A multifunctional composite material bracket suitable for balcony photovoltaic systems

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of solar panel support structure technology, specifically to a multifunctional composite material support structure suitable for balcony photovoltaic systems. The support includes an outer frame and solar panel supports, each consisting of several panels, all movably mounted on the outer frame. Hinges are provided between adjacent solar panel supports and between the solar panel supports and the outer frame. When the two farthest solar panel supports slide towards each other, the adjacent panels fold and bend at a certain angle via the hinges. Through the linkage of the first and second hinge structures, multiple solar panel supports can be quickly folded at an angle, ultimately bringing the multiple solar panels closer to a parallel state, reducing the windward area and effectively mitigating the impact of typhoons or strong winds on the support structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of solar energy support structure technology, and more specifically to a multifunctional composite material support suitable for balcony photovoltaic systems. Background Technology

[0002] Balcony photovoltaics (PV) is a small-scale solar power generation system installed on the balcony of a residence or building. Its core components include photovoltaic panels, micro-inverters, and optional energy storage devices. It converts solar energy into electricity for household or small commercial use. The system features a plug-and-play design, allowing direct connection to existing electrical outlets, simplifying installation and facilitating convenient energy access. As a sub-segment of distributed photovoltaics, balcony PV is characterized by its flexible adaptation to urban living spaces, suitable for various scenarios such as residential homes, commercial buildings, and public facilities, promoting the decentralized application of green energy.

[0003] The prior art discloses a Chinese utility model patent, such as the one with announcement number CN219592321U, entitled "A Balcony Photovoltaic Module Structure". It specifically discloses a structure consisting of a photovoltaic panel and a railing, which also includes a J-shaped hook for suspending the upper part of the photovoltaic panel, a support component for supporting the lower part of the photovoltaic panel, and an adjusting fastener for fixing and locking with the railing.

[0004] The above solution can be easily hung on the balcony railing. With the suspension effect of the J-hook and the action of the telescopic rod, the photovoltaic panel installed on the balcony railing can be rotated and adjusted arbitrarily along the vertical direction of the railing so as to receive more solar energy for power generation. It does not take up balcony space and is very suitable for home use.

[0005] However, the aforementioned support structures, primarily made of metal, suffer from issues such as heavy weight, susceptibility to corrosion, and poor impact resistance. In extreme weather conditions like typhoons or hailstorms, the supports are prone to deformation and breakage, leading to damage to the photovoltaic modules and making maintenance difficult. Furthermore, existing support systems are complex to install, difficult to adapt to different balcony structures, and lack quick-folding protection. For example, metal supports rely on screw tightening, making disassembly cumbersome and unable to adjust the module orientation according to weather changes to mitigate risks. Therefore, a lightweight, highly resilient, foldable, and adaptable support system is urgently needed.

[0006] Therefore, a multifunctional composite material bracket suitable for balcony photovoltaic systems is proposed to solve the aforementioned problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Technical problems to be solved:

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the existing technology, the present invention provides a multifunctional composite material bracket suitable for balcony photovoltaics, which can effectively solve the problems of inconvenient installation and poor stability of photovoltaic bracket structures in the existing technology.

[0009] Technical solution:

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0011] This invention provides a multifunctional composite material bracket suitable for balcony photovoltaics, including an outer frame and a solar panel bracket. The solar panel bracket is provided in several pieces, and each solar panel bracket is movably installed on the outer frame. Hinges are provided between adjacent solar panel brackets and between the solar panel bracket and the outer frame. When the two solar panel brackets farthest apart slide towards each other, the adjacent solar panel brackets fold and bend at a certain angle through the hinges.

[0012] Furthermore, the solar panel support includes a U-shaped auxiliary frame and a PV panel inserted into the interior of the auxiliary frame through an opening in the auxiliary frame.

[0013] Furthermore, a positioning member is inserted into each of the two opposite sides of the auxiliary material frame, and the positioning member is provided with a slot for inserting and fixing the PV panel.

[0014] Furthermore, an elastic anti-slip element is provided between the positioning element and one side wall of the auxiliary frame.

[0015] Furthermore, a roller is provided on one side wall of the auxiliary material frame in the direction facing the positioning member.

[0016] Furthermore, the hinge structure includes a first hinge structure and a second hinge structure. The first hinge structure is located between two adjacent auxiliary material frames and includes a hinge rod parallel to the two auxiliary material frames and a hinge joint fixed to the side end face of the auxiliary material frame. The hinge joints on both auxiliary material frames are sleeved on the hinge rod. The second hinge structure is located between the two auxiliary material frames furthest apart and the outer frame. It includes a roller rotatably mounted on the auxiliary material frame and a rolling wheel fixed to one side of the roller. The inner wall of the outer frame is provided with a guide groove for the rolling wheel to roll inside.

[0017] Furthermore, motors for driving the rollers to rotate are installed on the two auxiliary material frames furthest apart, and a measuring instrument for measuring wind direction and speed is installed on the outer frame, the measuring instrument being electrically connected to the motor.

[0018] Furthermore, the outer frame includes two parallel guide rails that fit over the upper and lower ends of the solar panel bracket, and a triangular bracket located between the two guide rails, the lengths of the two right-angled sides of the triangular bracket being adjustable.

[0019] Furthermore, a hook is provided at the top of the triangular bracket.

[0020] Furthermore, the guide groove slopes downward on both sides along its length to form a ramp, and when the rolling wheels on the two farthest auxiliary material frames move to the ramp and roll along the ramp surface, there is a first gap between the two farthest auxiliary material frames and the outer frame, and a second gap between adjacent auxiliary material frames.

[0021] Beneficial effects:

[0022] The technical solution provided by this invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0023] This invention enables multiple solar panel supports to be quickly folded into an angled shape through the linkage of the first hinge structure and the second hinge structure. Ultimately, multiple solar panels approach a parallel state, reducing the windward area and effectively reducing the impact of typhoons or strong winds on the supports.

[0024] The PV panel is inserted through the opening of the concave auxiliary frame and is quickly fixed by the slot of the positioning part and the elastic anti-slip part, without the need for screws or special tools, reducing installation time;

[0025] In addition, the wind speed and direction measuring instrument can monitor environmental data in real time. When the wind speed exceeds the set threshold or a hail warning is detected, it automatically triggers the motor to drive the roller, which drives the roller to slide along the guide groove to quickly complete the folding action and reduce the need for manual intervention.

[0026] Furthermore, the modular design supports mass production, reduces manufacturing costs, and is suitable for scenarios such as residential balconies and commercial building curtain walls. It is compatible with mainstream small-format and customized photovoltaic modules, promoting the widespread application of distributed photovoltaics. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of the composite material support in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2This is an exploded view of the outer frame and solar panel support in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a front view schematic diagram of the solar panel bracket in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 This is an exploded view of the solar panel support structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the guide groove structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing three folding states of the solar panel bracket in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the rolling wheel drive structure in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the solar panel bracket assembly structure in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] The labels in the diagram represent:

[0037] 1. Outer frame; 10. Guide groove; 101. Ramp; 11. Measuring instrument; 12. Guide rail; 13. Triangular bracket; 131. Hook; 2. Solar panel bracket; 21. Auxiliary frame; 22. PV panel; 23. Positioning component; 231. Groove; 24. Elastic anti-slip component; 25. Roller; 26. Hinge rod; 27. Hinge joint; 28. Roller; 29. ​​Rolling wheel; 3. First gap; 4. Second gap. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0039] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected," "linked," and "fixed" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0040] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0041] In the description of this embodiment, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," etc., refer to the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for ease of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinction in description and have no special meaning.

[0042] The present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments.

[0043] Example:

[0044] See appendix Figure 1-8 This case proposes a multifunctional composite material bracket suitable for balcony photovoltaics, including an outer frame 1 and a solar panel bracket 2. The solar panel bracket 2 is provided with several pieces, and each solar panel bracket 2 is movably installed on the outer frame 1.

[0045] It should be noted that the solar panel support 2 in this embodiment includes two parts: a U-shaped auxiliary frame 21 and a PV panel 22 inserted into the auxiliary frame 21 through its opening. The auxiliary frame 21 utilizes the most advanced composite material spraying method, using water-based carbon ceramic polyurethane coating with vertical spraying lines to achieve full coverage of the auxiliary frame. This results in a combination of advantages such as UV resistance, salt spray resistance, low weight, and high toughness. When used in high-rise buildings, the auxiliary frame 21 exhibits excellent deformation redundancy. Compared to metal supports that are prone to brittle fracture under extreme external forces, the highly tough auxiliary frame 21 offers better resistance to crosswinds and typhoons, making it suitable for typhoon-prone coastal areas. Its excellent salt spray resistance prevents salt ions in the sea breeze from corroding the auxiliary frame 21, thus improving the durability of the support.

[0046] A positioning piece 23 is inserted into each of the two opposite sides of the auxiliary frame 21. The positioning piece 23 is made of metal and has a slot 231 for inserting and fixing the PV panel 22. The slot 231 has a certain bending elasticity and can press well on the top of the PV panel 22.

[0047] It should be noted that, in order to improve the smoothness of the insertion of the PV panel 22, in this embodiment, an elastic anti-slip member 24 is provided between the positioning member 23 and one side wall of the auxiliary frame 21. The elastic anti-slip member 24 is made of suede, but other materials can be used as substitutes in practice, and no further restrictions are imposed here.

[0048] In addition, in order to improve the accuracy and smoothness of the predetermined position when the positioning component 23 is inserted, several rollers 25 are provided on one side wall of the auxiliary frame 21 in the direction of the positioning component 23. The outer side of the rollers 25 is also covered with a suede material that has a certain elasticity and can prevent slipping. This not only allows the positioning component 23 to be compressed through elasticity, but also facilitates the insertion of the positioning component 23 by using the rollers 25, thereby improving assembly efficiency.

[0049] It is important to note that in this embodiment, there are hinge structures between two adjacent solar panel supports 2 and between the solar panel supports 2 and the outer frame 1. When the two solar panel supports 2 that are furthest apart slide toward each other, the adjacent solar panel supports 2 are folded through the hinge structure until several solar panel supports 2 are set at an angle to each other.

[0050] Conventional photovoltaic modules mostly use a single-block mounting / hole screw mounting method (the block / hole mounting position is one-fifth of the long frame). Under load, the module's front and rear sides often bend due to the pressure on the frame, and even the front glass may break. Therefore, improving the module's resistance to wind and snow loads is particularly important. In extreme weather such as hail, hailstones the size of eggs falling from the sky can shatter even the most robust double-glass photovoltaic modules. Damage to the outer protective glass will inevitably lead to problems such as microcracks / short circuits in the fragile internal cells. This can reduce the module's power generation efficiency or cause serious losses such as fires due to hot spots.

[0051] In response to the above situation, this embodiment inserts the PV panel 22 component into the auxiliary frame 21. Utilizing the excellent toughness of the composite fiberglass material, and with the auxiliary frame 21 connected by hinges, the installation reliability of the component is indirectly enhanced. The components are connected in pairs and support each other. The four-sided support method can easily pass the load test of 5400Pa on the front and 2400Pa on the back, which greatly enhances the load performance of the component against wind / snowfall.

[0052] In addition, the balcony solar panel bracket 2 with a small number of series components can be folded. This embodiment is specially equipped with a self-propelled servo motor system. After being started by a manual button or switch, the frame moves automatically under the drive of electric wheels to complete the folding. After folding, the air-facing area of ​​the solar panel bracket 2 is minimized. The use of a sturdy composite frame to resist hail can effectively reduce the component damage rate and reduce the risk of replacement and maintenance costs.

[0053] In this embodiment, the solar panel bracket 2 can automatically retract the photovoltaic panel in the event of severe weather, reducing the damage to the panel caused by severe weather.

[0054] Specifically, the hinge structure includes a first hinge structure and a second hinge structure. The first hinge structure is located between two adjacent auxiliary frames 21 and includes a hinge rod 26 parallel to the two auxiliary frames 21 and a hinge joint 27 fixed to the side end face of the auxiliary frame 21. The hinge joints 27 on both auxiliary frames 21 are fitted onto the hinge rod 26. The second hinge structure is located between the two auxiliary frames 21 furthest apart and the outer frame 1. It includes a roller 28 rotatably mounted on the auxiliary frame 21 and a rolling wheel 29 fixed to one side of the roller 28. The inner wall of the outer frame 1 is provided with a guide groove 10 for the rolling wheel 29 to roll inside. When the rolling wheel 29 moves in the guide groove 10, the flat area of ​​the four auxiliary frames 21 can be reduced. Due to the hinge structure between adjacent auxiliary frames 21, they can be further folded until the four auxiliary frames 21 are close to parallel to each other, and the exposed open area is greatly reduced.

[0055] It should be noted that the two auxiliary material frames 21 furthest apart are equipped with motors for driving the rollers 28 to rotate. The motor on the same auxiliary material frame 21 can drive the two rollers 28 to rotate synchronously, or two motors can be set to drive the rollers 28 to rotate separately. No further restrictions are made here.

[0056] A measuring instrument 11 for measuring wind direction and speed is installed on the outer frame 1. The measuring instrument 11 is electrically connected to the motor. The measuring instrument 11 is equipped with a variety of environmental sensor groups, including hail impact sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, etc. The sensor data is sent to the central controller through a wireless transmission module. The controller triggers the motor to drive the folding action according to a preset threshold.

[0057] It should be noted that the protective cover used to protect the motor has a built-in drainage hole and is fixed to the auxiliary frame 21 to protect the motor.

[0058] In this embodiment, the strength of the connection between the solar panel bracket 2 and the special connection structure of the balcony determines the safety of the external support core photovoltaic module. The outer frame 1 consists of three parts, including two parallel guide rails 12 that fit around the upper and lower ends of the solar panel bracket 2, a triangular bracket 13 located between the two guide rails 12, and longitudinal beams on both sides of the triangular bracket 13 for connecting the top guide rail 12 and the triangular bracket 13. The top of the triangular bracket 13 is also provided with a hook 131 for connecting and supporting the balcony railing, and the bottom of the triangular bracket 13 is used to fix it to the concrete surface of the balcony.

[0059] During assembly, first fix the triangular bracket 13 to the cement platform of the balcony with bolts, hook the hook 131 to the balcony railing and fix it, then fix the longitudinal beam to the guide rail 12 with screws and insert it vertically into the hollow of the triangular bracket 13, adjust the upper and lower position and fix it with screws. In addition, the design of multiple screw holes can adjust the height of the hook for extension and retraction. After adjusting the hook to the best position, fix it to the base with screws.

[0060] Furthermore, the triangular bracket 13 includes an L-shaped connecting block. Openings for inserting the bottom beam and longitudinal beam are respectively provided on the outer end face of the connecting block, and multiple screw holes are provided on the end face of the connecting block. Therefore, under the action of the connecting block, the longitudinal beam and the bottom beam, the tilt angle of the inclined surface of the triangular bracket 13 can be adjusted.

[0061] Overall, when a typhoon approaches, the measuring instrument 11 automatically detects that the wind speed is too high and automatically folds up the solar panel bracket 2. Alternatively, if the weather forecast indicates extreme weather, such as hail or other natural disasters, the homeowner can manually control the solar panel bracket 2 or press a switch to fold it up to avoid damage from natural disasters. After the rain stops, the solar panel bracket 2 can be unfolded to carry out necessary power generation activities.

[0062] It should be noted that during normal use, the distance between two adjacent solar panel brackets 2 is small, while the solar panel brackets 2 in this embodiment can have three unfolded / folded states according to actual needs.

[0063] In case of severe weather, the first state, as described above, is the retracted state, used for extreme weather (such as typhoons and hail). The auxiliary frame 21 is retracted to near parallel, reducing the windward area by 75%.

[0064] In the event of light winds, to avoid excessive stress on the solar panel bracket 2 due to prolonged exposure to the wind, in actual use, the two auxiliary frames 21 furthest apart can be moved in opposite directions while the solar panel bracket 2 is unfolded, creating a second gap 4 between the two adjacent auxiliary frames 21.

[0065] In the event of persistent strong winds, although it is not necessary to completely fold and store the components, this embodiment proposes a solution to reduce the impact of strong winds by guiding the wind direction. Specifically, a slope 101 is formed by tilting downwards on both sides of the guide groove 10 along its length. When the rollers 29 on the two farthest auxiliary material frames 21 move to the slope 101 and roll along the slope 101, the auxiliary material frames 21 are slightly tilted towards the side wall of the outer frame 1, thus dissipating some of the wind force at a certain angle to the wind direction. At the same time, there is a first gap 3 between the two farthest auxiliary material frames 21 and the outer frame 1. The guided wind will flow away through the first gap 3, guiding the airflow and reducing the wind pressure by 30%.

[0066] Optionally, the grounding terminal of the outer frame 1 can be connected to the building's lightning protection system, with a leakage current ≤1mA during thunderstorms, conforming to the IEC62305 standard.

[0067] Users can customize the status, set up a mobile app, remotely monitor the status of the bracket, receive alerts (such as "Strong wind warning: It is recommended to switch to semi-expanded mode"), and customize the folding strategy.

[0068] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions will not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the protection scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multifunctional composite material support suitable for balcony photovoltaics, characterized by, Include: The outer frame (1); Solar panel bracket (2), the solar panel bracket (2) is provided with several blocks, each block solar panel bracket (2) is movably mounted on the outer frame (1); Wherein, the adjacent two solar panel bracket (2) and the solar panel bracket (2) and the outer frame (1) between the hinge structure are provided, and when the most distant two solar panel bracket (2) is sliding towards, the adjacent solar panel bracket (2) is folded through the hinge structure and is bent at a certain angle; The solar panel bracket (2) includes a concave-shaped auxiliary material frame (21) and a PV panel (22) located inside the auxiliary material frame (21), the PV panel (22) is inserted from the opening of the auxiliary material frame (21); The hinge structure includes: the first hinge structure, the first hinge structure is arranged between the two adjacent auxiliary material frames (21), and the first hinge structure includes a hinge rod (26) arranged in parallel between the two auxiliary material frames (21) and a hinge joint (27) fixed on the side end face of the auxiliary material frame (21), the hinge joints (27) on the two auxiliary material frames (21) are sleeved on the hinge rod (26); The second hinge structure, the second hinge structure is arranged between the most distant two auxiliary material frames (21) and the outer frame (1), and the second hinge structure includes a roller (28) rotatably mounted on the auxiliary material frame (21) and a rolling wheel (29) fixed on one side of the roller (28), the inner wall of the outer frame (1) is provided with a guide groove (10) for the rolling wheel (29) to roll inside; The length direction of the guide groove (10) is inclined downward on both sides to form a slope (101), and when the rolling wheels (29) on the most distant two auxiliary material frames (21) move to the slope (101) and roll along the slope (101), the first gap (3) is formed between the two most distant auxiliary material frames (21) and the outer frame (1), and the second gap (4) is formed between the adjacent auxiliary material frames (21).

2. A multifunctional composite material support suitable for balcony photovoltaics according to claim 1, characterized in that, A positioning member (23) is inserted on the opposite side of the auxiliary material frame (21), and a slot (231) is arranged on the positioning member (23) for inserting and fixing the PV panel (22).

3. A multifunctional composite material support suitable for balcony photovoltaics according to claim 2, characterized in that, An elastic anti-skid member (24) is arranged between the positioning member (23) and one side wall of the auxiliary material frame (21).

4. A multi-functional composite support for balcony photovoltaics according to claim 2, characterized in that, A roller (25) is arranged on one side wall of the auxiliary material frame (21) towards the positioning member (23).

5. A multi-functional composite support for balcony photovoltaics as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The most distant two auxiliary material frames (21) are provided with a motor for driving the rotation of the roller (28), and a measuring instrument (11) is arranged on the outer frame (1) for measuring the wind direction and wind speed, and the measuring instrument (11) is electrically connected with the motor.

6. A multi-functional composite support for balcony photovoltaics according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer frame (1) includes two guide rails (12) parallel to each other and sleeved on the upper and lower ends of the solar panel bracket (2), and a triangular bracket (13) located between the two guide rails (12), the lengths of the two straight sides of the triangular bracket (13) are adjustable.

7. A multifunctional composite material support suitable for balcony photovoltaics according to claim 6, characterized in that, The top of the triangular bracket (13) is provided with a hook (131).

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