Edge Lit Mirror Assembly with Integrated Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illuminated mirrors often have a bulky design due to the need for separate components for lighting and reflective surfaces, which can limit their application in low-profile installations.
Innovation Solution
A mirror assembly comprising a frame, a mirror platform with a central reflective and translucent portion, a light guide plate, and one or more LEDs, where the LEDs are driven by a driver and the light guide plate propagates light through total internal reflection, allowing for a compact and edge-lit illumination system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional illuminated mirrors use separate components for lighting and reflective surfaces, then the lighting function is achieved, but the mirror becomes bulky and unsuitable for low-profile installations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lighting components (LEDs, light guide plate) and reflective surface (mirror platform) into a single integrated assembly. The light guide plate is positioned behind the mirror platform with LEDs mounted on the back plate, creating a unified structure where lighting and reflection functions coexist in a thin profile without requiring separate bulky components.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the mirror uses a light guide plate with LEDs for illumination, then lighting efficiency is improved, but the overall structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate serves as an intermediary component that receives light from the LEDs and distributes it uniformly across the mirror surface. This mediator approach allows efficient lighting while maintaining a simple overall structure, as the light guide plate handles the complex light distribution function internally without requiring complex external arrangements.
3Length of moving object
If multiple components are integrated into a thin profile, then low-profile installation is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror assembly is segmented into distinct functional layers (back plate with LEDs, light guide plate, mirror platform) that can be manufactured and assembled separately. This segmentation allows each component to be produced with standard tolerances and then precisely positioned during assembly, reducing the overall manufacturing precision requirements compared to creating a single monolithic thin structure.
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 enables a slim and aesthetically pleasing illuminated mirror design with adjustable lighting effects, maintaining high reflectance while minimizing the overall thickness, suitable for various profiles and applications.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide plate is disposed adjacent the light emitting element and includes two opposed major surfaces that propagate light along the light guide plate
Data Source
AI summary
A mirror assembly includes a frame, a mirror platform, a light emitting element, a light guide, an interior reflective surface, and a back plate. The mirror platform includes a central reflective portion and a translucent portion. The light emitting element is retained within the frame and driven by a driver. The light guide plate is disposed adjacent the light emitting element and includes two opposed major surfaces that propagate light along the light guide plate. The interior reflective surface is disposed adjacent a rear major surface of the light guide plate. The back plate is affixed to the frame, securing the mirror platform, the light emitting element, the driver, the light guide, and the interior reflective surface therebetween.