, a computer, a tablet, a commissioning device, a USB stick, a key fob, a tag, etc.

Yet in a further alternative embodiment, the controller may be configured to obtain a further property associated with at least one other luminaire and determine the charge value of the luminaire based on the further property. Said further property may e.g. comprise a lighting setting of the at least one other luminaire, an installation property of the at least one other luminaire, a charge value of the at least one other luminaire, an operational mode of the at least one other luminaire.

For example, the further property of the at least one other luminaire may be a lighting setting of the at least one other luminaire, such as a light intensity. The at least one other luminaire may be an adjacent luminaire. The controller may obtain said further property and determine the charge value based on said lighting intensity. For example, upon determining that at least one adjacent luminaire is turned on to a high light intensity (e.g. 80%) the luminaire may increase the charge value repelling the ionization cloud generated by the ion generating source, such that the ionization cloud may also reach the areas associated with the at least one adjacent luminaire.

Figure 3 depicts schematically, by non-limiting example, an embodiment of a lighting system 50 according to the invention. The lighting system 50 comprises a plurality of luminaires 30 in a space to be disinfected and/or purified with ionized molecules in air. The lighting system 50 also comprises a master controller 40 arranged to control the plurality of luminaires. The luminaires 30 are spatially arranged in a rectangular 3 x 3 grid pattern in the space. Alternatively, this may be an asymmetric pattern. The master controller knows the position of the plurality of luminaires 30 in the space. The distance between the luminaires in the grid may be 2 meters, but alternatively at least 2 meters, at least 3 meters, or at least 6 meters.

The plurality of luminaires 30 comprises a first, central luminaire 31 arranged in the center of said 3 x 3 grid pattern of the plurality of luminaires 30. Said first, central luminaire 31 comprises a structural part, a controller, an ion generating source for generating ionized molecules in air, and a charging unit. The master controller 40 of the lighting system 50 is in communication with said controller of the first, central luminaire 31 via a wireless connection, alternatively a wired connection. Hence, the master controller 40 may control the controller of the first, central luminaire 31. The master controller 40 controls the controller of the first, central luminaire 31 to control its respective ion generating source to generate an ionization cloud with negatively charged ions, i.e. negatively charged ionized molecules in air. Alternatively, the controller of first, central luminaire 31 may control said ion generating source autonomously, and/or inform the master controller 40 thereof. Yet alternatively, the first, central luminaire may not be a luminaire but an ion generating source only. The first, central luminaire may alternatively be the luminaire of the embodiment mentioned above and depicted in figure 2.

Moreover, the controller of said, first, central luminaire 31 is configured to control its charging unit to charge the respective structural part to a first charge value to repel at least part of said generated ionized molecules in air. The structural part is the housing of the first, central luminaire 31. The master controller 40 instructs the controller of said first, central luminaire 31 to perform such a charging operation of said respective structural part. Alternatively, the controller of said first, central luminaire 31 may autonomously perform such a charging operation of said respective structural part, and/or inform the master controller 40 thereof.

Thereby, the ionization cloud generated by the first, central luminaire 31 is thus repelled away from this luminaire 31, and thereby distributed more within said space, without the need of e.g. forced air. This already improves the effective distribution of ionized molecules in air.

Still referring to the lighting system 50 depicted in figure 3, the master controller 40 is also configured to control the other luminaires 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 of the plurality of luminaires 30 via a wireless connection, alternatively a wired connection. These other luminaires 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 of the plurality of luminaires 30 are arranged around the first, central luminaire 31 and around the contours of the square of the 3 x 3 grid pattern.

In the present example, these other luminaires 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 each comprise a structural part, a controller and a charging unit. Their charging unit is configured to charge the corresponding structural part to a charge value. The structural part is the housing of said other luminaires 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 of the plurality of luminaires 30. The (local) controller of these other luminaires 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 is configured to control the corresponding charging unit to charge the corresponding structural part to a charge value for either repelling or attracting ionized molecules in air. The master controller 40 knows the location of each of these other luminaires 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 of the plurality of luminaires 30, e.g. their location relative to the first, central luminaire

31.

As mentioned, the master controller 40 controls the first, central luminaire to generate ionized molecules in air and ‘instructs’ (or: controls) the controller of the first, central luminaire 31 to control the charging unit to charge the structural part of the first, central luminaire 31. The master controller 40 moreover controls the respective controller of the other luminaires 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 of the plurality of luminaires 30 to control the charging unit to charge their respective structural part to a second charge value to attract at least part of said generated ionized molecules in air. Hence, the second charge value is a positive charge to attract the negatively charged ions of the ionization cloud, and thereby to facilitate the ionization cloud to distribute itself further within the space, without the need of forcing air with e.g. a fan.

Further embodiments may similarly be envisioned, such as further luminaires surrounding the plurality of luminaires in the 3 x 3 spatial grid, which further luminaires may comprise a higher second charge value to attract the ionized molecules in air even further. Moreover, in alternative examples, after a period of time, when e.g. the ionization cloud is attracted to said luminaires, the master controller may control the respective controller of the other luminaires of the plurality of luminaires to control the charging unit to charge their respective structural part to a first charge value to repel at least part of said generated ionized molecules in air.

Referring to figure 3, in another embodiment, the controller of the first, central luminaire 31 obtains a further property from the master controller 40. Said further property is associated with at least one other luminaire 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 ,37, 38, 39 of the plurality of luminaires 30. Here, the further property is a lighting setting of at least one other luminaire

32, 33, 34, 35, 36 ,37, 38, 39 of the plurality of luminaires 30. The lighting setting is an operational mode (i.e. providing illumination or not), namely whether the at least one other luminaire 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 ,37, 38, 39 of the plurality of luminaires 30 is turned to an on- mode or off-mode. The controller of the first, central luminaire 31 then determines the first charge value based on said further property. Namely, if none of the at least one other luminaire 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 ,37, 38, 39 of the plurality of luminaires 30 is turned on, there is no need to repel the generated ionization cloud too far away in expense of energy consumption. Hence, said first charge value may be set to a lower level (or: value) compared to if said at least one other luminaire 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 ,37, 38, 39 of the plurality of luminaires 30 is turned on. Oppositely, if said if said at least one other luminaire 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 ,37, 38, 39 of the plurality of luminaires 30 is turned on, this may be indicative of people presence and a need for more purification and/or disinfection of the air, and said first charge value may be set to a higher level (or: value). Similar examples may be envisioned wherein the charge value is determined based on a further property.

Said further property may alternatively be a property, such as an installation property or a lighting setting according to the invention. The first, central luminaire may determine a charge value based on said property.

Figure 5 depicts schematically, by non-limiting example, an embodiment of a lighting arrangement 90 according to the invention. The lighting arrangement 90 comprises a first luminaire 60. The first luminaire 60 comprises a housing 61 comprising a structural part 62. The first luminaire 60 comprises a controller 64 and a charging unit 63. The controller 64 is configured to control the charging unit 63 to charge the structural part 62 to a charge value. The controller 64 is in wired communication with an external device 80. Here, the external device is a master controller 80, but may alternatively be one of: an external server, a cloud, a bridge, a building management system, a user input device, a user interface, a lighting device, a computer, a tablet, a commissioning device, a USB stick, a key fob, a tag.

The lighting arrangement 90 also comprises a second luminaire 70. The second luminaire comprises a controller 74, a charging unit 73, a housing 71 comprising a structural part 72, and an ion generating source 75. The controller 74 is configured to control the charging unit 73 to charge the structural part 72 to a charge value. The controller 74 of the second luminaire 70 is also in wired communication with the external device 80, i.e. the master controller.

The first luminaire 60 is adjacent to the second luminaire 70. Both luminaires 60, 70 are mounted in a space 79 to be disinfected and/or purified. The distance between both luminaires is three meters, but may alternatively be at least 2 meters, or at least 6 meters. In operation: The master controller 80 transmits a control command to be executed by the controller 74 of the second luminaire 70, which control command is configured to control the ion generating source 75 to generate negatively charged ionized molecules in air 77. The controller 74 of the second luminaire 70 also controls the corresponding charging unit 73 to charge the structural part 72 to a first charge value 76 to repel at least part of said generated negatively charged ionized molecules in air 77. Hence, the first charge value 76 is corresponding to a negative charge to repel at least part of the generated negatively charged ionization cloud 77. Here, the first charge value 76 is a constant. The first charge value 76 may be determined based on the type of the second luminaire 70, and may be factory pre-set. The controller 74 of the second luminaire 70 may optionally determine this first charge value 76 based on a property 78 received from the master controller 80. The property 78 may for example be a lighting setting of the first luminaire 60 or an installation property of the first luminaire 60.

Therefore, since the structural part 72 of the second luminaire 70 is charged to said first charge value 76, the generated ionization cloud 77 is repelled further into the space 79 compared to a situation in which the structural part 72 is not charged. This is a clear advantage.

In operation: The master controller 80 transmits a control command 68 to be executed by the controller 64 of the first luminaire 60, which control command is configured to control the charging unit 63 of the first luminaire 60 to a second charge value 66 to attract at least part of the negatively charged ionized molecules in air 77 as generated by the ion generating source 75 of the second luminaire 70. The second charge value 66 thus comprises a positive charge. The charge value 66 of the first luminaire 60 is thus different to the charge value 76 of the second luminaire, so as to improve the diffusion of said ionization cloud 77 through the space 79 and between the luminaires 60, 70.

Figure 4 depicts schematically, by non-limiting example, a method 100 of repelling ionized molecules in air according to the invention. Said method may be performed by a luminaire according to the invention. The method comprises a first step 101 of an ion generating source generating ionized molecules in air. The ion generating source may be comprised by such a luminaire or be a separate device. The method further comprises a step 102 of a control device, such as a controller, controlling a charging unit of the luminaire to charge a structural part of the luminaire to a first charge value. The method further comprises a step 103 of the structural part, when charged to the first charge value, repelling ionized molecules in air from the luminaire. Similarly, additionally or alternatively, the method may comprise comprises a step 102’ of the control device, such as the controller, controlling the charging unit of the luminaire to charge the structural part of the luminaire to a second charge value. The method further comprises a step 103’ of the structural part, when charged to the second charge value, attracting ionized molecules in air to the luminaire.