Systems and methods for integrated frame mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mirror frames are costly, inconvenient, and prone to issues such as separation at corners, unsanitary conditions in humid environments, and difficulty in cleaning, while a frameless mirror appears unfinished and costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A method to create an integral frame on a mirror by removing the metallic coating from the edges and applying a decorative feature, such as paint, to provide a frameless appearance without physical framing, using mechanical, chemical, or thermal methods to expose the glass edge for decoration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a physical frame is applied around the mirror, then the mirror appearance is improved and edges are concealed, but material costs increase, labor costs increase, and cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a decorative coating to the rear surface of the mirror that optically simulates the appearance of a physical frame. This copying approach creates the visual effect of a frame without using actual framing materials, thereby reducing material and labor costs while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the framing function from physical materials and transfers it to a optical illusion created by the decorative coating on the glass surface. This eliminates the need for separate framing components and their associated manufacturing complexities.
2Shape
If a physical frame is applied around the mirror, then the mirror appearance is improved, but the frame requires separate cleaning and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frame appearance with the mirror surface itself by applying the decorative coating directly to the glass. This integration eliminates separate cleaning requirements for frames, as the entire surface can be cleaned uniformly without worrying about frame-mirror junctions or separate frame maintenance.
3Shape
If a wood frame is used in humid environments, then the mirror appearance is improved, but mold and unsanitary issues develop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the frame from organic materials like wood to inorganic glass surface coating. This parameter change eliminates the susceptibility to mold and degradation in humid environments while maintaining the aesthetic framing appearance through optical effects.
4Ease of manufacture
If corner joints are used in traditional frames, then frame assembly is simplified, but corners separate over time reducing attractiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frame appearance into multiple color zones on the rear surface of the glass, allowing different sections to be decorated independently. This creates the visual effect of a complete frame without actual joints, eliminating corner separation issues while maintaining assembly 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 approach eliminates the need for physical frames, reducing material and labor costs, providing a minimalist appearance, and enhancing ease of cleaning and durability in humid environments while allowing customizable frame sizes and designs.
Implementation Method 1
The metallic coating is abrasively or otherwise removed to provide an edge of the back surface that is free of metallic or reflective coating
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed embodiments include systems and methods for making an integral frame mirror having a reflective layer with a first perimeter, a glass layer positioned on top of the reflective layer wherein the glass layer has a second perimeter that extends beyond the first perimeter of the reflective layer, and a integral frame positioned in between the first perimeter of the reflective layer and the second perimeter of the glass layer.