Device and Method for Fixing a Support Structure for a Solar Panel to a Corrugated Roof

Abstract

The invention relates to a device fixing a support structure for at least one solar panel, in particular a support rail of a support structure for at least one solar panel, to a corrugated roof comprising at least one corrugated roof plate, said device defines a receiving space for receiving at least part of a crest of at least one corrugated roof plate and being configured for co-action with at least one fastening element for fastening of the device onto the corrugated roof.

Claims

1. A device for fixing a support structure for at least one solar panel to a corrugated roof comprising at least one corrugated roof plate, the device comprising: at least one base element comprising at least one aperture; at least one, at least partially resilient, first leg which is connected to the base element; at least one, at least partially resilient, second leg which is connected to the base element, wherein the at least one base element separates the at least one second leg and the at least one first leg; and at least one top structure connected to the base element, wherein the top structure extends from the base element in upward direction, the top structure being configured for coupling with a support structure for at least one solar panel, wherein the base element, the at least one first leg and the at least one second leg together define a receiving space for receiving at least part of a crest of at least one corrugated roof plate and the aperture is configured for receiving at least part of at least one fastening element for fixing the device onto at least part of a crest of at least one corrugated roof plate, and wherein the at least one first leg and the at least one second leg resiliently deform and diverge away from each other when fastening the device onto the corrugated roof by means of the fastening element.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first leg has a first outer end portion and the second leg has a second outer end portion, wherein the first outer end portion and the second outer end portion are configured to engage the opposing valley regions of the corrugated roof plate.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a secondary receiving space configured for receiving a cabling or wiring system.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the secondary receiving space is positioned at distance from the receiving space and connected to a side of the base.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first leg and the at least one second leg simultaneously resiliently deform and diverge away from each other when fastening the device onto the corrugated roof by means of the fastening element.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a first engaging surface between the base and the at least one first leg and a second engaging surface between the base and the at least one second leg, the first engaging surface and second engaging surface having a substantially convex shape.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first outer end portion and/or the second outer end portion are at least partially curved.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the first leg equals the length of the second leg.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first leg, the second leg and the base element are manufactured of a single piece.

10. The device according to claim 1, comprising multiple first legs which are mutually connected and wherein the device comprises multiple second legs which are mutually connected.

11. The device according to claim 2, wherein the top structure comprises at least one coupling element for coupling with a support structure for at least one solar panel.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the coupling element can be coupled with the support structure by means of a snap connection.

13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the coupling element comprises multiple deformable coupling members, for engaging of the support structure.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the coupling members are configured for co-action with a counter coupling member forming part of the support structure, and/or with a receiving space of the support structure.

15. The device according to claim 1, comprising an at least partially resilient sealing element engaging a bottom side of the base element, wherein the sealing element is positioned in line with the at least one aperture of the base element, and wherein the sealing element is configured to co-act with the crest of the corrugated roof plate.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base element defines a base plane, and wherein the angle enclosed by each leg and said base plane is situated in between 30 and 60 degrees.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base element and the at least one first leg and the at least one second leg define a trapezoidal prism shape.

17. A device for fixing a support structure for at least one solar panel to a corrugated roof comprising at least one corrugated roof plate, the device comprising: at least one base element comprising at least one aperture; at least one, at least partially resilient, first leg which is connected to the base element; at least one, at least partially resilient, second leg which is connected to the base element, wherein the at least one base element separates the at least one second leg and the at least one first leg; and at least one top structure connected to the base element, wherein the top structure extends from the base element in upward direction, the top structure being configured for coupling with a support structure for at least one solar panel, wherein the base element, the at least one first leg and the at least one second leg together define a receiving space for receiving at least part of a single crest of at least one corrugated roof plate and the aperture is configured for receiving at least part of at least one fastening element for fixing the device onto at least part of a single crest of at least one corrugated roof plate, and wherein the at least one first leg and the at least one second leg resiliently deform when fastening the device onto the corrugated roof by means of the fastening element leading to a biased coaction between each leg and a supporting valley region of the corrugated roof plate.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the at least one first leg and the at least one second leg simultaneously, resiliently diverge away from each other when fastening the device onto the corrugated roof by means of the fastening element.

19. The device according to claim 17, wherein the device comprises a secondary receiving space configured for receiving a cabling or wiring system.

20. A method for fixing a device for a support structure for at least one solar panel, onto a corrugated roof comprising at least one corrugated roof plate, comprising the steps of: A) positioning the device on at least one corrugated roof plate, such that at least part of a single crest of at least one corrugated roof plate is received in a receiving space defined by a base element, a first leg and a second leg, and such that the first leg and the second leg bear resiliently against the corrugated roof plate at opposing valley regions extending from the single crest of the corrugated roof plate, B) receiving at least part of at least one fastening element through at least one aperture of the base element, and C) fixing the device to the corrugated roof by fastening of the fastening element with respect to a roof element of the corrugated roof supporting the corrugated roof plate, such that both the at least one first leg and the at least one second leg are deformed and diverge away from each other leading to a biased coaction between each leg and a supporting valley region of the corrugated roof plate.

21. The device according to claim 7, wherein the first outer end portion and/or the second outer end portion are configured to at least partially align and contact a valley of the corrugated roof.

22. The device according to claim 21, wherein the first outer end portion and/or the second outer end portion are configured to exert a load of the at least one solar panel to the valley of the corrugated roof when fastening the device onto the corrugated roof by means of the fastening element.

23. The device according to claim 17, wherein the biased coaction exerts a load of the at least one solar panel to the valley of the corrugated roof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] The invention will be further elucidated herein below on the basis of the non-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figures. Herein shows;

[0059] FIG. 1: a device according to the invention;

[0060] FIG. 2: a plurality of devices as shown in FIG. 1 in assembly with a support rail and a solar panel, and

[0061] FIG. 3: a cross-sectional view of the assembly as shown in FIG. 2. Similar references in these figures correspond to similar or equivalent elements or components.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0062] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a possible embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. The trapezoidal prism-shaped device 1 comprises a base element 2 comprising an aperture 3 for receiving at least part of at least one fastening element (not shown). The aperture 3 is centrally located in the base element 2. The base element 2 is connected to an at least partially resilient first leg 4 and connected to an at least partially resilient second leg 5. The second leg 5 substantially opposes the first leg 4. The device 1 furthermore comprises a top structure 6 connected to the base element 2. The top structure 6 thereby extends from a top side of the base element 2. The top structure 6 is configured for coupling with a support structure (not shown) for at least one solar panel. This will be shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. The base element 2, the first leg 4, and the second leg 5 together define a receiving space 7 for receiving at least part of a crest of at least one corrugated roof plate. The first leg 4 has a first outer end portion A and the second leg 5 has a second outer end portion B, wherein the first outer end portion A and the second outer end portion B are configured to engage opposing valley regions of the corrugated roof plate. In the shown embodiment of the device 1, the first outer end portion A and the second outer end portion B are partially curved. The length of the first leg 4 substantially equals the length of the second leg 5. The first leg 4, second leg 5, and the base element 2 are manufactured of a single piece. The base element 2 is configured to substantially follow the shape of at least part of a corrugated roof. The top structure 6 is a multi-component element, as the top structure 6 is adjustable in height. The top structure 6 therefore comprises two top structure parts 6a, 6b which are mutually connected via a fastening member 13. The upper structure part 6b can be displaced with respect to the lower structure part 6a. The lower structure part 6a is in the shown embodiment integrally connected with the base element 2. The first leg 4 comprises a first front leg part 4a and a first rear leg part 4b wherein the first front leg part 4a is located at a distance from the first rear leg part 4b and the first front leg part 4a and the first rear leg part 4b are mutually connected via a connection element 8. The second leg 5 comprises a second front leg part 5a and a second rear leg part 5b wherein the second front leg part 5a is located at a distance from the second rear leg part 5b and the second front leg part 5a and the second rear leg part 5b are mutually connected via a connection element 8. The first front leg part 4a and the first rear leg part 4b can however both also be referred to as front legs 4, wherefore the device 1 as shown has multiple front legs 4a, 4b which are mutually connected via the connection element 8. This applies also to the second leg 5, which according to this interpretation has multiple second legs 5a, 5b which are mutually connected. The top structure 6 comprises a coupling element 9 for coupling with a support structure for at least one solar panel, in particular a support rail of a support structure for at least one solar panel. The coupling element 9 can be coupled with the support structure or the support rail thereof by means of a snap connection. In particular, the device comprises the coupling element 9 multiple elastically deformable coupling members 10 for engaging, in particular clasping of the support structure. The elastically deformable coupling members 10 can deform during coupling and return to their respective initial position thereafter. The coupling members 10 are configured for co-action with a counter coupling member forming part of the support structure, which is shown in the further figures. The device 1 furthermore comprises an at least partially resilient sealing element 11 engagingly connected to a bottom side of the base element 2. The sealing element 11 is substantially positioned in line with the aperture 3 of the base element. In the shown embodiment, the device comprises the sealing element 11 and a further aperture which is in line with the aperture 3 of the base element 2. The sealing element 11 is configured to co-act with the crest of the corrugated roof plate which is shown in the further figures. The sealing element 11 in the shown embodiment may be manufactured of EPDM rubber, and is glued onto the base element 2. The device furthermore comprises a secondary receiving space 12 for receiving, for example, cabling or wiring of a system. The secondary receiving space 12 is positioned at a distance from the receiving space 7. The device 1 further comprises a first engaging surface 14a situated between the base element 2 and the first leg 4 and a second engaging surface 14b situated between the base element 2 and the second leg 5. Both engaging surfaces 14a, 14b have a substantially convex shape.

[0063] FIG. 2 shows an assembly of multiple devices 1 according to the invention. The devices 1 equal the device 1 as shown in FIG. 1. Similar references therefore correspond to similar or equivalent components, features, and/or elements. The devices 1 are fastened onto a corrugated roof 20 by means of a fastening element 25, in particular fastening screws 25. The corrugated roof 20 comprises multiple corrugated roof plates 21 which are positioned on purlins 22 of the roof 20. The corrugated roof plates 21 define adjacent crests C and valleys V. Examples of a crest region Rc and a valley region Rv of the corrugated roof plates 21 are indicated as well. The devices 1 are supporting a support rail 23 of a support structure for a solar panel 24. It can be seen that the base element 2 of the device 1, and the device as such, substantially follows the shape of the roof. The first engaging surface 14a and/or the second engaging surface 14b may be configured to engage at least part of a crest C of the corrugated roof 20. However, it is also conceivable that only the legs 4, 5 are configured to engage the roof 20.

[0064] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a device 1 according to the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 when the device 1 is fastened onto a corrugated roof 20. The device 1 is fastened by means of a fastening screw 25, in particular a hanger screw 25. The screw 25 comprises a rubber washer 26, in particular a washer 26 made of EPDM rubber. The use of a washer 26 may provide an improved waterproof sealing. The figure shows that the sealing element 11 is in direct contact with a top region of the crest C. The sealing element 11 provides both waterproof sealing and improved engagement of the device 1 with the corrugated roof plate 21. The first leg 4 and the second leg 5 engage opposing, supporting valley regions V of the corrugated roof plate 21 extending from the crest C of the corrugated roof plate 21 which is received in the receiving space 7 of the device 1. Fastening of the device 1 onto said corrugated roof 20 by means of said fastening screw 25 causes deformation of both the first leg 4 and the second leg 5 leading to a biased coaction of the legs 4, of the device 1 with the opposing valley regions Rv of the corrugated roof plate 21. The partially curved first outer end portion A and the partially curved second outer end portion B engage in the shown configuration in a lower area of the valley region Rv. However, it is also possible that the first outer end portion A and the second outer end portion B engage another part of the opposing valley regions Rv. The weight of the solar panel 24 and the support rail 23 is distributed over both the first leg 4 and the second 5 leg. In the shown configuration, the first engaging surface 14a and the second engaging surface 14b do not engage the crest C of the corrugated roof 20.

[0065] It will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the working examples shown and described herein, but that numerous variants are possible within the scope of the attached claims that will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.