Solar Generator Optical Waveguide Light Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar generators require large areas and precise alignment with the sun, making them unsightly, difficult to maintain, and less feasible in densely built-up areas, as they need regular cleaning and servicing.
Innovation Solution
A compact solar generator design featuring solar modules and optical waveguides that allow for flexible arrangement, including stacking, with a perforated cover plate and reflector to efficiently direct sunlight to solar cells, enabling maintenance within a building and reducing alignment requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar modules are arranged over a large area and aligned to the sun, then sunlight reception efficiency is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical waveguides as intermediary elements that capture sunlight at the front of the solar generator and transport it to solar modules positioned at the rear. This mediator system eliminates the need for direct sun alignment of the solar modules themselves, allowing them to be fixed in a simple rearward-facing configuration while still receiving concentrated sunlight through the waveguide transmission system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional planar arrangement where solar modules directly face the sun to a three-dimensional configuration using optical waveguides. The waveguides extend sunlight collection from the front surface to the rear surface, adding a depth dimension to the light path and enabling modular stacking without requiring lateral alignment adjustments.
2Productivity
If solar modules are arranged over a large area, then power generation capacity is improved, but ease of operation and maintenance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the solar generator into modular segments consisting of stacked units, each with its own optical waveguides and solar modules. This segmentation allows individual modules to be accessed and maintained independently without disrupting the entire system, significantly improving maintenance ease while maintaining high power generation capacity through the stacked configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
By stacking solar modules in the vertical dimension rather than spreading them horizontally, the patent increases power generation capacity within a compact footprint. This vertical arrangement also improves maintenance accessibility, as modules can be serviced from the rear without requiring ground-level access to large horizontal arrays.
3Area of stationary object
If solar modules are mounted on a house roof, then space utilization is improved, but maintenance cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical waveguides act as intermediaries that separate the sunlight collection function (at the front roof-facing surface) from the solar module placement (at the rear). This allows solar modules to be positioned in a protected rear position on the roof, shielded from direct weather exposure, while still receiving full sunlight transmission through the waveguides, thereby reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguides function as flexible light-transmitting channels that can be routed through the roof structure. This flexible transmission medium allows the solar modules to be positioned in protected locations away from direct weather elements, reducing degradation and maintenance costs while still capturing roof-mounted solar energy.
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 allows for efficient sunlight transmission to solar modules, reducing maintenance needs and enabling compact, efficient power generation within buildings, including on rooftops and interiors.
Implementation Method 1
each optical waveguide having at least a first end with a first face for receiving sunlight and at least a second end with a second end face for emitting sunlight
Implementation Method 2
on the cover pane of the solar generator at least one reflector is arranged on a surface of the cover pane facing a solar module
Implementation Method 3
each solar module having at least one solar cell and at least one surface for receiving sunlight
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a solar generator (10) comprising a number of solar modules (12) and a number of optical waveguides (20), wherein each solar module (12) has at least one solar cell (14) and at least one surface (16) for receiving sunlight (4), wherein each optical waveguide (20) has at least one first end (22) having a first end face (24) for receiving sunlight (4) and at least one second end (26) having a second end face (28) for giving off sunlight (4), wherein on each surface (16) of the number of solar modules (12) at least one second end face (28) of the number of optical waveguides (20) is arranged in front of or on the corresponding surface (16) in such a way that the sunlight (4) given off by the at least one second end face (28) impinges at least partially on the corresponding surface (16).