Floating module for modular solar panel platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current floating solar panel systems are bulky, difficult to transport, and assemble, and lack efficient buoyancy control, making them unsuitable for aquatic installations.
Innovation Solution
A modular floating module comprising a rigid thermoplastic component with structural reinforcements and a flexible component with encapsulated air, allowing for secure assembly and easy maintenance, featuring a valve system for air refill and a compact design for stability and buoyancy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thermoplastic rigid component with encapsulated air is used as a floating structure, then buoyancy is achieved, but the structure becomes bulky and difficult to transport and assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The floating structure is divided into multiple modular components that can be assembled together. Each module contains its own rigid component with flexible bladder, allowing the system to be transported in smaller, more manageable sections and assembled on-site, reducing overall transport complexity while maintaining buoyancy functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible bladder is confined inside the rigid component, with the flexible element nested within the rigid structure. This nested configuration allows the buoyant element to be compactly stored within the rigid housing, reducing the overall bulk when not in use while maintaining buoyancy when deployed.
2Strength
If structural reinforcements are added to the rigid component, then structural resistance increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The structural reinforcements (vertical ribs and horizontal base ribs) are integrated directly into the rigid component during the injection molding process. This merging of reinforcement structures with the main body eliminates separate manufacturing steps for adding ribs, maintaining ease of manufacture through single-step molding while achieving the required structural resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
Structural reinforcements are strategically placed only in areas requiring additional strength - vertical ribs at critical load points and horizontal base ribs where support is needed. This localized approach provides necessary structural resistance only where required, avoiding unnecessary manufacturing complexity in areas that don't need reinforcement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a valve system is integrated into the flexible component, then buoyancy control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is integrated directly into the flexible bladder during its manufacturing process, combining the buoyancy control function with the flexible element itself. This merging eliminates the need for separate valve assemblies and reduces the number of connection points, thereby improving buoyancy control while minimizing assembly complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If mounting areas are added to the rigid component for solar panel assembly, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Mounting areas with through-supports are created only in specific locations on the rigid component where solar panel attachment is needed. These localized mounting features are integrated into the injection molding process, providing precise attachment points only where required rather than requiring precision across the entire component surface, thus maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
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 solution provides a stable, compact, and easily transportable floating platform capable of supporting solar panels on aquatic surfaces, with enhanced structural resistance and buoyancy, facilitating efficient energy production and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a floating module for modular solar panel platforms comprising a rigid component and at least one flexible component with encapsulated air or gas
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present application describes a floating module (1) for modular solar panel platforms. For the purpose of this application, two separate components are mounted, a structural component - rigid component (2) - and a buoyancy component - flexible component (3) - allowing for a more compact and simple solution all-around. The technology used and developed for the present application allows for a technologically more advanced floating component, easier to produce, transport and deploy than most currently available solutions.