* * *

The present invention relates to a system for cleaning solar panels.

In particular, the present invention relates to a cleaning system configured to be connected to one or more solar panels which are in turn supported on a mobile structure, wherein the cleaning system is configured to allow an automatic cleaning of the panels.

In order to optimize the production of energy from solar panels it is known to install the same on a tilting structure, which is able to selectively vary the inclination of the panels with respect to the ground and thus allow to keep the panels oriented in an optimal way with respect to solar radiation over the course of a day.

As is known, tracking solar panels are solar panels connected and supported by solar trackers, that is to say to mechanical supports configured to be selectively operated in motion, oscillation, around an axis to adjust the inclination of the photovoltaic panels themselves and orient them towards the sun. In this way, at any time of day, it is possible to obtain an ideal incidence of sunlight on the individual solar panels, thus maximizing the energy efficiency of the panels themselves.

The solar trackers on the market include a support configured to support at least one solar panel, wherein the support in turn is rotatably hinged around an axis of rotation to vary its inclination with respect to a ground and, consequently, the inclination of the at least one solar panel connected to it.

This solution guarantees a substantially constant yield from the solar panels during the hours of light.

A further, not secondary, aspect that affects the efficiency of the solar panels, concerns the cleaning of the surface of the panels themselves, provided for converting the incident solar radiation into electrical energy.

One of the problems to which solar panels are subject, especially in the case of installation in environments subject to dust, such as for example desertified areas or installations on the ground, concerns the soiling of the panels, a phenomenon also known as "soiling". The accumulation of sand, dust and dirt on the surface of the panels reduces the absorption of solar radiation and, consequently, decreases the energy efficiency of the panels themselves.

To solve this drawback, it is known to schedule periodic maintenance interventions for cleaning the solar panels. A limitation of this maintenance concerns the fact that the panels, once cleaned, maintain high performance for a limited time and, sometimes, less than the period scheduled for the subsequent maintenance.

Increasing the cleaning cycles certainly allows to ensure optimal efficiency of a photovoltaic park requiring, on the other hand, high economic investments such as to make this solution impracticable.

Various systems are known on the market for cleaning solar panels.

For example, the use of a land vehicle piloted by specialized personnel, such as a tractor, provided with rotating brushes and a washing system is known.

The maintenance carried out with this type of machinery causes high management costs, with reference to the purchase of appropriate equipment, the cost of personnel and vehicle management. Furthermore, the large consumption of water makes this technology difficult to use in sites located in desert areas.

Additionally, one limitation of such a cleaning system relates to safety. In fact, the use of water in electrified areas exposes operators to a high risk of electrocution as well as causing extensive damage to the system in the event of a short circuit. It should also be noted that the water used must be preheated, since the glass surface of the panels irradiated by the sun reaches very high temperatures during the day and it is necessary to avoid thermal shocks which could lead to damage or even breakage of the glass surface itself.

A further solution used for cleaning a photovoltaic system installed on the ground involves the use of robots that are placed directly on the surface of the panels.

These robots are provided with a cleaning system for cleaning the surface of the solar panels and include wheels or tracks to be able to move them along the surface of the panels.

To make these robots independent, parking and recharging areas must be provided at the ends of the rows made up of a series of aligned solar trackers not far from each other, where the robots stay when they are not cleaning.

The use of such robots does not reduce the risk of damaging the surface of the panels, due to the weight of the robots themselves and due to the wheels or tracks they use to move along the entire length of the tracker rows and to overcome any difference in height between the individual panels of the same row.

Finally, it should be noted that the time dedicated to the maintenance of solar panels and their cleaning affects the profitability of solar systems. The solutions described in relation to the state of the art cause an interruption in the energy production of the entire string or group of panels due to the darkening of one or more cells, even of a single panel, for the time necessary for cleaning.

Document JP2012124303 describes a solar panel installed on a pivoting support, comprising a rotating brush configured to remove any dirt accumulated on the external surface of the panel. The rotating brush is guided along the panel through two lateral grooves, which develop along opposite sides of the panel, so that by varying the inclination of the panel, the brush rolls against the external surface of the solar panel itself.

This cleaning system has as a limit of use the need to make respective grooves along the opposite sides of each panel to guide the rotating brush during its advancement along the panel itself. There is a need in the sector to ensure effective cleaning of solar panels installed on board tilting support structures - solar trackers - as part of a solution that is easy to use and install.

The object of the present invention is to allow in a simple, efficient and economical way to clean the working surface of the solar panels associated with a tilting structure.

Another purpose of the present invention is to facilitate the installation of a cleaning system for solar panels without requiring any modification to the structure of the solar panels to which they are operationally connected, to facilitate the implementation of the cleaning system on photovoltaic systems pre-existing.

A further object of the present invention is to ensure effective cleaning of the working surface of the solar panels without causing any damage to it.

The specific object of the invention is a cleaning system for cleaning at least one solar panel of the tilting type and hinged to a support structure, to which the cleaning system is configured to be connected, wherein the cleaning system comprises at least one brush, guiding and driving members configured to support and guide the at least one brush along an advancement direction and connecting members configured to removably connect the cleaning system to the at least one solar panel, wherein the guiding and driving members comprise sliders slidingly engaged along respective linear guides parallel to the advancement direction, abutment elements each connected at one end of each of the linear guides, wherein the sliders support the at least one brush and each comprise a driving device configured to rotate the at least one brush around an axis of rotation following the movement of the sliders along the linear guides, the movement being determined by a weight force component exerted by the at least one brush and the sliders along the linear guides following the variation of inclination of the at least one solar panel with respect to the structure support.

According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one brush can comprise an elongated body which extends along the axis of rotation, the at least one brush being connected at its opposite ends to a respective of the sliders by means of a support shaft or pins, wherein the actuation device included in each of the sliders comprises a first wheel in engagement with a respective of the linear guides and a second wheel in engagement with the first wheel, wherein the second wheel is operatively connected to the at least a brush.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the first wheel can be configured to rotate around a respective axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation and wherein the second wheel is configured to rotate around an axis of rotation corresponding to the axis rotation of the at least one brush.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the support shaft can engage, at its opposite ends that externally protrude from the at least one brush, a respective second wheel.

According to another aspect of the invention, each of the sliders can comprise rolling members configured to engage respective between the linear guides and facilitate the sliding of each of the sliders along the linear guides, the rolling members comprising pinions in engagement along racks included in the linear guides or comprising bearings or wheels in engagement along respective tracks included in the linear guides.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the rolling elements comprise two pinions or two wheels positioned diametrically opposite and equidistant with respect to the axis of rotation along a direction parallel to the advancement direction, the axis of rotation being interposed in a central position between the rolling members.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the connecting members can comprise first clamping elements, constrained at a bottom portion of the linear guides, second clamping elements movably connected to respective of the first clamping elements, and adjustment elements configured to vary the mutual position between the first clamping elements and the second clamping elements.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cleaning system can comprise two brushes that can be selectively operated in rotation around the rotation axis, which are supported by the sliders and by a central slider interposed between the brushes. According to a further aspect of the invention, the cleaning system can comprise at least one selective locking device comprising in turn at least one hook rotatably connected to the abutment element by means of a rotating connection with one degree of freedom, and a cable operatively connected to one end thereof to the support structure and to one end affixed to the hook, the cable having a predetermined length such as to selectively determine the rotation of the hook between a locking position and a release position of one of the sliders to which it is operatively associated as a function of the inclination of the at least one panel with respect to the support structure.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the hook can have an engagement portion configured to selectively engage and retain one of the sliders which protrudes through a slot made passing along the abutment element and a connection portion which protrudes in the opposite position with respect to the abutment element, the cable being connected to the connection portion.

The advantages offered by the cleaning system according to the invention are evident.

The cleaning system according to the invention, in fact, ensures effective cleaning of the solar panel or solar panels to which it is applicable without requiring the aid of any drive or motor system to ensure the movement of a brush relative to the operating surface of at least one solar panel.

In addition, the cleaning system can be easily connected or removed from at least one solar panel, thus facilitating its installation or the execution of maintenance activities of the cleaning system itself or of at least one solar panel.

The present invention will now be described, by way of illustration, but not of limitation, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the Figures of the attached drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a system for cleaning solar panels according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the positions that can be reached by the cleaning system according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view from above of a detail of the cleaning system according to the invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a component of the cleaning system according to the invention; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a further component of the cleaning system according to the invention;

Figure 6 shows a rear perspective view of a component of the cleaning system according to the invention;

Figure 7 shows a side view of the positioning of the component of Figure 6 in the cleaning system;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view from above of a further version of the cleaning system according to the invention.

With reference to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of a cleaning system according to the invention can be observed, for cleaning solar panels, in particular for tracking type solar panels, indicated as a whole with 1.

The cleaning system 1 is configured to be connected to at least one solar panel 2 and to clean it following the variation of the inclination to which the at least one solar panel 2 is subjected during its operation.

In particular, the solar panel 2 is rotatably associated with a support structure 3 which can be selectively operated in a tilting way with respect to the ground (solar tracker), to selectively incline the solar panel 2 and allow the latter to track the position of the sun during a day, thus increasing the efficiency of the solar panel 2.

The attached Figure 2 schematically illustrates the limit positions that can be reached by a solar panel 2 rotatably connected to the support structure 3.

The configuration of a solar panel 2 and of a support structure 3 are considered to be within the reach of the person skilled in the art and will not be described further below except in relation to aspects useful for understanding the operation of the cleaning system 1.

With reference to what is shown in the attached Figure 1, a solar panel 2 to which the cleaning system 1 can be connected is schematically shown with discontinuous lines, given that such a solar panel 2 is not a specific object of the present invention.

Furthermore, it is pointed out that the attached Figure 1 schematically shows a support structure 3 for the tilting support of at least one solar panel 2, wherein this support structure 3 has two legs to which a tilting solar panel 2 is connected.

It is understood that the support structure 3 can be made in a different way with respect to what is illustrated in the attached Figure 1 and comprise, for example, a single central leg to which at least one solar panel 2 is hinged without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the attached Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning system 1 comprises at least one rotating brush 4, guiding and driving members 5 configured to support and guide the at least one rotating brush 4 along an advancement direction 6 and rotate it around a rotation axis 7.

The cleaning system 1 also comprises connection members 8 configured to connect, in a removable way, the cleaning system 1 itself to opposite sides of at least one solar panel 2.

The rotation axis 7 defines a central and longitudinal axis along which at least one brush 4 develops.

The at least one brush 4 comprises an elongated body 9, which extends along the axis of rotation 7 and a plurality of bristles 10 that protrude externally from the elongated body 9 (see Figure 5). The elongated body 9 defines a plurality of linear seats 11 that extend along the entire elongated body 9, more precisely along directions parallel to the axis of rotation 7 and delimit respective linear openings from which the bristles 10 protrude.

According to a preferred embodiment, the elongated body 9 is an extruded element.

The elongated body 9 comprises a plurality of partitions that radially protrude starting from a hollow central element, wherein the central element defines at least one central seat 12.

Each of the partitions has respective end portions, distal relative to the central seat 12, configured to delimit the linear seats 11.

By way of non-limiting example, preferably, the bristles 10 are made of foam, although it is intended that other materials capable of removing dust or debris from the surface of the solar panel 2 can be used without damaging it.

The at least one brush 4 has elements for retaining the bristles 10, configured to connect the bristles 10 themselves to respective between the linear seats 11.

By way of non-limiting example, these retaining elements are configured as rods around which the bristles 10 are folded, wherein said rods have a greater section than the span of each of the linear seats 11 from which the bristles 10 protrude in this way, the rods prevent the bristles 10 from being able to detach from the at least one brush 4.

Access to the individual rods, for their removal or insertion relative to the elongated body 9, can occur through the opposite ends of the elongated body 9 itself, at which it is possible to access laterally inside each of the linear seats 11 since, as said, the elongated body 9 is made by extrusion. The bristles 10 are flexible, so as to be able to deform as a result of contact against the surface of the solar panel 2, without damaging it.

It should be noted that, for simplicity of representation, in the attached Figure 1 the bristles 10 are illustrated as flat elements that protrude straight from at least one brush 4 along respective radial directions.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the attached figures, the elongated body 9 has a cross section configured as an octagon, although it is intended that the elongated body 9 can be made as an elongated body which has a different cross section, for example hexagonal or round, without any limitation.

As said, the elongated body 9 has a central seat 12, accessible through each of the ends of the elongated body 9 itself.

Preferably, the central seat 12 is concentric to the rotation axis 7.

The central seat 12 can be of the through type, that is, it extends through the entire elongated body 9 along the rotation axis 7.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown in the attached figures, the central seat 12 is blind and, therefore, the elongated body 9 overall defines two central seats 12, each at a respective end of the elongated body 9.

According to this version, both central seats 12 are concentric to the rotation axis 7 and, therefore, to each other.

In the following description, reference will be made to the embodiment of the cleaning system 1 comprising a central seat 12 of the through type, although it is understood that similar considerations apply in the case wherein the cleaning system 1 comprises an elongated body 9 provided with two central seats 12, of the blind type.

The cleaning system 1 comprises at least one support shaft 13 which engages the central seat 12 and connects the at least one brush 4 to the guide and drive members 5.

It should be noted that if the central seat 12 comprises blind seats instead of a through seat, the function of the support shaft 13 is obtained by means of respective pins, not shown in the attached figures, which connect each of the ends of the elongated body 9 with the guiding and driving elements 5.

In the following description, reference will be made to a cleaning system 1 comprising a central seat 12 of the through type and a support shaft 13 configured to engage said central seat 12 and extend outwards from each of the ends of the elongated body 9. The guiding and driving members 5 include sliders 14 slidingly engaged along respective linear guides 15 and configured to support the support shaft 12.

In particular, each of the sliders 14 is connected to a respective end of the support shaft 13.

The linear guides 15 are positioned mutually spaced and extend parallel to each other and relative to the direction of advancement 6.

The separation distance between the linear guides 15 is at least equal to or greater than the extension of at least one brush 4 along the rotation axis 7.

If the cleaning system 1 comprises a single brush 4, the guide and actuation members 5 comprise two sliders 14 and two linear guides 15. The two linear guides 15, therefore, define a track along which it can be moved in rotation and in translation the brush 4 itself.

In practice, the two sliders 14 and the brush 4 supported by them define a mechanical axis translating along the direction of advancement 6.

It is understood that further embodiments are possible comprising a different number of brushes 4, sliders 14 and, consequently, of relative linear guides 15, as better described later. The cleaning system 1 comprises abutment elements 16, each connected at one end of each of the linear guides 15.

The abutment elements 16 block the advancement of the sliders 14 along the linear guides 15 between two predetermined limit positions (see for example Figures 2 and 3). In other words, the abutment elements 16 act as a stop for the advancement of the sliders 14 along the linear guides 15.

According to a preferred embodiment, each of the sliders 14 comprises two plates 17, for example with a rectangular or square plan, connected parallel and spaced apart to define a gap. In the attached Figures, the interspace is accessible along a perimeter portion of the plates 17, although it is intended that it is possible to make each of the sliders 14 in such a way as to include an element for closing at least one of its perimeter portion, not shown in the attached Figures, such as to prevent dirt or foreign objects from getting inside the slider 14 itself, safeguarding the correct functioning of the latter. Obviously, this closing element does not affect the bottom portion of each of the sliders 14 which is engaged along a respective of the linear guides 15.

By way of non-limiting example, at least one of the two plates 17 can optionally comprise appendages which protrude perimeter from one of the two plates 17 and are such as to meet or face in proximity to the other between the plates 17. Mutually connecting the two plates 17 the interspace is at least partially occluded. Alternatively, each of the sliders 14 optionally includes a band element that can be connected to the plates 17 in a position interposed between them to at least partially occlude the cavity, preventing access from the outside.

Each of the sliders 14 comprises rolling members 18, configured to engage respective between the linear guides 15 and facilitate the sliding of each of the sliders 14 along them.

The rolling elements 18 are positioned inside the interspace delimited between the two plates 17, in correspondence with a portion of the bottom of each of the sliders, so as to be able to engage respective between the linear guides 15, with the sliders 14 positioned along the same. Each of the sliders 14 comprises an actuation device operatively connected to the brush 4, to support it in position and to operate it in rotation around the rotation axis 7 during the movement of the sliders 14 along the linear guides 15, by means of a rolling type transmission, as better described below.

The two plates 17 are releasably connected to each other.

Preferably, the plates 17 are connected to each other by means of a bolted connection, for example at each of the vertices of the plates 17.

The bolted connection comprises at least one spacer element 19 interposed between the plates 17 and configured to keep the plates 17 spaced apart and parallel to each other, at a predetermined distance (see Figure 3).

By way of non-limiting example, the at least one spacer element 19 is configured as a hollow tubular element that can be engaged along a respective of the bolts of the bolted connection that mutually connects the plates 16.

The rolling elements 18 are preferably configured as pinions (see Figures 3 and 4) which mesh with each other between the linear guides 15 which, according to this embodiment, are shaped like racks.

This rack-and-pinion type coupling between the rolling members 18 and the linear guides 15 prevents the occurrence of any relative slippage during the sliding of the sliders 14 along the linear guides 15 themselves.

According to an alternative embodiment, not shown in the attached Figures, the rolling members 18 are configured as wheels or the like, possibly including an outer layer of rubber or the like to ensure the rolling of the rolling members 18 themselves along the linear guides 15, in the absence of some slippage. According to a preferred embodiment, each of the sliders 14 comprises two rolling members 18, diametrically opposite and equidistant with respect to the axis of rotation 7 along a direction parallel to the advancement direction 6. In other words, the axis of rotation 7 is interposed in a central position between the rolling elements 18 (see for example Figure 4, wherein one of the two plates 17 has been purposely omitted).

Each of the sliders 14, as mentioned, comprises an actuation device configured to determine the rotation drive of the brush 4 during the movement of the sliders 14 themselves along the linear guides 15.

According to an embodiment illustrated in the attached Figures, the actuation device comprises a first wheel 20, rotatably connected to a respective one of the sliders 14 and configured to engage a respective one of the linear guides 15, and a second wheel 21, also rotatably connected to the plates 17, which engages the first wheel 20 and is operatively connected to the at least one brush 4 through the support shaft 13.

In practice, following the advancement of the sliders 14 along the linear guides 15, the first wheel 20 rolls along a respective of the linear guides 15 and determines the rotation of the second wheel 21 and, therefore, of the brush 4.

The first wheel 20 and the second wheel 21 are positioned interposed between the rolling members 18 (see for example Figure 4 wherein the first toothed wheel 20 and the second toothed wheel 21 are centrally interposed between the two pinions).

It should be noted that the rolling elements 18 are positioned spaced apart from the first wheel 20 along a direction parallel to the direction of advancement 6 in such a way as to increase the stability of the sliders 14 and prevent them from overturning during movement along the linear guides 15.

The first wheel 20 can be operated around a respective rotation axis 22 parallel to the rotation axis 7.

The second wheel 21 can be operated in rotation around a rotation axis which corresponds to the rotation axis 7 of the brush 4. In this regard, in fact, it should be noted that the support shaft 13 engages, at each of its ends, a second wheel 21 of a respective of the sliders 14.

The first wheel 20 is rotatably connected to the plates 17 by means of a bolted connection which engages respective seats 23 made through the plates 17 themselves (see Figure 7).

The second wheel 21, preferably, is keyed along one end of the support shaft 13, which in turn is rotatably supported in respective circular through openings 24 made through the plates 17. Optionally, the plates 17 can comprise respective bearings or bushings, not shown in the attached figures, each housed inside one of the respective through openings 24 and configured to support the support shaft 13 promoting its rotation around the axis of rotation 6.

As mentioned, during the advancement of the sliders 14 along the linear guides 15, each first wheel 20 causes the rotation of a corresponding second wheel 21 with which it is placed in abutment and, consequently, the rotation of the at least one brush 4 connected to it.

In particular, the coupling between the first wheel 20 and the second wheel 21 causes an inversion of rotation, whereby the at least one brush 4 is driven in rotation with the opposite direction with respect to the rolling direction with which the first wheel 20 rolls along a respective one among the linear guides 15.

In other words, the actuation device is configured to cause a counter-rotation of the at least one brush 4 during the sliding of the sliders 14 along the respective linear guides 15 with respect to a normal rolling direction of the at least one brush 4 in the absence of such actuation device.

In this way, the cleaning action by the bristles 10 which hit the surface of the solar panel 2 to be cleaned with the same direction of advancement of the at least one brush 4 along the advancement direction 6 is more effective.

The ratio between the outer radius of the first wheel 20 and the outer radius of the second wheel 21 determines the transmission ratio with which the at least one brush 4 is driven in rotation around the rotation axis 7 following the advancement of the sliders 14 along the linear guides 15. In practice, it is possible to establish a priori the speed of rotation of the at least one brush 4 as a function of the speed of advancement of the same along the direction of advancement 6. According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached Figures 3 and 4, the first wheel 20 and the second wheel 21 are both configured as toothed wheels and, in this case, the linear guides 15 are shaped like racks. This configuration ensures effective rolling in the absence of any slippage between the drive device and the linear guides 15.

According to an alternative embodiment not shown in the attached Figures, the first wheel 20 and the second wheel 21 are both configured as wheels, bearing an outer layer of rubber or a similar material with high friction to ensure effective rolling in the absence of no slipping between the drive device and the linear guides 15. According to this embodiment, the linear guides 15 are configured as tracks along which each of the first wheels 20 rolls.

It is understood that a cleaning system 1 according to the invention can comprise sliders 14 each carrying a first wheel 20 and a second wheel 21 configured as pinions, or sliders 14 each carrying a first wheel 20 and a second wheel 21 configured as wheels or a their combination, i.e. at least one of the sliders 14 carrying a first wheel 20 and a second wheel 21 configured as a pinion and another between the sliders 14 carrying a first wheel 20 and a second wheel 21 configured as wheels.

As mentioned, the movement of the sliders 14 along the linear guides 15 is determined by the inclination to which the cleaning system 1 is subject, that is to say by the inclination of the at least one solar panel 2, to which the cleaning system is connected 1, with respect to the support structure 3.

In practice, when the force component determined by the weight of the at least one brush 4 and of the sliders 14 along the linear guides 15 has an intensity such as to overcome the resisting force caused by the friction present between the rolling elements 18 of the sliders 14 and the linear guides 15, as well as the internal friction due to the actuation members of the at least one brush 4, the movement of the sliders 14 along the direction of advancement 5 is determined and, consequently, the simultaneous rotation of the at least one brush 4 around the axis of rotation 7.

In practice, the cleaning system 1 is able to move the at least one brush 4 in roto-translation in the absence of any electrically powered motor unit, due to the inclination assumed by the cleaning system 1 itself, to the advantage of a evident reduction of operating costs and high reliability with respect to the traditional type solutions described in relation to the state of the art.

As said, the cleaning system 1 comprises connection members 8 configured to connect the cleaning system 1 itself to at least one photovoltaic solar panel 2.

The connecting members 8 are schematically illustrated in the attached Figures 1 and 2 and have been purposely omitted in the remaining figures.

The connecting members 8 comprise first clamping elements 25, constrained at a bottom portion of the linear guides 15, second clamping elements 26 movably connected to respective between the first clamping elements 25, and adjusting elements, not shown in detail in the attached figures, configured to vary the mutual position between the first clamping elements 25 and the second clamping elements 26 (see for example Figure 2).

By way of non-limiting example, the adjustment elements may comprise screws or a bolted connection or the like. To connect the cleaning system 1 to a solar panel 2 it is sufficient to position the cleaning system 1 on the solar panel 2 and then adjust the connection members 8 so as to position the first clamping elements 25 against a portion of the top of the solar panel 2 and the second clamping elements 26 against a bottom portion of the solar panel 2. By acting on the adjustment elements, the second clamping elements 26 selectively approach the first clamping elements 25, between which the solar panel 2 is interposed, and more precisely a perimeter portion of the solar panel 2, tightening it and firmly holding it in position.

According to a further embodiment, not shown in the attached Figures, the connecting members 8 comprise a plurality of gripper devices, comprising first clamping elements and second clamping elements mutually connected, the relative position of which can be adjusted by means of screws or the like.

These gripper devices are constrained to a bottom portion of the linear guides 15 and are configured to be clamped around at least a portion of the perimeter portion of a solar panel 2. The connection members 8 therefore allow the connection of the cleaning system 1 to at least one solar panel 2 without requiring any modification to the structure of the solar panel 2 itself or without damaging it, promoting the implementation of a cleaning system 1 in pre-existing photovoltaic systems. In other words, it is not necessary to drill or modify the surface of at least one solar panel 2 to connect the cleaning system 1 to the same.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cleaning system 1 comprises at least one selective locking device, wholly indicated in the attached Figures 6 and 7 with 27, operatively associated with at least one of the sliders 14 and configured to selectively lock it in position.

In particular, the at least one selective locking device 27 is operatively connected to one of the abutment elements 16 and to the support structure 3 and can be moved between a locking position, wherein it holds one of the sliders 14 to which it is associated, preventing it movement along the direction of advancement 6, and a release position wherein it frees the one between the sliders 14 to which it is associated, allowing it to be moved along the direction of advancement 6.

The at least one selective locking device 27 comprises at least one hook 28 connected in rotation to an abutment element 16 by means of a rotating connection to a degree of freedom, for example, by means of a pin 29. The hook 28 has an engagement portion that protrudes through a slot made passing along the abutment element 16 and a connecting portion that extends in the opposite position with respect to the abutment element 16.

The engaging portion of the hook 28 is configured to selectively engage with a top portion of that sliders 14 with which it is associated.

According to a preferred embodiment, the engagement portion of the hook 28 selectively engages a spacer element 19, in the event that the gap defined between the plates 17 is accessible from the outside through the perimeter of the plates 17 themselves.

The hook 28 is then connected oscillating to the abutment element 16 between the locking position and the release position.

The at least one selective locking device 27 comprises a cable 30 operatively connected at its first end to the support structure 3 and at the opposite end to the hook 28.

In particular, the cable 30 is associated with the connection portion of the hook 28 and engages a through opening 31 made along the hook 28.

The cable 30 has an abutment element 32 constrained at the end associated with the hook 28 and configured to selectively abut against the latter.

It is pointed out that the cable 30 has a predetermined length to selectively determine the stop of the abutment element 32 against the hook 28 and cause the latter to be activated in rotation, from the locking position to the release position, according to the inclination reached by the at least one solar panel 2 to which the cleaning system 1 is connected, as better described below. The at least one selective locking device 27 comprises a guide element 33 to guide the cable 30 and keep it in position following the variation of the inclination of the at least one solar panel 2 with respect to the support structure 3.

Normally, the hook 28 is in the locking position, due to the position of the rotating connection to the abutment element. In other words, the hook 28 is unbalanced to present the proximal engagement portion to the linear guides 15 and the distal connection portion against the linear guides 15.

The at least one selective locking device 27, if present, allows the one between the sliders 14 to which it is operatively associated to be held in position until the at least one solar panel 2 reaches a position of maximum inclination, with the sliders 14 coming into contact with the hook 28, until they are hooked with the same to be held in position at one end of the at least one solar panel 2 (see the diagram of Figure 2). When the at least one solar panel 2 is close to reaching its maximum inclination with respect to the support structure 3, the cable 30 reaches its maximum tension. The further movement of the solar panel 2 determines a pulling action by the cable 30, and therefore of the abutment element 32, along the hook 28, causing it to rotate away from the slider between the sliders 14 held by the hook 28.

The hook 28 is thus moved from the engagement position towards the release position, freeing the one between the sliders 14 previously held and allowing it to fall free along the linear guides 15.

The use of at least one selective locking device 27 allows to maximize the accumulation of kinetic energy by the cleaning system 1, thus optimizing the cleaning action exerted by this with respect to the at least one solar panel 2 to which it is connected.

The use of the selective locking device 28 makes it possible to prevent the brush 4 from moving during the inclination variation of the at least one panel 2 and to park in an intermediate position with respect to the limit positions along the linear guides 15, so such as not to interfere with the operation of the at least one solar panel 2.

The cleaning system 1 according to the invention is of the modular type, that is, it can be assembled in such a way that it can be installed on multiple panels 2 side by side. In turn, each of the solar panels 2 can be hinged to a respective support structure 3 or to a single support structure 3 configured to support several photovoltaic panels 2.

The attached Figure 8 shows a cleaning system 100 configured for the simultaneous cleaning of two solar panels 102 positioned side by side. Both solar panels 102 are connected to the same tilting support structure, not shown in the attached figures, in order to be able to be tilted at the same time.

In the following description, to indicate the same components described in relation to the previous embodiment, the same reference numbers increased by one hundred units will be used.

The cleaning system 100 is configured similarly to the cleaning system 1 and differs from the latter in the presence of two brushes 104 and an intermediate slider 140 interposed between the two brushes 104 and connected to both.

The cleaning system 100 comprises two brushes 104 operatively connected to linear guides 115 by means of respective sliders 114 and a central slider 140. The linear guides 115, in turn, are connected to the panels 102 by means of connecting members 108 configured similarly to those described in relation to the previous embodiment to which reference is made.

As mentioned, the cleaning system 100 comprises an intermediate slider 140 comprising two plates 117 connected parallel and spaced apart to define a gap wherein the rolling member are housed, configured to allow the intermediate slider 140 to slide along a respective of the guides linear guides 115 and actuation members operatively connected to the brushes 104, to actuate them in rotation around the rotation axis 107 following the movement of the central slider 140 and of the sliders 114 along the linear guides 115.

The conformation of the intermediate slider 140 is the same as that described in relation to the sliders 14, to which reference should be made, differing from these with regard to the fact that the second wheel 121 is operationally connected to a support shaft 113 which, in turn, protrudes from both sides of the second wheel 120 itself and is operatively connected to both brushes 104. In practice, the support shaft 113 engages, at each of its branches extending from the second wheel 121, a respective brush 104. Therefore, the second wheel 121 is operatively connected to both brushes 104 and determines their actuation in rotation with respect to the axis of rotation 107 and in translation along the advancement direction 106 defined by the linear guides 115. Similarly to what has been described in relation to the previous embodiment of the sliders 14, to which reference is made, at least one of the sliders 114 can comprise rolling members configured as pinions or wheels and the at least one of the linear guides 115 engaged by such at least one of the sliders 114 have respectively a rack or a track along which such at least one of the sliders 114 can advance.

The cleaning system 100 optionally comprises at least one selective locking device, similarly to what is described in relation to the previous embodiment, to which reference is made in its entirety.

The skilled person in the art will be able to easily understand how a cleaning system 1, 100 according to the invention is able to achieve the intended purposes, showing an overall simple structure, which can be easily installed on board at least one solar panel 2, 102 of the tilting type with respect to the ground and without any mechanical member to be electrically powered to allow the movement of the at least one brush 4, 104.

The absence of any motor component promotes high efficiency and reliability compared to state-of-the-art solutions that provide electric motors operatively connected to the brushes to determine their movement relative to the solar panel 2. Furthermore, the presence of connecting members 8, 108 allows to install the cleaning system 1, 100 to at least one solar panel 2, 102 without requiring any intervention or modification to the latter, to the advantage of a high usability of the cleaning system 1, 100 same also in existing photovoltaic systems. In the foregoing, the preferred embodiments have been described and variants of the present invention have been suggested, but it is to be understood that those skilled in the art will be able to make modifications and changes without thereby departing from the relative scope of protection, as defined by the claims attached.