Water floating-type solar cell structure

The flexible overwater solar cell structure addresses the challenge of compact winding by using a support with a groove to accommodate protrusions, allowing for efficient suspension and transportation of solar cell panels on water.

JP2025063616APending Publication Date: 2025-04-16MM BRIDGE CO LTD +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023172986
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-10-04
Publication Date
2025-04-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing overwater solar cell structures face challenges in compact winding due to protrusions such as connectors on the solar cell panels, which increase the winding diameter and hinder efficient suspension and transportation.

Method used

A flexible overwater solar cell structure is designed with a solar cell panel and a plate-like support that can be wound integrally. The support features a groove to accommodate protrusions from the solar cell panel, allowing for compact winding and suspension on water.

Benefits of technology

The proposed structure enables compact winding and efficient suspension of solar cell panels on water, reducing the winding diameter and facilitating easier transportation and deployment.

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Abstract

To provide a water floating-type solar cell structure capable of floating on water and rolling to a compact size.SOLUTION: A water floating-type solar cell structure is formed in a flexible state and includes a solar cell panel having a light receiving area on a first surface and a plate-shaped support body supporting a second surface of the back side of the first surface of the solar cell panel, in which the solar cell panel has a protruding portion protruding from the first surface, the support body has flexibility, the size of the thickness direction is larger than the height of the protrusion from the first surface of the protrusion portion, and is formed so as to be rolled up integrally with the solar cell panel, and has a groove portion capable of accommodating the protrusion portion in the rolled state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a floating solar cell structure. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is a known technique for floating a floating solar cell structure on water, in which a solar cell panel is supported by a rollable plate-like structure (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-117629 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When rolling up a floating solar cell structure like that in Patent Document 1, if a protrusion such as a connector is provided on the solar cell, the roll diameter will be larger by the amount of the protrusion. For this reason, a structure that allows for compact rolling of the floating solar cell structure is required.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above, and has an object to provide a floating solar cell structure that can be floated on water and rolled up compactly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The floating solar cell structure of the present invention comprises a solar cell panel formed in a flexible state and having a light receiving area on a first surface, and a plate-shaped support body supporting a second surface behind the first surface of the solar cell panel, wherein the solar cell panel has a protrusion protruding from the first surface, and the support body is flexible, has a thickness dimension greater than the protruding height of the protrusion from the first surface, is formed so as to be able to be rolled up together with the solar cell panel, and has a groove portion capable of accommodating the protrusion in the rolled up state.

[0007] In the above floating solar cell structure, the support body has a support surface that supports the second surface of the solar cell panel and a bottom surface behind the support surface, and the groove portion is provided in the bottom surface.

[0008] In the above floating solar cell structure, the solar cell panel and the support are formed in a state of extending in one direction, and can be rolled up along the one direction.

[0009] In the above floating solar cell structure, the support has a notch formed on the bottom surface in a direction intersecting the one direction.

[0010] In the above floating solar cell structure, a plurality of the notches are provided at intervals in the one direction.

[0011] In the above floating solar cell structure, the groove is formed from one end to the other end in the one direction.

[0012] In the above floating solar cell structure, the groove is formed in a part of the one direction. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a floating solar cell structure that can be floated on water and rolled up compactly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view that illustrates an example of a floating solar cell structure according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a floating solar cell structure floating on water. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a lift-up prevention mechanism. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a floating solar cell structure in use. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a floating solar cell structure in use. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a floating solar cell structure in use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the floating solar cell structure according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In addition, the components in the following embodiments include those that are replaceable and easy for a person skilled in the art, or those that are substantially the same.

[0016] 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an example of a floating solar cell structure 100 according to this embodiment. FIG. 1 is a view from the solar cell panel 10 side, and FIG. 2 is a view from the support 20 side. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the floating solar cell structure 100 includes one or more solar cell panels 10 and a support 20. Although FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show an example in which one solar cell panel 10 is arranged, multiple solar cell panels 10 may be arranged on the support 20. The solar cell panel 10 and the support 20 are formed in a state of extending in one direction. Hereinafter, in describing the configuration of the solar cell panel 10 and the support 20, one direction in which the solar cell panel 10 and the support 20 extend is referred to as an extension direction D1, and a direction perpendicular to the extension direction D1 is referred to as a width direction D2. In addition, a direction perpendicular to the extension direction D1 and the width direction D2 is referred to as a height direction D3, a thickness direction D3, or a depth direction D3.

[0017] The solar cell panel 10 is formed in a flexible state. The solar cell panel 10 has a light receiving area 13 on a first surface 11. The solar cell panel 10 has a protrusion 14 on the first surface 11. The protrusion 14 may be, for example, a connector for connecting wiring to the solar cell panel 10. In the present embodiment, for example, the protrusion 14 is disposed at an end of the solar cell panel 10 in the extension direction D1 and at the center in the width direction D2, but is not limited to this arrangement and may be provided at another position.

[0018] The support 20 is plate-shaped. The support 20 is formed to be flexible using, for example, a resin material. The support 20 has a support surface 21 and a bottom surface 22. The support surface 21 supports the second surface 12 on the back side of the first surface 11 of the solar cell panel 10. The support 20 is formed, for example, such that a dimension T (see FIG. 3) in a thickness direction D3 is larger than a protruding height H1 (see FIG. 3) of the protruding portion 14 of the solar cell panel 10. The support 20 is formed so as to float on water together with the solar cell panel 10 while supporting the solar cell panel 10.

[0019] The support body 20 is formed so as to be able to be rolled up together with the solar cell panel 10. In this embodiment, the solar cell panel 10 and the support body 20 can be rolled up, for example, in an extension direction D1. That is, the winding direction of the solar cell panel 10 and the support body 20 is the extension direction D1.

[0020] The support 20 has a groove 23 and a cutout 24 on the bottom surface 22. The groove 23 can accommodate the protrusion 14 of the solar cell panel 10 when the solar cell panel 10 and the support 20 are rolled up. The groove 23 is provided so that the position in the width direction D2 corresponds to the protrusion 14. The groove 23 has a dimension W2 in the width direction D2 (see FIG. 3) that is equal to or larger than the dimension W1 in the width direction D2 of the protrusion 14 (see FIG. 3). The groove 23 is also formed so that the dimension H2 in the depth direction D3 is equal to or larger than the protrusion height H1 of the protrusion 14. With this configuration, the entire protrusion 14 can be accommodated inside the groove 23. The groove 23 is provided linearly from one end 20c to the other end 20d in the extension direction D1 on the bottom surface 22, for example.

[0021] The groove 23 may be formed in a part of the extension direction D1. In this case, the dimension of the groove 23 in the extension direction D1 can be made substantially the same as the dimension of the protrusion 14 in the extension direction D1. In this configuration, the protrusion 14 is engaged with the inner wall of the groove 23 while being accommodated in the groove 23. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the protrusion 14 from coming off the groove 23.

[0022] The cut portions 24 are formed on the bottom surface 22 from one end 20a to the other end 20b in the width direction D2. A plurality of the cut portions 24 are provided at intervals in the extension direction D1. The cut portions 24 are provided, for example, at equal or nearly equal intervals in the extension direction D1, but this is not limited to this configuration, and at least some of the intervals may be different from the others. For example, the plurality of cut portions 24 may be provided at unequal or nearly equal intervals in the extension direction D1. The cut portions 24 may also be groove-shaped (groove portions). In this case, by providing the groove portions, the bottom surface 22 of the support body 20 is configured to have block-shaped portions discretely arranged in the extension direction D1.

[0023] The support 20 has a lift-up prevention mechanism 30 at the end 20a and the end 20b. The lift-up prevention mechanism 30 may be configured to be disposed at least one of the end 20a and the end 20b. In other words, the lift-up prevention mechanism 30 may be disposed at only one of the end 20a and the end 20b.

[0024] The support 20 may be provided with a floating prevention mechanism 30. The floating prevention mechanism 30 prevents the support 20 from floating up. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the floating prevention mechanism 30. Fig. 3 shows the configuration of the floating solar cell structure 100 viewed from the extension direction D1.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the lift-off prevention mechanism 30 may have a configuration including, for example, a film-like or plate-like hanging member 31 hung from the ends 20a, 20b of the support 20 (see FIG. 3(A)).

[0026] The lift-off prevention mechanism 30 may also have a block-shaped member 32 arranged on the bottom surface 22 of the support 20 (see FIG. 3(B)). In this case, the block-shaped member 32 may be flexible.

[0027] Furthermore, when the anti-lifting mechanism 30 has a film-like or plate-like hanging member 31, it may be attached to both ends of the bottom surface 22 in the width direction D2 via hinges 33 (see FIG. 3(C)).

[0028] The lift-up prevention mechanism 30 may have a different weight on the end 20a side from that on the end 20b side. The lift-up prevention mechanism 30 may be set so that the weight on the end 20b side is heavier than that on the end 20a side. In this case, the support surface 21 of the support body 20 can be formed with a downward inclination from the end 20a side to the end 20b side. Furthermore, the lift-up prevention mechanism 30 is disposed in the extension direction D1 so as to leave open the portion where the cut portion 24 is provided. In other words, the lift-up prevention mechanism 30 has a cut or groove portion formed in a portion corresponding to the cut portion 24, and is provided discretely in the extension direction D1 by the cut or groove portion.

[0029] 4 to 6 are diagrams showing an example of a state in which the floating solar cell structure 100 is used. The floating solar cell structure 100 is used in a state in which the solar cell panel 10 and the support body 20 are integrally floating on water. The floating solar cell structure 100 may be provided with the floating prevention mechanism 30 described above.

[0030] 5, the floating solar cell structure 100 can be formed by integrally rolling up the solar cell panel 10 and the support 20. When the floating prevention mechanism 30 is provided, the floating solar cell structure 100 can be formed by integrally rolling up the solar cell panel 10, the support 20, and the floating prevention mechanism 30.

[0031] When the solar cell panel 10 and the support 20 are rolled together, the support 20 is rolled along the extension direction D1 so that the solar cell panel 10 is on the inside. Since the bottom surface 22 of the support 20 has the cut portions 24, the cut portions 24 open when the support 20 is rolled, and the support 20 can be easily bent in the rolling direction. This makes it easy to roll the support 20.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, when the floating solar cell structure 100 is rolled up to the end 20c on the protrusion 14 side in the extension direction D1, the protrusion 14 is accommodated in the groove 23 on the bottom surface 22 of the support 20. By accommodating the protrusion 14 in the groove 23, it is possible to prevent the support 20 from floating up at the location where the protrusion 14 is provided, thereby preventing the rolled diameter from becoming large. By rolling up the floating solar cell structure 100, it is made compact in the extension direction D1, making it easier to transport.

[0033] As described above, the floating solar cell structure 100 of this embodiment is formed in a flexible state and comprises a solar cell panel 10 having a light receiving area 13 on a first surface 11, and a plate-shaped support body 20 supporting a second surface 12 behind the first surface 11 of the solar cell panel 10, wherein the solar cell panel 10 has a protrusion 14 protruding from the first surface 11, and the support body 20 is flexible, has a dimension in the thickness direction that is greater than the protruding height of the protrusion 14 from the first surface 11, is formed so as to be able to be rolled up together with the solar cell panel 10, and has a groove portion 23 capable of accommodating the protrusion 14 in the rolled up state.

[0034] According to this configuration, the support 20 supporting the solar cell panel 10 has flexibility, a dimension in the thickness direction that is greater than the protruding height of the protrusion 14 from the first surface 11, is formed so as to be able to be rolled up integrally with the solar cell panel 10, and has the groove 23 capable of accommodating the protrusion 14 in the rolled up state, so that the protrusion 14 is accommodated in the groove 23 in the rolled up state. By accommodating the protrusion 14 in the groove 23, it is possible to prevent the support 20 from floating up at the location where the protrusion 14 is provided, and thus prevent the rolled diameter from becoming large. This makes it possible to provide a floating solar cell structure 100 that can be floated on water and rolled up compactly.

[0035] In the floating solar cell structure 100 of this embodiment, the support 20 has a support surface 21 that supports the second surface 12 of the solar cell panel 10, and a bottom surface 22 on the back side of the support surface 21, and a groove portion 23 is provided in the bottom surface 22.

[0036] According to this configuration, the groove portion 23 is provided on the bottom surface of the support body 20, so that the protrusion portion 14 can be accommodated in the groove portion 23 by rolling up the solar cell panel 10 and the support body 20 so that the solar cell panel 10 is on the inside.

[0037] In the floating solar cell structure 100 according to this embodiment, the solar cell panel 10 and the support body 20 are formed in a state extending in an extension direction D1, and can be rolled up along the extension direction D1.

[0038] According to this configuration, by rolling up the solar cell panel 10 and the support body 20 along the extension direction D1, it is possible to make the solar cell panel 10 and the support body 20 compact in the extension direction D1, which is the longitudinal direction.

[0039] In the floating solar cell structure 100 according to this embodiment, the support 20 has a cut portion 24 formed on the bottom surface 22 in a direction intersecting one direction.

[0040] According to this configuration, the cut portions 24 are provided on the bottom surface 22 of the support body 20, so that by rolling the support body 20, the cut portions 24 open, and the support body 20 becomes easier to bend in the rolling direction. Therefore, the support body 20 can be rolled easily.

[0041] In the floating solar cell structure 100 according to this embodiment, a plurality of cut portions 24 are provided at intervals in the extension direction D1.

[0042] According to this configuration, multiple notches 24 are provided at intervals in the extension direction D1, making it easier to roll up the support 20 when rolling up the solar cell panel 10 and the support 20 along the extension direction D1, and preventing the support 20 from expanding in the radial direction of the roll.

[0043] In the floating solar cell structure 100 according to this embodiment, the groove portion 23 is formed from one end 20a to the other end 20b in the extension direction D1.

[0044] According to this configuration, the groove portion 23 is formed from one end 20ac to the other end 20bd in the extension direction D1, so that the protrusion portion 14 can be accommodated in the groove portion 23 even if the winding diameter of the solar cell panel 10 and the support body 20 changes.

[0045] In the floating solar cell structure 100 according to this embodiment, the groove portion 23 is formed in a part of the extension direction D1.

[0046] According to this configuration, since the groove portion 23 is formed in a part of the extension direction D1, the protrusion portion 14 can be locked to the inner wall of the groove portion 23 in a state where the protrusion portion 14 is accommodated in the groove portion 23. This makes it possible to prevent the protrusion portion 14 from coming off the groove portion 23.

[0047] In the floating solar cell structure 100 according to this embodiment, the support 20 has a floating prevention mechanism 30 at least on one of the end 20a which is one end in the width direction D2 perpendicular to the extension direction D1 and the end 20b which is the other end.

[0048] According to this configuration, the floating prevention mechanism 30 is disposed at least at one of the end 20a, which is one end of the support 20 in the width direction D2, and the end 20b, which is the other end, so that the support 20 can be prevented from floating up due to wind, etc. Since the ends 20a and 20b are not exposed to the water surface, air is less likely to enter the underside of the support 20, and the generation of unexpected upward forces can be prevented. This improves the degree of contact between the support 20 and the water surface, and prevents the solar cell panel 10 from capsizing.

[0049] The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] D1 Extending direction D2 width direction D3 Height direction, thickness direction, depth direction, H1, H2, T, W1, W2 dimensions 10. Solar Panels 11 Page 1 12 Side 2 13 Light receiving area 14 Protrusion 20 Support 20a,20b,20c,20d End 21 Support surface 22 Bottom 23 Groove 24 Notch 30 Anti-lifting mechanism 31 Membrane-like member 32 Block-shaped members 33 Hinge 100 Floating solar cell structure

Claims

1. a solar cell panel formed in a flexible state and having a light receiving area on a first surface; a plate-shaped support body supporting a second surface on the rear side of the first surface of the solar cell panel; Equipped with the solar cell panel has a protrusion protruding from the first surface, The support body is flexible, has a dimension in a thickness direction greater than a protruding height of the protrusion from the first surface, is formed so as to be able to be rolled up together with the solar cell panel, and has a groove portion capable of accommodating the protrusion in a rolled up state. Floating solar cell structure.

2. The support body has a support surface that supports the second surface of the solar cell panel and a bottom surface on the back side of the support surface, The groove is provided on the bottom surface. The floating solar cell structure of claim 1.

3. The solar cell panel and the support are formed in a state of extending in one direction and can be rolled along the one direction. The floating solar cell structure of claim 1.

4. The support has a cut portion formed in a bottom surface in a direction intersecting the one direction. The floating solar cell structure according to claim 3.

5. The cut portions are provided in a plurality at intervals in the one direction. The floating solar cell structure according to claim 4.

6. The groove portion is formed from one end to the other end in the one direction. The floating solar cell structure according to claim 3.

7. The groove portion is formed in a part of the one direction. The floating solar cell structure according to claim 3.

8. The support has a lift-up prevention mechanism at least at one end and the other end in a width direction perpendicular to the one direction. The floating solar cell structure according to claim 3.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Water surface covering structure with solar power generating function

    JP1998117629A