PHOTOVOLTAIC ROOF TILE HAVING A LENGTH-ADJUSTABLE CURRENT LINE

Abstract

The invention relates to a photovoltaic roof tile (20) for obtaining electrical energy from solar radiation. The shape of the photovoltaic roof tile according to the invention corresponds substantially to the shape of a conventional roof tile, comprising a top-side photovoltaic module (26) with a first current line (34) and a second current line (36), said photovoltaic module (26) with being arranged on a base tile (22) which is used to fasten the photovoltaic roof tile (20) on the roof, wherein: the first current line (34) has a first connection element (38) at its free end, the second current line (36) has a second connection element (40) at its free end, at least one of the two lines (34, 36) is designed to be length-adjustable, the two connection elements (38, 40) are connectable to one another, the two connection elements (38, 40) are arranged in a basic state within the external dimensions of the photovoltaic roof tile (20),
and wherein, in an assembly state, at least one of the two connection elements (38, 40) can be drawn out beyond the external dimensions of the photovoltaic roof tile (20) and can be connected in a current-conducting manner with a corresponding connection element (38, 40) of an adjacent photovoltaic roof tile (20).

Claims

1. A photovoltaic roof tile (20) for the production of thermal energy from solar radiation, the shape of which essentially corresponds to the shape of a conventional roof tile, comprising a photovoltaic module (26), which is connected to a first current line (34) and a second current line (36) and is arranged on a base tile (22), which is for mounting the solar thermal roof tile (20) on the roof, wherein the first current line (34), at its free end, comprises a first connection element (38), the second current line (36), at its free end, comprises a second connecting element (40), at least one of the two power lines (34, 36) is formed as being changeable in length, in an initial state, both connecting elements (38, 40) are arranged within external dimensions of the photovoltaic roof tile (20), in an assembly state, at least one of the two connection elements (38, 40) may be pulled out beyond the external dimensions of the photovoltaic roof tile (20), so that it is connectable to a corresponding connection element (38, 40) of an adjacent photovoltaic roof tile (20).

2. The photovoltaic roof tile (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two connecting elements (38, 40) each comprises an electrical contact surface, which contact surface each is connected in an electrically conductive manner to an associated power line (34, 36), wherein the contact surfaces, in the assembled state of two connecting elements (38, 40), contact each other, thus causing electrical connection to be provided.

3. The photovoltaic roof tile (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second current line (36) is formed as being changeable in length.

4. The photovoltaic roof tile (20) according to claim 3, characterized in that the first connection element (38) and the second current line (34) are arranged locally fixed within the photovoltaic roof tile (20).

5. The photovoltaic roof tile (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the two connecting elements (38, 40) are formed such that they form a snap-in connection.

6. The photovoltaic roof tile (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first connecting element (38) comprises an accommodation opening (46) which is open towards the top and t-shaped in horizontal plane for accommodating the second connecting element (40) which is also formed as being T-shaped.

7. The photovoltaic roof tile (20) according to claim 6, characterized in that the second connecting element (40) comprises at least one accommodation (52), into which a snap-in element is engageable, the snap-in element being arranged in the first connecting element (38).

8. The photovoltaic roof tile (20) according to claim 6, characterized in that the snap-in element is configured as a spring-loaded pin (48), wherein the accommodation (52) and the pin (48) are arranged essentially in horizontal direction.

9. The photovoltaic roof tile (20) according to 8, characterized in that the accommodation (52) and the snap-in element are formed of an electrically conductive material, at least in certain area, and forming the electrical conductive contact surfaces.

10. The solar thermal roof tile (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that free end of the pin (48) is formed in a conically tapering manner such that said pin contacts an edge that limits the accommodation (52), an outer surface of the pin (48) and the edge forming the contact surfaces.

11. The solar thermal roof tile (20) according to claim 8, characterized in that the two connecting elements (38, 40), in the assembled state of the two connecting elements (38, 40), form an access opening (54) for a tool (56), by means of which the pin (48) may be urged backwards, allowing release of the two connecting elements (38, 40) from each other.

12. A photovoltaic system for the production of thermal energy from solar radiation, comprising photovoltaic roof tiles (20) according to claim 1, which are connected to a utilization facility via a main power line (58).

13. The photovoltaic system according to claim 12, characterized in that the cold water line (58), the hot water line (60) and the main power line (58) are partially arranged in a downspout (72).

Description

[0039] The invention will be explained in detail by way of the following figures, said figures showing a preferred working example of the invention, which, however, is not intended to limit the invention to the features shown, wherein

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a photovoltaic roof tile according to the invention in explosive representation,

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a portion of a roof, which is covered with photovoltaic roof tiles according to the invention;

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the row of installed photovoltaic roof tiles;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged sectional view of FIG. 3;

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section of the photovoltaic roof tile according to the invention;

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section of the photovoltaic roof tile according to the invention, with the connection element being extended;

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the photovoltaic roof tile according to the invention;

[0047] FIG. 8 shows two connecting elements of two photovoltaic roof tiles in the assembled state;

[0048] FIG. 9 shows a releasing operation of the connection of FIG. 8 with the help of a tool;

[0049] FIG. 10 shows coupling of the photovoltaic roof tiles to a main power line;

[0050] FIG. 11 shows a cross section of a downspout including a main power line.

[0051] FIG. 1 shows an explosion representation of a preferred embodiment of a photovoltaic roof tile 20 according to the invention. Basically, the photovoltaic roof tile 20 is configured in sandwich-type construction mode. Starting from of a base tile 22, which forms a bottom side of a photovoltaic roof tile 20 and is laid on top of a roof supporting structure 24 (also cf. FIG. 3), it is followed by a photovoltaic module 26 and preferably a transparent or translucent cover 28.

[0052] The cover 28 completely covers the photovoltaic module element 26. The photovoltaic module element 26 is connected to a first current line 34 and a second current line 36. The first current line 34 is followed by a first connecting element 38 and the second current line is followed by a second connecting element 40. The two connecting elements 38, 40 each may be connected to a corresponding connecting element 38, 40 of an adjacent photovoltaic roof tile 20.

[0053] A frame 42 is furthermore shown, approximately having the dimensions of the base tile 22 and serving for the accommodation of the photovoltaic module 26. Moreover, in the working example shown, the cover 28 is supported on the frame 42 and is connected thereto.

[0054] In FIG. 1, it is not to be seen that the second connection element 40 is guided in a longitudinal groove 44 of the base tile 22. This significantly facilitates assembly of the photovoltaic roof tile 20 by way of specifically pulling out the second connecting element 40. The longitudinal groove 44 furthermore avoids dis-tortion of the second connecting element 40.

[0055] Finally, it is essential for the second poser supply line 36, which is arranged between the lower photovoltaic module element 32 and the second connection element 40 to be changeable in length. In the working example shown, a trumpet pipe is provided, which is formed of two pipe portions which are slidable into each other and having different diameters. In the trumpet tube, an electrical cable, preferably a helical cable is passed through.

[0056] From the FIGS. 2 to 4, the installation according to the invention of photovoltaic roof tiles 20 on a roof or a roof supporting structure 24, respectively, becomes clear. FIG. 2 shows a top view of a region of a roof FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section across a row of photovoltaic roof tiles 20, and FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the region B from FIG. 3.

[0057] It is to be seen that the photovoltaic roof tiles 20, which are connected to each other, overlap in some areas, similar to conventional roofing with conventional roof tiles. They abut against the roof supporting structure 24 with their bottom side, i.e. the bottom side of the base tile 22. Especially in FIG. 4 it is shown that respective adjacent photovoltaic roof tiles 20 are arranged one over the other, and are connected to each other via the connecting elements 38, 40. Thus, the electrical energy generated will be transferred to the next photovoltaic roof tile 20 from a photovoltaic roof tile 20 through the first current line 34, the two connecting elements 38, 40, the photovoltaic module 26 and the second current line 36.

[0058] FIG. 5 illustrates the design of the photovoltaic roof tile 20 according to the invention. In this embodiment variant, which is also shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the photovoltaic module 26 slightly differs from the embodiment variant according to FIG. 1, in relation to the external dimensions. Particularly, a partial region slightly higher in cross section is provided, where, for example, control technology may be accommodated.

[0059] It is to be seen that the first connecting element 38 is followed by the first current line 34. The second power line 36 is also connected to the photovoltaic module 26 and leads to the connecting element 40. In this initial state, the connecting elements 38, 40 do not protrude beyond the external dimensions of the photovoltaic roof tile 20.

[0060] For installation of the photovoltaic roof tiles 20 it is furthermore of advantage that the photovoltaic module 26 and the cover 28 do not entirely cover the first connection element 38 so that it easily remains accessible during tiling the roof. The first connection element 38 will finally be first covered by the installed adjacent photovoltaic roof tile 20, thereby being no longer visible in the installed state.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section of a photovoltaic roof tile 20 having extended second connection element 40. As already set forth, the second current line 36 in the trumpet tube is formed as being changeable in length, so that the second connection element 40 may be pulled out beyond the overall dimensions of the photovoltaic roof tile 20. It then protrudes opposite of the respective edge or side of the photovoltaic roof tile 20 and may smoothly be connected to an adjacent first connection element 38.

[0062] FIG. 7 explains, by way of a top view representation of the photovoltaic roof tile 20, that in the initial state, there are no elements protruding over the overall dimensions of the photovoltaic roof tile 20. The overall dimensions are specified by the two transverse sides 80 and the two longitudinal sides 82. It may as well be seen that an accommodation opening 46 of the first connecting element 38, in the initial state, is not covered by the photovoltaic module 26 or the cover 28, but is open towards the top, i.e. towards the direction facing away from the base tile 22. The accommodation opening 46 essentially is formed as being T-shaped.

[0063] The FIGS. 8 and 9 exemplify the advantageous connection of two photovoltaic roof tiles 20 via the two connecting elements 38, 40. The two connecting elements 38, 40 are shown in longitudinal section view, wherein the second current line 36 is not being drawn. What may be seen is the accommodation opening 46 (or accommodating recess), into which the second connecting element 40 is insertable. The T-shape causes the connection to be secured in essentially horizontal direction, i.e. in the extension direction of the second connecting element 40, and the two connecting elements 38, 40 may not be disengaged from each other.

[0064] In addition, spring-loaded pins 48 are to be seen as snap-in elements. In the working example shown, two pins 48 are provided, each one of which being oriented parallel adjacent to the second current line 6.

[0065] A spring element 50 urges the respective pin 48 towards an accommodation 52, which is arranged in the second connecting element 40. A snap-in or click connection will thereby result, which also secures essentially in the vertical direction, i.e. transversally to the extension direction of the second connecting element 40.

[0066] In the exemplary embodiment shown, an edge of the accommodation 52 and the outer surface of the pins 48 serve as contact surfaces for the electrical connection of the two connecting elements 38, 40. The pins 48 each have a conically shaped free end, the diameter of which is dimensioned such that the pins 48 will not be entirely inserted into the respective accommodation 52. In this way, it will be achieved that the spring force of the spring element 50 acts towards an appropriate edge of the respective accommodation 52. The pressure of the spring element 50 causes the electrical connection between the two connecting elements 38, 40 to be secured.

[0067] FIG. 9 furthermore shows that, in the assembled state of the two connecting elements 38, 40, an access opening 54 for a tool 56 results. Into this access opening 54, an angular-shaped tool 56 is insertable, by which tool the two pins 48 may be pushed back against the spring force of the spring element 50, thus allowing release of the two connecting elements 38, 40 from each other.

[0068] FIG. 10 illustrates the connection of the photovoltaic roof tiles 20 having a main power line 58. The main power line 58 may sectionally be arranged in the region of a gutter board of the roof. A row of photovoltaic roof tiles 20, which are arranged in the edge region of an area of photovoltaic roof tiles 20 according to the invention, preferably the lower row of a roof, is coupled to the main power line 58 via a connecting power line 66.

[0069] FIG. 11 illustrates an advantageous installation of the main power line 58, in some places within a downspout 72. In this case, the downspout 72 preferably is divided into two compartments by a separating wall 74, wherein a first compartment 76 is for discharging rain water, a second compartment 78 is for accommodating the main power line 58. This mode of installation, on the one hand, is cost-effective and quickly feasible, on the other hand the external appearance of the house will not negatively be affected.

[0070] The invention is not limited to the working examples shown and represented, but also includes other possible embodiments. Especially, instead of the second power line 36, the first power line 34 or even both lines 34, 36 may be formed as being changeable in length. Instead of the base tile 22, it is also conceivable that the photovoltaic module 26 is for mounting directly to the roof structure 24, i.e. the base tile 22 may thus be omitted.