JP3128040U - Light source tracking device - Google Patents

Abstract

A light source tracking device having a wide viewing angle for specifying position information and giving a signal to a drive unit of the light collecting and collecting device so as to aim the light collecting and focusing device in the brightest direction of the light source.
A light source tracking device includes a light source tracking optical sensor device and a control device, and is used by being attached to a light collecting and collecting device. The light source tracking optical sensor device forms a triangular pyramid. Three face plates 2, 4, 6 and three shielding plates 7, 8, 9 are each formed of a rectangular plate, and at the ridgeline of the triangular pyramid 34 so that the inner edge is united with the axis of the triangular pyramid 34 Standing along the axis z of the triangular pyramid 34, the three face plates 2, 4, 6 are partitioned and shielded from each other, and the three optical sensors 1, 3, 5 are provided on the surfaces of the three face plates 2, 4, 6 The control device 36 receives an output indicating the light detection intensity from the three photosensors 1, 3, 5 and receives light so that the light detection intensities from the three photosensors are the same. Control the orientation as possible.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a light source tracking device for aiming a light collecting and focusing device toward the brightest direction of a light source such as the sun or the moon in the whole sky region.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a solar tracking device that tracks a solar power generation device such as a solar cell panel (solar panel), a solar heat collecting device, and the like with an optical sensor in order to irradiate the sunlight most effectively is known.

  For example, a photodetection light sensor is arranged inside the substantially quadrangular pyramid portion, and a light shielding plate that restricts incident light to each photodetection photosensor is arranged as a photosensor block. When the angle changes, the amount of incident light on the conical surfaces facing each other changes in a trade-off relationship with each other, so the difference in the amount of incident light between the two light detection photosensors at the opposing positions is kept constant. A solar tracking device in which a controlled object reliably tracks the movement of the sun by driving and controlling the object is known (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, the control device includes a clock and a solar direction light sensor that outputs a signal indicating the sun direction, and the control device calculates a first time when the sun reaches the south center based on the time measured by the clock, and the sun direction Based on the signal from the optical sensor, the south / middle direction is detected, the clock is corrected based on the difference between the second time when the south / middle direction is detected and the first time, and the clock error is automatically corrected. A tracking solar power generation apparatus that can be corrected is known (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2004-146745 A JP 2001-217445 A

  Although the solar tracking device described in Patent Document 1 is provided with a shielding plate that has a substantially quadrangular pyramid shape, there is room for improvement in the shape of the shielding plate in order to improve the detection accuracy of each optical sensor. The solar direction light sensor is arranged upwards with respect to each flat surface. However, in this case, it is difficult to catch light from the horizontal direction. There is room for improvement.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem and identifies and collects position information so that the light collecting device is aimed at the brightest direction of a light source such as the sun and the moon in the whole sky region. It is an object of the present invention to realize a light source tracking device having a wide viewing angle for giving a signal to a drive unit of the device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a light source tracking light sensor device and a control device, and is a light source tracking device attached to a light collecting and collecting device, wherein the light source tracking light sensor device includes a triangular pyramid. 3 face plates to be formed and 3 shielding plates, each of which has an optical sensor attached to the surface, and each of the 3 shielding plates comprises a rectangular plate, and has an inner edge. Are raised along the axis of the triangular pyramid at the ridgeline of the triangular pyramid so as to be united at the axis of the triangular pyramid, and the three face plates are partitioned and shielded from each other, and the control device includes: The outputs indicating the light detection intensities from the three photosensors attached to the three face plates are input, and the light collecting intensity of the light collecting and collecting device and the light source tracking photosensor device are detected by the three photosensors. Make sure they are the same To provide a light source tracking device, characterized in that the configuration of controlling allows to become oriented.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a light source tracking optical sensor device and a control device, and is a light source tracking device attached to a light collecting and collecting device. The light source tracking optical sensor device includes three light sources. A sensor and three shielding plates are provided, and the three optical sensors are attached by attachment means so as to be respectively arranged along three virtual surfaces constituting a virtual triangular pyramid. The three shielding plates are each formed of a rectangular plate, and stand along the axis of the triangular pyramid at the ridgeline of the triangular pyramid so that the inner edges of the three shielding plates are united with the axis of the triangular pyramid, Three surfaces are partitioned and shielded from each other, and the control device inputs an output indicating the light detection intensity from the three photosensors, and controls the light collecting and collecting device and the light source tracking photosensor device. , From the three light sensors To provide a light source tracking device, wherein the detected intensity is the same become so receivable become controlling the orientation structure to each other.

  It is preferable that the light collecting / collecting device and the light source tracking optical sensor device can be rotated around the x axis and the y axis orthogonal to each other by a common or different rotation support mechanism.

  The control device outputs a control signal such that output values from the three photosensors are the same, and controls the rotation of the light collection device and the light source tracking photosensor device by the rotation support mechanism. It is preferable.

  The control device outputs a control signal that causes the output values of the second and third photosensors of the three photosensors to be the same, and rotates around the y-axis of the two axes by the rotation support mechanism. And a control signal is output so that the average value of the second and third output values is the same as the output value of the first photosensor, and the x axis of the two axes is output by the rotation support mechanism. It is preferable to rotate around.

  The said light collection apparatus is good also as a structure which is a concave mirror condensing apparatus, a semi-cylindrical mirror condensing apparatus, or a solar cell panel.

The light source tracking device according to the present invention produces the following effects.
(1) Since the optical sensors are provided on the inclined surfaces which are the surfaces of the three face plates forming the triangular pyramid, each optical sensor also detects light from a direction perpendicular to the axis of the triangular pyramid (z axis). Therefore, it is possible to detect light with high accuracy.

(2) The three shielding plates erected on the ridgelines of the three faceplates forming the triangular pyramid are each rectangular and have a large shielding area compared to the triangular shielding plate. The sensor is less affected by light from the adjacent direction, and can detect the light intensity in the corresponding direction with a faithful reflection.

(3) The light source tracking optical sensor device according to the present invention has a configuration including a shielding plate that divides the three face plates forming the triangular pyramid from each other by the ridge lines of the triangular pyramid, so that the entire configuration is simple and compact. .

(4) Since light in all directions is accurately performed by the minimum required three optical sensors, the structure is simple, and variations in detection characteristics of the optical sensors are performed for the minimum required three optical sensors. Therefore, workability such as maintenance is also good.

  The best mode for carrying out the light source tracking device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on the embodiments.

  1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining a light source tracking device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining Example 1 of the present invention. The first embodiment shows a configuration in which a light source tracking device 30 according to the present invention is applied to a concave mirror condensing device 31. First, the overall configuration of the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the concave mirror 12 of the concave mirror concentrating device 31 is rotatably supported by a rotation support mechanism 32 so that the inclination angle can be changed. The rotation support mechanism 32 is installed on a base (not shown) or the like, and includes a support base 13, a movable member 16, a fixed member 19, and motors 15 and 18.

  The support base 13 supports the concave mirror 12 via a support shaft 33. The support base 13 can be rotated by a rotation shaft 14 of a motor 15 attached to the movable member 16 so that the support table 13 tilts around the axis of the rotation shaft 14 (referred to as “x axis”). is there.

  Further, the movable member 16 can be rotated around the axis (referred to as “y-axis”) of the rotating shaft 17 by the rotating shaft 17 of the motor 18 attached to the fixed member 19. The x axis and the y axis are perpendicular to each other.

  Therefore, the support 13 and the concave mirror 12 can be rotated so as to incline around the x-axis and the y-axis by the rotation support mechanism 32, and the light source tracking device 30 (to be described later) is provided and functioned so that the light source can be used. On the other hand, the concave mirror 12 can be made to face in the direction in which light can be effectively collected.

  The concentrator 11 and the light source tracking device 30 are attached to the concave mirror 12 by a support rod 21. The collector 11 is disposed at the focal point of the concave mirror 12 so as to collect the reflected light of the concave mirror 12. The light (energy) collected by the condenser 11 is sent to a light energy utilization device (not shown) (for example, a photovoltaic device, a light heat utilization device, a lighting device, a photocatalyst sterilization device, etc.) through the optical fiber cable 20 or the optical duct. .

  The light source tracking device 30 is integrated with the condenser 11 and coaxially (on the z axis). Then, the motor 15 and the motor 19 in the rotation support mechanism 32 are rotated together with the concave mirror 12 and the condenser 11 so as to be in the same direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light source tracking device 30 includes a light source tracking optical sensor device 10 and a control device 36. FIG. 1A is a plan view of the light source tracking optical sensor device 10, and FIG. 1B is a front view thereof.

  The light source tracking optical sensor device 10 includes three face plates 2, 4, 6 that form a triangular pyramid 34, and the axis of the triangular pyramid 34 on the ridgeline of the triangular pyramid (direction perpendicular to the bottom surface of the triangular pyramid 34). And 3) standing shielding plates 7, 8, and 9. The light source tracking optical sensor device 10 is fixed on a support plate 35 indicated by an imaginary line in FIG.

  The shielding plates 7, 8, and 9 are each formed of a rectangular plate, and are arranged upright so as to partition the three face plates 2, 4, and 6 forming the triangular pyramid 34 and spaces above them. . The inner edges of the shielding plates 7, 8, 9 are combined at the axis (z axis) of the triangular pyramid 34, and are arranged at equal intervals (120 ° intervals) around the axis.

  The three face plates 2, 4, 6 and the shielding plates 7, 8, 9 are made of a material such as an opaque or translucent resin or a metal plate. In the case where the shielding plates 7, 8, and 9 are translucent, for example, even if the optical sensors 3 and 5 are hidden behind the shielding plate at the same time, if there is a difference in the illuminance received by the sensors, the purpose is promptly achieved. Can be achieved.

  Photosensors 1, 3, and 5 are attached to the surfaces (upper surfaces) of the three face plates 2, 4, and 6 forming the triangular pyramid 34, respectively. As the optical sensors 1, 3, and 5, known optical sensors (photodiodes, phototransistors, etc.) that detect the intensity of light are used.

  One of the characteristic configurations of the light source tracking device of the present invention is a configuration in which the optical sensors 1, 3, and 5 are respectively provided on the inclined surfaces that are the surfaces of the three face plates 2, 4, and 6 that form the triangular pyramid 34. is there. As described above, by providing the optical sensors 1, 3, and 5 on the inclined surface, the optical sensors 1, 3, and 5 can detect light from a direction perpendicular to the axial center (z-axis) of the triangular pyramid 34. it can.

  Therefore, according to the light source tracking device 30 of the present invention, if the concave mirror 12 and the light source tracking device 30 are directed upward in the vertical direction with respect to the horizon, the light sensors 1, 3, and 5 It has the advantage that it can be detected, and a wider range and accurate light detection are possible.

  Furthermore, another characteristic configuration of the light source tracking device of the present invention is a configuration in which the shielding plates 7, 8, and 9 are each formed in a rectangular shape. In the first place, the shielding plates 7, 8, and 9 have a function that the optical sensors 1, 3, and 5 accurately detect the intensity of light in the corresponding direction without being affected by light from adjacent directions. Have.

  However, as in the conventional example (Patent Document 1), with a triangular shielding plate, the shielding area becomes small and a sufficient shielding effect does not occur. On the other hand, the rectangular shielding plate has a larger shielding area than the triangular shielding plate, and the shielding effect with more accurate directivity is sufficiently generated by extending the z-axis direction. .

  Furthermore, another characteristic configuration of the light source tracking device of the present invention is that the light source tracking optical sensor device 10 includes three face plates 2, 4, 6 and shielding plates 7, 8, 9 forming a triangular pyramid 34. Therefore, the structure is simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the shape of a substantially square pyramid as in the conventional example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the three optical sensors 1, 3 and 5 (first to third optical sensors) are connected to the control device 36, and the outputs of the three optical sensors 1, 3 and 5 are connected to the control device 36. Is configured to input. In the first embodiment, the control device 36 is provided on the support plate 35, but the installation location is appropriately set in consideration of wiring from the optical sensors 1, 3, and 5.

  The control device 36 is connected to the motor 15 and the motor 18 via the motor driver 37, and controls and drives the motor 15 and the motor 16 by a control signal output from the control device 36. Thereby, as described above, the light source tracking optical sensor device 10, the condenser 11, and the concave mirror 12 rotate integrally.

  The control device 36 is composed of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, and the light sensor for tracking the light source around the x axis and the y axis so that the output values of the light detection intensities of the three optical sensors 1, 3, 5 are the same. The device 10, the condenser 11, and the concave mirror 12 rotate together.

  When the direction of the z-axis is shifted from the light source, one of the optical sensors 1, 3, and 5 is shaded by the shielding plates 7, 8, and 9. However, in this light source tracking optical sensor device 10, the optical sensors 1, 3, and 5 each detect the intensity of light and send the output to the control device 36. The control device 36 operates as follows, The motor 15 and the motor 16 can be operated so as to receive the most light from the light source, and the axis (z-axis) of the concave mirror 12 can be directed.

  Specifically, the control device 36 controls the control signal so that the average value of the output value of the second photosensor 3 and the output value of the third photosensor 5 is the same as the output value of the first photosensor 1. Is sent to the motor 17 and rotated about the x-axis. The y-axis is rotated by the difference between the output values of the second optical sensor 3 and the third optical sensor 5.

  If the light detection intensities of the three optical sensors 1, 3, and 5 become the same by these operations, the z-axis is directed to the light source and can follow even if the light source moves.

  If any of the three optical sensors 1, 3 and 5 has a difference in detection characteristics (difference in detection performance), the characteristics of the optical sensors are aligned because the position of the light source and the z-axis are shifted. If it is necessary and there is a difference in characteristics, it is necessary to correct the optical sensor. In such a case, a minimum of three optical sensors is efficient.

In the first embodiment, when the sun is covered with a black cloud, it looks for another bright part and does not follow only the sun. It is not necessary to input information such as time and calendar into the apparatus, and it has a low-cost and stable function.
A wide viewing angle is useful not only on the earth but also in outer space.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, a solar cell panel (solar panel) 23 is provided in place of the concave mirror concentrating device 31 of the first embodiment, and the configuration thereof is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the configuration different from the first embodiment will be described below.

  The solar cell panel 23 of the second embodiment is configured to be rotatable about the x axis and the y axis by the substantially same rotation support mechanism 32 as that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, an attachment plate 38 is fixed to the upper edge of the solar cell panel 23, and the light source tracking device 30 is attached to the attachment plate 38. The light source tracking device 30 applied to the second embodiment has the same configuration 2 as the light source tracking device 30 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

  In the second embodiment, a motor may be provided in the support base 13 so that the support shaft 33 supported by the support base 13 rotates about its axis (z axis).

  In general, since the amount of power generation of a solar cell panel suddenly drops when the incident angle of light decreases to some extent, it is desirable that the panel surface always follows the sun from sunrise to sunset in order to generate power efficiently throughout the day. Therefore, by adding the light source tracking device 30 according to the present invention, it is possible to effectively generate power.

(Modification)
5 (a) and 5 (b) are diagrams for explaining a modification of the light source tracking device of the present invention. In the light source tracking device 30 shown in FIG. 1, the three optical sensors 1, 3, 5 of the light source tracking optical sensor device 10 are on the actual face plates 2, 4, 6 constituting a triangular pyramid as shown in FIG. However, as long as the three optical sensors 1, 3, and 5 are arranged on a surface that forms a triangular pyramid, it is not always necessary to have a configuration arranged on an actual face plate.

  That is, in the light source tracking device 30 ′ according to the modified example, the light source tracking optical sensor device 10 ′ is replaced with a three-dimensional virtual light that constitutes a virtual triangular pyramid 39 as shown in FIGS. Three optical surfaces 1, 2 and 4 'are assumed, and three optical sensors 1, 3, and 5 are arranged on the virtual three surfaces 2', 4 ', and 6', respectively. The structure is supported by the attaching means.

  The other configuration of the light source tracking optical sensor device 10 ′ configured in this manner is exactly the same as the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and in particular, the three shielding plates 7, 8, and 9 are shown in FIG. ), As shown in (b).

  The attachment means and the attachment structure include the following aspects. A mounting means 40 made of a member such as a bar or a rod is fixed to the support plate 35 obliquely along the three virtual surfaces 2 ', 4', 6 'constituting the virtual triangular pyramid 39, and the mounting thereof It is good also as a structure which attaches the sensors 1, 3, and 5 to the sloping side surface of the means (members, such as a stick | rod, a rod, etc.) diagonally upward.

  As another aspect, the attachment means 41 (FIG. 5) which consists of members, such as a bar | burr and a rod, along the virtual three surfaces 2 ', 4', 6 'which comprise the virtual triangular pyramid 39 is shown. It is good also as a structure which forms the top surface of (b) by an imaginary line) as a slope, and attaches sensors 1, 3, and 5 to this top surface.

  Furthermore, as another aspect, although not shown in the figure, along the virtual surfaces 2 ′, 4 ′, 6 ′ constituting the triangular pyramid, the mounting means made of a wire is used as the support plate 35 and the shielding plates 7, 8, 9 is stretched between 9 and 9, and the sensors 1, 3, 5 are obliquely attached to the attachment means (wire material) as if they are attached along the virtual surfaces 2 ′, 4 ′, 6 ′ of the triangular pyramid 39. Install upward. In this case, the attachment means (wire material) may be configured to serve also as a lead wire for taking out the output of the sensors 1, 3, and 5.

  The best mode of the light source tracking device according to the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to such embodiments, and the technical matters described in the claims of the utility model registration are as follows. It goes without saying that there are various embodiments within the scope of the above.

  For example, the light source tracking optical sensor device 10 of the light source tracking device 30 is integrally attached to the concave mirror condensing device 31 via the arm 21 in the first embodiment, and is directly attached to the solar cell panel 23 in the second embodiment. They are integrally attached via a plate 38.

  However, the light source tracking optical sensor device 10 does not necessarily have to be integrally attached to the light collecting and collecting device such as the concave mirror light collecting device 31 and the solar battery panel 23 as described above. That is, the light source tracking optical sensor device 10 is not configured integrally with the collecting and collecting device such as the concave mirror condensing device 31 or the solar cell panel, but the concave mirror concentrating device 31 or the solar cell panel is installed even if slightly separated. It is only necessary to move in the same manner as a light collecting and collecting apparatus such as.

  In short, since sunlight can be regarded as a parallel light beam, the light source tracking light so that the central axis (z axis) of the concave mirror concentrator 31 and the axis perpendicular to the surface of the solar cell panel always move in the same direction. The sensor device 10 may be configured to include an independent rotation support mechanism that is movable separately from the collecting and collecting device such as the concave mirror collecting device 31 and the solar battery panel. In this case, the control output from the light source tracking device 30 synchronizes the rotation support mechanism of the light source tracking optical sensor device 10 and the rotation support mechanism 32 of the light collecting / collecting device in synchronism.

  In addition, when a plurality of light collecting and collecting devices such as the concave mirror light collecting device 31 and the solar battery panel 23 are installed, the operation of each rotation support mechanism of the plurality of light collecting and collecting devices is collectively performed by one light source tracking device 30. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which group management is performed so as to control.

  The light source tracking device according to the present invention having the above-described configuration can aim the light collecting and focusing device toward the brightest direction of the light source such as the sun and the moon in the whole sky region. The present invention can be applied to various light utilization devices such as a power generation device, a solar heat utilization hot water device, etc.) and a solar light utilization device (eg, a solar power generation device, a daylighting device).

It is a figure explaining the light source tracking apparatus of this invention. It is a figure explaining the light source tracking apparatus of this invention. It is Example 1 of this invention, and is a figure explaining the structure which applied the light source tracking device to the concave mirror condensing device. It is Example 2 of this invention, and is a figure explaining the structure which applied the light source tracking apparatus to the solar cell panel. It is a figure explaining the modification of the light source tracking device of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 3, 5 Optical sensor 2, 4, 6 Face plate 2 ', 4', 6 'Three virtual surfaces 7, 8, 9 Shield plate 10, 10' Light source tracking optical sensor device
11 Concentrator
12 Concave mirror
13 Support stand
14, 17 Motor rotation shaft
15, 18 Motor
16 Movable members
19 Fixing member 20 Optical fiber cable
21 Supporting cage
23 Solar panel
30, 30 'light source tracking device
31 Concave mirror concentrator
32 Rotation support mechanism
33 Support shaft
34 Triangular pyramid
35 Support plate
36 Control device
37 Motor driver
38 Mounting plate 39 Virtual triangular pyramid 41 Mounting means

Claims (6)

A light source tracking device that has a light source tracking light sensor device and a control device and is attached to a light collecting and collecting device,
The light source tracking optical sensor device includes three face plates that form a triangular pyramid and three shielding plates,
Each of the three face plates has an optical sensor attached to the surface,
The three shielding plates are each formed of a rectangular plate, and stand up along the axis of the triangular pyramid at the ridgeline of the triangular pyramid so that the inner edges of the three shielding plates are united with the axis of the triangular pyramid. Two face plates are separated from each other and shielded,
The control device inputs outputs indicating light detection intensities from the three photosensors attached to the three face plates, and the light collecting and collecting device and the light source tracking photosensor device from the three photosensors. The light source tracking device is characterized in that the light detection intensities of the light sources are controlled so as to be in the same direction so that they can receive light. A light source tracking device that has a light source tracking light sensor device and a control device and is attached to a light collecting and collecting device,
The light source tracking optical sensor device includes three optical sensors and three shielding plates,
The three photosensors are attached by attachment means so as to be respectively arranged along three virtual surfaces constituting a virtual triangular pyramid,
The three shielding plates are each formed of a rectangular plate, and stand up along the axis of the triangular pyramid at the ridgeline of the triangular pyramid so that the inner edges of the three shielding plates are united with the axis of the triangular pyramid. One side is divided and shielded from each other,
The control device inputs an output indicating the light detection intensity from the three photosensors, and the light collection intensity of the light collecting and collecting device and the light source tracking photosensor device are the same as each other. The light source tracking device is characterized in that the light source tracking device is controlled so as to be capable of receiving light.   2. The light collecting / condensing device and the light source tracking optical sensor device can be rotated around an x axis and a y axis orthogonal to each other by a common or different rotation support mechanism, respectively. 2. The light source tracking device according to 2.   The control device outputs a control signal such that output values from the three photosensors are the same, and controls the rotation of the light collection device and the light source tracking photosensor device by the rotation support mechanism. The light source tracking device according to claim 3.   The control device outputs a control signal that causes the output values of the second and third photosensors of the three photosensors to be the same, and rotates around the y-axis of the two axes by the rotation support mechanism. And a control signal is output so that the average value of the second and third output values is the same as the output value of the first photosensor, and the x axis of the two axes is output by the rotation support mechanism. The light source tracking device according to claim 4, wherein the light source tracking device rotates around.   6. The light source tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the light collecting and collecting device is a concave mirror collecting device, a semi-cylindrical mirror collecting device, or a solar battery panel.

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