Bearing Assembly for Adjustable Solar Panel Support and Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar panel support systems face challenges in efficient installation and adjustment over wide areas, particularly in ground installations, where heavy anchoring is required to withstand weather conditions, and there is a need for precise orientation and adjustment of panels for optimal energy harvesting.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a bearing assembly with a rotatable shaft and bearing wheel, along with a collar system that allows for adjustable positioning of solar panels, including a drive mechanism and actuator system for tilt adjustment, and a node controller for optimizing panel orientation based on environmental parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heavy anchoring elements such as poured or blocks of cement or concrete are used to maintain the support structure in place against ambient weather conditions, then the stability and reliability of the solar panel installation is improved, but the installation efficiency and ease of deployment over wide areas deteriorates due to the time-consuming and labor-intensive nature of installing heavy anchors
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into modular components including bearing assemblies with bearing wheels, collars, and shafts that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for pre-fabrication of stable bearing units that require minimal on-site anchoring, thereby maintaining structural reliability while improving installation efficiency across wide areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional heavy mechanical anchoring systems (concrete blocks, poured foundations) with a bearing-based mechanical system using bearing wheels that rotate on shafts mounted to structural members. This substitution eliminates the need for heavy anchoring while maintaining stability through the bearing mechanism's ability to support loads and accommodate movement.
2Device complexity
If traditional fixed support systems are used for solar panels, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the ability to adjust panel orientation for optimal energy harvesting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support system incorporates dynamic elements including rotatable shafts, bearing wheels, and adjustable collars that enable the solar panels to change orientation. The bearing assembly allows rotational movement of the shaft, facilitating adjustment of panel tilt and azimuth angles to optimize energy harvesting while maintaining a relatively simple structural framework.
3Productivity
If precise orientation adjustment mechanisms are added to solar panel supports to best utilize the panels, then the energy harvesting efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing assembly is designed to be self-contained with integrated components (bearing wheel, collar, shaft) that work together without requiring complex external adjustment mechanisms. The bearing wheel's rotational capability on the shaft provides inherent adjustment functionality, allowing precise orientation changes through simple rotational movement rather than complex mechanical systems.
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
This solution enables efficient and adjustable solar panel installations that can optimize energy production by aligning panels according to environmental conditions, ensuring stability and adaptability to varying weather and sunlight patterns.
Implementation Method 1
The collar base may include an inner surface configured to circumscribe and slidingly engage the outer surface of the bearing wheel
Implementation Method 2
a bearing assembly with a rotatable shaft and bearing wheel, along with a collar system that allows for adjustable positioning of solar panels
Data Source
AI summary
A bearing assembly comprises a bearing wheel with a rotational axis, the bearing wheel including and extending radially between an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface at least partially forms a bore, the bore extends axially through the bearing wheel along the rotational axis, and the bore has a cross-sectional geometry configured to receive a rotatable shaft with a complementary cross-sectional geometry, and wherein the outer surface extends circumferentially around the rotational axis, and the outer surface has a circular cross-sectional geometry. The bearing assembly also comprises a bearing collar comprising a collar base and a collar mount, wherein the collar base includes an inner surface configured to circumscribe and slidingly engage the outer surface of the bearing wheel, wherein the collar mount projects radially out from collar base to a distal mount end, and wherein a plurality of mounting apertures at the distal mount end extend axially through the collar mount, and the mounting apertures are configured to respectively receive fasteners for securing the collar mount to a stationary structural member.