Positioning element for mounting frame of photovoltaic panel on purline

Abstract

A positioning element (5) for mounting a frame (4.1) of a photovoltaic panel (4) on a purline (3.1), comprising a body (5.1) mountable between a flange (4.2) of the frame (4.1) and a lower surface of the photovoltaic panel (4) wherein the body (5.1) comprises an elastic arm (5.2) having a lug (5.1. 1) mountable in a fixing hole (6.1) of the frame (4.1) for fixing it to the purline (3.1), the frame (4.1) is provided with at least one lug (5.2. 1), the lug (5.2. 1) is arranged on the flange (3.2) of the purline (3.1), so that when the frame (4.1) is positioned on the flange (3.2) of the purline (3.1) and the frame (4.1) is slid on the purline (3.1), the lug (5.2. 1) is transferred from a bending position to an operating position, and in the operating position, the lug (5.2. 1) is inserted into the fixing hole (6.2) of the purline (3.1) and the fixing hole (6.1) of the frame (4.1) is aligned with the fixing hole (6.2) of the purline (3.1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the industry of solar trackers specifically for photovoltaic panels, and more particularly to elements designed to facilitate positioning of photovoltaic panels during installation of the photovoltaic panels in a solar tracker. Background Art

[0002] Currently, it is well known that photovoltaic panels are mounted together on a solar tracker, which is a structure constructed so that the photovoltaic panels rotate around a rotation axis mounted thereon by a fixing device, so that sunlight always hits the surface of the photovoltaic panel in a manner as vertical as possible, increasing the generation of electricity.

[0003] A fixing device for fixing the photovoltaic panel on a corresponding rotation axis, such as the fixing device disclosed in patent ES2740049B2, generally includes a purlin, which is an Ω-shaped profile, wherein each flange of the purlin is arranged below and along the flange of the frame of the photovoltaic panel.

[0004] In these cases, once the fixing means have been secured to the above-mentioned rotation axis, the photovoltaic panels must be aligned longitudinally with their frames resting on the purlins so that the panels must be temporarily held in this position in some way before being secured by fixing means (such as screws, rivets, etc.).

[0005] To this end, both the flanges of the frame of the photovoltaic panel and the flanges of the purlins comprise corresponding fixing holes which must be aligned during installation for fixing the frame to the corresponding purlin by means of fixing means.

[0006] Due to the weight and size that photovoltaic panels may have, mounting said panels on the purlins is very complicated, requiring several operators, which in turn affects the installation costs.

[0007] Furthermore, the difficulty in holding and aligning the photovoltaic panel may lead to accidents, such as the photovoltaic panel falling to the ground (with the corresponding risk of breaking the photovoltaic panel), or injury to the operator himself.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for a positioning device for facilitating temporary fixing of the photovoltaic panel while the photovoltaic panel is securely fastened to the corresponding purlin. Utility Model Content

[0009] In order to achieve this goal and solve the technical problems discussed so far, in addition to providing additional advantages that can be obtained later, the utility model provides a positioning element for mounting a frame of a photovoltaic panel on a purlin, the positioning element comprising a body that can be mounted between a flange of the frame and a lower surface of the photovoltaic panel, wherein the body comprises an elastic arm having a lug that can be mounted into a fixing hole of the frame for fixing it to the purlin, so that when the frame is positioned on the flange of the purlin and the frame is slid on the purlin, the lug changes from a bent position to an operating position, in which the lug is inserted into the fixing hole of the purlin and the fixing hole of the frame is aligned with the fixing hole of the purlin.

[0010] This positioning element thus facilitates the positioning and alignment of the purlins of the frame and fixtures of the photovoltaic panel during installation, thereby reducing the time required to carry out the installation (and correspondingly reducing the costs) and reducing the likelihood of accidents that could occur during the installation process and that could cause damage to the operator and the different elements of the solar tracker.

[0011] The lower surface of the photovoltaic panel is understood to mean the surface of the photovoltaic panel located at the opposite end of the surface on which sunlight must strike in order for the photovoltaic panel to generate electricity.

[0012] The bent position of the lug is understood to mean the position where the lug is inserted into the fixing hole of the frame of the photovoltaic panel but abuts against the flange of the purlin, causing the elastic arm to deform.

[0013] Likewise, the operating position of the lug is understood to mean the position in which the lug is inserted into the fixing holes of the frame of the photovoltaic panel and into the fixing holes of the corresponding purlins.

[0014] Preferably, the body includes at least one horizontal extension portion, whose depth dimension is greater than or equal to the width of the flange of the frame, so that when the positioning element is installed into the photovoltaic panel frame, the horizontal extension portion forms a stop with the frame itself, making it easier to insert the lug into the fixing hole of the frame.

[0015] The depth dimension of the horizontally extending portion is understood to mean the vertical distance from the body to the end of the horizontally extending portion that is farthest from the body.

[0016] Likewise, the width of a flange of a frame is understood to mean the vertical distance between the remainder of the frame and the end of the flange furthest from the frame.

[0017] Preferably, the horizontal extension includes a recess that abuts against the flange of the frame, and its depth dimension is equal to the width of the flange of the frame, so that during the process of installing the positioning element into the frame of the photovoltaic panel, the recess acts as a stop against the flange of the frame, making installation easier.

[0018] The depth dimension of the recess is understood to mean the vertical distance between the end of the horizontal extension furthest from the body and the end of the recess furthest from said end of the horizontal extension.

[0019] Preferably, the horizontal extension comprises a plurality of ribs for mounting between a flange of the frame and a lower surface of the photovoltaic panel, thereby reducing the weight of the positioning element relative to a completely solid horizontal extension.

[0020] Preferably, the body comprises a lower protrusion abutting against the flange of the purlin, so that during the sliding of the frame on the flange of the purlin (wherein the positioning element is embedded), the lower protrusion abuts against the flange of the purlin as a stopper, making it easier to slide the frame on the purlin, thereby making installation easier.

[0021] The lower protrusion is understood to mean a protrusion extending from the body of the positioning element in a direction perpendicular to and opposite to the lower surface of the photovoltaic panel when the positioning element is in the operating position.

[0022] Preferably, the lower protrusion comprises at least one protrusion which, in the operating position, clamps the flange of the frame and / or the flange of the purlin, which allows the protrusion to act as a vertical stop with the flange of the frame and / or the flange of the purlin when the positioning element is installed in the frame and the frame is slid on the flange of the purlin, preventing the positioning element from being accidentally disengaged, making installation easier.

[0023] Likewise, this configuration allows that once the lugs are installed into the corresponding fixing holes of the frame and purlin, the protrusions help prevent the positioning elements from accidentally becoming disengaged, making installation easier.

[0024] Preferably, the positioning element is made of a plastic material, which enables elastic deformation of the entire positioning element, which makes its mounting and dismounting relative to the frame of the photovoltaic panel easier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of a solar tracker with a positioning element object of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 2 A side view of the fixture is shown.

[0027] Figure 3 A preferred exemplary embodiment of a positioning element is shown in a perspective view.

[0028] Figure 4 A side cross-sectional view showing the installation of a positioning element into the frame of a photovoltaic panel.

[0029] Figure 5 A perspective view showing the installation of a positioning element into the frame of a photovoltaic panel.

[0030] Figure 6 A side cross-sectional view of the positioning element is shown in a bent position.

[0031] Figure 7 A side cross-sectional view of the positioning element is shown in an operative position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the solar tracker 1 may include a rotating shaft 2, at least one fixing device 3 is fixed on the rotating shaft 2, and at least one photovoltaic panel 4 is also fixed on the rotating shaft 2, so that when the rotating shaft 2 is rotated around its longitudinal axis, the photovoltaic panel 4 is caused to rotate, so that sunlight always shines on the surface of the photovoltaic panel 4 in a manner as vertical as possible.

[0033] The photovoltaic panel 4 comprises a frame 4 . 1 at its ends, whereby it is fixed to the purlins 3 . 1 of the fixing device 3 .

[0034] like Figure 2 As shown, the purlin 3.1 has an inverted Ω-shaped cross section, that is, the purlin 3.1 has a U-shaped cross section with two flanges 3.2, and the two flanges 3.2 extend vertically from the ends of the U-shaped cross section.

[0035] Likewise, the frame 4.1 of the photovoltaic panel 4 comprises flanges 4.2 configured for longitudinal fixing to the flanges 3.2 of the purlin 3.1.

[0036] The fixing and alignment between the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 and the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1 is achieved by at least one fixing device, which passes through at least one fixing hole 6.1 of the frame 4.1 and one fixing hole 6.2 of the purlin 3.1, for example, the fixing can be done by screws.

[0037] Figure 3 A preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown, namely a positioning element 5 for facilitating the fixing and alignment of a flange 4.2 of a frame 4.1 with a flange 3.2 of a purlin 3.1.

[0038] The positioning element 5 comprises a body 5.1, which can be installed between the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 and the lower surface of the photovoltaic panel 4. Preferably, the body 5.1 is in the form of a sheet.

[0039] Extending from the body 5.1 are resilient arms 5.2 which have the ability to resume their original extension and shape once the force causing the deformation ceases.

[0040] The elastic arm 5.2 comprises a lug 5.2.1 at its end remote from the body 5.1, which lug can be mounted in the fixing hole 6.1 of the frame 4.1 and in the fixing hole 6.2 of the purlin 3.1.

[0041] Similarly, the main body 5.1 includes at least one horizontal extension 5.4, whose depth dimension is greater than or equal to the width of the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1, so that when the positioning element 5 is installed in the frame 4.1 of the photovoltaic panel 4, the horizontal extension 5.4 acts as a stopper with the frame itself 4.1, making it easier to insert the lug 5.2.1 into the fixing hole 6.1 of the frame 4.1.

[0042] Preferably, the lug 5.2.1 is located at a distance from the end of the horizontal extension 5.4 farthest from the body 5.1, so that when said end of the horizontal extension 5.4 contacts the frame 4.1, the lug 5.2.1 is at a distance from the frame 4.1, where the corresponding fixing hole 6.1 of the frame 4.1 is located.

[0043] Preferably, the height of the horizontal extension 5.4 is equal to or slightly smaller than the distance between the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 and the photovoltaic panel 4, which allows the body 5.1 of the positioning element 5 to be installed between the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 and the lower surface of the photovoltaic panel 4, making installation easier.

[0044] The height of the horizontal extension 5.4 may be understood to mean the distance between the surface of the horizontal extension 5.4 in contact with the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 during installation and the surface closest to the photovoltaic panel 4.

[0045] The horizontal extension 5.4 may include a recess 5.4.1 for abutting against the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1, so that during the installation of the positioning element 5 into the frame 4.1 of the photovoltaic panel 4, the recess 5.4.1 abuts against the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1, making alignment and installation easier. In addition, it is also considered to make the depth dimension of the horizontal extension 5.4 equal to the width of the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1, so that the horizontal extension itself 5.4 abuts against the frame 4.1 as a stop, making installation easier.

[0046] Preferably, the recess 5.4.1 has a height equal to the height of the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 so that when the positioning element 5 is in the operating position, the horizontal extension 5.4 contacts the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1 and the recess 5.4.1 contacts the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1, making installation easier.

[0047] Likewise, the horizontal extension 5.4 comprises at least one void forming a plurality of ribs 5.4.2 for mounting between the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 and the lower surface of the photovoltaic panel 4, thereby reducing the weight of the positioning element 5 relative to a completely solid horizontal extension 5.4.

[0048] Preferably, the rib 5.4.2 is transverse relative to the body 5.1 and relative to the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 and the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1 when the positioning element 5 is in the operating position, i.e. when the lug 5.2.1 is inserted into the fixing hole 6.2 of the purlin 3.1 and the fixing hole 6.1 of the frame 4.1.

[0049] More preferably, the horizontal extension 5.4 comprises at least two ribs 5.4.2 connected to each other by a wall 5.4.3, said wall 5.4.3 being transverse to said ribs 5.4.2, the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 and the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1, providing greater rigidity to the ribs 5.4.2 once the purlin 3.1, the frame 4.1 and the positioning element 5 are in the operating position.

[0050] Furthermore, the body 5.1 comprises a lower protrusion 5.3 which abuts as a stop against the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1 so that during sliding of the frame 4.1 (in which the positioning element 5 is mounted) thereon, the lower protrusion 5.3 abuts as a stop against the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1.

[0051] The lower protrusion 5.3 comprises at least one protrusion 5.3.1 which, in the operating position, clamps the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 and / or the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1, allowing the protrusion 5.3.1 to act as a vertical stop with the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 and / or with the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1 when the positioning element 5 is installed in the frame 4.1 and the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 slides on the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1, preventing the positioning element 5 from being accidentally disengaged and making installation easier.

[0052] Preferably, the protrusion 5.3.1 is V-shaped and extends along the lower protrusion 5.3, making it easier to slide the positioning element 5 on the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 until the lug 5.2.1 enters the fixing hole 6.1 of the frame 4.1.

[0053] In order to use the present positioning element 5 to help install the frame 4.1 of the photovoltaic panel 4 on the purlin 3.1, first, install the positioning element 5 into the frame 4.1, slide the positioning element 5 along the length of the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 until the lug 5.2.1 enters the fixing hole 6.1 of the frame 4.1, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown.

[0054] Next, the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 is positioned on the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1 so that the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1 contacts the lug 5.2.1, pushing the lug 5.2.1 and deforming the elastic arm 5.2, so that the positioning element 5 is in a bent position, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 shown.

[0055] Subsequently, the flange 4.2 of the frame 4.1 slides longitudinally on the flange 3.2 of the purlin 3.1, wherein the V-shaped protrusion 5.3.1 also performs this longitudinal sliding, until it becomes easier to insert the lug 5.2.1 into both the fixing hole 6.1 of the frame 4.1 and the fixing hole 6.2 of the purlin 3.1, the fixing hole 6.1 of the frame 4.1 being aligned with the fixing hole 6.2 of the purlin 3.1, so that the positioning element 5 is in the operating position, as Figure 7 shown.

[0056] It should be noted that although this preferred embodiment mentions the use of a single positioning element 5, it does not exclude the use of multiple positioning elements 5, for example, one positioning element 5 is used for each fixing hole 6.1 of the frame 4.1 corresponding to the fixing hole 6.2 of the purlin 3.1.

[0057] The positioning element 5 thus limits the movement of the photovoltaic panel 4 and its corresponding frame 4.1 relative to the fixing device 3 and its corresponding purlin 3.1, so that the operator can fix the frame 4.1 to the purlin 3.1 through the other corresponding fixing holes 6.1 of the frame 4.1 and the fixing holes 6.2 of the purlin 3.1 without inserting the positioning element 5.

[0058] Finally, the operator removes the positioning elements 5 from the frame 4.1 of the photovoltaic panel 4 and places corresponding fixing means (screws, rivets, etc.) in the fixing holes 6.1 of the frame 4.1 and in the fixing holes 6.2 of the purlin 3.1.

Claims

1. A positioning element (5) for mounting a frame (4.1) of a photovoltaic panel (4) on a purlin (3.1), characterized in that: The positioning element (5) comprises a body (5.1) which can be mounted between a flange (4.2) of a frame (4.1) and a lower surface of a photovoltaic panel (4), wherein the body (5.1) comprises an elastic arm (5.2) having a lug (5.2.1), wherein the lug (5.2.1) can be mounted in a fixing hole (6.1) of the frame (4.1) for fixing the frame to the purlin (3.1), so that when the frame is fixed to the purlin (3.1), the purlin (3.1) can be fixed to the purlin (3.1) and ... When the frame (4.1) is positioned on the flange (3.2) of the purlin (3.1) and the frame (4.1) is slid on the purlin (3.1), the lug (5.2.1) is transferred from the bent position to the operating position, in which the lug (5.2.1) is inserted into the fixing hole (6.2) of the purlin (3.1) and the fixing hole (6.1) of the frame (4.1) coincides with the fixing hole (6.2) of the purlin (3.1).

2. The positioning element (5) according to claim 1, characterized in that The body (5.1) comprises at least one horizontal extension (5.4) having a depth dimension which is greater than or equal to the width of the flange (4.2) of the frame (4.1).

3. The positioning element (5) according to claim 2, characterized in that The horizontal extension (5.4) comprises a recess (5.4.1) for abutting against a flange (4.2) of the frame (4.1).

4. The positioning element (5) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The horizontal extension (5.4) comprises a plurality of ribs (5.4.2) for mounting between the flange (4.2) of the frame (4.1) and the lower surface of the photovoltaic panel (4).

5. The positioning element (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The body (5.1) comprises a lower protrusion (5.3) for abutting against the flange (3.2) of the purlin (3.1).

6. The positioning element (5) according to claim 5, characterized in that The lower protrusion (5.3) comprises at least one protrusion (5.3.1) which, in an operating position, clamps a flange (4.2) of a frame (4.1) and / or a flange (3.2) of a purlin (3.1).

7. The positioning element (5) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The positioning element (5) is made of plastic material.

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