JPH11284218A - Sunlight tracking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make compact the driving means of a sunlight tracking device provided with a unit supporting frame to which a solar energy collecting unit is attached and which can turn around a vertical axis by reducing the weight of a mobile section as much as possible. SOLUTION: An upper first bearing 69 and a lower second bearing 70 are interposed between a gear case 52 to which a unit supporting frame is attached and a spindle 68 which is vertically thrust in the gear case 52 on the top side so that the spindle 68 may support the gear case 52 in such a state that the case 52 can turn around the vertical axis of the spindle 68. In the gear case 52, a reducing gear train 75 which is provided between a fixed gear 82 fixed to the spindle 68 between the first and second bearings 69 and 70 and a motor is housed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solar tracking device in which a unit support frame on which a solar energy recovery unit is mounted can rotate around a vertical axis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, such a solar tracking device is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-55806 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 6-250.
No. 739, which is already known.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above prior art,
A unit support frame on which the solar energy recovery unit is mounted is fixed to an upper portion of a column having a vertical axis, and the column is configured to rotate around the vertical axis. However, since the solar energy recovery unit and the unit support frame are supported by the pillars, when the weight of the solar energy recovery unit becomes large, the pillars also become large and heavy, and the movable body including the pillars is movable. The driving means for rotationally driving the unit is required to have a large output, which results in an increase in size.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a solar tracking device in which a movable section is reduced in weight as much as possible to reduce the size of driving means.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a solar tracking device in which a unit support frame on which a solar energy recovery unit is mounted is rotatable around a vertical axis. An upper first bearing and a lower second bearing between a gear case to which a motor is mounted and the unit support frame is mounted, and a support shaft having a vertical axis and having an upper part protruding into the gear case; Is provided to support the gear case rotatably around a vertical axis with the support shaft, and in the gear case, a portion between the fixed gear fixed to the support shaft between the first and second bearings and the motor. The reduction gear train provided in is stored.

According to this configuration, the gear case in which the solar energy recovery unit, the unit support frame, the motor, and the reduction gear train are accommodated is supported by the support shaft so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis. The weight of the movable part can be reduced as compared with the conventional one by rotating the support itself. Therefore, the output of the motor can be relatively small, and the size of the motor can be reduced.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 provides the above-described claim 1.
In addition to the configuration of the invention described above, a flange facing the lower surface of the gear case is provided integrally below the support shaft so as to extend radially outward from the support shaft and is provided integrally with the gear case. A skirt portion surrounding the outer peripheral edge extends downward and is integrally provided, and an oil seal for preventing grease from flowing out of the gear case is interposed between the support shaft and the gear case below the second bearing. It is characterized by the following.

[0008] According to the configuration of the second aspect of the invention, of the first and second bearings interposed between the gear case and the support shaft, the gear case and the support shaft are lower than the lower second bearing. An oil seal is interposed between the oil seal and the oil seal to prevent the grease from flowing out of the gear case. Therefore, the grease is prevented from running out for a long period of time so that the reduction gear train and the two bearings can be smoothly and stably. Operation can be guaranteed. Moreover, since the skirt portion surrounding the outer edge of the flange provided at the lower portion of the support shaft is provided on the gear case,
It can be protected from rainwater, ultraviolet rays, and the like, and even if rainwater enters the skirt, it can be discharged to the outside through the gap between the skirt and the flange.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect of the present invention, the flange is fastened to an upper end of a fixed column extending vertically up and down coaxially with the support shaft. According to such a configuration,
Since the support shaft in the state of being assembled to the gear case may be fastened to the column, the assembling work is facilitated.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on one embodiment of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

1 to 13 show an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a concentrating solar power generation device,
2 is a side view as viewed in the direction of the arrow 2 in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view of the solar power generation unit, FIG. 4 is a side view as viewed in the direction of the arrow 4 in FIG.
6 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3, FIG. 7 is a rear view of the heat radiating panel, FIG. 9, FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9, FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG.
FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the gear case shown along a line, and FIG.
FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the concentrator photovoltaic power generation apparatus comprises a fixed column 15 extending vertically and a column 15 capable of rotating around a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. A unit support frame 16 supported on the upper end, and a plurality of solar power generation units 17 as solar energy recovery units attached to the unit support frame 16 are provided.

Each of the photovoltaic power generation units 17 is attached to the unit support frame 16 in parallel so that the first to fifth rows A1 to A5 are adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction. , The fourth and fifth rows A1, A2, A4
A5 is composed of, for example, three photovoltaic power generation units 17 arranged side by side. In the third row A3, for example, two photovoltaic power generation units 17 are arranged so as to leave the center of the row.
... are arranged. Moreover, the first, third and fifth rows A1,
Each photovoltaic power generation unit 1 is configured such that a step is generated between A3, A5 and the second and fourth rows A2, A4.
Are attached to the unit support frame 16.

3 and 4, a solar power generation unit 17 is composed of a cylindrical lens frame 18 having upper and lower ends opened, and a plurality of Fresnel lenses 19. The upper end opening of the lens frame 18 is closed. Lens assembly 2
0, a support plate 21 attached to the lower end of the lens frame 18 so as to cover the lower end opening, and a plurality of solar cell modules attached to the inner surface of the support plate 21 corresponding to the respective Fresnel lenses 19. 22.

The lens frame 18 is formed in the shape of a truncated quadrangular pyramid having a rectangular cross section so as to become gradually smaller from the upper side to the lower side. Mounted on top.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the support plate 21 is formed by bonding a heat dissipation panel 24 made of an aluminum alloy to a lower surface of a base panel 23 made of an aluminum alloy by welding or the like.

The base panel 23 includes the lens frame 18
A bottom plate 23c is formed integrally with a bottom plate 23c integrally connected to a lower end of a cylindrical portion 23b having a flange 23a fastened to a lower end of the bottom plate 23b.
c, a plurality of low-order portions 25... individually corresponding to the plurality of Fresnel lenses 19, a plurality of first middle portions 26, a plurality of second middle portions 27, and a plurality of high-order portions 28. And irregularities are formed.

Thus, as in this embodiment, the lens assembly 2
When 0 is constituted by twelve Fresnel lenses 19..., Four locations spaced vertically in the center in the left-right direction of FIG. 3 and four locations spaced vertically in the left and right sides of FIG.
3 are arranged at a total of 12 places including
The first middle portions 26 are arranged at eight positions sandwiched by the lower portions 25, 25 from the left and right sides of the left, and the second lower portions 27 are arranged at nine places sandwiched by the lower portions 25, 25 from the upper and lower sides in FIG. 3 are sandwiched by the first middle portions 26, 26 from both the upper and lower sides of FIG.
Are arranged at six places sandwiched between the.

Each of the lower portions 25 is formed so as to protrude downward from each of the higher portions 28, and the first and second portions 25 are formed.
The middle portions 26, 27,...
5 and the high-level portions 28 are formed at the same level. Moreover, each lower part 25..., Each first middle part 26
, Each second middle portion 27 and each high portion 28 are connected so as to form an inclined surface.

Further, among the first middle portions 26, the first middle portions 26 arranged at the upper and lower ends of FIG.
Among the middle portions 27, the second middle portions 27 at both left and right positions in FIG. 3 are connected to the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 23b.

The heat dissipating panel 24 is joined to the lower surface of the base panel 23 so as to be in close contact with the lower surface of each of the lower portions 25... 25, three first cooling air passages 29 extending in the left-right direction and having both ends open to the outside at portions corresponding to the second middle portions 27 and the high portions 28 of the base panel 23, and a base. The two second cooling air passages 30, 30 extending vertically in portions corresponding to the first middle portion 26 and the high portion 28 of the panel 23 and having both ends opened to the outside, communicate vertically and horizontally. It is formed.

Further, the heat radiating panel 24 has a pair of first heat radiating fins 31 and 3 protruding on the opposite side to the base panel 23.
1, 16 second heat radiation fins 32, 24 third heat radiation fins 33, four fourth heat radiation fins 34, two fifth heat radiation fins 35, 35 and two sixth heat radiation fins 3
6, 36 are provided integrally.

The first radiating fins 31, 31 are formed by bending the left and right side edges of the radiating panel 24 in FIG. The 16 second radiating fins 32 are connected to the two second cooling ventilation passages 30,
FIG. 7 shows four portions spaced apart from each other at a portion corresponding to FIG.
The heat radiation panel 24 is formed by bending a part of the heat radiation panel 24 so as to form a pair on the left and right sides of the first heat radiation fins 31 and 31 so as to have the same length as the first heat radiation fins 31. Between the fins 32, a first opening 37 in the form of a rectangle is formed which communicates with the second cooling air passage 30. The 24 third radiating fins 33 are connected to the base panel 2.
7 at 12 positions corresponding to the twelve lower portions 25...
4 is formed by bending a portion of the first heat radiation fins 31 and 32 so as to have a shorter length than the first and second heat radiation fins 31 and 32. Are formed in the rectangular second openings 38. The four fourth radiating fins 34 are vertically arranged in FIG. 7 at two places of the three first cooling air passages 29. A part of the heat radiation panel 24 is formed by bending a part of the heat radiation panel 24 so as to have the same length as the third heat radiation fin 33 so as to form a pair.
Long rectangular left and right third openings 39 are formed between the right and left. The two fifth radiating fins 35, 35
Two of the three first cooling air passages 29... At the left and right of the upper part corresponding to the first cooling air passage 29 have a part of the heat radiation panel 24 having the same length as the third heat radiation fin 33. The fifth radiating fins 35, 35 are formed with rectangular long fourth openings 40, 40 above and below in FIG. 7, respectively.
Further, two sixth heat radiation fins 36, 36
The heat dissipating panels 2 are provided at two locations spaced apart on the left and right of a portion corresponding to the lower first cooling vent 29 in the cooling vents 29.
4 is formed by bending a part of the third radiation fin 33 so as to have the same length as the third radiation fin 33.
The left and right rectangular fifth openings 41, 41 are formed below 6, 6 in FIG.

Each solar cell module 22 includes a support plate 21
Are attached to the upper surface of each of the lower portions 25.

In FIG. 8, the solar cell module 22
Is a heat spreader 44 fastened to the upper surface of the lower portion 25 and a substrate 4 attached to the heat spreader 44.
5, a solar cell 46 fixedly bonded on the substrate 45, and a light guide 47 adhered on the solar cell 46.
And

The heat spreader 44 is formed of a metal such as an aluminum alloy into a rectangular flat plate, and is fastened to the upper surface of the lower portion 25 by a plurality of screw members 48. In addition, a concave portion 44 a corresponding to the substrate 45 is provided at the center of the upper surface of the heat spreader 44.

Substrate 45 fitted and bonded in recess 44a
A solar battery cell 46 is joined on the upper side by adhesion or the like. The light guide 47 is formed in the shape of a truncated cone by an optical lens body so as to have a smaller diameter as it goes downward.
The upper end surface of the light guide 47 is arranged near the focal point of the Fresnel lens 19 when the light guide 47 is attached to the solar cell 46. The output terminals 49 and 50 on the plus side and the minus side are connected to electrodes formed on the substrate 45 outside the solar battery cell 46, respectively.

Each of the solar cell modules 22 has a conductor 51 connected to each of the output terminals 49 and 50.
... are connected in series.

9 to 11, in the center of the third row A3 of the first to fifth rows A1 to A5 constituted by the photovoltaic power generation units 17 attached to the unit support frame 16, a horizontal axis is provided. The unit support frame 16 is attached to the gear case 52 so as to be rotatable around the gear case 52, and the gear case 52 is supported at the upper end of the column 15 so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis.

The gear case 52 comprises an upper case half 53 and a lower case half 54 fastened to each other by a plurality of bolts 55. Bolt 5
The mounting plate 57 is fastened by 6.

At one end of the mounting plate 57 (the lower end in FIG. 9), a pair of support projections 57a, 57a
The two supporting projections 57a, 57a are supported by a pair of left and right brackets 58, 58 fixed to the unit support frame 16 via a pair of horizontal shafts 59, 59, respectively.

The unit support frame 16 is moved around the axis of the horizontal shafts 59, 59, that is, around the horizontal axis by the linear reciprocating operation of a cylinder body 60 and an actuator 62 having a rod 61 protruding from the cylinder body 60. The cylinder body 60 is connected to a mounting plate 57 via a horizontal trunnion shaft 63. That is, an attachment stay 57 b is provided integrally with the other end of the attachment plate 57 (the upper end in FIG. 9) so as to protrude from the gear case 52, and the cylinder body 60 is connected to the attachment stay 57 b via the trunnion shaft 63. Connected. The distal end of the rod 61 is connected to a connecting portion 64 provided on the unit support frame 16 via a horizontal connecting shaft 65.

In FIGS. 12 and 13, the upper portion of a support shaft 68 having a vertical axis coaxial with the support column 15 protrudes into the gear case 52, and the upper portion of the support shaft 68 and the upper portion of the gear case 52, ie, the upper portion. A double-row angular bearing 69 as a first bearing is interposed between the case half 53 and a ball bearing as a second bearing between the lower part of the gear case 52, ie, the lower case half 54 and the support shaft 68. 7
0 is interposed. Therefore, the gear case 52 is connected to the support shaft 68.
Accordingly, the support shaft 68 is supported so as to be rotatable around the axis thereof.

In the gear case 52, a cylindrical spacer 71 whose upper end is in contact with a double row angular bearing 69 is mounted on a support shaft 68, and is fixed so as to be sandwiched between the spacer 71 and the ball bearing 70. A gear 72 is spline-coupled to the support shaft 68.

On the other hand, the support shaft 68 in the gear case 52
A support member 73 is fastened to the upper case half 53 at the side of the upper case half 53, and a motor 74 is attached to the support member 73. Thus, a reduction gear train 75 is provided between the motor 74 and the fixed gear 72.

The reduction gear train 75 includes an output gear 76 provided on an output shaft of a motor 74, a first intermediate gear 77 that meshes with the output gear 76, and a worm 78 that rotates integrally with the first intermediate gear 77. A worm wheel 79 that meshes with the worm 78, a second intermediate gear 80 that rotates integrally with the worm wheel 79, and a third gear that meshes with the second intermediate gear 80.
It comprises an intermediate gear 81 and a final gear 82 that rotates integrally with the third intermediate gear 81 and meshes with the fixed gear 72.

The first intermediate gear 77 and the worm 78 are provided on a body rotation shaft 83 rotatably supported by a support member 73, and the worm wheel 79 and the second intermediate gear 80 are connected to the upper case half 53 and The third intermediate gear 81 and the final gear 82 are provided integrally with the second rotary shaft 86 in which ball bearings 84 and 85 are interposed between the support member 73 and the lower case half 54, respectively. Between which ball bearings 87 and 88 are interposed, respectively.
The rotary shaft 89 is provided integrally.

The final gear 82, which is decelerated and rotated in response to the operation of the motor 74, revolves around the support shaft 68 while rotating with the fixed gear 72, whereby the gear case 52, The unit support frame 16 on which the plurality of solar power generation units 17 are supported is supported by the support shaft 6.
8.

The support shaft 68 below the ball bearing 70
And a lower case half 54 of the gear case 52.
An oil seal 90 for preventing grease from flowing out from inside the gear case 52 is interposed therebetween.

The gear case 52 is provided below the support shaft 68.
And a flange 68a opposed to the lower surface of the support column 68 is provided integrally with the support shaft 68 so as to protrude outward in the radial direction from the support shaft 68.
The upper end of the flange 5 is fastened to the flange 68 a by a plurality of bolts 91. On the other hand, a skirt portion 92 surrounding the outer peripheral edge of the flange 68a extends downward and is integrally provided on the lower case half 54 of the gear case 52.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In each of the photovoltaic power generation units 17, the support plate 21 supporting the solar cell modules 22 is composed of a base panel 23 and a heat radiator coupled to the base panel 23. Panel 2
4. The supporting plate 21 has sufficient strength and rigidity to support the plurality of solar cell modules 22 while maintaining their positions accurately while avoiding an increase in weight. Becomes possible. Moreover, since the base panel 23 and the heat radiating panel 24 are made of an aluminum alloy, the weight of the support plate 21 can be further reduced.

Each of the solar cell modules 22 is attached to the base panel 23 at a portion close to the heat radiating panel 24, so that the heat generated in the solar cell modules 22 can be satisfactorily transmitted from the base panel 23 to the heat radiating panel 24. Thus, heat can be effectively radiated from the radiating fins 31 to 36 of the radiating panel 24.

Moreover, the first and second cooling ventilation passages 29,... Between the base panel 23 and the heat radiating panel 24 around the lower portion 25 to which the solar cell modules 22 are attached.
Since the... Are formed, the heat dissipation can be further improved.
In addition to the configuration of the invention described in the second or third aspect, the first and second cooling ventilation passages 29 are formed so as to communicate vertically and horizontally, so that the first and second cooling ventilation passages 29 regardless of the wind direction. , 30..., Through which air from the outside flows, so that the heat radiation from the support plate 21 can be further improved.

Further, among the first to sixth radiating fins 31 to 36 included in the radiating panel 24, the second to sixth radiating fins 32 to 36 are formed by bending a part of the radiating panel 24 downward. Yes, those radiation fins 3
The openings 37 to 41 are formed in the heat radiating panel 24 so that the base panel 23 faces downward by the formation of the panels 2 to 36.
Therefore, the heat radiation fins 32 to 36 can be effectively formed by avoiding an increase in the weight of the heat radiation panel 24, that is, the support plate 21, and the base panel 23 is exposed downward at the portion where the openings 37 to 41 are formed. By arranging, heat dissipation is further enhanced.

Incidentally, a plurality of solar power generation units 17
Are rotated about the vertical axis following the movement of the sun from east to west, and are also rotated about the horizontal axis in accordance with the height of the sun. However, when rotating the unit support frame 16 around the vertical axis, the gear case 52 is supported on the support shaft 68 fastened to the upper end of the column 15 so as to be rotatable around the vertical axis. A support shaft 68 having an upper portion protruding into the gear case 52;
Double row angular bearing 69 and ball bearing 7
0, and a reduction gear train 75 provided in the gear case 52 between a fixed gear 82 fixed to the support shaft 68 and a motor 74 mounted on a support member 73 fastened to the gear case 52. Is stored.

Therefore, a plurality of solar power generation units 17
.., The gear case 52 accommodating the unit support frame 16, the motor 74, and the reduction gear train 75 are supported by a support shaft 68 so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis, and the support column 15 itself rotates. The weight of the movable portion can be reduced as compared with the above configuration. Accordingly, the output of the motor 74 can be relatively small, and the size of the motor 74 can be reduced.

The gear case 52 is provided below the support shaft 68.
A flange 68a facing the lower surface of the flange 68a is integrally provided so as to protrude outward in the radial direction, and a skirt portion 92 surrounding the outer peripheral edge of the flange 68a is provided integrally with the gear case 52 so as to extend downward. An oil seal 90 for preventing grease from flowing out of the gear case 52 is interposed between the support shaft 68 and the gear case 52 below the position 70.

Therefore, the gear case 5 for a long period of time
2 is prevented from running out of grease and the reduction gear train 7
5. The smooth and stable operation of the double-row angular bearing 69 and the ball bearing 70 can be guaranteed. Moreover, since the skirt portion 92 surrounding the outer edge of the flange 68a is provided on the gear case 52, the oil seal 90 is
It can be protected from dust, rainwater, ultraviolet rays, and the like, and even if rainwater enters the skirt portion 92, it can be discharged to the outside through the gap between the skirt portion 92 and the flange 68a.

Further, since the flange 68a is fastened to the upper end of the support column 15, the support shaft 68 assembled to the gear case 52 may be fastened to the support column 15, thereby facilitating the assembly operation. .

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various design changes can be made without departing from the present invention described in the appended claims. It is possible to do.

For example, in the above embodiment, the solar power generation unit 17 is used as the solar energy recovery unit. However, the solar power generation unit 17 may be configured to recover solar heat to obtain hot water. In the above embodiment, the motor 74 is housed in the gear case 52, but may be mounted outside the gear case 52.

[0052]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the weight of the movable part can be reduced and the output of the motor can be reduced as compared with the conventional one by rotating the support itself. The size of the motor can be reduced, and the size of the motor can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the oil seal provided between the support shaft and the gear case can be
By protecting from rainwater, ultraviolet rays, and the like, it is possible to prevent the grease from running out for a long period of time and to ensure smooth and stable operation of the reduction gear train and the dual bearings.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the support shaft assembled to the gear case is fastened to the support, thereby facilitating the assembly operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a concentrating solar power generation device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway front view of the solar power generation unit.

FIG. 4 is a side view as viewed in the direction of arrow 4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the heat dissipation panel.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional side view showing a configuration of a solar cell module.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion viewed from arrow 9 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10;

12 is a vertical sectional view of the gear case shown in FIG. 9 along line 12-12.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

[Explanation of symbols]

15 ... Support 16 ... Unit support frame 17 ... Solar power generation unit as solar energy recovery unit 52 ... Gear case 68 ... Support shaft 68a ... Flange 69 ... As first bearing Double row angular bearing 70: ball bearing as second bearing 74: motor 75: reduction gear train 82: fixed gear 90: oil seal 92: skirt portion

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A solar tracking device in which a unit support frame (16) on which a solar energy recovery unit (17) is mounted is rotatable around a vertical axis, a motor (74) is mounted and the unit support frame (16) is mounted. ) Is mounted, and a support shaft (6) having a vertical axis and having an upper part protruding into the gear case (52).
8), an upper first bearing (69) and a lower second bearing (70) support the gear case (52) by the support shaft (68) so as to be rotatable around a vertical axis. The first and second gear cases are provided in the gear case (52).
A sun gear comprising a reduction gear train (75) provided between a fixed gear (82) fixed to a support shaft (68) between bearings (69, 70) and the motor (74). Optical tracking device. 2. A flange (68a) facing the lower surface of the gear case (52) is provided integrally below the support shaft (68) so as to project radially outward from the support shaft (68). , The gear case (52), the flange (68).
A skirt portion (92) surrounding the outer peripheral edge of a) extends downward and is integrally provided, and is provided below the second bearing (70) and between the support shaft (68) and the gear case (52). 52) An oil seal (90) for preventing grease from flowing out from the inside is interposed.
The solar tracking device as described. 3. A fixed column (15) in which said flange (68a) extends up and down coaxially with said column (68).
3. The fastening device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening member is fastened to an upper end of the housing.
The solar tracking device as described.