Solar Tracker Rack Drive With Plastic Teeth and Vibration Damping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar tracking devices experience squealing phenomena and vibrations due to metal-metal contact between the drive means and hoop, requiring frequent maintenance to lubricate and mitigate these issues, which is impractical and ineffective under adverse weather conditions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a plastic-toothed rack and damping means between the arch and solar tracker, eliminating metal-metal contact and reducing vibrations through a metal-plastic interface with low friction, and incorporating elastomer damping pads to absorb residual vibrations, thus eliminating the need for lubrication and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal drive means and metal hoop are used, then structural strength is ensured, but squealing phenomena and vibrations occur due to metal-metal contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a plastic rack as an intermediary element between the metal drive means and the metal hoop. This plastic component acts as a mediator that reduces direct metal-metal contact, thereby minimizing vibrations and squealing phenomena while still transmitting the necessary mechanical forces for rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material solution by combining plastic (for the rack) with metal (for the drive means and hoop). This composite approach leverages the low-friction properties of plastic against metal surfaces while maintaining the structural strength provided by the metal components, effectively resolving the contradiction between strength and vibration reduction.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If grease is applied to reduce friction, then vibrations are reduced, but heavy maintenance phases are required to re-lubricate under field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic rack provides self-lubricating properties through its material characteristics, eliminating the need for external grease application. The low coefficient of friction inherent in plastic materials allows the system to maintain reduced vibrations without requiring periodic maintenance or re-lubrication by operators in the field.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the consumable grease (which requires frequent reapplication) with a durable plastic rack that provides continuous low-friction operation throughout its service life. This substitution eliminates the recurring maintenance burden associated with grease-based lubrication systems.
3Force
If grease is used for lubrication, then friction is reduced, but the grease disappears quickly under climatic conditions such as bad weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the grease-based lubrication system (which is sensitive to climatic conditions) with a solid plastic rack that provides inherent low-friction properties. This substitution eliminates the reliability issues associated with grease degradation, washing away, and weather-related failures while maintaining effective friction reduction.
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 system effectively reduces squealing phenomena and vibrations, eliminating the need for maintenance by using a plastic-toothed rack and elastomer damping, ensuring reliable operation under various conditions without the need for lubrication.
Implementation Method 1
the arch comprising damping means for connection with the solar tracker
Implementation Method 2
the rack comprising teeth made of plastic material... a metal-plastic contact which has a very low coefficient of friction, which leads to a reduction in the generation of vibrations
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The system for effecting the rotational movement of a solar tracker (10) about an axis of rotation (63) comprises: - a bow (20) mounted on the solar tracker and comprising a rack (22); and, - a worm engaging with the rack to effect the rotational movement, the rack having a plastic tooth set and the bow comprising means of damping the connection with the solar tracker.