Planting bin with solar function
By designing switchable solar panel modules, the problem of damage to solar panels in the planting bins under severe weather conditions is solved, achieving protection and efficient power generation, reducing maintenance costs, and enhancing structural stability.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511344704.5
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-14
AI Technical Summary
The solar panels in existing planting warehouses are easily damaged by severe weather such as hail, causing the power generation function to fail. In addition, the existing protection solutions are limited in function and have high maintenance costs.
Design a solar panel assembly that switches between an unfolded state and a protected state via a drive mechanism. The shape of the solar panel is changed by using a support and a drive mechanism to provide protection and maximize solar energy absorption.
It effectively avoids damage to solar panels, reduces maintenance costs, improves power generation efficiency and practicality, enhances wind resistance and stability, has a simple structure, and has a self-locking function.
Smart Images

Figure CN120937668A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of agricultural facility technology, specifically to a planting bin with solar energy functionality. Background Technology
[0002] With the development of modern agriculture, planting bins are widely used in crop cultivation because they can precisely control the internal environment and are not limited by external natural conditions. In order to reduce energy consumption, existing planting bins are often equipped with solar panels to achieve energy self-sufficiency. The solar panels are usually fixedly installed on the top of the planting bin.
[0003] In severe weather conditions such as hail and heavy rain, the sun-receiving surface of solar panels is easily damaged by hail, causing the power generation function to fail. This not only affects the normal operation of the equipment, but also requires high costs to repair or replace the solar panels. In existing technologies, some solar panel protection solutions require the addition of protective covers, but these are limited in function and practicality.
[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a multifunctional solar-powered planting warehouse with protective features.
[0005] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the overall background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned defects and provide a planting bin with solar energy function.
[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows: A solar-powered planting bin includes a planting bin with a solar panel assembly mounted on top. The solar panel assembly is connected to the planting bin via a support frame. The solar panel assembly has the following states: an unfolded state where the light-receiving surface of the solar panel assembly receives solar radiation; a protected state where the solar panel assembly changes shape through movement to protect the light-receiving surface; and a drive mechanism connected to the solar panel assembly for driving it to switch between the unfolded and protected states.
[0008] Furthermore, the solar panel assembly has two preferred embodiments: First embodiment: The solar panel assembly includes a first solar panel and two second solar panels. The first solar panel is fixedly mounted on the bracket, and the two second solar panels are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the upper end of the first solar panel and rotatably connected to the first solar panel via a first rotating shaft. The driving mechanism is a gear drive structure, including a driving gear and a driven gear, and a first drive motor for driving the driving gear. The unfolded state includes a first unfolded state and a second unfolded state. In the first unfolded state, the light-receiving surfaces of the first solar panel and the second solar panel are on the same plane to receive solar radiation. In the second unfolded state, the light-receiving surfaces of the first solar panel and the second solar panel are on different planes to receive solar radiation. In the protected state, the second solar panel rotates around the first rotating shaft and covers the first solar panel, with the backlighting surface of the second solar panel facing upwards.
[0009] Second embodiment: The solar panel assembly includes multiple third solar panels arranged in parallel. The front and rear ends of the third solar panels are rotatably connected to a first fixed plate and a second fixed plate via a second rotating shaft. The lower ends of the first fixed plate and the second fixed plate are both connected to the bracket via extension rods. A drive box is fixedly connected to the front end of the first fixed plate. The drive mechanism is disposed in the drive box. The drive mechanism is a worm gear mechanism, including a worm, a worm wheel corresponding to each of the third solar panels, and a second drive motor for driving the worm. In the unfolded state, the light-receiving surface of each of the third solar panels is adjusted to face the sun. In the protected state, each of the third solar panels rotates 180° around the second rotating shaft, so that the light-receiving surface faces downward and the backlighting surface faces upward to form a protective plane.
[0010] As an improvement, the support includes a mounting plate fixedly connected to the top of the planting bin, a connecting frame is provided above the mounting plate, and the two are connected by a number of wind-resistant support rods fixedly thereon. The upper end of the wind-resistant support rods is inclined downward from front to back, and the solar panel assembly is set on the connecting frame.
[0011] As an improvement, the planting chamber is equipped with a battery connected to the solar panel assembly.
[0012] As an improvement, an environmental control mechanism connected to the interior of the planting chamber is provided on the side wall of the chamber.
[0013] The advantages of this invention compared to the prior art are: (1) Protection is achieved by the solar panel module itself switching shape, without the need for additional protective cover. The structure is simple and can form a protective layer before hail arrives, effectively preventing the solar panel from being damaged by impact and reducing maintenance costs.
[0014] (2) When unfolded, the angle of the solar panel can be adjusted according to the angle of the sun to maximize the absorption of solar energy. The diversified functions make the solar panel module both protective and improve the power generation efficiency, thus improving its practicality.
[0015] (3) The support frame adopts wind-resistant support rods to enhance the overall wind resistance stability. Both drive mechanisms have self-locking function and can maintain their shape stably in the unfolded or protected state. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses consistent with some aspects of this disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.
[0017] Figure 1 This is an overall schematic diagram of the first embodiment provided by the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the first unfolded state of the first embodiment provided by the present invention. Figure 1 ; Figure 3 This is provided by the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 2 Enlarged view of area A in the middle; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the first unfolded state of the first embodiment provided by the present invention. Figure 2 ; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the second unfolded state of the first embodiment provided by the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the protection state of the first embodiment provided by the present invention; Figure 7 This is an overall schematic diagram of the second embodiment provided in this invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the unfolded state of the second embodiment provided in this invention. Figure 1 ; Figure 9 This is provided by the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 8 Enlarged view of area B in the middle; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the unfolded state of the second embodiment provided in this invention. Figure 2 ; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the unfolded state of the second embodiment provided in this invention. Figure 3 ; Figure 12This is a schematic diagram of the protection state of the second embodiment provided by the present invention; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the driving structure of the second embodiment provided in this invention; As shown in the figure: 1. Planting chamber; 2. Support frame; 201. Mounting plate; 202. Connecting frame; 203. Wind-resistant support rod; 3. First solar panel; 4. Second solar panel; 5. First rotating shaft; 6. Driving gear; 7. Driven gear; 8. First drive motor; 9. Third solar panel; 10. Second rotating shaft; 11. First fixing plate; 12. Second fixing plate; 13. Extension rod; 14. Drive box; 15. Worm gear; 16. Worm wheel; 17. Second drive motor; 18. Environmental control mechanism. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0019] First embodiment: The first preferred embodiment of the present invention focuses on the simplicity of the structure, which is applicable to most conventional climatic conditions and can achieve rapid state switching through a simple flipping action.
[0020] Combined with appendix Figures 1-6 As shown, this invention discloses a solar-powered planting chamber, including a planting chamber 1. The top of the planting chamber 1 is connected to a solar panel assembly via a bracket 2. The bracket 2 consists of a mounting plate 201, a connecting frame 202, and wind-resistant support rods 203. The mounting plate 201 is fixedly installed on the top of the planting chamber 1 by multiple rivets. The connecting frame 202 is connected to the mounting plate 201 by several inclined wind-resistant support rods 203 via threads, which enhances the overall wind resistance stability. The planting chamber 1 is equipped with a battery connected to the solar panel assembly for storing electrical energy. At the same time, an environmental control mechanism 18 communicating with the interior is provided on the side wall to regulate environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity inside the chamber.
[0021] Combined with appendix Figures 2-4 As shown, the solar panel assembly of this embodiment includes a first solar panel 3 and two second solar panels 4. The first solar panel 3 is fixed on the connecting frame 202. Fixing blocks are fixedly connected to the front and rear parts of both sides of the upper end of the first solar panel 3. A first rotating shaft 5 is rotatably connected between the front and rear fixing blocks. The two second solar panels 4 are respectively fixedly connected to the first rotating shaft 5 on both sides, and their angles are adjusted by a driving mechanism.
[0022] Combined with appendix Figure 3As shown, the drive mechanism in this embodiment adopts a gear drive structure, consisting of a driving gear 6, a driven gear 7, and a first drive motor 8. Motor cavities are opened on both sides of the frame of the first solar panel 3. Two first drive motors 8 are respectively fixedly installed in the two motor cavities. In use, a waterproof cover is used to cover the opening of the motor cavity. Slots are opened on both sides of the frame of the first solar panel 3. The driving gear 6 is rotatably connected to the slot. The output shaft of the first drive motor 8 passes through the motor cavity and drives the driving gear 6 to rotate. The driven gear 7 is fixed to the side of the frame of the second solar panel 4, that is, the side adjacent to the corresponding first rotating shaft 5, and maintains meshing with the driving gear 6. It should be noted that the first drive motor 8 is a commercially available drive motor with waterproof and locking functions, a common type of engineering machinery. Its working principle will not be elaborated here.
[0023] This embodiment has two deployment states, including a first deployment state and a second deployment state, both of which are suitable for sunny weather. A detailed description follows: Combined with appendix Figure 2 In the first unfolded state, the first drive motor 8 drives the drive gear 6 to rotate, which in turn drives the driven gear 7 and the first rotating shaft 5 to rotate, so that the second solar panel 4 rotates to be parallel to the first solar panel 3, maximizing the reception of solar radiation; Combined with appendix Figure 5 In the second unfolded state, by adjusting the rotation direction of the two first drive motors 8 respectively, the second solar panel 4 is controlled to rotate around the first rotating shaft 5 in different directions, adjusting the optimal light receiving angle to adapt to the solar irradiation angle in different seasons or times, thereby improving power generation efficiency.
[0024] Combined with appendix Figure 6 When severe weather such as hail is detected, the protective state is activated. The first drive motor 8 drives in reverse, causing the second solar panel 4 to rotate upward around the first rotating shaft 5 until it covers the first solar panel 3, with the back of the second solar panel 4 facing upward. The back of the second solar panel 4 is mainly composed of an aluminum alloy frame and an engineering plastic back plate. Its impact resistance and toughness are much higher than the glass layer of the light-receiving surface. At this time, even if it encounters hail with a large diameter, the impact energy will be effectively absorbed and dispersed by the sturdy frame structure, thereby preventing the more fragile light-receiving surface of the first solar panel 3 below from being directly hit and reducing its own risk of damage.
[0025] Second embodiment: Given that in Embodiment 1, the central first solar panel 3 is always fixed, and its light-receiving surface relies on the shading of the two side panels in the protected state, in order to achieve equal protection for the light-receiving surface of each solar panel and pursue higher power generation efficiency, the present invention provides a second preferred embodiment. This embodiment achieves protection and tracking of the angle of sunlight irradiation by allowing all solar panels to be adjusted and flipped.
[0026] Combined with appendix Figures 7-12 As shown, the structure is consistent with that of the bracket 2, battery, and environmental control mechanism 18 in Scheme 1, ensuring basic support, energy storage, and environmental regulation functions. In this embodiment, the solar panel assembly consists of multiple parallel-arranged third solar panels 9. Sufficient rotation space is reserved between the third solar panels 9 to prevent interference during rotation and to prevent mutual shading when adjusted to receive sunlight from the side. Each third solar panel 9 has a second rotating shaft 10 fixedly connected to its front and rear ends. The front end of the second rotating shaft 10 is rotatably connected to the first fixed plate 11, and the rear end of the second rotating shaft 10 is rotatably connected to the second fixed plate 12. Extension rods 13 are fixedly connected to both sides of the lower ends of the first fixed plate 11 and the second fixed plate 12. The lower ends of the extension rods 13 are connected to the bracket 2, and the length of the extension rods 13 is sufficient for the third solar panel 9 to rotate in a circle, providing sufficient rotation space. A drive box 14 is fixed to the front end of the first fixed plate 11, which contains a drive mechanism to drive all the third solar panels 9 to rotate synchronously.
[0027] Combined with appendix Figure 13 As shown, in this embodiment, the driving mechanism is a worm gear structure, including multiple worm gears 16 corresponding one-to-one with the third solar panel 9. The second rotating shaft 10 at the front of each third solar panel 9 extends through the first fixed plate 11 into the drive box 14 and is fixedly connected to the worm gear 16. A worm 15 arranged laterally is rotatably connected to the inner wall of the drive box 14. The worm 15 is engaged with each worm gear 16. The worm 15 is driven by a second drive motor 17, which is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the other side of the drive box 14.
[0028] Combined with appendix Figure 8 and attached Figure 11 As shown, in the deployed state, the second drive motor 17 drives all the third solar panels 9 to rotate synchronously through the worm gear structure, which can be adjusted to the optimal tilt angle to track the sun, resulting in high power generation efficiency. The worm gear structure itself has good self-locking properties, which can ensure that the third solar panels 9 maintain a stable tilt angle and receive solar radiation stably.
[0029] Combined with appendix Figure 12 In the protected state, the second drive motor 17 rotates all the third solar panels 9 synchronously by 180° through the worm gear structure, so that their common backlighting surface faces upward. The aluminum alloy frame of each third solar panel 9 serves as the main load-bearing component, which improves the overall bending and impact resistance and can effectively resist repeated impacts from hail.
[0030] In summary, the top of the planting bin 1 is equipped with a hail sensor or connected to an external weather warning system. When hail or other severe weather is detected, the controller automatically triggers the drive mechanism to switch to the protective state. It is also equipped with a manual control button for easy manual operation in case of emergency.
[0031] The present invention and its embodiments have been described above. This description is not restrictive, and the accompanying drawings are only one embodiment of the present invention; the actual structure is not limited thereto. In conclusion, if those skilled in the art are inspired by this description and design similar structures and embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention, such designs should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A solar-powered planting bin, comprising a planting bin (1), characterized in that: The top of the planting chamber (1) is equipped with a solar panel assembly, and the solar panel assembly is connected to the planting chamber (1) via a bracket (2); The solar panel assembly has: Deployed state: The light-receiving surface of the solar panel module receives solar radiation; Protection status: The solar panel module changes shape through movement, thus protecting the light-receiving surface; The drive mechanism, connected to the solar panel assembly, is used to drive it to switch between the deployed and protected states.
2. The solar-powered planting bin according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solar panel assembly includes a first solar panel (3) and two second solar panels (4). The first solar panel (3) is fixedly mounted on the bracket (2), and the two second solar panels (4) are symmetrically mounted on both sides of the upper end of the first solar panel (3) and are rotatably connected to the first solar panel (3) through a first rotating shaft (5).
3. The solar-powered planting bin according to claim 2, characterized in that: The drive mechanism is a gear drive structure, including a drive gear (6) and a driven gear (7), and a first drive motor (8) for driving the drive gear (6).
4. The solar-powered planting bin according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The unfolded state includes a first unfolded state and a second unfolded state; In the first unfolded state, the light-receiving surfaces of the first solar panel (3) and the second solar panel (4) are on the same plane to receive solar radiation; In the second unfolded state, the light-receiving surfaces of the first solar panel (3) and the second solar panel (4) are on different planes to receive solar radiation; In the protected state, the second solar panel (4) rotates around the first pivot (5) and covers the first solar panel (3), with the back of the second solar panel (4) facing upward.
5. The solar-powered planting bin according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solar panel assembly includes multiple third solar panels (9) arranged in parallel. The front and rear ends of the third solar panels (9) are rotatably connected to a first fixed plate (11) and a second fixed plate (12) via a second rotating shaft (10). The lower ends of the first fixed plate (11) and the second fixed plate (12) are connected to the bracket (2) via an extension rod (13). The front end of the first fixed plate (11) is fixedly connected to a drive box (14), and the drive mechanism is located inside the drive box (14).
6. The solar-powered planting bin according to claim 5, characterized in that: The driving mechanism is a worm gear mechanism, including a worm (15), a worm wheel (16) corresponding to each of the third solar panels (9), and a second drive motor (17) for driving the worm (15).
7. The solar-powered planting bin according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: In the unfolded state, the light-receiving surface of each of the third solar panels (9) is adjusted to face the sun; In the protected state, each of the third solar panels (9) rotates 180° around the second pivot (10) so that the light-receiving side faces down and the backlighting side faces up to form a protective plane.
8. The solar-powered planting bin according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bracket (2) includes an installation plate (201) fixedly connected to the top of the planting bin (1). A connecting frame (202) is provided above the installation plate (201). The two are connected by a number of wind-resistant support rods (203). The upper end of the wind-resistant support rods (203) is inclined downward from front to back. The solar panel assembly is set on the connecting frame (202).
9. The solar-powered planting bin according to claim 1, characterized in that: The planting chamber (1) is equipped with a battery connected to the solar panel assembly.
10. The solar-powered planting bin according to claim 1, characterized in that: An environmental control mechanism (18) communicating with the interior is provided on the side wall of the planting chamber (1).