Light unit group connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing street light systems with integrated PV solar units face challenges in maximizing solar energy production due to limited PV surface size, inefficient energy conversion, and potential electrical disturbances when connected in groups, particularly in retro-fit installations, which require balancing weight, wind load, and ensuring high-quality voltage output.
Innovation Solution
A street light unit design featuring a maximized, separately rotatable PV solar surface with a low-weight, aerodynamic upper part and a reliable control system, including a cleaning device and voltage optimization filters, connected via a low-energy-loss control system to ensure efficient solar energy production and grid compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the PV solar surface is maximized to increase energy production, then solar energy production is improved, but the weight and wind load area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The street light unit is divided into separate modular components: the PV solar surface, the luminaire housing, the control system, and the mounting structure. This allows the PV surface to be optimized for maximum energy production while the supporting structure is designed separately to minimize weight, resolving the contradiction between maximizing solar surface area and minimizing overall unit weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow the PV solar surface to be positioned at optimal angles for energy production while being supported by a lightweight dynamic structure rather than a heavy static support system, enabling the PV surface to be maximized without proportionally increasing the weight of the supporting structure.
2Productivity
If the PV solar surface area is increased for maximum energy production, then solar energy production is improved, but the wind load area increases
Solution Approach 1:
The luminaire housing and PV solar surface are designed with aerodynamic curved surfaces that reduce wind resistance and allow wind to flow smoothly around the structure. This curved design minimizes the effective wind load area while maintaining the PV surface area needed for maximum energy production, resolving the contradiction between these two requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin-walled aerodynamic housing structures that are lightweight and designed to flex with wind loads rather than resist them rigidly. This allows the PV solar surface to be maximized for energy production while the thin-walled aerodynamic design minimizes the effective wind load area by allowing wind to flow around the structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light units are connected in groups for retro-fit installation, then installation flexibility is improved, but electrical quality and voltage stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a group central unit with voltage optimizing equipment as an intermediary between individual light units and the electrical grid. This mediator actively monitors and corrects voltage fluctuations, frequency variations, and power factor issues caused by multiple retro-fit units, resolving the contradiction between installation flexibility and voltage quality by providing active electrical quality management at the group level.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system continuously monitors electrical parameters (voltage, frequency, power factor) and provides feedback to the voltage optimizing equipment, which automatically adjusts to maintain electrical quality within regulations. This feedback mechanism allows multiple units to be connected in flexible retro-fit configurations while maintaining stable voltage output through active correction of electrical disturbances.
4Productivity
If a heavy-duty support structure is used to maximize PV surface area, then solar energy production is improved, but the overall weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials and optimized structural designs in the luminaire housing and mounting components that provide high strength-to-weight ratios. This allows the PV solar surface to be maximized for energy production while the supporting structure remains lightweight, resolving the contradiction between maximizing PV surface area and minimizing the load on the lamppost.
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 maximized solar energy efficiency, reduced energy loss, and high-quality voltage output, allowing for efficient solar energy production and reliable grid connection while maintaining a lightweight and adaptable design suitable for both new and retro-fit installations.
Implementation Method 1
A street light unit may be provided with a solar energy production from a maximized solar PV surface
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2f
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A Light Unit with an integrated lighting unit and solar power unit in a shared luminaire enclosure for both, for street or road lighting installations. The luminaire, consisting of a lightweight structure, preferably mainly in plastic, consisting essentially of a lower (101), load bearing part, and an upper (103), mainly angular separating, part. The lower part (101) containing a connection to a lamp post (100), a connection to the lighting and a circular upper connection to the upper part (103). The upper part (103), containing a circular connection to the lower part (101), containing a rotation setting function of 0-360 ° and a connection to a substantially bigger leaning PV surface. It also comprises, for the both units, a connection to an electrical grid and a control system as well as a possible PV surface cleaning device.