Assembly for Fastening a Plurality of Solar Modules to a Building Roof or a Building Facade and Clip for Forming a Stop Element on a Surface

• US 20120102854A1
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Published: 05/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Energieburo AG
• Original Assignee: Energieburo AG
• Inventors: Meier, Christian, Langenskiöld, Eric
• Application Number:
  US13/259,806
• Publication Number:
  US 20120102854A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/173.3
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/018 Means for preventing movements, e.g. stops
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6002 by using hooks
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6004 by clipping, e.g. by using snap connectors
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/33 forming substantially planar assemblies, e.g. of coplanar or stacked profiles
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/634 Clamps; Clips
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/44017 with specific mounting means for attaching to rigid or semirigid supporting structure or structure-to-be-secured
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastening assembly for solar modules (1), wherein the solar modules (1) are fastened to carrier profiles (2) arranged in several rows by way of clamping elements (3, 4) in that each clamping element (3, 4) extends over the mutually opposing delimiting edges of two solar modules (2), which run transversely to the carrier profile (2) and adjoin the clamping element (3, 4) on both sides. Each clamping element (3, 4) comprises a ridge element (3) and a head element (4) designed separate therefrom. The ridge element (3) is designed as a profile section and attached at the lower end thereof to the carrier profile (2) through insertion into profile contours of the carrier profile. The head element (4) is attached to the ridge element (3) in the region of the upper end of said element by being inserted into profile contours of the ridge element (3). To this end, the head element (3) protrudes beyond the ridge element (3) on both sides in the profile longitudinal direction of the ridge element (3) so as to extend over the delimiting edges of the solar modules (1) to be fastened. The invention provides a fastening system which comprises few components (2, 3, 4) that can be produced cost-effectively and enables the simple and secure fastening of solar modules (1) even under difficult ambient conditions by using delimiting edges that run transversely to the carrier profiles (2).

Claims

1. Assembly for fastening a plurality of solar modules for assembling a solar array on a building roof or a building faç

ade, comprising a plurality of carrier profiles which are arranged in rows spaced from each other and each carry one or more clamping elements for fastening the solar modules on the carrier profiles,

wherein the clamping elements are formed in such a way that with each clamping element two neighbouring solar modules can be fastened on the carrier profile supporting the clamping element in such a way that the delimiting edges of both solar modules facing each other and running transversely to the carrier profile, which adjoin the clamping element on both sides, are overlapped by the clamping element and are therefore secured in a form fitting way against take-off from the carrier profile,

wherein the clamping elements comprise each a ridge element for an assembly between the delimiting edges of the solar modules and a head element formed separately from the ridge element for overlapping the delimiting edges of the solar modules,

wherein the ridge elements are formed as profile sections and are form fittingly attached to the corresponding carrier profile at their lower ends, each being oriented with its longitudinal profile direction in longitudinal direction of the carrier profile supporting them, in such a way that each of them engages in profile sections of the carrier profile with profile contours formed by these and/or encompasses profile sections of the carrier profile,

wherein the head elements are form fittingly attached to this ridge element in the area of the upper end of the corresponding ridge element, in such a way that they are each inserted in and/or on contours of the ridge element in longitudinal profile direction of the ridge element and protrude on both sides beyond the ridge element in the longitudinal direction of the ridge element, in order to overlap the delimiting edges of the solar modules to be fastened.

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ridge elements and the carrier profiles are formed in such a way that the ridge elements have to be inserted in and/or on the carrier profile for a fastening in the longitudinal profile direction to the respective carrier profile.

3. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the ridge elements and the carrier profiles are formed in such a way that the ridge elements can be hung into the carrier profile from above for fastening to the respective carrier profile.

4. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head elements of the clamping elements are formed as simple profile sections.

5. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head elements of the clamping elements are formed as plate-shaped components, particularly as punched parts made of sheet metal.

6. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clamping elements are formed in such a way that with each clamping element optionally two delimiting edges of two neighbouring solar modules running transversely with respect to the carrier profile or two delimiting edges of two neighbouring solar modules running along the carrier profile can be overlapped, for securing in a form fitting way against a take-off from the carrier profile.

7. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the carrier profiles and the clamping elements are formed in such a way that even a single solar module can be fastened onto the respective carrier profile by each clamping element, in such a way that its head element only overlaps the delimiting edge of this particular solar module.

8. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sections of the head elements protruding beyond the respective ridge element, for overlapping the delimiting edges of the solar modules, have on their undersides adjoining surfaces serving to adjoin the upper sides of the delimiting edges of the solar modules, which adjoining surfaces each define a plane, wherein the head elements and the ridge elements of the clamping elements are each formed in such a way that during the assembly, when inserting the respective head element in and/or on the corresponding ridge element, the head element abuts at the ridge element in its intended end position, and wherein the respective head element furthermore has underneath the plane defined by its adjoining surfaces an abutment protruding downwards and which takes effect against its direction of insertion in and/or on, for adjoining the front side of a delimiting edge of a solar module to be attached with this head element, running transversely with respect to the carrier profile carrying the head element.

9. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sections of the head elements protruding beyond the respective ridge element, for overlapping the delimiting edges of the solar modules, have on their undersides adjoining surfaces serving to adjoin the upper sides of the delimiting edges of the solar modules, which adjoining surfaces each define a plane, wherein the head elements have each two abutments formed below the plane defined by their adjoining surfaces and taking effect in and against the direction of insertion in and/or on the head element, for adjoining the front sides of two delimiting edges of two solar modules to be attached with this head element facing each other and running transversely with respect to the carrier profile carrying the head element.

10. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head elements are formed in such a way that each one of the abutments can be made ineffective by applying a single bore at a certain position in the head element.

11. Assembly according to claim 10, wherein the head elements each have marks showing at which position the respective bore has to be applied.

12. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sections of the head elements protruding beyond the respective ridge element, for overlapping the delimiting edges of the solar modules, have on their undersides adjoining surfaces for adjoining the upper sides of the delimiting edges of the solar modules, which adjoining surfaces each define a plane and wherein the head elements are each attached in a form fitting way exclusively above this plane to the corresponding ridge element.

13. Assembly according to claim 12, wherein the head elements each extend exclusively above the plane defined by their adjoining surfaces.

14. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head elements and the ridge elements of the clamping elements are each formed in such a way that the head element snaps with the ridge element in case of the assembly during the insertion in and/or on the corresponding head element, and particularly wherein the snap engagement is done in such a way that it can only be undone by destroying the head element and/or the ridge element.

15. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clamping elements are each formed by precisely two components, a one-piece ridge element and a one-piece head element inserted into it.

16. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the carrier profiles and the ridge elements of the clamping elements are formed in such a way that the clamping elements can be inserted in and/or on the carrier profiles in a plurality of different height positions.

17. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the head elements and the ridge elements of the clamping elements are formed in such a way that the head elements can be inserted in and/or on the ridge elements in a plurality of different height positions.

18. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the solar modules are each form fittingly secured against a longitudinal shift along the carrier profile by a targeted plastic deformation in the area of the front surfaces of their delimiting edges.

19. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or more separately formed insertion elements per clamping element are provided, which are particularly formed as insertion sheet metal or insertion plates, wherein the insertion elements are form fittingly positioned by the respective ridge element and serve as rest, in one or multiple layers, for the solar modules to be fastened, in order for a use of the same clamping elements for solar modules of different thickness.

20. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clamping elements are each secured by a targeted plastic deformation of a profile section of the carrier profile and/or of the ridge element against a longitudinal shift along the carrier profile, particularly in both longitudinal directions.

21. Assembly according to claim 19, wherein the clamping elements are each secured by a targeted plastic deformation of a profile section of the carrier profile and/or of the ridge element against a longitudinal shift along the carrier profile, particularly in both longitudinal directions and wherein for the securing of the clamping elements at least one of the insertion elements is present, being hindered to shift longitudinally along the carrier profile by the plastic deformation of the profile section of the carrier profile and/or of the insertion element and makes impossible a longitudinal shift of the clamping element along the carrier profile.

22. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the carrier profile rows are each formed by multiple carrier profile pieces which are mutually spaced in longitudinal direction.

23. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the carrier profiles are each attached in the middle in the profile on the installation surface or on a subordinate construction arranged on the installation surface.

24. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein the carrier profile rows run parallel or at right angles with respect to the eaves (22) of a building roof carrying it.

25. Assembly according to claim 1 with carrier profile rows running parallel with respect to the eaves of a building carrying the assembly, comprising multiple solar modules attached on the building roof by means of the assembly, wherein particularly removable stop elements arranged on the underside of the solar modules are provided, abutting form fittingly at one of the carrier profiles in the direction of the eaves and thereby serving as an anti-slipping protection for the respective solar module.

26. Assembly according to claim 25, wherein the removable stop elements are formed as clips in one piece, particularly made of stainless steel sheet.

27. Clip for forming a stop element on a first outer surface of an even, thin-walled, plate-shaped component by attaching it in an opening arranged in this outer surface, which is particularly round, rectangular or in the shape of an elongated hole, protruding through the component and ending in a second outer surface of the component, which is substantially parallel to the first outer surface, particularly for forming the stop element in one of the assemblies according to claim 25, comprising two arm sections which are connected to each other in a springy way by means of a spring section, the free ends of which are spaced from each other in a neutral state and are movable towards each other by overcoming the spring force of the spring section,

wherein the arm sections have each one or more first contact surfaces for contacting the outer surface of the component in case of an intended fastening of the clip to the component, and wherein the first contact surfaces define together a contact plane,

wherein the free ends of the arm sections end each in a hook-like fastening section which protrudes beyond the contact plane,

wherein the hook-like fastening sections each have a second contact surface on the inner side of their hook shape, extending at a distance from the contact plane defined by the contact surfaces, for contacting the second outer surface of the component in case of intended fastening of the clip to the component,

wherein the hook-like fastening sections each have a first stop surface on the outer side of their hook shape, running substantially perpendicularly to the contact plane, for forming an abutment in the opening against a shift of the respective arm section in a direction parallel to the contact plane, in case of an intended fastening of the clip to the component,

and wherein the arm sections each have underneath the contact plane a second stop surface which is opposed to the first stop surface, running substantially perpendicularly to the contact plane, for forming the stop surfaces of the stop element formed by the clip, in case of its intended fastening to the first outer surface of the component.

28. Clip according to claim 27, wherein the fastening sections each have on their side facing the spring section, particularly directly following the respective first stop surface, a third contact surface extending at a distance to the contact plane defined by the first contact surfaces, for contacting the second outer surface of the component, in case of intended fastening of the clip to the component.

29. Clip according to claim 27, wherein the hook-like fastening sections each have on the outer side of their hook shape a rounded, particularly circle-segment-shaped, shape.

30. Clip according to claim 27, wherein the second contact surfaces and the second stop surfaces each directly adjoin each other, and particularly wherein they are each formed by straight edges of the respective arm section running perpendicularly or almost perpendicularly with respect to each other.

31. Clip according to claim 27, wherein the first contact surfaces are each formed by straight edges of the arm sections.

32. Clip according to claim 27, wherein the arm sections form together with the spring section a single continuous first contact surface.

33. Clip according to claim 27, wherein the second and/or the third contact surfaces, as far as present, are formed by straight edges of the fastening sections, running parallel at a distance from the contact plane.

34. Clip according to claim 27, wherein the spring section is formed by two preferably parallel, mutually spaced spring bridges.

35. Clip according to claim 27, wherein the arm sections are formed in a mirrored way.

36. Clip according to claim 27, wherein the clip is formed in one piece.

37. Clip according to claim 27, wherein the arm sections are formed as even, planar sections with constant material strength.

38. Clip according to claim 27, wherein the clip is formed by a sheet metal material, particularly by stainless steel.

39. Clip according to claim 38, wherein the clip is manufactured in one piece by punching a punching part forming both arm sections and the spring section out of a metal sheet material and subsequent bending in the area of the spring section.

40. Clip according to claim 39, wherein the shape of the punching part is such that the contour of the underside of the punching part is formed substantially as a counter contour with respect to the contour of the upper side of the punching part.

41. Method for forming a stop element on an even outer surface of a thin-walled component, comprising the steps:

a) providing an opening in the outer surface of the component, which protrudes through the wall of the component;

b) providing a clip according to claim 27; and

c) arranging the fastening sections of the clip, by moving the arm sections towards each other against the spring force of the spring section in such a way into the opening that at least a part of the first contact surfaces contact the outer surface of the component and the second contact surfaces contact the side of the wall of the component which faces the first outer surface.