Foldable photovoltaic module arrangement with movable photovoltaic modules

Abstract

In a photovoltaic module arrangement (10), for arranging at least two substantially rectangular photovoltaic modules (2), which are foldably coupled to one another on a first side by means of at least one joint (44), according to the invention, the at least two photovoltaic modules are coupled to one another on a second side, opposite the first side, by a tension element (54) with a changeable longitudinal extension (56).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Foldable photovoltaic module arrangement with movable photovoltaic modules

[0003] Background of the invention

[0004] The invention relates to a photovoltaic module arrangement for arranging at least two substantially rectangular photovoltaic modules which are foldably coupled to one another on a first side by means of at least one joint.

[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 by utilizing 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. Such arrays 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 thus can 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 substantially rectangular photovoltaic modules which are foldably coupled to one another on a first side by means of at least one joint, wherein the at least two photovoltaic modules are coupled to one another on a second side opposite the first side by means of a tension element whose length can be changed.

[0009] The tension element according to the invention creates, in addition to the articulated coupling between the at least two photovoltaic modules, a further tension connection by means of which, viewed from the side, a statically clearly defined triangular shape is formed. This triangular shape results in a proper, stable mounting of the photovoltaic modules throughout their operating life, while still allowing them to be retracted and extended, and in particular, folded.

[0010] Preferably, the tension element should only be extended to a maximum longitudinal extent. This maximum longitudinal extent ensures a defined maximum side length for the triangle, which imparts particular rigidity to the aforementioned support structure.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the tension element is designed to be foldable. When the tension band is folded, it is folded between the at least two photovoltaic modules, thus shortening its length as far as possible until the at least two photovoltaic modules, when folded together, are directly adjacent to one another.

[0012] Furthermore, the photovoltaic module arrangement according to the invention preferably includes at least one bending element, by means of which the tension element can be bent transversely to its longitudinal extent. The bending element can be actively influenced by the tension element to fold it in a defined manner. The bending element creates a bend or fold on the tension element, at which the tension element begins to fold and is subsequently folded in a defined manner.

[0013] Particularly preferably, exactly two folding elements are provided, by means of which the tension element can be folded twice transversely to its longitudinal extent. The tension element folded twice in this way can thus be accommodated particularly advantageously in the available installation space for use according to the invention on a photovoltaic module arrangement with at least two photovoltaic modules that can be folded toward one another. The folding element is preferably designed to be elongated or rectilinear and, like the tension element, exerts tensile forces itself, whereby these tensile forces are directed transversely to the orientation or extent of the tension element.

[0014] Furthermore, the at least one buckling element is preferably designed to be elastic. Such a buckling element is variable in length and, through its elastic deformation, actively exerts tensile forces, which are advantageously particularly high when the buckling element initially has a comparatively large length and decrease with increasing shortening. Precisely this force distribution is advantageous for the buckling of the tensile element desired according to the invention.

[0015] Furthermore, the at least one articulated element is preferably mounted in the area where the at least two photovoltaic modules are connected by means of the joint coupling them together. The articulated element mounted in this way can have a particularly large longitudinal extension and is simultaneously mounted in a statically very stable area.

[0016] In a further advantageous development of the photovoltaic module arrangement according to the invention, the at least two photovoltaic modules are each supported by means of a support strip which, viewed in cross-section, has a substantially rectangular outer shape, and the at least one joint is designed with a joint axis which, viewed in cross-section, is arranged substantially in a corner of the substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape of the support strip, wherein the at least one bending element is held on the joint axis. A joint axis supported in this way is arranged in a statically particularly rigid manner, and at the same time, a spatially advantageous position for the associated joint is created. The bending element attached directly there can thus be attached particularly cost-effectively and at the same time simply and stably.

[0017] Preferably, furthermore, the at least two photovoltaic modules are each supported by means of a support bar which, viewed in cross-section, has a substantially rectangular outer shape, and at least one roller supporting the support bar is provided with a roller axis which, viewed in cross-section, is arranged substantially in a corner of the substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape of the support bar, wherein the tension element is held on the roller axis. With such an arrangement of the roller within the preferably cylindrical, in particular cubic space otherwise filled by the support bar, a particularly compact and thus space-saving arrangement of photovoltaic modules is possible. At the same time, such an arrangement can be advantageously moved by means of the roller arranged according to the invention. In this way, the photovoltaic modules can be advantageously both stowed away and moved apart.The roller arrangement according to the invention also enables particularly direct and therefore rigid support of the associated photovoltaic module(s). The tension element, mounted directly on the roller axis, is particularly cost-effective and easy to install. At the same time, a particularly stable and direct force transfer from the tension element to the associated support bar and vice versa is ensured.

[0018] Finally, in the photovoltaic module arrangement according to the invention, the tension element is particularly preferably designed as a tension band, in particular made of a woven textile. Such a tension band has a band shape, i.e., its width is considerably larger than its thickness. Such a tension band can absorb high tensile forces and, at the same time, is comparatively easy to bend. Furthermore, when bent, it can be stored in a very small installation space, which is also particularly important for the present application in a photovoltaic module arrangement.

[0019] Short description of the drawings

[0020] 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:

[0021] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a photovoltaic module arrangement according to the invention in the retracted state,

[0022] Fig. 2 shows the view according to Fig. 1 in the extended state of the photovoltaic module arrangement,

[0023] Fig. 3 the detail III according to Fig. 1 in an enlarged view during the extension process,

[0024] Fig. 4 shows the side view IV according to Fig. 3 in an enlarged view in the raised state of two photovoltaic modules,

[0025] Fig. 5 the view according to Fig. 4 in the lowered state of two photovoltaic modules, Fig. 6 the detail VI according to Fig. 4,

[0026] Fig. 7 the detail VII according to Fig. 4 and

[0027] Fig. 8 shows detail VIII according to Fig. 4.

[0028] Detailed description of the

[0029] A photovoltaic module arrangement 10 is created by means of a container 12, the outer skin of which is designed with a container floor area, also referred to here as a storage area 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 support rails 24.

[0030] The individual photovoltaic module 22, in turn, has a plurality of module surfaces 26, each of which is individually surrounded or enclosed by a module frame, in particular in the form of an L-profile or C-profile. A cable 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.

[0031] For each photovoltaic module 22, four module surfaces 26 are arranged side by side in a portrait format, with the module surfaces 26 arranged in this manner being enclosed by a support frame 28. The support frame 28 is made of an extruded aluminum profile by means of support strips 30, with two side support strips 32, three central support strips 34, a lower longitudinal support strip 36, and an upper longitudinal support strip 38 being provided.

[0032] The support strips 30 each have a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape has a first corner 40 and a second corner 42 located on the outside relative to the support frame 28 formed thereby (see in particular Fig. 8). In the region of the first corner 40, a joint 44 is designed in the form of a rod hinge, by means of which two support frames 28 are coupled to one another in an articulated or foldable manner. A joint axis of this joint 44 extends over the entire length of the associated longitudinal support strip 36 or 38.

[0033] Furthermore, in the lower longitudinal support strips 36, in the region of the respective second corner 42, two rollers 46 are integrated into associated roller recesses (not shown), distributed over the longitudinal extent of the longitudinal support strips 36. For this purpose, the associated rollers 46 are freely rotatably mounted at the second corners 42 by means of a rod-shaped roller axis. The rollers 46 have a defined roller radius and a specific roller width and roll on the support rail 24 located underneath on associated running surfaces. With two lower longitudinal support strips 36 pivotably mounted on one another, this results in a total of four rollers 46 projecting downwards from the longitudinal support strips 36, two of which are located close to one another and as such form a roller pair (see in particular Figs. 5 to 9).

[0034] Two support rails 24 are laid out parallel to each other above the ground in front of the container 12 (see Figs. 1 to 3) and are anchored there. The support rails 24 are fixedly supported downwards into the ground by means of ground anchor devices 48. The support rails 24, with their respective running surfaces for the rollers 46, are arranged somewhat lower than the storage area 14, so that a step 50 is formed at the edge of the storage area 14 toward the support rails 24.

[0035] 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 44 and can be moved out of and back into the container 12 by means of the rollers 46 on the support rails 24. With the rollers 46 partially integrated into the longitudinal support strips 36, an extremely compact design for stowing the photovoltaic modules 22 in the container 12 is possible, as well as a particularly smooth movement of the four rollers 46 per module fold.

[0036] Two drives 52 are provided for movement, one on each of the two support rails 24, by means of which the movement of the photovoltaic modules 22 is carried out during extension and retraction on the support rails 24. The individual drive 52 extends along the associated support rail 24 over a portion of its entire longitudinal extent, in particular only exactly over the length of one extended module fold, i.e., two extended photovoltaic modules 22.

[0037] When the photovoltaic modules 22 are extended and retracted from or into the container 12, they are unfolded on the support rails 24, whereby in particular the associated lower longitudinal support bars 36 are moved apart and the associated upper longitudinal support bars 38 are lowered or raised (see Fig. 4 and 5).

[0038] In order to statically stabilize the photovoltaic modules 22 moved apart on the support rails 24, two tension elements 54 in the form of a tension band made of woven textile are arranged between the associated lower longitudinal support strips 36 at the second corners 42 there (see Fig. 6), which can be changed with regard to their longitudinal extent 56 in such a way that they are either hung high and shortened, as illustrated in Fig. 4, or lowered and fully stretched, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

[0039] To shorten and guide the tension element 54 in a defined manner during its folding and unfolding process, a bending element 58 is provided for each tension element 54. Each bending element 58 is designed as an elastic band, which is coupled to the tension element 54 at both ends by means of a detachable eyelet 60 (see Fig. 7).

[0040] Furthermore, the central region of the bending element 58 is hinged to a hanger 62 on the associated upper longitudinal support bars 38 at the first corners 40 there (see Fig. 8). The hanger 60 is preferably designed, as shown, as a flat aluminum strip or as a textile strip with or without a snap hook. By means of the bending element 58, the associated tension element 54 is divided into four bending sections 64, 66, 68, and 70, each comprising approximately one-quarter of the total extended length of the tension element 54.

[0041] 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.

[0042] -IQ-

[0043] List of reference symbols

[0044] 10 Photovoltaic module arrangement

[0045] 12 containers

[0046] 14 Container floor space or storage area

[0047] 16 Container front face

[0048] 18 Container side surface

[0049] 20 container ceiling area

[0050] 22 photovoltaic modules

[0051] 24 support rail

[0052] 26 module area

[0053] 28 support frames

[0054] 30 support bar

[0055] 32 Side support bar

[0056] 34 Central support bar

[0057] 36 lower longitudinal support bar

[0058] 38 upper longitudinal support bar

[0059] 40 first corner (joint axis)

[0060] 42 second corner (roller axis)

[0061] 44 joint

[0062] 46 roll

[0063] 48 Ground anchor device

[0064] 50 level

[0065] 52 drive

[0066] 54 Tension element

[0067] 56 Longitudinal extension

[0068] 58 buckling element

[0069] 60 eyelets

[0070] 62 Hanger first bend section second bend section third bend section fourth bend section

Claims

Claims 1. Photovoltaic module arrangement (10) for arranging at least two substantially rectangular photovoltaic modules (22) which are foldably coupled to one another on a first side by means of at least one joint (44), characterized in that the at least two photovoltaic modules are coupled to one another on a second side opposite the first side by means of a tension element (54) whose length (56) is variable.

2. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the tension element (54) is to be stretched to a maximum longitudinal extent (56).

3. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tension element (54) is designed to be foldable.

4. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one bending element (58) is provided, by means of which the tension element (54) can be bent transversely to its longitudinal extent (56).

5. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that exactly two bending elements (58) are provided, by means of which the tension element (54) can be bent twice transversely to its longitudinal extent (56).

6. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the at least one bending element (58) is designed to be elastic.

7. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that the at least one bending element (58) is held in the region of the joint (98) coupling the at least two photovoltaic modules (22) to one another.

8. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least two photovoltaic modules (22) are each supported by means of a support strip (34) which, viewed in cross section, is designed with a substantially rectangular outer shape and the at least one joint (44) is designed with a joint axis which, viewed in cross section, is arranged substantially in a corner (40) of the substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape of the support strip (34), wherein the at least one bending element (58) is held on the joint axis.

9. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the at least two photovoltaic modules (22) are each supported by means of a support bar (34) which, viewed in cross section, is designed with a substantially rectangular outer shape and at least one roller (46) supporting the support bar (34) is provided with a roller axis which, viewed in cross section, is arranged substantially in a corner (42) of the substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape of the support bar (34), wherein the tension element (54) is held on the roller axis.

10. Photovoltaic module arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tension element (54) is designed as a tension band, in particular made of a woven textile.

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