Solar power generation panel movable mechanism

Abstract

To provide a solar power generation panel movable mechanism in which a plurality of solar power generation panels arranged in parallel can be stood or tilted simultaneously, the solar power generation panels in a standing state can be stably supported, and a drive shaft is housed in a channel-shaped guide rail supporting the solar power generation panels in a rotatable manner such that a height in an up-down direction is not required, and, for example, installation on a roof floor or a roof is preferable.SOLUTION: A drive shaft 3 formed of a screw shaft is housed in a channel-shaped guide rail 2 supporting a solar power generation panel 10 in a rotatable manner, a slide base block 6 formed of a nut is screwed into the drive shaft 3 in the channel-shaped guide rail 2, one end of the solar power generation panel 10 is coupled with another portion via a hinge, and the solar power generation panel 10 and the slide base block 6 are coupled with a panel support arm 8 shaft-fixing an end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a moving mechanism for a solar power generation panel, for example, a moving mechanism for a solar power generation panel for erecting a solar power generation panel as a countermeasure against snow accumulation in regions with heavy snowfall. [Background technology]

[0002] Solar power generation is attracting attention from the perspective of decarbonization and is becoming increasingly popular.

[0003] The solar panels used for solar power generation generate more electricity the more sunlight they receive, so various solar panel mounting structures have been proposed that can change the tilt angle of the solar cell module (solar panel) according to the altitude of the sun, which changes with the seasons, as shown in the following patent documents. [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-126930 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-219174 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-217447 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-180257

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a fence-shaped solar power generation panel mounting, in which plate-shaped solar power generation panels are installed near the upper end of an extended fence, tilted upward along the extension direction of the fence, and the tilt angle of the plate-shaped solar power generation panels is adjustable.

[0005] Patent Document 2 discloses a solar cell module stand in which solar cell modules are installed between pillars set up at intervals and can be tilted freely, in which the solar cell modules are tilted toward the sun except during the snowy season, and the installation angle of the solar cell modules can be changed to vertical during the snowy season, thereby preventing snow from accumulating on the solar cell modules.

[0006] Patent document 3 discloses a mechanism that uses a drive shaft to move one end of a solar panel up and down to make the installation angle of the solar panel vertical, for example, using an extendable arm (piston) connected to a support (mounting).

[0007] Patent Document 4 discloses a mechanism (Patent Document 4) that uses a freely slidable, long jack with a rectangular cross section. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the tilt angle of a plate-shaped solar power generation panel is changed by a rotation means within a movable range so that the intensity of sunlight becomes maximum.

[0009] However, while the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 takes power generation efficiency into consideration, it does not disclose how to prevent snow from accumulating on modules in snowy regions. When snowfall is not accompanied by wind, snow accumulates on tilted solar cell modules, resulting in no power generation at all, let alone efficiency. Furthermore, in areas with heavy snowfall, there is a problem of the solar cell modules themselves being damaged by the weight of the accumulated snow.

[0010] In the solar cell mounting stand disclosed in Patent Document 2, the bolts in the fixing holes of the arm support bar that secures the panel mounting arm are removed to release the fixation, and the solar panel is then turned vertical. After that, the solar panel must be fixed in the vertical position by inserting the bolts into the fixing holes, which is a very cumbersome process.

[0011] On the other hand, the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 3 and 4 do not involve the complexity of changing or fixing the installation angle of the solar power generation panel as with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2.

[0012] However, there is a problem that the solar panels, which are fixed vertically, are structurally unstable when exposed to strong winds.

[0013] The object of the present invention is to provide a solar panel movable mechanism that eliminates the disadvantages of the above-mentioned conventional examples, that can simultaneously erect or tilt multiple parallel solar panels, that can stably support the solar panels when in the erected state, and that does not require any vertical height because the drive shaft is housed inside a channel-shaped guide rail that rotatably supports the solar panels, and that is suitable for installation on rooftops, for example. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that a drive shaft with a screw shaft is housed inside a channel-shaped guide rail that rotatably supports a solar panel, a slide roller base block with a nut is screwed onto the drive shaft inside the channel-shaped guide rail, one end of the solar panel is hingedly connected to the outside of the channel-shaped guide rail, and the solar panel and the slide roller base block are connected by a panel support arm that has the end pivotally attached.

[0015] According to the present invention described in claim 1, when the drive shaft is rotated, the slide base block moves inside the channel-shaped guide rail, shortening the relative distance between the axis attachment point of the solar panel on the slide base block and the hinge connection at one end of the solar panel, and the panel support arm rises, rotating the solar panel to stand it up.

[0016] Furthermore, when tilting the solar panel, the drive shaft is rotated in the reverse direction, causing the ride base block to move inside the channel-shaped guide rail, increasing the distance between the axis of the solar panel on the ride base block and the hinge connection to the outside of the channel-shaped guide rail at one end of the solar panel, thereby tilting the panel support arm and rotating and tilting the solar panel.

[0017] When the solar panel is in an upright position, the solar panel is supported by a truss structure made up of the channel-shaped guide rails, panel support arms, and solar panel, allowing it to be supported in a stable state that can withstand strong winds and the like.

[0018] Furthermore, the drive shaft is not placed outside, but is housed inside the channel-shaped guide rail that rotatably supports the solar panel, so it does not take up much space and is located together with the channel-shaped guide rail, so the entire device does not require any vertical height and can be installed, for example, on a rooftop or other surface.

[0019] The present invention as set forth in claim 2 is characterized in that the channel-shaped guide rail supports the solar power generation panel so that the solar power generation panel can be rotated reversibly from a horizontal state to a vertical state.

[0020] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 2, in order to prevent the solar panels from being damaged by the weight of snow that accumulates on them during snowfall seasons, the solar panels can be simply positioned vertically, thereby preventing snow from accumulating on the solar panels.

[0021] Furthermore, the solar panels are fixed vertically, making the structure stable even when exposed to strong winds.

[0022] The gist of the present invention as set forth in claim 3 is that an engine for driving the drive shaft can be attached to the end of the drive shaft.

[0023] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 3, a motor can be attached to one end of the connecting shaft, and the connecting shaft can be driven by the motor. Furthermore, if the motor is an electric tool, there is no need to install a motor according to the number of solar panels. In addition, the position of the motor can be tracked as the drive shaft moves, eliminating the need for a complex mechanism.

[0024] The present invention as set forth in claim 4 is characterized in that the panel support arm is pivotally attached to the center of the solar panel.

[0025] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 4, when the panel support arm is a single arm, by supporting the central portion of the solar panel, the solar panel can be rotated stably to stand up or tilt.

[0026] The present invention described in claim 5 is characterized in that the panel support arm comprises upper and lower arms that form the hypotenuse of a triangle and a diagonal arm that connects these upper and lower arms at their joints via a cross joint made of a universal joint, and the upper and lower arms and diagonal arm are foldable, and the lower end of the diagonal arm is pivotally attached to the slide base block, and the tip of the upper arm is pivotally attached to the top of the solar panel on the panel support arm.

[0027] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 5, the panel support arm supports the upper part of the solar panel when the solar panel is in an upright position, ensuring a more stable state. Furthermore, since the panel support arm can be folded or pushed out, it does not get in the way when the solar panel is stably erected or tilted.

[0028] The present invention as set forth in claim 6 is characterized in that 1 to 50 solar panels are arranged in parallel.

[0029] According to the present invention as set forth in claim 6, a plurality of photovoltaic panels can be erected or tilted simultaneously and in parallel using a single drive shaft. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] As described above, the solar panel movable mechanism of the present invention can simultaneously erect or tilt multiple parallel solar panels, and can stably support the solar panels when in the erected state.Furthermore, since the drive shaft is housed inside the channel-shaped guide rail that rotatably supports the solar panels, no vertical height is required, and the mechanism is suitable for installation on rooftops, for example. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of a solar power generation panel moving mechanism of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a front view of the slide base block storage portion. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a side view of the slide base block storage portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the slide base block storage portion. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the portion of the panel support arm that is attached to the solar panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view of the portion of the panel support arm that is attached to the solar panel. [Figure 7] 1 is an external perspective view showing a first embodiment of a solar power generation panel movable mechanism of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the solar power generation panel moving mechanism of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the solar power generation panel movable mechanism of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a portion where the panel support arm is axially attached to the photovoltaic panel in the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a side view of the portion of the panel support arm that is axially attached to the solar power generation panel in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a panel support arm in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the cross hardware portion of the panel support arm in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a side view showing a first embodiment of a solar panel moving mechanism of the present invention. The solar panel moving mechanism 1 has a drive shaft 3 with a screw shaft housed inside a channel-shaped guide rail 2 that rotatably supports a solar panel 10.

[0033] In the illustrated example, the solar panel 10 is a substantially rectangular solar panel for power generation. The bottom and sides of the solar panel 10 are detachably reinforced by a panel-reinforcing frame 20, and the solar cell portion is held by the frame 20.

[0034] Furthermore, since the frame 20 can be attached and detached to the solar cell portion of the solar power panel 10, the solar power panel movable mechanism 1 can be applied not only when installing a new solar power panel 10, but also to an existing solar power panel 10.

[0035] The channel-shaped guide rail 2 is a C-channel rail with an upward opening as shown in FIG. 2, and is made of metal such as aluminum alloy or stainless steel.

[0036] The screw shaft drive shaft 3 is a rod-shaped body with a spiral groove around its entire circumference, and is supported horizontally and rotatably within the channel-shaped guide rail 2 by partitions 9 placed at appropriate intervals. These partitions 9 act as stoppers to prevent the slide base block 6 described below from moving any further.

[0037] A slide base block 6 having a wheel-shaped roller bearing 4 and a nut 5 as a main body, which is capable of running on the wheel-shaped roller bearing 4, is screwed onto the drive shaft 3 inside the channel-shaped guide rail 2.

[0038] In addition, as long as the slide base block 6 can slide smoothly inside the channel-shaped guide rail 2, other means such as a resin material with low friction resistance can be used instead of the roller bearing 4.

[0039] The slide base block 6 has a clevis joint 7 attached to the main body, which is the nut 5. The clevis joint 7 has a top plate with a nut hole drilled in the bifurcated rotating piece.

[0040] In the figure, reference numeral 8 denotes a panel support arm, and in the example shown, a full-circumference screw, which is a rod-shaped body with a spiral groove around the entire circumference, is used for this, but the screw portion does not have to be a full-circumference screw, and can only be near the end.

[0041] Meanwhile, a clevis plate 11 is provided in the center of the solar panel 10, and one end of a panel support arm 8 is screwed into a clevis joint 7 provided in the slide base block 6, while the other end of the panel support arm 8 is axially attached to the clevis plate 11. As a result, the solar panel 10 and slide base block 6 are connected by the panel support arm 8, the end of which is axially attached.

[0042] The clevis plate 11 was fixed to a clevis mount frame 24 by a clevis fixing bolt 23, which was hung across the frame 20 of the solar panel 10 and secured by a reinforcing plate fixing bolt 22.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 7, the channel-shaped guide rails 2 are disposed on a mounting base 30 on which the solar power generation panels 10 are installed. Various types of mounting base 30 can be adopted depending on the installation location of the solar power generation panels 10, but the example shown in the figure shows one in which C-shaped steel beams are assembled to existing C-shaped steel members that serve as girders.

[0044] The frame 20 of the solar panel 10 is provided with a panel fixture 40 for fixing the solar panel 10 to a mount 30 so that the solar panel 10 can be reversibly rotated from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

[0045] The panel fixture 40 comprises a panel fixture base 41 and a panel hinge 42. The panel hinge 42 has two blades on one axis, one of which is fixed to the frame 20, and the other blade is fixed to the panel fixture base 41.

[0046] The panel fixture 40 is fixed to the C-shaped steel member of the frame 30 by having the panel fixture base 41 detachably attached to the C-shaped steel member.

[0047] The panel hinge 42 may be, for example, a flat hinge, a flag hinge, or a long hinge (piano hinge) as long as it can rotatably fix the solar panel 10 attached to the frame 20 to the mount 30.

[0048] In addition, the hinge connection of the solar panel 10 is not limited to the mounting base 30; if there is no mounting base 30, it is also possible to provide a hinge hardware at another location, for example, on the outside of the channel-shaped guide rail 2, and use this to hinge one end of the solar panel 10 to the outside of the channel-shaped guide rail 2.

[0049] On the other hand, a motor 21 for rotating the drive shaft 3 can be attached to the other end of the drive shaft 3 via a hexagonal head box 12 for screw drive joint.

[0050] If the engine 21 is an electric tool, such as a rechargeable electric drill or an electric screwdriver, it can be operated by hand, and if it is rechargeable, it is possible to drive (rotate) the drive shaft 3 using the engine 21 without securing a power source, which is preferable.

[0051] By screwing the slide base blocks 6 onto one drive shaft 3 at appropriate intervals, a plurality of slide base blocks 6, for example, 1 to 50 slide base blocks 6 can be provided in parallel on one channel-shaped guide rail 2.

[0052] Next, we will explain how to use and how it works. When the drive shaft 3 is rotated clockwise by the engine 21, the slide base block 6 moves inside the channel-shaped guide rail 2, and the distance between the pivot point of the photovoltaic panel 10 on the slide base block 6 and the hinge connection at one end of the photovoltaic panel 10 decreases, causing the panel support arm 8 to rise, and the photovoltaic panel 10 is rotated and raised.

[0053] When the solar panel 10 is erected, it is supported by a triangular (truss) structure of the solar panel 10, drive shaft 3, and panel support arm 8, maintaining a stable state. Furthermore, when the left and right lower ends of the solar panel 10 at the panel mounting fixture 40 are attached to the frame 30 with hinges, it forms an approximately isosceles right-angled triangular pyramid, which has high structural strength.

[0054] On the other hand, when tilting the solar panel 10, the drive shaft 3 is rotated in the opposite direction (left rotation), and the slide base block 6 moves inside the channel-shaped guide rail 2, and the distance between the axis attachment point of the solar panel 10 on the slide base block 6 and the hinge connection at one end of the solar panel 10 increases, causing the panel support arm 8 to tilt, rotating and tilting the solar panel 10.

[0055] Such standing and tilting of the solar power generation panel 10 can be used to move the solar power generation panel 10 in response to changes in the angle of solar radiation.

[0056] The solar panel 10 can also be used as follows: During the seasons from spring to autumn when there is no snowfall, the solar panel 10 is installed horizontally or tilted toward the south, facing the sunlight.

[0057] On the other hand, when it snows in winter, snow accumulates on the solar power generation panel 10, and depending on the amount of snow, the weight of the snow can cause deformation and damage to the solar power generation panel 10. Therefore, from late autumn to early winter when snowfall begins, the solar power generation panel 10 is made vertical to prevent damage due to snow accumulation.

[0058] If the solar panel 10 is placed vertically, the risk of it being damaged by strong winds can be reduced.

[0059] On the other hand, when spring arrives and snowfall is no longer expected, the solar power generation panel 10 is returned to the horizontal position to increase power generation efficiency.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of the solar panel movable mechanism 1 of the present invention, in which the panel support arm 8 can support the top of the solar panel 10 to stand the solar panel 10, and the panel support arm 8 itself is foldable.

[0061] The panel support arm 8 is composed of an upper arm 8a and a lower arm 8b that form the hypotenuse of a triangle, and a diagonal arm 8c that connects the upper arm 8a and the lower arm 8b at their joints via a cross fitting 13 made of a universal joint.

[0062] The diagonal arm 8c is a support arm bush rod, and these upper arm 8a, lower arm 8b and diagonal arm 8c can be folded by a cross fitting 13 with a universal joint.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 12, the cross fitting 13 has the upper arm 8a and the rotating portion of the lower arm 8b attached to a support shaft 13a, and the support shaft 13a is rotatably installed at the tip of the diagonal arm 8c.

[0064] The lower end of the diagonal arm 8c is axially attached to the slide base block 6, and the tip of the upper arm 8a is axially attached to the top of the photovoltaic panel 10.

[0065] The lower end of the lower arm 8b is provided with a wheel-shaped roller bearing 4, and a slide base block 6 having a nut 5 as its main body, which is movable by the wheel-shaped roller bearing 4, is screwed onto the drive shaft 3 inside the channel-shaped guide rail 2.

[0066] A slide roller 4' is attached to the lower end of the diagonal arm 8c so that it can slide within the channel-shaped guide rail 2. The lower end of this diagonal arm 8c does not necessarily need to be screwed onto the drive shaft 3, and it may be attached to the side of the channel-shaped guide rail 2, etc., without providing the slide roller 4'.

[0067] FIG. 8 shows a state in which the solar panel 10 is installed tilted horizontally toward the sunlight, with the upper arm 8a and the lower arm 8b bent and folded.

[0068] When the drive shaft 3 is rotated clockwise by the motor 21, the slide base block 6 moves inside the channel-shaped guide rail 2, and the pivoted portion at the lower end of the diagonal arm 8c of the slide base block 6 moves, and the diagonal arm 8c acts as a support arm bush rod.

[0069] This pushes the joint between the upper arm 8a and the lower arm 8b, spreading the bent and folded upper arm 8a and lower arm 8b, and accordingly rotating and standing the solar panel 10.

[0070] When the solar panel 10 is upright, the upper arm 8a and the lower arm 8b are straight, and the upper arm 8a and the lower arm 8b form the base of a right triangle, with the diagonal arm 8c being a line extending from the center of this base to the apex, ensuring stable strength as a truss structure.

[0071] On the other hand, when tilting the solar panel 10, the drive shaft 3 is rotated in the opposite direction (left), causing the slide base block 6 to move inside the channel-shaped guide rail 2, which then pulls the diagonal arm 8c, which then acts as a pull rod to fold the upper arm 8a and the lower arm 8b at the cross metal fitting 13. This rotates and tilts the solar panel 10.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0073] The present invention can provide a solar panel movable mechanism 1 that can easily make the solar panel 10 vertical during snowfall, prevent damage to the solar panel 10 due to the weight of accumulated snow, and is structurally stable even when exposed to strong winds with the solar panel 10 fixed vertically. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1...Moving mechanism for solar panel 2...Channel-shaped guide rail 3...Drive shaft 4...Roller bearing 4'...Slide roller 5...Nut 6...Slide base block 7...Clevis joint 8...Panel support arm 8a...Upper arm 8b...Lower arm 8c...Diagonal arm 9...Partition body 10...Solar power generation panel (solar panel) 11...Clevis plate 12...Hexagonal head box for screw drive joint 13...Cross fittings 13a...Spindle 20...frame 21...Engine 22, 23...Fixing bolts 24...Clevis mounting frame 30... stand 40...Panel mounting fixture 41...Panel mounting base 42...Panel hinge

Claims

1. A solar panel movable mechanism characterized in that a drive shaft with a screw shaft is housed inside a channel-shaped guide rail that rotatably supports a solar panel, a slide base block with a nut is screwed onto the drive shaft inside the channel-shaped guide rail, one end of the solar panel is hingedly connected to another location, and the solar panel and slide base block are connected by a panel support arm that pivots to the end.

2. 2. The solar panel moving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the channel-shaped guide rail supports the solar panel so that the solar panel can be reversibly rotated from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

3. 3. The photovoltaic panel moving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a motor for driving the drive shaft can be attached to the end of the drive shaft.

4. 2. The solar panel moving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the panel support arm is pivotally attached to the center of the solar panel.

5. 2. The solar panel movable mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the panel support arm comprises upper and lower arms that form the hypotenuse of a triangle and diagonal arms that connect the upper and lower arms at their joints via cross joints made of universal joints, the upper and lower arms and the diagonal arms are foldable, the lower ends of the diagonal arms are pivotally attached to the slide base blocks, and the tip of the upper arm is pivotally attached to the top of the solar panel on the panel support arm.

6. 3. The solar panel moving mechanism according to claim 1, wherein 1 to 50 solar panels are arranged in parallel.

Images