DE102016219989A1 - Trackable carrier device with worm gear for solar modules - Google Patents

Abstract

A trackable carrier device for solar modules is described, with at least one post and a rafter carrier pivotably mounted on one end of the post, on which one or more solar modules can be fastened, and with at least one tracking device drivable via a drive shaft. The tracking device comprises a worm gear with a screw arranged on the shaft and a rotatably mounted Schneckenradeinheit fixed to the post with a worm wheel, which is arranged centrally on a wheel shaft of Schneckenradeinheit and with two laterally arranged by the worm wheel on the common wheel shaft gears, and a diagonal -Stay lever, which is attached at one of its ends to the module carrier via a joint and which has two rack elements, which each form a rack gear with the gears of the Schneckenradeinheit. The diagonal adjusting lever has a space between the rack members for receiving a part of the worm wheel and a part of the drive shaft.

Description

The invention relates to a trackable carrier device for solar modules and a trackable carrier system with a plurality of carrier devices.

Trackable carrier devices for solar modules are used to optimally align the solar modules to the respective position of the sun. Such a device is for example in the publication AT 516 607 B1 described.

Traceable support devices must withstand high loads that arise both from the storage of the solar modules themselves, as well as from outside attacking forces, especially weather-related by wind and precipitation. The loads can therefore occur both by increased weight load, such as snow on the solar modules, as by compressive or tensile forces in wind. At the same time, there is a need for lightweight devices that are adjustable with as few drive units.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved trackable carrier device that takes these requirements into account.

• - zumindest einem Pfosten und einem schwenkbar an einem Ende des Pfostens gelagerten Sparrenträger, auf dem ein oder mehrere Solarmodule befestigbar sind,
• - zumindest einer über eine Antriebswelle antreibbaren Nachführvorrichtung, wobei die Nachführvorrichtung umfasst:
  • - ein Schneckengetriebe mit einer auf der Welle angeordneten Schnecke und einer am Pfosten ortsfesten drehbar gelagerten Schneckenradeinheit mit einem Schneckenrad, das zentrisch auf einer Radwelle der Schneckenradeinheit angeordnet ist und mit zwei seitlich vom Schneckenrad auf der gemeinsamen Radwelle angeordneten Zahnrädern, sowie
  • - einen Diagonal-Stellhebel, der an einem seiner Enden am Modulträger über ein Gelenk befestigt ist und der zwei Zahnstangenelemente aufweist, die mit den Zahnrädern der Schneckenradeinheit jeweils ein Zahnstangengetriebe bilden, wobei
  • - der Diagonal-Stellhebel zwischen den Zahnstangenelementen einen Zwischenraum zur Aufnahme eines Teils des Schneckenrades und eines Teils der Antriebswelle aufweist.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a trackable carrier device for solar modules with

• - At least one post and a pivotally mounted at one end of the post Sparrenträger on which one or more solar modules are fastened,
• - At least one drivable via a drive shaft tracking device, wherein the tracking device comprises:
  • a worm gear having a worm mounted on the worm and a worm wheel unit rotatably mounted on the post with a worm wheel centered on a wheel shaft of the worm gear and two gears disposed laterally on the worm wheel on the common wheel shaft, and
  • a diagonal adjusting lever which is fixed at one of its ends to the module carrier by means of a joint and which has two toothed rack elements which in each case form a toothed rack transmission with the toothed wheels of the worm wheel unit, wherein
  • - The diagonal adjusting lever between the rack elements has a gap for receiving a portion of the worm wheel and a portion of the drive shaft.

The execution of the trackable carrier device with a worm gear and Diagonalstellhebel allows a high power consumption of the rack elements and a good force into the post. It thus enables high stability against heavy loads even with a light design.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the carrier device according to the invention will be described.

Preferably, the post is adapted to receive the worm gear and has two opposing openings for the diagonal adjusting lever through which the diagonal adjusting lever is guided. This allows a compact design of the trackable carrier device and a protected arrangement of the transmission in the carrier.

Advantageously, the diagonal adjusting lever is mounted axially centered relative to a longitudinal axis of the post. The axial centering of the diagonal adjusting lever optimizes the force transmission into the posts.

In a further embodiment, the post is formed in three parts, with a bottom part to be anchored in the ground, a module part attached to the rafter carrier and a transmission housing which accommodates the worm gear and which connects the foot part and module part and has the openings for the diagonal adjusting lever. The three-part embodiment allows optimum formation of the individual parts according to their function, so for example, the foot part, which introduces the entire force into the ground be made solid, as the module part. The module part, however, can be designed with the least possible attack surface, whereas the gear housing is designed to accommodate both the transmission, so also provide a statically advantageous transition between the module part and footboard. It is particularly advantageous if the gear housing has a plurality of slots for receiving fasteners. Through the use of multiple slots a horizontal and vertical adjustment is provided for the post, so that it can be optimally adapted to the terrain conditions.

Advantageously, the drive shaft is mounted axially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the post. This also improves the introduction of force into the posts. In the case of an arrangement with Geländachführung, so if the posts are not arranged in a plane, the axis-central storage has the advantage that for the terrain tracking no translational length compensation is necessary.

In a preferred embodiment, the worm gear is designed to be self-locking. In particular, it is advantageous if the pitch angle of the worm wheel is greater than 45 °. The self-locking function of the worm gear prevents, especially in wind, which causes a high force on the worm gear rotation of the drive shaft.

The diagonal adjusting lever is preferably designed in the form of two interconnected profiles on each of which a rack support is arranged as the rack member. This embodiment allows a separation of the function of the rack member from the function of the lever as a carrier. The carrier function can be ensured by means of the profiles, whereas the function of the rack support can be optimized without regard to the requirements of the carrier function.

In an alternative embodiment, the diagonal adjusting lever in the form of two interconnected one-piece toothed racks is designed as a toothed rack element. This alternative provides a compact diagonal lever, the integration of the rack function in the lever accounts for joining processes, as they arise in a multi-part design.

Preferably, the worm wheel and the rack elements have a reduction. The larger the reduction, the lower the forces acting on the worm wheel. Advantageously, the reduction is between 1: 2 and 1: 6, in particular at 1: 4. At a ratio of 1: 4, the forces acting on the worm wheel are four times smaller than those acting on the gears.

The worm wheel unit and / or the rack elements advantageously have plastic. The use of plastic elements in the gearbox allows a lubrication-free and therefore maintenance-free gearbox. In this case, the worm wheel preferably has an outer ring made of plastic and the rack supports are made of plastic. It is particularly advantageous if a skeleton of the Schneckenradeinheit and the gears are made of steel. Such worm gears are lubricious and yet have a high stability through the use of steel and plastic.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a trackable carrier system comprising at least two trackable carrier devices according to the first aspect of the invention, whose tracking devices are connected via a common drive shaft and are drivable by means of a common drive device. The use of a common drive shaft and a common drive device allows a low-cost and low-maintenance system. The common drive device is preferably a motor. The rotation of the motor in the carrier system is controlled depending on the position of the sun.

In one embodiment, the carrier system comprises up to 30 posts and thus 30 carrier devices in a row order. Preferably, the posts are arranged in the same number on both sides of the drive device.

In a further embodiment of the trackable carrier system, the common drive shaft consists of several shaft sections and two adjacent shaft sections are connected to each other via a universal joint. The universal joint allows a terrain mobility of the carrier system, that is, the individual trackable carrier devices must not be arranged in a plane, over bends of the drive shaft height differences can be compensated.

In a development, the trackable carrier system comprises a plurality of trackable carrier devices with a common drive device, which are arranged in at least two carrier rows, wherein each carrier row has at least two trackable carrier devices with a common drive shaft and wherein the common drive shafts are connected via a connecting shaft, which is formed to transmit a rotational movement of a common drive shaft to the other common drive shaft. In particular, it is preferred if the connecting shaft is arranged at an angle of 90 ° to the drive shafts. With the help of the connecting shaft several rows can be driven by a common drive device, which significantly reduces the cost of the carrier system compared to carrier systems, where each row has its own drive device.

Preferably, the connecting shaft is connected via a connecting worm gear with the respective drive shaft, which is designed to be self-locking. This avoids a rotational movement of the connecting shaft and the drive shafts, in particular in the case of wind.

• 1 eine perspektivische Rückansicht eines ersten Abschnitts eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines nachführbaren Trägersystems;
• 2 eine perspektivische Rückansicht eines anderen Abschnitts des nachführbaren Trägersystems der 1;
• 3 eine perspektivische Rückansicht eines Abschnitts einer im Trägersystem der 1 und 2 verwendeten nachführbaren Trägervorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 4 eine vergrößerte Ansicht eines Schneckenradgetriebe der nachführbaren Trägervorrichtung der 3;
• 5 eine weitere perspektivische Rückansicht des nachführbaren Trägersystems der 1 und 2;
• 6 eine vergrößerte Ansicht eines Ausschnitts der Ansicht aus 5;
• 7 eine Darstellung eines Kardangelenks als vergrößertes Detail des Trägersystems der 5 und 6;
• 8 eine Vorderansicht eines nachführbaren Trägersystems;
• 9 eine perspektivische Darstellung eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines nachführbaren Trägersystems mit gekoppelten Trägerreihen;
• 10 eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht des nachführbaren Trägersystems der 9;
• 11 eine Explosion artige Ansicht eines alternativen Ausführungsbeispiels einer nachführbaren Trägervorrichtung; und
• 12 eine Ansicht der nachführbaren Trägervorrichtung der 12 im zusammengebauten Zustand.

Further embodiments will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 a rear perspective view of a first portion of an embodiment of a trackable carrier system;
• 2 a perspective rear view of another portion of the trackable carrier system of 1 ;
• 3 a perspective rear view of a portion of a carrier system of 1 and 2 used trackable carrier device according to an embodiment;
• 4 an enlarged view of a worm gear of the trackable carrier device of 3 ;
• 5 another perspective rear view of the trackable carrier system of 1 and 2 ;
• 6 an enlarged view of a section of the view 5 ;
• 7 a representation of a universal joint as an enlarged detail of the carrier system of 5 and 6 ;
• 8th a front view of a trackable carrier system;
• 9 a perspective view of another embodiment of a trackable carrier system with coupled carrier rows;
• 10 a further perspective view of the trackable carrier system of 9 ;
• 11 an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a trackable support device; and
• 12 a view of the trackable carrier device of 12 in the assembled state.

Below will be parallel to the 1 - 7 Referenced. These figures is a trackable carrier system 100 for solar modules in different views. The carrier system allows tracking of solar modules by pivoting about a single axis (single-axis tracker). The carrier system is of a variety of carrier devices 102 assembled, which are mounted in a suitable sequence. In 1 For example, two carrier devices are exemplified by the reference numerals 102.1 and 102.2 characterized. In 2 Two further carrier devices are exemplified by the reference numerals 102.3 and 102.4 characterized. The 1 and 2 show these carrier devices in the respective view of each other in approximately opposite directions. The carrier devices are basically the same. In 3 is an enlarged detail view of one of these carrier devices with the reference numeral 102 characterized. The following will be first with simultaneous reference to the 1 to 3 the structure of a single carrier device of the trackable carrier system 100 explained. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the reference numeral for the carrier device 102 used.

The carrier device 102 has a post as a stationary vehicle 104 which can be anchored in the ground. The post 104 is formed in the present embodiment 3-part. He has a base to be anchored in the ground 104.1 , a gearbox 104.2 and a module part 104.3 , The gearbox 104.2 connects the foot part with the module part. In the gearbox 104.2 is a worm gear 106 arranged, which will be described in more detail below. The worm gear 106 drives a diagonal lever 108, which at its in the 3 upper end with a spar carrier 110 about a joint 112 connected is. The of the worm gear 106 and the diagonal lever 108 formed tracking device 114 is via a drive shaft 116 drivable.

Hereinafter, with particular reference to 4 Details of the tracking device 114 , in particular the worm gear 106 and the diagonal setting lever 108 explained.

The worm gear 106 has one on the drive shaft 116 arranged snail 106.1 and one on the post 104 fixed, rotatably mounted Schneckenradeinheit with a worm wheel 106.2 , which is centered on a wheel shaft 106.3 the worm wheel unit is arranged. Laterally from the worm wheel 106.2 are two gears 106.4 and 106.5 on the wheel shaft 106.3 arranged on each side of the worm wheel 106.2 one gear each. worm 106.2 and gears 106.4 such as 106.5 rotate due to the common storage on the wheel shaft 106.3 So together, mediated by the snail 106.1 on the driven drive shaft 116 , The drive shaft is mounted axially with respect to a vertical longitudinal axis, which forms a central axis of the post.

The gears 106.4 and 106.5 each grip a respective rack member 108.1 respectively. 108.2 of the diagonal control lever 108 one. In this way, the gears of the worm gear unit with the rack elements each form a rack and pinion gear. The rack members are formed in the present embodiment as a rack supports, which are arranged on a respective part-profile of the diagonal actuating lever. The diagonal lever 108 has to accommodate a part of the worm wheel 106.2 a gap 108.3 , at the longitudinal ends of the sub-profiles are interconnected. Between the worm wheel and the rack elements is a Implemented reduction, for example, is 1 to 4. Thus, it is possible to keep horizontal forces on the worm wheel particularly low. This allows the use of a plastic worm wheel. Also, the rack elements can be formed in plastic. Thus, a lubricant-free transmission can be realized.

So turns the drive shaft 116 , so this rotation is through the screw 106.1 on the worm wheel 106.2 transfer. The thus also mitdrehenden gears 106.4 and 106.5 drive through the rack gears through their engagement with the rack elements 108.1 and 108.2 the diagonal lever 108 which can thus be linearly moved back and forth in its longitudinal direction depending on the direction of rotation of the drive shaft. About the joint 112 Thus, the post carrier also pivotally mounted on the post 110 in its inclination relative to the post 104 pivoted, whereby the tracking movement is realized.

With the illustrated construction, a centric force absorption with a high amount up to 10 kN on the rack succeeds. The worm gear is self-holding and thus prevents even in wind, when a high force is exerted on the worm gear, a rotational movement. An axis-central mounting of the diagonal actuating lever 108 causes an optimal introduction of force into the posts 104 ,

The adjustment range of the diagonal control lever is through the narrow of the gap 108.3 between the racks 108.1 and 108.2 predetermined. As in particular the 1 and 2 is removable, the different trackable carrier devices are driven by a common drive shaft. The drive shaft 116 So connects all tracking devices that at the respective posts 104 are arranged in a given row of a carrier system and drives them together. In this way, all supported by this support system solar modules are tracked uniformly.

The following is in addition to the 5 - 7 Referenced. In order to enable a variably plannable installation of the carrier devices of a given row of the carrier system depending on the terrain profile, different sections of the drive shaft 116 , exemplified by the drive shaft section 116.1 . 116.2 and 116.3 in 5 , in pairs via cardan joints 118 be connected to each other.

As a rule, a single motor is sufficient for driving one row of the carrier system 120 that drives the drive shaft 116 via a gearbox 122 drives. Alternative drive forms such as a manual drive are of course also conceivable.

8th shows a representation of an example of such implemented trackable carrier system 200 using the example of a single row. For simplicity, the same reference numerals for corresponding parts are used for this embodiment, as in the embodiment of the 1 to 7 were used.

The carrier system 200 is in sections 200.1 to 200.4 divided up. Two posts each 104 this carrier system 200 support a respective section. The installation is in east-west orientation. The individual modules 202 can either be placed vertically oriented as shown here or horizontally, as not shown here. Depending on the expected environmental impact, such as wind and snow loads, 3-6 m modules can be worn per section. They are adapted to a partly sloping terrain profile G and thus positioned obliquely to each other. The cardan joints 118 between the different drive shaft sections of the common drive shaft still allow common drive through the common motor 120 , despite the terrain tracking a translatory length compensation is not required. Up to 30 posts can be driven by a single motor via a drive shaft.

Below will be parallel to the 9 and 10 Referenced. The 9 and 10 shows a respective perspective view of another trackable carrier system 300 with carrier rows 302 to 306 , In this embodiment, there is an additional coupling of the different carrier rows 302 . 304 . 306 of the carrier system. A common drive device in the form of a motor 320 drives over a gearbox 322 not just a common drive shaft 316 the given series 306 but in addition a perpendicular thereto connecting shaft 324 , This connecting shaft connects via respective gears 322 the carrier rows 302 to 306 , which otherwise as described above each have their drive shaft which via the respective transmission 322 through the connecting shaft 324 and thus ultimately of the common engine 320 are driven. The connecting shaft thus transmits the rotational movement of the common motor from a first row 306 on the drive shafts 316 the other rows 302 and 304 , Also the connecting shaft 324 Can connect different shaft sections via cardan joints to adapt to a terrain profile in north-south direction.

Below will be parallel to the 11 and 12 increased. 11 shows one Exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a trackable carrier device 402 , 12 shows a view of the trackable carrier device 402 in the assembled state. This embodiment allows an adjustment of the positioning of the drive shaft 416 concerning the foot part 404.1 of the post 404 by changing the horizontal and vertical position of the gear housing 404.2 , These are on the gear housing 404.2 Slotted holes on both sides 430 in the shape of a cross and on the foot part 404.1 of the post 404 a plurality of offset holes, summarized under the reference numeral 432 , provided for carrying fastening bolts at the desired position. nuts 434 when assembled, the fixing bolts on the opposite side of the post 404 and fix the desired position.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• AT 516607 B1 [0002]

Claims (14)

Trackable carrier device for solar modules with - At least one post and a pivotally mounted at one end of the post Sparrenträger on which one or more solar modules are fastened, - At least one drivable via a drive shaft tracking device, wherein the tracking device comprises: a worm gear having a worm mounted on the worm and a worm wheel unit rotatably mounted on the post with a worm wheel centered on a wheel shaft of the worm gear and two gears disposed laterally on the worm wheel on the common wheel shaft, and a diagonal adjusting lever which is fixed at one of its ends to the module carrier by means of a joint and which has two toothed rack elements which in each case form a toothed rack transmission with the toothed wheels of the worm wheel unit, wherein - The diagonal adjusting lever between the rack elements has a gap for receiving a portion of the worm wheel and a portion of the drive shaft. Trackable carrier device according to Claim 1 in that the post is designed to receive the worm gear and has two opposite openings for the diagonal adjusting lever through which the diagonal adjusting lever is guided. Trackable carrier device according to Claim 2 , in which the diagonal adjusting lever is mounted axially in relation to a longitudinal axis of the post. Trackable carrier device according to a Claims 2 or 3 in which the post is formed in three parts, with a foot part to be anchored in the ground, a module part attached to the rafter carrier and a transmission housing which accommodates the worm gear and which connects the foot part and module part and has the openings for the diagonal adjusting lever. A trackable support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive shaft is mounted axially centered relative to a longitudinal axis of the post. A trackable support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the worm gear is self-locking. A trackable support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diagonal adjustment lever is in the form of two interconnected profiles on each of which a rack support is arranged as the rack member. Trackable carrier device according to one of Claims 1 to 6 in which the diagonal adjusting lever is designed as a rack element in the form of two interconnected one-piece toothed racks. Trackable carrier device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the worm wheel and the rack elements have a reduction ratio, in particular a reduction ratio of between 1: 2 and 1: 6, in particular of 1: 4. A trackable support device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the worm gear unit and / or the rack members comprise plastic. Trackable carrier device according to Claim 10 in which the worm wheel has an outer ring made of plastic and the rack pads are made of plastic. Trackable carrier system, comprising at least two trackable carrier devices according to one of the preceding claims, whose tracking devices are connected via a common drive shaft and are driven by means of a common drive device. Trackable carrier system after Claim 12 , wherein the common drive shaft consists of several shaft sections and two adjacent shaft sections are connected to each other via a universal joint. Trackable carrier system according to one of Claims 12 or 13 comprising a plurality of carrier devices with a common drive device, which are arranged in at least two carrier rows, each carrier row each having a common drive shaft and wherein the common drive shafts are connected via a connecting shaft with gear, which is formed a rotational movement of a common drive shaft to the other common drive shaft transferred to.

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