Module holder for a PV module and module system

Abstract

A module holder (6) for a PV module (4), comprising a fastening strip (8) for fastening the module holder (6) to the module (4), a holding element (10) for holding the module holder (6) to a holding object, and a clamping device (12) for clamping the holding element (10) to the fastening strip (8), wherein the clamping device (12) can be moved back and forth merely by means of a locking screw (14) of the clamping device (12) between a clamping position in which the holding element (10) is clamped relative to the fastening strip (8) by means of the clamping device (12), and an adjustment position in which, on the one hand, the holding element (10) is held displaceably on the clamping device (12) along a longitudinal axis of the holding element (10) relative to the clamping device (12), and, on the other hand, the clamping device (12) is held displaceably along a longitudinal axis of the fastening strip (8) relative to the fastening strip (8), characterized inthat the clamping device (12) has only one clamp (16) in addition to the locking screw (14), wherein the clamping device (12) is held on the fastening strip (8) only by means of the clamp (16) and the holding element (10) is inserted between the clamping device (12) and the fastening strip (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a module holder for a PV module comprising a fastening strip for fastening the module holder to the module, a holding element for holding the module holder to a holding object and a clamping device for clamping the holding element to the fastening strip, wherein the clamping device can be moved only by means of a locking screw of the clamping device between a clamping position in which the holding element is clamped relative to the fastening strip by means of the clamping device and an adjustment position in which, on the one hand, the holding element is held displaceably on the clamping device along a longitudinal axis of the holding element relative to the clamping device and, on the other hand, the clamping device is held displaceably along a longitudinal axis of the fastening strip relative to the fastening strip.can be transferred back and forth and a module system comprising a PV module and at least one module holder for holding the PV module to a holding object.,

[0002] Such module holders for PV modules, i.e., photovoltaic modules, and module systems are already known from the prior art. The known module holders comprise a fastening strip for fastening the module holder to the module, a holding element for holding the module holder to a holding object, and a clamping device for clamping the holding element to the fastening strip. The clamping device can be moved back and forth simply by means of a locking screw of the clamping device between a clamping position in which the holding element is clamped relative to the fastening strip by means of the clamping device, and an adjustment position in which, on the one hand, the holding element is displaceable on the clamping device along a longitudinal axis of the holding element relative to the clamping device, and, on the other hand, the clamping device is held displaceably along a longitudinal axis of the fastening strip relative to the fastening strip.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to improve a module holder for a PV module and a module system.

[0004] To achieve this object, the invention, in conjunction with the preamble of claim 1, is characterized in that the clamping device comprises only one clamp in addition to the locking screw, wherein the clamping device is held to the fastening strip solely by means of the clamp, and the retaining element is inserted between the clamping device and the fastening strip. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a modular system having the features of claim 9.

[0005] The particular advantage of the invention is that it improves a module holder for a PV module and a module system. Due to the inventive design of the module holder and the module system, the attachment of a PV module to a support object, for example a balcony railing, a fence, or the like, is made possible in a very simple manner in terms of construction, manufacturing technology, and in particular in terms of assembly technology. Furthermore, the invention provides a very flexible fastening solution that is therefore suitable for a variety of different on-site conditions. For example, the invention can be used equally advantageously with support objects that are structurally very different from one another, such as different balcony railings and fences.

[0006] In principle, the module mounting system according to the invention for a PV module can be freely selected within wide, suitable limits in terms of type, functionality, material, and dimensions. See, for example, the above explanations. The same applies to the module system according to the invention. Of course, the invention can also be advantageously used with other modules, for example, other plate-like components. Thus, the invention is not limited to use with PV modules.

[0007] A particularly advantageous development of the module holder according to the invention provides that the clamp is designed such that the holding element can be pushed through between the clamping device and the fastening strip parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fastening strip for implementing a first usage variant of the module holder and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fastening strip for implementing a second usage variant of the module holder. In this way, the flexibility of the module holder according to the invention is significantly improved, so that the module holder according to the invention is suitable for a much broader field of applications. For example, this makes it possible for the fastening strip to always be positioned and fastened in the same orientation relative to the module, regardless of the usage variant on site.

[0008] A further advantageous development of the module holder according to the invention provides that the clamp has a base section with an internal thread corresponding to the locking screw and two legs adjoining the base section, wherein the distance between the legs is designed to be large enough that the holding element can be pushed through between the two legs, preferably that the legs each have a holding projection at their free end for the positive connection of the clamp to the fastening strip, particularly preferably that the respective leg encloses a 90° angle with the base section on the one hand and / or with the corresponding holding projection on the other. As a result, the module holder according to the invention can be realized in a very simple manner on the one hand and in a very robust manner on the other.This applies particularly to the preferred and especially to the particularly preferred embodiment of this further development.

[0009] An advantageous refinement of the aforementioned refinement of the module holder according to the invention provides that corresponding through-holes are arranged in a transition region of the base section to each of the legs, wherein the through-holes are designed to allow the retaining element to pass through the clamp. In this way, the aforementioned refinement of the module holder according to the invention is designed, for example, in a particularly simple manner in terms of design and manufacturing technology for implementing the above-mentioned first and second usage variants of the module holder.

[0010] Another advantageous development of the module holder according to the invention provides that the holding element has an angle at one free end for holding it on the object to be held and is designed to be passable through the clamping device at another free end arranged opposite this free end. Preferably, the angle is designed as a double fold of the holding element, particularly preferably that the holding element has a through-hole at the other free end. As a result, the holding element can be implemented in a very simple manner in terms of design and production technology. This applies particularly to the preferred and in particular to the particularly preferred embodiment. For example, the holding element can be designed as a holding tab. The holding tab can be made from a single strip of material.The aforementioned through-hole can, for example, be designed to provide a loss prevention device for securing the holding element inserted through the clamping device.

[0011] A further advantageous development of the module holder according to the invention provides that the fastening strip is designed as a U-profile strip with a base section and two legs adjoining the base section. Preferably, the base section is designed for fastening to the module, particularly preferably, the base section has two elongated holes for the purpose of fastening to the module. In this way, the fastening strip can also be realized in a very simple and robust manner in terms of design and production technology. Free ends of the two legs of the fastening strip advantageously serve, at least in one of the two usage variants, as abutments for the holding element inserted through the clamping device, so that the clamping connection of the holding element to the fastening strip in the clamped position of the clamping device is easy and functionally reliable using the locking screw.The aforementioned slots can be arranged parallel or perpendicular to each other. Accordingly, the longitudinal axes of the slots can be arranged parallel or perpendicular to each other. This makes it easy to compensate for component tolerances, for example.

[0012] Another particularly advantageous development of the module holder according to the invention provides that the module holder has only one fastening strip, a total of two holding elements, and a total of two clamping devices. The two holding elements are each arranged relative to one another by means of one of the two clamping devices on the fastening strip in such a way that the module can be clamped to the holding object on both sides by means of the two holding elements. As a result, the module, for example the PV module, can be held flexibly on the one hand and securely on the other hand by means of only the module holder.

[0013] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention can be gathered from the further subclaims and the following description. The features mentioned therein may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. The drawings serve merely as examples to clarify the invention and are not limiting in nature. They show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of the module system according to the invention with two module holders according to the invention in a rear view, in a first variant of use, Fig. 2 the embodiment according to the Fig. 1, in a single view of one of the two module holders, Fig. 3 the embodiment according to the Fig. 2 in a partial longitudinal section through the module holder, Fig. 4 the embodiment according to the Fig. 3 in a partial, enlarged view in a fastening area of the fastening strip with the module, Fig. 5 the embodiment according to the Fig. 3 in a partial, enlarged view in the area of the clamping device, Fig. 6 the embodiment according to the Fig. 1, in a second usage variant, Fig. 7 the embodiment according to the Fig. 6 in a side view, Fig. 8 the embodiment according to the Fig. 6, in a single view of one of the two module holders, Fig. 9 the embodiment according to the Fig. 8 in a partial, enlarged view in the area of the clamping device, in a side view, Fig. 10 one of the brackets of the embodiment in an enlarged individual view, in a sectional view and Fig. 11 one of the holding elements of the embodiment in an enlarged individual representation, in a partially sectioned side view.

[0014] In the Fig. 1 to 11, an embodiment of the module system according to the invention with the module holder according to the invention is shown purely by way of example in two usage variants.

[0015] The module system 2 comprises a photovoltaic module 4, abbreviated to PV module or module, and a total of two module mounts 6 for mounting the PV module 4 to a support object (not shown). The support object can be designed, for example, as a fence, a so-called double-rod mesh, or the like.

[0016] Each of the two module holders 6 comprises only one fastening strip 8 for fastening the module holder 6 to the module 4, a total of two holding elements 10 for holding the module holder 6 to the holding object and, for each holding element 10, a clamping device 12 for clampingly connecting this holding element 10 to the fastening strip 8, wherein the respective clamping device 12 can be moved back and forth merely by means of a locking screw 14 of the clamping device 12 between a clamping position in which the associated holding element 10 is clamped relative to the fastening strip 8 by means of the clamping device 12, and an adjustment position in which, on the one hand, the associated holding element 10 is displaceably held on the clamping device 12 along a longitudinal axis of the holding element 10 relative to the clamping device 12 and, on the other hand, the clamping device 12 is displaceably held relative to the fastening strip 8 along a longitudinal axis of the fastening strip 8.The longitudinal axis of the respective holding element 10 runs in the . Fig. 1 from top to bottom and in the Fig. 6 from left to right. The longitudinal axis of the respective fastening strip 8 runs both in the Fig. 1 as well as in the Fig. 6 from top to bottom.

[0017] According to the invention, the respective clamping device 12 has, in addition to the locking screw 14, only a clamp 16, wherein the clamping device 12 is held on the fastening strip 8 only by means of the clamp 16 and the associated holding element 10 is inserted between the clamping device 12 and the fastening strip 8. See, for example, the Fig. 1 to 5 in a synopsis, in which the two module holders 6 of the exemplary embodiment are each shown in a first variant of use. In this first variant of use, the PV module 4 is fixed by means of the two module holders 6 in the image plane of the Fig. 1 held from above and below by clamping to the holding object not shown.

[0018] In the Fig. 6 to 9, the two module holders 6 of the embodiment are further shown in a second variant of use, wherein the PV module 4 is mounted by means of the two module holders 6 in the image plane of the Fig. 6 is clamped from the left and right to the holding object (not shown). Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show one of the clamps 16 and one of the holding elements 10 each in an enlarged individual view.

[0019] Thus, the two holding elements 10 of each module holder 6 are each arranged relative to one another by means of one of the two clamping devices 12 on the corresponding fastening strip 8 in such a way that the PV module 4 can be held on both sides by clamping it to the holding object by means of the holding elements 10 of the module holders 6.

[0020] In the present embodiment, the fastening strips 8, the holding elements 10, the locking screws 14, and the clamps 16 are all identically constructed. However, this is not necessarily the case. Accordingly, the two module holders, in particular, may differ structurally from one another in other embodiments of the invention.

[0021] The respective clamp 16 is designed such that the holding element 10 can be inserted between the clamping device 12 and the fastening strip 8 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fastening strip 8 for the first usage variant of the module holder 6 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fastening strip 8 for the second usage variant of the module holder 6. Despite the fastening axes being rotated by 90° to each other, the fastening strips 8 can thus be positioned and fastened to the module 4 in the same orientation for both usage variants.

[0022] The clamp 16 has a base section 18 with an internal thread 19 corresponding to the locking screw 14 and two legs 20 adjoining the base section 18, wherein the distance between the legs 20 is designed to be large enough that the holding element 10 can be pushed through between the two legs 20, for example for the purpose of setting up the module holder 6 in its first usage variant. Furthermore, the legs 20 each have a holding projection 22 at their free end for the positive connection of the clamp 16 to the fastening strip 8. In the present embodiment, the respective leg 20 forms a 90° angle with the base section 18 on the one hand and with the corresponding holding projection 22 on the other hand. See in particular the Fig. 10. Furthermore, mutually corresponding through-holes 24 are arranged in a transition area of the base section 18 to each of the legs 20. The through-holes 24 are designed to allow the holding element 10 to pass through the clamp 16 for the purpose of implementing the second usage variant. The clamp 16 is formed as a single piece.

[0023] The holding element 10 has an angle 26 at one free end for securing it to the object to be held, and is designed to be passable through the clamping device 12 at another free end opposite this free end. In the present embodiment, the angle 26 is designed as a double fold of the holding element 10. For example, the double fold, as shown, can be designed as a fold of 22.5° and as a fold of 45°. At the other free end, the holding element 10 has a through-hole 28. See in particular the Fig. 11. This through-hole 28 can, for example, be designed as a captive device for securing the holding element 10 inserted through the clamping device 12. For example, the through-hole 28 can have an internal thread corresponding to a blocking screw (not shown). If, for example, the blocking screw is screwed into the through-hole 28, the holding element 10 cannot slip out of the clamping device 12 in either direction. However, other captive devices are also conceivable. Purely as an example, reference should be made here to a rivet that engages the through-hole 28 instead of the aforementioned blocking screw.

[0024] The fastening strip 8 is designed here as a U-shaped profile strip with a base section 30 and two legs 32 adjoining the base section 30, wherein the base section 30 is designed for fastening to the PV module 4. For this purpose, the base section 30 has two elongated holes 34. Accordingly, the fastening strip 8 can be screwed to the PV module 4 using the elongated holes 34 and two fastening screws 36.

[0025] The functioning of the module system according to the invention with the module holder according to the invention according to the present embodiment is described below with reference to Fig. 1 to 11 briefly explained.

[0026] First, two clamps 16 are pushed onto one of the two fastening strips 8 using the locking screws 14 and then the fastening strips 8 are, as shown in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 6, are screwed to the PV module 4 in the manner explained above. In the first variant of use, the holding elements 10 can then, as can be seen from a summary of the Fig. 1 to 5, are inserted through the respective clamping device 12. In this case, the respective holding element 10 is positioned between the associated fastening strip 8 and the corresponding clamping device 12, in particular the locking screw 14. In the second variant of use according to the Fig. 6 to 9, the holding elements 10 can be inserted through the respective clamping device 12, namely through the through holes 24, wherein the respective holding element 10 is positioned between the locking screw 14 and the clip 16 of the corresponding clamping device 12. Furthermore, the respective holding element 10 is positioned between the corresponding clamping device 12 and the associated fastening strip 8.

[0027] In both usage variants, in the setting position of the clamping device 12, i.e. when the locking screw 14 is screwed into the clamp 16 but does not yet cooperate in a clamping manner with the fastening strip 8, the holding element 10 and the clamp 16, it is possible, on the one hand, to move the respective holding element 10 along the longitudinal axis of this holding element 10 relative to the clamping device 12, by means of which this holding element 10 is held, within the technical limits and, on the other hand, to move the respective clamping device 12 along the longitudinal axis of the corresponding fastening strip 8 within the technical limits relative to this fastening strip 8, on which this clamping device 12 is held.

[0028] If the PV module 4 is positioned and aligned relative to the holding object by means of the two module holders 6, the respective clamping device 12 can be transferred from its setting position into its clamping position by means of the locking screw 14, so that merely by tightening the locking screw 14 of the respective clamping device 12, on the one hand the corresponding holding element 10 is fixed along its longitudinal axis and, on the other hand, the aforementioned clamping device 12 is fixed along the longitudinal axis of the associated fastening strip 8.

[0029] Due to the inventive design of the module holder 6 and the module system 2, the attachment of a PV module 4 to a support object, for example, a balcony railing, a fence, or the like, is made possible in a very simple manner in terms of construction, manufacturing technology, and especially in terms of assembly technology. Furthermore, a very flexible fastening solution is provided that is suitable for a variety of different on-site conditions. For example, the module system 2 with the module holders 6 can be used equally advantageously for support objects that are structurally very different from one another, such as different balcony railings and fences.

[0030] However, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described. See in particular the statements in the introduction to the description as well as the alternative and optional features mentioned in the specific part of the description.

Claims

[1] A module holder (6) for a PV module (4), comprising a fastening strip (8) for fastening the module holder (6) to the module (4), a holding element (10) for holding the module holder (6) to a holding object, and a clamping device (12) for clamping the holding element (10) to the fastening strip (8), wherein the clamping device (12) can be moved back and forth merely by means of a locking screw (14) of the clamping device (12) between a clamping position in which the holding element (10) is clamped relative to the fastening strip (8) by means of the clamping device (12), and an adjustment position in which, on the one hand, the holding element (10) is held displaceably on the clamping device (12) along a longitudinal axis of the holding element (10) relative to the clamping device (12), and, on the other hand, the clamping device (12) is held displaceably along a longitudinal axis of the fastening strip (8) relative to the fastening strip (8). characterized bythat the clamping device (12) has only one clamp (16) in addition to the locking screw (14), wherein the clamping device (12) is held on the fastening strip (8) only by means of the clamp (16) and the holding element (10) is pushed through between the clamping device (12) and the fastening strip (8). [2] Module holder (6) according to claim 1, characterized by that the clamp (16) is designed such that the holding element (10) can be pushed through between the clamping device (12) and the fastening strip (8) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fastening strip (8) for realizing a first variant of use of the module holder (6) and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fastening strip (8) for realizing a second variant of use of the module holder (6). [3] Module holder (6) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized byin that the clamp (16) has a base section (18) with an internal thread (19) corresponding to the locking screw (14) and two legs (20) adjoining the base section (18), wherein a distance between the legs (20) is designed to be so wide that the holding element (10) can be pushed through between the two legs (20), preferably that the legs (20) each have a holding projection (22) at their free end for the positive connection of the clamp (16) to the fastening strip (8), particularly preferably that the respective leg (20) encloses a 90° angle with the base section (18) on the one hand and / or with the corresponding holding projection (22) on the other hand. [4] Module holder (6) according to claim 3, characterized bythat mutually corresponding through holes (24) are arranged in a transition region of the base section (18) to each of the legs (20), wherein the through holes (24) are designed to allow the holding element (10) to be pushed through the clamp (16). [5] Module holder (6) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the clamp (16) is formed in one piece. [6] Module holder (6) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the holding element (10) has an angle (26) at one free end for holding it on the object to be held and is designed to be able to be pushed through by the clamping device (12) at another free end arranged opposite this free end, preferably that the angle (26) is designed as a double fold of the holding element (10), particularly preferably that the holding element (10) has a through hole (28) at the other free end. [7] Module holder (6) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the fastening strip (8) is designed as a U-profile strip with a base section (30) and two legs (32) adjoining the base section (30), preferably that the base section (30) is designed for fastening to the module (4), particularly preferably that the base section (30) has two elongated holes (34) for the purpose of fastening to the module (4). [8] Module holder (6) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the module holder (6) has only one fastening strip (8), a total of two holding elements (10) and a total of two clamping devices (12), wherein the two holding elements (10) are each arranged relative to one another on the fastening strip (8) by means of one of the two clamping devices (12) in such a way that the module (4) can be held on both sides of the holding object by means of the two holding elements (10). [9] Module system (2) comprising a PV module (4) and at least one module holder (6) for holding the PV module (4) on a holding object, characterized by that the module holder (6) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 8. [10] Modular system (2) according to claim 9, characterized by that the module system (2) has a total of two module holders (6), preferably that these module holders (6) are each designed as a module holder (6) according to claim 8.

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