Movable Dock Shelter for Freight Container Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dock shelter systems are prone to damage from transport vehicles and disrupt operations in modern logistics due to collisions during the handling and storage of freight containers at ground level, necessitating a solution that prevents damage and integrates seamlessly with operational processes.
Innovation Solution
A dock shelter system with a slidably mounted dock shelter on a horizontal or vertical guide that allows for displacement parallel or perpendicular to the building wall, equipped with a drive and proximity sensor for automatic movement out of danger zones, and an optional recess in the building wall for protection, ensuring safe operation and efficient sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the dock shelter is positioned at the building opening to seal the gap, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the risk of collision with transport vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dock shelter is designed to be movable along a guide instead of being fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. It can be retracted into a recess or moved to the side when transport vehicles are present, and extended to seal the gap when vehicles are absent, thus maintaining sealing effectiveness while avoiding collisions
Solution Approach 2:
The dock shelter is extracted from the fixed building opening structure and positioned on a movable guide system. This separation allows the dock shelter to be independently controlled and moved away from the danger zone (building opening area) when transport vehicles operate nearby, eliminating the collision risk while preserving sealing function when needed
2Ease of operation
If the dock shelter is made movable on a vertical guide, then it can be pushed up the building wall, but the boom of telescopic stacker may still endanger it
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of only vertical movement, the guide system provides horizontal displacement capability parallel to the building wall. This adds another dimension of movement, allowing the dock shelter to move laterally out of the danger zone created by telescopic stacker booms, while still maintaining the ability to position vertically for sealing
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a horizontal guide is used for dock shelter displacement, then collision with transport vehicles is prevented, but the structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The horizontal guide structure serves multiple functions: it provides the displacement path for the dock shelter, defines the direction of movement, and can incorporate the recess for protection. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity despite the added safety features
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The door seal (1) has a drive provided for displacement of the door seal from a resting position to an operating position along a displacement path (18) in a guide (7) that is arranged between the door seal and a building wall (3). A sealing surface is movable perpendicular to the wall, and the drive has a bearing console that is connected with the wall in a fixed manner, where the path is extended in a horizontal direction. A controller switches the drive and a fan and provides switching commands to the drive and the fan over an effective connection. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a building opening with a door seal for loading and/or unloading of freight containers (2) a method for loading and/or unloading of a freight container.