Clamping device for mounting a solar module

Abstract

Clamping device (1) for tool-free mounting of a solar module (5) on a mounting profile (6) of a substructure, comprising a fastener (20) that engages the solar module (5) at its edge and an anchoring element (40) that is movable up and down relative to the fastener (20), engages in the mounting profile (6) and clamps itself therein, characterized in that the anchoring element (40) is penetrated by a pull pin (70) which has a driver (80) at its free end (71) which, by its lifting movement, raises and at least partially spreads the anchoring element (40), wherein the lifting movement of the pull pin (70) is derived from the position of a tiltable clamping lever (90) which has an axle body (100) in which the pull pin (70) is received with its other end (72) and wherein the axle body (100) of the clamping lever (90) is actuated by an eccentric (110) is surrounded, which is rotatable around the axle body (100),wherein its circumferential surface (98) exerts pressure on the fastener (20) and thereby presses against the edge of the solar module (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a clamping device for tool-free mounting of a solar module. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Solar modules are usually installed on roofs or other large surfaces. Flat or pitched roofs, in particular, require a substructure that is connected to the roof substructure. The solar modules, as well as the substructure, must be secured against wind suction forces. This often proves difficult, as additional installation tools must be carried along. Furthermore, handling installation tools on roof surfaces is often very difficult. This often results in damage to the solar modules.

[0003] DE 10 2012 206 166 A1 describes a clamping device for clamping a solar module. The solar modules are clamped by tightening screws. Improper screwing or setting the wrong torque can result in damage to the solar module.

[0004] DE 10 2025 202 596 B3 describes another clamping device for mounting a solar module. By screwing the clamp onto the supporting surface, the clamp sections that grip the solar module's edges are closed, securing the solar modules.

[0005] DE 20 2009 003 667 U1 describes a generic clamping device for clamping and securing a solar module. The solar module is gripped at the edge by a fastening element and secured against lifting by the counterforce of a threaded plate that can be attached to the substructure and tightened with a screw. However, this also requires the use of a tool to tighten the screw. TASK

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of creating a clamping device that can be handled without aids and tools.

[0007] This object is achieved by a clamping device according to the proposed claim 1.

[0008] Further advantageous details and embodiments of the invention as well as further developments and variants are apparent from the dependent claims and the drawing explained below. ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to the invention, a clamping device for tool-free mounting of a solar module on a mounting profile of a substructure is proposed, which clamping device has a fastener that grips the solar module at the edge and an anchoring element that can be moved up and down relative to the fastener, engages in the mounting profile and clamps itself therein.

[0010] The invention is characterized in that the anchoring element is penetrated by a tension pin which has a driver at its free end which lifts the anchoring element and at least partially spreads it by its lifting movement, wherein the lifting movement of the tension pin is derived from the position of a tiltable tensioning lever which has an axle body in which the tension pin is received with its other end and wherein the axle body of the tensioning lever is surrounded by an eccentric which is rotatable about the axle body, wherein it applies pressure to the fastener with its circumferential surface and presses it onto the edge of the solar module.

[0011] The invention allows for installation without tools or other aids. Windproof fixation is achieved via a clamp, which is manually activated by tilting a tensioning lever from an inactive position to a clamping position, thereby clamping the respective solar element.

[0012] Preferably, the anchoring element is a hollow profile having a base open by a gap extending along the length of the profile, said base comprising two opposing, flexurally elastic fingers pointing away from the base, each with a hook arranged at its free end. On the one hand, the anchoring element can thus be easily pressed into a mounting profile open at the profile apex by pushing back the flexurally elastic fingers and moving them towards each other. After the hooks protrude into the mounting profile, they snap back into their original position and engage behind it. The lifting movement of the driver forces the fingers and their hooks outwards beyond their original position, so that vertical and transverse counterforces are imposed on the fingers, which they transfer to the mounting profile.For this purpose, it is provided that the anchoring element has at least one chamber in which the driver is accommodated and the inner walls of the anchoring element narrow the cross-section of the chamber by forming steps and conical surfaces there, onto which the driver strikes during a lifting movement.

[0013] This is supported by the fact that the driver is at least partially designed as a cone with shoulders arranged on the edge, which interact with the steps and conical surfaces in the anchoring element.

[0014] Tool-free assembly is further supported by the fact that the eccentric is formed by tabs molded onto the clamping lever and separated by a slot. These tabs are interspersed with bearing holes for accommodating the axle body. The bore axis of these holes forms the pivot point of the clamping lever, which is offset from the center axis of the tabs. During the tilting movement of the clamping lever, the circumferential surface of the tabs traverses the eccentric track, and the bearing holes in the tabs rotate around the axle body. This triggers a lifting movement for the axle body and the tension pin screwed into it with its driver attached to the end, which in turn produces the clamping effects described above.

[0015] Metallic materials are preferably used to manufacture the fastener and the anchoring element. Alternatively, a flexible material can be used, at least in part. This could be plastic, for example. A composite material may also be suitable.

[0016] Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the following description, the drawings, and the claims. There are various possibilities for advantageously embodying and developing the teachings of the present invention. Reference is made, on the one hand, to the subordinate claims and, on the other hand, to the following explanation of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION

[0017] In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching are also explained.

[0018] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an installation situation of the clamping device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a side view of the installation situation in open position, Fig. 3 a side view of the installation situation in closed position, Fig. 4 a sectional view of the clamping device according to the invention, Fig. 5 an enlargement of the position of the driver, Fig. 6 a perspective view of the clamping device according to the invention, Fig. 7 a perspective view of the fastener, Fig. 8 a side view of the fastener, Fig. 9 a front view of the fastener, Fig. 10 a top view of the fastener, Fig. 11 a perspective view of the anchoring element, Fig. 12 a front view of the anchoring element, Fig. 13 a side view of the anchoring element, Fig. 14 a plan view of the anchoring element, Fig. 15 a perspective view of the clamping lever, Fig. 16 a front view of the clamping lever, Fig. 17 a side view of the clamping lever, Fig. 18 a rear view of the clamping lever, Fig. 19 a top view of the clamping lever, Fig. 20 a perspective view of the axle body of the tension lever, Fig. 21 a front view of the axle body of the tensioning lever, Fig. 22 a side view of the axle body of the tension lever, Fig. 23 a top view of the axle body of the tension lever, Fig. 24 a perspective view of the driver, Fig. 25 a front view of the driver, Fig. 26 a side view of the driver, Fig. 27 a top view of the driver, Fig. 28 a perspective view of the pull pin, Fig. 29 a side view of the pull pin and Fig. 30 a top view of the pull pin.

[0019] Before in relation to the Fig. 1 to 6 explain the function of the invention, the individual components are described below.

[0020] The Fig. 7 to 10 show the fastener 20. This consists of a profile with an H-shaped cross section and two flanges 22, 23 spaced from each other by a crossbar 21, which are aligned orthogonally to the crossbar 21. The flanges 22, 23 each have a hook-shaped finger 24, 25 at their free ends, which each point approximately at right angles away from the flanges 22, 23 and have an inclined apex surface 26, 27. These each end in a point 28, 29, so that the fingers 24, 25 have a wedge shape. The end of the flanges 22, 23 opposite the fingers 24, 25 each has a bead-shaped foot 31, 32. An upper and a lower trough 35 and 36 are formed between the two flanges 22, 23, which extend over the entire length of the profile. The crossbar 21 has a bore 30 which passes through the crossbar 21.

[0021] The Fig. Figures 11 to 14 show the anchoring element 40. This is a hollow profile with a square or rectangular cross-section. The hollow profile essentially comprises two chambers 41, 42, which are surrounded by a housing wall consisting of two side walls 43, 44, a ceiling 45, and a base 46. The base 46 is open downwards through a gap 47, which is enclosed by two opposing fingers 48, 49 that protrude at right angles from the base 46 and each have a hook 51, 52 at their free ends.

[0022] While the upper chamber 41 has an essentially rectangular cross-section, the lower chamber 42, with its conical cross-section and the steps and bevels formed therein, performs important functions for diverting certain movements. For this purpose, vertical surfaces 53 and 54, which are parts of the respective side walls 43 and 44, rise from the floor 46 on both sides. From the two vertical surfaces 53, 54, diagonally inward-running surfaces 55, 56 extend, narrowing the chamber cross-section. At the upper point of the diagonal surfaces 55, 56, further, again vertically running surfaces 57, 58 rise, each ending in a step 61, 62. The steps 61, 62 are followed by conical surfaces 63, 64, which again run diagonally inwards and, together with an upright wall 65, 66, form the transition to the upper chamber 41.The housing cover 45 is penetrated by a central bore 50, the center axis 59 of which runs coaxially to the center axis 60 of the gap 47.

[0023] The Fig. Figures 15 to 19 show the clamping lever 90. This comprises a rocker 91, at one end of which two spaced-apart tabs 92, 93 are formed, forming a slot 94 between the two tabs. The tabs 92, 93 have a substantially circular cross-section. Both tabs are penetrated by bearing bores 96, 97. However, these are not located in the center of the circular tabs 92, 93, but rather offset from their center point 111, so that the clamping lever 90 is forced to follow an eccentric path during its rotational movement around the axis pivot point 112. The tabs 92, 93, in conjunction with the off-center bearing bores 96, 97, thus form an eccentric 110.

[0024] The free end of the rocker 91 has a downwardly bent finger 95 to ensure the grip of the clamping lever 90.

[0025] The Fig. 20 to 23 represent the axle body 100. This is a cylinder with a through bore 101 and an internal thread 102.

[0026] The Fig. Figures 24 to 27 show the driver 80. This is a solid body with a substantially T-shaped cross-section. On both sides, the driver has longitudinally parallel lugs 81, 82, each of which has a shoulder 83, 84 on its upper side, each of which is adjoined by a slanting inwardly extending contact surface 85a, 85b. This gives the driver 80 the shape of a cone 85. The driver 80 is penetrated by a bore 86 with an internal thread 87, which extends from the bottom 88 to the top 89.

[0027] The Fig. Figures 28 to 30 show the pull pin 70. This is cylindrical in shape and is defined by two ends 71 ​​and 72. The pull pin 70 has an external thread 73 extending over its entire length. An internal rotary engagement 74 is embedded at one end 72.

[0028] The Fig. Figures 4 to 6 show the previously described components in assembly.

[0029] The tension lever 90 is inserted into the upper trough 35 of the fastener 20. First, the axle body 100 is inserted into the bearing bores 96, 97 of the tabs 92, 93 and the tension pin 70 is screwed into the internal thread 102 of the bore 101 in the axle body 100. The tension pin 70 also passes through the crossbar 21 of the fastener 20 and is then guided through the bore 50 of the cover 45 of the anchoring element 40 inserted in the lower trough 36 and screwed into the driver 80, which is located in the chamber 42 above the gap 47 of the anchoring element 40. The clamping devices 1 prepared in this way are inserted with their hooks 51, 52 leading through the cover slot 7 of the mounting profile 6 (see Fig. 1 to 3), whereby both fingers 48, 49 are pushed inward. After the two hooks 51, 52 have passed through the cover slot 7 of the mounting profile 6, they spring back to their original position. This is supported by the flexurally elastic properties of the fingers, despite their inherent rigidity.

[0030] In the Fig. Figures 1 to 3 describe the installation situation. For example, on the roof of a building, a substructure consisting of mounting profiles 6 is constructed, which are installed at a specific grid spacing. The grid spacing, i.e., the installation pattern, depends on the type and size of the solar modules 5 to be installed.

[0031] In Fig. 2, the clamping device 1 is shown in the open position. The clamping lever 90 is tilted to the left in the picture. The eccentric 110 (see also Fig. 4) assumes a position relative to the upper side 37 of the crosspiece 21, in which the distance "a" between the axis pivot point 112 and the circumferential surface 98 is less than the distance "b" and the circumferential surface. Fig. 4 the lever is already slightly raised, but no clamping situation occurs yet, since the driver 80 is still in a neutral position (see Fig. 5). In this open situation, the driver 80 is positioned in the lower chamber 42 of the anchoring element 40 such that neither the shoulders 83, 84 come into contact with the recesses 61, 62 in the anchoring element 40 nor the stop surfaces 85a and 85b of the cone 85 come into contact with the corresponding conical surfaces 63, 64 of the anchoring element 40.

[0032] Only when the clamping lever 90 is tilted to the right, as in Figures 1 and 3, does the eccentric 110 assume a position in which the greater distance "b" exists between the axis pivot point 112 and the upper side 37 of the crosspiece 21. This has the effect of moving the driver upwards in the direction of arrow "x" via the tension pin 70. The shoulders 83, 84 of the driver strike the recesses 61, 62 of the anchoring element 40, and the cone 85 strikes the conical surfaces 63, 64 in the anchoring element 40 with its stop surfaces 85a, 85b. This simultaneously causes the fingers 48 and 49 of the anchoring element 40 to spread in the direction of arrows "y" and "z." LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 clamping device 5 solar modules 6 Mounting profile 7 deck slot of 6 20 fasteners 21 crossbar of 20 22 flange of 20 23 flange of 20 24 fingers on 22 25 fingers on 23 26 inclined surface of 24 27 inclined surface of 25 28 top of 24 29 top of 25 30 drilling in 21 31 feet of 22 32 feet by 23 35 upper tub 36 lower tub 37 top of 21 40 Anchoring element 41 chamber of 40 42 chamber of 40 43 Side wall 44 side wall 45 Housing cover 46 Floor 47 gap 48 fingers 49 fingers 50 drilling in 45 51 hooks on 48 52 hooks on 49 53 vertical area of ​​42 54 vertical area of ​​42 55 sloping surface 56 sloping surface 57 vertical area of ​​42 58 vertical area of ​​42 59 center axis of 50 60 central axis of 47 61 sales area 62 sales area 63 conical surface 64 conical surface 65 upright wall 66 upright wall 70 pull pin 71 free end of 70 72 End of 70 73 external threads of 70 74 inside turning attack of 70 80 carriers 81 Nose 82 Nose 83 Shoulder 84 Shoulder 85 cone 85a stop surface 85b stop surface 86 bore 87 internal thread 88 floor 89 ceiling 90 clamping lever 91 Seesaw 92 tab 93 tab 94 slot 95 fingers 96 bearing bore 97 bearing bore 98 circumferential area 100 axle beams 101 bore 102 internal threads 110 eccentric 112 Axle pivot point 111 Central axis of 92, 93 QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2012 206 166 A1

[0003] DE 10 2025 202 596 B3

[0004] DE 20 2009 003 667 U1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Clamping device (1) for tool-free mounting of a solar module (5) on a mounting profile (6) of a substructure, with a fastener (20) gripping the solar module (5) at the edge and an anchoring element (40) movable up and down relative to the fastener (20), engaging in the mounting profile (6) and clamping therein, characterized byin that the anchoring element (40) is penetrated by a tension pin (70) which has a driver (80) at its free end (71) which, through its lifting movement, lifts the anchoring element (40) and at least partially spreads it, wherein the lifting movement of the tension pin (70) is derived from the position of a tiltable tensioning lever (90) which has an axle body (100) in which the tension pin (70) is received with its other end (72) and wherein the axle body (100) of the tensioning lever (90) is surrounded by an eccentric (110) which is rotatable about the axle body (100), wherein it applies pressure to the fastener (20) with its peripheral surface (98) and in the process presses it onto the edge of the solar module (5). [2] Clamping device (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the anchoring element (40) is a hollow profile which has a base (46) which is open through a gap (47) extending over the length of the profile and which has two opposite, flexurally elastic fingers (48, 49) pointing away from the base (46), at the free ends of which a hook (51, 52) is arranged. [3] Clamping device (1) according to claim 1 and 2, characterized by that the anchoring element (40) has at least one chamber (42) in which the driver (80) is received and the inner walls of the anchoring element (40) narrow the cross-section of the chamber (42) by forming shoulders (61, 62) and conical surfaces (63, 64) against which the driver (80) strikes during a lifting movement. [4] Clamping device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by that the driver (80) is at least partially designed as a cone (85) with shoulders (83, 84) arranged on the edge. [5] Clamping device (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the eccentric (110) is formed by tabs (92, 93) formed on the clamping lever (70) and separated from one another by a slot (94), which are penetrated by bearing bores (96, 97) for receiving the axle body (100), the bore axis of which forms the axis pivot point (112) of the clamping lever (70), which is offset from the central axis (111) of the tabs (92, 93). [6] Clamping device (1) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the fastener (20) and / or the anchoring element (40) is / are made of a metallic material. [7] Clamping device (1) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the fastener (20) and / or the anchoring element (40) is at least partially made of a flexurally elastic material.

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