Worm-Driven Altitude-Azimuth Tracking for Parallel Panel Bases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar tracking apparatuses face challenges in balancing solar panels during installation, maintaining low daily tracking loads, and efficiently tracking the annual meridian altitude of the sun while operating multiple panels with one power supply, often resulting in complex structures and maintenance difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A concurrent driving type solar tracking apparatus that uses a central shaft with a spur gear and worm gear mechanism to simultaneously track altitude and azimuth angles, featuring a meridian altitude control frame with a one-direction clutch and vertical moving rod to adjust the solar panel's inclination, allowing for parallel installation and operation of multiple panels with reduced load and improved spatial utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a weight is added to keep the balance of solar panels, then the solar panel balance is improved, but the device complexity and possibility of breakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a counterweight mechanism that creates a balanced force system where the weight of the solar panel is compensated by an equal and opposite force from the counterweight. This allows the solar panel to remain balanced at any angle without requiring complex active control systems or multiple support structures, directly applying the equipotentiality principle to achieve stability while reducing overall system complexity.
2Use of energy by moving object
If two shafts are driven using one power supply, then the power consumption is reduced, but the base of the solar panel becomes inclined making operation and maintenance difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive system into two independent shafts (azimuth shaft and altitude shaft) that can be driven by a single power supply through a shared drive mechanism. The segmentation allows each shaft to operate independently for its specific function while sharing the power source, reducing power consumption without compromising operational independence or maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a intermediary drive mechanism (such as a gear train or belt system) that couples the single power supply to both the azimuth and altitude shafts. This intermediary mechanism allows power to be distributed to both shafts while maintaining their independent rotational axes, enabling one power supply to drive two shafts without causing base inclination or maintenance difficulties.
3Measurement precision
If cam or gear engagement is used to track azimuth and altitude angles, then the tracking accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the azimuth and altitude tracking mechanisms into a unified coordinate system where the two rotational movements are integrated through a shared mechanical structure. By merging the drive systems and using a common power supply with coordinated control, the patent achieves accurate tracking of both angles while reducing the number of separate components, thereby improving tracking accuracy without proportionally increasing device 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 apparatus ensures balanced solar panel installation, reduces daily tracking load, automatically tracks the annual meridian altitude, and maintains the base of solar panels parallel to the ground, enhancing spatial utilization and simplifying maintenance by using a single power supply to operate multiple panels efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a worm gear mechanism to convert the rotational motion of a central shaft into controlled rotation of a solar panel
Implementation Method 2
a spur gear on the second end of the central shaft, a first azimuth rotary shaft having gear teeth at a first end to be engaged with the spur gear
Data Source
AI summary
An altitude and azimuth angle concurrent driving type solar tracking apparatus, which includes: a worm receiving rotational power through a first end and coupled to a central shaft in a casing; an altitude actuator engaged with the worm; an azimuth actuator engaged with the worm; a diurnal motion control frame composed of a first azimuth link arm and a second azimuth link arm; a meridian altitude angle control frame composed of a first altitude link arm, a second altitude link arm, and an altitude actuating arm; and a solar panel mount coupled to a second end of the second azimuth link arm. The apparatus simultaneously tracks the altitude angle and the azimuth angle of the sun using rotational power transmitted through the first end of the worm and maintains the base of a solar panel parallel to the ground when tracking the sun.