Panel mounting fixture and panel installation method

Abstract

To prevent damage caused by strong winds and to improve power generation efficiency.SOLUTION: A panel mounting fixture has: a fixed portion that is fixed to a roof of a building; a movable part that is displaceable upward relative to the fixed part and supports a panel member at its upper end; and an elastic body that connects the fixed part and the movable part. When the elastic body is fully extended, the movable part displaces upward by a distance greater than a thickness of the panel member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a panel mounting fixture and a panel installation method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, many panel-type photovoltaic (PV) modules have been installed on the roofs (folded-plate roofs) of factories and warehouses, for example. In order to increase the amount of power generated using such roof-mounted PV modules, it is preferable to install as many PV modules as possible on a roof with a limited area.

[0003] On the other hand, PV modules installed on roofs can be damaged by strong winds. The wind pressure load acting on a PV module increases as the difference in wind pressure (wind force) between the top and bottom of the PV module increases, so creating gaps between adjacent PV modules creates a wind path between the top and bottom of the PV module around it, equalizing the wind pressure on the top and bottom surfaces and reducing the wind pressure load. However, creating gaps between PV modules reduces the number of PV modules that can be placed within a limited area, resulting in a decrease in power generation.

[0004] One solution is to arrange multiple PV modules at different heights in a staggered arrangement, which creates a gap in the vertical direction between adjacent PV modules, reducing the difference in wind pressure between the top and bottom surfaces of the PV modules and reducing the wind load.

[0005] However, when adjacent PV modules are arranged in a staggered manner, the shadow of the higher PV module is cast on the surrounding PV modules, resulting in a problem of reduced power generation efficiency. In other words, the shadow of the higher PV module is cast on the adjacent lower PV module, resulting in a portion of the lower PV module not receiving sunlight, making it difficult to maximize the power generation output of the entire PV module. This problem also occurs when multiple PV modules are arranged in a staggered manner with no gaps between them, for example, on a horizontal roof surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-179955 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a panel mounting fixture and a panel installation method that can prevent damage caused by strong winds and improve power generation efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the panel mounting fixture has a fixed part that is fixed to the roof of a building, a movable part that is displaceable upward relative to the fixed part and supports a panel member at its upper end, and an elastic body that connects the fixed part and the movable part, and when the elastic body is fully extended, the movable part is displaced upward by a distance greater than the thickness of the panel member.

[0009] With this configuration, under normal circumstances, the power-generating solar panels are supported so that their top surfaces are flush with those of adjacent solar panels, preventing shadows from forming between them and maximizing the amount of power generated by the solar panels. Furthermore, during strong winds, the upward wind force raises the position of the solar panels, creating gaps between adjacent solar panels perpendicular to the roof surface. This equalizes the wind pressure on the top and bottom surfaces of the solar panels, reducing the wind pressure load on the solar panels. In other words, damage from strong winds can be prevented and power generation efficiency can be improved.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, in the above configuration, the panel mounting fixture further has a limiting portion that limits upward displacement of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion when the elastic body is maximally extended.

[0011] With this configuration, the limiting portion functions as a stopper that limits the displacement of the movable portion, so that the elastic body, such as a tension spring, does not bend beyond the maximum allowable deflection amount, thereby preventing damage to the elastic body.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a panel installation method includes the steps of installing the first panel member on the roof of the building using a panel mounting fixture having a fixed portion fixed to the roof of a building, a movable portion that is displaceable upward relative to the fixed portion and supports a first panel member at its upper end, and an elastic body that connects the fixed portion and the movable portion, and wherein when the elastic body is fully extended, the movable portion displaces upward by a greater amount than the thickness of the panel member, and installing a second panel member flush with the first panel member at a position adjacent to the first panel member using a fixed panel mounting fixture that fixes the position of the panel members.

[0013] According to this method, under normal conditions, the first solar panel is supported so that its upper surface is flush with the adjacent second solar panel, preventing shadows from forming between the adjacent solar panels and maximizing the amount of power generated by the solar panels. Furthermore, during strong winds, the upward wind force raises the position of the first solar panel, creating a gap between the first solar panel and the adjacent second solar panel perpendicular to the roof surface. This equalizes the wind pressure on the upper and lower surfaces of each solar panel, thereby reducing the wind pressure load on the solar panels. In other words, this prevents damage from strong winds and improves power generation efficiency. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, damage caused by strong winds can be prevented and power generation efficiency can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of a panel mounting structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the panel mounting position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the panel fixture. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the panel fixture. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating expansion and contraction of the panel mounting fixture. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a panel arrangement. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the auxiliary support tool. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the auxiliary support tool. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the panel fixture. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiment described below is an example and should not be construed as being limited by this description.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a specific example of a panel mounting structure 100 according to one embodiment. That is, Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the panel mounting structure 100 for mounting a panel 110, which is a PV module, on a folded-plate roof 10 of a building, viewed in a direction parallel to the roof surface. Fig. 1(a) shows the panel mounting structure 100 under normal conditions, and Fig. 1(b) shows the panel mounting structure 100 under strong wind conditions.

[0018] 1(a) and 1(b), a plurality of panels 110 are arranged side by side with no gaps between them above a folded-plate roof 10. The panels 110 are equipped with PV modules that convert light energy into electricity when irradiated with sunlight, and are installed parallel to the roof surface of the building. In other words, for example, if the roof surface of the folded-plate roof 10 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, each panel 110 is installed parallel to the roof surface, not parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0019] Of these panels 110, some of the panels 110 are attached to the folded-plate roof 10 by fixed mounting fixtures 120, and other panels 110 are attached to the folded-plate roof 10 by telescopic mounting fixtures 130. Note that in this embodiment, a panel mounting structure 100 in which the panels 110 are attached to the folded-plate roof 10 will be described, but the roof to which the panels 110 are attached is not limited to the folded-plate roof 10, and may be a roof of another shape, such as a flat roof.

[0020] 1(a), the panels 110 attached by the fixed mounting fixtures 120 and the panels 110 attached by the extendable mounting fixtures 130 are positioned at the same height, and the top surfaces of all the panels 110 are flush. Therefore, no shadow is cast on the top surface of each panel 110 by an adjacent panel 110, and sunlight is irradiated onto the entire surface of the panel 110. As a result, the amount of power generated by the panel 110 can be maximized.

[0021] On the other hand, during strong winds, as shown in Figure 1(b), the upward wind force acting on the panel 110 causes the telescopic mounting fixture 130 to extend, raising the position of the panel 110 attached by the mounting fixture 130. As a result, the panel 110 attached by the mounting fixture 130 and the panels 110 attached by the surrounding mounting fixtures 120 become uneven, and gaps are formed between adjacent panels 110 in a direction perpendicular to the roof surface. This creates a path for wind to pass from below the panel 110 around the panel 110, equalizing the wind pressure on the upper and lower surfaces, thereby reducing the wind pressure load on the panel 110.

[0022] The panel 110 is attached by mounting fixtures 130 at, for example, four locations as shown in Fig. 2. That is, the panel 110 is a plate-like member that is rectangular in plan view, and the four corners of this rectangle are supported by extendable mounting fixtures 130. As a result, when the upward wind force acting on the panel 110 increases, all four mounting fixtures 130 extend, displacing the panel 110 upward. On the other hand, because the adjacent panels 110 are attached by fixed mounting fixtures 120, they do not rise even when the upward wind force acting on the panels 110 increases, and gaps are formed around the panels 110 that have been displaced upward, in a direction perpendicular to the roof surface.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the telescopic mounting fixture 130. Fig. 3(a) shows the appearance in a normal state, and Fig. 3(b) shows the appearance when extended.

[0024] 3(a) and 3(b), the fixture 130 has a fixed plate 131, a panel support plate 132, a movable housing 133, and a fixed housing 134. The fixed plate 131, the panel support plate 132, the movable housing 133, and the fixed housing 134 are mainly formed using metal such as iron or SUS (Steel Use Stainless).

[0025] The fixing plate 131 is a plate-shaped portion having through holes through which fixing members such as screws or fixing pins can pass, and is fixed to the folded plate roof 10 by fixing members that pass through the through holes.

[0026] The panel support plate 132 is provided at the upper end of the mounting fixture 130 opposite the fixing plate 131, and is a plate-like portion having through holes through which fixing members such as screws or fixing pins can pass, and the fixing members passing through the through holes fix and support the panel 110. Note that instead of directly contacting and supporting the panel 110, the panel support plate 132 may fix a predetermined support with a fixing member, and in this case, the support fixed to the panel support plate 132 supports the panel 110.

[0027] The movable housing 133 is, for example, a column-shaped box-shaped housing with one bottom surface open, and the non-open bottom surface is joined to the lower surface of the panel support plate 132. Under normal circumstances, the fixed housing 134 is housed inside the movable housing 133, and the open end of the movable housing 133 abuts against the upper surface of the fixed plate 131 (see FIG. 3(a)). This allows the mounting fixture 130 to reliably support the load of the panel 110 under normal circumstances. On the other hand, when extended, the movable housing 133 is displaced upward, and the open end of the movable housing 133 moves away from the fixed plate 131, exposing the fixed housing 134 (see FIG. 3(b)).

[0028] Fixed housing 134 is, for example, a column-shaped box-shaped housing with one bottom surface open, and the bottom surface that does not open is joined to the upper surface of fixed plate 131. Fixed housing 134 is normally housed inside movable housing 133, and is exposed below movable housing 133 when extended.

[0029] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the telescopic mounting fixture 130. Figure 4(a) shows a cross-section taken along line II in Figure 3(a), and Figure 4(b) shows a cross-section taken along line II-II in Figure 4(b).

[0030] 4(a) and (b), the non-open upper bottom surface of movable housing 133 is joined to the lower surface of panel support plate 132, and a protrusion 133a that protrudes inward is formed at the lower open end. A buffer member 136 is disposed on the upper surface of protrusion 133a. In addition, a ring 133b for engaging tension spring 135 is formed on the inside of the upper bottom surface of movable housing 133.

[0031] On the other hand, the closed lower bottom surface of fixed housing 134 is joined to the upper surface of fixed plate 131, and a protrusion 134a that protrudes outward is formed at the upper open end. A buffer member 137 is disposed on the lower surface of protrusion 134a. Also, a ring 134b for engaging tension spring 135 is formed on the inside of the lower bottom surface of fixed housing 134.

[0032] The tension spring 135 is an elastic body having one end locked to the ring 133b of the movable housing 133 and the other end locked to the ring 134b of the fixed housing 134. In other words, the tension spring 135 elastically connects the fixed plate 131 and the fixed housing 134 on the lower side to the panel support plate 132 and the movable housing 133 on the upper side.

[0033] 4(a), under normal circumstances, no load is applied to the tension spring 135, and therefore no deflection occurs in the tension spring 135. In this state, the movable housing 133 and the fixed housing 134 support the load of the panel 110 that is applied to the panel support plate 132. Therefore, the load due to the load of the panel 110 is not applied to the tension spring 135, and deterioration in strength or breakage of the tension spring 135 can be prevented.

[0034] 4(b), during extension, the panel support plate 132 and the movable housing 133 are pulled upward by the upward wind force acting on the panel 110, and a load is applied to the tension spring 135, causing the tension spring 135 to bend. Then, the tension spring 135 extends until the buffer member 136 provided on the protruding portion 133a of the movable housing 133 and the buffer member 137 provided on the protruding portion 134a of the fixed housing 134 come into contact with each other, thereby raising the position of the panel 110 supported by the panel support plate 132.

[0035] The buffer members 136 and 137 are made of, for example, resin, and function as stoppers that limit the upward displacement of the movable housing 133 when the tension spring 135 is fully extended, together with the protrusions 133a and 134a of the movable housing 133 and the fixed housing 134. The protrusions 133a and 134a and the buffer members 136 and 137 function as stoppers, so that the tension spring 135 does not bend beyond the maximum allowable deflection amount, and damage to the tension spring 135 can be prevented.

[0036] Here, we will explain the characteristics of the tension spring 135. Parameters that indicate the characteristics of the tension spring 135 include the maximum allowable deflection amount and the spring constant.

[0037] In this embodiment, in strong winds, a gap is formed in a direction perpendicular to the roof surface between the panel 110 attached by the telescopic mounting fixture 130 and the panel 110 attached by the fixed mounting fixture 120. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5( a), when the panel 110 attached by the mounting fixture 130 is displaced upward to its maximum extent, the amount of displacement D is greater than the thickness W of the panel 110. In other words, when the tension spring 135 of the mounting fixture 130 is fully extended, the panel support plate 132 and the movable housing 133 that support the panel 110 are displaced upward by a distance greater than the thickness W of the panel 110. As a result, a gap is formed in the thickness direction of the panel 110 between the panel 110 attached by the mounting fixture 130 and the panel 110 attached by the mounting fixture 120.

[0038] From this, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the free length of the tension spring 135 is set to L0, and the maximum allowable deflection is set to σ max In this case, the relationship of the following formula (1) must be satisfied. σ max >W ···(1)

[0039] Furthermore, in order for the tension spring 135 to bend more than the thickness W of the panel 110 due to the upward wind force acting on the panel 110, the elastic force of the tension spring 135 when it is extended by the thickness W of the panel 110 must be smaller than the expected upward wind pressure load acting on the panel 110. Therefore, the following equation (2) holds for the spring constant k of the tension spring 135. n×k×W <C×q×S ···(2)

[0040] In equation (2), n represents the number of mounting fixtures 130 attached to the panel 110, C represents the coefficient of the peak upward wind force acting on the panel 110, q represents the design velocity pressure, and S represents the area of ​​the panel 110. The peak wind force coefficient C can be determined, for example, from a wind tunnel experiment, and the design velocity pressure q is a value calculated in advance.

[0041] From the above formula (2), the spring constant k of the tension spring 135 is required to satisfy the following formula (3). k<(C×q×S) / (n×W) (3)

[0042] Maximum allowable deflection of tension spring 135 σ max satisfies the above formula (1) and the spring constant k satisfies the above formula (3), so that the upward wind force acting on the panel 110 during strong winds causes the panel 110 to displace upward by a distance greater than the thickness W of the panel 110, forming a gap between adjacent panels 110. This forms a path around the panel 110 for wind to pass through from below the panel 110, and the wind pressure on the upper and lower surfaces is equalized, thereby reducing the wind pressure load that the panel 110 receives.

[0043] Incidentally, when a panel 110 attached by a mounting fixture 130 has an adjacent panel 110 attached by a fixed mounting fixture 120, it is possible to form a gap around the panel 110. For this reason, it is preferable that a panel 110 adjacent to a panel 110 attached by an extendable mounting fixture 130 be attached by a fixed mounting fixture 120.

[0044] Furthermore, panels 110 that are prone to large upward wind pressure loads are those that are located at corners or along aisles in a panel arrangement where multiple panels 110 are installed side by side. For this reason, the panels 110 attached using the telescopic mounting fixtures 130 may be arranged so that every other panel 110 is near the corners of the panel arrangement, as shown by the diagonal lines in Figure 6, for example.

[0045] In this case, the method of installing the panel 110 is to install the panel 110 at a corner of the panel arrangement area of ​​the folded-plate roof 10 using an extendable mounting fixture 130, and then install another panel 110 flush with the first panel 110 using a fixed mounting fixture 120. Furthermore, install another panel 110 flush with the first panel 110 using an extendable mounting fixture 130. Similarly, next to the panel 110 installed using the extendable mounting fixture 130, another panel 110 is installed using the fixed mounting fixture 120 so that the top surfaces of the adjacent panels 110 are flush with each other.

[0046] As a result, panels 110 that are subject to large upward wind pressure loads are attached by the mounting fixtures 130, and in strong winds, gaps are formed between adjacent panels 110 in a direction perpendicular to the roof surface. This creates a path for wind to pass around the panels 110 from below, equalizing the wind pressure on the upper and lower surfaces, thereby reducing the wind pressure load that the panels 110 receive.

[0047] As described above, according to this embodiment, in a panel mounting structure in which multiple panels are arranged side by side on a roof, some panels are mounted to the roof using telescopic fixtures in which fixed and movable housings are connected by tension springs, and adjacent panels are mounted to the roof using fixed fixtures so that their top surfaces are flush with those of the other panels. This prevents the top surfaces of each panel from being shaded by adjacent panels under normal conditions, maximizing the amount of power generated by the panels. Furthermore, in strong winds, upward wind force acting on the panels causes the telescopic fixtures to extend, raising the positions of some panels, causing the panels to become uneven with their adjacent panels, creating gaps perpendicular to the roof surface. This equalizes wind pressure on the top and bottom surfaces of the panels, thereby reducing the wind pressure load on the panels. In other words, this prevents damage from strong winds and improves power generation efficiency.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the panel 110 is described as being supported near its four corners by the extendable mounting fixtures 130, but depending on the weight and area of ​​the panel 110, the panel 110 may bend near its center due to its own weight, or the panel 110 may tilt and become no longer parallel to the roof surface when the mounting fixtures 130 are extended. For this reason, the panel 110 may be supported near its center by auxiliary supports 150, as shown in Figure 7(a), for example.

[0049] 7(b), for example, an auxiliary support 150 having a support arm 154 that can be moved up and down by a pulley 153 can be used as the auxiliary support 150. Specifically, the auxiliary support 150 has a fixed plate 151 that can be fixed to the folded-plate roof 10, two parallel rail plates 152 that extend perpendicular to the fixed plate 151, a pulley 153 that can move up and down along the rail plates 152, and a support arm 154 that is connected to the pulley 153 and supports the panel 110.

[0050] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the auxiliary support device 150. Figure 8(a) shows the state of the auxiliary support device 150 when the mounting device 130 is not extended, and Figure 8(b) shows the state of the auxiliary support device 150 when the mounting device 130 is extended.

[0051] 8(a) and 8(b), the support arm 154 of the auxiliary support device 150 is fixed to a reinforcing member 160 by a fixing member such as a screw or a fixing pin, and the panel 110 is held by the reinforcing member 160. The reinforcing member 160 is a plate-like member made of a material having a predetermined strength, such as metal, and covers the underside of the panel 110 to reinforce the out-of-plane rigidity of the panel 110. Because the reinforcing member 160 covers the underside of the panel 110 to reinforce the out-of-plane rigidity, it is possible to prevent deflection near the center of the panel 110.

[0052] Under normal circumstances, as shown in Figure 8(a), the mounting fixture 130 is not extended, and the pulley 153 of the auxiliary support 150 is located at the lower end of the rail plate 152. Then, in strong winds, as the mounting fixture 130 extends and the panel 110 is displaced upward, the pulley 153 of the auxiliary support 150 moves upward along the rail plate 152, and the support arm 154 supporting the reinforcing member 160 follows the rise of the panel 110. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8(b), the panel 110 rises while remaining parallel to the roof surface, preventing the panel 110 from tilting.

[0053] The auxiliary support 150 can also be used as an extendable mounting fixture by connecting a fixed part consisting of the fixed plate 151 and the rail plate 152 with a movable part consisting of the pulley 153 and the support arm 154 by a tension spring. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, one end of a tension spring 210 is fixed to the fixed plate 151 and the other end is engaged with the center of rotation of the pulley 153, thereby elastically connecting the fixed part and movable part of the auxiliary support 150. This makes it possible to use the auxiliary support 150 instead of the extendable mounting fixture 130.

[0054] In this case, for example, the upper ends of two parallel rail plates 152 on the left and right may be connected to form an inverted U shape, and the connecting portion of the rail plates 152 may function as a stopper to limit the ascent of the pulley 153. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 110 Panel 120, 130 Mounting fixture 131 Fixed plate 132 Panel support plate 133 Movable Housing 134 Fixed enclosure 133a, 134a protrusion 133b, 134b ring metal 135, 210 Tension springs 136, 137 Buffer members 150 Auxiliary supports 151 Fixed plate 152 Rail Plate 153 Pulley 154 Support Arm 160 Reinforcement member

Claims

1. a fixed part fixed to the roof of a building; a movable portion that is provided so as to be displaceable upward relative to the fixed portion and supports a panel member at its upper end; an elastic body that connects the fixed portion and the movable portion; The movable part is When the elastic body is stretched to its maximum extent, it displaces upward by a distance greater than the thickness of the panel member. Panel mounting fixture.

2. 2. The panel mounting fixture according to claim 1, further comprising a limiting portion that limits upward displacement of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion when the elastic body is at its maximum extension.

3. a panel mounting fixture having a fixed part fixed to the roof of a building, a movable part that is displaceable upward relative to the fixed part and supports a first panel member at its upper end, and an elastic body that connects the fixed part and the movable part, wherein when the elastic body is maximally stretched, the movable part is displaced upward by a distance greater than the thickness of the panel member, and the first panel member is installed on the roof of the building using the panel mounting fixture; Installing a second panel member flush with and adjacent to the first panel member using a fixed panel fixture that fixes the position of the panel members. A panel installation method having the steps:

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