Solar cell panel fixing device

Abstract

To provide a solar cell panel fixing device which achieves both grounding and weight reduction of a solar cell panel.SOLUTION: A solar cell panel fixing device 10 includes a body part 11 for supporting an aluminum frame from a roof side. The solar cell panel fixing device 10 is provided with a pressing and holding part 12 which presses and holds an aluminum frame together with a body part 11 and is covered with an aluminum oxide film. The solar cell panel fixing device 10 includes a fixing part 13 which is pressed and fixed to the roof 91 in a state of being electrically connected to the pressing and sandwiching part 12 and is covered with an aluminum oxide film. The solar battery panel fixing device 10 is composed of a conductive body capable of breaking through an aluminum oxide film of an aluminum frame, and is provided with a first teeth part 12B arranged in a state of being conducted to the pushing-sandwiching part 12. The solar battery panel fixing device 10 includes a second teeth part 13G made of a conductive material capable of biting into the roof 91 and provided in a state of being conducted to the fixing part 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a solar panel fixing device for fixing a solar panel onto a roof. [Background technology]

[0002] When fixing a solar panel to a roof, it is necessary to ground the panel so that the charge that accumulates in the panel when the solar cell generates electricity can be released. In the technology for a solar panel fixing device described in Patent Document 1, a convex portion is formed by burring on the lip portion of a lip channel steel on which the aluminum frame of the solar panel is placed. This convex portion breaks through the insulating anodized aluminum coating (aluminum oxide coating) formed on the frame of the solar panel, establishing electrical continuity between the frame and the lip channel steel. This allows the solar panel to be grounded by grounding an appropriate point on the lip channel steel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6330203 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A solar panel fixing device that fixes solar panels to a roof needs to meet the roof load-bearing requirements, taking into account the weight of the solar panel and the expected snow load, etc., so a lightweight structure is desired. For this reason, there has been a need for solar panel fixing devices that use materials with low specific gravity, such as aluminum, for their components.

[0005] Here, aluminum oxide has the property of being harder than aluminum. Therefore, in the solar cell panel fixing device technology described in Patent Document 1, if the lip channel steel were replaced with an aluminum rail member, even if a convex portion was formed on the rail member, it would not be able to break through the aluminum oxide coating of the frame. In other words, the solar cell panel fixing device technology described in Patent Document 1 had the problem of not being able to meet the need for weight reduction by using aluminum for component parts.

[0006] The present disclosure makes it possible to earth a solar panel by breaking through the aluminum oxide coating that covers the aluminum frame of the solar panel, while also reducing the weight of the solar panel by using aluminum for its components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a solar cell panel fixing device for fixing a solar cell panel provided with an aluminum frame covered with a high-electrical resistance aluminum oxide coating to a metal roof. The solar cell panel fixing device includes a main body made of aluminum covered with a high-electrical resistance aluminum oxide coating and supporting the aluminum frame from the roof side. The solar cell panel fixing device also includes a clamping portion made of aluminum covered with a high-electrical resistance aluminum oxide coating and clamping the aluminum frame together with the main body. The solar cell panel fixing device also includes a fixing portion made of aluminum covered with a high-electrical resistance aluminum oxide coating and clamped to the roof while being electrically connected to the clamping portion. The solar cell panel fixing device also includes a conductor having a hardness sufficient to break through the high-electrical resistance aluminum oxide coating on the aluminum frame, and a first tooth portion provided on the clamping portion in an electrically connected state with the clamping portion. The solar cell panel fixing device also includes a conductor having a hardness sufficient to penetrate the roof, and a second tooth portion provided on the fixing portion in an electrically connected state with the fixing portion.

[0008] Here, the "aluminum oxide coating" covering the aluminum may be either an artificially formed aluminum oxide coating such as an alumite coating, or an aluminum oxide coating that is naturally formed on the surface of aluminum placed in air.

[0009] According to the above aspect, by using aluminum for each of the main body, clamping portion, and fixing portion of the solar cell panel fixing device, it is possible to reduce the weight of the solar cell panel fixing device while providing a certain degree of conductivity to the solar cell panel fixing device. Furthermore, by having the first teeth provided on the clamping portion break through the aluminum oxide coating covering the aluminum frame of the solar cell panel, electrical conductivity can be established between the clamping portion and the aluminum frame. Furthermore, by having the second teeth provided on the fixing portion bite into the roof, electrical conductivity can be established between the roof and the fixing portion. Therefore, the aluminum frame of the solar cell panel is grounded to the roof via the solar cell panel fixing device. Therefore, according to the above aspect, it is possible to both ground the solar cell panel by breaking through the aluminum oxide coating covering the aluminum frame of the solar cell panel and reduce the weight of the solar cell panel by using aluminum for the components of the solar cell panel.

[0010] According to another aspect, the solar cell panel fixing device includes a sandwich structure in which the main body is sandwiched between a clamping portion and a fixing portion. The solar cell panel fixing device also includes a metal bolt that penetrates the sandwich structure in the clamping direction of the main body and tightens the clamping portion, main body, and fixing portion together, thereby applying a clamping force that clamps the aluminum frame to the main body and the clamping portion. The solar cell panel fixing device also includes a first conductor that is provided on a portion that protrudes from the clamping portion by the bolt, turns when the bolt is tightened to scratch the aluminum oxide coating of the clamping portion, and is electrically connected to the bolt. The solar cell panel fixing device also includes a first crimping structure that is a crimping structure that integrally connects the first conductor and the scratched portion of the clamping portion in an electrically connected state. The solar cell panel fixing device also includes a second conductor that is provided on a portion that protrudes from the fixing portion by the bolt, turns when the bolt is tightened to scratch the aluminum oxide coating of the fixing portion, and is electrically connected to the bolt. The solar cell panel fixing device also includes a second crimping structure that is a crimping structure that integrally joins the damaged portion of the second conductor and the fixing portion so that the damaged portion is electrically connected.

[0011] In this disclosure, the term "scratch" refers not only to chips or cracks (i.e., "flaws") that extend into the interior of an article, but also to scratches that are difficult to visually detect as a change in shape. Even if the surface of a metal article is covered with a highly electrically resistive surface film, this surface film will be partially absent (or thinner) at the scratched portion of the metal article. Therefore, when multiple metal articles are joined together by crimping, if the joining points are the scratched portions, the multiple metal articles joined together will be more likely to be electrically conductive.

[0012] According to the above aspect, the clamping force of the bolt that fastens the clamping portion, main body, and fixing portion of the solar cell panel fixing device together establishes electrical continuity between the clamping portion and the aluminum frame, and the bolt itself acts as a current bypass between the clamping portion and the fixing portion. This makes it possible to reduce the ground resistance of the solar cell panel that is earthed by the solar cell panel fixing device.

[0013] According to another aspect, the main body is integrally provided with an insertion groove, a first contact portion, and a second contact portion, each of which will be described later. The clamping portion is inserted into the insertion groove and fixed. The first contact portion contacts the aluminum frame and, together with a first base on which the clamping portion has first teeth, applies the tightening force to the aluminum frame. The second contact portion extends to a position opposite the second base on which the fixing portion has second teeth, and contacts the roof. When the main body and fixing portion are tightly fastened with bolts, the second contact portion, together with the second base, clamps the roof and absorbs the clamping force of the fixing portion.

[0014] According to the above aspect, when the bolts of the solar cell panel fixing device are tightly tightened, the first abutment portion of the main body and the first base of the clamping portion clamp the aluminum frame of the solar cell panel, and the first tooth portion of the first base establishes electrical conductivity between the clamping portion and the aluminum frame. Furthermore, the second abutment portion of the main body and the second base of the fixing portion clamp the roof, and the second tooth portion of the second base establishes electrical conductivity between the fixing portion and the roof. Thus, with the above aspect, the simple operation of tightly tightening the bolts of the solar cell panel fixing device can both fix the solar cell panel and ensure grounding.

[0015] According to another aspect, the solar cell panel fixing device includes a third conductor sandwiched between a main body portion and a fixing portion and electrically connected to the bolt. The solar cell panel fixing device includes a conductor having a hardness sufficient to break through the high-electrical-resistance aluminum oxide coating of the main body portion, and a third tooth portion provided on the third conductor in electrical conduction with the third conductor. The solar cell panel fixing device also includes a conductor having a hardness sufficient to break through the high-electrical-resistance aluminum oxide coating of the fixing portion, and a fourth tooth portion provided on the third conductor in electrical conduction with the third conductor. The main body portion is integrally provided with a second abutment portion and a fifth tooth portion, which will be described later. The second abutment portion extends from the fixing portion to a position facing the second base on which the second tooth portion is provided, and abuts against the roof. When the main body portion and the fixing portion are securely fastened with the bolt, the second abutment portion, together with the second base, sandwiches the roof and receives the pressing and fixing force of the fixing portion. The fifth tooth portion is made of a conductor having a hardness that allows it to bite into the roof, and is provided on the second abutment portion in a state of electrical continuity with the second abutment portion.

[0016] According to the above aspect, when the bolt of the solar cell panel fixing device is tightly tightened, the third tooth portion of the third conductor breaks through the aluminum oxide coating of the main body portion, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the third conductor and the main body portion and the bolt. Furthermore, the fourth tooth portion of the third conductor breaks through the aluminum oxide coating of the fixing portion, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the third conductor and the fixing portion and the bolt. Furthermore, the second abutting portion of the main body portion and the second base of the fixing portion clamp the roof, and the second tooth portion of the second base and the fifth tooth portion of the second abutting portion are conductive with the roof. This allows the main body portion to function as a current bypass between the clamping portion and the fixing portion, further reducing the ground resistance of the solar cell panel that is grounded by the solar cell panel fixing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to both ground the solar cell panel by breaking through the aluminum oxide coating that covers the aluminum frame of the solar cell panel and reduce the weight of the solar cell panel by using aluminum for its components. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the solar cell panel fixing device according to the first embodiment is used. [Figure 2] 2 is a front view showing the solar cell panel fixing device of FIG. 1, with the solar cell panel shown in imaginary lines. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the solar cell panel fixing device of FIG. 1, with the solar cell panel shown in imaginary lines. [Figure 4] 2 is a right side view showing the solar cell panel fixing device of FIG. 1, with the solar cell panel shown in phantom lines. [Figure 5] 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 2. [Figure 7] 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining assembly of the solar cell panel fixing device of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part VIII in FIG. 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a front view showing a solar cell panel fixing device according to a second embodiment, with the solar cell panel shown in imaginary lines. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the solar cell panel fixing device of FIG. 9, with the solar cell panel shown in phantom lines. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a right side view showing the solar cell panel fixing device of FIG. 9, with the solar cell panel shown in imaginary lines. [Figure 12] 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the "front," "rear," "left," and "right" directions are defined by defining the lower side of the roof 91 shown in FIG. 1 as the "front" and the upper side as the "chest" as the "rear."

[0020] First Embodiment First, the configuration of a solar cell panel fixing device 10 according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. This solar cell panel fixing device 10 is used to fix a solar cell panel 90 onto a metal roof 91, as shown in Figure 1.

[0021] The roof 91 is a folded-plate roof structure in which a plurality of long folded plates 91A extending in the front-to-rear direction are arranged in the left-to-right direction. Left and right edge portions 91C, 91D of these folded plates 91A are joined together by a seam fastening structure 91B. In this embodiment, the folded plate 91A is formed by bending a metal plate so that groove walls on both sides form inclined grooves. The folded plate 91A may have either a structure generally called a "folded plate" or a structure generally called a "folded plate." The seam fastening structure 91B is a well-known corner seam fastening structure (see FIG. 3), which electrically connects the folded plates 91A of the roof 91. The roof 91 is also grounded by a ground wire 91E.

[0022] Solar cell panel 90 is configured by arranging multiple solar cell cells 90C in a roughly rectangular flat plate, covering the light-receiving surface with a transparent cover (not shown), and surrounding the periphery with an aluminum frame 90A. The surface of this aluminum frame 90A is covered with a high-electrical resistance aluminum oxide coating 90B (see FIG. 6). This aluminum oxide coating 90B may be either an artificially formed aluminum oxide coating such as an anodized aluminum coating, or an aluminum oxide coating that naturally forms on the surface of aluminum exposed to air.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the solar cell panel fixing device 10 is installed across two horizontally aligned folding plates 91A in a position where it sandwiches from both the left and right sides a seam fastening structure 91B that joins these folding plates 91A. Also, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, the solar cell panel fixing device 10 includes a main body portion 11, a pressing and clamping portion 12, a fixing portion 13, and a bolt 14.

[0024] The main body 11 is an extruded aluminum product, and is configured such that the insertion groove 11B, the first contact portion 11C, and the second contact portion 11D are integrally formed. In this embodiment, the surface of the main body 11 is covered with an aluminum oxide coating 11A (see FIG. 5) having high electrical resistance. This aluminum oxide coating 11A may be either an artificially formed aluminum oxide coating such as an anodized aluminum coating, or an aluminum oxide coating that is naturally formed on the surface of aluminum exposed to air.

[0025] The insertion groove 11B has a rectangular (U-shaped) groove shape (see FIG. 2) that extends in the front-to-rear direction (the left-to-right direction in FIG. 4), and is sized to allow the clamping portion 12 to be inserted therein. As shown in FIG. 4, a bolt hole 11E is provided in the center of the bottom of the insertion groove 11B in the front-to-rear direction. The clamping portion 12 can be fixed by passing a bolt 14 through this bolt hole 11E and bolting it in place. In this embodiment, the bottom of the insertion groove 11B has two fastening holes 11H, one in front of and one behind the bolt hole 11E. The fastening holes 11H are used to fasten the cables extending from the solar cell panel 90 to the main body 11 with a cable tie or the like (not shown).

[0026] 2 and 3, the first contact portions 11C are flat-plate-shaped and provided so as to protrude outward from the tips of the groove walls on both sides of the insertion groove 11B. These first contact portions 11C come into contact with the aluminum frame 90A from the roof 91 side when the portion of the solar cell panel 90 that is surrounded by the aluminum frame 90A is placed on them. With this configuration, the main body 11 supports the aluminum frame 90A from the roof 91 side.

[0027] The second contact portion 11D extends downward from the right end of the groove bottom of the insertion groove 11B. The tip of the second contact portion 11D contacts the left edge 91C of the right folding plate 91A of the two folding plates 91A aligned in the left-right direction. The tip of the second contact portion 11D also extends leftward along the edge 91C and contacts the seam fastening structure 91B of the roof 91 from the right side.

[0028] As shown in Figure 4, clamping portion 12 has an L-shaped metal fitting with reinforcing members 12C (braces) extending diagonally, which is integrally molded by extrusion molding of aluminum. In this configuration, side 12D, which forms the bottom side of insertion groove 11B, is disposed so as to extend rearward. Also, side 12D is formed with bolt hole 12E that can communicate with bolt hole 11E of insertion groove 11B.

[0029] Additionally, a first base 12A, a receiving portion 12G, and a holding portion 12H are integrally provided on side 12F of the clamping portion 12 that rises from side 12D. The holding portion 12H is a plate-like structure that extends rearward from the tip of side 12F in a direction parallel to side 12D. The holding portion 12H holds down the front end portion of the aluminum frame 90A, which is located behind the clamping portion 12, from the side opposite the roof 91 to prevent it from lifting up. The receiving portion 12G is a strip-shaped protrusion (see FIG. 3) that extends in the left-right direction on side 12F, located between the reinforcing material 12C and the holding portion 12H. The receiving portion 12G holds down the front end portion of the aluminum frame 90A, which is located behind the clamping portion 12, from the front to prevent it from sliding down.

[0030] The first base 12A has a plate-like configuration extending forward from the tip of the side 12F in a direction parallel to the side 12D. Push-pin-shaped first teeth 12B are provided on the plate surface of the first base 12A that faces the roof 91. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, two first teeth 12B are provided on the first base 12A so as to be aligned in the left-right direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, only the pointed end portion of each first teeth 12B protrudes from the plate surface of the first base 12A.

[0031] All components of the clamping portion 12 except for the first teeth 12B are integrally formed as an extruded aluminum product. The surface of this extruded product is covered with a highly electrically resistive aluminum oxide coating 12J (see FIG. 6). This aluminum oxide coating 12J may be either an artificially formed aluminum oxide coating such as an anodized aluminum coating, or an aluminum oxide coating that naturally forms on the surface of aluminum exposed to air.

[0032] The first teeth 12B of the clamping portion 12 are integrally formed from stainless steel having a hardness sufficient to break through the aluminum oxide coating 90B of the aluminum frame 90A. The first teeth 12B are semi-embedded in holes 12K formed in the first base 12A, with only the push-pin-shaped heads fitted in the holes (see FIG. 6), thereby providing electrical continuity with the clamping portion 12. Here, "stainless steel" is a material with a higher electrical resistivity than aluminum but a lower electrical resistivity than aluminum oxide, and is therefore treated as a "conductor" in this disclosure.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the fixing portion 13 has a cantilever 13E extending downward from the left end of the bottom of an engagement groove 13B extending in the front-rear direction. This structure is formed as an integral aluminum extrusion. The surface of this extrusion is covered with a highly electrically resistive aluminum oxide coating 13A (see Figure 5). This aluminum oxide coating 13A may be either an artificially formed aluminum oxide coating, such as an anodized aluminum coating, or an aluminum oxide coating that naturally forms on the surface of aluminum exposed to air.

[0034] 3, engagement groove 13B has a square groove (U-shaped groove) shape with groove walls 13C on both the left and right sides extending downward. A bolt hole 13J that can communicate with bolt hole 11E of insertion groove 11B is formed at the groove bottom of engagement groove 13B.

[0035] A tip portion 13D of groove wall 13C in engagement groove 13B has a substantially trapezoidal cross section, which partially narrows the width of engagement groove 13B. In this embodiment, the width of engagement groove 13B is set so that tip portion 13D of groove wall 13C forms an interference fit with head 14A of bolt 14 (see imaginary lines in FIG. 7), and a portion closer to the base than tip portion 13D forms a clearance fit with head 14A of bolt 14 (see FIG. 2). Furthermore, groove wall 13C of engagement groove 13B is set so that the height of the portion closer to the base than tip portion 13D is higher than the height of head 14A of bolt 14, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0036] Of the two folding plates 91A aligned in the left-right direction, the cantilever 13E extends downward toward a right edge 91D of the left folding plate 91A and abuts against this edge 91D. In addition, a tip portion 13F of the cantilever 13E extends leftward along the edge 91D and abuts against the seam fastening structure 91B of the roof 91 from the left side. Therefore, the tip portion 13F of the cantilever 13E and the tip of the second abutment portion 11D face each other with the seam fastening structure 91B in between.

[0037] A push-pin-shaped second tooth portion 13G is provided on the surface of the tip portion 13F of the cantilever 13E facing the seam structure 91B in a state of electrical continuity with the fixed portion 13. This second tooth portion 13G is integrally formed from stainless steel (conductor) having a hardness that allows it to bite into the seam structure 91B of the roof 91. In other words, the tip portion 13F of the cantilever 13E corresponds to the "second base" in this disclosure.

[0038] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, two second teeth 13G are provided in the tip portion 13F, aligned in the front-rear direction. As shown in Fig. 5, the second teeth 13G are provided in a semi-buried state, with only the pushpin-shaped head portion fitted into a hole 13H formed in the tip portion 13F and the pointed end portion similarly protruding from the surface of the tip portion 13F. The same type of parts as the first teeth 12B (see Fig. 6) described above are used as the second teeth 13G.

[0039] In the solar cell panel fixing device 10, the main body 11 is sandwiched between the clamping portion 12 and the fixing portion 13, as shown in FIG. 3 . This structure will be referred to below as a “sandwich structure 10A.” In the sandwich structure 10A, the side 12D of the clamping portion 12 is inserted into the insertion groove 11B of the main body 11 and abuts against the groove bottom of the insertion groove 11B. In the sandwich structure 10A, the groove bottom of the engagement groove 13B in the fixing portion 13 abuts against the groove bottom of the insertion groove 11B so that the groove bottoms face each other. Then, the bolt hole 11E at the groove bottom of the insertion groove 11B, the bolt hole 12E in the side 12D, and the bolt hole 13J at the groove bottom of the engagement groove 13B are connected to each other.

[0040] Bolt 14 is a metal bolt that penetrates sandwich structure 10A in the direction of sandwiching main body 11, and integrally fastens pressing and clamping portion 12, main body 11, and fixed portion 13. As shown in Fig. 7, with its shaft portion passing through bolt hole 13J, bolt 14 has head 14A pressed into engagement groove 13B of fixed portion 13, thereby preventing bolt 14 from slipping out of engagement groove 13B.

[0041] When head 14A of bolt 14 is pressed into engagement groove 13B, it cannot be turned far enough to tighten bolt 14 due to the fit with engagement groove 13B. Therefore, bolt 14 is tightened by screwing nut 14B (specifically, for example, a flanged metal nut) into bolt 14 from the side opposite head 14A. Nut 14B is screwed into place at the work site where solar panel 90 is fixed onto roof 91.

[0042] Tightening the bolt 14 shortens the distance between the first contact portion 11C of the main body 11 and the first base 12A of the clamping portion 12, and applies a clamping force that clamps the aluminum frame 90A (not shown in FIG. 7) between them. In other words, the first contact portion 11C of the main body 11, together with the first base 12A of the clamping portion 12, applies the clamping force of the bolt 14 to the aluminum frame 90A.

[0043] Furthermore, tightening of the bolt 14 eliminates the "play" of the main body 11 positioned between the clamping portion 12 and the fixed portion 13, and moves the tip of the second abutment portion 11D to a position facing the tip 13F of the cantilever 13E. At this time, if the tip 13F of the cantilever 13E is previously brought into contact with the seam fastening structure 91B of the roof 91, the tip of the second abutment portion 11D will abut against the seam fastening structure 91B, and the reaction force will press and fix the fixed portion 13 to the seam fastening structure 91B. In other words, when the main body 11 and the fixed portion 13 are tightly fastened by the bolt 14 (hereinafter also referred to as the "fastened state"), the second abutment portion 11D, together with the tip 13F of the cantilever 13E, will clamp the seam fastening structure 91B of the roof 91 and receive the force of the pressing and fixing of the fixed portion 13.

[0044] In the tightened state, as shown in FIG. 5, the nut 14B is provided on the portion of the bolt 14 that protrudes from the side 12D of the clamping portion 12, in a state of electrical continuity with the bolt 14. In other words, the nut 14B corresponds to the "first conductor" in the present disclosure. When the bolt 14 is tightened, the nut 14B rotates, and is pressed firmly against the side 12D of the clamping portion 12, thereby bending the side 12D (not shown). As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the nut 14B makes a scratch 14F in the aluminum oxide coating 12J on the side 12D of the clamping portion 12, and forms a crimped structure 14C between the nut 14B and the side 12D with the scratch 14F. The crimped structure 14C integrally connects the nut 14B and the side 12D of the clamping portion 12 in a state of electrical continuity, and corresponds to the "first crimped structure" in the present disclosure.

[0045] Furthermore, head 14A of bolt 14 is provided at a portion that protrudes from the groove bottom of engagement groove 13B in the fastened state. This head 14A is a part of metal bolt 14, and is naturally electrically connected to bolt 14. In other words, head 14A of bolt 14 corresponds to the "second conductor" in this disclosure.

[0046] The head 14A of the bolt 14 has a loose fit with the engagement groove 13B of the fixed portion 13, and therefore rotates slightly when the bolt 14 is tightened (not shown). At this time, the head 14A of the bolt 14 is pressed firmly against the bottom of the engagement groove 13B, hitting this groove bottom (not shown). As a result, the head 14A of the bolt 14 makes a scratch 14D on the bottom of the engagement groove 13B, and a crimped structure 14E is formed between the head 14A of the bolt 14 and the groove bottom with the scratch 14D. Here, the scratch 14D is a scratch made in the aluminum oxide coating 13A of the fixed portion 13. The crimped structure 14E integrally joins the head 14A of the bolt 14 and the engagement groove 13B of the fixed portion 13 in a conductive state, and corresponds to the "second crimped structure" in this disclosure.

[0047] Furthermore, when the bolt 14 is rotated during tightening, the head 14A of the bolt 14 may strike the groove wall 13C of the engagement groove 13B, scratching the aluminum oxide coating 13A, and forming a crimped structure between the scratched groove wall 13C (not shown). This crimped structure joins the head 14A of the bolt 14 and the groove wall 13C of the fixing part 13 together in an electrically conductive state, and corresponds to the "second crimped structure" in this disclosure.

[0048] With this configuration, the aluminum frame 90A of the solar cell panel 90 is grounded to the roof 91 via a current path 10B established by the solar cell panel fixing device 10. As shown in FIG. 3, this current path 10B runs from the aluminum frame 90A through the first tooth portion 12B, the clamping portion 12, the nut 14B, the bolt 14, the fixing portion 13, and the second tooth portion 13G, in that order, to the roof 91. As shown in FIG. 8, in the portion from the clamping portion 12 to the nut 14B, this current path 10B passes through a portion of the crimping structure 14C where there is a flaw 14F. In addition, in the portion from the bolt 14 to the fixing portion 13, the current path 10B passes through a portion of the crimping structure 14E where there is a flaw 14D.

[0049] According to the solar cell panel fixing device 10 described above, by using aluminum for each of the main body 11, the clamping portion 12, and the fixing portion 13, the solar cell panel fixing device 10 can be made lighter while providing a certain degree of conductivity. In addition, the first teeth 12B provided on the clamping portion 12 break through the aluminum oxide coating 90B covering the aluminum frame 90A of the solar cell panel 90, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the clamping portion 12 and the aluminum frame 90A. In addition, the second teeth 13G provided on the fixing portion 13 bite into the roof 91, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the roof 91 and the fixing portion 13. Therefore, the aluminum frame 90A of the solar cell panel 90 is grounded to the roof 91 via the solar cell panel fixing device 10. Therefore, the solar cell panel fixing device 10 can break through the aluminum oxide coating 90B covering the aluminum frame 90A of the solar cell panel 90 to ground the solar cell panel 90, while also achieving weight reduction by using aluminum for the components of the solar cell panel 90.

[0050] Furthermore, with the solar cell panel fixing device 10, the clamping force of the bolt 14 that fastens the main body 11, clamping portion 12, and fixing portion 13 together establishes electrical continuity between the clamping portion 12 and the aluminum frame 90A, and the bolt 14 itself acts as a current bypass between the clamping portion 12 and the fixing portion 13. As a result, the solar cell panel fixing device 10 can reduce the ground resistance of the solar cell panel 90 that is earthed by the solar cell panel fixing device 10.

[0051] Furthermore, with the solar cell panel fixing device 10, when the bolts 14 are tightly tightened, the first abutting portion 11C of the main body 11 and the first base 12A of the clamping portion 12 clamp the aluminum frame 90A of the solar cell panel 90, and the first tooth portion 12B of the first base 12A establishes electrical continuity between the clamping portion 12 and the aluminum frame 90A. The second abutting portion 11D of the main body 11 and the tip portion 13F of the cantilever 13E of the fixing portion 13 clamp the roof 91, and the second tooth portion 13G of the tip portion 13F establishes electrical continuity between the fixing portion 13 and the roof 91. As a result, with the solar cell panel fixing device 10, the solar cell panel 90 can be both fixed and grounded by the simple operation of tightly tightening the bolts 14.

[0052] Furthermore, with the solar cell panel fixing device 10, the bolts 14 are attached in advance to the engagement grooves 13B of the fixing parts 13 in a state where they are prevented from coming out, and the solar cell panel fixing device 10 can be assembled without removing the bolts 14 from the engagement grooves 13B. As a result, with the solar cell panel fixing device 10, it is no longer necessary to handle the bolts 14 individually at the work site on the roof 91, and the risk of dropping the bolts 14 on the roof 91 can be reduced.

[0053] Second Embodiment Next, the configuration of the solar cell panel fixing device 20 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 12. The solar cell panel fixing device 20 according to the second embodiment is an embodiment in which some parts are added to the solar cell panel fixing device 10 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, parts or configurations that are common to the configurations that appeared in the above description of the solar cell panel fixing device 10 are assigned the same reference numerals as those assigned to these parts or configurations, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0054] 9 to 11, in the solar cell panel fixing device 20, a sandwich structure 20A is formed instead of the sandwich structure 10A (see FIG. 3) formed in the solar cell panel fixing device 10. In the sandwich structure 20A, the main body part 11 and the external tooth washer 25 are positioned in a sandwiched state between the pressing and clamping part 12 and the fixing part 13.

[0055] The external tooth washer 25 has a configuration in which a plurality of protrusions are provided along the outer periphery of the annular plate-shaped main body, protruding outward from the annular ring (not shown). The external tooth washer 25 is formed as a single unit from stainless steel (conductor) that is hard enough to break through the aluminum oxide coating that can form on the surface of aluminum.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 12 , the bolt 14 is inserted into the body of the external tooth washer 25, but the external tooth washer 25 is not actively electrically connected to the bolt 14. The external tooth washer 25 is disposed in a position where it is sandwiched between the body portion 11 and the fixed portion 13 in the sandwich structure 20A. In other words, the external tooth washer 25 corresponds to the "third conductor" in this disclosure. For convenience, in the following description, the side of the body of the external tooth washer 25 facing the body portion 11 will be referred to as the "front" and the side facing the fixed portion 13 will be referred to as the "back."

[0057] In the external washer 25, each protrusion is raised so as to protrude from both the front and back sides of the main body. The portions of these protrusions that protrude further toward the front than the main body break through the aluminum oxide coating 11A of the main body portion 11, as shown in FIG. 12 . These portions are conductor portions that are provided on the external washer 25 in a state of electrical continuity with the external washer 25, and are also referred to as the "third tooth portion 25A" in this specification. Furthermore, the portions of each protrusion of the external washer 25 that protrude further toward the back than the main body break through the aluminum oxide coating 13A of the fixing portion 13. These portions are conductor portions that are provided on the external washer 25 in a state of electrical continuity with the external washer 25, and are also referred to as the "fourth tooth portion 25B" in this specification.

[0058] 9 and 10, in the solar cell panel fixing device 20, a push-pin-shaped fifth tooth 21F is integrally provided at the tip of the second contact portion 11D of the main body 11. This fifth tooth 21F is integrally formed from stainless steel (a conductor) that is hard enough to bite into the seam fastening structure 91B of the roof 91. Furthermore, the fifth tooth 21F is provided in a semi-buried state with only the push-pin-shaped head fitted into a hole 21G opened at the tip of the second contact portion 11D, and with the pointed end protruding from the surface. This provides electrical conductivity between the fifth tooth 21F and the second contact portion 11D.

[0059] In this embodiment, two fifth teeth portions 21F are arranged in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 11), and each of them is provided so as to face a second teeth portion 13G (see FIG. 10). The fifth teeth portions 21F are made of the same type of parts as the above-described first teeth portion 12B (see FIG. 6).

[0060] With this configuration, the aluminum frame 90A of the solar cell panel 90 is grounded to the roof 91 via a current path 20B set by the solar cell panel fixing device 20. As shown in Fig. 10, this current path 20B is similar to current path 10B (see Fig. 3) in that it includes a current path that runs from the aluminum frame 90A through the first tooth portion 12B, the clamping portion 12, the nut 14B, the bolt 14, the fixing portion 13, and the second tooth portion 13G in this order to the roof 91. Current path 20B differs from current path 10B (see Fig. 3) in that it additionally includes a current path that runs from the fixing portion 13 through the external tooth washer 25, the main body 11, and the fifth tooth portion 21F in this order to the roof 91. As shown in FIG. 12, the current path 20B extends from the fixed portion 13 to the external tooth washer 25 via the fourth tooth portion 25B, and from this external tooth washer 25 to the main body portion 11 via the third tooth portion 25A.

[0061] According to the solar cell panel fixing device 20 described above, when the bolt 14 is tightened without loosening, the third tooth portion 25A of the external tooth washer 25 breaks through the aluminum oxide coating 11A of the main body portion 11, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the external tooth washer 25 and the main body portion 11 and the bolt 14. Furthermore, the fourth tooth portion 25B of the external tooth washer 25 breaks through the aluminum oxide coating 13A of the fixing portion 13, thereby establishing electrical continuity between the external tooth washer 25 and the fixing portion 13 and the bolt 14. Furthermore, the second abutting portion 11D of the main body portion 11 and the tip portion 13F of the cantilever 13E of the fixing portion 13 sandwich the seam fastening structure 91B of the roof 91, and the second tooth portion 13G at the tip portion 13F and the fifth tooth portion 21F of the second abutting portion 11D are established electrical continuity with the roof 91. As a result, in the solar cell panel fixing device 20, the main body portion 11 acts as a current bypass between the clamping portion 12 and the fixing portion 13, further reducing the ground resistance of the solar cell panel 90, which is earthed by the solar cell panel fixing device 20.

[0062] The above describes the embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure using the first and second embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, the embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure may include all substitutions, modifications, and alterations that do not depart from the spirit and purpose of the claims appended hereto. For example, the following various embodiments can be implemented as embodiments for carrying out the present disclosure.

[0063] (1) The specific configurations of the first conductor and the second conductor in the present disclosure are not limited to those described above. For example, the present disclosure may employ a configuration in which a washer is interposed between the clamping portion and a nut for tightening the bolt from the clamping portion side, and the washer functions as the first conductor. The present disclosure may also employ a configuration in which a washer is interposed between the head of the bolt and the fixing portion, and the washer functions as the second conductor.

[0064] (2) The application of the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration of the folded-plate roof having the above-mentioned seam-fastening structure. In other words, the solar cell panel fixing device of the present disclosure can be applied to any appropriately selected configuration of folded-plate roof, such as a stacked-type folded-plate roof or a fitting-type folded-plate roof. The solar cell panel fixing device of the present disclosure can also be applied to any appropriately selected type of metal roof, such as a roof made of corrugated metal sheets, a roof made of a roofing structure on top of sheathing boards with a metal plate fastened to it, or a roof made of molded metal tiles (metal plates with a textured design resembling tiles). In these cases, the specific configuration of the fixing part that fixes the solar cell panel fixing device to the roof can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 Solar panel fixing device 10A sandwich structure 10B Current path 11 Main body 11A Aluminum oxide coating 11B Insertion groove 11C 1st contact part 11D 2nd contact part 11E Bolt hole 11H fastening hole 12 Pressing clamp 12A First Base 12B 1st tooth part 12C reinforcement 12D side 12E bolt hole Around 12F 12G receiving part 12H clamping part 12J Aluminum Oxide Coating 12K hole 13 Fixed part 13A Aluminum Oxide Coating 13B Engagement groove 13C Groove wall 13D tip part 13E Cantilever 13F Tip (second base) 13G 2nd tooth part 13H holes 13J bolt hole 14 volts 14A Head (Second Conductor) 14B Nut (first conductor) 14C Crimping Structure (First Crimping Structure) 14D Scratches 14E Crimping structure (secondary crimping structure) 14F Scratches 20 Solar panel fixing device 20A sandwich structure 20B Current path 21F 5th tooth 21G hole 25 External tooth washer (third conductor) 25A 3rd tooth 25B 4th tooth 90 solar panels 90A aluminum frame 90B Aluminum Oxide Coating 90C solar cell 91 Roof 91A Folded Plate 91B Seam fastening structure 91C Edge 91D Edge 91E Ground wire

Claims

1. A solar cell panel fixing device for fixing a solar cell panel provided with an aluminum frame covered with an aluminum oxide coating having high electrical resistance onto a metal roof, comprising: a main body made of aluminum covered with an aluminum oxide coating having high electrical resistance, the main body supporting the aluminum frame from the roof side; a clamping portion made of aluminum covered with an aluminum oxide film having high electrical resistance, which clamps the aluminum frame together with the main body portion; a fixing part made of aluminum covered with an aluminum oxide film having high electrical resistance, the fixing part being pressed and fixed to the roof in a state of electrical conduction with the clamping part; a first tooth portion made of a conductor having a hardness sufficient to break through the aluminum oxide coating of the aluminum frame, the first tooth portion being provided on the clamping portion in a state of electrical conduction with the clamping portion; a second tooth portion made of a conductor having hardness capable of biting into the roof and provided on the fixing portion in a state of electrical conduction with the fixing portion; Equipped with Solar panel fixing device.

2. The solar cell panel fixing device according to claim 1, a sandwich structure in which the main body portion is sandwiched between the clamping portion and the fixing portion; a metal bolt that penetrates the sandwich structure in the direction of clamping the main body portion and tightens the clamping portion, the main body portion, and the fixing portion together, thereby applying a clamping force that clamps the aluminum frame to the main body portion and the clamping portion; a first conductor provided on a portion of the bolt that protrudes from the clamping portion, the first conductor rotating when the bolt is tightened to scratch the aluminum oxide coating of the clamping portion and electrically connected to the bolt; a first crimping structure that is a crimping structure that integrally joins the first conductor and the damaged portion by the pressing and pinching portion so that they are conductive; a second conductor provided on a portion of the bolt that protrudes from the fixing portion, the second conductor rotating when the bolt is tightened to scratch the aluminum oxide coating of the fixing portion and electrically connected to the bolt; a second crimping structure that is a crimping structure that integrally joins the second conductor and the damaged portion of the fixing portion in a conductive state; Equipped with Solar panel fixing device.

3. The solar cell panel fixing device according to claim 2, The main body portion includes: an insertion groove into which the clamping portion is inserted and fixed; a first contact portion that contacts the aluminum frame and applies the fastening force to the aluminum frame together with a first base on which the first tooth portion is provided at the clamping portion; a second abutment portion that extends from the fixing portion to a position facing the second base on which the second tooth portion is provided, and abuts against the roof, and that, when the main body portion and the fixing portion are tightly fastened by the bolt, sandwiches the roof together with the second base and receives the pressing and fixing force of the fixing portion; are provided integrally, Solar panel fixing device.

4. The solar cell panel fixing device according to claim 2 or 3, a third conductor that is sandwiched between the main body portion and the fixing portion in the sandwich structure and is electrically connected to the bolt; a third tooth portion made of a conductor having hardness capable of breaking through the aluminum oxide coating of high electrical resistance on the main body portion, the third tooth portion being provided on the third conductor in a state of electrical continuity with the third conductor; a fourth tooth portion made of a conductor having hardness capable of breaking through the aluminum oxide coating of high electrical resistance on the fixed portion, the fourth tooth portion being provided on the third conductor in a state of electrical continuity with the third conductor; Equipped with The main body portion includes: a second abutment portion that extends from the fixing portion to a position facing the second base on which the second tooth portion is provided, and abuts against the roof, and that, when the main body portion and the fixing portion are tightly fastened by the bolt, sandwiches the roof together with the second base and receives the pressing and fixing force of the fixing portion; a fifth tooth portion made of a conductor having hardness capable of biting into the roof and provided on the second contact portion in a state of electrical conduction with the second contact portion; are provided integrally, Solar panel fixing device.

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