Abstract:
An adjusting device for adjusting orientation of an energy conversion board comprises a first frame member, a second frame member, a third frame member and a base. The first frame member contains the energy conversion board. The second frame member holds the first frame member. The third frame member holds the second frame member. The base supports the third frame including the other frames and the energy conversion board. The first frame member is rotatable relative to the second frame member, the second frame member is rotatable relative to the third frame, and the third frame member is rotatable relative to the base. The first rotating axis is perpendicular to the second rotating axis, and the third rotating axis is coaxial with the first rotating axis.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to energy conversion devices, and particularly relating to an adjusting device of an energy conversion device for adjusting position of an energy conversion board of the energy conversion device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A solar panel can be fixed on a base to collect sunlight. However, if the panel or the base is at a fixed angle, the light received by the solar panel as the Sun moves across the sky is uneven. Thus, the utilization rate of the solar energy may be reduced. 
     Therefore, there is need to overcome the above-described shortcoming. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the energy conversion device. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an energy conversion device in accordance with an embodiment, the energy conversion device being in an initial state. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded isometric view of the energy conversion device of  FIG. 1 , the energy conversion device including an energy conversion board and an adjusting device. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the energy conversion device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the energy conversion device of  FIG. 1  when the energy conversion device is in a first working state. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the energy conversion device of  FIG. 1  when the energy conversion device is in a second working state. 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of the energy conversion device of  FIG. 1  when the energy conversion device is in a third working state. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view of an energy conversion device  100  in accordance with an embodiment is shown. The energy conversion device  100  includes an energy conversion board  10  and an adjusting device  20  supporting the energy conversion board  10  and automatically adjusting the orientation of the energy conversion board  10 . The energy conversion board  10  is used for collecting a first type of energy and converting the first type of energy into a second type of energy. In this embodiment, the energy conversion board  10  is a solar panel for converting solar energy into electrical energy. The adjusting device  20  includes a base  21 , a first frame member  22 , a second frame member  24  and a third frame member  26 . The base  21  supports the energy conversion board  10 , the first frame member  22 , the second frame member  24  and the third frame member  26 . The energy conversion board  10  is fixed and received in the first frame member  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exploded isometric view of the energy conversion device of  FIG. 1  is shown. In this embodiment, the first frame member  22  includes two opposite first sidewalls  221 , two opposite second sidewalls  222  connected with the two opposite first sidewalls  221 , and a number of sensors  225 . In the embodiment, the sensors  225  are inductors. The first sidewalls  221  and the second sidewalls  222  define a first receiving space  223  to receive the energy conversion board  10 . The energy conversion board  10  is a rectangular plate. The first receiving space  223  has a shape to receive the energy conversion board  10 , such as a rectangular opening. The energy conversion board  10  is received and fixed in the first frame member  22  by means of locking, integral forming, sticking, or threaded connection. In another embodiment, the energy conversion board  10  may also be circular frame, elliptical, or hexagonal, and the first frame member  22  can thus be a circular ring frame, an elliptical ring frame, or a hexagonal frame to correspond to the shape of the energy conversion board  10 . 
     The first frame member  22  defines a first pivot hole  224  in each of the two first sidewalls  221 . The first pivot hole  224  extends through the first sidewall  221  from the inside to the outside. Both first pivot holes  224  are located along a first rotating axis A. The first rotating axis A perpendicularly crosses the two first sidewalls  221 . In this embodiment, each first pivot hole  224  is defined in the center of each of the first sidewalls  221 . 
     A sensor  225  is placed at each corner of the first frame member  22 . The sensors  225  sense the intensity of the sun&#39;s light. In this embodiment, there are four sensors  225  on four corners of the first frame member  22 . In another embodiment, there are more than four sensors  225  placed on the first frame member  22 . 
     The second frame member  24  has a shape to closely match the first frame member  22 . In this embodiment, the second frame member  24  is also substantially a rectangular frame. In another embodiment, the second frame member  24  can be substantially a circular ring frame, an elliptical ring frame, and a hexagonal frame corresponding to the shape of the first frame member  22 . The second frame member  24  includes two opposite third sidewalls  241 , and two opposite fourth sidewalls  242  connected with the two opposite third sidewalls  241 . The third sidewalls  241  and the fourth sidewalls  242  define a second receiving space  243  to receive the first frame member  22 . 
     The second frame member  24  defines a second pivot hole  244  in each of the two third sidewalls  241  at a position where the first rotating axis A crosses the second frame member  24  when the first frame member  22  is received in the second receiving space  243 . The second pivot hole  244  extends through the third sidewall  241  from the inside to the outside. Both second pivot holes  244  are located along a second rotating axis B. The second rotating axis B is coaxial with the first rotating axis A. In this embodiment, each second pivot hole  244  is defined in the center of each of the two third sidewalls  241 . Two first shafts  220  successively pass through the second pivot holes  244  and the first pivot holes  224  to pivotally connect the first frame member  22  to the second frame member  24 . Therefore, the first frame member  22  with the energy conversion board  10  can rotate 360 degrees around the first rotating axis A and the second rotating axis B relative to the second frame member  24 . When the first frame member  22  with the energy conversion board  10  rotates around the first rotating axis A and the second rotating axis B until the first frame member  22  and the second frame member  24  are coplanar, the first frame member  22  with the energy conversion board  10  is totally within the second receiving space  243  of the second frame member  24 . 
     The second frame member  24  defines a third pivot hole  245  in each of the two fourth sidewalls  242 . In this embodiment, each third pivot hole  245  is defined in the center of each of the two fourth sidewalls  242 . Both third pivot holes  245  are located along a third rotating axis C. The third rotating axis C is perpendicular to the second rotating axis B. 
     The third frame member  26  has the same shape as the second frame member  24 . In this embodiment, the third frame member  26  is substantially a cuboid frame. In an alternate embodiment, the third frame member  26  may be substantially a spherical frame, an elliptical frame, or a hexagonal frame corresponding to the shape of the second frame member  24 . The third frame member  26  includes two opposite fifth sidewalls  260 , two opposite sixth sidewalls  261 , a seventh sidewall  262  interconnected with the sixth sidewalls  261 , and a fixing board  267 . The two fifth sidewalls  260 , the two sixth sidewalls  261  and the seventh sidewall  262  surround a third receiving space  264  to receive the first frame member  22  and the second frame member  24 . The two fifth sidewalls  260  and the two sixth sidewalls  261  interconnect to form an opening  263 . The first frame member  22  and the second frame member  24  are received in the third receiving space  264  through the opening  263 . 
     Each fifth sidewall  260  defines a fourth pivot hole  266  corresponding to the third pivot hole  245 . The fourth pivot hole  266  extends through the fifth sidewall  260  from the inside to the outside. Both fourth pivot holes  266  are located along a fourth rotating axis D coaxial with the third rotating axis C. In this embodiment, each fourth pivot hole  266  is defined in the center of each of the two fifth sidewalls  260 . Two second shafts  240  successively pass through the third pivot holes  245  and the fourth pivot holes  266  to pivotally connect the second frame member  24  to the third frame member  26 . The second frame member  24  with the first frame member  22  and the energy conversion board  10  can rotate around both the third rotating axis C and the fourth rotating axis D inside the third frame member  26 . The second shafts  240  are at 90 degrees to the first shafts  220 . When the second frame member  24  with the first frame member  22  and the energy conversion board  10  rotate around the third rotating axis C and the fourth rotating axis D until the second frame member  24 , the first frame member  22  and the third frame member  26  are coplanar, the second frame member  24 , the first frame member  22  and the energy conversion board  10  are totally within the third receiving space  264  via the opening  263 . At this time, the adjusting device  100  is said to be in an initial state (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The fixing board  267  is fastened on one of the two sixth sidewalls  261 . A fifth pivot hole  268  is defined in the fixing board  267 . In this embodiment, the fifth pivot hole  268  is defined in the center of the fixing board  267 . The fifth pivot hole  268  extends through the fixing board  267  and one of the two sixth sidewalls  261  supporting the fixing board  267 . The fixing board  267  is fastened to the third frame member  26  via screws. 
     The other one of the two sixth sidewalls  261  which is farthest from the fixing board  267  defines a notch  265  communicating with the opening  263 . 
     In this embodiment, the base  21  is substantially a square plate. A sixth pivot hole  201  corresponding to the fifth pivot hole  268  is defined in the base  21 . The sixth pivot hole  201  runs through the base  21 . A fixing block  103  is sandwiched between the base  21  and the other one of the two sixth sidewalls  261 . A seventh pivot hole  105  corresponding to the sixth pivot hole  201  is defined in the fixing block  103 . The seventh pivot hole  105  runs through the fixing block  103 . The fixing block  103  is sleeved on a third shaft  204 , and supports the third frame member  26 . The third shaft  204  successively passes through the sixth pivot hole  201 , the seventh pivot hole  105  and the fifth pivot hole  268  to rotatably connect the third frame member  26  to the base  21 . The sixth pivot hole  201 , the seventh pivot hole  105  and the fifth pivot hole  268  are located along a fifth rotating axis E. The fifth rotating axis E perpendicularly crosses the base  21 , the fixing block  103  and the third frame member  26 . The third frame member  26  with the second frame member  24 , the first frame member  22  and the energy conversion board  10  can rotate around the fifth rotating axis E through a range of 360 degrees relative to the base  21 . 
     In assembly, the energy conversion board  10  is fixed inside the first frame member  22 , and the first frame member  22  is fixed inside the second frame member  24  with the first shafts  220  successively passing through the second pivot holes  244  and the first pivot holes  224 , to pivotally connect the first frame member  22  to the second frame member  24 . One of the two first shafts  220  farthest from the base  21  is further connected to a first motor  227 . The first motor  227  is defined on one end of the first shaft  220  away from the first frame member  22 , and located outside the second frame member  24 . The first motor  227  drives the first frame member  22  with the energy conversion board  10  to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around the first rotating axis A and the second rotating axis B relative to the second frame member  24 , through a range of 360 degrees. 
     The second frame member  24  is fixed inside the third frame member  26  with the second shafts  240  successively passing through the fourth pivot holes  266  and the third pivot holes  245  to pivotally connect the second frame member  24  to the third frame member  26 . One of the two second shafts  240  is further connected to a second motor  247 . The second motor  247  is defined on one end of the second shaft  240  farthest from the second frame member  24  and is located outside the third frame member  26 . The second motor  247  drives the second frame member  24  with the first frame member  22  and the energy conversion board  10  to rotate around the third rotating axis C and the fourth rotating axis D relative to the third frame member  26 . 
     The fixing block  103  is placed upon the base  21 , and the third frame member  26  is placed on the fixing block  103  with the third shaft  204  successively passing through the seventh pivot hole  101 , the sixth pivot hole  105  and the fifth pivot hole  268  to pivotally connect the third frame member  26  to the base  21 . One end of the third shaft  204  farthest from the third frame member  26  is further connected to a third motor  202 . The third motor  202  drives the third frame member  26  with the second frame member  24 , the first frame member  22  and the energy conversion board  10  to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise around the fifth rotating axis E relative to the base  21 , through a range of 360 degrees. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the energy conversion device  100  further includes a calculating module  32 , a memory  33 , a comparing module  35  and a control module  37 . In general, the word “module”, as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware, such as in an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM). The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or other storage devices. Some non-limiting examples of non-transitory computer-readable medium include CDs, DVDs, BLU-RAY, flash memory, and hard disk drives. 
     The calculating module  32  receives signals as to the sensed intensity of sunlight from the sensors  225  and calculates the energy intensity difference between the upper part of the energy conversion board  10  and the lower part of the energy conversion board  10 . 
     The memory  33  stores reference values of energy intensity differences. The reference values of energy intensity differences can be altered according to practical demands. 
     The comparing module  35  compares the energy intensity differences calculated by the calculating module  32  with the reference values of energy intensity differences stored in the memory  33 . If the calculated energy intensity difference is not more than the stored reference value of energy intensity difference, it means that the energy received on the energy conversion board  10  is uniformly distributed. If the calculated energy intensity difference is more than the stored reference value of energy intensity difference, the comparing module  35  generates a first comparing signal. 
     The control module  37  receives the first comparing signal and generates a driving signal corresponding to the first comparing signal, to the first motor  227 , the second motor  247 , and the third motor  102 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first motor  227  drives the first frame member  22  to rotate around the first rotating axis A and the second rotating axis B in the second frame member  24  through a range of 360 degrees. After the first frame member  22  with the energy conversion board  10  rotates a first angle around the first rotating axis A and the second rotating axis B, the first frame member  22  with the energy conversion board  10  rotates from the initial state to a first working state. At this time, the energy conversion device  100  is in the first working state. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the second motor  247  drives the second frame member  24  with the first frame member  22  and the energy conversion board  10  to rotate 360 degrees around the third rotating axis C and the fourth rotating axis D in the third frame member  26 . After the second frame member  24  with the first frame member  22  and the energy conversion board  10  rotate a second angle around the third rotating axis C and the fourth rotating axis D, the second frame member  24  with the first frame member  22  and the energy conversion board  10  have rotated from the first working state to a second working state. At this time, the energy conversion device  100  is in the second working state. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the third motor  102  drives the third frame member  26  to rotate around the fifth rotating axis E relative to the base  10 . After the third frame member  26  with the second frame member  24 , the first frame member  22  and the energy conversion board  10  rotate a third angle around the fifth rotating axis E relative to the base  21 , the third frame member  26  with the second frame member  24 , the first frame member  22  and the energy conversion board  10  have rotated from the second working state to a third working state. At this time, the energy conversion device  100  is in the third working state. 
     The sensors  225  always sense the intensity of solar energy. The calculating module  32  receives the sensed intensities and calculates the energy intensity difference between the upper part of the energy conversion board  10  and the lower part of the energy conversion board  10 . The comparing module  35  compares the calculated energy intensity difference with the stored reference values of energy intensity differences. If the calculated energy intensity difference is not more than the stored reference value of energy intensity difference, it means that the energy on the energy conversion board  10  is uniformly distributed. The comparing module  35  thus generates a second comparing signal. The control module  37  receives the second comparing signal and generates a stop signal to the first motor  227 , the second motor  247  and the third motor  202 . The first motor  227 , the second motor  247  and the third motor  202  stop driving, and the energy conversion device  100  stops rotating. 
     With the assistance of several sensors  225  on the energy conversion board  10  and several motors on the energy conversion device  100 , the first frame member  22 , the second frame member  24  and the third frame member  26  can drive the energy conversion board  10  to rotate to achieve at all times an optimal orientation of the energy conversion board  10  in relation to the sunlight being received. Thus, the energy on the energy conversion board  10  is distributed uniformly, and the utilization rate of the solar energy is improved. 
     While various embodiments have been described and illustrated, the disclosure is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.