Cable-Supported Solar Module Structure With Movable Support Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar module support structures require significant effort to construct and maintain, with fixed cable attachments making it difficult to adjust for varying loads and temperature changes, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A support structure using tension cables and compression rods with movable support points and adjustable prestressing cables, allowing for easy re-tensioning and vibration damping, while reducing the number of individual parts and simplifying assembly through the use of cable pulleys and sliding elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If fixed cable attachments are used to support solar modules, then structural stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to inability to adjust for varying loads and temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the support points movable along the cables rather than fixed. The compression members can slide along the tension and pretensioning cables, allowing the structure to adapt dynamically to varying loads and temperature changes while maintaining stability through controlled movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of support point position from fixed to variable. By allowing compression members to move to different positions on the cables, the structure can adjust its geometric parameters in response to environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between stability and adjustability.
2Reliability
If individual cable tensioning is required for each cable, then reliability is improved by ensuring proper tension distribution, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming erection and maintenance processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tensioning operations by allowing multiple compression members to be tensioned simultaneously through their movable support points. Instead of individually tensioning each cable, the system enables collective adjustment through the coordinated movement of compression members along the cables, significantly reducing erection and maintenance time.
3Manufacturing precision
If compression members are fixed to cables, then manufacturing precision is improved by ensuring stable positioning, but device complexity increases due to multiple connection points and anchoring mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed connections with dynamic sliding connections. Compression members slide along the cables instead of being fixed to them, which simplifies the connection mechanism while maintaining positioning accuracy through the controlled movement capability of the sliding support points.
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 rapid construction and maintenance with reduced complexity and cost, allowing for efficient load compensation and vibration control, ensuring stable and efficient solar module placement without shading issues.
Implementation Method 1
The pretensioning cable does not perform a load-bearing function but merely prevents the supporting structure from vibrating under external excitation, e.g., by wind and/or manual rocking
Implementation Method 2
which, as is evident from the term of art, prevent a horizontal displacement of the compression members, but allow an upward and downward movement
Data Source
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AI summary
A supporting structure (1) for supporting a large number of solar modules or ceiling elements (32), comprising at least two supporting frameworks (2) with supporting masts (4, 4a, 4i) which are respectively connected to one another by means of a supporting cable (6), on which supporting cable (6) the solar modules or ceiling elements (32) are supported by means of vertical pressure rods (12) which are connected to the supporting cable (6) by means of fastening elements (14) and which have a pretensioning force applied to them via at least one pretensioning cable (8), which pretensioning force pushes the pressure rods (12) in the downward direction towards the supporting cable (6) which is connected to said pressure rods (12), is distinguished in that the fastening elements comprise cable rollers (14a) or sliding elements (14b) by means of which the pressure rods (12) are displaceably coupled to the supporting cables (6) and pretensioning cables (8), and in that the pressure rods (12) are coupled to the supporting masts (4, 4a, 4i) non-displaceably in the horizontal direction by means of positioning cables (10) in order to prevent a horizontal movement.