Solar Module Tracker Gear Layout for Accessible Drive Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar module tracking devices are complex, requiring numerous drives for large installations, making them difficult to access for installation, maintenance, and repair due to drives being positioned on top of posts.
Innovation Solution
A tracking device with a structurally simple and robust design featuring gear wheels laterally mounted on posts, allowing for easy access and a central drive system with forced guidance to prevent transverse displacement, ensuring reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drives are positioned on top of posts, then the tracking device can function properly, but installation, maintenance, and repair work becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drive system is relocated from the vertical dimension (top of posts) to the lateral dimension (side of posts at lower height). This dimensional shift maintains the functional integrity of the tracking mechanism while dramatically improving accessibility for installation, maintenance, and repair operations.
2Area of stationary object
If a large number of drives are used for large solar module arrangements, then complete coverage is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple gear wheels that were previously distributed on top of multiple posts are merged into a single lateral position on one post. The gear ring connects all crossbeams, allowing a single drive system to control the entire solar module arrangement, thereby reducing the number of drives while maintaining complete coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The single lateral drive system performs multiple functions: it controls all crossbeams simultaneously, provides forced guidance for the entire structure, and enables tracking for the complete solar module arrangement. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity while achieving full coverage.
3Reliability
If the pivoting mechanism is made robust, then reliability improves, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robust pivoting mechanism is segmented into modular components: gear wheels on each crossbeam, a connecting gear ring, and lateral drive units. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for reliability while the overall structure remains simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The gear ring acts as an intermediary element that connects multiple crossbeams to a single lateral drive system. This intermediary structure provides robust mechanical coupling and forced guidance without requiring complex control mechanisms, thereby achieving reliability through simple structural design.
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 enables quick and easy installation and maintenance of the drive system, reduces material requirements, and ensures reliable tracking of solar modules to the sun's position with minimal structural complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A toothed ring (7) is fastened to each crossbeam (6), the toothing (7a) of which meshes with a motor-driven gear wheel (8) mounted on the respective post (3)
Implementation Method 2
The rotation unit includes a worm gear with an electric drive
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tracking device (1) for solar modules (2a) with a series of posts (3) arranged along a longitudinal axis. A crossmember (6) is pivotably mounted on each post (3), wherein the crossmembers (6) are pivotable about a common pivot axis (S) extending parallel to the longitudinal axis. There is fastened to each crossmember (6) a toothed ring (7) of which the toothing (7a) is in engagement with a motor-driven toothed wheel (8) mounted on the respective post (3). Also provided is a positive guide means which forms a safeguard against a transverse displacement of the toothed wheel (8) relative to the toothed ring (7). Each toothed wheel (8) is mounted on the side of the respective post (3).