Panel Cleaning Machine Translation Without Fixed Guide Rails
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for cleaning continuous surfaces, such as solar thermal collectors and photovoltaic panels, are limited in their ability to move between rows without fixed guides, making them economically inconvenient for extensive installations like photovoltaic parks, and often require complex structures that increase installation time and cost.
Innovation Solution
An automatic washing device with a cleaning machine and support system that uses a torque shaft and translation units driven by an electric motor, allowing linear translation along surfaces without special guides, and can move between gaps and rows independently, powered by batteries rechargeable via solar energy or the grid, with manual or automatic control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed guide systems are used for cleaning machines, then the cleaning machine can move along the surface, but the system becomes complex and cannot easily move between rows
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the fixed guide structure from the cleaning system, extracting the constraint that prevented movement between rows. The cleaning machine now uses its own drive wheels to move independently along the panels without requiring external guide rails or complex support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning machine is self-propelled with drive wheels that enable it to move autonomously between panels and rows. The system serves itself by using the panel surfaces as guides rather than requiring separate guide structures, eliminating the need for complex external support systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mechanical arm systems with rotating brushes are used, then cleaning can be performed, but the system requires spacing between rows and can only clean ground-level installations
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning machine transitions from a static mechanical arm system to a dynamic self-propelled unit that can actively move between rows and adapt to different panel arrangements. The drive wheels enable the machine to navigate varying distances between panels and access different installation locations including elevated surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning machine is designed as a universal system that can clean various types of panel installations regardless of their location or spacing. By eliminating the requirement for fixed row spacing and ground-level access, the system becomes applicable to diverse installation scenarios including rooftops, elevated structures, and tightly spaced photovoltaic arrays.
3Reliability
If fixed guide systems are installed on panels or roof structure, then the cleaning machine can be supported, but installation time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the support function from the panel structure itself, allowing the cleaning machine to be self-supported on the panel surfaces without requiring installation of separate guide rails or support structures. This eliminates the time-consuming installation process while maintaining operational stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive wheels act as intermediaries between the cleaning machine and the panel surface, providing stable support and movement capability without requiring permanent modifications to the panels or roof structure. The wheels distribute the machine's weight and enable movement along the panel surfaces using the panels themselves as the guiding medium.
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
Enables efficient, cost-effective cleaning of continuous surfaces by allowing linear translation and movement between rows without special guides, reducing installation time and enabling easy installation on existing systems, while maintaining surface parallelism and handling gaps between panels.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor (6) that drives a torque shaft (8) connecting at least a first and a second translation unit (9)
Implementation Method 2
The linear motion of the cleaning machine (2) along the surface (10) to be treated is provided by a translation device comprising a torque shaft (8), driven into rotation by the motor (6)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an automatic device for washing continuous surfaces, such as solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic panels, continuous glazed building walls and similar surfaces, comprising at least one cleaning machine, at least one motor and a support. The cleaning machine includes a translation device that includes a torque shaft driven into rotation by the motor and connecting at least a first and a second translation unit arranged on the cleaning machine at the respective ends of the torque shaft.