Flexible Beam Solar Tracker for Joint-Free Sun Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar tracking systems are costly, unreliable in dusty environments, and occupy a large volume due to their mechanical jointed structures, which increases transportation and wind load costs and reduces aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A light tracking device using two parallel support members connected by resilient flexible beams that deform to generate rotational displacement, allowing for sun tracking without joints or sliding contacts, and incorporating multiple junction photovoltaic cells with the beams acting as electrical conductors and heat sinks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical jointed structures are used for solar tracking, then the system can track the sun's movement, but the device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical jointed structures with a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) that uses elastic deformation to achieve rotational movement. The FPC bends and deforms elastically to follow the sun's movement, eliminating complex mechanical joints, bearings, and sliding contacts while maintaining full sun tracking capability in both azimuth and elevation angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board as the core structural element that provides both mechanical support and electrical connectivity. The FPC's inherent flexibility allows it to deform elastically with sun movement, replacing rigid mechanical joints while maintaining structural integrity and electrical connections to the photovoltaic cells throughout the tracking range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical jointed structures are used for solar tracking, then the system can track the sun, but reliability decreases in dusty environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates mechanical joints, bearings, and sliding contacts that are prone to dust accumulation and mechanical failure. The FPC-based system has no moving parts that require maintenance, providing superior reliability in dusty environments while maintaining full sun tracking capability through elastic deformation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical jointed structures are used for solar tracking, then the system can track the sun, but the volume and profile increase
Solution Approach 1:
The FPC provides a thin, low-profile structure that can deform elastically to track the sun without requiring bulky mechanical joints or large structural components. This results in a compact, aesthetically pleasing system with minimal visual impact and reduced material usage compared to traditional mechanical tracking structures.
4Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic material is placed in large areas, then energy collection is maximized, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the photovoltaic system into discrete cells mounted on the FPC structure. This allows for scalable deployment where the total energy collection is optimized for the specific application while using only the necessary amount of photovoltaic material, rather than requiring continuous large-area coverage.
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 reduces component count and assembly complexity, enhances reliability, and allows for low-cost, scalable manufacturing, enabling a low-profile, efficient solar tracking system with reduced maintenance needs and improved aesthetic and functional performance.
Implementation Method 1
resilient flexible beams which elastically deform upon relative translational displacement of the first and second support members
Implementation Method 2
The one or more resilient flexible beams may be made of an electrically conductive material and the resilient flexible beams may be used to conduct electrical current away from the photovoltaic cell
Implementation Method 3
The resilient flexible beams, the at least one light receiving element and/or the first and second support members may be arranged to act as a heatsinks to dissipate heat
Implementation Method 4
at least one photovoltaic cell for each light receiving element positioned at the point where the light is concentrated
Data Source
AI summary
A light tracking device comprising first and second support members and at least one light receiving element supported on each support member by one or more resilient flexible beams which deform upon relative translational displacement of the first and second support members. The first and second support members are arranged such that relative translational displacement of the members generates rotational displacement of the element. One or more resilient flexible beams may comprise spiral arms extending from the first to the second support members.