DEVICE FOR FIXING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS ON CORRUGATED SHEET METAL AND BUILDINGS EQUIPPED WITH SUCH SHEET METAL

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for fixing photovoltaic panels to a corrugated sheet comprising at least one rib (2), a main body (3) open at the ends and in its upper part, the bottom (5) of which is complementary in shape to the apex (10) of the rib (2) of the sheet, characterized in that the bottom (5) of the main body (3) is provided with at least one opening (11) defining access to the interior of the main body (3). The invention also relates to a building equipped with at least one corrugated sheet provided with such a device. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR FIXING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS ON CORRUGATED SHEET METAL AND BUILDING EQUIPPED WITH SUCH SHEET METAL

[0001] The invention relates to a device for fixing photovoltaic panels on a corrugated sheet as well as to a building equipped with such sheets.

[0002] Here the term building refers to any construction, regardless of the building material used, its shape and / or size and / or use. Thus, it may be a building for industrial, commercial or agricultural use, a public building, for example an administrative, healthcare, educational or other building, or a building for private use such as a detached house or an apartment building.

[0003] Here, the term "corrugated sheet metal" refers to any rectangular or square plate-type element, regardless of the constituent material, for example, metallic or other, featuring a regular or random alternation of so-called positive and negative reliefs over the entire surface of the sheet. The so-called positive reliefs or ribs can have various cross-sections, for example, trapezoidal, rectangular, square, or rounded. The term rib will be used preferentially hereafter. The so-called negative reliefs are flat areas or groove-like areas with a flat or rounded bottom. The negative reliefs may or may not be identical to the positive reliefs and may or may not be mirrored. In all cases, these sheets are used to cover at least part of a building, roof, or facade, whose orientation and characteristics allow for the installation of photovoltaic panels.

[0004] Photovoltaic panels are attached to corrugated metal sheets once the sheets are in place on the building, the sheets forming part of the roof. The attachment must allow for the mounting and dismounting of the photovoltaic panels without affecting the attachment of the sheets to the building and without compromising the watertightness of the roof or facade. FR-A-2 962 194 discloses a method of attaching photovoltaic panels by means of a rail placed on the crest of each rib, along its entire length. At least the ends of each rail include a bracket with a shape complementary to that of the rib and attached to the ends of the ribs. WO-A-2012 / 096 344 discloses a photovoltaic panel support fixed directly to the crest of certain ribs of the sheet. The face of the support bearing on the rib has a shape complementary to the crest of the rib.DE-A-2020-090-04269 describes a photovoltaic panel support with a shape complementary to that of the rib and capping it. The base of the support is made of . rests on the top of the rib and includes two guide tabs between which a photovoltaic panel support rail is placed while being free in translation for optimal positioning.

[0005] The various known solutions ensure effective retention on the rib, due to the complementary shapes of the supports and the sheet metal ribs. However, positioning the supports on the rib crests requires careful planning to ensure that the support does not rest on the screws securing the sheet metal to the building, as these screws are placed, more or less regularly, on the rib crests. Furthermore, the photovoltaic panel support is generally attached to the rib's sides. Such attachment is not ergonomically optimal for the operator.

[0006] The invention aims to provide a solution for simply fixing a photovoltaic panel onto the ribs of a corrugated sheet without the need for a layout plan, while optimizing the ergonomics of installing this solution and respecting manufacturing costs.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a device for fixing photovoltaic panels on a sheet having at least one rib, said device comprising a main body, open at the ends and in the upper part, the bottom of the main body being of a shape complementary to the top of the rib of the sheet, characterized in that the bottom of the main body is provided with at least one opening defining a passage between the bottom of the main body and the top of the rib when the device is in position on the ribbed sheet.

[0008] Thanks to the invention, the device can be positioned anywhere on the crest of a rib, as the opening allows the screws for fixing the sheet metal to the building to pass through. There is no longer any need to plan the layout, which saves time in installing the fixing devices and therefore the photovoltaic panels.

[0009] According to advantageous, but not mandatory, aspects of the invention, such a device may include one or more of the following features:

[0010] The opening in the bottom is formed by at least one through orifice.

[0011] The opening in the bottom is formed by at least one cut-out made on at least one end of the bottom.

[0012] The opening is equipped with a removable cover for masking the opening.

[0013] The width of the bottom is greater than the width of the top of the rib of the sheet metal.

[0014] The width of the opening in the bottom is greater than the width of a bracket for fixing the top of the sheet metal rib.

[0015] At least one end part of the outer wall of the main body is supported on a lateral wall of the rib.

[0016] At least a portion of the end part is supported on a portion of an interrib zone.

[0017] The base is provided with at least one fixing screw on the top, the screw being accessible through the open part of the main body.

[0018] The invention also relates to a building equipped with at least one corrugated sheet metal provided with at least one photovoltaic panel fixing device conforming to any one of the preceding characteristics.

[0019] The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] is a perspective view of a photovoltaic panel fixing device according to an embodiment of the invention in place on a rib of a corrugated sheet, the sheet being partially illustrated,

[0021] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view, at another scale, along section plane II, of a part of the device being in another configuration of the invention,

[0022] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view, at another scale, similar to [Fig.2], according to another embodiment of the invention and

[0023] [Fig.4] is a cross-sectional view, similar to [Fig.3] according to another mode of realization of the invention.

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a device 1 for fixing photovoltaic panels in place on a rib 2 of a corrugated sheet, shown here partially. This rib 2 has a trapezoidal cross-section in this example. Alternatively, the shape and / or dimensions of the rib may differ from those illustrated. Similarly, a sheet may have a set of identical or different ribs. In all cases, the fixing device 1 is adapted, by its shape and dimensions, to the geometric configuration of the rib(s) of the sheet to which it will be fixed.

[0025] The device 1 comprises a main body 3 open at the top and at the ends. The main body 3 is generally rectangular in cross-section. Alternatively, it may have a different cross-sectional configuration, for example, a square one. In all cases, the open portion 4 of the main body 3 is oriented upwards when viewed from Figures 1 and 2, i.e., oriented towards the photovoltaic panel when the latter is in place on the device 1. According to the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the open portion 4 of the main body 3 is narrower than the portion 5 of the main body 3 which constitutes its base. The internal walls 6 of the main body 3 are not straight at their free ends defining the opening 4 of the main body 3, but are inclined towards each other, i.e., towards the interior of the body 3.Such a configuration defines an opening of smaller width than the rest of the body volume 3. In other words, such a . The configuration of body 3 defines a rail. This rail allows the insertion, within the internal volume of body 3, of a part 7 with one degree of freedom in translation, illustrated by the double arrow F. This part allows the device to be attached to a photovoltaic panel, not shown.

[0026] In addition to a degree of freedom in translation along the main body 3, it is also possible to rotate, according to the double arrow F1 in [Fig. 2], a portion 8 of part 7, depending on the position of the photovoltaic panel. Figures 1 and 2 thus represent two different positions of part 8, which defines a housing for receiving a connecting element fixed to a photovoltaic panel. Part 8 is locked in position and prevented from translation by means of a screw 9. Alternatively, the locking is achieved by other means known per se.

[0027] The base 5 of the main body 3 has a shape and dimensions complementary to the shape and dimensions of the apex 10 of the rib 2 to which it is fixed. Here, since the rib 2 is trapezoidal, the base 5 is generally rectangular and flat, with a shape complementary to that of the apex 10, which in this case is flat. The length of the base 5 defines the length of the device and is variable and adapted to the length of the corrugated sheet and / or the photovoltaic panel. The width L5 of the base 5 is slightly greater than the width L10 of the apex 10. In this way, the base 5, and therefore the main body 3, extends laterally beyond the apex 10 on both sides. At least one through-hole 11 is provided in the base 5, defining an access opening to the internal volume of the body 3. The hole 11 may be rounded, oval, rectangular, or otherwise shaped. Alternatively, several orifices 11, of identical or different dimensions and / or shapes, aligned or not, are provided on the bottom 5.In another embodiment, a movable or hinged cover allows the opening 11 to be exposed or concealed. In yet another embodiment, instead of an opening in the bottom, there is at least a cutout extending from one end of the bottom 5. In all cases, according to the invention, the bottom 5 is partially open over a portion of its surface. The presence of this opening or cutout allows the device 1 to be positioned anywhere on the top 10 of the rib 2, whether or not at a point of attachment of the rib 2 to a building, thus defining free access to the interior of the main body 3.

[0028] Indeed, as is particularly apparent in [Fig. 2], the attachment of a sheet metal plate to a building is achieved by a bracket 12 capping a rib 2 from its apex 10 and holding the rib 2, and therefore the sheet metal plate, in place by a screw 13. It should be noted that not only is the width L5 of the base 5 greater than that L12 of the bracket 12, but the same is true for the width L11 of the opening 11. Thus, the dimensions of the opening 11 are sufficient to allow free passage of the bracket 12 and the head of the screw 13 through the opening 11 and therefore into the lower space of the body 3. Thus, whether or not the apex 10 of the rib 2 has raised areas formed by the screw 13 for locking the jumper 12, therefore fixing the sheet metal to the building, it is no longer necessary to plan a layout to position the device 1 for fixing the photovoltaic panels only in areas without screw 13 and jumper 12.

[0029] Device 1 is secured to rib 2 by at least one screw 14 inserted into the solid part of the base 5 and securing the latter to the apex 10. As shown in [Fig. 1], this fastening is easy since it is carried out in a direction illustrated by arrow D, generally perpendicular to the apex 10 of the rib, from the open part 4 of the main body 3. In other words, an operator positioned on the roof can fasten devices 1 with a vertical movement directed towards the sheet metal, which is ergonomically optimal, avoiding any twisting movement of the operator. Such a fastening solution is preferable to the known method of fastening to the sides of device 1 and rib 2, which forces the operator to adopt a less ergonomic position.

[0030] It is also noted that the external walls 15 of the main body 3 extend towards the base of the rib 2, beyond the bottom 5. The external walls 15 of the main body 3 are of complementary shapes to those of the lateral walls 16 of the rib 2. Thus the ends 17 of the walls 15 are oriented angularly and bear against the walls 16 of the rib 2. The terminal part 18 of the ends 17 is folded outwards so as to bear against at least a portion 19 of the inter-rib area. In other words, at least one external wall 15 of the body 3 is supported by at least one of the lateral walls 16 of the rib 2. This limits the lateral movements of the device 1 while allowing a longitudinal displacement of the latter along the rib 2. Advantageously the two external walls 15 are of complementary shapes to the lateral walls 16 of the rib 2 and thus support each side of the latter.

[0031] Figures 3 and 4 represent two other embodiments of the invention. The elements identical to the embodiments of Figures 1 to 4 retain the same reference numerals. In particular, for ease of reading, the rib 2 and the screw 13 for attaching the bracket 12 to the apex 10 of the rib 2 are identical. The same applies to the part 8 for attaching a photovoltaic panel and its locking screw 9.

[0032] In [Fig. 3], the main body 20 has vertical and parallel internal walls 21. These are connected to external walls 22 with a configuration similar to walls 15 and 17. The walls 22 thus rest on the lateral walls 16 of the rib 2. The upper ends 23 of the walls 22 are inclined outwards, the two ends 23 thus forming a V. The open part of the body 20 is capped by a piece 24 provided with a hole for the screw 9. This piece 24, whose shape complements the ends 23, is slidably mounted along the device according to the double arrow F24. In other words, [Fig.3] illustrates an embodiment where the photovoltaic panel joining piece caps the body 20 by sliding on the latter instead of entering, as in figures 1 and 2, inserted and sliding into the body 2.

[0033] Figure 4 represents a variant of the first embodiment. Reinforcements 25 connect the external walls 26 and internal walls 27 of the main body 28. The upper part of the main body 28 receives, on the side of the open volume of the body 28, a washer or a ring 29. This ring 29 holds the end of the screw 9 in place while allowing its translation within the body 28 in the direction of the double arrow F29. Figure 4 illustrates a version in which, compared to the version shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mechanical resistance of the device 30 is improved, the reinforcements 25 ensuring the rigidity of the assembly and limiting any twisting or accidental separation of the walls 26, 27 of the body 28.

[0034] The invention, in addition to the absence of layout planning, and therefore faster fixing of photovoltaic panels, allows fixing from the top of the device 1 on the ribs 2 of a sheet, which improves ergonomics for the operator.

Claims

Demands

1. Device (1, 30) for fixing photovoltaic panels on a sheet having at least one rib (2), said device (1, 30) comprising a main body (3, 20, 28) open at the ends and in the upper part, the bottom (5) of the main body (3, 20, 28) being of complementary shape to the top (10) of the rib (2) of the sheet, characterized in that the bottom (5) of the main body (3) is provided with at least one opening (11) defining a passage between the bottom (5) of the main body (3, 20, 28) and the top (10) of the rib (2) when the device (1, 30) is in position on the ribbed sheet.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening in the bottom (5) is formed by at least one through orifice (11).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening in the bottom (5) is formed by at least one cut-out made on at least one end of the bottom (5).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening (11) is equipped with a removable cover for masking the opening.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the width (L5) of the bottom (5) is greater than the width (L10) of the top (10) of the rib (2) of the sheet.

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the width (L11) of the opening (11) made in the bottom (5) is greater than the width (L12) of a bracket (12) for fixing the top (10) of the rib (2) of the sheet metal.

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one end part (17) of the outer wall (15) of the main body (3) is supported on a side wall (16) of the rib (2).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that at least a portion (18) of the end part (17) is supported on a portion (19) of an interrib area.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (5) is provided with at least one fixing screw (14) on the top (10), the screw (14) being accessible through the open part (4) of the main body (3).

10. Building equipped with at least one corrugated sheet metal provided with at least one device (1) for fixing photovoltaic panels conforming to any one of the preceding claims.

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