bathroom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bathroom lighting inadequately illuminates users due to artificial light covering only a portion of the visible spectrum, unlike natural light, and existing designs do not effectively utilize natural ambient light for better illumination.
Innovation Solution
Positioning mirrors on a vanity to overlap windows such that natural ambient light enters and surrounds the periphery of the mirrors, providing uniform illumination of the user's face.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If artificial light is used above the mirror or around the perimeter, then the bathroom can be illuminated, but the illumination is inadequate because artificial light covers only a portion of the visible spectrum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces natural light from windows as an intermediary light source to supplement artificial lighting. The mirror is strategically positioned to overlap with windows, allowing natural light to enter and surround the periphery of the mirror, thereby providing a broader spectrum illumination that artificial lights alone cannot achieve
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines natural light from windows with artificial light sources to create a hybrid lighting system. By positioning the mirror to overlap windows and using lights around the mirror perimeter, the system merges two different light sources to achieve comprehensive illumination across the visible spectrum
2Illumination intensity
If mirrors are placed above the vanity away from windows, then the mirror is easily accessible, but natural ambient light cannot effectively illuminate the user's face
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional vertical placement of mirrors above the vanity to a horizontal overlap configuration with windows. The mirror is positioned to overlap the window both vertically and horizontally, creating a two-dimensional spatial relationship that allows natural light to surround the mirror periphery while maintaining user accessibility
3Illumination intensity
If conventional lighting fixtures are installed above the mirror, then the bathroom can be lit, but the light does not uniformly illuminate the user's face
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different lighting strategies to different spatial zones: natural light is utilized for the peripheral illumination around the mirror, while artificial lights are positioned specifically around the mirror perimeter to supplement illumination. This localized approach to lighting creates uniform overall illumination without requiring complex centralized lighting systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves better illumination than conventional artificial lighting by utilizing natural light around the mirrors, ensuring uniform and effective lighting for users.
Implementation Method 1
natural ambient light enters the window and passes around at least a portion of a periphery of the mirror
Data Source
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AI summary
A bathroom includes a series of walls defining interior space, the series of walls including an exterior wall. The bathroom also includes at least one window in the exterior wall, a vanity along the exterior wall, and at least one mirror above the vanity. A portion of the at least one window extends around a periphery of the at least one mirror in a front view such that natural ambient light entering the window passes around the periphery of the mirror, which may provide better illumination of a user than artificial light created by conventional bathroom lights.