Carrier film for the installation of photovoltaic panels of various sizes

Description

Scope of the invention

[0001] This patent application relates to the field of fixing and integrating photovoltaic panels on a roof, and more particularly to a support plate for fixing and integrating a photovoltaic panel on a building roof.

[0002] The invention also relates to a device for fixing and integrating a plurality of photovoltaic panels, which comprises a plurality of support plates forming a support platform. State of the art

[0003] The installation and fixing of photovoltaic panels are traditionally carried out using heavy metal rail systems which require suitable means of transport.

[0004] Furthermore, installing a metal rail system on a roof is a delicate process.

[0005] A prior art support plate for photovoltaic panels is also known, which is described and shown in document EP-A-3143691. Such a support plate is suitable for fixing and integrating a photovoltaic panel on a roof.

[0006] For this purpose, the support plate, which is mounted on the roof, has studs for supporting and fixing the photovoltaic panel onto the support plate.

[0007] Also, the support plate described in document EP-A-3143691 has a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge which are each in the shape of an inverted U and which are adapted to be assembled each with a complementary edge of a neighboring support plate.

[0008] The first lateral edge and the second lateral edge protrude from the photovoltaic panel support pads, so that the photovoltaic panel placed on the support plate is sandwiched between the two lateral edges.

[0009] In addition, clips are screwed onto the first side edge and the second side edge to fix the photovoltaic panel supported by the support plate. Technical problem remaining laid

[0010] Although the support plate of the type described in document EP-A-3143691 allows for easy installation of a photovoltaic panel, it is only suitable for one size of photovoltaic panel.

[0011] Indeed, the lateral edges of the support plate constrain the position of the photovoltaic panel on the support plate and prevent a free arrangement of the photovoltaic panel. Description of the invention

[0012] The present invention aims in particular to resolve this drawback.

[0013] This objective, as well as others which will appear upon reading the description that follows, is achieved with a support plate adapted for fixing and integrating at least one photovoltaic panel on a building roof, said support plate being according to claim 1.

[0014] Depending on other optional features of the invention, taken alone or in combination: The second lateral edge is flush with the first bearing surface of the support plate. This feature allows the second lateral edge to form a bearing surface for supporting a photovoltaic panel; the first and second lateral edges form a first and second rib respectively, each extending transversely, the second lateral edge being designed to interlock with the first lateral edge by form cooperation, in order to allow assembly of said support plate with at least one neighboring support plate, and the second lateral edge is designed to overlap and cover the first lateral edge in a watertight manner; the first lateral edge includes a mechanical stiffening reinforcement. This feature allows the first lateral edge to form a support and fixing surface for one or more photovoltaic panels;The support plate has at least one second bearing surface, the first and second bearing surfaces being arranged on either side of a longitudinal median axis of the support plate; each of the first and second bearing surfaces has a mechanical stiffening reinforcement. This feature allows the first and second bearing surfaces to form a support and fixing surface for one or more photovoltaic panels;the support plate is equipped with a first removable extension which has a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, and which is intended to be mounted on the upstream end of the support plate, to increase longitudinally the dimension of the support plate, and the bearing surface of the support plate is flush, or protruding, with respect to the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge of the first extension, so that the first extension allows a free arrangement of all or part of at least one photovoltaic panel on the assembly formed by the support plate and the first extension;The support plate is equipped with a second removable extension which has a first lateral edge designed to be fitted onto the second lateral edge of the support plate, and a second lateral edge designed to be fitted onto the first lateral edge of the support plate, to increase the transverse dimension of the support plate, and the bearing surface of the support plate is flush, or protrudes, with respect to the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge of the second extension, so that the second extension allows a free arrangement of all or part of at least one photovoltaic panel on the assembly formed by the support plate and the second extension; the support plate has a recess for the passage of a cable.

[0015] The invention also relates to a device for fixing and integrating a plurality of photovoltaic panels on a roof of a building, characterized in that it comprises at least a first support plate and a second support plate of the type described above, the first lateral edge of the first support plate being assembled with the second lateral edge of the second support plate to form a platform which is adapted for the support and free positioning of a plurality of photovoltaic panels.

[0016] The term "free positioning" refers to the ability to position the photovoltaic panels on the platform formed by the support plates according to the invention, both in a "landscape" arrangement and in a "portrait" arrangement, or by combining these two "landscape" and "portrait" arrangements. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the attached figures, which illustrate: [ Fig. 1 ] : a perspective view of a support plate for a photovoltaic panel according to the invention; ] Fig. 2 ] : a cross-sectional view of the support plate of the figure 1 which is assembled to two other adjacent support plates; [ Fig. 3 ] : a detailed view of the overlap of the support plate with a neighboring support plate figure 2 ; Fig. 4 ] : a perspective view of the first extension of the support plate; ] Fig. 5 ] : a perspective view of a second extension of the support plate; ] Fig. 6 ] : a perspective view of the first corner bevel at the end of the field; ] Fig. 7 : a perspective view of a second corner bevel at the end of the field; Fig. 8] : a perspective view of a device comprising a plurality of support plates according to the invention.

[0018] In the description and claims, the longitudinal, vertical and transverse terminology will be adopted without limitation with reference to the L, V, T trihedron shown in the figures.

[0019] Therefore, the terms upstream and downstream will be used in reference to the direction of runoff water flow over the support plate when it is arranged in portrait format on a roof, as illustrated in the figure 1 .

[0020] Throughout all these figures, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference symbols. Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0021] We represented at the figure 1 a support plate 10 which is adapted for fixing and integrating a photovoltaic panel 12 (visible at the figure 2 ).

[0022] The support plate 10 is intended to be arranged on a roof (not shown), generally inclined with respect to a vertical axis, following the slope of the roof.

[0023] The support plate 10 extends transversely from a first longitudinal lateral edge 14 to a second opposite longitudinal lateral edge 16.

[0024] The first lateral edge 14 and the second lateral edge 16 of the support plate 10 each have a generally inverted U-shaped cross-section, as can be seen in the detail view of the figure 3 .

[0025] There figure 2 represents a first support plate 10 which is assembled onto a second support plate 10 on the left part of the figure 2 , and on a third support plate 10 on the right side of the figure 2 .

[0026] The second lateral edge 16 is designed to fit together with the first lateral edge 14 and to overlap the first lateral edge 14 of complementary shape, when two adjacent support plates 10 are juxtaposed transversely as illustrated in figures 2 , 3 And 8 , to ensure a good seal between the associated support plates 10 and to transversely block the support plates 10 thus assembled.

[0027] Indeed, the overlap of the lateral edges 14, 16 and their inverted U shape prevent rainwater from passing through the support plates 10 assembled together.

[0028] Also, the first lateral edge 14 and the second lateral edge 16 extend longitudinally from a downstream end 18 of the support plate 10, to an upstream end 19 forming an upstream overlap portion 20.

[0029] The overlap portion 20 of the support plate 10 has a shape that is adapted to be covered by an additional support plate arranged upstream of the support plate 10.

[0030] In other words, the support plate 10 has a lower portion 22 which is adapted to overlap the cover portion 20 of a downstream support plate, without forming an excess thickness.

[0031] Also, the support plate 10 has a front face 24 which is intended to be arranged opposite the photovoltaic panel 12 and an opposite rear face 26 which is intended to be arranged opposite the roof.

[0032] According to another aspect, with reference to the figure 1 , the support plate 10 delimits an opening 28 which is arranged generally in the center of the support plate 10 and which is intended for the passage of cables, for example, or any other element which must pass through the support plate 10.

[0033] In addition, the support plate 10 forms a bead 29 which has an inverted U shape and which covers the recess 28 to guide any water runoff beyond the recess 28.

[0034] As can be seen on the Figures 1 And 2 , the support plate 10 comprises a first bearing surface 30 and a second bearing surface 32 which extend longitudinally from the downstream end 18 of the support plate 10, to the overlap portion 20.

[0035] The first bearing surface 30 and the second bearing surface 32 are arranged on either side of a longitudinal median axis A of the support plate 10.

[0036] The first bearing surface 30 is interposed between the first lateral edge 14 and the recess 28 and the second bearing surface 32 is interposed between the second lateral edge 16 and the recess 28.

[0037] The first support surface 30 and the second support surface 32 are designed to support the load of at least one photovoltaic panel and an installer.

[0038] For this purpose, the first bearing surface 30 and the second bearing surface 32 each include a honeycomb mechanical stiffening reinforcement 34, of the honeycomb type for example.

[0039] According to the invention, the first bearing surface 30 and the second bearing surface 32 are each flush with the second lateral edge 16.

[0040] Thus, the first lateral edge 14 and the second lateral edge 16 allow a free arrangement of all or part of at least one photovoltaic panel 12 on the support plate 10, without the first lateral edge 14 and the second lateral edge 16 hindering the free positioning of the photovoltaic panel 12.

[0041] It should be noted that the second lateral edge 16 is prominent, or substantially higher, than the first lateral edge 14, along a vertical direction perpendicular to the general plane of the support plate 10, to allow the second lateral edge 16 to overlap the first lateral edge 14 without forming an overthickness in relation to the bearing surfaces 30, 32.

[0042] Also, each support surface 30, 32 allows the fixing, for example by screws, of a fixing device (not shown) of the photovoltaic panel 12.

[0043] Such a fixing device includes for example a plurality of clips which are screwed onto the bearing surfaces 30, 32 and which hold the photovoltaic panel(s) 12 placed on the support plate 10.

[0044] Similarly, when the first lateral edge 14 and the second lateral edge 16 are in a nested configuration as illustrated in the figure 2, they form a support and fixing zone for the photovoltaic panel 12.

[0045] For this purpose, the first lateral edge 14 includes a honeycomb mechanical reinforcement 36 for stiffening, of the honeycomb type for example.

[0046] Advantageously, it is planned to fix stops, such as brackets for example, on the bearing surfaces 30, 32 of the support plate 10, to position and hold the photovoltaic panel while it is fixed to the support plate 10 by means of the fixing device provided for this purpose.

[0047] According to another aspect of the invention, the support plate 10 forms a first wave 38 and a second wave 40 of deformation which each extend longitudinally over the entire length of the support plate 10 and which are arranged on either side of the central recess 28.

[0048] The first wave 38 and the second wave 40 of deformation allow the support plate 10 to expand or contract in a transverse direction, perpendicular to the waves 38, 40, for example to allow the expansion of the support plate 10.

[0049] With reference to the figure 4 , the support plate 10 is equipped with a first removable extension 42 which is intended to be arranged on the upstream end 19 of the support plate 10, formed by the cover portion 20, in order to increase the length of the associated support plate 10, in a longitudinal direction.

[0050] For this purpose, the first extension 42 has a design similar to that of the support plate 10, the first extension 42 having a length less than that of the support plate 10 previously described, in a longitudinal direction.

[0051] More specifically, the first extension 42 includes a cover portion 44, which is similar to the cover portion 20 of the support plate 10 previously described, and an area for supporting a photovoltaic panel which includes in particular a first bearing surface 46 and a second bearing surface 48 each intended to support all or part of a photovoltaic panel.

[0052] The first extension 42 also includes a first lateral edge 50 and a second lateral edge 52 which are designed to cooperate with a second lateral edge 52 and a first lateral edge 50 respectively of a neighboring first extension 42, as illustrated in the figure 8 .

[0053] It should be noted that the bearing surfaces 30, 32 of the support plate 10 are flush with the bearing surfaces 46, 48 and the first lateral edge 50 and the second lateral edge 52 of the first extension 42, so that the first extension 42 allows a free arrangement of all or part of at least one photovoltaic panel.

[0054] In other words, the highest point of the first extension 42 is flush with the highest point of the support plate 10.

[0055] By way of non-limitation, the bearing surfaces 30, 32 of the support plate 10 may be prominent in relation to the first lateral edge 50 and the second lateral edge 52 of the first extension 42.

[0056] With reference to the figure 5 , the support plate 10 is equipped with a second removable extension 54 which is delimited transversely by a first lateral edge 56 and by a second lateral edge 58.

[0057] The second lateral edge 58 of the second extension 54 is designed to be fitted with the first lateral edge 14 of the associated support plate 10, to increase transversely the dimension of the support plate 10.

[0058] The first lateral edge 56 and the second lateral edge 58 of the second extension 54 extend longitudinally from a downstream edge of the second extension 54, to an upstream overlap portion 59.

[0059] The overlap portion 59 of the second extension 54 has a shape which is adapted to be covered by a second additional extension 54 arranged upstream of the second extension 54 described previously.

[0060] In addition, the second extension 54 has a bearing surface 60 designed to support all or part of a photovoltaic panel.

[0061] It should be noted that the bearing surfaces 30, 32 of the support plate 10 are flush with the bearing surface 60 and the first lateral edge 56 and the second lateral edge 58 of the second extension 54, so that the second extension 54 allows a free arrangement of all or part of at least one photovoltaic panel.

[0062] In other words, the highest point of the second extension 54 is flush with the highest point of the support plate 10.

[0063] By way of non-limitation, the bearing surfaces 30, 32 of the support plate 10 may be prominent in relation to the first lateral edge 56 and the second lateral edge 58 of the second extension 54.

[0064] With reference to the figure 6 , the support plate 10 is equipped with a first end-of-field angle 62, which has a geometry similar to the first lateral edge 14 of the support plate 10.

[0065] The first angle bracket 62 is designed to be overlapped by the second lateral edge 16 of the support plate 10, which is arranged at the end of an assembly formed of several support plates 10, as illustrated in the figure 8 , to mechanically reinforce the second lateral edge 16 of the end of the support plate 10, in particular to allow a means of fixing a photovoltaic panel to be screwed onto this lateral edge 16.

[0066] Similarly, with reference to the figure 7 , the support plate 10 is equipped with a second end-of-field angle 64, which has a geometry similar to that of the second lateral edge 16 of the support plate 10.

[0067] The second angle bracket 64 is designed to overlap the first lateral edge 14 of the support plate 10, which is arranged at the end of an assembly formed of several support plates 10, as illustrated in the figure 8, so that the second angle 64 is flush with the bearing surfaces 30, 32 of the support plate 10.

[0068] The invention also relates to a device 66 for fixing and integrating a plurality of photovoltaic panels 12 on a building roof, as illustrated in the figure 8 .

[0069] Device 66 comprises a plurality of support plates 10 of the type described above, which are connected together to form a platform which is suitable for supporting and freely positioning a plurality of photovoltaic panels.

[0070] The dimensions of the platform formed by the device 66 can be adjusted by adding extensions, such as the first extension 42 and the second extension 54, according to the layout of the photovoltaic panels to be supported.

[0071] According to the example illustrated in the figure 8, the device 10 comprises four support plates 10 which are distributed transversely and which are assembled together by means of the first lateral edge 14 and the second lateral edge 16 of each support plate 10.

[0072] In addition, each support plate 10 is associated with a first extension 42 of the type described previously.

[0073] We represented at the figure 8 an example of a configuration of device 66 which includes four support plates 10 and four first extensions 42, the position of the photovoltaic panels being materialized by a dashed line.

[0074] Note that the photovoltaic panels are arranged in "landscape" orientation, while the support plates 10 are arranged in "portrait" orientation, each photovoltaic panel being arranged on two support plates 10, as illustrated in the example shown in the figure 8 .

[0075] Thus, the support plate 10 according to the invention makes it possible to form a platform which can support a set of photovoltaic panels and which can be adapted according to the dimensions of the photovoltaic panels to be supported.

[0076] Naturally, the invention is described above by way of example. Il It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variations of the invention without going out of the scope of the invention.

[0077] For example, the first bearing surface 30 and the second bearing surface 32 of the support plate 10 may be prominent relative to the first lateral edge 14 and the second lateral edge 16, although this configuration does not allow the lateral edges 14, 16 to form an additional bearing area for the photovoltaic panel 12.

[0078] Similarly, a single 10 support plate can be adapted for fixing and integrating several photovoltaic panels, depending on the size of the photovoltaic panels.

Claims

1. Support plate (10) suitable for attaching and integrating at least one photovoltaic panel (12) on a roof of a building, said support plate (10) being delimited longitudinally by a downstream end (18) and an upstream end (19) forming an upstream cover portion (20), in the direction of flow of run-off water, and transversely by a first lateral edge (14) and a second lateral edge (16) that are each adapted to be assembled with a complementary edge of an adjacent support plate, and said support plate (10) comprising a recess (28) for the passage of a cable, characterized in that said support plate (10) comprises first (30) and second (32) bearing surfaces, arranged on either side of a longitudinal median axis (A) of the support plate (10), these bearing surfaces (30, 32) being provided to support a photovoltaic panel, these bearing surfaces extending longitudinally from the downstream end (18) of the support plate (10) up to the cover portion (20), the first bearing surface (30) being interposed between the first lateral edge (14) and the recess (28) and the second bearing surface (32) being interposed between the second lateral edge (16) and the recess (28), these bearing surfaces (30, 32) being culminating, or flush, with respect to the first lateral edge (14) and to the second lateral edge (16), so that the support plate (10) permits a free arrangement of all or part of at least one photovoltaic panel on the support plate (10).

2. Support plate (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the second lateral edge (16) is flush with the bearing surfaces (30, 32) of the support plate (10).

3. Support plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first lateral edge (14) and the second lateral edge (16) form a first rib and a second rib respectively that each extend transversely, the second lateral edge (16) being designed to be fitted into the first lateral edge (14) by cooperation of shape, in order to make it possible to assemble said support plate (10) with at least one adjacent support plate, and in that the second lateral edge (16) is designed to overlap and cover the first lateral edge (14) in a sealed manner.

4. Support plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first lateral edge (14) includes a mechanical stiffening reinforcement (36).

5. Support plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first bearing surface (30) and the second bearing surface (32) each include a mechanical stiffening reinforcement (34).

6. Support plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with a first removable elongation strip (42) that has a first lateral edge (50) and a second lateral edge (52), and that is provided to be mounted on the upstream end (19) of the support plate (10), to increase longitudinally the dimension of the support plate (10), and in that the bearing surface (30) of the support plate (10) is flush, or protruding, with respect to the first lateral edge (50) and to the second lateral edge (52) of the first elongation strip (42), so that the first elongation strip (42) permits a free arrangement of all or part of at least one photovoltaic panel on the assembly formed by the support plate (10) and the first elongation strip (54).

7. Support plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with a second removable elongation strip (54) that has a first lateral edge (56) designed to be fitted into the second lateral edge (16) of the support plate (10), and a second lateral edge (58) designed to be fitted into the first lateral edge (14) of the support plate (10), to transversely increase the dimension of the support plate (10), and in that the bearing surface (30) of the support plate (10) is flush, or protruding, with respect to the first lateral edge (56) and to the second lateral edge (58) of the second elongation strip (54), so that the second elongation strip (54) permits a free arrangement of all or part of at least one photovoltaic panel on the assembly formed by the support plate (10) and the second elongation strip (54).

8. Device (66) for attaching and integrating a plurality of photovoltaic panels (12) on a roof of a building, characterized in that it includes at least one first support plate (10) and a second support plate (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the first lateral edge (14) of the first support plate (10) being assembled with the second lateral edge (16) of the second support plate (10) to form a platform that is suitable for the support and free positioning of a plurality of photovoltaic panels.