Solar Panel Cleaning Robot Tracks With Cellular Damping Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning robots face challenges in maintaining adhesion on inclined solar panels with surface irregularities and risk damaging the panels due to uneven pressure, especially on slopes greater than 10° or 25°.
Innovation Solution
A multilayer drive track with an inner continuous strip, an intermediate elastomer layer featuring damping blocks with a cellular structure, and an outer running layer of pads, which absorbs surface deformations and provides flexibility and improved adhesion, while minimizing pressure on the panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional continuous tracks are used on solar panels, then the tracks can provide continuous contact with the panel surface, but the surface irregularities (frames, screws) cause the tracks to peel off and reduce adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The track is divided into multiple independent damping blocks arranged in series along the track. Each block can independently deform and absorb local surface irregularities without affecting the entire track structure. This segmentation prevents peeling by isolating the deformation to individual blocks rather than the continuous track.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping blocks are made from elastomer material with specific viscoelastic properties that allow them to deform under load and return to their original shape. The material parameters (viscoelasticity, hardness) are optimized to absorb impacts from surface irregularities while maintaining adhesion to the panel surface.
2Strength
If metal frames and screws are present on solar panels, then the panels can be structurally supported, but they create surface irregularities that damage tracks and cause uneven weight distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The damping blocks are positioned in advance along the track to encounter and absorb impacts from metal frames and screws before they can damage the track structure. The viscoelastic material of the blocks cushions the impact, preventing track damage while allowing the robot to maintain contact with the panel surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The damping blocks have a cellular (porous) internal structure that provides shock absorption capabilities. This porous structure allows the blocks to compress and expand, absorbing the energy from impacts with metal components while maintaining the overall track integrity.
3Reliability
If the robot applies sufficient pressure to maintain adhesion on inclined surfaces, then good adhesion is achieved, but the pressure can damage panels by creating or enlarging microcracks
Solution Approach 1:
The track pressure is segmented into multiple discrete contact points through the damping blocks rather than continuous pressure. This distribution allows the robot to maintain adhesion through cumulative contact forces while reducing the pressure concentration at any single point, preventing microcrack formation in the panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The viscoelastic properties of the damping blocks allow them to deform and adapt to the panel surface, distributing the robot's weight more evenly. The material parameters (viscoelasticity, hardness) are optimized to provide sufficient contact pressure for adhesion while limiting peak pressures that could damage the panels.
4Stability of the object's composition
If rigid tracks are used to provide stable support, then the tracks can maintain structural integrity, but they cannot adapt to surface irregularities and lose adhesion on inclined surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The track structure is segmented into multiple rigid damping blocks connected in a flexible arrangement. Each block maintains its structural integrity while the overall track can bend and adapt to surface irregularities. This segmentation provides both local rigidity for structural stability and global flexibility for adhesion.
Solution Approach 2:
The track combines rigid damping blocks made from elastomer materials with viscoelastic properties. This composite structure provides both the structural integrity of rigid components and the adaptability of viscoelastic materials, allowing the track to maintain shape while conforming to the panel surface.
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 solution ensures effective adhesion and durability on wet inclined surfaces up to angles greater than 25°, reducing the risk of peeling and panel damage, and extends the service life of the tracks compared to traditional designs.
Implementation Method 1
an intermediate layer including a plurality of damping blocks disposed over the entire length of the continuous strip of the inner layer with a predefined spacing, the damping blocks being made of an elastomer material and having a cellular structure
Implementation Method 2
the damping blocks provided in the track according to the invention allow, thanks to the cellular structure, dosing the damping and therefore the individual crushing of the blocks
Implementation Method 3
the intermediate layer allows a certain flexibility between the inner layer and the outer layer which facilitates the rotation during a turn of the robot
Implementation Method 4
The flexibility, or cushioning, of the intermediate layer also contributes to better load distribution
Implementation Method 5
the use of an elastomer, in combination with a cellular structure, confers a good resistance/tenacity of the intermediate layer, in particular on cutting ridges of metal frames, screws, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
A drive track for a cleaning robot moving on inclined surfaces such as photovoltaic panels has a multilayer structure comprising: an internal layer formed by a continuous belt having an internal face able to engage with means for driving the track; an intermediate layer including a plurality of damping blocks disposed over the entire length of the continuous belt of the internal layer with a predefined separation (e); and an external running layer coming into contact with the surface on which the track moves, the running layer being formed by pads supported by the damping blocks. The damping blocks are made of elastomer material and have a cellular structure with a plurality of parallel trough-channels.