Mechanical solar tracker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanical solar trackers are either costly, inaccurate, or lack the reliability needed to efficiently track and collect or reflect solar energy effectively.
Innovation Solution
The development of mechanical solar trackers that utilize a frame with integrated elevation cams and rotation drives to accurately track the sun's azimuth and elevation angles, distributing loads through a tripod or pole structure, and employing kinematic or semi-kinematic interfaces to enhance pointing accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical solar trackers are used, then solar energy tracking function is achieved, but cost is high and reliability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tracker system is divided into independent modular units, each capable of autonomous tracking. The frame structure is segmented into multiple support elements that can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing the system to maintain reliability while reducing overall complexity through distributed functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical structure incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities where support elements can be repositioned along the frame members. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize its configuration for different solar positions and environmental conditions, improving tracking reliability without requiring a completely complex fixed structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional mechanical solar trackers are used, then solar energy tracking function is achieved, but material requirements and installation costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is constructed from multiple discrete support members and frame members that can be manufactured separately and assembled on-site. This segmentation allows for standardized, pre-fabricated components that reduce material waste during manufacturing and simplify installation procedures, directly addressing both material efficiency and installation cost concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame members and support elements are designed with multi-functionality, serving both structural support and positioning functions. The same components facilitate both the mechanical framework and the adjustment mechanisms, reducing the total quantity of materials needed while maintaining ease of manufacture and installation.
3Manufacturing precision
If simple mechanical structures are used, then cost is reduced, but tracking precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Kinematic interfaces are introduced as intermediary mechanical elements between the support members and frame members. These specialized interfaces provide precise relative motion control while maintaining simple overall structure. The kinematic pairs act as mediators that translate simple mechanical movements into accurate tracking positions, achieving high precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves tracking precision by changing geometric parameters of the mechanical interface rather than increasing complexity. By carefully designing the dimensions, angles, and relative positions of the kinematic interface components, accurate solar tracking is achieved through parameter optimization while keeping the mechanical structure relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
In embodiments, a mechanical solar tracker disclosed herein includes a frame, an elevation cam with an elevation cam surface attached to the frame, and a rotation drive mechanically coupled to the frame. A collector carriage is coupled to the rotation drive and configured to rotate circumferentially around a vertical axis. Also, a collector is connected to the collector carriage and a hinge is coupled between the collector and the collector carriage wherein the hinge is configured to rotate the collector about a horizontal plane at a pivot point. Additionally, a cam follower is coupled between the collector and the elevation cam and the cam follower is configured to translate, based on a surface input from the elevation cam surface, rotation of the collector about the pivot point to track the sun's direction, by tracing the elevation cam surface with the cam follower.