Sectional Door Lighting System with Moving Contactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sectional doors obstruct light from ceiling fixtures when in the open horizontal overhead position, creating darkened areas and compromising security illumination.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system integrated into the inside surface of sectional doors, utilizing a longitudinal string of low-voltage LED lights connected to each panel, with a movable and fixed electric contactor mechanism that engages to energize the lights when the door opens, ensuring illumination of the underside and improved visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the sectional door is opened to the horizontal overhead position, then the door provides access and storage space, but the door blocks light from ceiling fixtures creating darkened areas
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into multiple segments corresponding to each door panel. Each panel has its own light source and contactor assembly, allowing independent illumination control for each section of the door, ensuring comprehensive coverage when the door is open.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of mounting lights on the ceiling (vertical dimension), the system attaches lights directly to the door panels themselves (horizontal dimension). This dimensional shift allows the light sources to move with the door, illuminating areas that would otherwise be blocked when the door is in the open horizontal position.
2Device complexity
If ceiling light fixtures are used, then the lighting system is simple and cost-effective, but the light is blocked when the door opens
Solution Approach 1:
The door panels serve multiple functions: they provide structural closure, storage when open, and now also serve as mounting surfaces for lighting components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate ceiling-mounted fixtures while ensuring light follows the door's position.
Solution Approach 2:
The door itself serves as the mounting structure for the lighting system. The panels provide the physical support and positioning for the lights and contactors, eliminating the need for additional ceiling infrastructure and simplifying installation.
3Illumination intensity
If a lighting system is attached to the door panels, then illumination is maintained when the door opens, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contactor and light mounting are combined into a single integrated assembly attached to each door panel. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies installation while maintaining the ability to illuminate when the door opens.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The lights are attached to the moving door panels rather than fixed ceiling mounts, allowing the illumination to automatically adapt to the door's position and maintain effectiveness throughout the opening and closing cycle.
4Use of energy by moving object
If low-voltage LED lights are used, then energy consumption is reduced and safety is improved, but the power delivery capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple low-voltage LED lights rather than a single high-power fixture. While individual LEDs consume little power, the distributed arrangement across multiple panels provides comprehensive illumination coverage, and the low-voltage design prioritizes safety in the garage environment.
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 lighting system effectively addresses the issue of blocked light by providing high-intensity illumination, enhancing security and visibility in previously darkened areas, and can be retrofitted or included as original equipment in various structures such as garages and vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
The lighting system utilizes a longitudinal string of low voltage LED lights
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system attaches to a sectional door. The sectional door has a plurality of hinge-connected panels which roll along left and right tracks which are connected to a structure. Each panel has an inside surface. The sectional door is positionable to a closed position and to an open position. The lighting system includes a light which connects to the inside surface of a panel of the sectional door. A movable electric contactor connects to a panel of the sectional door, and a fixed electric contactor connects to the structure. A holder carries the fixed contactor, the holder is shaped and dimensioned to removably connect to either the left track or to the right track. In the open position of the sectional door the movable electric contactor is configured to contact the fixed electric contactor and energize the light. In an embodiment a tapered receptacle is connected to the fixed electric contactor and a cooperating tapered plug is connected to the movable electric contactor. The tapered receptacle and tapered plug ensure that the two contactors align when the sectional door is closed.