Carport with solar panel

Abstract

To prevent rain leaks in a carport using solar panels as a roofing material.SOLUTION: The carport includes: a plurality of vertical beams installed above a parking space and each extending vertically: a plurality of horizontal rails erected across the plurality of vertical beams and each extending horizontally; and a plurality of solar panels supported by the plurality of horizontal rails and arranged to cover the parking space. The horizontal rails are provided with rainwater channels that guide rainwater flowing from the solar panels along their longitudinal direction. Below a gap between two horizontally adjacent solar panels, a water receiving gutter is provided that extends vertically between two or more adjacent horizontal rails. One end of the water receiving gutter is connected to the rainwater channel of the horizontal rails so that water can flow through.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a carport using solar panels (also referred to as solar panels or photovoltaic modules).

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a carport. In this carport, solar panels are adopted as the panel materials constituting its roof. The solar panels are arranged in a matrix pattern vertically and horizontally, and passages and grooves for guiding rainwater are formed in the horizontal rails and vertical rails that support these solar panels.

[0003] Here, the expressions "vertical" and "horizontal" in this specification are for conveniently indicating two intersecting directions and are not limited to specific directions. For example, a gradient may be provided for a beam or rail extending in the vertical direction, or a gradient may be provided for a beam or rail extending in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, a gradient may be provided for both of them, or no gradient may be provided for any of them.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above-described carport, while a plurality of solar panels are arranged without gaps in the horizontal direction, they are arranged with gaps in the vertical direction. According to such a configuration, it is explained that rainwater that has fallen on the solar panel flows vertically without rain leakage and is then collected from the gap extending in the horizontal direction to the horizontal rail. However, considering the dimensional error and installation error of the solar panel, it is difficult to completely eliminate the gap between two adjacent solar panels in the horizontal direction. Therefore, there is a risk that rainwater on the solar panel may leak through the gap.

[0006] In view of the above, this specification provides a technique for preventing rain leakage in a carport using solar panels.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] The technique disclosed in this specification is embodied in a carport. This carport is installed above a parking space and includes a plurality of vertical beams each extending in the vertical direction, a plurality of horizontal rails laid across the plurality of vertical beams and each extending in the horizontal direction, and a plurality of solar panels supported by the plurality of horizontal rails and arranged to cover the parking space. The horizontal rail is provided with a rainwater channel for guiding rainwater flowing in from the solar panel along its longitudinal direction. Below the gap between two adjacent solar panels in the horizontal direction, a water receiving gutter extending vertically between two or more adjacent horizontal rails is provided. And one end of the water receiving gutter is connected to the rainwater channel of the horizontal rail so as to allow water to flow through.

[0008] According to the above-described configuration, in the gap between two vertically adjacent solar panels, there is a horizontal rail having a rainwater channel, and rainwater flowing from the solar panel into the gap is collected by the rainwater channel of the horizontal rail. On the other hand, in the gap between two horizontally adjacent solar panels, a water receiving gutter is provided below, and rainwater falling from the gap is received by the water receiving gutter. The rainwater received by the water receiving gutter is collected from one end of the water receiving gutter into the rainwater channel of the horizontal rail. The rainwater collected in the rainwater channel is drained outside the parking space from both ends of the horizontal rail, for example. Thereby, rain leakage into the parking space is prevented from any gap of the solar panels.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] In one embodiment of the present technology, one end of the above-described water receiving gutter may be fixed to the side wall of the horizontal rail. In this case, the side wall of the horizontal rail may be provided with a water passing hole for connecting the water receiving gutter to the rainwater channel so that water can pass through.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present technology, a seal member may be provided between the side wall of the horizontal rail and the above-mentioned one end of the water receiving gutter in order to prevent water leakage from the gap.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present technology, the rainwater gutter may have a gradient along the vertical direction. In this case, one end of the above-described rainwater gutter, that is, the end connected to the rainwater channel of the horizontal rail, may be the end on the lower side of the water. According to such a configuration, the rainwater received by the rainwater gutter is smoothly guided to the rainwater channel of the horizontal rail.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present technology, a rainwater receiver protruding from the side wall may be provided along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal rail on the side wall of the horizontal rail. According to such a configuration, in the gap between two adjacent solar panels in the vertical direction, it is possible to prevent rainwater flowing from the solar panel to the horizontal rail from leaking into the parking space along the side wall of the horizontal rail.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present technology, the rainwater receiver may be inclined downward toward the side wall. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the rainwater received by the rainwater receiver from overflowing from the tip of the rainwater receiver.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present technology, a water passage hole for connecting the rainwater receiver to the rainwater channel so that water can flow may be provided on the side wall of the horizontal rail. However, as another embodiment, the rainwater received by the rainwater receiver may flow along the rainwater receiver as it is and be drained from both ends of the horizontal rail or the like. Alternatively, the flow path formed by the rainwater receiver may be the above-described rainwater channel of the horizontal rail.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present technology, the solar panel may be rectangular with a long side and a short side. In this case, the long side of the solar panel may be fixed to the horizontal rail, and the short side of the solar panel may be located above the rainwater gutter. According to such a configuration, the long side of the solar panel is supported by the horizontal rail, so that the deflection and deformation of the solar panel can be prevented, and the load-bearing capacity against snow accumulation and the like can also be enhanced. In addition, since the rainwater gutter may be arranged at the same interval as the long side of the solar panel, the number of required rainwater gutters can also be reduced.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present technology, the carport may further include columns that support the longitudinal beams. In this case, the columns may be connected to the piles erected on the ground via mechanical joints. According to such a configuration, welding work at the site where the carport is installed can be abolished, and the quality of the joints can be improved and the on-site work can be reduced.

Example

[0018] Referring to the drawings, the carport 10 of the example will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the carport 10 includes a plurality of columns 12, a plurality of longitudinal beams 20, and a plurality of cross rails 30. These members 12, 20, 30 constitute the framework of the carport 10. Although not particularly limited, the carport 10 of the example has a bilaterally symmetric structure. In the following description, only one side of the bilaterally symmetric structure will be mainly described, and duplicate descriptions for the other side will be omitted.

[0019] The plurality of columns 12 are arranged along the lateral direction (Y direction). The columns 12 extend along the height direction (Z direction), and the lower ends of the columns 12 are connected to the piles 14 erected on the ground GL. The materials and shapes of the columns 12 and the piles 14 are not particularly limited. Various shaped steels or other building materials can be appropriately adopted for the columns 12.

[0020] Although it is an example, in this embodiment, the columns 12 and the piles 14 are each composed of steel pipes, and they are connected to each other using a mechanical joint 16. Although not particularly limited, the "EasyLock type joint" provided by Kyoshin Building Materials Co., Ltd. can be adopted for this mechanical joint 16. In addition, when the strength of the connection part by the mechanical joint 16 is insufficient, the surrounding area may be reinforced with a reinforcing material 18 such as concrete.

[0021] A plurality of vertical beams 20 are installed above the parking space PS, each extending in the vertical direction (X direction). Here, in the vertical direction in which the vertical beam 20 extends, a gradient such as, for example, 5 degrees with respect to the horizontal is provided. Each vertical beam 20 is supported by a column 12. Although it is an example, in the carport 10 of this embodiment, a pair of vertical beams 20 are provided symmetrically on the upper end of one column 12. Thereby, one column 12 and a pair of vertical beams 20 constitute a T-shape or a Y-shape as a whole. The material and shape constituting the vertical beam 20 are not particularly limited. Various shaped steels or other building materials can be appropriately adopted for the vertical beam 20. Although it is an example, an H-shaped steel is adopted for the vertical beam 20 in this embodiment.

[0022] A plurality of horizontal rails 30 are installed across the plurality of vertical beams 20, each extending in the horizontal direction (Y direction). The horizontal direction in which the horizontal rail 30 extends is generally horizontal. The material and shape constituting the horizontal rail 30 are not particularly limited. Although it is an example, the horizontal rail 30 in this embodiment is an extruded material made of an aluminum alloy and has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape along its longitudinal direction. Here, the so-called substantially constant cross-sectional shape means that the presence of holes, notches, etc. due to additional processing is allowed, and the cross-sectional shape can change at that position. Details of the horizontal rail 30 will be described later.

[0023] The carport 10 further includes a plurality of solar panels 50. The solar panel 50 is a panel-shaped device that generates electricity by receiving sunlight. The solar panel 50 mainly includes a panel body 52 having a plurality of solar cells and a frame 54 that supports it (see FIG. 6). The plurality of solar panels 50 are supported by a plurality of horizontal rails 30 and are arranged so as to cover the parking space PS. Although it is an example, in the carport 10 of the present embodiment, the plurality of solar panels 50 are arranged in a matrix in two directions, vertical and horizontal. Each solar panel 50 has a rectangular shape having a long side 50a and a short side 50b. The long side 50a of the solar panel 50 is fixed to the horizontal rail 30 and faces the long side 50a of another solar panel 50 adjacent in the vertical direction (X direction). On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the short side 50b of the solar panel 50 extends in the vertical direction (X direction) between two adjacent horizontal rails 30 and faces the short side 50b of another solar panel 50 adjacent in the horizontal direction (Y direction).

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4, the details of the horizontal rail 30 will be described. The horizontal rail 30 has a hollow structure having a cavity 31 inside. The solar panel 50 is fixed to the upper wall 32 of the horizontal rail 30, and the bottom wall 33 of the horizontal rail 30 is fixed on the vertical beam 20. Although not particularly limited, a metal fitting receiver 38 is provided on the upper wall 32 of the horizontal rail 30, and a metal fitting 39 for fixing the solar panel 50 is fastened to the metal fitting receiver 38. The specific configurations of the metal fitting receiver 38 and the metal fitting 39 are not particularly limited. A pair of side walls 34 of the horizontal rail 30 extend between the upper wall 32 and the bottom wall 33, and a cavity 31 is formed between the pair of side walls 34. The cavity 31 of the horizontal rail 30 functions as a rainwater channel that guides rainwater flowing in from the solar panel 50 along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal rail 30.

[0025] On the side wall 34 of the horizontal rail 30, a rainwater receiver 36 protruding from the side wall 34 and a water passage hole 35b are provided. The rainwater receiver 36 extends along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal rail 30 and receives the rainwater flowing along the side wall 34. The water passage hole 35b is located directly above the rainwater receiver 36 and connects the rainwater receiver 36 to the rainwater channel 31 in the horizontal rail 30 in a water-permeable manner. As shown in FIG. 6, the rainwater RW flowing from the solar panel 50 into the horizontal rail 30 is received by the rainwater receiver 36 and guided through the water passage hole 35b into the rainwater channel 31 in the horizontal rail 30. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the rainwater RW flowing in from the solar panel 50 from leaking to the parking space PS along the side wall 34 of the horizontal rail 30.

[0026] Although it is an example, the rainwater receiver 36 in the present embodiment is inclined downward as it approaches the side wall 34. Thereby, the rainwater RW received by the rainwater receiver 36 can be smoothly guided to the rainwater channel 31, and it is possible to avoid overflowing from the tip of the rainwater receiver 36. Further, a lip 37 extending in the height direction may be provided at the tip of the rainwater receiver 36.

[0027] On the other hand, there is no horizontal rail 30 in the gap between two adjacent solar panels 50 in the horizontal direction (Y direction). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, in the carport 10 of the present embodiment, a plurality of rainwater gutters 40 are further provided. The rainwater gutter 40 extends in the longitudinal direction (X direction) between two adjacent horizontal rails 30 below the gap between two adjacent solar panels 50 in the horizontal direction (Y direction). The rainwater gutter 40 has an open shape at the top and receives the rainwater RW falling from the gap between the solar panels 50. Thereby, rain leakage to the parking space PS is also prevented in the gap between two adjacent solar panels 50 in the horizontal direction.

[0028] One end 42 of the rainwater gutter 40 is fixed to the side wall 34 of the horizontal rail 30. A water passage hole 35a is provided in the side wall 34 of the horizontal rail 30 to connect the rainwater gutter 40 to the rainwater channel 31 so that water can flow through. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the rainwater RW in the rainwater gutter 40 is guided to the rainwater channel 31 in the horizontal rail 30 through the water passage hole 35a. Although not particularly limited, a seal member 44 is provided between the side wall 34 of the horizontal rail 30 and one end 42 of the rainwater gutter 40. The seal member 44 is made of a flexible material such as a rubber material, and closes the gap between the side wall 34 of the horizontal rail 30 and one end 42 of the rainwater gutter 40.

[0029] Although not particularly limited, the rainwater gutter 40 in this embodiment has a gradient along the vertical direction (X direction). And one end 42 described above of the rainwater gutter 40, that is, the end 42 connected to the rainwater channel 31 of the horizontal rail 30, is the lower end under water. With such a configuration, the rainwater RW received by the rainwater gutter 40 is smoothly guided to the rainwater channel 31 of the horizontal rail 30. Note that the other end of the rainwater gutter 40 (that is, the upper end on the water side) may or may not be connected to the rainwater channel 31 so that water can flow through.

[0030] As described above, according to the carport 10 of this embodiment, in the gap between two adjacent solar panels 50 in the vertical direction (X direction), there is a horizontal rail 30 having a rainwater channel 31, and the rainwater RW flowing from the solar panel 50 into the gap is collected by the rainwater channel 31 of the horizontal rail 30 (see FIG. 5). On the other hand, in the gap between two adjacent solar panels 50 in the horizontal direction (Y direction), a rainwater gutter 40 is provided below, and the rainwater RW falling from the gap is received by the rainwater gutter 40 (see FIG. 6). The rainwater RW received by the rainwater gutter 40 is collected from one end 42 of the rainwater gutter 40 to the rainwater channel 31 of the horizontal rail 30. The rainwater RW collected in the rainwater channel 31 is drained out of the parking space PS from both ends of the horizontal rail 30, for example. Thus, rain leakage into the parking space PS is prevented from any gap of the solar panel 50.

[0031] Rain gutters may be provided at both ends of the horizontal rail 30 to collect rainwater drained from the rainwater channel 31. Additionally, or alternatively, drain holes for draining rainwater from the rainwater channel 31 may be formed at an intermediate position of the horizontal rail 30. In this case, it is preferable to provide rain gutters in accordance with the drain holes, and the rain gutters may be installed along the vertical beam 20 or may be integrally formed with the vertical beam 20.

[0032] In the carport 10 of this embodiment, on the side wall 34 of the horizontal rail 30, the rainwater receiver 36 is located above the water receiving gutter 40. However, in other embodiments, the rainwater receiver 36 may be located below the water receiving gutter 40. According to such a configuration, rainwater spilling from the water receiving gutter 40 or rainwater leaking from the gap between the horizontal rail 30 and the water receiving gutter 40 can be received by the rainwater receiver 36.

[0033] In the above-described embodiment, independent water receiving gutters 40 are provided between two adjacent horizontal rails 30. In contrast, one water receiving gutter 40 may extend across three or more adjacent horizontal rails 30. For example, in the modified example shown in FIG. 7, one water receiving gutter 40 continuously extends from the leftmost horizontal rail 30 through four intermediate horizontal rails 30 to the rightmost horizontal rail 30. According to such a configuration, the connection points between the water receiving gutter 40 and the horizontal rail 30 (rainwater channel 31) can be reduced, and an effect can be expected in suppressing rain leakage.

[0034] Finally, a supplementary explanation will be given for the mechanical joint 16 employed in the support column 12. The mechanical joint 16 mainly consists of an outer surface joint component fixed to the upper end of the pile material 14 and an inner surface joint component fixed to the lower end of the support column 12. These joint components are pre-welded to the respective ends of the support column 12 and the pile material 14 in a factory or the like. At the site where the carport 10 is installed, the inner surface joint component of the support column 12 is fitted into the outer surface joint component of the pile material 14, and the two are fixed by a plurality of parallel keys and bolts. According to such a configuration, welding work at the site can be eliminated, and the quality improvement of the joint part and the reduction of on-site work can be achieved.

[0035] As described above in detail, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes to the specific examples illustrated above. The technical elements described in this specification or the drawings exhibit technical utility either alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Also, the technology illustrated in this specification or the drawings achieves multiple purposes simultaneously, and achieving one of those purposes itself has technical utility.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0036] 10: Carport, 12: Column, 14: Pile material, 16: Mechanical joint, 20: Longitudinal beam, 30: Cross rail, 31: Cavity (rainwater channel), 35a, 35b: Water passing holes, 36: Rainwater receiver, 40: Water receiving gutter, 44: Seal member, 50: Solar panel, 50: Long side of solar panel, 50b: Short side of solar panel, GL: Ground, PS: Parking space, RW: Rainwater

Claims

1. A plurality of vertical beams installed above a parking space and each extending in the vertical direction, A plurality of horizontal rails spanning across the plurality of vertical beams and each extending in the horizontal direction, A plurality of solar panels supported by the plurality of horizontal rails and arranged to cover the parking space, Comprising: The horizontal rail is provided with a rainwater channel for guiding rainwater flowing in from the solar panel along its longitudinal direction, Below the gap between two adjacent solar panels in the horizontal direction, a water receiving gutter extending in the vertical direction between two or more adjacent horizontal rails is provided, One end of the water receiving gutter is connected to the rainwater channel of the horizontal rail in a water-permeable manner. Carport.

2. One end of the water receiving gutter is fixed to the side wall of the horizontal rail, The side wall of the horizontal rail is provided with a water passage hole for connecting the water receiving gutter to the rainwater channel in a water-permeable manner. The carport according to Claim 1.

3. A sealing member is provided between the side wall of the horizontal rail and one end of the water receiving gutter. The carport according to Claim 2.

4. The water receiving gutter has a gradient along the vertical direction, One end of the water receiving gutter is the lower end under water. The carport according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. On the side wall of the horizontal rail, a rainwater receiver protruding from the side wall is provided and extends along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal rail. The carport according to Claim 1.

6. The rainwater receiver is inclined downward as it approaches the side wall. The carport according to Claim 5.

7. The side wall of the horizontal rail is provided with a water passage hole for connecting the rainwater receiver to the rainwater channel in a water-permeable manner. The carport according to Claim 5 or 6.

8. The solar panel is rectangular with a long side and a short side, The long side of the solar panel is fixed to the horizontal rail, The short side of the solar panel is located above the water receiving gutter. The carport according to Claim 1.

9. Further comprising a support column for supporting the vertical beam, The support column is connected to a pile material erected on the ground via a mechanical joint. The carport according to Claim 1.

Images