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(11) | EP 2 468 147 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | An illuminated mirror and power supply therefor |
| (57) A power supply is described for an illuminated mirror, the power supply comprising
a power unit (1), a mounting (2) on which the power unit may be releasably mounted,
and an electrical connection for connecting the power unit to a lighting circuit for
an illuminated mirror. An illuminated mirror is also described which comprises such
a power supply and one or more lamps.
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Technical Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an illuminated mirror and to a power supply for an illuminated mirror.
Background to the Invention
[0002] Bathroom mirrors are often provided with integral lamps in order to provide a high level of multi-directional illumination to aid visibility and reduce shadow, for example when styling hair or applying make-up. Alternatively, such lamps may be provided purely for decoration. This kind of illuminated mirror requires an energy source to power the lamps. Ordinarily, this would mean that the mirror must include a connection to the mains electricity supply.
[0003] However, for safety reasons, building regulations in many countries do not permit the provision of mains power sockets in bathrooms, except for electric shaver adapters. This means that installing an illuminated bathroom mirror normally requires laying a cable along and through the bathroom wall and connecting this to an isolator switch located outside the bathroom. Considering that bathrooms are usually at least partially tiled, this may of course require that the bathroom is at least partially retiled in order to lay such a cable. Many purchasers of bathroom mirrors may lack the technical expertise in tiling and electrical wiring that is needed. This may make installing such an illuminated mirror a costly and time consuming undertaking.
[0004] An object of embodiments of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved illuminated mirror, which may have a self-contained power supply that does not require any cabling to be laid when fitting such a mirror.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply for an illuminated mirror, the power supply comprising a power unit, a mounting on which the power unit may be releasably mounted, and an electrical connector for connecting the power unit to a lighting circuit of an illuminated mirror.
[0006] The mounting may comprise an opening into which the power unit may be releasably engaged. The mounting may comprise a housing for housing the power unit. The connector may comprise a plug or socket to which a power lead for a lighting circuit may be connected. The connector may comprise a first pair of electrical contacts on the power unit and a second pair of electrical contacts on the mounting. The first pair of contacts may be arranged to engage with the second pair of contacts when the power unit is mounted to the mounting. One or more of said electrical contacts may comprise a spring. One or more of the contacts may comprise a substantially flat panel. One or more of the contacts may be substantially flush with a surface of the power unit. Two of the contacts may be set into the same surface of the power unit. Two of the contacts may be set into the same surface of the power unit and separated from one another by a distance along this surface.
[0007] The power unit may comprise one or more rechargeable electrical batteries. The power unit may comprise one or more lithium-ion batteries. The power unit may comprise an enclosure for containing the batteries.
[0008] The power unit may comprise a connector for connecting a mains power adaptor. The power unit may be adapted to engage with a docking station comprising a mains power adaptor.
[0009] The power supply may comprise a cover for at least partially enclosing the power unit when the power unit is mounted. The cover may substantially cover the opening. The cover may be adapted to form a substantially splash-resistant seal with the power supply. The cover may be an openable lid adapted to form a substantially splash-resistant seal with the mounting when the power unit is mounted. The lid may be hinged to the mounting. The lid may be releasably secured to the mounting by means of a snap-fit closure.
[0010] The power supply may comprise a fastener for releasably securing the power unit to the mounting. The fastener may comprise a releasable latch. The fastener may comprise a bi-stable mechanism operable to secure the power unit to the mounting when the power unit is pushed once into the opening and operable to release the power unit from the recess when the power unit is pushed once more into the opening. The bi-stable mechanism may comprise one or more springs. The bi-stable mechanism may comprise a slider and a guide track. The guide track may substantially form the outline of a chevron shape. The guide track may comprise a stepped and ramped guide surface. The guide track may have an open end. The open end may be flared. The slider may comprise an end of a wire. The guide track may be integral to one of the power unit and the mounting, and the slider may be fastened to the other. The guide track may be integral to the power unit, and the slider may be fastened to the mounting.
[0011] Alternatively, the fastener may comprise a clip, or may comprise snap-fit, magnetic, or frictional push-fit fastening means.
[0012] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an illuminated mirror comprising one or more lamps and a power supply according to any preceding claim.
[0013] The illuminated mirror may have a frame wherein the power supply is mounted in an opening in the frame. The frame and power supply may be concealed behind the mirror. The one or more lamps may be one or more fluorescent tubes. The one or more lamps may be one or more light-emitting diodes. The illuminated mirror may comprise a switch mounted on the frame. The illuminated mirror may comprise a touch-on-touch-off switch operable to switch the lamps alternately on and off when the mirror is pressed.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0014] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is a front view of a power supply for an illuminated mirror according to an embodiment of the present invention, the power supply having a power unit and a housing with a lid;
Figure 2 is an under plan view of the power unit and housing of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is an end view of the housing of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is an end view of the housing of Figure 1 with the power unit secured threrein;
Figure 5 is a front view of the housing of Figure 1 with the power unit secured threrein;
Figure 6 is another end view of the housing of Figure 1 with the power unit secured threrein;
Figure 7 is a fragmentary front view of an illuminated mirror according to another embodiment of the present invention showing removal and charging of the power unit of Figure 1.
Figure 8 is a semi-transparent front view of a housing and power unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] A preferred embodiment of the invention is a power supply as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, having a power unit (1), a housing (2) and a cover (3).
[0016] The power unit is used to provide power to a lighting circuit in an illuminated mirror. It comprises a substantially cuboidal enclosure (4) that contains rechargeable lithium-ion or other suitable rechargeable batteries. The power unit preferably fits into a substantially cuboidal recess (11) in the housing with sufficient tightness of fit to keep it stably positioned whilst being free to slide freely in and out of the housing without significant frictional resistance.
[0017] A bi-stable releasable latch mechanism engages the power unit with the recessed housing. In one embodiment, this comprises a recessed guide track (5) in the power unit enclosure, and a metal wire stylus (6) and a spring-biased curved metal plate (7) that are both anchored to the housing by an anchor screw (8). The tip of the stylus (9) passes through a slot (10) in the housing to protrude into the recess (11). Movement of the stylus about the anchor screw corresponds with the stylus tip to sliding back and forth along the slot. This movement is frictionally opposed by the pressure of the biased metal plate (7). Two coil springs (12) secured to the inside of the housing recess (11) provide resistive bias against insertion of the power unit (1) into the recess. The recessed guide track has a straight portion (13) with a flared open end (14) and a tortuous portion (15) that follows a path enclosing a chevron-shaped area (16). Ramps and steps in the surface of the guide path constrain the direction of motion of the stylus relative to the guide path so that the stylus can follow the route of the tortuous portion of the guide path in only one direction. Thus, when the power unit (1) is inserted into the recess (11), the stylus tip (9) engages with the flared end (14) of the guide track (5) and is guided into the straight portion (13) of the guide track. As the power unit is pushed further into the recess against the resistive bias of the coil springs (12), the stylus tip reaches a far corner (17a) of the tortuous portion (15) of the guide track. When the power unit is released, the stylus rests in the notch of the chevron (16), locking the power unit within the recess. A second push of the power unit into the recess drives the stylus to the other far corner (17b) of the tortuous path portion. When the power unit is released for a second time, the stylus passes back through the open end (14) of the guide track and the power unit may be freely removed from the recess by manually gripping a pair of semicircular depressions (18), located on opposite faces of the power unit, between thumb and forefinger, and pulling the power unit outwards.
[0018] Alternatively, other types of grips may be provided, such as ridged, textured, or rubberized areas. Thus, the power unit (1) can be locked into the recessed housing (2) with one press and released with a second press. This provides a simple 'push-in-push-out' bi-stable mechanism for securing the power unit into the housing without the need for the user to handle tools, separate parts or manual operation of clips or other fastenings. As the skilled reader will appreciate, any other bi-stable mechanism which provides similar push-in-push-out functionality would be similarly desirable and may be substituted. Different means of securing the power unit into the housing, such as snap-fit lugs or clips, magnets, or any other suitable fasteners, may alternatively be used.
[0019] Once inserted into the housing and secured into place, the power unit (1) may then be covered by a lid (3) which is hinged to the housing (2). The lid is held closed by a snap-fit clip comprising a lug (19) on the lid that engages with a notch (20) in the housing. Other suitable closure means may be used, as would be apparent to the skilled reader. The lid closes to form a substantially spray-resistant or splash-proof seal suitable for keeping the power unit dry in a bathroom or shower room environment, preferably conforming to at least International Protection Rating IP44. The seal comprises a perimeter (21) of the lid which, when the lid is closed, fits closely with a protruding panel (22) of the housing and an internal ridge (23) that engages with the perimeter (24) of the outward face of the power unit. However, other sealing means, such as a rubber or silicone rubber gasket or a tight-fitting lid made of such a material, might reasonably be substituted. In an alternative embodiment, the seal may be formed between the power unit and the housing, for example by provision of a flange to the outward face of the power unit with a compliant silicone rubber gasket that engages with the housing to provide a seal when the power unit is secured into the housing.
[0020] The whole power supply may be secured into an appropriately sized aperture in a mirror frame. The housing has a substantially rectangular flange or faceplate (25) with holes (26) for attachment to a mirror frame which allow the power supply to be secured into such an aperture.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 7, the power supply forms part of an illuminated mirror suitable for use in a bathroom. The illuminated mirror has a mirror (30), a plurality of light-emitting diodes (31), and a frame (32) with keyhole-shaped apertures (33) to enable the frame to be hung from wall screws. Light-emitting diodes are preferred in combination with lithium-ion batteries, as they may provide battery life equating to forty hours or more of continuous usage. The frame is concealed behind the mirror and the power supply is secured into an aperture (34) in the frame. The power supply is situated so that it is concealed from the view of a person using the mirror, but is accessible from one side of the mirror. Only the lid (3) and the peripheral edges of the housing flange or faceplate are visible when the lid is closed.
[0022] During use, the power unit supplies electrical power to a lighting circuit in the illuminated mirror. In a preferred embodiment, this is achieved by means of a power cable (35) that connects a supply socket of the power unit to the lighting circuitry. The power cable passes through an opening (36) in the housing and must be plugged into an outlet socket (37) in the power unit prior to inserting the power unit into the housing. A cable feed slot (38) in the base of the housing provides accommodation for the loop of cable that arises due to the power cable slackening as the power unit is inserted into the recess. In other preferred embodiments, the power unit and housing recess each have a pair of electrical contacts that engage with the other pair when the power unit is secured in the housing, these contacts being effective to connect the power unit to the lighting circuit. In one preferred embodiment shown in Figure 8, the springs (12) forming part of the releasable latch mechanism also function as a pair of electrical contacts. The power unit (1) has a pair of contacts (45) set into its surface which engage with the springs when the power unit is secured in the housing (2). Each spring is screwed to (or otherwise attached and in electrical contact with) a terminal (46) to which an electrical wire (47) is connected, the two wires forming a power cable (35) that feeds the lighting circuit of the illuminated mirror. Engagement of the power unit' contacts (45) with the springs (12) is effective to close the circuit connecting the internal rechargeable batteries with the lighting circuit. The coil springs shown may of course be replaced by other suitable types of spring or in general by any suitable resilient, electrically conductive member. The power unit's contacts are flat panels set into and substantially flush with the same surface of the power unit enclosure and separated from one another by a distance along this surface.
[0023] To recharge the power unit, it must be removed from the housing. It may then be opened up using a removable access panel (40) and the rechargeable batteries replaced or removed and charged in a separate battery charger. In this case, non-rechargeable batteries may be used. In several preferred embodiments, the batteries need not be removed, but rather the power unit includes a suitable charging circuit and functions as a battery charger when connected to the mains power supply. The access panel (40) has ventilation slots (41) to help cool the batteries during charging, and three light-emitting diodes (42) which function as a battery charge indicator. In one embodiment shown in Figure 7, the power unit is charged by connection to the mains supply using a low voltage direct current power adaptor (43). In another embodiment, the power unit includes internally such a power adaptor and may be plugged directly into the mains supply. In another preferred embodiment, the power unit is charged by placing it into or onto a docking station adapted to support the power unit during charging and to provide current via the engagement of respective pairs of electrical contacts on the power unit and docking station.
[0024] As will be appreciated by the skilled reader, the above arrangements may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the power unit may be provided as a separate wall-mountable item for connection to the mirror or may be provided as part of a base unit to which a movable illuminated shaving mirror or similar is attached. Alternatively, it may be incorporated into, or concealed behind, a mirror frame that is not concealed behind a mirror but rather forms an external decorative feature. The power supply may similarly be incorporated into a medicine cabinet or bathroom shelving unit that has an illuminated mirror forming a door or panel of the cabinet or shelving unit.
1. A power supply for an illuminated mirror, the power supply comprising a power unit,
a mounting on which the power unit may be releasably mounted, and an electrical connector
for connecting the power unit to a lighting circuit of an illuminated mirror.
2. A power supply according to claim 1 wherein the connector comprises a plug or socket
to which a power lead for a lighting circuit may be connected.
3. A power supply according to claim 1 wherein the connector comprises a first pair of
electrical contacts on the power unit and a second pair of electrical contacts on
the mounting.
4. A power supply according to claim 3 wherein one or more of said electrical contacts
comprises a spring.
5. A power supply according to any preceding claim comprising one or more rechargeable
electrical batteries.
6. A power supply according to claim 3 comprising an enclosure for containing the batteries.
7. A power supply according to any preceding claim comprising a connector for connecting
a mains power adaptor.
8. A power supply according to any preceding claim wherein the mounting comprises an
opening into which the power unit may be releasably engaged.
9. A power supply according to claim 6 comprising a cover for substantially covering
the opening.
10. A power supply according to any preceding claim comprising a cover for at least partially
enclosing the power unit when the power unit is mounted.
11. A power supply according to either claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the cover is an openable
lid adapted to form a substantially splash-resistant seal with the mounting when the
power unit is mounted.
12. A power supply according to any preceding claim comprising a fastener for releasably
securing the power unit to the mounting.
13. A power supply according to claim 10 wherein the fastener is a releasable latch.
14. A power supply according to either claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the fastener comprises
a bi-stable mechanism arranged to secure the power unit to the mounting when the power
unit is pushed once into the mounting and to release the power unit from the mounting
when the power unit is pushed once more into the mounting.
15. An illuminated mirror comprising one or more lamps and a power supply according to
any preceding claim.