JP2005122644A - Apparatus and method for tracking light source position - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and method for tracking a light source position which realize tracking of a light source on the basis of only direct light from the light source. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus for tracking the light source position is disclosed for tracking the light source by moving an irradiation surface 2 for receiving light L from the light source by a motor in accordance with the detection of a bright/dark state on the irradiation surface and the apparatus is provided with: an indirect light shielding member 1 which is forme into hollow cylindrical shape, arranged on the irradiation surface and causes direct light going straight into the irradiation surface to enter into the irradiation surface and shields indirect light around the irradiation surface in order to distinguish light applied from the light source to the irradiation surface as direct light Ld or indirect light Lr; a direct light detection part for detecting lightness and darkness in the indirect light shielding member and outputting a detection signal; and a control part for controlling the drive of the motor in accordance with the detection signal from the direct light detection part in order to move the irradiation surface by direct light out of light applied from the light source. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a light source position tracking device and a tracking method capable of tracking a light source based only on direct light from the light source.

Conventionally, for example, a system disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a system for tracking a light source, for example, the sun. In Patent Document 1, the sunlight receiving unit is made to track the sun, and the sunlight receiving unit is rotated by the driving means in the respective east-west and north-south elevation directions. The operation of the driving means is controlled by the control means based on time information and date information from the clock means. The clock means is adapted to receive a standard radio signal.
JP 2002-202817 A

  By the way, in a conventional device for tracking a moving light source such as the sun, if the light receiving part such as the sunlight receiving unit receives direct light from the light source, it can be tracked by the movement of the light source. If the light received by the light receiving part is indirect light that is reflected by a building or some other object, the light receiving part does not receive light from the light source to be tracked, Therefore, there has been a problem that the movement of the light source cannot be properly tracked.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a light source position tracking device and a tracking method capable of tracking a light source based only on direct light from the light source. .

  The light source position tracking device according to the present invention is a light source position tracking in which a light receiving unit that receives light from a moving light source is moved by a moving unit in accordance with detection of a light / dark state in the light receiving unit and is tracked by a light source. In order to distinguish between direct light and indirect light from a light source that is formed in a hollow cylindrical body and is provided in the light receiving unit, and is irradiated on the light receiving unit, toward the light receiving unit Direct light that goes straight forward enters the inside and blocks indirect light around the light receiving unit, a direct light detection unit that detects light and darkness inside the indirect light blocking member and outputs a detection signal; A control unit that drives and controls the moving unit in response to a detection signal from the direct light detection unit in order to move the light receiving unit based on direct light out of light emitted from a light source; It is characterized by.

  The light source position tracking method according to the present invention uses the light source position tracking device according to claim 1 and first controls the moving means in accordance with a detection signal from the direct light detection unit, and then receives the light reception. The moving means is controlled in response to detection of a light / dark state in the section.

  In the light source position tracking device and the tracking method according to the present invention, the light source can be tracked based only on the direct light from the light source.

  Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a light source position tracking device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the light source position tracking device according to the present embodiment basically has an irradiation surface 2 as a light receiving unit that receives light L from a moving light source. A light source position tracking device that is tilted by a vertical motor 3 and a horizontal motor 4 as a moving means in accordance with detection of a state so as to be tracked by a light source, and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and provided on an irradiation surface 2 In order to distinguish the light L from the light source irradiated on the irradiation surface 2 into the direct light Ld and the indirect light Lr, the direct light Ld traveling straight toward the irradiation surface 2 enters the inside and the irradiation surface 2 Light that is emitted from the light source to the indirect light blocking member 1 that blocks the surrounding indirect light Lr, the direct light detection unit 50 that detects the brightness and darkness inside the indirect light blocking member 1 and outputs a detection signal, and the irradiation surface 2 L is moved based on the direct light Ld. For, and a controller 8 for driving and controlling the motors 3, 4 according to a detection signal from the direct light detection unit 50. Hereinafter, the case where the movement is tracked using the sun as a light source will be described as an example.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the irradiation surface 2 is formed flat on one surface of the plate material 9, and the light L from the sun strikes the irradiation surface 2. The irradiation surface 2 has at least four light-and-dark part detection light-receiving sensors (hereinafter referred to as “light-and-darkness detection sensors”) 5 that detect the light L from the moving sun as light or dark depending on whether or not the light is received. Are provided at the vertical position and the horizontal position of the irradiation surface 2. These light / darkness detection sensors 5 are formed in a spherical shape and can receive light from almost all directions along the spherical surface. As such light / darkness detection sensors 5, for example, “KSPD1840C ( A spherical sensor such as “product name)” or “KSPD1640M (product name)” may be employed. Specifically, the light / dark detection sensor 5 outputs a voltage value or current value corresponding to the intensity of the detected light L as a light / dark detection signal.

  In order to specify the irradiation surface 2 in the space, at least four brightness detection sensors 5 are provided for the purpose of specifying the two axes X and Y orthogonal to each other on the irradiation surface 2. That is, two brightness detection sensors 5 are arranged on one axis X orthogonal to each other, and two brightness detection sensors 5 are arranged on the other axis Y, for a total of four. However, of course, four or more may be provided. In the illustrated example, these brightness / darkness detection sensors 5 are arranged in a ring shape around the irradiation surface 2, specifically, along the peripheral edge of the irradiation surface 2, and two of them specify the two axes X and Y. The

  In particular, in the present embodiment, these brightness / darkness detection sensors 5 are provided around the irradiation surface 2, thereby condensing light using solar cell panels 6 a and lenses over the inner irradiation surface 2. Various daylighting means such as the device 6b can be installed. Further, the light / dark detection sensor 5 is provided so as to protrude outward from the peripheral edge of the irradiation surface 2, specifically, the peripheral edge of the plate member 9, and thereby the irradiation surface 2 side as well as the irradiation surface 2 side. Even when the sun is located on the opposite side, the light L can be received.

  Although not shown in the drawing, the plate 9 that forms the irradiation surface 2 is provided with two motors, a vertical motor 3 that tilts in the vertical direction and a left and right motor 4 that tilts in the horizontal direction, as moving means for tilting it. As these motors 3 and 4, DC motors are adopted, and the irradiation surface 2 is individually set around the two axes X and Y specified by the arrangement of the light / darkness detection sensor 5, that is, around the vertical axis and the horizontal axis. Tilt.

  Further, the dark surface generating member 10 is provided on the irradiation surface 2 so as to be close to each of the light / dark detection sensors 5. In the example of illustration, these dark part production | generation members 10 are formed in plate shape, make it correspond to each brightness detection sensor 5 in the peripheral part of the irradiation surface 2, and shield each brightness detection sensor 5 from the irradiation surface 2 side. In addition, four are provided so as to stand substantially vertically from the irradiation surface 2. You may set the height of the dark part production | generation member 10 arbitrarily. Moreover, you may form these dark part production | generation members 10 in the shape of one frame along the circumference | surroundings of the irradiation surface 2 so that the four may be connected. However, when it is desired to secure a large amount of light on the irradiation surface 2 such as when daylighting means is provided on the irradiation surface 2 as described above, it is preferable to install the dark part generating member 10 separately.

  Since the dark part generating member 10 stands up from the irradiation surface 2 and has a considerable height, when the irradiation surface 2 is not orthogonal to the optical axis of the sun, any one of the dark part generation members 10 faces outward from the irradiation surface 2. In other words, a shadow B is generated for any of the light / dark detection sensors 5. On the other hand, the light / dark detection sensor 5 that is not shaded by the dark portion generating member 10 and is irradiated with the light L is positioned in a bright portion other than the dark portion B.

  In the dark part generating member 10, a light shielding part 10 a is formed at an appropriate position on the upper end side separated from the light / dark detection sensor 5. In the illustrated example, the light shielding portion 10 a is formed integrally with the upper end of the dark portion generating member 10 so as to project toward the light / darkness detection sensor 5 side. However, you may make it provide in the middle of the height direction of the dark part production | generation member 10. FIG.

  The light / darkness detection sensor 5 should detect the dark part B created by the dark part generating member 10 and the bright part to which the light L hits without being covered by the shadow of the dark part generating member 10 as the light / dark state on the irradiation surface 2. However, since the light / dark detection sensor 5 can receive light from all directions along the spherical surface, the light / dark detection sensor 5 and the dark part generating member which are closer to the irradiation surface 2 side than the mounting position of the light / dark detection sensor 5. 10 may be received, and there is a possibility that the detection accuracy may be reduced. In the present embodiment, in order to increase the detection accuracy of the light / dark detection sensor 5, a light blocking portion 10a is provided for the purpose of blocking the light L entering between the dark portion generating member 10 and the light / dark detection sensor 5 described above. It has been.

  Further, on the irradiation surface 2, an indirect light blocking member 1 having a hollow cylindrical shape with an arbitrary height and having an upper end opened is provided at the approximate center of the light and dark detection sensors 5 arranged in an annular shape. The indirect light blocking member 1 is attached so that its axis C stands upright with respect to the irradiation surface 2. More specifically, the indirect light blocking member 1 is erected on the irradiation surface 2 so that its axis C passes through the intersection of two axes X and Y that specify the irradiation surface 2.

  The indirect light blocking member 1 is provided with a direct light detection sensor 35 attached to the irradiation surface 2. As the direct light detection sensor 35, a well-known planar light receiving sensor is employed. At least four of the direct light detection sensors 35 are arranged at the vertical position and the horizontal position of the irradiation surface 2 for the same purpose as the light / dark detection sensor 5. The direct light detection sensor 35 also outputs a voltage value or current value corresponding to the intensity of the detected light L as a light / dark detection signal. Of course, four or more direct light detection sensors 35 may be provided. In the illustrated example, these direct light detection sensors 35 are arranged in an annular shape along the inner peripheral surface of the indirect light blocking member 1.

  Since the indirect light blocking member 1 is raised from the irradiation surface 2 and has a considerable height, the indirect light blocking member 1 is configured to block the inner space from the periphery of the irradiation surface 2. While the direct light Ld from the sun traveling straight toward 2 enters the inside, the direct light Ld is reflected by some object to block the indirect light Lr reaching the periphery of the irradiation surface 2, and thereby the direct light Ld and The indirect light Lr is distinguished.

  The direct light detection sensor 35 detects the ingress of the direct light Ld based on the light and darkness inside the indirect light blocking member 1. When the direct light Ld does not enter, the direct light detecting sensor 35 is dark because the inside of the indirect light blocking member 1 is dark. Even when it is detected that Ld has not reached, and in particular, a state in which direct light Ld enters, each direct light detection sensor 35 has a direct light Ld at any position on the irradiation surface 2 according to its mounting position. It has come to detect whether it has reached. In addition, even in the indirect light blocking member 1, as shown in FIG. 4, in order to ensure high detection accuracy of the direct light detection sensor 35, the annular collar 1 a that functions in the same manner as the light blocking portion 10 a of the dark portion generating member 10. Is provided so as to project inward from the upper end thereof.

  Further, on the irradiation surface 2, in the present embodiment, at the upper end of the indirect light blocking member 1, the light L applied to the irradiation surface 2 by the detection signal of the bright part and the dark part by the light / dark detection sensor 5 is applied. The main light / dark detection sensor 7 that outputs a reference signal for comparison with the intensity of the light and the light / dark detection signal by the direct light detection sensor 35 are compared with the intensity of the light L impinging on the opening that is the entrance of the indirect light blocking member 1. And a main direct light detection sensor 37 that outputs a reference signal for the purpose. The main light / dark detection sensor 7 uses the same sensor as the light / dark detection sensor 5, and the main direct light detection sensor 37 uses the same sensor as the direct light detection sensor 35.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the correlation between the reference signal of the main light / darkness detection sensor 7 and the main direct light detection sensor 37 and the detection signal of each light / darkness detection sensor 5 and the detection signal of each direct light detection sensor 35, Specifically, the comparison of the magnitude relationship is performed by the comparison calculation units 12 and 42 based on the signals input from the sensors 5 and 35, so that each of the light / dark detection sensors 5 has a bright portion or a dark portion. It detects where it is located and outputs its detection signal, and also detects whether each direct light detection sensor 35 is directly receiving the light Ld and outputs its detection signal. ing.

  That is, the light / dark part detection unit 40 includes the comparison calculation unit 12, the main light / dark detection sensor 7 and the four light / dark detection sensors 5 connected thereto. On the other hand, the direct light detection unit 50 includes a comparison calculation unit 42, a main direct light detection sensor 37 and four direct light detection sensors 35 connected thereto. Specifically, in the light / dark part detection unit 40, the reference signal is input from the main light / dark detection sensor 7 to the comparison calculation unit 12, and the detection signals are received from the light / dark detection sensors 5 of the upper, lower, left, and right. A process of comparing each detection signal with the reference signal is executed, and it is determined whether each of the upper / lower / left / right brightness / darkness detection sensors 5 is located in the bright part or the dark part B. Output. For example, when the reference signal and the detection signal are compared with voltage values, the difference between the voltage values is output as the determination result.

  Similarly, in the direct light detection unit 50, a reference signal is input from the main direct light detection sensor 37 to the comparison calculation unit 42, and detection signals are input from the upper, lower, left, and right direct light detection sensors 35. Then, the process of comparing each detection signal with the reference signal is executed to determine whether each of the upper, lower, left, and right direct light detection sensors 35 receives light, for example, as a difference in voltage value Output the result.

  Further, when the main light / darkness detection sensor 7 is installed directly on the irradiation surface 2, only the light L from the 360 ° hemispherical region spreading on the irradiation surface 2 can be received, for example, tracking is started. In this case, if the sunrise position of the sun as a light source exceeds this region, the main light / darkness detection sensor 7 cannot receive light. In the present embodiment, the main light / darkness detection sensor 7 is installed at the upper end of the indirect light blocking member 1 having a considerable height so as to be separated from the irradiation surface 2. Can be a spherical region R wider than the hemisphere developed 360 °, regardless of the direction of the irradiation surface 2 with respect to the light source when starting tracking, from a light source such as the sun. Can be detected by the main light / dark detection sensor 7.

  In the state where the main light / darkness detection sensor 7 and all the light / darkness detection sensors 5 are located in the bright part, tracking to the sun is properly completed and the irradiation surface 2 is orthogonal to the optical axis of the light L from the sun. In the state where any one of the brightness detection sensors 5 is located in the dark part B, it means that the irradiation surface 2 is not orthogonal to the optical axis of the light L from the sun in the tracking process.

  By the way, as described above, the main light / darkness detection sensor 7 receives light in a range R wider than the 360 ° hemispherical region on the irradiation surface 2. Means that the incidence of the light L1 from the opposite side can also be detected. In this embodiment, the irradiation surface 2 is formed on the front surface of the plate material 9 and the light L1 may be irradiated from the back surface. At this time, the four light / darkness detection sensors 5 are appropriately referred to as the irradiation surface 2. It is conceivable that the light L1 from the opposite side is received. For this reason, there is a possibility that the sun cannot be tracked stably. In this case, the light and darkness detection sensor 5 is brought close to the irradiation surface 2 on the opposite side, and the light L1 that is incident on the lightness and darkness detection sensor 5 from the opposite side to the irradiation surface 2 is blocked. What is necessary is just to provide the 2nd dark part production | generation member 11 which produces | generates dark part B1 used as this.

  The second dark part generating member 11 is formed in a plate shape like the dark part generating member 10 on the irradiation surface 2 side, and is approximately perpendicular to the plate material 9 so as to correspond to each of the brightness detection sensors 5 on the peripheral edge of the plate material 9. There are four standing up. You may also set the height of the 2nd dark part production | generation member 11 arbitrarily. You may form these 2nd dark part production | generation members 11 in the shape of one frame along the circumference | surroundings of the irradiation surface 2 so that the four may be connected.

  Since the second dark part generating member 11 is also erected and has a considerable height, any of the second dark part generating members 11 creates a shadow toward the outside of the plate member 9, that is, any one of the light and dark A dark part B1 that is a shadow is generated for the detection sensor 5. On the other hand, the light / dark detection sensor 5 that receives the irradiation of the light L1 without being shaded by the second dark part generating member 11 is positioned in the bright part. Further, similarly to the dark part generating member 10, a light shielding part 11 a is formed on the second dark part generating member 11.

  When all the light / dark detection sensors 5 are located in the bright part by the second dark part generating member 11, the main light / dark detection sensor 7 is located in the dark part B1 and is in the tracking state, while the main light / dark detection is performed. When the sensor 7 is located in the bright part, any one of the light and darkness detection sensors 5 is always located in the dark part B1, and in this case also, the tracking state is entered, thereby detecting the main light and darkness beyond the 360 ° region on the irradiation surface 2. Even when the sensor 7 receives light, the main light / darkness detection sensor 7 and the light / darkness detection sensor 5 track the sun without being affected by the incidence of the light L1 from the side opposite to the irradiation surface 2. It can be performed stably.

  Next, the control unit 8 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 8 is connected to the comparison calculation units 12 and 42 of the light / dark part detection unit 40 and the direct light detection unit 50, and an output signal based on the above determination is input from these. A calculation unit 13 composed of a PIC (manufactured by Microchip Technology, Inc.), a motor driver 14 connected to the calculation unit 13 and input of the output, and a motor speed connected to the motor driver 14 and input of the output The adjustment control unit 15 is operated by a power supply voltage supplied from the power supply unit 16. A power supply voltage is also supplied from the power supply unit 16 to the light / dark part detection unit 40 and the direct light detection unit 50.

  The calculation unit 13 outputs a control value to the motor driver 14 based on the determination results of both the light / dark part detection unit 40 and the direct light detection unit 50. The motor driver 14 outputs the motor control value to the motor speed adjustment control unit 15. The motor speed adjustment control unit 15 executes speed control correction processing on the motor control value, and outputs drive control signals to the upper and lower motors 3 and 4 respectively. That is, the control unit 8 drives and controls the motors 3 and 4 in accordance with output signals from the light / dark part detection unit 40 and the direct light detection unit 50.

  The control unit 8 is provided with a limiter that detects that the motors 3 and 4 have reached the movable range limit and stops the control of the motors 3 and 4 by the control unit 8. This limiter is installed at the upper and lower limit positions of the upper and lower motors 3 and the left and right limit positions of the left and right motors 4 and is connected to the calculation unit 13 to detect that the motors 3 and 4 have reached the respective limit positions and detect signals. Is composed of upper, lower, left and right limit switches 17. When the detection signal is input from the limit switch 17, the calculation unit 13 performs control to cause the motor driver 14 to stop control, specifically, to retract the motors 3 and 4 to the set retreat positions as will be described later. For this saving control, the calculation unit 13 incorporates a saving timer 19 that rotates the motors 3 and 4 for a predetermined time during the saving. Thereby, control of the motors 3 and 4 can be performed safely and smoothly.

  Further, a night sensor 18 for detecting the night when the sun goes down is connected to the calculation unit 13. The night sensor 18 is provided at an appropriate place other than the irradiation surface 2 and outputs a detection signal to the calculation unit 13 by detecting a dark state. When the detection signal is input, the calculation unit 13 blocks the input from the comparison calculation units 12 and 42, and, for example, directs the irradiation surface 2 in the direction of sunrise or knows in advance. A control signal for returning to the initial state to be positioned at the neutral position of the sun's moving trajectory is output to the motor driver 14, thereby returning the irradiation surface 2 to the initial state. After returning to the initial state, it is preferable to switch the power supply to the sleep mode by well-known control thereafter. Thereby, the new tracking from the sunrise of the next day which tracked the sun until sunset can be performed reliably and smoothly. Furthermore, the calculation unit 13 is provided with a tracking timer 20 for setting a tracking execution processing period to be described later.

  The operation of the light source position tracking apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. When the power supply unit 16 is turned on, the light / dark part detection unit 40, the direct light detection unit 50, and the control unit 8 are activated to start (start) the control operation. Basically, as shown in FIG. 6, first, “direct light detection processing (S100)” for controlling the motors 3 and 4 in accordance with the detection signal from the direct light detection unit 50 is executed, and then the irradiation surface 2 The “light source position tracking process (S200)” for tracking the movement of the sun by controlling the motors 3 and 4 in accordance with the detection of the light / dark state, that is, the detection signal from the light / dark part detection unit 40 is executed.

  FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the “direct light detection process (S100)”. First, left and right horizontal motion control is executed. First, it is determined whether the right / left limit switch 17 is ON (limit position) (S102, S103), and then the right direct light detection sensor 35 is ON (bright) or OFF (dark). Is determined (S104). This determination is executed in the comparison calculation unit 42. If it is ON, it is next determined whether the left direct light detection sensor 35 is ON (bright) or OFF (dark) (S105). When it is ON, each of the right and left direct light detection sensors 35 receives the direct light Ld that has entered the indirect light blocking member 1, so there is no need to control the tilting of the left and right motors 4. 4 is stopped (S107).

  On the other hand, if it is OFF in (S104), it is next determined whether the left direct light detection sensor 35 is ON (bright) or OFF (dark) (S106). When the left sensor 35 is ON, since the direct light Ld has not reached the right direct light detection sensor 35, the left and right motors 4 are rotated to the left (S109) to move the irradiation surface 2 to the left in the left and right direction. So that the right sensor 35 receives light. As a result, the left and right direct light detection sensors 35 can receive the light Ld directly in the left-right direction.

  In (S105), when the left direct light detection sensor 35 is OFF, since the direct light Ld has not reached the left sensor 35, the left and right motors 4 are rotated to the right (S108) and irradiated. The surface 2 is inclined rightward in the left-right direction so that the left sensor 35 receives light.

  Further, in (S106), when the left direct light detection sensor 35 is OFF, the direct light Ld is not received on both the left and right sides, and in this case, the control of the left and right motors 4 is stopped (S107).

  As for the limiter, when the right limit switch 17 or the left limit switch 17 is ON, the time required for returning the irradiation surface 2 to the retracted position, for example, the neutral position of the left and right motors 4 is counted by the retracting timer 19. (S110, S111), the left and right motors 4 are rotated right or left until counting up, and when the counting is up, the motors 4 are stopped (S107).

  Similarly to the control of the left and right horizontal operations, the control of the vertical motion in the vertical direction is also executed with the control content that reads “right” as “up” and “left” as “down” (S122 to S131). Thereby, the irradiation surface 2 is tilted by the vertical motor 3 so that the upper and lower direct light detection sensors 35 receive the direct light Ld.

  If both motors 3 and 4 are stopped, the process proceeds to "light source position tracking process (S200)" (S132). At this time, the direct light detection unit 50 may receive the direct light Ld or may not receive the light at all, but the direct light Ld may be received by executing the light source position tracking process S200. At the same time, when the light Ld is not directly received by the light source position tracking process S200, the calculation unit 13 outputs a control signal for positioning the irradiation surface 2 at the neutral position of the solar trajectory that can be known in advance, although not shown. An output to the motor driver 14 is made so that the irradiation surface 2 is once neutralized.

  FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the “light source position tracking process (S200)”. First, the control of the left and right horizontal operations is executed. First, counting of the tracking timer 20 for setting the tracking execution processing period is started (S201), and then it is first determined whether or not the right limit switch and the left limit switch 17 are ON (limit position) (S202, Thereafter, it is determined whether the right light / darkness detection sensor 5 is ON (bright) or OFF (dark) (S204). This determination is performed in the comparison calculation unit 12. If it is ON, it is next determined whether the left light / dark detection sensor 5 is ON (bright) or OFF (dark) (S205). When it is ON, both the left and right brightness / darkness detection sensors 5 are present in the bright part irradiated with the light L, so that it is not necessary to control the tilting of the left and right motors 4 and the motors 4 are stopped. (S207).

  On the other hand, if it is OFF in (S204), it is next determined whether the left brightness detection sensor 5 is ON (bright) or OFF (dark) (S206). When the left sensor 5 is ON, since the dark part B by the dark part generating member 10 is applied to the right light / darkness detection sensor 5, the left / right motor 4 is rotated to the left (S209), and the irradiation surface 2 is moved in the horizontal direction. So that the right sensor 5 is positioned in the bright part. As a result, both the left and right brightness / darkness detection sensors 5 can be positioned in the bright portion in the left-right direction.

  In (S205), if the left brightness / darkness detection sensor 5 is OFF, the dark part B by the dark part generating member 10 is applied to the left sensor 5, so the left and right motors 4 are rotated to the right (S208). The irradiation surface 2 is inclined rightward in the left-right direction so that the left sensor 5 is positioned in the bright part.

  Further, in (S206), when the left light / darkness detection sensor 5 is OFF, both the left and right sides exist in the dark part B. In this case, the control of the left and right motors 4 is stopped (S207).

  As for the limiter, when the right limit switch 17 or the left limit switch 17 is ON, the time required for returning the irradiation surface 2 to the retracted position, for example, the neutral position of the left and right motors 4 is counted by the retracting timer 19. (S210, S211), the left and right motors 4 are rotated right or left until counting up, and when the counting is up, the motors 4 are stopped (S207).

  Similarly to the control of the left and right horizontal operations, the control of the vertical motion in the vertical direction is also executed with the control content that reads “right” as “up” and “left” as “down” (S222 to S231). Thereby, the irradiation surface 2 is tilted by the upper and lower motors 3 so that the upper and lower brightness / darkness detection sensors 5 are positioned in the bright part.

  In the “light source position tracking process (S200)”, this control loop is repeatedly executed until the tracking timer 20 counts up, and the light / dark part detection unit 40 is always orthogonal to the optical axis of the light L from the moving sun. Thus, the inclination of the irradiation surface 2 is controlled so that the irradiation surface 2 can always be directed to the sun. When the tracking timer 20 counts up, the control is once shifted to “direct light detection processing (S100)”, and the sun tracking processing by the light / dark part detection unit 40 is control based on the direct light Ld, not the indirect light Lr. This confirmation is performed directly by the light detection unit 50.

  As described above, in the light source position tracking device and the solar tracking method executed by the light source position tracking device according to the present embodiment, the light source position tracking device is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and provided on the irradiation surface 2. In order to distinguish the light L from the light source into direct light Ld and indirect light Lr, the direct light Ld traveling straight toward the irradiation surface 2 enters the inside and blocks the indirect light Lr around the irradiation surface 2 The direct light Ld of the indirect light blocking member 1, the direct light detection unit 50 that detects the light and darkness inside the indirect light blocking member 1 and outputs a detection signal, and the irradiation surface 2 among the light L irradiated from the light source. Since the control unit 8 that drives and controls the motors 3 and 4 according to the detection signal from the direct light detection unit 50 is configured to be moved on the basis of the light, the light is reflected on the building or some other object. Influenced by indirect light Lr And no, it is possible to properly track the movement of the sun based only on the direct light Ld from the sun.

  Further, since the direct light detection process (S100) is executed prior to the light source position tracking process (S200), the direct light Ld, that is, the light source position is accurately detected in advance, and the tracking process is smoothly executed. Can be made.

  9 to 11 show modifications of the above embodiment. In this modification, the indirect light blocking member 1 is also used as a dark part generating member. The indirect light blocking member 1 in this modification is disposed, in particular, at the lower end joined to the irradiation surface 2 inside the light / darkness detection sensor 5 arranged in a ring and outside the direct light detection sensor 35.

  Since the indirect light blocking member 1 has a considerable height, the upper end of the indirect light blocking member 1 is far away from the irradiation surface 2 and therefore away from the light / darkness detection sensor 5. Therefore, the indirect light blocking member 1 creates a shadow on the irradiation surface 2 when the axis C does not coincide with the solar optical axis, that is, when the irradiation surface 2 is not orthogonal to the solar optical axis. That is, the dark part B which is a shadow part is generated with respect to the bright part A irradiated with light on the irradiation surface 2. In addition, a main light / dark detection sensor 7 and a main direct light detection sensor 37 are provided at the upper end of the indirect light blocking member 1 in the same manner as in the above embodiment. Even in such a modification, it is possible to simplify the structure since the indirect light blocking member 1 can be used also as the dark part generating member, as well as the same effects as the above embodiment.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of a light source position tracking device according to the present invention. It is a sectional side view of the light source position tracking apparatus of FIG. It is a top view of the light source position tracking apparatus of FIG. It is a sectional side view of the indirect light shielding member of the light source position tracking apparatus of FIG. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the direct light detection part of the light source position tracking apparatus of FIG. 1, a bright-and-dark part detection part, and a control part. It is a flowchart figure which shows the control flow of the light source position tracking apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows the control flow of the direct light detection process of the light source position tracking apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows the control flow of the light source position tracking process of the light source position tracking apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the modification of the light source position tracking apparatus concerning this invention. FIG. 10 is a side view of the light source position tracking device of FIG. 9. It is a top view of the light source position tracking apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Indirect light blocking member 2 Irradiation surface 3 Vertical motor 4 Left and right motor 8 Control part 50 Direct light detection part L light Ld Direct light Lr Indirect light

Claims (2)

A light source position tracking device in which a light receiving unit that receives light from a moving light source is moved by a moving means in accordance with detection of a light / dark state in the light receiving unit to be tracked by a light source, and has a hollow cylindrical shape In order to distinguish the direct light and the indirect light from the light source that is formed and provided in the light receiving unit and irradiates the light receiving unit, the direct light traveling straight toward the light receiving unit enters the inside thereof. In addition, an indirect light blocking member that blocks indirect light around the light receiving unit, a direct light detecting unit that detects light and darkness inside the indirect light blocking member and outputs a detection signal, and the light receiving unit are irradiated from a light source. A light source position tracking device comprising: a control unit that drives and controls the moving unit according to a detection signal from the direct light detection unit in order to move the light based on direct light. Using the light source position tracking device according to claim 1, first, the moving unit is controlled according to a detection signal from the direct light detection unit, and then the moving unit according to detection of a light / dark state in the light receiving unit. A light source position tracking method characterized by controlling the light source.

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