KR20140121077A - Apparatus for cleaning and coling solar panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relating to a solar panel cleaning and cooling device includes a head cleaning foreign substances and cooling a solar panel by contacting the surface of the solar panel; a driving unit providing driving force to the head; a station combined to the upper part of the solar panel and on which the driving unit is installed; a scissors link of which one end is connected to the driving unit while another end is connected to the head and delivering the driving force of the driving unit to the head for the head to eliminate foreign substances by sliding on the surface of the solar panel and cool the panel; a head guide rail guiding the movement of the head by being combined to both sides of the solar panel; and a clamp fixing the station and the head guide rail onto the solar panel. The present invention increases the power generation efficiency of the solar panel by cleaning and cooling the surface of the solar panel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a solar panel cleaning and cooling apparatus,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a device for cleaning foreign materials adhering to the surface of a solar panel and cooling the solar panel.

In general, photovoltaic power generation is generated using solar light without the aid of a generator, and a solar panel having a plurality of solar cells is used to convert sunlight directly into electric energy.

The solar cell of the solar panel has a structure different from that of the chemical cell, and converts the sunlight into electric energy by using a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor. That is, when sunlight is incident on a solar cell to which a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor are bonded, holes and electrons are generated by the light energy of the sunlight, And the generated electrons move toward the N-type semiconductor to generate electric energy.

Such solar power generation is a method of generating electricity by connecting a plurality of solar panels in series and in parallel, so that no pollution is generated, and a required number of solar panels can be installed in necessary places, There is an advantage that maintenance is easy.

Solar panels are usually installed outdoors due to the nature of direct sunlight.

Therefore, the surface of the solar panel is liable to be contaminated due to wind or dust, or due to rain or snow accumulation.

If the surface of the solar panel is contaminated, the sunlight is less likely to be incident on the solar panel due to the pollutants, and the power generation efficiency is lowered. Therefore, the surface of the solar panel should be cleaned periodically or as needed.

However, in a large-sized solar power generation facility, a plurality of solar panels installed in series and in parallel reaches tens to hundreds of meters in size, and in the case of a solar panel located at a high place, it is easy to clean the surface of the solar panel cleanly not.

Also, if the solar panel continues to receive sunlight, the solar panel is heated and the power generation efficiency of the solar panel is lowered.

Therefore, in order to increase the power generation efficiency of the solar panel, it is necessary to cool the solar panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a solar panel cleaning and cooling apparatus that can clean and cool a surface of a solar panel to enhance power generation efficiency of the solar panel .

It is another object of the present invention to provide a solar panel cleaning and cooling apparatus that can be easily mounted on a solar panel without installing a separate structure.

A solar panel cleaning and cooling apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a head for contacting a surface of a solar panel to clean and cool foreign matter; A driving unit for providing a driving force to the head; A station coupled to an upper side of the solar panel, the station being installed with the driving unit; A scissors link connected to the driving part and connected to the head at the other end to transmit power of the driving part to the head to remove and cool the foreign matter while sliding the surface of the solar panel; A head guide rail coupled to both sides of the solar panel to guide movement of the head; And a clamp for fixing the station and the head guide rail to the solar panel.

The clamp includes an upper jaw that is hooked on an upper surface of the solar panel, a lower jaw which is connected to the upper jaw by a support and is spaced apart from the upper jaw by a predetermined distance, And a middle stopping jaw which is guided by the guide formed on the supporting portion and moves in the vertical direction and is brought into close contact with the lower surface of the solar panel according to the tightening of the bolt.

The driving unit may include a pneumatic cylinder driven by the pressure of the compressor, and a cylinder rod entering and exiting the pneumatic cylinder by the operation of the pneumatic cylinder.

The cover may further include a cover for covering the driving unit. The cover may include a body coupled to the station, and a cap rotatably coupled to the body at a position corresponding to the pneumatic cylinder.

A solar cell coupled to the cover for generating solar power, and a battery for storing electricity generated by the solar cell.

The scissors link includes a first arm and a second arm, and one end of the first arm and the second arm are rotatably connected to a driving bracket coupled to the cylinder rod, respectively, The other end of the second arm may be rotatably connected to a head bracket coupled to the scissors link guide rail provided on the head so as to be slidable.

The head may include a slider guiding and sliding in a sliding groove formed in the head guide rail, a head bracket provided on the slider, and a head body fixed to the head bracket.

The head may further include an ejection nozzle for ejecting water or air onto the surface of the solar panel.

A water supply pipe connected to the head for supplying water to the spray nozzle; And an air supply pipe connected to the head to supply high-pressure air to the injection nozzle.

The head may further include a brush to clean the surface of the solar panel in contact with the solar panel when in a solar panel cleaning mode and to be away from the solar panel when in a solar panel cooling mode .

According to the solar panel cleaning and cooling apparatus of the present invention, the power generation efficiency of the solar panel can be improved by cleaning and cooling the surface of the solar panel cleanly.

In addition, it is possible to install the solar panel easily on a solar panel without installing a separate structure, so that the installation cost can be reduced, and maintenance is easy.

1 is a plan view of a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a detailed view of a clamp for fixing a station and the head guide rail to the solar panel in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a plan view of a cover for covering a driving unit in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which a solar cell sheet is coupled to an upper part of a cover in a solar panel cleaning and cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.
5 is a detailed view of a scissors link used in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a detailed view of a head guide rail and a head in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to another embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a detailed view of a head installed in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a configuration and operation of a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a plan view of a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

 The solar panel S can be installed so that the upper portion thereof is higher in height and the lower portion thereof is lower in height than the upper portion thereof. The solar panel S may be supported by a structure (not shown) so that the solar panel S is inclined.

A solar panel S having a plurality of solar cells connected in series and in parallel is installed at an upper portion of a structure (not shown) to generate solar power.

A cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention is used in combination with a solar panel (S).

A cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a station (10) coupled to an upper side of a solar panel (S); A head guide rail 20 coupled to both sides of the solar panel S; A driving unit 100 installed in the station 10 to generate a driving force; A head (200) guided by the head guide rail (20) to clean and cool the solar panel (S); And a scissors link 300 for transmitting the power of the driving unit 100 to the head 200.

In the station 10, an installation hole 11 is formed to allow various devices to be installed so that the device such as the driving unit 100 can be easily installed.

The driving unit 100 includes two pneumatic cylinders 110a and 110b that are driven by the pressure of a compressor (not shown) and a pair of pneumatic cylinders 110a and 110b that move into and out of the pneumatic cylinders 110a and 110b And cylinder rods 120a and 120b.

A drive bracket 105 is provided at an end of each of the cylinder rods 120a and 120b and one end of the scissors link 300 is rotatably coupled to the drive bracket 105. [

A head 200 is provided on the surface of the solar panel S and a head 200 is mounted between the driving unit 100 and the head 200 according to the driving of the driving unit 100. [ And a scissors link 300 for cleaning the surface of the solar panel S is provided.

The scissors link 300 includes a first arm 310 and a second arm 320. The first arm 310 and the second arm 320 are coupled to each other at a middle portion of the first arm 310 and the second arm 320, A rotation shaft 330 is provided.

One end of each of the first arm 310 and the second arm 320 is rotatably connected to a driving bracket 105 coupled to the cylinder rods 120a and 120b, The other end of the scissors link guide rail 320 is rotatably connected to a head bracket 205 slidably coupled to the scissors link guide rail 201 provided on the head 200.

On the other hand, a scissors link guide rail 201 is formed on the head 200, and the head bracket 205 is guided in a lateral direction by the scissors link guide rails 201.

The left and right sides of the solar panel S are provided with a head guide rail 20 and the left and right sides of the head 200 are inserted into the head guide rail 20 to guide the movement of the head 200.

The head 200 is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles 210 for spraying water onto the surface of the solar panel S. Not only the surface of the solar panel S can be cleaned by spraying water through the spray nozzle 210 but also the solar panel S can be cooled. Therefore, the power generation efficiency of the solar panel S can be increased.

A water supply pipe 50 and an air supply pipe 60 may be connected to the head 200 to supply water and air to the plurality of injection nozzles 210. The water supply pipe 50 and the air supply pipe 60 can be supplied with water or air, respectively, by a pump (not shown).

When water is supplied from the water supply pipe 50 and the spray nozzle 210 sprays water, the surface of the solar panel S is cleaned and cooled. In addition, when air is supplied from the air supply pipe 60 and the spray nozzle 210 sprays air, not only the water on the surface of the solar panel S is blown out but also the water supply pipe 50 and the spray nozzle It is possible to prevent the water supply pipe 50 or the injection nozzle 210 from being frozen and broken when the weather is cold.

In addition, a cleaning means 70 for cleaning the water supply pipe 50 and the air supply pipe 60 may be installed at one side of the head guide rail 20.

On the other hand, the station 10 and the head guide rail 20 are fixed to the solar panel S by the clamp 400.

2 is a detailed view of a station and a clamp for fixing the head guide rail to the solar panel in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, Will be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 2, the clamp 400 includes an upper latching jaw 410 which is hooked on the upper side of the solar panel S, and a lower latching jaw 410 which is connected to the upper latching jaw 410 by the support portion 401, A bolt 430 which is provided on the lower stopping jaw 420 and moves upward or downward according to the rotation; And an intermediate stopping jaw 440 which moves in the vertical direction and is brought into close contact with the lower surface of the solar panel S according to the tightening of the bolt 430.

The user can insert the end of the solar panel S between the upper and lower jaws 410 and 420 while the bolts 430 are loosened, When the bolt 430 is tightened in a state of being inserted between the lower stopper 410 and the lower stopper 420, the intermediate stopping chin 440 is pushed up by tightening of the bolt 430, And is in close contact with the lower surface of the panel S.

With the structure of the clamp 400, the solar panel S can be fixed simply and firmly regardless of the thickness of the solar panel S as long as the thickness of the solar panel S is within a predetermined range.

A bolt hole 450 may be formed on one side of the clamp 400 to fasten the station 10 or the clamp head guide rail 20 to the bolt.

In addition, when the driving unit 100 is coupled to the station 10, the driving unit 100 may not be well-suited to the driving unit 100, A cover 500 for protection may be provided.

3 is a plan view of a cover for covering a driving unit in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, a cover used in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 3, a cover 500 used in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 510 coupled to the station 10, And a cap 520 rotatably coupled to the main body 510 at a position corresponding to the cylinders 110a and 110b.

At this time, the cover 500 may have a shape in which the lower side is opened, but it is not necessarily limited to such a shape.

By providing the cover 500 coupled to the station 10 as described above, various devices installed in the station 10 can be protected. The cover 500 has rigidity and may be formed of a material such as stainless steel to prevent rust and the like.

When a failure occurs in the pneumatic cylinders 110a and 110b due to the rotation of the cap 520 provided at the corresponding position with the pneumatic cylinders 110a and 110b to the main body 510, The pneumatic cylinders 110a and 110b can be repaired after the cap 520 is rotated and opened in the main body 510 without removing the cap 520. [

4 is a plan view showing a state in which a solar cell sheet is coupled to an upper part of a cover in a solar panel cleaning and cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a solar cell module is mounted on a cover of a solar panel cleaning and cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4, a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a solar cell 610 coupled to a cover 500 to generate solar power, And a battery 620 that stores electricity generated and generated by the battery 620.

Electricity is used for a driving unit 100 or a water supply pipe 50 mounted on the station 10 and a compressor or the like for supplying water or air to the air supply pipe 60. The solar cell 610 and the battery 620, So that the electricity used in such a device can be supplied.

Since the solar panel S is generally installed in a place where the sun is strong, a solar panel 610 is provided at a place where the solar panel S is installed, In addition to electrical energy, it produces additional electrical energy that can be used in devices mounted on cleaning and cooling equipment for solar panels.

On the other hand, as the solar cell sheet 610, an amorphous solar cell which is low in photoelectric conversion efficiency as compared with a single crystal silicon but is promising as a power source can be used.

Next, the structure of the scissors link 300 and the arms 310 and 320 constituting the scissors link 300 will be described.

5 is a detailed view of a scissors link used in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the scissors link 300 includes a first arm 310 and a second arm 320. The first arm 310 and the second arm 320 are coupled to each other at a middle portion of the first arm 310 and the second arm 320, A rotation shaft 330 is provided.

Each of the arms 310 and 320 includes a driving part coupling part 341 coupled to the driving part bracket 105, a head coupling part 342 coupled with the head bracket 205, and a rotary shaft coupling part And a connecting portion 344 connecting the driving portion coupling portion 341 and the head coupling portion 342 or the driving portion coupling portion 341 and the rotary shaft coupling portion 343 to each other.

At this time, a part of the driving part engaging part 341, the head engaging part 342, and the rotating shaft engaging part 343 is inserted into the connecting part 344 and then assembled by a coupling means such as a bolt or a rivet.

By having the scissors link 300 having such a structure, not only the weight of the scissors link 300 can be reduced but also the strength of the scissors link 300 can be increased.

6 is a detailed view of a head guide rail and a head in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6, the head guide rail 20 has a substantially U-like shape and includes a lower side surface 20a, an extending portion 20b extending upward from the lower side surface 20a, and an upper portion 20b extending from the upper end of the extending portion 20b And an upper side 20c extending to one side.

An inner rail 21 is provided on the lower side 20a of the head guide rail 20 so that the head 200 can slide smoothly. Therefore, a sliding groove 22 is formed between the inner rail 21 and the upper surface 20c of the head guide rail 20. [

The head 200 includes a slider 210 slidably guided in a sliding groove 22 formed in the head guide rail 20 and a head bracket 220 mounted on the slider 210 and a head bracket 220 (Not shown).

On the other hand, the slider 210 of the head 200 and the inner rail 21 of the head guide rail 20 may be formed of MC Nylon (Monomer Cast Nylon) having low friction and high durability.

The slider 210 of the head 200 moves along the sliding groove formed in the head guide rail 20 according to the operation of the scissors link 300. [ (22).

Meanwhile, the above-described cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel can operate in two modes, a cleaning mode and a cooling mode. According to this mode, the brushes mounted on the head will operate differently.

7 is a detailed view of a head installed in a cleaning and cooling apparatus for a solar panel according to another embodiment of the present invention.

7, when the head 200 is in the solar panel cleaning mode, it contacts the solar panel S to clean the surface of the solar panel S, and when in the solar panel cooling mode, And a brush 250 spaced apart from the panel S. The head 200 may be provided with an air cylinder 260 that provides a driving force to move the brush 250 up and down in the main body 230.

Next, the operation of the brush 250 in the cleaning mode and the cooling mode will be described as follows.

In the case of the solar panel cleaning mode, it is preferable that water is sprayed on the solar panel S and then the surface of the solar panel S is swept down with the brush 250. Dust and the like adhering to the surface of the solar panel S can be removed

On the other hand, in the solar panel cooling mode, it is more effective to spray water only on the solar panel S. The reason for this is that, when the brush 250 is in contact with the solar panel S, a foreign matter may fall off because the brush 250 may be impregnated with foreign matter or the like in the solar panel cleaning mode.

Thus, the brushes 250 operate differently in the cleaning mode or the cooling mode, so that the cleaning and cooling device of the solar panel can operate with maximum efficiency.

Although the solar panel cleaning and cooling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. Those skilled in the art, who understands the spirit of the present invention, can readily suggest other embodiments by adding, changing, deleting, adding, or the like of components within the scope of the same idea, something to do.

S: Solar panel 10: Station
20: head guide rail 100:
200: Head 300: Scissors link
400: Clamp 500: Cover

Claims (10)

A head which contacts the surface of the solar panel to clean and cool the foreign matter;
A driving unit for providing a driving force to the head;
A station coupled to an upper side of the solar panel, the station being installed with the driving unit;
A scissors link connected to the driving part and connected to the head at the other end to transmit power of the driving part to the head to remove and cool the foreign matter while sliding the surface of the solar panel;
A head guide rail coupled to both sides of the solar panel to guide movement of the head; And
And a clamp for fixing the station and the head guide rail to the solar panel.
The method according to claim 1,
The clamp
An upper latching jaw which is hooked on an upper surface of the solar panel,
A lower locking jaw connected to the upper locking jaw by a supporting portion and spaced apart from the upper locking jaw by a predetermined distance,
A bolt provided on the lower stopping jaw and moving up or down according to rotation;
And a middle stopping guider guided by the guide formed on the support portion and moved in the vertical direction and closely attached to the lower side of the solar panel according to the tightening of the bolt.
The method according to claim 1,
The driving unit
A pneumatic cylinder driven by the pressure of the compressor,
And a cylinder rod which moves into and out of the pneumatic cylinder by operation of the pneumatic cylinder.
The method of claim 3,
And a cover for covering the driving portion,
The cover includes a body coupled to the station,
And a cap rotatably coupled to the body at a location corresponding to the pneumatic cylinder.
5. The method of claim 4,
A solar light sheet coupled to the cover to generate solar light,
Further comprising a storage battery for storing electricity generated by the solar cell.
The method of claim 3,
Wherein the scissors link has a first arm and a second arm,
One end of each of the first arm and the second arm is rotatably connected to a driving bracket coupled to the cylinder rod, and the other end of the first arm and the second arm is connected to a scissors link guide rail And the head bracket is rotatably connected to the head bracket so as to be slidably engaged with the head bracket.
The method according to claim 1,
The head
A slider guided and guided by a sliding groove formed in the head guide rail,
A head bracket provided on the slider,
And a head body fixed to the head bracket.
The method according to claim 1,
The head
And a spray nozzle for spraying water or air onto the surface of the solar panel.
9. The method of claim 8,
A water supply pipe connected to the head for supplying water to the spray nozzle; And
And an air supply pipe connected to the head to supply high-pressure air to the spray nozzle.
10. The method of claim 9,
The head
Cleaning the surface of the solar panel in contact with the solar panel when in a solar panel cleaning mode,
Further comprising a brush spaced apart from the solar panel when the solar panel cooling mode is selected.

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