Artificial Light Source Generator for Uniform Solar Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for simulating sunlight for solar cell module testing face challenges such as short flash times with xenon lamps, difficulty in achieving uniform illumination, and labor-intensive adjustments required for maintaining uniformity, which hinder effective voltage and current data collection and long-term light soaking or hot spot tests.

Innovation Solution

An artificial light source generator comprising a luminescent set with a light source, parabolic mirror, first lens array, and second lens array, where the second lens array is parallel to the first and spaced 0.5 to 1.5 times the first focal distance, achieving uniform illumination with shading material between lens regions to maintain non-uniformity under 5% and allowing for different light sources or filters to produce varying wavelengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a flash xenon lamp is used with a flash time of about tens of milliseconds, then the flash area can cover more than 1*1 square meter, but the flash time is too short to obtain correct or sufficient voltage and current data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflash areaVSAvoidflash time
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the illumination system into multiple continuum lamps arranged in arrays, with each lamp providing focused illumination to a specific region. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both sufficient illumination duration and adequate coverage area by using multiple simultaneous light sources rather than a single flash lamp.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If multiple sets of continuum lamps are used to form illumination regions on a projection plane, then the illumination area is increased, but the position and intensity of each lamp and the density of the wire net must be adjusted to achieve the required uniformity, which is rather difficult and labor-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination areaVSAvoidadjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination system is divided into multiple modular lamp arrays, where each array can be independently positioned and adjusted. This modular segmentation simplifies the adjustment process by allowing localized optimization rather than requiring coordination of all lamps simultaneously, thereby reducing the labor and time required to achieve uniform illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different adjustment parameters to different regions of the illumination system, with each lamp array optimized for its specific position on the projection plane. This local quality approach allows each region to be tuned independently for optimal uniformity, reducing the overall complexity of the adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If the lamp on the top left corner of the illumination region is attenuated too fast, then the illumination region will be darker than the other illumination regions, but a readjustment will be needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination uniformityVSAvoidreadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates illumination uniformity detection and feedback control mechanisms that continuously monitor the illumination distribution across the projection plane. When attenuation or shifts cause non-uniformity, the system automatically adjusts the lamp positions or intensities to maintain uniform illumination, eliminating the need for manual readjustment and reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Area of stationary object

If a flash xenon lamp is used, then the flash area can cover a large area, but light soaking or hot spot tests that require light irradiation for a long time cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidirradiation duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses multiple continuum lamps arranged in arrays that can provide sustained illumination over large areas. By segmenting the illumination into multiple simultaneous sources, the system achieves both long irradiation duration for light soaking tests and adequate coverage area, overcoming the limitation of single flash lamp systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides efficient and cost-effective sunlight simulation with improved uniformity, allowing for long-term testing without deterioration and enabling flexible spectrum generation without affecting illumination uniformity, even with output attenuation.

Implementation Method 1

The parabolic mirror has a focus, and the light source is disposed at the focus, so that the light beams generated by the light source are reflected or emitted in a parallel direction by the parabolic mirror

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectParabolic reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The first lens array has a plurality of first lens units, and each of the first lens units has a first focal distance. The second lens array has a plurality of second lens units, and the second lens array is parallel to the first lens array. The distance between the second lens array and the first lens array is 0.5 to 1.5 times the first focal distance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLens focusing: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP2157359B1Artificial light source generator
Publication Date: 2013.06.05 ALL REAL TECH
  • EP2157359B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2157359B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2157359B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

An artificial light source generator includes at least one luminescent set and a projection plane. The luminescent set includes a light source, a parabolic mirror, a supporting seat, a first lens array, and a second lens array. The light source is disposed at the focus of the parabolic mirror, so that light beams generated by the light source are reflected or emitted by the parabolic mirror in a parallel direction. The supporting seat is for supporting the light source. The first lens array has a plurality of first lens units, and each of the first lens units has a first focal distance. The second lens array has a plurality of second lens units. The distance between the second lens array and the first lens array is 0.5 to 1.5 times the first focal distance. A suitable distance exists between the projection plane and the luminescent set, so that the light beams passing through each of the second lens units cover the entire projection plane. Therefore, the projection plane has excellent illumination uniformity.