A fastener for photovoltaic modules and its installation method

Abstract

This invention discloses a fastener for photovoltaic modules, comprising a frame receiving groove and a tile receiving groove. The photovoltaic module is engaged within the frame receiving groove, and a color steel tile is engaged within the tile receiving groove. The photovoltaic module includes a frame, a laminate, and a junction box. The color steel tile includes two inverted L-shaped bosses, which open outwards and extend to form a groove and a cavity. The frame receiving groove is provided with flexible upper and lower frame retaining wings, and the tile receiving groove is provided with flexible tile retaining wings, limiting supports, a support guide wall, and a limiting guide wall. This invention employs a one-piece design, allowing for quick and convenient integration and separation of the photovoltaic module and the color steel tile, effectively reducing construction and maintenance costs, and featuring high safety, ease of use, and high efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of fastener technology, and in particular to a fastener for photovoltaic modules and its installation method. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, the outer mounting frame of photovoltaic modules is secured to a support structure on a building's roof or ground using threaded fasteners, multi-piece brackets, or adhesives; for example, the adjustable mounting assembly disclosed in US Patent No. 7758011B2 for standing seam panels and the mounting system disclosed in US Patent No. 6105317A for mounting panel-like solar cell module arrays on rooftops. However, these devices have many unstable components and are time-consuming and complex for installation on construction sites, such as rooftops with high wind speeds, increasing labor costs. Over time, bolt torque decay can lead to loosening. Therefore, designing lightweight, quick-installation, easy-to-disassemble, and reliable fasteners is a crucial issue. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a fastener for photovoltaic modules. Using this fastener, photovoltaic modules can be quickly and conveniently integrated and separated from color steel tiles, which can effectively reduce construction and maintenance costs and has the characteristics of high safety and reliability, convenient and efficient use.

[0004] The technical solution of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is: a fastener for photovoltaic modules, the fastener including a frame receiving groove and a tile receiving groove, wherein a photovoltaic module is engaged in the frame receiving groove and a color steel tile is engaged in the tile receiving groove.

[0005] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the photovoltaic module includes a frame, a laminate, and a junction box, wherein the frame is snapped into a frame receiving groove.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the color steel tile includes two inverted L-shaped protrusions, which open outward and extend to form a groove and a cavity after extending the vertical surface.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the frame receiving groove is provided with flexible upper frame retaining wings and lower frame retaining wings, the upper frame retaining wings and the lower frame retaining wings extending inward into barbs with openings facing outward.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tile receiving groove is provided with flexible tile retaining wings, limiting supports, supporting guide walls and limiting guide walls.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tile body wing extends obliquely upward and inward to contact the lower wall of the slot, and the limiting support extends inward to contact the outer wall of the inverted L-shaped boss.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the supporting guide wall and the limiting guide wall are parallel to each other.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length of the limiting guide wall is greater than that of the supporting guide wall, and the bottom end of the limiting guide wall is flush with the bottom end of the color steel tile.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper side of the frame is provided with an upper retaining rib, the lower side of the frame is provided with a lower retaining rib and a support rib, and the frame has barbed protrusions.

[0013] An installation method for fasteners used in photovoltaic modules, with the following specific steps:

[0014] S10. Install the Z-type fixing seat and the interlocking fixing seat on the appropriate position of the purlin with screws. The Z-type fixing seat is inserted into the cavity of the color steel tile.

[0015] S20. Insert the long side frames of the photovoltaic module into the frame, and then insert the frame into the frame receiving groove, so that the upper rib on the upper side of the frame is engaged with the upper wing of the frame and springs back.

[0016] S30. Electrically connect the junction boxes of adjacent photovoltaic modules;

[0017] S40. Insert the installed fasteners into the slots of the corrugated steel sheet, so that the sheet's retaining wings abut against the inverted L-shaped protrusion.

[0018] S50. After the male and female tongue-and-groove joints of adjacent corrugated steel sheets are interlocked 360° on the fixing base, the installation is completed.

[0019] Because the present invention adopts such a structure and method, it has the following advantages:

[0020] 1. Fasteners can quickly match the slots of color steel tiles and the frames of photovoltaic modules. Fasteners can quickly integrate photovoltaic modules with color steel tiles. The installation process does not require bolts or pressure blocks, saving tedious steps. Using such fasteners as connecting parts can improve the installation efficiency of photovoltaic modules, reduce construction costs, eliminate the need for regular torque maintenance, facilitate later operation and maintenance, and save hidden costs.

[0021] 2. The fastener has an elastic modulus. When the photovoltaic modules are installed in conjunction with the color steel tile, the fastener can effectively absorb the adverse effects of vibration while maintaining the stability of the roof photovoltaic system when it encounters gusts of wind, thereby improving the overall reliability of the photovoltaic system.

[0022] 3. One-piece fasteners have low production costs and can be manufactured, installed, and removed quickly;

[0023] 4. This invention features high safety, low cost, and convenient and efficient use. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a side view of a fastener for photovoltaic modules according to the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is an integrated diagram of a fastener for a photovoltaic module, a color steel tile, and a photovoltaic module according to the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a top view of a fastener for photovoltaic modules according to the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a top view of a flat blank for a fastener used in photovoltaic modules according to the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 This invention relates to a fastener for photovoltaic modules. Figure 3 The cross-sectional view of line AA.

[0029] Figure 6 This is an installation diagram of an installation method for photovoltaic modules according to the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the interlocking of a photovoltaic module installation method according to the present invention.

[0031] Figure 8 This is a top view of the installation of a single component of a fastener for photovoltaic modules according to the present invention.

[0032] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram of a photovoltaic module fastener after installation according to the present invention.

[0033] In the diagram: 1 is a corrugated steel sheet, 1-1 is a slot, 1-2 is a cavity, 1-3 is an inverted L-shaped boss, 1-4 is a water trough, 2-1 is a frame receiving groove, 2-2 is a tile receiving groove, 3 is a photovoltaic module, 4 is an interlocking fixing seat, 5 is a Z-shaped fixing seat, 6 is a purlin, 7 is a frame, 7-1 is an upper clamping rib, 7-2 is a lower clamping rib, 7-3 is a support rib, 8 is a laminate, 9 is a junction box, 10 is a tongue and groove joint, 10-1 is a male tongue and groove joint, 10-2 is a female tongue and groove joint, 11 is a clamping wing, 11-1 is an upper clamping wing on the frame, 11-2 is a lower clamping wing on the frame, 11-3 is a tile clamping wing, 11-4 is a limiting support, 11-5 is a support introduction wall, 11-6 is a limiting introduction wall, and 12 is a screw. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0035] like Figures 1-5 As shown, a fastener for photovoltaic modules according to the present invention includes a frame receiving groove 2-1 and a tile receiving groove 2-1. A photovoltaic module 3 is fitted in the frame receiving groove 2-1, and a color steel tile 1 is fitted in the tile receiving groove 2-1. The photovoltaic module 3 includes a frame 7, a laminate 8, and a junction box 9. The color steel tile 1 includes two inverted L-shaped bosses 1-3, which open outward and extend to form a groove 1-1 and a cavity 1-2. The frame receiving groove 2-1 is provided with a flexible upper frame retaining wing 11-1 and a lower frame retaining wing 11-2. The tile receiving groove 2-2 is provided with a flexible tile retaining wing 11-3, a limiting support 11-4, a support introduction wall 11-5, and a limiting introduction wall 11-6.

[0036] Furthermore, the upper locking wing 11-1 and the lower locking wing 11-2 of the frame extend inward into barbs with openings facing outward, engaging with the frame 7 of the inserted photovoltaic module 3 from top to bottom, thereby quickly fixing the photovoltaic module 3.

[0037] Furthermore, the flexible tile body retaining wing 11-3 extends inward and upward to contact the lower wall of the retaining groove 1-1 of the color steel tile 1, which can prevent the color steel tile 1 from detaching from the fastener.

[0038] Furthermore, the limiting support 11-4 extends inward to contact the outer wall of the inverted L-shaped protrusion 1-3 of the color steel tile 1, making the photovoltaic module 3 more stable on the color steel tile 1 and preventing shaking.

[0039] Furthermore, the supporting guide wall 11-5 and the limiting guide wall 11-6 are parallel to each other, which makes the fastener more stable in combination with the color steel tile 1 and prevents it from shaking, ensuring that the tile body locking wing 11-3 can play its role.

[0040] Furthermore, the length of the limiting guide wall 11-6 is greater than that of the supporting guide wall 11-5, and the bottom end of the limiting guide wall 11-6 is flush with the bottom end of the color steel tile 1. The greater length of the limiting guide wall 11-6 allows for space to be reserved for the protrusions 1-3 of the color steel tile 1, enhancing the stability of the color steel tile 1; the flush bottom end of the limiting guide wall 11-6 with the bottom end of the color steel tile 1 further secures and supports the color steel tile 1.

[0041] An installation method for fasteners used in photovoltaic modules, with the following specific steps:

[0042] S10. Install the Z-type fixing seat 5 and the interlocking fixing seat 4 on the purlin 6 at appropriate positions using screws 12. The Z-type fixing seat 5 is inserted into the cavity 1-2 of the color steel tile 1.

[0043] S20. Insert the two long side frames 2 of the photovoltaic module 3 into the frame 7, and then insert the frame 7 into the frame receiving groove 2-1, so that the upper rib 7-1 on the upper side of the frame 7 is snapped into the upper wing 11-1 of the frame and springs back.

[0044] S30. Electrically connect the junction box 9 of the adjacent photovoltaic module 3;

[0045] S40. Insert the installed fastener into the slot 1-1 of the color steel tile 1, so that the tile body clip 11-3 abuts against the inverted L-shaped boss 1-3.

[0046] S50. After the male and female tongue-and-groove joints 10-1 and 10-2 at the ends of the adjacent color steel tile 1 are engaged 360° on the fixing seat 4, the installation is completed.

[0047] This invention adopts a one-piece design, which can quickly and conveniently integrate and separate the photovoltaic module 3 and the color steel tile 1, effectively reducing construction and maintenance costs, and features high safety, convenient and efficient use.

[0048] The description and application of this invention herein are illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the embodiments described above. The color steel tile 1 described herein can also be other similar support structures; this is merely one application scenario of the fastener. Variations and modifications to the embodiments disclosed herein are possible, and practical substitutions and equivalent components of the embodiments are well known to those skilled in the art. It should be clear to those skilled in the art that this invention can be implemented in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, and with other elements, materials, and components without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Other variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A fastener for photovoltaic modules, characterized by: The fastener includes a frame receiving groove (2-1) and a tile receiving groove (2-2). A photovoltaic module (3) is fitted in the frame receiving groove (2-1), and a color steel tile (1) is fitted in the tile receiving groove (2-2). A flexible tile receiving wing (11-3), a limiting support (11-4), a support guide wall (11-5), and a limiting guide wall (11-6) are provided in the tile receiving groove (2-2). The length of the limiting guide wall (11-6) is greater than that of the support guide wall (11-5), and the bottom end of the limiting guide wall (11-6) is flush with the bottom end of the color steel tile (1).

2. The fastener for photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photovoltaic module (3) includes a frame (7), a laminate (8) and a junction box (9), wherein the frame (7) is engaged with a frame receiving groove (2-1).

3. A fastener for photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The color steel tile (1) includes two inverted L-shaped protrusions (1-3). The two inverted L-shaped protrusions (1-3) open outward and extend the facade to form a slot (1-1) and a cavity (1-2).

4. A fastener for photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame receiving groove (2-1) is provided with a flexible upper frame retaining wing (11-1) and a lower frame retaining wing (11-2), the upper frame retaining wing (11-1) and the lower frame retaining wing (11-2) extending inward into barbs with openings facing outward.

5. A fastener for photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tile body wing (11-3) extends inward and upward to contact the lower wall of the slot (1-1), and the limiting support (11-4) extends inward to contact the outer wall of the inverted L-shaped boss (1-3).

6. A fastener for photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that: The supporting guide wall (11-5) and the limiting guide wall (11-6) are parallel to each other.

7. A fastener for photovoltaic modules according to claim 2, characterized in that: The upper side of the frame (7) is provided with an upper retaining rib (7-1), and the lower side of the frame (7) is provided with a lower retaining rib (7-2) and a support rib (7-3), respectively. The frame (7) has barbed protrusions.

8. An installation method for a fastener for a photovoltaic module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The specific steps are as follows: S10. Install the Z-type fixing seat (5) and the interlocking fixing seat (4) on the purlin (6) at appropriate positions using screws (12), and insert the Z-type fixing seat (5) into the cavity (1-2) of the color steel tile (1). S20. Insert the long side frames (2) of the photovoltaic module (3) into the frame (7), and then insert the frame (7) into the frame receiving groove (2-1), so that the upper rib (7-1) on the upper side of the frame (7) snaps into the upper wing (11-1) of the frame and springs back. S30. Electrically connect the junction boxes (9) of adjacent photovoltaic modules (3); S40. Insert the installed fastener into the slot (1-1) of the color steel tile (1) so that the tile body clip (11-3) abuts against the inverted L-shaped boss (1-3). S50. After the male and female tongue-and-groove joints (10-1) and female tongue-and-groove joints (10-2) at the ends of the adjacent color steel tiles (1) are engaged in 360° on the fixing seat (4), the installation is completed.

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