Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (100) for cleaning a panel, the system (100) comprising:
a frame (110); movably adapted to the panel, the frame (110) comprising a pair of support plates (112), and a pair of bars (114) extending between the support plates (112);
a main shaft (120) rotatably mounted between the pair of support plates (112), the main shaft (120) comprising plurality of bristles (X) around its periphery;
at-least one secondary shaft (130) rotatably mounted parallel to the main shaft (120), and having plurality of wheels (102) mounted thereon for allowing the frame (110) to move along the panel;
a drive unit (150) provided on one of the support plates (112), the drive unit (150) comprising of a driving gear (152) meshed with at-least one driven gear (154), the driving gear (152) connected with the main shaft (120) and the driven gear (154) connected with the secondary shaft (130); and
a motor (140) connected with the drive unit (150), whereby upon operation of the motor (140), the driving gear (152) and the driven gear (154) rotate causing the main shaft (120) and the secondary shaft (130) to rotate simultaneously, whereby the wheels (104) of the secondary shaft (130) enable the frame (110) to moves along the panel, and the bristles (X) of the main shaft brush along the surface of the panel.

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the motor (140) is a DC motor.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) comprises a mounting plate (180) provided between the pair of bars (114).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein a power unit (170) is mounted on the mounting plate (180).

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the power unit (170) is a rechargeable battery unit.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein a washing unit (160) is mounted on the mounting plate (180).

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the washing unit (160) comprises of a fluid sump, a pump (162) mounted on the mounting plate (180) for drawing fluid from the fluid sump via an inlet pipe, and an outlet pipe connected with the pump (162), the outlet pipe extending between the two support plates (112), and the outlet pipe comprising plurality of nozzles.

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheels (102) are concentrically mounted on the secondary shafts (130).

9. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of horizontally oriented wheels (106) are provided on the support plates (112).

10. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein plurality of vertically oriented wheels (104) are provided on the bars (114).

Dated this 28 day of December 2018

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Janaksinh Jhala)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg. No. IN/PA-2193
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The invention relates to a system for cleaning a panel, more particularly to a system for cleaning a solar panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Solar panels are typically installed on roof-tops or open spaces so that maximum solar energy can be incident on the solar panel. Being installed outdoors, dust, debris, and other atmospheric particles get deposited/accumulated on the solar panel. Such deposition is undesirable, as efficiency of the solar panel is affected. Thus, to upkeep the efficiency of the solar panel, it is important to keep the solar panels clean. Considering size of the solar panel and the number of units that are installed, cleaning the solar panels can be difficult and time consuming. In order to address the aforementioned problem, various cleaning systems have been proposed.
[003] One prior-art patent US8771432B2 discloses a solar panel cleaning system and method, wherein each solar row has an upper edge elevated above ground level and a lower edge to provide an inclination of the solar row. A cleaning assembly cleans the solar panel surfaces. A support frame supports the cleaning assembly and enables upward and downward motion in the width and length directions of the solar row. Operation and movement of the cleaning assembly is controlled so as to clean a surface of the solar panels during downward movement. The cleaning assembly is preferably not operative during upward movement. During downward movement, the cleaning assembly removes dirt, debris and dust from the surface of the solar panels and generates an air stream to blow off the dirt, debris, and dust. However, air stream may not be sufficient to clear the dirt, debris, dust or other particles which get deposited on the solar panel.
[004] In view of the above, there is a need in the art for a cleaning system for solar panels addressing at-least the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] Accordingly, the present invention in one aspect provides a system for cleaning a panel, the system comprising a frame movably adapted to top surface of the panel, the frame comprising a pair of support plates, and a pair of bars extending between the support plates; a main shaft rotatably mounted between the pair of support plates, the main shaft comprising plurality of bristles around its periphery; at-least one secondary shaft rotatably mounted parallel to the main shaft, and having plurality of wheels mounted thereon for allowing the frame to move along the panel; a drive unit provided on one of the support plates, the drive unit comprising of a driving gear meshed with at-least one driven gear, the driving gear connected with the main shaft and the driven gear connected with the secondary shaft; and a motor connected with the drive unit, whereby upon operation of the motor, the driving gear and the driven gear rotate causing the main shaft and the secondary shaft to rotate simultaneously, whereby the wheels of the secondary shaft enable the frame to moves along the panel, and the bristles of the main shaft brush along the surface of the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[006] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a system for cleaning a panel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a top view of a system for cleaning a panel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a drive unit in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a system for cleaning adapted to a solar panel assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[007] The present invention is directed towards a system for cleaning a panel by removing and/or washing away any foreign particles accumulated/deposited on surface of the panels.
[008] Figures 1 and 2 shows a system 100 for cleaning a panel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The panel by way of an example is a solar panel. The panel accordingly comprises of a housing which houses a glass slab, plurality of solar cells and associated circuitry disposed below the glass slab. The system 100 is adapted to a top surface of the panel, and system 100 is configured to move along the panel and is capable of cleaning and/or washing the glass slab of the panel.
[009] The system comprises of a frame 110, a main shaft 120, at-least one secondary shaft 130, a motor 140, a drive unit 150, a washing unit 160, and a power unit 170.
[010] As shown in figures 1 and 2, the frame 110 comprises of a pair of support plates 112 and pair of bars 114 extending between the support plates 112. The support plates 112 as can be seen in the figures are vertically oriented and spaced apart from each other. The bars 114 are horizontally oriented and are interconnected with the support plates 112 to form the frame 110. Further, the frame 110 comprises plurality of support bars 116 extending between the bars 114 to provide structural rigidity to the frame 110. Accordingly, when the frame 110 is adapted to a panel, the bars 114 are parallel with the top surface of the panel, and the support plates 112 are parallel with side-edges of the panel.
[011] The main shaft 120 is rotatably mounted between the support plates 112. In an embodiment, the main shaft 120 comprises of plurality of bristles X to form a rotary brush like device. Accordingly, as the main shaft 120 is rotated, the bristles X also rotate. The length of the bristles X is such that the bristles X brush along the surface of panel to clean or remove foreign particles accumulated on the surface of the panel. Further, the movable shaft which has the bristles can be adjusted vertically so as to adjust the height of the movable shaft depending upon length of the bristles. In this regard, a slot is provided on each support plate, whereby the movable shaft can be adapted in different positions along the slots depending upon length of the bristles. To move or adjust the movable shaft along the slot, a gear train or timing belt/pulley mechanism can be employed.
[012] As shown in figure 2, two secondary shafts 130 are provided parallel to the main shaft 120, whereby the main shaft 120 is provided in between the secondary shafts 130. The secondary shafts 130 are also rotatably mounted. In an embodiment of the invention, each secondary shaft 130 comprises of plurality of wheels 102. The wheels 102 are concentrically mounted with the secondary shaft 130, and rest on surface of the panel. Accordingly, as the secondary shafts 130 are rotated, the wheels also rotate enabling the frame 110 to move along the panel.
[013] Further, plurality of vertically oriented wheels 104 are provided on the bars 114, and plurality of horizontally oriented wheels 106 are provided on the support plates 112 of the frame. The vertically oriented wheels 104 rest on the top surface of the panel and the horizontally oriented wheels 106 rest on each side of the panel. The vertically oriented wheels 104 and the horizontally oriented wheels 106 provide uniform load distribution along the frame 110, and enable smooth movement of the frame 110 along the panel.
[014] The drive unit 150 is provided to rotate the main shaft 120 and the secondary shafts 130, whereby the drive unit 150 rotates the main shaft 120 and the secondary shafts 130 simultaneously. The drive unit 150 is provided on one of the support plates 112. Figure 3 shows the drive unit 150 in greater detail. The drive unit 150 comprises of a driving gear 152 and two driven gears 154. As shown, the driving gear 152 is meshed with each driven gear 154 via an idle gear 156. Accordingly, as the driving gear 152 rotates, the driven gear 154 is also rotated. The driving gear 152 is connected with the main shaft 120, and each driven gear 154 is connected with the secondary shaft 130.
[015] Further, the motor 140 is mounted on the same support plate 112 as the drive unit 150, and is connected with the driving gear 152 via a drive shaft. Upon operation of the motor 140, the driving gear 152 is rotated, causing the driven gear 154 also to rotate. Accordingly, the main shaft 120 and the secondary shafts 130 rotate simultaneously. Advantageously, a single motor controls the movement of the main shaft 120 and the secondary shafts 130. In an embodiment of the invention, the motor 140 is a DC motor. Other type of motors are well within the scope of the invention.
[016] The system further comprises of at-least one mounting plate 180 provided between the pair of bars 114. The mounting plate 180 is provided for allowing the washing unit 160 and the power unit 170 to be adapted to the system 100.
[017] The washing unit 160 comprises of a fluid sump, a pump 162, an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. The fluid sump is mounted along the panel. The pump 162 draws fluid from the fluid sump via an inlet pipe, and directs it to the panel via the outlet pipe. The water sump holds fluid such as water or other cleaning fluids, and the outlet pipe extending from the sump delivers the fluid on to the panel. The outlet pipe is preferably provided between the two support plates 112, and the outlet pipe comprises of plurality of nozzles enabling the fluid to be delivered/sprayed on to the panel optimally. Accordingly, upon operation of the pump 162, the nozzles spray liquid onto the surface of the panel, thereby aiding in washing the panel. The nozzles may be configured to spray the liquid continuously or intermittently.
[018] The power unit 170 is connected with the motor 140 and the pump 162. The power unit 170 is a rechargeable battery unit 172 which may be connected with the panel. Alternately, the rechargeable battery unit 172 can be charged from an external power source.
[019] Further, the system 100 of the present invention can be retrofitted to panels. Also the system 100 can be adapted to different array of panels i.e. the system can be shifted from one array of panel to another using a carriage assembly.
[020] Figure 4 shows the system 100 adapted to an array of solar panels 400. While the figure illustrates two solar panels, the system 100 is capable of being adaptable to an array of panels, whereby the size of the system/frame can be varied depending upon number of panels. Also, while the preferred application of the system is a solar panel, adapting the system to other panels is possible and obvious to one skilled in the art. Further, as shown the system is enclosed in a casing. In a cycle of operation, the motor 140 is operated which causes the driving gear 152 and driven gear 154 of the drive unit 150 to rotate, thereby rotating the main shaft 120 and the secondary shafts 130. The secondary shafts 130 with the wheels move the frame/system along the panel. As the frame/system moves along the solar panels 400, the bristles X of the main shaft 120 clean/remove any particles deposited on the panel. Also, while the frame/system moves along the solar panels 400, the pump 162 is operated causing water to be sprayed on the solar panel 400 which further aids in cleaning/removing of particles deposited on the panel.
[021] Advantageously, the system 100 of the present invention is energy efficient by employing one motor unit to drive the main shaft 120 with bristles X and also the secondary shafts 130 with wheels which moves the system 100 along the panel. Further, the system provides for wet and dry cleaning of the panel.
[022] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.