Standalone Solar Unit With Sun-Tracking Panels and Integrated Battery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar energy systems require complex installation and trained personnel, and energy storage is separate from energy collection, making them difficult to implement in residential environments.
Innovation Solution
A prefabricated and free-standing solar energy unit with a base, housing, and pivotally coupled photovoltaic solar panels that can track the sun, connected to a battery for energy storage, allowing easy installation and operation without professional help.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic panels are installed on roofs or buildings, then energy collection is achieved, but installation complexity increases and requires trained crews
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines energy collection (photovoltaic panels), energy storage (battery), and structural support into a single integrated solar energy unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate installation processes and reduces overall system complexity, allowing DIY installation while maintaining full energy collection functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar energy unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it collects solar energy via photovoltaic panels, stores energy in an integrated battery, provides structural support through its base and housing, and enables easy installation as a free-standing unit. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needing installation.
2Reliability
If energy storage is separate from energy collection units, then specialized energy storage solutions are available, but installation becomes more complex and requires separate installation
Solution Approach 1:
The battery is integrated within the housing of the solar energy unit, merging energy storage with energy collection in a single component. This eliminates the need for separate installation of energy storage systems while maintaining reliable energy storage capability through the built-in battery.
3Ease of manufacture
If photovoltaic panels are fixed in position, then installation is simpler, but energy capture efficiency decreases due to inability to track the sun
Solution Approach 1:
The solar energy unit incorporates dynamic tracking capabilities where the housing can rotate on the base to follow the sun's azimuth, and the photovoltaic panels can pivot on the arms to track the sun's elevation. This dynamic adjustment maintains high energy capture efficiency while keeping the overall unit structure simple and easy to install.
4Productivity
If solar energy units are installed in outdoor spaces, then energy generation is enabled, but weather exposure may damage the system
Solution Approach 1:
The housing serves as a protective enclosure for the battery and internal components, shielding them from weather damage while allowing the photovoltaic panels to remain exposed for energy generation. The cover can open and close to protect the internal components from environmental factors.
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 enables simple installation and efficient energy capture and storage, providing power to homes and electric vehicles, with weather protection and aesthetic integration into outdoor spaces.
Implementation Method 1
Photovoltaic solar panel(s) have opposite ends pivotally coupled to the pair of arms via pivot joints. The photovoltaic solar panels are electrically connected to the battery, which can store electricity generated by the photovoltaic solar panels.
Implementation Method 2
A battery housed in the storage chamber. The photovoltaic solar panels are electrically connected to the battery, which can store electricity generated by the photovoltaic solar panels.
Data Source
AI summary
A standalone solar energy unit that can be installed on a ground surface includes a base and a housing vertically above and rotatably coupled to the base. The housing has a storage chamber extending to an opening. A cover is coupled to housing over the opening and movable between an open position allowing access to the storage chamber and a closed position to close the opening. The unit has a pair of arms that can move between an extended position out of the storage chamber and a retracted position within the storage chamber. Photovoltaic solar panel(s) are pivotally coupled to the pair of arms. The unit has a controller operable to move the housing and the photovoltaic solar panels to track the sun. The photovoltaic solar panels are electrically connected to a battery, which can store electricity generated by the photovoltaic solar panels.