MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES AND COMPONENTS OF A MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES FOR IMPROVING INSTALLATION

Abstract

A connection element for bottom profile rails of a mounting system for photovoltaic modules, includes a base body (12) realized as a U-profile rail and having two parallel side legs (13) and a connection section (14), wherein both side legs (13) have a projection (16) on a free end (15) facing away from the connection section (14), the projection (16) being realized with the base body (12), wherein, in the mounted state, the side legs (13) are guided in channel sections (26) of the bottom profile rail (05) in such a manner that a wall of the channel sections (26) runs above the free ends (15) of the side legs (13), wherein the projection (16) is realized in such a manner that it does not project at the top beyond the wall of the channel sections (26) in the mounted state.

Claims

1. A connection element for bottom profile rails of a mounting system for photovoltaic modules, comprising: a base body (12) realized as a U-profile rail and having two parallel side legs (13) and a connection section (14), wherein both side legs (13) have a projection (16) on a free end (15) facing away from the connection section (14), said projection (16) being realized with the base body (12), wherein, in the mounted state, the side legs (13) are guided in channel sections (26) of the bottom profile rail (05) in such a manner that a wall of the channel sections (26) runs above the free ends (15) of the side legs (13), wherein the projection (16) is realized in such a manner that it does not project at the top beyond the wall of the channel sections (26) in the mounted state.

2. The connection element according to claim 1, wherein the free end (15) of the side legs (13) has a mark (18) on one side in a longitudinal direction at a predetermined distance from the projection (16).

3. The connection element according to claim 1, wherein the base body (12) has a receiving opening or receiving indentation (20) in end sections of the side legs (13) in the longitudinal direction, said receiving opening or receiving indentation (20) serving to receive a clasp element (21).

4. The connection element according to claim 3, wherein the receiving opening or receiving indentation (20) extends from the free end (15) of the side legs (13) in the direction of the connection section (14).

5. The connection element according to claim 3, wherein a clasp element (21) inserted into the receiving opening or receiving indentation (20) and projecting in a width direction at least partially beyond the side legs (13) with elastically deformable side parts (23), in the mounted state, provides a pressing of the side parts (23) on the bottom profile rail (05) due to a deformation of the side parts (23) by means of the bottom profile rail (05).

6. A bottom profile rail system of a mounting system for photovoltaic modules, comprising at least two rows of bottom profile rails serving for the fixation of holding elements for holding photovoltaic modules, wherein each row of bottom profile rails comprises at least two bottom profile rails, wherein a connection element (11) according to claim 1 is disposed between each two adjacent bottom profile rails (05).

7. The bottom profile rail system according to claim 6, wherein in the state of an initial mounting, the connection element (11) is disposed in such a manner that the projection (16) adjoins in a flush manner with a bottom profile rail (05) on one side and wherein, on the other side of the projection (16), a bottom profile rail (05) ends at or in the area of the mark (17).

8. The bottom profile rail system according to claim 6, further comprising a removable distance gauge which is positioned on one side of the projection (16) on or at the connection element (11) during the initial mounting and is an auxiliary stop for a bottom profile rail (05) in order to ensure a predetermined distance between the projection (16) of the connection element (11) and an adjacent bottom profile rail (05) in a longitudinal direction.

9. A holding element of a mounting system for photovoltaic modules for fixing a photovoltaic module to a bottom profile rail, said holding element having a base element for being connected to a bottom profile rail and a rocker element, which is mounted with respect to the base element so as to be pivotable about a pivoting axis, for being connected to a photovoltaic module of a photovoltaic module, further comprising a preload element which interacts with the base element (08) and the rocker element (09) in such a manner that, when the rocker element (09) is accelerated only by the weight, a rotation of the rocker element (09) with respect to the base element (08) is prevented and wherein, in case of an additional acceleration, an adjustment of the rocker element (09) with respect to the base element (08) is made possible.

10. The holding element according to claim 9, wherein the preload element (37) is designed in such a manner that a clamping effect is exerted at least on the rocker element (09).

11. The holding element according to claim 9, wherein the preload element (37) is disposed concentrically to the pivoting axis (36).

12. The holding element according to claim 9, wherein a preload element is disposed on both sides on a pivoting axis (36).

13. The holding element according to claim 9, wherein the preload element (37) is provided radially circumferentially about the pivoting axis (36).

14. A rail transverse connector of a mounting system for photovoltaic modules for transverse connection of bottom profile rails which are disposed in rows, said rail transverse connector comprising a pair of angle rails which are inserted into each other in a longitudinal direction, wherein the angle rails (28) have a fixedly predetermined fixing device (30) in end areas (29, 33) each situated on the outside for the connection to a bottom profile rail (05) and wherein a variable overlap (31) of the angle rails (28) which are inserted into each other for predetermining the length of the rail transverse connectors (10, 27) is set by means of a fixing element (32) for fixing the relative position of the angle rails (28) to each other in the area of the overlap (31) situated on the inside.

15. The rail transverse connector according to claim 14, wherein the angle rails (28) have essentially an L-profile.

16. The rail transverse connector according to claim 14, further comprising guiding elements (35) for guiding the angle rails (28) which are inserted into each other, said guiding elements (35) being realized by forming end areas (29, 33) of at least one angle rail (28).

17. The rail transverse connector according to claim 14, wherein the angle rails (28) each have an elongated hole (34) or a slit in an end area (29, 33) situated on the inside, said elongated hole (34) or slit being disposed at least partially in alignment with each other in the state of insertion into each other.

18. The rail transverse connector according to claim 14, wherein the fixing element (32) is realized as a screw, pin, bolt or rivet which runs through end areas (29, 33) and/or guiding elements (35) of the angle rails (28) in the overlap (31).

19. A mounting system for photovoltaic modules comprising: a rail transverse connector (10, 27) comprising a pair of angle rails which are inserted into each other in a longitudinal direction, wherein the angle rails (28) have a fixedly predetermined fixing device (30) in end areas (29, 33) each situated on the outside for the connection to a bottom profile rail (05) and wherein a variable overlap (31) of the angle rails (28) which are inserted into each other for predetermining the length of the rail transverse connectors (10, 27) is set by means of a fixing element (32) for fixing the relative position of the angle rails (28) to each other in the area of the overlap (31) situated on the inside; and/or a holding element (07) having a base element for being connected to a bottom profile rail and a rocker element, which is mounted with respect to the base element so as to be pivotable about a pivoting axis, for being connected to a photovoltaic module of a photovoltaic module, further comprising a preload element which interacts with the base element (08) and the rocker element (09) in such a manner that, when the rocker element (09) is accelerated only by the weight, a rotation of the rocker element (09) with respect to the base element (08) is prevented and wherein, in case of an additional acceleration, an adjustment of the rocker element (09) with respect to the base element (08) is made possible; and/or a bottom profile rail system (24) comprising at least two rows of bottom profile rails serving for the fixation of holding elements for holding photovoltaic modules, wherein each row of bottom profile rails comprises at least two bottom profile rails, wherein a connection element (11) is disposed between each two adjacent bottom profile rails (05); and/or a connection element (11), a base body (12) realized as a U-profile rail and having two parallel side legs (13) and a connection section (14), wherein both side legs (13) have a projection (16) on a free end (15) facing away from the connection section (14), said projection (16) being realized with the base body (12), wherein, in the mounted state, the side legs (13) are guided in channel sections (26) of the bottom profile rail (05) in such a manner that a wall of the channel sections (26) runs above the free ends (15) of the side legs (13), wherein the projection (16) is realized in such a manner that it does not project at the top beyond the wall of the channel sections (26) in the mounted state.

20. The connection element according to claim 1, wherein said projection (16) is monolithic with the base body (12), and wherein the wall of the channel sections (26) runs above and adjacent to the free ends (15).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Below, the invention is further explained with reference to merely schematic drawings showing advantageous embodiments of the invention. In the figures:

[0045] FIG. 1: shows a schematic, perspective illustration of a mounting system according to the invention together with photovoltaic modules;

[0046] FIG. 2: shows a schematic illustration of a first enlarged detail of the illustration of FIG. 1;

[0047] FIG. 3: shows a schematic illustration of a second enlarged detail of the illustration of FIG. 1;

[0048] FIG. 4: shows a schematic perspective illustration of a connection element according to the invention;

[0049] FIG. 5a: shows a schematic top view of a detail of a bottom profile rail system according to the invention at the transition between two bottom profile rails;

[0050] FIG. 5b: shows a schematic perspective view of a detail of a bottom profile rail system according to the invention at the transition between two bottom profile rails;

[0051] FIG. 6: shows a top view of a schematic illustration of a third enlarged detail of the illustration of FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 7: shows a schematic illustration of a section through two rail transverse connectors according to the invention at the level of the fixing elements;

[0053] FIG. 8: shows a schematic perspective illustration of a holding element according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a photovoltaic system comprising a mounting system 02 and photovoltaic modules 03 disposed on the mounting system or connected to the mounting system. Several rows 04 of bottom profile rails 05 are visible. Furthermore, ballast elements 06 are visible.

[0055] In FIG. 2, an enlarged detail from photovoltaic system 01 is illustrated. In addition to ballast elements 06, holding elements 07 with which a connection or fixation between bottom profile rails 05 and photovoltaic modules 03 is established are also illustrated more clearly than in FIG. 1. Holding elements 07 are shown in two different embodiments, the differences essentially relating to a base element 08. In a first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 on the left, base element 08 is short. In an embodiment of holding element 07 illustrated further on the right, base element 08 is longer or taller and has a post shape or post effect.

[0056] A rocker element 09 is formed or disposed on respective base elements 08 so as to be pivotable about an axis of rotation. Furthermore, a rail transverse connector 10 is illustrated or visible in the right area of FIG. 2, said rail transverse connector 10 enabling or ensuring a transverse connection of bottom profile rails 05 disposed in rows 04.

[0057] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative detail of a photovoltaic system 01 having a corresponding mounting system 02, wherein it can be seen that pairs of rail transverse connectors 10 can each be used to serve as a guide, support and/or reception of ballast elements 06, making use of the shape of the rail transverse connectors as basic angle rails having an L-profile.

[0058] FIG. 4 shows a connection element 11 according to the invention for bottom profile rails of a mounting system for photovoltaic modules. Connection element 11 comprises a base body 12 which is designed as a U-profile rail and has two parallel side legs 13 and a connection section 14 disposed between side legs 13. At a free end 15 facing away from connection section 14, side legs 13 have a projection 16 in longitudinal direction L of connection element 11 or of base body 12. Projection 16 is preferably formed integrally, in particular monolithically, with base body 12. Preferably, projection 16 and base body 12 can be made of a metallic material, especially preferably as a bent part.

[0059] Marks 17, in particular in the form of a notch 18, are formed in the longitudinal direction on both sides of projection 16.

[0060] As will be elaborated more clearly with reference to FIGS. 5a and 5b, projection 16 is designed in such a manner that, in the mounted state, it does not project at the top beyond the wall of a channel section of a bottom profile rail into which the connection element, in particular side leg 13 of connection element 11, is inserted during the mounting. This allows holding elements for mounting or fixing photovoltaic modules to be also disposed in the transition area of two bottom profile rails without projection 16 or connection element 11 impairing or preventing this. At the same time, due to projection 16, in particular in conjunction with marks 17 or notches 18, it is made possible in a particularly simple and advantageous manner to realize an expansion joint between adjacent bottom profile rails, which compensates for the thermal expansion of the bottom profile rails and, thus, realizes a movable bearing between adjacent bottom profile rails.

[0061] Side legs 13 have a rounded portion 19 in the area of free ends 15 in the end sections in the longitudinal direction. These rounded portions 19 can improve and facilitate the insertion or introduction of connection element 11 into a bottom profile rail, in particular into channel sections of a bottom profile rail.

[0062] Furthermore, receiving indentations 20 into which a clasp element 21 is inserted are formed in the end areas or end sections of side legs 13 in the longitudinal direction. In this case, receiving indentations 20 are realized in the form of a slit 22 which extends from free end 15 in the direction of connection section 14.

[0063] Clasp elements 21 have elastically deformable side parts 23 which partially project beyond side legs 13 in a width direction B and, thus, in the mounted state, enable a pressing on the bottom profile rail, preferably the channel sections of the bottom profile rail, due to a deformation of side parts 23.

[0064] FIG. 5a shows a detail of a bottom profile rail system 24 according to the invention at the transition between two bottom profile rails 05. It can be seen that connection element 11 has been inserted or introduced on one side of a central channel 25 into corresponding channel sections 26 of bottom profile rail 05. Another connection element 11 can be provided on the other side of central channel 25, but is not illustrated in the illustration of FIG. 5a for reasons of clarity.

[0065] It can be seen that, on one side, projections 16 of side legs 13 are flush with an upper bottom profile rail 05 or are disposed edge to edge with upper bottom profile rail 05. On the opposite side of projections 16 in longitudinal direction L, adjacent bottom profile rail 05 is disposed at a distance from the end of projection 16, the distance corresponding to the distance between the end of the projection and mark 17. Thereby, a distance A is realized between bottom profile rails 05, said distance A, with the exception of the dimension of projection 16, being able to be used as an expansion joint to compensate for thermal expansion of bottom profile rail 05.

[0066] FIG. 5b shows a detail of a bottom profile rail system 24 corresponding to FIG. 5a in a perspective illustration in which, in addition to central channel 25, lateral channel sections 26 in which connection element 11 is inserted are also more clearly visible. It can be furthermore seen in the perspective view of FIG. 5b that projections 16 just do not protrude beyond channel sections 26 of bottom profile rails 05 at the top or otherwise, such that holding elements for the fixation of photovoltaic modules can in principle also be disposed in the transition area between bottom profile rails 05.

[0067] FIG. 6 shows another detail of a mounting system according to the invention. In addition to mounted photovoltaic modules 03, several rows 04 are illustrated, each having several bottom profile rails 05 adjacent to each other and preferably connected to each other via connection elements according to the invention. Rail transverse connectors 27 run transversely to longitudinal direction L of bottom profile rails 05 between bottom profile rails 05. Each rail transverse connector 27 comprises a pair of angle rails 28 which are inserted into each other, the angle rails having fixedly predetermined fixing devices 30 in end areas each situated on the outside. In the example of FIG. 6, the fixing devices are preferably realized as simple hole drillings through the angle rails, preferably in conjunction with a screw bolt and/or a washer.

[0068] Fixing devices 30 are preferably screwed into central channel 25 of bottom profile rail 05 and fixed there. In order to set fixing devices 30 on both sides of rail transverse connector 27 to the distance of rows 04 of bottom profile rails 05, an overlap 31 is formed in the area of insertion into each other of angle rails 28, wherein fixing elements 32 are disposed or attached in inner overlap 31 for the fixation of the relative positions of angle rails 28 to each other.

[0069] Fixing elements 32 can, for example, be designed as a self-tapping screw which is screwed through both angle rails 28 disposed in the overlap in order to, thus, set the fixation of the relative position of angle rails 28 to each other.

[0070] As can be seen in FIG. 3 and will also become even clearer in the following with reference to FIG. 7, angle rails 28, in particular with the exception of corresponding end areas of the profile, are essentially designed as L-profiles.

[0071] Furthermore, it is shown in FIG. 6 that each angle rail has an elongated hole 34 in an inner end area 33, two elongated holes 34 of two angle rails 28 being designed and disposed in such a manner that, in the state of insertion into each other of angle rails 28, at least a partial alignment of elongated holes 34 is achieved, which, in the illustration of FIG. 6, leads to the fact that a fixation with or to another bottom profile rail 05 or a row 04 of bottom profile rails 05 is made possible via further fixing devices. In the illustration of FIG. 6, it is visible that middle row 04 of bottom profile rails 05 has basically no real technical relevance or significance, but that it merely serves to illustrate the purpose of elongated holes 34 and of the inner end area of angle rails 28. However, middle row 04 of bottom profile rails 05 can well be technically relevant if photovoltaic modules 03 are not oriented with their short side parallel to longitudinal direction L of the bottom profile rails as illustrated in FIG. 6, but are, rotated by 90 degrees, oriented with a long side of photovoltaic modules 03 parallel to the longitudinal direction of rows 04 of bottom profile rails. In this case, the additional, inner row 04 of bottom profile rails 05 can be used to allow a correspondingly reduced distance of the holding elements.

[0072] FIG. 6 also shows that angle rails 28, also due to their advantageously essentially L-shaped profile, are particularly well suited to serve in pairs as a guide and reception for ballast elements 06 when angle rails 28 are disposed as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

[0073] FIG. 7 shows a section through two rail transverse connectors 27 at the level of fixing elements 32. In the section of rail transverse connectors 27, it can be seen that two angle rails 28 are inserted into each other, angle rails 28 basically having an L-shaped profile. In addition, a guide and associated guiding elements 35 are realized in the sections of the profile which are on the end sides or are situated on the outside by a formation of end areas, guiding elements 35 facilitating the insertion of angle rails 28 of rail transverse connectors 27 into each other and their displacement relative to each other. It can be seen that fixing elements 32 run through guiding elements 35 in order to enable a better fixation of angle rails 28 with respect to each other.

[0074] The guiding elements also allow angle rails 28 to be inserted into each other and to be mutually guided in the transition area of two rail transverse connectors, as shown, for example, in the right-hand area of FIG. 6. Thereby, with a corresponding arrangement of angle rails 28 in alternating sequence, any number of rail transverse connectors can be disposed one behind the other.

[0075] In FIG. 7, it is also visible how angle rails 28 of rail transverse connectors 27 serve as a reception or guide for possible ballast elements 06 by ballast elements 06 partly resting on angle rails 28 and partly being guided laterally by angle rails 28.

[0076] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a holding element 07 comprising a base element 08 and a rocker element 09. Base element 08 serves to connect a photovoltaic module to a bottom profile rail. Rocker element 09 is mounted in a pivotable manner about a pivoting axis 36 relative to base element 08. As illustrated in FIG. 8, pivoting axis 36 can be designed as a bolt, for example a screw bolt, having a head on the end side, for example, a head with a hexagon socket.

[0077] Holding element 07 comprises a preload element 37 which interacts with base element 08 and/or rocker element 09 in such a manner that, when rocker element 09 is accelerated only by the weight, a rotation of rocker element 09 with respect to base element 08 is prevented and that, in case of an additional acceleration, in particular by an application of a force by hand or without tools, an adjustment, preferably a stepless adjustment, of rocker element 09 with respect to base element 08 is made possible. In the example of FIG. 8, the preload element is designed as an O-ring, for example, of plastic or hard rubber and causes a clamping effect on the rocker element. In this case, the O-ring of preload element 37 is disposed concentrically to pivoting axis 36 and preferably in both end areas of preload element 37. Preload element 37 runs radially circumferentially about pivoting axis 36. FIG. 8 shows a short holding element with a correspondingly short base element 08; as explained by way of introduction with reference to FIG. 2, holding element 07 can also be designed with a correspondingly long, post-shaped base element 08 without this having any impact on the realization or effect of preload element 37.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0078] 01 photovoltaic system [0079] 02 mounting system [0080] 03 photovoltaic modules [0081] 04 rows [0082] 05 bottom profile rails [0083] 06 ballast elements [0084] 07 holding element [0085] 08 base element [0086] 09 rocker element [0087] 10 rail transverse connector [0088] 11 connection element [0089] 12 base body [0090] 13 side legs [0091] 14 connection section [0092] 15 free end [0093] 16 projection [0094] 17 marks [0095] 18 notch [0096] 19 rounded portions [0097] 20 receiving indentations [0098] 21 clasp element [0099] 22 slit [0100] 23 side parts [0101] 24 bottom profile rail system [0102] 25 central channel [0103] 26 channel sections [0104] 27 rail transverse connector [0105] 28 angle rails [0106] 29 end areas [0107] 30 fixing devices [0108] 31 overlap [0109] 32 fixing element [0110] 33 end area [0111] 34 elongated hole [0112] 35 guiding elements [0113] 36 pivoting axis [0114] 37 preload element [0115] L longitudinal direction [0116] B width direction