Vertical Solar Panel Hopper Handling to Prevent Stack Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transporting and installing solar panels in stacks increases the risk of damage to lower panels due to weight, and removing panels from stacks is cumbersome and can cause further damage.
Innovation Solution
A solar panel dispensing device with a hopper that supports panels in an upright orientation, using a robotic arm with an end effector to acquire and release panels without stacking, facilitated by actuators for movement and a support mechanism to maintain panel integrity during transport and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If solar panels are transported in stacks containing multiple panels, then transport efficiency is improved, but the risk of damage to lower panels increases due to weight
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper stores solar panels in an upright orientation (vertical dimension) rather than horizontal stacking, changing the storage dimension to eliminate weight pressure on lower panels while maintaining efficient bulk storage capacity
2Quantity of substance
If solar panels are removed from large stacks, then transport capacity is maximized, but removal becomes cumbersome and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper is designed with multiple storage slots that segment the panels into individual compartments, allowing each panel to be accessed and removed independently without having to move other panels, thus maintaining high transport capacity while simplifying removal operations
3Volume of moving object
If solar panels are stacked on top of each other, then space utilization is improved, but damage to supporting panels occurs due to weight
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper utilizes vertical upright storage orientation instead of horizontal stacking, maintaining efficient space utilization in the hopper volume while eliminating the gravitational weight pressure that compromises panel structural integrity in stacked configurations
4Object-affected harmful factors
If solar panels are handled in upright orientation, then panel damage is reduced, but storage and handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hopper design allows panels to be loaded and stored in upright orientation using their own structural features (frames and surfaces) without requiring additional support mechanisms or complex handling equipment, thus reducing panel damage while avoiding increased system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A solar panel dispensing device comprising a hopper and a robotic arm. The hopper includes a base and a frame defining an interior volume and being configured to contain solar panels therein supported in an upright position. The robotic arm is moveable about the hopper in one or more degrees of freedom. The robotic arm includes a solar panel end effector operable to acquire a lead solar panel oriented in the upright orientation. The solar panel end effector includes an interfacing orientation and a release orientation; The robotic arm further includes an arm actuator operable to move the robotic arm and the solar panel end effector between the interfacing orientation and the release orientation. The interfacing orientation and the release orientation of the solar panel end effector correspond respectively to the solar panel being in the upright orientation, and the solar panel being in a presentation orientation.