INSTRUMENTATION • ELECTRONICSSECTION TITLE
BRIGHT IDEAS Xuesong Hu explores the best new opportunities for designing with LEDs
ince Anders joined forces with Selectronic, the fi rm has expanded its LED portfolio to include infrared (IR) LEDs and ultraviolet (UV) LEDs, among others. Both technologies are making headlines right now as potential allies in our fi ght against Covid-19. Proximity sensing and gesture sensing using IR LEDs can help with social distancing and enable contactless interactions with various types of equipment. On the other hand, UV-C radiation
S
– the shortest group of wavelengths in the ultraviolet spectrum – has valuable virucidal properties. UV-C irradiation is used in various applications for sterilisation and disinfection and has been shown to be eff ective against known coronaviruses such as SARS. But let’s think carefully before going full-speed ahead.
ARE UV LEDS SAFE TO USE? T e energy in UV-C is harmful to organic tissue in general, so we must give due consideration to safety. If people are likely to be in the vicinity when UV-C radiation is active, exposed skin may be aff ected. If UV-C reaches more delicate areas, by entering the eye, for example, there is potential for serious damage. In addition to protecting users and any others who may be nearby, equipment vendors need to be able to protect themselves by demonstrating that risks have been duly considered. T e design, user instructions, and any stipulated
safety precautions must be adequate to ensure acceptable safety.
CAN PROTECTION BE DESIGNED IN? It may not be feasible to provide complete protection against unintended exposure to UV light by incorporating design features alone. Refl ections, for example, can be practically impossible to predict in an un- controlled environment such as at an ATM terminal or when using a POS machine or door-entry system. A shiny surface such as a bezel or the face of a user’s wristwatch or smartphone could refl ect radiation in almost any direction. Additional shielding, or a cover, may be needed, for example, or safety protocols to exclude any humans from the area before UV-C emitters can be turned on.
HOW CAN WE DESIGN SAFELY WITH UV LEDS? When creating new products for today’s world, designers can take advantage of Anders’ expertise in these LED technologies in a wide variety of user-facing equipment deployed in all types of environments, from the home, to the offi ce, factory, or street level. T e fi rm can help ensure that new products are not only safe for users but will also protect the value of their brand.
HOW ELSE TO INNOVATE WITH LEDS? LEDs are usually chosen for their visual properties and power savings, such as
UV-C irradiation is used for disinfection
in optimised energy-effi cient lighting, backlights and crisp, brightly lit LED displays that can be seen clearly even in bright sunlight. T e possibilities for LED displays
are practically endless with display dimensions, colours, icons, and display pin assignment open to customisation. Our newly strengthened team can help you achieve the eff ect you want, for example, customised colour temperature ranges and brightness ranges for white LEDs.
Anders can mitigate the challenges
around manufacturing, too, by designing and building custom LED boards and fully assembled interconnects that are ready to plug in and turn on.
Xuesong Hu is product manager at Anders.
www.andersdx.com
www.engineerlive.com 19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
