System and method for preventing damage to products
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Exposure to electromagnetic radiation, including visible and invisible wavelengths, causes degradation of products displayed in transparent cases, limiting their shelf life due to the inability to effectively shield them from radiation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a liquid crystal display (LCD) into display cases, which can be controlled to vary transparency and lighting levels based on time, ambient light, and consumer presence, allowing the products to be shielded from radiation during non-use hours by making the LCD opaque.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If transparent housing is used for display cases, then product visibility is improved, but product degradation from electromagnetic radiation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel that can dynamically change its transparency state between transparent and opaque based on operational requirements. During retail hours, the LCD remains transparent for product visibility. During non-retail hours, the LCD transitions to opaque state to block electromagnetic radiation and prevent product degradation. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between visibility and radiation protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameter (transparency) of the display case front panel by using an LCD that can switch between transparent and opaque states. By controlling the transparency parameter of the LCD panel, the system achieves both product visibility during retail hours and radiation shielding during non-retail hours, thereby resolving the technical contradiction.
2Loss of information
If LCD transparency is increased for better visibility, then product display quality is improved, but radiation shielding capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the LCD transparency parameter based on operational mode. During retail operations, the LCD maintains high transparency for optimal product display quality. During non-retail hours, the LCD transitions to opaque state to provide maximum radiation shielding. This temporal separation of transparency levels resolves the contradiction between display quality and radiation shielding.
3Ease of operation
If continuous transparency is maintained for retail operations, then customer access is improved, but product shelf life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching of the LCD transparency state aligned with retail operational cycles. During retail hours when customer access is required, the LCD remains transparent. During non-retail hours when the display case is not in use, the LCD transitions to opaque state to shield products from radiation and extend shelf life. This periodic action resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and product preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary protective action by switching the LCD to opaque state during non-retail hours before any potential radiation damage can occur. This proactive shielding approach prevents product degradation during periods when the display case is not being used, thereby extending product shelf life without affecting customer access during retail hours.
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
Extends the shelf life of products by reducing exposure to electromagnetic radiation during non-use hours, maintaining product quality and extending display case functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the LCD is made transparent during open retail hours but is then made opaque during after-hours
Implementation Method 2
the LCD can be turned off so that when using a normally black LCD the products will be shielded from various wavelengths of radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for operating a transparent electronic display includes providing a display case having a door housing the transparent electronic display, and a controller programmed with transparency data which is in electronic communication with the electronic display. Said transparency data comprises a number of predetermined transparency levels for the electronic display during a number of corresponding time periods. The current time is determined and the electronic display is operated at the predetermined transparency level associated with a time period corresponding to the current time.