JP2017109159A - Device for washing solar battery panel and method for washing solar battery array - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for washing a solar battery panel that has excellent workability.SOLUTION: A washing device 10 includes: a cleaning liquid tank 16 for storing cleaning liquid; piping 18 for supplying the cleaning liquid to a surface to be washed; multiple nozzles 19; and a blade 11. The cleaning liquid tank is detachably provided to a body 12 of the washing device. One of the cleaning liquid tanks is attached to the washing device to perform washing, and the other cleaning liquid tank is filled with cleaning fluid and one cleaning liquid tank is replaced with the other cleaning liquid tank when the washing device comes back.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a solar panel cleaning apparatus.

  Since the solar cell panel generates power by sunlight, if dirt such as dead leaves or dust adheres to the surface, the amount of power generated decreases. Especially in areas with low rainfall, such as desert / dry areas, and areas with a lot of deposits such as volcanic ash, yellow sand, and snow, it is necessary to clean the surface of the solar panel in order to generate power efficiently throughout the year. Cleaning work is being done.

  In the cleaning apparatus described in Patent Document 1, water is stored in a tank by a pump, and water is injected onto the solar cell panel through a nozzle.

JP 2014-121680 (published July 3, 2014)

  In the conventional cleaning device, the tank is fixed to the cleaning device. Therefore, when the tank is empty, it is necessary to provide a period for stopping the operation of the cleaning device and supplying water to the tank. When the capacity of the tank is increased to reduce the number of times of water supply, the cleaning device becomes heavier accordingly. The cleaning device is replaced with the adjacent solar cell array every time the solar cell array in which a plurality of solar cell panels are arranged in a row is finished. Therefore, if the cleaning device is heavy, the adjacent solar cell array is cleaned. It becomes difficult to replace the device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to realize a solar cell panel cleaning apparatus with good workability.

  A cleaning apparatus for a solar cell panel according to the present invention includes a cleaning liquid tank that stores a cleaning liquid, and a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies the cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning liquid tank is detachable from the apparatus. It is a configuration.

  The solar cell array cleaning method according to the present invention is a solar cell array cleaning method using a cleaning device including a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies a cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning liquid tank to be accommodated is detachable, and when the cleaning apparatus cleans the solar cell array, one of the two cleaning liquid tanks is attached to the cleaning apparatus, and the other cleaning liquid tank is attached to the cleaning liquid tank. In this method, the cleaning liquid is replenished, and the one cleaning liquid tank and the other cleaning liquid tank are exchanged when the cleaning apparatus returns.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the workability | operativity in washing | cleaning of a solar cell panel can be improved.

It is a top view which shows schematic structure of the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the state of installation of a solar cell array. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the slide part of the said washing | cleaning apparatus. It is a top view which shows a mode that a washing | cleaning liquid tank is attached to the said washing | cleaning apparatus. It is a figure which shows the washing | cleaning method of the solar cell array using the washing | cleaning apparatus of a reference example. It is a figure which shows the washing | cleaning method of the solar cell array using the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part of the said washing | cleaning apparatus. It is a side view which shows schematic structure of the washing | cleaning apparatus which concerns on further another embodiment of this invention.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the installation state of the solar cell array 100. FIG. 2A is a front view showing a part of the solar cell array 100, and FIG. 2B is a side view of the solar cell array 100. The solar cell array 100 includes a plurality of solar cell panels 101, a gantry 102 for holding the solar cell panel 101, and a fixing member 103. The fixing member 103 fixes the solar cell panel 101 to the gantry 102. The solar cell panel 101 is provided with a frame 104 for protecting the periphery of the solar cell panel 101. The installation angle and height between the solar cell panel 101 and the installation reference plane P are appropriately selected depending on the installation state. The installation angle is set to about 10 ° to 30 ° in consideration of the amount of power generation and the like. The installation reference plane P itself may be inclined like a roof in addition to a horizontal plane like the ground. In large-scale photovoltaic power generation facilities, the solar cell array 100 usually extends long in the lateral direction (X direction).

(Configuration of the cleaning apparatus 10)
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a cleaning apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The cleaning device 10 includes a plurality of blades 11, a main body 12, a cleaning liquid tank 16, and a plurality of pipes 18. Although not shown, the cleaning device 10 includes a wheel for the cleaning device 10 to move on the surface (for example, a glass surface) of the solar cell panel 101 or the frame 104, and the position and progress of the cleaning device 10 with respect to the frame 104. A guide that stabilizes the direction is provided. The main body 12 is a frame or a housing for holding each member. Further, the traveling direction of the cleaning device 10 is X, and the direction parallel to the light receiving surface of the solar cell panel 101 and orthogonal to the X direction is Y.

  The blade 11 is in contact with the light receiving surface of the solar cell panel 101. The extending direction of the blade 11 is desirably slightly inclined with respect to the direction Y perpendicular to the traveling direction of the cleaning device 10. In the present embodiment, the extending direction of the blade 11 is inclined by about 1 to 5 ° with respect to the direction Y. Thereby, when the cleaning apparatus 10 advances, the force that pushes the dirty water (liquid) on the solar cell panel 101 wiped off by the blade 11 in the −Y direction works, and the dirty water is smoothly discharged from the light receiving surface of the solar cell panel 101. Can do. The material of the blade 11 may be an elastic material (elastic member) in consideration of water and dirt wiping performance and weather resistance. For example, as the blade 11, a rubber blade using EPT (ethylene-propylene trimer) rubber, urethane rubber or the like can be used. Note that the blade 11 located on the front side in the traveling direction and the blade 11 located on the rear side in the traveling direction are inclined in opposite directions. The blade 11 located on the front side in the traveling direction is mainly cleaned, and the blade 11 located on the rear side in the traveling direction is mainly wiped for finishing. When the traveling direction is reversed, the roles of the pair of blades 11 are switched. In addition, you may provide arbitrary liquid wiping parts instead of a braid | blade.

  The cleaning liquid tank 16 stores a cleaning liquid (liquid). The cleaning liquid tank 16 is detachably provided to the main body 12 of the cleaning device 10. The cleaning liquid tank 16 is detachably connected to the plurality of pipes 18. The cleaning liquid tank 16 includes a gripping part (such as a handle) for the user to carry. A valve is provided between the cleaning liquid tank 16 and the pipe 18. For example, if a three-way valve is used, the two pipes 18 and the cleaning liquid tank 16 can be connected. When the cleaning apparatus 10 travels in the X direction, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 16 to the pipe 18 positioned on the X direction side (front side in the traveling direction). On the other hand, when the cleaning apparatus 10 advances in the −X direction, the cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 16 to the pipe 18 located on the −X direction side (the other side).

  The pipe 18 includes a plurality of nozzles 19 for supplying a cleaning liquid to the light receiving surface (surface to be cleaned) of the solar cell panel 101. In addition, a hole may be formed in the pipe 18 to serve as an injection port. The pipe 18 and the nozzle 19 (injection port) are cleaning liquid supply units that supply a cleaning liquid (for example, water) to the surface to be cleaned. In the present embodiment, the bottom surface of the cleaning liquid tank 16 is disposed at a position higher than the nozzle 19 of the pipe 18. The cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning liquid tank 16 to the pipe 18 by gravity and is jetted from the nozzle 19.

  The cleaning device 10 may be configured to include only the one-side pipe 18 and the one-side blade 11 among the pair of pipes 18 and the pair of blades 11. In this case, the cleaning apparatus 10 performs only cleaning (progress) in one direction, not reciprocal cleaning.

  FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the cleaning apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. Here, the cleaning device 10 disposed obliquely is illustrated assuming that the solar cell panel 101 is inclined obliquely. G in FIG. 3 indicates the direction of gravity. In FIG. 3, the liquid level is illustrated through a part of the cleaning liquid tank 16. The cleaning device 10 includes a slide portion 13, a tank fixture 14 (see FIG. 5B), and a stopper 22 (positioning portion) on the upper side of the main body 12. The slide portion 13 is one form of an attachment / detachment portion that attaches the cleaning liquid tank 16 to the cleaning device 10 in a detachable manner. The slide part 13 and the cleaning liquid tank 16 are disposed on the upper side of the cleaning device 10 disposed obliquely. The cleaning liquid tank 16 is detachably mounted on the slide portion 13. The tank fixture 14 fixes (locks) the position of the cleaning liquid tank 16 disposed on the slide portion 13.

  A connection port of the cleaning liquid tank 16 attached to the cleaning device 10 is connected to a main body side pipe 15 (connection pipe) provided on the main body 12 side by a detachable joint 21 such as a quick coupling. The main body side pipe 15 is provided with a valve 17. The main body side pipe 15 is connected to the pipe 18. The cleaning liquid tank 16 is also provided with a valve so that the cleaning liquid does not leak before being connected to the main body side pipe 15. The cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 16 flows into the main body side pipe 15 and is supplied to the pipe 18. These valves may be manually operated or electrically operated. Further, the valve 17 may be a valve capable of adjusting the flow rate of the cleaning liquid continuously or stepwise.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the slide portion 13. 4A is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the slide portion 13, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the slide portion 13. The slide part 13 includes a rail 13a and a tank receiving part 13b (slider). Here, the rail 13a is a concave (U-shaped) rail and guides the tank receiving portion 13b. The rail 13a extends along the traveling direction (horizontal direction) of the cleaning device 10. A plurality of wheels 13c are provided on the bottom surface of the tank receiving portion 13b so as to slide on the rail 13a. A fitting portion 13d (a convex portion or a concave portion) that fits with the bottom surface of the cleaning liquid tank 16 is formed on the upper portion of the tank receiving portion 13b. The cleaning liquid tank 16 is positioned in the Y direction by fitting into the fitting portion 13d. The tank receiver 13b can slide on the rail 13a along the direction in which the rail 13a extends. In order to prevent the tank receiving portion 13b from falling off, a part of the rail 13a may hold the tank receiving portion 13b from above. The configuration of the slide portion 13 shown here is an example, and any configuration (slide guide or the like) that can slide the cleaning liquid tank 16 and arrange it on the main body 12 may be used. Moreover, although the structure which slides as one form of an attachment / detachment part is shown here, the attachment / detachment part of this invention is not restricted to what slides. For example, the concave / convex structure in which the user directly places the entire cleaning liquid tank 16 on the main body 12 and the main body 12 and the cleaning liquid tank 16 are engaged and fixed at that time is used as the detachable portion. The tank 16 may be provided.

(Installation of cleaning liquid tank)
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing how the cleaning liquid tank 16 is attached to the cleaning apparatus 10. FIG. 5A shows a state in which the cleaning liquid tank 16 is arranged on the side of the cleaning device 10. The lateral side here is the −X direction side or the X direction side. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the cleaning liquid tank 16 is slid and attached to the cleaning apparatus 10. First, the user (operator) places the cleaning liquid tank 16 on the tank receiving portion 13b that is pulled out from the rail 13a. On the bottom surface of the cleaning liquid tank 16, a concave portion or a convex portion that fits with the fitting portion 13d of the tank receiving portion 13b is formed. Therefore, the cleaning liquid tank 16 is fitted with the tank receiving portion 13b.

  Next, the user slides the cleaning liquid tank 16 on the rail 13a together with the tank receiving portion 13b. The slide unit 13 slides the cleaning liquid tank 16 along the traveling direction (horizontal direction) of the cleaning apparatus 10. A stopper 22 that positions the cleaning liquid tank 16 in the traveling direction of the cleaning device 10 is provided on the main body 12. The sliding cleaning liquid tank 16 stops by hitting the stopper 22. Thereafter, the position of the cleaning liquid tank 16 is fixed (locked) by the tank fixture 14 provided on the opposite side of the stopper 22 with respect to the cleaning liquid tank 16. As a result, the cleaning liquid tank 16 is attached to a predetermined position of the cleaning device 10. For example, the tank fixture 14 may be a fastener that presses the side surface of the cleaning liquid tank 16 by rotating to raise after the cleaning liquid tank 16 is disposed at a predetermined position. In addition, when removing the cleaning liquid tank 16, it removes in reverse order.

  One of the joints (quick coupling) provided in the main body side tube 15 may be fixed at a position in the cleaning device 10. In this case, when the cleaning liquid tank 16 is slid to a predetermined position, the other joint provided in the connection port (not shown) of the cleaning liquid tank 16 is automatically connected to one of the joints of the main body side pipe 15. The In this configuration, the cleaning liquid tank 16 and the main body side pipe 15 can be easily connected.

  Alternatively, the main body side tube 15 is a flexible tube, and the position of one of the joints provided on the main body side tube 15 in the cleaning device 10 may not be fixed. In this case, after the cleaning liquid tank 16 is disposed at a predetermined position, the user connects one of the joints provided in the main body side pipe 15 to the other joint provided in the connection port of the cleaning liquid tank 16. In this configuration, since the positioning accuracy of the cleaning liquid tank 16 may not be high, the cleaning liquid tank 16 can be easily attached and detached, and workability is improved. Further, in this configuration, one position of the joint provided on the main body side pipe 15 and the position of the connection port of the cleaning liquid tank 16 can be freely set. For example, one of the joints provided on the main body side pipe 15 is arranged on the lower side of the cleaning liquid tank 16, on the ± Y direction side (longitudinal direction side of the cleaning device), or on the tank fixture 14 side (−X direction side). be able to. Even when the cleaning liquid tank 16 is placed on the solar cell array 100, the user can easily remove and connect the joint.

  Thus, in the cleaning apparatus 10 of the present embodiment, the cleaning liquid tank 16 can be slid from the lateral direction and attached to the cleaning apparatus 10. Therefore, the user can easily attach the cleaning liquid tank 16 filled with the cleaning liquid to the cleaning apparatus 10. In addition, although the structure slid to the horizontal direction was illustrated here, the rail may be arrange | positioned so that it may slide to the vertical direction. Further, for example, by providing another tank fixture 14 instead of the stopper 22, the cleaning liquid tank 16 may be slid from both sides. By doing in this way, the user can attach or detach the cleaning liquid tank 16 to or from the cleaning device 10 from either side. That is, the cleaning liquid tank 16 can be easily attached and detached regardless of which side of the solar cell array 100 the cleaning device 10 is disposed.

(Cleaning method)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a cleaning method of the solar cell array 100 using the cleaning device 106 of the reference example. In a large-scale photovoltaic power generation facility, a plurality of rows of solar cell arrays 100 are installed on both sides of a maintenance road. The cleaning device 106 of the reference example does not include the detachable cleaning liquid tank 16 but includes a hose 107. The hose 107 is connected to the maintenance vehicle 105 that stands by on the maintenance road. The maintenance vehicle 105 includes a large-capacity tank that stores the cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid is supplied to the cleaning device 106 during the cleaning operation via the hose 107. The cleaning device 106 travels manually. For efficiency, two cleaning devices 106 may be used to simultaneously clean the solar cell array 100 on both sides of the maintenance road.

  In the case where the cleaning device 106 does not run by itself, two workers 50a and 50b are generally required to manually drive one cleaning device 106. When the cleaning device 106 is run, an operator 50f who handles the hose 107 is required to extend the hose 107. Accordingly, an operator 50h who takes out and winds up the hose 107 on the maintenance vehicle 105 side is required. This is because the cleaning device 106 may fall off when the cleaning device 106 is pulled by the hose 107. Therefore, even if the cleaning device 106 performs automatic traveling, the workers 50f and 50h are necessary. Similarly, four workers 50c, 50d, 50g, and 50i are required for another cleaning device 106. The worker 50e stands by in the vicinity of the maintenance vehicle 105 and supervises the entire work.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a cleaning method of the solar cell array 100 using the cleaning device 10 of the present embodiment. The cleaning device 10 is installed on the solar cell array 100. Two cleaning liquid tanks 16 are prepared for one cleaning device 10. One cleaning liquid tank 16 is attached to the cleaning device 10. The other cleaning liquid tank 16 is placed in the vicinity of the maintenance vehicle 105. One cleaning device 10 is run from the maintenance road side end of the solar cell array 100 to the other end by two workers 50a and 50b. During traveling, the cleaning device 10 sprays a cleaning liquid onto the solar cell array 100 to clean the light receiving surface. When the cleaning device 10 reaches the other end of the solar cell array 100, the two workers 50a and 50b transfer the cleaning device 10 to the other end of the adjacent second row solar cell array 100. Thereafter, the cleaning apparatus 10 is caused to travel from the other end of the second row solar cell array 100 to the maintenance road side end by the two workers 50a and 50b. In this way, one cleaning device 10 cleans the two rows of solar cell arrays 100 in one round trip. For the cleaning device 10 on the opposite side of the maintenance road, the workers 50c and 50d perform the same operation.

  When the cleaning device 10 reaches the maintenance road side end of the second row of solar cell arrays 100, the two workers 50a and 50b are placed on the maintenance road side end of the adjacent third row of solar cell arrays 100. Replace. Then, the two workers 50 a and 50 b replace the cleaning liquid tank 16 mounted on the cleaning apparatus 10 (with the cleaning liquid reduced) with the cleaning liquid tank 16 in the vicinity of the maintenance vehicle 105 and supplemented with the cleaning liquid. The workers 50a and 50b can attach and detach the cleaning liquid tank 16 to and from the cleaning device 10 without using a tool. Thereafter, the cleaning device 10 starts cleaning the third row of solar cell arrays 100 toward the other end. While the cleaning device 10 performs cleaning, the operator 50e can replenish the cleaning liquid tank 16 from which the cleaning liquid has been reduced from the maintenance vehicle 105. On the other hand, in the case where a fixed cleaning liquid tank is mounted on the cleaning apparatus, the cleaning apparatus needs to stand by without performing cleaning while the cleaning liquid tank is replenished with the cleaning liquid.

  As described above, the cleaning liquid tank 16 can be attached to and detached from the cleaning apparatus 10, and two cleaning liquid tanks 16 are prepared for the cleaning apparatus 10, so that time for replenishing the cleaning liquid can be omitted. Thereby, the washing | cleaning apparatus 10 can be operated continuously and efficiently. Moreover, compared with the case where it connects with the maintenance vehicle 105 with the hose 107 grade | etc., In the washing | cleaning apparatus 10 of this embodiment, the workers 50f, 50g, 50h, and 50i which are related to the management and winding of the hose 107 become unnecessary. Therefore, in this embodiment, the solar cell array 100 in a plurality of rows can be efficiently cleaned with a small number of people.

  Further, if the capacity of the cleaning liquid tank 16 (or the amount of the cleaning liquid to be filled) is set to the maximum amount that can be used for one round trip of the solar cell array 100, the weight of the cleaning device 10 can be minimized. . Therefore, it becomes easy to replace the cleaning device 10 between the solar cell arrays 100. Note that the cleaning device 10 may reciprocate the solar cell array 100 in one row.

[Embodiment 2]
Another embodiment of the present invention will be described. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the cleaning device 31 according to the present embodiment. The cleaning device 31 includes a pump 23 and a battery 24 in addition to the removable cleaning liquid tank 16. The battery 24 supplies electric power to the electric pump 23 and the control unit. The cleaning device 31 may be an automatic traveling cleaning device including a drive mechanism (a motor connected to a drive wheel). In this case, the battery 24 also supplies power to the motor. One of the cleaning liquid tank 16 and the battery 24 is disposed on the upper side of the cleaning device 31 disposed obliquely, and the other is disposed on the lower side of the cleaning device 31. This is to prevent the overall weight balance of the cleaning device 31 from being biased to either side. Thereby, the posture of the cleaning device 31 can be prevented from being collapsed, abnormally lifted, overturned or dropped.

  The pump 23 may be disposed on the cleaning liquid tank 16 side or on the opposite side. Note that a fuel pump can be used instead of the electric pump 23. As the battery 24, any battery (lead storage battery, lithium ion battery, dry battery, etc.) can be used. When using a dry cell, the washing | cleaning apparatus 31 can be reduced in weight significantly. In the case of using a relatively heavy lead-acid battery, it is particularly preferable that the battery 24 and the cleaning liquid tank 16 are disposed on the opposite sides (upper and lower parts).

  A connection port of the cleaning liquid tank 16 attached to the cleaning device 31 is connected to a main body side pipe 15 provided on the main body 12 side by a detachable joint 21. The main body side pipe 15 is connected to the pump 23. A valve 17 is provided in the main body side pipe 15 between the joint 21 and the pump 23. The discharge port of the pump 23 is connected to the pipe 18. A valve 25 is provided on the pipe 18 between the discharge port of the pump 23 and the nozzle 19.

  The pump 23 sucks the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 16 via the main body side pipe 15 and discharges (supplies) the cleaning liquid to the pipe 18 from the discharge port. By supplying the cleaning liquid to the pipe 18 by the pump 23, the discharge amount of the cleaning liquid from the nozzle 19 can be stabilized regardless of the remaining amount of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 16.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 41 of the cleaning device 31. The cleaning device 31 includes a control unit 41, valves 17 and 25, a pump 23, a motor 26, a panel sensor 27, and an input unit 28. The control unit 41 is configured by a circuit formed on the substrate. The control unit 41 includes a travel control unit 42 and a discharge control unit 43 (supply control unit). Here, the valves 17 and 25 are electrically controllable valves.

  The input unit 28 includes a button, a key, or the like, and receives an instruction input from the user. The input unit 28 outputs an input from the user to the travel control unit 42.

  The panel sensor 27 is a sensor for detecting the solar cell panel 101. The panel sensor 27 is composed of, for example, an infrared sensor, and detects the presence or absence of the solar cell panel 101 below the cleaning device 31 by detecting the glass surface of the solar cell panel 101. The panel sensor 27 outputs the detection result to the travel control unit 42.

  The traveling control unit 42 receives inputs from the input unit 28 and the panel sensor 27. The traveling control unit 42 determines whether or not traveling is necessary (start or end) based on a user instruction input from the input unit 28.

  Further, the traveling control unit 42 determines whether or not traveling is necessary based on the input from the panel sensor 27. In the solar cell array 100, there are frames 104 and gaps between the plurality of solar cell panels 101. In such a place, the panel sensor 27 does not detect the glass surface (does not detect the solar cell panel 101). Therefore, while the cleaning device 31 is traveling normally, the panel sensor 27 alternately detects the portion of the solar cell panel 101 and the portion that is not the solar cell panel 101 at predetermined time intervals. Moreover, the part which is not the solar cell panel 101 continues outside the edge of the solar cell array 100. The traveling control unit 42 determines to end traveling when a portion of the solar cell panel 101 continues for a certain period or longer, or when a portion that is not the solar cell panel 101 continues for another period or longer. Thereby, it can be determined whether the cleaning device 31 has traveled to the end of the solar cell array 100.

  The traveling control unit 42 controls driving of the motor 26 based on the determination result of whether traveling is necessary. The motor 26 drives the cleaning device 31 by driving the wheels. The travel control unit 42 outputs a determination result on whether or not travel is necessary to the discharge control unit 43.

  The discharge controller 43 determines whether or not it is necessary to discharge the cleaning liquid from the nozzle 19 based on the determination result of whether or not traveling is necessary. Here, it is assumed that the cleaning liquid is discharged onto the surface to be cleaned during traveling and the cleaning liquid is not discharged when stopped. The discharge controller 43 controls the operation (ON / OFF) of the pump 23 based on the necessity of discharge. The discharge controller 43 controls to open the valves 17 and 25 when discharge is necessary, and closes the valves 17 and 25 when discharge is unnecessary. In addition, the discharge control unit 43 may determine whether or not discharge is necessary based on inputs from the input unit 28 and the panel sensor 27 in the same manner as the travel control unit 42.

  Accordingly, for example, the cleaning device 31 can start or end cleaning (discharge of cleaning liquid) in synchronization with the start or end of traveling. In addition, when the cleaning device 31 stops traveling due to being caught or dropped in the frame 104 or the gap, the cleaning device 31 can automatically stop the discharge. Thereby, useless use of the cleaning liquid can be prevented.

[Embodiment 3]
Still another embodiment of the present invention will be described. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. In this embodiment, a fan is used instead of the pump.

  FIG. 10 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the cleaning device 32 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 10, the liquid level is shown through a part of the cleaning liquid tank 16. The cleaning device 32 includes a fan 29 and a battery 24 in addition to the removable cleaning liquid tank 16. The battery 24 supplies power to the electric fan 29 and the control unit. The cleaning device 32 may be an automatic traveling cleaning device including a drive mechanism (a motor connected to a drive wheel). The connection between the cleaning liquid tank 16 and the pipe 18 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  The fan 29 is configured integrally with the tank lid 16 a of the cleaning liquid tank 16. The fan 29 and the tank lid 16 a can be attached to and detached from the cleaning liquid tank 16. A wiring from the battery 24 is connected to the fan 29. The battery 24 supplies power to the electric fan 29 and the control unit. The fan 29 increases the pressure inside the cleaning liquid tank 16 by sending outside air (air) into the cleaning liquid tank 16. The tank lid 16a has an opening in part for taking in outside air.

  Since the internal pressure of the cleaning liquid tank 16 becomes positive by the fan 29, the cleaning liquid flows into the pipe 18 by the pressure in addition to the gravity. Therefore, the discharge pressure of the cleaning liquid from the nozzle 19 can be increased and the discharge amount can be increased. Further, the discharge amount can be stabilized against the change in the liquid level in the cleaning liquid tank 16. The cleaning device 32 using the fan 29 is easier to reduce in size and weight than the cleaning device 31 using a pump.

  When replacing the cleaning liquid tank 16 with another cleaning liquid tank 16, the fan 29 and the tank lid 16 a are removed from the cleaning liquid tank 16. After the cleaning liquid tank 16 is replaced with a new cleaning liquid tank 16, the fan 29 and the tank lid 16 a are attached to the new cleaning liquid tank 16. In this configuration, the fan 29 and the tank lid 16 a are shared by the plurality of cleaning liquid tanks 16.

  The fan 29 may be fixed to the cleaning liquid tank 16 so as not to be detachable. In this case, after the wiring is removed from the fan 29, the cleaning liquid tank 16 is replaced with another cleaning liquid tank 16 (including another fan 29) together with the fan 29. Thereafter, the wiring is connected to another fan 29. Note that a fuel type fan may be used instead of the electric fan 29.

  In the present embodiment, the discharge control unit 43 controls the operation of the fan 29 instead of the pump 23. The point that the discharge control unit 43 controls the operation of the fan 29 and the opening and closing of the valve 17 according to traveling is the same as in the second embodiment.

[Example of software implementation]
The control blocks (particularly the travel control unit 42 and the discharge control unit 43) of the control unit 41 may be realized by a logic circuit (hardware) formed in an integrated circuit (IC chip) or the like, or may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit). ) May be implemented by software.

  In the latter case, the control unit 41 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that is software that implements each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which the program and various data are recorded so as to be readable by a computer (or CPU), or A storage device (these are referred to as “recording media”), a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program, and the like are provided. And the objective of this invention is achieved when a computer (or CPU) reads the said program from the said recording medium and runs it. As the recording medium, a “non-temporary tangible medium” such as a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, a programmable logic circuit, or the like can be used. The program may be supplied to the computer via an arbitrary transmission medium (such as a communication network or a broadcast wave) that can transmit the program. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program is embodied by electronic transmission.

[Summary]
A solar cell panel cleaning apparatus according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes a cleaning liquid tank that stores a cleaning liquid, and a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies the cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning liquid tank is attached to and detached from the apparatus. This is a possible configuration.

  According to the above configuration, when the remaining amount of the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank decreases, the entire cleaning liquid tank can be replaced with another cleaning liquid tank supplemented with the cleaning liquid. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the work time that occurs when the cleaning liquid is replenished. Therefore, workability in cleaning the solar cell panel can be improved.

  The cleaning device according to aspect 2 of the present invention may be configured such that, in aspect 1 described above, a slide portion that slides the cleaning liquid tank is provided at a position where the cleaning liquid tank is attached.

  According to the above configuration, the heavy cleaning liquid tank filled with the cleaning liquid can be slid to a predetermined position after being placed on the cleaning device. Therefore, the cleaning liquid tank can be easily attached to the cleaning device.

  In the cleaning device according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect 2, the slide portion may include a rail, and the cleaning liquid tank may slide along the rail.

  The cleaning device according to aspect 4 of the present invention may be configured such that, in the above-described aspect 2 or 3, the slide portion slides the cleaning liquid tank along a traveling direction of the cleaning device.

  According to said structure, the user can arrange | position a washing | cleaning tank in the predetermined position of the washing | cleaning apparatus from the side (running direction side or the reverse side of a running direction) of a washing | cleaning apparatus. Therefore, in a state where the cleaning device is mounted on the solar cell array, the user can perform the mounting operation of the cleaning liquid tank from the side of the end of the solar cell array.

  The cleaning device according to aspect 5 of the present invention is configured such that, in any one of the above aspects 2 to 4, the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning liquid supply unit are connected to each other by sliding the cleaning liquid tank by the slide unit. It is good.

  According to the above configuration, the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning liquid supply unit can be easily connected to each other by sliding the cleaning liquid tank. Therefore, the cleaning liquid tank can be easily attached.

  A cleaning device according to aspect 6 of the present invention includes a flexible connecting pipe that connects the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning liquid supply unit according to any one of the above aspects 1 to 5, and the connecting pipe is connected to the cleaning liquid tank. It is good also as a structure which can be attached or detached with respect to.

  According to said structure, attachment or detachment of a washing | cleaning liquid tank becomes easy and workability | operativity improves.

  The cleaning apparatus according to Aspect 7 of the present invention may include a fan according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6 including a fan that makes the pressure inside the cleaning liquid tank positive.

  According to said structure, the pressure inside the washing | cleaning liquid tank used as the positive pressure is added to a washing | cleaning liquid, and a washing | cleaning liquid can be flowed to a washing | cleaning liquid supply part. Therefore, the supply amount of the cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned can be increased.

  The cleaning device according to aspect 8 of the present invention may be configured such that, in the above aspect 7, the fan is detachable from the cleaning liquid tank.

  According to said structure, a fan can be shared with respect to a some washing | cleaning liquid tank. In addition, when the wiring is connected to the fan, it is not necessary to remove the wiring from the fan when replacing the cleaning liquid tank.

  The cleaning device according to aspect 9 of the present invention is the supply control for controlling whether or not the cleaning liquid is supplied to the surface to be cleaned according to the running and stop of the cleaning device in any of the above aspects 1 to 8. It is good also as a structure provided with the part.

  According to said structure, useless use of a washing | cleaning liquid can be prevented.

  A solar cell array cleaning method according to aspect 10 of the present invention is a solar cell array cleaning method using a cleaning device including a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies a cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned. The cleaning liquid tank for storing the cleaning liquid is detachable, and when the cleaning apparatus cleans the solar cell array, one of the two cleaning liquid tanks is attached to the cleaning apparatus, and the other of the above In this method, the cleaning liquid tank is replenished with the cleaning liquid, and when the cleaning device returns, the one cleaning liquid tank and the other cleaning liquid tank are exchanged.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention. Furthermore, a new technical feature can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment.

10, 31, 32 Cleaning device 12 Main body 13 Slide portion 13a Rail 13b Tank receiving portion 15 Main body side pipe (connection pipe)
16 Cleaning liquid tank 17, 25 Valve 18 Piping (cleaning liquid supply part)
19 Nozzle (cleaning liquid supply part)
21 Joint 23 Pump 24 Battery 26 Motor 29 Fan 100 Solar cell array 101 Solar cell panel

Claims (5)

A cleaning liquid tank for storing the cleaning liquid;
A cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies the cleaning liquid to the surface to be cleaned;
The cleaning apparatus for a solar cell panel, wherein the cleaning liquid tank is detachable from the apparatus.   The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a slide portion that slides the cleaning liquid tank at a position where the cleaning liquid tank is attached. A flexible connecting pipe for connecting the cleaning liquid tank and the cleaning liquid supply unit;
The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection pipe is detachable from the cleaning liquid tank.   4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a supply control unit configured to control whether or not the cleaning liquid is supplied to the surface to be cleaned in accordance with running and stopping of the cleaning apparatus. Cleaning equipment. A method of cleaning a solar cell array using a cleaning device including a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies a cleaning liquid to a surface to be cleaned,
A cleaning liquid tank for storing the cleaning liquid can be attached to and detached from the cleaning apparatus.
When the cleaning apparatus cleans the solar cell array, one of the two cleaning liquid tanks is attached to the cleaning apparatus, and the other cleaning liquid tank is replenished with the cleaning liquid.
A method for cleaning a solar cell array, wherein when the cleaning device returns, the one cleaning liquid tank and the other cleaning liquid tank are exchanged.

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