Self-Powered Solar Tracking Reflector for Skylight Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar tracking systems for building interior illumination through skylights are complex, unreliable, and expensive, requiring external power and maintenance, and fail to provide sufficient lighting during low sun positions, especially in winter months.
Innovation Solution
A solar tracking device with a motorized control head, vertically mounted above a skylight, featuring a solar array for self-powering, a mirror support structure to reflect sunlight, and a control circuitry that adjusts the mirrors' angle to track the sun's movement, using a photodetector to optimize energy harvesting and minimize external power requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If motorized mirrors are used to track the sun, then interior lighting is improved during low sun positions, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar tracking device is self-powered through a photovoltaic cell that converts sunlight into electrical energy. This stored energy operates the motor to rotate the mirror assembly, eliminating external power requirements and reducing system complexity while maintaining effective sun tracking for interior illumination
Solution Approach 2:
The control box serves multiple functions: it houses the motor for mirror rotation, contains the photodetector for sun position sensing, stores electrical energy from the photovoltaic cell, and controls the overall tracking operation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system structure
2Illumination intensity
If motorized sun-tracking mechanisms are implemented, then lighting coverage is improved, but reliability decreases due to maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a photodetector that automatically detects sun position and triggers the motor to adjust the mirror angle accordingly. This self-regulating mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems or manual intervention, improving reliability while maintaining comprehensive lighting coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The photodetector provides continuous feedback about the sun's position to the control circuitry, which automatically adjusts the mirror orientation. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable tracking without requiring complex external control mechanisms or frequent maintenance
3Extent of automation
If solar arrays are used for self-powering, then operational independence is improved, but energy storage capacity must be sufficient for cloudy periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes its operational parameters by using a high-capacity energy storage device that can store sufficient electrical energy from the photovoltaic cell to power the motor during cloudy periods. This parameter adjustment (increasing storage capacity) maintains operational independence without requiring external power sources
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 provides reliable, cost-effective, and low-maintenance solar tracking, ensuring adequate interior lighting throughout the day, including low sun positions, by utilizing self-generated power and precise sun tracking, thus enhancing natural light utilization in buildings.
Implementation Method 1
A solar array is also mechanically coupled to the control box and is positioned to face the sun when the mirrors are positioned to face the sun. The solar array produces electrical power from solar energy.
Implementation Method 2
A mirror support structure supports a plurality of mirrors that are positioned at an angle to reflect sunlight through the skylight.
Implementation Method 3
using a photodetector to optimize energy harvesting and minimize external power requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A solar tracking device is mounted above a skylight of a building. An array of mirrors is rotated at a rate of one revolution per day to reflect sunlight through the skylight. A control circuit intermittently adjusts the angular position of the tracking device so that the mirrors face the sun. A solar array charges an internal energy storage system so that no external power source is needed. The control circuit within the tracking device reduces the power requirements at night and when not moving the tracking device during the daytime to conserve electrical energy.