JP2022019220A - Drive device, concentrating solar power generation device, and array drive method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a concentrating solar power generation device that suppresses deterioration of power generation performance due to backlash of a reduction gear mechanism.SOLUTION: A drive device according to the present disclosure that drives an array for concentrating solar power generation such that the array is in a posture of tracking the sun includes a motor which is a rotational drive source of azimuth with respect to azimuth tracking, a reduction gear mechanism that reduces the shaft rotation of the motor, a rotating body of the reduction gear mechanism, which is provided on the decelerated side and causes the array to rotate in the azimuth angle, a drive circuit that intermittently drives the motor, a braking unit that restrains the rotating body and suppresses passive rotational movement within a time from when the rotating body stops due to the intermittent drive of the motor until the next rotation starts, and a control unit that controls the drive circuit and the braking unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present disclosure relates to a driving device, a concentrating photovoltaic power generation device, and a method for driving an array.

The solar tracking type photovoltaic power generation device generally has a configuration in which an array (solar power generation panel) moves so as to track the sun by using a motor as a drive source (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In addition, the condensing type photovoltaic power generation device is an array in which a large number of modules, which are composed of arranging optical basic units that condense sunlight on a small power generation element with a condensing lens to generate electricity, are arranged in a panel shape. It is a device that tracks and generates electricity. The tracking of the sun is repeated by the drive device, in which the array is intermittently rotated by the required angle. Since the concentrating photovoltaic power generation device cannot generate power unless the sun is accurately tracked, the drive is performed in the biaxial directions of the azimuth angle and the elevation angle, respectively.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-252365 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-049312

A reduction gear mechanism is used in the drive device in order to decelerate the rotation of the motor and obtain a large driving force. There is a backlash, which is a minute play, in the meshing part of the gear. Backlash gradually increases due to gear wear over many years of use. Performing intermittent rotational movements means that there is time to stop. During this stopped time, for example, the array may be passively rotated by the amount of backlash due to wind pressure.

If it is a crystalline silicon type array that is not a condensing type, a slight deviation in the sun tracking will not significantly affect power generation. However, since the concentrating solar power generation device collects light on a small power generation element, if the tracking shifts due to unintended rotation, it may not be possible to condense light on the power generation element. If this happens frequently during the day, the power generation performance will deteriorate.

With respect to the elevation direction, by designing the center of gravity of the array to bias the drive, passive rotation due to normal levels of wind pressure can be suppressed. However, it is difficult to make such a design in the azimuth direction, and passive rotation due to backlash is unavoidable. The device of Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a special gear is pushed or stopped by two claws, but passive rotation in the forward direction cannot be stopped. Moreover, in the first place, one step of operation becomes rough with a special gear, and it is not suitable for precise sun tracking.

In view of these problems, it is an object of the present invention to suppress deterioration of power generation performance due to backlash of the reduction gear mechanism in the concentrating photovoltaic power generation device.

The present disclosure includes the following inventions. However, the present invention is defined by the scope of claims.

The drive device of the present disclosure is a drive device that drives an array for concentrating photovoltaic power generation so as to be in a posture of tracking the sun, and is a drive device for tracking an azimuth angle.
The motor that is the azimuth rotation drive source and
A reduction gear mechanism that reduces the shaft rotation of the motor, and
A rotating body provided on the decelerated side of the reduction gear mechanism and causing the array to rotate in an azimuth angle.
A drive circuit that intermittently drives the motor,
A braking unit that restrains the rotating body and suppresses passive rotational movement within the time from when the rotating body stops due to the intermittent drive of the motor until the next rotation starts.
A control unit that controls the drive circuit and the braking unit,
It is equipped with.

Further, the concentrating photovoltaic power generation device of the present disclosure includes an array for concentrating photovoltaic power generation and the above-mentioned driving device for driving the array so as to be in the posture of tracking the sun.

From the point of view of the method, the present disclosure is a method of driving an array in a concentrating photovoltaic power generation device having a reduction gear mechanism and tracking the sun to generate power, and the present disclosure relates to tracking of an azimuth angle.
The first operation of rotating and stopping the rotating body that operates integrally with the array by the angle required for sun tracking, and the rotation of the stopped rotating body so as not to make a passive rotational movement. It is a method of driving an array that intermittently moves the array by alternately performing a second operation of restraining the body.

According to the present disclosure, in a concentrating photovoltaic power generation device, it is possible to suppress deterioration of power generation performance due to backlash of the reduction gear mechanism.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a concentrating photovoltaic power generation device for one unit as viewed from the light receiving surface side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a concentrating photovoltaic power generation device for one unit as viewed from the light receiving surface side, but shows a concentrating photovoltaic power generation device in a state during assembly. .. FIG. 3 is a view of the drive device viewed from a certain direction orthogonal to the central axis of the column. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the drive device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a view of the drive device shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from diagonally below. FIG. 6 is a simplified view showing the configuration of the braking unit. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the drive device. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation mainly by the control unit from the start of tracking to the end of tracking regarding the azimuth angle. FIG. 9 is a diagram relating to a braking unit in the second example of the drive device. FIG. 10 is a simplified view of the braking unit in the third example of the drive device. FIG. 11 is a view regarding a braking unit in the fourth example of the driving device, and is a plan view showing only the driving device including the braking unit. FIG. 12 is a diagram relating to a braking unit in the fourth example of the driving device, and is a view of the driving device including the braking unit as viewed from diagonally below.

[Explanation of Embodiments of the present disclosure]
The embodiments of the present disclosure include at least the following as a gist thereof.

(1) This is a drive device that drives an array for condensing solar power generation so as to be in a posture of tracking the sun, and with respect to tracking the azimuth angle, a motor that is a rotational drive source of the azimuth angle. A reduction gear mechanism for decelerating the shaft rotation of the motor, a rotating body provided on the decelerated side of the reduction gear mechanism to cause rotational movement of the azimuth angle in the array, and the motor are intermittently driven. A drive circuit, a braking unit that restrains the rotating body and suppresses passive rotational movement within the time from when the rotating body stops due to intermittent driving of the motor until the next rotation starts. It includes the drive circuit and a control unit that controls the braking unit.

In the drive device configured as described in (1) above, the rotating body is restrained by the braking unit within the time from when the rotating body and the array are stopped to when they start moving next in the direction of the azimuth angle. This can prevent the array from rotating in the direction of the azimuth due to passive factors. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an unfavorable situation in which, for example, the array under wind pressure rotates slightly by the amount of backlash due to the backlash of the reduction gear mechanism. As a result, deterioration of power generation performance can be suppressed.

(2) The drive device according to (1) can be pressed against the rotating body by, for example, a braking motor as the braking unit, a master cylinder for generating hydraulic pressure using the braking motor as a drive source, and the hydraulic pressure. It is equipped with a brake caliper.
In this case, hydraulic pressure can be generated by driving the braking motor, and the brake caliper can be pressed against the rotating body to suppress passive rotation of the rotating body and the array within the stop time. As a result, it is possible to realize easy control only by driving the braking motor and powerful braking by hydraulic pressure.

(3) The drive device of the above (1) may include a braking motor for applying a rotational torque to the rotating body in one direction as the braking unit.
In this case, passive rotation of the rotating body and the array within the stop time is suppressed by applying a rotational torque in the opposite direction so that the rotating body does not rotate toward the backlash of the reduction gear mechanism. Can be done. For example, if a power transmission mechanism that decelerates the rotation of the braking motor is used, a sufficient rotation suppressing effect can be obtained even with a small braking motor.

(4) In any of the driving devices (1) to (3), it is sufficient that the braking unit exerts a function of restraining the rotating body only during the daytime.
At night when no power is generated, the array does not track the sun and does not need to consider the effects of backlash, so the function of restraining the rotating body need only be exerted during the day.

(5) In the drive device of the above (3), the rotational torque is smaller than the rotational torque for starting the rotation of the array and the rotating body in a stopped state next.
In this case, it is possible to prevent the rotational torque for suppressing passive rotation from reaching the original rotational torque for tracking the sun.

(6) The concentrating photovoltaic power generation device includes an array for concentrating photovoltaic power generation and the driving device according to (1) above, which drives the array so as to be in the posture of tracking the sun. There is.
In the drive device in such a concentrating photovoltaic power generation device, the rotating body is restrained by the braking unit within the time from when the rotating body and the array are stopped to when they start moving next in the direction of the azimuth angle. This can prevent the array from rotating in the direction of the azimuth due to passive factors. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an unfavorable situation in which, for example, the array under wind pressure rotates slightly by the amount of backlash due to the backlash of the reduction gear mechanism. As a result, deterioration of power generation performance can be suppressed.

(7) From the viewpoint of the method, the present disclosure is a method for driving an array in a concentrating solar power generation device having a reduction gear mechanism and tracking the sun to generate power, and the present disclosure relates to tracking of an azimuth angle. The first operation of rotating and stopping the rotating body that operates integrally with the array by the angle required for sun tracking, and the rotation of the stopped rotating body so as not to make a passive rotational movement. It is a method of driving an array that intermittently moves the array by alternately performing a second operation of restraining the body.

According to the method of driving the array according to the above (7), the rotating body is constrained in the direction of the azimuth angle within the time from when the rotating body and the array stop to when they start moving next. This can prevent the array from rotating in the direction of the azimuth due to passive factors. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an unfavorable situation in which, for example, the array under wind pressure rotates slightly by the amount of backlash due to the backlash of the reduction gear mechanism. As a result, deterioration of power generation performance can be suppressed.

[Details of Embodiments of the present disclosure]
Hereinafter, specific examples of the concentrating photovoltaic power generation module (hereinafter, also simply referred to as a module) and the concentrating photovoltaic power generation device of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

<< Concentrated solar power generation device >>
1 and 2 are perspective views of an example of a concentrating photovoltaic power generation device 100 for one unit as viewed from the light receiving surface side, respectively. FIG. 1 shows a concentrating photovoltaic power generation device 100 in a completed state, and FIG. 2 shows a concentrating photovoltaic power generation device 100 in a state in the middle of assembly. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the skeleton of the gantry portion 25 of the tracking pedestal 2 can be seen in the right half, and a state in which the module 1M is attached is shown in the left half. When actually attaching the module 1M to the tracking pedestal 2, the pedestal portion 25 is attached while lying on the ground.

In FIG. 1, the concentrating solar power generation device 100 includes an array (solar power generation panel) 1 having a shape continuous on the upper side and divided into left and right on the lower side, and a tracking stand 2. The array 1 is configured by arranging the modules 1M on the gantry portion 25 (FIG. 2) on the back side. In the example of FIG. 1, the array 1 is an aggregate of 200 modules 1M in total, consisting of (96 (= 12 × 8) × 2) pieces constituting the left and right wings and 8 pieces in the central crossover portion. It is configured. Each module 1M has a known configuration in which a large number of optical basic units are arranged in a matrix to generate electricity by concentrating sunlight on a small power generation element by a condensing lens.

The tracking pedestal 2 supports the array 1 and changes the posture of the array 1 so as to track the sun. The tracking mount 2 includes a support column 21, a foundation 22, a drive device 23, a horizontal shaft 24 (FIG. 2) as a drive shaft, and a mount portion 25. The lower end of the support column 21 is fixed to the foundation 22, and the upper end is provided with a drive device 23.

In FIG. 1, the foundation 22 is firmly buried in the ground so that only the upper surface can be seen. With the foundation 22 buried in the ground, the columns 21 are vertical and the horizontal axis 24 (FIG. 2) is horizontal. The drive device 23 can rotate the two-axis drive, that is, the horizontal axis 24 in two directions, an azimuth angle (an angle around the central axis of the column 21) and an elevation angle (an angle around the central axis of the horizontal axis 24). In FIG. 2, a reinforcing material 25a is attached to the horizontal shaft 24. Further, a plurality of horizontal rails 25b are attached to the reinforcing material 25a. Therefore, if the horizontal axis 24 rotates in the direction of the azimuth angle or the elevation angle, the array 1 also rotates in that direction.

<< Structure of drive device: First example >>
Next, the above-mentioned drive device 23 will be described in detail.
FIG. 3 is a view of the drive device 23 viewed from a certain direction orthogonal to the central axis of the support column 21.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of the drive device 23 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a view of the drive device 23 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from diagonally below.

In FIG. 3, the drive device 23 is attached to the upper end of the support column 21. In the elevation angle drive unit 30, the motor 31 and the outer fixed wheel 32 are mutually fixed, and the rotating shaft of the motor 31 and the inner movable wheel 33 are in a relationship of a worm and a wheel, respectively, to form a reduction gear mechanism. is doing. The rotation of the motor 31 is decelerated to rotate the movable wheel 33. This rotation causes the horizontal axis 24 to rotate around its central axis (ie, in the elevation direction).

In the azimuth drive unit 40, the motor 41 and the outer rotating body 43 are mutually fixed. The rotating shaft of the motor 41 and the inner ring-shaped gear 42 fixed to the support column 21 form a relationship between the worm and the wheel, respectively, to form a reduction gear mechanism. The rotation of the motor 41 is decelerated to rotate the rotating body 43. The rotating body 43, together with the motor 41, rotates horizontally around the central axis of the support column 21. This rotation causes the horizontal axis 24 to rotate around the central axis of the column 21 (ie, in the azimuth direction).

In FIGS. 3 and 4, the elevation angle driving unit 30 is fixed to the flat circular upper surface of the rotating body 43 of the azimuth angle driving unit 40. If the azimuth drive unit 40 rotates, the elevation angle drive unit 30 also rotates integrally.
In FIGS. 3 and 5, the braking portion 50 is attached to the support column 21. The braking portion 50 can press contact with the annular flange-shaped braked portion 43a at the lower part of the rotating body 43 to suppress the rotational movement of the rotating body 43.

FIG. 6 is a simplified view showing the configuration of the braking unit 50. Regarding the drive device 23 (FIGS. 3 to 5), only the rotating body 43 of the azimuth angle drive unit 40 is shown. The braking unit 50 includes a braking motor 51, a reduction gear mechanism 52 connected to the rotating shaft thereof, a master cylinder 53, and a pair of brake calipers 54 and 55. When the braking motor 51 is rotated, hydraulic pressure is generated by the master cylinder 53 via the reduction gear mechanism 52. By this hydraulic pressure, the brake calipers 54 and 55 sandwich and press the braked portion 43a of the rotating body 43, and restrain the rotating body 43 so that it does not rotate. When the braking motor 51 is rotated in the reverse direction, the hydraulic pressure is released and the brake calipers 54 and 55 release the braked portion 43a.

In this way, the braking unit 50 can generate hydraulic pressure by driving the braking motor 51 and press the brake calipers 54 and 55 against the rotating body 43 to suppress the rotation of the rotating body 43 and the array 1. can. As a result, it is possible to realize easy control only by driving the braking motor 51 and powerful braking by hydraulic pressure.

<< Control of drive device >>
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of the circuit configuration of the drive device 23. In the figure, the drive device 23 includes a solar radiation sensor 61, a control unit 62, a drive circuit 63, and a rotation suppression drive circuit 64. The solar radiation sensor 61 is attached, for example, in the vicinity of the array 1 (FIG. 1). The control unit 62, the drive circuit 63, and the rotation suppression drive circuit 64 can be housed in, for example, an electrical component box (not shown) attached to the support column 21. The control unit 62 includes, for example, a computer, and the computer executes software (computer program) to realize a necessary control function. The software is stored in the storage unit 62m in the control unit 62.

The solar radiation sensor 61 detects the presence or absence of solar radiation, that is, whether it is daytime (from sunrise to just before sunset) or nighttime, and sends a detection signal to the control unit 62. The control unit 62 controls the drive device 23 during the daytime to cause the array 1 (FIG. 1) to track the sun. The control unit 62 stores the position information of the sun in the storage unit 62m. The accuracy of the sun position information is obtained by adding data calibration at the actual location to the basic data obtained by calculating the position of the sun based on the latitude, longitude, date and time of the installation location of the array 1. It is an enhanced one. Therefore, the control unit 62 knows at which elevation and azimuth the sun is at the present time.

In the control unit 62, there are a tracking command unit 62t and a braking command unit 62b as functional units realized by software. The tracking command unit 62t instructs the drive circuit 63 of the elevation angle and the azimuth angle to which the array 1 should face, based on the position information of the sun. In response to this, the drive circuit 63 rotates the motor 31 at the elevation angle and the motor 41 at the azimuth angle by a required amount.

The rotation is performed intermittently, and the array 1 moves intermittently. There is a high-efficiency power generation element (solar cell) at the position where sunlight is collected, but the power generation element also has a certain size. Therefore, it is not always necessary to pinpoint the light to be focused on the same position on the light receiving surface of the power generation element, and even if the light collecting position moves a little with the movement of the sun, it suffices to hit the light receiving surface of the power generation element. Therefore, the array 1 is stopped for a period of time while the condensing position moves from one end to the other end of the light receiving surface. When it reaches the other end, the array 1 moves to collect sunlight on one end of the light receiving surface again. In this way, sun tracking is performed by intermittent movements.

For example, it is assumed that the rotation angle of the elevation angle required for the array 1 is Δθ _E and the rotation angle of the azimuth angle is Δθ _A. The control unit 62 calculates how many rotations of the motors 31 and 41 need to be performed in order to perform movements by these angles via the reduction gear mechanisms 34 and 44, respectively. Then, those rotation speeds are instructed to the drive circuit 63. The motors 31 and 41 have a built-in encoder function for detecting their own rotation speed, and the drive circuit 63 stops the motors 31 and 41 when they rotate by a required rotation speed based on the detection output. The drive circuit 63 returns a signal for stopping the motors 31 and 41 to the control unit 62.

On the other hand, when the motor 41 at the azimuth angle is stopped, the braking command unit 62b gives a rotation suppression command signal to the rotation suppression drive circuit 64. In response to this, the rotation suppression drive circuit 64 causes the braking unit 50 to perform braking. The braking unit 50 presses against the above-mentioned rotating body 43 to restrain the rotating body 43 from rotating. While the array 1 is stopped, the rotating body 43 is restrained. Next, immediately before the tracking command unit 62t rotates the motor 41, the braking command unit 62b releases the braking.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation mainly by the control unit 62 from the start of tracking to the end of tracking regarding the azimuth angle. When the tracking is started, the control unit 62 drives the azimuth drive unit 40 to a predetermined position of the azimuth angle to move the array 1 and stop it (step S1). After the stop, the control unit 62 operates the braking unit 50 and starts braking (step S2). As a result, the rotating body 43 and the array 1 are restrained from rotating. Therefore, even if a force that tries to move the stopped array 1 by the amount of the backlash of the reduction gear mechanism 44 in the direction of the azimuth, for example, due to wind pressure, the rotation of the array 1 is suppressed.

Next, the control unit 62 determines whether or not a predetermined delay has occurred with respect to the current position of the sun, and waits for the predetermined delay to occur (repetition of step S3). As described above, the occurrence of a predetermined delay is a state immediately before the light collecting position of sunlight is about to deviate from the light receiving surface of the power generation element. When it is determined that a predetermined delay occurs, the control unit 62 releases the braking (step S4). Then, the control unit 62 returns to step S1 if it is not sunset in step S5, and repeats the same process. Tracking ends at sunset.

<< Summary so far >>
As described above, the drive device 23 starts rotating next from the time when the drive circuit 63 that intermittently drives the motor 41 and the rotating body 43 are stopped by the intermittent drive of the motor 41 with respect to the operation of the azimuth angle. It is provided with a braking unit 50 that restrains the rotating body 43 and suppresses a passive rotational movement within the time up to, and a control unit 62 that controls the drive circuit 63 and the braking unit 50.

In such a drive device 23, the rotating body 43 is restrained by the braking unit 50 within the time from when the rotating body 43 and the array 1 stop to when they start moving next in the direction of the azimuth angle. As a result, it is possible to suppress the rotation of the array 1 in the direction of the azimuth due to a passive factor. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of an unfavorable situation in which, for example, the array 1 under wind pressure rotates slightly by the amount of backlash due to the backlash of the reduction gear mechanism 44. As a result, deterioration of power generation performance can be suppressed.

The braking unit 50 exerts a function of restraining the rotating body 43 only during the daytime. At night when no power is generated, Array 1 does not track the sun and does not need to consider the effects of backlash. Therefore, the function of restraining the rotating body 43 need only be exerted during the daytime.

<< Structure of drive device: 2nd example >>
FIG. 9 is a diagram relating to the braking unit 50 in the second example of the drive device 23. What is different from the first example is how to attach the braking portion 50 and which part of the rotating body 43 the braking portion is to be provided, and the other parts are the same as those of the first example. FIG. 9 is a view of a portion similar to that of FIG. The rotating body 43 has a horizontal flange-shaped braked portion 43b.

The braking unit 50 in FIG. 9 includes a braking motor 51, a reduction gear mechanism 52 connected to the rotating shaft thereof, a master cylinder 53, and a pair of brake calipers 54 and 55. When the braking motor 51 is rotated, hydraulic pressure is generated by the master cylinder 53 via the reduction gear mechanism 52. By this hydraulic pressure, the brake calipers 54 and 55 sandwich and press the braked portion 43b of the rotating body 43, and restrain the rotating body 43 from rotating. When the braking motor 51 is rotated in the reverse direction, the hydraulic pressure is released and the brake calipers 54 and 55 release the braked portion 43b.

The difference from the configuration of FIG. 6 is that while FIG. 6 sandwiches and presses the braked portion 43a from the left and right, FIG. 9 shows that the braked portion 43b is sandwiched and compressed from above and below. In the case of FIG. 9, since the braked portion 43b has a larger diameter than the braked portion 43a of FIG. 6, it is easy to secure the braking force by that amount.

<< Structure of drive device: 3rd example >>
FIG. 10 is a simplified view of the braking unit 70 in the third example of the drive device 23. The difference from the braking unit 50 of the first example and the second example is that the braking unit 50 of the first example and the second example is a disc brake type, whereas the braking unit 70 of the third example is a drum brake type braking unit 70. It is a point that has become. Since the configuration of hydraulic pressure generation is the same as that of the first example and the second example, the illustration is omitted. FIG. 10 is a view of only the azimuth driving unit 40 as viewed from directly below. The illustration of the support column 21 (FIG. 1) is omitted.

In FIG. 10, two sets of a pin 71 fixed to the rotating body 43 and a brake shoe 72 rotatably supported by the pin 71 are symmetrically arranged on the lower surface of the rotating body 43. A force generated by hydraulic pressure can be applied to the right end of the brake shoe 72 in the direction indicated by the arrow. When a force is applied in the direction indicated by the arrow, the brake shoe 72 is pressed against the braked portion 43a and restrains the rotating body 43. When the hydraulic pressure is released, the brake shoe 72 releases the rotating body 43. As described above, the drum brake type braking unit 70 can also be used.

<< Structure of drive device: 4th example >>
11 and 12 are views regarding the braking unit 80 in the fourth example of the drive device 23. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing only the drive device 23 including the braking unit 80. FIG. 12 is a view of the drive device 23 including the braking unit 80 as viewed from diagonally below. In FIG. 12 with reference to FIG. 11, a sprocket as a braked portion 43c is formed in the lower portion of the rotating body 43. The support arm portion 81 fixed to the support column 21 is formed so as to project outward in the radial direction of the support column 21. A braking motor 82 is built in the tip of the support arm portion 81, and a sprocket 83 is attached to the rotating shaft 82a (FIG. 11) of the braking motor 82. A chain 84 is hung on the large-diameter braked portion 43c and the small-diameter sprocket 83.

When the azimuth drive unit 40 is stopped and the array 1 is stopped, rotational torque is applied to the braking motor 82 of the braking unit 80. This rotational torque is applied in the direction of urging the rotating body 43 and the array 1 in the azimuth direction. However, the rotational torque is insufficient to actually rotate the rotating body 43, and the braking motor 82 only gives the rotational torque.

By applying such a rotational torque, even if the reduction gear mechanism 44 (FIG. 7) having an azimuth angle has backlash, the rotating body 43 is suppressed from rotating in the direction in which the backlash is reduced. Therefore, even if a force due to wind pressure acts on the array 1, the passive rotation of the array 1 is suppressed. That is, by applying the rotational torque even while the array 1 is stopped by the braking motor 82, the rotating body 43 is restrained and the passive rotational movement of the rotating body 43 and the array 1 is suppressed in the same manner as the braking by the brake. be able to.

As described above, the braking unit 80 of the fourth example includes a braking motor 82 that applies rotational torque to the rotating body 43 in one direction. The braking motor 82 applies a rotational torque in the opposite direction so that the rotating body 43 does not rotate toward the backlash of the reduction gear mechanism 44 (FIG. 7). This makes it possible to suppress the passive rotation of the rotating body 43 and the array 1 within the stop time.

By providing a power transmission mechanism that decelerates via a chain 84 between the large-diameter braked portion 43c and the small-diameter sprocket 83, a sufficient rotation suppression effect can be obtained even with a small braking motor 82. .. However, the rotational torque of the braking motor 82 is smaller than the rotational torque for starting the rotation of the array 1 and the rotating body 43 in the stopped state next. That is, while suppressing the passive rotation of the rotating body 43, the rotation torque for suppressing the rotation is suppressed to be smaller than the original rotation torque for tracking the sun.

《Supplementary note》
At least a part of the above-mentioned braking units 50, 70, and 80 may be arbitrarily combined with each other.
It should also be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the scope of claims and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 array 1M concentrating solar power generation module (module)
2 Tracking pedestal 21 Strut 22 Foundation 23 Drive device 24 Horizontal axis 25 pedestal part 25a Reinforcing material 25b Rail 30 Elevation angle drive part 31 Motor 32 Fixed wheel 33 Movable wheel 34 Reduction gear mechanism 40 Directional angle drive part 41 Motor 42 Gear 43 Rotating body 43a , 43b, 43c Braked part 44 Deceleration gear mechanism 50 Braking part 51 Braking motor 52 Deceleration gear mechanism 53 Master cylinder 54,55 Brake caliper 61 Solar radiation sensor 62 Control part 62b Braking command part 62m Storage part 62t Tracking command part 63 Drive circuit 64 Drive circuit for suppressing rotation 70 Brake unit 71 pin 72 Brake shoe 80 Brake unit 81 Support arm 82 Brake motor 82a Rotation shaft 83 Sprocket 84 Chain 100 Concentrating solar power generation device

Claims (7)

It is a drive device that drives an array for concentrating photovoltaic power generation so that it is in a posture of tracking the sun, and regarding tracking of the azimuth angle.
The motor that is the azimuth rotation drive source and
A reduction gear mechanism that reduces the shaft rotation of the motor, and
A rotating body provided on the decelerated side of the reduction gear mechanism and causing the array to rotate in an azimuth angle.
A drive circuit that intermittently drives the motor,
A braking unit that restrains the rotating body and suppresses passive rotational movement within the time from when the rotating body stops due to the intermittent drive of the motor until the next rotation starts.
A control unit that controls the drive circuit and the braking unit,
The drive unit equipped with. The braking part is
Braking motor and
A master cylinder that generates hydraulic pressure using the braking motor as a drive source,
The drive device according to claim 1, further comprising a brake caliper capable of pressure contacting the rotating body by the hydraulic pressure. The driving device according to claim 1, wherein the braking unit includes a braking motor that applies rotational torque to the rotating body in one direction. The driving device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the braking unit exerts a function of restraining the rotating body only during the daytime. The drive device according to claim 3, wherein the rotational torque is smaller than the rotational torque for starting the rotation of the array and the rotating body in a stopped state. The concentrating photovoltaic power generation device comprising an array for concentrating photovoltaic power generation and the driving device according to claim 1 that drives the array so as to be in a solar tracking posture. It is a method of driving an array in a concentrating photovoltaic power generation device that has a reduction gear mechanism and tracks the sun to generate electricity.
Regarding azimuth tracking
The first operation of rotating and stopping the rotating body that operates integrally with the array by the angle required for sun tracking, and the rotation of the stopped rotating body so as not to make a passive rotational movement. A method of driving an array that intermittently moves the array by alternately performing a second operation of restraining the body.

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