JP2000068539A - Solar beam tracking power generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solar beam tracking power generator at low cost capable of cutting down control manhours and assembling manhours also exhibitting stable performances even if in hostile environments. SOLUTION: A solar beam tracking power generator is composed of a power generating module 10 formed of protrusions 28 on the outer sides of case bodies 21, 22 containing multiple solar cells power generating by solar beams, frames 12 provided with holes 17 to be driven so as to follow solar beams and hooks 26 having one ends to be fixed to the frames 12 by inserting into the holes 17 provided in the frames 12 as well as the other ends fixedly supporting the power generating module 10 by inserting into the protrusions 28 formed in the power generating module 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a concentrating and tracking power generation device that converts sunlight energy into electrical energy by concentrating while tracking the sun, and more particularly to a technique for facilitating the assembly thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a photovoltaic power generation system, a flat plate type power generation system and a condensing and tracking type power generation system are known. The flat-panel power generation system is configured to extract electric power from, for example, solar cell panels arranged two-dimensionally on the roof of a house. In this flat-panel power generation system, since the solar cells are fixedly arranged, there is a disadvantage that much of the sunlight is lost depending on the azimuth and elevation of the sun, and the effective power generation time is short.

On the other hand, the condensing and tracking power generation system is provided with a metal frame which can be rotated up, down, left and right by driving a motor. A plurality of power generation modules are attached to this frame. This “plurality of power generation modules” is generically referred to as a “power generation unit” in this specification. Each power generation module includes a plurality of solar cells electrically connected in series and a condenser lens corresponding to each solar cell. When the frame is moved in accordance with the signal from the sun position sensor, the power generation unit is controlled so as to always face the sun vertically. Then, power generation is performed in each solar cell of each power generation module in a state where the power generation unit is vertically opposed to the sun, and these are integrated and output from an external terminal (not shown).

In this concentrating and tracking power generation system, power is generated as long as sunlight is present because the incident angle of sunlight with respect to the solar cell is controlled to be always at or near zero. . Therefore, there is an advantage that the effective power generation time is substantially increased.

[0005]

By the way, in the conventional condensing and tracking type power generation system, as shown in FIG. 8, the power generation module 100 is attached to the frame 110 by screwing. Therefore, it is necessary to manage the positional accuracy of the screwing, manage the fastening torque, and take measures to prevent loosening.

Further, the power generation module 100 is connected to the frame 1
When attaching to the power generation module 10, first, the screw holes of the stopper 101 provided on the power generation module 100 and the screw holes of the frame 110 are aligned, and then, the bolts 102 and the nuts 103 are used to fasten these. Have been done. One power generation module 100 is screwed to the frame 110 at about eight positions in order to firmly couple the power generation module 100 to the frame 110. Therefore, assuming that the power generation unit is composed of, for example, 15 power generation modules, there is a problem that screwing work of 15 × 8 = 120 places is required, and much time is required for assembly.

As described above, since the fastening method by screwing requires a lot of man-hours and assembling man-hours, it is not suitable for a concentrating and tracking power generation system which is often assembled at an installation site. In addition, this concentrating and tracking power generation system may be installed in a poor environment where the temperature difference between day and night is severe, such as a desert. In this case, repetition of expansion and contraction of the device in accordance with a change in temperature causes a problem such as loosening of a screw, thereby deteriorating performance. Therefore, from this viewpoint,
The fastening method by screwing is not suitable for the concentrating and tracking type power generation system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and has as its object to reduce the number of management steps and assembly steps, and to provide an inexpensive collection apparatus capable of obtaining stable performance even in a poor environment. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical tracking power generation device.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a converging / tracking power generator according to the present invention contains a plurality of solar cells for generating power by irradiating converged light. A power generation module having a projection formed on an outer surface of a housing, a frame driven to track the sun, a frame provided with a hole, and inserted into the hole provided in the frame. A hook having one end fixed to the frame and a second end fixedly supporting the power generation module by fitting into a projection formed on the power generation module.

In this light-gathering-tracking type power generator, one end of the hook has an elastic portion, and the elastic portion is elastically deformed by being inserted into a hole provided in the frame while pressing the elastic portion. It can be configured so that it spreads out, so that the hook is fixed to the frame. Also, the other end of the hook has an elastic portion, and the elastic module is pressed against the frame while the projection of the power generating module is in contact with the elastic portion of the hook fixed to the frame. The power generation module can be configured to be fixed to the frame by fitting the elastic portion and the projection of the power generation module together. In these cases, the hook can be made of resin.

In this light-gathering-tracking type power generator, when the power generation module is mounted on the frame, the hook is fixed to the frame by first inserting one end of the hook into a hole provided in the frame. In this state, the power generation module is positioned and pressed from above so that the protrusion formed on the power generation module contacts the other end of the hook. When the protrusion of the power generation module is pushed down to a position where it comes into contact with the frame by this pressing, the elastic portion formed at the other end of the hook expands elastically. Thereby, the elastic portion formed on the other end of the hook and the projection formed on the frame are fitted, and the power generation module is firmly connected to the frame via the hook.

In this concentrating and tracking type power generation device, screwing is not required when attaching the power generation module to the frame as in the prior art, so that the number of assembling steps is reduced to one tenth as compared with the case of screwing. Can be. Further, since a tool for attaching the power generation module to the frame is not required, the fastening method using the hook is particularly suitable for a concentrating and tracking type power generation device often assembled at a remote installation site.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings, taking a concentrating and tracking power generation system to which the present invention is applied as an example.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially cut away, showing the entire appearance of a converging / tracking type power generation system to which the present invention is applied. In this concentrating and tracking power generation system, 5 × 3 power generation modules 1 are mounted on a frame 12 supported by a support 11.
0 is attached. These 15 power generation modules are collectively referred to as a power generation unit 16.

At the lower end of the column 11, a horizontal drive mechanism 13 for rotating the entire frame 12 in the azimuth direction is provided. Also, a frame 1 is provided at the upper end of the support 11.
Vertical drive mechanism 14 for rotating the whole 2 in the elevation direction
Is provided.

Each power generation module 10 constituting the power generation unit 16 has a plurality of solar cells that generate DC power by being irradiated with light condensed by a lens, as will be described in detail later. The DC power generated in is accumulated and output to the outside. In this concentrating and tracking power generation system, the power generation modules 10 are electrically connected in series. Therefore, the DC power from each power generation module 10 is integrated and output from an external terminal (not shown) to the outside as the power generated by the light-gathering / tracking power generation system.

Further, a sun position sensor 15 for detecting a sun position is provided at a predetermined portion (upper portion in FIG. 1) of the frame 12. A signal indicating the direction of the sun obtained from the sun position sensor 15 (hereinafter, referred to as a "sun position sensor signal") is supplied to a control unit (not shown). The control unit operates the horizontal drive mechanism 13 and the vertical drive mechanism 14 based on the sun position sensor signal from the sun position sensor 15 so that the light receiving surface of the power generation unit 16 always vertically faces the sun. As a result, in this concentrating and tracking power generation system, power is generated while always tracking the sun.

Next, details of the power generation module 10 are shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, 4 × 3 solar cells are used for one power generation module 10. Note that the number of solar cells used in the power generation module 10 is not limited to the above, and can be arbitrarily determined.

As shown in an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2, the power generation module 10 includes a lens 20, a lens frame 21, a base panel 22, and a heat sink panel 23. The housing of the present invention corresponds to the lens frame 21 and the base panel 22.

The lens 20 is composed of a plate member made of, for example, acrylic resin, which is functionally divided into 4 × 3 regions, and a Fresnel lens 30 is formed in each of the 12 regions. . The twelve Fresnel lenses 30 are attached to the twelve cell assemblies 4 attached to the base panel 22.
0 are respectively formed. When the Fresnel lens 30 is exposed to the atmosphere, the light transmittance of the Fresnel lens 30 may deteriorate over time. In order to avoid such a problem, it is preferable to provide, for example, an ultraviolet cut glass on the upper surface of the lens 20.

Although a detailed illustration of the cell assembly 40 is omitted, a substrate is adhered to a heat spreader for heat diffusion, a solar cell is fixed thereon, and an optical axis of incident light is applied to the upper surface of the solar cell. A secondary condenser lens (SOE) for absorbing the displacement is bonded, and an electrode lead is drawn out of the solar cell. The light collected by the lens 20 is applied to the cell assembly 40. In the cell assembly 40, the irradiated light is guided to the solar cell via the secondary condenser lens,
Electric power is generated in this solar cell. The electric power generated in this solar cell is taken out from the electrode lead.

The lens frame 21 is formed in a box shape with upper and lower surfaces opened by, for example, resin. The weight of the power generation unit 16 is reduced by using resin. Also, on the outer surface of the lens frame 21,
A stopper 27 forming a part of the projection 28 is provided. The lens frame 21 fixedly supports the lens 20 by a groove (not shown) formed thereon, and functions as a spacer for securing a distance corresponding to the focal length of each Fresnel lens 30.

The base panel 22 is formed in a box shape with an open top. Stopper 2 of lens frame 21
The portion below 7 is inserted into the base panel 22, and in this state, the frame 29 formed on the upper end of the base panel 22 and the stopper 27 formed on the lens frame 21 are fastened by, for example, an adhesive or a screw. . The frame of the base panel 22 forms another part of the protrusion 28.

As shown in FIG. 3, 4 × 3 cell assemblies 40 are arranged on the bottom of the base panel 22. These twelve cell assemblies 40 are electrically connected in series via the electrode leads of each cell assembly 40. This series connection is realized by connecting different electrode leads of adjacent cell assemblies 40 with a bus bar 41.

The positive electrode lead of the cell assembly 40 at one end of the twelve cell assemblies 40 connected in series is connected to the first output terminal 24 provided on one side surface of the base panel 22, The negative electrode lead of the cell assembly 40 is provided on a second side provided on the other side of the base panel 22.
They are connected to output terminals 25, respectively. Then, electric power is extracted from the first output terminal 24 and the second output terminal 25.

The heat sink panel 23 is joined to the base panel 22 by bonding the base panel 22 to the upper surface thereof with a heat-radiating adhesive. The heat sink panel 23 is provided with a plurality of heat radiation fins. The radiation fins act to increase the dissipation of heat generated in each cell assembly 40 arranged on the base panel 22.

Next, a configuration for attaching the power generation module 10 configured as described above to the frame 12 will be described.

FIG. 4 shows that the power generation module 10
FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state of being attached to the frame 12 by using FIG. 5, and FIG. The projections 28 formed by the stoppers 27 provided on the lens frame 21 of the power generation module 10 and the frame 29 provided on the base panel 22 are locked by the hooks 26 fixed to the frame 12, whereby the power generation module 10 is firmly attached to the frame 12.

The hook 26 is made of a resin.
And a structure as shown in FIG. 6A is a top view of the hook 26, FIG. 6B is a side view thereof, and FIG.
Is a bottom view. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the hook 26.

The hook 26 has one end (the lower part in FIG. 6B) and the other end (FIG.
(B) upper part). One end has a function of fixing the hook 26 itself to the frame 12. At one end of the hook 26, an elastic portion 261 that can rotate in the direction of arrow AB and an elastic portion 262 that can rotate in the direction of arrow CD are provided.

The other end of the hook 26 is connected to the stopper 27 of the lens frame 21 and the frame 2 of the base panel 22.
The power generation module 10 has a function of fixing the power generation module 10 to the frame 12 by locking the projection 28 formed by the power generation module 9. The other end of the hook 26 is provided with an elastic portion 263 that can rotate in the direction of arrow EF. The hook 26 has a thin portion 264 as shown in FIGS.
Are formed. As a result, the hook 26 can be configured with a small amount of resin, so that the cost and the weight can be reduced.

Next, a procedure for fixing the power generation module 10 to the frame 12 using the hooks 26 is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. First, while pressing the elastic portion 261 of the hook 26 in the direction of arrow B and the elastic portion 262 in the direction of arrow C,
And push it into the hole 17 provided in the hole. Then, when the stopper portion 260 of the hook 26 is pushed until the stopper portion 260 comes into contact with the frame 12, the distal end portion of the elastic portion 261 rotates in the direction of arrow A due to the elastic force. And the elastic part 261
Stops in a state where the projection provided at the tip of the hole comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the hole 17.

Similarly, when the stopper 260 of the hook 26 is pushed until it comes into contact with the frame 12, the elastic part 2
The tip of 62 rotates in the direction of arrow D by its elastic force. Then, the protrusion provided at the end of the elastic portion 262 stops in a state in which the protrusion contacts the inner wall surface of the hole 17. In this state, the stopper 260 is in close contact with the frame 12,
Moreover, since the elastic portion 261 is urged in the direction of arrow A and the elastic portion 262 is urged in the direction of arrow D, the hook 26 is firmly fixed to the frame 12.

Next, the power generation module 10 is
Attached to. In this case, the power generation module 10
It is pushed down from the position shown by the dashed line (B) in the direction shown by the arrow G. In the process of pressing down, the projection 28 comes into contact with the elastic portion 263 of the hook 26, and the elastic portion 263 rotates while being pressed in the arrow F direction.

Further, when the power generation module 10 is pushed down until the protrusion 28 comes into contact with the frame 12, the contact between the tip of the elastic portion 263 and the stopper 27 is released, and the elastic portion 263 is moved in the direction of arrow E by its elastic force. To rotate. The protrusion provided at the tip of the elastic portion 263 is the protrusion 2
8 stops in a state of contact. As a result, the protrusion and the male part 263 are fitted, and the power generation module 10
6 firmly fixes the frame 12.

[0036]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
The power generation module can be mounted on the frame by a simple operation of attaching the hook to the frame, then placing the power generation module on the frame and pressing it, so that the number of management and assembly steps can be reduced, and the screws are used As a result, it is possible to provide an inexpensive light-gathering-tracking-type power generator capable of obtaining stable performance even in a poor environment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the entire appearance of a converging / tracking type power generation system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the power generation module according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the base panel shown in FIG. 2 in detail.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the power generation module according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to the frame by hooks.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of a state in which the power generation module according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to the frame by hooks.

6A and 6B are diagrams showing a structure of a hook and an attached state thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG.
(B) is a side view, and (C) is a bottom view.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a hook according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a state in which a power generation module is mounted on a frame in a conventional light-condensing tracking power generation system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Power generation module 11 Post 12 Frame 13 Horizontal drive mechanism 14 Vertical drive mechanism 15 Sun position sensor 16 Power generation unit 17 Hole 20 Lens 21 Lens frame 22 Base panel 23 Heat sink panel 24 First output terminal 25 Second output terminal 26 Hook 27 Stopper 28 Projection portion 29 Frame 30 Fresnel lens 40 Cell assembly 41 Bus bar 260 Stopper portion 261 One end elastic portion 262 One end elastic portion 263 The other end elastic portion 264 Thin portion

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Naofumi Nagata 1-10-1, Shinsayama, Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture Honda Engineering Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yuzo Nagai 1-10-1, Shinsayama, Sayama City, Saitama Prefecture Hong DA Engineering Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5F051 BA03 BA11 EA01 JA02 JA09 JA10 JA13

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A power generating module having a projection formed on an outer surface of a housing containing a plurality of solar cells that generate power by being irradiated with condensed light, and driven to track the sun. A frame provided with a hole, and one end fixed to the frame by being inserted into the hole provided in the frame, and fitted to a protrusion formed on the power generation module. And a hook having the other end portion for fixedly supporting the power generation module. 2. An end portion of the hook has an elastic portion, and the elastic portion is expanded by elasticity by being inserted into a hole provided in the frame while pressing the elastic portion. The condensing and tracking power generation device according to claim 1, which is fixed to a frame. 3. The other end of the hook has an elastic portion, and the power generation module is pressed against the frame while the projection of the power generation module is in contact with the elastic portion of the hook fixed to the frame. The light collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is expanded by elasticity, and the power generating module is fixed to the frame by fitting the elastic portion and the projection of the power generating module. Tracking power generator. 4. The concentrating and tracking power generation device according to claim 1, wherein said hook is made of resin.