Solar Panel Beam Structure with Inclined Grooves to Resist Wind Uplift
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing support structures for solar panels, typically using hollow rectangular prisms, are prone to deformation or breakage due to insufficient tensile strength when subjected to strong winds, as they experience stretching forces that exceed their load capacity.
Innovation Solution
A support structure comprising a post and a beam with inclined rectilinear grooves and a saddle providing intermediate interconnection, distributing weight evenly and enhancing tensile strength through slant faces and inclined groove walls, preventing lateral stretching and sudden breakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hollow rectangular prisms are used as beams to support solar panels, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the tensile strength is insufficient causing deformation or breakage under strong winds
Solution Approach 1:
The beam is segmented into an upper beam and a lower beam connected by reinforcing ribs, creating a composite structure that distributes stress and significantly enhances tensile strength while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
The beam employs a composite structure combining upper and lower beam portions with reinforcing ribs, creating a multi-component system that achieves superior tensile strength compared to simple hollow rectangular prisms, while still using common materials and manufacturing techniques
2Device complexity
If fastener units directly connect solar panels to hollow rectangular prisms, then the connection is simple, but the lifting force generates stretching force exceeding load capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing ribs act as intermediary elements between the upper and lower beams, transferring and distributing the lifting forces generated by fastener units across the entire beam structure, preventing concentration of stress at single points and enhancing overall reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The beam structure transitions from a two-dimensional hollow rectangular prism to a three-dimensional composite structure with reinforcing ribs extending between upper and lower beams, adding vertical dimensionality that provides superior resistance to upward lifting forces
Data Source
AI summary
A support structure for a solar panel includes a beam disposed above a post. The beam includes a first side recessed inwards to form a first rectilinear groove extending in a longitudinal direction of the beam. The first rectilinear groove includes a groove opening having two opposite edges each of which inclines downwards to form a slant face connected to the first side. A spacing between two opposite inclined groove walls of the first rectilinear groove gradually decreases towards the groove opening. A U-shaped saddle is disposed between the post and the beam and straddles a top portion of the post. Two sides of the saddle respectively abut two outer faces of the post and are secured to the post. A top portion of the saddle is secured to the beam by a fastener unit.