Adjustable Seal Extensions for Loading Dock Door Top Corners

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional overhead door sealing systems fail to provide an effective seal at the top corners due to deflection of blade seals away from the building and track assemblies, resulting in gaps for air and moisture passage.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of adjustable seal extensions mounted to the top edge of the door, which include a bulb seal portion and a blade seal portion, securely positioned to maintain contact with both the adjacent wall and track assemblies, reducing deflection and enhancing sealing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the seal retainer ends are set back from the top corners of the door to reduce impact damage, then the seal retainer and guide tracks are protected from damage, but the blade seal ends deflect away from the building and track assemblies creating gaps for air and moisture passage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of seal retainer and guide tracksVSAvoidsealing performance at top corners

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is divided into multiple segments: the main blade seal, corner seal extensions, and bulb seals. The corner seal extensions are separate components that specifically address the top corner sealing problem without requiring the entire seal retainer to extend to the corners, thus protecting the track assemblies while improving corner sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Corner seal extensions act as intermediary elements between the blade seal and the building wall/track assemblies at the top corners. These extensions fill the gap created by the setback seal retainer ends, providing continuous sealing without requiring the main seal retainer to extend to the corners where impact damage could occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the blade seal extends past the top corners of the door to seal the horizontal gap, then sealing along the top edge is improved, but the seal retainer becomes vulnerable to impact and damage from track assemblies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performance along top edgeVSAvoiddurability of seal retainer

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is segmented between the main blade seal (secured by the setback seal retainer) and the corner seal extensions (which reach to the corners). This segmentation allows the seal retainer to be protected from impact while the sealing function is still achieved at the corners through the extensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The corner seal extensions are made of flexible material that can deflect and conform to the building wall and track assemblies. This flexibility allows them to provide sealing at the corners without requiring rigid extension of the seal retainer to the corners, thus protecting the retainer from impact damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the blade seal is held in place by a metal seal retainer to reduce deflection, then sealing along the door edge is improved, but the seal retainer ends must be set back creating gaps at the top corners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performance along door edgeVSAvoidconfiguration of seal retainer and blade seal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing system is segmented into the main blade seal with seal retainer and additional corner seal extensions. This segmentation allows the seal retainer to maintain its simple setback configuration for protection while the corner extensions address the corner sealing issue, maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The corner seal extensions serve multiple functions: they seal the top corners against the building wall, prevent deflection of the blade seal ends, and close gaps created by the setback seal retainer. This multi-functionality addresses multiple problems with a single component addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9212510B2Sealing systems and associated devices for sealing loading dock doors and the like

Publication Date: 2015.12.15 4FRONT ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

Systems, devices and components for the sealing of doors, including overhead doors at loading docks, and associated methods of manufacture and use are disclosed herein. A door sealing system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a seal extension having a body with a first edge and a second edge. The seal extension can include a bulb seal portion extending from the first edge to form a first seal between the door and a first surface extending adjacent to a side edge of the door. The seal extension can also include a blade seal portion extending from the second edge to form a second seal between the door and a second surface extending adjacent to an upper edge of the door.