Context
An important aspect of home automation & security is knowing whether doors are open or closed, and this includes garage doors. There are ways to know the state of a garage door, including using contact sensors—this holder uses gravity to flip the contact sensor into an open or closed state as the garage door opens and closes. Benefits of this approach are that it allows for the contact sensor to be off the ground and easily placed.
Printing
I printed it with the default profile for Prusament PETG with support touching the build plate only. I welcome you to do what you think will work.
Construction
Required Hardware
- [1] 8mm diameter neodymium magnet (approximately 5mm thick)
- [1] Approximately 2mm thick metal rod as the hinge pin
- You may be able to get away with a few screws of the appropriate gauge
- [4] 3mm threaded inserts
- [4] 3mm screws
- [4] ≤9.5mm diameter washers
- Command strips (or what you feel most comfortable for mounting it to the garage door)
Assembly
- Insert the 3mm threaded inserts (carefully) with the appropriate tool.
- Place the Hue contact sensor snuggly in the contact sensor shaped hole from underneath the top, flippy part.
- Fasten the underside of the top part with washers & 3mm screws, so that the sensor should (see disclaimer) not fall out.
- Drill the hinge holes in the top piece that the top part can pivot on the hinge pin without the hinge pin needing to rotate.
- Drill the hinge holes on the bottom piece so that the metal rod fits snuggly and will not slide out with use.
- Insert the 8mm magnet into the hole on the side of the bottom piece that aligns with the side of the side of the top piece.
- Place the top piece on the bottom piece, such that the top piece sits flush on the bottom piece and the hinge holes align.
- Carefully insert the hinge pin into the hinge holes.
- If the hinge pin sticks out any beyond the pieces after being fully inserted, it may be desirable to carefully trim it.
- If you feel the pin can slip out too easily, then you can secure its ends with whatever method you find best (glue, clamping, melting plastic, bending ends, etc).
- Attach the constructed pieces to the garage door using command strips or whatever attaching method you see best.
Creation
These 3D models are of my own design and were inspired by this reddit post. The shape of the Hue contact sensor hole was determined by my best measuring of a contact sensor. I was unable to find a 3D model for this functionality, which is why I made this, but if one already exists, I am sure it is awesome.
Possible Future Improvements
- Using magnets to attach the constructed pieces to the garage door?
Disclaimer
I welcome constructive feedback and take no responsibility for usage of this design. If you feel like you are going to break anything, then please stop and find a better design. It has worked well for me thus far, but that doesn't mean it always will. Use on your own accord and happy home automation if you use it for that!
Tags
The author marked this model as their own original creation.