Positioner for fixing photovoltaic panel on purline

Abstract

A positioner (100) for fixing a photovoltaic panel (200) on a purline (300), comprising a main bulkhead (110) which can be inserted for its installation into a longitudinal slot (310) of the purline (300), and comprising a projection (120) which extends perpendicularly thereto from an upper portion of both faces of the main bulkhead (110) forming a cross with the main bulkhead (110), and in the operation position of the positioner (100), the protruding part is supported on the flange of the purline (300).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of devices or accessories for installing photovoltaic panels, and more specifically, to a component that makes it easier to position a photovoltaic panel during the installation of the photovoltaic panel on a supporting purlin. Background Art

[0002] In the field of photovoltaic panels, among the supports intended to be in direct contact with said panels, there are so-called fixed purlins, which are profiles partially arranged below the frame of the panel, extending along the frame of the panel and having a longitudinal slot opening at the top (i.e. the part where the frame of the panel is locally supported). These purlins are in turn fixed to a stronger structural support, for example, in the case of solar trackers, to a frame structure connected to the axis of rotation. As mentioned above, in the type of purlins to which the present invention relates, their longitudinal slots are directed upwards (in the operating position) and form through holes or openings in the bottom of said slots, through which fixing means are passed to firmly attach the purlin to the frame structure connected to the axis of rotation.

[0003] After the purlins have been fixed to the structural supports, the rectangular photovoltaic panels must be arranged to be supported with their frames longitudinally on said purlins, so the panels must be temporarily held in this position in some way until they have been fixed by screws, rivets or any other suitable means. Due to the weight and size that solar panels may reach, which makes their handling difficult, some positioning devices will be suitable to make it easier to temporarily hold the panels while they are firmly fixed to the corresponding purlins.

[0004] The utility model provides a positioning element for this purpose, so that the installer can manually place it on the purlin and thus simply have a device that makes it difficult for the photovoltaic panel to move when it is fixed. As will be seen, the positioner takes advantage of the structural and shape characteristics of the purlin system to achieve stable positioning. In addition, it is a relatively easy to handle and manufacture component, making it an ideal choice for use and sale in the field. The component can also be reused. Utility Model Content

[0005] Taking into account the defects and objectives mentioned in the previous section, the object of the present invention is a positioner for fixing photovoltaic panels on purlins. The positioner includes a main partition (which may have a substantially rectangular shape) that can be inserted into the longitudinal slots of the purlins used to fix the panels to the rotating profiles for installation; thus, the main partition will be supported on one side of its profile on the bottom of the longitudinal slots of the corresponding purlins, establishing an insertion stop with the bottom of the longitudinal slots. Preferably, it is installed as a snap fit, and the thickness of the partition is approximately equal to the thickness of the longitudinal slots. The positioner will also include two protrusions, which are perpendicular to the main partition and protrude outward from the upper part of the two faces of the main partition, respectively, so that, viewed from above, the central partition and the two protrusions form a cross. In the operating position, that is, when the positioner is placed to position the photovoltaic panel, the two protrusions will be supported on the flanges of the purlins.

[0006] That is, the present invention provides a new type of positioner for fixing a photovoltaic panel on a purlin, wherein the positioner comprises: a main partition, which can be inserted into the longitudinal slot of the purlin to install it in the longitudinal slot of the purlin; and comprises a protrusion, which extends vertically from the upper part of the two faces of the main partition and the main partition, forming a cross together with the main partition, and in the operating position of the positioner, the protrusion is supported on the flange of the purlin.

[0007] In this way, the locator is mounted so that, when the solar panel has been positioned against the locator, the locator creates a positioning stop for the solar panel in order to secure the solar panel to the purlin.

[0008] According to one feature of the utility model, one side of the main partition acts as a base, which will be supported at the bottom of the longitudinal slot of the purlin. This base includes a recess at its end, so that the base portion between the two recesses will be accommodated between the fixing elements of the purlin protruding upward from its base, that is, the fixing device protruding upward will act as a stop, so that the positioner will not move longitudinally along the purlin.

[0009] The fixing means used for the depression of the central partition for retaining it in the slot of the purlin are preferably fixing screws or bolts, or fixing washers or washers corresponding to the screws or bolts and protruding from the bottom of the slot.

[0010] According to another feature of the invention, the face of the main bulkhead may include a protrusion (at least one) for snap-fitting against the inner wall of the slot and thereby reducing possible play in the slot of the purlin and thereby better stabilizing the position of the locator in the slot.

[0011] Preferably, the projections are sized such that the main bulkhead (and hence the retainer assembly) is snap-fit ​​into the slots in the purlins.

[0012] Another characteristic of the invention relates to the fact that the protrusions extend from top to bottom along one or both sides of the central partition and from the lower part or base of the mentioned protrusions.

[0013] According to another feature of the invention, the distance between the base of the projection and the base of the main partition is equal to the height or depth of the slot of the purlin; thus, the retainer is supported on the edge of the slot and at its bottom.

[0014] According to another feature of the utility model, the locator includes some through holes or slots in its upper part, which can be arranged in the area of ​​the protrusion and / or the main partition, so that after the corresponding panel is fixed, it is easier to retrieve the locator from the slot by hand or any slender tool or small tool passing through the above-mentioned holes or slots.

[0015] According to another feature of the present invention, the material of the positioner may include plastic, more preferably polyamide and / or polyethylene.

[0016] Finally, although not exclusively, it is preferred that the positioner of the present invention is made as a single component.

[0017] In other words, the present utility model seeks protection for the following preferred technical solutions:

[0018] Preferably, the base of the main partition comprises corresponding recesses at its ends, whereby, for mounting the main partition, the length of the base between said recesses is equal to or smaller than the spacing between two corresponding fixing elements of the purlin protruding from the bottom of the longitudinal slot.

[0019] Preferably, at least one of the faces of the main partition comprises at least one protrusion for snap-fitting with a corresponding inner wall of the longitudinal slot.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one projection comprises a vertical longitudinal projection on each face of the main partition and extends from the base of each projection.

[0021] Preferably, there is a rounded recess at the intersection between the protrusion and the main partition.

[0022] Preferably, the positioner further comprises at least one hole and / or at least one through groove in the upper portion of the main partition and / or the protruding portion.

[0023] Preferably, the material of the retainer is plastic.

[0024] Preferably, the material of the retainer is polyamide and / or polyethylene.

[0025] Preferably, the retainer is a one-piece component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings illustrate one embodiment of the photovoltaic panel positioner of the present invention by way of non-limiting example.

[0027] Figure 1 It is a top perspective view of installing a photovoltaic panel on a supporting structure using the positioner of the utility model.

[0028] Figure 2 1 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a positioner for fixing a photovoltaic panel according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Bottom perspective view of the base station.

[0030] Figure 4 It is a top view of the positioner of the utility model located between two photovoltaic panels and on the supporting purlin.

[0031] Figure 5 is with Figure 4 The components shown in FIG. 1 correspond to a top perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In the following detailed description, specific details are set forth by way of example to help interpret the scope of the claims with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings can be put into practice without using these details or modifying them without affecting the scope defined by the claims.

[0033] Figure 1 A positioner 100 for a photovoltaic panel 200 according to the present invention is shown, which is arranged on a fixed purlin 300. As can be seen in the said figure, the panel 200 includes a frame, which partially overlaps the purlin 300 to be fixed thereto by screws, rivets, etc. The purlin 300 is in turn fixed to a lower support structure, which can be, for example, a structure corresponding to a solar tracker with a rotation axis. This type of purlin 300 also includes a longitudinal slot 310 with a bottom 320. As described below, the positioner 100 of the present invention is assembled in this slot 310, supported on the bottom 320 in one embodiment, and the latter is also used to attach the purlin 300 to the support structure.

[0034] Figure 1 The positioner 100 used in the installation can be Figure 2 and Figure 3 The positioner 100 comprises a main diaphragm 110 which, in a preferred embodiment, may be a generally rectangular member such that its base (lower portion) is supported in the operating position on the bottom 320 ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). This part of the main partition 110 must be narrow enough to be accommodated in the narrow groove 310, but as described later, it may have technical features to stabilize this position in the narrow groove 310. In addition, each protrusion 120 extends perpendicularly to the main partition 110 from both sides thereof to obtain a cross shape, which is used to accommodate the corners of the photovoltaic panel 200. The protrusion 120 must extend from the upper part of the partition 110 at a certain height so that when the positioner 100 (specifically, the lower part of the partition 110) is placed on the latter (purlin 300), the protrusion can be supported on the flange of the purlin 300. In this way, the lower part of the main partition 110 is retained in the narrow groove 310 and its upper part protrudes out of the narrow groove 310, as is the protrusion 120, obtaining a positioning crosshead for the panel 200, so that the solar panel 200 will slide on the purlin 300 with its frame until the corner of the solar panel 200 rests on the locator 100 and is positioned, and the frame will then be screwed to the purlin 300.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the positioner 100, the main partition 110 includes a recess 140 at its end, which can be Figure 2 and Figure 3 140 . These recesses 140 are provided to leave space below them for fixing elements 410, 420, which space can be used to fix the purlin 300 to the lower supporting structure. The essence of this technical feature is that the length of the base portion of the main partition 110 that remains between two recesses 140 is equal to or less than the spacing between two consecutive fixing elements 410, 420; in this way, this portion of the main partition 110 will be clamped between the two mentioned elements 410, 420, thereby stabilizing its position in the longitudinal direction. These fixing elements 410, 420 can be bolts 410, screws, rivets, washers 420, washers, etc., that is, any fixing element 410, 420 that protrudes from the bottom 320 of the narrow slot 310 and is used to abut against the vertical part of the corresponding recess 140. In another example of this embodiment, the main partition 110 may include a single recess 140.

[0036] In order to make it easier to stabilize the retainer 100 in the slot 310 in a direction perpendicular to the main partition 110, the latter (main partition) may include one or more protrusions 130 which, when projecting outwards and abutting against the vertical inner wall of the slot 310, prevent the retainer 100 from tilting or becoming unstable in this direction. In a preferred embodiment of this feature, there are two such protrusions 130, one on each face of the main partition 110, and they extend vertically from the base of the protrusion 120 (optionally, as an extension thereof, as shown in the figures) to the base of the main partition 110. These protrusions 130 can be as thick as possible, as long as such thickness allows relatively simple insertion and extraction of the retainer 100 relative to the slot 310, since in most cases these locations are difficult for an operator to reach. In a particular case, the protrusions 130 are sized so that they can be snap-fitted (by friction of their surfaces against the inner wall of the slot 310) into the purlin 300.

[0037] In relation to the above, the locator 100 may also include a hole 150 or a slot in its upper portion to more easily remove the locator from the corresponding slot 310 by hand or an elongated implement or tool that can pass through the hole 150 or slot. The number of holes 150 or slots may vary from one to several. This feature also makes it easier to place the locator 100 at a new location on the same purlin 300 or on another purlin to install a new solar panel 200. The hole 150 or slot may be configured in an extension of the main partition 110 (which is shown in the figure), in an extension of one or both protrusions 120, only in the upper portion of the central partition 110 and / or the upper portion of the protrusion 120, or in any combination of the above positions. Preferably, the locator 100 also includes at least one hole 150 and / or at least one through slot in the upper portion of the main partition 110 and / or the protrusion 120.

[0038] The preferred material for the retainer 100 is plastic, more preferably polyamide or polyethylene, and these materials can be included in the retainer 100 alone or in combination. In an example of one embodiment of the present invention, all corners of the retainer 100 include rounded recesses 160 to avoid accidental scratching of the coating or other parts or supporting structures of the panel 200, and to allow some flexibility to make insertion easier. Preferably, there is a rounded recess 160 at the intersection between the protrusion 130 and the main partition 110.

[0039] Preferably, the positioner 100 is made in the form of a single component (integral), but other embodiments are allowed that comply with the technical characteristics claimed in this document, for example, a part in the form of a main partition 110 and a second part in the form of a protrusion 120, which can be firmly connected to each other by pressure, by clicking or other appropriate mechanisms.

Claims

1. A positioner (100) for fixing a photovoltaic panel (200) on a purlin (300), characterized in that: The positioner (100) includes: a main partition (110), which can be inserted into the longitudinal slot (310) of the purlin (300) to install it in the longitudinal slot (310) of the purlin (300); and includes a protrusion (120), which extends vertically from the upper part of the two faces of the main partition (110) and the main partition (110), forming a cross together with the main partition (110), and in the operating position of the positioner (100), the protrusion is supported on the flange of the purlin (300).

2. The positioner (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base of the main partition (110) includes corresponding recesses (140) at its ends, so that, in order to install the main partition, the length of the base between the recesses (140) is equal to or less than the spacing between two corresponding fixing elements of the purlin (300) protruding from the bottom (320) of the longitudinal slot (310).

3. The positioner (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: At least one of the faces of the main partition (110) includes at least one protrusion (130) for snap-fitting with a corresponding inner wall of the longitudinal slot (310).

4. The positioner (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that: At least one protrusion (130) comprises a vertical longitudinal protrusion on each face of the main partition (110) and extends from the base of each protrusion (120).

5. The positioner (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: A rounded recess (160) is provided at the intersection between the protrusion (130) and the main partition (110).

6. The positioner (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The positioner (100) further comprises at least one hole (150) and / or at least one through groove in the upper portion of the main partition (110) and / or the protruding portion (120).

7. The positioner (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The material of the positioner (100) is plastic.

8. The positioner (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The material of the retainer (100) is polyamide and / or polyethylene.

9. The positioner (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The positioner (100) is a single-piece component.

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