Self-cleaning photovoltaic devices

Abstract

This application discloses a self-cleaning photovoltaic device, which includes a photovoltaic mechanism, an installation mechanism, and a cleaning mechanism. The photovoltaic mechanism includes multiple photovoltaic panels, and the installation mechanism includes a support frame and a waterproof cover assembly. The waterproof cover assembly includes a ridge cover plate, and the support frame includes first water guide members. Each first water guide member forms an upward-opening first water guide channel. Each photovoltaic panel overlaps with the first water guide members by forming first water guide channels on two opposite sides parallel to the ridge extension direction. The ridge cover plate is pressed against the ridge and partially overlaps the edge of the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism near the ridge. The cleaning mechanism includes a position adjustment component and a cleaning assembly. The position adjustment component includes a first adjustment component, which includes a mounting base and a first driving component. The cleaning assembly is driven by the first driving component to move in a direction parallel to the slope.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of photovoltaic power generation equipment technology, and in particular to self-cleaning photovoltaic devices. Background Technology

[0002] Solar cells, known in physics as photovoltaics, or simply photovoltaics, are thin-film photovoltaic semiconductors that directly generate electricity using sunlight. As long as the illuminance meets certain conditions, they can instantly output voltage and, in the presence of a circuit, produce current. Because rooftops offer large areas of sunlight and long hours of illumination, they have become important locations for photovoltaic systems, particularly in factories and commercial buildings.

[0003] Photovoltaic panels are directly exposed to the external environment, making their surfaces prone to accumulating dust, bird droppings, and other contaminants. This contamination can obstruct and corrode the panels, reducing their photoelectric conversion efficiency and shortening their lifespan. Furthermore, because photovoltaic panels are installed on rooftops at a high location, cleaning them at heights presents safety hazards and is inefficient. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems and achieve at least one advantage of this application, this application provides a self-cleaning photovoltaic device, which is installed on a pitched roof, and the self-cleaning photovoltaic device includes:

[0005] A photovoltaic structure, comprising multiple photovoltaic panels arranged in an array;

[0006] The installation mechanism includes a support frame and a waterproof cover assembly, wherein the waterproof cover assembly includes a ridge cover plate. The support frame includes multiple first water guides spaced apart along the slope. Both the first water guides and the ridge cover plate extend along the direction of the roof ridge. Each first water guide forms an upward-opening first water guide groove. Each photovoltaic panel overlaps with the first water guide in such a way that its two opposite sides, parallel to the direction of the roof ridge extension, correspond to two adjacent first water guides and each forms a first water guide groove. The ridge cover plate is pressed onto the roof ridge and partially overlaps the edge of the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism near the roof ridge.

[0007] A cleaning mechanism includes a position adjustment component and a cleaning assembly. The position adjustment component includes a first adjustment component, which includes a mounting base and a first drive component. One end of the mounting base is connected to the ridge cover plate, and the other end is connected to a first water guide near the eaves. The first drive component is mounted on the mounting base, and the cleaning assembly is drivably connected to the first drive component. The cleaning assembly is slidably mounted on the mounting base such that it is driven by the first drive component to move in a direction parallel to the slope.

[0008] According to one embodiment of this application, the mounting base forms a guide structure that extends along a slope, wherein the cleaning component is slidably mounted on the guide structure, and the guide structure is used to restrict the movement of the cleaning component in a direction parallel to the slope.

[0009] According to one embodiment of this application, the first driving component includes a first drive motor and a first lead screw with a guide rail. The axial direction of the first lead screw is parallel to the slope direction. The first lead screw is rotatably connected to the first drive motor. The cleaning component is installed on the first lead screw. When the first lead screw is driven by the first drive motor, the cleaning component moves in a direction parallel to the slope direction under the restraining effect of the guide structure.

[0010] According to one embodiment of this application, the cleaning assembly includes a cleaning roller, a mounting base, and a drive member. The mounting base is slidably mounted on the mounting base, and the cleaning roller is mounted on the mounting base in a manner that allows it to rotate under the drive member. The outer peripheral wall of the cleaning roller has bristles.

[0011] According to one embodiment of this application, the cleaning roller has a plurality of drainage holes in its radial direction and a liquid inlet channel communicating with the drainage holes in its axial direction. The cleaning roller forms the liquid inlet channel and is connected to an external pipe through a rotary joint.

[0012] According to one embodiment of this application, the position adjustment component further includes a second adjustment component. The mounting base is slidably mounted on the ridge cover plate and the first water guide near the eaves. The mounting base is drivably connected to the second adjustment component. The second adjustment component is used to drive the mounting base to move along the ridge extension direction. When the mounting base is driven by the second adjustment component, the first adjustment component drives the cleaning component to move on the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism along the ridge extension direction.

[0013] According to one embodiment of this application, the ridge cover plate forms a sliding structure that extends along the ridge extension direction. One end of the mounting base is slidably mounted on the sliding structure, and the other end is slidably engaged with the first water guide near the eaves. The sliding structure is used to limit the movement of the mounting base along the ridge extension direction.

[0014] According to one embodiment of this application, the second adjustment assembly includes a second drive motor and a second lead screw, the axial direction of the second lead screw is parallel to the ridge extension direction, the second lead screw is rotatably connected to the second drive motor, and one end of the mounting base is connected to the second lead screw.

[0015] According to one embodiment of this application, the support frame further includes multiple second water guides, and each second water guide forms an upward-facing second water guide channel. The second water guides are installed at intervals along the ridge extension direction on the pitched roof. Each photovoltaic panel is attached to the support frame with its two opposite sides parallel to the slope, corresponding to the second water guide channels formed by the two adjacent second water guides. Both ends of each first water guide extend above the second water guide channels formed by the two adjacent second water guides.

[0016] According to one embodiment of this application, the bottom wall of the first water guide member forming the first water guide channel extends downward from the two ends of the first water guide member to form two guide portions. The two guide portions formed by each of the first water guide members extend into the second water guide channel, and the rainwater in the first water guide channel is guided to flow into the second water guide channel through the guide portions. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 A diagram illustrating a usage scenario of the self-cleaning photovoltaic device described in this application is shown.

[0018] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of part A.

[0019] Figure 3 A partial structural cross-sectional view of the self-cleaning photovoltaic device described in this application is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The following description is intended to disclose this application and enable those skilled in the art to implement it. The preferred embodiments described below are merely examples, and other obvious variations will occur to those skilled in the art. The basic principles of this application defined in the following description can be applied to other embodiments, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and other technical solutions that do not depart from the spirit and scope of this application.

[0021] Those skilled in the art should understand that, in the disclosure of this application, the terms "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the above terms should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0022] It is understood that the term "a" should be understood as "at least one" or "one or more", that is, in one embodiment, the number of an element can be one, while in another embodiment, the number of the element can be multiple, and the term "a" should not be understood as a limitation on the number.

[0023] refer to Figures 1 to 3 A preferred embodiment of the self-cleaning photovoltaic device according to this application will be described in detail below. The self-cleaning photovoltaic device is installed on a pitched roof.

[0024] The self-cleaning photovoltaic device includes a cleaning mechanism 10, an installation mechanism 20, and a photovoltaic mechanism 30.

[0025] Specifically, the mounting mechanism 20 is fixedly installed on the pitched roof. The photovoltaic mechanism 30 is laid on the pitched roof and connected to the mounting mechanism 20, so that the photovoltaic mechanism 30 is fixed to the pitched roof by the mounting mechanism 20. The cleaning mechanism 10 includes a position adjustment member 11 and a cleaning component 12. The cleaning component 12 is drivenly connected to the position adjustment member 11, which is installed on the mounting mechanism 20. The position adjustment member 11 is used to drive the cleaning component 12 to move on the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism 30, so that the cleaning component 12 cleans the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism 30.

[0026] Preferably, the photovoltaic mechanism 30 includes multiple photovoltaic panels 31 arranged in an array.

[0027] The installation mechanism 20 includes a support frame 21 and a waterproof cover assembly 22. The support frame 21 is fixedly installed on the pitched roof, and the waterproof cover assembly 22 includes a ridge cover plate 221. The photovoltaic panel 31 is laid on the support frame 21. The support frame 21 includes multiple first water guides 211 spaced apart along the slope direction. The extension directions of the first water guides 211 and the ridge cover plate 221 are parallel to the extension direction of the roof ridge, and each first water guide 211 forms an upward-opening first water guide groove 21101. Each photovoltaic panel 31 overlaps the first water guides 211 with its two opposite sides parallel to the extension direction of the roof ridge, each corresponding to two adjacent first water guides 211, forming its own first water guide groove 21101. The ridge cover plate 221 is pressed onto the roof ridge and partially overlaps the edge of the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism 30 near the roof ridge. Rainwater falling towards the roof ridge is guided by the ridge cover plate 221 and flows to the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism 30 to prevent rainwater from flowing into the sloping roof from the ridge. The rainwater flowing to the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism 30 flows into the first water guide channel 21101 under the action of the slope, and then is discharged from the two ports that connect the first water guide 211 and the first water guide channel 21101, so as to avoid the accumulation of rain and snow on the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism 30 and the sloping roof, thereby achieving waterproofing.

[0028] The position adjustment member 11 includes a first adjustment assembly 111, which includes a mounting base 1111 and a first drive component 1112. The mounting base 1111 extends along the slope, and one end of the mounting base 1111 is connected to the ridge cover plate 221, and the other end is connected to the first water guide 211 near the eaves. The first drive component 1112 is mounted on the mounting base 1111, and the cleaning component 12 is drivably connected to the first drive component 1112. The cleaning component 12 is slidably mounted on the mounting base 1111 in a manner that it is driven by the first drive component 1112 to reciprocate parallel to the slope.

[0029] Specifically, when the cleaning component 12 is driven by the first driving component 1112, the cleaning component 12 moves parallel to the slope on the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism 30. The cleaning component 12 removes dirt from the upper surface of the photovoltaic panel 31 by rubbing against it, and the cleaning component 12 cleans the multiple photovoltaic panels 31 laid along the slope in sequence to achieve comprehensive cleaning.

[0030] Preferably, the mounting base 1111 forms a guide structure 11111 extending along a slope, wherein the cleaning component 12 is slidably mounted on the guide structure 11111, the guide structure 11111 serving to restrict movement of the cleaning component 12 parallel to the slope. As an example, the guide structure 11111 is implemented as a guide rail.

[0031] In one embodiment, the first driving component 1112 includes a first driving motor 11121 and a first lead screw 11122, the axial direction of which is parallel to the slope. The first lead screw 11122 is rotatably connected to the first driving motor 11121, and the cleaning component 12 is mounted on the first lead screw 11122. When the first lead screw 11122 is driven by the first driving motor 11121, the cleaning component 12 moves in a direction parallel to the slope under the restraining effect of the guide structure 11111.

[0032] Preferably, the cleaning assembly 12 includes a cleaning roller 121, a mounting base 122, and a drive member 123, wherein the mounting base 122 is slidably mounted on the mounting seat 1111. The cleaning roller 121 is rotatably mounted on the mounting base 122 in a manner driven by the drive member 123, and the outer peripheral wall of the cleaning roller 121 has bristles. When the mounting base 122 is driven by the first drive member 1112 to move in a direction parallel to the slope, the drive member 123 drives the cleaning roller 121 to rotate, thereby brushing away dirt from the surface of the photovoltaic panel 31.

[0033] As an example, the drive element 123 is implemented to include a motor.

[0034] Preferably, the cleaning roller 121 has a plurality of drainage holes 12101 formed in its radial direction and a liquid inlet channel 12102 communicating with the drainage holes 12101 in its axial direction. The cleaning roller 121 forms the liquid inlet channel 12102 and is connected to an external pipe through a rotary joint, so that the externally supplied cleaning liquid flows through the external pipe and the rotary joint to the liquid inlet channel 12102 formed by the cleaning roller 121, and then flows to the upper surface of the photovoltaic panel 31 through the drainage holes 12101.

[0035] In this way, when the cleaning roller 121 is driven by the drive member 123 to rotate on the upper surface of the photovoltaic panel 31, the cleaning liquid flows from the drain hole 12101 to the upper surface of the photovoltaic panel 31. The cleaning liquid can soften the dirt, making it easier for the cleaning roller 121 to brush away the dirt and rinse the photovoltaic panel 31, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

[0036] Furthermore, the position adjustment component 11 also includes a second adjustment assembly 112. The mounting base 1111 is slidably mounted on the ridge cover plate 221 and the first water guide 211 near the eaves, and the mounting base 1111 is drivably connected to the second adjustment assembly 112. The second adjustment assembly 112 is used to drive the mounting base 1111 to move along the direction extending from the ridge. When the mounting base 1111 is driven by the second adjustment assembly 112, the first adjustment assembly 111 drives the cleaning assembly 12 to move on the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism 30 along the direction extending from the ridge, so that the cleaning assembly 12 sequentially cleans the multiple rows of photovoltaic panels 31 laid along the direction extending from the ridge.

[0037] In one embodiment, after the second adjustment component 112 drives the mounting base 1111 to move to a position corresponding to a row of photovoltaic panels 31, the first driving component 1112 drives the cleaning component 12 to move along the slope, so that the cleaning component 12 cleans the row of photovoltaic panels 31. After cleaning, the second adjustment component 112 drives the mounting base 1111 to a position corresponding to an adjacent row of photovoltaic panels 31, so that the cleaning component 12 continues to clean the adjacent row of photovoltaic panels 31. This process is repeated multiple times, so that the cleaning mechanism 10 thoroughly cleans the entire photovoltaic mechanism 30, thereby increasing the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photovoltaic mechanism 30.

[0038] Preferably, the ridge cover 221 forms a sliding structure 2211, which extends along the direction of the ridge. One end of the mounting base 1111 is slidably mounted to the sliding structure 2211, and the other end is slidably engaged with the first water guide 211 near the eaves. The sliding structure 2211 is used to limit the movement of the mounting base 1111 along the direction of the ridge. As an example, the sliding structure 2211 is implemented as a guide rail.

[0039] In one embodiment, the second adjustment assembly 112 includes a second drive motor 1121 and a second lead screw 1122, the axis of which is parallel to the direction of the ridge extension. The second lead screw 1122 is rotatably connected to the second drive motor 1121, and one end of the mounting base 1111 is connected to the second lead screw 1122. When the second lead screw 1122 is driven by the second drive motor 1121, the mounting base 1111 moves along the direction of the ridge extension under the constraint of the sliding structure 2211.

[0040] Preferably, the dimensions of the ridge cover plate 221 and the first water guide 211 near the eaves along the ridge are both larger than the dimensions of the photovoltaic mechanism 30 along the ridge. In this way, when the cleaning component 12 has finished cleaning, the second adjustment component 112 drives the mounting base 1111 to move to the portion of the ridge cover plate 221 and the first water guide 211 near the eaves that extends beyond the photovoltaic mechanism 30, so that the first adjustment component 111 moves away from the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism 30, thereby reducing the shading of the photovoltaic mechanism 30 by the first adjustment component 111 and improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency.

[0041] Preferably, after the cleaning component 12 has completed its cleaning work, the first driving component 1112 drives the cleaning component 12 to move closer to the ridge cover plate 221, so that the cleaning roller 121 moves above the ridge cover plate 221, thereby moving the cleaning roller 121 away from the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism 30, so as to reduce the shading of the photovoltaic mechanism 30 by the cleaning component 12, and thus improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency.

[0042] Furthermore, the support frame 21 also includes multiple second water guides 212, and each second water guide 212 forms an upward-facing second water guide channel 21201. The second water guides 212 are installed at intervals along the direction extending from the ridge on the pitched roof. Each photovoltaic panel 31 is attached to the support frame 21 with its two opposite sides parallel to the slope corresponding to the second water guide channels 21201 formed by two adjacent second water guides 212, and both ends of each first water guide 211 extend above the second water guide channels 21201 formed by two adjacent second water guides 212, so that rainwater flowing into the first water guide channel 21101 collects into the second water guide channel 21201 through the two ports communicating with the first water guide channel 21101, and then the rainwater is discharged from the end of the second water guide 212 near the eaves under the action of the slope.

[0043] It is worth mentioning that the bottom of the first water guide member 211 forming the first water guide channel 21101 extends downward from the two ports communicating with the first water guide channel 21101 to form two guide portions 2111. The two guide portions 2111 formed by each of the first water guide members 211 extend into the second water guide channels 21201 formed by the two adjacent second water guide members 212, and the rainwater in the first water guide channel 21101 is guided to flow into the second water guide channel 21201 through the guide portions 2111.

[0044] Furthermore, the installation mechanism 20 also includes a connecting member 23. The connecting member 23 includes a clamping body 231 and a locking structure 232. The clamping body 231 partially overlaps the upper edge of the photovoltaic panel 31. The locking structure 232 includes a locking screw 2321 and a locking element 2322. The second water guide 212 also forms an assembly groove 21202, and the locking element 2322 is engaged in the assembly groove 21202. The rod of the locking screw 2321 passes through the clamping body 231 and is threadedly connected to the locking element 2322.

[0045] When the locking screw 2321 moves toward the locking member 2322, the locking screw 2321 drives the pressing body 231 to move downward, so that the photovoltaic panel 31 is pressed between the pressing body 231 and the second water guide member 212.

[0046] Preferably, the second water guide 212 further forms a communication port 21203 communicating with the assembly groove 21202. The width of the locking member 2322 is smaller than the diameter of the communication port 21203, and the length of the locking member 2322 is greater than the diameter of the communication port 21203. After the locking member 2322 extends into the assembly groove 21202 from the communication port 21203 with its own length parallel to the extension direction of the second water guide groove 21201, the locking member 2322 is rotated so that its own length is perpendicular to the extension direction of the second water guide groove 21201. Then, the position and posture of the pressing body 231 are adjusted so that the pressing body 231 partially overlaps the upper edge of the photovoltaic panel 31. Finally, the locking screw 2321 is tightened to fix the photovoltaic panel 31.

[0047] Furthermore, the waterproof cover assembly 22 also includes an auxiliary cover plate, which is inserted into the assembly groove 21202 and partially overlaps the upper surfaces of two adjacent photovoltaic panels 31 to reduce rainwater from entering the assembly groove 21202, thereby preventing the locking screw 2321 and the locking member 2322 from rusting.

[0048] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of this application described above and shown in the accompanying drawings are merely examples and do not limit the scope of this application. The advantages of this application have been fully and effectively implemented. The functional and structural principles of this application have been demonstrated and explained in the embodiments, and any variations or modifications can be made to the implementation of this application without departing from the stated principles.

Claims

1. A self-cleaning photovoltaic device, wherein the self-cleaning photovoltaic device is installed on a pitched roof, characterized in that, The self-cleaning photovoltaic device includes: A photovoltaic structure, comprising multiple photovoltaic panels arranged in an array; The installation mechanism includes a support frame and a waterproof cover assembly, wherein the waterproof cover assembly includes a ridge cover plate. The support frame includes multiple first water guides spaced apart along the slope. Both the first water guides and the ridge cover plate extend along the direction of the roof ridge. Each first water guide forms an upward-opening first water guide groove. Each photovoltaic panel overlaps with the first water guide in such a way that its two opposite sides, parallel to the direction of the roof ridge extension, correspond to two adjacent first water guides and each forms a first water guide groove. The ridge cover plate is pressed onto the roof ridge and partially overlaps the edge of the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism near the roof ridge. A cleaning mechanism includes a position adjustment component and a cleaning assembly. The position adjustment component includes a first adjustment component, which includes a mounting base and a first drive component. One end of the mounting base is connected to the ridge cover plate, and the other end is connected to a first water guide near the eaves. The first drive component is mounted on the mounting base, and the cleaning assembly is drivably connected to the first drive component. The cleaning assembly is slidably mounted on the mounting base such that it is driven by the first drive component to move in a direction parallel to the slope.

2. The self-cleaning photovoltaic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting base forms a guide structure that extends along a slope, wherein the cleaning component is slidably mounted on the guide structure, which restricts the movement of the cleaning component in a direction parallel to the slope.

3. The self-cleaning photovoltaic device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first driving component includes a first drive motor and a first lead screw with a guide rail. The axis of the first lead screw with a guide rail is parallel to the slope direction. The first lead screw with a guide rail is rotatably connected to the first drive motor. The cleaning component is installed on the first lead screw with a guide rail. When the first lead screw with a guide rail is driven by the first drive motor, the cleaning component moves in a direction parallel to the slope direction under the restraining effect of the guide structure.

4. The self-cleaning photovoltaic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The cleaning assembly includes a cleaning roller, a mounting base, and a drive element. The mounting base is slidably mounted on the mounting base, and the cleaning roller is mounted on the mounting base in a manner that allows it to rotate under the drive element. The outer peripheral wall of the cleaning roller has bristles.

5. The self-cleaning photovoltaic device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The cleaning roller has multiple drainage holes in its radial direction and a liquid inlet channel in its axial direction that communicates with the drainage holes. The cleaning roller forms the liquid inlet channel and is connected to an external pipe through a rotary joint.

6. The self-cleaning photovoltaic device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The position adjustment component further includes a second adjustment component. The mounting base is slidably mounted on the ridge cover plate and the first water guide near the eaves. The mounting base is drivably connected to the second adjustment component. The second adjustment component is used to drive the mounting base to move along the ridge extension direction. When the mounting base is driven by the second adjustment component, the first adjustment component drives the cleaning component to move on the upper surface of the photovoltaic mechanism along the ridge extension direction.

7. The self-cleaning photovoltaic device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The ridge cover plate forms a sliding structure that extends along the ridge extension direction. One end of the mounting base is slidably mounted on the sliding structure, and the other end is slidably engaged with the first water guide near the eaves. The sliding structure is used to limit the movement of the mounting base along the ridge extension direction.

8. The self-cleaning photovoltaic device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second adjustment assembly includes a second drive motor and a second lead screw. The axial direction of the second lead screw is parallel to the ridge extension direction. The second lead screw is rotatably connected to the second drive motor. One end of the mounting base is connected to the second lead screw.

9. The self-cleaning photovoltaic device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The support frame also includes multiple second water guides, and each second water guide forms an upward-facing second water guide channel. The second water guides are installed at intervals along the ridge extension direction on the pitched roof. Each photovoltaic panel is attached to the support frame with its two opposite sides parallel to the slope, corresponding to the second water guide channels formed by the two adjacent second water guides. Both ends of each first water guide extend above the second water guide channels formed by the two adjacent second water guides.

10. The self-cleaning photovoltaic device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The bottom wall of the first water guide member forms the first water guide channel, and two guide portions extend downward from the two ends of the first water guide member. The two guide portions formed by each of the first water guide members extend into the second water guide channel, and the rainwater in the first water guide channel is guided to the second water guide channel through the guide portions.

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