SOLAR CELL ARRAY

• US 20140109954A1
• Filed: 05/29/2012
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Kanbara, Tatsuji, Nishio, Yuta
• Granted Patent: US 9,093,584 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 136/251
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2020/11 in the form of multiple rows and multiple columns, all solar modules being coplanar
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2020/14 Stepped arrangements, e.g. in parallel planes, without module overlapping
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/014 Methods for installing support elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/6008 by using toothed elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/803 having a central web, e.g. I-shaped, inverted T- shaped
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/20 Peripheral frames for modules
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/35 by means of profiles with a cross-section defining separate supporting portions for adjacent modules
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/65 for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/042 PV modules or arrays of single PV cells supporting structures for PV modules H02S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A solar cell array includes solar cell modules arranged in a first-direction, and a mounting member for securing adjacent ones of the solar cell modules. The mounting member comprises a first supporting member extending in the first-direction, a second supporting member provided on the first supporting member and extending in a second-direction, a first restraint provided on one side of the second supporting member in the first-direction and configured to restrain the second supporting member from moving in the second-direction and in a height direction, and a second restraint provided on another side of the second supporting member in the first-direction and configured to restrain the second supporting member from moving in the height direction. The first restraint is movable together with the second supporting member in the first-direction on the first supporting member. The second restraint restrains the second supporting member from moving in the first-direction.

Claims

1. A solar cell array comprising:

a plurality of solar cell modules arranged in a first direction of an installation surface; and

a mounting member configured to secure adjacent ones of the plurality of solar cell modules,

wherein the mounting member comprises

a first supporting member extending in the first direction;

a second supporting member provided on the first supporting member and extending in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction;

a first restraining member provided on one side of the second supporting member in the first direction and configured to restrain the second supporting member from moving in the second direction and in a height direction that is orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction; and

a second restraining member provided on another side of the second supporting member in the first direction and configured to restrain the second supporting member from moving in the height direction,

wherein the first restraining member is movable together with the second supporting member in the first direction on the first supporting member, and

wherein the second restraining member restrains the second supporting member from moving in the first direction.

2. The solar cell array according to claim 1,

wherein the first restraining member comprises a first engaging member that is movable in the first direction on the first supporting member, and a first hook portion that projects from the first engaging member toward the second supporting member and connects the first engaging member to the second supporting member, and

wherein the second restraining member comprises a second engaging member that is movable in the first direction on the first supporting member, a second hook portion that projects from the second engaging member toward the second supporting member and connects the second engaging member to the second supporting member, and a securing member that secures the second engaging member to the first supporting member.

3. The solar cell array according to claim 2,

wherein the first supporting member is a hollow columnar body that comprises a bottom portion extending in the first direction, a pair of upper supporting portions provided opposite the bottom portion and extending in the first direction, a rail groove portion provided between the pair of upper supporting portions and extending in the first direction, and a cavity portion provided between the bottom portion and the pair of upper supporting portions,

wherein the first restraining member comprises a first stopper placed in the cavity portion of the first supporting member and extending in the first direction, the first stopper facing the second restraining member, and

wherein the first stopper and the second engaging member hold a part of the first supporting member therebetween, and the first stopper is secured to the first supporting member by the securing member.

4. The solar cell array according to claim 2,

wherein the first supporting member is a hollow columnar body that comprises a bottom portion extending in the first direction, a pair of upper supporting portions provided opposite the bottom portion and extending in the first direction, a rail groove portion provided between the pair of upper supporting portions and extending in the first direction, and a cavity portion provided between the bottom portion and the pair of upper supporting portions,

wherein the first restraining member comprises a first stopper placed in the cavity portion of the first supporting member, and

wherein the second restraining member comprises a second stopper placed in the cavity portion of the first supporting member.

5. The solar cell array according to claim 4, wherein the second supporting member is secured to the first supporting member with the securing member securing the second engaging member and the second stopper that hold the upper supporting portions therebetween.

6. The solar cell array according to claim 4,

wherein the rail groove portion comprises inner wall portions projecting downward from the pair of upper supporting portions, respectively, and each having irregularities at a lower end thereof,

wherein the first stopper comprises a first flat portion that is in contact with the lower ends of the inner wall portions, and

wherein the second stopper comprises a second flat portion spaced apart from the lower ends of the inner wall portions, and second bent portions extending from two respective ends of the second flat portion in the first direction toward the upper supporting portions and being in contact with the lower ends of the inner wall portions.

7. The solar cell array according to claim 6, wherein the first stopper further comprises first bent portions extending from two respective ends of the first flat portion in the first direction toward the bottom portion.

8. The solar cell array according to claim 1,

wherein the second supporting member comprises a supporting portion configured to support lower faces of the plurality of solar cell modules, a plate-like portion standing on the supporting portion, and a projecting portion projecting from the plate-like portion toward at least one side thereof in the first direction, and

wherein a side face of a corresponding one of the plurality of solar cell modules engages with a gap between the projecting portion and the supporting portion.

9. The solar cell array according to claim 8, wherein the side face of the corresponding one of the plurality of solar cell modules comprises a recessed portion fitted on the projecting portion.

10. The solar cell array according to claim 8, wherein the projecting portion is in contact with an upper face of the corresponding one of the plurality of solar cell modules.

11. The solar cell array according to claim 8,

wherein the second supporting member supports side faces of two of a plurality of solar cell modules that are adjacent to each other in the second direction, and

wherein the plurality of solar cell modules that are adjacent to each other in the second direction are each secured to the second supporting member by a screw extending through the side face of the solar cell module and the plate-like portion.

12. The solar cell array according to claim 1,

wherein the plurality of solar cell modules are secured to a sloping surface sloping in the first direction, and

wherein the first restraining member is provided on a lower side with respect to the second supporting member in a sloping direction of the sloping surface, and the second restraining member is provided on an upper side with respect to the second supporting member in the sloping direction of the sloping surface.