Solar Tracker Optical Sensing Without CPU or External Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar trackers require external power sources and complex control systems, which lead to inefficiencies and maintenance challenges, especially under cloudy conditions or varying latitudes, and cannot self-track the sun without additional power or CPU assistance.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered solar tracker using optical sensors to adjust the altitude and horizontal position of a solar collector panel, driven by a passive element circuit comparing light intensities from multiple sensors to optimize sunlight exposure without external power or CPU, utilizing self-generated power from solar cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a complex control board with CPU is used to track the sun, then tracking precision is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the CPU and complex control board from the system, extracting only the essential control functions. The control logic is implemented through simple analog circuits (comparators, operational amplifiers) that directly process optical sensor signals without requiring a central processing unit, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic/digital control system (CPU-based) with an analog optical-mechanical system. Optical sensors detect sunlight position, and analog circuits directly convert these optical signals into mechanical movement commands for the solar panel, eliminating the need for digital processing and reducing system complexity
2Extent of automation
If an additional power supply is provided for the control board, then tracking functionality is improved, but reliability decreases due to more failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the solar cells serve multiple functions: they are both the target object being tracked and the power source for the tracking system. The same solar cells that generate electricity also provide power to the optical sensors and control circuits, eliminating the need for separate power supplies and reducing failure points
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to be self-powered, where the solar tracker uses the sunlight captured by the solar cells to power its own tracking mechanism. The optical sensors and control circuits draw power from the solar cells themselves, creating a self-sufficient system that doesn't require external power sources
3Ease of operation
If optical sensors are used to track the sun, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases under cloudy conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple optical sensors (more than the minimum one) to detect sunlight position. By having redundant sensors, the system can maintain tracking functionality even when some sensors are blocked or malfunctioning, particularly useful under partially cloudy conditions where sunlight may be intermittently available
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
Ensures consistent and efficient tracking of sunlight using self-generated power, reducing maintenance needs and preventing malfunctions by operating only when sufficient sunlight is available, thus enhancing durability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor type in which a driving motor is controlled to track the sun according to an output signal occasionally detected by optical sensors
Implementation Method 2
a solar generator, consisting of solar cells, a storage battery, and an electricity conversion device, is a generator that collects sunlight using a solar collector panel having multiple solar cells installed thereon, and converts the solar energy into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a self-powered solar tracker, which is a solar tracker for adjusting the altitude of and horizontally rotating a solar collector panel such that the solar collector panel on which a plurality of solar cells are provided can face the sun, wherein the self-powered solar tracker comprises: an altitude adjustment optical sensor unit which has one or more first optical sensors formed by being uniformly spaced on the upper side of convex support surfaces to face the sun and one or more second optical sensors formed by being uniformly spaced on the lower side of the convex support surfaces, and which senses the sunlight so as to adjust the altitude of the solar collector panel; a horizontal rotation optical sensor unit which has one or more third optical sensors formed by being uniformly spaced on the left side of the convex support surfaces to face the sun and one or more fourth optical sensors formed by being uniformly spaced on the right side of the convex support surfaces, and which senses sunlight so as to horizontally rotate the solar collector panel; a passive element circuit which has one or more first comparison circuits for comparing the difference in the quantity of output light between the first optical sensors and the second optical sensors and one or more second comparison circuits for comparing the difference in the quantity of output light between the third optical sensors and the fourth optical sensors, and which outputs a driving value for adjusting the altitude of and horizontally rotating the solar collector panel in the direction having a larger light value; an altitude adjustment driving unit for receiving a driving power source from the solar cells of the solar collector panel and for adjusting the altitude of the solar collector panel according to the driving value of the passive element circuit; and a horizontal rotation driving unit for performing the horizontal rotation.