Solar device with safety strip

Abstract

Solar device (100) with a solar module (9) comprising several solar cells (10) arranged on a planar support (11), wherein the support (11) has at least one upper attachment point (BP) for fixing the solar module (9) to a window (1), characterized in that the solar device (100) comprises a securing strip (20) having a first end (E1) and an opposite second end (E2) and a flat longitudinal section (LA) between the two ends (E1, E2), which is connected directly or indirectly to the support (11) with the first end (E1) on one side of the window (1) in the area of ​​the attachment point (BP), and which is clamped with the flat longitudinal section (LA) between the window jamb (2) and the window frame (3) of the window (1) such that the second end (E1) is located on the opposite side of the window (1).wherein the securing strip (20) in the area of ​​the flat longitudinal section (LA) comprises or consists of a material that is foldable and / or bendable without material failure.

Description

The present application relates to a solar device that is attached to the outside or inside of a window. Such a solar device typically comprises a solar module with solar cells, a cable connection, and an assembly that includes, for example, a battery and / or an inverter. There are now numerous types and forms of solar power systems, each optimized for its specific application. Typical examples include solar panels on rooftops and those used as so-called balcony power plants. Solar panels are also sometimes mounted on windows. The most common window opening types in Central Europe are, for example, casement windows, tilt windows, or tilt-and-turn windows. In Figures 3 and 7, where a window 1 is shown in its entirety, dotted lines intersecting at the window handle 5 indicate that the corresponding window 1 can be turned. Dashed lines intersecting at the top center of the window indicate that the window 1 can be tilted. The windows 1 in Figures 3 and 7 are therefore tilt-and-turn windows. These lines are not shown for the window in Figures 4 and 6. It could be a casement window, a tilt window, or a tilt-and-turn window. It is an object of the present invention to provide solar products (solar devices) that are specifically designed for mounting on a window. A solar device according to the invention comprises a solar module with several solar cells arranged on a planar support, the support having at least one upper attachment point for fixing the solar module to a window. In addition to the solar module, the solar device includes a securing strip, which has a first end and an opposite second end and a flat longitudinal section between the two ends. The first end of the securing strip is directly or indirectly connected to the support on one side of the window in the area of ​​the attachment point. The flat longitudinal section is clamped between the window frame and the window jamb such that the second end is located on the opposite side of the window. The securing strip, in the area of ​​the flat longitudinal section, comprises or consists of a material that is foldable and / or bendable without material failure. A key feature of the invention is that the safety strip and the solar module move in conjunction with the window when it is opened and closed. A key feature of the invention is that the securing strip is designed to secure the solar module to the window or to hold it in place in addition to a conventional fastening. A further feature of the invention is that the securing strip consists of, or comprises, a material that gives the securing strip a kind of shape memory. By clamping a flat section of the securing strip between the window jamb and the window frame, the section is formed into a three-dimensional shape, which the strip largely retains even after the window has been opened. The invention is preferably applied to casement windows, tilt windows, or tilt-and-turn windows. However, it can also be applied to windows that can be opened, for example, after loosening or removing screws or quick-release fasteners. The invention can also be applied to windows that can be rotated around a virtual vertical axis (pivot windows) and to windows that swing outwards. Furthermore, the invention can be applied to windows that can be fully or partially slid upwards (double-hung windows in the USA, for example), or to windows in which the sashes slide horizontally past each other. The invention can also be applied to louvered windows: In tropical climates, one often sees windows consisting of many narrow, horizontal glass louvers (louvered windows) that can also be tilted using a lever. The invention can also be applied to balcony doors and the like, where the safety strips may be subject to greater stress due to frequent opening and closing. Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the description, the figures and the dependent claims. The drawings schematically illustrate various aspects of the invention. Fig. 1A shows a schematic top view of a first securing strip of the invention; Fig. 1B shows a schematic side view of the securing strip of Fig. 1A; Fig. 1C shows a schematic top view of a further securing strip of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary solar module (prior art); Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary tilt-and-turn window with an externally mounted solar module and two securing strips of the invention; Fig. 4 shows a schematic partial section through a window with an externally mounted solar module and a securing strip of the invention; Fig. 5A shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary suction cup; Fig. 5B shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary suction cup; Fig.Fig. 5C shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary suction cup; Fig. 5D shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary suction cup; Fig. 6A shows a schematic cross-section through a window with an externally mounted substructure, a solar module, and a securing strip of the invention; Fig. 6B shows an exemplary detail of the attachment of a solar module to the substructure; Fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary tilt-and-turn window with an externally mounted solar module, a securing strip of the invention, and a windowsill on or under which a module (an assembly with electrical / electronic components) is arranged. The term "solar module 9" here refers to a photovoltaic module, solar panel, photovoltaic plate, and the like. A solar module 9 comprises two or more solar cells that convert light into electrical energy, an enclosure or embedding (e.g., laminate) to protect the solar cells, and an electrical connection (e.g., a cable) or contact. The solar devices 100 described here comprise at least one solar module 9, which in turn has several solar cells 10 arranged on a flat support 11. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a known solar module 9, comprising twelve third-cells 10 and a flexible, flat support 11. Eyelets 12 can be provided at the four corners of the support 11 in all embodiments. Figure 3 shows the flat support 11 of a solar module 9, which includes only one eyelet 12 at the top center. These eyelets 12 serve as attachment point(s) and are therefore sometimes also designated with the reference numeral BP. In all embodiments, at least one so-called securing strip 20 is used to protect the solar module 9, for example, from adverse weather conditions and other external influences. Such a securing strip 20 is primarily used when the solar module 9 of the solar device 100 is attached to the outside of a window 1. However, it can also be used for solar modules 9 that are suspended on the inside of the window 1. The locking strip 20 is designed in all embodiments to be clamped between the movable window frame 3 and the stationary (building-fixed) window jamb 2. It must not damage the seals and must adapt to the gap that forms between frame 3 and jamb 2 when the window 1 is closed, and therefore must have low elasticity or restoring force. Furthermore, the locking strip 20 requires high tensile strength and sufficient elongation at break in the longitudinal direction (parallel to the x-axis). The material of the strip 20 should also be resistant to notches and cuts. If plastic material or metal is used as the material of the safety strip 20, this material should be as homogeneous as possible (without local defects or disturbances) or it can be fiber-reinforced or laminated with a fleece. Preferably, the securing strip 20 has a high elongation at break in all embodiments, greater than 30% (the elongation at break is given here as a dimensionless elongation in percent). The elongation at break is defined as the length of the strip 20 at break (Lbreak minus the original length L0) divided by the original length L0. In all embodiments, the securing strip 20 comprises a flat longitudinal section LA (see Fig. 1A and Fig. 1C) which can be wedged between the window jamb 2 and the window frame 3 of a window 1 without being damaged. In the area of ​​the longitudinal section LA, the securing strip 20 therefore comprises a planar material that is foldable and / or bendable and has high tensile strength. In all embodiments, the longitudinal section LA has a length of at least 5 cm, preferably at least 10 cm. In a further embodiment, a strip of high-tensile-strength material, e.g., nylon or a thin fiberglass laminate, may be located behind section AL. This strip may be riveted to the material in section L1 (rivets 21 in Fig. 1C) and may contain one or more openings, preferably reinforced with eyelets 22. One of these openings or eyelets 22 then serves as an attachment point BP for hooking into the suction cup 30. The foldability or bending ability of such a planar material without material failure refers to the ability of a thin, strip-shaped longitudinal section LA to develop a strong local curvature (up to the buckling or fold line) under the influence of a bending moment, without structural failure of the material occurring. The material of the longitudinal section LA is therefore plastically deformable (irreversibly, e.g., with a permanent kink) in all embodiments. Materials that are plastically deformable and that, when clamped, essentially assume and retain the shape of the gap between frame 3 and jamb 2 are preferred. The securing strip 20, or at least the longitudinal section LA, should consist of or comprise a material that gives the securing strip 20 a kind of shape memory. If the material of the longitudinal section LA is made of two or more layers, it must not delaminate or fail during folding or bending. Material failure includes, in particular: cracking (tensile failure), buckling with instability and breakage, and delamination (in the case of composite materials). Foldability within the meaning of the invention exists precisely when these effects do not occur. Materials suitable for the thin, strip-shaped longitudinal section LA are those that are anisotropic in their bending stiffness. Such a material exhibits anisotropic bending stiffness, meaning it has low bending stiffness along one direction and is easily folded or creased along that direction. Along the perpendicular direction, however, it has higher bending stiffness and is practically unbent there. In the example shown in Fig. 1A, the material of the longitudinal section LA is easily folded or creased parallel to the y-axis. Parallel to the x-axis, however, it is less easily folded or creased. In all embodiments, the securing strip 20 can comprise, at least in the area of ​​the flat longitudinal section LA, an elastically deformable plastic material that has shape memory. The following materials are particularly suitable: shape memory polymers (SMP), such as polyurethane (PU-SMP), epoxy resin-based SMPs, polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE-SMP). Compressible, flat materials with a permissible compression level of 20% to 60% are particularly suitable. Materials that do not undergo volumetric compression when clamped between frame 2 and frame 3 are particularly suitable. Thin metal foils are especially well-suited. Such materials bend parallel to the y-axis (see Fig. 1A) and undergo elastic-plastic deformation. These materials should exhibit low flexural stiffness but high membrane stiffness in the xy-plane at a thickness D1 between 10 µm and 2 mm. The following materials are particularly suitable: (soft-annealed) aluminum foil with a thickness D1 between 10 µm and 100 µm; (soft-annealed) copper foil with a thickness D1 between 20 µm and 100 µm; thin stainless steel foil, preferably 304 / 316, with a thickness D1 between 25 µm and 100 µm. Composite materials are also suitable, such as laminates made from one of the aforementioned plastics and one of the aforementioned metal foils. A disadvantage of some materials is that frequent opening and closing of window 1 can lead to material fatigue. When designing the safety strip 20 and selecting the material, sufficient resistance should be ensured even with repeated opening and closing. Figure 3 shows a first embodiment in a schematic interior view of a tilt-and-turn window 1. The solar module 9 is depicted here as a rectangular, planar support 11 comprising several solar cells. Since this is an interior view, the solar cells, which are located on the outside of the support 11, are not visible. In all embodiments, the support 11 has at least one upper attachment point BP (for example, an eyelet and a suction cup 30) and a securing strip 20 for fixing the solar module 9 to the pane 4 of the window 1. In Figure 3, the solar device 100 comprises a solar module 9 and two securing strips 20, which are clamped between the frame 3 and the jamb 2. Each of the securing strips 20 comprises a first end E1, an opposite second end E2 and a flat longitudinal section LA between the two ends E1, E2 (see Fig. 1A , Fig. 1B , Fig. 1C ).The first end E1 is located on one side of the window 1 (in Fig. 3, the support 11 and the two ends E1 are located outside the window 1) and is connected to the support 11 directly or indirectly (e.g., via a suction cup 30) in the area of ​​the attachment point BP. The flat longitudinal section LA is clamped between the window jamb 2 and the window frame 3 of the window 1 such that the second end E2 is located on the opposite side of the window 1. In Fig. 3, the two ends E2 are located on the inside of the window (i.e., inside the room). Each securing strip 20 comprises, at least in the area of ​​the flat longitudinal section LA, a material that is foldable and / or bendable without material failure, as already described. To secure the locking strip 20, a double-sided adhesive tape can be applied to the inside of the window in area E2 in all embodiments. This tape allows the locking strip 20 to be adhered to the frame 3 after it has been attached and pressed into shape following the closing of the window 1. This ensures a stable position of the locking strip 20 even after numerous opening cycles of the window 1 and provides additional security against the locking strip 20 slowly slipping outwards. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment in a schematic external view of part of a window 1. The solar module 9 is indicated here by way of suggestion as a section of a rectangular, planar carrier 11, which comprises several solar cells (the solar cells are not shown here). The carrier 11 has at least one upper attachment point BP for fixing the solar module 9 to the pane 4 of the window 1. Figure 4 shows a suction cup 30, which is connected to both the solar module 9 and the securing strip 20. It can be indicated that the securing strip 20 is clamped between the frame 3 and the jamb 2. The securing strip 20 comprises a first end E1, an opposite second end E2, and a flat longitudinal section LA between the two ends E1, E2 (see Figures 1A, 1B, and 1C).The first end E1 is located on the outside of window 1 and is indirectly connected to the support 11 via the suction cup 30 in the area of ​​the attachment point BP. The flat longitudinal section LA is clamped between window jamb 2 and window frame 3 of window 1 such that the second end E2 is located on the opposite side of window 1. In Fig. 4, end E2 is located on the inside of the window (i.e., inside the room) in the upper left of the image. In all embodiments, the solar module 9 should be attached to the window 1 at one, two, or more than two points (eyelets 12) using a suction cup 30. Ideally, there should be four eyelets and four suction cups 30. A suction cup 30 can support several kilograms if the holding force F = Δp - A generated by the negative pressure is greater than the weight of the load. Δp is the pressure difference between the outside air and the inside of the suction cup, and A is the effective suction cup area. Depending on the effective suction cup area, negative pressures in the range of approximately 10 to 80 kPa are typically required. It is recommended to use four suction cups 30 per solar module 9, since, in addition to the downward force of weight, the wind suction also acts on the solar module mounting (100) perpendicular to the window surface. Figures 5A to 5D show four different suction cups as examples. In the suction cup 30 of Figure 5A, the eyelet 12 of a solar module 9 and / or the securing strip 20 can be attached to the pin 31 of the suction cup 30. The suction cup 30 of Figure 5B includes a knurled screw 32 that can be screwed into an internal thread of the suction cup 30. This knurled screw 32 allows the solar module 9 and / or the securing strip 20 to be connected to the suction cup 30. The suction cup 30 of Figure 5C includes a lever 33, which is used to create a stable vacuum. The suction cup 30 of Figure 5D includes a hook 34 for connecting the solar module 9 and / or the securing strip 20 to the suction cup 30. Figure 6A shows another embodiment in a schematic sectional view of a window 1. The solar module 9 is represented here by a thin, planar support 11 comprising several solar cells 10 (the solar cells 10 are indicated here by thick black lines on the sun-facing side of the support 11). The support 11 has at least one upper attachment point BP for fixing the solar module 9 to a substructure 40. This substructure 40 is attached to the pane 4 of the window 1 by means of suction cups 30. In Figure 6A, the upper suction cup 30 is directly connected to the securing strip 20, which is hatched in Figure 6A for clarity. The solar module 9 is indirectly connected to the upper and lower suction cups 30, with these suction cups 30 supporting the substructure 40.The solar module 9 is attached to this substructure 40 in the area of ​​the upper attachment point BP and the lower attachment point BP1. Fig. 6B shows an enlarged, schematic representation of an example of how to attach the solar module 9 to a lower leg of the substructure 40. Only a lower section of the support 11 of the solar module 9 is shown in Fig. 6B. This support 11 is provided with an eyelet 12 (as shown in Fig. 2), which is shown in gray in Fig. 6B. A finger-like extension or pin 25 is provided on the lower leg of the substructure 40. This extension or pin is inserted through the eyelet 12 to attach the module 9 to the substructure 40 and can optionally be secured with a rubber ring 24. The frame 2 of the window 1 is attached to the masonry of a building in the usual manner. The window frame 3 and / or the window frame 2 has seals (indicated in black) that ensure a tight seal of the window 1. In Fig. 6A, it can be seen that the securing strip 20 essentially conforms to the shape of the gap that exists between the window frame 3 and the frame 2 when the window 1 is closed. The first end E1 of the securing strip 20 is located on the outside in front of the window 1, and the second end E2 is located on the inside of the window 1. The flat longitudinal section LA extends between the two ends E1 and E2 and is wedged between the frame 3 and the frame 2. A substructure 40, as shown in Fig. 6A, can be used in all embodiments. Preferably, the substructure 40 is designed to securely support the solar module 9 and to define an inclination angle W1 of the solar module 9 of approximately 30 degrees ± 10 degrees, in order to ensure a sensible compromise between the optimal angle of incidence of sunlight on the cells 10 of the solar module 9 and low levels of other loads such as wind or snow load. The substructure 40 can be made of plastic and / or metal (e.g., a flat metal profile) in all embodiments and should be both lightweight and inherently stable. As an exemplary embodiment, curved aluminum tubes are proposed for the two support legs of the substructure 40. In this case, the ends of the aluminum tubes are provided with an internal thread, and the solar module 9 is then attached to the mounting points BP and BP1 using screws that are screwed into these threads from the outside. Figures 6A and 6B show an embodiment in which the substructures 40 are made of flat metal profiles which extend at the fastening points BP and BP1 into narrow, finger-like pins 25 which protrude through the eyelets 12 and are secured from the outside, e.g. by rubber rings 24, as schematically indicated in Figure 6B. Preferably, in all embodiments, the invention is implemented such that the locking strip 20 and the solar module 9 move in conjunction with the window 1 when it is opened and closed. For example, if the window 1 is tilted inwards, the locking strip 20 and the solar module 9 follow this tilting movement without detaching from the pane 4. For some time now, there have been window sills 6 that can be easily hung in a window frame 3 without drilling or gluing. When the window 1 is opened for ventilation, the sill 6 automatically swings inwards with the window sash, so that objects placed on it (such as the assembly of a solar device 100) do not need to be moved or even fall off. It typically consists of two curved sheet steel supports or angles 7 and a support surface 8, usually made of wood. Details can be found, for example, in documents DE102023000556A1 or DE102009031414A1. The invention is particularly advantageous for all windows 1 equipped with a window sill 6 that moves in conjunction with the window 1 when it is opened. An example is shown in Fig. 7. The description of Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to 6 also applies to the embodiment of Fig. 7. The following describes only the differences between the embodiment of Fig. 7 and the other embodiments. The window sill 6 can include lateral brackets 7, which, for example, engage behind the vertical profiles of the window frame 3 with tabs and are attached there. A horizontally arranged board 8, a base, or a panel can connect the brackets 7 to one another, as shown in Fig. 7. According to the invention, the solar device 100 can comprise a module 101 (assembly with electrical / electronic components) which includes one or more of the following components, assemblies or units: - charge controller, - battery, - control or monitoring unit, - USB ports, - AC power connection, - inverter, - communication means, etc. In all embodiments of the invention, this module 101 can be arranged on a stationary windowsill, or it can be mounted on or below a movable windowsill 6. In Fig. 7, the possible positions of such modules 101 are indicated by dashed, rectangular housings. The DC cables required to connect the solar module 9 to the module 101 can, in all embodiments, either be designed as flat cables that are routed between the frame 3 and the jamb 2 at a suitable location, or be guided through a through-hole in the frame 3 or the jamb 3, or an electrically conductive connection can be integrated into the securing strip 20. The DC cables or electrically conductive connections are not shown in the figures. Reference symbol: 1 Window 2 Window frame 3 Window frame 4 Glass pane 5 Window handle 6 Window sill 7 Angle bracket 8 Board, base, panel 9 Solar module 10 Solar cells 11 Support 12 Eyelet 20 Securing strip 21 Rivets 22 Eyelets 23 Rivets, screws 24 Rubber ring 25 Extension, pin 30 Suction cup 31 Pin 32 Knurled screw 33 Lever 40 Substructure 100 Solar device 101 Module / assembly BP Mounting point BP1 Mounting point B1 Width D1 Thickness Δp Pressure difference F Holding force L1 Length L2 Length L0 Original length LFracture Elongation W1 Angle x,y Coordinate axes QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature DE 102023000556A1

[0043] DE 102009031414A1

[0043]

Claims

Solar device (100) with a solar module (9) comprising several solar cells (10) arranged on a planar support (11), wherein the support (11) has at least one upper attachment point (BP) for fixing the solar module (9) to a window (1), characterized in that the solar device (100) comprises a securing strip (20) having a first end (E1) and an opposite second end (E2) and a flat longitudinal section (LA) between the two ends (E1, E2), which is connected directly or indirectly to the support (11) with the first end (E1) on one side of the window (1) in the area of ​​the attachment point (BP), and which is clamped with the flat longitudinal section (LA) between the window jamb (2) and the window frame (3) of the window (1) such that the second end (E1) is located on the opposite side of the window (1).wherein the securing strip (20) in the area of ​​the flat longitudinal section (LA) comprises or consists of a material that is foldable and / or bendable without material failure. Solar device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the securing strip (20) has a length (l1) of at least 10 cm, a width (B1) of at least 1 cm and in the area of ​​the flat longitudinal section (LA) a thickness (D1) between 0.1 mm and 2 mm. Solar device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the securing strip (20) comprises a plastic material having shape memory at least in the area of ​​the flat longitudinal section (LA). Solar device (100) according to one of claims 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the securing strip (20) comprises at least in the area of ​​the flat longitudinal section (LA) one of the following materials: - fibrous and / or nonwoven material; - braided or knitted material. Solar device (100) according to one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the securing strip (20) comprises at least in the area of ​​the flat longitudinal section (LA) one of the following materials: - aluminum foil; - copper foil; - stainless steel foil. Solar device (100) according to one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the safety strip (20) and the solar module (9) move in solidarity with the window (1) when it is opened and closed. Solar device (100) according to one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one suction cup (30) which is fixed in the area of ​​the upper attachment point (BP) on the support (11) and a glass pane (4) of the window (1). Solar device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that the securing strip (20) is attached to the suction cup (30) or directly to the support (11). Solar device (100) according to one of claims 1 - 8, characterized in that it comprises a substructure (40) to which the solar module (9) is attached, wherein the substructure (40) is fixed to a glass pane (4) of the window (1). Solar device (100) according to one of claims 1 - 9, characterized in that it comprises a module (101) comprising one or more of the following components, assemblies or units: - charge controller, - battery, - control or monitoring unit, - USB ports, - AC power connection, - inverter, - communication means. Solar device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that a window sill (6) is attached to the window (1) which moves in solidarity with the window (1) and that the module (101) is attached to or on the window sill (6).

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