Mirror with illuminated extruded frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighted mirrors face challenges in achieving a flush mounting against walls due to the depth required for housing electrical components, and controlling the directionality of light behind the mirror is difficult, leading to increased energy consumption for illumination.
Innovation Solution
The use of an extruded frame member with integrated light source channels and diffusers, allowing for adjustable light direction and reduced depth, enabling closer wall mounting and efficient illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a deep chassis is used to house electrical components, then the components can be properly contained, but the mirror cannot be mounted flush to the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical components from the traditional deep chassis structure and relocates them to a separate junction box mounted on the wall behind the mirror. This allows the mirror frame to be shallow and flush-mounted while the components are housed externally in a compact enclosure that does not interfere with the mirror's profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the electrical components from the depth dimension (behind the mirror surface) to the wall dimension (on the wall behind the mirror). By relocating components to a junction box mounted on the wall rather than embedding them in a deep chassis, the solution resolves the conflict between component housing space and flush mounting capability.
2Illumination intensity
If light is required to pass through the mirror glass to illuminate the front side, then illumination is achieved, but more energy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary translucent panel that diffuses and redirects light from LEDs positioned at the rear of the mirror frame. This intermediary element allows light to be efficiently distributed across the mirror surface without requiring excessive energy, as the light path is optimized through the diffuser rather than attempting to penetrate the mirror glass directly.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing light sources behind the mirror glass to shine through (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by positioning LEDs at the rear of the frame and using a translucent panel to project light forward onto the mirror surface from the edges, achieving illumination with lower energy consumption.
3Ease of manufacture
If light direction is not controlled, then simple lighting is achieved, but light cannot be effectively directed toward the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable lighting mechanisms that allow the direction of light to be dynamically controlled. The translucent panel and LED positioning system enable the light direction to be adjusted to illuminate the user's face effectively, transforming a static lighting system into one that can adapt to different usage scenarios while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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
This solution allows for a more aesthetically pleasing and energy-efficient lighted mirror design with adjustable light direction, reducing the depth required for mounting and enhancing illumination effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an extruded frame member made from a translucent material that allows light to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
The extruded frame member diffuses the light emitted by the light source
Data Source
AI summary
A frame lit mirror component includes an extruded frame member. The extruded frame member further includes a mirror mounting edge. The mirror mounting edge extends along a longitudinal direction of the extruded frame member. The mirror mounting edge is sized to receive an edge of a mirror. A light source volume extends along the longitudinal direction of the extruded frame member. An angle exists between the mirror mounting edge and the light source volume. The light source volume is sized to receive a light source, such that when the light source is in an on-state light radiates from the light source volume.