A testing device for a solar photovoltaic module

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of testing devices for solar photovoltaic module, including environmental simulation box, light source and sample being set in environmental simulation box, and sensor, wall hole is opened in the side wall of environmental simulation box, and drawer structure is arranged at wall hole;Drawer structure includes drawer inner cover and drawer outer cover, and connecting block is connected between drawer inner cover and drawer outer cover;Driving mechanism for driving drawer structure reciprocating movement is connected outside drawer structure;Vertical slide column is provided in drawer structure, and sliding block is slidably installed on slide column, and sensor is fixedly installed on sliding block;First circular shaft is fixedly installed in the side surface of sliding block, second circular shaft is fixedly installed on the wall surface of wall hole, and connecting rod is hinged between first circular shaft and second circular shaft.The utility model overcomes the deficiency of prior art, effectively solves the contradiction that sensor is long-term exposed and needs to avoid shielding when testing, has the dual advantages of high measurement accuracy and long sensor life, and realizes automatic intermittent testing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of solar energy product testing equipment, specifically to a testing device for solar photovoltaic modules. Background Technology

[0002] In the research and development and quality testing of solar photovoltaic modules, accurately assessing the performance degradation of modules under different environmental conditions is crucial. Among these, the module's tolerance to ultraviolet radiation and full-spectrum natural light is a core performance indicator. To replicate the complex outdoor natural environment in the laboratory, environmental simulation chambers (or "aging test chambers") are widely used. These devices can simulate various environmental factors, including the solar spectrum, temperature, and humidity, thereby accelerating the testing process.

[0003] During testing, in order to accurately monitor the irradiance stability of the light source (usually a xenon lamp or metal halide lamp) inside the environmental simulation chamber, a radiometer (a type of light sensor) needs to be placed inside the chamber for an extended period of time. Figure 1 As shown. However, the environment simulation chamber is a harsh environment that continuously withstands high-intensity light, high temperature, and high humidity. Under long-term, especially combined stress from high temperature, high humidity, and light, the optical components and photoelectric sensors in the radiometer will inevitably experience performance degradation and aging. This degradation directly causes the measured readings to deviate from the true values, making it impossible for testers to accurately assess the actual irradiance irradiated on the sample, thus affecting the accuracy and reliability of the performance judgment of the solar modules.

[0004] To mitigate the rapid degradation of sensors caused by direct exposure to harsh environments, existing technologies sometimes house sensors within a drawer-type mechanism. When testing is required, the drawer is pulled out to collect data; after testing, the drawer is pushed back in, isolating the sensor from the harsh environment. This method does reduce direct damage to the sensor to some extent. However, when the drawer is pushed back in for measurement, the sensor is actually located inside a cavity formed by the drawer walls. These drawer walls surrounding the sensor inevitably block some incident light from various angles, especially in tests simulating different angles of sunlight. This blocking alters the luminous flux and optical path received by the sensor, resulting in measurements lower than the actual ambient irradiance. Therefore, while this method protects the sensor, it sacrifices the accuracy of the test data, failing to meet the demands of high-precision testing. Utility Model Content

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides a testing device for solar photovoltaic modules. It overcomes the deficiencies of existing technologies, has a reasonable design, and effectively solves the contradiction between the easy degradation of sensors due to long-term exposure and the need to avoid shading during testing. It has the dual advantages of high measurement accuracy and long sensor life, and realizes automated intermittent testing.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution:

[0007] A testing device for solar photovoltaic modules includes an environmental simulation chamber, a light source and a sample disposed within the environmental simulation chamber, and a sensor for monitoring irradiance. The environmental simulation chamber has a wall opening in its side wall, and a reciprocating drawer structure is disposed at the wall opening. The drawer structure includes an inner drawer cover located inside the environmental simulation chamber and an outer drawer cover located outside the environmental simulation chamber, with a connecting block fixedly connected between the inner and outer drawer covers. A drive mechanism for driving the reciprocating movement of the drawer structure is externally connected to the drawer structure.

[0008] The drawer structure is provided with a vertical sliding column, and a slider is slidably mounted on the sliding column. The sensor is fixedly mounted on the slider. A first round shaft is fixedly mounted on the side of the slider, and a second round shaft is fixedly mounted on the wall surface of the wall hole. A connecting rod is hinged between the first round shaft and the second round shaft.

[0009] When the drive mechanism moves the drawer structure, the slider moves up and down along the slide column through the linkage of the connecting rod, so that the sensor has a test position extending above the drawer structure and a protective position retracted into the drawer structure.

[0010] Preferably, the driving mechanism is a cylinder, which is fixed to the outside of the environmental simulation chamber by a cylinder fixing component, and the end of the piston rod of the cylinder is connected to the outer cover of the drawer.

[0011] Preferably, the cylinder is connected to an air circuit control system, which includes a switching valve, an inflation pipe connected to the air source and the input end of the switching valve, and piston retraction inflation pipe and piston extension inflation pipe respectively connected to the switching valve and both ends of the cylinder; the switching valve is connected to the controller via a switching valve communication line.

[0012] Preferably, the sensor is a radiometer, and the sensor is connected to the controller via a radiometer communication line.

[0013] Preferably, when the drive mechanism drives the drawer structure to move to its limit position outside the environmental simulation box, the drawer cover seals the outside of the wall hole, and the slider is located at the top of the slide column, so that the sensor is in the test position.

[0014] Preferably, when the drive mechanism drives the drawer structure to move to its limit position inside the environmental simulation chamber, the inner cover of the drawer seals the inside of the wall hole, and at the same time the slider is located at the bottom of the slide column, so that the sensor is in a protected position.

[0015] This invention provides a testing device for solar photovoltaic modules, offering the following advantages: By employing a linkage slider mechanism, the sensor is vertically lifted during testing, extending completely beyond the drawer structure. The sensor's photosensitive surface is directly and completely exposed to the illumination environment of the environmental simulation chamber, with no obstructions within its field of view. This effectively solves the problems of low measurement values ​​and optical path interference caused by light blocking by the chamber walls. This results in more realistic and accurate measurement results, significantly improving the scientific validity and reliability of the test results. During non-testing periods, the sensor can be completely stored within the drawer structure's cavity and moved with the drawer to a wall hole, achieving physical isolation from the harsh environment inside the environmental simulation chamber. This effectively avoids accelerated aging, performance drift, and measurement distortion caused by long-term sensor exposure, thereby reducing maintenance costs and time, significantly extending its service life and maintenance cycle, and ensuring the stability of long-term monitoring. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this utility model or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of this utility model or the prior art will be briefly introduced below.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the existing technology;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model when performing irradiance measurement;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the present invention after measurement.

[0020] Explanation of the labels in the diagram:

[0021] 1. Light source; 2. Environmental simulation chamber; 3. Sensor; 4. Sample; 5. Drawer inner cover; 6. Sliding column; 7. Connecting block; 8. Sliding block; 9. Round shaft; 10. Connecting rod; 11. Wall hole; 12. Round shaft; 13. Drawer outer cover; 14. Piston; 15. Cylinder; 16. Controller; 17. Irradiometer communication line; 18. Switching valve communication line; 19. Switching valve; 20. Inflation pipe; 21. Piston retracts into inflation pipe; 22. Piston extends into inflation pipe; 23. Cylinder fixing component. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the technical solutions of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Example 1, as Figure 2-3 As shown, a testing device for solar photovoltaic modules includes an environmental simulation chamber 2, a light source 1 and a sample 4 disposed inside the environmental simulation chamber 2, and a sensor 3 for monitoring irradiance. A wall hole 11 is provided on the side wall of the environmental simulation chamber 2, and a reciprocating drawer structure is provided at the wall hole 11. The drawer structure includes an inner drawer cover plate 5 located inside the environmental simulation chamber 2 and an outer drawer cover plate 13 located outside the environmental simulation chamber 2. A connecting block 7 is fixedly connected between the inner drawer cover plate 5 and the outer drawer cover plate 13. A drive mechanism for driving the reciprocating movement of the drawer structure is connected to the outside of the drawer structure.

[0024] The drawer structure has a vertical slide column 6, and a slider 8 is slidably mounted on the slide column 6. The sensor 3 is fixedly mounted on the slider 8. A first round shaft 9 is fixedly mounted on the side of the slider 8, and a second round shaft 12 is fixedly mounted on the wall surface of the wall hole 11. A connecting rod 10 is hinged between the first round shaft 9 and the second round shaft 12.

[0025] When the drive mechanism moves the drawer structure, the slider 8 moves up and down along the slide column 6 through the linkage of the connecting rod 10, so that the sensor 3 has a test position extending above the drawer structure and a protection position retracted into the drawer structure.

[0026] When the drive mechanism moves the drawer structure to its limit position outside the environmental simulation chamber 2, the drawer outer cover 13 seals the outside of the wall hole 11, and the slider 8 is located at the top of the slide column 6, placing the sensor 3 in the test position. When the drive mechanism moves the drawer structure to its limit position inside the environmental simulation chamber 2, the drawer inner cover 5 seals the inside of the wall hole 11, and the slider 8 is located at the bottom of the slide column 6, placing the sensor 3 in the protective position.

[0027] Working principle:

[0028] When it is necessary to perform irradiance measurements, such as Figure 2As shown, the drive mechanism is activated, driving the entire drawer structure to move outward from the environmental simulation box 2. This continues until the drawer cover 13 contacts and seals the outer wall of the wall opening 11, at which point the interior of the environmental simulation box 2 is reliably isolated from the external environment. During this horizontal outward movement, the connecting rod 10, hinged between the second circular shaft 12 and the first circular shaft 9, begins to move along with the drawer structure. Since the second circular shaft 12 remains stationary, the connecting rod 10 rotates around it, generating an upward pushing or pulling force on the first circular shaft 9. This force acts on the first circular shaft 9 on the slider 8, forcing the slider 8 to slide upward along the sliding post 6 vertically fixed to the connecting block 7. The sensor 3, fixed to the slider 8, rises synchronously, eventually extending completely out of the plane formed by the inner drawer cover 5. At this point, the photosensitive surface of the sensor 3 is fully exposed, in the same lighting environment as the sample 4 inside the box, without any obstruction from other components, enabling high-precision irradiance measurement.

[0029] And after the measurement is completed, such as Figure 3 As shown, the drive mechanism operates in reverse, causing the drawer structure to retract into the environment simulation chamber 2. As the drawer structure moves inward, the inner drawer cover 5 contacts the inner wall of the wall opening 11, forming a seal. During this horizontal inward movement, the connecting rod 10 rotates in the opposite direction around the second circular axis 12, generating a downward pulling or pushing force on the first circular axis 9. This force causes the slider 8 to slide downward along the sliding column 6, pulling the sensor 3 back so that it is completely housed within the sealed drawer structure formed by the inner drawer cover 5, the connecting block 7, and the outer drawer cover 13. As the drawer structure completely moves into the wall opening, the sensor 3 is completely isolated from the harsh environment (light, high temperature, high humidity) inside the environment simulation chamber 2 by the inner drawer cover 5, thus effectively protecting it and delaying performance degradation.

[0030] This invention employs a linkage slider mechanism to vertically lift sensor 3 during testing, allowing it to extend completely beyond the drawer structure. The photosensitive surface of sensor 3 is directly and completely exposed to the light environment of the environmental simulation chamber, with no obstructions within its field of view. This effectively solves the problems of low measurement values ​​and optical path interference caused by light blocking by the chamber walls. This results in more realistic and accurate measurement results, providing a reliable data foundation for the performance evaluation of samples such as solar modules, and greatly improving the scientific validity and reliability of the test results. During non-testing periods, sensor 3 can be completely stored within the drawer structure and moved with the drawer structure to the wall hole 11, achieving physical isolation from the harsh environment (continuous light, high temperature, high humidity) inside the environmental simulation chamber 2. This effectively avoids accelerated aging, performance drift, and measurement distortion caused by long-term sensor exposure, thereby reducing maintenance costs and time, significantly extending its service life and maintenance cycle, and ensuring the stability of long-term monitoring.

[0031] Meanwhile, this structural design cleverly utilizes the translational motion of the drawer to convert it into the vertical lifting and lowering motion of the sensor, eliminating the need for an additional drive source and achieving efficient switching of motion modes. The entire process is fluid and precise, ensuring the consistency of the sensor position for each measurement, further improving data repeatability and system reliability.

[0032] In Example 2, as a further preferred embodiment of Example 1, the driving mechanism is a cylinder 15. The cylinder 15 is fixed to the outside of the environmental simulation chamber 2 by a cylinder fixing member 23, and the end of the piston rod 14 of the cylinder 15 is connected to the drawer outer cover plate 13. The extension and retraction movement of the cylinder 15 serves as the power source for the horizontal movement of the drawer structure, driving it to reciprocate within the wall hole 11. When the cylinder piston rod extends, it pushes the drawer outer cover plate 13, causing the entire drawer structure to slide outwards. Then, the motion is transmitted to the sensor 3 through the linkage slider mechanism, achieving its vertical lifting. When the piston rod retracts, it pulls the drawer structure inwards in the opposite direction, simultaneously causing the sensor 3 to fall back and be completely stored in the sealed cavity. Furthermore, the cylinder 15 can easily change its output thrust and pull force by adjusting the air source pressure. This allows it to provide sufficient force to ensure that at the end of the action, the drawer outer cover plate or the drawer inner cover plate can be tightly pressed against the wall of the wall hole, forming an effective seal.

[0033] In Example 3, as a further preferred embodiment of Example 2, cylinder 15 is connected to a pneumatic control system. The pneumatic control system includes a switching valve 19, an inflation pipe 20 connected to the air source and the input end of the switching valve 19, and piston retraction inflation pipe 21 and piston extension inflation pipe 22 respectively connecting the switching valve 19 and the two ends of cylinder 15. The switching valve 19 is connected to the controller 16 via a switching valve communication line 18. Connecting the switching valve 19 to the controller 16 via the switching valve communication line 18 allows the electrical signals from the controller 16 to precisely instruct the opening, closing, and switching of the switching valve. This effectively eliminates timing errors and operational mistakes caused by manual operation, ensuring high consistency and repeatability in each test cycle, and greatly improving the comparability and reliability of experimental data. Furthermore, by linking cylinder 15 with the controller 16, automated control is achieved, ensuring that the extension and retraction of the drawer structure and the lifting and lowering of the sensors are executed precisely according to a preset timing sequence.

[0034] Additionally, sensor 3 is a radiometer, which is connected to controller 16 via radiometer communication line 17. A dedicated data channel is established between the radiometer and controller 16 via radiometer communication line 17, enabling real-time, high-speed, and lossless transmission of measured irradiance data to the controller the instant the sensor is in the extended test position. The controller 16 can then instantly acquire and store the data, and synchronize it with the drawer's movement status to ensure that each set of data corresponds to an accurate test sequence and sensor position.

[0035] The specific working process of this utility model is as follows:

[0036] When irradiance measurement is required

[0037] The system controller 16 sends an electrical signal command to the switching valve 19. The switching valve 19 operates according to the command, switching the air path so that external air enters the corresponding chamber of cylinder 15 through the inflation pipe 20 and the piston extension inflation pipe 22. Compressed air pushes the piston rod 14 in a linear motion towards the environmental simulation chamber 2. The extension of the piston rod 14 pushes the connected drawer cover 13 to move together. Through the connecting block 7, the entire drawer structure moves outward from the environmental simulation chamber 2 until the drawer cover 13 is tightly fitted against the outer wall of the wall opening 11. At this point, the drawer cover 13 acts as a seal, ensuring the isolation of the environmental simulation chamber 2 from the external environment. While the drawer structure moves outward, the position of the second circular shaft 12 fixed to the wall of the wall opening 11 remains unchanged. Therefore, the connecting rod 10, hinged to the second circular shaft 12, moves accordingly. The other end of the connecting rod 10 is hinged to the first circular shaft 9 fixed to the slider 8. Therefore, when the drawer moves outward, the connecting rod 10 is "pushed" by the second circular shaft 12, moving from a relatively inclined state to a vertical state. This movement generates an upward component force on the first circular shaft 9, forcing the slider 8 to slide upward along the sliding post 6 fixed on the connecting block 7. This causes the slider 8 to move upward to the top of the sliding post 6, ultimately causing the sensor 3 fixed thereto to rise completely and extend above the drawer inner cover 5. At this time, the sensor 3 and the sample 4 inside the chamber are at the same horizontal plane, and its photosensitive part is fully exposed to the illumination of the light source 1 without any obstruction, thus enabling high-precision irradiance measurement to begin. The measurement data is transmitted to the controller 16 in real time via the irradiance meter communication line 17.

[0038] After the preset measurement time ends, the controller 16 sends a signal to the switching valve 19 again. The switching valve 19 switches the air path, allowing compressed air to enter another chamber of the cylinder 15 through the piston return inflation pipe 21, driving the piston rod 14 to retract. This then moves the entire drawer structure into the environment simulation chamber 2 until the drawer inner cover 5 is tightly fitted against the inner wall of the wall hole 11. At this time, the drawer inner cover 5 acts as a seal, maintaining the internal environment of the environment simulation chamber 2. During the inward movement of the drawer structure, the connecting rod 10 rotates around the second circular axis 12, returning to its previous tilted state, and pulls the first circular axis 9 downward, thereby causing the slider 8 to slide downward along the sliding column 6. This causes the slider 8 to descend to the bottom of the sliding column 6, completely pulling the sensor 3 back and storing it in the drawer cavity formed by the drawer inner cover 5 and the connecting block 7. Subsequently, the entire drawer structure continues to move inward, so that the sensor 3 is completely placed in the wall hole 11, completely isolated from the high-pressure environment inside the environment simulation chamber 2 by the drawer inner cover 5. In this state, sensor 3 is no longer continuously affected by light, high temperature and high humidity, and is effectively protected, significantly slowing down its performance degradation.

[0039] Subsequently, the controller 16 can periodically control the switching between the two stages according to a preset program. Its operating frequency can be set according to the attenuation characteristics of the light source. Afterwards, by calculating the average of the irradiance data obtained from the two "extend tests", the equivalent irradiance experienced by the sample during the sensor "retraction protection" period can be effectively calculated, thereby realizing a highly reliable intermittent test that protects the sensor without losing monitoring continuity.

[0040] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A testing apparatus for solar photovoltaic modules, comprising an environmental simulation chamber (2), a light source (1) disposed within the environmental simulation chamber (2), a sample (4), and a sensor (3) for monitoring irradiance, characterized in that: The side wall of the environmental simulation box (2) is provided with a wall hole (11), and a reciprocating drawer structure is provided at the wall hole (11); the drawer structure includes an inner drawer cover plate (5) located inside the environmental simulation box (2) and an outer drawer cover plate (13) located outside the environmental simulation box (2), and a connecting block (7) is fixedly connected between the inner drawer cover plate (5) and the outer drawer cover plate (13); a drive mechanism for driving the reciprocating movement of the drawer structure is connected to the outside of the drawer structure; The drawer structure is provided with a vertical slide column (6), and a slider (8) is slidably installed on the slide column (6). The sensor (3) is fixedly installed on the slider (8). A first round shaft (9) is fixedly installed on the side of the slider (8), and a second round shaft (12) is fixedly installed on the wall surface of the wall hole (11). A connecting rod (10) is hinged between the first round shaft (9) and the second round shaft (12). When the drive mechanism drives the drawer structure to move, the slider (8) is driven to rise and fall along the slide column (6) through the linkage of the connecting rod (10), so that the sensor (3) has a test position extending above the drawer structure and a protective position retracted into the drawer structure.

2. The testing device for solar photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving mechanism is a cylinder (15), which is fixed to the outside of the environmental simulation box (2) by a cylinder fixing part (23). The end of the piston rod (14) of the cylinder (15) is connected to the drawer cover plate (13).

3. The testing device for solar photovoltaic modules according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cylinder (15) is connected to an air circuit control system, which includes a switching valve (19), an inflation pipe (20) connected to the air source and the input end of the switching valve (19), and a piston retraction inflation pipe (21) and a piston extension inflation pipe (22) respectively connected to the two ends of the switching valve (19) and the cylinder (15); the switching valve (19) is connected to the controller (16) through a switching valve communication line (18).

4. The testing device for solar photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor (3) is a radiometer, and the sensor (3) is connected to the controller (16) via the radiometer communication line (17).

5. A testing device for solar photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the drive mechanism drives the drawer structure to move to the limit position outside the environmental simulation box (2), the drawer cover plate (13) seals the outside of the wall hole (11), and at the same time the slider (8) is located on the top of the slide column (6), so that the sensor (3) is in the test position.

6. The testing device for solar photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the drive mechanism drives the drawer structure to move to the limit position inside the environmental simulation box (2), the inner cover plate (5) of the drawer seals the inside of the wall hole (11), and at the same time the slider (8) is located at the bottom of the slide column (6), so that the sensor (3) is in a protected position.

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