CLAMPING ARRANGEMENT AND MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SOLAR CELL MODULE

Abstract

A clamping arrangement for solar modules includes an assembly having at least one C-shaped, longitudinally extended guide rail and first and second holders. These holders have an angle with two legs. A first leg includes a first, extended, straight section; the second, angled leg/section has a gripping section at its end to positively grip a solar module frame. The holders are inserted into longitudinal ends of the guide rail. The inner space of the guide rail has a guide dimensioned such that the first leg/section of the holders is displaceably guided therein. One eyelet each on the holder or the guide rail is connectable via a spring such that the holder is pulled into the guide of the guide rail and exerts a tensile force on the gripping section. A mounting arrangement for solar cell modules for fa?ades includes this clamping arrangement, a mounting rail and a solar cell module.

Claims

1. A clamping arrangement (100) for a solar module, the clamping arrangement comprising: an assembly having at least one longitudinally extended guide rail which is C-shaped in cross-section and has a length s, and first and second holders, the first and second holders: are arranged at the longitudinal ends of the guide rail and are fixed in an inner space of the guide rail; each of the first and second holders is L-shaped, having a first, extended, straight section of length l and width b, and a second section angled thereto and having a gripping section that is adapted to positively grip a frame of the solar module; the first and second holders and the guide rail have openings for fastening elements for fixing the holders to the guide rail in a secured position; and the inner space of the guide rail has a guide for accommodating the first section of the first and second holders.

2. The clamping arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the guide has two U-shaped grooves which are spaced apart from each other and define openings that face towards each other, and each of the grooves has a width w and a distance d from groove bottom to groove bottom, so that the first sections of the guide rail are adapted to be displaceably guided in the guide.

3. The clamping arrangement according to claim 2, wherein a first side wall of the two U-shaped grooves is formed jointly by an outer wall of the guide rail and a second side wall is formed in each case as a separate, rib-shaped projection of height h, which is arranged at a parallel distance w from the first side wall.

4. The clamping arrangement according to claim 3, wherein for the second side walls w<h<5w and 2h<<d and d<?b.

5. The clamping arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a position of the holders when arranged in the guide is securable relative to the guide rail via fasteners arranged in correspondingly overlapping ones of the openings in both the guide rail and the first and second holders.

6. The clamping arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the opening in the first holder is an elongated hole.

7. The clamping arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the guide rail has a first eyelet which extends at right angles from the first side wall into the inner space of the guide rail.

8. The clamping arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the first holder has a second eyelet arranged on a narrow side of the first section opposite a clamping region, and the second eyelet extends at right angles away from a plane of the first section, and the second eyelet faces into the inner space when the first holder is arranged in the guide of the guide rail.

9. The clamping arrangement according to claim 8, wherein a line of sight through the first and second eyelet extends parallel to a plane of the first side wall of the guide rail.

10. The clamping arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the first and second eyelets comprise stop points for a spring which, when the first holder is installed in the guide, exerts a tensile force between the guide rail and the first holder such that a tensile force acts on the clamping area.

11. The clamping arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail comprises an extruded aluminum profile with a uniform cross-section.

12. A mounting arrangement for a solar module, comprising: a clamping arrangement according to claim 1; a mounting rail that is designed to be attached horizontally to a load-bearing substructure; and the clamping arrangement is dimensioned so as to securely grip an edge region or frame of a solar module; wherein both the guide rail and the mounting rail have a C-shaped cross-sections; and an open end section of the C-shaped cross-sections are shaped to interlock when the guide rail is hooked into the mounting rail, with the openings of the C-shaped cross-sections aligned with one another.

13. The mounting arrangement according to claim 12, wherein first and second end sections of the guide rail and first and second end sections of the mounting rail are designed differently, the first end section of the mounting rail is complementary to and engageable with the first mounting section of the guide rail and the second end section of the mounting rail complementary to and engageable with the second mounting section of the guide rail.

14. The mounting arrangement according to claim 12, wherein two of the guide rails are arranged offset in parallel and are provided for securing the solar panel, and the guide rails engage in two corresponding ones of the mounting rails.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The invention will now be explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to preferred embodiments.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a comparison of a mounting rail 200 and a guide rail 110.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a mounting rail 200 and a guide rail 110 in the suspended, locked state.

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a 3D view of a guide rail 110 with inserted holders 120 and 130 from the panel side.

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a guide rail 110 without holders.

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a first holder 120.

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a second holder 130.

[0043] FIG. 7 shows a top view of an end piece of a guide rail 110.

[0044] FIG. 8 shows a combination of guide rail 110 and first holder 120, connected via spring 250.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a mounting rail 200 (left) and a guide rail 110 (right). The illustration corresponds to a state before the two profiles are hooked in and locked. A solar module or a substructure are omitted in this illustration. The first end section (top) 281 of the mounting rail 200 is designed as an angled element, the other end section 282 (bottom) is hook-shaped. The C-shape of the mounting rail 200 opens to the right in the drawing, while the guide rail 110 opens to the left. The opening between the end sections 181 and 182 and the essentially box-shaped profile of the guide rail 110 form an inner space 140. Part of this inner space 140 is occupied by the guide 150, which is marked here as a vertical element. In the assembled state, this space would be occupied by the first section 121 or 131 of a holder 120 or 130 (not explicitly shown). In the exemplary embodiment, the guide is formed here by two U-shaped grooves 151 and 152 facing each other, which are arranged opposite each other at a distance d such that their openings are aligned. The lower groove 152 in the figure consists of a left (second) side wall 157 and the outer wall of the guide rail 110, which forms the right (first) side wall 155. The distance between the side walls is marked with w. The second (upper) groove 151 uses the same outer wall as side wall 155, but has its own second side wall 156. The height h of the two side walls is chosen to be the same here. This is advantageous in terms of production technology, but is not mandatory. The height h is usually selected so that the function of the guide 150 is guaranteed. An excessively high design (large h) is not necessarily conducive to the stability of the second side walls 156 and 157 and increases the risk of jamming of an inserted first holder section.

[0046] The distance d, measured from groove bottom to groove bottom, corresponds to the width b of a holder section within the limits specified above.

[0047] It is also advantageous to match the profiles of the mounting rail and guide rail on the one hand, as well as the guide rail and the width of the first section 121, 131 of the holder 120, 130, so that the design of the guide 150 does not become too complex. The size and weight of the solar cell module to be mounted also play an important role here.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows a mounting rail 200 and a guide rail 110 installed in a cross-section. A holder is not shown here. The position of a solar module 130 is indicated, as is the position of a substructure 300, to which the mounting rail 200 is fastened here with the aid of a screw 230. The substructure can be made of wood, aluminum or steel profiles, for example. The type and dimensions of this supporting structure are determined by building regulations and safety specifications and are designed accordingly. FIG. 2 shows in particular how the end sections 181, 182, 282, 281 (not marked again here) interlock.

[0049] FIG. 3 shows an oblique 3D plan view of a guide rail 110 with inserted holders 120 and 130 from the front. The opposing gripping sections 123, 133, which complement each other to form a clamp, form the receiving space for a solar panel or, if required, a similarly dimensioned fa?ade cladding element. A three-sided cut-out is marked with reference sign 119. The tongue thus formed is provided with an opening as an eyelet during the manufacturing process and bent at right angles (to the rear in the drawing). The length s of the guide rail 110 is protruded on both sides by the holders 120 and 130, so that the guide rail 110 remains invisible from the (intended) panel side.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a guide rail 110 without mounted holders. Reference is made to the position of the open longitudinal ends 125, 135. The openings 161 and 162 are shown as square cut-outs, which allows the use of non-rotating carriage bolts to secure the holders to the guide rail.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows the first L-shaped holder 120. It consists of the first leg 121 (first section) and the second section 122, which is arranged at right angles to it and merges into the gripping section 123. The gripping width d corresponds to the frame depth of a solar panel to be held. The first leg has the dimensions l?b with a thickness t. The thickness t and width b are necessarily the same for both holders because both use the same guide 150 in the guide rail 120. The first section 121 is equipped with an elongated hole 160. In addition, the second tab 128 is attached to the open end of the first section 121. It is also shown as a punched and bent element.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows the second holder 130, which has a simpler design than the first holder 120. Instead of an elongated hole, the first section 131 in the embodiment shown has two normal holes 163 and 164. An eyelet is not provided. The gripping section 133 is designed identically to the first holder 120 (FIG. 5).

[0053] FIG. 7 shows a top view of a cross-section or longitudinal end 125 of a guide rail 110. The position of a first eyelet 118 in the depth or course of the profile is marked. The position of the grooves 151 and 152 is also highlighted.

[0054] Finally, FIG. 8 shows a combination of guide rail 110 and holder 120 in perspective view. A holder 120 is inserted with the first section 121 in the guide 150 (not marked). The second section 122 with its gripping section 123 projects beyond the longitudinal end 125 of the guide rail 110. The two eyelets 118 and 128 are connected by a suspended spring 250, which exerts a tensile force from the guide rail 110 onto the holder 120. The elongated hole 160 allows a view of a square opening 161 (itself not marked) made in the guide rail.

[0055] Finally, an assembly process is briefly described as an example: A guide rail 110 dimensioned according to the specifications for a solar cell panel and two holders 120, 130 are prepared. The second holder is inserted as shown in FIG. 3 on the right and screwed to opening 163 or 164 via opening 162. A first holder 120 is then inserted into the other end of the guide rail 110 in the guide 150. A loose screw-nut connection is prepared through the elongated hole 160 and the opening 161 (not mandatory depending on the load case). A spring 250 can then be hooked in as shown in FIG. 8. If the dimensions of the solar cell module to be mounted are known, this pre-assembly can be carried out by the manufacturer or installer.

[0056] The solar cell module can then be inserted into the clamping arrangement. For this purpose, the end of the clamping arrangement with the second, fixed holder is preferably hooked onto the frame of the solar cell module. The first holder is pulled out of the guide against the tension spring force until the gripping section can be guided over the other frame part. The spring is then released until the gripping section rests positively against the frame. The clamping arrangement is thus in contact with the solar module. Depending on the specifications, the gripping section can also be provided with damping strips/compensating elements/adhesives on the inside where it touches the frame.

[0057] Depending on requirements, a second clamping arrangement can be attached to the solar cell module in the same way. The position of both clamping arrangements can be fine-tuned, e.g. by using a positioning gauge on the frame.

[0058] A higher fastening quality can be achieved if the aforementioned screw connection is tightened through elongated hole 160 and opening 161. The clamping force and position predetermined by the choice of spring is fixed in this way. Depending on the specifications, additional mechanical securing can be provided between the gripping section and the frame of the solar panel, e.g. by gluing or screwing.

[0059] A particular advantage of the inventive clamping arrangement is that, due to its design, it can be installed by a single fitter in the manner described. Due to the pre-assembly, the panels can be installed on the construction sitewith an existing substructureby simply hooking the guide rail into the mounting rail.

[0060] A non-explicit representation of a combination of features in the drawings or the description does not mean that such a combination is not useful or not possible. Conversely, a common representation of features does not mean that there must always be a structural and/or functional relationship between the features.