ITTV20120238A1 - SYSTEM FOR FIXING MODULES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ENERGY FROM THE SOLAR SOURCE - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION OF INDUSTRIAL INVENTION

entitled â € œSystem for fixing modules for the production of energy from solar sourcesâ €

The present invention relates to a system for fixing modules for the production of energy from a solar source.

Photovoltaic modules for the production of electrical energy and those for the exclusive production of thermal energy are known, simply called solar modules, which generally consist of panels to be exposed to solar radiation, which invest an absorbing surface which is in contact with a coil crossed by a heat transfer fluid, heating it. There are also hybrid solutions, where the same surface is used to convert solar radiation into electricity, exploiting the photovoltaic effect, and to obtain thermal energy deriving from bodies - such as pipes or coils - present on the back of the surface in charge of said photovoltaic conversion.

In all the above cases, the fixing system used is mostly traditional, that is provided with simple aluminum profiles that act as a guide and support for closing the brackets, using screws and / or bolts.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a versatile fixing system for the rapid and advantageous positioning of solar modules (whether they are photovoltaic or hybrid) in a preferably residential roof, characterized by the fact that the perimeter structure usually present in solar modules is replaced by an extruded aluminum (or other material that can replace its mechanical and thermal characteristics) which integrates ducts for the heat transfer fluid of the hybrid / thermal part and by the presence of at least one pair of multifunctional brackets positioned on the back of the module, suitably made to the locking of this particular replacement structure on suitably shaped extruded profiles. This solution for the production of solar energy is part of the state of the art as it is present in the industrial patent application n ° TV2012A000165, submitted by the undersigned on 20 August 2012.

Moreover, these multifunctional brackets also allow the use of a semitransparent plastic extrusion of rapid application, which, if partially colored, allows to mask the photovoltaic cells, favoring a better integration in the roof of the photovoltaic or hybrid module.

These objects and others that will result from the following description are achieved, according to the invention, thanks to the use of one or more multifunctional brackets 7 applied to the back of a solar system 1, FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, consisting of a photovoltaic laminate 3 (i.e. a photovoltaic module without perimeter frames) whose supporting structure is made from a preferably extruded profile 2 (replacing the aforementioned frames) and a pair of head elements 4, useful for locking the photovoltaic laminate 3 and profile 2. Furthermore, there are pairs of plastic or metal clips 8 which allow the further lateral fixing of the laminate 3 to the profile 2.

The solar system installed in this way requires only external hydraulic and electrical connections between the various adjacent solar systems, which are practical thanks to the easy accessibility of the fittings 5 present at the ends of the solar module 1.

The present invention is further clarified hereinafter in some of its preferred embodiments reported for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes with reference to the attached tables of perspective drawings, in which:

- FIG.1 shows a solar module installed on two fixing profiles 6;

FIG.2 shows the solar module complete with multifunctional bracket in an exploded view from the rear;

FIG.3 shows the fixing profile 6;

FIG.4 shows the back of the solar module 1 with the junction box 9 for the photovoltaic laminate 3 in an exploded position, above its seat, together with the side clips;

FIG.5 shows the solar module with a semitransparent extruded cover in an exploded position with detail on the fixing areas with the multifunctional bracket 7;

FIG.6 shows the multifunctional bracket 7 from the rear (rear side of the solar module once installed);

FIG.7 shows the multifunctional bracket 7 on the front side;

FIG.8 shows the multifunctional bracket 7 in partial detail;

FIG.9 shows the invention in a configuration with a solar module orthogonal to the fixing profile, exploded from the rear side;

- FIG.10 shows the invention in configuration with a solar module orthogonal to the fixing profile, from the front side;

- Figures 11 and 12 show the assembly / lateral coupling phases of two solar modules (for simplicity, only the multifunctional brackets 7 are visible) after their positioning on the profiles 6;

- FIG.13 shows the invention in a partially exploded configuration with evidence of the possible use of a magnetic accessory 37 for the further locking of predetermined adjacent elements;

- FIG.14 shows the fixing profile 6 in a variant with magnetic strips useful for prefixing;

- FIG.15 shows the final phase of use of the magnetic accessory 37;

- FIG.16 shows the magnetic accessory 37 in its final position; for clarity, the multifunctional bracket 7 in the foreground in FIGS has been removed. 13 and 15;

- FIG.17 shows the invention in configuration with a solar module orthogonal to the fixing profile, from the front side in section;

- FIG.18 shows the invention in configuration with solar module parallel (coaxial) to the fixing profile, from the front side;

- FIG.19 shows the invention in configuration with a solar module parallel (coaxial) to the fixing profile, from the rear side;

- FIG.20 shows the multifunctional bracket in configuration with solar module in parallel (coaxial) way to the fixing profile, after positioning it on the fixing profile but before locking it on the stop pin 26;

- FIG.21 shows the next step of what is described in FIG.20, from above;

- FIG.22 shows what is shown in FIG.21 in section;

- Figures 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b, 25a, 25b show the various steps of positioning the bracket 7 in a fixing profile 46 which integrates the hydraulic distribution manifold.

As can be seen from the various tables and in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, the system according to the invention consists of a multifunctional bracket 7 applied to the back of a photovoltaic laminate 3 positioned above a profile 2 sized in such a way as to be able to embrace at least partially the aforesaid laminate 3 (FIG.2).

The multifunctional bracket 7 is advantageously used in combination with the fixing profile 6, visible in FIGS. 3 and 14, and allows multiple solutions for locking the solar system to the profiles themselves.

Profile 6 (FIG. 3), preferably made of aluminum with extrusion technology, shows a substantially square section which has a reduced portion 41 on the upper part which acts as an invitation for the entry of hooks 14 and 15 projecting from below. from the multifunctional bracket 7 (FIGS.6, 7, 24a and 24b), which find their definitive grip in the recesses 43 placed in the middle of the vertical walls of the profile itself. Furthermore, it has a flat part 44, recessed with respect to the main upper plane, useful both for the sliding (transversal or longitudinal, depending on the installation configuration chosen) of the protruding appendages 24 and 25 of the bracket 7, and for the possible positioning of a metal sheet or magnetic adhesive tape 39 illustrated in FIG. 14, which, together with the use of magnets (optional) present in the multifunctional bracket 7, allow the system 1 to be fixed temporarily but stable even before being definitively locked with the use of screws or peg 26 (see FIGS. 12 and 20). Moreover, it is possible that a further mechanical / magnetic constraint occurs through the use of the magnetic accessory 37 which, once one or more systems are definitively positioned on the profiles 6 (the procedure will be described later), they can be used as illustrated in FIGS. 13, 15 and 16 to further block the movement of installed solar systems in a simple, rapid and effective manner.

The multifunctional bracket 7 is preferably made of plastic material, by means of injection molding technology, but almost all of the functions described below can also be obtained from a bracket made of metal or sheet by blanking / bending and the so-called â € œa mold. stepâ €.

The bracket 7 (F1GG.6, 7 and 8) develops substantially like the back of the surface of the profile 2 which supports the photovoltaic module, as it has flat parts 13 (actually slightly inclined like the back of the photovoltaic module, due to the presence of the various metal contacts and insulation sheets) which alternate with semicircular seats 16 that partially wrap the ducts 12 of profile 2. The short sides are instead bent and orthogonal to the main plane and are such as to be able to embrace the whole laterally consisting of the extrusion 2 coupled to the laminate 3 (FIGS.1 and 5), also thanks to the presence of hook projections 18, suitably obtained on the vertical walls 17 themselves. These protrusions can reach their final position and fulfill their task only following a slight bending that the multifunctional bracket 7 must undergo during assembly in the rear of the solar system 1, before being definitively positioned in the fixing profiles 6 (FIG. 9). The aforementioned short sides develop orthogonally to a further plane 33 (FIG. 8), made in such a way as not to collide with the protrusions present in the lower part of the extruded profile 2 and are connected to the central part of the bracket through the inclined part 32, The combination of these walls, together with the use of a suitable material (such as polyamide reinforced with glass fiber or other material that is not excessively rigid) gives the structure a certain elasticity that allows a quick assembly of the bracket in the back of the solar system.

At the ends of the multifunctional bracket 7 there are protruding appendages 24 and 25, useful for the reciprocal mechanical constraint of 2 adjacent brackets (and therefore solar systems). As can be seen from FIGS. 11 and 12, once two solar systems have been temporarily positioned on the fixing profiles 6, only one of them must necessarily be permanently locked to the profiles 6 (the one on the left is hypothesized in the figures) : all the following can be advantageously connected to the first in a safe and fast way simply by putting them together, until the hook 35 present in the protruding appendix 25 fits into the opening 36 of the appendix 24 and constituting an irreversible bond that it can only be dissolved voluntarily by an operator in charge of disassembly. For all this to be possible, it is necessary that the protruding appendages 24 and 25 present at the opposite ends are on different heights (otherwise they would collide during lateral translation). Furthermore, to allow the operator to disassemble two adjacent solar systems, it is necessary that there is air under the appendix 24, so that by means of a pressure all the affected extremity can flex slightly, allowing the hook 35 to come out of the constraint. The hook 35, in fact, is made in such a way as to facilitate entry during assembly thanks to the inclined front part, but has an orthogonal protrusion to the sliding surface such as to hinder accidental exit once installed and placed in the final constraint position.

The short sides of the multifunctional bracket 7, outside the vertical walls 17, in a central position, have cylindrical protrusions 23, visible in FIGS. 5 and 10 which act as a grip for the possible application of an extruded cover 10 ( thanks to the holes 49 present on it or on brackets applied to it), preferably semitransparent and partially colored, which allows a better integration of the solar system 1 in the roof if the system itself is installed in a domestic environment and therefore above roofs that have color similar to terracotta: in this case, it is possible to apply this covering which causes a slight loss of solar radiation on the surface of the photovoltaic module 3, but definitely improves its visual impact.

As mentioned, the multifunctional bracket 7 is preferably made by injection molding and for this reason, part of the manufacturing difficulty is the need to insert a series of mechanical movements in the mold that produces the object. The bracket in question has been developed in such a way that the same mechanical movement allows to obtain, without further equipment costs, the hook projections 18 (thanks to the openings present under them), the cylindrical protrusions 23, the protruding appendages 24 and 25 complete with opening 36 and hook 35 and also the hooks protruding below 15 (Figures 6 and 8), useful for the invention to fulfill their primary function of locking to the fixing profiles 6, as visible in Figures 9, 10, 13 and 15.

The planes 33, bordering the inclinations 32 and the external vertical walls 17 also have holes 29 (FIGS. 6 and 7) which cross the cylindrical projections 30 and in which any optional magnets 34 are located, which if present the magnetic tape 39 or the metal plate 40 (one excludes the other) visible in FIGS.14, allow a further magnetic mechanical bond between the components. In order for the magnets to fulfill their function without disengaging from the multifunctional bracket (and therefore from the cylindrical projections 30) it is necessary that the holes 29 are smaller than that of the magnet. Just as efficiently it is possible that the magnets are inserted during the molding phase, in such a way as to offer the maximum guarantee of sealing between the elements to be bonded.

The multifunctional bracket has some openings (drains) 22 which contribute to giving elasticity to the structure and also allow to obtain (starting from the external part) protruding pins 19 (FIG.7) which are necessary for the bracket to find a stable position once positioned in the rear of the profile 2, thanks to the coupling of said pins 19 with the holes 45 (FIG.9); in fact, once the bracket has been positioned approximately close to the final position in which it must arrive, it is sufficient to slide it longitudinally until the pins snap, defining a secure coupling and difficult to remove, if not voluntarily by an operator responsible for disassembly (who knows the application technique). Towards the central part of the bracket there are other outlets which make it possible to obtain inside them, by means of suitable â € œfeedingâ € ribs for the polymer that is injected, some pegs 26; these accessories, being obtained inside the bracket 7 but easily removable with a slight twist of the same around their point of contact with the surrounding structure, are useful if the installer needs to block longitudinally or transversely the solar system already placed on the profiles fixing, as described above. Finally, in correspondence with the main axis there are further openings / outlets which allow to obtain other locking devices of the bracket when the fixing of the solar system must be coaxial to the profile 6, as previously described and in any case visible in detail in FIGS. 20, 21 and 22. It is interesting to note how the aforementioned drains necessary to make the structure elastic still allow to obtain some functions (pegs, hooks, etc.) without complicating the construction of the equipment suitable for producing the bracket itself.

Near the transversal axis of the multifunctional bracket there are, along the long sides of the detail, two pairs of hooks 14 (FIGS. 6, 7 and 8) protruding from below which find the same use as the hooks 15 described above, but are useful for the installation configuration with coaxial profile to the solar system; in this case, given that their length is decidedly greater due to the greater height of the surface from which they branch off with respect to the recesses 43 of the profile 6 where they find their grip, there are support ribs 28 such as to increase the mechanical seal, without however, it interferes with the underlying profile and, indeed, constituting a further support point of the bracket (and therefore of the solar system) to the profile, giving further resistance to the load (eg snow) together. At the side of the hooks 14 there are also some cable glands 27 which can be used to keep the cables which depart from the junction box 9 applied in the back of the laminate 3.

Next to the cable glands 27, the plane 13 is interrupted by the presence of the semicircular seat 16 that wraps the ducts 12 of the profile 2: the semicircular shape 16 is only in the initial section made in such a way as to be able to embrace the centerline of the ! conducted, at least partially; after which, in correspondence with the aforementioned centerline, its shape becomes orthogonal to the main plane of the bracket 7. This is to reduce the difficulties of execution of the equipment, since the mechanical movement useful to realize this detail also serves for ì hooks 14 and cable glands 27, and its retraction stroke after the injection and cooling phase in the mold is, for all these details to be made, the same.

Figures 23a, 23b, 24a, 24b, 25a, 25b, show the various stages of positioning and assembling the solar system 1 to a special fixing profile 46 which, on the one hand, allows to perform the same functions described for profile 6 (having a partially similar shape), and on the other it integrates a duct 47 and applied welded tubes 48 which allow the profile itself to be used also as a hydraulic distribution manifold.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1. System for fixing modules for the production of energy from solar sources consisting of (FIGS. 1 and 2) a photovoltaic laminate 3 coupled with a profile 2 and two head elements 4 characterized by the fact that in the intermediate portion between the two opposite ends of the laminate at least one multifunctional bracket 7 is positioned which has mechanical constraints 18 (FIG.7) useful for locking the photovoltaic laminate and protruding mechanical constraints15 (and / or protruding mechanical constraints 14) in order to allow rapid locking entirely with at least one extruded profile 6 suitably shaped for rapid coupling, 2. System for fixing modules for the production of energy from solar source according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the multifunctional bracket 7 has a fixed positioning with respect to the profile 2 thanks to the mutual constraint deriving from the protrusion coupling 19 present in the bracket 7 and opening (hole) 45 of profile 2 (FIG. 9) 3. System for fixing modules for the production of energy from solar source according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that two adjacent multifunctional brackets 7 can find reciprocal mechanical positioning constraint thanks to the presence of protruding appendages 24 and 25 (FIG.11) which overlap at least partially and allow lateral locking thanks to the presence of opening 36 and protruding hook 35. 4. System for fixing modules for the production of energy from solar source according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the multifunctional bracket 7 has hook projections 18 (useful for locking with the laminate 3 and profile 2), hooks protrusions 15 (advantageous for locking with profile 6) and cylindrical protrusions 23 (for fixing optional extruded covers 10), present in each of the short hides and produced by an injection molding tool (steel or aluminum mold) by means of the use of a single mechanical or hydraulic movement which acts in the mold opening phase. 5. System for fixing modules for the production of energy from solar source according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that there is at least one pre-assembly magnetic mechanical constraint between the multifunctional bracket 7 and the fixing profile 6, thanks to the presence of sheet metal metal or magnetic 39 (FIG.14) in the profile 6 and magnets present in the aforementioned multifunctional bracket.