Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an automated solar panel management device that is capable of providing a means to change angle and position of a solar panel as per direction of sunlight for harnessing maximum energy to generated electricity from the energy in order to connect electric appliances to utilize the appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Solar panel plays an important role in harnessing renewable energy from the sun and converting it into electricity for various applications. It helps reduce dependence on fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly energy source for the future. In addition to being a clean energy source, solar panels also have a long lifespan and require minimal maintenance, making them a cost-effective investment in the long run. As technology continues to improve, solar panels are becoming more efficient and affordable, further driving their adoption worldwide. Solar panels are also versatile in their applications, being able to be installed on rooftops, in solar farms, and even integrated into building materials. This flexibility allows for solar energy to be harnessed in a variety of settings, making it a viable option for both residential and commercial use.

[0003] Traditionally, the user uses tools for orienting the solar panel includes the use of a compass to determine the direction of true south and a protractor to set the panel at the correct angle based on the user's latitude. Some modern solar panels also come equipped with built-in sensors and motors that automatically adjust the panel's orientation for optimal sunlight exposure throughout the day. These sensors track the sun's movement and adjust the panel accordingly, maximizing energy production. This technology eliminates the need for manual adjustments and ensures maximum efficiency. Overall, these advancements in solar panel technology have made it easier for users to harness solar energy without the need for constant monitoring and adjustment. As a result, solar panels have become more user-friendly and efficient in generating electricity.

[0004] ES2283182B1 discloses a device for orientation of solar panels. The invention relates to a mechanical structure of new conception, which allows the rotational and programmed movement of the structure containing solar panels, on a single support, which with a minimum overload with respect to other devices which represents the state of the art, provides greater security to its operation with respect to the unwanted effects caused by the forces of the wind, and of its own weight on the structure on which it is mounted from the point of view of its intrinsic conception, designed to fulfil the mission of allowing To solar panels follow the movement of the sun. Although, ES’182 provides way to align solar panels by rotational and programmed movement of the solar panels on a single support, which with a minimum overload, however lacks in generating electricity with maximum intensity as per direction of sunlight.

[0005] WO2010079249A1 discloses an invention relates to a self-orienting tilting solar roof characterised in that it comprises a roof having a square, rectangular or polygonal shape, which can oscillate by means of the barycentre or central point of equilibrium thereof under the action of forces applied at least three or more points at a clear distance from one another and from the central bearing point, thereby preventing the roof from extending beyond the initial perimeter thereof in the horizontal position. Though, WO’249 provides way to orient the solar panel by oscillate via barycentre or central point of equilibrium thereof under the action of forces applied at least three or more points at a clear distance, however lacks in reducing drag experienced by the panel for appropriate harnessing of energy from the sunlight.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices are disclosed in prior art that provides way to orient the solar panel by adjusting the tilt angle manually. However, these devices are being time-consuming and inefficient, especially in situations where frequent adjustments are required. Moreover, such devices are lacks in adjusting as per direction of the sunlight.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that requires to be capable of changing the position of the solar panel in accordance to direction of sunlight for capturing maximum sunlight utilized in generating electricity.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of changing angle and position of a solar panel as per direction of sunlight for harnessing maximum energy to generated electricity from the energy in order to connect electric appliances to utilize the appliances.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of detecting wind speed in the surroundings to orient the solar panel in manner to reduce drag experienced by the panel for appropriate harnessing of energy from the sunlight.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of cleaning the solar panel as per user requirement in order to keep the solar panel in appropriate manner.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an automated solar panel management device that is capable of changing angle and position of a solar panel as per direction of sunlight in addition with experiencing less drag due to wind for harnessing maximum energy to generated electricity from the energy for various purposes.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an automated solar panel management device, comprises of a platform affixed with ground surface by means of multiple suction units configured beneath the platform to affix the platform with the surface in a secured manner, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit installed over the platform for capturing and processing images of a solar panel positioned in proximity by a user, a microcontroller linked with the imaging unit determines dimensions of the solar panel, an elongated plate configured with the platform by means of an vertical shaft that is accessed by the user to position the solar panel over the plate, multiple suction cups are installed over the plate to create a negative pressure to affix the solar panel with the plate, multiple extendable bars installed over the plate to extend to accommodate the solar panel over the plate in an appropriate manner, a motorized drawer arrangement is integrated in each of the bar to provide extension and retraction to the bars to accommodate the solar panel over the bars, a sun sensor installed over the platform to monitor direction of sunlight in surroundings, a motorized ball and socket joint installed between the shaft and plate to orient the plate in the detected direction in view of enabling the solar panel to generate electricity in an efficient manner, an anemometer installed over the platform to monitor wind speed in the surroundings, a computing unit accessed by the user to provide input regrading cleaning of the solar panel actuates a robotic arm installed over the platform to clean the solar panel by means of a microfiber cloth configured with the arm, and a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0015] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of an automated solar panel management device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0018] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0019] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0020] The present invention relates to an automated solar panel management device that is capable of orienting solar pane along the direction of the sunlight in order to receive maximum sunlight for generating electricity without causing any error and mismanagement due to wind in surrounding.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of an automated solar panel management device is illustrated, comprising a platform 101 having multiple suction units 102 configured beneath the platform 101, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed over the platform 101, an elongated plate 104 configured with the platform 101 by means of an vertical shaft 105, multiple extendable bars 106 installed over the plate 104, a pair of motorized clipper 107 installed with each end of the bar, a motorized ball and socket joint 108 installed between the shaft 105 and plate 104, multiple suction cups 109 installed over the plate 104, an anemometer 110 installed over the platform 101, and a robotic arm 111 installed over the platform 101 and equipped with a microfiber cloth 112.

[0022] The proposed device comprises of platform 101 encased with a various components associated with the device arrange in sequential manner that aids in orienting solar panel. Upon placing of the platform 101 over a fixed surface, the user requires to activate the device manually by pressing a switch button associated with the device and integrated with the body. The button is a type of a switch that is internally connected with the device via multiple circuits that upon pressing by the user, the circuits get closed and starts conduction of electricity that tends to activate the device and vice versa. After activating of the device by the user, a microcontroller associated with the device generates a commands to operate the device accordingly.

[0023] Upon activation of the device, the microcontroller actuates multiple suction units 102 integrated underneath the platform 101 to affix the platform 101 with the ground surface. The suction unit 102 operates by using a motor-driven fan or pump to create suction over the surface, which generates the negative pressure required to affix the platform 101 with the surface. After affixing of the platform 101 with the surface, an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed over the platform 101 determines dimensions of a solar panel positioned in proximity by the user. The imaging unit 103 mentioned herein comprises of comprises of a camera and processor that works in collaboration to capture and process the images of the solar panel. The camera firstly captures multiple images of the solar panel, wherein the camera comprises of a body, electronic shutter, lens, lens aperture, image sensor, and imaging processor that works in sequential manner to capture images of the solar panel. After capturing of the images by the camera, the shutter is automatically open due to which the reflected beam of light coming from the surrounding due to light is directed towards the lens aperture. After that the reflected light beam passes through the image sensor.

[0024] The image sensor now analyzes the beam to retrieve signal from the beams which is further calibrate by the sensor to capture images of the solar panel in electronic signal. Upon capturing images, the imaging processor processes the electronic signal into digital image. When the image capturing is done, the processor associated with the imaging unit 103 processes the captured images by using a protocol of artificial intelligence to retrieve data from the captured image in the form of digital signal. The detected data in the form of digital signal is now transmitted to the linked microcontroller based on which the microcontroller acquires the data to detect the dimensions of the solar panel.

[0025] After the detection of the dimensions of the solar panel, the microcontroller actuates a motorized drawer arrangement integrated with each of multiple extendable bars 106 installed over an elongated plate 104 configured with the platform 101 by means of a vertical shaft 105 to extend in accordance with the detected dimensions to accommodate the solar panel over the plate 104 in an appropriate manner. The drawer arrangement comprises of a carriage assembly and a DC (direct current) motor that works in collaboration to extend and retract the bars 106.

[0026] The carriage assembly fitted with two rails that are used for sliding the block up and down. The block opening located at the end of the rail and have two clips that are used to secure the ring with the barrel. To extend the drawer, the drawer is pushed to open and the carriage assembly slide outward. This creates an opening to allow extension and retraction of the bars 106 in accordance with the detected dimensions to accommodate the solar panel over the plate 104 in the appropriate manner.

[0027] Simultaneously, the microcontroller actuates multiple suction cups 109 installed over the plate 104 to create a negative pressure to affix the solar panel with the plate 104. After that the microcontroller actuates a pair of motorized clipper 107 installed with each end of the bar to grip periphery of the solar panel in a secured manner to affix the solar panel with the plate 104. The clipper 107 is linked with a hinge mechanism coupled with a motor activated by the microcontroller to provide back and forth movement to the clipper 107 to grip the periphery of the solar panel in the secured manner to affix the solar panel with the plate 104. Herein, a sun sensor installed over the platform 101 to monitor direction of sunlight in surroundings. The sun sensor operates by detecting the angle and intensity of sunlight, allowing the sensor to determine the sun’s position relative to the platform 101.

[0028] The sun sensor mentioned herein typically uses photodiodes or light-sensitive elements arranged in a specific configuration to sense the light’s direction. When sunlight hits the sensor, the sensor measures the light intensity from different angles, and based on these readings, the sensor calculates the direction of the sunlight. This data is then processed by the microcontroller to detect the direction of sunlight in surroundings. Based on detecting the direction of the sunlight, the microcontroller actuates motorized ball and socket joint 108 integrated between the shaft 105 and plate 104 to orient the plate 104 in the detected direction for allowing the solar panel to generate electricity in an efficient manner. The ball and socket joint 108 are a mechanical arrangement consists of a ball-shaped component that fits into a socket, with a motor providing the necessary power to drive the rotation to provide angular movement to the plate 104 in the detected direction to generate electricity in the efficient manner from the solar panel.

[0029] During orienting of the plate 104, an anemometer 110 installed over the platform 101 detects wind speed in the surroundings. The anemometer 110 comprises of a spinning wheel and fan which gets rotate when the wheel is powered by the wind blows in the surrounding through which the anemometer 110 detects the number of rotations of the fan. The number of rotations is further calibrated by the sensor in the voltage which is transmitted to the microcontroller. After that the microcontroller analyzes the data to detect the wind speed in the surroundings. If the detected wind speed exceeds a threshold value pre-fed in database of the microcontroller, then the microcontroller directs the ball and socket joint 108 to orient the plate 104 in manner to reduce drag experienced by the plate 104 and change the position of the plate 104 for proper generation of the electricity from the solar panel.

[0030] Additionally, the user accesses a computing unit associated with the device to provide input regrading cleaning of the solar panel. The computing unit herein includes but not limited to a mobile and laptop that comprises a processor where the alert received from the microcontroller is stored to process and retrieve the output data in order to display in the computing unit. The microcontroller is wirelessly linked with the computing unit via a communication module which includes but not limited to Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, Bluetooth module. GSM (Global System for Mobile communication). The communication module acts as a medium between various electronic unit for establishing communication between the device and computing unit to process the input.

[0031] Upon processing the input given by the user, the microcontroller actuates a robotic arm 111 installed over the platform 101 to clean the solar panel via a microfiber cloth 112 configured with the arm 111. The robotic arm 111 comprises of a shoulder, elbow and wrist. All these parts are configured with the microcontroller. The elbow is at the middle section of the arm 111 that allows the upper part of the arm 111 to move the lower section independently. Lastly, the wrist is at the tip of the upper arm 111 and attached to the end effector attached with the microfiber cloth 112 works as hand for moving in contact with the solar panel for cleaning the solar panel.

[0032] A battery (not shown in figure) is associated with the device to offer power to all electrical and electronic components necessary for their correct operation. The battery is linked to the microcontroller and provides (DC) Direct Current to the microcontroller. And then, based on the order of operations, the microcontroller sends that current to those specific electrical or electronic components so the user effectively carry out their appropriate functions.

[0033] The present invention works best in following manner, where the platform 101 as disclosed in the invention is developed to be affixed with ground surface by means of the suction units 102 actuates to create a negative pressure to affix the platform 101 with the surface in a secured manner. Herein, the artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 determines dimensions of the solar panel based on that the extendable bars 106 are actuated by the microcontroller to extend in accordance with the detected dimensions to accommodate the solar panel over the plate 104 in an appropriate manner. After that the motorized clipper 107 is actuated by the microcontroller to grip periphery of the solar panel in a secured manner to affix the solar panel with the plate 104. Herein, the sun sensor detects direction of sunlight in surroundings, and based on the detected direction, the microcontroller actuates the motorized ball and socket joint 108 to orient the plate 104 in the detected direction in view of enabling the solar panel to generate electricity in an efficient manner.

[0034] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An automated solar panel management device, comprising:

i) a platform 101 affixed with ground surface by means of plurality of suction units 102 configured beneath said platform 101, wherein said suction units 102 actuates to create a negative pressure to affix said platform 101 with said surface in a secured manner;
ii) an artificial intelligence based imaging unit 103 installed over said platform 101 and integrated with a processor for capturing and processing images of a solar panel positioned in proximity by a user, based on which, a microcontroller linked with said imaging unit 103 determines dimensions of said solar panel;
iii) an elongated plate 104 configured with said platform 101 by means of a vertical shaft 105 that is accessed by said user to position said solar panel over said plate 104, wherein plurality of extendable bars 106 installed over said plate 104 that are actuated by said microcontroller to extend in accordance with said detected dimensions to accommodate said solar panel over said plate 104 in an appropriate manner;
iv) a pair of motorized clipper 107 installed with each end of said bar that is actuated by said microcontroller to grip periphery of said solar panel in a secured manner to affix said solar panel with said plate 104; and
v) a sun sensor installed over said platform 101 to monitor direction of sunlight in surroundings, wherein based on said detected direction, said microcontroller actuates a motorized ball and socket joint 108 installed between said shaft 105 and plate 104 that is actuated by said microcontroller to orient said plate 104 in said detected direction in view of enabling said solar panel to extract maximum solar energy in view of generating electricity in an efficient manner.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a motorized drawer arrangement is integrated in each of said bar that is actuated by said microcontroller to provide extension and retraction to said bars 106 to accommodate said solar panel over said bars 106.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of suction cups 109 is installed over said plate 104 that are actuated by said microcontroller to create a negative pressure to affix said solar panel with said plate 104.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein an anemometer 110 is installed over said platform 101 to monitor wind speed in said surroundings and in case said monitored speed exceeds a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates said ball and socket joint 108 to orient said plate 104 in manner to reduce drag experienced by said plate 104.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a computing unit accessed by said user to provide input regrading cleaning of said solar panel based on which wirelessly linked said microcontroller actuates a robotic arm 111 installed over said platform 101 to clean said solar panel by means of a microfiber cloth 112 configured with said arm 111.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.