Convex infinity mirror device

Abstract

An infinity mirror device has a first mirror having a convex first reflecting surface, a second mirror that is partially transparent and has a second reflecting surface facing the first reflecting surface, and a light source disposed in a space between the first mirror and the second mirror.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for generating a mirror infinity display effect, and more particularly to a mirror infinity lighting module having a convex mirror and a method of manufacturing the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] The mirror infinity effect is typically observed in a room having mirrors on opposite walls. The mirrors show apparently endlessly repeating images of the same object, but each new image appears smaller and seems farther away. One arrangement is to place a partially transparent mirror in front of a fully reflecting mirror and to place an object or light source between the mirrors. However, a disadvantage is that in conventional mirror infinity apparatuses, the object or light source image is often compressed into a narrow zone when viewed from a perpendicular angle to the surface of the mirror. As such, a mirror infinity apparatus is desired that generates well-separated and realistic images of an object or light source when viewed from a wide range of angles. SUMMARY

[0003] The present invention provides a mirror infinity apparatus in which the reflection image separation effect is enhanced without being excessively curved.

[0004] The mirror infinity apparatus of the present invention has a first mirror having a convex first reflecting surface, a second mirror having a second reflecting surface facing the first reflecting surface, wherein the first mirror and the second mirror are spaced apart by a predetermined distance, and a light source disposed in a space between the first mirror and the second mirror.

[0005] In an embodiment, the first reflecting surface has a Fresnel lens structure, and the second reflecting surface is flat or convex.

[0006] In an embodiment, the mirror infinity apparatus of the present invention further includes a light source disposed in a space between the first mirror and the second mirror at a periphery of the first mirror or the second mirror. The light source illustratively includes a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) light emitters mounted on a printed circuit board, and a dispersion lens disposed in front of the plurality of LED light emitters.

[0007] In an embodiment, the infinity mirror apparatus of the present invention further comprises a reflecting member disposed in the vicinity of the light source for reflecting the light generated by the light source towards the center of the space between the first and second reflecting mirrors.

[0008] Based on the above, in the infinity mirror apparatus of the present invention, two convex reflecting surfaces are facing each other such that the reflecting image separation effect is enhanced. Furthermore, an acceptable curvature range can be selected for the convex bottom mirror such that the reflecting image is sufficiently separated but still maintains an acceptable curvature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1A FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an infinity mirror lighting apparatus with a convex mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a spherical convex mirror and its effect in an infinity mirror lighting apparatus;

[0011] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a conical convex mirror and its effect in an infinity mirror lighting apparatus;

[0012] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of how a convex bottom mirror generates a curved image;

[0013] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the process of selecting an acceptable curvature range for a convex bottom mirror;

[0014] FIG. 6A FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram of the calculation of the inward angle of a reflecting image;

[0015] FIG. 7A FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of the calculation of the curvature of a first-order reflecting image;

[0016] FIG. 8A FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of the calculation of the viewing angle difference between a light source and a 10th-order reflecting image;

[0017] FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C is a schematic diagram of a method of determining an acceptable curvature range for a reflecting image;

[0018] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10E is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional (3D) simulated infinity mirror with convex bottom mirrors of different curvatures;​​​​

[0019] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B is a comparison chart between a 3D simulated infinity mirror device and an actual infinity mirror device of the same size;

[0020] FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B is a schematic of a first exemplary method of manufacturing a convex bottom mirror;

[0021] FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B is a schematic of a second exemplary method of manufacturing a convex bottom mirror;

[0022] FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B is a schematic of a third exemplary method of manufacturing a convex bottom mirror;

[0023] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C is a schematic of an infinity mirror device assembly of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate certain aspects of the present application. A clearer concept of the application, and of the components of the system provided by the application, and of the operation thereof, will become more apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the following description. The application will best be understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the description presented herein. In the drawings:

[0025] Symbol Explanation

[0026] 102: front mirror / mirror

[0027] 113: convex bottom mirror / bottom mirror / convex mirror / mirror

[0028] 125: light source / square light source / real object

[0029] 125A: first order reflected image / reflected image

[0030] 125B: second order reflected image / reflected image

[0031] 125C: third order reflected image / reflected image

[0032] 131: frame / real object

[0033] 140: eye

[0034] 146: reflection

[0035] 202: spherical convex mirror

[0036] 207: surface / curved surface

[0037] 303: conical convex mirror

[0038] 307: surface

[0039] 402: linear light source / light source

[0040] 411: dashed line

[0041] 413: reflected image

[0042] 510, 520, 530: block

[0043] 1204: reflective metal plate / metal plate

[0044] 1220: punch die

[0045] 1302, 1402: molded plastic part / plastic part

[0046] 1314: reflective surface

[0047] 1414: reflective metal

[0048] 1510: rear frame subassembly

[0049] 1512: rear frame

[0050] 1517: first reflective sheet

[0051] 1520: front light ring subassembly

[0052] 1522: second reflective sheet

[0053] 1525: front light ring

[0054] 1527: double-sided tape

[0055] 1536: light dispersion lens

[0056] A, B: point

[0057] E, L1, L2, W: distance

[0058] h: vertical height

[0059] L: side length / distance

[0060] R, R'1, R' 10 : radius

[0061] θ: internal angle

[0062] viewing angle difference DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The present invention relates to an infinity mirror display device. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be elucidated hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are a side view and a top view, respectively, of an infinity mirror lighting device with a convex mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1A , the infinity mirror lighting device comprises a partially transparent front mirror 102, a convex bottom mirror 113, a light source 125, and a frame 131 for holding the mirrors 102 and 113 and the light source 125. The front mirror 102 and the convex bottom mirror 113 each have a reflective surface facing the other, such that a light beam from the light source 125 is reflected back and forth between the two mirrors 102 and 113 multiple times until it becomes too dim to see. When the eye 140 views the infinity mirror lighting device from a perpendicular angle to the front mirror 102, the eye 140 sees a reflection 146 including the light source 125 tilted away from the straight-line extension of the real objects (131 and 125) due to the convex nature of the bottom mirror 113.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 1B , when viewing the infinity mirror lighting device shown in FIG. 1A from directly above the front mirror 102, the square light source 125 generates a first-order reflection image 125A, a second-order reflection image 125B, and a third-order reflection image 125C, etc. Due to the convex mirror 113, the light source 125 and the reflection images 125A, 125B, and 125C are far apart from each other.

[0066] In one embodiment, the reflective surface of the front mirror 102 is planar, as shown in Fig. 1. In another embodiment, the partially transparent front mirror 102 also has a convex reflective surface (not shown) similar to the convex bottom mirror 113. The two convex reflective surfaces face each other, such that the reflection image separation effect is enhanced.

[0067] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C shows a cross-section of a spherical convex mirror 202 and its effect in an infinity mirror lighting device. Referring to FIG. 2A , the spherical convex mirror 202 has a circular outward surface 207 that in a cross-sectional view resembles the outside of a sphere or a circle. The surface 207 is reflective.

[0068] FIG. 2B is a top view of an infinity mirror lighting device using a spherical convex mirror 202 as a bottom mirror. Linear light sources are placed on the four edges of the lighting device. In the top view shown in FIG. 2B , the reflection images of the light sources are well separated.

[0069] FIG. 2C is an angled view of the infinity mirror lighting device shown in FIG. 2B In the angled view, the separation of the reflected images is more apparent than in the top view. However, the reflected images show a degree of curvature due to the curved surface 207 of the spherical convex mirror 202.

[0070] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C shows a cross-section of a conical convex mirror 303 and its effect in an infinity mirror lighting device. Referring to FIG. 3A , the conical convex mirror 303 has an outwardly sloping surface 307 that resembles a conical or triangular exterior in cross-section. The surface 307 is totally reflective.

[0071] FIG. 3B is a top view of an infinity mirror lighting device using the conical convex mirror 303 as the bottom mirror. Linear light sources are placed on the four edges of the lighting device. In FIG. 3B the top view, the reflected images of the light sources are well separated.

[0072] FIG. 3C is an angled view of the infinity mirror lighting device shown in FIG. 2B In the angled view, the separation of the reflected images is more apparent than in the top view. However, the reflected images show distortion due to the discontinuity or corner of the surface 307 of the conical convex mirror 303.

[0073] FIG. 4 shows how a convex bottom mirror creates a curved image. In the top view, the linear light sources 402 form a square with straight edges. The dashed lines 411 represent FIG. 1A the contour plot of the convex bottom mirror 113 shown in The surface of the convex bottom mirror 113 is high at the center and low at the edges. Thus, on the surface of the convex bottom mirror 113, point A is lower than point B.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 4 the side view shown, the distance LI between the light source 402 and the surface of the convex bottom mirror 113 at point B is less than the distance L2 between the light source 402 and the surface of the convex bottom mirror 113 at point A. Thus, the reflected image 413 of the light source 402 is curved due to the difference in distances. Separation of the reflected images is desired, but curvature is not.

[0075] FIG. 5This is a flowchart illustrating the process of selecting an acceptable range of curvature for a convex-bottomed mirror. In block 510, the process calculates reflection images for different spherical convex-bottomed mirrors. In block 520, the process uses 3D tools to generate a simulated infinite mirror effect with various spherical convex-bottomed mirrors. In block 530, the process balances a top view and an angled view of the 3D simulation results and selects an acceptable range of curvature for the spherical convex-bottomed mirror, such that the reflection images are sufficiently segmented but still maintain acceptable curvature.

[0076] FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B The calculation of the interior angles of the reflected image is shown. (Refer to...) FIG. 6A The interior angle θ of the first-order reflected image is calculated using the following equation:

[0077]

[0078] Where θ is the interior angle, L is the distance between the two edges of the light source 125, and R is the radius of the convex bottom reflector 113.

[0079] When L is set to 40 mm, 80 mm, or 120 mm, the interior angle θ is plotted relative to the curvature of the convex mirror, as follows: FIG. 6B As shown in the diagram. The curvature is defined as 1 / R. For a given L, the higher the curvature of the convex mirror, the higher the interior angle θ becomes.

[0080] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B The calculation of the curvature of a first-order reflected image is shown. (Refer to...) FIG. 7A The radius R'1 of a first-order reflection image can be expressed as:

[0081]

[0082] in R is the radius of the convex bottom reflector 113, and L is the distance between the two edges of the light source 125.

[0083] FIG. 7B This is a plot showing the curvature (1 / R'1) of the first-order reflection image relative to the curvature (1 / R) of the convex mirror. The plot shows that the higher the curvature of the convex mirror, the higher the curvature of the first-order reflection image. It should be noted that the distance L between the two edges of the light source 125 has little effect on the plot.

[0084] FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B Showing the viewing angle difference between light source 125 and the 10th order reflection image. The calculation of the angle difference. The higher, the greater the separation between two adjacent reflected images. In other words, the higher the curvature, the more inwardly inclined the reflected image. The view angle difference can be calculated by the following equation

[0085]

[0086] where θ is calculated from equation (1); R is the radius of the convex floor mirror 113; L is the distance between the two edges of the light source 125; E is the distance between the observing eye and the light source 125 (50 mm); and W is the distance between the two eyes (60 mm).

[0087] FIG. 8B is a plot of the view angle difference versus the curvature of the convex mirror. The higher the curvature, the greater the view angle difference and the more inwardly inclined the reflected image. In order for the human eye to perceive a separation between adjacent reflected images, the above view angle difference must be greater than 0.6 degrees.

[0088] FIG. 9A to FIG. 9C shows a method to determine the acceptable range of curvature for a reflected image. Referring to FIG. 9A , R is the radius of the convex floor mirror 113. R' 10 is the radius of the 10th order reflected image. Referring to FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B , L is the distance between the two edges of the light source 125 and is also the horizontal width of the 10th order reflected image. h is the vertical height of the 10th order reflected image and can be calculated from .

[0089] The perception of the curvature of the reflected image by the human eye is largely determined by the ratio 10 = L / h. As shown in FIG. 9C , the higher the ratio, the less curvature appears.

[0090] FIG. 10A to FIG. 10E shows 3D simulated infinity mirror devices with convex floor mirrors of different curvatures. The simulated infinity mirrors all have square edge light sources with a side length (L) of 40 mm. The left-hand side is a top view; and the right-hand side is an angled view. For the top view, the observing position is set vertically about 50 mm from the center of the front mirror. For the angled view, the simulated infinity mirror device is rotated by θχ=10°, θγ=35°, θζ=10°. The top view is used to show the separation of the reflected images; while the angled view is used to show the curvature of the reflected images.

[0091] FIG. 10AA simulation of an infinite mirror with a convex floor mirror having a radius of 400 mm is shown. Although the reflected image is well separated from the overhead view, the reflected image shows a curvature from the angled view. FIG. 10B A simulation of an infinite mirror with a convex floor mirror having a radius of 600 mm is shown. The separation is smaller, and the curvature is also smaller. FIG. 10C to FIG. 10E Simulations of convex floor mirrors having radii of 800 mm, 1000 mm, and 1200 mm, respectively, are shown. When balancing the need for separation of the reflected image from the overhead view with the need for less curvature, it is found that radii between 600 mm and 1200 mm are acceptable for Ls of less than 50 mm.

[0092] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B A comparison between a 3D simulated infinite mirror device and an actual infinite mirror device of the same size is shown. FIG. 11A A simulated overhead view and angled view are shown. FIG. 11B An overhead view and angled view of an actual device are shown. The simulated infinite mirror device and the actual infinite mirror device look substantially the same.

[0093] Although square infinite mirror devices have been discussed so far, in other embodiments, the convex floor mirror of the present invention can be used in circular, diamond, or other types of infinite mirror devices.

[0094] FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B A first exemplary method of manufacturing a convex floor mirror is shown. The first exemplary method starts with a flat reflective metal sheet 1204 as shown in FIG. 12A Referring to FIG. 12B , the metal sheet 1204 is stamped into a convex mirror having a desired curvature determined by a stamping die 1220.

[0095] FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B A second exemplary method of manufacturing a convex floor mirror is shown. The second exemplary method starts with a molded plastic part 1302 having a desired convex surface profile as shown in FIG. 13A The molded plastic part 1302 is then sputtered with a reflective metal to form a reflective surface 1314 that takes the convex profile of the plastic part 1302.

[0096] FIG. 14A and FIG. 14BA third exemplary method of fabricating a convex bottom mirror is shown. The third exemplary method starts in a similar manner from a molded plastic part 1402 that instead has a Fresnel lens structure. The Fresnel lens structure is much more compact than its equivalent plano-convex lens structure. As shown in FIG. 14B

[0097] The partially transparent front reflector 102 is exemplarily made of a transparent plastic material with a partially reflective coating. As mentioned previously, the partially transparent front reflector 102 can also have a raised reflective surface similar to the convex bottom mirror 113.

[0098] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15C An infinity mirror device assembly according to an embodiment of the present application is shown. FIG. 15A A back frame sub-assembly 1510 is shown, which includes the convex bottom mirror 113, a back frame 1512, and a first reflective sheet 1517. The convex bottom mirror 113 is fixed at the bottom of the back frame 1512. The first reflective sheet 1517 is disposed on the sidewall of the back frame 1512 for reflecting light into the interior space of the back frame 1512.

[0099] FIG. 15B A front aperture sub-assembly 1520 is shown, which includes a second reflective sheet 1522, a front aperture 1525, a double-sided tape 1527, and the partially transparent front reflector 102. The second reflective sheet 1522 is disposed on the sidewall of the front aperture 1525 for reflecting light into the interior space of the front aperture 1525. The double-sided tape 1527 glues the front reflector 102 to the front aperture 1525. In an embodiment, the partially transparent front reflector 102 has a 10% transmittance.

[0100] FIG. 15C ​A finishing assembly of the infinity mirror device of the present application is shown. The finishing assembly includes a back frame sub-assembly 1510, a light source 125, a light dispersing lens 1536, and a front aperture sub-assembly 1520. The light source 125 is made of a plurality of LED light emitters mounted on a square ring of a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The plurality of LED light emitters can have a uniform white color or any other color. Alternatively, the plurality of LED light emitters can have a plurality of colors strategically arranged on the PCBA. The PCBA is connected to a power source and can include a control circuit to control the illumination pattern and timing of the plurality of LED light emitters. For example, the plurality of LED light emitters are turned on at one edge of the square ring PCBA at a time or periodically flashed.

[0101] In other embodiments, the light source 125 is a spot light and is placed in the center of the infinity mirror device between the front mirror and the bottom mirror. Instead of the light source 125, an object can also be placed in the center of the infinity mirror device between the front mirror and the bottom mirror.

[0102] Referring again to FIG. 15C , the light dispersing lens 1536 is made of a square ring of transparent material doped with light scattering details. For example, the transparent material is acrylic. The light dispersing lens 1536 is smaller in size than the light source 125 and is disposed in the same plane and inside the space of the light source 125. Both the light source 125 and the light dispersing lens 1536 are disposed in the back frame sub-assembly 1510, which is covered by the front aperture sub-assembly 1520 in the finishing assembly.

[0103] While the present application has been shown and demonstrated herein by way of one or more specific embodiments, various modifications and structural changes in accordance with the spirit and scope of the application can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the application. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and structural changes as fall within the scope of the present application. Thus, insofar as the appended claims are concerned, the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but covers all modifications and structural changes that fall within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An infinity mirror device, comprising: The first reflecting mirror has a convex first reflecting surface; as well as The second reflector has a second reflective surface that faces the first reflective surface. The light source is positioned in the space between the first reflector and the second reflector. The first reflector and the second reflector are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. A reflective member is disposed near the light source to reflect the light generated by the light source toward the center of the space between the first reflector and the second reflector. The infinity mirror assembly also includes a rear frame with a front opening and a front focusing ring fastened to the front opening of the rear frame. The rear frame includes a circumferential flange disposed on its front surface. The first reflector is fixed to the bottom of the rear frame, such that the raised first reflective surface faces the front opening of the rear frame. The second reflector is partially transparent and is fixed to the front focusing ring of the flange mounted on the rear frame, so that the second reflector maintains a predetermined distance from the first reflector, and the second reflective surface of the second reflector faces the raised first reflective surface. as well as The light source includes multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on a printed circuit board and arranged between the rear frame and the front condenser ring. A dispersive lens is arranged in front of the multiple LEDs and between the printed circuit board and the front condenser ring, such that the light source is positioned close to the inner wall of the rear frame in the space between the first reflector and the second reflector.

2. The infinite reflector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first reflective surface has a Fresnel lens structure.

3. The infinite reflector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first reflector is partially transparent.

4. The infinite reflector device of claim 1, wherein the second reflective surface is flat.

5. The infinite reflector device of claim 1, wherein the second reflective surface is convex.

6. The infinite reflector device of claim 1, wherein the second reflective surface is partially transparent.

7. The infinite reflector device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light source is disposed around the periphery of the first reflector or the second reflector.

8. The infinite reflector device of claim 1, wherein the radius of the first reflective surface with a convexity less than 50 mm wide is between 600 mm and 1200 mm.

9. The infinite reflector device of claim 1, wherein the second reflector has a shape selected from square, circle and rhombus.

10. The infinity mirror device of claim 1, wherein the first mirror is made of stamped metal sheet.

11. The infinity mirror device of claim 1, wherein the first mirror is made of molded plastic using metal sputtering to form the first reflective surface.

12. The infinite reflector device of claim 1, wherein the second reflective surface protrudes toward the first reflective surface.

Images