SI24909A - Bionic cleaner of photovoltaic and solar panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The bionic purifier of photo-voltage and solar panels consists of a carrier casing, handrails, handrails, spacer holders spacer, movable mechanism, servo electric motor, battery and electronics. At the top there can be installed an own photovoltaic panel, which serves us for partial self-supply. The movable mechanism mechanically connects the power servo electric motor with the handrail holders through the guiding system. On the front there is a cleaning system holder and a cleaner system is installed on it. A vacuum grip system, which is illustrated by the grip of a lizard, a subgroup of gecko, is used to move the bion panel cleaner. The scroll of the cleaner is carried out so that the servo electric motor moves the movable mechanism. Firstly, the suction cups (3) and (6) are attached, while the servo electric motor (14) with the movable mechanism (13) arranges the movements of the suction cups (4) and (5). In the extreme position, the activity of the suction cups is replaced and the servo electric motor (17) moves the mechanical system to another extreme position. This is happening alternately, the cleaner is moving.

Description

Bionic cleaner of photo voltage and solar panels

The subject of the invention

The subject of the invention is in the field of solar technology, cleaning of solar and photo-voltage panels. The bionic cleaner of photo-voltage and solar systems is autonomous and partially energy-independent. This device operates autonomously, meaning that it is designed to be independent of connection to remote power and control devices. At the same time, it is partially energy independent as it has an integrated proprietary battery charging system from renewable energy sources. Movement and grip mode is based on the anatomy of the lizard. The invention is a unique example of finding technical solutions by example by nature and at the same time offering new views of the environment.

View the problem

When cleaning photovoltaic and solar panels, the problem with existing cleaning systems is that they are not autonomous and energy-efficient. Autonomy is not guaranteed as they are connected to an energy source (usually electric or compressed air).

A technical problem solved by the invention is the autonomous cleaning of photo-voltage and solar panels on objects that are more difficult to access. Allows cleaning panels up to an incline of approx. 100% oz. 45 °. Panels with such an inclination cannot be cleaned with robots that use wheels or tracks because they slip. There is no slip in our invention as we use vacuum suction cups. Autonomy is achieved with the batteries installed to power the cleaner. At the same time, the invention offers a solution for partial self-supply of energy, since a photovoltaic panel is installed to charge the batteries of an autonomous device. The invention provides an example of finding a technical solution by example by nature. We find similar solutions in certain technical applications, such as the movement of robots in space, and this is a new approach for cleaning solar and photovoltaic panels.

Information on the state of the art, the known solutions to date and their disadvantages

We have some known solutions on the market. One solution is to wash the panels with pressurized water. Such a solution requires having expensive technical equipment. Typically, solutions with firefighting equipment are used to clean larger systems following this procedure. Such a solution is more difficult to access and at the same time requires more human resources.

Another similar solution is to wash the panels with a sponge. This solution is usually done manually. In this case, there is a high risk of slipping and injury. At the same time there is a high probability of damaging the panels, as we usually do not have enough service routes between the panels, so it is necessary to walk through the panels.

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Another solution on the market is a system with rotating brushes. The disadvantage with this solution is that it is a device that is relatively coarse and can leave marks on the surface of the panels. Damage to the surface impairs efficiency and consequently loses energy production. With this system, the bristles, which cause shadows and also reduce the efficiency of production systems, can still remain on the panels.

There are also many window cleaners on the market, but most of them use a magnetic grip system. Magnetic adhesion is possible due to the accessibility of both sides of the glass. Such a cleaning system is out of the question for the cleaning of photo-voltage and solar panels. However, in cases where a vacuum grip system is used, additional power and control devices are required to control the actuators.

The first solution is the lack of extensive technical equipment and human resources. Our solution requires only one person at the time of the invention, who takes care to move the cleaner to another panel after cleaning the panel. At the same time, the cost of the invention is negligible in relation to the existing solution.

In the second embodiment presented there is a risk of slipping, which in the application of our invention is eliminated since it performs the cleaning function autonomously.

The solution to cleaning panels with rotating brushes also has the advantage of being autonomous and incomparably easier. For this reason, the cleaning of the panel surface does not occur and the present invention is a more durable solution.

Magnetic glass cleaning principles are not useful for panel cleaning, as panels that are smooth and panel thicknesses beyond the dimensions of the glass are not available. Our invention is not thickness dependent, since we do not need to install additional components on the opposite side of the panel because we use a different principle of adhesion (vacuum suction cups).

Our solution offers a simple installation of the device and a simple principle of moving this device across the glass surfaces.

For the movement of the bionic panel cleaner, we use a system illustrated by the movement of the lizard subspecies. The gecko uses a special grip on the toes, which creates a bonding force. Such a grip allows the device to be gently attached to the glass surface.

An essential advantage of our device is the autonomy and partial self-care of the mass, which can be relatively small and consequently there is no risk of mechanical damage to the systems being cleaned.

In addition to the aforementioned advantages, this invention is special because such a principle of purification is based on advanced problem-solving approaches that operate on the basis of examples from nature.

We will present our solution below with sketches and a description.

Description of the new solution

In today's technological advancement, a very strong trend of finding solutions to technical problems has emerged, inspired by similar solutions from nature. In this context, the present invention represents a type of invention that can be classified in the field of bionics.

The invention will be described in the drawings showing:

• Figure 1: Bionic cleaner of photo-voltage and solar panels on the base (PV panel) • Figure 2: Assembly of bionic cleaner of photo-voltage and solar panels on the bottom • Figure 3: Assembly of bionic cleaner of photo-voltage and solar panels on the bottom with a more detailed representation of the propulsion mechanism • Figure 4: Assembly of the bionic cleaner of photo-voltage and solar panels from the bottom when moving the first left suction cup forward and right back and at the same time the last right suction cup forward and left back • Figure 5: Assembly of the bionic cleaner of photo-voltage and solar panels solar panels from the bottom when moving the first right suction cup forward and left back and at the same time the last left suction cup forward and right back • Figure 6: Assembly of the photo-voltage bion cleaner and solar panels from the top • Figure 7: Assembly of the photo-bion cleaner and solar panels with PV panel installed • Figure 8: Gecko and moving analogy a of the bionic cleaner mechanism for photovoltaic and solar panels • Figure 9: Sketch of the treatment system • Figure 10: Cross section of the treatment system

The bionic cleaner of photo-voltage and solar panels is used to clean the panels by mounting them on the top panel. Figure 1 shows a cleaner 2 that fits into panel 1. It can be used to clean panels up to an incline of approx. 100% oz. 45 °.

Figure 1 shows the composition of a bionic cleaner of photo-voltage and solar panels. It consists of a carrier housing 18, grips 3, 4, 5, 6, a gripper carrier 7, 8, a spacer carrier grips 9, 10, a movable mechanism 13, a servo motor 14, a battery 15, and • electronics 16. It can be mounted on top. own photovoltaic panel (PV panel), which is used for partial self-supply, since it charges the batteries. The grips 3, 4, 5, 6 are screwed to the grip carrier 7, 8 with a screw 17 that is fixedly screwed into the grip and which, in a flexible connection with the grip carrier, is 7, 8. The grip carrier 7, 8 is connected to the carrier housing 18 by axis 11, 12. Between them is a carrier spacer 9, 10 which is used to adjust the heights of the individual components.

Figure 2 shows in more detail the composition of the scrubber when viewed from the bottom. An essential component is the movable mechanism 13, which mechanically connects the drive servo electric motor 14 to the grip brackets 7, 8 through the bus system. The carrier of the cleaning system 20 is located on the front and the cleaning system 21 is mounted on it.

For partial energy self-supply, a photo-voltage panel 19 may be used which is mounted on the cleaner itself. Installed PV panel increases our autonomy and thus its useful value (Figure 7).

To move the bionic panel cleaner, a vacuum grip system 3, 4, 5, 6 is used, illustrated by the grip of the lizard 37 subspecies (Figure 8). The gecko uses a special grip on the toes, which creates a bonding force. Such a grip allows the device to be gently attached to the glass surface. An electric or pneumatic actuator 3, 4, 5, 6 can be used as the vacuum generator. The mechanical part of moving the bionic cleaner is based on the principle of walking four-legged animals. Here is an example of a walking lizard 37 (Fig. 8) having a vertebrae-shaped back.

Figure 3 shows in more detail the composition of the moving mechanism 13. The basic element that creates the movements of the moving system is a servo motor 14. The servo motor has a lever 27 mounted on the shaft that can rotate left or right by up to 90 °. Figure 3 shows us a possible rotation of the lever 27 of the servo motor 14 for a given angle 28. Based on the rotation of the lever, the connecting lever 26 is moved in one direction or another. The connecting lever 26 is connected on one side with a rotary coupling to the servo of the electric motor 17, and on the other it is connected with a rotary coupling with a movable load sleeve 32. The movable load sleeve travels along two circular guides 33, 34. The circular guides are rigidly positioned in a carrier of round guides 35, 36 rigidly coupled to a carrier housing 18. A movable mounting sleeve is rigidly mounted with a transverse arm 29 for fastening intermediate linkage arms 25, 30. The intermediate linkage arms 25, 30 are connected on one side by a rotary link with a transverse arm 29 and, on the other hand, also a rotary link 24, 31 with a grip carrier 7, 8. The grip carriers 7, 8 are connected to the carrier housing 18 by a rotating link 11,12, which represents the pivot of the individual grip carrier 7 , 8.

Figure 4 shows the movement of the scrubber. Moving is done by first attaching the suction cups 3 and 6, while the servo motor 14 with the movable mechanism 13 arranges the suction cups 4 and 5 (in Fig. 4 moving forward 44). This part of the movement is performed until the rotation of the servo motor 14. The limit of the rotation angle depends on the mechanical composition, and especially on the length of the lever of the servo motor 27 and is determined programmatically in the control unit in the microcontroller. When we reach the limit of rotation, the shaft of the servo motor 14 stops and the lever 27 is briefly stationary so that we can engage the other two suckers 4, 5, which are now in the front position on the individual bracket 7, 8. Before starting to switch off the last two the suction cup on the individual bracket 7, 8 must already have the front two engaged, otherwise the cleaner on the sloping surface will slip. This is followed by the movement of the shaft of the servo electric motor 14, ie the lever 27 in the other direction 28, to the limit of rotation. Figure 5 shows the second extreme position of the movement. In the step when we move from the position from Figure 4 to the position shown in Figure 5, we have the suction or. active suction cups 4 and 5, while suction cups 3 and 6 are inactive. While moving the shaft of the servo motor 14 and the moving mechanism 13, the cleaner in Fig. 5 moves to the left 44.

Mechanical movable mechanism 13 also makes it possible to change the direction of movement of the cleaner by attaching the suction cups 3 and 4 before moving the mechanical system, while the suction cups 5 and 6 are not attached (sucked). In this case, when the movable mechanism 13 is moved by the servo motor 14, the rear part is moved to the right side and the cleaner is turned to the left.

The speed of movement depends on the speed of the servo motor 14 and the positioning of the levers of the mechanical assembly 13. If the levers 25, 29, 30, 26 are in the initial position (when the left and right grips on the individual carrier grips are in the same plane), they move a larger path when moving, and consequently a larger grip step. Contact or contactless sensors 22, 23 (sensors or corresponding IR or ultrasonic sensors) are used to automatically detect the boundaries of the cleaning surface. Based on the detection of the boundaries of the cleaning surface, the steering wheel autonomously stops the robot and points it in the other direction. Remote control uses wireless communication (WiFi, IrDA, Bluetooth, ...), which is part of the electronics 16.

The cleaning system 21 is shown in Figure 9. The essential component is the cleaning brush 39. It consists of fine bristles, which are electrostatically charged and consequently attract dust and impurities. The cleaning brush is powered by an electric motor 40 which simultaneously performs the function of shaft mounting on one side. On the other hand, the shaft of the scrub brush is clamped to the bearing 41. The dirt is loaded into the dust collector and impurities 38. The entire scrubber system 21 is connected to the scrubber carrier 12 by the scrubber (Figure 6). The cleaning system 12 is secured to the carrier of the treatment system 12 by an easily disassembled connection. For this reason, the cleaning system is easily removable and replaceable, which further enhances its simplicity and functionality.

Figure 10 shows a cross-section of the cleaning system 21. The direction of rotation of the 42 shafts of the cleaning brush 39 is shown. When rotated in the direction of rotation 42, the bristles are cleaned through a comb 43 attached to the edge of the dust collector and impurities 38.

Claims (4)

PATENT APPLICATIONS 1. Bionic cleaner of photo-voltage and solar panels, characterized in that it is an autonomous and partially self-contained device for cleaning photo-voltage and solar panels and other glass surfaces up to a 45 ° inclination, moving in a specific manner, according to the principle of four-legged creeping animals , especially the gecko reptile, and adheres to the suction cups (vacuum or electrostatic principle), the base is a load-bearing housing (18), using a mechanical movable mechanism (13) which mechanically connects the drive servo electric motor (14) with the bus system grips brackets (7) with grips mounted, autonomous accumulators (15), electronic controls allowing for autonomy, with the front of the cleaning system bracket (20) and a cleaning system (21) mounted on it, for partial self-care a PV panel can be installed to charge the batteries and increase the autonomy of the device. Bionic cleaner of photo voltage and solar panels according to claim 1, characterized in that it has one servo electric motor which drives a mechanical movable mechanism (13) which mechanically connects the holders (7) where the suction cups are mounted via the guide system. controlled by the electronics in such a sequence that it moves in a specific manner, following the principle of four-legged creeping animals, especially the gecko reptile. Bionic cleaner of photo voltage and solar panels according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a detachable cleaning system (21) which allows us to easily replace the cleaning system (21) and to immediately proceed with cleaning. Bionic cleaner of photo-voltage and solar panels according to claim 1, characterized in that it can have its own PV panel (19), which allows us partial self-care and increases the autonomy and thus the useful value.