Containers for transporting solar strings

Abstract

Problem to be solved The object of the invention is to provide a container for the transport of solar strings, which is suitable for a method of erecting a solar power plant and ensures a short construction time and safety of work, enables cost-effective construction and prevents solar strings from being damaged during a transport process. Solution The container for transporting solar strings has inside a solar string receiving section formed by a bottom plate (41), a longitudinal side plate (42) (42b) and a front side plate (43), wherein an upper opening of the solar string receiving section is formed as an open section for loading and unloading and rows of pairs of solar string lifting / lowering devices (45) are arranged and mounted along a side wall of the longitudinal plates.The solar string raising / lowering device (45) comprises: a drive gear portion (47a) driven by a drive portion (47) arranged on the side of the bottom plate (41); an endless chain member (46) orbiting around a deflection gear portion (47b) arranged on the side of the upper opening; a plurality of solar string placing devices (46a) attached to the endless chain member at predetermined intervals and having an orbiting path on the outside; a projection portion (46c) for placing a lower surface of an end edge portion of the solar string (100); and a shock-absorbing member (46b) attached to the back of the solar string placing device, the shock-absorbing member (46b) pressing and holding the upper surface of the end edge portion of the solar string arranged below the solar string placing device.During the loading and unloading process, the solar string placement devices arranged on the top of the solar string raising / lowering device, which have been emptied so that no solar string is placed thereon, and the shock absorbing member are controlled to move and retract by the orbital movement of the chain member between the solar string raising / lowering device (45) and the longitudinal side plate (42b).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for transporting solar strings assembled by arranging a large number of solar modules in series as integrated components to a construction site of a power plant (generally referred to as a solar power plant or photovoltaic power plant), placing the solar strings on stands arranged in a ground of the power plant construction site, and arranging the solar strings in an array form. State of the art

[0002] Solar power plants that utilize solar light are being widely used in conjunction with the diversification of energy resources. From the beginning, small-scale power plants installed on rooftops have attracted attention. Against the backdrop of the depletion of energy resources and the suppression of CO 2-Emissions in recent years, the construction of large-scale photovoltaic power plants (so-called mega-solar power plants) with a capacity of more than 1000 kW has been actively promoted. Hereinafter, for convenience, an installation site of a photovoltaic power plant is referred to as a "power plant construction site," the location of the power plant construction site is referred to as a "site," a solar panel unit is referred to as a "solar module," several to twenty modules integrated in series and formed into an elongated panel shape is referred to as a "solar string," and a parallel arrangement of a large number of "solar strings" is referred to as a "solar array."

[0003] In the construction of such a photovoltaic power plant (solar power plant), a plurality of solar modules are integrated as solar strings (conventionally referred to as solar panels) by means of parallel beams and a module support frame with a frame-like body. The solar strings are arranged in an array on stands provided at a power plant construction site. Generally, the assembly and installation work of the solar strings are performed at the power plant construction site (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, a method is known in which the solar strings are assembled at a factory, the solar strings are stored in a container, and the solar strings are transported to the power plant construction site (Patent Document 2). Citation listPatent documents Patent document 1: JP H11 - 81 680 A Patent Document 2: JP-A-2014-31198

[0004] US Pat. No. 8,154,314 B2 discloses a side-dockable test handling device and a device for transporting test pans for this device. In a side-docked testing device, a downward mechanism lowers a horizontally positioned test pan, which has been transferred into an immersion chamber, to a downward end position, and a vertical posture change mechanism changes the posture of the test pan, which has been lowered into the downward end position, from a horizontal state to a vertical state in order to transfer the test pan into a test chamber. Furthermore, a horizontal position change mechanism changes the position of the test panel in the test chamber from a vertical state to a horizontal state, while the test panel is brought into a starting position for ascent into a discharge chamber.

[0005] US 2011 / 0 174 700 A1 describes a device and a method for picking up glass sheets from at least one production line in order to transport the glass sheets to a storage housing or a coating system. One embodiment of the device comprises: a) a linearly movable, vertically installed main lifting column with a lifting rake that can be moved vertically thereon; b) a horizontal drive unit for the lifting rake; c) at least one sensor that is attached to a fork of the lifting rake and serves to detect the availability of the desired storage location for a glass sheet; d) at least one sensor that is attached to a fork of the lifting rake and serves to detect whether a glass sheet is located on the lifting rake; e) at least one sensor that is attached to a fork of the lifting rake and serves to detect cracks in a glass sheet. Brief description of the inventionTechnical task

[0006] In a mega-scale solar power plant, a large number of solar strings are arranged and installed in an array at the power plant construction site. Tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of solar modules are installed at such a power plant construction site. If the roof of a general house is the power plant construction site, the method for mounting and arranging the solar modules at the power plant construction site described in Patent Document 1 can be considered a suitable method.However, especially in a mega solar power plant where a large number of solar modules are installed, it is not considered efficient to carry out the assembly work (installation) of solar modules, the wiring work between solar modules, and the work of arranging and fixing a predetermined array of solar strings obtained by assembling the solar modules all at the power plant construction site in terms of working time, worker safety, uncertainty of construction time affected by weather and the like, cost, and the like.

[0007] Typically, solar strings are not assembled in a factory. Solar modules supplied from a module factory are assembled one by one at the power plant site. Therefore, labor efficiency is not high. That is, in the process of storing solar modules in containers or the like, the transportation of solar modules to the power plant construction site and fixing them to the stands provided on the power plant construction site, unloading the solar strings from the container transported to the power plant site, moving the solar strings to the stands, fixing work, and wiring work are all performed by human power. Therefore, a large number of workers and a long construction period are required. Ensuring worker safety is also a major concern. As a result, high costs are required for the construction of the solar power plant (a solar power system).

[0008] Therefore, a container used to transport solar strings assembled in a specialized factory to the power plant construction site must not only have a function of easily transporting the solar strings, but also a function of achieving sufficient efficiency for loading the solar strings at the assembly factory and unloading at the power plant construction site, and preventing damage to the solar strings such as breakage due to impact and the like during transportation.

[0009] The container shown in Patent Document 2 described above includes: a lifting device configured by multi-stage arms for placing the panels (the solar strings) on supports on the inside, a chain member that supports the multi-stage arms and sequentially lifts the solar strings placed on the arms to an upper opening that is a discharge position of the container, an arm direction changing device for retracting the arm on the top side from which the solar strings have been discharged from the upper opening, and an elastic body for sequentially moving the chain.

[0010] Multiple solar strings are loaded sequentially into the container described above and stored in a state where the solar strings are arranged on the multi-stage arms. The container is loaded onto a container truck (tractor) and transported to the power plant construction site. At the power plant construction site, the solar string is lifted and unloaded from the uppermost multi-stage arms by a crane and placed on a predetermined stand (a stand for mounting solar strings).

[0011] The arms provided in the container support the bottom surfaces of the solar strings in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the solar strings. After the solar strings are unloaded, they stand upright and rotate and retract to the outside of a solar string unloading work area. The lifting device incorporates a complex arm direction-changing device for erecting and rotating the arms, thereby ensuring a wide working space for changing the arm direction. The lifting device includes a tension spring formed by a coil spring at one end of the chain element and a complex loading and unloading mechanism that lowers (during loading) and raises (during unloading) the chain element according to an increase and decrease in the weight of a solar string by the tension spring, thus achieving a "first-in, last-out" system.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a container for transporting solar strings, which is suitable for a method of erecting a solar power plant, enables a short construction time, ensures work safety, enables cost-effective construction and prevents damage to the solar strings during transport. Solution to the problem

[0013] To achieve the above object, the present invention is structured to facilitate the work of loading and unloading solar strings into and out of a container for transporting solar strings, and to limit a work area to a minimum necessary area. A configuration example of the present invention will be described below.

[0014] (1) A container for transporting solar strings for transporting solar strings assembled by attaching several solar modules to a support frame as integrated components (units), where the container has a solar string receiving section formed by a bottom plate formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in plan view, a pair of longitudinal side plates attached upright to both longitudinal edges of the bottom plate, and a pair of end side plates attached upright to both end edges of the bottom plate in the transverse direction, wherein an upper opening formed by the pair of longitudinal side plates and the pair of end side plates is formed as an open section for loading and unloading the solar strings, wherein inside the solar string receiving section, rows of pairs of solar string raising / lowering devices are arranged along the inner walls of the pair of longitudinal side plates at a predetermined interval, the solar string raising / lowering mechanism comprises a drive gear portion driven by a drive portion disposed on the bottom plate side; an endless chain member laid thereover so as to perform a revolving movement around a direction-changing portion disposed on the upper opening side irreversibly and synchronously with the rows of pairs of solar string raising / lowering devices; a plurality of solar string placement devices fixed to the endless chain member at a predetermined interval and having, on the outer side of a path of revolving movement, a protrusion portion for placing the underside of an end edge portion of the solar strings; and a shock-absorbing member fixed to the rear side of the solar string placement device. The shock-absorbing member presses and holds the upper side of the end edge portion of the solar string disposed below the solar string placement device. wherein the solar string placing device arranged and emptied on top of the solar string raising / lowering device without the solar string and the shock absorbing member arranged thereon are controlled during the loading and unloading process to move and retract by the orbital movement of the chain member between the solar string raising / lowering device and the longitudinal side plate.

[0015] (2) A container for transporting solar strings for transporting solar strings assembled by attaching several solar modules to a support frame as integrated components (units), where the container has a solar string receiving section formed by a bottom plate formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in plan, a pair of longitudinal side plates fixed upright to two longitudinal end edges of the bottom plate, and a pair of end side plates fixed upright to two end edges of the bottom plate, wherein an upper opening formed by the pair of longitudinal side plates and the pair of end side plates is formed as an open section for loading and unloading solar strings, on the inside of the solar string receiving section, rows of pairs of solar string raising / lowering devices are arranged along the inner walls of the pairs of longitudinal side plates at a predetermined interval, The solar string raising / lowering device comprises: a drive gear portion driven by a drive portion disposed on the bottom plate side; an endless chain member superimposed thereon that performs a non-reversible orbital movement around a deflection gear portion disposed on the upper opening side in synchronization with the rows of pairs of solar string raising / lowering devices; a plurality of solar string placement devices attached to the endless chain member at predetermined intervals and having, on the outer side of a path of the orbital movement, a protrusion portion for placing the underside of an end edge portion of the solar strings; and a shock-absorbing member attached to the rear side of the solar string placement device. The shock-absorbing member presses and holds the upper side of the end edge portion of the solar string disposed below the solar string placement device. a drive shaft that transmits a driving force from the drive portion to the drive gear portion, and a support shaft that rotatably supports the idler gear portion, are provided jointly in the drive gear portions and the idler gear portions of a plurality of the solar string raising / lowering devices arranged along the inner walls of the pair of longitudinal side plates of the container at predetermined intervals, During loading and unloading, the solar string placement device arranged on top of the solar string raising / lowering device, which is emptied so that no solar string is placed thereon, and the shock absorbing element are controlled to move and retract by the orbital movement of the chain element between the solar string raising / lowering device and the longitudinal side plate.

[0016] (3) In the above-described item (2), the solar string placement device is a single element obtained by jointly bridging the solar string placement devices of the plurality of solar string raising / lowering devices at the same height.

[0017] (4) In the above-described item (2), the shock-absorbing element is a single element obtained by jointly bridging the solar string placement devices of the plurality of solar string raising / lowering devices at the same height.

[0018] (5) In the point (2) described above, the solar string placement device is a single element that is obtained at the same height by commonly bridging the solar string placement devices that form the row of the plurality of solar string lifting / lowering devices, and the shock-absorbing element is individually provided in each of the solar string placement devices of the plurality of solar string lifting / lowering devices.

[0019] (6) In the point (1) described above, an electric motor is used as a drive source in the drive section of the solar string lifting / lowering device.

[0020] (7) In the point (1) described above, hydraulic pressure is used as a drive source in the drive section of the solar string lifting / lowering device.

[0021] (8) In the above-described item (1), compressed air is used as the driving source in the drive section of the solar string lifting / lowering device.

[0022] (9) In the above-described item (1), the container has a lifting / lowering device row moving / fixing device for changing and fixing an interval between one row and the other row of the rows of pairs of solar string lifting / lowering devices arranged along the inner walls of the pair of longitudinal side plates according to a size of the solar strings to be loaded.

[0023] (10) In the above-described item (9), the raising / lowering device row moving / fixing device is configured to move only one of the rows of the pair of solar string raising / lowering devices.

[0024] It is clear that various changes can be made to the present invention within the scope of the configurations described above and the technical idea presented in the detailed description of the invention below. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0025] The solar string transportation container of the present invention is a special container used in an assembly factory for securing multiple solar strings to a support frame and for transporting the solar strings that have undergone ancillary work, such as wiring between solar modules, to a power plant construction site. By using the typical configuration example shown above, the solar string transportation container of the present invention enables loading at the assembly factory, unloading at the power plant construction site, and work for erecting a solar string array to be carried out with high efficiency, thus contributing to reducing construction costs at the power plant construction site.

[0026] The time required to unload a large number of solar strings transported by the solar string transport container to the power plant construction site using a dedicated heavy machine and to fix the solar strings to a large number of stands (solar string fixing stands) provided in a terrain (a power plant construction site location) is obtained according to a construction site simulation as explained below.For example, considering a solar string with a size of about 2×11 m obtained using eleven solar modules with a transverse and longitudinal dimension of about 1×2 m, if a special crane operator (who is also a heavy machinery driver) and four people for the pole fastening work are designated as human resources working at the power plant construction site, the time required to fix one solar string to a pole is about 2.5 minutes.

[0027] Therefore, when constructing a mega (large-scale) solar power plant, the construction period can be significantly reduced, even when considering the number of crane arms within the working area of ​​a heavy machine dedicated to erecting the power plant construction site, the time required to move the heavy machine dedicated to erecting the power plant construction site, and the time required to measure the distance to the pylons. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the construction cost of the mega solar power plant. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view for explaining the schematic configuration of a container for transporting solar strings according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a side view of Fig. 1 viewed from the direction of an arrow P; Fig. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a solar string lifting / lowering device for explaining a first embodiment of the container for transporting solar strings according to the invention and showing in an enlarged manner a portion indicated by A and a portion indicated by B in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of a main part of the Fig. 3 solar string raising / lowering device; Fig. 5 shows an explanatory diagram of the work of unloading solar strings from the container for transporting solar strings at a power plant construction site; Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a time sequence of the unloading process of the solar string lifting / lowering devices provided in the container for transporting solar strings; Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of solar strings handled by the solar string transportation container according to the present invention; Fig. Fig. 8 is a perspective view for explaining a configuration example of a Fig. 5 shown vacuum suction device; Fig. 9 shows an explanatory diagram of the arrangement of vacuum suction cups; Fig. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a heavy machine dedicated to installation at a power plant construction site for work at the power plant construction site; Fig. 11 is an enlarged view of a main part of a solar string raising / lowering device for explaining a second embodiment of the container for transporting solar strings according to the present invention; Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of a structure for attaching a solar string placement device and a shock absorbing member to an endless chain in the second embodiment of the container for transporting solar strings according to the present invention; and Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part of the solar string raising / lowering device for explaining a third embodiment of the container for transporting solar strings according to the present invention. Description of the embodiments

[0028] Hereinafter, techniques for implementing the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings of the embodiment. First embodiment

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view for explaining the schematic configuration of a container for transporting solar strings according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a side view of Fig. 1, viewed from the direction of an arrow P. Fig. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a solar string raising / lowering device for showing in an enlarged manner a section indicated by A and a section indicated by B in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows an enlarged view of a main part of the Fig. 3 shown solar string raising / lowering device.

[0030] One in Fig. 1 is formed by a bottom plate 41 which is rectangular in plan view, a pair of longitudinal side plates 42 (42a, 42b) which are held by column bodies 40 which are arranged at the corners of the bottom plate 41 and are fixed upright to both longitudinal end edges of the bottom plate 41, and a pair of end side plates 43 (43a, 43b; 43b is not shown in the figure) which are fixed upright to both transverse end edges of the bottom plate 41. The container 4 for transporting solar strings has a solar string receiving section in which an upper opening formed by the pair of longitudinal side plates 42 (42a, 42b) and the pair of end side plates 43 (43a, 43b) is configured as an open section for loading and unloading solar strings. Note that a lid 44 (see FIG. Fig. 5) is arranged, which rotates to either side of the pair of longitudinal side plates 42 (42a, 42b) and opens the upper opening. The lid 44 may be configured to be removable from the upper opening.

[0031] Inside the solar string accommodation section, rows (45a, 45b) of solar string raising / lowering devices 45 are respectively arranged along the inner walls of the pairs of longitudinal side plates 42 (42a, 42b) at a predetermined interval and opposite each other in the width direction of the bottom plate 41. The solar string raising / lowering device 45 (45a, 45b) includes a drive gear portion 47a driven by a drive portion 47 disposed on the side of the bottom plate 41, and an endless chain member 46 disposed on the side of the upper opening and laid to orbit around a return gear portion 47b.

[0032] The endless chain member 46 has a circumferential path on the outer side, a plurality of solar string placement devices 46a attached to the endless chain member 46 at a predetermined interval, a protrusion portion 46c for placing the lower surface of the end edge portion of the solar string, and a shock-absorbing member 46b attached to the rear side of the protrusion portion 46c of the solar string placement device 46a. The shock-absorbing member presses and holds the upper surface of the end edge portion of a solar string 100 arranged below the solar string placement device 46a. In the present embodiment, the solar string placement device 46a is formed of an iron material such as steel, an aluminum material, or another metal material. The shock-absorbing member 46b is made of an elastic material such as a rubber material or synthetic resin.The solar string placement device 46a is attached to the endless chain by welding or the like. The shock-absorbing member 46a is attached to the back (rear surface) of the solar string placement device 46a by a suitable adhesive.

[0033] During loading and unloading, the solar string placement device 46a, which is arranged on top of the solar string raising / lowering device 45 and emptied so that no solar string 100 is arranged thereon, and the shock absorbing member 46b are controlled to be positioned between the solar string raising / lowering device 45 (45b) and the longitudinal side plate 42 (42b in Fig. 3) move and retract by the orbital movement of the chain element 46 so as not to hinder the discharge of the next solar string 100, as in Fig. 4 is shown. In Fig. 4, reference numeral 46h denotes a perforation provided in the chain element 46. The perforation 46h engages with teeth of the drive gear 47a and the idler gear 47b. The line XX' in Fig. 4 shows the direction of a rotation axis of the idler gear 47b.

[0034] The drive section 47 of the solar string raising / lowering device 45 can use an electric motor, hydraulic pressure, or air pressure as a drive source. The drive section 47 advantageously connects drive gears of the same row to a common shaft, connects one drive gear of the other same row to a common shaft, and drives the other drive gears synchronously with the one drive gear.

[0035] The container 4 has a lifting / lowering device row moving / fixing device 48 for changing and fixing an interval between one row 45a and another row 45b of the rows of the pair of solar string lifting / lowering devices 45 (45a, 45b) arranged along the inner walls of the pair of longitudinal side plates 42 (42a, 42b) according to a size of the solar strings to be loaded. The lifting / lowering device row moving / fixing device 48 is configured to move only one (45b) of the rows of solar string lifting / lowering devices on a rail 49. A movement path of an arrow D in Fig. 3 is designed to fit the width of a solar string to be transported.

[0036] Fig. Figure 5 shows an explanatory diagram of a work process for unloading solar strings from the solar string transportation container at a power plant construction site. Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram for explaining a time sequence of the unloading process of the solar string lifting / lowering device provided in the container for the transport of solar strings. In Fig. 5, in the container for transporting solar strings, after it arrives at the power plant construction site and is transported to a specially equipped heavy machine (heavy machine for installation at the power plant construction site), the lid 44 is opened to expose the upper opening (A). The lid 44 is placed side by side with the side plate or removed from the container.

[0037] A solar string 100 (1) located at the top of the upper opening is lifted by a vacuum suction device 60 attached to a head of a solar string dedicated crane (not shown) and placed on a predetermined stand (B). The next solar string 100 (2) is lifted to the top of the upper opening by the solar string lifting / lowering device. The solar string 100 (2) is lifted by the vacuum suction device 60 and placed on a predetermined stand (D). Subsequently, these operations are repeated sequentially for solar strings 100 (n) to unload all solar strings and place them on the stands.

[0038] A solar string raising / lowering operation in the discharging work of the solar strings 100 is described with reference to Fig. 6. As explained under (a) in Fig. 6, the solar string 100 (1) is placed at the top in a state of Fig. 5(A) lifted and unloaded as in Fig. 5(B). A state of this lifting and unloading operation is shown in (b) in Fig. 6. The lifting of the solar string 100 (1) from the endless chain 46 is detected by a sensor (not shown), or the circulating movement of the endless chain 46 starts in the direction of a thin arrow according to a check by a crane operator and a processing of the control system ((c) in Fig. 6).

[0039] The endless chain 46 performs a circular movement in the same direction and stops at a time when the next solar string 100 (2) is raised to the upper position of the opening ((d) ⇒ (e) ⇒ (f) ⇒ (g) ⇒ (h) in Fig. 6). The solar string placement device 46a and the shock-absorbing element 46b enter a state in which the solar string placement device 46a and the shock-absorbing element 46b retract to a position in which they do not hinder the unloading of the solar string 100. The solar string 100 (2) is sucked into the vacuum suction device 60 ((i) in Fig. 6). After the solar string 100 (2) is discharged ((j) in Fig. 6) the endless chain 46 repeats a step defined by (d) ⇒ (e) ⇒ (f) ⇒ (g) ⇒ (h) under (c) in Fig. 6. This process is repeated a required number of times to arrange the solar strings on the stands.

[0040] Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a solar string handled by the container for transporting solar strings according to the present invention. (a) shows a plan view of a front surface for receiving sunlight, (b) shows a side view of a short side of (a), (c) shows a plan view of a rear surface of the solar string attached to a stand, and (d) shows an enlarged view of a main part of (c). The solar string 100 is formed by attaching eleven solar modules 110, each measuring 1 m×2 m, to two support frames 120a, 120b, with the long sides of the solar modules 110 arranged adjacent to each other. In this configuration example, the support frames 120a, 120b are attached to peripheral materials of the solar modules 110 by bolts and nuts 111. However, other known fastening means may be used.

[0041] Fig. Fig. 8 is a perspective view for explaining a configuration example of the device described with reference to Fig. 5 explained vacuum suction device. Fig. Figure 9 shows a diagram for explaining vacuum suction cups. The vacuum suction device 60 has a large number of vacuum suction cups 602 on the underside of a ladder-shaped frame body 601. The vacuum suction cups 602 are attached to the frame body by spring bolts 603. As shown in Fig. 8, the vacuum suction cups 602 are arranged in each of the solar modules 110 as a pair (A and B), and connected via pipes 605 to vacuum pumps 604a, 604b mounted in the center portion of the frame body 601.

[0042] Only two tubes 605 are shown. The pair of vacuum suction cups A and B are arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction of the solar string 100, as shown in Fig. 8. The vacuum suction cups are arranged alternately (zigzag) in the width direction (lateral direction) and the length direction of the solar string 100, and the vacuum suction cups A and B are each driven by independent vacuum systems to obtain vacuum suction positions of two systems, a system A and a system B, arranged in a zigzag manner. Therefore, even if a failure occurs in any of the suction cups during the discharging process, it is possible to prevent the solar string 100 from falling off immediately.

[0043] Fig. 10 shows an explanatory diagram of a heavy machine dedicated to installation at a power plant construction site for work at a power plant construction site. A container transfer device 80 and a dedicated crane 9 are arranged in the heavy machine dedicated to installation at the power plant construction site. The dedicated crane 9 is a multi-axle crane. In this embodiment, the multi-axle crane is a multi-joint boom crane configured from four arms 90 (90a, 90b, 90c, 90d). The crane described with reference to Fig. The vacuum suction device (vacuum gripper) 60 explained in Figure 8 is provided in the crane 9. In Fig. 10 shows an arm of the vacuum suction device 60 in a folded state. The container transported to the power plant construction site, dedicated to solar strings, is lifted by the container transfer device 80 and transferred to the heavy machine 8 dedicated for installation at the power plant construction site.

[0044] The dedicated container 4 transferred to the heavy machine 8 dedicated for installation at the power plant construction site is lifted and fixed to a working position by a frame of the heavy machine. In this state, the dedicated container 4 is moved to an initial working position (a starting position: a 0 position) of a site of the power plant construction site. The solar modules are installed according to the method described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the solar energy is unloaded using the multi-joint boom crane and distributed on a large number of stands arranged in a terrain not shown by extending, retracting, and rotating the multi-joint boom. The positions of the stands on which the solar strings are to be arranged are checked using a laser distance measuring device 13 or the like provided on a vehicle body of the heavy machine 8 dedicated to the power plant construction site, and stored as distance measurement data in a memory of a control device of the dedicated crane. The dedicated crane 9 extends and retracts the arms 90 (90a, 90b, 90c, 90d) according to the distance measurement data and rotates to arrange the solar strings 100 on a predetermined stand.

[0045] According to this embodiment, it is possible to shorten the construction time with a small number of workers, ensure work safety, and provide a container for transporting solar strings, which enables a cost-effective construction of a solar power plant. Second embodiment

[0046] Fig. 11 shows an enlarged view of a main part of a solar string lifting / lowering device to explain a second embodiment of the container for transporting solar strings according to the invention. Fig. 12 shows an explanatory diagram of a structure for attaching solar string placement devices and a shock-absorbing element, which are Fig. 11, on an endless chain. The solar string placement device 46a, the shock-absorbing element 46b, and the solar string 100 are shown in a partially sectioned state. The same reference numerals and symbols as in Fig. 4 correspond to the same functional sections. In the first embodiment described above, the solar string placement devices 46a and the shock absorbing elements 46b attached to the chain element 46 are provided independently in each of the endless chain elements 46. In the second embodiment, on the other hand, the solar string placement devices 46a and the shock absorbing elements are formed as long members common to the plurality of chain elements 46, so that respective corresponding solar string placement devices of rows of the endless chain elements 46 arranged on the same side plate side of the container are arranged together at the same height.

[0047] The solar string placement device 46a and the shock absorbing element 46b are attached to the endless chain element 46, as shown in Fig. 13. That is, the solar string placement device 46a and the shock-absorbing member 46b are attached to each pair of endless chain members 46 over a length sufficient to cover a longitudinal size of the solar strings loaded into the container. The shock-absorbing member 46b is fixed to the rear side of the protrusion portion 46c of the solar string placement device 46a by an adhesive or the like. The solar string placement device 46a is detachably attached to a specific chain component member of the endless chain member 46 by means such as bolts and nuts.

[0048] At both ends of the Fig. The stop elements 46d provided in the solar string placement device shown in Figure 12 are regulating elements for the end edges of the placed solar string 100 in the longitudinal direction. The stop elements 46d are not essential elements.

[0049] As explained above, in the second embodiment, the drive shaft that transmits a driving force from the drive portion 47 to the drive gear portion 47a and the support shaft that rotatably supports the idler gear portion 47b are respectively disposed together in the drive gear portions 47a and the idler gear portions 47b of the plurality of solar string raising / lowering devices 45 arranged at predetermined intervals along the inner walls of the longitudinal pair of side plates 42a, 42b of the container 4.

[0050] That is, in the second embodiment, the solar string placement device 46a is a single member obtained by jointly bridging the solar string placement devices 46a of the plurality of solar string raising / lowering devices 45 at the same height. The shock absorbing member 46b is also a single member obtained by jointly bridging the solar string placement devices 46a of the plurality of solar string raising / lowering devices 45 at the same height. The other components are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the components will not be explained repeatedly.

[0051] According to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to shorten the construction period with a small number of workers and ensure the safety of work, and to provide a container for transporting solar strings, which enables low-cost construction of a solar power station. Third embodiment

[0052] Fig.13 is an enlarged view of a main part of a solar string raising / lowering device for explaining a third embodiment of the container for transporting solar strings according to the present invention. The solar string placement device 46a and the solar string 100 are partially shown in section. In the third embodiment, the solar string placement device 46a is a single member obtained by collectively bridging the solar string placement devices 46a of the plurality of solar string raising / lowering devices 45 at the same height. The shock absorbing member 46b is individually arranged in each of the solar string placement devices 46a of the plurality of solar string raising / lowering devices. The other components are the same as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. Therefore, the components will not be described repeatedly.

[0053] According to this embodiment, as in the first and second embodiments, it is possible to shorten the construction time with a small number of workers and ensure the safety of work, and to provide a container for transporting solar strings, which enables low-cost construction of a solar power plant. Industrial applicability

[0054] In the embodiments, the present invention has been described as a structure for handling solar strings. However, the present invention is also applicable to handling flat elements similar to solar strings. List of reference symbols 4 containers for the transport of solar strings (dedicated container) 40 column bodies 41 Base plate 42 longitudinal side plate 43 front side panel 44 lids 45 Solar string lifting / lowering device 46 endless chain 46a Solar string placement device 46b shock-absorbing element 46c projection section 46d stop element 46h gear hole 47 Drive section 47a Drive gear section 47b Deflection gear section 48 Lifting / lowering device row movement / fixing device 49 rail 60 Vacuum suction device (vacuum gripper) 8 heavy machinery dedicated to construction at the power plant construction site (specially equipped heavy machinery) 80 Container transfer device 9 crane dedicated to solar strings 90 Arm 13 Laser distance measuring device 100 solar strings 110 solar modules 111 Bolt and nut 120 (120a, 120b) support frame

Claims

[1] Container (4) for transporting solar strings for transporting solar strings (100) assembled by attaching a plurality of solar modules (110) to a support frame (120, 120a, 120b) as integrated components, wherein the container (4) has a solar string receiving section formed by a bottom plate (41) formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in plan, a pair of longitudinal side plates (42) which are fixed upright to both longitudinal edges of the bottom plate (41), and a pair of end side plates (43) which are fixed upright to both transverse edges of the bottom plate (41), wherein an upper opening formed by the pair of longitudinal side plates (42) and the pair of end side plates (43) is formed as an open section for loading and unloading the solar strings (100), wherein inside the solar string receiving section, rows of pairs of solar string raising / lowering devices (45) are arranged along the inner walls of the pair of longitudinal side plates (42) at a predetermined interval, the solar string raising / lowering mechanism comprises a drive gear portion (47a) driven by a drive portion (47) arranged on the side of the base plate (41), an endless chain member (46) laid thereover so as to perform a revolving movement around a direction-changing portion arranged on the side of the upper opening, irreversibly and synchronously with the rows of pairs of solar string raising / lowering devices (45), a plurality of solar string placing devices (46a) fixed to the endless chain member (46) at a predetermined interval, on the outer side of a path of the revolving movement, a projection portion (46c) for placing the underside of an end edge portion of the solar strings (100), and a shock-absorbing member (46b) attached to the rear side of the solar string placing device (46a),wherein the shock-absorbing member (46b) presses and holds the upper side of the end edge portion of the solar string (100) arranged under the solar string placement device (46a), and , wherein the solar string placement device (46a) arranged and emptied on top of the solar string raising / lowering device (45) without the solar string (100) and the shock absorbing member (46b) arranged thereon are controlled during the loading and unloading process so that they move and retract by the orbital movement of the chain member (46) between the solar string raising / lowering device (45) and the longitudinal side plate (42). [2] The container (4) according to claim 1, wherein a drive shaft that transmits a driving force from the drive portion (47) to the drive gear portion (47a) and a support shaft that rotatably supports the idler gear portion (47b) are commonly provided in the drive gear portions (47a) and the idler gear portions (47b) of a plurality of the solar string raising / lowering devices (45) arranged along the inner walls of the pair of longitudinal side plates (42) of the container (4) at predetermined intervals. [3] Container (4) according to claim 1, wherein the solar string placement device (46a) is a single element obtained by jointly bridging the solar string placement devices (46a) of the plurality of solar string raising / lowering devices (45) at the same height. [4] Container (4) according to claim 2, wherein the shock-absorbing member (46b) is a single member obtained by jointly bridging the solar string placing means (46a) of the plurality of solar string raising / lowering means (45) at the same height. [5] Container (4) according to claim 2, wherein the solar string placement device (46a) is a single element obtained by jointly bridging the solar string placement devices (46a) forming the series of the plurality of solar string raising / lowering devices (45) at the same height, and the shock-absorbing member (46b) is individually provided in each of the solar string placement devices (46a) of the plurality of solar string raising / lowering devices (45). [6] Container (4) according to claim 1, wherein an electric motor is used as a drive source in the drive section (47) of the solar string raising / lowering device (45). [7] Container (4) according to claim 1, wherein hydraulic pressure is used as a drive source in the drive section (47) of the solar string raising / lowering device (45). [8] Container (4) according to claim 1, wherein compressed air is used as a drive source in the drive section (47) of the solar string raising / lowering device (45). [9] The container (4) according to claim 1, wherein the container (4) comprises a lifting / lowering device row moving / fixing device (48) for changing and fixing an interval between one row and the other row of the rows of pairs of solar string lifting / lowering devices (45) arranged along the inner walls of the pair of longitudinal side plates (42) according to a size of the solar strings (100) to be loaded. [10] Container (4) according to claim 9, wherein the raising / lowering device row moving / fixing device (48) is configured to move only the one row of the rows of pairs of solar string raising / lowering devices (45).

Images