Solar panel cleaning equipment

Abstract

To provide a solar panel cleaning device capable of efficiently cleaning a wide area of a solar panel.SOLUTION: A solar panel cleaning device includes a crane 100 having a hoisting / lowering wire 107, a cleaning attachment 300 suspended from the hoisting / lowering wire 107 of the crane 100 and having a cleaning nozzle 320, and a water supply unit 400 that supplies water to the cleaning attachment 300.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar panel cleaning device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, interest in renewable energy has been growing in an effort to curb the progress of global warming, and large-scale photovoltaic power generation facilities with outputs exceeding 1 MW, known as mega solar power generation facilities, have been constructed.

[0003] Generally, a solar panel is made up of a solar cell module, which is a group of solar cells, which are the smallest structural unit of a solar panel. In the case of the mega solar system, a solar cell array, which is a group of solar cell modules, is installed on a stand in large numbers.

[0004] The solar panels are naturally installed outdoors, and as a result, they are inevitably subject to the accumulation of dust and other particles, and therefore require regular cleaning.

[0005] Conventionally, methods for cleaning the solar panels have included using large self-propelled cleaning machines (see, for example, Patent Document 1) and using cleaning machines equipped with a cleaning device attached to heavy machinery such as a backhoe (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-145873 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-78013 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the case of the system described in Patent Document 1, the large-scale cleaning machine is attached to one row of solar cell arrays and self-propelled to clean the solar panels, so that every time cleaning of one row of solar cell arrays is finished, the large-scale cleaning machine must be reattached to the other rows of solar cell arrays, which is troublesome. In addition, in one row of solar cell arrays, it is necessary to use bridging plates to span the gaps between the solar cell arrays that are not continuous. Furthermore, the higher the stand on which the solar cell arrays are installed, the more difficult it becomes to attach and maintain the large-scale cleaning machine.

[0008] On the other hand, in the case of the system described in Patent Document 2, cleaning cannot be performed unless there is space immediately next to the solar cell array for heavy machinery to pass through, and maintenance of the area around the solar cell array is required.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems in the conventional art, and aims to provide a solar panel cleaning device capable of efficiently cleaning a wide range of solar panels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention relates to a crane having a hoisting wire, a cleaning attachment suspended from the hoisting wire of the crane and having a cleaning nozzle; a water supply unit that supplies water to the cleaning attachment; Equipped with 、 The crane includes: A mast to be erected; A rotating body rotatably disposed on the top of the mast; a jib attached to the rotating body so as to be freely raised and lowered and from whose tip the hoisting and lowering wire is suspended; It is a jib crane equipped with This relates to a solar panel cleaning device.

[0012] In the solar panel cleaning device, the mast can be erected on a traveling frame having a traveling device.

[0013] The present invention also provides a crane having a hoisting wire, a cleaning attachment suspended from the hoisting wire of the crane and having a cleaning nozzle; a water supply unit that supplies water to the cleaning attachment; Equipped with The crane includes: A leg erected on the running device; A girder disposed across the top of the leg; A trolley is attached to the girder so as to be freely movable laterally and from which the winding wire is suspended. Gantry crane equipped with This also relates to a solar panel cleaning device.

[0014] In the solar panel cleaning device, the cleaning attachment can include a transport unit capable of freely transporting the solar panel.

[0015] In the solar panel cleaning apparatus, the transport unit includes: A suction cup that holds the solar panel, A suction pump that creates negative pressure inside the suction cup; It can be provided with:

[0016] In the solar panel cleaning device, the water supply unit is A water tanker in which water is stored; a water supply pump that pumps water stored in the water tanker to the cleaning attachment; It can be provided with: Effect of the Invention

[0017] The solar panel cleaning device of the present invention has the excellent effect of being able to efficiently clean a wide range of solar panels. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view showing a first embodiment of a solar panel cleaning device according to the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a cleaning attachment in the first embodiment of the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a cleaning range in the first embodiment of the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a hose reel in the first embodiment of the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing a second embodiment of the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a cleaning range in a second embodiment of the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration perspective view showing a third embodiment of the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a cleaning range in a third embodiment of the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] 1 to 4 show a solar panel cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The first embodiment is characterized in that a crane 100 is introduced as a solar panel cleaning device, as shown in FIG.

[0022] The crane 100 is a climbing crane, and is provided with a mast 102 as a support part that is erected near a stand 200 on which a large number of solar panels P (a solar cell array A consisting of a plurality of solar cell modules M) are installed, and that can successively add mast blocks 101 upward. A rotating body 104 is rotatably arranged on the top of the mast 102 via a lifting unit 103 that can rise and fall along the mast 102. A jib 105 is attached to the rotating body 104 so as to be able to rise and fall, and a counter frame 106 extending rearward is integrally provided on the rotating body 104. A hoisting drum 108 for hoisting and lowering a hoisting wire 107 for suspending a cleaning attachment 300 from the tip of the jib 105, and a hoisting drum 110 for hoisting and lowering a hoisting wire 109 of the jib 105 are installed on the counter frame 106.

[0023] Water is supplied to the cleaning attachment 300 from a water supply unit 400 via hoses 500, 501. The water supply unit 400 includes a water tanker 401 in which water is stored, and a water supply pump 402 that pumps the water stored in the water tanker 401 to the cleaning attachment 300.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning attachment 300 includes a base 310, a cleaning nozzle 320, and a transport unit 330.

[0025] The base 310 is suspended by connecting the winding wire 107 to an eyebolt 311 embedded in the upper surface, and the hose 501 is connected to supply water to the internal flow path 312.

[0026] The cleaning nozzle 320 is attached to the lower surface of the base 310 so as to be connected to the internal flow passage 312 .

[0027] The transport unit 330 includes a suction cup 331 that suctions the solar panel P, and a suction pump 332 that creates negative pressure inside the suction cup 331. A power supply cable 333 is connected to the suction pump 332.

[0028] The hose 500 has a base end connected to the discharge port of the water supply pump 402 and laid along the mast 102 and the jib 105, as shown in Fig. 1, and a tip end connected to a joint (not shown) provided in the center of a hose reel 600. The hose reel 600 includes a reel body 601 rotatably disposed at the tip of the jib 105, as shown in Fig. 1, and a hose 501 is wound up on the reel body 601 so as to be freely wound up and down, as shown in Fig. 4, and the base end of the hose 501 is connected to the joint, and the tip end of the hose 501 is connected to the base 310 of the cleaning attachment 300, as shown in Fig. 2. The reel body 601 is rotated by a motor 602 via a reducer 603 in conjunction with the winding up and down of the winding up and down wire 107 (see Figs. 1 and 2), as shown in Fig. 4. The hose reel 600 may be provided at the base end of the jib 105, not limited to the tip of the jib 105. In this case, the hose 501 reeled out from the hose reel 600 extends from the base end side of the jib 105 to the tip side, is wound around a sheave or pulley at the tip of the jib 105, and hangs down to be connected to the base 310 of the cleaning attachment 300.

[0029] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

[0030] First, the mast 102 is erected and the crane 100 is installed. The cleaning attachment 300 is suspended from the tip of the jib 105 and set above the solar panel P (solar cell array A comprising a plurality of solar cell modules M) to be cleaned.

[0031] Next, water stored in the water tanker 401 of the water supply unit 400 is pumped by the water supply pump 402 through hoses 500, 501 to the cleaning attachment 300, and the water passes through the internal flow path 312 of the base 310 and is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 320 onto the surface of the solar panel P, cleaning the solar panel P.

[0032] Here, by raising and lowering the jib 105 while rotating the rotating body 104 of the crane 100, it is possible to clean the solar panels P over a wide area, as shown in FIG.

[0033] Furthermore, when cleaning the solar panel P, by driving the suction pump 332 of the transport unit 330 to adsorb the solar panel P with the suction cup 331, it is possible to suppress flapping and vibration of the cleaning attachment 300 due to the recoil of the water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 320.

[0034] In addition, the defective solar panel P can be removed from the stand 200 while being sucked by the suction cups 331 by driving the suction pump 332 of the transport unit 330, and can be replaced with a new solar panel P.

[0035] In the case of the first embodiment, unlike the one described in Patent Document 1, a large-scale cleaning machine is attached to one row of solar cell arrays A and self-propelled to clean the solar panels P, so there is no need to reattach the large-scale cleaning machine to other rows of solar cell arrays A every time cleaning of one row of solar cell arrays A is finished, which saves time and effort. In addition, there is no need to use bridging plates to span the discontinuous, spaced apart parts of one row of solar cell arrays A. Furthermore, even if the stand 200 on which the solar cell arrays A are installed becomes high, the cleaning work can be carried out smoothly.

[0036] Meanwhile, unlike the structure described in Patent Document 2, it is not necessary to secure an endless space right next to the solar cell array A for heavy machinery to pass through. In the case of the first embodiment, as long as a place for erecting the mast 102 is secured, the jib 105 can be extended from that position to wash the solar cell array A, and therefore maintenance work around the solar cell array A can be simplified to a minimum.

[0037] In this way, a wide range of solar panels P can be efficiently cleaned.

[0038] 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention, and in the drawings, parts denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 4 represent the same objects.

[0039] The crane 100 of the second embodiment is a traveling crane in which a mast 102 is erected on a traveling frame 800 having a traveling gear 700, unlike the climbing crane equipped with the lifting unit 103 of the first embodiment.

[0040] The traveling device 700 includes an upper equalizer beam 701, a lower equalizer beam 702, and traveling wheels 703, and the traveling wheels 703 are disposed at both ends of the lower equalizer beam 702 in the traveling direction so as to be able to roll along rails 704, and are rotated by a traveling drive motor (not shown). Note that the traveling device 700 may be of a type equipped with tires or crawlers, instead of the traveling wheels 703 which are able to roll along the rails 704.

[0041] A water supply pump 402 of a water supply unit 400 is mounted on the traveling frame 800 .

[0042] Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

[0043] First, the crane 100 is driven by the traveling device 700 and stopped at a desired position, and the cleaning attachment 300 is suspended from the tip of the jib 105 and set above the solar panel P (solar cell array A consisting of a plurality of solar cell modules M) to be cleaned.

[0044] Next, water stored in the water tanker 401 of the water supply unit 400 is pumped to the cleaning attachment 300 via hoses 500, 501 by the water supply pump 402 on the traveling frame 800, and the water passes through the internal flow path 312 of the base 310 and is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 320 (see Figure 2) onto the surface of the solar panel P, cleaning the solar panel P.

[0045] Here, by raising and lowering the jib 105 while rotating the rotating body 104 of the crane 100, it is possible to wash the solar panels P over a wide area, as shown in Fig. 6. Moreover, in the second embodiment, the crane 100 can be traveled by the traveling device 700 to move it to a desired position, so that a wider area of ​​the solar panels P can be washed easily and stably.

[0046] Furthermore, when cleaning the solar panel P, by driving the suction pump 332 of the transport unit 330 to adsorb the solar panel P with the suction cup 331, it is possible to suppress flapping and vibration of the cleaning attachment 300 due to the recoil of the water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 320, as in the first embodiment.

[0047] Also, as in the first embodiment, with regard to a faulty solar panel P, the suction pump 332 of the transport unit 330 can be driven to adsorb the panel P with the suction cups 331, and the panel can be removed from the stand 200 and replaced with a new solar panel P.

[0048] Thus, in the second embodiment, the crane 100 can be moved by the traveling device 700, so that a wider range of solar panels P can be efficiently cleaned.

[0049] 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention, and in the drawings, parts denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 to 4 represent the same objects.

[0050] The crane 100 of the third embodiment is a gantry crane equipped with legs 120, girders 130 and a trolley 140, unlike the climbing crane equipped with the lifting unit 103 of the first embodiment or the crane of the second embodiment.

[0051] The leg 120 is erected on a running device 700 having running wheels 703 that are capable of rolling along rails 704 .

[0052] The girder 130 is positioned to span the top of the legs 120 .

[0053] The trolley 140 is attached to the girder 130 so as to be freely movable laterally, and a winding wire 107 is suspended therefrom.

[0054] The cleaning attachment 300 suspended from the trolley 140 by the winding wire 107 has a structure similar to that shown in FIG.

[0055] A water supply pump 402 of a water supply unit 400 that supplies water to the cleaning attachment 300 is mounted on a saddle 150 that connects the front and rear traveling devices 700 .

[0056] A hose reel 600 to which a hose 500 extending from the water supply pump 402 is connected at its central portion has a structure similar to that shown in FIG. 4 and is rotatably disposed on the girder 130.

[0057] Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described.

[0058] First, the crane 100 is driven by the traveling device 700 and stopped at the desired position, and the trolley 140 is moved laterally and stopped at the desired position. The cleaning attachment 300 is then suspended from the trolley 140 and set above the solar panel P (a solar cell array A consisting of multiple solar cell modules M) to be cleaned.

[0059] Next, water stored in the water tanker 401 of the water supply unit 400 is pumped to the cleaning attachment 300 via hoses 500, 501 by the water supply pump 402 on the saddle 150, and the water passes through the internal flow path 312 of the base 310 and is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 320 (see Figure 2) onto the surface of the solar panel P, cleaning the solar panel P.

[0060] Here, while the trolley 140 of the crane 100 is moved laterally, the crane 100 can be traveled using the traveling device 700 to move to the desired position, as shown in Figure 8, so that cleaning of a wider area of ​​the solar panels P can be performed easily and stably.

[0061] Furthermore, when cleaning the solar panel P, by driving the suction pump 332 of the transport unit 330 to adsorb the solar panel P with the suction cup 331, it is possible to suppress flapping and vibration of the cleaning attachment 300 due to the recoil of the water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 320, as in the first and second embodiments.

[0062] Also, as in the first and second embodiments, with regard to a broken solar panel P, the suction pump 332 of the transport unit 330 can be driven to adsorb the broken solar panel P with the suction cups 331, and the broken solar panel P can be removed from the stand 200 and replaced with a new solar panel P.

[0063] Thus, in the third embodiment, the trolley 140 can be moved laterally while the crane 100 can be moved by the traveling device 700, so that a wider range of solar panels P can be efficiently cleaned.

[0064] In the case of the first embodiment, the crane is a jib crane including an erected mast 102, a rotating body 104 rotatably arranged on the top of the mast 102, and a jib that is freely raised and lowered and is attached to the rotating body 104 and from whose tip the hoisting wire is suspended. With this configuration, a wide range of solar panels P can be cleaned by the suspension movement of the cleaning attachment 300 caused by the rotation of the rotating body 104 and the raising and lowering of the jib 105.

[0065] In the second embodiment, the mast 102 is erected on a traveling frame 800 having a traveling device 700. With this configuration, the traveling device 700 allows the crane 100 to travel, making it possible to easily and stably clean a wider range of solar panels P.

[0066] Furthermore, in the case of the third embodiment, the crane is a gantry crane including a leg 120 erected on a traveling device 700, a girder 130 arranged to span the top of the leg 120, and a trolley 140 attached to the girder 130 so as to be able to move laterally and from which the hoisting wire 107 is suspended. With this configuration, the cleaning attachment 300 is suspended and moved by the lateral movement of the trolley 140 and the traveling of the crane 100 by the traveling device 700, making it possible to easily and stably clean a wider range of solar panels P.

[0067] Moreover, the cleaning attachment 300 includes a transport unit 330 capable of freely transporting the solar panel P. With this configuration, when the solar panel P is cleaned, a broken solar panel P can be replaced with a new solar panel P by the transport unit 330.

[0068] Moreover, the transport unit 330 includes a suction cup 331 that suctions the solar panel P, and a suction pump 332 that creates a negative pressure inside the suction cup 331. With this configuration, when cleaning the solar panel P, the suction pump 332 of the transport unit 330 can be driven to suction the solar panel P with the suction cup 331, and flapping and vibration of the cleaning attachment 300 due to the reaction of water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 320 can be suppressed, which is effective in stably cleaning the solar panel P. Also, a broken solar panel P can be removed from the stand 200 while being sucked by the suction cup 331 by driving the suction pump 332 of the transport unit 330, and replaced with a new solar panel P.

[0069] Furthermore, the water supply unit 400 includes a water tanker 401 in which water is stored, and a water supply pump 402 that pressure-feeds the water stored in the water tanker 401 to the cleaning attachment 300. With this configuration, the water stored in the water tanker 401 can be pressure-feeded to the cleaning attachment 300 stably by the water supply pump 402.

[0070] Incidentally, the solar panel cleaning device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 100 Crane 101 Mast Block 102 Mast 103 Lifting unit 104 Rotating body 105 Jib 106 Counter Frame 107 Winding upper and lower wires 108 winding upper and lower drums 109 Ding Wire 110 Elevating Drum 120 legs 130 Guarda 140 Trolley 150 Saddle 200 Mount 300 Cleaning attachment 310 Foundation 311 Eyebolt 312 Internal flow path 320 Cleaning nozzle 330 Transport Unit 331 Sucker 332 Suction Pump 333 Power Cable 400 Water Supply Unit 401 Water tanker 402 Water Pump 500 Horse 501 Hose 600 Hose reel 601 Reel body 602 Motor 603 Reducer 700 Running gear 701 Upper equalizer beam 702 Lower Equalizer Beam 703 Running Wheels 704 Rail 800 running frame P Solar panel A Solar cell array M Solar Cell Module

Claims

1. A crane having a hoisting wire; a cleaning attachment suspended from the hoisting wire of the crane and having a cleaning nozzle; a water supply unit that supplies water to the cleaning attachment; Equipped with The crane includes: A mast to be erected; A rotating body rotatably disposed on the top of the mast; a jib attached to the rotating body so as to be freely raised and lowered and from whose tip the hoisting and lowering wire is suspended; A solar panel cleaning device that is a jib crane equipped with a

2. The solar panel cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the mast is erected on a traveling frame having a traveling device.

3. A crane having a hoisting wire; a cleaning attachment suspended from the hoisting wire of the crane and having a cleaning nozzle; a water supply unit that supplies water to the cleaning attachment; Equipped with The crane includes: A leg erected on the running device; A girder disposed across the top of the leg; A trolley is attached to the girder so as to be freely movable laterally and from which the winding wire is suspended. A solar panel cleaning device that is a gantry crane equipped with a

4. The solar panel cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cleaning attachment is provided with a transport unit capable of freely transporting the solar panel.

5. The transport unit includes: A suction cup that holds the solar panel, A suction pump that creates negative pressure inside the suction cup; The solar panel cleaning device according to claim 4, further comprising:

6. The water supply unit includes: A water tanker in which water is stored; a water supply pump that pumps water stored in the water tanker to the cleaning attachment; The solar panel cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

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