UAV Solar Panel Cleaning With IMU-Guided Flight Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar panels on solar power generation equipment become dirty due to wind, rain, and outdoor dust, reducing solar energy reception efficiency and affecting power generation, and current cleaning methods are labor-intensive for their large area.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle equipped with an inertial measurement unit, route detection module, and cleaning module to autonomously clean solar panels, ensuring stable flight and accurate liquid application based on real-time environmental data and panel geometry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cleaning methods are used for solar panels, then cleaning can be performed, but labor intensity is high and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system enables autonomous operation through the UAV that automatically navigates to solar panels, detects their positions, and performs cleaning without human intervention. The system self-manages the entire cleaning process from navigation to cleaning execution, eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining high cleaning efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cleaning with an automated UAV-based system. The UAV uses automated navigation, image recognition, and controlled liquid dispensing mechanisms to substitute human operators, thereby reducing labor intensity while improving cleaning productivity through consistent and systematic coverage.
2Productivity
If solar panels are left uncleaned, then maintenance cost is reduced, but power generation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system implements periodic cleaning operations at optimized intervals rather than continuous or manual cleaning. The UAV can be deployed at scheduled times to clean solar panels, maintaining power generation efficiency while minimizing the total time investment compared to frequent manual cleaning. This periodic automation balances maintenance needs with operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous UAV cleaning system performs maintenance tasks without requiring human time investment. Once deployed, the system independently navigates, identifies panels needing cleaning, and executes cleaning operations, thereby maintaining power generation efficiency while eliminating the recurring time cost of manual maintenance scheduling and execution.
3Area of stationary object
If traditional cleaning equipment is used, then cleaning coverage is limited, but system complexity increases when expanding to large areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from ground-based cleaning equipment operating in two dimensions to aerial UAV-based cleaning operating in three dimensions. This dimensional change allows the system to access and clean large-area solar panel installations more efficiently without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the UAV can navigate overhead and service multiple panels from a single deployment point.
Solution Approach 2:
The UAV cleaning system is designed as a universal platform that can service various solar panel configurations and sizes. Rather than requiring different equipment for different area sizes, the single UAV system adapts to various cleaning scenarios through software control and navigation, expanding coverage area without linearly increasing system complexity.
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 efficiently and accurately cleans solar panels, maintaining power generation efficiency by stabilizing flight and adjusting cleaning operations to environmental conditions, reducing manual labor and improving energy reception.
Implementation Method 1
an inertial measurement unit mounted to a center of gravity of the machine body of the unmanned aerial vehicle... is configured to detect a posture parameter set of the machine body related to a posture of the machine body
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning module is mounted to the machine body and is adapted for spraying a cleaning liquid to clean the panels
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning system for an outdoor equipment includes a control console operable to output an operation instruction, an inertial measurement unit, and an unmanned aerial vehicle movable according to the operation instruction upon receipt of the same. The unmanned aerial vehicle includes an operational processor, a machine body, a cleaning module adapted for spraying a cleaning liquid, a route detection module configured to detect a position of the machine body relative to first and second support frames of the outdoor equipment and generate flight path information for assisting in movement of the machine body along a movement route, and an inertial measurement unit configured to detect a posture parameter set of the machine body related to a posture of the machine body and to output the posture parameter set to the operational processor.