Photovoltaic panel support device

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device (1) for a photovoltaic panel (8) comprising a first support plate (2) and a second support plate (2), the second lateral edge (5) of the first support plate (2) being assembled with the first lateral edge (4) of the second support plate (2), wherein each support plate (2) has a central recess (9), at least one first lateral positioning stud (12), at least one second lateral positioning stud (13), and at least one upper positioning stud (14), wherein said lateral positioning studs and said upper positioning stud (14) are configured to form support points for a frame (18) of the photovoltaic panel (8), wherein the support device (1) has two mounting flanges (20, 21) and each support plate (2) has a flange support (19), each mounting flange (20,21) being fixed to one of the flange supports of the support plates. Figure for the abbreviation: 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Support device for photovoltaic panel technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a support device for a photovoltaic panel, allowing for a watertight, simple and quick installation of the panel to a roof frame. Technological background

[0002] FR3018406 is known to be support plates for photovoltaic panels.

[0003] This support plate is suitable for fixing to a roof frame and is designed to receive a photovoltaic panel. The support plate thus allows the fixing and integration of this panel onto a building's roof.

[0004] The plate includes watertight vertical overlapping means, watertight lateral interlocking means, plate fixing points, and a recess for cable passage and access to the roof structure.

[0005] Although this type of plate allows for easy installation of a photovoltaic panel, these plates have dimensions similar to photovoltaic panels and are therefore subject to significant mechanical stresses and thermal expansion stresses. Indeed, the plates of FR3018406 are notably made of polypropylene, which has a coefficient of thermal expansion between 100 and 130 x 10⁶ K⁻¹.

[0006] Moreover, this type of plate is only suitable for the installation of photovoltaic panels in portrait orientation. Summary of the invention

[0007] One idea underlying the invention is to limit the stresses experienced by the support plates.

[0008] Another idea underlying the invention is to design a support device allowing the installation of photovoltaic panels in landscape orientation.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a support device for a photovoltaic panel, in which the support device comprises a first support plate and a second support plate identical to the first support plate, each support plate comprising a main body, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a top edge and a bottom edge, the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge projecting from the main body in a depth direction and extending along a longitudinal plate direction, the top edge and the bottom edge extending along a transverse direction of plate, the second lateral edge of the first support plate being assembled with the first lateral edge of the second support plate, the assembly of the first support plate and the second support plate forming a receiving surface for a photovoltaic panel, the receiving surface having a length along the transverse direction of the plate and a width along the longitudinal direction of the plate, in which each support plate has a central recess, at least one first lateral positioning stud located between the first lateral edge and the central recess, at least one second lateral positioning stud located between the second lateral edge and the central recess, at least one upper positioning stud located between the upper edge and the central recess, in which said at least one first lateral positioning stud, said at least one second lateral positioning stud and said at least one upper positioning stud project from the main body in the depth direction and are configured to form support points for a photovoltaic panel frame, in which the support device has two fixing flanges and each support plate has a flange support, the flange support projecting from the main body in the depth direction and being located between the central recess and the upper edge, each fixing flange being attached to one of the flange supports of the support plates, and each fixing flange being intended to hold the photovoltaic panel in position in the depth direction.

[0010] Thanks to these features, the support system, by using two plates for the same photovoltaic panel, allows for better distribution of stresses and management of deformations related to thermal contraction. Furthermore, the arrangement of the various positioning lugs allows for easy installation of the photovoltaic panel in landscape orientation. Finally, the placement of the flange supports on the support plates provides two attachment points along the length of the photovoltaic panel, thus improving the overall wind resistance, particularly to pull-out. The protruding position of the flange supports ensures the watertightness of the support system, even after the mounting flanges have been secured.

[0011] According to embodiments, such a device may include one or more of the following characteristics.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the longitudinal direction of the plate is perpendicular to the transverse direction of the plate. The depth direction is perpendicular to both the longitudinal and transverse directions of the plate.

[0013] According to one embodiment, each support plate has two upper positioning studs located on either side of the flange support.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the flange support is located in the middle of the support plate in the transverse direction of the plate.

[0015] According to one embodiment, each support plate has guide rails projecting from the main body in the depth direction and extending in a direction having a non-zero angle with the transverse direction of the plate, for example an angle between 20 and 70°, so as to direct rainwater towards the lateral edges, the guide rails being located between the central recess and the upper edge.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of the flange support is equal to or less than the dimension in the depth direction of the upper positioning pad.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the upper positioning block comprises a first block portion and a second block portion connected to the first block portion, the second block portion protruding in the depth direction of the first block portion, the first block portion being located between the upper edge and the second block portion, the second block portion being configured to form an upper stop for the photovoltaic panel frame.

[0018] Thus, the upper positioning stud has a dual function, namely positioning the frame of the photovoltaic panel in the upper part and forming an upper stop for said frame.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the upper positioning stud comprises a third stud portion connected to the second stud portion such that the second stud portion is located between the first stud portion and the third stud portion, the third stud portion comprising an imprint, a drilling mark and / or a pre-drilling to indicate the location of a drilling.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the third portion of the block has a dimension in the depth direction that is smaller than the dimension of the second portion of the block.

[0021] Thus, the positioning of the third portion of the stud downstream of the second portion as well as the dimension of the third portion of the stud make it possible to ensure good sealing of the support plate.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first lateral edge comprises a first central edge portion, the dimension in the depth direction of at least one first lateral positioning stud being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the first central edge portion of the first lateral edge, the first central edge portion of the first lateral edge being configured to form a lateral stop for the photovoltaic panel frame.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the first lateral edge comprises a first lower edge portion and a first upper edge portion, the first central edge portion being located between the first lower edge portion and the first upper edge portion, the dimension in the depth direction of the first lower edge portion being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the first central edge portion and the dimension in the depth direction of the first upper edge portion being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the first central edge portion.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of at least one first lateral positioning stud being greater than the dimension in the depth direction of the first lower portion of the edge of the first lateral edge.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of at least one first lateral positioning stud being greater than the dimension in the depth direction of the first upper portion of the edge of the first lateral edge.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the second lateral edge comprises a second central edge portion, the dimension in the depth direction of at least one second lateral positioning stud being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the second central edge portion of the second lateral edge, the second central edge portion of the second lateral edge being configured to form a lateral stop for the photovoltaic panel frame.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the second lateral edge comprises a second lower edge portion and a second upper edge portion, the second central edge portion being located between the second lower edge portion and the second upper edge portion, the dimension in the depth direction of the second lower edge portion being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the second central edge portion and the dimension in the depth direction of the second upper edge portion being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the second central edge portion.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of at least one second lateral positioning stud being greater than or equal to the dimension in the depth direction of the second lower portion of the edge of the second lateral edge.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of at least one second lateral positioning stud being greater than or equal to, preferably equal to, the dimension in the depth direction of the second upper edge portion of the second lateral edge.

[0030] Thus, the first lateral edge and / or the second lateral edge have a dual function, namely, lateral interlocking between two adjacent support plates in the transverse direction and lateral stopping for the photovoltaic panel frame. Indeed, the central portion of the edge serves as a lateral stop, while the lower and upper portions of the edge do not prevent the parts of the frame extending in the transverse direction from being positioned on the interface between the two plates.

[0031] According to one embodiment, each support plate comprises a row of first lateral positioning studs, the first lateral positioning studs being spaced in the longitudinal direction of the plate and distributed regularly along the first lateral edge.

[0032] According to one embodiment, each support plate has a row of second lateral positioning studs, the second lateral positioning studs being spaced in the longitudinal direction of the plate and distributed regularly along the second lateral edge.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge each have an inverted U-shaped cross-section, the first lateral edge having a shape complementary to the second lateral edge so that the first lateral edge of the second support plate is housed in the second lateral edge of the first support plate.

[0034] According to one embodiment, each support plate has a rim projecting from the main body in the depth direction, the rim being arranged all around the central recess.

[0035] Thus, the rim prevents rainwater from rushing in through the central recess and thus guarantees the proper sealing of the support plate.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the upper edge has upper undulations extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the plate and the lower edge has lower undulations extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the plate, the lower undulations of the lower edge having a shape complementary to the upper undulations of the upper edge so that when there is an overlap in the longitudinal direction of the plate between an upper edge of one support plate and a lower edge of another support plate, the upper undulations of the upper edge of the other support plate are housed in the lower undulations of the lower edge of the support plate.

[0037] Thus, the undulations contribute to stiffening the upper and lower edges of the support plate.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the lower edge of the support plates has a high corrugation projecting from the main body in the depth direction and situated in alignment with the flange support in the longitudinal direction of the plate, the flange support having a fixing portion on which the fixing flange is fixed and an overlap portion extending in the longitudinal direction between the fixing portion and the upper edge, the overlap portion having a form complementary to the high corrugation of the lower edge so that when there is an overlap in the longitudinal direction of the plate between an upper edge of one support plate and a lower edge of another support plate, the overlap portion is at least partly housed in the high corrugation.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of the fixing portion is equal to the dimension in the depth direction of the first portion of the stud.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of the fixing portion is greater than the dimension in the depth direction of the overlapping portion.

[0041] According to one embodiment, each support plate has a fixing stud projecting from the main body and located in the longitudinal direction of the plate between the lower edge and the central recess, the fixing stud being intended to be passed through by a fixing element allowing the support plate to be fixed to a roof.

[0042] According to one embodiment, each support plate has a graduation located between the upper positioning stud and the upper edge, the graduation being configured to serve as a reference for adjusting the overlap in the longitudinal direction of the plate between two support plates.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a support device assembly comprising a first support device of the aforementioned and a second support device of the aforementioned, the lower edges of the support plates of the first support device being arranged on the upper edges of the support plates of the second support device so as to form an overlap zone.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a photovoltaic assembly comprising a aforementioned support device and a photovoltaic panel, in which the photovoltaic panel is received in the receiving space of the support device and is held in position in the depth direction by means of the fixing flanges. Brief description of the figures

[0045] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more apparent in the following description of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of illustration and not limitation, with reference to the attached drawings.

[0046] Fig. 1 represents a perspective view of a support plate according to one embodiment.

[0047] Fig. 2 represents a top view of two support devices assembled according to one embodiment.

[0048] Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of a support plate along section plane III-III of Fig. 2.

[0049] Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of two photovoltaic assemblies at the joint between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge, according to one embodiment.

[0050] Fig. 5 is a top view of a plurality of photovoltaic arrays fixed to a roof.

[0051] Fig. 6 represents a perspective view of a single fixing flange and a double fixing flange according to one embodiment.

[0052] Fig. 7 represents a cross-sectional view of a photovoltaic assembly at the level of a simple stirrup along the section plane VILVII of Fig. 6.

[0053] Fig. 8 represents a cross-sectional view of two photovoltaic assemblies at the level of a double bracket along the section plane VIII-VIII of Fig. 6. Description of the implementation methods

[0054] A support device 1 for a photovoltaic panel will be described later with reference to figures 1 to 8, which is intended to be placed on a roof frame in place of tiles to allow the photovoltaic panels to be installed in integration.

[0055] The support device 1 comprises a first support plate 2 and a second support plate 2 identical to the first support plate 2.

[0056] Such a support plate 1 is shown in particular in [Fig.1] while two support devices 2 are shown in particular in [Fig.2].

[0057] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the support plate 2 comprises a main body 3, a first lateral edge 4, a second lateral edge 5, an upper edge 6 and a lower edge 7.

[0058] The first lateral edge 4 and the second lateral edge 5 project from the main body 3 in a depth direction and outwards and extend along a longitudinal direction of plate L.

[0059] The upper edge 6 and the lower edge 7 extend along a transverse direction of plate T which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of plate L, so that the support plate 2 has a general rectangular shape.

[0060] To form a support device 1, two support plates 2 are arranged side by side in the transverse direction of plate T. The second lateral edge 5 of the first support plate 2 is thus assembled with the first lateral edge 4 of the second support plate 2, as shown in [Fig.2].

[0061] The assembly of the first support plate 2 and the second support plate 2 of the same support device 1 thus forms a receiving surface for a photovoltaic panel 8. The receiving surface thus allows to accommodate a photovoltaic panel in landscape orientation, with a larger dimension along the transverse direction of plate T and a smaller dimension along the longitudinal direction of plate L.

[0062] To achieve this transverse assembly of the support plates 2, the lateral edges 4, 5 each have an inverted U-shaped cross-section. The first lateral edge 4, in fact, has a shape complementary to the second lateral edge 5.

[0063] Indeed, as can be seen in particular in Figures 3 and 4, the dimension in the transverse direction of plate T, called the transverse dimension, of the first lateral edge 4 is smaller than the transverse dimension of the second lateral edge 5. Similarly, the dimension in the depth direction E, called the thickness, of the first lateral edge 4 is smaller than the depth of the second lateral edge 5. Thus, the first lateral edge 4 of the second support plate 2 is housed within the second lateral edge 5 of the first support plate 2, as can be seen in [Fig. 4].

[0064] The support plates 2 also include a central recess 9 for the passage of the various photovoltaic panel components and for air evacuation, as shown in [Fig. 1]. This central recess 9 has cable passages 10 around its perimeter, which are provided at regular intervals as shown in [Fig. 1]. In addition, the support plates have a lip 11 that projects outward from the main body 3 in the depth direction. The lip 11 is arranged around the entire perimeter of the central recess 9 so as to prevent rainwater from infiltrating the roof.

[0065] Additionally, the support plates 2 include: - the first lateral positioning studs 12 located between the first lateral edge 4 and the central recess 9, - the second lateral positioning studs 13 located between the second lateral edge 5 and the central recess 9, and - upper positioning studs 14 located between the upper edge 6 and the central recess 9.

[0066] The first lateral positioning studs 12, the second lateral positioning studs and the upper positioning studs protrude from the body main in the depth direction and outwards and are configured to form support points to the frame 18 of the photovoltaic panel 8.

[0067] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 and 2, the support plate 2 has two upper positioning studs 14 spaced apart in the transverse direction of plate T and arranged symmetrically on either side of the support plate 2. Each upper positioning stud 14 is composed of three portions arranged from the upper edge towards the central recess 9, namely: a first portion of stud 15, a second portion of stud 16 and a third portion of stud 17.

[0068] The first portion of the stud 15 has the function of positioning an edge of the frame 18 of the photovoltaic panel 8. The second portion of the stud 16 has a greater depth than the first portion of the stud 15 and the third portion of the stud 17, and has the function of serving as an upper stop for the photovoltaic panel so as to block the translation of the photovoltaic panel in the longitudinal direction of plate L and towards the lower edge 7. The third portion of the stud 17 has a marking or a pre-perforation 36 intended to be passed through by a fixing element to fix the support plate 2 to the roof.

[0069] In this embodiment, the first lateral positioning studs 12 are arranged in a row extending in the longitudinal direction of plate L, the first lateral positioning studs 12 being spaced regularly from each other along the first lateral edge 4.

[0070] Similarly, the second lateral positioning studs 13 are arranged in a row extending in the longitudinal direction of plate L, the second lateral positioning studs 13 being spaced regularly from each other along the second lateral edge 5.

[0071] Fig. 3 shows in schematic cross-section the lateral edges 4, 5 and the lateral positioning studs 12, 13. Fig. 4 also shows in schematic cross-section the assembly of the two support plates 2 of two adjacent support devices 1 in the transverse direction of plate T at the lateral edges 4, 5, and the placement of the frame 18 of the photovoltaic panel 8 on the lateral positioning studs 12, 13.

[0072] As can be seen in these figures 3 and 4, one edge of the frame 8 rests on the lateral positioning pads 12, 13. In addition, the assembly of the lateral edges 4, 5, and in particular the second lateral edge 5, between two support devices 1 provides a lateral stop for the frame 18 of the photovoltaic panel 8.

[0073] Indeed, the first lateral edge 4 comprises a first lower portion of edge 42, a first upper portion of edge 43, and a first central portion of edge 41 being situated between the first lower portion of edge 42 and the first upper portion of edge 43. The second lateral edge 5 comprises a second lower portion of edge 52, a second upper portion of edge 53, and a second central portion of edge 51 being located between the second lower portion of edge 52 and the second upper portion of edge 53. The depth of the first lateral positioning studs 12 and the second lateral positioning studs 13 is less than the depth of the second central portion of edge 51 of the second lateral edge 5. Thus, when the frame 18 rests on the first lateral positioning studs 12 or the second lateral positioning studs 13, as seen in [Fig. 4], it is blocked in translation in the transverse direction of plate T by the second lateral edge 5.

[0074] Furthermore, advantageously, the depth of the first lateral positioning studs 12 and the second lateral positioning studs 13 is less than the depth of the first central portion of the edge 41 of the first lateral edge 4. Advantageously, and for reasons of stability of the photovoltaic panel 8, the depth of the first lateral positioning studs 12 is equal to the depth of the second lateral positioning studs 13.

[0075] The first lateral edge 4 and the second lateral edge 5 have variations in depth in the longitudinal direction of plate L so that the central portions of edge 41, 51 are raised relative to the lower portions of edge 42, 52 and the upper portions of edge 43, 53. Indeed, unlike the second central portion of edge 51, the second lower portion of edge 52 and the second upper portion of edge 53 each have a depth equal to the depth of the first lateral positioning studs 12 and the second lateral positioning studs 13 so that in the lower and upper parts of the support plate, the portions of the frame 18 which extend in the transverse direction of plate T are not hindered by the lateral edges 4, 5 to pass the junction between two support plates 2 of the same support device 1.

[0076] For the same reasons, the first lower portion of edge 42 and the second upper portion of edge 43 each have a depth strictly less than the depth of the first lateral positioning studs 12 and the second lateral positioning studs 13.

[0077] As shown in [Fig. 1], the support plate 2 has a flange support 19 projecting from the main body 3 in the depth direction and outwards. The flange support 19 is located between the central recess 9 and the upper edge 6. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the flange support 19 is located between the two upper positioning studs 14 and is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the plate L between the second portion of the stud 16 and the upper edge 6.

[0078] The support device 1 also includes two fixing flanges 20, which are illustrated in particular in [Fig.6].

[0079] The mounting flange 20, 21 comprises a flange body 22 through which passes a fastening element 23, which is intended to pass through the flange support 19 and to anchor itself in a roof beam 24. During roof mounting, the flange body 22 is positioned so that a lower surface rests on the flange support 19. The mounting flange 20, 21 has two models, as illustrated in [Fig. 6]: the single mounting flange 20 and the double mounting flange 21.

[0080] Figure 5 illustrates a plurality of photovoltaic panels 8, each fixed to a support device 1 by means of, in particular, single fixing brackets 20 and double fixing brackets 21, the support devices 1 being themselves integrated into a roof 26 of a building. The photovoltaic panels 8 are thus fixed in landscape orientation on their longest side by the fixing brackets 20, 21, thereby improving wind resistance.

[0081] The simple fixing flange 20 has one or more retaining wings 25 projecting from the flange body 22 in the longitudinal direction of plate L and arranged on a single side of the flange body 22.

[0082] Figure 7 shows the simple mounting flange 20 fixed to the roof and passing through the flange support 19 of a support plate 2. As can be seen in this figure, the retaining wings 25 of the simple mounting flange 20 are arranged on an edge of the upper surface of the photovoltaic panel 8, so that the photovoltaic panel 8 is clamped between the retaining wings 25 and the support plate 2 in the depth direction. The simple mounting flange 20 thus acts as a retaining and stopping device in the depth direction for a photovoltaic panel 8.

[0083] As shown in [Fig.6], the double fixing flange 21, for its part, has several retaining wings 25 projecting from the flange body 22 in the longitudinal direction of plate L and arranged on either side of the flange body 22.

[0084] Figure 8 shows the double mounting flange 21 fixed to the roof and passing through the flange support 19 of a support plate 2. As can be seen in this figure, the retaining wings 25 of the double mounting flange 21 are arranged both on one edge of the upper surface of a first photovoltaic panel 8 and on one edge of the upper surface of a second photovoltaic panel 8 adjacent to the first photovoltaic panel 8 in the longitudinal direction of the plate L, so that the photovoltaic panels 8 are clamped between the retaining wings 25 and the support plates 2 in the depth direction. The double mounting flange 20 thus acts as a retaining and stopping device in the depth direction for two photovoltaic panels 8.

[0085] The upper edge 6 has upper undulations 27 extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of plate L and the lower edge 7 include lower undulations 28 extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of plate L, as seen in Figures 1 and 2.

[0086] The lower undulations 28 of the lower edge 7 have a complementary shape with the upper undulations 27 of the upper edge 6 so that when there is an overlap in the longitudinal direction of plate L between an upper edge 6 of a support plate 2 and a lower edge 7 of another adjacent support plate 2, the upper undulations 27 of the upper edge 6 of the other support plate 2 are housed in the lower undulations 27 of the lower edge 7 of the support plate 2.

[0087] The lower edge 7 of the support plates 2 also has a high corrugation 29 projecting from the main body 2 in the depth direction and located in alignment with the flange support 19 in the longitudinal direction of plate L. The high corrugation 29 has a greater depth than the lower corrugations 28.

[0088] The flange support 19 comprises a mounting portion 30 to which the mounting flange 20, 21 is fixed, and an overlap portion 31 extending in the longitudinal direction between the mounting portion 30 and the upper edge 6. The overlap portion 31 has a shape complementary to the high corrugation 29 of the lower edge 7. Indeed, during an overlap in the longitudinal direction of plate L between an upper edge 6 of a support plate 2 and a lower edge 7 of another support plate 2 located above it in the longitudinal direction of plate L, the overlap portion is at least partially contained within the high corrugation 29, as shown in [Fig. 2]. The flange support 19 therefore has a support function for the mounting flange 20, 21 with its mounting portion 30 and an assistance function for the overlap in the longitudinal direction of plate L with its overlap portion 31.

[0089] Advantageously, as seen in the embodiment of [Fig. 1], the support plate 2 comprises guide rails 32 projecting from the main body 3 in the depth direction and extending in a direction having a non-zero angle with the transverse direction of plate T. The guide rails 32 are located between the central recess 9 and the upper edge 6 in the longitudinal direction of plate L so as to direct rainwater from the upper edge 6 towards the lateral edges 4, 5. In the example shown, the guide rails 32 have an angle of approximately 45° with the transverse direction of plate T. The guide rails 32 further comprise a first group located mainly between the first lateral edge 4 and a plate midpoint in the transverse direction of plate T and a second group located mainly between the second lateral edge 5 and a plate midpoint in the transverse direction of plate T.The guide rails 32 of the first group thus present . a first end and a second end further from the first lateral edge 4, the second end being located above the first end in the longitudinal direction of plate L. The guide rails 32 of the second group thus have a first end and a second end further from the second lateral edge 5, the second end being located above the first end in the longitudinal direction of plate L.

[0090] Advantageously, as shown in [Fig.1], the support plate 2 has a fixing stud 33 projecting from the main body 3 and located in the longitudinal direction of the plate L between the lower edge 7 and the central recess 9. The fixing stud is intended to be passed through by a fixing element allowing the lower part of the support plate 2 to be fixed to a roof.

[0091] Advantageously, the support plate 2 has graduations 34, 35 located between the upper positioning stud 14 and the upper edge 6. The graduations 34, 35 allow an operator to locate and adjust the overlap in the longitudinal direction of plate L between two support plates 2.

[0092] As can be seen in [Fig.1], the graduations are in particular made in the form of a graduated measuring scale 34 for example, which is engraved, printed or molded on an extension of the lateral edges 4, 5 of the support plate 2.

[0093] Graduations can also be made by markings 35 representing the dimensions of the photovoltaic panel 8 to be installed, these markings being located on the main body 3 between the upper positioning stud 14 and the upper edge 6.

[0094] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is clearly evident that it is by no means limited to them and that it includes all technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0095] The use of the verb "comprise", "comprendre" or "include" and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

[0096] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses shall not be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1. Demands Support device (1) for photovoltaic panel (8), in which the support device (1) comprises a first support plate (2) and a second support plate (2) identical to the first support plate (2), each support plate (2) comprising a main body (3), a first lateral edge (4), a second lateral edge (5), a top edge (6) and a bottom edge (7), the first lateral edge (4) and the second lateral edge (5) projecting from the main body (3) in a depth direction (P) and extending along a longitudinal plate direction (L), the top edge (6) and the bottom edge (7) extending along a transverse plate direction (T), the second lateral edge (5) of the first support plate (2) being assembled with the first lateral edge (4) of the second support plate (2),the assembly of the first support plate (2) and the second support plate (2) forming a receiving surface for a photovoltaic panel (8), the receiving surface having a length along the transverse plate direction (T) and a width along the longitudinal plate direction (L), in which each support plate (2) has a central recess (9), at least one first lateral positioning stud (12) located between the first lateral edge (4) and the central recess (9), at least one second lateral positioning stud (13) located between the second lateral edge (5) and the central recess (9), at least one upper positioning stud (14) located between the upper edge (6) and the central recess (9), in which said at least one first lateral positioning stud (12),said at least one second lateral positioning stud (13) and said at least one upper positioning stud (14) project from the main body (3) in the depth direction (P) and are configured to form support points for a frame (18) of the photovoltaic panel (8), in which the support device (1) has two fixing flanges (20, 21) and each support plate (2) has a flange support (19), the flange support (19) projecting from the main body (3) in the depth direction (P) and being located between the central recess (9) and the upper edge (6), each flange of, fixing (20, 21) being fixed to one of the flange supports of the support plates, and each fixing flange (20, 21) being intended to hold the photovoltaic panel (8) in position in the depth direction (P).

2. Support device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper positioning stud (14) comprises a first stud portion (15) and a second stud portion (16) connected to the first stud portion (15), the second stud portion (16) projecting in the depth direction (P) of the first stud portion (15), the first stud portion (15) being located between the upper edge (6) and the second stud portion (16), the second stud portion (16) being configured to form an upper stop for the frame (18) of the photovoltaic panel (8).

3. Support device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first lateral edge (4) comprises a first central edge portion (41), the dimension in the depth direction (P) of at least a first lateral positioning stud (12) is less than the dimension in the depth direction (P) of the first central edge portion (41) of the first lateral edge (4), the first central edge portion (41) of the first lateral edge (4) being configured to form a lateral stop for the frame (18) of the photovoltaic panel (8).

4. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second lateral edge (5) has a second central edge portion (51), the dimension in the depth direction (P) of at least one second lateral positioning stud (13) is less than the dimension in the depth direction (P) of the second central edge portion (51) of the second lateral edge (5), the second central edge portion (51) of the second lateral edge (5) being configured to form a lateral stop for the frame (18) of the photovoltaic panel (8).

5. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each support plate (2) has a row of first lateral positioning studs and a row of second lateral positioning studs, the first lateral positioning studs and the second lateral positioning studs being spaced in the longitudinal direction of the plate (L) and evenly distributed along respectively the first lateral edge (4) and the second lateral edge (5).

6. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first lateral edge (4) and the second lateral edge (5) each have an inverted U-shaped cross-section, the first lateral edge (4) having a shape complementary to the second lateral edge (5) such that the first lateral edge (4) of the second support plate (2) is housed in the second lateral edge (5) of the first support plate (2).

7. Support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each support plate (2) has a rim (11) projecting from the main body (3) in the depth direction (P), the rim (11) being arranged all around the central recess (9).

8. A support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper edge (6) has upper undulations (27) extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal plate direction (L) and the lower edge (7) has lower undulations (28) extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal plate direction (L), the lower undulations (28) of the lower edge (7) having a shape complementary to the upper undulations (27) of the upper edge (6) such that, upon an overlap in the longitudinal plate direction (L) between an upper edge (6) of one support plate (2) and a lower edge (7) of another support plate (2), the upper undulations (27) of the upper edge (6) of the other support plate (2) are lodged within the lower undulations (28) of the lower edge (7) of the support plate (2)

9. A support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lower edge (7) of the support plates has a high corrugation (29) projecting from the main body (3) in the depth direction (P) and aligned with the flange support (19) in the longitudinal plate direction (L), the flange support (19) having a mounting portion (30) to which the mounting flange (20, 21) is fixed and an overlap portion (31) extending in the longitudinal direction between the mounting portion (30) and the upper edge (6), the overlap portion (31) having a shape complementary to the high corrugation (29) of the lower edge (7) such that during a overlap in the longitudinal direction of plate (L) between an upper edge (6) of a support plate (2) and a lower edge (7) of another support plate (2), the portion of overlap (31) is at least partly housed in the high corrugation (29).

10. Support device assembly (1) comprises a first support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a second support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the lower edges of the support plates of the first support device (1) being arranged on the upper edges of the support plates of the second support device (1) so as to form an overlap zone.

11. Photovoltaic assembly comprising a support device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a photovoltaic panel (8), wherein the photovoltaic panel (8) is received in the receiving space of the support device (1) and is held in position in the depth direction (P) using the fixing flanges (20, 21).

Images