Positioning system for fixing solar panel

Abstract

A positioning system for a solar panel (3) for subsequently fixing the solar panel (3) to a stringer (2) fixed to a rotating shaft (1) of a solar tracker, the solar panel (3) being fixed by means of fixing a flange of a frame (3.1) of the solar panel (3) to a flange of the stringer (2.1), the positioning system comprising a positioning element, the positioning element (4) is supported on the rotating shaft (1) in the operating position and can be fixed at the intersection point between the stringer (2) and the rotating shaft (1), the positioning element (4) comprises at least one extension (4.2), and the at least one extension (4.2) is configured to extend from the stringer (2) to the rotating shaft (1) after the solar panel (3) slides on the stringer (2). A positioning stop of the solar panel (3) is established in a predetermined position by an inner corner of the frame (3.1) abutting the extension (4.2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the assembly and positioning of the panel of a photovoltaic module in a solar energy device, wherein the panel of the photovoltaic module is arranged on a spar, and the spar is usually anchored relative to a support structure by means of a rotating shaft. A positioning system is proposed, which allows the panel of the photovoltaic module to be correctly and quickly fixed on the spar during assembly, improving the assembly work of applicable devices. Background Art

[0002] A solar energy device for producing electric energy using solar energy includes a panel made of photovoltaic modules in a component surrounded by a peripheral frame. The panel of the photovoltaic module is usually arranged in a rotating component on a support structure by means of a rotating shaft so that the panel is oriented to follow the sun in order to obtain maximum solar energy. In this arrangement, the solar panel is fixed to a support (referred to as a spar), and the support is anchored in a mooring component on the rotating shaft.

[0003] When installed on the spar, the panel of the photovoltaic module is fixed by means of screws, rivets or any other conventional method through the peripheral frame of the panel. However, the arrangement of the panel of the photovoltaic module in this component must be completed in a manner necessary for correct installation, which requires operation time and slows down the assembly of applicable devices. Therefore, it is desirable to use some devices that allow streamlining the assembly of the panel of the photovoltaic module on the support spar.

[0004] During assembly, the solar panel must be manually placed and adjusted until it is in the desired position. At this time, the solar panel will be held until the operator starts to fix the solar panel to the spar. This manual system wastes time because it depends on expertise or previous measurements of distances and markings on the spar. In addition, depending on atmospheric conditions such as low light, the operation difficulty increases.

[0005] For the above reasons, a solution is needed to provide a reference system for a solar tracker and / or a belt during the installation of the solar tracker. Summary of the Utility Model

[0006] In order to achieve this objective and solve the technical problems discussed so far, and to provide additional advantages that can be obtained later, the present utility model relates to a positioning system for fixing a solar panel, which is used to subsequently fix the solar panel on a spar fixed to the rotating shaft of a solar tracker. The solar panel is fixed by fixing the flange of the solar panel frame to the flange of the spar. The positioning system includes a positioning element, which is supported on the rotating shaft in its operating position and can be fixed at the intersection between the spar and the rotating shaft. The positioning element includes at least one extension portion, and the at least one extension portion is configured such that after the solar panel slides on the spar, a positioning stop of the solar panel is established at a predetermined position by the inner corner of the frame abutting against the extension portion.

[0007] The operating position can be understood as the position where the positioning element is installed to achieve its function of positioning the solar panel. Therefore, the positioning element is supported on the rotating shaft to be fixed at the intersection between the spar and the rotating shaft, so that the extension portion is positioned such that when the solar panel slides on the spar, when the corresponding corner of the solar panel frame contacts its inner surface, a displacement limit marking the positioning of the solar panel is established, making the screw holes on the panel frame face the fixing holes made on the spar, and then it can be ensured that the solar panel is correctly positioned and fixed.

[0008] This configuration facilitates assembly, streamlines the installation work, and provides greater safety for the operator, because the solar panel can be more easily handled by simply sliding the solar panel to the limit position where it contacts the extension portion of the positioning element.

[0009] According to the features of the present utility model, the positioning element includes a displacement stop in the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft and a displacement stop in the longitudinal direction of the spar, which position the positioning element at a predetermined position. The positioning system includes a detachable anchoring device for fixing the positioning element at the predetermined position on the spar and / or the rotating shaft.

[0010] The predetermined position can be understood as the position where the extension portion of the positioning element is positioned at an exact position to establish the positioning stop of the solar panel. Therefore, once the positioning element is supported on the rotating shaft, it will shift to the intersection with the spar until the displacement stop in the longitudinal direction contacts the spar. In addition, the additional stop establishes a displacement limit in the longitudinal direction of the spar, such that the extension portion of the positioning element remains at the predetermined position. Next, in order to fix the position, the detachable anchoring device is used to fix the positioning element on the spar and / or the rotating shaft to prevent it from leaving the predetermined position.

[0011] Preferably, a displacement stop in the longitudinal direction of the spar will be established by a first channel for fitting a positioning element, which, in addition to positioning, allows the positioning element to slide after it is supported on the rotation axis and restricts its movement in the longitudinal direction of the spar, which will be reinforced by the anchoring device. That is to say, the positioning element includes a first channel for fitting on the rotation axis and forming a displacement stop in the longitudinal direction of the spar.

[0012] Preferably, the displacement stop in the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis is constituted by the wall or protrusion of the positioning element. Thus, when the displacement element preferably contacts the protrusion that establishes the positioning limit, the displacement element will be positioned so that the extension does not interfere with the flange of the spar.

[0013] According to another feature of the present utility model, the extension of the positioning element extends laterally to the rotation axis and has a protrusion transverse to the rotation axis, and a positioning stop is established by the contact of the protrusion with at least one inner surface of the frame and / or the contact of the extension with at least one flange of the frame.

[0014] In this way, the extension protrudes from the rotation axis, exceeding the flange of the spar and the flange of the frame fixed to the spar, and the protrusion is located on these two elements. Therefore, the positioning stop can be established by the contact of the extension with the edge of the flange of the frame, and the contact of the protrusion with the inner surface of the frame, or by the contact of the protrusion with the two inner surfaces of the corner of the frame.

[0015] According to the feature of the present utility model, the anchoring device is at least one lower arm of the positioning element and an anchoring element that can be fixed on the lower arm. The at least one lower arm is used to buckle the spar at the lower part, and the anchoring element is used to prevent the positioning element from moving in the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis and / or the longitudinal direction of the spar.

[0016] Once the positioning element is positioned, the lower arm buckles the spar at its lower part until it exceeds the spar. Subsequently, with the help of the anchoring element that can be fixed on the lower arm, the positioning element is wedged to prevent its movement in the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis. Since the lower arm itself can prevent the positioning element from shifting vertically, its degree of freedom is restricted. It is also considered that alternatively or in combination with the displacement stop in the longitudinal direction of the spar of the positioning element, the anchoring element restricts the movement of the spar in the longitudinal direction. Preferably, the anchoring element includes a second channel for fitting on the rotation axis and forming a displacement stop in the longitudinal direction of the spar. That is to say, this last movement restriction will be established by the second channel for fitting the anchoring element on the rotation axis.

[0017] The anchoring element will preferably be in the form of a plate, having at least one groove for fitting onto the lower arm, and the lower arm includes a protrusion for anchoring the positioning element. Preferably, the positioning element includes two lower arms, one on each side of the axis of rotation, and the anchoring element has at least one groove at each end for fixing onto each lower arm.

[0018] Preferably, the anchoring element has a U-shaped cross-section, that is, the anchoring element will be U-shaped and in an inverted U-shaped position, such that it has grooves at each end of the U-shape, which allows for establishing various anchoring measurements together with the lower arms depending on the width measurement of the spar. It is also contemplated that it can be W-shaped or have other configurations, which allow the fixing to be adjusted while providing rigidity.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present utility model, the positioning element consists of two parts, each part including a corresponding extension, and the extension is configured to establish a positioning stop for the corresponding solar panel.

[0020] Due to this configuration, after fixing the positioning element, one solar panel and an adjacent solar panel can be slid onto the positioning stops, thereby reducing the assembly time.

[0021] Preferably, the positioning element and / or the anchoring element are in the form of a bent sheet. This configuration facilitates manufacturing, and the actual structure of the sheet itself will be strong enough to withstand the impact of the solar panel during its displacement when its freedom of movement is restricted.

[0022] Therefore, a positioning system is obtained that allows the solar panel to be correctly positioned on the axis of rotation and the spar, and to be subsequently fixed in a simple, rapid, and reliable manner. Description of the Drawings

[0023] Figure 1 A perspective view of the positioning element with the anchoring device in the assembled position with the axis of rotation, the spar, and the frame is shown;

[0024] Figure 2 An exploded view of the assembly of the positioning element and the anchoring device on the axis of rotation and the spar is shown;

[0025] Figure 3 A perspective view of the assembly of the positioning element is shown, where the frame is fixed to the spar;

[0026] Figure 4 A perspective view of the positioning element and the anchoring element on the axis of rotation is shown;

[0027] Figure 5 A perspective view of the two-piece positioning element in the assembled position with the axis of rotation, the spar, and the frame is shown;

[0028] Figure 6 An exploded view of a two-piece positioning element with an anchoring device is shown;

[0029] Figure 7 A perspective view of a two-piece positioning element with an anchoring device located on the axis of rotation is shown;

[0030] Figure 8 A perspective view of the two-piece positioning element in the assembled position is shown, and the two-piece positioning element establishes a stop, and each stop is established by different corners of the frame. Detailed Description

[0031] In view of the above figures and according to the reference numerals used, one can observe in them the preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the exemplary embodiments include the components and elements indicated and described in detail below.

[0032] In Figure 2 an example of the actual exemplary embodiment of the positioning system that is the object of the present invention can be seen. It can be observed from the figure how the fixture has fixed the spar (2) on the axis of rotation (1); at this time, the solar panel (3), and specifically the frame of the solar panel (3), must be fixed to the spar (2). For the said fixing, the positioning system of the present invention will be used beforehand.

[0033] Therefore, from Figures 1 to 4 the actual example, it can be seen that the positioning system includes a positioning element (4), which is preferably in the form of a curved sheet with a central wall and protrusions (4.4) on each side, and the protrusions (4.4) are the components that establish the displacement stop of the positioning element (4) in the direction of the axis of rotation.

[0034] The positioning element (4) includes a first channel (4.5) on its central wall, so that the positioning element (4) first leans against the axis of rotation (1), is assembled on the axis of rotation (1) through the first channel (4.5), and it can be displaced in the longitudinal direction of the axis of rotation (1), but its lateral movement is restricted by the first channel (4.5). Subsequently, the positioning element (4) is displaced to the intersection of the axis of rotation (1) and the spar (2), and the contact adjacency of the protrusions (4.4) is utilized. In this way, the extension (4.2) of the positioning element (4) will be positioned, protruding vertically upward, and the protrusion (4.3) protrudes along the direction towards the spar (4) through it.

[0035] Once the positioning element (4) is positioned, it will be necessary to fix it to prevent it from moving during the positioning of the solar panel (3). Therefore, as Figures 1 to 4As shown, the positioning element preferably includes two lower arm portions (4.1), which extend beyond the protrusion (4.4) and engage the girder (2) at the lower part until protruding from the other side of the girder (2), that is, the lower arm portions (4.1) have a length dimension greater than the width of the girder (2).

[0036] These lower arm portions (4.1) together with the anchoring element (5) are part of the anchoring device of the system. As can be seen from Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the anchoring element (5) is a plate with an inverted U-shaped cross-section, including slots (5.1) at both ends for fitting onto the lower arm portions (4.1). Thus, once the positioning element (4) is positioned and the lower arm portions (4.1) protrude from the other side of the girder (4) (as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 4 ), the anchoring element (5) is lowered until it is fitted onto the two lower arm portions (4.1) using the slots (5.1), such that the movement of the positioning element (4) in the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis (1) is restricted, and furthermore, using the lower arm portions (4.1), the movement in the vertical direction is restricted, thereby restricting all degrees of freedom of movement of the positioning element (4) and positioning the protrusion (4.3) at a predetermined position for positioning the solar panel (3).

[0037] According to an alternative design, the anchoring element (5) includes a second channel (5.2) equivalent to the first channel (4.5) of the positioning element (4). This second channel (5.2) additionally restricts the displacement of the positioning system (positioning element (4) plus anchoring element (5)) in the longitudinal direction of the girder (2), thereby providing higher security during fixation.

[0038] In Figure 1 , when the anchoring element (5) is fitted onto the lower arm portions (4.1), it can be seen that the lower arm portions (4.1) include protrusions (4.1.1), which are preferably in a curved form, preventing the anchoring element (5) from disengaging from the fitting.

[0039] From the above Figure 1 , it can also be seen how the fitting is carried out on the closest slot (5.1) in this case. However, the U-shaped construction with two slots (5.1) allows for versatility in use on girders with different widths, where the second slot (5.1) is used to anchor the positioning element (4) in other cases. Additionally, it is also envisaged that the anchoring element may have other configurations (such as a W-shaped cross-section or lower arm portions with multiple linearly distributed slots (5.1)), which allows for greater adjustment.

[0040] Once the positioning element (4) is positioned and fixed, the panel (3) will be supported on the flange (2.1) of the spar (2) by the flange (3.1) of the frame of the panel (3), and the protrusion (4.3) is located on these two flanges (2.1, 3.1). Subsequently, the panel (3) will be shifted until the inner corner of the frame of the panel (3) abuts against the protrusion (4.3). Thus, as Figure 3 can be seen, when both inner faces (3.2) of the frame of the panel (3) are in contact with the protrusion (4.3), the panel (3) will be positioned, and the fixing holes on the flange (3.1) of the frame of the panel (3) face the fixing holes on the flange (2.1) of the spar (2). At this time, the fixing between the panel (3) and the spar (2) can be achieved by means of screws or other mechanical fixing methods such as riveting, all of which are carried out after ensuring the correct relative position between the two elements.

[0041] It is intended that the said positioning contact of the frame of the panel (3) is also established after the contact between the extension (4.2) and the edge of the flange (3.1) of the frame and the contact between the edge of the protrusion (4.3) and the inner face (3.2) of the frame of the panel.

[0042] As Figure 8 can be clearly seen, in order to contact the right inner wall (3.2) of the frame of the panel (3), the protrusion (4.3) will include a protrusion towards the said inner wall (3.2) to avoid the width of the flange (3.1) of the frame.

[0043] In Figures 5 to 8 can be seen an alternative embodiment of the present utility model, in which the positioning element (4) is made up of two symmetrical elements (4', 4"), which together form a positioning element (4) with the same geometric shape. However, in this case, the positioning element (4) has two extensions (4.2) with their corresponding protrusions (4.3).

[0044] Therefore, the two parts (4', 4”) of the positioning element will be similarly arranged at the intersection between the spar (2) and the rotating shaft (1). Once the said parts (4', 4”) are anchored by means of the anchoring element (5), two positioning stops will be established.

[0045] As Figure 5 can be seen, in this case, due to the dimensional difference of the spar (2), the second groove (5.1) is used to assemble the anchoring element (5) on the lower arm part (4.1). The said arrangement can be seen better in Figure 7 , in which, for the sake of clarity, the spar (2) has been removed.

[0046] Finally, once the two parts (4', 4") of the positioning element have been positioned and fixed, the panel (3) will be displaced until it contacts and abuts against the protrusion (4.3) of the extension (4.2) of, for example, the left part (4'), and the panel (3) will be tightened to the girder (2). Subsequently, when the distance between the extensions (4.2) is greater than the width of the flange (3.1) of the frame, another panel (3) will be positioned adjacent to the protrusion (4.3) of the other extension (4.2), and it will then be fixed with screws.

[0047] Once the two solar panels (3) have been fixed, the removable positioning system will be removable by removing the anchoring element (5) and releasing the positioning element (4).

Claims

1. A positioning system for fixing a solar panel (3), the positioning system being used to subsequently fix the solar panel (3) to a stringer (2) fixed to the rotation axis (1) of a solar tracker, the solar panel (3) being fixed by fixing the flange of the frame of the solar panel (3) to the flange of the stringer, characterized in that The positioning system includes a positioning element, which is supported on the rotation axis (1) in its operating position and can be fixed at the intersection between the beam (2) and the rotation axis (1), and the positioning element (4) includes at least one extension (4.2), and the at least one extension (4.2) is configured to establish a positioning stop for the solar panel (3) at a predetermined position by abutting the inner corner of the frame against the extension (4.2) after the solar panel (3) slides on the beam (2).

2. The positioning system for fixing a solar panel (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The positioning element (4) comprises a displacement stop portion in the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis (1) and a displacement stop portion in the longitudinal direction of the beam (2), and the positioning element is positioned at the predetermined position. The positioning system comprises a detachable anchoring device, and the anchoring device is used to fix the positioning element (4) on the beam (2) and / or the rotation axis (1) at the predetermined position.

3. The positioning system for fixing a solar panel (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The positioning element (4) comprises a first channel (4.5), which is used to be assembled on the rotation axis (1) and to form the displacement stop portion in the longitudinal direction of the beam (2).

4. A positioning system for fixing a solar panel (3) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The displacement stop in the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis (1) is formed by a wall or a projection (4.4) of the positioning element (4).

5. The positioning system for fixing a solar panel (3) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The extension (4.2) extends transversely to the rotation axis (1) and has a protrusion (4.3) transverse to the extension (4.2), and the positioning stop is established by the protrusion (4.3) contacting at least one inner surface of the frame and / or by the extension (4.2) contacting at least one flange of the frame.

6. The positioning system for fixing a solar panel (3) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The anchoring device is at least one lower arm (4.1) of the positioning element and an anchoring element (5) that can be fixed to the lower arm (4.1), the at least one lower arm (4.1) being used to buckle the beam (2) at the lower part, the anchoring element (5) preventing the positioning element from moving in the longitudinal direction of the rotation axis (1) and / or the longitudinal direction of the beam (2).

7. The positioning system for fixing a solar panel (3) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The anchoring element (5) is in the form of a plate having at least one groove (5.1) for fitting on the lower arm (4.1), the lower arm comprising a protrusion (4.1.1) for anchoring the positioning element (4).

8. The positioning system for fixing a solar panel (3) according to claim 7, characterized in that: The anchoring element (5) has a U-shaped cross section.

9. A positioning system for fixing a solar panel (3) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that: The anchoring element (5) comprises a second channel (5.2) which is used to be mounted on the rotation axis (1) and forms the displacement stop in the longitudinal direction of the beam (2).

10. The positioning system for fixing a solar panel (3) according to claim 9, characterized in that: The positioning element (4) is formed of two parts (4', 4"), each part (4', 4") comprising a respective extension (4.2) establishing a positioning stop for the respective solar panel (3).

11. The positioning system for fixing a solar panel (3) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The positioning element (4) and / or the anchoring element (5) are in the form of a bent sheet.

Images