Pivotable Boom Arm Solar Panel Cleaning Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices for solar panels and photovoltaic systems face limitations in accessibility and adjustment, particularly when cleaning closely spaced rows, due to limited adjustment options and a large gap between the cleaning unit and the vehicle, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage from uneven ground contact.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a support and positioning system featuring a pivotable boom arm and support arm, actuated by hydraulic or electric drives, allowing extended adjustment range and load balancing, enabling the cleaning unit to navigate narrow paths and maintain consistent contact pressure, and incorporating a self-contained power supply for flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cleaning unit is positioned far from the boom arm to provide sufficient adjustment range, then the cleaning unit can cover the entire surface of photovoltaic panels, but the gap between the transport vehicle and cleaning unit becomes too large, causing accessibility problems on narrow paths
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is made pivotable about a second transverse axis perpendicular to the boom arm, enabling dynamic repositioning between extended cleaning position and retracted transport position. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to different operational requirements - providing full adjustment range during cleaning while minimizing the gap during transport on narrow paths.
2Ease of operation
If the cleaning unit is positioned close to the boom arm to improve accessibility, then the device can navigate narrow paths, but the adjustment range for the cleaning unit is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm's pivotability about the second transverse axis enables dynamic repositioning. During transport on narrow paths, the support arm can be retracted close to the boom arm for compactness. During cleaning operations, it can be extended to provide the full adjustment range needed for effective surface cleaning.
3Ease of manufacture
If a three-point linkage support frame is used to couple to a tractor, then the device can be easily attached to standard vehicles, but the adjustment options for the cleaning unit are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains compatibility with standard three-point linkage coupling while incorporating a boom arm and pivotable support arm mechanism. This dynamic positioning system provides extensive adjustment options for the cleaning unit, including vertical adjustment via the boom arm and lateral adjustment via the support arm's second pivot axis, greatly enhancing versatility beyond what a simple three-point linkage can provide.
4Productivity
If the cleaning unit is extended far from the vehicle to clean entire surfaces in a single pass, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but the device becomes unstable on uneven ground and exerts uneven contact pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The load balancing device counteracts the weight and leverage effects of the extended cleaning unit by applying compensating forces through the hydraulic or electric actuator. This stabilizes the system even when the cleaning unit is extended far from the vehicle for efficient single-pass cleaning, preventing instability on uneven ground and ensuring consistent contact pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The load balancing device with hydraulic or electric actuator provides continuous adjustment capability in response to terrain variations. The system can sense and compensate for changes in ground conditions, maintaining stable positioning and consistent contact pressure of the cleaning unit on uneven surfaces during extended cleaning operations.
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 cleaning of solar panels and photovoltaic systems with enhanced accessibility and reduced damage risk by allowing a single-pass cleaning across entire surfaces, even on uneven terrain, while maintaining consistent contact pressure and requiring no special vehicle modifications.
Implementation Method 1
The rotary drive and actuators can be designed as hydraulic drives. In this case, the power supply unit can conveniently include an internal combustion engine and a hydraulic pump to supply the rotary drive and actuators with pressurized fluid.
Implementation Method 2
Alternatively, the rotary drive and actuators can also be designed as electric drives. In this case, the power supply unit can be a battery or accumulator.
Implementation Method 3
In a practical design, the second actuator is a rotary actuator with a gearbox and a drive motor. This allows the support arm to be moved stably and with a large adjustment range.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device (1) for cleaning the surface of solar panels, photovoltaic systems, glass roofs, facades or other smooth surfaces, comprising a cleaning unit (2), a support and positioning device (3) with a boom arm (8) pivotable about a horizontal first transverse axis (10) by means of a first actuator (11) and a support arm (15) pivotably arranged on the boom arm (8) for positioning the cleaning unit (2) and a load balancing device (20, 21) arranged on the support and positioning device (3) for adjusting and automatically regulating the contact pressure acting by the cleaning unit (2) on the surface to be cleaned.According to the invention, the support arm (15) can be pivoted by a second actuator (17) about a second transverse axis (16) parallel to the first transverse axis (10) between a park position folded back onto the boom arm (8) above the boom arm (8) and an unfolded cleaning position.