Lighted Mirror with Refractive Light Guide for Inward Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighted mirrors do not effectively direct light inward towards the user for ideal illumination, and there is a need for a solution that allows electronic devices to be supported and viewed without water damage, while being easily stowed away in bathroom cabinets during personal hygiene activities.
Innovation Solution
A lighted mirror apparatus with dual light assemblies on either side, utilizing a light guide member and refractive surfaces to direct light inward, and a cabinet design with a pivoting and axially translating door that includes a ledge for supporting electronic devices, allowing them to be viewed and easily stored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional light assemblies are positioned along the sides of the mirror, then the structure is simple, but the light is not directed effectively inward towards the user for ideal illumination
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide member is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the user. The light guide member includes a refractive surface that redirects light from the light source toward the center plane, ensuring effective illumination of the user's face and body while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractive surface of the light guide member is designed with specific geometric parameters (angles and curvature) to control the direction of light propagation. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves ideal illumination effectiveness without requiring complex multi-component assemblies.
2Reliability
If electronic devices are placed on the countertop for viewing, then they are easily accessible, but they are subjected to water damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cabinet door is designed with a ledge that protrudes from the front surface, creating a nested viewing area within the cabinet structure. This allows electronic devices to be placed in a protected position (nested within the cabinet door structure) while remaining accessible and viewable through the protruding ledge, thus protecting devices from water damage while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the cabinet door is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but electronic devices cannot be conveniently viewed and stored
Solution Approach 1:
The cabinet door is designed with dynamic capabilities, including pivoting motion and axial translation, allowing the door to move between different positions. This enables the ledge to be positioned conveniently for viewing electronic devices while maintaining a relatively simple hinge-based mechanism rather than a complex multi-component actuation system.
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 lighted mirror apparatus provides even and effective illumination for the user's face and body, while the cabinet design enables convenient viewing and storage of electronic devices without water exposure, enhancing usability during personal hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide member comprising a light output surface, the light output surface defining a first interface reference plane that intersects the center plane at an outwardly and rearwardly facing first acute angle (θ1); the light source optically coupled to the light guide member so that the light is guided through the light guide member to the light output surface
Implementation Method 2
the light output surface being part of a first multimedia interface that is configured to refract the light exiting the light output surface of the light guide member at a first angle of refraction (Ψ1) along a second portion of the primary light path, wherein the first angle of refraction (Ψ1) is greater than the first angle of incidence (Φ1)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to improvements in mirror apparatus. In one embodiment, a lighted mirror apparatus is disclosed that comprises a mirror with first and second light assemblies positioned along opposing first and second sides of the mirror, each transmitting light to the center plane along a primary light path. In another embodiment, a lighted mirror apparatus is disclosed that comprises a mirror and a light assembly having a light source mounted to the mirror, the light assembly includes an illumination element that receives light from the light source and emits at least a portion of that light from its front light emitting surface. In a further embodiment, a cabinet apparatus is disclosed having a door that can be raised or lowered and altered between open and closed angular orientations when raised or lowered.