Rotating Building Assembly for Solar Panel Sun Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing building devices fail to continuously position solar panels at an optimum angle for maximum efficiency, as they lack a mechanism to dynamically adjust the angle based on solar irradiance throughout the day.
Innovation Solution
A building device comprising a foundation housing with a drive unit and a rotating structure that mounts solar panels, where the drive unit analyzes the angle of the solar panels relative to the sun and rotates the foundation housing to optimize their position for maximum energy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solar panels are fixed at a static angle, then the device complexity is reduced, but the energy production efficiency decreases throughout the day
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the solar panel array with a rotatable foundation housing, merging the structural support function with the rotation mechanism. This integration allows the entire building structure to rotate as a unified system, enabling solar panels to track the sun without requiring separate mounting and adjustment mechanisms, thus improving energy efficiency while controlling device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic rotation of the foundation housing to continuously adjust the solar panels' orientation toward the sun throughout the day. The drive unit enables the structure to change its angular position based on solar irradiance patterns, transforming a static system into a dynamic one that adapts to changing environmental conditions to maximize energy production.
2Productivity
If the foundation housing is rotated continuously to track the sun, then solar panel efficiency is maximized, but the stability of the building structure may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the building into a rotatable foundation housing containing the drive unit and a separate upper structure with solar panels. This segmentation allows the foundation to rotate independently to track the sun while the upper structure maintains its structural integrity and stability, resolving the conflict between rotational capability and structural stability.
3Productivity
If a drive unit is integrated into the foundation housing to enable rotation, then the solar panels can be positioned at optimum angles, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit integrated into the foundation housing serves multiple functions: it enables rotation for solar tracking, provides structural support for the entire building, and acts as the central mechanical component for positioning. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems and minimizes overall device complexity while achieving optimum solar panel positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating building assembly includes a foundation housing that has a lower section and an upper section. A drive unit is positioned in the foundation housing to rotate the foundation housing. A structure is provided which has hub and a plurality of wings each extending away from the hub. The hub is mounted to the foundation housing such that the structure rotates with the foundation housing when the drive unit is turned on. A plurality of solar panels is each coupled to a roof of a respective one of the hub and the wings. Each of the solar panels is in communication with the drive unit and the drive unit analyzes the angle of the solar panels with respect to the sun. Furthermore, the drive unit rotates the foundation housing a calculated degree of rotation to facilitate the solar panels to operate at maximum efficiency.