Solar Tracker Brake Function Using Contact Switches and Brake Diodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar trackers with errors in control programs or failures in contact switches can cause mechanical damage due to uncontrolled movement of adjustment tabs, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a brake function with horizontal and altitude adjustment portions, including motors, actuators, contact switches, and brake diodes to prevent inertial rotation by matching voltage levels and using a controller to remove driving power when contact is sensed, allowing for CPU-less control and position sensing to stop motor operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If contact switches are used to sense position and control motor operation, then position sensing capability is improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential switch failures causing uncontrolled movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a brake diode that activates when the contact switch opens, providing a fail-safe mechanism to prevent uncontrolled motor movement in case of switch failure. The brake diode creates a braking torque that stops the motor before mechanical damage can occur, cushioning against the potential harm of switch failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The brake diode serves as an intermediary component between the contact switch and the motor. When the contact switch opens to indicate position, the brake diode mediates by creating a braking circuit that ensures the motor stops reliably, adding an intermediate safety layer that prevents direct transmission of control failures to the motor.
2Adaptability or versatility
If CPU-based control is used to manage motor operations, then control flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to reliance on software that may contain errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanics substitution by replacing CPU-based software control with a hardware-based control circuit that uses contact switches and brake diodes to directly control motor operation. This hardware-level automation eliminates the need for complex software logic, reducing system complexity while maintaining control functionality through electrical circuitry rather than computational processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system applies self-service by using the contact switch position information to automatically trigger the brake diode, which in turn automatically brakes the motor without requiring CPU intervention. The system serves itself by creating a self-contained control loop where the contact switch directly controls the brake diode activation, eliminating the need for external CPU management.
3Reliability
If brake diodes are added to prevent inertial rotation, then operational safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the brake diode function into the existing contact switch circuitry. The brake diode is electrically connected in parallel with the contact switch, allowing the same circuit to serve dual purposes: normal operation control through the contact switch and safety braking through the brake diode. This merging reduces the need for separate control systems and minimizes overall device complexity.
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
Prevents mechanical damage by ensuring the solar tracker's moving tabs stop correctly, enhancing operational safety and efficiency by using hardware logic and diodes to manage motor rotation and position sensing.
Implementation Method 1
a horizontal rotation driving portion which supplies driving power to the horizontal driving motor and includes a horizontal brake diode used for a brake preventing inertial rotation of the horizontal driving motor by matching voltage levels of both ends of the horizontal driving motor with each other when the horizontal moving tab is sensed at the first and second horizontal cut-off switches
Implementation Method 2
matching voltage levels of both ends of the horizontal driving motor with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A solar tracker having a brake function is disclosed. The solar tracker according to an embodiment of the present invention relates to a technology having a dual position sensing device provided at a part at which altitude adjustment and horizontal rotation of a solar collector plate respectively end, such that a brake is accurately operated for a driving motor, which is respectively in charge of altitude adjustment and horizontal rotation.