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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light installations with multiple solar panels face challenges in withstanding meteorological loading such as high winds, heavy rain, and snow, as they often require complex and costly solutions like wind sensors and drive mechanisms to adjust solar panel positions, which increase installation, maintenance, and space requirements.
Innovation Solution
A support structure comprising vertical struts and cross members with spring-loaded hinges allows solar panels to move about a predefined axis, using elastic potential energy to adjust positions under meteorological loading, thereby reducing stress on the installation and enabling easy retrofitting to existing lampposts without the need for replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex solutions like wind sensors and drive mechanisms are used to adjust solar panel positions under meteorological loading, then the solar panels can be protected from damage, but the device complexity, installation cost, maintenance cost, and space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex control system (wind sensors, drive mechanisms, control units) from the solar panel mounting system. Instead, it uses a simple spring-loaded hinge mechanism that passively allows the solar panel to tilt independently under wind load, eliminating the need for active sensing and control components while still providing protection against meteorological damage
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded hinge mechanism enables the solar panel to automatically adjust its position in response to wind loading without external control. The spring force naturally counteracts wind pressure, causing the panel to tilt back and reduce its exposed surface area, thereby protecting itself from excessive wind loads without requiring sensors or motors
2Ease of manufacture
If solar panels are mounted on existing lampposts using traditional mounting fixtures, then the solar panels can be supported, but the lamppost must be strong enough to bear the extra weight and wind load, which may require replacement of the lamppost
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded hinge mechanism changes the mechanical parameters of the solar panel assembly by introducing a compliant element that allows controlled movement and tilting. This transforms the rigid, heavy-loading mounting system into a flexible system that dynamically adjusts to wind loads, significantly reducing the static and dynamic forces transmitted to the lamppost structure
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 provides a lightweight, cost-effective, and simple method to reinforce existing lampposts, allowing them to support solar panels while minimizing damage from weather conditions and reducing installation and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
the spring-loaded hinge includes a resilient element, and the support structure is arranged so that the at least one solar panel moves from the first operative position to a retracted position when subjected to meteorological loading and returns to the first operative position under the action of elastic potential energy stored in the resilient element when the meteorological loading is removed
Data Source
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AI summary
Light installation (16) comprising a support structure (10) for supporting at least one solar panel (20), whereby the support structure (10) comprises a plurality of vertical struts (12, 12e). The support structure (10) comprises a plurality of cross members (14, 14a, 14b), whereby each cross member (14, 14a, 14b) is arranged to be connected to at least two vertical struts (12, 12e) of the plurality of vertical struts (12, 12e), and at least one cross member (14, 14a, 14b) is arranged to support at least one solar panel (20) in a first operative position (26) thereon. The support structure (10) is arranged to bear the load of the at least one solar panel (20) when each cross member (14, 14a, 14b) of the plurality of cross members (14, 14a, 14b) has been connected to the at least two vertical struts (12, 12e) of the plurality of vertical struts (12, 12e). The support structure (10) comprises at least one spring-loaded hinge (24) that is arranged to allow movement of the at least one solar panel (20) about a predefined axis, whereby the spring-loaded hinge (24) includes a resilient element, such as a spring, and the support structure (10) is arranged so that the at least one solar panel (20) moves from the first operative position (26) to a retracted position (28) when subjected to meteorological loading and returns to the first operative position (26) under the action of elastic potential energy stored in the resilient element when the meteorological loading is removed.