Museum display case with improved relative humidity control and related control method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Museum display cases struggle to maintain precise controlled climatic conditions for delicate objects, especially when different objects require varying humidity levels, leading to potential damage and limitations in exhibition arrangement.
Innovation Solution
The use of paired relative humidity control electrolytic membranes, activated and deactivated by a control unit, allows for precise adjustment of humidity levels within a single display space, creating distinct climatic zones without physical barriers, enabling flexible exhibition arrangements while maintaining object preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If different climatic zones are obtained in the same display space using suitable flows of differently conditioned air, then climatic control precision is improved, but air movement speed increases which can damage delicate objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air movement component from the climatic control mechanism and replaces it with stationary electrolytic membranes. The humidity control function is separated from the air flow, allowing precise climatic zones to be created without the harmful dynamic action of moving air. The membranes are fixed in openings in the separating walls and control humidity through electrochemical processes rather than air circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical air flow system with an electrochemical system using electrolytic membranes. Instead of using fans or air circulation to create different climatic zones, the invention uses electricity-driven electrochemical reactions at the membranes to control humidity locally. This substitution eliminates the mechanical air movement that could damage delicate objects while maintaining precise climatic control.
2Reliability
If multiple display cases are used to maintain different humidity levels for different objects, then preservation conditions are improved, but exhibition flexibility and space utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple climatic zones into a single display space by installing electrolytic membranes in openings in the separating walls. Different zones can be created and controlled independently within the same case, allowing objects requiring different humidity levels to be displayed together. This eliminates the need for multiple separate display cases while maintaining distinct preservation conditions for different objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes a single display case universal by enabling it to accommodate multiple climatic zones with different humidity requirements. The electrolytic membranes can be activated or deactivated independently to create various humidity configurations, allowing the same display case to serve multiple preservation needs and exhibit different types of objects that would traditionally require separate cases.
3Measurement precision
If electrolytic membranes are used to control relative humidity, then humidity control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrolytic membranes are designed to automatically respond to humidity conditions through electrochemical reactions. When voltage is applied to the membrane, water molecules are automatically dissociated into hydrogen ions and oxygen ions at the dry side, and the hydrogen ions migrate through the membrane to react with oxygen at the humid side, forming water molecules. This self-regulating electrochemical process provides precise humidity control without requiring complex external control mechanisms.
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
This solution enables precise and independent control of relative humidity in multiple climatic zones within a single display space, reducing the need for multiple display cases, minimizing damage to objects, and enhancing exhibition flexibility while maintaining optimal preservation conditions.
Implementation Method 1
when a suitable electrical voltage is applied to the membrane, on the dry side thereof the water molecules are dissociated into hydrogen ions and oxygen ions
Implementation Method 2
the hydrogen ions then migrate through the membrane, until they reach the humid side
Implementation Method 3
where they react with the oxygen present in the air beyond the membrane, forming water molecules
Data Source
AI summary
A display case for preserving and displaying objects in a protected environment. The display case includes: a display space, delimited by separating walls including a lower plane, side walls and a ceiling; and means for adjusting and controlling air climate in the display space. The means for adjusting and controlling include: a hygrometric probe for detecting the relative humidity inside the display space: a control unit, connected to the hygrometric probe and a first relative humidity control electrolytic membrane, located in a first opening formed in one of the separating walls, activated by the control unit.