Reed Storage Tray with Ventilation and Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reed storage solutions fail to maintain even humidity levels, leading to warpage and mold issues in cane reeds, and often require cumbersome monitoring or noisy packaging.
Innovation Solution
A double-sided reed tray with ventilation apertures and an airtight container that includes a humidity-control insert, allowing for even humidity distribution and secure storage of reeds, using an elastic band and magnetic stacking for convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a flat surface or grooved surface is used for reed storage, then the reed is protected from contact damage, but the reed experiences warpage due to non-uniform drying
Solution Approach 1:
The storage case is divided into multiple compartments, each containing a humidity control insert. This segmentation allows each compartment to independently maintain optimal humidity levels, preventing non-uniform drying and warpage while still providing contact damage protection through the structured compartments.
Solution Approach 2:
Humidity control inserts are placed in specific locations within each compartment to create localized humidity zones. This ensures that each reed storage area maintains the appropriate humidity level needed to prevent warpage, while the overall structure continues to protect from contact damage.
2Shape
If humidity control is added to prevent warpage, then reed shape stability is improved, but the system becomes more complex and requires monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The humidity control inserts are self-regulating and do not require user monitoring or adjustment. They automatically maintain the appropriate humidity levels through their inherent moisture-absorbing or moisture-releasing properties, eliminating the need for hygrometers or manual intervention while preventing warpage.
Solution Approach 2:
The humidity control inserts are simple, inexpensive components that can be replaced periodically. This approach avoids the complexity of electronic monitoring systems while providing effective humidity control through passive, disposable elements that maintain reed shape stability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If desiccants are used to control moisture, then mold is prevented, but the reed becomes over-dried and warped
Solution Approach 1:
The humidity control inserts are designed to maintain humidity within an optimal range rather than simply removing moisture. By controlling the humidity parameter to stay within specific bounds, the system prevents mold growth while avoiding over-drying and warpage, achieving balance through parameter optimization.
4Reliability
If a resealable plastic bag is used for humidity control, then humidity is maintained, but loud noises are generated on stage
Solution Approach 1:
The noisy resealable plastic bag is removed from the system and replaced with a rigid storage case structure that provides humidity control through integrated inserts. This extraction eliminates the noise problem while maintaining humidity control reliability through the alternative design.
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
The solution effectively maintains ideal humidity levels, preventing warpage and mold while simplifying storage and monitoring, ensuring consistent reed performance.
Implementation Method 1
enclosing desiccants within a reed case to pull out unwanted moisture
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent media within the reed case to add water when a litmus paper suggests that it is necessary
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of ventilation apertures on the first platform and the second platform
Implementation Method 4
an elastic band and magnetic stacking for convenience
Implementation Method 5
an elastic band and magnetic stacking for convenience
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for storing reeds. The apparatus includes a tray having a first platform and a second platform opposite from the first platform where each platform includes a plurality of reed passages, an inner recess between the first and second platforms, and a plurality of ventilation apertures on the first and second platforms. The tray may be removably configured within an airtight container. A method for storing reeds includes positioning a humidity-control insert within an inner recess of a tray, having a first platform, a second platform opposite from the first platform, an inner recess between the first and second platforms, and a plurality of reed passages on the first and second platforms, wherein each of the plurality of reed passages may include ventilation apertures. The method further includes placing a reed within one of the reed passages and securing the reed with an elastic band.