Tracking device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar module tracking devices face challenges in efficiently managing forces and moments from wind and snow loads, leading to high demands on bearings and requiring additional structural components for compensation.
Innovation Solution
The tracking device employs arch segments with lateral perforations engaging with motor-driven gear transmissions, driven by a central shaft with self-locking gear drives, allowing for reduced torque usage and increased speed, while also providing easy maintenance and installation through a modular design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If power and speed are transmitted directly via gears to the gear ring, then tracking function is achieved, but wind and snow loads create high demands on the drive shaft and motor drive
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the tracking structure into multiple independent posts (at least three posts arranged along a longitudinal axis), each with its own gear mechanism. This segmentation allows each post to independently support and transmit loads, preventing the accumulation of wind and snow loads on a single drive shaft, while maintaining synchronized tracking motion through the coupling of gear drives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coupling mechanism that connects multiple gear drives on different posts. This intermediary element coordinates the motion between posts and distributes the mechanical loads, allowing the system to handle wind and snow loads more effectively while maintaining synchronized tracking across all solar module rows.
2Ease of operation
If a single longitudinal beam supports solar modules and provides pivoting movement, then tracking is achieved, but high demands are placed on the longitudinal beam's bearings and additional connecting beams are required
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single longitudinal beam for both support and pivoting functions, the patent segments the support function into multiple vertical posts that bear the structural loads, while the pivoting function is distributed to cross members on each post. This eliminates the need for additional connecting beams and reduces bearing demands on any single structural element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal longitudinal beam structure to a vertical post-based structure. By arranging posts along the longitudinal axis and using cross members for pivoting, the system redistributes loads vertically and laterally, reducing the mechanical demands on individual bearings and eliminating the need for additional connecting beams.
3Power
If conventional gear mechanisms are used, then power transmission is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and friction losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional gear-to-gear meshing with a gear-rack mechanism where a gear engages with an arc segment (acting as a curved rack). This substitution simplifies manufacturing because arc segments with engagement holes are easier to produce than precision gears, while still achieving effective power transmission and self-locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The arc segments with engagement holes serve as simpler, more manufacturable alternatives to complex gear rings. These components can be produced more economically and with less precision requirements, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity while maintaining functional effectiveness.
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
This solution optimizes force transmission, enhances stability, and reduces assembly effort, enabling longer continuous rows of solar modules with improved static and dynamic stability, and cost-effective production.
Implementation Method 1
The gear drives are self-locking, so that drive torques from the central drive are transmitted to the arch segments, while forces and torques from the arch segments are transmitted directly to the corresponding posts
Implementation Method 2
Gear transmissions are preferably used which have a worm on the input side, which is driven by the shaft of the central drive
Implementation Method 3
The engagement of the teeth of the drive wheel of the gear transmission into the holes of the arch element with the least possible friction can be achieved if the shaft of the drive wheel runs at an acute angle (α) to the respective post
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a tracking device (1) for solar modules (2) which are arranged on supports (6, 7), wherein each transverse support (6) is supported by means of a curved segment (9) on posts (6) arranged in series and is pivotable in a controlled and driven manner about a pivot axis (8). Each curved segment (9) has perforations (10) laterally and spaced-apart, in which teeth of a drive wheel (16) of toothed gearings (11) in each case engage, wherein the toothed gearings (11) are coupled to one another via an articulated common shaft (12).