STRUCTURE OF RAIL-MOUNTED articulated frames

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a structure consisting of several frames, each frame being formed by a plurality of uprights including an upper upright and a lower upright, the frames being hinged together two by two by their upper uprights or their lower uprights to form a deployable and foldable accordion structure.

[0002] In various industrial applications, such structures are used, which can be folded during transport to take up minimal space (the frames are then stacked against each other), and unfolded once they arrive on site. This is the case, for example, in the field of renewable energies, where solar panels are fixed to the frames. Deploying the structure on site allows all the panels to be exposed to the sun, in order to optimize electricity production.

[0003] The structure can be deployed using rails, which provide support for deployment on any terrain. Thus, it is the lower edges of the frames that move on the rails.

[0004] An example of such a structure is given by document EP 2 378 565, where the lower edges of the frames have protrusions which slide in removable rails.

[0005] However, we are trying to improve the mechanisms for deploying structures compared to rails.

[0006] WO 2017 / 147634 describes a mobile photovoltaic system comprising articulated panels.

[0007] EP 2 341 199 relates to a mobile swimming pool shelter comprising hinged panels to be placed in a vertical direction.

[0008] The invention aims to propose a structure which allows easier deployment on rails.

[0009] This aim is achieved by the fact that each pair of articulated lower uprights is provided with at least one movement mechanism which comprises a translation device and a guide device, the translation device being capable of translating the lower uprights on a rail when passing between the deployed position and the folded position of the structure, and the guide device being capable of guiding the lower uprights along the rail when passing the structure between the deployed position and the folded position, in which the guide device (52) is mounted on one and / or the other of the adjacent lower uprights (22).

[0010] Thanks to these provisions, the structure is able to move more easily on a rail with a wide variety of geometries, since it is not necessary for the rail to have a guide device. In fact, the guide devices are carried by the frames. In addition, the movement device moves on the rail, that is, rests on the upper part of the rail. The positioning and cooperation of the structure with the rails are thus quick and easy.

[0011] Advantageously, the translation device comprises a wheel capable of rolling on the upper surface of the rail.

[0012] This makes it easier to deploy and fold the structure.

[0013] Advantageously, the translation device comprises a pad capable of sliding on the upper surface of the rail.

[0014] Advantageously, the guide device comprises at least one guide capable of moving along and opposite a lateral edge of the rail.

[0015] Advantageously, each pair of articulated lower uprights is provided with at least two movement mechanisms.

[0016] Thus, when two parallel rails are present, the structure is able to move on two rails, and is therefore more stable in its movement.

[0017] Advantageously, the lower upright of each of the end frames of the structure is provided with at least one displacement mechanism.

[0018] Thus, the end frames can help guide the structure as it moves.

[0019] The invention also relates to an assembly consisting of a structure according to the invention and at least one solar panel carried by one of the frames.

[0020] The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better, on reading the detailed description which follows, of an embodiment shown by way of non-limiting example. The description refers to the appended drawings in which: there figure 1 is a perspective view of a structure with a translation element according to a first embodiment of the invention, resting on rails; the figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the translation element of the figure 1 ; there figure 3 is a side view of the translation element of the figure 2 .

[0021] There figure 1 shows a structure 1 consisting of several frames 10. Each frame 10 extends in a main plane P, and is formed of a set of uprights 20. The plane P is thus the plane in which the uprights 20 extend. This set comprises an upper upright 21, a lower upright 22, and at least two intermediate uprights 23 which each connect the upper upright 21 and the lower upright 22. The structure 1 comprises one or more central frames 10, and two end frames. Each central frame 10 is articulated by its upper upright 21 to the upper upright of a first adjacent frame, and by its lower upright 22 to the lower upright of a second adjacent frame. Each end frame 10 is articulated to a single central frame 10, either by its upper upright 21, or by its lower upright 22.

[0022] Thus, the structure 1 is an accordion structure capable of being deployed (deployed position) and folded (folded position) by pivoting the frames 10 around the joints between the upper uprights 21 and the joints between the lower uprights 22.

[0023] In the folded position, the main planes P of the frames 10 are all parallel, for example vertical.

[0024] In the deployed position, shown in figure 1 , the frames 10 are all located substantially in the same plane, for example a horizontal plane, that is to say that two adjacent frames 10 make an angle close to 180° between them.

[0025] Thus, the deployment and folding of structure 1 is more stable.

[0026] Advantageously, the structure 1 comprises an even number of central frames 10, and each end frame 10 is articulated to the upper upright 21 of the central frame 10 which is adjacent to it by its upper upright 21, such that the lower upright 22 of the end frame 10 is intended to rest on rails.

[0027] In the following description we will place ourselves in this configuration.

[0028] The frame 10 may have any desired shape. For example, the frame 10 is rectangular, the uprights 20 of the frame 10 forming one or more adjacent rectangles within this frame 10.

[0029] For example, as shown in figure 1 , each frame 10 of the structure 1 is made up of an upper upright 21, a lower upright 22, and six parallel intermediate uprights 23. These uprights 20 define five identical rectangles, each of these rectangles being delimited by an upper upright 21, a lower upright 22, and two intermediate uprights 23.

[0030] Each of these rectangles is capable of receiving a panel, for example a solar panel (not shown).

[0031] Two adjacent upper uprights 21 are articulated by a pivot connection.

[0032] Two adjacent lower uprights 22 are also hinged by a pivot link.

[0033] These pivot connections are for example formed from a plurality of protrusions carried partly by one of the uprights (21, 22), for the other part by the adjacent upright (21, 22), these protrusions being connected by a rod or a set of rods aligned on the pivot axis of the pivot connections.

[0034] Each pair of lower uprights 22 articulated together is provided with at least one displacement mechanism 50 which comprises a translation device 51 and a guide device 52.

[0035] The translation device 51 is capable of translating these lower uprights 22 on a rail 60, between the deployed position and the folded position of the structure 1.

[0036] This translation on the rail 60 is carried out on the upper surface 61 of the rail 60.

[0037] The translation device 51 is mounted on one or other of the adjacent lower uprights 22.

[0038] For example, the translation device 51 comprises a wheel 511 capable of rolling on the upper surface 61 of the rail 60. This embodiment is shown in figures 1, 2 , And 3 The wheel 511 is mounted to rotate freely on one or more protrusions 512 carried by one of the lower uprights 22.

[0039] Alternatively, the translation device 51 comprises a pad capable of sliding on the upper surface 61 of the rail 60.

[0040] The guide device 52 is capable of guiding the lower uprights 22 along the rail 60 during the deployment or folding of the structure 1, that is to say whatever the position of the frames 10 relative to the rail 60 when the lower uprights 22 translate on the rail 60.

[0041] The guide device 52 is mounted on one and / or the other of the adjacent lower uprights 22.

[0042] For example, the guide device 52 comprises at least one guide 521 capable of moving along and opposite a lateral edge 62 of the rail 60.

[0043] Generally speaking, if it is intended that the structure 1 moves on several rails 60, for example on two rails 60, each pair of articulated lower uprights 22 is provided with a movement mechanism 50 for each rail 60.

[0044] Thus, the guide device 52 comprises at least one guide 521 per rail 60. Advantageously, the guide device 52 comprises at least two guides 521 per rail 60, the rail 60 being located between these two guides 521. Thus, the guidance of the structure 1 on the rails 60 is more efficient.

[0045] For example, as visible in figure 3 , the guide device 52 comprises two plates 521 mounted on the one of the lower uprights 21 not carrying the translation device 51. These plates 521 are each located opposite one of the lateral edges 62. These plates 521 are mounted in such a way that a part of the rail 60 is always sandwiched between a portion of the two plates 521 whatever the position of the structure 1 between its folded position and its unfolded position. Thus the guidance is always effective.

[0046] Advantageously, each movement mechanism 50 constitutes one of the pivot links (or the pivot link if there is only one) between the two adjacent lower uprights 22.

[0047] Thus, the manufacturing and assembly of structure 1 is facilitated.

[0048] For example, the translation device 51 is carried by the first of the lower uprights 22, the guide device 52 is carried by the other lower upright 22 hinged to the first of the lower uprights 22, and a rod passes through holes in the translation device 51 and the guide device 52, this rod forming the pivot axis of the pivot connection between these two adjacent frames 10.

[0049] For example, as shown in figure 2 , the holes are located in the plates 521, in the protrusions 512, and the rod (not shown) passes through these holes and through the center of the wheel 511 so that the pivot axis of the joint coincides with the axis of rotation of the wheel 511.

[0050] Advantageously, the lower upright 21 of each of the end frames 10 of the structure 1 is provided with at least one movement mechanism 50. These movement mechanisms 50 are positioned on the rail(s) 60 when the structure 1 passes between its folded position and its deployed position.

[0051] Thus, the end frames 10 contribute to guiding the structure 1 on the rail(s) 60.

[0052] The fact that the movement mechanism 50 is located entirely on the structure 1, and not on the rails 60, allows the structure 1 to easily adapt to a variety of rails 60.

[0053] Furthermore, the fact that the translation of the lower uprights 22 along the rails 60 is carried out on the rails 60, therefore on the upper surface 61 of each rail 60, allows easier and faster deployment and folding of the structure 1. Indeed, once the rails 60 are in place, it is sufficient to position the structure 61 in such a way that the movement mechanism 50 is located on the rails 60 so that the structure 1 can be unfolded. The translation of the lower uprights 22 is carried out regardless of the geometry of the rail 60 and its upper surface 61.

Claims

1. A structure (1) formed of several frames (10), where each frame (10) is formed by a plurality of stiles (20) including one upper stile (21) and one lower stile (22), and where said frames (10) are hinged to each other pairwise by the upper stiles (21) thereof or the lower stiles (22) thereof in order to form a deployable and foldable accordion structure, said structure (1) in which each pair of hinged lower stiles (22) is provided with at least one displacement mechanism (50) which comprises a translation device (51) and a guiding device (52), where said translation device (51) can translate said lower stiles (22) on a track (60) during movement between the deployed position and the folded position of said structure (1), and where the guiding device (52) can guide said lower stiles (22) along said track (60) during passage of said structure (1) between the deployed position and the folded position, said structure being characterized in that the guiding device (52) is mounted on one or the other of the adjacent lower stiles (22).

2. The structure (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said translation device (51) comprises a wheel (511) rollable on the upper surface (61) of the track (60).

3. The structure (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said translation device (51) comprises a slider slidable on the upper surface (61) of said track (60).

4. The structure (1) according to and one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said guiding device (52) comprises at least one guide (521) displaceable along and facing a lateral edge (62) of the track (60).

5. The structure (1) according to and one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that each pair of hinged lower stiles (22) is provided with at least two displacement mechanisms (50).

6. The structure (1) according to and one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the lower stile of each of the end frames (10) of the structure (1) is provided with at least one displacement mechanism (50).

7. An assembly formed of a structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and at least one solar panel carried by one of said frames (10).