Photovoltaic Sunshade Balance Wall for Wind-Resistant Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sunshades installed in windy areas require heavy ground anchorages, which complicates installation, occupies more ground space, and increases costs, especially when used for supporting photovoltaic panels.
Innovation Solution
A sunshade design featuring a roof structure with an upper and lower portion, supported by posts, and incorporating balance walls that block less than 75% of the surface between posts, allowing wind to pass through and reducing the bending moment at the anchoring point, thereby enabling lighter and less costly anchoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sunshades are installed in windy areas, then they can provide shade in high-wind regions, but they require heavy ground anchorages which complicate installation, occupy more ground space, and increase costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of wind into a beneficial force by using the wind pressure against the balance wall to generate a counter-moment that stabilizes the structure. The wind that would normally cause the sunshade to tilt is redirected to press against the balance wall, creating a stabilizing effect that reduces the need for heavy anchorages.
Solution Approach 2:
The balance wall acts as a counterweight element by providing a counter-moment that opposes the tilting moment generated by wind acting on the roof structure. This counter-moment mechanism balances the forces without requiring additional heavy anchoring materials.
2Reliability
If heavy ground anchorages are used to resist wind, then wind resistance is improved, but ground occupancy and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of resisting wind through heavy anchorages that occupy ground space, the patent converts wind pressure into a stabilizing force by directing it against the balance wall. This approach maintains wind resistance while minimizing ground occupancy.
3Reliability
If heavy ground anchorages are used to resist wind, then wind resistance is improved, but installation ease and costs worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the problematic wind load into a stabilizing mechanism through the balance wall, eliminating the need for complex heavy anchoring systems and simplifying installation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using heavy anchorages to resist wind forces directly, the patent inverts the approach by using the wind force itself against the balance wall to create stability, thereby simplifying the anchoring system.
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
The design attenuates the effects of wind on the sunshade, allowing for easier installation, reduced ground occupancy, and lower costs by counteracting the tilting moments caused by wind, making it suitable for regions with strong winds.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one balance wall blocks 75% or less of the surface separating these two posts... allowing wind to pass through and reducing the bending moment at the anchoring point
Implementation Method 2
the effects of wind on the sunshade are attenuated... by counteracting the tilting moments caused by wind
Data Source
AI summary
A sunshade, in particular for supporting photovoltaic panels, comprising a roof structure inclined so as to have an upper portion and a lower portion, and a plurality of posts for anchoring the roof structure to the ground, said posts supporting the roof structure at the upper portion, the sunshade also comprising at least one balance wall supported mechanically by at least one of the posts and extending towards another of the posts, the at least one balance wall blocking 75% or less of the surface separating these two posts.