Wiper Seal Pad Mounting for Loading Dock Trailer Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loading dock systems face challenges in effectively sealing the gap between trailers and loading dock doors, leading to air transfer, water ingress, and contaminant ingress, which affect climate control efficiency and facility integrity.
Innovation Solution
A wiper seal pad system with a mounting member and hanger bracket is used to couple the seal pad to a loading dock station, featuring angled surfaces and multiple foam layers for enhanced sealing, including a rigid upper portion and resilient lower portion, to create a durable and adaptable seal with trailers of varying sizes and positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If sealing components are positioned to enclose gap spaces between trailer and facility, then air transfer is reduced and climate control efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sealing components and positioning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple functional components: a dock shelter structure, movable sealing components (wiper seals and curtains), and positioning mechanisms. Each component addresses specific sealing needs at different locations (top, sides, bottom of gap spaces), allowing the system to reduce air transfer effectively while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing components are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to adapt to trailers of various sizes and positions. The wiper seals and curtains can move to maintain contact with the trailer surface, ensuring continuous sealing without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms for each possible trailer configuration
2Object-affected harmful factors
If seals contact the trailer to enclose gap spaces, then contaminant and allergen ingress is minimized, but the seal must accommodate various trailer sizes and positions
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system uses flexible materials including wiper seals made of elastomeric compounds and fabric curtains that can bend and conform to the trailer surface. This flexibility allows the seals to adapt to different trailer sizes and positions while maintaining continuous contact to prevent contaminant ingress
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing components are designed with movable elements that can dynamically adjust their position and shape to accommodate various trailer configurations. The wiper seals can flex and the curtains can move to maintain effective sealing contact regardless of trailer size or parking position variations
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 effectively reduces air transfer and contaminant ingress, enhancing climate control efficiency and facility protection by providing a robust and adjustable seal that accommodates different trailer sizes and positions.
Implementation Method 1
a lower portion having a second more resilient foam
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed generally to wiper seal pad systems for use at a loading dock station, which can include an elongate pad having a first side surface configured to face outwardly from the loading dock and contact an exterior surface of a trailer positioned at the loading dock, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface. The systems can further include a mounting member operably coupled to the upper surface, the first side surface, and/or the second side surface, and a hanger bracket having a base, a flange extending upwardly from the base, and a tab extending downwardly from the base. The flange can be configured to operably couple to the head member of the loading dock and the tab can be configured to operably couple to the mounting member, thereby attaching the elongate pad to the head member.