Foldable photovoltaic module arrangement with two photovoltaic modules

Abstract

The invention relates to a photovoltaic module arrangement (10) for arrangement of at least two photovoltaic modules (22) that are foldably coupled to each other by at least one hinge (98), wherein the at least two photovoltaic modules (22) each have a module surface (26) and a supporting strip (36) supporting the module surface, and is characterized in that one cable shaft (66) each for accommodating at least one cable (30) is formed along the two supporting strips (36).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Foldable photovoltaic module arrangement with two photovoltaic modules

[0003] Background of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a photovoltaic module arrangement for arranging at least two photovoltaic modules which are foldably coupled to one another by means of at least one joint, wherein the at least two photovoltaic modules are each designed with a module surface and a support strip supporting this module surface.

[0005] Photovoltaic module arrays, which can also be referred to as photovoltaic systems, typically comprise a multitude of photovoltaic modules that convert sunlight's radiant energy into electrical voltage using the photoelectric effect. Various types of photovoltaic module arrays are known for arranging such photovoltaic modules in a suitable position and orientation relative to the sun. These include arrays installed stationary on building roofs or in open spaces, as well as arrays in which the photovoltaic modules are foldably coupled together and can thus be moved together and apart, particularly for storage in a container. Underlying task

[0006] The invention is based on the object of improving a photovoltaic module arrangement with foldably coupled photovoltaic modules in such a way that they can be stored particularly easily and compactly.

[0007] Inventive solution

[0008] This object is achieved according to the invention with a photovoltaic module arrangement for arranging at least two photovoltaic modules which are foldably coupled to one another by means of at least one joint, wherein the at least two photovoltaic modules are each designed with a module surface and a support strip supporting this module surface, and wherein a cable duct for receiving at least one cable is formed along each of the two support strips.

[0009] The cable duct arranged and dimensioned in this way enables particularly advantageous installation of the cables arranged therein on the foldable photovoltaic module arrangement according to the invention. In particular, this installation is particularly space-saving, particularly accessible, and at the same time particularly gentle on the cables themselves.

[0010] Preferably, several module surfaces are arranged side by side, and a central support bar is provided between two of the module surfaces, as well as a side support bar on an outer module surface. The cable duct is designed to extend along the side support bar. Such a cable duct is particularly easily accessible from outside the module surfaces. It is particularly preferably arranged on the outside of the side support bar with respect to the module surfaces, where it can then be directly and immediately accessed from outside.

[0011] The side support strip is advantageously designed with at least one cable opening for passing through at least one cable. Such a cable opening allows cables to be laid in the plane or thickness of the support strips themselves, so that the photovoltaic modules according to the invention can be stored in a particularly space-saving manner when folded.

[0012] Preferably, several module surfaces are arranged side by side, and a central support bar is provided between two of the module surfaces, as well as a side support bar on an outer module surface, with the cable duct extending along the central support bar. This refinement advantageously allows cables to be laid inside the surface of the photovoltaic modules. Particularly preferably, and in a particularly space-saving design, the cable duct is located within the central support bar.

[0013] The central support bar is advantageously designed with at least one cable opening for the passage of at least one cable. This allows cables to be routed from the module surface into and out of the central support bar in a space-saving and reliable manner.

[0014] The module surfaces are preferably rectangular in shape, and each module surface is enclosed by a support frame with four supporting strips arranged along each of the four sides of the module surface. The support frame completely encompasses the supported module surfaces, thus creating a particularly stable and shock-resistant support for these module surfaces.

[0015] The at least one supporting support strip is particularly preferably formed from an extruded aluminum profile. Using such an extruded profile made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, the inventive design of a rod hinge along one side of a photovoltaic module can be produced particularly cost-effectively, as well as being statically stable and durable against environmental conditions. The extruded aluminum profile preferably forms a U-shaped basic shaft shape of the cable shaft, viewed in cross-section, which is closed by a shaft cover. In this way, the support strip itself already provides part of the cable duct according to the invention.

[0016] Furthermore, a cable guide is preferably provided for the guided redirection of the at least one cable when the at least two photovoltaic modules are folded by means of the at least one joint. With the cable guide, the cables of the photovoltaic module arrangement according to the invention are securely guided, particularly during movement or folding of the photovoltaic modules, against kinking and mechanical damage, as well as against environmental influences.

[0017] The cable guide is particularly preferably designed as a link chain, the end of which is inserted into the cable duct. Such a link chain provides a high degree of flexibility while simultaneously providing particularly strong mechanical protection.

[0018] Short description of the drawings

[0019] An exemplary embodiment of a solution according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the attached schematic drawings. It shows:

[0020] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic module arrangement according to the invention in the retracted state,

[0021] Fig. 2 the view according to Fig. 1 of the photovoltaic module arrangement during extension,

[0022] Fig. 3 shows the view according to Fig. 1 of the photovoltaic module arrangement in the extended state, Fig. 4 shows a side view of photovoltaic modules of the photovoltaic module arrangement according to Fig. 1 in the retracted state,

[0023] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the photovoltaic modules according to Fig. 4 during extension,

[0024] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the photovoltaic modules according to Fig. 4 in the extended state,

[0025] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a corner area of ​​a photovoltaic module according to Fig. 6 in the assembled state with its support frame,

[0026] Fig. 8 the view according to Fig. 7 in the unassembled state,

[0027] Fig. 9 the view according to Fig. 7 in the partially assembled state,

[0028] Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a central region of a photovoltaic module according to Fig. 6 in the partially assembled state,

[0029] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of part of the support frame of the photovoltaic module according to Fig. 6,

[0030] Fig. 12 is a perspective view of two upper longitudinal support strips of support frames according to Fig. 11,

[0031] Fig. 13 the detail XIII according to Fig. 12 in an enlarged view in the extended state with side support strips and cable ducts,

[0032] Fig. 14 the view according to Fig. 13 with additional cable routing,

[0033] Fig. 15 the detail XIII according to Fig. 12 in an enlarged view in the retracted state,

[0034] Fig. 16 is a perspective view of two lower longitudinal support strips of support frames according to Fig. 11,

[0035] Fig. 17 the detail XVII according to Fig. 16 in an enlarged view in the retracted state,

[0036] Fig. 18 the detail XVII according to Fig. 16 in an enlarged view in the extended state with side support strips, roller rail and retaining elements,

[0037] Fig. 19 the detail IXX according to Fig. 18 in an enlarged view,

[0038] Fig. 20 is a perspective bottom view of a part of two lower longitudinal support bars according to Fig. 16, Fig. 21 is a perspective side view of a part of a photovoltaic module on its lower longitudinal support bar with rollers and roller rail,

[0039] Fig. 22 a perspective top view of a part of two photovoltaic modules on their lower longitudinal support strips with retaining elements,

[0040] Fig. 23 the view according to Fig. 18 with rail connector and part of a ground anchor device,

[0041] Fig. 24 is a perspective side view of a first embodiment of a traction drive for the photovoltaic module arrangement according to Fig. 1,

[0042] Fig. 25 the detail XXV according to Fig. 24,

[0043] Fig. 26 is a perspective side view of a second embodiment of a traction drive for the photovoltaic module arrangement according to Fig. 1 and

[0044] Fig. 27 the detail XXVII according to Fig. 26.

[0045] Detailed of the

[0046] A photovoltaic module arrangement 10 is created by means of a container 12, the outer shell of which is designed with a container floor surface 14, two container end surfaces 16, two container side surfaces 18, and a container ceiling surface 20. The container 12 serves to accommodate a plurality of photovoltaic modules 22, which can be moved out of the container 12 and back into it by means of roller rails 24.

[0047] The individual photovoltaic module 22, in turn, has a plurality of module surfaces 26, which are individually surrounded or enclosed by a module frame 28, in particular in the form of an L-profile or C-profile. A cable 30 is located on each module surface 26, which is connected thereto and serves in particular to conduct electrical current generated by the module surface 26 when the module surface 26 is irradiated with sunlight. For each photovoltaic module 22, four module surfaces 26 are provided next to one another in a portrait format arrangement, with the module surfaces 26 arranged in this way being enclosed by a support frame 32. The support frame 32 is made from an extruded aluminum profile by means of support strips 34, wherein two lateral support strips 36, three central support strips 38, a lower longitudinal support strip 40, and an upper longitudinal support strip 42 are provided.The side support bars 36 and the center support bars 38 are also referred to here as first support bars, while the longitudinal support bars 40 and 42 are also referred to as second support bars.

[0048] To connect the support strips 34 to the associated support frame 32, the lateral support strips 36 have a first stop surface 44 on the front side for applying a longitudinal support strip 40 or 42 and a second stop surface 46 on the side, also for applying the respective longitudinal support strip 40 or 42. On the first support strips, i.e. the lateral support strips 36 and the central support strips 38, a module groove 48 is formed on each side for receiving the edge of an associated module surface 26, in particular of its module frame 28. Likewise, on each of the second support strips, i.e. the lower longitudinal support strips 40 and the upper longitudinal support strips 42, a module groove 50 is formed at the top and bottom, respectively. The respective module frame 28 is inserted into these module grooves 48 and 50 and in this way is positively encompassed or enclosed by the support strips 34.

[0049] The first and second support strips are each fixedly coupled by means of a connector 52. The connector 52 comprises a first connector section 54 in the form of a connector head and a second connector section 56 in the form of a connector pin. The connector pin is inserted into a front end region 58 of one of the first support strips, while the connector head protrudes from this end region 58. By means of an adjustment device 60 on the second connector section 56, the position of the connector head relative to the connector pin can be changed and fixed. The adjustment device 60 is accessible through an adjustment opening 62 formed in the respective first support strip. A connecting groove 64 is formed along the associated second support strip, into which the connector head is to be inserted laterally and which it then engages behind.With the connector head engaging behind in this way and its fixing by applying tensile force towards the first support bar, the second support bar can be coupled to the respective first support bar in a stable yet detachable manner.

[0050] A cable duct or cable shaft 66 is formed along one of the side support strips 36 and along its length to accommodate at least one of the cables 30. For this purpose, the side support strip 36 is laterally designed with a groove or a U-shaped shaft base 68, onto which a shaft cover 70 is clamped. A cable opening 72 extending through the respective strip is formed in the side support strip 36, as is alternatively or additionally also the case in one of the center support strips 38. Cables 30 can be laid through the cable opening 72 in the plane or thickness of the support strips 34 themselves and thus within the thickness of the support frames 32. At the end regions of such cable ducts 66 there is a movable cable guide 74, in particular in the form of a link chain, a bellows or a flexible hose, by means of which the cables 30 are guided or led in a protected and at the same time movable manner from one cable duct 66 into the following cable duct 66.The respective cable guide 74 has an end region 76 at each of its two ends, by means of which the cable guide 74 is inserted into the cable duct 66 there and is thus held in a form-fitting manner.

[0051] The cable duct 66 may alternatively or additionally extend along or within one or more of the central support strips 38.

[0052] As can be clearly seen in particular in Figs. 15 to 19, the lower longitudinal support strips 40 and the upper longitudinal support strips 42 each have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape 78, wherein a first side 80 of this cross-sectional shape 78 is slightly inclined. A second side 82, a third side 84 and a fourth side 86 then form the remaining rectangular shape. The slightly inclined side 80 forms a mutual support or support surface 88 for the unfolding support frames 32, as is particularly illustrated in Figs. 13, 18 and 19. A sealing groove 90 is recessed into the support surface 88, in each of which a sealing bead 92 is located. With two adjacent first, slightly inclined sides 80, two support surfaces of adjacent photovoltaic modules 22 are thus designed to be placed against one another.These support surfaces are placed against one another when the photovoltaic modules 22 are unfolded, thus directly supporting the photovoltaic modules 22 involved. Alternatively, a rod-like or rope-like strut can be provided as a stiffener between two adjacent photovoltaic modules 22.

[0053] The cross-sectional shape 78 further has, relative to the support frame 32 formed thereby, a first corner 94 and a second corner 96 located on the outside. In the region of the first corner 94, a joint 98 is designed in the form of a rod hinge, by means of which two support frames 32 are coupled to one another in an articulated or foldable manner. A joint axis 100 of this joint 98 extends over the entire length of the associated longitudinal support strip 40 or 42. Furthermore, hinge recesses 102 are formed alternately in the participating longitudinal support strips 40 or 42, so that hinge cylinders 104 remain in sections following one another in each longitudinal support strip 40 or 42. Finally, a rod-shaped hinge rod 106 is inserted into these hinge cylinders 104, which are then nested in a "comb-like" manner, and with this the joint axis 100 is formed.

[0054] Furthermore, in the lower longitudinal support strips 40, two roller recesses 108 are formed in the region of the respective second corner 96, distributed along the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal support strips 40. Furthermore, at the second corners 96, at each of the two roller recesses 108, a roller 110 is freely rotatably mounted by means of a rod-shaped roller axis 112. The rollers 110 have a roller radius 114 and a roller width 116 and roll on the roller rail 24 located below. With two lower longitudinal support strips 40 pivotably mounted on one another, this results in a total of four rollers 110 projecting downwards from the longitudinal support strips 40, two of which are located close to one another and as such form a roller pair (see in particular Fig. 19).

[0055] Two roller rails 24 are laid out parallel to each other above the ground in front of the container 12 and are anchored there. Each roller rail 24 is divided into individual, consecutive rail sections, which are rigidly connected to each other by means of rail connectors 118. These rail connectors 118 are fixedly supported downwards into the ground by means of ground anchor devices 120.

[0056] Each roller rail 24 is designed with a first roller rail surface 122 and a second roller rail surface 124. Between these roller rail surfaces 122 and 124 is an upwardly projecting guide web 126. Of each aforementioned pair of rollers, one roller 110 is located on one side of the guide web 126 on the first roller rail surface 122, while the other roller 110 is located on the other side of the guide web 126 on the second roller rail surface 124.

[0057] Furthermore, two retaining elements 128 are located on each of the lower longitudinal support strips 40 in the area of ​​a roller rail 24. The individual retaining element 128 is designed with a rod 130 penetrating the associated longitudinal support strip 40, an upwardly pointing operating head 132 with a pivotable operating lever 134, and a downwardly pointing locking bar 136. In the adjacent roller rail 24, there is then a locking opening 138 in its respective roller rail surface 122 or 124, into which the locking bar 136 can engage and thus hook onto the roller rail 24.

[0058] In such a photovoltaic module arrangement 10, a plurality of photovoltaic modules 22 are foldably coupled to one another by means of at least one joint 98. Each photovoltaic module 22 is formed from a plurality of module surfaces 26, which are individually enclosed by a module frame 28 that is particularly L-shaped or C-shaped in cross-section. The module surfaces 26, together with their module frames 28, are then enclosed by the supporting support strips 34, which form the respective support frame 32. The lower of these support strips 34 are each supported by two rollers 110 on an associated roller rail surface 122 or 124, where they can be moved. The associated support strip 34 has a roller recess 108, in which an associated roller 110 is at least partially received.With the rollers 110 partially integrated into the support strips 34 in this way, an extremely compact design is created for stowing the photovoltaic modules 22 in the container 12 and, at the same time, a particularly smooth and easy extension and retraction of the two rollers 110 per module fold and roller rail is achieved.

[0059] The lower and upper support strips 34 are structurally identical as the lower longitudinal support strip 40 and the upper longitudinal support strip 42, respectively, and, viewed in cross-section, are designed with a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape 78. The substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape 78 of these support strips 34 is designed with the first, slightly inclined side 80, which is inclined to the second side 82 of the substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape 78 at an angle of between 75° and 85°, in particular between 78° and 82°.

[0060] The rollers 110 are designed with the roller radius 114 such that this roller radius 114 is larger than half of the side 80, 82, 84, or 86 of the substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape 78. The roller 110 is further designed with a roller running surface that, viewed in longitudinal section, is substantially flat. The roller width 116 is between 1.5 and 2.5 times, in particular between 1.8 and 2.2 times, the roller radius 114. The rolling axis 112 is further designed to be fixed relative to the associated support bar 34.

[0061] The joint 98 is designed as a rod hinge. As explained, the rod hinge is formed in particular along the upper and lower support strips 34 and is formed by means of the alternating hinge recesses 102 in the two opposite support strips 34, with a hinge cylinder 104 of one support strip 34 engaging the hinge recess 102 of the other support strip 34. The hinge rod 106 is then inserted into the hinge cylinders 104 arranged one behind the other in this manner.

[0062] The photovoltaic modules 22 are each designed with their module surfaces 26 located therein and with the support frame 32 which completely encompasses or encompasses these module surfaces 26. In this case, these photovoltaic modules 22 are then coupled to one another in a W-shape or zigzag shape by means of their two support frames 32, each with two joints 98, an upper joint 98 and a lower joint 98. The respective module surface 26 is rectangular and the support frame 32 is designed, as shown, with four outer supporting strips 34 which are arranged along each of the four sides of the associated module surface 26. For each photovoltaic module 22, four module surfaces 26, each arranged in portrait format, are arranged next to one another, and the support frame 32 is designed with a central support strip 38 between each two of these module surfaces 26.Two support strips 34 are aligned at right angles to one another and are fixedly coupled to one another by means of an associated connector 52, wherein the connector 52 with the first connector section 54 protrudes from an end face of the first support strip 34 and protrudes into a longitudinal side of the second support strip 34. By means of the adjusting device 60, the first connector section 54 can be adjusted and fixed as a connector head relative to the second connector section 56. The retaining elements 128 penetrate both the associated support strip 34 and the roller rail 24 located there. By means of them, the photovoltaic modules 22 are held back on the roller rails 24 in the extended state, as shown in particular in Fig. 6, and further in the surrounding ground by means of the ground anchor devices 120 and are thus secured in particular against lifting due to wind forces acting on the photovoltaic modules 22.For this purpose, the associated rod 130 is rotatable by means of the operating lever 134, causing the locking bolt 136 to engage and disengage from the associated locking opening 138. The locking openings 138 are each designed as an elongated hole penetrating the associated roller rail 24.

[0063] Figs. 24 to 27 illustrate two embodiments of traction drive mechanisms 140, by means of which the movement of the photovoltaic modules 22 during extension and retraction on the roller rails 24 is carried out. The individual traction drive mechanism 140 extends along an associated roller rail 24 over its entire longitudinal extent.

[0064] The traction mechanism drive 140 according to Figs. 24 and 25 is designed with a traction mechanism 142 in the form of a belt having outward-facing teeth 144. Furthermore, the belt also has inward-facing (not visible) teeth, and is mounted with these teeth on associated gears 146. The circulating movement of the traction mechanism 142 is driven by a drive motor 148, which can be selectively attached to at least one drive socket 150 on one of the gears 146 and whose rotational movement is transmitted, in particular by means of a coupling shaft 152, to an adjacent traction mechanism drive 140 on a parallel roller rail 24. The orbital movement of the teeth 144 on the traction means 142 is then transmitted in a force-conducting manner to the respective associated photovoltaic modules 22, and in particular to their lower longitudinal support strips 42, by means of a coupling device 154 in the form of a T-shaped base. In the embodiment according to Fig.26 and 27, the traction means 142 is designed in the form of a chain.

[0065] Finally, it should be noted that all features mentioned in the application documents and in particular in the dependent claims, despite the formal reference to one or more specific claims, are to be granted independent protection, even individually or in any combination.

[0066] List of reference symbols

[0067] 10 Photovoltaic module arrangement

[0068] 12 containers

[0069] 14 Container floor area

[0070] 16 Container front face

[0071] 18 Container side surface

[0072] 20 container ceiling area

[0073] 22 photovoltaic modules

[0074] 24 roller rail

[0075] 26 module area

[0076] 28 module frames

[0077] 30 cables

[0078] 32 support frames

[0079] 34 Support bar

[0080] 36 Side support bar (first support bar)

[0081] 38 Middle support bar (first support bar)

[0082] 40 lower longitudinal support bar (second support bar)

[0083] 42 upper longitudinal support bar (second support bar)

[0084] 44 first stop surface on side support bar (front side)

[0085] 46 second stop surface on side support bar (lateral)

[0086] 48 module groove (side, first support strip)

[0087] 50 module groove (bottom / top, second support bar)

[0088] 52 connectors

[0089] 54 first connector section (connector head)

[0090] 56 second connector section (connector pin)

[0091] 58 front end area of ​​the first support strip

[0092] 60 adjustment device

[0093] 62 Adjustment opening 64 Connector groove

[0094] 66 Cable duct on side support bar

[0095] 68 shaft basic shape

[0096] 70 manhole covers

[0097] 72 cable opening

[0098] 74 Cable routing

[0099] 76 End area of ​​the cable guide

[0100] 78 Cross-sectional shape of the support bar

[0101] 80 first, slightly slanted page

[0102] 82 second page

[0103] 84 third page

[0104] 86 fourth page

[0105] 88 Support surface of the support bar

[0106] 90 sealing groove

[0107] 92 sealing bead

[0108] 94 first corner (joint axis)

[0109] 96 second corner (roller axis)

[0110] 98 joint

[0111] 100 joint axis

[0112] 102 Hinge recess

[0113] 104 hinge cylinders

[0114] 106 Hinge rod

[0115] 108 roller recess

[0116] 110 roll

[0117] 112 roller axle

[0118] 114 roller radius

[0119] 116 roll width

[0120] 118 rail connectors

[0121] 120 ground anchor device

[0122] 122 first roller rail surface

[0123] 124 second roller rail surface 126 guide web

[0124] 128 Retaining element

[0125] 130 bars

[0126] 132 Control head

[0127] 134 control levers

[0128] 136 locking bolts

[0129] 138 Locking opening

[0130] 140 traction drive

[0131] 142 traction devices

[0132] 144 tooth

[0133] 146 gear

[0134] 148 drive motor

[0135] 150 drive sockets

[0136] 152 coupling shaft

[0137] 154 coupling device

Claims

Claims 1. Photovoltaic module arrangement (10) for arranging at least two photovoltaic modules (22) which are coupled to each other in a foldable manner by means of at least one hinge (98), wherein the at least two photovoltaic modules (22) are designed with each a module surface (26) and a support strip (34) supporting this module surface (26), characterized in that a cable channel (66) for receiving at least one cable (30) is formed along each of the two support strips (34).

2. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that several module surfaces (26) are arranged next to each other and a central support strip (38) is provided between two of the module surfaces (26) as well as a side support strip (36) on an outer module surface (26), wherein the cable duct (66) is designed to extend along the side support strip (36).

3. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that the side support strip (36) is designed with at least one cable opening (72) for passing through at least one cable (30).

4. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that several module surfaces (26) are arranged next to each other and a central support strip (38) is provided between two of the module surfaces (26) as well as a side support strip (36) on an outer module surface (26), wherein the cable duct (66) is designed to extend along the central support strip (38).

5. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the central support strip (38) is designed with at least one cable opening (72) for passing through at least one cable (30).

6. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the module surfaces (26) are each rectangular in design and a support frame (32) enclosing each module surface (26) is designed with four supporting support strips (34) arranged longitudinally from each of the four sides of the module surface (26).

7. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one supporting support strip (34) is formed with an aluminum extrusion profile.

8. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the aluminium extrusion profile forms a U-shaped shaft base (68) of the cable shaft (66) in cross-section, which is closed by means of a shaft cover (70).

9. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a cable guide (74) is provided for guided redirection of the at least one cable (30) when folding the at least two photovoltaic modules (22) by means of the at least one joint (98).

10. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that the cable guide (74) is designed as a link chain, which is designed to be inserted into the cable duct (66) in particular with its end area.

Images