Modular Museum Showcase with Sliding Modules for Sealed Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing museum showcases face challenges in providing easy access to large objects while maintaining a sealed environment for preservation, especially in large sizes, and often require complex sealing systems that are ineffective due to relative sliding between modules and the base.
Innovation Solution
A modular museum showcase design with sliding modules and a single exhibiting plane, utilizing a primary and secondary horizontal guide system with abutment profiles and ring-shaped seals for easy access and airtight closure, allowing modules to slide freely and lock into place, with optional manual or motorized movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the showcase is made in very large sizes to accommodate large objects and ensure better visibility, then the visibility and accommodation capacity are improved, but the access to the inside of the showcase becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The case is divided into a plurality of modules (first module, second module, third module) that can move independently relative to each other along the sliding direction. This segmentation allows the showcase to be opened from different sides by moving individual modules, providing easy access to large objects inside while maintaining a sealed environment when closed.
2Area of stationary object
If the showcase is made in very large sizes to accommodate large objects and ensure better visibility, then the visibility and accommodation capacity are improved, but the sealing effectiveness becomes problematic due to complex sealing systems
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of sealing between the modules and the base (which causes sliding issues), the sealing is inverted to occur between adjacent modules themselves through abutment profiles with sealing elements. This allows the modules to slide freely on the base while maintaining effective sealing between case sections when closed.
3Ease of operation
If modules are made slidable on the base to facilitate access, then the ease of operation is improved, but complex sealing systems are required between modules and base which are of limited effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted from the module-base interface and relocated to the interface between adjacent modules. The abutment profiles with sealing elements are provided on the modules themselves, allowing them to slide freely on the base without requiring sealing at the base interface, thereby simplifying the overall sealing system.
4Ease of operation
If the case is divided into multiple modules for easy access from all directions, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to guide systems and sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the abutment profiles that are already part of the module structure. The abutment profiles serve dual purposes: providing the sealing interface between adjacent modules and guiding their relative movement, thereby reducing overall system complexity while enabling easy access from all directions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The museum showcase (10) comprises a base (11), a primary horizontal guide system (30) placed on the base (11) along a sliding direction (A), and a case (20) enclosing a single exhibition space and mounted on the primary horizontal guide system (30); the case (20) is divided into at least two modules (21) and each of the modules (21) comprises two vertical side walls (24, 25) sealingly connected to an upper horizontal top panel (23) and to a lower horizontal bottom (22); each module (21) is mounted on the primary horizontal guide system (30) so as to be slidable in the sliding direction (A); said at least two modules (21) comprise two end modules (21a, 21b) and each end module (21a, 21b) further comprises a vertical end wall (26), the vertical end walls (26) being sealingly connected to the vertical side walls (24, 25), to the top panel (23) and to the bottom (22) in the respective module (21). The showcase (10) then comprises an abutment profile (40) on each of the modules (21), that is directed towards another adjacent module (21) and extends at a free edge of the bottom (22), of the top panel (23) and of the vertical side walls (24, 25); the showcase (10) finally comprises a single exhibiting plane (28) extended within the case (20), above the bottom (22) of the modules (21). In this showcase, the case can be opened completely by dividing it, moving its modules in the sliding direction A so as to have easy access to the single exhibiting plane, from all directions: both from the sides and from above. The exhibiting plane is enclosed within the case, which is closed (sealingly) by butt coupling, along the abutment profiles of the modules. There is therefore no need to provide for sealing systems between the modules and the base.