Automated Rotating Structure for Solar-Tracking Modular Buildings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing modular construction structures lack the ability to automatically adjust their orientation to maximize or minimize sun exposure, which affects energy efficiency and comfort.
Innovation Solution
An automated structure with a lower structure containing an opening for a fixed shaft, coupled to an upper structure via a lifting mechanism, connected to a programmable automation system with sensors and actuators, allowing for axial movement and rotation up to 180°, controlled by motors and limit switches, enabling optimal solar orientation and configuration between summer and winter modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the modular construction structure is made fixed and stable, then structural reliability is improved, but the ability to adjust orientation for solar exposure is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed modular construction into a movable structure that can rotate around a vertical axis and adjust its inclination angle. The lower structure rotates 180 degrees around a fixed shaft, while the upper structure adjusts its angle relative to the lower structure, enabling the building to dynamically track the sun's position throughout the day and season, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and solar orientation adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the modular construction into two independent movable parts: a lower structure that rotates around a vertical shaft, and an upper structure that can adjust its inclination angle independently. This segmentation allows each part to move independently to optimize solar exposure while maintaining overall structural integrity, addressing the contradiction between reliability and adaptability
2Productivity
If automated sensors and actuators are added to control structure movement, then solar energy optimization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by equipping the modular construction with sensors that automatically detect solar position, wind speed, and environmental conditions, and actuators that autonomously adjust the structure's orientation without human intervention. The system self-regulates its position to maximize solar energy capture while responding to environmental factors, improving productivity through automated solar optimization while managing complexity through integrated control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by using sensors to continuously monitor environmental conditions (solar position, wind speed, temperature) and feeding this information back to the control system, which then adjusts the actuators to optimize the structure's orientation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic solar energy optimization while managing system complexity through intelligent control algorithms
3Adaptability or versatility
If the structure is designed to rotate and adjust angles, then solar exposure adaptability is improved, but mechanical complexity of the lifting and rotation mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamics by designing the lower structure to rotate around a vertical shaft and the upper structure to adjust its inclination angle, creating a dynamic system that can adapt to different solar positions. This dynamic configuration allows the building to track the sun's movement throughout the day and across seasons, improving solar exposure adaptability while distributing mechanical complexity across two independent movement mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the movement mechanism into two independent systems: a rotation mechanism for the lower structure around a vertical shaft, and a lifting mechanism for the upper structure to adjust its inclination. This segmentation separates the complex mechanical functions into modular components, each handling a specific degree of freedom, thereby improving solar adaptability while managing overall mechanical complexity through functional decomposition
4Reliability
If limit switches and protection mechanisms are added, then structural safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by installing limit switches at the extreme positions of the rotation and lifting mechanisms. These limit switches prevent the structure from rotating or lifting beyond safe angular limits, providing protective cushioning against potential structural damage or unsafe conditions. This safety mechanism is integrated into the control system, improving structural safety while adding only minimal complexity through straightforward protective switching
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application describes an automated structure for reception of modular constructions and respective automation system comprised by a lower structure (1), which contains an opening (4) for accommodation of a fixed shaft, comprised by the element of attachment of the shaft with the exterior, where, preferably, the structure and the fixed shaft of fixation to the exterior (5) can be coupled, a lifting mechanism (2) preferably located in the side sections of said lower structure (1) which is coupled to an upper structure (3) allowing its movement through the joint and support (6). The axial movement and the upper structure (3) are managed through an automated system based on a programmable automaton and a set of sensors and actuators, namely anemometers and frequency inverters that control these movements. This way, the present invention makes it possible to receive modular constructions, for example houses, making them move, for example, according to the solar orientation, in order to make them energy efficient.