Multiaxial movement device, particularly for solar panels and the like

Abstract

A multiaxial movement device (1), particularly for solar panels and the like, which comprises a container body (2) which contains inside it gearmotor means (3) which are kinematically connected to a supporting shaft (4) which partly protrudes from the container body (2) and is associated with a body to be moved (5); the supporting shaft (4): - is rotatably associated with the container body (2) about its longitudinal axis (6), remaining integral with it in translation; - is hollow; - is hinged to the body to be moved (5) at its portion (7) that protrudes from the container body (2) eccentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (6) along a first pivoting axis (8) which is transverse to the longitudinal axis (6) so as to be integral in rotation therewith with respect to the longitudinal axis (6), and - is kinematically associated with the gearmotor means (3) at its portion (10) that is internal to the container body (2) so as to make the body to be moved (5) rotate about the longitudinal axis (6) with respect to the container body (2) as a result of the rotation of the supporting shaft (4) about the longitudinal axis (6); the device further comprises an actuation rod (12) which is slideably accommodated in the internal cavity of the supporting shaft (4) along the longitudinal axis (6) so as to protrude from the supporting shaft (4) outside the container body (2) with a first end (13), which is hinged to a linkage (15) which in turn is hinged to the body to be moved (5) along a second pivoting axis (16) which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first pivoting axis (8), and inside the container body (2) with a second end (14) which is opposite to the first end (13); the actuation rod (12) is integral in rotation with the supporting shaft (4) and is associated, at the second end (14), with cam means (17) so that it can slide along the supporting shaft (4) as a result of the rotation of the latter about the longitudinal axis (6) with consequent rotation of the body to be moved (5) about the first pivoting axis (8) concurrently with the rotation of the body to be moved (5) about the longitudinal axis (6).

Description

[0001] MULTIAXIAL MOVEMENT DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR SOLAR

[0002] PANELS AND THE LIKE

[0003] The present invention relates to a multiaxial movement device, particularly for solar panels and the like.

[0004] In the renewable energy sector, the use is known of solar followers applied to photovoltaic panels, the function of which is to orient an individual solar panel over the course of the day so that the solar rays stroke the panels perpendicularly.

[0005] In this way it is possible to optimize the yield of the solar panel.

[0006] More specifically, such solar followers are typically provided with two servomotors which are responsible, respectively, for the east-west orientation of the solar panel and for the inclination of the panel with respect to the vertical.

[0007] In fact, from the point of view of the Earth, the sun, in addition to moving from east to west, over the course of the day, rises and falls with respect to the horizon.

[0008] Such conventional followers are not devoid of drawbacks, among which is the fact that the two servo-actuators can move out of phase over time, and so will not ensure that the sun is correctly followed.

[0009] Another drawback of conventional followers consists in that, since there are two servo-actuators with associated kinetic mechanisms, the risk of a machine shutdown owing to a malfunction is very high.

[0010] A further drawback of conventional followers consists in that they require energy to make the two servo-actuators operate, with consequent drop in yield with respect to the ideal yield.

[0011] The aim of the present invention consists in providing a multiaxial movement device, particularly for solar panels and the like, that is capable of making it possible to follow the parabolic movement of the sun and at the same time the alignment from sunrise to sunset, while simultaneously varying the inclination of the solar panel to anticipate the maximum irradiation on the terrestrial axis, in so doing making it possible to maximize the energy yield.

[0012] This aim and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are all achieved by a multiaxial movement device, particularly for solar panels and the like, which comprises a container body which contains inside it gearmotor means which are kinematically connected to a supporting shaft which partly protrudes from said container body and is associated with a body to be moved; characterized in that said supporting shaft:

[0013] - is rotatably associated with said container body about its longitudinal axis, remaining integral with it in translation;

[0014] - is hollow;

[0015] - is hinged to said body to be moved at its portion that protrudes from said container body eccentrically with respect to said longitudinal axis along a first pivoting axis which is transverse to said longitudinal axis so as to be integral in rotation therewith with respect to said longitudinal axis, and

[0016] - is kinematically associated with said gearmotor means at its portion that is internal to said container body so as to make said body to be moved rotate about said longitudinal axis with respect to said container body as a result of the rotation of said supporting shaft about said longitudinal axis; and characterized in that it comprises an actuation rod which is slideably accommodated in the internal cavity of said supporting shaft along said longitudinal axis so as to protrude from said supporting shaft outside said container body with a first end, which is hinged to a linkage which in turn is hinged to said body to be moved along a second pivoting axis which is parallel to and spaced apart from said first pivoting axis, and inside said container body with a second end which is opposite to said first end; said actuation rod being integral in rotation with said supporting shaft and being associated, at said second end, with cam means so that it can slide along said supporting shaft as a result of the rotation of said supporting shaft about said longitudinal axis with consequent rotation of said body to be moved about said first pivoting axis concurrently with the rotation of said body to be moved about said longitudinal axis.

[0017] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a multiaxial movement device, particularly for solar panels and the like, according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a solar panel fitted with the multiaxial movement device according to the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 is a side view of the supporting shaft of the multiaxial movement device shown in Figure 1;

[0020] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the actuation rod and of the cam means of the multiaxial movement device shown in Figure 1;

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the gearmotor means of the movement device shown in Figure 1.

[0022] With reference to the figures, the multiaxial movement device, particularly for solar panels and the like, generally designated by the reference numeral 1 , comprises a container body 2 which contains inside it gearmotor means 3 which are kinematically connected to a supporting shaft 4 which partly protrudes from the container body 2 and is associated with a body to be moved 5.

[0023] In this embodiment, the body to be moved 5 is a photovoltaic panel, for example of the commercial type. However, as will be better described below, in a possible variation of the embodiment, the body to be moved 5 can be constituted by any body that needs to be moved with simultaneous rotations about two axes which are mutually perpendicular.

[0024] The container body 2 therefore acts both as a supporting structure for the entire system, and hence can be made of composite material and of metal, and also as a container of the mechanical and electronic parts of the system.

[0025] Conveniently, this can be provided with a hinged door provided with a watertight sealing gasket, so as to be able to access the interior for maintenance, and can be provided with optional slits for ventilation of zones subject to overheating.

[0026] According to the invention, the supporting shaft 4, shown in detail in Figure 2, is associated rotatably with the container body 2 about its longitudinal axis 6 while remaining integral in translation therewith, and is hinged to the body to be moved 5 at its portion 7 that protrudes from the container body 2 eccentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis 6 along a first pivoting axis 8 which is transverse to the longitudinal axis 6 so as to be integral in rotation therewith with respect to the longitudinal axis 6.

[0027] In more detail, the eccentric pivoting just described is provided by means of a fixed bracket 9, for example made of steel, and integral with the supporting shaft 4.

[0028] Furthermore, the supporting shaft 4 is kinematically associated with the gearmotor means 3 at its portion 10 that is internal to the container body 2 so as to make the body to be moved 5 rotate about the longitudinal axis 6 with respect to the container body 2 as a result of the rotation of the supporting shaft 4 about the longitudinal axis 6.

[0029] The supporting shaft 4, which in view of the above description can also be referred to as a rotating shaft, can be made of aluminum or of steel and dimensioned according to the weight of the body to be moved 5.

[0030] In this embodiment, the supporting shaft 4, which has to support the weight of a solar panel 5, is provided with a ball bearing, conveniently dimensioned for the model but also as a function of the wind that will buffet the solar panel 5.

[0031] In more detail, the ball bearing is accommodated in a containment bushing 11 made of aluminum or steel and fixed to the container body 2, for example, by means of screws. Conveniently, such containment bushing 11 is provided with a dust- proof / waterproof ring / element so as to prevent the infiltration of dirt inside the ball bearing.

[0032] Also according to the invention, an actuation rod 12, shown in detail in Figure 3, is slideably accommodated in an internal cavity of the supporting shaft 4 along the longitudinal axis 6.

[0033] In fact, the supporting shaft 4 is hollow and is grooved internally in order to be able to accommodate the actuation rod 12 and allow the latter to slide therein.

[0034] In more detail, the actuation rod 12, which can be made of steel, is accommodated in the supporting shaft 4 so as to protrude therefrom outside the container body 2 with a first end 13 and inside the container body 2 with a second end 14 which is opposite to the first end 13.

[0035] More specifically, at the first end 13, the actuation rod 12 is hinged to a H-shaped linkage 15 and the latter is hinged in turn to the body to be moved 5 along a second pivoting axis 16 which is parallel to and spaced apart from the first pivoting axis 8.

[0036] Advantageously, by virtue of the grooved coupling described above, the actuation rod 12 is integral in rotation with the supporting shaft 4 and is associated, at the second end 14, with cam means 17 so that it can slide along the supporting shaft 4 as a result of the rotation of the latter about the longitudinal axis 6 with consequent rotation of the body to be moved 5 about the first pivoting axis 8 concurrently with the rotation of the body to be moved 5 about the longitudinal axis 6.

[0037] In other words, the supporting shaft 4 is responsible for the horizontal rotation of the body to be moved 5, as mentioned previously, and the actuation rod 12 is responsible for the vertical inclination of the body to be moved 5. For this reason, the actuation rod 12 can also be referred to as the inclination actuation rod 12.

[0038] Conveniently, in order to allow the interchangeability of the body to be moved 5, i.e. of the solar panel, the body to be moved 5 is constituted by a mobile joint bracket 18, for example made of steel, to which the specific part to be moved is fixed.

[0039] In this embodiment, the cam means 17 comprise a connecting shaft 19, made for example of steel, which is integrally and centrally associated with the actuation rod 12 at its second end 14 and is provided with mutually opposite wheels 20, which are made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or nylon and are provided with bearings, designed to roll in a closed-loop track 21 with a cam-like profile.

[0040] In more detail, the closed-loop track 21 is made from a block 22, for example die-cast aluminum, suitably contoured and fixed with respect to the container body 2.

[0041] Conveniently, between the container body 2, or a part fixed therewith, and the connecting shaft 19, a torsion spring is provided, not shown for graphic simplicity, so as to constantly keep the mutually opposite wheels 20 in contact with the closed-loop track 21.

[0042] With regard to the gearmotor means 3, these comprise an electric motor 23, preferably DC and commercially selectable as a function of the size of the body to be moved 5 and of the mechanical elements to be moved, and a belt drive 24, for example of the toothed type.

[0043] In more detail, with reference to Figure 4, the electric motor 23 is fixed to the container body 2 by means of a special bracket 25, for example made of galvanized steel, at its stator and the belt drive 24 comprises a driving pulley 26, for example made of aluminum, which is integral in rotation with the rotor of the electric motor 23, a driven pulley 27, also for example made of aluminum, which is integral in rotation with the supporting shaft 4, and a belt 31 which is pre-tensioned by a special tensioner installed on the bracket 25.

[0044] In this embodiment, the multiaxial movement device 1 is completed by a backup battery 28, for accumulating direct current supplied by the photovoltaic panel 5 and therefore in proportion to the emission of the photovoltaic panel 5, and an electronic control and management unit of the programmable type 29 which is adapted for the automated actuation of the electric motor 23 as a function of a preset daily schedule.

[0045] Conveniently, the backup battery 28 is electrically connected to the photovoltaic panel 5 and to the electric motor 23 by means of electrical wiring 30.

[0046] The operation of the multiaxial movement device 1 according to the invention is described below.

[0047] The photovoltaic panel 5 is positioned almost vertically at sunrise, i.e. facing east. The container body 2 is suitably anchored to a supporting pole. The position is obtained using a compass reference, which can be obtained using any electronic device provided with a digital compass.

[0048] The electronic control and management unit of programmable type 29 is started. The entire process of rotation of the multiaxial movement device 1 follows the path of the sun, which will be automatic in a predefined manner with a movement for alignment every 30 minutes. The program is stored in memory inside the module.

[0049] When the electric motor 23 receives the rotation command, it will transfer the predefined movement of progression, possibly as a function of the reduction ratio of the transmission, from the component coupled thereto by the belt drive 17 to the supporting shaft 4.

[0050] The latter transfers the rotation to the fixed bracket 9 coupled to it, and subsequently to the linkage 15 and to the mobile joint bracket 18, all joined with pins.

[0051] At the same time, the rotation movement is transferred to the actuation rod 12.

[0052] By means of the coupling between the mutually opposite wheels 20 and the closed-loop track 21, the actuation rod 12 undergoes an ascending or descending vertical translation, so varying the inclination of the photovoltaic panel 5.

[0053] The progression of the photovoltaic panel 5 is described over 180 degrees, from dawn to dusk, in an estimated time period of approximately 12 hours.

[0054] Once the predefined period has elapsed and with the arrival of night, the electronic control and management unit of programmable type 29 will command the electric motor 23 to invert its direction of rotation, returning the entire system to zero, in position to meet the dawn of the next day.

[0055] The period elapsed from the last progression to the morning will be approximately 12 hours. The cycle begins in the morning, at dawn.

[0056] In practice it has been found that the multiaxial movement device according to the present invention achieves the intended aim and objects, by enabling a photovoltaic panel associated thereto to follow the sun with a multiple movement.

[0057] All this meets the need to follow the rotation of the sun and its inclination, using a single movement powered by current, so consuming a minimum of the energy produced by the photovoltaic cells.

[0058] In more detail, the multiple movement comprises a double movement, obtained by means of a single electrical device, in this case a low-voltage motor that makes it possible to have an optimal energy yield by virtue of the constant alignment of the photovoltaic panel toward the sun's rays and, especially, able to provide energy immediately and up until the last hour of available sunlight; all with a system that is technically simple and efficacious, by virtue of the small number of elements that make up the kinematic mechanism and the overall construction of the system.

[0059] In fact, by virtue of the fact that all the available energy can be used, the use of the photovoltaic surface is optimized with respect to the background art by extracting more energy for the same capturing surface, or alternatively by reducing such surface to that required to generate the energy necessary for the device, thus saving on the cost of photovoltaic cells. Furthermore, the movement device according to the invention can have many applications, such as for example in already-existing solar power parks, so as to significantly increase the yield. In this regard it is precisely the simplicity of construction of these mechanisms that makes it feasible to group several solar receptors in a single multiple movement.

[0060] Suitably proportioned, this system can enable a new range or series of movement units for photovoltaic collectors.

[0061] This movement can be inserted in the automated movement systems of solar parks with mirrors all reflecting toward the central tower, known as a “single tower”, and in various logistical situations: in traffic-signal controlled areas, on roads with warning indicators, at road intersections and at rail crossings; in all situations where small alarm devices are needed, both visual and aural.

[0062] All of these can be fitted with rotary elements, which by using this innovative movement would achieve lower consumption of current for the same performance, such as in the lighting of gardens, parks, houses, car parks and in any lighting system that, instead of being fixed, will be multidirectional, and in illuminated traffic alert devices, located on roads or at intersections (e.g. colored yellow), or in illuminated signage, such as public utility signage / green crosses for pharmacies, traffic surveillance cameras, etc.

[0063] The multiaxial movement device thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0064] Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0065] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0066] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000013497 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0067] Where the technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference numerals and / or signs, those reference numerals and / or signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference numerals and / or signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference numerals and / or signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A multiaxial movement device (1), particularly for solar panels and the like, which comprises a container body (2) which contains inside it gearmotor means (3) which are kinematically connected to a supporting shaft (4) which partly protrudes from said container body (2) and is associated with a body to be moved (5); characterized in that said supporting shaft (4):- is rotatably associated with said container body (2) about its longitudinal axis (6), remaining integral with it in translation;- is hollow;- is hinged to said body to be moved (5) at its portion (7) that protrudes from said container body (2) eccentrically with respect to said longitudinal axis (6) along a first pivoting axis (8) which is transverse to said longitudinal axis (6) so as to be integral in rotation therewith with respect to said longitudinal axis (6), and- is kinematically associated with said gearmotor means (3) at its portion (10) that is internal to said container body (2) so as to make said body to be moved (5) rotate about said longitudinal axis (6) with respect to said container body (2) as a result of the rotation of said supporting shaft (4) about said longitudinal axis (6); and characterized in that it comprises an actuation rod (12) which is slideably accommodated in the internal cavity of said supporting shaft (4) along said longitudinal axis (6) so as to protrude from said supporting shaft (4) outside said container body (2) with a first end (13), which is hinged to a linkage (15) which in turn is hinged to said body to be moved (5) along a second pivoting axis (16) which is parallel to and spaced apart from said first pivoting axis (8), and inside said container body (2) with a second end (14) which is opposite to said first end (13); said actuation rod (12) being integral in rotation with said supporting shaft (4) and being associated, at said second end (14), with cam means (17) so that it can slide along saidsupporting shaft (4) as a result of the rotation of said supporting shaft (4) about said longitudinal axis (6) with consequent rotation of said body to be moved (5) about said first pivoting axis (8) concurrently with the rotation of said body to be moved (5) about said longitudinal axis (6).

2. The multiaxial movement device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said gearmotor means (3) comprise an electric motor (23) and a belt drive (24); said electric motor (23) being fixed to said container body (2) at its stator and said belt drive (24) comprising a driving pulley (26), which is integral in rotation with the rotor of said electric motor (23), a driven pulley (27), which is integral in rotation with said supporting shaft (4), and a belt (31).

3. The multiaxial movement device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said cam means (17) comprise a connecting shaft (19) which is integrally and centrally associated with said actuation rod (12) at said second end (14) and is provided with mutually opposite wheels (20) designed to roll in a closed-loop track (21) which has a cam-like profile.

4. The multiaxial movement device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises a torsion spring interposed between said container body (2) and said connecting shaft (19) so as to constantly keep said mutually opposite wheels (20) in contact with said closed-loop track (21).

5. The multiaxial movement device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said body to be moved (5) is a photovoltaic panel.

6. The multiaxial movement device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a backup battery (28) which is electrically connected to said photovoltaic panel (5) and to said electric motor (23).

7. The multiaxial movement device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises an electronic control and management unit of the programmable type (29) adapted for the automated actuation of saidelectric motor (23) as a function of a preset daily schedule.

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