JP3554041B2 - Sun tracking device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a sun tracking device, and more particularly, to a sun tracking device including a main body rotatable about an axis in a plane and a tracking motor for rotating the main body to track the sun. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a sun tracking device including a main body rotatable about an axis in a plane and a tracking motor for rotating the main body to track the sun is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 4-36497. Technology. This solar tracking device installs a main body with a reflector on the front side outside the building in order to introduce sunlight into the building, and keeps the front side of the main body always in direct contact with the sun by a tracking motor. This is a device that constantly introduces sunlight into a building via a reflector.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above conventional sun tracking device has the following problems.
When a commercial power supply or a battery (including a dry battery and a storage battery) is used as the power supply of the tracking motor, the power may not be used at the time of power failure or when the battery is exhausted.
Further, when the tracking is completed in the evening or when the tracking is restarted the next morning, it is necessary to perform a resetting operation in which the front side of the main body, which is stopped to face west, faces east. If the reset operation is forgotten, there is a problem that the apparatus cannot be used even when the sun is out.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a solar tracking device that can be used even during a power failure and that can automatically perform a reset operation after stopping.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, a main body that is rotatable about an axis in a plane,
A first solar cell disposed on the front side of the main body,
A second solar cell disposed on the back side of the main body,
A tracking motor for receiving power supplied from the first solar cell or the second solar cell and rotating the main body;
A tracking sensor provided on the main body, for detecting whether or not the front of the main body is directly facing the sun,
Wherein when the power generation amount of the first solar cell has reached a prescribed amount of power, the first power is supplied from the solar cell to the tracking motor, the tracking motor based on a signal from the tracking sensor Controlling the front of the main body to face the sun,
At sunset, the outputs of the first solar cell and the second solar cell become zero, the front of the main body part faces west, the rear face of the main body part stops eastward, and at dawn, When the power generation amount of the first solar cell facing west has not reached the predetermined power generation amount, and the power generation amount of the second solar cell facing east has reached the predetermined power generation amount, Control means is provided for supplying electric power from the second solar cell to the tracking motor and rotating the main body to a predetermined rotational position so that the front of the main body is directed eastward in the direction of the morning sun .
[0005]
Further, in the above sun tracking device, both side ends on the back side of the main body are formed on a slope connected to each side of the main body,
The second solar cells may be provided on both slopes.
Further, the front side of the main body is opened, or covered with a transparent member,
A reflecting mirror for reflecting incident sunlight in a predetermined direction in the main body may be provided in the main body.
Further, an angle adjusting means for adjusting the angle of the reflecting mirror with respect to the sun may be provided.
[0006]
[Action]
The operation will be described.
The tracking motor can be rotated by electric power supplied from the first solar cell or the second solar cell provided in the main body.
Also, when the power generation amount of the first solar cell has not reached the predetermined power generation amount, such as at dawn, the control means supplies power to the tracking motor from the second solar cell and resumes tracking the front of the main body. Can be rotated to a predetermined rotation position at which to start.
[0007]
【Example】
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, a description will be given of a solar tracking device as an example of a solar tracking device for guiding sunlight into a building.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external fitting of the solar light introducing device 10 of the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a rear view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a partial side sectional view.
In each of the drawings, reference numeral 12 denotes a base, which is fixed, for example, to the roof of a building (not shown). The base part 12 is hollow inside, and communicates with the inside of the building. The sunlight is sent into the base 12, and the sunlight is introduced into the building.
[0008]
Reference numeral 14 denotes a main body, which is formed in a box shape having a substantially triangular side surface. The front of the main body 14 is open so as to face obliquely upward to receive the sunlight 16 efficiently. The open front side is covered with a transparent member 18 (for example, transparent glass) so that dust and rainwater do not enter. A through hole 20 is provided in the inner bottom surface of the main body 14 and communicates with the inside of the base 12. With this structure, sunlight 16 can be introduced into the building via the base 12. The main body 14 is rotatable about an axis with respect to the upper surface of the base 12. In addition, a heat radiating hole 22 for radiating heat accumulated inside is provided in a rear portion of the main body portion 14.
[0009]
Reference numeral 24 denotes a reflecting mirror, which is rotatably supported on the inner surface of the main body 14 via each shaft 26 in the direction of the arrow. Each of the shaft portions 26 is disposed at the center of each of the reflecting mirrors 24 in the vertical direction, and each of the reflecting mirrors 24 is supported in a well-balanced manner. The reflecting mirror 24 is constructed via the base 12 by reflecting the sunlight 16 entering the main body 14 toward the through hole 20 which is an example of a predetermined direction, as clearly shown in FIG. It can be introduced into objects. A plurality of reflecting mirrors 24 are provided in order to efficiently introduce sunlight 16, and each reflecting surface (surface) is parallel to each other. Further, the vertical width of each reflecting mirror 24 is sequentially changed to increase the introduction efficiency. In this embodiment, the lower reflector 24 has a narrower vertical width, and the upper reflector 24 has a wider vertical width. Each of the reflecting mirrors 24 is independently pivotally supported. However, as described above, the reflecting surfaces need to be always parallel to each other. Is being worn. The link piece 28 is always arranged in parallel with a virtual line segment 30 connecting the shaft portions 26 of the respective reflecting mirrors 24.
[0010]
Reference numeral 32 denotes a first solar cell, which is provided on the front side of the main body 14. The first solar cell 32 is fixed in the main body 14 at a position facing obliquely upward in order to effectively receive sunlight. The electromotive force of the first solar cell 32 is preferably such that it can drive a tracking motor, which will be described later, even in a slightly cloudy sky.
Reference numerals 34a and 34b denote second solar cells, which are disposed on the back side of the main body 14. In the present embodiment, both side ends on the back side of the main body 14 are formed on slopes 38a, 38b connected to the side surfaces 36a, 36b of the main body 14, respectively. Each of the second solar cells 34a and 34b is disposed on both slopes 38a and 38b, respectively. The second solar cell may be disposed at the center of the back surface of the main body 14 without being divided into two, that is, the second solar cell 34a and 34b as in the present embodiment, but on the slopes 38a and 38b. It is more advantageous to arrange them individually because the automatic reset operation can be performed reliably. The reason will be described later. The electromotive force of the second solar cells 34a, 34b is also preferably such that a tracking motor, which will be described later, can be driven even in a slightly cloudy sky.
[0011]
A limit switch 40 is provided for detecting a predetermined rotational position of the main body 14 with respect to the base 12. The limit switch 40 is provided at a predetermined position on the base unit 12, and when the limit switch 40 comes into contact with a dog (not shown) provided on a cylindrical portion 42 vertically provided on the lower surface of the main body 14, 14 can be detected as being at a predetermined rotation position with respect to the base 12. The predetermined rotational position is a rotational position when the front side of the main body 14 is preferably oriented east in a reset operation for turning the front side of the main body 14 east when resuming tracking of the sun the next morning, for example.
[0012]
A tracking sensor 44 is fixed to the front side of the main body 14. The tracking sensor 44 is provided to detect whether the front of the main body 14 faces the sun. FIG. 4 shows an example of the tracking sensor 44. The tracking sensor 44 is disposed on both sides of a convex base 46 and a central convex portion 48 of the base 46, and outputs a voltage corresponding to the intensity of received light. ) 50. When the tracking sensor 44 is directly facing the sun, the outputs of both photodiodes 50 are equal, but when the tracking sensor 44 is not facing the sun, one of the right and left photodiodes 50 is shadowed by the central convex portion 48. Since the output of the photodiode 50 in the shadow is smaller than that of the other photodiode 50, the sun is biased toward the photodiode 50 having the larger output with respect to the central convex portion 48. Can be detected.
[0013]
Reference numeral 52 denotes an angle sensor, which is fixed to the innermost reflecting mirror 24 in this embodiment (omitted in FIG. 3), and is swingable integrally with all the reflecting mirrors 24. The angle sensor 52 is provided to detect whether or not the angle of the reflecting mirror 24 with respect to the sun is a suitable angle for reflecting the sunlight toward the through hole 20. This is because the altitude of the sun changes every moment according to time and season. As the angle sensor 52, for example, a sensor basically the same as the tracking sensor 44 shown in FIG. 4 can be used. When the sensor shown in FIG. 4 is used as the angle sensor 52, the sensor is set in a posture rotated by 90 degrees. When the sensor is arranged in this posture, when the reflecting mirror 24 is at a suitable angle with respect to the sun, the outputs of both photodiodes 50 of the angle sensor 52 are equal, but the angle of the reflecting mirror 24 is not suitable with respect to the sun. In this case, since the upper or lower photodiode 50 is in the shadow of the central convex portion 48, the output of the photodiode 50 in the shadow is smaller than the output of the other photodiode 50. 48, it is possible to detect that the output is biased toward the photodiode 50 which is larger.
[0014]
Reference numeral 54 denotes a first gear, which is fixed to the shaft 26 of the innermost reflecting mirror 24 in this embodiment, and is rotatable integrally with the swing of all the reflecting mirrors 24.
Reference numeral 56 denotes a second gear, which is rotatably disposed on the inner wall surface of the main body 14 and meshes with the first gear 54.
Reference numeral 58 denotes a first pulley, which is coaxially fixed to the second gear 56. The first pulley 58 is rotatable integrally with the second gear 56.
Reference numeral 60 denotes an angle adjustment motor, which is fixed in the main body 14. The angle adjustment motor 60 is driven by receiving power supply from the first solar cell 32.
Reference numeral 62 denotes a second pulley, which is rotated by the angle adjustment motor 60.
A timing belt 64 is wound around the first pulley 58 and the second pulley 62.
In this embodiment, the first gear 54, the second gear 56, the first pulley 58, the second pulley 62, the angle adjusting motor 60, and the timing belt 64 adjust the angle of the reflecting mirror 24 with respect to the sun. Angle adjusting means for performing the adjustment. It should be noted that the angle adjusting means is not limited to the above-described configuration, and various means can be employed.
[0015]
Subsequently, the control system of the solar light introducing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described with further reference to FIG. 5 (block diagram).
Reference numeral 66 denotes a tracking motor, which is provided in the main body 14. The tracking motor 66 is supplied with electric power from the first solar cell 32 or the second solar cells 34a, 34b, and rotates the main body 14 on the base 12 about the axis. There are various methods of rotating the main body 14 by the tracking motor 66. For example, a peripheral gear (not shown) is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 42 vertically provided on the lower surface of the main body 14, and the tracking motor A method of rotating a drive gear (not shown) meshing with the peripheral gear at 66 and a method of rotating a timing belt (not shown) wound around the cylindrical portion 42 by the tracking motor 66 can be adopted.
Reference numeral 68 denotes a relay, which is an example of a switching unit, in which the power supply source to the tracking motor 66 is the first solar cell 32 (first state) or the second solar cells 34a and 34b ( (Second state).
[0016]
Reference numeral 70 denotes a CPU as an example of the control means, which includes a microprocessor. When the power generation amount of the first solar cell 32 has reached a power generation amount sufficient to drive the tracking motor 66 as a control means, the CPU 70 transmits the signal from the first solar cell 32 to the tracking motor 66 via the relay 68. Electric power is supplied, and the driving amount of the tracking motor 66 is controlled based on the signal from the tracking sensor 44 to make the front of the main body 14, that is, the reflecting mirror 24 face the sun. On the other hand, the amount of power generated by the first solar cell 32 has not reached a sufficient amount of power to drive the tracking motor 66, and the amount of power generated by the second solar cells 34a and 34b has not been sufficient to drive the tracking motor 66. When the power generation amount has been reached, the CPU 70 supplies power from the second solar cells 34 a and 34 b (which may be shared with the first solar cell 32) to the tracking motor 66 via the relay 68, and , That is, the reflecting mirror 24 is rotated to the eastward position, which is a predetermined rotational position that can be detected via the limit switch 40. In addition, the CPU 70 receives a signal from the tracking sensor 44 to control automatic tracking of the sun and a signal from the angle sensor 52 to control automatic adjustment of the angle of the reflecting mirror 24 with respect to the sun according to a predetermined program.
[0017]
Next, the sun tracking operation of the solar light introducing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described with further reference to FIG. 6 (flowchart of the CPU 70).
When the sun tracking is completed in the evening of the previous day, the front of the main body 14 and the reflecting mirror 24 face west and stop. Accordingly, the back surface of the main body 14 faces east.
When the sun starts to shine at dawn, the second solar cells 34a and 34b facing east receive light and start power generation. In the present embodiment, the second solar cells 34a and 34b are divided and disposed on the slopes 38a and 38b formed on both sides of the rear surface of the main body 14, so that it is possible to reliably receive the morning sun. For example, when the second solar cell is located only in the center of the back surface of the main body 14, depending on the position where the sun rises and the rotational position of the main body 14 stopped the day before, the first solar cell 32 and Since there is a possibility that the second solar cell cannot receive light, it is more advantageous to form the slopes 38a and 38b and dispose the second solar cells 34a and 34b as in this embodiment.
[0018]
When the first solar cell 32 starts power generation in the morning, the CPU 70 is activated (step 100), and the first solar cell 32 is first turned on (a predetermined power generation amount, that is, a voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined level is output. Is checked (step 102). When the morning sun is received, the second solar cells 34a and 34b normally receive light as described above and turn on, and the first solar cell 32 does not receive light and thus turns off (a predetermined power generation amount, that is, a predetermined level). This is a state in which the above voltage is not output). Accordingly, the CPU 70 checks whether or not the second solar cells 34a and 34b are advanced and are ON (a state where a voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined level is being output) (step 104). Here, if the second solar cells 34a and 34b are also OFF (a state in which a voltage equal to or higher than a predetermined level is not output), it means that the amount of sunlight is insufficient, and the process returns to step 102.
[0019]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 104 that the second solar cells 34a, 34b are ON, the CPU 70 sets the relay 68 to the second state, and enables power supply from the second solar cells 34a, 34b to the tracking motor 66 ( Step 106). Subsequently, the CPU 70 checks the state of the limit switch 40 (step 108), and confirms the front of the main body 14 and the direction of the reflecting mirror 24. When the limit switch 40 is ON, the front of the main body 14 and the reflecting mirror 24 face east, and when the limit switch 40 is OFF, the front of the main body 14 and the reflecting mirror 24 face west. Will be. In this example, since it is still facing west, the CPU 70 drives the tracking motor 66 by a predetermined amount (step 110). The operations of steps 108 and 110 are repeated to rotate the main body 14 until the limit switch 40 is turned on.
[0020]
When the limit switch 40 is turned on in step 108, the CPU 70 returns to step 102 again and checks whether or not the first solar cell 32 is on (step 102). In this case, since the front of the main body unit 14 is already facing the east which is the direction of the morning sun, the first solar cell 32 is ON, and the CPU 70 switches the relay 68 to the first state (step 112). ), Power can be supplied from the first solar cell 32 to the tracking motor 66. Here, the power supply from the second solar cells 34a and 34b is stopped by setting the relay 68 to the first state, because the power supply from the second solar cells 34a and 34b is performed in the apparatus of the present embodiment. Since the program is designed to rotate the main body unit 14 until the limit switch 40 is turned ON, a malfunction during the sun tracking is prevented.
[0021]
When the first solar cell 32 is turned on, the CPU 70 checks whether the front of the main body 14 and the reflecting mirror 24 face the sun using the tracking sensor 44 following step 112 (step 114). When facing the sun, the state may be maintained, but when not facing the sun, the CPU 70 detects the bias direction of the sun from the difference between the output levels of the two photodiodes 50 of the tracking sensor 44 and determines the tracking direction. Is determined (step 116). When the tracking direction is determined, the CPU 70 drives the tracking motor 66 by a predetermined amount (step 118), and returns to step 102. The operations of steps 102, 112 to 118 are repeated until the front of the main body 14 and the reflecting mirror 24 face the sun at step 114.
[0022]
The CPU 70 can automatically track the sun by performing the above operations continuously. During this tracking, the CPU 70 continuously detects the change in the solar altitude by the angle sensor 52 and keeps the angle of the reflecting mirror 24 with respect to the sun by the angle adjusting motor 60 at a suitable angle. Sunlight can be introduced continuously.
After sunset, the outputs of the first solar cell 32 and the second solar cells 34a and 34b become zero, and the solar light introducing device 10 automatically stops. By this stop, the state of the register of the CPU 70 is also cleared, so that automatic tracking can be started again from the initial state on the next morning.
[0023]
Next, another example of the angle adjusting means will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 5, and description thereof will be omitted.
Reference numeral 80 denotes a sensor driving gear, which is rotatably disposed on the mounting member 84. The sensor driving gear 80 is integrally connected to the second pulley 62, and the two 62 and 80 are integrally rotatable with respect to the mounting member 84. The second pulley 62 and the sensor driving gear 80 are driven to rotate by the angle adjusting motor 60.
The angle adjustment motor 60 is attached to the attachment member 84. Further, the mounting member 84 is fixed to the inner wall of the main body 14 via means (not shown) (for example, an angle or a bolt).
Reference numeral 82 denotes a sensor gear, which is rotatably disposed on the mounting member 84. The sensor gear 82 meshes with the sensor drive gear 80, and when the sensor drive gear 80 is driven to rotate, the sensor gear 82 rotates. The angle sensor 52 is connected to a sensor gear 82. When the sensor gear 82 rotates, the angle sensor 52 can swing up and down (the direction of the arrow X).
[0024]
In the example shown in FIG. 7, when the angle sensor 52 is horizontal, the angle of the reflecting mirror 24 with respect to the horizontal plane is 45 degrees, and when the angle sensor 52 is at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane, the angle of the reflecting mirror 24 with respect to the horizontal plane is The angle is 90 degrees. That is, the swing angle of the reflecting mirror 24 is set to １ ／ of the swing angle of the angle sensor 52.
As described above, various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, the present invention is not a solar light introducing device, and generates power by automatically tracking the sun. It is needless to say that more modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, for example, it may be used for a photovoltaic power generation device for such purposes.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
With the use of the sun tracking device according to the present invention, the tracking motor can be rotated by power supplied from the first solar cell or the second solar cell provided in the main body, and thus can be used even during a power failure. It can be installed in places where there is no external power source, such as the ocean or mountains, and has a wide range of uses. For example, if it is used as a solar power generation device, it can always face the sun, so that the maximum power generation amount can be maintained.
Further, when the power generation amount of the first solar cell does not reach the predetermined power generation amount, such as at dawn, the control unit supplies power to the tracking motor from the second solar cell disposed on the opposite side, Since the front surface of the main body can be rotated to a predetermined rotation position at which tracking restart is started, the user does not need to perform a reset operation, and the reset operation can be performed automatically and reliably.
[0026]
In particular, when the configuration of claim 2 is adopted, the second solar cell can surely receive sunlight at the time of reset, and it is possible to prevent a reset error.
When the configuration of claim 3 is adopted, the sun tracking device according to the present invention can be applied to a solar light introducing device.
When the configuration of claim 4 is adopted, the apparatus of claim 3 has a remarkable effect such that sunlight can always be efficiently introduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solar light introduction device which is an embodiment of a sun tracking device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a partial side sectional view of the apparatus of the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tracking sensor.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a control operation of sun tracking.
FIG. 7 is a partial side view showing another example of the angle adjusting means.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 10 solar light introducing device 14 main body 16 sunlight 18 transparent member 20 through hole 24 reflecting mirror 32 first solar cell 34a, 34b second solar cell 38a, 38b slope 44 tracking sensor 52 angle sensor 54 first gear 56 Second gear 58 First pulley 60 Angle adjusting motor 62 Second pulley 64 Timing belt 66 Tracking motor 68 Relay 70 CPU
80 Sensor drive gear 82 Sensor gear

Claims (4)

A body part rotatable about an axis in a plane,
A first solar cell disposed on the front side of the main body,
A second solar cell disposed on the back side of the main body,
A tracking motor for receiving power from the first solar cell or the second solar cell and rotating the main body;
A tracking sensor provided on the main body, for detecting whether or not the front of the main body is directly facing the sun,
Wherein when the power generation amount of the first solar cell has reached a prescribed amount of power, the first power is supplied from the solar cell to the tracking motor, the tracking motor based on a signal from the tracking sensor Controlling the front of the main body to face the sun,
At sunset, the outputs of the first solar cell and the second solar cell become zero, the front of the main body part faces west, the rear face of the main body part stops eastward, and at dawn, When the power generation amount of the first solar cell facing west has not reached the predetermined power generation amount, and the power generation amount of the second solar cell facing east has reached the predetermined power generation amount, Solar tracking means for supplying power to the tracking motor from a second solar cell and rotating the front face of the main body to a predetermined rotation position so as to face east, which is the direction of the morning sun; apparatus. Both end portions on the back side of the main body are formed on slopes connected to respective side surfaces of the main body,
The sun tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the second solar cells are provided on both slopes, respectively. The front side of the main body is open or covered with a transparent member,
The sun tracking device according to claim 1, wherein a reflecting mirror for reflecting incident sunlight in a predetermined direction in the main body is provided in the main body. 4. The sun tracking device according to claim 3, further comprising an angle adjusting means for adjusting an angle of the reflecting mirror with respect to the sun.

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