JP2002213827A - Solar light collecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solar light collecting device of small size, light weight and low cost, which can be installed easily and whose reliability in entirety, is enhanced, such as by omitting a means for electrical position adjustment of a reflector or a means for electrically controlling the interlock between a solar position detector and the reflector, making it a single driving source and simplifying the control more for each, for azimuth angle rotation and elevation angle slanting, and removing sealing portions from low reliable wiring. SOLUTION: The azimuth angle rotation and the elevation angle slanting of the solar position detector and the reflector are interlocked by a comparatively simple mechanism. The mechanism, an actuator and a torque limiter for the measure of strong wind or the like, are integrated and accommodated in a single case which is located in a small space at the rear side of the reflector. With a mechanical control, the reflector is made to turn in a direction different from that of that of the sun, which has been conventionally a difficult technique, and the reflected light is constantly allowed to be directed to the desired fixed direction. The actuator and the solar position detector are made into an integral structure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the conversion of energy by reflecting sunlight and irradiating it to a desired space, for example, indoors or a place with poor sunshine conditions, or irradiating a solar water heater or a solar cell. The present invention relates to a solar lighting device for improving efficiency.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a sunlight collecting device for guiding light from the sun indoors or in a place with poor sunshine conditions. As such a sunlight collecting device, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
8575, JP-A-8-122620, JP-A 2-1
No. 98405, JP-A-2000-82307 and the like are known. In the conventional technology, the azimuth rotation mechanism and the elevation tilt mechanism of the reflector and the azimuth rotation mechanism and the elevation tilt mechanism of the sun position detector exist independently, and they are electrically linked by a computer or the like. The method of making it take is taken. Therefore, the configuration of the entire apparatus has a drawback that it protrudes greatly to the outside of the reflection plate and becomes large, and further has a problem that a countermeasure against a strong wind is required.

Further, at least four drive sources are required for driving the reflector and the sun position detector, and at least four alignment sensors (origin sensor) are required to electrically link the respective drive sources. ) Is required. Accordingly, a mechanism for controlling the rotation and rotating the reflection plate on the light receiving surface becomes complicated, and a means for controlling each drive unit so as not to cause a positional shift is required.

[0004] Furthermore, at the time of initial installation, the latitude, longitude, altitude, date and time, etc. are calculated using a computer, and the appropriate direction of the reflector is set. You need to reset it when you lose track of it.

[0005] In addition, a solar lighting device used outdoors has
Although a waterproof structure is indispensable, in the related art, there are a large number of seal portions of wiring connecting each drive unit and the sun position detector in addition to the seal of the rotating portion. Normally, this type of seal is made of silicone sealant or putty,
There is a drawback that an operation error in which the seal is incomplete is easily induced, and replacement of parts is difficult.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention omits the means for electrically positioning the reflector and the means for electrically controlling the interlock between the sun position detector and the reflector, and furthermore, the azimuth rotation. , One drive source for tilting the elevation angle, each control is simplified, the reliability of the whole device is improved, such as elimination of low-reliability wiring seals, and installation of the device is easy.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a small, lightweight, and inexpensive solar lighting device.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems The azimuth rotation and the elevation tilt of the sun position detector and the reflector are linked by a relatively simple mechanism, and furthermore, these mechanisms and the drive unit, and the torque for countermeasures against strong winds, etc. The limiter is integrated, housed in one case, formed in a small space behind the reflector, and the reflector is directed in a direction different from the direction of the sun, which has been considered difficult, and the reflected light is The control for always directing in a desired constant direction is realized by mechanical control, and the driving unit and the sun position detector are integrated.

[0008]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the entire apparatus. The device, according to the sun position detected by the sun position detection sensor,
To always direct the reflected light in the desired constant direction,
It is intended to control and hold the angle of the reflector, the overall configuration of the device is a reflector that reflects sunlight, a driver that holds the reflector, a detector that detects the sun position, Further, it is composed of a fixing part for fixing the whole.

The reflector portion comprises a reflector 1, a reflector mounting plate 2, a reflector holding arm 3, and a counterweight 4. The reflector mounting plate 2 is fixed to the reflector 1, but each may be of an integral type and the shape is not limited. The reflector holding arm 3 has a counter weight 4 disposed thereon and is fixed to the reflector mounting plate 2 in pairs.

The drive unit is composed of a drive case 5, a horizontal shaft 6 on which a gear 34 is provided, and a vertical shaft 7 on which a gear 36 is provided. A case of the detecting unit 8 for detecting the sun position is provided, and a sun position detecting sensor 20 is provided inside. The drive case 5, the detection unit holding pipe 14, and the case of the detection unit 8 are integrally fixed and form a seal structure. The principle of the sun position detection sensor is
For example, since it is disclosed in detail in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-128576, please refer to here.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration diagram of the fixing portion. The angle adjusting plate 10 is fixed to the drive unit holding arm 9, and a rotation groove is arranged on a circumference around a screw hole on an upper portion where the mounting bracket 11 is fixed. The angle adjusting plate 10 and the mounting bracket 11 are joined by lightly tightening the upper and lower portions with screws or bolts, and the entire apparatus is tilted in the elevation direction along the rotating groove, and held and fixed at an arbitrary position. The mounting bracket 11 is rotated in the azimuth direction with the back surface attached to the pipe portion of the fixed base 13, and the tightening plate 12 is tightened with screws or bolts, so that the entire apparatus is fixedly held at an arbitrary azimuth. Therefore, at the time of initial installation, the reflected light can be easily directed to a desired azimuth without requiring any adjustment according to the installation conditions. Furthermore, the fixing base 13 is unnecessary when the apparatus can be folded and stored when the apparatus is transported or stored, or when an existing building, for example, a veranda, an antenna, or the like can substitute the pipe portion.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of a main part of the entire apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional front view of a main part of a drive unit. The drive unit has a horizontal shaft 6 fixed to the reflector holding arm 3 at both ends and a vertical shaft fixed to the drive unit holding arm 9 via a bearing 31 held by a sleeve 29 fixed to the drive case 5. Axis 7
Will be arranged. Therefore, by rotating the horizontal shaft 6, the reflecting plate portion can be freely tilted in the elevation direction. On the other hand, when the drive case 5 is rotated around the vertical axis 7 as a fulcrum, the reflection plate portion can freely rotate in the azimuth direction together with the drive portion and the detection portion integrated with the drive portion. The drive case 5, the horizontal shaft 6, and the vertical shaft 7 form a waterproof structure by an O-ring 30 mounted on a sleeve 29. Also, the sleeve 29
Is fixed to the drive case 5, but may be integrated with the drive case 5.

The drive unit 3 fixed to the drive case 5
3 rotates the drive motor 43B shown in FIG.
Worm gear 42, gear 41, gear 37, elastic body 38,
By rotating the gear 34 fixed to the horizontal shaft 6 via the gear 39, the reflecting plate portion interlocked with the horizontal shaft 6 is tilted in the elevation direction. Drive unit 35 fixed to drive case 5
When the drive motor 43A is rotated, the gear 39 disposed on the drive unit 35 has the same configuration as the vertical shaft 7
The drive case 5 itself rotates about the vertical shaft 7 as a fulcrum. That is, the reflection plate unit, the drive unit, and the detection unit integrated with the drive unit are rotated in the azimuth direction.

In FIG. 2, the gear 17 meshed with the gear 36 fixed to the vertical shaft 7 is connected to a bearing 31 provided on the sensor base 15 and a bearing 31 provided on the drive unit 35. The sun position detection sensor 20 fixed to the pipe 18 and held by a sensor bracket 19 fixed to the connecting pipe 18 is rotated in the azimuth direction inside the detection unit 8. The gears 36 and 17 have the same number of teeth.

The signal of the sun position sensor 20 is supplied to a wiring 48
Is transmitted to the control unit 47. The drive signal from the control unit 47 is transmitted to the drive motor 43A and the drive motor 43B through the wires 48A and 48B, respectively, and controls the drive motor 43A and the drive motor 43B. FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the control.

In FIG. 7 (A), assuming that the sun is located in front of the figure and the azimuths of the reflector 1 and the sun position detecting sensor 20 are coincident with each other as initial conditions, the reflected light is also directed in the front direction. reflect. Under this installation condition, it is assumed that the sun moves 90 ° to the right as shown in FIG. 7B. The sun position detection sensor 20 detects that the sun is located in the right direction in the drawing, and the control unit 47
For 3A, a signal is issued to rotate to the right. By the drive motor 43A, the reflector plate, the drive unit, and the detection unit integrated with the drive unit are turned to the right direction in the drawing, and the reflector plate 1
Is rotated to the right azimuth angle of 45 °, the solar position detection sensor 20 rotates to the same right azimuth angle of 45 ° as the reflector 1. Further, the sun position detection sensor 20 held by the sensor bracket 19 is provided with the gear 1 meshed with the gear 36.
7 rotates to the right azimuth angle of 45 °, resulting in a total of 90 ° rotation. Therefore, when the sun position detecting sensor 20 detects that the solar position detection sensor 20 is completely directed to the sun, the control unit 47 outputs a stop signal to the drive motor 43A, and the apparatus stops. As a result, the reflected light goes to the same front as the initial condition. That is, the azimuth of the reflector 1 is always kept at half the azimuth of the sun position detection sensor 20. This relationship holds only when the gears 17 and 36 have the same number of teeth.

In FIG. 2, a fan-shaped pulley 21 fixed to the horizontal shaft 6 and a sensor pulley 26 fixed to the sun position detection sensor 20 held on the sensor bracket 19 via a torsion coil spring 32 The cable 24 is connected by a cable 24, and the cable 24 is restrained via an adjustment pulley 22, an auxiliary pulley 23, and an auxiliary pulley 25 fixed to the sensor bracket 19. The torsion coil spring 32 shown in FIG. 3 is arranged so that the sun position detection sensor 20 fixed to the sensor horizontal axis 26A pivots downward about the sensor horizontal axis 26A holding the sensor bracket 19 at both ends. I will set it up. With this spring force, the rope 24 is pulled with an appropriate tension without sagging. The material of the cable 24 is wire rope, piano wire, thread,
Chemical fibers, fishing lines, strings, etc. are possible. Further, the ratio of the radius of the sector pulley 21 to the radius of the sensor pulley 26 is 2: 1.

In FIG. 8A, assuming that the sun is located in front of the figure and that the elevation angle of the reflection plate 1 and the sun position detection sensor 20 coincide with each other, the reflected light is also reflected in the front direction. I do. It is assumed that the sun moves to an elevation angle of 40 ° as shown in FIG. The sun position detection sensor 20 detects that the sun is located in the upper direction in the figure, and sends a drive motor 43B
, A signal is issued so as to rotate upward. When the angle of the reflector 1 is directed upward in the figure by the drive motor 43B, when the reflector 1 rotates to an elevation angle of 20 °, the cable 2
The sun position detection sensor 20 linked in step 4 uses the ratio of the fan-shaped pulley 21 and the sensor pulley 26,
Twice, ie, 40 °. Therefore, when the solar position detection sensor 20 detects that the solar position detection sensor 20 is completely directed to the sun, the control unit 47 outputs a stop signal to the drive motor 43B, and the device stops. As a result, the reflected light goes to the same front as the initial condition. That is, the sun position detection sensor 2
The elevation angle of the reflector 1 is always kept at half of the elevation angle of 0. Further, when the sun position changes downward from the upper direction of 40 °, the sun position detection sensor 20 does not slack due to the reaction force of the torsion coil spring 32 in accordance with the tilt of the reflector 1. It can follow downward.

The means for directing the reflected light in a desired elevation angle direction will be described by taking the mechanism shown in FIG. 9 as an example. The adjustment bracket 44 and the adjustment bracket 44A are fixed to the drive case 5, and a fan-shaped groove is arranged at a distance from the adjustment pulley shaft 22A with the auxiliary pulley shaft 23A as a fulcrum. The auxiliary pulley 23 includes an adjustment bracket 44 and an adjustment bracket 4
The auxiliary pulley shaft 23A held at 4A is rotated. The adjustment pulley 22 is an adjustment pulley shaft 22 held on an adjustment plate 45.
A is rotated. The adjustment plate 45 is provided with a fan-shaped groove having the auxiliary pulley shaft 23A as a fulcrum, and is arranged on the adjustment bracket 44A so as to rotate about the auxiliary pulley shaft 23A.
The position of the adjusting pulley 22 is moved by rotating the adjusting plate 45 shown in FIG.
Is tightened, the effective length of the rope 24 changes as shown in FIG. 9 (C). If the effective length of the cable 24 is changed, the reflector 1
Irrespective of the elevation angle, the elevation angle of the sun position detection sensor 20 is changed.

As shown in FIG. 10A, for example, while the sun position detecting sensor 20 is facing the sun, that is, in a state where the drive motor 43B is stopped by the stop signal, the adjusting plate 45 is rotated. The reflecting plate is tilted to direct the reflected light to a desired place,
Tighten and fix. The length of the cable 24 at that time is an effective length for directing the reflected light in a desired elevation angle direction. That is, by adjusting the effective length of the cable 24, the reflected light is directed in an arbitrary elevation direction. Further, FIG.
As shown by, even if the elevation angle of the solar position detection sensor 20 or the reflector 1 is changed by changing the effective length of the cable 24, the ratio of the radius of the sector pulley 21 to the radius of the sensor pulley 26 is interlocked with 2: 1. Therefore, the elevation angle of the reflector 1 is always kept at half the elevation angle of the sun position detection sensor 20. Therefore, the reflected light is directed in a desired constant direction, as in the initial condition, regardless of the amount of change in altitude of the sun.

The drive unit 33 and the drive unit 35 have a torque limiter that idles when a predetermined torque or more is applied between the gear 37 and the gear 39 shown in FIG. The torque limiter generally employs a friction system utilizing friction generated between an elastic body 38 fixed to the gear 37 and the gear 39, but many other devices such as a magnetic powder system and a viscous grease system have been devised in addition to the friction system. Have been. But,
Since the structure of the torque limiter itself is not directly related to the present invention, the description is omitted.

The torque limiter includes a gear 37 and a gear 39.
Works even when either of the inputs is made, even if an external force is applied to the reflector and the driver, or if the reflector and the driver interfere with an obstacle, the drive motor 43A or the drive motor 43B is still If it continues to rotate, it works effectively to prevent destruction of the device. Drive unit 3
The counterweight 4 is indispensable for effectively using the elevation direction torque limiter included in the counterweight 4. The counterweight 4 is the weight of the reflector 1 and the horizontal axis 6
The weight may be set in consideration of the distance from the fulcrum, and may be disposed at the extended end of the reflector holding arm 3 shown in FIG. That is, when the counter weight 4 is not provided, the torque limiter operates due to the weight of the reflection plate, and the control becomes impossible with the reflection plate 1 facing downward. Counter weight 4
In addition, the effect of reducing the load on the drive motor 43B can be expected.

In the above description, the reflecting plate 1 is described as a square planar type, but the reflecting plate 1 changes its shape according to conditions and is curved like a circular one or a parabolic antenna type. It is also possible to use an object, and it is also possible to diffuse sunlight into a desired space and directly irradiate a wide area. It is also possible to collect sunlight and irradiate it to a certain predetermined place.

[0024]

As described above, according to the second, third, fourth, and fifth aspects of the present invention, the number of driving sources and driving mechanisms is reduced, and the mechanism is relatively simple. For this reason, other mechanisms and control of the entire apparatus have been simplified, and the drive unit, which is an important part of the apparatus, and the sun position detector can be integrated.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a waterproof structure for protecting important parts of the device can be easily formed.
In addition, it requires no specialized knowledge for maintenance and operation, and does not require maintenance and inspection, and can be easily installed without restrictions on the installation location. Can be provided.

According to the configuration of the second aspect, the reflected light can always be directed in a fixed direction regardless of the azimuth change amount of the sun. Furthermore, an inexpensive device configuration is possible without requiring an independent driving means for the sun position detector. In addition, since they are mechanically linked, there is no need to worry about a position shift, a positioning sensor can be omitted, and control can be simplified.

According to the configuration of the third aspect, the reflected light can always be directed in a fixed direction regardless of the altitude change amount of the sun. Furthermore, an inexpensive device configuration is possible without requiring an independent driving means for the sun position detector. In addition, since they are mechanically linked, there is no need to worry about a position shift, a positioning sensor can be omitted, and control can be simplified. Furthermore, the rotation in the azimuth direction is absorbed by the twisting of the rope, and accurate linkage of the elevation rotation can be expected without being affected by the azimuth rotation.

According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, adjustment for directing the reflected light in an arbitrary direction can be easily performed. In addition, it is possible to absorb variations in the length of the rope and elongation of the rope due to long-term use.

According to the configuration of the fifth aspect, it is not necessary to unnecessarily strengthen the device or the device fixing portion against external force such as a gust, a typhoon, or a human force. Further, when the wind is strong, the reflecting plate faces downwind due to the wind pressure, so that it is possible to prevent the foreign matter from colliding with the reflecting surface and being damaged. Further, when there is an interference object within the rotation range of the reflection plate, it is possible to prevent the device from being damaged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a schematic configuration of a solar lighting device according to the present invention as viewed from the back.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of a main part showing a schematic configuration of a solar lighting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional front view of a main part showing a schematic configuration of a driving unit of the sunlight collecting device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an assembly diagram showing a structure of a fixing portion of the sunlight collecting device according to the present invention.

5A is a cross-sectional plan view of a main part of the drive unit mechanism according to the present invention, and FIG. 5B is a vertical sectional side view of the main part.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional side view showing the structure of the torque limiter according to the present invention.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are means for solving the problem;
It is a schematic diagram showing a principle and an operation.

8A and 8B are means for solving the problem,
It is a schematic diagram showing a principle and an operation.

FIG. 9A is an external view of the elevation angle adjustment mechanism according to the present invention;
(B), (C) is a schematic diagram showing a means, principle and operation.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams showing a means, a principle, and an operation for solving the problem.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the control of the sunlight collecting device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Reflector 2: Reflector mounting plate
3: Reflector holding arm 4: Counter weight 5: Drive case
6: Horizontal axis 7: Vertical axis 8: Detector
9: drive unit holding arm 10: angle adjustment plate 11: mounting bracket
12: Tightening plate 13: Fixed base 14: Detector holding pipe 15: Sensor base 16: Transparent cover 17: Gear
18: Connecting pipe 19: Sensor bracket 20: Sun position detection sensor 21: Sector pulley 22: Adjusting pulley 2
2A: Adjusting pulley shaft 23: Auxiliary pulley 23A: Auxiliary pulley shaft 24: Cable
25: auxiliary pulley 26: sensor pulley 26A: sensor horizontal axis
27: drive case cover 28: seal 29: sleeve
30: O-ring 31: Bearing 32: Torsion coil spring 33: Drive unit 34: Gear 35: Drive unit
36: Gear 37: Gear 38: Elastic body (torque limiter) 39: Gear 40: Drive shaft
41: Gear 42: Worm gear 43: Drive motor
44: Adjustment bracket 44A: Adjustment bracket 45: Adjustment plate
46: Fixing screw 47: Control unit 48: Wiring
49: E-shaped retaining ring 50: Parallel pin

Claims (5)

[Claims] A reflection plate capable of freely tilting and azimuthally rotating; and a sun position detector for detecting a sun position by receiving sunlight, wherein the reflection plate is tilted and tilted based on a detection signal. In a solar lighting device that rotates in the azimuth direction and reflects sunlight in a predetermined direction, driving means for elevation tilt and azimuth rotation of the reflector and the sun position detector have an integral structure, Place it within the projection range of the reflector,
In addition, sunlight having a structure in which a light receiving portion for disposing between the reflector plate portion and the device fixing portion and for detecting the sun position of the sun position detector is extended outside the projection range of the reflector plate. Lighting device. 2. A sunlight collecting device according to claim 1, wherein a pair of gears having the same number of teeth is provided in conjunction with the azimuth rotation of the reflector and the sun position detector. 3. The solar lighting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pulley and a cable having a radius ratio of 2: 1 in conjunction with the elevation tilting of the reflector and the sun position detector. 4. The sunlight collecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting a length of a rope used for interlocking the elevation angle tilt of the reflector and the sun position detector. 5. A device for preventing transmission of a driving torque when a driving load of a certain level or more is generated in one or both of the driving means for tilting the azimuth and the azimuth rotation of the reflector. The solar lighting device according to the above.