Two-Part Connection Shaft for Uncoupled Solar Module Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support systems for solar modules in solar power plants require a special construction to handle uncoupled solar modules and cannot efficiently bridge gradients between them, necessitating multiple roller blocks and complex setups.
Innovation Solution
A single roller block support system with a two-part connection shaft, featuring a tubular outer shaft and an inner shaft with a calotte element that allows tilting and longitudinal displacement, enabling flexible guidance of adjacent solar modules while absorbing material contractions and maintaining secure contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple roller blocks are used to support uncoupled solar modules, then the ability to guide separate solar modules is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection shaft is divided into two independent parts: an outer shaft and an inner shaft. The inner shaft can rotate independently within the outer shaft, allowing each solar module to be guided separately while using a single roller block. This segmentation enables uncoupled guidance without requiring multiple roller blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner shaft is nested within the outer shaft, with the inner shaft having a smaller diameter section that fits inside the outer shaft's interior. This nesting arrangement allows both shafts to coexist in a single roller block, reducing the number of roller blocks needed while maintaining the ability to guide uncoupled solar modules.
2Manufacturing precision
If a rigid connection shaft is used to maintain linear orientation of solar modules, then the alignment precision is improved, but the adaptability to gradients is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection shaft is transformed from a rigid single piece to a dynamic two-part structure where the inner shaft can rotate independently within the outer shaft. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to gradient conditions while maintaining linear orientation of the solar modules through the interaction between the two shafts.
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 simplifies the mounting process by eliminating the need for separate roller blocks and allows for flexible guidance of uncoupled solar modules, accommodating gradients and material changes, while ensuring secure and precise alignment.
Implementation Method 1
the inner shaft has a calotte element at its end that faces the outer shaft, preferably a calotte ball, which preferably also lies against the inner wall of the outer shaft. In this way, it is brought about that the inner shaft possesses a section having a lesser outside diameter than the inside diameter of the outer shaft, so that the inner shaft can be tilted in the outer shaft like in a ball joint.
Implementation Method 2
the inner shaft is mounted in the outer shaft in longitudinally displaceable manner, so that material contractions in the long rows of solar modules can be absorbed.
Data Source
AI summary
A support for rotationally movable mounting of solar modules configures an outer shaft as a tube and mounts an inner shaft in it, by way of a calotte element in the end position, so that this element is accommodated in the outer shaft in longitudinally displaceable and tiltable manner, as well as in freely rotational manner, if necessary. In this way, only one roller block is required, even if two uncoupled connection shafts are to be mounted.