Inflatable Seal for Sectional Door Vibration and Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sectional doors for goods transport compartments face issues with vibration, thermal leaks, and friction, leading to accelerated wear and increased energy consumption, particularly in refrigerated compartments, due to clearance between the apron and frame.
Innovation Solution
A sectional door design featuring an inflatable seal mounted on the frame and a guide rail system with a specific angle to minimize clearance and prevent vibration, combined with a sealing system that includes a lower seal and inflatable seal to ensure complete sealing and reduce friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a clearance is provided between the apron and the frame to avoid friction, then the apron can move smoothly, but the apron vibrates under mechanical and aerodynamic stresses resulting in accelerated wear
Solution Approach 1:
An inflatable seal is introduced as an intermediary element between the apron and the frame. When deflated, it allows clearance for smooth movement; when inflated, it fills the clearance to eliminate vibrations. This mediator dynamically adjusts the gap based on operational needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal transitions from a static clearance gap to a dynamic system where the seal can be inflated or deflated based on operational conditions. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between smooth movement (deflated state) and vibration elimination (inflated state).
2Ease of operation
If a clearance is provided between the apron and the frame, then the apron can move freely, but significant thermal leaks occur in refrigerated compartments requiring excessive energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable seal acts as a thermal barrier intermediary. When inflated, it fills the clearance between apron and frame, preventing thermal leaks while maintaining the ability to deflate for free movement. This mediator provides thermal insulation only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the seal is changed from deflated (allowing movement) to inflated (providing thermal insulation). By changing the volume and pressure parameters of the seal, the system optimizes between operational freedom and thermal efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If a seal is installed on the frame to fill the gap, then thermal leaks are reduced, but friction of the apron against the seal increases during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system transitions from a permanently engaged static seal to a dynamic inflatable seal that is only engaged when needed. During apron movement, the seal is deflated to minimize friction; during stationary periods, it is inflated to prevent thermal leaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal is periodically inflated and deflated based on operational requirements. It is deflated during apron movement to reduce friction, then inflated when the apron is stationary to prevent thermal leaks. This periodic action optimizes both movement efficiency and thermal insulation.
4Force
If the guide rail is positioned inclined with respect to the joint to reduce friction, then the apron bears against the joint only at the end of movement, but the solution is complex to implement requiring precise adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The complex inclined guide rail system is replaced by extracting the friction-reduction function to a separate inflatable seal component. The guide rail can remain simple and vertical, while the seal handles the friction management by being inflated or deflated as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable seal serves as an intermediary that simplifies the guide rail design. Instead of requiring complex inclined rails with precise adjustment, the simple vertical rail works with the inflatable seal to achieve low-friction movement when the seal is deflated.
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 eliminates vibrations, reduces thermal leaks, and minimizes energy consumption by providing a robust seal between the apron and frame, while maintaining a simple and reproducible design.
Implementation Method 1
said seal being capable of occupying an expanded position, in which the seal fills the clearance when the apron is in the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The elastic membrane 67 is capable of occupying a rest position, in which the membrane 67, and more particularly the contact surface 70, is away from the closed apron 30, when the inner channel 68 is empty
Implementation Method 3
when a pressurized fluid, preferably consisting of a pressurized gas and typically by pressurized air, is injected into the inner channel 68
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
This door comprises a frame with an opening, a movable curtain relative to said frame between closed and open positions, and an inflatable seal (64) mounted on the frame comprising an elastic membrane defining an internal channel occupying a rest position away from the curtain and expanding to occupy a deployed position bearing against the curtain in the closed position. Said seal has a contact surface (70) which, when the membrane is in the deployed position and the curtain is in the closed position, bears against the curtain. The membrane has an end section (71) having terminal and connecting ends (74, 76) and is shaped such that, when the membrane is at rest, the distance from the contact surface to the closed curtain increases from a distance (di) of zero at the terminal end to a maximum distance (d2) at the connecting end.