MIRROR DEVICE FOR OBSERVING A PERSON IN A MIRROR, METHOD FOR PRODUCING A MIRROR DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR OBSERVING A PERSON IN A MIRROR DEVICE
A mirror device (1) for observing a person (2) in a mirror. The mirror device comprises a light source (3), a screen (4) for blocking direct light between the person (2) and the light source (3), a reflector (5) for reflecting the light produced by the light source (3), and at least one observation region (6), in which the person (2) can observe himself/herself. The screen (4) is arranged between the person and the light source in such a way that no direct light reaches the person (2). The reflector (5) is arranged substantially in a plane with the observation region (6) and thus forms a wing and/or the observation region is part of the screen (4), such that the reflector (5) can be arranged laterally during observation by the person. The reflector (5) has a diffuser surface (8) which scatters the incident radiation from the light source (3).
The invention relates to a mirror device for observing a person in a mirror, a method for manufacturing a mirror device and a method for observing a person in a mirror device according to the preamble of the independent claims.
In the state of the art mirror devices are known which already have lighting devices. Such lighting devices are primarily used to illuminate the person in front of the mirror or additionally to illuminate the room. The problem with all these mirror devices with lighting is on the one hand the glare caused by direct light and on the other hand the loss of light caused by any possible covers.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,868,104 a mirror device is revealed which comprises three mirror surfaces, with illuminants mounted behind each of the outer mirror surfaces. The light is directed directly onto the user via focusing reflectors. This dazzles a user and the person in front of the mirror is not optimally illuminated.
Also known from the JP2006-340877 is an illuminated mirror cabinet device in which a central mirror plate is pulled out of a cabinet and light sources are located behind this pull-out plate. The light is directed directly into the observer's eyes via mirrors on the side of the central mirror device so that the observer is dazzled as soon as he looks in the direction of the central mirror. Furthermore, the construction of the mirror is extremely complex due to the sliding devices.
From DE 102005026594 a mirror lighting device is known which is mounted behind the mirror surface, wherein a round reflector is arranged around the light source which directs the light directly onto the mirror surface. The reflector has focusing properties and therefore produces harsh shadows.
It is therefore the task of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the state of the art and to create a mirror device, a method for manufacturing a mirror device and a method for viewing a person in a mirror device, which creates an optimal illumination of the person and a simple construction of the mirror device as well as an elegant appearance.
The task is accomplished by a mirror device for viewing a person in a mirror which has a light source, a screen for screening direct light between the person and a light source, a reflector for reflecting the light produced by the light source and at least one viewing area in which the person can view himself. The screen is arranged in such a way that essentially no direct light from the light source reaches the person. The reflector is either arranged essentially in one plane with the viewing area and thus forms a wing and/or the viewing area is part of the screen, so that the reflector can be arranged laterally when the person views the viewing area. Alternatively or additionally, the viewing area is located behind the light source and the light source is shielded from the viewing area by a second screen. The reflector has a diffuser surface which scatters the incoming radiation from the light source.
Such a mirror device leads to an optimal illumination of the person in front of the mirror device without shadows.
The reflector with its diffuser surface leads to a diffuse and homogeneous reflection of the light essentially without light losses. The diffuser surface can be deliberately structured and/or matted and/or etched. Etching can be achieved with foam or liquid etchant. The surface opposite the diffuser surface has reflective properties, in particular a reflective surface, preferably a silver surface.
A reflector in a plane with a viewing area means within the scope of the invention that the reflector and the viewing area either consist of a glass, whereby the surface treatment is different, or that a viewing area is applied to the reflector, e.g. glued on. The viewing area can take any shape, such as round, triangular, square, polygonal or oval. The viewing area can be located next to or in the reflector.
A viewing area behind the light source means within the scope of the invention that the viewing area is located behind the light source(s) from the point of view of a person in front of the mirror device. In order not to cause direct reflections on the person via the viewing area, an additional screen must be provided between each light source and the viewing area. The light from the light source(s) is preferably directed exclusively onto the diffuser surface.
The diffuser surface may have cavities, especially concave structures, which are preferentially non-uniformly distributed, especially randomly.
Such concave structures lead to an optimal diffusion and homogenization of the light and thus to less light loss and less shadows in the eye of the observer.
The concave structures do not necessarily have to show optimal roundness, but can also show unevenness in the roundness, as they are created for example by etching with liquid etchant. In the context of the application non-uniform means that the concave structures are varyingly deep and varyingly large. Preferably the concave structures have edges between each other which are bounded by corners. In particular, more than six, preferably seven, corners can be formed per cavity. The concave structures are preferably etched into a glass, in particular applied to the surface of the glass by etching foam. The result is a frosted glass surface with concave structures which ensures optimum diffusion of the light. The cavities preferably have maximum expansions of essentially 200 μm, whereby the minimum expansion is 10 μm, in particular 20 μm, further in particular 40 μm. The depth of the cavities is preferably in the range of 5-30 μm, preferably 3-10 μm.
The reflector can be flat and preferably have a reflective layer which, in particular, has a distance to the diffuser surface of less than 1 cm, in particular less than 0.8 cm.
A flat reflector prevents focusing of the light and thus dazzling of the person in front of the mirror. A reflective layer of the reflector leads to less light loss and thus a brighter reflection. A distance of less than 1 cm between the reflective layer and the diffuser surface results in a sturdy yet light and easily mountable reflector. The reflector preferably comprises clear glass in order not to produce any colour changes in the light produced in the reflector. If colour matching is desired, coloured glass is of course also conceivable. The reflective layer is preferably a silver layer, which in particular is additionally provided with a protective layer on the back. The structure of the reflector can therefore comprise a protective layer, a reflective layer and a glass layer, whereby the glass layer comprises a diffuser surface. Instead of the protective layer, a further glass layer can be formed so that the reflective layer is visible from both sides and the reflector reflects on both sides. Alternatively, a second reflective layer and a further glass layer can be applied to the protective layer so that the rear side can also be used as a mirror. In this case, the two protective layers are preferably bonded with a bonding layer, in particular with an adhesive layer.
The longitudinal expansion of the reflector LR can be greater than a quarter of the distance between the reflector and the light source, preferably greater than half the distance between the reflector and the light source, preferably essentially equal to half the distance between the reflector from the light source. A distance between the light source to the reflector may be greater than the linear expansion of the reflector, preferably longer than twice the linear expansion LR.
This provides plenty of the reflector surface to achieve sufficient diffusor light distribution. The expansion of the reflector runs along an axis perpendicular to the height expansion of the mirror device in a ready-to-use state.
The distance of the reflector from the light source can be at least 20 cm, preferably at least 40 cm.
Such a distance leads to the potential of indirect lateral illumination of a person without glare.
The reflector, in particular the wing, can be movable, preferably rotatable about a vertical axis, and connected to a rear wall or a body of the mirror device.
Thus the user can determine the position of the reflector himself and thus achieve optimum illumination for himself.
One or more lighting devices can be arranged on the rear wall and/or on the body in such a way that the room can be indirectly illuminated and preferably essentially no direct light reaches a person in front of the mirror device in an installed state, wherein in particular the one or more lighting devices are arranged recessed in a groove.
This creates a pleasant indirect light even when the room is illuminated.
The light source and the lighting device can be any type of light source such as light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, halogen lamps, LEDs, OLEDS or other light sources. Furthermore, the lighting equipment can also be adjustable in colour and/or have different colours. This also applies to the light sources. This allows different moods to be created, which is particularly important for lighting equipment.
By moving the reflector, in particular the wing, a switch can be operated in such a way that by opening the mirror device the light source switches on, preferably with a dimmer switch, and/or by closing the mirror device the light source switches off, preferably with a dimmer switch.
Thus the lighting is only used when the reflector has been moved and the mirror device has been opened. This leads to an energy-saving use of the light source.
The switch can be any known type of switch, such as mechanical switches, magnetic switches, inductive switches or motion detectors. An optical switch would also be conceivable. A dimmer switch ensures a slow switching on of the light source and thus a more pleasant switching on, since no sudden changes in brightness affect the eyes, which lead to an immediate reaction of the pupil.
A rear side of the reflector, preferred wing, can be formed at least partially by a mirror.
Thus the mirror device can also be used as a mirror if instead of the reflector only the room light is used for illumination.
In the scope of the invention, the back of the reflector or the wing is the side that is visible in the room when the mirror device is closed. Thus, the front side of the reflector or the wing and the back side are mirrors.
There can be two light sources, preferably behind a common screen which in particular is a viewing area, two reflectors and preferably two viewing areas on the rear side, each in one plane with one reflector.
Thus, the respective persons in front of the mirror device can be uniformly illuminated from both sides and at the same time see themselves in the viewing area. This leads to natural mirror images without harsh shadows on either side.
The reflector or viewing area may include a magnifying mirror.
This allows the person to view a magnified mirror image at the same time. The magnifying mirror may be applied to the reflector or viewing area, such as glued on, or placed in the same glass as the reflector or viewing area.
The mirror device may comprise a body having at least one side wall to which a reflector is arranged or fixed and having a luminaire wall opposite the side wall in which the light source is arranged, preferably in a groove. The reflector may be fixed to the side wall.
The reflector is preferably attached to the side wall via a rotary axis and can therefore be adjusted with respect to the angle to the side wall. The groove for the light source in the luminaire wall prevents direct illumination of a person in front of the mirror through the groove. It is also possible that the radiation of the light source in the groove is already scattered by a translucent diffuser, whereby a diffuser is preferably used which leads to as little loss of brightness as possible. The body is designed in such a way that the mirror device simultaneously serves as a cabinet and objects can be placed in the body, for example on shelves arranged between the side wall and the luminaire wall.
Two or more side walls and two or more luminaire walls can be formed, whereby the number of side walls corresponds to the number of luminaire walls.
This means that several people can use the same mirror device.
Preferably, the number of side walls also corresponds to the number of reflectors or wings, so that optimum illumination is possible.
The mirror device can be a mirror cabinet for a bathroom. Alternatively, the mirror device can be a mirror in a changing room or wardrobe.
The task is also accomplished by a method for the production of a mirror device as previously described, comprising the steps:
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- Arranging a light source behind a screen
- Arranging a reflector at a distance A from the light source, the distance A being greater than the linear expansion LR of the reflector and such that the light from the light source hits the reflector
- Arranging a viewing area for a person in a plane with the reflector or as a shield for the light source or behind the light source, the reflector having a diffuser surface which scatters the incoming radiation from the light source.
Such a process leads to the production of a mirror device that provides optimal illumination of the object in front of the mirror, such as a person.
The distance A is preferably greater than 20 cm, in particular greater than 40 cm, in particular preferred essentially 40 cm.
The task is also accomplished by a method for observing a person in a mirror device as described above comprising the steps:
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- Generating light by a light source
- Reflecting the light by a reflector from the light source onto a person, wherein the reflector reflects and scatters the light, in particular by refracting light hitting a diffuser surface.
With such a method, the person in front of the mirror is optimally illuminated and there are no harsh shadows in the face of the person.
Further, the task is accomplished by a method of manufacturing of a reflector with diffuser surface comprising the steps:
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- Providing a glass surface with reflector layer on a rear side;
- Roughening, in particular etching, of one or more partial regions of the glass surface on the side facing away from the reflector layer;
- Cutting the glass surface into reflector panes, the reflector panes each having a partial region which is roughened and thus forms a diffuser surface.
Reflectors with diffuser surfaces which can be used in mirror devices as described above can be produced quickly and inexpensively using such a method.
According to another aspect of the method of use, a reflector with a diffuser surface as described above is used to illuminate people in front of a mirror or to photograph people.
The result is an optimal light that leaves no harsh shadows on the person in front of the mirror or for photographing.
Another aspect of the invention concerns the use of a reflector with a diffuser surface as described above to illuminate workplaces, in particular medical workplaces or laboratory workplaces.
The resulting bright, lossless and shadow-free light can be easily processed at workplaces with increased demands on optical conditions and all details can be recognized without shadows. In particular, this can also be applied to a microdosing scale for the pharmaceutical sector.
Another alternative aspect of the invention concerns the use of a reflector with diffuser surface as previously described as a shelf or baggage rack, the baggage or items being located on the rear of the reflector and the diffuser surface being substantially downward in use.
This could illuminate the diffuser surface and perfectly illuminate the seating or work area below.
A further aspect of the invention concerns a lighting device for a laboratory workstation, in particular for lighting a microdosing scale or pharmaceutical scale, comprising a light source, a reflector with a diffuser surface and a lighting surface, wherein the light source radiates light onto the reflector and the light is directed from the reflector onto the lighting surface.
Such a lighting device provides optimum shadow-free illumination.
The diffuser surface may have cavities, in particular concave structures, which are preferentially and uniformly, in particular randomly distributed.
Such a diffuser surface leads to soft, bright and shadow-free illumination.
In the following, the invention is shown in more detail by means of figures, showing in this case:
In both
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A mirror device, for viewing a person in a mirror, comprising:
- a light source,
- a screen for screening direct light between the person and a light source,
- a reflector for reflecting the light produced by the light source, and
- at least one viewing area in which the person can view himself,
- the screen being arranged between the person and the light source in such a way that no direct light reaches the person, and
- at least one of: the reflector is arranged either substantially in one plane with the viewing area and thus forms a wing, or the viewing area is part of the screen so that the reflector can be respectively arranged laterally when the person views the viewing area, or the viewing area is located behind the light source and the light source is shielded from the viewing area by a second screen,
- wherein the reflector has a diffusor surface which scatters incoming radiation of the light source,
18. The mirror device according to claim 17, wherein the diffuser surface has cavities.
19. The mirror device according to claim 17, wherein the reflector is designed to be flat.
20. The mirror device according to claim 19, wherein a longitudinal expansion of the reflector (LR) corresponds to at least one quarter of a distance (A) between the reflector and the light source.
21. The mirror device according to claim 17, wherein the reflector is movably connected to a rear wall or a body.
22. The mirror device according to claim 21, wherein one or more lighting devices are arranged on at least one of the rear wall or on the body in such a way that a room can be indirectly illuminated and substantially no direct light reaches a person located in front of the mirror device in an assembled state.
23. The mirror device according to claim 21, wherein a switch can be actuated by moving the reflector in such a way that by opening the mirror device the light source switches on and, by closing the mirror device, the light source switches off.
24. The mirror device according to claim 17, wherein a rear side of the reflector is at least partially formed by a mirror.
25. The mirror device according to claim 17, wherein two light sources, have two reflectors and two rear viewing areas, each in a plane with a reflector.
26. The mirror device according to claim 17, wherein the reflector or the viewing area comprises a magnifying mirror.
27. The mirror device according to claim 17, wherein the mirror device comprises a body having at least one side wall to which a reflector is arranged or fixed and has an opposite luminaire wall in which the light source is arranged.
28. The mirror device according to claim 27, wherein two or more side walls and two or more luminaire walls are formed, and a number of side walls corresponding to a number of luminaire walls.
29. A method of manufacturing a mirror device according to claim 17 comprising the steps of:
- arranging a light source behind a screen,
- arranging a reflector at a distance (A) from the light source, and the distance (A) being greater than the linear expansion (LR) of the reflector, and such that light from the light source hits the reflector,
- arranging a viewing area for a person in a plane with the reflector or as a screen for the light source, and the reflector having a diffuser surface which scatters the incoming radiation of the light source.
30. A method of viewing a person in a mirror device according to claim 17, the method comprising the steps of:
- generating light by a light source
- reflecting the light through a reflector from the light source onto a person, wherein the reflector reflects and scatters the light.
31. Use of a reflector with a diffuser surface for illuminating persons in front of a mirror or for photo-graphing persons.
32. A method of manufacturing a reflector with a diffuser surface comprising the steps:
- providing a glass surface with a reflective layer on a back;
- roughening of one or more partial regions of the glass surface on the side facing away from the reflector layer;
- cutting the glass surface into reflector panes, and the reflector panes each having a partial region which is roughened and thus forms a diffuser surface.
33. The mirror device according to claim 18, wherein the cavities are concave structures, which are non-uniformly distributed.
34. The mirror device according to claim 19, wherein the reflector has a reflection layer which has a distance to the diffuser surface of less than 1 cm.
35. The mirror device according to claim 22, wherein the one or more lighting devices are arranged recessed in a groove.
36. The mirror device according to claim 23, wherein the switch is a dimmer switch.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 20, 2017
Publication Date: Dec 12, 2019
Inventor: Thomas GERIG (Burgdorf)
Application Number: 16/486,170