Building facade panel and method for installing same

Abstract

Building facade panel (1), in particular a photovoltaic building facade panel, having two opposite faces, including a so-called fixing face (10), and comprising, on the fixing face (10), a fixing system (3) which comprises at least two parallel and spaced-apart fixing rails (30, 31), at least a first anchoring part (4) and a second anchoring part (5), which are spaced apart and coupled to each of the fixing rails, characterized in that it comprises a system (6) for adjusting the levelling of the panel, comprising at least one adjusting member (60) which is arranged on the fixing face (10) side and which cooperates with the fixing system (3), the adjusting member (60) further comprising an actuating portion (60A) which projects with respect to an edge (15) of the panel.

Description

Building facade panel, in particular facade photovoltaic panel, and its installation method

[0001] The invention relates to the field of fixing elements to building facades, such as photovoltaic panels.

[0002] The invention will be more particularly described with regard to the fixing of photovoltaic panels on the facade of a building without however being limited thereto.

[0003] The invention applies more particularly to facade elements of square or rectangular section, without however being limited thereto.

[0004] Known systems for fixing photovoltaic panels to the facade of a building comprise, for a panel, at least two vertical fixing profiles (in the so-called Y direction) which are secured to the rear face of the panel near the vertical edges, and at least four anchoring pieces which are removably fixed in pairs to each of the two vertical profiles. The anchoring pieces of each pair are spaced apart in the Y direction by a pitch corresponding to the center distance of two lower and upper horizontal mounting profiles (in the so-called X direction) which are secured to the facade of the building and with which said anchoring pieces cooperate. The anchoring pieces have an inverted U shape to cooperate astride a wing of the building mounting profiles.The locking of the panel fixing is generally done at the level of the upper end anchoring pieces of the panel cooperating with the upper mounting profile of the building, the anchoring pieces having tabs which project from the upper edge of the panel in order to be accessible after installation of the panel and which are then screwed to the upper mounting profile.

[0005] However, this type of fixing system has drawbacks. The anchoring pieces are factory-mounted at a predetermined center distance on the panel's mounting profiles. However, on site, this center distance may not exactly match that of the building's wall mounting profiles; it is then necessary to uninstall the panel, then dismantle the anchoring pieces to arrange and reattach them at the correct height on the panel's mounting profiles, and then carry and reattach the panel. However, once this adjustment has been made, even if the panel rests correctly against the two lower and upper building mounting profiles, a leveling error may remain between the panel and those already installed. This requires repeating all of the operations - dismantling, carrying, attempting to fine-tune the height of the anchoring pieces, then carrying and re-assembling again.

[0006] Therefore, the current mounting of panels requires multiple operations on site, assembly and disassembly, adjustment, and then reassembly, the panels also representing a significant weight. These tasks are difficult for operators, tiring and tedious to keep the arms raised. The risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders for personnel is significant. In addition, these repeated interventions at height can be a risk for the safety of operators who may inadvertently drop a panel. Furthermore, these assembly and disassembly operations take time during installation, which impacts on labor time and therefore on installation costs.

[0007] The invention therefore aims to propose a building facade cladding panel, in particular a building facade photovoltaic panel, provided with a fixing system which makes it possible to limit, or even avoid, the aforementioned drawbacks, in particular the panel and its fixing system generating a method of installing said panel which is simple and rapid to implement and provides leveling of the panel without requiring it to be dismantled and reassembled.

[0008] According to the invention, the building facade panel, in particular a building facade photovoltaic panel, has two opposite faces, one of which is a so-called fixing face, and comprises on the fixing face a fixing system which comprises at least two parallel and spaced fixing rails, at least one first anchoring part and one second anchoring part, both spaced apart and coupled to each of the fixing rails, characterized in that said panel comprises a system for adjusting the leveling of the panel, comprising at least one adjustment member which is arranged on the side of the fixing face (extending parallel thereto) and which cooperates with the fixing system, the adjustment member further comprising an actuating portion which projects relative to an edge of the panel.

[0009] Thus, the fixing system of the invention makes it possible to easily install the facade panel on mounting profiles of a building frame and to level it with respect to the other panels already installed.

[0010] Leveling the panel consists of arranging the panel so that it is perfectly parallel to the adjacent panels already fixed and so that the separation gap with the other panels is therefore constant on all its sides. Generally, this gap is of the order of 10 mm. The adjustment system according to the invention thus makes it possible to finely adjust the height of the panel once it is in the hanging position on the building frame. The adjustment system makes it possible in particular to compensate for a play of plus or minus 5 mm in relation to the position of the anchoring parts which have been arranged in the factory to normally correspond to the center distance of the profiles or other mounting supports of the building frame. The adjustment member, being projecting from the edge of the panel, allows the operator to intervene without dismantling the panel and to view the adjustment in situ.

[0011] In the remainder of the description, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "upper", "lower", "top", "bottom", are understood to describe elements used in the context of a normal installation of a facade panel so as to install the facade panel in a vertical position on a facade of a building.

[0012] In the remainder of the description, the term "rear" means that which is turned or intended to be turned towards the building and, by contrast, the term "front" means that which is turned towards the external environment, facing the operator when installing a panel.

[0013] According to one feature, the adjustment member is a rotating member capable of transmitting a translational movement to the panel. Thus, when the panel is hung on the building frame using the anchoring parts, the operator only has to turn the rotating member in one direction or the other to translate (slightly – by a few millimeters) the panel with respect to the building frame. The adjustment system is simple for the operator to implement and is not physically restrictive.

[0014] Advantageously, the adjustment member is coupled to the second anchoring part of a fixing rail, preferably the adjustment system comprising two adjustment members which are each coupled to the second anchoring part of the two fixing rails. The pair of adjustment members allows for even better leveling and also provides a faster adjustment process, by acting at the two locations of the two second anchoring parts.

[0015] According to a first embodiment of the adjustment system, the adjustment member is a screw which cooperates with a second anchoring part, the second anchoring part being fixedly secured to the associated fixing rail and the panel being able to be movable in translation when the screw is actuated. The screw as an adjustment member allows fine adjustment of the position of the panel and therefore its leveling. In this embodiment, the second anchoring part which is fixed is intended to remain fixed during adjustment; the second anchoring part is fixed (preferably removably) to the associated fixing rail. The second anchoring part comprises a threaded housing for cooperation with the screw.Therefore, the panel in the position attached via the anchoring parts is able to be translated in a direction parallel to the fixing rails (direction parallel to the body of the rotary adjustment member – the screw), in one direction or the other, by respectively screwing or unscrewing the screw. Furthermore, the adjustment member preferably comprises a locknut cooperating with the screw for its locking in position (and consequently for locking in position after leveling the panel).

[0016] In another embodiment of the adjustment system, the adjustment system is a screw-nut system and comprises the adjustment member as a screw and the second anchoring part as a nut, the second anchoring part being capable of being movable in translation when the screw is actuated. The translation of the second anchoring part causes the translation of the panel. Here again, the screw system allows fine adjustment.

[0017] In yet another embodiment of the adjustment system, the adjustment system is a worm screw system, comprising on the one hand, the adjustment member which is a worm screw and which carries the second anchoring part, and on the other hand, a gear element for the worm screw, the second anchoring part being capable of being movable in translation when the worm screw is actuated. The translation of the second anchoring part causes the translation of the panel. Here again, the screw system provides fine adjustment.

[0018] Preferably, the adjustment system comprises an element for locking the adjustment member in position, such as a locknut when the adjustment member is a screw or an elastic return gear element when the adjustment member is a worm screw. The elastic return gear element has the advantage of automatically locking the worm screw in position.

[0019] Advantageously, the first and second anchoring parts each comprise a female shape, in particular an inverted U shape, intended to cooperate in the mounted position of the panel with a male shape of the building frame of the wing type of a mounting profile or axis attached to a mounting profile.

[0020] Preferably, the building facade panel comprises a system for clamping the panel in the mounted position (advantageously the clamping system being intended to be implemented after the panel has been leveled). The clamping system is intended to cooperate with the mounting frame of the panel, in particular in the manner of a jaw engaging with the wing of a mounting profile of the mounting frame of the building, or by coming into abutment and trapping with the second anchoring part a support axis of a mounting profile.

[0021] According to one feature, the clamping system is attached to a second anchoring part, and comprises a portion which projects relative to an edge of the panel and which comprises clamping means locking said projecting portion in position, preferably the clamping means being by bolting. The projecting portion of the clamping system allows the operator to lock the panel in position with direct access to the side of the panel. Advantageously, the clamping system is removably attached to said second anchoring part and is adjustable in position relative to said second anchoring part so as to adjust the position of the projecting portion comprising the clamping means. Preferably, the leveling adjustment member projects from a first side of the panel, while the portion provided with the clamping means projects from a second side of the panel.

[0022] In particular, the panel is mounted parallel to the facade, at least the lower anchoring parts resting in abutment and straddling the lower mounting profile of the building, then the panel can immediately be locked to prevent it from tilting, and this in a simple manner via the clamping system, part of which projects laterally from the panel (in a plane parallel to the panel) so as to be accessible to be clamped by the operator on the mounting profile or axis of the building.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method for fixing a building facade panel, as mentioned above in the invention, in particular a building facade photovoltaic panel, on mounting profiles of the framework of a building, the method comprising the step of hanging the panel via the first and second anchoring parts, and being characterized in that it comprises, once the panel is hung, a step of leveling the panel by actuating the actuating portion of at least one adjustment member projecting from one of the edges of the panel (therefore made completely accessible), in particular by screwing or unscrewing the actuating portion, which makes it possible to translate the panel in one direction or the other by a few millimeters relative to the mounting profiles of the framework of the building.The adjustment is thus carried out in situ by leaving the panel attached and is done simply and quickly by preferably screwing or unscrewing the adjustment member. Preferably after leveling, the method comprises a step of clamping the panel in position by actuating clamping means of the clamping system, the clamping means protruding from one of the edges of the panel and being capable of locking the fixing of one of the anchoring parts at one of the mounting profiles of the building frame, in particular the clamping means being arranged projecting from one of the edges perpendicular to the edge from which the adjustment member protrudes. Thus, the clamping means, being coupled to the anchoring part to which the adjustment member is integral, are immediately within reach of the operator and accessible in front of him, which allows an easy and quick clamping operation of the panel.

[0024] The present invention is now described using examples that are purely illustrative and in no way limitative of the scope of the invention, and from the attached illustrations, in which: represents a schematic perspective view of the rear of a facade panel according to a first exemplary embodiment according to the invention of the fixing system and the system for adjusting the leveling of the panel, the panel being intended to be fixed on horizontal mounting profiles of a building facade frame, using two pairs of a first anchoring piece and a second anchoring piece. illustrates a rear perspective view of a part of a building facade showing the panel of the already fixed and another panel being installed. is a detail view of the at a so-called lower fixing point of the panel and showing one of the first anchoring pieces engaged with a mounting profile.is a detail view of the at a so-called upper fixing point of the panel and showing one of the second anchoring pieces engaged with another mounting profile. shows a detailed perspective view of the panel leveling adjustment system of the, coupled to one of the second anchoring pieces and according to a first embodiment. This view also illustrates an embodiment of the panel clamping system intended to secure the fixing of the panel by clamping on at least one mounting profile. is a detailed sectional view of the adjustment system of the, the panel being in its installed position of the. illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a panel according to the invention, showing another embodiment of the leveling adjustment system coupled to one of the second anchoring pieces, the clamping system being on the other hand the same as that of the panel of figures 1 and 2.is a detailed perspective view of a second anchoring part of the adjustment system and of the clamping system.is a detailed perspective view of the adjustment system.illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of a panel according to the invention, showing other types of first and second anchoring parts (for vertical mounting profiles of the building frame), and illustrating yet another embodiment of the leveling adjustment system as well as another embodiment of the clamping system.is a detailed perspective view of one of the first anchoring parts of the panel.is an exploded perspective detail view of one of the second anchoring parts of the panel.is a detailed rear perspective view of the leveling adjustment system and of the clamping system of the panel.is a detailed perspective and front view of the clamping system of the panel.

[0025] The facade panel 1 of the invention illustrated in the embodiments of figures 1, 7 and 10 is intended to be fixed to a frame 2 of an external wall of a building.

[0026] By fixing a plurality of panels 1 (), these advantageously dress a facade of a building. These panels can also be functional and are for example photovoltaic panels.

[0027] The panels 1 are arranged in a vertically and horizontally aligned manner. They are removably attached to the frame 2 of the building wall, such as regularly distributed mounting profiles. A panel 1 is usually attached to two mounting profiles of the building frame, such as horizontal mounting profiles 20 and 21 (Figures 1, 2 and 7) or vertical mounting profiles 20' and 21' (). The space between two panels is very small for photovoltaic panels, namely at most 10 mm.

[0028] The panel 1 has a so-called fixing face 10 which is the rear face intended to be opposite and to cooperate with the mounting profiles 20 and 21, or 20' and 21', and an opposite face 11 () corresponding to the front face intended to be opposite the external environment. The panel 1 is for example rectangular or square and has two first sides 12 and 13, called vertical sides, and two second opposite sides 14 and 15 called horizontal sides. The panel 1 comprises on its fixing face 10, a fixing system 3 for mounting said panel on the mounting profiles 20 and 21, or 20' and 21'. The fixing system 3 is intended to ensure attachment of the panel 1 at at least four points, two so-called lower points and two so-called upper points.

[0029] When the mounting profiles 20 and 21 are arranged in a horizontal direction as shown in Figures 1 and 7, the panel 1 which is hung by its lower and upper points is then directly hung on said lower 20 and upper 21 mounting profiles. When the mounting profiles 20' and 21' are arranged in a vertical direction as shown in the, the panel 1 which is hung by its lower and upper points is then hung on interface pieces such as lower 22 and upper 23 pins which are integral with the vertical mounting profiles 20' and 21' and are in a horizontal direction. Generally for vertical mounting profiles, one vertical mounting profile supports two adjacent panels.

[0030] Typically, the fixing system 3 is factory-mounted on the fixing face 10 (rear face) of the panel 1 so that the two pairs of lower and upper fixing points correspond to the center distance of the mounting profiles 20 and 21 or to that of the axes 22 and 23. According to the invention, the fixing system 3 is not intended to be dismantled and reassembled on site during the installation of the panel 1. According to the invention, the fixing system 3 is capable of allowing, once the panel is installed parallel to the facade of the building and attached to at least one mounting profile, to carry out, without dismantling it, a precise adjustment of its position in order to anchor it perfectly on the two mounting profiles 20 and 21, or 20' and 21', and to level it with respect to the other panels already fixed in order to respect the parallelism between the panels.

[0031] Three examples of embodiments of a panel 1 are described with reference to figures 1 to 6 for the first example, figures 7 to 9 for the second example and figures 10 to 14 for the third example. These examples are in no way limiting.

[0032] In a manner common to the exemplary embodiments, the fixing system 3 comprises: at least two spaced and parallel fixing rails 30 and 31; a pair of a first anchoring part 4 and a second anchoring part 5 for each of the two fixing rails 30 and 31, the two anchoring parts 4 and 5 of a fixing rail being spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the center distance of the horizontal mounting profiles 20 and 21 or to the distance separating the lower 22 and upper 23 axes of the vertical mounting profiles 20' and 21'; at least one adjustment system 6 for leveling the panel, said adjustment system being operable while the panel 1 is already in the position attached to the mounting profiles 20 and 21, or 20' and 21'; and preferably, a clamping system 7 which clamps the panel 1 once the latter is installed on the mounting profiles 20 and 21 or 20' and 21', and leveled.

[0033] The three examples of the panels 1 relate to different combinations of the design of the anchoring parts 4 and 5, the adjustment system 6 and the clamping system 7.

[0034] The pairs of two pairs of anchoring pieces 4 and 5 allow the panel 1 to be hung on the mounting profiles 20 and 21, or 20' and 21'. The leveling of the panel 1 consists of the said panel being perfectly parallel with respect to the adjacent panels already fixed and the separation gap with the other panels therefore being constant on all its sides 12, 13, 14 and 15. The adjustment system 6 allows the positioning of the panel 1 to be adjusted while it is in the position hung on the mounting profiles 20 and 21, or 20' and 21'. The adjustment system 6 is designed so as to be accessible once the panel 1 is in the retained position on the mounting profiles 20 and 21, or 20' and 21' (without therefore having to dismantle it).As will be described later, the adjustment system 6 advantageously comprises at least one adjustment member 60, 61 or 62 which extends in a plane opposite and parallel to the fixing face 10 of the panel and of which a portion 60A, 61A or 62A is accessible from an edge or side, here 15, of the panel, protruding from the latter. This projecting portion 60A, 61A or 62A constitutes the actuating portion of the adjustment member, accessible to the operator while the panel is in the installed position against the building. The adjustment member 60, 61 or 62 is coupled to the fixing system 3 of the panel, in particular to at least one of the second anchoring parts 5, and is capable of being movable in rotation to transform its movement into a translational movement for the panel 1.Thus, there is no need, as in the prior art, to dismantle the panel 1, to adjust the positioning of the anchoring parts and to reassemble the panel to check the adjustment; the operator, facing the mounted panel 1, can act on the adjustment member 60, 61 or 62 placed at the rear of the panel, by turning the actuating portion 60A, 61A or 62A which projects relative to an edge of the panel in order to translate the panel. In addition, the adjustment system 6 allows the operator to perfectly visualize the leveling at the same time as he makes the adjustment.

[0035] The fixing rails 30 and 31 are two in number for usual dimensions of photovoltaic panels. Depending on the length of the panels, the fixing rails with their pair of anchoring parts 4 and 5 could be greater than two. The fixing rails 30 and 31 are of the usual type, generally metal profiles of C-shaped section. The fixing rails 30 and 31 are fixed to the rear of the panel, against the fixing face 10, and close to two opposite sides of the panel, here close to the sides 12 and 13.

[0036] Each fixing rail 30, 31 comprises a pair of the first anchoring piece 4 and the second anchoring piece 5 which is of a different design from the first. The first anchoring pieces 4 of the two fixing rails 30 and 31 constitute the lower attachment points of the panel 1, while the second anchoring pieces 5 of the two fixing rails 30 and 31 constitute the upper attachment points of the panel 1. For the first and second exemplary embodiments (Figures 1 and 7) for which the panel 1 is fixed on the so-called lower 20 and upper 21 horizontal mounting profiles, the first anchoring pieces 4 cooperate directly with the lower mounting profile 20, while the second anchoring pieces 5 cooperate with the upper mounting profile 21.For the third embodiment example () for which the panel 1 is fixed to the so-called vertical mounting profiles 20' and 21', the first anchoring parts 4 cooperate with the two vertical profiles 20' and 21' in the lower part of the panel via the lower axes 22, while the second anchoring parts 5 cooperate with the two vertical profiles 20' and 21' in the upper part of the panel via the upper axes 23.

[0037] Each first anchoring piece 4 is intended here to correspond to a lower position anchoring piece in the installed position of the panel 1 on the lower mounting profile 20 or on the lower axes 22. Each first anchoring piece 4 is fixed on a fixing rail 30, 31 and remains fixed during the leveling adjustment. Each first anchoring piece 4 is preferably removably fixed, for example by screws, on each of the fixing rails 30 and 31. Each first anchoring piece 4 is intended to hang astride either a wing 24 of the lower mounting profile 20, or on the lower axis 22 of a vertical mounting profile. For this purpose, each first anchoring piece 4 (for the exemplary embodiments of the panels of FIGS. 1 and 7, and for the exemplary embodiment of the panel of 1) has a body 40 which comprises a groove 41 of inverted U shape.The first anchoring part 4 opposite the example of the present has a rather parallelepiped shape and its groove 41 is intended to cooperate in the manner of a clamp with the wing 24 of the lower mounting profile 20. The first anchoring part 4 opposite the example of the present has its groove 41 intended to cooperate with the lower axis 22 of a vertical mounting profile, according to a profile in the manner of a hook.

[0038] Each second anchoring piece 5 is intended here to correspond to an upper position anchoring piece in the installed position of the panel 1 on the upper mounting profile 21 or on the upper axes 23 of the vertical mounting profiles. Each second anchoring piece 5 is intended to be fixed astride either a wing 25 of the upper mounting profile 21, or on the upper axis 23 of a vertical mounting profile. For this purpose, each second anchoring piece 5 has a body 50 which comprises a groove 51 of inverted U-shape (figures 4, 8 and 12 according to the three respective embodiments). The groove 51 is intended to cooperate with the wing 25 of the upper mounting profile 20 or with the upper axis 23 of a vertical mounting profile. According to the embodiments of the adjustment system 6 for leveling the panel 1, the second anchoring part 5 remains fixed or is capable of being movable relative to the fixing rail 30, 31 on which it is mounted.When the second anchoring part 5 is fixedly mounted on the fixing rail, it is however preferably fixed thereto in a removable manner, for example by screws. For the second anchoring part 5 of the first example and of the second embodiment of the panel 1 (figures 4 and 8) for which the panel 1 cooperates with the wing 25 of a horizontal mounting profile, the groove 51 in the shape of an inverted U has a profile in the manner of a clamp (as for the associated first anchoring part 4). For the second anchoring part 5 of the third embodiment of the panel 1 (figures 12 and 13) for which the panel 1 cooperates with the axis 23 of a vertical mounting profile, the groove 51 in the shape of an inverted U has a profile in the manner of a hook (as for the associated first anchoring part 4).

[0039] The adjustment system 6 for leveling the panel 1 comprises at least one adjustment member 60 (figures 1 and 2), or 61 () or 62 () according to three respective embodiments. Each adjustment member 60, 61 or 62 cooperates with a second anchoring part 5. Preferably, each second anchoring part 5 is coupled with an adjustment member 60, 61 or 62.

[0040] In all embodiments, the adjustment system 6 comprises the adjustment member 60, 61 or 62 which is capable of being movable to allow the second anchoring part 5 to be moved closer to or further away from the upper mounting profile 20 or from the upper axis 23 of a vertical mounting profile, and consequently to allow the panel 1 to be moved in a direction parallel to the fixing profiles 30 and 31, in one direction or the other (i.e. in a vertical direction upwards or downwards in the mounted position of the panel on the frame 2 of the building). The adjustment member 60, 61 or 62 is movable in rotation and transforms its movement into a translational movement for the panel 1.

[0041] Therefore, if you want to be able to adjust it properly, that is to say to be able to raise one or other of the corners of the panel, you necessarily need a screw at each of the two upper anchoring pieces.

[0042] The adjustment system 6 of the first embodiment (figures 1 and 6) comprises the adjustment member 60 which is capable of being movable in rotation and which passes through, while being trapped therein, the second anchoring part 5 which is fixed and secured to the associated fixing rail 30 or 31, itself secured to the panel 1. The mobility of the adjustment member 60 in a direction parallel to the fixing rail 30 or 31 (here the vertical), causes the translation of the anchoring part 5 in this same direction (vertical), and consequently provides the mobility of the panel 1. Preferably, the adjustment member 60 is a screw (). The screw 60 has its head 60A and a threaded body 60B. The threaded body 60B extends parallel to the fixing rail 30 or 31 and cooperates with a threaded nut 52 which is integral with the interior of the body 50 of the second anchoring part 5.The threaded body 60B has a length adapted to the positioning of the second anchoring part 5 relative to the edge 15 of the panel so that this position coincides with the upper mounting profile 25 in the installed position of the panel. The screw head 60A, which is located on the side of the fixing face 10 of the panel (at the rear of the panel) protrudes from the edge (here upper 15) of the panel 1 in order to be accessible to the operator when the panel 1 is installed on the mounting profiles. The screw head 60A constitutes the actuating portion of the adjustment member 60, this actuating portion 60A always remaining projecting from the edge of the panel to remain accessible. The actuating portion 60A is here arranged at the level of the upper edge 15 because the facade panels are mounted from the bottom to the top.Since there is no panel mounted above the one being fixed yet, the operator has complete freedom of access above the panel 1 and to the screw head 60A. The end of the screw opposite the screw head presses on the edge 25 of the mounting profile 21 and by screwing or unscrewing the screw 60, this causes the panel 1 to lower or raise (more specifically this causes the corner of the panel associated with the location of the adjustment screw to rise or lower), which allows its height to be adjusted and consequently its leveling relative to the adjacent panels below and to the side. When the two anchoring parts 5 of the two fixing rails 30 and 31 have an adjustment member 60, the operator can adjust the height of the panel 1 with even greater finesse, in particular by raising or lowering each of the two upper corners of the panel 1, which makes it possible to adjust the parallelism of the lower 14 and upper 15 sides of the panel 1.The adjustment is made over a few millimeters (plus or minus 5 mm). Advantageously, the adjustment member 60 further comprises a means for locking in position, once the adjustment has been made. In this embodiment, the means for locking in position is constituted by a locknut 60C.

[0043] The adjustment system 6 of the second embodiment (Figures 7 and 9) is a screw-nut type system, comprising the adjustment member 61 which is capable of being movable in rotation, such as a threaded rod (constituting the screw in the screw-nut system), and the second anchoring part 5 (constituting the nut in the screw-nut system) which is carried by the threaded rod 61. The second anchoring part 5 is coupled to the threaded rod 61 by its body 50 which comprises in a through manner an internal thread 53 (). The rotation of the adjustment member 61, here the rotation of the threaded rod, causes the translation of the second anchoring part 5. The threaded rod 61 comprises at one of its distal ends, a gripping portion 61A which constitutes the actuating portion.Rotation in one direction or another of the threaded rod 61 via the actuating portion 61A causes the second anchoring part 5 to move upwards or downwards and consequently the panel 1 to move its level finely. The use of a threaded rod has the advantage of extending over a long length to position the second anchoring part 5 at a distance far enough from the edge 15 of the panel. The threaded rod could be associated with a position locking element, such as an elastic return gear element.

[0044] The adjustment system 6 of the third embodiment (Figures 10 and 13) comprises the adjustment member 62 which is capable of being movable in rotation in the form of a worm screw with a gear element 62B. The worm screw 62 carries the second anchoring part 5. The gear element 62B is advantageously elastically returnable to automatically lock the screw in position, and consequently lock the second anchoring part 5 and therefore the panel 1 in position. The second anchoring part 5 is coupled to the worm screw 62 by comprising a threaded nut 54 crossed by said worm screw. The rotation of the worm screw 62 causes the translation of the second anchoring part 5. The rotation in one direction or another causes the translation upwards or downwards of the second anchoring part 5 and consequently the translation of the panel 1 upwards or downwards, thus making it possible to adjust the level of said panel.The use of a worm screw has the advantage of extending over a great length to position the second anchoring part 5 at a distance quite far from the edge 15 of the panel.

[0045] Once the panel 1 is leveled, it is preferably locked in position by means of the clamping system 7. The clamping system 7 is fixed to at least one anchoring part, preferably to at least one of the second anchoring parts 5. Preferably, the clamping system 7 is removably fixed to a second anchoring part 5, and is adjustable in position relative to said second anchoring part 5. The clamping system 7 is intended to cooperate with the mounting profile 21 or the axis 23 of the building frame in the mounted position of the panel 1 and to lock the panel 1 in position, while being accessible by the operator at the edge of the panel when the panel is already installed.The clamping system 7 comprises a part 70 fixed to the second anchoring part 5, a part 71 intended to cooperate with the frame 2 of the building (the mounting profile 21 or the axis 23) and clamping means 72 locking in position the cooperation part 71 with the frame 2 of the building. The part of the clamping system 7 carrying the clamping means 72 projects relative to the edge 13 of the panel 1. The clamping system 7 is of different design depending on the type of mounting profile of the frame 2 of the building.

[0046] The examples of panels 1 of figures 1, 2 and 7, which are fixed on horizontal mounting profiles 20 and 21, have the same principle of clamping system 7 (figures 5 and 8). The part 70 fixed to the second anchoring part 5 is of elongated shape in the manner of an arm to be fixed on the anchoring part 5 and extend beyond the edge 13 of the panel to the part 71 of cooperation with the profile 21. The cooperation part 71 therefore projects relative to the edge of the panel and receives the clamping means 72. More particularly, the arm 70 extends in a plane parallel to the fixing face 10 of the panel and perpendicular to the fixing rail 30 or 31. The arm 70 is retained in or against a receiving housing 55 of the body 50 of the second anchoring part 5, which is distinct from the groove 51 intended to cooperate with the wing 25 of the mounting profile 21.The arm 70 is removably fixed to the second anchoring part 5 by at least one screw 8 which passes through an orifice 70A of said arm. In addition, the arm 70 can be adjustable in position in the direction of its longitudinal axis to adjust the projecting position relative to the edge of the panel 1 of the cooperation part 71. For this purpose, the orifice 70A is oblong in shape. The cooperation part 71 is in the form of a jaw to sandwich the wing 25 of the profile 21 (figures 2 and 7). The clamping means 72 cooperate with the cooperation part 71 and are capable of locking it on the wing 25 of the profile. The clamping means 72 are for example by bolting, the nut being a fixed stamping in one of the parts of the jaw 71.

[0047] The example of panel 1 which is fixed on the axis 23 of a vertical mounting profile 21' has another clamping system 7 (figures 11 to 13). The clamping system 7 comprises a plate which comprises the part 70 for fixing to the second anchoring part 5, the fixing preferably being removable, and the cooperation part 71 which is intended to cooperate with the axis 23 of the mounting profile, the clamping means 72 cooperating here with the fixing part 70. More particularly, the plate of the clamping system 7 is able to be movable relative to the second anchoring part 5 which cooperates with the axis 23 via its groove 51, so as to be able to put the cooperation part 71 into abutment against the axis 23 to enclose it in the groove 51 of the second anchoring part 5.The mobility of the plate and therefore of the cooperation part 71 is obtained by the presence of an oblong slot 56 formed in the second anchoring part 5 and extending parallel to the fixing rail 30 or 31 (and therefore intended to extend transversely to the axis 23 of the mounting profile). Once the cooperation part 71 is in the stop position, the clamping means 72 are implemented. The clamping means 72 are preferably by bolting. At least one screw of the clamping means 72 passes through the slot 56 of the second anchoring part 5.The fixing part 70 with the second anchoring part is the part which projects relative to the edge of the panel to be accessible so that the operator can implement the clamping means 72; this fixing part 70 is also adjustable in position relative to the edge of the panel 1 (in a direction perpendicular to the edge of the panel) by means of an oblong orifice 73 provided in said fixing part 70 and extending perpendicular to the fixing rail 30 or 31.

[0048] The process of installing a panel 1 is now described.

[0049] The operator mounts the panel on the mounting profiles by hooking the first anchoring pieces 4 and the second anchoring pieces 5 after the profiles 20 and 21 respectively, or the axes 22 and 23 of the mounting profiles 20' and 21'.

[0050] Then to adjust the leveling of the panel, that is to say its parallelism in relation to the other panels already mounted, in particular those positioned below and on one of the sides, the operator screws or unscrews the actuating portion 60A or 61A or 62A of the adjustment member(s), respectively, 60 or 61 or 62, the actuating portion protruding from the edge of the panel above which another panel will be subsequently mounted. Once the panel 1 is leveled using the adjustment system 6, the adjustment system 6 is then locked in position either manually for the first embodiment by screwing the locknut 60C, or automatically with the elastic return gear 62C of the third embodiment.

[0051] Finally, to completely secure the maintenance of the leveled panel 1, so that it does not accidentally come loose from the first and second anchoring parts 4 and 5, the operator locks the position using the clamping system 7. The clamping system 7 comprises its cooperation part 70 or 71 with one of the mounting profiles which projects relative to one of the edges of the panel near which no adjacent panel is yet mounted. Preferably, the cooperation part 70 or 71 extends in a direction perpendicular to that of the adjustment member 60, 61 or 62. The operator actuates the clamping means 72 which are directly accessible in front of him, and thus clamps the panel 1 in position.

Claims

Building facade panel (1), in particular a building facade photovoltaic panel, having two opposite faces, one of which is a so-called fixing face (10) and comprising on the fixing face (10) a fixing system (3) which comprises at least two parallel and spaced fixing rails (30, 31), at least one first anchoring part (4) and one second anchoring part (5) spaced apart and coupled to each of the fixing rails, characterized in that it comprises an adjustment system (6) for leveling the panel, comprising at least one adjustment member (60; 61; 62) which is arranged on the side of the fixing face (10) and which cooperates with the fixing system (3), the adjustment member (60; 61; 62) further comprising an actuating portion (60A; 61A; 62A) which projects relative to an edge (15) of the panel. Building facade panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjustment member (60; 61; 62) is a rotary member capable of transmitting a translational movement to the panel (1). Building facade panel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjustment member (60; 61; 62) is coupled to the second anchoring part (5) of a fixing rail, preferably the adjustment system (6) comprising two adjustment members (60; 61; 62) which are each coupled to the second anchoring part (5) of the two fixing rails (30, 31). Building facade panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustment member (60) is a screw which cooperates with a second anchoring part (5), the second anchoring part (5) being fixedly secured to the associated fixing rail and the panel (1) being capable of being movable in translation when the screw (60) is actuated. Building facade panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adjustment system (6) is a screw-nut system and comprises the adjustment member (61) as a screw and the second anchoring part (5) as a nut, the second anchoring part (5) being capable of being movable in translation when the screw (61) is actuated. Building facade panel according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the adjustment system (6) is a worm screw system, comprising on the one hand, the adjustment member (62) which is a worm screw and which carries the second anchoring part (5), and on the other hand, a gear element (62C) for the worm screw, the second anchoring part (5) being capable of being movable in translation when the worm screw (62) is actuated. Building facade panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjustment system (6) comprises an element (60C; 62C) for locking the adjustment member (60; 62) in position, such as a locknut (60C) when the adjustment member is a screw (60) or a gear element (62C) with elastic return when the adjustment member is a worm screw (62). Building facade panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second anchoring parts (4, 5) each comprise a female shape (41, 51), in particular an inverted U shape, intended to cooperate in the mounted position of the panel (1) with a male shape of the building frame of the wing type (24, 25) of a mounting profile or axis (22, 23) attached to a mounting profile. Building facade panel according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a clamping system (7) for the panel in the mounted position. Building facade panel according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the clamping system (7) is fixed to a second anchoring part (5), and comprises a part (70; 71) which projects relative to an edge (13) of the panel and which comprises clamping means (72) locking said projecting part in position, preferably the clamping means (72) being by bolting. Building facade panel according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the clamping system (7) is removably fixed to said second anchoring part (5) and is adjustable in position relative to said second anchoring part (5) so as to adjust the position of the projecting part (70; 71) comprising the clamping means (72). Method for fixing a building facade panel, in particular a building facade photovoltaic panel, according to any one of the preceding claims, on mounting profiles (20, 21; 20', 21') of the frame of a building, the method comprising the step of hanging the panel (1) via the first and second anchoring parts (4, 5), characterized in that it comprises, once the panel is hung, a step of leveling the panel (1) by actuating the actuating portion (60A; 61A; 62A) of at least one adjustment member (60; 61;62) projecting from one of the edges of the panel, in particular by screwing or unscrewing the actuating portion, and preferably after leveling, the method comprises a step of clamping the panel (1) in position by actuating clamping means (72) of the clamping system (7), the clamping means (72) projecting from one of the edges (13) of the panel and being capable of locking the fixing of one of the anchoring parts (5) at one of the mounting profiles of the building frame, in particular the clamping means (72) being arranged projecting from one of the edges (13) perpendicular to the edge (15) from which the adjustment member (6) projects.;

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