Autonomous ground vehicle for solar module installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar module installation in solar farms faces challenges such as nighttime work pauses, lack of uniform solar trackers, human error due to repetitive tasks, and interference from weather and bad conditions, leading to inefficiencies and increased labor costs.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous solar module installation platform utilizing an autonomous ground vehicle equipped with a robotic arm, computer vision, and cooperating solar module carrier robots to autonomously drive, align, and install solar panels on solar trackers, enabling continuous operation and reducing human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If human workers are used for solar module installation, then flexibility and adaptability to different conditions are maintained, but productivity decreases due to work pauses at night and human error from repetitive tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs installation tasks autonomously without requiring human operators during the installation process. The robot navigates, positions, and installs solar modules independently, eliminating work pauses and human error while maintaining consistent performance throughout operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human mechanical operations with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors, actuators, and control algorithms. This substitution enables continuous operation and eliminates variability associated with human workers while maintaining precision through automated control systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If human crews are deployed for solar installation, then adaptability to various tracker types can be achieved through training, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple trained workers and coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is designed with universal capabilities to work with different solar tracker types through programmable control and adjustable mechanical components. A single robot can adapt to various configurations without requiring different specialized workers, simplifying the operational complexity while maintaining versatility
3Productivity
If continuous operation is implemented, then productivity increases, but reliability decreases due to weather and bad conditions affecting work quality
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system incorporates protective measures and environmental sensing capabilities that allow it to operate in various weather conditions without compromising installation quality. The system can detect and compensate for environmental factors beforehand, maintaining consistent performance where human workers would be forced to pause
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 system enhances installation efficiency, reduces labor costs, and improves safety by allowing continuous operation day and night, adapting to various terrains and tracker types, while minimizing human error and the impact of weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a robotic arm with a suction cup tool designed to pick up and hold a solar panel
Data Source
AI summary
An advanced system of cooperating solar module carrier robots for installing solar panels on a solar tracker is provided. The advanced system can include a computer vision system designed to route the cooperating solar module carrier robots to a solar tracker, a deck sized to fit one or more pallets of solar panels, and a robotic arm with a suction cup tool designed to pick up and hold a solar panel.