Ratchet wheel clutch and folding type photovoltaic device

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of clutches, in particular to a ratchet wheel clutch and a folding photovoltaic device. The ratchet clutch comprises a first clutch piece, a second clutch piece and a third clutch piece, the first clutch piece comprises a first clutch frame and a pawl assembly, the pawl assembly comprises a first pawl hinged to the first clutch frame, and the first clutch frame is provided with a first abutting part and a first mounting part; the second clutch piece comprises a second clutch frame and a ratchet wheel assembly, the ratchet wheel assembly comprises a first ratchet wheel matched with the first pawl, the second clutch frame is provided with a second abutting part and a second installation part, and the second clutch piece is hinged to the first clutch piece with the axis of the ratchet wheel as a hinge shaft. The invention further provides a folding photovoltaic device which comprises the ratchet clutch. The device has the beneficial effects that after the ratchet wheel clutch reaches the preset position, synchronization in any rotation direction is achieved, and the ratchet wheel clutch can be automatically controlled.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of ratchet clutches, and in particular to a ratchet clutch and a foldable photovoltaic device. BACKGROUND

[0002] The foldable photovoltaic device is a photovoltaic device integrating solar tracking and folding storage functions. Its core components include a first photovoltaic panel, a second photovoltaic panel, a clutch, and a drive shaft assembly. In this device, the first photovoltaic panel is connected to one side of the drive shaft assembly, and the second photovoltaic panel is connected to the other side. The clutch allows the drive shaft assembly to control the photovoltaic tracking of the two photovoltaic panels, and also enables the folding and unfolding of the photovoltaic panels by switching the clutch.

[0003] In the photovoltaic tracking mode, the device is in an unfolded state, at which time the light-receiving surfaces of the first and second photovoltaic panels form a plane to maximize the reception of solar energy. When storage or safety is required, the device can be folded and unfolded, at which time the light-receiving surfaces of the first and second photovoltaic panels are opposite, which helps to reduce wind resistance and safety.

[0004] However, when the foldable photovoltaic device is in an unfolded state, especially in outdoor environments, adverse conditions such as wind can generate a rotational torque on the first and / or second photovoltaic panels, causing unintended rotation of the photovoltaic panels and disrupting their alignment. This can affect the power generation efficiency of the photovoltaic device, and in extreme cases, large-scale unintended rotation can cause damage to the device.

[0005] Therefore, how to ensure that the foldable photovoltaic device can stably maintain its position and shape in the unfolded state, and prevent unintended rotation caused by adverse conditions, has become a technical problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0006] Firstly, the present application proposes a ratchet clutch to solve the above problems. Secondly, the present application proposes a foldable photovoltaic device.

[0007] As a first aspect of the present application, a ratchet clutch is proposed, comprising:

[0008] a first clutch member comprising a first clutch frame and a pawl assembly, the pawl assembly comprising a first pawl hinged to the first clutch frame, the first clutch frame being provided with a first abutting portion and a first mounting portion;

[0009] a second clutch member comprising a second clutch frame and a ratchet assembly, the ratchet assembly comprising a first ratchet cooperating with the first pawl, the second clutch frame being provided with a second abutting portion and a second mounting portion, the second clutch member being hinged to the first clutch member with the axis of the ratchet as the hinge axis;

[0010] In the folded state, the first and second abutting portions are not abutted, and the first pawl is separated from the first ratchet wheel, and under the action of an external force, the first clutch member can rotate relative to the second clutch member about the hinged shaft;

[0011] In the unfolded state, the first and second abutting portions are abutted, and the first pawl is engaged with the first ratchet wheel, and under the action of an external force, the first clutch member and the second clutch member move synchronously.

[0012] Preferably, the pawl assembly further comprises a second pawl, and the ratchet wheel assembly further comprises a second ratchet wheel cooperating with the second pawl, the second ratchet wheel and the first ratchet wheel are coaxially arranged with opposite tooth directions, when the first pawl is engaged with the first ratchet wheel, the second pawl is separated from the second ratchet wheel, and when the second pawl is engaged with the second ratchet wheel, the first pawl is separated from the first ratchet wheel.

[0013] Preferably, the ratchet wheel clutch further comprises a trigger assembly arranged on the first clutch member for switching the engagement or separation of the first pawl and the first ratchet wheel.

[0014] The trigger assembly comprises a power source and a transmission assembly, the transmission assembly is connected with the first pawl, and the power source is in transmission connection with the transmission assembly.

[0015] Preferably, the ratchet wheel clutch further comprises a support member, and the second clutch member is hinged with the first clutch member through the support member.

[0016] Preferably, the support member is at least one of a ball bearing, a bearing, a shaft sleeve, an oil-free bearing, and a bushing.

[0017] Preferably, the first mounting portion is provided with a first anti-disengagement portion, and / or the second mounting portion is provided with a second anti-disengagement portion.

[0018] Preferably, the ratchet wheel clutch further comprises a first sensor for detecting the movement angle of the first clutch member relative to the second clutch member when moving from the unfolded state to the folded state.

[0019] Preferably, the ratchet wheel clutch further comprises a second sensor for detecting the abutting pressure between the first and second abutting portions when the first and second abutting portions are abutted.

[0020] Preferably, the ratchet wheel clutch further comprises an elastic member arranged on the first and / or second abutting portion.

[0021] As a second aspect of the present application, the present application further discloses a foldable photovoltaic device, comprising a driving shaft assembly, a first photovoltaic panel and a second photovoltaic panel, and further comprising the above-mentioned ratchet clutch;

[0022] The ratchet clutch is fixedly connected with the driving shaft assembly through the first clutch member or the second clutch member;

[0023] The first photovoltaic panel is connected to the first mounting portion, and the second photovoltaic panel is connected to the second mounting portion.

[0024] Preferably, in the unfolded state of the foldable photovoltaic device, the included angle between the first photovoltaic panel connected to the first mounting portion and the second photovoltaic panel connected to the second mounting portion is greater than 170 degrees and less than 190 degrees.

[0025] The present application has the following advantages:

[0026] 1. Through the cooperation of the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion, the first clutch member and the second clutch member can be abutted at a predetermined position, and then through the cooperation of the first pawl and the first ratchet, the first clutch member and the second clutch member can be kept in an unfolded state and can perform synchronous movement in the unfolded state.

[0027] 2. The first sensor and the second sensor are arranged on the ratchet clutch, and the positional relationship between the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion is detected through the first sensor or the second sensor. When the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion abut, the first sensor or the second sensor sends a signal to stop the relative rotation of the first clutch member and the second clutch member. Without manual operation, the work efficiency is improved and the cost is saved.

[0028] 3. The elastic member arranged on the first abutting portion and / or the second abutting portion provides the first clutch member and the second clutch member with elastic force in the opposite direction of the unfolded state, so that the engagement of the pawl assembly and the ratchet assembly is more sufficient, and the problem of vibration of the ratchet clutch caused by the gap between the pawl assembly and the ratchet assembly under the action of wind force and the like is prevented. In addition, the abutment of the first clutch member and the second clutch member is buffered by the arrangement of the elastic member, and when applied to the foldable photovoltaic device proposed in the present embodiment, the operation of the foldable photovoltaic device can be more stable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the ratchet clutch proposed in the present embodiment.

[0030] Figure 2 The exploded schematic diagram of Figure 1 .

[0031] Figure 3 The front view of Figure 1 .

[0032] Figure 4 is Figure 3 a sectional view taken along line A-A.

[0033] Figure 5 is Figure 1 a side view.

[0034] Figure 6 is Figure 5 a sectional view taken along line B-B.

[0035] Figure 7 a schematic view of the ratchet clutch in a folded state.

[0036] Figure 8 a schematic view of the ratchet clutch in an unfolded state.

[0037] Figure 9 a schematic view of the unfolded state of the folding photovoltaic device proposed in the embodiment.

[0038] Figure 10 a schematic view of the folded state of the folding photovoltaic device proposed in the embodiment.

[0039] wherein:

[0040] 1. a first clutch member;

[0041] 11. a pawl structure;

[0042] 111. a first pawl; 1111. a switching part;

[0043] 112. a second pawl;

[0044] 12. a trigger assembly; 121. a motor; 122. a transmission assembly;

[0045] 13. a first clutch frame; 131. a first abutting part; 132. a first mounting part;

[0046] 14. a ball bearing;

[0047] 15. a cover;

[0048] 2. a second clutch member;

[0049] 21. a bidirectional ratchet; 211. a first ratchet; 212. a second ratchet;

[0050] 22. a second clutch frame; 221. a second abutting part; 222. a second mounting part;

[0051] 23. an elastic member;

[0052] 3. a first photovoltaic panel;

[0053] 4. a second photovoltaic panel;

[0054] 5, drive shaft assembly; 51, spline shaft

[0055] 6, bidirectional ratchet clutch DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The present application will be further described with reference to the drawings.

[0057] As Figures 1 to 8 shown in the drawings, as a first aspect of the present application, a ratchet clutch is provided, comprising a first clutch member and a second clutch member. The first clutch member comprises a first clutch frame and a pawl assembly, the pawl assembly comprising a first pawl hinged to the first clutch frame, the first clutch frame being provided with a first abutting portion and a first mounting portion. The second clutch member comprises a second clutch frame and a ratchet assembly, the ratchet assembly comprising a first ratchet cooperating with the first pawl, the second clutch frame being provided with a second abutting portion and a second mounting portion, the second clutch member being hinged to the first clutch member with the axis of the ratchet as the hinge axis.

[0058] The first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are respectively used for connecting with different external loads. Since the first clutch member and the second clutch member are hinged to each other, as Figure 1 shown in the drawings, the first mounting portion can be a protrusion extending outward in the radial direction of the first clutch member, and the second mounting portion can be a protrusion extending outward in the radial direction of the second clutch member. In other embodiments, the first mounting portion or the second mounting portion can be a hole-like recess, and the connection with the protrusion structure in the external load is achieved by the cooperation of the hole-like structure.

[0059] In addition, the ratchet clutch provided in the present embodiment generally needs to be connected with a driving component providing a rotating force, which drives the first clutch member or the second clutch member to rotate around the hinge axis. Regarding the connection position of the driving component and the ratchet clutch, when the driving component is connected with the first clutch member, the driving component can be connected with the first mounting portion on the clutch member, or connected with other parts of the first clutch member. When the driving component is connected with the second clutch member, the driving component can be connected with the second mounting portion on the clutch member, or connected with other parts of the second clutch member.

[0060] As Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown in the drawings, the ratchet clutch has a folded state and an unfolded state (corresponding to the folded state and the unfolded state of the foldable photovoltaic device described in the background art). In the folded state, the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion are not abutted, and the first pawl is separated from the first ratchet. Under the action of an external force, the first clutch member can rotate relative to the second clutch member around the hinge axis. In the unfolded state, the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion are abutted, and the first pawl is engaged with the first ratchet. Under the action of an external force, the first clutch member and the second clutch member move synchronously.

[0061] In the embodiments as Figure 2 shown in the drawings, the first clutch member and the second clutch member are hinged to each other with the axis of the ratchet as the hinge axis.Figure 6 In some embodiments as shown, the pawl assembly further comprises a second pawl, and the ratchet assembly further comprises a second ratchet cooperating with the second pawl, the second ratchet and the first ratchet are coaxially arranged, and have opposite tooth directions. When the first pawl is engaged with the first ratchet, the second pawl is separated from the second ratchet; when the second pawl is engaged with the second ratchet, the first pawl is separated from the first ratchet. Through the cooperation of the pawl assembly and the ratchet assembly with different tooth directions, the clockwise or counterclockwise one-way transmission of the ratchet clutch can be realized by switching the first pawl or the second pawl.

[0062] In some embodiments as shown, the ratchet clutch further comprises a trigger assembly arranged on the first clutch, for switching the engagement or separation of the first pawl and the first ratchet. The trigger assembly comprises a power source and a transmission assembly, the transmission assembly is connected with the first pawl, and the power source is in transmission connection with the transmission assembly. Figure 6 The power source is used to provide the force required for the transmission assembly to drive the first pawl, so as to switch the engagement or separation of the first pawl and the first clutch. The power source can be hydraulic or pneumatic, or can be an electric motor as shown in

[0063] Figure 6 As for the structure of the transmission assembly, in the embodiments as shown, the engagement or separation of the first pawl and the first ratchet is driven through a series of linkages similar to a lever structure. The structure of the transmission assembly can also be in various forms, as long as the electric motor can drive the first pawl to switch.

[0064] In some embodiments, the ratchet clutch further comprises a support, and the second clutch is hingedly connected with the first clutch through the support. The support can be at least one of a ball, a bearing, a shaft sleeve, an oil-free bearing, and a bushing. When the second clutch rotates relative to the first clutch, the friction between the first clutch and the second clutch can be reduced. In the embodiments as shown, the support is two groups of balls, one group of balls is arranged between the first clutch and the ratchet assembly, and the other group of balls is arranged between the second clutch and the ratchet assembly. By using balls, the integration of the ratchet clutch can be improved, the clutch structure is more compact, and it is easier to integrate into a device with limited space, thereby saving space. Further, in some embodiments, a ball holder cooperating with the balls is designed, the ball holder rolls the balls inside, and the ball holder with the balls is connected with the first clutch or the second clutch. Through the design of the ball holder, the balls are more convenient to install, and the overall structure is more stable due to the protection of the ball holder. Figure 6

[0065] Figure 4

[0066] ​​​​In some embodiments, a springy retaining member is arranged between the support member and the first clutch member or between the support member and the second clutch member, so that a certain gap is kept between the support member and the first clutch member or the second clutch member, thereby reducing the sliding friction caused by the direct contact between the first clutch member and the second clutch member, and reducing the resistance generated when the ratchet clutch is switched. In some embodiments, the retaining member is a wave spring, which can provide uniform spring force according to the arrangement position of the support member.

[0067] In some embodiments, the first mounting portion is provided with a first anti-disengagement portion, and / or the second mounting portion is provided with a second anti-disengagement portion. The first anti-disengagement portion is mainly used to strengthen the fixed connection between the first mounting portion and the external load, and the second anti-disengagement portion is mainly used to strengthen the fixed connection between the second mounting portion and the external load, so as to make their connection more secure by increasing the friction. The first anti-disengagement portion and the second anti-disengagement portion can be made of a scratch process or a material with anti-skid ability such as rubber.

[0068] In some embodiments, a first sensor is further included, which is used to detect the movement angle of the first clutch member relative to the second clutch member when the first clutch member moves from the unfolded state to the folded state. The first sensor can be an angle sensor such as a resistance type, a grating type, or a Hall type. As is known, sensors such as resistance type, grating type, and Hall type angle sensors usually have two parts that can rotate relative to each other. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the first sensor is arranged on the first clutch member and the second clutch member, and when the second clutch member rotates relative to the first clutch member about the hinge shaft, the first sensor can detect the rotation angle of the two rotating parts and output the required signal.

[0069] In some embodiments, a second sensor is further included, which is used to detect the pressing force between the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion when the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion abut against each other. The second sensor can be a pressure sensor such as a resistance type, a capacitance type, or an electromagnetic type. In the embodiment shown in Figure 7 , the second sensor is a strain gauge type sensor, which has the characteristics of simple structure, stability, and accuracy.

[0070] As shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the first pressing portion is arranged on the first clutch frame, and the second pressing portion is arranged on the second clutch frame, so that the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion can abut against each other. The abutment of the two can be direct abutment or indirect abutment through other intermediate components. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2 and Figure 8In some embodiments shown, the intermediate component is an elastic member arranged on the first abutting portion and / or the second abutting portion. The elastic member provides elastic force in the opposite direction of the unfolded state to the first clutching member and the second clutching member, so that the engagement of the pawl assembly and the ratchet assembly is more sufficient, and the problem of ratchet clutch vibration caused by the gap between the pawl assembly and the ratchet assembly under the action of wind force or the like is prevented. In addition, the arrangement of the elastic member also buffers the abutting of the first clutching member and the second clutching member, so that the folding photovoltaic device can operate more stably when applied to the folding photovoltaic device proposed in the embodiment.

[0071] As a second aspect of the present application, the present application further discloses a folding photovoltaic device, comprising a driving shaft assembly, a first photovoltaic panel and a second photovoltaic panel, and further comprising the above-mentioned ratchet clutch; the ratchet clutch is fixedly connected with the driving shaft assembly through the first clutching member or the second clutching member; the first photovoltaic panel is connected to the first mounting portion, and the second photovoltaic panel is connected to the second mounting portion.

[0072] The folding photovoltaic device has a folded state and an unfolded state, and the folded state of the folding photovoltaic device is consistent with the folded state of the ratchet clutch proposed in the embodiment, and the unfolded state of the folding photovoltaic device is consistent with the unfolded state of the ratchet clutch proposed in the embodiment. In the unfolded state, the optimal condition is that the first photovoltaic panel and the second photovoltaic panel form an included angle of 180 degrees, but in actual application, due to processing and installation and the like, the optimal condition may not be reached. Therefore, the included angle formed between the first photovoltaic panel connected to the first mounting portion and the second photovoltaic panel connected to the second mounting portion is greater than 170 degrees and less than 190 degrees. It should be noted that the above-mentioned included angle is the included angle formed by the main light receiving surfaces of the first photovoltaic panel and the second photovoltaic panel in the photovoltaic tracking process, and the light receiving surface refers to the surface of the folding photovoltaic device used for photovoltaic power generation in the embodiment, while in some embodiments with double-sided photovoltaic panels, the surface with the largest irradiance is the main light receiving surface.

[0073] In the specific embodiments of the folding photovoltaic device as shown in Figure 2 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 , the first photovoltaic panel and the first mounting portion are fixedly connected, the second photovoltaic panel and the second mounting portion are fixedly connected, the driving shaft assembly comprises an output end and a fixed end, the output end is a spline shaft, the two sets of ratchet clutches are connected with the driving shaft assembly through the spline shaft, and the fixed end of the driving shaft assembly is fixedly connected with the stand column, so that the folding state and the unfolded synchronous tracking state are realized. The switching between the unfolded state and the folded state of the folding photovoltaic device is more stable.

[0074] It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments in accordance with the present application. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, devices, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0075] In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that the orientation words such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "transverse, vertical, perpendicular, horizontal" and "top, bottom" and the like indicated orientation or position relationship are generally based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, without the contrary description, these orientation words do not indicate and imply that the indicated device or element must have a particular orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation on the scope of protection of the present application; the orientation words "inner, outer" refer to the inner and outer relative to the contour of each component.

[0076] In the description of the present application, it is to be understood that, unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms "provided with", "connected" and the like should be broadly understood, for example, "connected" can be fixedly connected, or detachably connected, or integrally connected; can be mechanically connected, or electrically connected; can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through intermediate medium, can be the communication inside two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0077] The above description is only the preferred embodiment of the present application, and any equivalent change and modification made within the scope of the present application should be covered by the present application.

Claims

1. A ratchet clutch, characterized by: Comprising A first clutch member comprising a first clutch frame and a pawl assembly, the pawl assembly comprising a first pawl hinged to the first clutch frame, the first clutch frame being provided with a first abutting portion and a first mounting portion; A second clutch member comprising a second clutch frame and a ratchet assembly, the ratchet assembly comprising a first ratchet cooperating with the first pawl, the second clutch frame being provided with a second abutting portion and a second mounting portion, the second clutch member being hinged to the first clutch member with the axis of the ratchet as the hinge axis; In the folded state, the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion are not in abutment, and the first pawl is separated from the first ratchet, and under the action of an external force, the first clutch member can rotate relative to the second clutch member about the hinge axis; In the unfolded state, the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion are in abutment, and the first pawl is engaged with the first ratchet, and under the action of an external force, the first clutch member and the second clutch member move synchronously.

2. The ratchet clutch of claim 1, wherein: The pawl assembly further comprises a second pawl, and the ratchet assembly further comprises a second ratchet cooperating with the second pawl, the second ratchet and the first ratchet are coaxially arranged with opposite tooth directions, when the first pawl is engaged with the first ratchet, the second pawl is separated from the second ratchet, and when the second pawl is engaged with the second ratchet, the first pawl is separated from the first ratchet.

3. The ratchet clutch of claim 1 wherein: Further comprising a trigger assembly provided on the first clutch member for switching the engagement or separation of the first pawl and the first ratchet; The trigger assembly comprises a power source and a transmission assembly, the transmission assembly is connected with the first pawl, and the power source is in transmission connection with the transmission assembly.

4. The ratchet clutch of claim 1 wherein: Further comprising a support member, the second clutch member is hinged to the first clutch member through the support member.

5. The ratchet clutch of claim 4 wherein: The support member is at least one of a ball bearing, a bearing, a shaft sleeve, an oil-free bearing, and a bushing.

6. The ratchet clutch of claim 1 wherein: The first mounting portion is provided with a first anti-disengagement portion, and / or the second mounting portion is provided with a second anti-disengagement portion.

7. A ratchet clutch as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein: Further comprising a first sensor for detecting the movement angle of the first clutch member relative to the second clutch member during movement from the unfolded state to the folded state.

8. A ratchet clutch as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein: Further comprising a second sensor for detecting the abutment pressure between the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion when the first abutting portion and the second abutting portion are in abutment.

9. A ratchet clutch as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein: Further comprising an elastic member provided on the first abutting portion and / or the second abutting portion.

10. A foldable photovoltaic device, characterized by: Comprising a drive shaft assembly, a first photovoltaic panel, and a second photovoltaic panel, and further comprising the ratchet clutch of any one of claims 1 to 9; The ratchet clutch is fixedly connected with the drive shaft assembly through the first clutch member or the second clutch member; The first photovoltaic panel is connected to the first mounting portion, and the second photovoltaic panel is connected to the second mounting portion.

11. The folded photovoltaic device of claim 10, wherein: In the unfolded state, the included angle between the first photovoltaic panel connected to the first mounting portion and the second photovoltaic panel connected to the second mounting portion is greater than 170 degrees and less than 190 degrees.

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