Rotary damper and photovoltaic tracking support

Abstract

A rotary damper (100), comprising: a bearing seat (1), a bearing (2), and an adjustment member. The bearing (2) is embedded in the bearing seat (1), and a chamber (10) accommodating a viscous fluid is provided between the bearing (2) and the bearing seat (1). The adjustment member is fixedly connected to the bearing (2), and extends into the chamber (10). The adjustment member can rotate in the chamber (10) synchronously with the bearing (2), and when rotation of the adjustment member causes the speed of the viscous fluid to change abruptly, the viscous fluid generates a viscous force, so as to impede continued movement of the adjustment member. The present invention further relates to a photovoltaic tracking support (300), comprising a main shaft (200) and the rotary damper (100). The main shaft (200) passes through the bearing (2), such that the bearing (2) is sleeved on the main shaft (200), thereby clamping the bearing (2) between the main shaft (200) and the bearing seat (1). The rotary damper can improve the stability of a photovoltaic tracking support product.

Description

Rotary damper and photovoltaic tracking bracket

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] The present invention claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed on January 18, 2024, with application number 202410074783.1 and invention name “Rotational Damper and Photovoltaic Tracking Bracket”. The relevant content of the Chinese patent application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of solar photovoltaics, in particular to a rotary damper and a photovoltaic tracking bracket. Background Art

[0004] Photovoltaic tracking brackets can drive the main shaft to rotate, thereby adjusting the inclination angle of the photovoltaic modules in real time to ensure that the modules are facing the sun at all times, thereby effectively increasing the amount of solar radiation received by the modules. During operation, photovoltaic tracking brackets are easily affected by natural factors such as wind, snow, and dust. At the same time, with the application of high-power photovoltaic modules, the size and flexibility of photovoltaic modules have increased, resulting in greater wind loads on the surface of the photovoltaic modules and significant wind-induced vibration effects, making photovoltaic tracking brackets more susceptible to damage in windy weather. Therefore, how to improve the stability of photovoltaic tracking brackets during operation is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently by those skilled in the art.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a rotation damper and a photovoltaic tracking bracket, which improve the stability of the photovoltaic tracking bracket product.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention adopts the following technical solution 1:

[0008] A rotary damper includes a bearing seat, a bearing and an adjusting member, wherein the bearing is arranged in the bearing seat, and a chamber for accommodating a viscous fluid is provided between the bearing and the bearing seat. The adjusting member is fixedly connected to the bearing and extends into the chamber. The adjusting member can rotate synchronously with the bearing in the chamber. When the rotation of the adjusting member causes a sudden change in the speed of the viscous fluid, the viscous fluid generates a viscous force to hinder the continued movement of the adjusting member.

[0009] As a further improved technical solution 1 of the present invention, the bearing has a thickness direction and a width direction; in the thickness direction, the bearing has an outer ring surface facing the bearing seat, and the bearing seat has an inner ring surface facing the bearing, and the adjusting member protrudes from the outer ring surface of the bearing toward the inner ring surface of the bearing seat, and the chamber has a first wall and a second wall arranged opposite to each other, and the first wall and the second wall do not intersect; in the width direction, at least one of the opposite sides of the bearing is provided with a sealing plate, and the sealing plate covers the bearing.

[0010] As a further improved technical solution 1 of the present invention, the bearing has a circumferential direction, and the adjusting member has an arc segment in the circumferential direction; the adjusting member includes a large diameter portion and a neck portion, and the neck portion is integrally connected between the large diameter portion and the bearing in the thickness direction.

[0011] As a further improved technical solution 1 of the present invention, the chamber is divided into two sub-cavities by the adjusting member, and the number of the adjusting members is the same as the number of the chambers.

[0012] As a further improved technical solution 1 of the present invention, the bearing seat is provided with a sliding groove on its inner ring surface, and the sliding groove has limiting walls on both sides. A sliding groove is provided between the bearing seat and the bearing, and the chamber is located in the sliding groove, and the two ends of the sliding groove have limiting walls. The sliding groove forms a narrow groove at the top away from the bearing seat, and the neck slides in the narrow groove.

[0013] As a further improved technical solution 1 of the present invention, a detachable plug is provided at at least one end of the sliding groove, and after the adjusting member enters the sliding groove from the end, the plug is installed at the end; and / or, the rotary damper also includes a gasket, which is clamped between the outer ring surface of the bearing and the top of the sliding groove, and the outer ring surface of the bearing is tightly fitted with the gasket.

[0014] As a further improved technical solution 1 of the present invention, the bearing has a circumferential direction, the number of the adjusting parts is multiple, the multiple adjusting parts are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction, and the inner ring surface of the bearing seat and the outer ring surface of the bearing form the chamber.

[0015] As a further improved technical solution 1 of the present invention, each of the adjusting members includes a root portion integrally connected to the bearing and a free end portion formed at the end of the root portion, and the size of the root portion is larger than the size of the free end portion.

[0016] As a further improved technical solution 1 of the present invention, the free end portion is in contact with the inner ring surface of the bearing seat, or a gap is provided between the free end portion and the inner ring surface of the bearing seat.

[0017] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solution 2: a photovoltaic tracking bracket, comprising a main shaft and the rotation damper as described above, the main shaft passes through the bearing so that the bearing is sleeved on the main shaft, thereby clamping the bearing between the main shaft and the bearing seat.

[0018] Compared to existing technologies, the rotary damper and photovoltaic tracker of the present invention regulate the flow velocity of a viscous fluid by providing an adjustment member that moves synchronously with the bearing. When the adjustment member rotates, causing a sudden change in the velocity of the viscous fluid, the viscous force generated by the fluid increases, and the attractive forces between molecules hinder their relative motion, thereby generating damping. Therefore, the rotary damper in the photovoltaic tracker of the present invention can provide damping force during operation, thereby reducing the impact of wind gusts on the photovoltaic tracker in windy weather and improving the stability of the photovoltaic tracker during operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG1 is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of a photovoltaic tracking bracket according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of portion A in Figure 1;

[0021] FIG3 is a perspective view of a rotary damper of the present invention mounted on a column via a connector;

[0022] FIG4 is a perspective view of a rotary damper of the present invention fixed with a connecting member by screws;

[0023] FIG5 is a partial exploded view of a first embodiment of a rotary damper according to the present invention;

[0024] FIG6 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a rotary damper according to the present invention;

[0025] FIG7 is an exploded perspective view of another angle of the first embodiment of the rotary damper of the present invention;

[0026] FIG8 is a side view of the bearing and the adjusting member in the first embodiment of the rotary damper of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along line BB in Figure 8;

[0028] 10 is a top view of the bearing seat, gasket, bearing and adjusting member in Example 1 of the rotary damper of the present invention;

[0029] FIG11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG10;

[0030] FIG12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG10;

[0031] FIG13 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a rotary damper according to the present invention;

[0032] FIG14 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a rotary damper according to the present invention;

[0033] FIG15 is an exploded perspective view of the second embodiment of the rotary damper of the present invention from another angle;

[0034] 16 is a side view of the bearing and the adjusting member of the second embodiment of the rotary damper of the present invention;

[0035] FIG17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG16;

[0036] 18 is a side view of the bearing seat, bearing and adjusting member in the second embodiment of the rotary damper of the present invention;

[0037] FIG19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG18;

[0038] FIG20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG18 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. If there are several embodiments, the features of these embodiments may be mutually exclusive unless they conflict. When the description refers to the drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The contents described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention; rather, they are merely examples of devices, products and / or methods consistent with some aspects of the present invention as described in the claims of the present invention.

[0040] The terms used in the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. The singular forms "a", "an", "the" or "the" used in the specification and claims of the present invention are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0041] It should be understood that the words used in the specification and claims of the present invention, such as "first", "second" and similar words, do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used to distinguish the names of features. Similarly, "one" or "an" and similar words do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the existence of at least one. Unless otherwise specified, the words "front", "back", "upper", "lower" and similar words that appear in the present invention are only for the convenience of description and are not limited to a specific position or a spatial orientation. Words such as "include" or "comprises" are open-ended expressions, meaning that the elements appearing before "include" or "comprises" include the elements appearing after "include" or "comprises" and their equivalents, which does not exclude that the elements appearing before "include" or "comprises" may also include other elements. If "several" appears in the present invention, it means two or more.

[0042] Referring to Figures 1 to 20 , the present invention first relates to a rotary damper 100 for use with a photovoltaic tracking bracket 300, comprising a bearing seat 1, a bearing 2, and an adjusting member. The bearing 2 is disposed within the bearing seat 1, with a chamber 10 for containing a viscous fluid defined between the bearing 2 and the bearing seat 1. The adjusting member is fixedly connected to the bearing 2 and extends into the chamber 10, capable of rotating synchronously with the bearing 2 within the chamber 10. When the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300 is operating normally, the rotation speed of the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300 is slow, so that the flow rate of the viscous fluid in the chamber 10 is slow, and the damping force generated is small, which does not affect the normal operation of the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300; when affected by external loads such as strong winds, the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300 is subjected to external impact, causing the rotation speed of the main shaft 200 to suddenly increase, so that the rotation speed of the bearing 2 suddenly increases, and the adjusting part fixed to the bearing 2 is disturbed in the viscous fluid, so that the flow speed of the viscous fluid suddenly increases, and the internal friction force between the viscous fluids, that is, the viscous force, increases, forming a damping force on the adjusting part, limiting the continued movement of the adjusting part, and then limiting the torsional vibration of the main shaft 200 through the bearing 2, thereby protecting the safety of the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300. Therefore, when the rotation of the adjusting member of the present invention causes a sudden change in the velocity of the viscous fluid, the viscous force generated by the viscous fluid hinders the continued movement of the adjusting member, enabling the rotary damper 100 of the present invention to provide a damping force during the operation of the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300, thereby reducing the impact of wind gusts on the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300 in windy weather and improving the stability of the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300 during operation. Preferably, the viscous fluid is a Newtonian fluid, such as a light oil or a low-molecular compound solution. The adjusting member can be integrally formed with the bearing 2, or can be separately formed and fixedly connected to the bearing 2 via welding or fasteners such as screws, without limitation.

[0043] Please refer to Figures 6, 7, 14 and 15. The adjusting member divides the chamber 10 into at least two sub-cavities 10'. A small hole 30 connecting two adjacent sub-cavities 10' is provided on the adjusting member. The bearing 2 has a circumferential direction (X), a thickness direction (Y) and a width direction (Z). In the circumferential direction, the adjusting member has a left side 301 and a right side 302, and the small hole 30 passes through the right side 302 of the adjusting member from the left side 301 of the adjusting member; in the thickness direction, the bearing 2 has an outer ring surface 21 facing the bearing seat 1, and the bearing seat 1 has an inner ring surface 11 facing the bearing 2. The adjusting member protrudes from the outer ring surface 21 of the bearing 2 toward the inner ring surface 11 of the bearing seat 1, and the inner ring surface 11 and the outer ring surface 21 are concentrically arranged to facilitate the processing and installation of the bearing 2 and the bearing seat 1. There is no contact between the bearing 2 and the bearing seat 1, which avoids wear between the bearing 2 and the bearing seat 1 and improves the service life of the rotation damper 100. The chamber 10 is provided with a first wall 1011 and a second wall 1012 which are arranged opposite to each other in the thickness direction, and the first wall 1011 and the second wall 1012 do not intersect. Preferably, the spacing between the first wall 1011 and the second wall 1012 in the circumferential direction (X) is the same, and the contact surface between the adjusting member and the viscous fluid is perpendicular to the flow direction F of the viscous fluid in the chamber 10, so that the viscous force acting on the contact surface between the adjusting member and the viscous fluid is a normal stress, and the first wall 1011 and the second wall 1012 are arranged to intersect, and the viscous force acting on the contact surface between the adjusting member and the viscous fluid is a shear stress. Under the same external factors such as strong wind, when the first wall 1011 and the second wall 1012 do not intersect, the velocity change on the contact surface between the adjusting member and the viscous fluid is greater than the velocity change when they intersect. Therefore, the non-intersecting arrangement of the first wall 1011 and the second wall 1012 makes the rotary damper 100 have higher responsiveness and sensitivity, and its damping effect is better. Preferably, the first wall 1011 and the second wall 1012 are concentrically arranged; in the width direction, at least one of the opposite sides of the bearing 2 is provided with a sealing plate 4, and the sealing plate 4 covers the bearing 2.

[0044] In two embodiments of the rotary damper 100 of the present invention (described in detail below), as shown in Figures 9 to 12 and 14 to 17 , the adjusting member is fixedly connected to the bearing 2, and the small hole 30 extends from the left side 301 of the adjusting member to the right side 302 of the adjusting member. Therefore, as the adjusting member rotates with the bearing 2 within the chamber 10, the viscous fluid contained within the chamber 10 can flow from the left sub-chamber 10' to the right sub-chamber 10' via the small hole 30. As the viscous fluid passes through the small hole 30, a damping force is generated to resist the effects of wind on the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300, thereby maintaining the balance and stability of the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300 and ensuring its safety.

[0045] Both embodiments of the present invention are provided with a sealing plate 4 on at least one of the opposite sides of the bearing 2. The sealing plate 4 serves as a seal to prevent external dust or rainwater from entering the rotary damper 100 and causing blockage or rust on the bearing 2. The sealing plate 4 also serves to limit the bearing 2 and prevent it from accidentally disengaging from the bearing seat 1. The adjustment member described above has various forms, which will be described in detail in the following two embodiments.

[0046] 4 to 12 , the first embodiment of the rotary damper 100 of the present invention will be described. Since the adjusting member has a first form, the first embodiment may be referred to as the adjusting member 3 .

[0047] Please refer to Figures 6, 7 and 11. The adjusting member 3 has an arc-shaped section in the circumferential direction. The adjusting member 3 includes a large diameter portion 31, and a plurality of small holes 30 are arranged in a row on the large diameter portion 31 in the width direction. The small holes 30 are provided in plurality, and their function is to provide a plurality of circulation channels for the viscous fluid and increase the fluidity of the viscous fluid. The contact surface 33 between the adjusting member 3 and the viscous fluid is located on the large neck 31, and the contact surface 33 between the adjusting member 3 and the viscous fluid is perpendicular to the flow direction F of the viscous fluid in the chamber 10. Please refer to Figures 7 and 8. In addition to the large diameter portion 31, the adjusting member 3 also includes a neck portion 32 integrally connected between the large diameter portion 31 and the bearing 2 in the thickness direction. The function of the neck portion 32 is to provide a fixed connection between the large diameter portion 31 and the bearing 2.

[0048] Referring to Figures 6 and 7 , the length of the large diameter portion 31 in the circumferential direction is greater than its width in the width direction, and the width of the large diameter portion 31 in the width direction is greater than its thickness in the thickness direction. In other words, the length of the large diameter portion 31 is greater than its width, and the thickness is greater than its thickness. This arrangement ensures that the wall thickness in the flow direction, and therefore the arc length of the plurality of small holes 30, is sufficient to provide a better damping force.

[0049] Please refer to Figures 6, 7, 11 and 12. In Example 1, the chamber 10 is set to two, upper and lower, and the two chambers 10 are only part of the ring (i.e., arc-shaped). Therefore, Example 1 of the rotary damper 100 of the present invention is suitable for photovoltaic tracking brackets 300 whose angles need to be adjusted within a certain range (for example, less than 180 degrees) according to changes in the angle of sunlight.

[0050] Referring to Figures 6 and 7 , the bearing seat 1 has a sliding groove 12 formed on its inner ring surface 11, and the chamber 10 is located within the sliding groove 12. Specifically, the sliding groove 12 has limiting walls 121 at both ends, and a removable plug 122 is provided at at least one end of the sliding groove 12. After the adjusting member 3 enters the sliding groove 12 from an end thereof, the plug 122 is installed at the end of the sliding groove 12. The limiting walls 121, the first wall 1011, and the second wall 1012 collectively limit the range of motion of the adjusting member 3 and form the chamber 10. This configuration also facilitates installation of the adjusting member 3 on the bearing seat 1 and subsequent removal for maintenance (e.g., replenishing viscous fluid). It is understood that the distance between the two limiting walls 121 is no less than the maximum rotation range of the main shaft 200 of the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300, thereby ensuring the normal operation of the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300. At the same time, when the bearing 2 is subjected to external forces such as strong winds, the two limiting walls 121 also limit the maximum rotation range of the bearing 2, restricting further rotation of the bearing 2 and protecting the safety of the photovoltaic bracket. In addition, the sliding groove member 12 can be integrally formed with the bearing seat 1, and can be separately formed and fixedly connected to the bearing seat 1 by welding or fasteners such as bolts.

[0051] Continuing with Figures 6 and 7 , the sliding groove 12 forms a slot 120 at the top facing away from the bearing seat 1 (the top of the sliding groove 12, i.e., the first wall 1011). The limiting walls 121 are the two sidewalls of the slot 120 formed circumferentially of the first wall 1011. The neck portion 32 slides within the slot 120. Therefore, the neck portion 32 serves not only to connect the large-diameter portion 31 to the bearing 2 but also to facilitate the sliding of the bearing 2. The rotary damper 100 also includes a gasket 5, which is clamped between the outer ring surface 21 of the bearing 2 and the top of the sliding groove 12. The outer ring surface 21 of the bearing 2 and the gasket 5 fit tightly together. The gasket 5 provides wear resistance between the bearing seat 1 and the bearing 2, thereby increasing the service life of the rotary damper 100. Preferably, the gasket 5 is made of a wear-resistant polymer plastic (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene). It can be understood that an open groove 510 is provided on the gasket 5, and the open groove 510 and the narrow groove 120 are correspondingly arranged to allow the neck 32 of the adjusting member 3 to pass through, thereby ensuring the synchronous movement of the adjusting member 3 and the bearing 2 in the chamber 10, and the outer ring surface 21 of the bearing 2 seals the viscous fluid in the chamber 10 to prevent the viscous fluid from flowing out through the narrow groove 120 and the open groove 510.

[0052] In a specific implementation of Example 1, the number of the adjusting members 3 is two, and the two adjusting members 3 are symmetrically arranged relative to the axis of the bearing 2. When the number of the adjusting members 3 is two, the number of the chambers 10 is also correspondingly set to two. The structure of each chamber 10 is the same as the chamber 10 described above, except that the upper and lower settings of the two chambers 10 correspond to the two adjusting members 3, and are also symmetrically arranged relative to the axis of the bearing 2. In the corresponding views of this embodiment, only the adjusting member 3 in the lower chamber 10 is shown, and the adjusting member 3 in the upper chamber 10 is not shown. It can be understood that the structure of the adjusting member 3 in the upper chamber 10 is the same as that of the adjusting member 3 in the lower chamber 10, and will not be repeated here. In other modified embodiments, the adjusting member 3 can be 1, 3 or other numbers, and the chambers 10 and the adjusting members 3 are correspondingly arranged and the number is the same.

[0053] 13 to 20 , a second embodiment of the rotary damper 100 of the present invention will be described. Since the adjusting member has the second form, the second embodiment may be referred to as the adjusting member 3 ′.

[0054] Referring to Figures 13 to 20 , there are multiple adjusting members 3', evenly distributed along the circumference. The inner ring surface 11 of the bearing seat 1 and the outer ring surface 21 of the bearing 2 together form the chamber 10. With particular reference to Figures 19 and 20 , the adjusting members 3' extend into the chamber 10, which is divided into multiple sub-cavities 10' by the adjusting members 3'. Adjacent sub-cavities 10' are interconnected via the apertures 30'. In the specific embodiment of Example 2, there are four adjusting members 3'. In other variations, the number of adjusting members 3' may be two, three, five, or another number. Referring to Figure 15 , each adjusting member 3' includes a root portion 31' integrally connected to the bearing 2 and a free end portion 32' formed at the end of the root portion 31'. The root portion 31' is larger than the free end portion 32', and each root portion 31' is provided with at least one aperture 30'. The contact surface 33 ′ between the regulating member 3 ′ and the viscous fluid is located on the root portion 31 ′, and the contact surface 33 ′ between the regulating member 3 ′ and the viscous fluid is perpendicular to the flow direction F of the viscous fluid in the chamber 10 .

[0055] Please refer to Figures 15 and 19. In a specific embodiment of the second embodiment of the rotary damper 100 of the present invention, the free end portion 32' contacts the inner ring surface 11 of the bearing seat 1, so that the flow cross-sectional area of ​​the adjusting member 3' is larger, and the sliding friction between the adjusting member 3' and the bearing seat 1 does not affect the rotation of the adjusting member 3' along with the bearing 2. In other variant embodiments of the second embodiment of the rotary damper 100 of the present invention, a gap may be provided between the free end portion 32' and the inner ring surface 11 of the bearing seat 1, so as to prevent the free end portion 32' from contacting the inner ring surface 11 of the bearing seat 1, thereby reducing the wear of the adjusting member 3'. At the same time, the influence of the sliding friction between the adjusting member 3' and the bearing seat 1 can be ignored, making it easier for the adjusting member 3' to rotate along with the bearing 2, and achieving better synchronization. At this time, the plurality of sub-cavities 10' are connected to each other through the gaps. At the same time, the small hole 30' on the adjusting member 3' can be eliminated, and the viscous fluid flows between the sub-cavities 10' through the gaps between the adjusting member 3' and the bearing seat 1.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 5. In Example 1, the sealing plate 4 includes a cover plate 41 and a protrusion 42 extending from the cover plate 41 toward the bearing 2. One end of the protrusion 42 abuts against the side walls of the bearing 2 and the sliding groove 12. The cover plate 41 is arranged on the outside of the bearing seat 1 and abuts against the side walls of the bearing seat 1. In Example 1, the sealing plate 4 mainly serves as a seal to prevent external dust or rainwater from entering the rotary damper 100 and causing the bearing 2 to become clogged or rusted. Another function of the sealing plate 4 is to limit the bearing 2 and the sliding groove 12, preventing the bearing 2 and / or the sliding groove 12 from detaching from the bearing seat 1. It is understood that a through hole is provided on the sealing plate 4 to allow the main shaft 200 of the photovoltaic tracking bracket 100 to pass through. The contour of the through hole matches the outer contour of the main shaft 200 to ensure the normal rotation of the main shaft 200. Please refer to Figure 15. The rotary damper 100 of Example 2 also includes a sealing plate 4. The structure of the sealing plate 4 is the same as that of Example 1. Since the sliding groove 12 is cancelled in Example 2, and the viscous fluid is directly set between the bearing seat 1 and the bearing 2, the sealing plate 4 of Example 2 not only prevents external dust or rainwater from entering the rotary damper 100, causing the bearing 2 to be blocked or rusted, and limits the bearing 2 to prevent the bearing 2 from detaching from the bearing seat 1, but also seals the viscous fluid to prevent the viscous fluid from flowing out of the rotary damper 100.

[0057] The number of the sealing plate 4 can be one, for example, in embodiment 2: the one sealing plate 4 is provided on one side of the bearing seat 1, please refer to Figures 14 and 15, the side of the bearing seat 1 opposite to the sealing plate 4 is provided with an annular protrusion 101 extending toward the bearing 2, the annular protrusion 101 abuts against the side wall of the root 31', and not only plays a positioning role for the installation of the bearing 2, but also seals the viscous fluid together with the sealing plate 4. Of course, it is understandable that in other modified embodiments, the number of the sealing plates 2 can also be two, for example, in embodiment 1: please refer to Figures 4 and 5, the two sealing plates 2 are respectively provided on both sides of the bearing seat 1, in which case the setting of the annular protrusion 101 can be eliminated.

[0058] Referring to Figures 1 to 20 , the present invention also relates to a photovoltaic tracking bracket 300. The photovoltaic tracking bracket 300 includes a main shaft 200 and the aforementioned rotation damper 100. The main shaft 200 passes through the bearing 2, so that the bearing 2 is sleeved on the main shaft 200, thereby clamping the bearing 2 between the main shaft 200 and the bearing seat 1. It is understood that the rotation damper 100 is secured to the connector 500 via screws 600 and is then mounted on the column 400 via the connector 500.

[0059] The rotary damper 100 and photovoltaic tracking bracket 300 of the present invention are disposed within the bearing seat 1 via the bearing 2. A chamber 10 for accommodating a viscous fluid is disposed between the bearing 2 and the bearing seat 1. The adjusting member is fixedly connected to the bearing 2 and extends into the chamber 10. The adjusting member is capable of rotating synchronously with the bearing 2 within the chamber 10. When the viscous fluid passes through the apertures 30, 30' at excessive speed, the viscous force generated by the viscous fluid increases, and the attraction between the molecules hinders their relative motion, thereby generating damping. Therefore, when the viscous fluid's velocity suddenly changes due to the rotation of the adjusting member of the present invention, the viscous force generated by the viscous fluid hinders the adjusting member from continuing to move. This allows the rotary damper 100 of the present invention to provide damping force during the operation of the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300, thereby reducing the impact of wind gusts on the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300 in windy weather and improving the stability of the photovoltaic tracking bracket 300 during operation.

[0060] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention and are not intended to limit the technical solutions described in the present invention. The understanding of this specification should be based on technical personnel in the relevant technical field. For example, the description of directions such as "front", "back", "left", "right", "up", and "down" has been described in detail in this specification with reference to the above embodiments. However, ordinary technical personnel in the field should understand that technical personnel in the relevant technical field can still modify or replace the present invention with equivalents, and all technical solutions and improvements that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention should be covered by the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rotary damper (100), comprising: A bearing housing (1), A bearing (2) disposed within the bearing housing (1), a chamber (10) for containing a viscous fluid being provided between the bearing (2) and the bearing housing (1), and An adjusting member fixedly connected to the bearing (2) and extending into the chamber (10). The adjusting member can rotate synchronously with the bearing (2) within the chamber (10). When the rotation of the adjusting member causes a sudden change in the velocity magnitude of the viscous fluid, the viscous fluid generates a viscous force to impede the continued movement of the adjusting member.

2. The rotational damper (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The bearing (2) has a thickness direction (Y) and a width direction (Z); in the thickness direction (Y), the bearing (2) has an outer ring surface (21) facing the bearing housing (1), the bearing housing (1) has an inner ring surface (11) facing the bearing (2), the adjusting member protrudes from the outer ring surface (21) of the bearing (2) towards the inner ring surface (11) of the bearing housing (1), the chamber (10) has a first wall (1011) and a second wall (1012) disposed opposite to each other, and the first wall (1011) and the second wall (1012) do not intersect; in the width direction (Z), a sealing plate (4) is provided on at least one of the opposite sides of the bearing (2), and the sealing plate (4) covers the bearing (2).

3. The rotational damper (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The bearing (2) has a circumferential direction (X), and the adjusting member has an arc segment in the circumferential direction (X); the adjusting member includes a large-diameter portion (31) and a neck portion (32), and the neck portion (32) is integrally connected between the large-diameter portion (31) and the bearing (2) in the thickness direction (Y).

4. The rotary damper (100) according to claim 3, wherein, The chamber (10) is divided into two sub-chambers (10') by the adjusting member, and the number of the adjusting members is the same as that of the chamber (10).

5. The rotational damper (100) according to claim 4, wherein, A sliding groove member (12) is provided between the bearing housing (1) and the bearing (2), the chamber (10) is located within the sliding groove member (12), both ends of the sliding groove member (12) have limiting walls (121), and the sliding groove member (12) forms a narrow groove (120) at the top away from the bearing housing (1), and the neck portion (32) slides within the narrow groove (120).

6. The rotational damper (100) according to claim 5, wherein, A detachable plug (122) is provided at at least one end of the sliding groove member (12). After the adjusting member enters the sliding groove member (12) from the end, the plug (122) is installed at the end; and / or, The rotary damper (100) further includes a gasket (5), the gasket (5) is clamped between the outer ring surface (21) of the bearing (2) and the top of the sliding groove member (12), and the outer ring surface (21) of the bearing (2) is in close fit with the gasket (5).

7. The rotary damper (100) according to claim 2, wherein, The bearing (2) has a circumferential direction (X), the number of the adjusting members is plural, and the plural adjusting members are uniformly distributed in the circumferential direction (X). An inner circumferential surface (11) of the bearing housing (1) and an outer circumferential surface (21) of the bearing (2) form the chamber (10).

8. The rotational damper (100) according to claim 7, wherein, Each of the adjusting members includes a root portion (31') integrally connected to the bearing (2) and a free end portion (32') formed at an end of the root portion (31'), and a size of the root portion (31') is larger than a size of the free end portion (32').

9. The rotary damper (100) according to claim 8, wherein, The free end portion (32') contacts the inner circumferential surface (11) of the bearing housing (1), or a gap is provided between the free end portion (32') and the inner circumferential surface (11) of the bearing housing (1).

10. A photovoltaic tracking bracket (300), wherein, It includes a main shaft (200) and a rotary damper (100) according to any one of claims 1-9 above. The main shaft (200) passes through the bearing (2) such that the bearing (2) is sleeved on the main shaft (200), thereby clamping the bearing (2) between the main shaft (200) and the bearing housing (1).

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