Mirror unit and installation method of mirror unit

Abstract

To provide a technology that can readily position a mirror body in a horizontal direction relative to a support body.SOLUTION: A mirror unit includes: a mirror body 70 including a mirror 12; a support body 72 fitted to a wall and supporting the mirror body 70 from a lower side; and guide structures 74A, 74B capable of guiding the mirror body 70 in a horizontal direction relative to the support body 72 when the mirror body 70 is placed on the support body 72.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mirror unit. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mirror unit including a mirror and a lower frame that is attached to a wall and functions as a support that supports the mirror from below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-130441 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When installing a mirror unit, it is necessary to align the mirror with respect to the support body so that the mirror is positioned in the desired horizontal direction relative to the support body. This is typically done by manually finely adjusting the mirror's horizontal position while the mirror is mounted on a support body that allows it to slide horizontally until it is positioned correctly. Manually adjusting the mirror's position for this purpose requires practice, and for inexperienced workers, this can be a lengthy process. This problem is not limited to cases where the mirror itself needs to be aligned, but is also common when alignment of the mirror body that contains the mirror is required. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not incorporate any particular ingenuity to address this issue, and a solution is desired.

[0005] One of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a technique that allows for easy alignment of a microscope body with respect to a support body in the left-right direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The mirror unit of the present disclosure comprises a mirror body having a mirror, a support body attached to a wall and supporting the mirror body from below, and a guide structure that can guide the mirror body in the left-right direction relative to the support body when the mirror body is to be placed on the support body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the mirror unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the mirror unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan cross-sectional view of the mirror unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing a part of the mirror unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the mirror unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of FIG. [Figure 7] 3A to 3C are explanatory diagrams illustrating the assembly process of the mirror body of the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a first explanatory view of the step of placing the microscope body in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a second explanatory view of the step of placing the microscope body in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a third explanatory view of the step of placing the microscope body in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a fourth explanatory view of the step of placing the microscope body in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a part of the mirror unit of the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a part of the mirror unit of the second embodiment in a state similar to that of FIG. 9. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a part of the mirror unit of the third embodiment in a state similar to that of FIG. 9. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a front view schematically showing a mirror unit according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a step of placing a microscope body in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The following describes the embodiments. Identical components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted. In each drawing, components are omitted, enlarged, or reduced as appropriate for the sake of convenience. The drawings should be viewed in accordance with the orientation of the reference numerals.

[0009] (First embodiment) Please refer to Fig. 1. A mirror unit 10 includes a mirror 12 and a plurality of frames 14, 16, and 18. Before describing the main features of the mirror unit 10, its peripheral structure will be described first.

[0010] The mirror unit 10 of this embodiment is installed on the bathroom wall 20. In this specification, the horizontal depth direction when viewing the wall 20 on which the mirror unit 10 is installed from the front is referred to as the front-to-back direction X, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction X is referred to as the left-to-right direction Y, and the vertical direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction X is referred to as the up-to-down direction Z. From the same viewpoint, the near side is referred to as the front side in the front-to-back direction X, and the far side is referred to as the rear side in the front-to-back direction X.

[0011] The mirror 12 has a reflective front surface. In this embodiment, the mirror 12 is rectangular when viewed from the front. The mirror 12 is attached to the wall 20 via a mirror mat 22. The mirror mat 22 is made of a cushioning material, and its front and rear surfaces are adhered to the mirror 12 and the wall 20, respectively.

[0012] 2 and 3, the multiple frames 14, 16, 18 include a lower frame 14 that covers the bottom edge 12a of the mirror 12, an upper frame 16 that covers the top edge 12b of the mirror 12, and side frames 18 that cover the side edges 12c of the mirror 12. The side frames 18 are provided in pairs corresponding to the side edges 12c on both the left and right sides of the mirror 12, and cover the corresponding side edges 12c.

[0013] The frames 14, 16, 18 are made of, for example, metal, resin, etc. The frames 14, 16, 18 are elongated members made of extrusions or the like. The frames 14, 16, 18 each include a rear wall 24 forming the rear surface of the frame 14, 16, 18, an outer peripheral wall 26 forming the outer peripheral surface of the frame 14, 16, 18, a front wall 28 forming the front surface of the frame 14, 16, 18, and a groove 30 for receiving the sides 12a, 12b, 12c of the mirror 12. The rear wall 24 and the front wall 28 each protrude inward from the outer peripheral wall 26. Here, the outer peripheral side and the inner peripheral side refer to the outside and inside in the vertical direction Z for the lower frame 14 and the upper frame 16, and the outside and inside in the horizontal direction Y for the side frame 18. The projection dimension of the rear wall portion 24 from the outer peripheral wall portion 26 is greater than the projection dimension of the front wall portion 28 from the outer peripheral wall portion 26 .

[0014] See Figures 2, 4, and 5. The lower frame 14 and upper frame 16 are attached to the wall 20 using, for example, screw members 32. The rear wall portions 24 of the lower frame 14 and upper frame 16 are provided with axial holes 34 for passing the shanks of the screw members 32. Elastically deformable cushioning material 36 is disposed between the rear wall portions 24 of the lower frame 14 and upper frame 16 and the mirror 12. The cushioning material 36 serves to prevent contact between the heads of the screw members 32 and the mirror 12.

[0015] A spacer 38 that supports the mirror 12 from below is placed between the bottom of the groove 30 of the lower frame 14 and the mirror 12. The lower frame 14 supports the mirror 12 via the spacer 38. The spacer 38 serves to create a gap between the bottom of the lower frame 14 and the mirror 12, making it difficult for water to accumulate between them due to the effects of surface tension.

[0016] The shaft hole 34 of the upper frame 16 is an elongated hole that is long in the vertical direction Z, allowing the upper frame 16 to slide in the vertical direction Z. The upper frame 16 can move between a holding position Pa1 and a retracted position Pa2 by sliding in the vertical direction Z. When the upper frame 16 is in the holding position Pa1, it holds the upper edge portion 12b of the mirror 12 toward the wall 20, thereby fixing the mirror 12 in the front-to-back direction Y. In this way, the upper frame 16 functions as a mirror stopper that holds the upper edge portion 12b of the mirror 12. The upper frame 16 can be positioned at the retracted position Pa2 by moving upward from the holding position Pa1. When the upper frame 16 is in the retracted position Pa2, interference between the upper frame 16 and the mirror body 70 (described later) can be avoided when attempting to place the mirror body 70 on the lower frame 14.

[0017] See Figures 3, 4, and 5. Unlike the lower frame 14 and the upper frame 16, the side frame 18 is not attached to the wall 20 by screws 32 or the like. An elastic member 40 is disposed between the rear wall portion 24 of the side frame 18 and the mirror 12. The elastic member 40 is an elastically deformable cushioning material. The elastic member 40 is made of a rubber sponge such as EPDM (ethylene propylene diene rubber) or silicone rubber. The side frame 18 is attached to the mirror 12 by a restoring force resulting from the elastic deformation of the elastic member 40. The mirror 12 is held in contact with the front wall portion 28 of the side frame 18 by the restoring force resulting from the elastic deformation of the elastic member 40.

[0018] The side frame 18 has a recess 42 formed in the outer peripheral wall portion 26 of the side frame 18 near the wall 20. The recess 42 of the side frame 18 is filled with a caulking material 44 such as silicone or urethane. The caulking material 44 functions as a limiting member that limits the movement of the side frame 18 outward in the left-right direction Y. The limiting member may be an adhesive or the like in addition to the caulking material 44.

[0019] 4 and 5, the mirror unit 10 includes a first claw structure 50 that prevents the side frame 18 from falling off from the lower frame 14, and a second claw structure 52 that prevents the side frame 18 from falling off from the upper frame 16.

[0020] The first claw structure 50 includes a first resilient claw 50a and a first claw hook portion 50b for hooking the first resilient claw 50a. In this embodiment, the first resilient claw 50a is provided on the side frame 18, and the first claw hook portion 50b is provided on the lower frame 14. In this embodiment, the first claw hook portion 50b is formed by the opening periphery of a through hole provided in the lower frame 14. As described below, when attempting to place the microscope body 70 on the lower frame 14, the first resilient claw 50a can be hooked onto the first claw hook portion 50b by a snap fit that involves elastic deformation of the first resilient claw 50a. Engaging the first resilient claw 50a with the first claw hook portion 50b prevents the side frame 18 from falling off the lower frame 14.

[0021] The second claw structure 52 includes a second resilient claw 52a and a second claw hook portion 52b for hooking the second resilient claw 52a. In this embodiment, the second resilient claw 52a is provided on the side frame 18, and the second claw hook portion 52b is provided on the upper frame 16. In this embodiment, the second claw hook portion 52b is formed by the opening periphery of a through hole provided in the upper frame 16. When the upper frame 16 is moved from the retracted position Pa2 to the pressing position Pa1, the second resilient claw 52a can hook onto the second claw hook portion 52b by a snap fit that involves elastic deformation of the second resilient claw 52a. Engagement of the second resilient claw 52a with the second claw hook portion 52b prevents the side frame 18 from falling off the upper frame 16.

[0022] Referring to Figure 6, the rear wall 24 of the side frame 18 has a high-back portion 54 that protrudes more from the outer peripheral wall 26, and a low-back portion 56 that protrudes less from the outer peripheral wall 26. The high-back portion 54 is provided in the middle of the side frame 18. The low-back portion 56 is provided at the end of the side frame 18. The side frame 18 has an end wall portion 58 that covers the groove portion 30 of the side frame 18 in the longitudinal direction. The end wall portion 58 forms an end surface portion that is located on the outer side of the side frame 18 in the longitudinal direction.

[0023] A notch 60 is formed at the end of the lower frame 14, cutting out the rear wall 24 (see also FIG. 12). The notch 60 is provided at a position that overlaps with the tall portion 54 of the rear wall 24 of the side frame 18 in the up-down direction Z when viewed from the front.

[0024] The lower frame 14 has an opening 62 that opens the groove 30 of the lower frame 14 in the longitudinal direction. The mirror 12 has a protruding portion 64 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the opening 62 of the lower frame 14. The groove 30 of the side frame 18 covers and conceals the protruding portion 64 of the mirror 12.

[0025] We will now move on to describing the main features of the mirror unit 10. The mirror unit 10 comprises a mirror body 70 having a mirror 12, and a support 72 that supports the mirror body 70 from below.

[0026] The mirror body 70 includes at least the mirror 12. If the mirror body 70 includes components other than the mirror 12, those components are attached to the mirror 12. In this embodiment, the mirror body 70 includes the pair of side frames 18 described above in addition to the mirror 12. The side frames 18 become part of the mirror body 70 by being attached to the mirror 12 by the restoring force resulting from the elastic deformation of the elastic member 40 described above.

[0027] The support 72 is attached to the wall 20. The support 72 in this embodiment is the lower frame 14 described above.

[0028] The mirror unit 10 is provided with guide structures 74A, 74B that can guide the mirror body 70 in the left-right direction Y relative to the support body 72 when placing the mirror body 70 on the support body 72. The guide structures 74A, 74B of this embodiment can guide the side frame 18 that is part of the mirror body 70. Because the side frame 18 is attached to the mirror 12, guiding the side frame 18 enables it to move together with the mirror 12.

[0029] The guide structures 74A, 74B include a first guide structure 74A that can guide the body 70 in a first guide direction Da1 that is on one side of the left-right direction Y, and a second guide structure 74B that can guide the body 70 in a second guide direction Da2 that is on the opposite side of the first guide direction Da1 in the left-right direction Y. The first guide direction Da1 is the right side in the illustrated example, and the second guide direction Da2 is the left side in the illustrated example.

[0030] The guide structures 74A, 74B include a guide surface 76 provided on one of the support body 72 and the mirror body 70, and a contact portion 78 provided on the other of the support body 72 and the mirror body 70. In this embodiment, the guide surface 76 is provided on the side frame 18 of the mirror body 70, and the contact portion 78 is provided on the lower frame 14 of the support body 72. More specifically, the guide surface 76 is provided on the end face of the back portion 54 on the rear wall portion 24 of the side frame 18. The contact portion 78 is provided on a corner of the rear wall portion 24 of the lower frame 14.

[0031] The guide surface 76 extends downward in guide directions Da1 and Da2. The guide surface 76 of the first guide structure 74A extends downward in the first guide direction Da1 (to the right), and the guide surface 76 of the second guide structure 74B extends downward in the second guide direction Da2 (to the left). The guide surface 76 of this embodiment is flat and extends linearly downward in the guide directions Da1 and Da2.

[0032] Refer to FIG. 8. The contact portion 78 comes into contact with the guide surface 76 when guiding the microscope body 70. Consider the case where the microscope body 70 is moved downward while the guide surface 76 and the contact portion 78 are in contact. In this case, the guide structures 74A and 74B can convert part of the downward force into a force component in the guide directions Da1 and Da2 (first guide direction Da1 in the illustrated example) by the guide surface 76. This allows the guide structures 74A and 74B to guide the microscope body 70 in the guide directions Da1 and Da2, accompanied by relative sliding between the guide surface 76 and the contact portion 78.

[0033] Returning to Figure 6, guide structures 74A, 74B are hidden by mirror 12 when viewed from the front. More specifically, guide surfaces 76 and contact portions 78 of guide structures 74A, 74B are each located behind mirror 12 and are hidden by mirror 12. This makes guide structures 74A, 74B less noticeable when mirror unit 10 is viewed from the front, resulting in a favorable design.

[0034] The mirror unit 10 includes positioning portions 80A and 80B provided on the support 72, and positioned portions 82A and 82B provided on the mirror body .

[0035] The positioning portions 80A, 80B include a first positioning portion 80A provided at the right end portion of the support body 72 and a second positioning portion 80B provided at the left end portion of the support body 72. The positioning portions 80A, 80B in this embodiment are provided on the end surface portion of the rear wall portion 24 of the lower frame 14 that constitutes the support body 72. The positioning portions 80A, 80B in this embodiment are provided so as to continue downward from a portion (here, the contact portion 78) of the guide structures 74A, 74B provided on the support body 72.

[0036] The positioned portions 82A, 82B are provided on the body 70 at locations facing the positioning portions 80A, 80B in the left-right direction Y. The positioned portions 82A, 82B in this embodiment are provided on the inner circumferential surface of the rear wall portion 24 of the side frame 18 that constitutes the body 70. The positioned portions 82A, 82B in this embodiment are provided so as to continue upward from a portion (here, the guide surface 76) of the guide structures 74A, 74B provided on the body 70. The positioned portions 82A, 82B include a first positioned portion 82A that faces the first positioning portion 80A in the left-right direction Y, and a second positioned portion 82B that faces the second positioning portion 80B in the left-right direction Y.

[0037] When the microscope body 70 is placed on the support body 72, the positioned portions 82A and 82B abut against the positioning portions 80A and 80B in the left-right direction Y, thereby positioning the microscope body 70 in the left-right direction Y relative to the support body 72. At this time, the first positioning portion 80A and the first positioned portion 82A abut against each other, thereby restricting movement of the microscope body 70 to one side in the left-right direction Y (left side in the figure). The second positioning portion 80B and the second positioned portion 82B abut against each other, thereby restricting movement of the microscope body 70 to the other side in the left-right direction Y (right side in the figure). As a result, the positioning portions 80A and 80B and the positioned portions 82A and 82B can maintain the left-right position of the microscope body 70 relative to the support body 72 in the desired fitting position.

[0038] The term "settled position" for the microscope body 70 here refers to a case where at least one of the positioned portions 82A, 82B is in an abutment position where it abuts against the positioning portions 80A, 80B. The term "settled position" also refers to a case where the positioned portions 82A, 82B and the positioning portions 80A, 80B are in a position adjacent to the abutment position but shifted by a predetermined amount (e.g., 5 mm) from the abutment position. Here, the term "settled position" refers to a case where both the positioned portions 82A, 82B are in an abutment position where they abut against the positioning portions 80A, 80B.

[0039] Next, a method for installing the mirror unit 10 will be described. The following steps are all performed by an operator. First, the operator performs an installation process in which the lower frame 14 and the upper frame 16 are attached to the wall 20 with the screws 32. When attaching the upper frame 16 to the wall 20, the operator moves the upper frame 16 to the retracted position Pa2 (see FIG. 2) in advance to avoid interference with the mirror 12 during the mounting process described below.

[0040] See FIG. 7. Before or after the mounting process, a worker performs an assembly process in which the mirror body 70 is assembled by attaching a pair of side frames 18 to the mirror 12. To accomplish this, the worker accommodates the side edge 12c of the mirror 12 in the groove 30 of the side frame 18 so as to elastically deform the elastic member 40. This allows the side frame 18 to be attached to the mirror 12 by the elastic repulsive force of the elastic member 40. At this time, by applying a load to the mirror 12 and the side frame 18 that resists the restoring force of the elastic member 40, the side frame 18 becomes movable relative to the mirror 12 in the left-right direction Y. The side frame 18 is attached so as to be movable relative to the mirror 12 in the left-right direction Y. In this assembly process, the worker adjusts the distance La1 between the bottoms of the grooves 30 of the pair of side frames 18 so that it matches the left-right dimension Lb of the mirror 12. The left-right dimension here refers to the left-right dimension of the object being referred to.

[0041] Refer to Figure 8. Next, the worker performs a loading step in which the microscope body 70 is placed on the support body 72. At this time, the worker places the microscope body 70 above the support body 72 and roughly adjusts the left-right position of the microscope body 70 so that the guide surface 76 and contact portion 78 of either the first guide structure 74A or the second guide structure 74B (here, the first guide structure 74A) overlap in the up-down direction Z.

[0042] After this, the operator moves the microscope body 70 downward to bring the guide surfaces 76 and contact portions 78 of the guide structures 74A, which are positioned to overlap in the vertical direction Z, into contact with each other. Once the guide surfaces 76 and contact portions 78 of the guide structures 74A come into contact with each other, the operator moves the microscope body 70 further downward, causing the guide structures 74A to guide the microscope body 70 in the guide direction Da1 of the guide structures 74A. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9 , the operator moves the microscope body 70 downward until the guide surfaces 76 and contact portions 78 of both guide structures 74A and 74B come into contact with each other.

[0043] Once the guide surfaces 76 and contact portions 78 of both guide structures 74A, 74B come into contact, the operator moves the mirror body 70 further downward. As described above, the side frame 18 is attached so as to be movable relative to the mirror 12 in the left-right direction Y. Therefore, when the mirror body 70 is moved downward, the pair of guide structures 74A, 74B guide the side frame 18 in guide directions Da1, Da2, respectively, thereby allowing the side frame 18 to move relative to the mirror 12. More specifically, one side frame 18 is guided in the first guide direction Da1 by the first guide structure 74A, and the other side frame 18 is guided in the second guide direction Da2 by the second guide structure 74B.

[0044] 10, the side frame 18 can be moved relative to the mirror 12 so as to widen the gap between the pair of side frames 18. In this embodiment, the gap between the bottoms of the pair of side frames 18 is widened from gap La1 to gap La2. At this time, each of the pair of side frames 18 is guided by the pair of guide structures 74A, 74B, respectively, until the left-right position of the side frame 18 relative to the support body 72 moves to the aforementioned fitting position.

[0045] Once the pair of side frames 18 have been guided until their respective left-right positions have moved to their retracted positions, the worker moves the microscope body 70 further downward until it is placed on the support body 72. As a result, as shown in Figure 11, the microscope body 70 is placed on the support body 72 with its left-right position relative to the support body 72 remaining in its retracted position. At this time, in this embodiment, by moving the microscope body 70 downward, the first elastic claws 50a are elastically deformed by a snap fit, allowing the first elastic claws 50a to be hooked onto the first claw hooking portions 50b.

[0046] As described above, in the loading process, the worker can move the mirror body 70 downward while being guided by the guide structures 74A, 74B, thereby moving the mirror body 70 so that the left-right position of the mirror body 70 relative to the support body 72 is at the desired predetermined fitting position.

[0047] Next, the worker moves the upper frame 16 from the retracted position Pa2 to the pressing position Pa1 (see FIG. 2) to perform the pressing step of pressing the mirror 12 with the upper frame 16. At this time, the worker moves the upper frame 16 downward, causing the second elastic claws 52a to hook onto the second claw hooking portions 52b by snap-fit.

[0048] In the pressing step, the worker first peels off the sheet material covering the adhesive surface on the rear side of the mirror mat 22, and then attaches the adhesive surface to the wall 20, thereby attaching the mirror 12 to the wall 20 via the mirror mat 22. The sheet material of the mirror mat 22 may be peeled off before the placing step, or may be peeled off by tilting the mirror 12 forward after the placing step.

[0049] Before or after the process of pressing the upper frame 16, the worker performs a filling process in which caulking material 44 (see FIG. 3) is filled into the recesses 42 of the side frames 18. This caulking material 44 can restrict outward movement of the side frames 18 in the left-right direction Y, and can maintain the left-right position of the side frames 18 in a fitted position.

[0050] When performing this filling process, consider a case where the microscope body 70 is located in the aforementioned nearby position, with the positioned portions 82A, 82B of the side frame 18 spaced from the positioning portions 80A, 80B of the lower frame 14. In this case, the operator may move the side frame 18 inward in the left-right direction Y to position the microscope body 70 at the aforementioned abutment position where the positioned portions 82A, 82B of the side frame 18 abut against the positioning portions 80A, 80B of the lower frame 14.

[0051] The installation of mirror unit 10 is completed through the above series of steps.

[0052] The effects of the mirror unit 10 of the embodiment will be described.

[0053] (A) The mirror unit 10 is provided with guide structures 74A, 74B that can guide the mirror body 70 in the left-right direction Y relative to the support body 72 when placing the mirror body 70 on the support body 72. Therefore, an operator can automatically move the mirror body 70 to the desired fitting position by guiding the mirror body 70 in the left-right direction Y using the guide structures 74A, 74B. This eliminates the need for manual fine position adjustment of the mirror body 70 in the left-right direction to align the mirror body 70 with the support body 72. Consequently, it becomes easier to align the mirror body 70 with the support body 72.

[0054] (B) The guide structures 74A and 74B have guide surfaces 76 that extend downward in guide directions Da1 and Da2. This allows alignment of the microscope body 70 with respect to the support body 72 with a simple configuration.

[0055] (C) The guide surface 76 is flat and extends linearly downward in the guide directions Da1 and Da2. Therefore, compared to when the guide surface 76 is a concave curved surface, the microscope body 70 can be guided more smoothly in the guide directions Da1 and Da2.

[0056] (D) The side frame 18 is attached to the mirror 12 as part of the mirror body 70, and the guide structures 74A, 74B can guide the side frame 18 in the left-right direction Y relative to the support body 72. Therefore, by guiding the side frame 18, it is possible to align both the side frame 18 and the mirror body 70 relative to the support body 72. Therefore, in addition to the fine positional adjustment aimed at aligning the side frame 18, it is possible to eliminate the need for fine positional adjustment aimed at aligning the mirror 12.

[0057] The side frames 18 are attached so as to be movable relative to the mirror 12 in the left-right direction Y when guided by the guide structures 74A, 74B. Therefore, by guiding the side frames 18 with the guide structures 74A, 74B, it becomes possible to adjust the distance between the pair of side frames 18. Therefore, it is possible to align the mirror body 70 with the support 72 while following variations in the left-right dimensions of the support 72 due to tolerances, etc.

[0058] When manually and precisely adjusting the left-right position of the mirror 12 to align it with the support 72, the overhang of the overhang portion 64 of the mirror 12 can vary greatly depending on the skill of the worker. If the overhang of the mirror 12 varies greatly, the depth of the groove 30 of the side frame 18 must be increased to accommodate the variation in the overhang. This results in an increase in the left-right dimension of the entire mirror unit 10.

[0059] In this regard, according to this embodiment, manual fine position adjustment of the mirror 12 for the purpose of aligning the mirror 12 is not necessary. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the overhang margin of the mirror 12 varies greatly depending on the skill. As a result, it is not necessary to ensure a large depth dimension for the side frame 18 in order to be able to follow the variation in the overhang margin of the mirror 12. As a result, the left-right dimension of the entire mirror unit 10 can be easily reduced.

[0060] When attempting to place the mirror body 70 on the support 72, the mirror body 70 is handled with the side frame 18 attached to the mirror 12. Therefore, the number of steps required for handling can be reduced compared to when the side frame 18 and the mirror 12 are handled separately.

[0061] If fine manual positioning adjustments are required to align the mirror body 70 while it is placed on the support 72, there is a risk that the adhesive surface of the mirror mat 22 may unintentionally adhere to the wall 20. In this regard, according to this embodiment, the guide structures 74A and 74B eliminate the need for fine manual positioning adjustments to align the mirror body 70. Therefore, even if the sheet material of the mirror mat 22 is peeled off prior to the placement process, the adhesive surface is less likely to come into contact with the wall 20. This has the advantage that the step of peeling off the sheet material of the mirror mat 22 can be omitted by tilting the mirror 12 forward after the placement process.

[0062] Another feature of the mirror unit 10 will now be described with reference to Figures 6 and 12. The cutout 60 of the lower frame 14 is formed by cutting out not only the rear wall 24 at the end of the lower frame 14, but also a partial portion of the outer peripheral wall 26 at that end near the wall 20.

[0063] A drainage gap 90 is formed between the lower frame 14 and the side frame 18. In this embodiment, the drainage gap 90 is formed by a notch 60 in the lower frame 14 between the outer peripheral wall portion 26 of the lower frame 14 and the end wall portion 58 of the side frame 18. Like the notch 60, the drainage gap 90 is formed in a location on the outer peripheral wall portion 26 closer to the wall 20. The drainage gap 90 is set to a size that allows water to drain to the outside space regardless of the influence of surface tension.

[0064] The drainage gap 90 is primarily used to drain water that has flowed down to the end wall portion 58 in the groove portion 30 of the side frame 18 to the exterior space. In addition, the drainage gap 90 is also used to drain water that has flowed down to the longitudinal end of the groove portion 30 of the lower frame 14 to the exterior space. This allows water that has entered between the mirror 12 and the wall 20 or into each frame 14, 18 to be effectively discharged to the exterior. In particular, because the mirror 12 is positioned in front of each frame 14, 18 by the elastic member 40, water is more likely to enter between the mirror 12 and the wall 20. Because the drainage gap 90 is formed in a portion of the outer peripheral wall portion 26 close to the wall 20, water that has entered between the mirror 12 and the wall 20 can be effectively discharged to the exterior.

[0065] Here, an example has been described in which the drainage gap 90 is formed by the cutout 60. The cutout 60 that forms the drainage gap 90 may be formed in the side frame 18 instead of the lower frame 14. Alternatively, the drainage gap 90 may be formed between the lower frame 14 and the side frame 18 without forming the cutout 60 in either the lower frame 14 or the side frame 18.

[0066] (Second embodiment) See Figure 13. Figure 9 describes an example in which the guide surface 76 of the guide structure 74A is provided on the side frame 18 of the body 70, and the contact portion 78 is provided on the lower frame 14 of the support 72. In this embodiment, the guide surface 76 is provided on the lower frame 14, and the contact portion 78 is provided on the side frame 18 of the body 70. In this way, it is sufficient that the guide surface 76 is provided on one of the support 72 and the body 70, and the contact portion 78 is provided on the other of the support 72 and the body 70.

[0067] (Third embodiment) See FIG. 14. In FIG. 9, an example was described in which the guide surface 76 of the guide structure 74A is a flat surface extending linearly downward in the guide direction Da1. In this embodiment, the guide surface 76 is a concave curved surface extending downward in the guide direction Da1. As described above, the guide surface 76 only needs to extend downward in the guide directions Da1 and Da2, and its specific shape is not particularly limited. The guide surface 76 may also be a convex curved surface, for example.

[0068] (Fourth embodiment) Refer to Fig. 15. Mirror unit 10 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that mirror body 70 does not include side frames 18. In addition, mirror unit 10 includes upper frame 16 (not shown).

[0069] The mirror body 70 includes only the mirror 12. The groove 30 of the lower frame 14 that constitutes the support 72 includes end face portions 30a that rise from the bottom at both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0070] As in the first embodiment, the first guide structure 74A can guide the body 70 in a first guide direction Da1 (leftward in this case), and the second guide structure 74B can guide the body 70 in a second guide direction Da2 (rightward in this case).

[0071] In this embodiment, the guide surfaces 76 of the guide structures 74A, 74B are provided on the inner peripheral portion of the end face portion 30a of the lower frame 14. In this embodiment, the contact portions 78 of the guide structures 74A, 74B are formed by corners of the mirror 12 of the mirror body 70.

[0072] Refer to Figure 16. In this embodiment, when the microscope body 70 is placed on the support 72, the guide structures 74A and 74B can guide the microscope body 70 in the left-right direction Y. As in the first embodiment, the guide structures 74A and 74B can guide the microscope body 70 in the guide directions Da1 and Da2 by sliding relative to each other while the guide surfaces 76 and the contact portions 78 are in contact with each other. Here, an example is shown in which the microscope body 70 is guided in the second guide direction Da2 by the second guide structure 74B.

[0073] Returning to Figure 15, the positioning portions 80A and 80B in this embodiment are formed by the end surface portions 30a of the groove portions 30 in the lower frame 14. The positioned portions 82A and 82B in this embodiment are formed by the lower end portions of the side edges of the mirror 12 in the mirror body 70.

[0074] The above configuration also includes the components described in (A) to (C) above, and provides the effects corresponding to those descriptions.

[0075] Other variations of each component are described.

[0076] There is no particular limitation on the specific placement position of the mirror unit 10. The mirror unit 10 may be used in places other than the bathroom, such as a washstand or toilet.

[0077] Even when the mirror unit 10 includes the side frame 18, the side frame 18 does not have to be part of the mirror body 70 supported by the support 72. This is intended, for example, for the case where the side frame 18 is attached to the wall 20 rather than to the support 72.

[0078] A specific example of the support 72 is not limited to the lower frame 14. The support 72 may be, for example, a plurality of mirror holders that support the mirror 12 from below. A specific example of the mirror stopper is not limited to the upper frame 16. For example, a plurality of mirror stops may be arranged at intervals in the left-right direction Y.

[0079] When providing one of the guide surface 76 and the contact portion 78 on the lower frame 14, a separate member that becomes part of the support body 72 may be attached to the lower frame 14, and one of the guide surface 76 and the contact portion 78 may be provided on that separate member. When providing the guide surface 76 and the contact portion 78 on the lower frame 14, they may be provided at a location other than the rear wall portion 24 of the lower frame 14 (for example, the front wall portion 28).

[0080] When providing one of the guide surface 76 and the contact portion 78 on the mirror body 70, a separate member that becomes part of the mirror body 70 may be attached to either the side frame 18 or the mirror 12, and one of the guide surface 76 and the contact portion 78 may be provided on that separate member. When providing the guide surface 76 and the contact portion 78 on the side frame 18, they may be provided at a location other than the rear wall portion 24 of the side frame 18 (for example, the front wall portion 28).

[0081] The contact portions 78 of the guide structures 74A and 74B may be formed as corners of either the microscope body 70 or the support 72, or may be flat so as to be in surface contact with the guide surface 76.

[0082] In relation to the effect (A) described above, it is sufficient to provide only one of the first guide structure 74A and the second guide structure 74B.

[0083] In relation to the effect (D) described above, the mirror body 70 may have only a single side frame 18. This assumes, for example, a case in which only one of a pair of side frames 18 is attached to the mirror 12 and the other side frame 18 is attached to the wall 20. In this case, it is only necessary to guide the single side frame 18 that is part of the mirror body 70 by the guide structures 74A and 74B.

[0084] There is no particular restriction on the means for attaching the side frame 18 to the mirror 12, and adhesive or the like may be used. When adhesive is used, the side frame 18 is set up so as not to be able to move in the left-right direction relative to the mirror 12 when guided by the guide structures 74A, 74B. Alternatively, press-fitting or the like, which involves elastic deformation of the side frame 18, may be used to attach the side frame 18 so as to be able to move in the left-right direction Y relative to the mirror 12.

[0085] 9, an example has been described in which the guide structures 74A, 74B are used to move the side frames 18 relative to the mirror 12 so as to widen the gap between the pair of side frames 18. Alternatively, the guide structures 74A, 74B may be used to move the side frames 18 relative to the mirror 12 so as to narrow the gap between the pair of side frames 18.

[0086] The mirror 12 does not have to have a protruding portion 64 that protrudes from the lower frame 14. In this case, in the example of Figure 15, a side frame 18 that covers the side edge of the mirror 12 may be arranged at a position that overlaps the lower frame 14 in the vertical direction.

[0087] The guide structures 74A and 74B may not be hidden by the mirror 12 when viewed from the front, but may be exposed to the external space.

[0088] In the first embodiment, an example has been described in which the positioning portions 80A, 80B are provided on the rear wall 24 of the lower frame 14, on which part of the guide structures 74A, 74B are provided. The positioning portions 80A, 80B may be provided on at least one of the front wall 28 and the outer peripheral wall 26 of the lower frame 14, in addition to the rear wall 24 of the lower frame 14. In this case, the positioned portions 82A, 82B that abut against the positioning portions 80A, 80B may be provided on at least one of the front wall 28 and the end wall 58 of the side frame 18, in addition to the rear wall 24 of the side frame 18.

[0089] In the above description, the drainage gap 90 is formed between the side frame 18 and the lower frame 14. However, the drainage gap 90 may be formed between the side frame 18 and a support 72 other than the lower frame 14.

[0090] The above-described embodiments and variations are merely examples. The abstract technical concepts should not be interpreted as being limited to the contents of the embodiments and variations. Many design modifications, such as changes, additions, and deletions of components, are possible in the contents of the embodiments and variations. In the above-described embodiments, the term "embodiment" is used to emphasize the contents in which such design modifications are possible. However, design modifications are also permitted even in contents not so designated. Hatching on cross sections in the drawings does not limit the materials of the hatched objects. The structures and numerical values ​​referred to in the embodiments and variations naturally include those that can be considered identical when manufacturing and assembly errors are taken into account. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10...mirror unit, 12...mirror, 12a...bottom edge portion, 12c...side edge portion, 14...lower frame, 18...side frame, 20...wall, 64...protruding portion, 70...mirror body, 72...support, 74A...guide structure, 76...guide surface, 78...contact portion, 90...drainage gap.

Claims

1. a mirror body having a mirror; a support attached to a wall and supporting the mirror body from below; a guide structure that can guide the mirror body in a left-right direction relative to the support body when the mirror body is placed on the support body; a side frame that covers the side edge of the mirror, the side frame becomes a part of the mirror body by being attached to the mirror, the guide structure is capable of guiding the side frame in a left-right direction relative to the support body, the support is a lower frame that covers the lower side of the mirror, the mirror includes a protruding portion that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the lower frame, The side frame is a mirror unit that covers and conceals the protruding portion.

2. The mirror unit according to claim 1 , wherein a drain gap is formed between the support body and the side frame.

3. 3. A method for installing a mirror unit according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: A method for installing a mirror unit, in which the mirror body is guided in the left-right direction by the guide structure when the mirror body is to be placed on the support body.

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