Scalable Solar Simulator Sensor Matrix with Diode Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices for light radiation intensity distribution in sun simulators for solar cells or solar modules are not scalable and do not achieve high measurement accuracy due to complex interconnections and structural differences from the modules they measure, making it difficult to ensure spatially homogeneous light fields.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device with a matrix arrangement of light-sensitive sensor units, each with a solar cell and electrical contacts, where each column and row has a single electrical connection line to the measurement electronics, allowing for scalable and modular structure similar to solar modules, with diodes preventing current flow from solar cells to connecting lines, enabling efficient measurement of light intensity distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If each sensor unit is connected separately to signal processor and measuring electronics, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is divided into multiple independent sensor units arranged in rows and columns, where each sensor unit can be independently addressed and measured through the matrix connection structure. This segmentation allows precise individual measurement while sharing common connection lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure transitions from a one-dimensional linear arrangement to a two-dimensional matrix arrangement. By organizing sensors in rows and columns with shared connection lines along each dimension, the patent reduces the total number of connection lines from N individual lines to approximately 2√N lines for N sensors, significantly reducing complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If measuring device structure corresponds to usual module structures for solar modules, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision for large areas decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device is divided into multiple sensor units that can be manufactured separately and then assembled into larger arrays. This modular segmentation enables standard manufacturing processes to be used while allowing the final device to cover large measurement areas with high precision through the combination of multiple standardized units.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor units are designed with universal connection interfaces and standardized structures that match common solar module formats. This universality allows the same manufacturing techniques and handling procedures to be used for both production and measurement applications, while the matrix arrangement enables scalable coverage of large areas.
3Measurement precision
If surface density of sensors is increased to maintain high measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but scalability to larger measuring areas becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is segmented into modular units that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high sensor density within each module for precise measurements while enabling scalable expansion to larger measurement areas by combining multiple modules in various configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a two-dimensional matrix arrangement that allows scalable expansion in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. By organizing sensors in rows and columns with shared connection lines, the system can increase measurement area by adding more rows or columns while maintaining the same connection topology and sensor density, enabling linear scaling of measurement capability.
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, scalable, and accurate measurement of light intensity homogeneity in large areas, allowing for precise testing of sun simulators and other light sources, with minimal mechanical components and adaptable structure, ensuring compliance with standards like IEC 60904.
Implementation Method 1
each of which has a solar cell serving as a sensor element and a front and a rear electrical contact for applying an electrical voltage to the solar cell and measuring electronics with which a current flowing through the solar cell when an electrical voltage is applied can be measured
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
AI summary
A measuring device for measuring the intensity distribution of incident light radiation (3) comprises a sensor arrangement consisting of several rows and columns of light-sensitive sensor units, each of which has a solar cell (1) serving as a sensor element and a front and a rear electrical contact for applying an electrical voltage to the solar cell (1). Each column and each row of the sensor arrangement has an electrical connecting line to which the front electrical contacts of the sensor units in that column and the rear contacts of the sensor units in that row, respectively, are electrically connected. In each sensor unit, a component (2) acting as a diode is connected between the solar cell (1) and the rear electrical contact.The electrical connecting leads are connected to measuring electronics (4, 5) with which a current or a current-voltage characteristic can be measured at each of the solar cells (1) serving as sensor elements. The proposed measuring device is suitable for measuring solar simulators during the testing of solar cells or solar modules and can be easily scaled in size.