JPS5918414A - Sunlight direction sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to track the sunlight after it has been screened for a long time, by providing two long holes, which are extended in the opposing directions to each other on the upper walls of cabinets, and arranging optical sensors so that specific relationship of the positions with respect to the axes of the long holes are provided. CONSTITUTION:Cabinets 10 and 20 are provided at the facing side parts of a tube body 1. Long holes 11 and 12, which are extended in the opposing directions to each other, are provided on the upper walls of the cabinets. Optical sensors X5 and X6, which are extended in the horizontal direction that is perpendicular to the axes, are provided in the inner walls, which are intersected at a right angle with the axes of the holes 11 and 12. In this constitution, even though the incident angle of the sunlight with respect to optical sensors X3 and X4 of the tube body 1 is deviated by theta1 or more, the direction of the sun can be detected by the sensor X5 or X6 in the range of theta2-theta1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a solar direction sensor for detecting the direction of the sun, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a solar direction sensor for detecting the direction of the sun. (Regarding a sunlight direction sensor suitable for accurate tracking.

Recently, we have entered an era of energy conservation, and research and development is being carried out in various fields on the effective use of solar energy.
In order to use solar energy effectively, it is necessary to
It is important to collect solar energy effectively, and for this purpose, it is necessary to have a solar energy collection device follow the movement of the sun and always collect solar energy in the most efficient state.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned demands, and
In particular, the present invention relates to a sunlight direction sensor that is suitable for being mounted on a solar energy collecting device and causing the solar energy collecting device to automatically track the movement of the sun.

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the sunlight direction sensor according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line -■ in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view, and FIG. 4 is an If in FIG. In the -N line cross-sectional view, 1
2 is a square or round cylinder, 2 is a flange provided at the upper end of the cylinder, X1 to X4 and Xc are optical sensors, and the center of the flange 2 has a polygonal or The optical sensors X1 to X4 are provided with Xl and X2.
and X3 and X4 are arranged in pairs and facing each other as shown in FIG. The optical sensor X is arranged so as to match the line behind the flange 2.
c is arranged approximately at the center of the upper surface of the lower plate 4. Therefore, when the cylinder 1 is facing the direction of the sun, in other words, n
For example, when sunlight comes from direction A, optical sensors X1 to X
4 Direct sunlight 0 does not enter, indirect sunlight (I)
Direct sunlight (2
) and indirect sunlight (I) will be incident. However, if the cylindrical body 1 is shifted from the direction of the sun and, for example, sunlight comes from direction B, the optical sensor Therefore, the optical sensor X2 receives only indirect sunlight (I). To explain in more detail, when the cylinder 1 is exactly aligned with the direction of the sun, the optical sensors X1 and X2
(or X3 and
Since the sunlight incident on (or X3 and X4) is different, this difference is detected and the optical sensors
2. In other words, so that the sunlight entering is equal,
If the cylinder body 1 is controlled to face in the direction A, the cylinder body 1 will accurately face the direction of the sun, and therefore the sunlight collecting device equipped with the sunlight direction sensor will also accurately face the sun. It will be facing the direction of. However, in the sunlight direction sensor as described above, indirect sunlight (
As shown in Figure 5, the distribution of I) is large in the center and small in the outer periphery, so unless this difference is corrected, it will be impossible to accurately determine the position where direct sunlight crosses the optical sensor, that is, α. Can not.

In order to solve these shortcomings, the applicant first
We have proposed a sunlight direction sensor that can accurately detect the deviation between the direction of the sunlight direction sensor and the position of the sun as a quantity, taking into consideration the distribution of indirect sunlight inside the cylinder as described above (patent application). (Sho 56-99993).

In the sunlight sensor shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, now,
Assuming that the optical sensor Xof is disposed on two sides of the flange 2, the total amount of sunlight incident on the optical sensor Xo, the direct sunlight amount'(zDo, the optical sensor
. electrical output signal kL. , the photoelectric conversion coefficient of the optical sensor is δ. (-8°/Lo), direct delivery ratio is β. (Do/So
), So −δ. Lo...(1) Do=β. S
o-β. δ. Lo shout...(2) holds true.

Similarly, regarding the optical sensor Xc, Sc - δc Lc - (3) Dc - βc Sc - βC δcLc - (4) holds true.

Regarding the optical sensor X1, when direct sunlight hits the entire surface of the optical sensor X1, S1=δ1. L
l...(5) holds.3 At this time, since direct sunlight is not hitting the optical sensor X2, S - δ2 for the optical sensor X2
L2-'2...(7) D220...(8
) holds true (where, ■2 is the amount of indirect sunlight incident on the optical sensor x2).

Here, if sunlight is currently shining on a part of the optical sensor , an optical sensor X1 at a position crossing the optical sensor X1
If the outer circumference of the in-cylinder luminous flux is within the range of 0<α<1, then the optical sensor
The total amount of sunlight entering is 81, and the electrical output signal at that time is L.
l (m■), and the photoelectric conversion coefficient is δ1, then S, -
δ□L1 holds true. Here, direct sunlight is incident only on the α portion of the photosensor X1, and indirect sunlight is incident on the photosensor X1. Since it is incident on the entire surface of , Sl ''' αD1+ 11 = aDc +
82 """ (9) (However, ■1 is the amount of indirect sunlight that enters the optical sensor X1, which is approximately equal to the amount of indirect sunlight IJi12 that enters the optical sensor equal) is established, and substituting equations (4) and (7) into equation (9), we get Sl−αβCδc L c+δ2L2 (10
) is obtained. Therefore, since S□−δ, L□, the equation (10) is: δI Ll −αβCδc′Lc+δ2 L 2
=...(11).

On the other hand, Dc = Sc - Ic - (12), where (■. Both ■1), then the above equation (12) becomes ■2 D c = Sc - = (14) λ , from this, δ2L2 δCβcLc=δc L c --(15) λ is obtained.

By substituting this equation (15) into the 0th equation, we can obtain the following.

Here, once the shape and size of the cylindrical body 1 are determined, the relative distribution of indirect sunlight that has entered the cylindrical body is constant. 2/■c
If we calculate λ, then λ becomes a constant.

Since δ1, δ2, and δC are constants, if λ-I2/Ic 'e is calculated in advance as described above, α, that is, the amount of sunlight can be calculated from only the electrical output signal of each optical sensor. The deviation between the incident direction and the sunlight direction sensor can be determined numerically accurately.

However, according to the sunlight direction sensor previously proposed by the applicant, when the sun is momentarily blocked by clouds, etc., the sunlight is momentarily scattered, and the scattered light is transmitted to the optical sensor inside the cylinder. There is a drawback that the amount of light incident on X1 to X4 is non-uniform or with a time lag, and the sunlight collecting device sensitively follows this instantaneous imbalance, resulting in tingling.

6 and 7 are diagrams showing an example of a sunlight direction sensor previously proposed by the applicant in order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks. As shown in the figure, a perpendicular line drawn from the edge of the window 3 The optical sensors X□ to X4 are arranged such that the light sensors X□ to X4 are located in the middle portion (the end portion in the prior art shown in FIGS. 1 to 4) of the photosensors X□ to X4. That is, in the prior art, the virtual perpendicular line drawn from the edge of the window 3 of the flange 2 was made to coincide with the inner edge of the optical sensors X□ to x4; It is very difficult to precisely match the imaginary perpendicular line drawn from the edge of the window 3, and it is also very difficult to finish the ends of the optical sensors X1 to X4 accurately in a straight line.
Furthermore, since the end of each optical sensor is on the boundary line that determines the presence or absence of direct light, the starting point of the detector operation was extremely unstable. Since the perpendicular line is arranged at an arbitrary intermediate position between the optical sensors X1 to X4, there is no unstable material as in the prior art, and only the width t of each sensor X1 to X4 can be accurately finished. Therefore, with a very simple configuration, the direction of sunlight can be detected accurately and without unstable operation such as hunting.

However, as shown in FIG. 6, the 0 position of α is the position where the virtual perpendicular line drawn from the edge of the window 3 hits. In addition, in this example, the boundary line that determines the presence or absence of direct light is located at an intermediate position between the optical sensors X1 to X4, so that
The linearity of the detection output of the optical sensor with respect to the movement of the boundary line is improved, and since the detection output of the part that is directly hit by the light is biased in advance, it is possible to avoid momentary disturbances. It is not affected very much by Moson.

That is, there were advantages such as improved N/S and linearity and much easier control.

However, in the sunlight direction sensor previously proposed by the applicant, the sunlight is blocked by clouds etc. for a long time, and the sun moves during that time, so that the incident angle of the sunlight L1 does not exceed θ1. When picked up, optical sensors X1 to X4
When sunlight no longer hits either of them, the sunlight direction sensor can no longer detect the direction of the sun. Therefore, once the angle of incidence of sunlight deviates by more than θ□, it will no longer be able to track the sun. The drawback was that it lost functionality. In particular, if the light sensor X3, A large amount of scattered light enters the optical sensor 7 (generally the optical sensor on the south side), which makes it difficult to maintain balance in the north-south direction.

The present invention has been made to solve the drawbacks of the prior art as described above, and as shown in FIG. Long holes 11 and 21i are provided in the earthen walls of each casing to extend in directions facing each other, and a light beam extending in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the long axis is provided on the inner wall surface perpendicular to the long axis. Sensor x5. It is equipped with x6-4.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. 8, and FIG.
In the XX line cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, if this is done, the sunlight direction sensor X3. The incident angle of sunlight to X4 is 01
Even if the above error occurs, the direction of the sun can be detected by the optical sensor X5 or X6 within the range of θ2-θ1.Moreover, since it is located in a long hole, the amount of incident sky light is small. Both optical sensors X5. Since the scattered light is incident on X6 at approximately the same rate, even if sunlight is blocked by clouds for a considerably longer period of time than in the prior art, the sunlight tracking function will not be lost and the clouds will be able to As soon as the sun disappears and sunlight enters, it starts the sunlight tracking operation. In addition,
Fig. 8 shows an example in which the housing 10.20' (r-cylindrical body 1) is attached to the east and west sides, but if the positional relationship of the elongated hole and the optical sensor is in the state shown in Fig. , it is easy to understand that it is not limited to the illustrated position and that it may be attached at any position without necessarily being attached to the cylinder body.Furthermore, if it is desired to further increase the above-mentioned θ2,
On the side walls of the casings 10 and 20, for example, dotted lines 1.
As shown at 2 and 22, holes 12 and 22i that are continuous with the elongated holes 11 and 21 may be provided.

Furthermore, although an embodiment in which a pair of casings is used has been described above, it is not always necessary to use all of the casings; for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a single casing may be used. 30
In addition to providing elongated holes 11 and 21 extending in mutually opposing directions in the earthen wall of the single casing 30, a horizontal hole in which the elongated axes intersect at right angles is provided on the inner wall surface where the elongated axes intersect perpendicularly. The optical sensors X5, X6 may be provided extending in the directions, and in this case, the elongated holes 1.1, 21. -i
A partition wall 31 may be provided for separation, and in this case, the scattered light incident through the elongated hole 11 will be directed to the optical sensor X6.
In addition, the scattered light incident through the elongated hole 21 is transmitted to the optical sensor X5.
does not affect.

As is clear from the above description, the present invention provides a solar directional sensor that can track sunlight over a wide range and can immediately track the direction of the sun even after a long period of cloudy weather. be able to.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of the sunlight direction sensor previously proposed by the applicant, FIG. 2 is a thin sectional view (side sectional view) taken along the line ■-■ of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view. FIG. 4 shows the IV-
5 is a distribution diagram of indirect sunlight (I) in the cylinder 1, and FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing another example of the sunlight direction sensor previously proposed by the applicant. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a schematic overall configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of the sunlight direction sensor according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a plan view of FIG. -IX sectional view, FIG. 10 is the XX sectional view of FIG. 8, and FIGS. 11 and 12 are n
FIG. 1 is a plan view for explaining an embodiment of a pond of the present invention. 1... Cylindrical body, 2... First flange, 3... Window,
4... Bottom plate, 5... Window, 6... Second flange,
X0-X6 and Xc-light sensors, 10, 20, 30
- Housing, 11, 12, 21. 22... Long hole, 31... Bulkhead. (45,')

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) a cylindrical body; an opaque flange provided at the upper end of the cylindrical body and having a polygonal window smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body; A first optical sensor provided at the center of the tube and a first optical sensor provided at the lower end of the cylindrical body and arranged symmetrically at a position where the inner end surface or intermediate position intersects with an imaginary perpendicular line drawn from the edge of the window of the flange. The sunlight direction sensor has at least one pair of second and third optical sensors provided therein, further comprising a housing, and the housing has two optical sensors extending in mutually opposing directions on an upper wall of the housing. A sunlight direction sensor comprising an elongated hole and an optical sensor extending in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the elongated axis on an inner wall surface perpendicular to the axis of the elongated hole. (2) Claim No. (1) characterized in that the casing has a partition wall for separating the two elongated holes.
The sunlight direction sensor described in section. (3) a cylindrical body; an opaque flange provided at the upper end of the cylindrical body and having a polygonal window smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body; A first optical sensor provided at the center of the flange, and a first optical sensor provided at the lower end of the cylindrical body, the inner end surface or intermediate position of which is symmetrical to a position where it intersects with an imaginary perpendicular line drawn from the edge of the window of the flange. A sunlight direction sensor having at least one pair of second and third optical sensors disposed therein, further comprising a pair of housings, each housing having an elongated hole in its upper wall; A light sensor is provided on an inner wall surface perpendicular to the axis of the elongated hole and extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the elongated axis, and the pair of housings are arranged so that the elongated holes are parallel to each other. A sunlight direction sensor characterized by: