Swing Seal Structure for Variable-Height Pallet Freezing Racks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-stage freezer warehouses require separate blast and storage rooms, consuming a large amount of space, and existing sealing systems require manual adjustment for pallets of varying heights, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An automatically adjustable swing seal system is integrated into the racking structure, allowing for seamless sealing of pallets of varying heights without manual adjustment, ensuring effective air flow for freezing and chilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manual adjustable bracket is used for the top periphery seal, then the seal can be adjusted to accommodate different pallet heights, but manual intervention is required which reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The swing seal automatically adjusts to different pallet heights through self-service action. When a pallet is placed against the seal, the weight and pressure of the pallet automatically cause the seal to swing inward and seal against the pallet top surface, eliminating the need for manual adjustment while maintaining adaptability to varying heights
Solution Approach 2:
The seal transitions from a static manually-adjusted position to a dynamic automatically-adjusting position. The swing seal is mounted on a hinge that allows it to move freely and automatically position itself according to the pallet height, converting a manual adjustment system into an automatic dynamic adaptation system
2Reliability
If separate blast and storage rooms are used in a two-stage freezer warehouse, then freezing and storage functions are clearly separated, but a relatively large amount of space is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the blast freezing function and storage function into a single integrated warehouse space. The racking system with integrated swing seals allows cold air to be blown through palletized products directly in the storage area, combining what were previously separate blast rooms and storage rooms into one multifunctional space
Solution Approach 2:
The racking structure with swing seals serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both storage shelving and an active blast freezing delivery system. The same space that stores products also delivers cold air to freeze them, making the warehouse space universal and eliminating the need for dedicated separate freezing chambers
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 system enables efficient freezing and chilling of palletized products by automatically accommodating stacks of different heights, optimizing space usage and maintaining consistent freezing temperatures without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
each swing seal hingedly connected to the one wall via a hinge defining a horizontal axis about which the swing seal rotates
Implementation Method 2
at least one air outlet having an associated air moving device for causing chilled or freezing air to be drawn into the chamber through the air intake openings and exhausted into the warehouse space through the air outlet
Implementation Method 3
at least one chiller in the warehouse space that produces chilled or freezing air and maintains the temperature of ambient air in the warehouse space at chilled or below freezing
Implementation Method 4
chilled or freezing air is drawn through the product stack to thereby quickly freeze the product
Implementation Method 5
chilled or freezing air is drawn through the product stack to thereby quickly freeze the product
Data Source
AI summary
An automatically adjustable swing seal for a rack-aisle freezing and chilling system extends, for example, from the top horizontal frame member of a racking structure and defines an intake opening along with side seals and a bottom seal. The swing seal is positioned at a height such that a product stack having a top edge positioned at any point along the face of the swing seat creates a seal between the intake opening and the stack via the swing seal, the side seals, and the bottom seal. Thus, stacks of varying heights may automatically be accommodated. Further, the bottom edge of the swing seal may be beveled, such that if a product stack is not evenly stacked a portion of the uneven stacking will not catch against the swing seal when the stack is pulled away from the opening.