Mirror Cabinet with Integrated Side-Wall LED Lighting to Reduce Dazzle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mirror cabinets in bathrooms often dazzle users with direct lighting, compromising visibility and requiring additional space for lighting fixtures, which limits the interior space and design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The mirror cabinet features LED lighting elements integrated into the side walls and optionally the top and bottom walls, using translucent panel elements flush-mounted in longitudinal profiles, eliminating the need for additional space and allowing customizable lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If external light sources are positioned on top of the housing, then adequate lighting is provided, but the light directly illuminates the user causing dazzle and compromised visibility
Solution Approach 1:
A translucent diffuser panel is introduced as an intermediary element between the LED light source and the user. The panel scatters the direct light into diffuse illumination, eliminating the dazzle effect while maintaining adequate lighting intensity in the bathroom interior.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system provides different lighting qualities in different locations: direct LED illumination for task lighting near the mirror, and diffuse indirect lighting for general ambient illumination in the bathroom interior, achieving both visibility and comfort.
2Illumination intensity
If box-shaped brackets with integrated LED strips are arranged inside the cabinet, then interior lighting is provided, but a corresponding amount of space inside the cabinet is required
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting structure is merged with the cabinet's existing longitudinal profiles. The LED strips are mounted on support elements that integrate into the cabinet frame structure, eliminating the need for separate box-shaped brackets and preserving maximum interior space.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting elements are arranged in a linear configuration along the longitudinal profiles rather than requiring three-dimensional box-shaped brackets, transforming the space requirement from volumetric to linear and minimizing interior space occupation.
3Illumination intensity
If lighting elements are installed in the side wall of the cabinet, then optimal non-dazzling illumination is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal profiles serve multiple functions: they provide structural support for the cabinet, act as mounting channels for the lighting elements, and serve as the framework for the overall cabinet assembly, thereby simplifying the overall structure despite the integrated lighting.
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
Provides optimal, non-dazzling interior illumination with adjustable light intensity and color, enhancing visibility and maintaining a spacious, unobstructed design.
Implementation Method 1
a panel element (21) fastened in a longitudinal profile (3) of the frame (2), which is preferably made of a translucent milky plastic
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A mirrored cabinet, particularly for a bathroom, is equipped with a frame (2) with side walls (5, 6), a lower and an upper wall (7, 8), a back wall (4), and with or without at least one shelf (14, 15). The interior (13) of the at least one side wall (5, 6), the lower and upper walls (7, 8), the frame (2), the back wall (4), and/or the shelf (14, 15) is provided with a lighting device (20) with one or more light elements (19), which is preferably installed as indirect lighting.