Apparatus and method for frame crimping

Abstract

The present invention describes embodiments of a portable crimping device for producing frame assemblies. In an embodiment, the device includes a stem movable from a first position to a second position; a head connected to the stem; and a spike connected to the head. When the rod portion moves from the first position to the second position, the spike portion engages the rails of the frame and deforms a portion of the rails, thereby tightening the bracket within the rail channel. The second rail is then fastened in the same way to the second side of the bracket, creating the corners of the frame. The above process can be performed repeatedly to produce a closed frame assembly for supporting, for example, photovoltaic panels.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to a portable device for making an indentation in at least one rail, a portable hand-held device for joining two metal rails together, and a method of joining two rails together. Background technique [0002] The frame rail structure is usually used to assist the installation of flat objects, for example, in a photovoltaic (photovoltaicPV) solar module, the solar panel is supported by the frame rail structure, and the frame rail structure includes four frame rails and Four L-shaped keys. attached figure 1 A rail assembly in a typical solar module is shown. Each frame rail supports a peripheral edge of the panel. Typically, frame rails are extruded from aluminum and have a designed, consistent cross-sectional shape along their entire length. The cross-sectional shape defines an interior passageway open at both ends of the frame rail. When assembled, the four frame rails are arranged end to end in the shape of a closed ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

For example, these devices include many complex and bulky functional components (such as electronic control boxes, large hydraulic cylinder pumps, etc.)

Therefore, these devices are expensive in terms of their high initial cost and high operating cost (i.e. power cost, maintenance cost)

Moreover, since these devices are relatively large, they take up a lot of space on the production floor

These devices are also not easily portable, nor do they provide the flexibility to conveniently manipulate various forms of frames, as they are usually only used to manufacture large numbers of identical frames

Conventional equipment is often not suitable for fabricating specimen frames due to poor versatility and flexibility

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