Combined clamp and forming method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a combined clamp and a forming method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of photovoltaic power generation. Comprising a connecting sheet, a pressing block and a buckle, the connecting piece is provided with a supporting face, and the lower side of the connecting piece is provided with a pair of downwards-bent first flanges. The pressing block comprises a connecting plate and two opposite side walls, the lower ends of the side walls extend to form second flanges, the connecting plate is provided with a pressing face, and the side walls are provided with abutting faces; the pressing block is located above the connecting piece, the two second flanges are attached to the outer sides of the two first flanges, and the two second flanges and the two first flanges are fastened through the first connecting piece; the buckle is provided with an upper plate and a lower plate, one end of the upper plate is connected with one end of the lower plate, a horizontal portion is punched on the lower plate, and the horizontal portion, the upper plate and the connecting piece are provided with connecting holes matched oppositely and provided with second connecting pieces. Three-dimensional direction limiting and dynamic self-adaptive pressing are achieved through cooperation of the connecting pieces and the pressing blocks, a double-fixing system is formed in cooperation with additional reinforcement of the buckles, and the stability is greatly improved; the buckle is integrated with the barrel with the internal threads, the number of matched parts is reduced, and installation is convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of photovoltaic power generation technology, specifically to a combined clamp and its forming method. The combined clamp is mainly suitable for fixing photovoltaic modules to the steel strands of a flexible support. Background Technology

[0002] When installing photovoltaic (PV) modules onto flexible support structures, clamps are typically used. These clamps effectively hold the PV modules in place, significantly increasing their wind resistance and ensuring a secure fixation to the support. Currently, traditional clamps are made of aluminum alloy. Aluminum alloy is expensive, and the large quantity used results in a high overall cost. Furthermore, aluminum alloy lacks sufficient toughness, making it prone to tearing under stress, especially at corners. This can lead to insufficient stability of the PV modules, causing damage or frame tearing under wind loads. The installation of traditional clamps is particularly cumbersome, requiring bolts to be inserted from the top of the PV panel downwards. Given the limited space and high clearance of flexible support structures, this necessitates working at height, especially when replacing clamps. This requires operation on the PV panels, which are very close together with minimal gaps (typically 2 cm), making it impossible to pass a hand through. Additionally, the numerous bolts used in traditional clamps have made it difficult to prevent loosening of the bolts and nuts, leading to long-term vibrations causing the nuts to loosen and fall off. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a combined clamp and its forming method. The combined clamp improves the stability of the photovoltaic module on the steel strand by pressing and limiting the frame of the photovoltaic module in multiple directions.

[0004] The present invention adopts the following technical solution: a combined clamp for holding one side of a panel on a cable, comprising: The connecting piece has a support surface for supporting the panel; The supporting surface has a pair of downwardly bent first flanges, and the two first flanges have opposing arc-shaped portions for clamping the cable. The pressure block has two opposing side walls, the upper ends of which are connected by a connecting plate; the connecting plate has a pressing surface for pressing the panel, and the side walls have a pressing surface for abutting against the side of the panel. The lower ends of the two sidewalls each have a second flange, and the two second flanges have opposing arcuate portions; The pressing surface of the pressure block is located above the supporting surface of the connecting piece, the two second flanges are attached to the outside of the two first flanges, and the two second flanges and the two first flanges are fastened together by the first connector.

[0005] Preferably, a through groove is provided on the support surface of the connecting piece; one of the second flanges of the pressure block passes through the through groove.

[0006] Preferably, one of the first flanges is connected to one side of the through groove, and the other of the first flanges is connected to one side of the support surface.

[0007] Preferably, the support surface is bent into an arc shape to cooperate with the cable at the position between the two first flanges; the arc-shaped portions of the two first flanges are connected to both sides of the arc-shaped portion of the support surface, forming an "Ω" shaped structure.

[0008] Preferably, the arcuate portions of the two second flanges are correspondingly attached to the outside of the arcuate portions of the two first flanges; The lower ends of the second flange and the first flange are provided with connecting holes. The first connector is connected to the second flange and the first flange on both sides through the connecting holes. During the connection process of the first connector, the second flange of the pressure block rotates downward around the arc-shaped part of the first flange, so that the distance between the pressing surface of the pressure block and the supporting surface of the connecting piece becomes smaller.

[0009] Preferably, the connecting plate in the pressure block extends beyond the side wall at both ends, and the portion of the connecting plate extending beyond the side wall forms the pressing surface through a bending plate; The abutting surface is formed in the middle of the sidewall by a bending plate.

[0010] Preferably, the combined fixture further includes: A snap fastener, consisting of an upper plate and a lower plate connected at one end; The lower plate has an inclined portion that is inclined to the upper plate. A horizontal portion that is connected to one side of the inclined portion is punched at the position of the inclined portion. A corresponding connecting hole is opened between the horizontal portion and the upper plate, and a second connecting member that is used in conjunction with the connecting hole is provided. The supporting surface of the connecting piece is also provided with a connecting hole that mates with the second connecting piece. The upper plate and lower plate of the buckle are respectively placed on both sides of the supporting surface, wherein the upper plate presses on the plate in the panel that is supported on the supporting surface.

[0011] Preferably, a cylinder is drawn and formed on the upper side of the connecting hole of the upper plate, and the cylinder has a thread that mates with the second connecting piece.

[0012] A forming method for manufacturing a combination fixture, characterized in that: the connecting piece, pressure block and buckle are all made of metal sheet material with anti-corrosion coating on the surface and formed by sheet metal and stamping processes.

[0013] Preferably, the connecting pieces, pressure blocks, and buckles are all made of alloy steel or carbon steel sheet material and formed by sheet metal and stamping processes. After forming, the connecting pieces, pressure blocks, and buckles are subjected to pickling, hot-dip galvanizing for corrosion protection, or Dacromet corrosion protection.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: The synergy between the connecting piece and the pressure block achieves three-dimensional positioning and dynamic adaptive clamping. Combined with the additional reinforcement of the buckle, a dual fixing system is formed, significantly improving stability. The second flange of the pressure block is elastic, allowing it to fit snugly against the first flange when the connecting piece is inserted from above, preventing it from falling off. It is also limited by the through groove on the connecting piece, eliminating the need for manual positioning and facilitating subsequent bolt tightening, thus improving the efficiency of single-person installation. The "Ω"-shaped structure (the first flange of the connecting piece and the second flange of the pressure block) elastically wraps the cable with its arc-shaped part, making it extremely difficult to loosen under the tension of the fastening bolts. When the fastening bolts are tightened, the second flange of the pressure block rotates slightly around the arc-shaped part of the first flange, reducing the distance L between the support surface and the clamping surface, forming dynamic adaptive clamping. L is the dimension that matches the thickness of the photovoltaic module. The actual design value of the combined clamp is slightly larger than L, and should be +0.2~+0.5mm. The connecting pieces, pressure blocks, and buckles can be made of zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloy, ordinary alloy steel, or carbon steel. They are formed in one piece through sheet metal and stamping, which reduces the material and processing costs of the fixtures. Among them, the buckle integrates a cylinder with internal threads, which eliminates the nuts and flat spring washers required for traditional installation, reduces the number of supporting parts, and avoids secondary repairs caused by the nuts vibrating and loosening. The superior installation method significantly improves worker efficiency, as all operations are performed below the photovoltaic panel, eliminating the need to work on the sun-receiving surface. Replacing the pressure block is also very convenient; simply slide the pressure block along the edge of the photovoltaic panel, engage it with the connecting plate, and tighten the nut. Attached Figure Description

[0015] 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.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a combined clamp according to the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is a front view of a combined clamp according to the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3 This is a right view of a combined clamp according to the present invention.

[0019] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the connecting piece in this invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the first type of pressing block in this invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of the second type of pressing block in this invention.

[0022] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of the third type of pressing block in this invention.

[0023] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the buckle in this invention.

[0024] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the panel structure in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing the usage state of the combined fixture in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 11 for Figure 10 Enlarged view of point A in the middle.

[0027] Figure 12 for Figure 11 Front view of the enlarged view at point A Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the fastening process of the connecting piece and the pressure block in this invention.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Connecting piece; 101. Support surface; 1011. Through groove; 102. First flange; 2. Pressing block; 201. Pressing surface; 202. Side wall; 203. Abutting surface; 204. Second flange; 205. Connecting plate; 3. Buckle; 301. Upper plate; 3011. Cylindrical tube; 302. Lower plate; 3021. Inclined section; 3022. Horizontal section; 4. Panel; 401. Top surface; 402. Side surface; 403. Bottom surface; 404. Inner pressure surface; 5. Cables; 6. First connecting component; 7. Second connector. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "opening", "upper", "lower", "thickness", "top", "middle", "length", "inner", "around", etc., which indicate orientation or positional relationship, are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the components or elements referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0031] Example 1: like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the present invention provides a combined clamp for holding the side edge of panel 4 on cable 5. In this embodiment, panel 4 is a photovoltaic module, and the side frame of panel 4 has a C-shaped structure, as shown... Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the side of panel 4 has a top surface 401, a side surface 402, a bottom surface 403, and an inner pressure surface 404 opposite to the bottom surface 403; the cable 5 is a steel strand of a flexible support. In this embodiment, a combination clamp is used to install the photovoltaic module onto the steel strand.

[0032] The combined clamp includes at least a connecting piece 1 and a pressure block 2; like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, with Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the main body of the connecting piece 1 is a flat plate, the upper surface of the flat plate is the support surface 101 for supporting the bottom surface 403 of the panel 4, and the flat plate has a pair of first flanges 102. The connecting piece 1 is formed by stamping and sheet metal forming. A through groove 1011 is punched downwards in the middle of the support surface 101, forming a first flange 102 that connects to the right side of the through groove 1011. The periphery of the hollowed-out through groove 1011 is closed to ensure the overall strength of the connecting piece 1. The right side of the support surface 101 bends downwards into an arc-shaped transition section, forming another first flange 102 on the right side. Opposite connecting holes are opened at the lower ends of the two first flanges 102 for installing the first connector 6.

[0033] In addition, the upper ends of the two first flanges 102 have opposing arc-shaped portions, and the arc-shaped portions of the two first flanges 102 are smoothly connected to the two sides of the arc-shaped portion of the support surface 101, so that the whole forms an "Ω" shaped structure, which can be wrapped around the cable 5. The cable 5 has various diameter specifications, so this "Ω" shaped structure needs to have a suitable curvature. In actual production, different types of stamping dies can be used to achieve this.

[0034] Combined Figure 5 As shown, the pressure block 2 includes a connecting plate 205, the two sides of the connecting plate 205 are bent downward to form two opposing sidewalls 202, and the lower end of the sidewalls 202 is bent outward to form a second flange 204. The connecting plate 205 extends beyond the side wall 202 at both ends, forming a pressing surface 201 for pressing the top surface 401 of the panel 4; furthermore, such as Figure 5 , Figure 7 As shown, the two sides of the connecting plate 205 each have a bent plate, which can be bent inward or outward to increase the area of ​​the pressing surface 201 and improve the pressing effect; of course, the bent plate at this point can also be omitted, forming Figure 6 The structure shown; The two sides of the sidewall 202 form abutment surfaces 203 for abutting against the side surface 402 of the panel 4; furthermore, such as Figure 5 As shown, the sidewall 202 has an outwardly bent plate at its edge to increase the area of ​​the abutting surface 203 and improve the abutting effect; similarly, the bent plate at this location can also be bent inward or omitted. The two second flanges 204 have opposing arc-shaped portions, which mate with the arc-shaped portions of the first flanges 102, for example, by using an equidistant enlargement and a mating method with a small gap; when the two second flanges 204 are inserted into the outer side of the two first flanges 102 from above, the elasticity of the second flanges 204 can keep them from falling off, facilitating subsequent operations; opposing connecting holes are opened at the lower ends of the two second flanges 204 for installing the first connector 6.

[0035] When using; like Figures 10 to 12 As shown, the two first flanges 102 of the connecting piece 1 are wrapped around the cable 5; The supporting surface 101 of the connecting piece 1 supports the bottom surface 403 of the panel 4; The pressure block 2 is inserted from above the connecting piece 1. The second flange 204 on the left side of the pressure block 2 passes into the through groove 1011 of the connecting piece 1. The two second flanges 204 fit together and adhere to the outside of the two first flanges 102. The arc-shaped parts of the two second flanges 204 are tightly attached to the outside of the arc-shaped parts of the two first flanges 102. The two sides of the left second flange 204 fit together with the two sides of the through groove 1011, which restricts the relative displacement of the pressure block 2 and the connecting piece 1 in the X direction. The fit between the second flange 204 and the first flange 102 restricts the relative displacement of the pressure block 2 and the connecting piece 1 in the Y direction. The pressing surface 203 of the pressing block 2 abuts against the side surface 402 of the panel 4, and the pressing surface 201 of the pressing block 2 presses against the top surface 401 of the panel 4; The first connector 6 is a fastening bolt that passes through the connecting holes at the lower ends of the second flange 204 and the first flange 102. The fastening bolt tightens the second flange 204 and the first flange 102 on both sides. The axial force of the pre-tightening bolt is converted into the wrapping force of the "Ω" shaped structure. The elastic resistance of the "Ω" shaped structure makes the second flange 204 and the first flange 102 fastened to the cable 5, which is extremely difficult to loosen. Additionally, during the tightening process, such as Figure 13 As shown, as the lower ends of the second flanges 204 on both sides gradually converge inward, the second flanges 204 will gradually rotate downward around the arc-shaped part of the first flange 102 and deform. This deformation is not large, but it is enough to reduce the distance L between the pressing surface 201 of the pressure block 2 and the supporting surface 101 of the connecting piece 1, so that the pressing surface 201 and the supporting surface 101 will gradually press the panel 4. In this embodiment, in the free state of the combined fixture, the designed height of L is 0.2~0.5mm greater than the thickness of the photovoltaic module.

[0036] Example 2: Based on the above embodiment one, combined with Figures 1 to 3 , Figure 8 , Figures 10 to 12 As shown, the combination clamp also includes a buckle 3, which can further secure the panel 4.

[0037] The buckle 3 is integrally formed by sheet metal and stamping, including an upper plate 301 and a lower plate 302 connected at one end. The connecting end of the upper plate 301 and the lower plate 302 is formed by bending on both sides, at least one of which is arc-shaped. The non-connecting end of the upper plate 301 and the lower plate 302 is bent into a rounded end to facilitate insertion of the buckle 3. Moreover, the upper plate 301 and the lower plate 302 are elastic due to the bending process, eliminating the need for traditional flat spring pads and simplifying the installation steps.

[0038] In this embodiment, the lower plate 302 has an inclined portion 3021 that is inclined to the upper plate 301. The middle part of the inclined portion 3021 is punched upward to form a horizontal portion 3022 that is connected to one side of the inclined portion 3021. The horizontal portion 3022 is parallel to the upper plate 301, which makes it easier to fit the plate to be clamped and improves stability. The horizontal portion 3022 and the upper plate 301 have corresponding connecting holes for installing the second connector 7.

[0039] In addition, a cylinder 3011 is formed by stretching upward at the connection hole of the upper plate 301. The cylinder 3011 has an internal thread that mates with the second connector 7, eliminating the cumbersome steps of traditional installation that require additional nuts and avoiding the problem of additional nuts easily vibrating, loosening and falling off.

[0040] Combination Figures 8 to 12 As shown, the supporting surface 101 of the connecting piece 1 has two connecting holes respectively located on both sides of the through groove 1011, and the lower side plate of the panel 4 also has corresponding connecting holes; in order to facilitate docking, the connecting holes of the two are preferably elongated holes. When using; First, install the connecting piece 1 and the pressure block 2 as in Example 1; The buckle 3 is snapped into the connecting piece 1 and the panel 4. Specifically, the lower plate 302 of the buckle 3 is located below the support surface 101 of the connecting piece 1, and the upper plate 301 of the buckle 3 is located on the inner pressure surface 404 of the panel 4. The second connecting piece 7 is a bolt. The bolt passes through the lower plate 302, the support surface 101, and the inner pressure surface 404 from below, and is threaded into the cylinder 3011 on the upper plate 301, pressing and securing the buckle 3, the panel 4, and the connecting piece 1.

[0041] Example 3: Based on the above embodiment 2, this embodiment provides a method for forming a combined fixture; The connecting piece 1, pressure block 2, and buckle 3 in the combined fixture are made of a metal sheet with an anti-corrosion coating, such as zinc-aluminum-magnesium alloy. The metal sheet is formed into the connecting piece 1, pressure block 2, or buckle 3 through sheet metal and stamping processes. In this embodiment, the stamping process is completed in a continuous process by using a multi-station die or progressive die to perform operations such as punching, trimming, bending, stretching, and stamping, and finally forming the connecting piece 1, pressure block 2, or buckle 3.

[0042] Metal sheet metal parts can also be made of materials without anti-corrosion coatings, such as ordinary alloy steel or carbon steel; after being formed according to the same sheet metal and stamping process, they are then pickled, hot-dip galvanized for corrosion protection, and cooled.

[0043] In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "an embodiment," "example," "specific example," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

Claims

1. A combination clamp for holding one side of a panel (4) onto a cable (5), Its features are, include: The connecting piece (1) has a support surface (101) for supporting the panel (4). The support surface (101) has a pair of downwardly bent first flanges (102), and the two first flanges (102) have opposing arc-shaped portions for clamping the cable (5); The pressure block (2) has two opposing side walls (202), and the upper ends of the two side walls (202) are connected by a connecting plate (205); the connecting plate (205) has a pressing surface (201) for pressing the pressing surface (201) plate, and the side wall (202) has an abutting surface (203) for abutting against the side of the panel (4). The two sidewalls (202) each have a second flange (204) at their lower ends, and the two second flanges (204) have opposing arcuate portions; The pressing surface (201) of the pressure block (2) is located above the supporting surface (101) of the connecting piece (1), and the two second flanges (204) are attached to the outside of the two first flanges (102). The two second flanges (204) and the two first flanges (102) are fastened together by the first connector (6).

2. The combined clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: A through groove (1011) is provided on the support surface (101) of the connecting piece (1); one of the second flanges (204) of the pressure block (2) passes through the through groove (1011).

3. A combined clamp according to claim 2, characterized in that: One of the first flanges (102) is connected to one side of the through groove (1011), and the other of the first flanges (102) is connected to one side of the support surface (101).

4. A combined clamp according to claim 3, characterized in that: The support surface (101) is bent into an arc shape between the two first flanges (102) to cooperate with the cable (5); the arc-shaped parts of the two first flanges (102) are connected to the two sides of the arc-shaped part of the support surface (101), forming an "Ω" shaped structure.

5. A combined clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The arcuate portions of the two second flanges (204) are correspondingly attached to the arcuate portions of the two first flanges (102); The lower ends of the second flange (204) and the first flange (102) are provided with connecting holes, and the first connector (6) is connected to the second flange (204) and the first flange (102) on both sides through the connecting holes; During the connection process of the first connector (6), the second flange (204) of the pressure block (2) rotates downward around the arc of the first flange (102), which makes the gap between the pressing surface (201) of the pressure block (2) and the supporting surface (101) of the connecting piece (1) smaller.

6. A combined clamp according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connecting plate (205) in the pressure block (2) extends beyond the side wall (202) at both ends, and the part of the connecting plate (205) extending beyond the side wall (202) forms the pressing surface (201) through the bending plate; The abutting surface (203) is formed in the middle of the side wall (202) by a bending plate.

7. A combined clamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The combined fixture also includes: The buckle (3) has an upper plate (301) and a lower plate (302) connected at one end; The lower plate (302) has an inclined portion (3021) that is inclined to the upper plate (301). A horizontal portion (3022) that is connected to the inclined portion (3021) on one side is punched at the position of the inclined portion (3021). A corresponding connecting hole is opened between the horizontal portion (3022) and the upper plate (301), and a second connecting member (7) that cooperates with the connecting hole is provided. The connecting plate (1) also has a connecting hole on its supporting surface (101) that cooperates with the second connecting piece (7). The upper plate (301) and lower plate (302) of the buckle (3) are respectively placed on both sides of the supporting surface (101), wherein the upper plate (301) presses on the plate in the panel (4) that is supported on the supporting surface (101).

8. A combined clamp according to claim 7, characterized in that: The upper plate (301) has a cylinder (3011) stretched and formed on the upper side of the connecting hole, and the cylinder (3011) has a thread that mates with the second connecting piece (7).

9. A forming method for manufacturing the combined fixture according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connecting piece (1), the pressure block (2) and the buckle (3) are all made of metal sheet material with anti-corrosion coating on the surface and formed by sheet metal and stamping processes.

10. A forming method for manufacturing the combined fixture according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connecting piece (1), the pressure block (2) and the buckle (3) are all made of alloy steel or carbon steel plate material and formed by sheet metal and stamping process. After forming, the connecting piece (1), the pressure block (2) and the buckle (3) are pickled and hot-dip galvanized for corrosion protection.

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