Mounted solar panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a mounted solar module comprising: - a solar module (1) extends over a solar module plane (E), - a substructure (2) with a rigid support structure (21) for permanent field mounting of the solar module (1) on a mounting surface (F), wherein the substructure (2) is designed with clamping connectors (20) for mechanically fixing the solar module (1) to the rigid support structure (21) of the substructure (2). According to the invention, it is provided that the clamping connectors (20) are mechanically coupled to the rigid support structure (21) via joint devices (22) consisting of at least one joint element (220), and the joint devices (22) are designed and configured to allow a rotational relative movement between the clamping connector (20) and the rigid support structure (21) about a first axis of rotation (R1), wherein the first axis of rotation (R1) is set at an angle (a) of less than five degrees to the solar module plane (E) when the solar module (1) is mounted without mechanical stress.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mounted solar module. This means that a solar module is mounted on a mechanically stable substructure for permanent fixation in the field, for example, on a roof or elevated on the ground.

[0002] Such mounted solar modules usually have: - a solar module extends over one solar module level, - a substructure with a rigid supporting structure for permanent field installation of the solar module on a mounting surface, wherein the substructure is designed with clamp connectors for mechanically fixing the solar module to the rigid supporting structure of the substructure.

[0003] The characteristic of mechanically rigid structures must be interpreted macroscopically. A rigid structure, within the meaning of the invention, is one that nevertheless undergoes movements in the millimeter range, for example, caused by wind loads. Such rigid structures are typically constructed from metallic mounting struts and mounting supports that are fixed to one another in such a way that sufficient stability in the field is ensured against the effects of weather. Attaching solar modules to structures in the form of cable structures therefore does not constitute installation on a rigid structure within the meaning of the present invention.

[0004] Solar modules mounted in this way are well-known in the art. The rigid support structures used in the field are designed to safely absorb the wind and snow loads typically encountered at the installation site, which act on the rigid support structures via the solar module. Due not least to the increasing incidence of severe weather, the risk of mechanical damage to installed solar modules in the area of ​​their clamp connectors is increasing.

[0005] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing an assembled solar module with an improved mechanical fixation of the solar module.

[0006] This object is achieved by a mounted solar module having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments emerge from the subclaims explained below.

[0007] According to the invention, the clamp connectors are mechanically coupled to the rigid supporting structure via joint devices, and the joint devices are designed and constructed to enable a rotational relative movement between the clamp connector and the rigid supporting structure about a first axis of rotation, wherein the first axis of rotation is set at an angle of less than five degrees to the solar module plane when the solar module is mounted without mechanical stress. Preferably, the angle between the first axis of rotation and the solar module plane is less than three degrees and approaches zero. A geometrically perfectly parallel alignment of the first axis of rotation to the solar module plane is not possible in practice simply because the solar module plane is not perfectly flat, but will bend slightly due to the solar module's own weight.The thermally induced contraction and expansion of the substructure and solar module also cause the solar module to regularly deform from a perfectly flat plane. The stressed angular range must therefore be considered within the framework of practically occurring measurement tolerances. Crucially, the first rotation axis enables the clamp connectors to follow bending movements of the solar module in one spatial direction. This reduces the torques acting via the clamp connector on the outer edges of the solar modules, particularly on the module glass in the clamping area of ​​unframed modules. Ideally, this achieves moment-free mounting of the solar modules. Consequently, this technical effect opens up the possibility of using thinner module glass. This leads to lighter solar modules that can still withstand larger bending radii.The forces acting on the solar module via the clamp connectors are advantageously distributed across the entire length of the solar module. In framed solar modules, this effect consequently leads to lower stresses in the glass-frame connection.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the assembled solar module is constructed such that the solar module has a rectangular shape with outer edges, and the first axis of rotation is oriented perpendicular to one of the outer edges of the solar module. In this configuration, the movable clamp connectors can accommodate bending of the solar module caused by wind and / or snow loads at the areas of the outer edges of the solar module that mechanically interact with the clamp connector. This reduces the mechanical stress on these areas.

[0009] It is further preferred that the joint devices be configured and designed in such a way that they enable a rocking movement of the clamp connectors relative to the rigid support structure about the first rotation axis (R1), which acts as the first rocking axis. The rocking movement can occur from a neutral position in two tilt directions. Depending on the bending direction of the solar module and / or support structure, an adaptation of the spatial position of the clamp connectors fixed to the rigid support structure is thus possible. This reduces the introduction of torque into the unframed, clamped, or framed edge sections of the outer edges of the solar module.

[0010] A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the joint devices are configured and designed in such a way that they enable a rotational relative movement between the clamp connector and the rigid support structure about a further rotational axis, wherein the further rotational axis is set at an angle of less than five degrees to the solar module plane when the solar module is mounted without mechanical stress. The second additional rotational axis makes it possible for the clamp connectors to adapt to two spatially differently oriented deformations of the solar modules. The above statements regarding the spatial position between the rotational axis and the solar module plane apply accordingly.

[0011] This advantageous embodiment also includes the fact that the joint devices are preferably configured and designed in such a way that they enable a rocking movement of the clamp connectors relative to the rigid supporting structure about the additional rotation axis, which acts as an additional rocking axis. The joint device is then designed as a double rocker with two rocking axes.

[0012] Particularly preferably, associated joint components of the joint devices are configured and designed such that the first rocking axis and the further rocking axis are arranged orthogonally to one another. This is particularly advantageous for rigid supporting structures that have parallel, fixed mounting rails on which solar modules with rectangular outer contours are mounted. Ideally, the first rocking axis is then oriented parallel to the mounting rails, and the further rocking axis is orthogonal to the mounting rails, with the imaginary plane spanned by the first and further rocking axes being aligned parallel to the solar module plane. If parallel alignment is not possible, the angle of incidence of the imaginary rocking axis plane to the solar module plane is in any case less than five degrees.

[0013] An alternative embodiment of the assembled solar module is characterized in that the joint devices of at least one clamp connector are configured and designed such that the associated clamp connector is mounted in a ball-and-socket manner. In addition to rotation about a first axis of rotation and a further axis of rotation, the ball-and-socket joint enables rotation about a plurality of additional axes of rotation, with all of the axes of rotation lying in an imaginary axis of rotation plane, which is ideally oriented parallel to the solar module plane or at least at an angle to the solar module plane of less than five degrees.

[0014] For all the embodiments described above, the associated joint devices are preferably configured and designed such that the rotational relative movement between the clamp connector and the rigid supporting structure occurs deformation-free by means of the joint components for the joint components. This means that no materials are used for the joint components that undergo significant plastic and / or elastic deformation to realize the relative movement between the clamp connector and the rigid supporting structure. A significant amount of plastic and / or elastic deformation within the meaning of the present invention is in the range of several millimeters.

[0015] Further properties and advantages of the assembled solar module according to the invention are explained in more detail in the context of the preferred embodiments described below.

[0016] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a mounted solar module on a rigid supporting structure of a substructure; Fig. 2a a detailed view of the joint device of a first preferred embodiment of the assembled solar module in a side view; Fig. 2b a modification of the detailed view of the joint device of the mounted solar module from Fig. 2a; Fig. 3 a detailed view of the joint device of a second preferred embodiment of the assembled solar module and Fig. 4 a detailed view of the joint device of a third preferred embodiment of the assembled solar module.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of a mounted solar module 1 with rectangular outer edges on a rigid supporting structure 21 of a substructure 2. The substructure 2 has two mounting struts 210 running parallel to each other. The mounting struts 210 are each fixed to a mounting surface F via mounting supports 211. The mounting surface F can be, for example, a sloping roof of a building or a sloping road embankment. The substructure 2 is designed in such a way that the spatial orientation of the solar module 1 mounted thereon is optimized with respect to the path of the sun.

[0018] The substructure 2 further comprises clamp connectors 20, which each encompass the solar module 1 in the area of ​​its outer edges and mechanically fix it to the clamp connectors 20. The clamp connectors 20 are positioned above the mounting struts 210 and are mechanically coupled to the rigid supporting structure 21 in the form of the two mounting struts 210 via joint devices 22. The joint devices 22 are in Fig. 1 are shown purely schematically and are explained below using three preferred embodiments Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 is explained in more detail.

[0019] Fig. Figure 2a shows the joint device 22 of a first preferred embodiment of an assembled, framed solar module 1 together with a clamp connector 20 in a side view. The joint device 22 is fixed to the mounting strut 210, which in turn is mechanically coupled to the clamp connector 20 via a first rotation axis R1. The clamp connector 20 engages from below around an edge section of the mounted solar module 1 on a frame strut of the solar module 1. The mounted solar module 1 runs in the mechanically stress-free mounted state in the solar module plane E, which runs perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of the figure. The joint device 22 in this embodiment is constructed in one piece from only one joint component 220. The joint component 220 has the first rotation axis R1, about which the clamp connector 20 can be rotated. The orientation of the first rotation axis R1 is ideally parallel to the solar module plane E and thus perpendicular to the plane of the drawing of the Fig. 2b, otherwise formed at an angle of less than five degrees to the solar module plane E.

[0020] Fig. 2b shows a modification of the first embodiment of Fig. 2a. Identical components are provided with the same reference symbols and the statements made apply accordingly. In contrast to Fig. 2a, the solar module 1 is designed as an unframed module. This means that the clamp connector 20 engages the outer edges of the unframed solar module directly, rather than indirectly via a frame element of the solar module, and fixes them in place through its clamping force. Here, too, the clamp connector 20 can adapt to the spatially changing position of a flexing solar module 1 by rotating around the first rotation axis R1.

[0021] Fig. 3 shows in detail the joint device 22 of a second preferred embodiment of the assembled solar module 1 together with a clamp connector 20 in a sectional view. The joint device 22 is mounted on the mounting strut 210 and is in turn fixed to the clamp connector 20. The clamp connector 20 encompasses the edge section of the assembled, unframed solar module 1. The assembled solar module 1 runs in the mechanically stress-free mounted state in the solar module plane E. The joint device 22 is constructed in several parts from two joint components 220. In this embodiment, the joint components 220 are designed as two hinges whose first axes of rotation R1 and whose further axes of rotation R2 are arranged orthogonally to one another. The first axis of rotation R1 runs at an angle α of less than five degrees to the solar module plane E. Ideally, the first axis of rotation R1 and the solar module plane E run parallel to one another, i.e.the angle of attack a is zero degrees. The further axis of rotation R2 runs perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. An imaginary plane spanned by the first axis of rotation R1 and the further axis of rotation R2 runs at an angle of attack a to the solar module plane. This angle of attack a is ideally vanishingly small due to a parallel alignment of the planes. Thermal expansion and contraction of the components shown, in particular of the solar module 1 and the mounting rails 210 of the rigid supporting structure 21, lead to bending moments that are transmitted by the clamp connector 20 between the rigid supporting structure 21 and the solar module 1. These bending moments are greatly reduced by the two degrees of freedom of movement realized by the joint device 22. The joint device 22 allows a rocking movement of the clamp connector about the first axis of rotation R1 and about the further axis of rotation R2. These two axes could therefore also be referred to as the first and further rocking axes.

[0022] Fig. Figure 4 shows the joint device 22 of a third preferred embodiment of the assembled solar module 1 together with a clamp connector 20 in a sectional view. The only difference from the second embodiment according to Fig.Figure 3 shows the design of the joint device 22. Therefore, all previous statements apply accordingly and will not be repeated here. In contrast to the first embodiment, the joint device 22 is not designed as an orthogonal superposition of two hinges, each with a rotation axis, but as a ball joint. The joint components 220 therefore interact as a ball component with a socket component. In this way, not only the first rotation axis R1 and the further rotation axis R2 are realized according to the first embodiment. In addition, there are a multitude of other rotation axes, all of which lie in the same imaginary plane due to the ball joint. Ideally (mechanically stress-free assembly and ideally flat solar module), this plane is aligned parallel to the solar module plane E. In practice, in the mechanically stress-free assembly case, a very small angle of attack α of less than five degrees exists. List of reference symbols: 1 solar module 2 Substructure 20 clamp connectors 21 rigid structure 210 mounting struts 211 mounting supports 22 Joint device 220 joint components R1 first rotation axis R2 additional rotation axis F Installation area of ​​the solar module E Solar module level a angle of attack

Claims

[1] Mounted solar module comprising: - a solar module (1) extends over a solar module level (E), - a substructure (2) with a rigid supporting structure (21) for permanent field installation of the solar module (1) on a mounting surface (F), wherein the substructure (2) is designed with clamp connectors (20) for mechanically fixing the solar module (1) to the rigid supporting structure (21) of the substructure (2), characterized byin that the clamping connectors (20) are mechanically coupled to the rigid supporting structure (21) via joint devices (22) comprising at least one joint component (220), and the joint devices (22) are designed and constructed to enable a rotational relative movement between the clamping connector (20) and the rigid supporting structure (21) about a first axis of rotation (R1), wherein the first axis of rotation (R1) is set at an angle of incidence (α) of less than five degrees to the solar module plane (E) when the solar module (1) is mounted in a mechanically stress-free manner. [2] Mounted solar module according to claim 1, characterized by that the solar module (1) has a rectangular shape with outer edges and the first axis of rotation (R1) is oriented perpendicular to one of the outer edges of the solar module (1). [3] Mounted solar module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the joint devices (20) are arranged and designed in such a way that they enable a rocking movement of the clamping connectors (20) relative to the rigid supporting structure (21) about the first axis of rotation (R1) acting as the first rocking axis. [4] Mounted solar module according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the joint devices (20) are arranged and designed in such a way that they enable a rotational relative movement between the clamp connector (20) and the rigid supporting structure (21) about a further rotational axis (R2), wherein the further rotational axis (R2) is set at an angle of incidence (a) of less than five degrees to the solar module plane (E) when the solar module (1) is mounted without mechanical stress. [5] Mounted solar module according to claim 4, characterized bythat the joint device (20) is arranged and designed in such a way that it enables a rocking movement of the clamping connectors (20) relative to the rigid supporting structure (21) about the further rotation axis (R2) acting as a further rocking axis. [6] Mounted solar module according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the associated joint components (220) of the joint devices (20) are arranged and designed such that the first axis of rotation (R1) and the further axis of rotation (R2) are arranged orthogonally to one another. [7] Mounted solar module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the joint device (22) of at least one clamping connector (20) is arranged and designed such that the clamping connector (20) is mounted in a ball-and-socket manner. [8] Mounted solar module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the associated joint devices (20) are arranged and designed in such a way that the rotational relative movement between the clamping connector (20) and the rigid supporting structure (21) takes place without deformation by means of the joint components (220) for the joint components (220).

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