Floating Solar Module Joining Structure for Easier Waterborne Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar cell apparatuses for use on water face challenges in easy installation and stability due to the complexity of joining large float devices and solar cell modules, particularly in mega solar power plants, where multiple modules are required.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a float device with specific joining parts and spacers that allow for easy assembly and stability, featuring a floating body with joining parts and spacers that maintain relative positions and engagement, enabling smooth movement and reducing the risk of cracks during wave oscillations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If float devices are joined together to form large solar power plants, then the scale and power generation capacity increase, but the installation complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The float device is divided into multiple modular units (first float, second float, third float) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled together. Each float has standardized joining parts that simplify the connection process, allowing large-scale solar power plants to be constructed by repeating the same modular assembly pattern rather than dealing with complex custom connections for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The joining parts are pre-configured on the floats during manufacturing, with the first joining part and second joining part already positioned on each float body. The spacers are also pre-sized to match specific distance requirements. This preliminary preparation of connection interfaces and dimensions simplifies the field installation process, as workers only need to connect pre-prepared components rather than measuring and custom-fitting each connection.
2Ease of operation
If joining parts are designed for easy assembly, then installation ease improves, but structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
A spacer component is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent floats. The spacer maintains a predetermined distance between the first joining part of one float and the second joining part of another float, ensuring proper alignment and spacing. This mediator component simplifies the assembly process by providing a ready-made positioning reference while simultaneously ensuring structural stability through consistent spacing that prevents excessive movement or stress concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The design specifies precise dimensional parameters for the joining parts and spacers, including the predetermined distance that the spacer maintains. By carefully controlling these geometric parameters during manufacturing, the system achieves both ease of assembly (through standardized dimensions) and structural stability (through optimized spacing that reduces stress and prevents misalignment).
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 configuration facilitates easier installation and stability of the solar cell apparatus on water, allowing for efficient assembly of multiple modules and reducing the risk of damage from wave-induced stress.
Implementation Method 1
a float device includes a floating body
Data Source
AI summary
A floating body includes a main body having first and second surfaces opposite to each other and a first side surface connecting the first and second surfaces and first and second joining parts located on the first side surface to be opposite to each other in a first direction parallel to a ridge line defined by the first surface and the first side surface. The first and second joining parts each include a first portion located on the first side surface and a second portion connected to the first portion to face the first side surface. End portions of the first and second joining parts face each other. A minimum distance between the end portions is greater than twice a width of the second portion in the first direction, and is smaller than a minimum distance between the first portions of the first and second joining parts.