Floating element for realizing floating structures for supporting photovoltaic panels and method for producing said floating element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating elements for supporting photovoltaic panels are costly due to expensive blow moulding techniques and are cumbersome as unique bodies, leading to high transport costs when multiple elements are required.
Innovation Solution
A modular floating element comprising a first and second element that can be seal-coupled together, allowing for efficient transportation and assembly, reducing costs through injection moulding and enabling easier stacking during transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If blow moulding technique is used to produce floating elements, then the floating element can be produced as a unique body, but the production costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The floating element is divided into two separate elements that can be produced independently using injection moulding and then coupled together. This segmentation allows the use of simpler and more cost-effective injection moulding techniques instead of expensive blow moulding, while still achieving the required functional integrity through the coupling mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If floating elements are produced as unique bodies, then structural integrity is maintained, but transport costs increase due to cumbersome handling and large volume occupation
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the floating element into two separable components, the patent enables more efficient stacking and arrangement during transport, reducing the volume occupied and improving handling efficiency while maintaining structural integrity through the coupling mechanism at the installation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The two elements are designed to fit together through coupling portions, allowing them to be nested or stacked in a space-efficient manner during transport, similar to nested dolls, thereby reducing the overall volume occupation and improving transport efficiency.
3Ease of manufacture
If injection moulding is used instead of blow moulding, then production costs are reduced, but the coupling of two elements is required which increases assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separately injection-moulded elements into a functional unity through coupling portions with sealing mechanisms. This merging approach maintains the cost advantages of injection moulding while achieving the required structural integrity and waterproof sealing, with the added complexity being offset by the production cost savings.
Data Source
AI summary
Floating element (1) for realizing floating structures for supporting photovoltaic panels and method for producing said floating element (1). The floating element (1) comprises: a first element (2) which can be obtained by injection moulding, which configures a first coupling portion (3); a second element (4) which can be obtained by injection moulding, which configures a second coupling portion (5). The first element (2) and the second element (4) are mutually configured so that the first coupling portion (3) and the second coupling portion (5) can be seal-coupled with respect to each other so that they define a sealed chamber, when coupled.