Dehumidification element and method for manufacturing dehumidification film

Abstract

A dehumidification element (100, 200) is provided with a housing (20) and a dehumidification film (10). The dehumidification film is held in the housing. The dehumidification film has, in the thickness direction of the dehumidification film, a first surface (10a) and a second surface (10b) which is the surface opposite to the first surface. The dehumidification film has an anode (11) positioned on the first surface and a cathode (12) positioned on the second surface. The housing has formed therein a first opening (22b) for exposing the first surface and a second opening (21c) for exposing the second surface. The shape of the dehumidification film is a regular hexagon in a plan view when viewed along the thickness direction.

Description

Dehumidifying element and method for manufacturing dehumidifying membrane

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a dehumidifying element and a dehumidifying membrane.

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2006-159091 (Patent Document 1) describes a dehumidifying element. The dehumidifying element described in Patent Document 1 has a dehumidifying membrane. The dehumidifying membrane has a disk shape.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-159091

[0004] The dehumidifying membrane of the dehumidifying element described in Patent Document 1 is cut out from a sheet material, but because the dehumidifying membrane is circular, when the dehumidifying membrane is cut out, the sheet material remains between adjacent dehumidifying membranes. In other words, the dehumidifying membrane of the dehumidifying element described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in yield. The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a dehumidifying element with an improved yield of dehumidifying membranes.

[0005] The dehumidifying element of the present disclosure includes a housing and a dehumidifying membrane. The dehumidifying membrane is held within the housing. The dehumidifying membrane has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface in the thickness direction of the dehumidifying membrane. The dehumidifying membrane has an anode located on the first surface and a cathode located on the second surface. The housing is formed with a first opening that exposes the first surface and a second opening that exposes the second surface. The shape of the dehumidifying membrane is a regular hexagon in a plan view along the thickness direction.

[0006] According to the dehumidifying element of the present disclosure, the yield of the dehumidifying film can be improved.

[0007] 3. A plan view of the dehumidifying membrane 10. A schematic cross-sectional view of the dehumidifying membrane 10. A plan view of the dehumidifying element 100. A cross-sectional view taken along line IVA-IVA in FIG. 3. A cross-sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB in FIG. 3. An exploded perspective view of the dehumidifying element 100. A plan view of the holding member 21. A cross-sectional view showing the dehumidifying element 100 in use. A manufacturing process diagram for the dehumidifying membrane 10. A plan view of the Thomson die 80. A partially enlarged perspective view of the Thomson die 80. A plan view of the sheet material 70 after the singulation step S3. An exploded perspective view of the dehumidifying element 200. A cross-sectional view of the dehumidifying element 200.

[0008] Embodiment 1 A dehumidifying element according to embodiment 1 will be described. The dehumidifying element according to embodiment 1 is designated as a dehumidifying element 100.

[0009] (Configuration of Dehumidifying Element 100) The configuration of the dehumidifying element 100 will be described below.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a dehumidifying membrane 10. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dehumidifying membrane 10. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a dehumidifying element 100 has a dehumidifying membrane 10. The dehumidifying membrane 10 has a first surface 10a and a second surface 10b. The first surface 10a and the second surface 10b form both end surfaces of the dehumidifying membrane 10 in the thickness direction. The second surface 10b is the surface opposite to the first surface 10a.

[0011] The shape of the dehumidifying membrane 10 is a regular hexagon in plan view. "Plan view" refers to the case where the dehumidifying membrane 10 is viewed along the thickness direction of the dehumidifying membrane 10. Six notches 10c are formed in the dehumidifying membrane 10. The notches 10c penetrate the dehumidifying membrane 10 along the thickness direction of the dehumidifying membrane. In plan view, each of the six notches 10c extends linearly from each of the six vertices of the regular hexagon toward the center of the regular hexagon.

[0012] The dehumidifying membrane 10 has an anode 11, a cathode 12, and a solid electrolyte layer 13. The anode 11 is located on the first surface 10a. The cathode 12 is located on the second surface 10b. The solid electrolyte layer 13 is sandwiched between the anode 11 and the cathode 12.

[0013] The anode 11 has a porous conductor 11a and a catalyst layer 11b. The porous conductor 11a is located on the first surface 10a. The catalyst layer 11b is sandwiched between the porous conductor 11a and the solid electrolyte layer 13. The cathode 12 has a porous conductor 12a and a catalyst layer 12b. The porous conductor 12a is located on the second surface 10b. The catalyst layer 12b is sandwiched between the porous conductor 12a and the solid electrolyte layer 13. The constituent material of the solid electrolyte layer 13 may be impregnated into the anode 11 and the cathode 12.

[0014] The porous conductor 11a is, for example, a titanium mesh. The catalyst layer 11b is, for example, a layer of carbon powder supporting platinum. The porous conductor 12a is, for example, carbon paper. The catalyst layer 12b is, for example, a platinum catalyst layer. The solid electrolyte layer 13 is, for example, formed of a solid polymer electrolyte. The solid polymer electrolyte is, for example, a copolymer of PFSA (perfluorosulfonic acid) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene). A catalyst containing one or more platinum group elements may be formed or applied by plating on both sides of the solid electrolyte layer 13.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the dehumidifying element 100. Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVA-IVA in Fig. 3. Fig. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVB-IVB in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the dehumidifying element 100. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the holding member 21. As shown in Figs. 3 to 6, the dehumidifying element 100 has a housing 20, a power feeder 30, and a power feeder 40. The housing 20 has, for example, holding members 21 and 22.

[0016] The holding member 21 is, for example, a cylindrical member. The holding member 21 has end faces 21a and 21b in the axial direction of the holding member 21. End face 21b is the surface opposite end face 21a. An opening 21c is formed in the holding member 21. The opening 21c penetrates the holding member 21 along the axial direction of the holding member 21. The shape of the opening 21c is, for example, circular when viewed along the axial direction of the holding member 21.

[0017] Opening 21c has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of opening 21c extends from end face 21a. The second portion of opening 21c is connected to the first portion of opening 21c and extends to end face 21b. The opening diameter of the first portion of opening 21c is smaller than the opening diameter of the second portion of opening 21c. In other words, opening 21c has a step surface 21d between end face 21a and end face 21b.

[0018] The holding member 21 has through holes 21e and 21f formed therein. The through holes 21e and 21f penetrate the holding member 21 along the axial direction of the holding member 21. When viewed along the axial direction of the holding member 21, the through holes 21e and 21f extend from the inner wall surface of the opening 21c toward the outer peripheral surface (outer peripheral surface 21g) of the holding member 21. The through holes 21e and 21f are formed, for example, at positions symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the holding member 21. However, it is sufficient that the through holes 21e and 21f are formed at positions spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the inner wall surface of the opening 21c when viewed along the axial direction of the holding member 21. A male thread 21h is formed on the outer peripheral surface 21g.

[0019] The holding member 21 is formed, for example, from a resin material, such as a graft copolymer obtained by copolymerizing an ethylene-propylene copolymer with styrene and acrylonitrile, and is formed, for example, by injection molding.

[0020] The holding member 22 has a tubular portion 23 and a flange portion 24. The tubular portion 23 is, for example, cylindrical in shape. The tubular portion 23 has ends 23a and 23b in the axial direction of the tubular portion 23. End 23b is the end opposite end 23a. The flange portion 24 has end faces 24a and 24b in the thickness direction of the flange portion 24. End face 24b is the face opposite end face 24a. The flange portion 24 is connected to end 23b at end face 24a. The shape of the flange portion 24 is, for example, circular when viewed along the thickness direction of the flange portion 24.

[0021] A recess 22a is formed in the holding member 22. The recess 22a is formed in the end surface 24b. When viewed along the thickness direction of the flange portion 24, the recess 22a is located in the center of the flange portion 24. The shape of the recess 22a when viewed along the thickness direction of the flange portion 24 is, for example, circular. An opening 22b is formed in the holding member 22. The opening 22b penetrates the holding member 22 along the axial direction of the tubular portion 23 (thickness direction of the flange portion 24). One end of the opening 22b is open at the end 23a, and the other end of the opening 22b is open at the bottom surface of the recess 22a. The shape of the opening 22b is, for example, circular when viewed along the axial direction of the tubular portion 23 (thickness direction of the flange portion 24).

[0022] The holding member 22 has a plurality of grooves 22c formed in the end face 24b. When viewed along the thickness direction of the flange portion 24, the grooves 22c extend linearly from the outer periphery of the end face 24b toward the center of the flange portion 24. The holding member 22 is formed, for example, from a resin material. The holding member 22 is formed, for example, from a graft copolymer in which an ethylene-propylene copolymer is copolymerized with styrene and acrylonitrile. The holding member 22 is formed, for example, by injection molding.

[0023] The power supply 30 is formed, for example, by punching and bending a plate material. The power supply 30 is formed of a conductive material. The power supply 30 is formed, for example, of a material resistant to electrolytic corrosion. The power supply 30 is formed, for example, of a titanium plate material with a platinum-plated surface. Before the platinum plating is applied, the titanium plate material is punched and bent, and the plate surface is roughened by sandblasting or the like. The power supply 30 has a power supply portion 31 and a terminal portion 32.

[0024] The shape of the power supply portion 31 is, for example, circular when viewed along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 31. A through hole 31a is formed in the power supply portion 31. The through hole 31a penetrates the power supply portion 31 along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 31. The shape of the through hole 31a is, for example, circular when viewed along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 31. That is, the shape of the power supply portion 31 is annular when viewed along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 31. The shape of the terminal portion 32 is, for example, strip-shaped. The terminal portion 32 is connected to the outer periphery of the power supply portion 31. The terminal portion 32 is bent from the power supply portion 31 so as to extend along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 31. When the power supply body 30 is formed of a platinum-plated titanium plate, a grommet 33 may be attached to the terminal portion 32 to improve solderability. The grommet 33 is, for example, formed of brass, and the surface of the grommet 33 may be gold-plated.

[0025] The power supply 40 is formed, for example, by punching and bending a plate material. The power supply 40 is formed of a conductive material. The power supply 30 is formed, for example, of a corrosion-resistant material. The power supply 40 is formed, for example, of a stainless steel plate material such as SUS304. The power supply 40 has a power supply portion 41 and a terminal portion 42.

[0026] The shape of the power supply portion 41 is, for example, circular when viewed along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 41. A through hole 41a is formed in the power supply portion 41. The through hole 41a penetrates the power supply portion 41 along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 41. The shape of the through hole 41a is, for example, circular when viewed along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 41. That is, the shape of the power supply portion 41 is annular when viewed along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 41. The shape of the terminal portion 42 is, for example, strip-shaped. The terminal portion 42 is connected to the outer periphery of the power supply portion 41. The terminal portion 42 is bent from the power supply portion 41 so as to extend along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 41. When the power supply body 40 is formed of a stainless steel plate, a grommet 43 may be attached to the terminal portion 42 to improve solderability. The grommet 43 is, for example, formed of brass, and the surface of the grommet 43 may be gold-plated.

[0027] The power supply element 30 is arranged so that the power supply portion 31 is located on the stepped surface 21d and the terminal portion 32 is located within the through-hole 21e. The dehumidifying membrane 10 is arranged on the power supply portion 31 so that the first surface 10a (anode 11) is in contact with the power supply portion 31. Each of the six corners of the dehumidifying membrane 10 contacts, for example, the inner wall surface of the second portion of the opening 21c. This causes the center of the dehumidifying membrane 10 to coincide with the center of the opening 21c in a plan view. The power supply element 40 is arranged so that the power supply portion 41 is in contact with the second surface 10b (cathode 12) and the terminal portion 42 is located within the through-hole 21f. The holding member 22 is arranged so that the end surface 24a is in contact with the end surface 21b. The end surface 21b and the end surface 24a are fused together, for example. This allows the holding member 22 to be integrated with the holding member 21, and the dehumidifying membrane 10 to be positioned within the housing 20. The end surface 21b and the end surface 24a are fused together by applying ultrasonic waves, for example.

[0028] With holding member 22 integrated with holding member 21, end 23a is pressed against power supply portion 41 via packing 50. Packing 50 is, for example, a circular silicone sheet. First surface 10a (anode 11) is exposed from opening 21c, and second surface 10b (cathode 12) is exposed from opening 22b.

[0029] (Operation of the Dehumidifying Element 100) The operation of the dehumidifying element 100 will be described below.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the dehumidifying element 100 in use. As shown in FIG. 7, the dehumidifying element 100 is attached to a device to be dehumidified. Here, a surveillance camera 60 will be described as an example of the device to be dehumidified. The surveillance camera 60 has a housing 61. A recess 61a is formed on the outer wall surface of the housing 61. A through-hole 61b is formed in the housing 61, penetrating the housing 61 in the thickness direction. One end of the through-hole 61b opens on the inner wall surface of the housing 61, and the other end of the through-hole 61b opens on the bottom surface of the recess 61a. A female screw 61c is formed on the inner wall surface of the through-hole 61b.

[0031] With an O-ring 62 sandwiched between the end face 24a and the bottom surface of the recess 61a, the male thread 21h is threaded into the female thread 61c. This attaches the dehumidifying element 100 to the surveillance camera 60. The male thread 21h is threaded into the female thread 61c by fitting a screwing tool into the groove 22c. Because the first surface 10a (anode 11) is exposed through the opening 21c, the first surface 10a (anode 11) is exposed to the internal space of the housing 61 through the opening 21c. On the other hand, because the second surface 10b (cathode 12) is exposed through the opening 22b, the second surface 10b (cathode 12) is exposed to the external space of the housing 61 through the opening 22b. Although not shown, the terminals 32 and 42 are electrically connected to the power supply of the surveillance camera 60. This applies a voltage between the anode 11 and the cathode 12.

[0032] When a voltage is applied between the anode 11 and the cathode 12, a voltage of 2H is applied to the anode 11. ２ O → O ２ +4H ＋ +4e － The reaction of Reaction Scheme 1 with ＋ ) passes through the solid electrolyte layer 13 and reaches the cathode 12. In addition, electrons (e － ) reaches the cathode 12 through an external circuit. As a result, O ２ +4H ＋ +4e － →2H ２ As the protons move from the anode 11 to the cathode 12, an average of about three molecules of water (H ２ O) Molecules move.

[0033] As described above, the anode 11 is exposed to the internal space of the housing 61, and the cathode 12 is exposed to the external space of the housing 61, so that when a voltage is applied between the anode 11 and the cathode 12, moisture present in the internal space of the housing 61 is released into the external space of the housing 61. As a result, fogging of the objective lens, for example, is prevented in the surveillance camera 60. In this way, the dehumidifying element 100 can release moisture within the space to be dehumidified (in the above example, the internal space of the housing 61) to the outside of the space to be dehumidified, thereby reducing the humidity within the space to be dehumidified.

[0034] (Method for Manufacturing the Dehumidifying Membrane 10) A method for manufacturing the dehumidifying membrane 10 will be described below.

[0035] 8 is a manufacturing process diagram of the dehumidifying membrane 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the manufacturing method of the dehumidifying membrane 10 includes a sheet material preparation step S1, a Thomson die preparation step S2, and a singulation step S3. The singulation step S3 is performed after the sheet material preparation step S1 and the Thomson die preparation step S2.

[0036] In the sheet material preparation step S1, a sheet material 70 is prepared. The sheet material 70 has the same configuration as the dehumidifying membrane 10, except that it is not divided into individual pieces. The sheet material 70 is formed by laminating the constituent materials of each layer of the sheet material 70 (porous conductor 11a, catalyst layer 11b, porous conductor 12a, catalyst layer 12b, and solid electrolyte layer 13) and hot pressing them (i.e., by heating them while applying pressure).

[0037] In the Thomson die preparation step S2, a Thomson die 80 is prepared. Fig. 9 is a plan view of the Thomson die 80. Fig. 10 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the Thomson die 80. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the Thomson die 80 has a base plate 81, a plurality of Thomson blades 82a, a plurality of Thomson blades 82b, and a plurality of Thomson blades 82c.

[0038] The base plate 81 is a plate material. The base plate 81 is formed of, for example, plywood. The Thomson blades 82a, 82b, and 82c are attached to the base plate 81. More specifically, the Thomson blades 82a, 82b, and 82c have a base end and a tip end. An insertion hole is formed in the main surface of the base plate 81. The insertion hole is formed, for example, by laser processing. Each of the Thomson blades 82a, 82b, and 82c is attached to the base plate 81 by inserting its base end into the insertion hole in the base plate 81.

[0039] Each of the Thomson blades 82a, 82b, and 82c has a sharp tip forming a cutting edge. The cutting edge of the Thomson blade 82a is referred to as cutting edge 82aa, the cutting edge of the Thomson blade 82b is referred to as cutting edge 82ba, and the cutting edge of the Thomson blade 82c is referred to as cutting edge 82ac. Each of the Thomson blades 82a, 82b, and 82c is made of, for example, carbon steel.

[0040] When viewed along the normal direction of the main surface of the base plate 81, the multiple Thomson blades 82a are arranged in a staggered pattern, the multiple Thomson blades 82b are arranged in a staggered pattern, and the multiple Thomson blades 82c are arranged in a staggered pattern. When viewed along the normal direction of the main surface of the base plate 81, the distance between two adjacent Thomson blades 82a, the distance between two adjacent Thomson blades 82b, and the distance between two adjacent Thomson blades 82c are equal to the distance between two opposing sides of the regular hexagon that forms the dehumidifying membrane 10. When viewed along the normal direction of the main surface of the base plate 81, a first region in which the multiple Thomson blades 82a are arranged, a second region in which the multiple Thomson blades 82b are arranged, and a third region in which the multiple Thomson blades 82c are arranged are arranged in a row with intervals between them in the order of first region, second region, and third region.

[0041] When viewed along the normal direction of the main surface of the base plate 81, the cutting edge 82ba extends linearly along the first direction DR1, the cutting edge 82ca extends linearly along the second direction DR2, and the cutting edge 82aa extends linearly along the third direction DR3. The second direction DR2 forms an angle of 120° with respect to the first direction DR1. The third direction DR3 forms an angle of 60° with respect to both the first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2. The first region, second region, and third region are aligned along the third direction DR3.

[0042] The width of the cutting edge 82ba in the first direction DR1, the width of the cutting edge 82ca in the second direction DR2, and the width of the cutting edge 82aa in the third direction DR3 are longer than one side of the regular hexagon that forms the dehumidifying membrane 10. The Thomson die 80 further has an elastic body 83. The elastic body 83 is attached to the main surface of the base plate 81 with an adhesive. When the sheet material 70 is cut, the elastic body 83 causes the sheet material 70 to bounce up so as not to get stuck between adjacent Thomson blades 82a (Thomson blade 82b, Thomson blade 82c). The elastic body 83 is, for example, a sponge.

[0043] In the singulation process S3, first, the sheet material 70 is fixed to the slide table of the Thomson processing machine, for example, with tape. This positions one main surface of the sheet material 70 facing the first region of the Thomson die 80. Second, the Thomson die 80 is pressed toward the sheet material 70, causing the cutting edge 82aa to penetrate the sheet material 70. Third, the slide table moves the sheet material 70 so that the portion of the sheet material 70 facing the first region of the Thomson die 80 faces the second region of the Thomson die 80. Fourth, the Thomson die 80 is pressed toward the sheet material 70, causing the cutting edge 82ba to penetrate the sheet material 70. Fifth, the slide table moves the sheet material 70 so that the portion of the sheet material 70 facing the second region of the Thomson die 80 faces the third region of the Thomson die 80. Sixth, fourth, by pressing the Thomson die 80 toward the sheet material 70, the cutting edge 82ca penetrates the sheet material 70.

[0044] Fig. 11 is a plan view of the sheet material 70 after the singulation step S3. As shown in Fig. 11, by performing the singulation step S3, a plurality of dehumidifying membranes 10 are cut out from the sheet material 70. In this manner, the dehumidifying membranes 10 are obtained.

[0045] (Effects of the Dehumidifying Element 100) The effects of the dehumidifying element 100 will be described below.

[0046] The dehumidifying element 100 has a dehumidifying membrane 10 that is a regular hexagon in plan view. This allows the dehumidifying membrane 10 to be cut out of the sheet material 70 without gaps. On the other hand, if the shape of the dehumidifying membrane 10 is, for example, a circle in plan view, gaps will inevitably occur between adjacent dehumidifying membranes 10, resulting in a decrease in yield. In this way, the dehumidifying element 100 can improve the yield when obtaining the dehumidifying membrane 10.

[0047] In the dehumidifying element 100, because the shape of the dehumidifying membrane 10 is a regular hexagon in a plan view, the cutting edges (cutting edge 82aa, cutting edge 82ba, cutting edge 82ca) of the Thomson die 80 can be configured with only straight cutting edges. Therefore, the dehumidifying element 100 simplifies and reduces the cost of the Thomson die 80, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the dehumidifying membrane 10. Furthermore, in the dehumidifying element 100, a notch 10c is formed at each vertex of the regular hexagon that forms the dehumidifying membrane 10. From another perspective, the width of the cutting edge 82ba in the first direction DR1, the width of the cutting edge 82ca in the second direction DR2, and the width of the cutting edge 82aa in the third direction DR3 are longer than one side of the regular hexagon that forms the dehumidifying membrane 10, and the cutting lines of the cutting edge 82aa, the cutting edge 82ba, and the cutting edge 82ca reliably intersect with each other, preventing incomplete cutting. Furthermore, if the notch 10c is visible from the opening 22b, this indicates an abnormality in the dimensions or assembly, and may result in a malfunction due to a short circuit between the anode 11 and the cathode 12. The notch 10c is also effective for visually detecting this.

[0048] Embodiment 2 A dehumidifying element according to embodiment 2 will be described. The dehumidifying element according to embodiment 2 is designated as dehumidifying element 200. Here, differences from dehumidifying element 100 will be mainly described, and overlapping descriptions will not be repeated.

[0049] (Configuration of Dehumidifying Element 200) The configuration of the dehumidifying element 200 will be described below.

[0050] Fig. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the dehumidifying element 200. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the dehumidifying element 200. As shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the dehumidifying element 200 has a dehumidifying membrane 10, a housing 20 (holding members 21 and 22), a power supply 30, and a power supply 40. In this respect, the configuration of the dehumidifying element 200 is common to the configuration of the dehumidifying element 100.

[0051] In the dehumidifying element 200, the shape of the opening 21c is a regular hexagon when viewed along the axial direction of the holding member 21, and the shape of the opening 22b is a regular hexagon when viewed along the axial direction of the tubular portion 23 (the thickness direction of the flange portion 24). In the dehumidifying element 200, the shape of the through hole 31a is a regular hexagon when viewed along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 31, and the shape of the through hole 41a is a regular hexagon when viewed along the thickness direction of the power supply portion 41. In the dehumidifying element 200, the shape of the packing 50 is a regular hexagonal ring. In these respects, the configuration of the dehumidifying element 200 differs from the configuration of the dehumidifying element 100. Note that a protrusion 21i is provided on the inner wall surface of the opening 21c (the second portion of the opening 21c), and notches (notches 31b, 41b) that engage with the protrusion 21i may be provided on the outer circumferential edges of the power supply portion 31 and the power supply portion 41. This allows for positioning of the power supply parts 31 and 41. The protrusions also serve to stop the dehumidifying membrane 10 from rotating.

[0052] (Effects of the Dehumidifying Element 200) The effects of the dehumidifying element 200 will be described below.

[0053] In the dehumidifying element 200, the shape of the opening 22b is a regular hexagon, so that a hex wrench can be inserted into the opening 22b without using a screwing machine, and the male thread 21h can be screwed into the female thread 61c by turning the dehumidifying element 200 with the hex wrench.

[0054] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of this application is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0055] 100 Dehumidifying element, 200 Dehumidifying element, 10 Dehumidifying membrane, 10a First surface, 10b Second surface, 11 Anode, 11a Porous conductor, 11b Catalyst layer, 12 Cathode, 12a Porous conductor, 12b Catalyst layer, 13 Solid electrolyte layer, 20 Housing, 21 Holding member, 21a End surface, 21b End surface, 21c Opening, 21d Step surface, 21e, 21f Through hole, 21g Outer circumferential surface, 21h Male thread, 21i Protrusion, 22 Holding member, 22a Recess, 22b Opening, 22c Groove, 23 Cylindrical portion, 23a, 23b End, 24 Flange portion, 24a, 24b End surface, 30 Power supply body, 31 Power supply portion, 31a Through hole, 31b Notch, 32 Terminal portion, 33 Grommet, 40 Power supply body, 41 Power supply portion, 41a Through hole, 42b Notch, 42 Terminal portion, 43 Grommet, 50 Gasket, 60 Surveillance camera, 61 Housing, 61a Recess, 61b Through hole, 61c Female screw, 62 O-ring, 70 Sheet material, 80 Thomson die, 81 Base plate, 82a, 82b, 82c Thomson blade, 82aa, 82ba, 82ca Cutting edge, 83 Elastic body, DR1 First direction, DR2 Second direction, DR3 Third direction, S1 Sheet material preparation process, S2 Thomson die preparation process, S3 Singulation process.

Claims

1. A dehumidifying element comprising: a housing; and a dehumidifying membrane, the dehumidifying membrane being held within the housing; the dehumidifying membrane having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface in a thickness direction of the dehumidifying membrane; the dehumidifying membrane having an anode located on the first surface and a cathode located on the second surface; the housing having a first opening exposing the first surface and a second opening exposing the second surface; and the shape of the dehumidifying membrane is a regular hexagon in a plan view along the thickness direction.

2. A dehumidifying element as described in claim 1, wherein the dehumidifying membrane has a plurality of notches formed therein, each of the plurality of notches extending from one of the six vertices of the regular hexagon toward the center of the regular hexagon in the planar view.

3. A dehumidifying element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second opening has a hexagonal shape in the plan view.

4. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of: preparing a sheet material; preparing a Thomson die having a plurality of first cutting edges, a plurality of second cutting edges, and a plurality of third cutting edges; and using the Thomson die to singulate the sheet material into a plurality of dehumidifying films, wherein the shape of each of the plurality of dehumidifying films is a regular hexagon in a plan view along the thickness direction of the sheet material; the sheet material has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface in the thickness direction; the sheet material has an anode located on the first surface and a cathode located on the second surface; each of the plurality of first cutting edges extends linearly along a first direction in a plan view along the thickness direction; and each of the plurality of second cutting edges extends linearly along a second direction that forms an angle of 120° with respect to the first direction in the plan view. A method for manufacturing a dehumidifying membrane, wherein each of the plurality of third cutting edges extends linearly along a third direction that forms an angle of 60° with both the first direction and the second direction when viewed in the plane, and the length of each of the plurality of first cutting edges in the first direction, the length of each of the plurality of second cutting edges in the second direction, and the length of each of the plurality of third cutting edges in the third direction are longer than one side of the regular hexagon.

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