Deployable chassis for solar panels

Abstract

The invention relates to a deployable chassis (1) for solar panels, characterised in that it comprises:-a set of frames (3), each frame being arranged to accommodate a solar panel; -a set of hinges (4) connecting the frames to each other in order to allow the chassis to be manipulated between a folded position in which the frames are arranged in close contact with each other, and an unfolded position; in the unfolded position, the frames extend adjacent to each other, each of the frames comprises at least two adjusting mechanisms (7) which are respectively arranged at at least two adjacent corners of the frame, each adjusting mechanism connecting two edges (8) of the frame, and the adjusting mechanisms (7) are arranged at the two adjacent corners of the frame. And arranged to allow adjustment of the position of the two edges relative to each other along at least one longitudinal or transverse axis of the frame.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a deployable chassis for solar panels. BACKGROUND

[0002] Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic modules, are devices that convert sunlight into usable electrical energy. They are composed of solar cells, usually made of silicon, that capture solar energy and convert it into direct current electricity. Solar panels are widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications for the production of renewable energy.

[0003] Solar panels can be installed on a chassis.

[0004] Chassis for solar panels are structures that support and secure solar panels in place. They are designed to ensure the stability and durability of solar panels and facilitate their installation and maintenance.

[0005] In the prior art, chassis for solar panels can be of fixed design. They can allow the inclination angle of the solar panels to be modified in order to optimize their orientation towards the sun. Some chassis are also equipped with a sun tracking mechanism that automatically adjusts the angle of the solar panels to follow the trajectory of the sun throughout the day.

[0006] Chassis for solar panels can be designed in a modular manner, that is to say that they comprise a set of frames that are assembled with each other according to the application.

[0007] One drawback of current chassis is that they are specifically adapted to a particular type of solar panel, in particular having a specific size. In order to be able to manage the installation of different types of solar panels, it is therefore necessary to have different chassis models. This in particular increases the manufacturing and storage costs.

[0008] In addition, the technology of solar panels is constantly evolving, leading to variations in the size of solar panels every few months.

[0009] Therefore, for a current chassis that is specifically adapted to a given size of solar panel, it is necessary to maintain a certain number of solar panel stock over time in order to be able to replace them in case of damage or defect.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a deployable chassis for solar panels that is easy to deploy and fold and that can adapt to different sizes of solar panels. SUMMARY

[0011] These objectives, as well as others that will become clear hereafter, are achieved by means of a deployable chassis for solar panels, characterized in that it comprises: - a set of frames, each frame being arranged to house a solar panel; - a set of hinges connecting said frames to each other so as to allow said chassis to be manipulated between a folded position, in which said frames are arranged in close proximity to each other, and an unfolded position, in which said frames extend adjacent to each other, Each of said frames comprises at least two adjustment mechanisms, said adjustment mechanisms being respectively arranged at at least two adjacent corners of said frame, each adjustment mechanism connecting two edges of said frame and being arranged to allow adjusting the position of said two edges relative to each other along at least one longitudinal or transversal axis of said frame.

[0012] Each of said frames can comprise four adjustment mechanisms, said adjustment mechanisms being respectively arranged at four corners of said frame.

[0013] Each adjustment mechanism can be arranged to allow adjusting the position of said two edges relative to each other along a longitudinal axis and a transversal axis of said frame.

[0014] Each adjustment mechanism can be in the form of a gusset arranged inside said frame, two perpendicular side portions of the gusset being respectively fixed to two corresponding edges of the frame.

[0015] Each edge of the frame can comprise a set of threaded holes at each of its ends.

[0016] The fixing between each side portion of the gusset and said corresponding edge of the frame can be achieved by means of a threaded assembly comprising at least one screw intended to cooperate with one of said threaded holes.

[0017] The threaded assembly can comprise a plurality of screws intended to cooperate with a plurality of threaded holes.

[0018] The chassis can comprise a set of support legs deployable under said frames when said chassis is in the unfolded position.

[0019] The chassis can comprise feet.

[0020] The chassis can comprise wheels arranged to be located under the chassis when said chassis is in the folded position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The application will be better understood by reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given as a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and with reference to the attached drawings, in which: - [ Figure 1 ] is a perspective view of a deployable chassis for solar panels according to one embodiment of the application; - [ Figure 2 ] is a perspective view of a frame of the chassis of [ Figure 1Similar view in which the solar panels are mounted on the chassis; - [ Figure 3 ] is a view of the chassis in the folded position in [ Figure 1 ] and - [ Figure 4 ] is a perspective view of the frame of the chassis in [ Figure 1 ]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] 1. Chassis

[0023] [ Figure 1 ] illustrates an expandable chassis 1 for solar panels 2.

[0024] The chassis 1 is intended to facilitate the installation and setting of the solar panels 2 in order to optimize their performance. The chassis 1 can be made of aluminum or galvanized steel, which gives it corrosion resistance and structural strength. The chassis 1 can also be made of stainless steel or, alternatively, of plastic, for example of the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) type.

[0025] The chassis 1 is modular. In other words, the chassis 1 comprises a set of frames 3 assembled to each other. Each frame 3 has a rectangular shape and is arranged to house a solar panel 2. Figure 2 ] illustrates the chassis 1 equipped with solar panels 2.

[0026] The chassis 1 comprises a set of hinges 4 connecting the frames 3 to each other. For example, the hinges 4 are hinge joints.

[0027] The hinges 4 allow the chassis 1 to be maneuvered between a folded position in which the frames 3 are arranged in close proximity to each other ([ Figure 3 ] and an unfolded position in which the frames 3 extend adjacent to each other ([ Figure 1 ] and [ Figure 2 ].

[0028] The chassis 1 preferably comprises a set of support legs 5 deployable under the frames 3 when the chassis 1 is in the unfolded position. The support legs 5 allow the height and angle of the frames 3, and therefore of the panels 2, to be set in order to adjust the inclination of the solar panels 2 for better capture of solar energy.

[0029] The chassis 1 can comprise feet 11. The feet 11 can alternatively be expandable and foldable. For example, the feet 11 can be made of steel or aluminum, or galvanized steel, or stainless steel or plastic.

[0030] The feet 11 provide stability to the system, but can also be fixed to the ground if necessary, in particular in the presence of wind.

[0031] The feet 11 also allow, depending on their geographical location, to provide more options for tilting the panel 2.

[0032] In a variant not shown, the chassis 1 can not comprise feet 11 but wheels arranged under the chassis 1 when the latter is in the folded position. For example, the wheels are arranged under the central beam 6 of the chassis 1.

[0033] In the example shown in [ Figure 1 ] to [ Figure 3 ], the chassis 1 comprises four frames 3 aligned with each other. Adjacent frames 3 are fixed to each other via hinges 4.

[0034] However, different configurations can be provided. In particular, the number of frames 3 is not limited. Moreover, the frames 3 are not necessarily all aligned. Thus, a chassis 1 having a shape and a number of frames 3 adapted to the needs and / or the application can be obtained.

[0035] 1. Frame

[0036] With reference to [ Figure 4 ], the frame 3 of the chassis 1 will be described in more detail hereafter. The other frames 3 can be manufactured in a similar way.

[0037] The frame 3 has a rectangular shape and comprises at least two adjustment mechanisms 7 arranged at at least two adjacent corners of the frame 3, respectively.

[0038] Each adjustment mechanism 7 connects the two edges 8 of the frame 3 at their respective ends. In other words, the two edges 8 of the frame 3 are fixed to each other via the adjustment mechanisms 7 to form a corner of the frame 3.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, each adjustment mechanism 7 has a gusset shape arranged inside the frame 3. The two vertical sides of the gusset 7 are fixed to the two corresponding edges 8 of the frame 3, respectively.

[0040] Each edge 8 of the frame 3 comprises a set of threaded holes 9 at each of its ends. Each side of the gusset 7 also comprises a set of threaded holes 10 of corresponding diameter.

[0041] The fixing between each side of the gusset 7 and the corresponding edge 8 of the frame 3 is achieved by a threaded assembly comprising at least one screw intended to be screwed into the holes 10 of the gusset 7 and the holes 9 of the corresponding edge 8 of the frame 3.

[0042] Preferably, the threaded assembly comprises a plurality of screws intended to be screwed into a plurality of holes 10 of the gusset 7 and a plurality of holes 9 of the corresponding edge 8 of the frame 3, respectively. The use of a plurality of screws enables to achieve a rigid connection between the adjustment mechanism 7 and the frame 3. This feature is particularly advantageous when the chassis 1 comprises support legs 5 exerting a tilt on the frames 3, so that the chassis 1 is not deformed.

[0043] Thus, each adjustment mechanism 7 allows to adjust the position of the two edges 8 relative to each other along at least one longitudinal axis and / or transversal axis of the frame 3.

[0044] When the frame 3 comprises only two adjustment mechanisms 7, the size of the frame 3 can be adjusted along an axis perpendicular to the axis passing through the two adjustment mechanisms 7.

[0045] Thus, preferably, the frame 3 comprises four adjustment mechanisms 7, arranged respectively at the four corners of the frame 3.

[0046] The presence of four adjustment mechanisms 7 allows to adjust the width and the length of the frame 3.

[0047] The different adjustment mechanisms 7 must be adjusted relative to each other in order to maintain the rectangular shape of the frame 3.

[0048] Thus, the frame 3 can be adapted to solar panels of different sizes.

[0049] 1. Operating method

[0050] The method steps to adapt the frame 3 to a solar panel 2 having a specific size are described hereafter.

[0051] The method comprises a step of determining the size, such as the length and the width, of the solar panel 2.

[0052] Then, the method comprises a step of loosening the screws of the corresponding adjustment mechanisms 7 on the frame 3.

[0053] Next, the method comprises a step of positioning the different edges 8 of the frame 3 relative to the adjustment mechanisms 7 in order to adjust the size of the frame 3. This step comprises aligning the holes 9 of the frame 3 with the holes 10 of the gusset 10 in order to obtain the desired size of the frame 3.

[0054] Then, the method comprises a step of tightening the screws to obtain the frame 3 of the desired size.

[0055] It should be noted that the settings applied to the different adjustment mechanisms 7 must be consistent in order to maintain the rectangular shape of the frame 3.

[0056] The solar panel 2 can then be installed in the frame 3.

[0057] Thanks to these adjustment mechanisms 7, the frame 3 can thus be adapted to solar panels 2 of different sizes, enabling a customized installation.

[0058] The operation of the chassis 1 is described hereafter starting from the folded state of the chassis 1.

[0059] In this folded state, the chassis 1 is positioned in the desired location. This positioning can be performed by carrying the chassis 1. Alternatively, when the chassis 1 comprises wheels, these can allow the chassis 1 to roll, which can facilitate its movement.

[0060] Then, the frame 3 is unfolded around the hinges 4 to deploy the chassis 1.

[0061] Next, the support legs 5 are unfolded to fix the inclination of the solar panels 2.

[0062] From this state, when the user wishes to fold the chassis 1, he folds the support legs 5 along the corresponding frames.

[0063] Then, the side frames 3 are folded against the central frame 3 and the entire assembly is folded to form a compact assembly.

[0064] The chassis 1 can then be easily moved for transport or storage.

Claims

1. A deployable chassis (1) for a solar panel (2), characterized in that, The chassis includes: - A set of frames (3), each frame arranged to accommodate a solar panel. A set of hinges (4) connects the frames to each other to allow the chassis to be maneuvered between a folded position and an unfolded position, in which the frames are arranged close together. In the unfolded position, the frames extend adjacent to each other. Each frame in the frame includes at least two adjustment mechanisms (7), which are respectively arranged at at least two adjacent corners of the frame. Each of the adjustment mechanisms connects to two edges (8) of the frame and is arranged to allow adjustment of the position of the two edges relative to each other along at least one longitudinal or transverse axis of the frame.

2. The chassis according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each frame (3) in the frame includes four adjustment mechanisms (7), which are respectively arranged at the four corners of the frame.

3. The chassis according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the adjustment mechanisms (7) is arranged to allow adjustment of the position of the two edges (8) relative to each other along the longitudinal axis of the frame (3) and along the transverse axis of the frame (3).

4. The chassis according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Each of the adjustment mechanisms (7) is in the form of a corner brace and is arranged inside the frame (3). The two vertical sides of the corner brace are respectively fixed to the two corresponding edges (8) of the frame.

5. The chassis according to claim 4, characterized in that, Each edge (8) of the frame (3) includes a set of threaded holes (9) at each end.

6. The chassis according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fixing of each side of the gusset to the corresponding edge (8) of the frame (3) is achieved by a threaded assembly comprising at least one screw designed to engage with one of the threaded holes (9).

7. The chassis according to claim 6, characterized in that, The threaded assembly includes a plurality of screws designed to engage with a plurality of the threaded holes (9).

8. The chassis according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Includes a set of support legs (5), which can be deployed below the frame (3) when the chassis (1) is in the deployed position.

9. The chassis according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Includes support legs (11).

10. The chassis according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Includes wheels, which are arranged below the chassis (1) when the chassis is in the folded position.

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