Antenna support for solar tracker

Abstract

The utility model relates to an antenna support member (100) used for a solar tracker, the antenna support member comprises a plate (110), the plate is provided with a horizontal support surface (110a) used for placing an antenna (300), and a long vertical surface (110b) used for contacting with a base rod (200) of a corresponding solar tracker to realize attachment, the plate comprises at least one clamping element (120) at each respective end of the elongated vertical surface (110b), such that the clamping element (120) is configured to capture a respective flange (210) of the base rod (200) between the clamping element and the elongated vertical surface (110b).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of devices or accessories for facilitating the interconnection between solar trackers and their respective control units, and more particularly to an improved antenna support for a solar tracker interconnected with a control unit. Background Art

[0002] As is known, solar trackers are devices capable of modifying the orientation of the solar panels they support in real time, so that they follow the sun's position from sunrise to sunset while maintaining the greatest possible verticality relative to the sun's rays. To implement this adjustment of their orientation, solar trackers must include drive devices and communication units that allow for the exchange of signals for adequate control of the drive devices. For this purpose, wireless network setups are known, in which each solar tracker includes a Tracker Control Unit (TCU), and all TCUs are in turn connected to a Network Control Unit (NCU); the interconnection between these units is implemented using antennas (e.g., of the LoRa (Long Range) type).

[0003] One common approach for positioning the antenna corresponding to a solar tracker's TCU is to attach a horizontal rack or plate to a ground-mounted base pole. The antenna is then positioned on this horizontal plate using a fastening mechanism, maintaining stability and keeping it upright. Typically, this antenna support plate consists of two surfaces or faces, angled 90° apart, giving it an inverted "L"-shaped cross-section. One of the support plate's faces serves as the horizontal rack for the antenna, while the other faces rests in contact with or abuts the tracker's vertical base pole. The face abutting the vertical pole is protruding on both longitudinal sides, and these protruding areas contain holes through which long bolts pass. These long bolts are then inserted into corresponding holes in another elongated plate on the opposing face of the vertical base pole. In this way, by tightening the two opposing plates with bolts, a stable positioning of the antenna support plate is achieved, with the vertical base pole interposed between them. Figure 1 Such a known solution is illustrated in FIG.

[0004] The present invention proposes an alternative to the above-mentioned solution and which achieves a substantial improvement in material costs for both plates and bolts by exploiting the common outer profile or shape of the vertical base poles; all without affecting the stability and robustness of the attachment system and even simplifying its assembly. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present application has for object, in the light of the purposes set out in the preceding part, to provide an antenna support for a solar tracker. The support is of the type designed with a plate, having a horizontal support surface for the antenna and an elongated vertical surface, forming a 90° between the two surfaces. This type of support is generally attached to a pole supporting one or more corresponding solar trackers. It further comprises at least one clamping fastening element located at each respective end of the elongated vertical surface, such that the clamping element is configured to capture between it and the elongated vertical surface a respective flange of a base pole for attaching the antenna support.

[0006] In this way, after tightening the clamping element, a firm and stable base of the antenna support is achieved.

[0007] According to a feature of the application, the clamping element is in the form of a plate, the plate having at least one hole to attach it to the elongated vertical surface in a complementary hole aligned in the operating position to tighten the clamping element by means of a mechanical coupling element such as a bolt, screw, nut and similar elements.

[0008] In the present application, the "operating position" relates to the position taken by the antenna support or by any one of its components or parts when it is positioned as it will be once it is firmly attached to the corresponding base pole and ready to support the antenna in a stable manner.

[0009] According to another feature of the antenna support of the application, the hole in the elongated vertical surface is in the shape of an elongated hole. This allows the clamping element to be adjusted according to the width of the solar tracker pole on which the antenna support is mounted.

[0010] According to another feature of the application, the clamping element comprises at its curved end a protrusion that can be inserted into a corresponding through slot of the elongated vertical surface, allowing it to be guided in the longitudinal direction of the plate having an "L" shaped section. Said protrusion or lug is designed to be housed in said slot, so that only the protruding part is housed in the slot, abutting the end of the slot in its operating position, finding an interlocking point to allow the curvature for adjustment after tightening.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the application, the horizontal support surface on which the antenna is positioned has a portion that extends beyond or over the limit marked by the corner of the base pole. That is, the antenna can be placed in this extended portion, characterized in that none of the faces of the base pole delimit the profile of said extended portion, thus avoiding interfering obstacles.

[0012] According to another aspect of the application, the extension or surface area of the horizontal support surface is such that it is only used to support the corresponding antenna, that is, the rest of the surface that does not perform this function can be saved.

[0013] According to an additional feature of the invention, the attachment hole of the clamping element is arranged in its central part, and the curved end and its other end have a configuration that, in its operating position, is inclined towards the plate. In this way, when the tightening device acts on the central area located between the two ends of the clamping element, a pressure tightening with a certain elasticity (due to the arched structure of the clamping element) is achieved through the two ends. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings illustrate, by way of non-limiting example, embodiments of the antenna support for a solar tracker according to the present invention.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an antenna support for a solar tracker according to the prior art, the antenna support being attached to a base pole of a corresponding solar tracker.

[0016] Figure 2 This is an upper perspective view of an antenna support for a solar tracker according to the present invention as seen from the rear side.

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Upper perspective view of an antenna support attached to a solar tracker's base pole, as seen from the front right side.

[0018] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An upper perspective view of the same antenna support, but this time seen from the left.

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 and Figure 4 Upper view of the antenna support, which is attached to the base pole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In the following detailed description, specific details are set forth as examples to help interpret the scope of the claims with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings can be put into practice without these details or with modifications to these details that do not affect the scope defined by the claims.

[0021] Figure 1An example of an antenna support (500) of the type currently in use is shown. It is attached to a base pole (200) for supporting a solar tracker (not shown). The figure also schematically shows an antenna (300). The support (500) comprises a front plate on which the antenna (300) is placed, and a rear plate (only one end of the rear plate is visible in the figure), and the two plates are attached together by means of long bolts using appropriate nuts and any other required screw elements, in which the pole (200) is inserted. The front plate of the actual embodiment shown in the figure has an "L"-shaped cross-section and consists of a horizontal support surface (510a) and an elongated vertical surface (510b), the two surfaces forming an angle of substantially 90°.

[0022] Figure 2 This is an antenna support (100) of the type proposed in the present invention. As can be seen, the plate (110) also includes a horizontal support surface (110a) and an elongated vertical surface (110b). It can be seen that the antenna (300) rests on the horizontal support surface (110a), wherein the antenna fastening means is equivalent to the prior art. Figure 1 , although any other type of antenna fastening means can be used. In this case, the attachment to the base pole (200) of the solar tracker (not visible in the figure) is carried out by means of two clamping elements (120) which can be pressed against the elongated vertical surface (110b) by suitable tightening means, which in the figure (corresponding to the preferred embodiment) are screw elements. Figures 3 to 5 In more detail, the support (100) is shown how the flange (210) of the base pole (200) is captured between the clamping element (120) and the elongated vertical surface (110b). In this regard, it should be noted that any suitable flange of the base pole (200) or any other structure near the solar tracker that will allow the antenna to be connected to the relevant device can be used for this attachment. Therefore, the use of the flange (210) is merely illustrative, as this structural holding element does not modify the functional or structural nature of the antenna support (100) of the present invention.

[0023] It should also be noted that the specific shape of the clamping element (120) shown in the figures constitutes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but other shapes may be used to allow the ends of the elongated vertical surface (110b) to be attached to corresponding flanges.

[0024] Thus, for the practical embodiment shown in the figures, the clamping element (120) is in the form of an elongated pressure plate or plate, the two ends of which (122, 123) are closed against the elongated vertical surface (110b) of the support (100). In the embodiment shown, these ends are closed onto said surface (110b) (i.e. they are directed at an angle towards said surface) so that the clamping element (120) consists of three flat parts: two parts corresponding to each end (122, 123) and a central part in which one or more suitable fastening holes (clamping holes) are provided, said fastening holes cooperating with complementary holes in the surface (110b) for tightening each clamping element (120) (and therefore its corresponding end) against the front plate of the support (100) by means of screw elements. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG, these holes in the surface ( 110 b ) are in the form of elongated holes, allowing the support ( 100 ) to be adjusted, depending on the width of the pole ( 200 ) of the corresponding solar tracker.

[0025] As can be inferred from the present invention, the arrangement in the form of three flat portions is only a preferred embodiment and other arrangements can be adopted as long as they comply with the fact that the ends (122, 123) of the clamping element (120) protrude obliquely towards the elongated vertical surface (110b). This arrangement increases the flexibility (even elasticity) of the structure of the clamping element (120).

[0026] In the clamping element (120), a projection (124) is also provided, in particular at the bent end (123) of the clamping element (120), which projection is intended to press directly against the elongated vertical surface (110b); the projection (124) can (at least partially) pass through a through hole or slot (112) produced in the end or portion of the vertical surface (110b) against which the end of the projection (124) presses. In this way, during tightening of the clamping element (120), the projection and the end of the slot (112) are guided until they stop.

[0027] Another difference with respect to antenna supports in use to date is that the support (100) of the present invention comprises a cantilevered projection of the horizontal support surface (110a); this cantilevered projection extends beyond the corresponding attachment end of the elongated vertical surface (110b) and thus remains "in the air", with no part of its transverse profile being defined by any face of the base pole (200). This situation can be Figures 3 to 5 It is clearly seen in Figure 5 wherein the horizontal surface (110a) extends beyond the flange (210) of the column (200).

[0028] In this regard, another advantageous technical feature of the support member (100) of the present invention is that the horizontal support surface (110a) can include only the surface area necessary to support the antenna (300). Depending on the material and specific structure of the support member (100), this surface area may be larger or smaller (so that it meets the necessary requirements of strength and durability within the scope of the claims) and can be calculated or estimated based on the latter, but always providing the technical advantage of saving material and therefore saving manufacturing costs of the support member (100).

Claims

1. An antenna support (100) for a solar tracker, the antenna support being of the type comprising a plate (110) having a horizontal support surface (110a) on which an antenna (300) rests, and an elongated vertical surface (110b) for contacting a base pole (200) of a corresponding solar tracker for attachment thereof, the antenna support comprising at least one clamping element (120) at each respective end of the elongated vertical surface (110b), such that the clamping element (120) is configured to capture a respective flange (210) of the base pole (200) between the clamping element and the elongated vertical surface (110b).

2. The antenna support (100) according to claim 1, wherein: The clamping element (120) is in the form of a plate having at least one hole for attaching it to the elongated vertical surface (110b) in a complementary hole (114) in the elongated vertical surface, the complementary holes being aligned in an operating position for tightening the clamping element (120) by means of corresponding screw elements.

3. The antenna support (100) according to claim 2, wherein: The hole (114) of the elongated vertical surface (110b) is in the shape of an elongated hole.

4. The antenna support (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The clamping element (120) comprises, at its bent end (123), a projection (124) which can be inserted into a corresponding through-groove (112) of the elongated vertical surface (110b), thereby allowing the plate (110) to be guided in its longitudinal direction.

5. The antenna support (100) according to claim 4, wherein: The attachment hole of the clamping element (120) is arranged in a central portion thereof, and the bent end (123) and its other end (122) comprise a configuration that is inclined toward the plate (110) in its operating position.

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