Tool for securing and turning over for assembling photovoltaic solar tracker sections, system and associated assembly method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for mounting and transporting photovoltaic solar trackers are inefficient, requiring extensive time for pre-assembly, transportation, and installation, and lack effective solutions for stacking and rotating these sections during transport.

Innovation Solution

A fastening and rotating tool with hooks and mortises allows for pre-assembled solar tracker sections to be securely attached, rotated, and stacked on autonomous transportation means, utilizing a central slit for coupling and holes for rotation and locking, enabling efficient transportation and installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If solar tracker sections are pre-assembled and transported to field location, then installation time is reduced, but transportation and stacking efficiency remain insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting timeVSAvoidtransportation and stacking efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The solar tracker structure is divided into modular sections that can be pre-assembled, transported independently, and quickly stacked. The frame comprises separate components (hooks, mortises, central beam) that enable modular assembly and disassembly, allowing efficient transportation and stacking of multiple sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Solar tracker sections are designed to be stacked vertically one on top of another during transportation, with upper sections resting on lower sections. The hooks and mortises enable nested stacking configuration, maximizing space utilization during transport and enabling rapid assembly at the installation site.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If hooks and mortises are used for fastening and stacking solar tracker sections, then stacking and transportation efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestacking and transportation efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hooks and mortises serve multiple functions: they enable stacking of sections during transportation, provide fastening during pre-assembly, and facilitate rotation and positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each operation, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening mechanism combines hooks and mortises into an integrated system where the hooks from one section engage with the mortises of another section. This merging of fastening and stacking functions into a single mechanism simplifies the overall structure compared to having separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single tool combines fastening and stacking functions, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to perform rotation and transportation operations simultaneously is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidoperation versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The frame and connected components are designed to be movable and adjustable rather than fixed. The central slit, hooks, and mortises allow the structure to adapt its configuration dynamically - enabling stacking during transportation, rotation during positioning, and secure fastening during installation. This dynamic design provides operational versatility without requiring multiple separate tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanism operates in multiple spatial dimensions: vertically for stacking sections during transportation, horizontally for rotation operations, and radially for fastening connections. By utilizing different spatial dimensions for different operations, a single tool structure can perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4151561A1Tool for securing and turning over for assembling photovoltaic solar tracker sections, system and associated assembly method
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 ACCIONA GENERACION RENOVABLE SA
  • EP4151561A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4151561A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4151561A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a tool for mounting, rotating and loading sections of solar trackers on autonomous transportation means in order to transport them to the specific location of said solar trackers in the field, wherein the fastening and rotating tool for mounting sections of photovoltaic solar trackers makes the pre-assembly, transportation and installation of the solar tracker section possible, reducing the mounting time of each operation. The invention also relates to an associated system and method that makes use of the fastening and rotating tool for mounting sections of photovoltaic solar trackers.