Reciprocating Contactor for Sectional Door Electrical Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manually opened sectional doors can overshoot when opened, leading to mechanical damage from forceful collisions between movable and fixed electric contactors.
Innovation Solution
A reciprocating electric contactor is used, which is spring-biased and moves with the door to accommodate overshoot, ensuring constant contact with the movable contactor and preventing mechanical damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed electric contactor is used, then the electrical connection is simple and reliable, but the contactor will be damaged when the door overshoots during manual opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed electric contactor into a movable electric contactor that can reciprocate along the track. This dynamic design allows the contactor to move with the door during opening and closing operations, accommodating the door's natural overshoot motion without causing mechanical damage. The movable contactor maintains continuous electrical connection while absorbing the kinetic energy from overshoot, thus resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and mechanical strength.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable electric contactor is used, then the contactor can accommodate door motion, but the contactor may be damaged by forceful collision during overshoot
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the beforehand cushioning principle by positioning the movable electric contactor along the track such that it can absorb the impact of door overshoot before the collision occurs. The contactor's movable design allows it to yield to the door's motion, cushioning the impact forces that would otherwise cause mechanical damage. This pre-positioning and yield capability protect the contactor system from damage while maintaining operational reliability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the contactor is fixed to the structure, then the electrical connection is stable, but the connection is blocked when the door is in the open horizontal position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed contactor with a movable contactor that travels along the track. This dynamic configuration allows the contactor to maintain stable electrical connection during door operation while accommodating the door's movement from closed vertical position to open horizontal position. The movable contactor follows the door's trajectory, ensuring continuous electrical connectivity without blocking the door's opening operation.
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 prevents mechanical damage by allowing the reciprocating contactor to move with the door's motion, maintaining contact and reducing the risk of collision-induced damage.
Implementation Method 1
the housing includes a spring which biases the slide toward the distal end of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connection device connects to a sectional door, the sectional door having a plurality of connected panels which roll along left and right tracks which are connected to a structure, the sectional door is positionable to a closed position and to an open position. The electrical connection device includes a slide which carries a reciprocating electric contactor. A housing has a slot, a proximal end and an opposite distal end. The slide slides along the slot in the housing. A spring in the housing biases the slide toward the distal end of the housing. The housing is connectable to either the left track or to the right track of the sectional door.