Solar equipment and support element therefor

Abstract

The invention relates to a solar installation (1) and to this end a metallic support element (4) for at least one solar element (2, 3), in particular a solar module and / or a solar collector. In order to be able to achieve high stability on the support element (4) with a simple structure, it is proposed that the support element (4) consists of a plate-like profile, in particular a steel plate profile, the profile base plate of which forms a base (5) and the profile legs of which form webs (7, 8), which have at least one receptacle (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) at its free end (9) opposite the base (5), the receptacles (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) are formed by notches introduced into the sheet material, and the receptacles (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) are shaped to form frame legs (12a, 12b) for receiving the solar elements (2, 3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support element made of metal, which is used for at least one solar element. In particular, the solar element is a solar module and / or a solar collector. The support element includes a base forming a bearing surface for the support element and at least one web for supporting the solar element pressing on the support element. The web protrudes from the base at the height of the support element. Background Art

[0002] In order to protect solar elements from bending, support elements made of metal are known. These support elements are, for example, arranged in the center of the solar element and can support the frame of the solar element. For example, a extruded support element made of aluminum is known from US 2018 / 0026576 A1. The support element has a base forming a bearing surface for the support element and a web protruding from the base at the height of the support element. The solar element presses on the support element. The solar element is held low on the web by a clamping element of the support element. The support element is thus relatively complex in structure and cost-intensive in manufacturing. In addition, due to the multi-piece structure of the support element, relatively high installation costs are also required. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object proposed by the present invention is to structurally improve the support element of the type described at the beginning, so that it can be simply operated and still be manufactured at low cost. More precisely, in this case, when supporting the solar element pressing on the support element, there is no need to worry about a reduction in stability.

[0004] The object proposed is achieved by the features of claim 1.

[0005] If the support element is formed from a profiled sheet, where the profile base of the profiled sheet forms the base and the profile legs form the webs, the structure of the support element can be significantly simplified compared to a continuously cast profile. This is even more the case if at least one receiving portion is formed in the web at its free end opposite the base by a notch introduced into the sheet, where the receiving portion is shaped to receive the frame legs of the first solar element. Different from the prior art, no other components are required at the support element when fastening the solar element, which significantly makes the installation of the solar element (such as on a roof) easier. In addition, the receiving portion for the solar element can be introduced into the sheet of the web in a relatively reproducible manner. For example, the notch can be cut out (such as punched out) in the sheet before the sheet is formed into a profiled sheet by sheet forming, which results in a stable and relatively cost-effective support element. The support element according to the invention is thus not only relatively simple to operate, but also outstanding due to its low-cost manufacturing and stability. This is the case, for example, if the profiled sheet is a steel profiled sheet.

[0006] If the sheet section of the web projects outward from the sheet edge at the free end of the web and together with the sheet edge forms the receiving portion, the structure of the support element can be further simplified. In addition, due to its outwardly projecting design, the sheet section makes it easier to arrange the support element in the notch. Thus, the installation of the solar element is particularly user-friendly.

[0007] In order to further simplify the support element structurally, the sheet section is designed, for example, in an L-shape.

[0008] By forming at least one outwardly projecting first toothing in the receiving portion by the sheet edge, the solar element can be fixed, for example, against being pulled out in the receiving portion.

[0009] If, for example, two first toothings have different toothing heights from each other, solar elements of different sizes can thereby be fixed in the receiving portion. Corresponding to the thickness of the frame legs of the solar element, two toothings or at least one of these toothings engage over the frame legs and thereby fix the solar element to the support element. Here, it can be envisaged that at least one toothing is pressed into the frame leg.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, the toothing height of the first toothing closest to the receiving portion opening of the receiving portion can be lower than that of the first toothing following behind it. In this way, this additional first toothing can clamp the frame leg stably in the receiving portion in a manner more independent of the wall thickness. Thereby, the stability of the support element can be further increased.

[0011] Preferably, the outwardly protruding sheet section forms a second toothing at its head end, so that the frame leg can be more firmly fixed in the receiving part on two opposite planar sides by means of interlocking (Verkrallen).

[0012] If the first toothing and the second toothing are designed, for example, to clamp the frame leg received by the receiving part of the solar element, the frame leg can be held more firmly in the receiving part.

[0013] For example, the sheet edge extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction of the web extends at an angle in the receiving part and / or extends into the receiving part at an angle. This can first correctly align the received solar element, which can further facilitate the installation of the solar element. In this regard, an angle in the range of 5 degrees to 15 degrees may be outstanding. Preferably, the angle is 10 degrees.

[0014] Preferably, each sheet section has a first sub-section extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective web and a second sub-section adjoining the first sub-section, and the second sub-section has a course inclined towards the sheet edge.

[0015] If the first sub-section and / or the second sub-section extends substantially linearly, the structure of the support element can be further simplified in the region of the receiving part.

[0016] If, for example, the receiving part widens at least sectionally, in particular continuously, in terms of the receiving part width from its receiving part opening to its receiving part stop, this can further facilitate the placement of the frame leg in the receiving part. If, for example, the support element has more than one receiving part, each of these receiving parts widens at least sectionally, in particular continuously, in terms of the receiving part width from its receiving part opening to its receiving part stop.

[0017] If the support element consists of a U-shaped sheet profile, the manufacture of the support element can be further simplified. In addition, if the two profile legs of the U-shaped sheet profile form a first web with a first receiving part and a second web with a second receiving part, and both receiving parts are aligned in the same direction to receive the frame leg of the first solar element, then with this profile shape, the fastening of the solar element at the support element can be further improved. First, the mechanical load during the support of the solar element can be distributed onto the two receiving parts, which can further improve the stability of the support element.

[0018] Furthermore, the support element can also be designed, for example, to support two solar elements. For example, this is achieved by forming a third receiving portion by the first web and a fourth receiving portion by the second web, wherein the third receiving portion and the fourth receiving portion are respectively aligned in a direction opposite to another receiving portion arranged on the corresponding web and are designed to receive the frame legs of another second solar element. Thereby, a widely applicable support element can be obtained.

[0019] By arranging the receiving portions at the same height when viewed from the base, for example, the operation when setting the frame legs in the corresponding receiving portions can be further improved. The support element can thus make the installation of the solar elements easier.

[0020] By forming the receiving portions of the respective webs by notches that are respectively centered at the free ends of the two webs and are inverted T-shaped in cross-section, the manufacture of the support element can be made particularly easy, which also results in a relatively inexpensive and firm support element.

[0021] The support element according to the invention can be outstanding especially when used in an arrangement having at least one solar element (in particular a solar module and / or a solar collector), wherein the solar element has a frame with frame legs. For this purpose, the frame legs extend into at least one receiving portion of the support element. For example, the support element can be particularly arranged in the center of the frame in order to be able to firmly carry, as a central support (Mittelstütze), for example, a relatively high snow load on the solar element. The solar module can be, for example, a PV module.

[0022] The support element according to the invention or an arrangement having the support element can be particularly suitable for a solar installation. Description of the Drawings

[0023] In the drawings, the subject matter of the invention is shown in detail, for example, according to an embodiment variant. Among them: Figure 1 A side view of a solar installation with two solar elements is shown, wherein the two solar elements are pressed against the support element. Figure 2 Shows according to Figure 1 A reduced view of the support element shown. Figure 3 Shows according to Figure 2 A front view of the support element shown. Figure 4 Shows according to Figure 2 An enlarged view of the receiving portion of the support element shown. Figure 4a Shows according to Figure 4 An enlarged view of the toothing of the receiving portion according to, and Figure 5 shows a partially depicted perspective schematic view of a solar device according to Figure 1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] According to Figure 1 and Figure 5 , a solar device 1 is shown, which includes at least two first solar elements 2 and second solar elements 3 each designed as solar modules (i.e., PV modules), and a support element 4. The solar elements 2, 3 have frames and are also often referred to as framed solar elements 2, 3. For these solar elements and especially for framed solar modules, it is common that frame legs 12a project freely from the frame 12 at the bottom side of the solar elements 2, 3, more precisely, the frame flanges point inward laterally. Thus, the solar element 2 can be installed in a covered manner. For the solar elements 2, 3, aluminum profile frames are mostly used as the frame 12.

[0025] The support element 4 made of metal has a base 5, which forms a bearing surface for the support element 4 on a substrate 6. In addition, the support element 4 has a first web 7 protruding from the base 5 at the height of the support element 4, which forms a support for the first solar element 2 and the second solar element 3.

[0026] According to the invention, the support element 4 consists of a plate-shaped profile (i.e., a steel plate profile), which makes the support element relatively firm and thus stable in the face of any loads (such as wind loads, snow loads, environmental influences, etc.). Advantageously, the profile bottom plate of the plate-shaped profile forms the base 5 and its profile legs form the first web 7. The first web 7 has a first receiving portion 10a at its free end 9 opposite the base 5. The first receiving portion 10a is formed by a notch introduced into the plate. For example, the first receiving portion 10a is cut out (such as punched out, cut out by laser, etc.) from the plate of the plate-shaped profile.

[0027] Furthermore, it can be observed in Figure 1 and Figure 4 that the first receiving portion 10a is formed such that it can receive the frame legs 12a of the frame 12 of the solar element 2, which encloses the solar cell 13. Since the support element 4 is designed as a plate-shaped profile, the first receiving portion 10a is relatively firm against deformation and can thus stably support the received solar element 2 even under a higher load.

[0028] As Figure 4As shown in an enlarged manner in [reference], the L-shaped sheet metal section 14 of the first web 7 projects outward from the sheet metal edge 7a at the free end 9 of the web 7. The L-shaped sheet metal section 14 and the sheet metal edge 7a together form a receiving portion 10a therebetween.

[0029] In addition, the sheet metal edge 7a has two outwardly projecting first toothing portions 15a, 15b within the receiving portion 10a. These first toothing portions 15a, 15b have different toothing heights ha, hb, wherein the toothing height ha of the first toothing portion 15a closest to the receiving portion opening 16 is lower than that of the second toothing portion 15b.

[0030] In addition, the first toothing portion 15a is inclined towards the receiving portion opening 16 by its toothing head, as Figure 4a can be observed at non-uniform distributions in [reference].

[0031] In addition, the outwardly projecting sheet metal section 14 forms a second toothing portion 17 at its head end 14c. Thereby, the frame leg 12a can be clamped between the first toothing portion 15a and / or 15b and the second toothing portion 17, thus firmly holding the frame leg within the receiving portion 10a.

[0032] This can be observed, for example, in Figure 4a [reference]. The second toothing portion 15b is pressed into the frame leg 12a and is clamped within the frame leg 12a by the recess 19 formed thereby. However, it is also conceivable that the first toothing portion 15a is alternatively or additionally pressed into the frame leg 12a and is clamped within the frame leg 12a by the recess formed thereby, which is not shown.

[0033] Due to the different first and second toothing portions 15a, 15b, it is also possible to clamp frame legs 12a of different thicknesses by the receiving portion.

[0034] As shown, the toothing portions 15a, 15b are not oriented parallel to each other, but are inclined towards each other, thus increasing the wide applicability of the support element 4 for receiving various different solar elements 2, 3.

[0035] Thereby, when installing the solar elements 2, 3, they can be more easily clamped into the receiving portions 10a to 10d, because the sheet metal edge 7a extending substantially transversely to the web 7 extends within the receiving portion 10a at an inclination angle α in the range of 5 degrees to 15 degrees (such as 10 degrees).

[0036] Figure 1The first installation step can be observed at the solar element 3 shown by the dashed line. The solar element 3 is introduced into the receiving part in a substantially horizontal manner and then clamped in the receiving parts 10c, 10d of the support element 4 by being lowered to an inclination angle of 10 degrees at the opposite end (as can already be observed at the solar element 2).

[0037] In addition, each of the sheet sections 14 has a first sub-section 14a extending in the longitudinal direction L of the respective web 7 and an adjoining second sub-section 14b. The second sub-section 14b extends in a manner inclined towards the sheet edge 7a, which advantageously forms a support for clamping by the second toothing 17. All sub-sections extend substantially linearly except at their connecting fillets. From this, it follows that the receiving part 10a widens continuously in sections in terms of the receiving part width from its receiving part opening 16 to its receiving part stop 18.

[0038] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be observed in, the support element 4 consists of a U-shaped sheet-like profile. One of the two profile legs forms the first web 7 and the other forms the second web 8. The profile base of the U-shaped profile forms the base 5. The two webs 7, 8 project from the base 5 at the height H of the support element 4.

[0039] The first web 7 and the second web 8 are designed in the same way with sheet edges 7a, 8a. Thereby, the second web 8 forms a second receiving part 10b, which is the same as the first receiving part 10a. The first receiving part 10a on the first web 7 and the second receiving part 10b on the second web 8 are aligned in the same direction and both receive the frame legs 12a of the first solar element 2. This distributes the load on the two webs 7 and 8, which makes the support element 4 particularly stable.

[0040] In addition, the first web 7 forms a third receiving part 10c and the second web 8 forms a fourth receiving part 10d. The third receiving part 10c and the first receiving part 10a are arranged on the first web 7 and are aligned in the opposite direction to the first receiving part. The fourth receiving part 10d and the second receiving part 10b are arranged on the second web 8 and are aligned in the opposite direction to the second receiving part. The third receiving part 10c and the fourth receiving part 10d are designed to be mirror-symmetrical to the first receiving part 10a. Therefore, the third receiving part 10c and the fourth receiving part 10d are designed for receiving the frame legs 12b of a further second solar element 3.

[0041] In addition, when observed starting from the base 5, all the receiving parts 10a to 10d are arranged at the same height as each other, which makes it easier to install the solar elements 2, 3.

[0042] The manufacturing of the support element 4 can be particularly simplified by forming the receiving portions 10a to 10d of the respective webs 7, 8 by means of notches which are centered at the free ends 7a, 8a of the two webs 7, 8 opposite the base 5 and which are inverted T-shaped in cross-section.

[0043] The support element 4 is arranged at the higher end of the solar elements 2, 3. At the lower end of the solar elements 2, 3, a supporting backing plate 20 made of a plate-shaped profile (for example, a steel profile) can also be found, which is centered on the solar elements 2, 3 (as Figure 5 shown) and supports the solar elements 2, 3 here.

[0044] The solar elements 2, 3 are supported and held at the corners by holding elements 21, as Figure 5 can be observed. The holding elements 21 can be designed, for example, in a manner corresponding to EP3828479A1.

[0045] Generally, it can be stipulated that "more particularly" can be translated into English as "more particularly". The features following "more particularly" should be regarded as optional features, which can be discarded and thus do not constitute, for example, a limitation of the claims. The same applies to "preferably", which is translated into English as "preferably".

Claims

1. A support element made of metal, the support element being for at least one solar element (2, 3), in particular, the solar element being a solar module and / or a solar collector, the support element comprising a base (5) and at least one web (7, 8) for supporting the solar element (2, 3), the base (5) forming a bearing surface for the support element, the web (7, 8) protruding from the base (5) at the height (H) of the support element (4), characterized in that, The support element (4) consists of a plate-shaped profile, in particular a steel plate profile. The profile base plate of the plate-shaped profile forms the base (5), and the profile legs of the plate-shaped profile form the webs (7, 8). The webs (7, 8) have at least one receiving portion (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) at the free ends (9) of the webs opposite the base (5). The receiving portion is formed by a notch introduced into the plate, wherein the receiving portion (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) is formed for receiving the frame legs (12a, 12b) of the solar element (2, 3).

2. The support element according to claim 1, characterized in that, The plate section (14) of the webs (7, 8) projects outward from the plate edges (7a, 8a) at the free ends (9) of the webs (7, 8) and together with the plate edges (7a, 8a) forms the receiving portion (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d). In particular, the plate section (14) is L-shaped.

3. The support element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The plate edges (7a, 8a) form at least one outwardly projecting first toothing (15a, 15b) within the receiving portion (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d).

4. The support element according to claim 3, characterized in that, The two first toothings (15a, 15b) have different toothing heights (ha, hb) from each other, and / or the first toothing (15a) closest to the receiving opening (16) of the receiving portion (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) is lower in terms of the toothing height (ha) than the first toothing (15b) following the first toothing (15a).

5. The support element according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The outwardly projecting plate section (14) forms a second toothing (17) at the head end (14c) of the plate section.

6. The support element according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first toothing (15a, 15b) and the second toothing (17) are designed to clamp the frame legs (12a, 12b) of the solar element (2, 3) received by the receiving portion (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d).

7. The support element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The plate edges (7a, 8a) extending substantially transversely to the longitudinal direction (L) of the webs (7, 8) extend within the receiving portion (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) at an inclination angle (α) and / or extend into the receiving portion. In particular, the inclination angle (α) is in the range of 5 degrees to 15 degrees.

8. The support element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The plate sections (14) each have a first sub-section (14a) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the respective web (7, 8) and a second sub-section (14b) connected to the first sub-section. The second sub-section has a trend inclined towards the plate edge (7a, 8a).

9. The support element according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first sub-section (14a) and / or the second sub-section (14b) extends substantially linearly.

10. The support element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The receiving portions (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) widen at least in sections in the width of the receiving portion from the receiving opening (16) of the receiving portion to the receiving stop (18) of the receiving portion. In particular, the receiving portions (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) widen continuously in the width of the receiving portion from the receiving opening (16) of the receiving portion to the receiving stop (18) of the receiving portion.

11. The support element according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The support element (4) consists of a U-shaped sheet-like profile, and the two profile legs of the sheet-like profile form a first web (7) with a first receiving portion (10a) and a second web (8) with a second receiving portion (10b). The first receiving portion (10a) and the second receiving portion (10b) are both aligned in the same direction to receive the frame legs (12a, 12b) of the first solar element (2, 3).

12. The support element according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first web (7) forms a third receiving portion (10c) and the second web (8) forms a fourth receiving portion (10d). The third receiving portion (10c) and the fourth receiving portion (10d) are aligned in a direction opposite to that of the other receiving portions (10a, 10b) arranged on the respective webs (7, 8) and are designed to receive the frame legs (12a, 12b) of the second solar element (2, 3).

13. The support element according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, Viewed from the base (5), the receiving portions (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) are arranged at the same height as each other.

14. The support element according to any one of claims 11, 12 and 13, characterized in that The receiving portions (10a, 10b; 10c, 10d) of the respective webs (7, 8) are formed by notches that are each centered at the free ends (9) of the two webs (7, 8) and are inverted T-shaped in cross-section.

15. A solar energy device (1) or arrangement having at least one solar element (2, 3), in particular a solar module and / or a solar collector, the solar element having a frame (12) with frame legs (12a, 12b) and having a support element (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in particular the support element (4) being arranged centrally in the frame (12), wherein, The frame legs (12a, 12b) extend into at least one of the receiving portions (10a, 10b, 10c, 10d) of the support element (4).

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