Support basement for photovoltaic panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support basement structures for photovoltaic panels are costly to install, require skilled labor, and lack protection from adverse weather conditions, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A support basement system comprising integrated triangular arrays with tubular members and adjustable connectors for rapid assembly and retraction of photovoltaic panels, allowing for automatic orientation and protection within a housing during adverse weather or non-productive periods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If heavy and bulky metallic profiles are cut and welded to assemble the basement on site, then the basement structure achieves required strength and stability, but installation cost increases and skilled labor is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebasement structure strengthVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The basement structure is divided into modular components (profile members, support arms, connectors) that can be pre-manufactured and assembled on-site without welding. This segmentation enables easy installation while maintaining structural strength through standardized connection interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Connector elements serve as intermediaries between profile members and support arms, providing standardized mechanical connections that eliminate the need for welding skills while ensuring structural integrity through pre-engineered connection geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If photovoltaic panels are supported from the top using heavy metallic profiles, then the panels are securely held, but construction difficulty increases and waste accumulation occurs within supporting profiles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel support reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of supporting panels from the top with heavy profiles, the invention inverts the support approach by using lightweight profile members that support panels from below and the sides, eliminating top-heavy construction and preventing waste accumulation within profile cavities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The profile members are designed as thin-walled but structurally efficient shapes that provide adequate support without requiring heavy materials, reducing overall construction complexity while maintaining panel support reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If photovoltaic panels are left exposed during adverse weather conditions, then operational continuity is maintained, but damage from snow, hail, and sandstorms occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational continuityVSAvoidweather damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The basement structure incorporates movable components that enable dynamic response to weather conditions, allowing panels to be retracted or protected during adverse weather while maintaining operational continuity when conditions are favorable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The structure is designed to preemptively protect panels from weather damage through features such as angled support arms that facilitate snow shedding and protective housings that prevent hail and sandstorm damage before contact occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Object-affected harmful factors

If panels are covered by thick snow layers, then protection from hail is provided, but solar radiation exposure is blocked and operational status is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehail protectionVSAvoidsolar energy generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The support arms and panel mounting structure are designed with curved or angled surfaces that promote snow shedding, preventing thick snow accumulation that would block solar radiation while maintaining protection from hail through the structural configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS11012029B2Support basement for photovoltaic panels

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 DAHDAL RAY MR

AI summary

A support basement adapted to support fixedly mounted or extensible and collapsible photovoltaic panels that comprises a plurality of triangular arrays (53) interconnected by tubular members (21) and constructed with links (54, 55) and radially extending tubular members (1). Profile members (24, 30, 84) extending longitudinally along each photovoltaic panel connect the profile frames (37, 39, 69) of the photovoltaic panels to underlying triangular arrays (53) by means of connector assemblies comprising bolts (10) and nuts (12). Adjustable connector assemblies comprising bolts (27) and nuts (29a, 29b) are used to connect bottom links (55) of triangular arrays (53) with profile members (41) based onto ground pillars (51). A retraction mechanism of the photovoltaic panels offering protection from adverse weather conditions and during night periods comprises sequentially connected X-configured assemblies with an elongate screw (72) rotatable within nuts (71) at the ends of a terminal X-configured assembly proximally to the protective housing (86).