Tool-Less Locating Connectors for Solar Concentrator Mirror Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar concentrator systems face challenges in achieving high precision and efficiency due to misalignment issues caused by complex assembly procedures and high precision components, which affect economic feasibility and performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of tool-less connecting mechanisms, such as snap fittings and self-locking connections, for mounting solar concentrators to sun tracking frame systems, allowing for precise alignment and easy assembly without the need for tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high precision components and complex assembly procedures are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locating connector is designed to self-align and self-lock during assembly. The mirror assembly automatically positions itself relative to the support frame through the locating features, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or specialized tools while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The locating connector acts as an intermediary component between the mirror assembly and the support frame. It provides predetermined locating features that mediate the connection, ensuring precise alignment without requiring complex assembly procedures on either component.
2Manufacturing precision
If high precision components are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locating features are pre-formed during manufacturing of the connector and mirror assembly. This preliminary action ensures that during final assembly, the components simply need to be brought together, and the pre-formed locating features automatically provide precise alignment, dramatically reducing assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The mirror assembly automatically positions itself relative to the support frame through the locating features during assembly. This self-alignment eliminates time-consuming manual alignment procedures while maintaining high precision.
3Ease of operation
If tool-less connection mechanisms are used, then ease of operation is improved, but connection strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed with self-locking features that automatically engage and lock the mirror assembly to the support frame without requiring tools. The self-locking mechanism maintains strong connection strength while enabling easy tool-less assembly and disassembly operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A solar concentrator assembly can include mirror assemblies that are connected to pivotable frames with locating connections. The locating connections can be in the form of cam devices or tool-less connections formed by snap fitting devices as well as tool-less cam devices.