SOLAR MODULE MOUNTING SYSTEM WITH SECURING BOLT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a solar module fastening system with at least one rail which can be fastened to a substrate, in particular to a roof, for fastening elements of a solar system, wherein the rail has a wall with a through-opening through which a securing bolt can be inserted.

[0002] Rails are commonly used to position and secure solar systems, particularly photovoltaic (PV) modules, on flat roofs. It is common practice to arrange rails in multiple rows, with multiple rails arranged one behind the other in a row. The rails are connected to each other to create a checkerboard pattern of parallel rails and transverse connectors or modules. Two consecutive rails are often connected by a connector or eaves support. However, eaves supports can also be arranged at other points along the rail.

[0003] In addition to connecting elements and eaves supports, other components can and are also connected to the rails. For this purpose, fastening or securing bolts are used, which are inserted into the through hole in the wall of the rail. The securing bolts are usually designed as screws, which are then screwed into the fastening or securing position, thus connecting and holding the various elements.

[0004] The assembly of the elements is complex and time-consuming due to the screwing process. In particular, there is a risk of losing the nuts of the securing bolts. In the worst case, these can fall off the roof, further complicating and prolonging the installation process. A prior art mounting system is disclosed in document DE 10 2016 111 983 A1.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of providing an alternative embodiment of such a solar module mounting system. This system should have a simple and robust construction, be cost-effective to manufacture, and, in particular, be quick and easy to install.

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a solar module fastening system having the features of claim 1 and by a fastening method having the features of claim 8.

[0007] Accordingly, the solar module mounting system has a rail with a through-hole through which a securing bolt can be inserted for connection or mounting with other elements.

[0008] Below the passage opening is a U-shaped retaining groove, which has a groove wall extending approximately parallel to the wall, is connected to the wall via a groove base, and is open toward the passage opening. The retaining groove protrudes laterally from the wall 23. The groove wall, which runs approximately parallel to the wall, serves as a later abutment for the head of the securing bolt.

[0009] The securing bolt according to the invention has a shaft and a head, which are designed and arranged such that, in an initial position in which the shaft is inserted into the through-hole until the head abuts the wall, the head is positioned outside the retaining groove. In a securing position, the securing bolt is rotated about a longitudinal axis of the shaft relative to the initial position and partially protrudes into the retaining groove.

[0010] It is therefore essential that the locking bolt and the retaining groove are coordinated in terms of size, arrangement, and shape in such a way that the head of the locking bolt can be guided in a specific orientation along the groove wall, which extends relatively close to the through-hole. To this end, the head has at least one area whose projection relative to the shaft is less than the distance between a free edge of the groove wall and the through-hole.

[0011] Once the locking bolt is fully inserted, the head is then rotated from its initial position until the corresponding area is positioned in the retaining groove.

[0012] In summary, the assembly is carried out as follows: Fastening the rail to a surface, aligning the securing bolt in relation to the through opening and the groove wall, inserting the securing bolt into the through opening in the wall and, if necessary, into an opening in an element to be connected, guiding the head of the securing bolt past the groove wall into a starting position of the securing bolt, rotating the securing bolt around the longitudinal axis of the shaft from the starting position into a securing position in which the head partially protrudes into the retaining groove.

[0013] The realization of different areas of the head, which extend at different distances from the shaft, can be achieved in a variety of ways. In a first design variant, the head is non-circular, for example, angular, particularly triangular or rectangular, but an oval basic shape is also conceivable. A head with a fundamentally round basic shape, in which a circular segment (circular section) is missing, is also possible. A circular segment is a partial area of ​​a circle bounded by a circular arc and a chord.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the desired function can also be achieved by connecting the shaft of the locking bolt to the head off-center. In this case, a completely round basic shape could also be screwed into and out of the retaining groove.

[0015] The head is further preferably characterized in that the depth of the head varies in the circumferential direction, with the maximum depth of the head approximately corresponding to the inside width of the retaining groove. This facilitates screwing into the retaining groove. The maximum depth of the head preferably exceeds the inside width of the retaining groove such that screwing the deeper portion into the retaining groove causes the head to jam in the retaining groove. The retaining groove and / or the head are preferably elastically deformed in the process.

[0016] The depth of the head preferably increases counterclockwise, either continuously or in steps. Counterclockwise is particularly useful because the direction of rotation when screwing in the locking bolt corresponds to the usual tightening of a screw.

[0017] The head can have roughness-enhancing structures on at least one outer side to increase frictional engagement in the locking position. This ensures that the locking bolt does not rotate back and loosen, even when the components move, for example due to wind. The outer sides can be roughened or provided with a serrated structure, for example. It is also conceivable for the outer surfaces of the head to be covered with a rough and / or elastic plastic material. The outer sides or outer surfaces are those surfaces that come into contact with the wall or an inner side of the groove wall.

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. These represent only a preferred embodiment and are not intended to be limiting. The dimensions are not to scale; dimensions and measurements may vary. They show: Fig. 1: a solar module fastening system with a rail and a securing bolt Fig. 2: the solar module fastening system with inserted securing bolt in the starting position, Fig. 3: the solar module fastening system with inserted securing bolt in an intermediate position, Fig. 4: the solar module fastening system with inserted securing bolt in a securing position, Fig. 5: the solar module fastening system with inserted securing bolt in a securing position from above, Fig. 6: the solar module fastening system with inserted securing bolt in the starting position in a simplified sectional view, Fig. 7: the solar module fastening system with inserted securing bolt in the securing position in a simplified sectional view.

[0019] The Figures 1 to 7show a preferred embodiment of a solar module fastening system 20. This essentially has a rail 22 with a wall 23 and securing bolts 28 that can be connected to the rail 22.

[0020] In the embodiment shown, several through openings 24 are made in the wall 23 of the rail 22, into which a shaft 28 of the securing bolt 26 can be inserted.

[0021] The securing bolt 26 has a head 30 connected to the shaft 28. The head 30 is round except for a missing circular segment. Furthermore, it can be seen that the head 30 protrudes beyond the width of the shaft 28 in cross-section and rests against the wall 23 in an initial position.

[0022] A retaining groove 40 is formed on the wall 23, which protrudes from the wall 23 and is formed from a groove wall 32 extending substantially parallel to the wall 23 and a groove bottom 34 connecting the groove wall 32 to the wall 23.

[0023] In particular, the Figures 5 to 7 illustrate that the head 30 is designed with varying depths or thicknesses across its circumference. In the illustrated embodiment, the head has steps of varying depths, increasing counterclockwise. Alternatively, a continuous increase in depth is also possible.

[0024] The Figures 1 to 4illustrate that insertion of the locking bolt 26 is only possible if the head 30 is aligned such that the area in which a circular segment is missing is aligned towards the groove wall 32. Only in this way is it possible to insert the shaft 28 of the locking bolt 26 into the through-hole 24. Only when the head 30 rests with its inner side against the wall 23 can the area with greater depth be screwed into the retaining groove 40 and clamped or locked. This is also illustrated by the Figures 6 and 7 .

[0025] The retaining groove 40 has a clear width NB which corresponds approximately to the depth of at least one region of the head 30 which can be screwed into the retaining groove 40.

Claims

1. Solar module fastening system (20) with at least one rail (22), which can be fastened to a substrate, in particular a roof, for fastening elements of a solar system, wherein the rail (22) has a wall (23) with a through opening (24), through which a securing bolt (26) can be inserted, characterized in that - a U-shaped retaining groove (40) is arranged underneath the through opening (24), said U-shaped retaining groove - has a groove wall (32) which extends approximately parallel to the wall (23) and which is connected to the wall (23) via a groove bottom (34), - is open in the direction of the through opening (24), - the securing bolt (26) has a shaft (28) and a head (30), which are arranged and designed in such a way that - in a starting position, in which the shaft (28) is inserted into the through opening (24) up to the stop of the head (30) on the wall (23), the head (30) is arranged outside of the retaining groove (40), - in a second securing position, in which the securing bolt (26) is rotated, in relation to the starting position, about a longitudinal axis of the shaft, the head (30) projects in sections into the retaining groove (40).

2. Solar module fastening system (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaft (28) of the securing bolt is eccentrically connected to the head (30).

3. Solar module fastening system (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the head (30) of the securing bolt (26) is designed to be non-circular.

4. Solar module fastening system (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the depth of the head (30) of the securing bolt (26) is designed to differ in the circumferential direction, wherein the maximum depth of the head (30) approximately corresponds to an inside width (NB) of the retaining groove (40).

5. Solar module fastening system (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that the maximum depth exceeds the inside width (NB) of the retaining groove (40) in such a way that a screwing in of the deeper area into the retaining groove (40) causes a clamping of the head (30) in the retaining groove (40).

6. Solar module fastening system (20) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the depth of the head (30) in the circumferential direction continuously increases preferably counterclockwise.

7. Solar module fastening system (20) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the head (30) has, on at least one outer side, roughness increasing structures for increasing a frictional engagement in the securing position.

8. Method for fastening an element on a rail (22) of a solar module fastening system (20) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the subsequent method steps: - fastening the rail (22) to a substrate, - aligning the securing bolt (26) with respect to the through opening (24) and the groove wall (32), - inserting the securing bolt (26) into the through opening (24) of the wall (23), - guiding the head (30) of the securing bolt (26) past the groove wall (32) into a starting position of the securing bolt (26), - rotating the securing bolt (26) about the longitudinal axis of the shaft (28) from the starting position into a securing position, in which the head (30) projects in sections into the retaining groove (40).