Sensor module for photovoltaic installations, carrier system, photovoltaic installation

Abstract

The invention relates to a sensor module (7) for photovoltaic installations, comprising: a force transducer (20) for determining or monitoring a weight; and a housing (8), in or on which the force transducer (20) is arranged and which is designed to be fastened to a carrier frame, which is designed to hold at least one photovoltaic module (4), such that a weight of the photovoltaic module (4) acts on the force transducer (20). According to the invention, at least one force-transmission element (11) is provided on the housing (8), which force-transmission element (11) has a longitudinal extent, is pivotably mounted on a bearing (15), the force-transmission element (11) interacting in a first longitudinal portion (12) with the force transducer (20) and comprising in a second longitudinal portion (13), different from the first longitudinal portion (12), a support element (21) for the photovoltaic module (4), the support element (21) having a support surface (22) on which the underside of the photovoltaic module (4) can be placed.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Sensor module for photovoltaic systems, support system, photovoltaic system

[0003] The invention relates to a sensor module for photovoltaic systems, comprising a force transducer for determining or monitoring a weight force, comprising a housing in or on which the force transducer is arranged and which is designed to be fastened to a support frame designed to hold at least one photovoltaic module in such a way that the weight force of the photovoltaic module acts on the force transducer.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a support system with a support frame and with the above-mentioned sensor module, as well as to a photovoltaic system having the said support system.

[0005] Sensor modules of the type mentioned above are known from the prior art. Force transducers, particularly in the form of load cells, are used to monitor or record the weight of a wide variety of objects. It is also known to use force transducers in photovoltaic modules or systems to monitor the load on one or more photovoltaic modules. Particularly in areas where snowfall occurs frequently, snow falling on a photovoltaic module can reach a weight that is critical for its load-bearing capacity and resilience. Therefore, such photovoltaic systems are monitored for the weight load of individual or multiple photovoltaic modules using force transducers. Load cells, in particular, are suitable for space-saving integration into a photovoltaic system.

[0006] The present invention is based on the object of creating an improved sensor module that ensures a safe and traceable force transmission to the force transducer at all times and reduces the risk of incorrect measurements, in particular without complicating the installation of the photovoltaic system or increasing the necessary installation space compared to known solutions.

[0007] The object underlying the invention is achieved with a sensor module having the features of claim 1. This has the advantage that it can be easily integrated into existing photovoltaic systems or even new photovoltaic systems, requires little installation space, and furthermore ensures advantageous force introduction from a photovoltaic module to the force transducer. In particular, the sensor module according to the invention allows precise force introduction even if the photovoltaic module itself is not arranged precisely at the intended location or in the intended orientation on the support frame, for example due to manufacturing or assembly tolerances.Due to the inventive design of the sensor module, it is insensitive to incorrect alignment or arrangement of a photovoltaic module and, moreover, allows the reliable sensing of the weight force or weight load of a photovoltaic module on both a flat roof and a pitched roof.

[0008] According to the invention, according to claim 1, at least one force transmission element having a longitudinal extension is pivotably mounted on the housing at a bearing point, the force transmission element interacting with the force transducer in a first longitudinal section and having a support element for the photovoltaic module in a second longitudinal section different from the first longitudinal section, the support element having a support surface on which the photovoltaic module can be placed with an underside. The support element ensures that, regardless of the orientation of the photovoltaic module resting on the support element, force is introduced into the force transmission element and thus onto the force transducer, because the force is introduced into the force transducer through the force transmission element and not directly through the photovoltaic module.The interaction between the force transmission element and the force transducer is ensured by the sensor module and is therefore independent of the orientation or position of the photovoltaic module. This allows the force transmission element and the force transducer to be optimally arranged and designed relative to one another, advantageously preventing incorrect measurements. The force transmission element ensures that the existing weight is reliably transmitted to the force transducer and introduced into it. The force transmission element and the support element thus ensure that the weight of a photovoltaic module reliably reaches the force transducer, thus ensuring advantageous monitoring of the weight of the photovoltaic module.In particular, the quantity of the snow load or a snow load is determined depending on a detected difference between the empty weight of the solar module, i.e., without a snow load, and a weight force with a snow load on the solar module. The force transmission element is expediently designed to be stiff or rigid so as not to impair the force transmission. For example, the force transmission element is made of metal, preferably stainless steel. The support surface preferably has a curve in at least one direction. The convexly curved top or support surface ensures that the weight of the photovoltaic module is always reliably transmitted.The curvature advantageously ensures that, in particular, geometric deformation of the photovoltaic module, which can result, for example, from snow load, or a changed alignment of the photovoltaic module relative to the sensor module does not lead to an incorrect measurement or an impairment of the measurement result. The curvature always ensures a favorable, particularly repeatable or defined, contact of the photovoltaic module with the support element.

[0009] Particularly preferably, the support surface is provided with a curvature in several directions, in particular with the same curvature, so that the support surface is convex and protrudes in the manner of a spherical or ball-shaped elevation. This advantageously compensates for tilting of the photovoltaic module relative to the sensor module in several directions.

[0010] According to a preferred development of the invention, the support element is designed as a separate element and fastened to the force transmission element. This separate design enables cost-effective production, and the support element can be manufactured in particular from a different material than the force transmission element in order to enable or ensure optimal interaction with the aforementioned photovoltaic module. The support element is preferably made from a material that is softer than the force transmission element in order to avoid, for example, a hard support for the photovoltaic element. The choice of material can also prevent loud rattling noises if, for example, the photovoltaic module is caught in a strong wind and moved due to a particularly undesirable tolerance.

[0011] Preferably, the support element has a support head for flat support on the force transmission element, wherein the support head has the support surface for the photovoltaic module on the upper side facing away from the force transmission element. The flat support on the force transmission element ensures reliable power transmission to the force transmission element and the absorption of even high weight forces.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the support head is designed to be at least substantially rigid or elastically deformable. Particularly preferably, the support element, or at least the support head, is made of a plastic. The optional elastic deformability ensures adaptation to the photovoltaic module resting thereon, thus compensating for assembly or manufacturing tolerances.

[0013] Particularly preferably, the support head has one or more recesses on its underside facing the force transmission element. The recesses on the underside create free spaces or cutouts in the support head, which lead to a reduction in its strength and / or to an improvement in the manufacturing process, particularly with regard to demolding the support element from a die-casting mold or the like.

[0014] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the support element has a cylindrical bearing projection that protrudes from the underside of the support head and is inserted into an opening in the force transmission element, in particular with radial play or without play. The bearing projection advantageously holds the support element to the force transmission element. In particular, slipping and / or tilting of the support element is advantageously prevented by the bearing projection. Optionally, the bearing projection is pressed into the opening of the force transmission element without play.

[0015] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the force transmission element is designed as a rocker which has a first lever arm assigned to the force transducer and a second lever arm having the support element, wherein the lever arms are firmly connected to one another in the region of the bearing point, in particular are formed integrally with one another, and wherein the first lever arm has the first longitudinal section and the second lever arm has the second longitudinal section. Due to the design as a rocker, the force transmission element also redirects force, since, for example, pressing the second lever arm downwards leads to the first lever arm pivoting upwards. Depending on the length of the lever arms, the force transmission is sensitive or less sensitive. Furthermore, this ensures that lateral forces which may act on the support element do not reach the force transducer but are absorbed by the bearing point.Thus, only the weight force to be measured acts on the force transducer.

[0016] Optionally, the bearing point is located centrally between the center point of the support element and the center point of the force transducer, viewed in the longitudinal extension of the force transmission element. In particular, the one-piece design of the two lever arms ensures advantageous force transmission and cost-effective and robust production of the sensor module. The sensitivity of the sensor module can be adjusted by changing the position of the bearing point. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the bearing point is preferably located closer to the force transducer than to the support element, whereby the lever arms, i.e. the distances from the support element and from the contact point of the force transducer to the bearing point, or their lengths, are changed such that the lever arm to the support element is longer than the lever arm to the force transducer.This results in higher forces being exerted on the force transducer, enabling more sensitive weight detection. If the bearing point is preferably positioned closer to the transducer according to another embodiment of the invention, lower forces are transmitted to the force transducer, allowing it to be designed less robustly and thus more cost-effectively.

[0017] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the force transmission element is preferably designed as a single-lever arm and pivotably mounted at one end at the bearing point, with one single-lever arm having the first and second longitudinal sections spaced apart from the bearing point. As a result, the force transmission element does not deflect any force, in particular, it does not deflect the direction of force transmission, but rather simply transmits force in the same effective direction. In particular, the force transducer is located between the bearing point and the support element. This creates a particularly compact embodiment of the sensor module.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the force transmission element protrudes from the housing with the second section, in particular with the second lever arm, while the first section, in particular the first lever arm, lies within the housing. The bearing point is thus located almost at the edge of the housing. Due to this advantageous design, the force transducer is advantageously mounted within the housing and thus protected from external influences as well as unauthorized or unwanted manipulation.

[0019] The housing preferably has a base and a cover, wherein the force transducer, in particular a load cell, is arranged between the cover and the second lever arm. The force introduced by the photovoltaic module through the support element into the force transmission element is thus transmitted to the force absorption element, which is thereby pressed against the cover of the housing. To ensure that the force can be reliably absorbed, the cover is firmly connected to the base. In particular, the bearing point is formed on the base, resulting in a compact and robust unit. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the cover is connected to the base by at least one fastening screw, wherein a shaft of the fastening screw penetrates a through-opening of the force transmission element, in particular of the second lever arm.This attachment of the cover to the base also ensures that the force transmission element is firmly connected to the housing. In addition to the bearing point, a further connection to the housing is ensured, which prevents undesired loosening or displacement of the force transmission element relative to the housing. Particularly preferably, the bearing point is formed by a bearing pin formed on the base, which is inserted into a bearing receptacle of the force transmission element, which is aligned transversely to the longitudinal extent of the force transmission element. In particular, the outer diameter of the bearing pin is designed to correspond to the inner diameter of the bearing receptacle, thus ensuring that the force transmission element is mounted at the bearing point with as little play and friction as possible.The through-hole of the force transmission element, through which the fastening screw is guided, is selected to be large enough relative to the shaft of the fastening screw that the fastening screw normally penetrates the force transmission element, particularly regardless of the tilt position of the force transmission element. The maximum pivot angle or tilt angle of the force transmission element is preferably limited by the housing. The through-hole is thus designed to be large enough that contact with the fastening screw is prevented, regardless of the actuation state and / or the force or weight acting on the force transmission element.

[0020] The housing is preferably designed to be inserted or pushed into a support rail of the support frame, at least in part. Support frames often have support rails that are designed as profile rails with a C-shaped or U-shaped cross-sectional profile and thus have a groove-shaped receptacle for fastening means of the photovoltaic modules. The advantageous design of the sensor module such that the housing can be inserted or pushed into the support rail of the support frame, at least in part, ensures that the sensor module can be advantageously integrated into the support frame. In particular, no installation space is required next to the support rail for the sensor module, apart perhaps from the installation space for cable guides to the force transducer, through which the sensor signal from the force transducer can be transmitted.Preferably, the housing cover has a laterally protruding support edge, allowing the cover to be placed on the mounting rail while the rest of the housing extends into the mounting rail receptacle. As a result, the position of the housing and thus of the sensor module on the mounting rail is advantageously defined by the cover, particularly with regard to the penetration depth into the mounting rail receptacle.

[0021] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the base of the housing protrudes laterally from the housing on two longitudinal sides of the housing that face away from one another. This ensures that the sensor module can be inserted into a support rail with a C-shaped cross-sectional profile in such a way that the base of the sensor module forms a rear grip seat, in particular a rear grip sliding seat, with the support rail, in particular with an inwardly projecting rail section of the support rail, which positively prevents the sensor module from being lifted out of the support rail receptacle. In particular, by means of the support edge in interaction with the rear grip seat, the sensor module can be secured to the support rail by tightening the above-mentioned at least one fastening screw, in that the cover is pressed against the base by the at least one fastening screw and the support rail is thereby braced or clamped between the cover and base at the rear grip seat.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the support element is arranged between the bearing point and a module securing device on the force transmission element, wherein the module securing device is designed to engage behind the photovoltaic module that can be placed or has been placed on the support element at its upper side facing away from its underside. The module securing device thus allows the photovoltaic module to be caught or secured to the sensor module, preventing it from slipping off the sensor module or becoming undesirably detached.In particular, the module securing device comprises a fastening screw that is screwed or can be screwed into a thread that is firmly connected to the force transmission element, in particular formed directly within it, and has a screw head that is designed to project beyond the top side of the photovoltaic module or—from the perspective of the force transmission element—to engage behind it. A lock nut is optionally provided to permanently prevent the screw connection from loosening.

[0023] Optionally, the sensor module has a heating device, in particular an electrical heating device, by means of which the sensor module can be heated and thawed at temperatures below freezing point, so that the functionality of the sensor module is maintained even at temperatures below freezing point.

[0024] The support system according to the invention with the features of claim 19 is characterized in that at least one sensor module according to the invention is arranged on the support frame. In particular, the sensor module is arranged on a support rail of the support frame. Optionally, the sensor module has a holding plate with which the sensor module can be fastened to one or more support rails of the support system. In particular for flat roof mounting, the holding plate has a holding base which has an inclination suitable for a photovoltaic module and on which the sensor module can be arranged. In this case, the holding base has, in particular, a receptacle into which the housing of the sensor module can be inserted in certain areas so that it rests with the cover on the upper side of the base support in order to function as described above.The receptacle preferably has a C-shaped cross-sectional profile, corresponding to the support rail described above, in order to ensure a captive arrangement and fastening of the sensor module to the support rail. In particular, by bracing the support rail between the cover and the base of the sensor module, the sensor module is advantageously fastened to the support rail by means of static friction. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor module is arranged and aligned such that a photovoltaic module in the area of ​​the transmitter module can only fly onto the support element of the sensor module. This ensures that the photovoltaic module does not rest on the housing, for example, and thus does not lead to inaccurate force measurements or snow load determination.Due to the advantageous shape of the support element, deviations from perfect alignment are acceptable without - as already mentioned above - distorting the measurement result.

[0025] It is particularly preferred that the support rail has a C-shaped or U-shaped cross-sectional profile to form a groove-shaped receptacle, wherein the sensor module is designed to be inserted at least partially into the receptacle. This enables direct mounting of the sensor module on the support rail, as already mentioned above. In particular, the width of the receptacle is designed to correspond to the width of the housing below the support edge of the cover, so that the cover can be placed with the support edge on the side edge of the rail sections laterally delimiting the receptacle. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the carrier system has at least one communication module, which is connected to the sensor module at least in terms of signal technology and is designed to evaluate data acquired by the sensor module and / or to send it to an external data processing device, in particular a central server.

[0026] The communication module thus serves to evaluate the data acquired by the force transducer and / or send it to a data processing device, which evaluates the data and, for example, informs the user or owner of the photovoltaic system about potential snow load hazards. Preferably, the communication module is designed to communicate wirelessly with the data processing device, for example via mobile radio or the like. Optionally, the communication module is integrated into the sensor module. Alternatively, the carrier system has a central communication module that can be connected to multiple sensor modules via signal technology, for example via Bluetooth connection, radio connection, WLAN connection, or even via cable connection, in order to make the data provided by the sensor modules available to the data processing device.By providing several sensor modules, for example, it is possible to compare the sensor data of one sensor module with the sensor data of another sensor module and thus verify the evaluation result.

[0027] The photovoltaic system according to the invention with the features of claim 23 is characterized by the support system according to the invention. This results in the advantages already mentioned above.

[0028] Advantages and preferred features and combinations of features emerge in particular from the above description and from the claims. The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 shows an advantageous photovoltaic system in a perspective view,

[0030] Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the photovoltaic system in a perspective view,

[0031] Figure 3 shows a sensor module of the photovoltaic system in a perspective view,

[0032] Figure 4 shows the sensor module from Figure 3 in a simplified longitudinal section,

[0033] Figure 5 is a detailed view of the longitudinal section of Figure 4, Figure 6 is a support system of the photovoltaic system with the sensor module,

[0034] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the support system,

[0035] Figure 8 shows the carrier system according to a further embodiment in a perspective view and

[0036] Figure 9 shows the carrier system according to the alternative embodiment in a side view.

[0037] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an advantageous photovoltaic system 1, which has a support system 2 with a support frame that has a plurality of support rails 3, and a plurality of photovoltaic modules 4 that are mounted and held on the support system and of which only a few are provided with reference numerals here. The photovoltaic modules 4 can, as shown in Figure 1, be oriented in different directions. In the present case, the photovoltaic modules lying in a row are inclined in a first direction and the photovoltaic modules lying in the adjacent row are inclined in a second direction different from the first direction. Alternatively, the photovoltaic modules 4 are all oriented in the same direction. Each photovoltaic module 4 is plate-shaped with a rectangular base area in this case.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a perspective detailed view of the photovoltaic system 1 in the area of ​​a support rail 3 on which several support elements 5, 6 are arranged, which hold the photovoltaic module 4 on the support rail 3. The support element 5 is larger or higher than the support element 6, so that the photovoltaic module 4 is aligned at an angle relative to the support rail 3.

[0039] The lower edge region of the photovoltaic module 4 in Figure 2, which is therefore closer to the support rail 3 than the upper edge region, is assigned an advantageous sensor module 7, which is configured to determine a snow load of the photovoltaic module 4. For this purpose, the sensor module 7 is arranged on the support element 6 and lies between the support element 6 and the photovoltaic module 4.

[0040] Figure 3 shows the sensor module 7 in a perspective view. The sensor module 7 has a housing 8 formed by a cover 9 and a base 10. Furthermore, the sensor module 7 has a force transmission element 11, which has a first longitudinal section 12 located inside the housing 8 and a second longitudinal section 13 located outside the housing 8.

[0041] Figure 4 shows the sensor module 7 in a simplified longitudinal section, in which both sections 12, 13 are visible. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the force transmission element 11 is designed as a rocker 14 that is pivotally mounted on a bearing point 15. The bearing point 15 is located in particular between the sections 12 and 13. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the bearing point 15 is formed by a bearing pin 16, which is in particular firmly connected to the cover 9, and a bearing receptacle 17 of the rocker 14 that receives the bearing pin 16. In particular, the bearing pin 16 is held in bearing openings, in particular bore or bores, in the cover 9. The bearing pin 16 extends transversely to the longitudinal extent of the force transmission element 11, so that the force transmission element 11 can be pivoted about a pivot axis transversely to its longitudinal extent.Preferably, the bolt is held on the cover 9 in a rotationally fixed manner, and the rocker 14 is pivotable relative to the bearing bolt 16. Alternatively or additionally, the bearing bolt 16 is rotatably held in the cover 9.

[0042] According to the present embodiment, the cover 9 is fastened to the base 10 by two fastening screws 18. One of the fastening screws 18 penetrates an opening 19 formed in the force transmission element 11, which opening 19, according to the present embodiment, is formed in the first longitudinal section 12. The opening 19 and the one fastening screw 18 are designed such that there is enough play between this fastening screw 18 and opening 19 that the rocker 14 can pivot about the bearing point 15 in a pivoting range delimited by the cover and the base 10 without colliding with the fastening screw 18.

[0043] On the end of section 12 facing away from bearing point 15, a force transducer 20 is arranged, which lies between the longitudinal section 12 and the cover 9. On the second longitudinal section 13 of the rocker 14, between the bearing point 15 and the free end of section 13, a support element 21 is arranged, which has a support surface 22 that is convex at least in cross-section. Preferably, the support surface 22 is convex overall, i.e., curved in all directions. According to an alternative embodiment, not shown here, the support surface 22 is curved or arched in only one direction, for example in the manner of a jacket wall of a cylinder. Figure 5 shows, in an enlarged detailed view of the longitudinal section of Figure 4, that the support element 21 has a support head 23, which rests on the force transmission element 11 with its underside 24 facing away from the support surface 22.The force transmission element 11 has, in the longitudinal section 13, a particularly circular recess 25 for partially receiving the support head 23. Preferably, the recess 25 has an inner diameter that corresponds to the outer diameter of the support head 23 for its secure positioning.

[0044] The support element 21 further comprises a cylindrical bearing projection 26, which is inserted into an opening 27 of the force transmission element 11. The bearing projection 26 secures and holds the support element 21 in its position and alignment.

[0045] On the underside 24, the support head 23 preferably has a plurality of recesses 28, by means of which the material of the support head 23 is reduced, whereby demoulding of the support element 21 during a manufacturing process is facilitated or deformability is enabled or improved.

[0046] As further shown in Figure 5, a module securing device 29 is also arranged at the free end of section 13. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the module securing device 29 has a fastening screw 30 which can be screwed or is screwed into a thread formed, in particular cut, in the force transmission element 11. Optionally, a lock nut 3 is screwed onto the fastening screw 30 in order to fasten the fastening screw to the rocker 14 or to the force transmission element 11. The fastening screw 30 also has a screw head 32 which is designed to be wide enough to engage behind the photovoltaic module 4 on its upper side, as shown by way of example in Figure 2.If, during assembly, the photovoltaic module 4 is placed on the support element 6, which carries the sensor module 7, the photovoltaic module is placed with a lower end on the support element 21 and pushed, for example, under the screw head 32. Subsequently, by screwing in the fastening screw 30, the distance between the screw head 32 and the photovoltaic module 4 can be reduced to such an extent that a small amount of play remains between the two. Optionally, the play can be completely bridged or closed by screwing in the fastening screw 30. Figure 6 shows an example of assembly of the sensor module 7 directly on one of the support rails 3. The support rails 3 of the photovoltaic systems 1 have a cross-sectional profile that is C-shaped at least in some regions, so that the support rail 3 has a groove-shaped receptacle 33 extending in the longitudinal extent of the support rail 3.Due to the C-shaped design, the clear width of the receptacle 33 tapers toward the top of the support rail 3. For this purpose, the support rail 3 has inwardly projecting or bent rail sections 34 on its outer edges. These end at a distance from a bottom 35 of the groove-shaped receptacle 33.

[0047] The sensor module 7 is designed such that it can be partially inserted into this receptacle 33. For this purpose, the base 10 has a width that at least substantially corresponds to the width of the receptacle 33 between the base 35 and the rail sections 34, so that the sensor module 7 can be inserted with the base under the rail sections 34. The cover 9 has a width in some areas that is narrower than the clear width of the support rail 3 in the area of ​​the rail sections 34 and a laterally projecting support edge 36, as shown, for example, in Figure 3, which is wider than the support rail 3, at least in the area of ​​the rail sections 34.

[0048] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the sensor module 7 arranged in the support rail 3. The rail sections 34 are captured between the support edge 36 of the cover 9 and the base 10, so that the sensor module 7 is held captively on the support rail 3. As can be seen in Figure 6, the sensor module 7 is thus integrated into the support system 2 in a particularly space-saving manner. By tightening the fastening screws 18, the support rail 3 is clamped with the rail sections 34 between the base 10 and the cover 9, whereby the sensor module 7 is fixed or fastened to the support rail 3.

[0049] This ensures simple and advantageous integration of the sensor module 7 into the photovoltaic system 1, particularly when the support rail 3 is mounted on a pitched roof. The convex design of the support surface 22 ensures advantageous force transmission from the photovoltaic module 4 into the rocker 14. Through the bearing point 15 between the force transducer 20 and the support element 21, the sections 12 and 13 act as the first lever arm 37 and second lever arm 38 of the force transmission element 11, whereby in this case the lever arms 37 and 38 are formed integrally with one another. Through the convex surface 22, the weight of the photovoltaic module 4 is always optimally transmitted to the lever arm 38 and passed on through the rocker 14 to the lever arm 37, which accordingly presses this weight against the force transducer 20, which is held by the cover 9.As a result, the weight of the photovoltaic module 4 or a change in this weight can be detected by means of the force sensor 20. In particular, by determining a change in weight and the weight difference or force difference, it can be determined whether the photovoltaic module 4 is suffering from a critical snow load.

[0050] Optionally, the bearing point 15 is located centrally between the support element 21 and the force transducer 20. Alternatively, the bearing point is located closer to the support element 21, as shown in the figures, or closer to the force transducer 20.

[0051] The force transducer 20 is preferably designed as a load cell, for example with one or more strain gauges, and according to the present exemplary embodiment is connected to a communication module 39 of the photovoltaic system 1 by a communication cable 39'. The communication module 39 comprises and collects the data from the sensor module 7 and other sensor modules 7 of the photovoltaic system 1. The communication module 39 is equipped, for example, with a radio module, for example a mobile radio module, WLAN module, Bluetooth module or the like, and uses this module to send any evaluated or pre-evaluated data or raw data from the sensor modules 7 to a central server, which evaluates this data and, if necessary, if, for example, if a snow load has reached a critical value and action is required to remove the snow, informs the owner of this need.Optionally, the sensor module 7 itself has a radio module, for example a mobile radio module, Bluetooth module or the like, in order to transmit the recorded data directly to the central server or to the communication module 39' wirelessly.

[0052] Figures 8 and 9 show a further embodiment of the photovoltaic system 1 and in particular of the support system 2, which differs from the previous embodiment in that the sensor module 7 is not inserted directly into a support rail, but is arranged on the support module 6, as also shown, for example, in Figures 1 and 2. The support element 6 in this case has an H-shaped support 40 which is fastened to two support rails 3 arranged parallel to one another. In the center, the support 40 of the support module 6 carries a holding base 41 in which the sensor module 7 is received. Preferably, the holding base 41 has a receptacle corresponding to the receptacle 33, so that the sensor module 7 can be easily inserted into the receptacle by sliding it longitudinally and can be captively arranged and fastened to the holding base 41.

[0053] Figure 9 shows an operating case in which the photovoltaic module 4 rests on the support element 21. Preferably, the respective photovoltaic module 4 has a web-shaped projection 42 on its lower support edge, with which the photovoltaic module 4 rests on the support element 21. The projection 42 facilitates or ensures that the photovoltaic module 4 cannot come into direct contact with the housing 9 of the sensor module 7.

[0054] Optionally, the sensor module 7 also has an electrical heating device 43, for example in the form of a PTC element, which is arranged in particular in the housing 8 in order to thaw frozen water if necessary and to prevent or release the rocker 14 from freezing.

[0055] The arrangement of the sensor module 7 on the support element 6 with the carrier 40 is particularly suitable when mounting the photovoltaic system on a flat roof, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A sensor module (7) for photovoltaic systems, comprising a force transducer (20) for determining or monitoring a weight force, comprising a housing (8) in or on which the force transducer (20) is arranged and which is designed to be fastened to a support frame designed to hold at least one photovoltaic module (4) in such a way that a weight force of the photovoltaic module (4) acts on the force transducer (20), characterized in that at least one force transmission element (11) having a longitudinal extension is pivotably mounted on the housing (8) at a bearing point (15), wherein the force transmission element (11) cooperates with the force transducer (20) in a first longitudinal section (12) and has a support element (21) for the photovoltaic module (4) in a second longitudinal section (13) different from the first longitudinal section (12), wherein the support element (21) has a support surface (22),on which the photovoltaic module (4) can be placed with a bottom side., 2. Sensor module according to claim 1, characterized in that the support surface (22) is curved in at least one direction, in particular is convexly shaped.

3. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (21) is designed as a separate element and is fastened to the force transmission element (11).

4. Sensor module according to claim 3, characterized in that the support element (21) has a support head (23) for flat support on the force transmission element (11), wherein the support head (23) has the support surface (22) for the photovoltaic module (4) on the upper side facing away from the force transmission element (11).

5. Sensor module according to claim 4, characterized in that the support head (23) is designed to be elastically deformable.

6. Sensor module according to one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the support head (23) has one or more recesses (28) on its underside facing the force transmission element (11).

7. Sensor module according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the support element (21) has a cylindrical bearing projection (26) which projects from the underside of the support head (23) and is inserted into an opening (19) of the force transmission element (11), in particular with radial play or without play.

8. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force transmission element (11) is designed as a rocker (14) which has a first lever arm (37) assigned to the force transducer (20) and a second lever arm (38) having the support element (21), wherein the lever arms (37, 38) are firmly connected to one another in the region of the bearing point (15), in particular are formed integrally with one another, and wherein the first lever arm (37) has the first longitudinal section (12) and the second lever arm (38) has the second longitudinal section (13).

9. Sensor module according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the force transmission element (11) is designed as a single-lever arm and is pivotable at one end at the bearing point (15), wherein the single-lever arm has the first and the second longitudinal section each spaced apart from the bearing point.

10. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the force transmission element (11) protrudes with the second section out of the housing (8) and the first section lies within the housing (8).

11. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (8) has a base (10) and a cover (9), wherein the force transducer (20), in particular a load cell, is arranged between the cover (9) and the second lever arm.

12. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing point (15) is formed on the cover (9).

13. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (9) is connected to the base (10) by at least one fastening screw (18), wherein a shaft of the fastening screw (18) has a through-opening of the force transmission element (11), in particular the second lever arm (38).

14. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (8) is designed to be inserted or pushed into a support rail (3) of the support frame, at least in part.

15. Sensor module according to claim 13, characterized in that the cover (9) has a laterally projecting support edge (36) with which the cover (9) can be placed on the support rail (3).

16. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (10) of the housing (8) protrudes laterally from the housing (8) on two longitudinal sides of the housing (8) facing away from one another.

17. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (21) is arranged between the bearing point (15) and a module securing device (29) on the force transmission element (11), wherein the module securing device (29) is designed to engage behind the photovoltaic module (4) that can be placed / placed on the support element (21) at its upper side facing away from its underside.

18. Sensor module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a heating device, in particular an electrical heating device.

19. Support system for a photovoltaic system, in particular for a roof of a building, with a support frame which is designed, on the one hand, to be fastened to the roof and, on the other hand, to carry at least one photovoltaic module (4), characterized in that at least one sensor module (7) according to one of claims 1 to 18 is arranged on the support frame.

20. Support system according to claim 19, characterized in that the support frame has at least one support rail (3), wherein the support rail (3) has a C-shaped or U-shaped cross-sectional profile to form a groove-shaped receptacle, wherein the sensor module (7) is designed to be inserted at least partially into the receptacle (33).

21. Carrier system according to one of claims 19 and 20, characterized in that the sensor module (7) is arranged and aligned such that a photovoltaic module (4) in Area of ​​the sensor module (7) can only rest on the support element (21) of the sensor module (7).

22. Carrier system according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that it has at least one communication module (39) which is connected to the sensor module (7) at least in terms of signal technology and is designed to evaluate data acquired by the sensor module (7) and / or to send it to an external data processing device, in particular a central server.

23. Photovoltaic system with one or more photovoltaic modules and with a Support system on which the photovoltaic modules can be arranged or are arranged, characterized in that the support system (2) is designed according to one of claims 19 to 22.

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