Solar tracker

Work for the course: Design of Mechatronic Products

Erasmus student: Raul Losantos Viuales

1. We chose the solar panel and measures:

The chosen solar panel is the "E19 / 425 SOLAR PANEL" and has the following
characteristics:

Tall (L)= 2067 mm

Width = 1046 mm
Weight 25.4 kg

*See all information in annex 1.

2. Choice of mechanisms:
The work involves the design of a system that allows the variation of the angle of a
photovoltaic panel, using a linear mechanical actuator.
The type of mechanism we use to vary the angle consists of a central point (O) for
which various solar panel, and two points A, B with rotation capability that allows the
variation of the length of the actuator:

From the photovoltaic panel data, we calculate the distances to different points of the
chosen mechanical system:
CA= gs/4 + 0,1 = 0,16 m
gs=0,24
OB(x)= L/6 = 344,5 mm
OB(y)= 50 mm (our choose)
CO= 1000 mm (our choose)
Betta= [-40, +40]

3. Catia and calculations:

Once known dimensions proceed to perform the drawing in catia:

These two drawings represent the two limits of the mechanism chosen for the
required angles.
For the points needed to be entered in the drawing for adams have two options, either
measured directly from catia with reference (0,0) point C. Or get points trigonometric
expressions using mathematical way:
Measures catia obtain directly:

Mathematically:
point 1 = (0;0)
point 2 = 12 = (160;0)
point 3 = 16 + 63 = (0;1000)+(1033,5x cos(40) ; -1033,5 x sin(40)) =
(791,707 ; 355,679)
point 4 = 16 + 65 + 54 = P5 + O5= P5 +(-50 x sin(50); -50 x cos(50)) =
(231,763;740,257)
point 5 = 16 +65= (0;1000)+(344,5x cos(40) ; -344,5 x sin(40)) =
(263,902;778,56)
point 6 = 16= (0;1000)
point 7 = 16 + 67= (0;1000)+(-1033,5x cos(40) ; 1033,5 x sin(40)) = (791,707;1664,321)
It is also necessary to obtain the route as well as the maximum and minimum length
that must meet the driver that we select for our project. This can be obtained also
diretamente catia drawing:
OB (min) = 743,728
OB (max)=1190,934
Travel = OB max - OB min = 447,206 mm
Or if we are using equations:
p4'= CO +O5'+5'4'= (0;1000)+(344,5x cos(40) ; 344,5 x sin(40))+(50 x cos(50) ; -50
x sin (50) = (296,041 ; 1183,138)
OB (min) => p4-p2= (71,763 ; 740,257)=> (71,763+740,257) = 743,728 mm
OB (max)=> P4'-p2= (136,041 ; 1183,138)=> (136,041+1183,138) = 1190,934
mm
Travel= OB max - OB min = 447,206 mm

4. Choosing the right actuator:

With information on the necessary path segment AB, we have to find an actuator
according this feature:

Of the following types chose the 6118CH because we are the smallest of which
satisfies the course:
Travel=> 450 > 447,206

*See all information in annex 2

5. Simulation in adams:
Once these points we put into building our adams electromechanical system using
bars of different thicknesses, joining and fixing items that are necessary, also add the
necessary joints as well as the actuator.
To simulate its operation we give the range of the actuator displacement (447.02 mm)
and a simulation time:

We can see that the system works properly because the angle made path matches the
specified.