Solar panel installation frame structure

Abstract

Install solar panels of the desired size stably on existing equipment and machinery locations, such as the rooftops of office buildings. [Solution] A frame structure 10 for installing solar panels 3 in the installation space of multiple air conditioning outdoor units 2 installed in parallel on the rooftop 1 of a building, wherein each column base 11A, 11B is fixedly supported to the mounting base frame 6 of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2, and the structure consists of multiple column members 11 erected around the outer perimeter of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2, a horizontal frame 15 horizontally mounted and joined to the upper end of each column member 11, and a solar panel fixing frame 16 joined and supported perpendicularly to the horizontal frame 15. The horizontal frame 15 and the solar panel fixing frame 16 are made of perforated steel. Therefore, the solar panels 3 can be fixed and installed using the mounting holes of the solar panel fixing frame 16 at positions corresponding to the panel dimensions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame structure for installing a solar panel, and more particularly to a frame structure for installing a solar panel constructed by utilizing the installation space of equipment machinery such as an air conditioner outdoor unit installed on the roof of a building.

Background Art

[0002] Among the component devices for solar power generation installed in buildings and the like, solar panels are often installed on the roofs of buildings, outer walls, and the roofs of附属设备 such as carports so as to be installed under sufficient sunlight conditions. However, the roofs of office buildings and the like are often occupied by various equipment machinery, making it difficult to secure a space for installing solar panels. Even when it is possible to newly install a solar panel, in order to newly construct a steel frame, there are problems in construction and building quality, such as the construction work of the frame foundation and the parts such as waterproof penetration for constructing the foundation.

[0003] The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a solar power generation device in which a solar panel is fixed to a plate-shaped sunshade member that covers the upper part of an existing air conditioner outdoor unit. In this solar power generation device, a solar panel (common substrate) is fixed to the upper surface of the sunshade member made of a metal plate or a hard plastic plate by means of bolt bonding or adhesion. By utilizing the installation space of an existing air conditioner outdoor unit, the frame foundation, etc., an efficient installation of solar panels in office buildings and the like has been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the solar power generation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is installed on the upper surface of the sunshade member of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, so only solar panels of a limited size can be installed. In addition, heat can accumulate between the back surface of the solar panel and the plate-shaped sunshade member, raising concerns about a decrease in power generation.

[0006] Furthermore, as a structural issue, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 of Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a separate foundation from the foundation of the air conditioning outdoor unit in order to erect the columns that support the sunshade members. For this reason, in order to install a solar power generation system on an existing air conditioning outdoor unit, additional construction work such as adding a support base is required.

[0007] As shown in Figures 2 and 5 of Patent Document 1, when a support member is attached to the top of an outdoor air conditioning unit to provide a sunshade, it may be affected by vibrations that occur when the outdoor air conditioning unit is in operation.

[0008] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to resolve the problems of the conventional technology described above, to provide a solar panel installation frame structure that effectively secures installation space by utilizing the existing mounting base and body of the air conditioning outdoor unit, and that allows for the stable installation of solar panels of a desired size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The solar panel installation frame structure of the present invention is a frame structure used for installing solar panels in the installation space of equipment machinery installed in parallel on the roof of a building, wherein each column base is fixedly supported to the base frame of the equipment machinery, and the frame structure is composed of a frame structure consisting of a plurality of column members erected so as to surround the outer perimeter of the equipment machinery, a horizontal frame stretched between the column members located in the depth direction of the equipment machinery and joined and supported to the upper end of each column member, and a solar panel fixing frame joined and supported perpendicularly to the horizontal frame, wherein the horizontal frame and the solar panel fixing frame are made of shaped steel with mounting holes arranged in a row, and the solar panel is fastened to the mounting holes of the solar panel fixing frame at positions corresponding to the dimensions of the solar panel and installed on the solar panel fixing frame.

[0010] Preferably, the column members are fixed and supported on the lower flange of the foundation frame of the frame, with the base of the corner column also serving as an anchor bolt for fixing the foundation frame to the foundation concrete.

[0011] Preferably, the column members are fixedly supported by a reinforcing plate at the outer edge of the upper flange of the base frame, where the base of the intermediate column is located.

[0012] It is preferable that vibration-damping rubber is interposed at the joint between the horizontal frame and the solar panel fixing frame.

[0013] Another invention, a frame structure for installing solar panels, is a frame structure used to install solar panels in the installation space of equipment machinery installed in parallel on the roof of a building, wherein the frame structure is constructed independently for each of the equipment machinery and consists of a framework structure composed of four column members whose column bases are fixedly supported at the upper end of the equipment machinery, a horizontal frame that spans between the column members located in the depth direction of the equipment machinery and is joined and supported at the upper end of each column member, and a solar panel fixing frame that is joined and supported perpendicularly to the horizontal frame, wherein the horizontal frame and the solar panel fixing frame are made of shaped steel with mounting holes arranged in a row, and the solar panels are fastened to the mounting holes of the solar panel fixing frame at positions corresponding to the dimensions of the solar panels and installed on the solar panel fixing frame.

[0014] Preferably, the column members are fixedly supported at the base of the column at the upper ends of the four corners of the equipment.

[0015] Preferably, the column member has a base frame that spans between the column bases, and the base frame is fixedly supported by the fixing attachment, which is attached to the upper side of the equipment machine, with the base frame in surface contact with the fixing attachment.

[0016] It is preferable that vibration-damping rubber is interposed at the joint between the horizontal frame and the solar panel fixing frame.

[0017] The aforementioned equipment is preferably an air conditioning outdoor unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively secure installation space for solar panels at existing equipment installation locations such as the rooftops of office buildings, and to stably install solar panels of a desired size. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1]An overall front view showing a state where a solar panel is installed above an installation space for an outdoor air conditioner according to an embodiment of the frame structure for installing a solar panel of the present invention. [Figure 2] An overall side view of the frame structure for installing a solar panel shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] A partial side view showing an enlarged support structure of the column leg portion of the frame structure for installing a solar panel shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 4] A partial side view showing an enlarged joint portion between the solar panel fixing frame and the horizontal frame. [Figure 5] An overall front view showing a state where a solar panel is installed above an installation space for an outdoor air conditioner according to a frame structure for installing a solar panel as another invention. [Figure 6] An overall side view of the frame structure for installing a solar panel shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] A partial front view showing an installation state according to another embodiment of the frame structure for installing a solar panel as another invention. [Figure 8] An overall side view (a) of the frame structure shown in FIG. 7 and a partial side view (b) showing a fixed state of the frame structure.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the frame structure for installing a solar panel of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] (Installation Relationship between Outdoor Air Conditioner and Frame Structure for Installing Solar Panel) Figure 1 shows an example of equipment installed on the rooftop 1 of an office building, consisting of three air conditioning outdoor units 2 and a solar panel mounting frame structure 10 of the present invention (hereinafter, the overall structure will be referred to as "frame structure 10") for installing solar panels above them. The air conditioning outdoor units 2 shown in Figure 1 are large commercial air conditioner outdoor units with a housing dimension of approximately 1500 mm in height and a planar dimension (front x depth) of 1200 mm x 760 mm. Each air conditioning outdoor unit 2 is laid parallel to the foundation concrete 5 and is installed side by side with a predetermined gap (65 mm in this example) on a known vibration-damping mounting frame 7 which is installed on a mounting base frame 6 made of two H-shaped steels fixed to the foundation concrete 5 with anchor bolts 4 (Figure 3(a)). By providing a gap between each air conditioning outdoor unit 2, vibrations generated when an air conditioning outdoor unit 2 is in operation can be prevented from being transmitted to the other outdoor units.

[0022] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the frame structure 10 of the present invention is constructed (installed) to surround the periphery and above the housing of each of the three air conditioning outdoor units 2 arranged side by side, so that four solar panels 3 can be installed at a predetermined height above each of the three units. Each solar panel 3 is attached to the upper surface member (described later) of this frame structure 10 and is installed approximately 800 mm above the top surface of the housing of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2 to prevent a short circuit in which exhaust air from the upper fan (not shown) of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2 is re-inhaled.

[0023] (Solar panel configuration and installation status) In this embodiment, the solar panels 3 installed as an example have dimensions of approximately 1750 mm x 1000 mm each. As shown in Figure 2, the panel installation angle is set to be horizontal to take power generation efficiency into consideration. However, it is also preferable to change the height of the column members 11 at the front and rear positions in the depth direction so that the solar panels 3 have an appropriate tilt angle depending on the installation environment. Furthermore, in areas with heavy snowfall, it is also preferable to tilt the solar panels 3 at an angle of about 30° to prevent snow accumulation, or to cover the top of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2 with side plates supported by the column members 11, connecting frames 12, etc., thereby also providing a snow protection hood (not shown).

[0024] (Configuration of frame structure 10) The frame structure 10 on which the solar panels 3 are installed consists of a framework structure comprising: eight column members 11 erected along the outer circumference of each air conditioning outdoor unit 2 with a predetermined gap (for example, about 30 mm) between them; two-tiered connecting frames 12 horizontally spanning between each column member 11, with both ends joined and supported to the column members 11; vertical braces 13 using turnbuckles, diagonally stretched between the front and rear column members 11 erected on the outer sides of both ends of the three air conditioning outdoor units 2 that are arranged side by side; four horizontal frames 15 stretched between the upper ends of two column members 11 located at the front and rear in the depth direction of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2, serving as a base material to support the solar panels 3; and three solar panel fixing frames 16 (hereinafter simply referred to as "fixing frames 16") arranged on the horizontal frames 15 at predetermined intervals in the depth direction of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2, perpendicular to these horizontal frames 15. The solar panels 3 are installed on these fixing frames 16. Each component of the frame structure 10 is made of hot-dip galvanized L-shaped steel in order to reduce the weight of the frame structure 10. Of these, the horizontal frame 15 that serves as the base material for the solar panels 3 and the fixed frame 16 that is attached perpendicular to the horizontal frame 15 are made of perforated L-shaped steel (standard product).

[0025] As described above, the solar panels 3 to be installed are configured so that the mounting bolt holes (not shown) on the back (bottom) are aligned with the elongated holes in the perforated L-shaped steel of the fixing frame 16, allowing various sizes of solar panels 3 to be bolted onto the fixing frame 16. In this embodiment, one solar panel 3 is placed on three fixing frames 16 arranged side by side at predetermined intervals and bolted in at least six places. Furthermore, in the event that the solar panel 3 is subjected to an external impact and the bolts (not shown) break, the solar panel 3 is connected to the fixing frame 16 in several places with anti-detachment wires 17 to prevent it from coming loose, falling, or being blown away. As described above, the solar panel 3 is fixed on the fixing frame 16 so that it is horizontal, but in the front views of Figures 1 and 5, the arrangement of the three fixing frames 16 located on the bottom surface of the solar panel 3 in the depth direction is shown.

[0026] (Structure of the base of a column) Each figure in Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the structure of the column bases 11A and 11B of the column members 11 of the frame structure 10. Figure 3(a) shows the column bases 11A of the four corner column members 11 (corner columns) among the column members 11 shown in Figures 1 and 2. As shown in the figure, a base plate 21 is attached to the lower surface of these column bases 11A. This base plate 21 is fixed to the lower flange 6L of the frame foundation frame 6, also serving as an anchor bolt 4 for fixing the frame foundation frame 6 to the foundation concrete 5. At this time, vibration-damping rubber 22 is interposed in the gap between the foundation concrete 5 and the lower surface of the base plate 21. This vibration-damping rubber 22 transmits the vertical load from the column member 11 to the foundation concrete 5 and also blocks the transmission of vibrations generated by the air conditioning outdoor unit 2 transmitted to the foundation concrete 5 to the column member 11. Figure 3(b) shows the column bases 11B of the four intermediate columns shown in Figure 1. These column bases 11B are fixedly supported at the outer end of the upper flange 6U of the frame foundation 6 by placing the base plate 21 of the column base 11B on the upper surface of the upper flange of the frame foundation 6, and fastening the base plate 21 from above and the splice plate 24 from below with bolts 25 so as to sandwich the upper flange 6U of the frame foundation 6 and the liner plate 23.

[0027] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the base portions 11A and 11B of each column member 11 are fixedly supported to the base frame 6 without contacting the air conditioning outdoor unit 2, and each column member 11 is erected at a position approximately 30 mm away from the housing of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2. For this reason, the frame structure 10 of the present invention reliably blocks the effects of vibrations generated during the operation of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2.

[0028] (Attachment of solar panels 3 to frame structure 10) As shown in Figure 4, the solar panel 3 is fixedly supported on the fixing frame 16 by fastening bolts 25 to elongated holes in perforated L-shaped steel of the fixing frame 16 at positions that coincide with the positions of bolt holes (not shown) provided on the lower surface of the solar panel 3. As described above, the fixing frame 16 is fastened with bolts 25 to the horizontal frame 15, which is stretched perpendicularly between the column members 11 with a connecting piece 27 in between. The connecting piece 27 is made from processed material that has been cut short from L-shaped steel of the same dimensions as the horizontal frame 15 and the fixing frame 16. At this time, vibration-damping rubber 29 is interposed between the fixing frame 16 and the connecting piece 27. By interposing this vibration-damping rubber 29, the effects of vibrations occurring in the frame structure 10, which has relatively long and tall columns, and vibrations caused by wind loads on the solar panel 3 can be mutually isolated.

[0029] Figures 5 and 6 show frame structures 10 (frame structures 10 for solar panel installation) with different support configurations for the column members 11. As shown in each figure, these frame structures 10 are constructed (installed) in a row of three, independently of each of the three installed air conditioning outdoor units 2. The base 11C of each of the four column members 11 in each frame structure 10 is positioned so that the L-shaped column members 11 conform to the corners of the upper part of the housing of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2, and is directly fixed and supported to the housing with screws or bolts (not shown). Furthermore, to reinforce the four column members 11, connecting frames 12 are placed at the bottom to connect the column members 11, and horizontal frames 15 are stretched across the upper ends of two of the column members 11 in the front-to-back direction. In addition, three fixed frames 16 are stretched across the horizontal frames 15 at predetermined intervals in the front-to-back direction, perpendicular to the horizontal frames 15, and are fixed and supported. Similar to the invention described above, perforated L-shaped steel is used for this fixed frame 16, and the mounting position of the solar panel 3 can be adjusted by utilizing the elongated holes at appropriate positions. This allows solar panels 3 of various sizes to be bolted to the fixed frame 16. In the joining of these fixed frames 16 and horizontal frames 15, joining pieces 27 and vibration-damping rubber 29 are used, as shown in Figures 6 and 4.

[0030] (Structure of the base of a column) Figures 7 and 8 show other embodiments of the frame structure 10 described above (only a portion of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2 is shown in Figure 7). In this frame structure 10 as well, the column members 11 are fixedly supported on the upper part of the housing of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2, but a dedicated fixing attachment 18 for attaching a snow protection hood (not shown) to the air conditioning outdoor unit 2 is used to fix and support the column base portion 11C of the column member 11. The fixing attachment 18 is made of lightweight channel steel and is attached along the depth direction of the upper surface of the air conditioning outdoor unit 2, as shown in Figure 8 (a) outer side, (b) part of the inner side) showing the side view of the frame structure 10. The bottom frame 19 of the frame structure 10 is placed along the upper flange 18U of this fixing attachment 18, and the frame structure 10 is fixed and supported by surface contact with the fixing attachment 18 using multiple bolts 25. This allows the mass of the solar panels 3 and the frame structure 10, as well as wind load, snow load, etc., to be distributed and borne by the air conditioning outdoor unit 2 as an evenly distributed load. Needless to say, a similar mounting configuration can be achieved by integrally manufacturing a component with the same function as the commercially available fixing attachment 18 as the base frame 19 of the frame structure 10.

[0031] The frame structure 10 described above can be temporarily assembled as a single unit in a temporary yard set up on the rooftop 1, and then quickly installed by lifting it into the existing outdoor air conditioning unit 2 location using a lifting crane or the like. Alternatively, it can be assembled and installed on-site at the location of the outdoor air conditioning unit 2 in a manner that does not interfere with the operation of the outdoor air conditioning unit 2.

[0032] The above description explains the installation of a frame structure 10 in the installation space for an air conditioning outdoor unit 2 installed on the rooftop 1 of an office building. However, it can also be used to install solar panels 3 in a location above the installation space for various other existing equipment and machinery on the rooftop 1 (for example, mechanical equipment such as elevators, communication equipment, water supply and drainage equipment, emergency power generation equipment, etc.).

[0033] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of each claim. In other words, embodiments obtained by combining technical means that have been appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0034] 2 Air conditioner outdoor unit 3. Solar panels 4 Anchor bolts 6. Base frame 10. Frame structure for solar panel installation (frame structure) 11 Pillar material 11A, 11B, 11C Column base 15. Horizontal frame 16. Solar panel mounting frame (mounting frame) 18. Fixing attachments 19 Base frame 22,29 Vibration-damping rubber 25 volts 27 connecting pieces

Claims

1. A frame structure used for installing solar panels in the installation space for equipment and machinery installed in parallel on the roof of a building, The frame structure consists of a framework composed of a plurality of column members erected to surround the outer perimeter of the equipment, with each column base fixedly supported to the base frame of the equipment; a horizontal frame spanning between the column members located in the depth direction of the equipment and joined and supported to the upper end of each column member; and a solar panel fixing frame joined and supported perpendicularly to the horizontal frame. The frame structure for installing solar panels is characterized in that the horizontal frame and the solar panel fixing frame are made of shaped steel with mounting holes arranged in a row, the solar panels are fastened to the mounting holes of the solar panel fixing frame at positions corresponding to the dimensions of the solar panels, and the structure is installed on the solar panel fixing frame.

2. The solar panel installation frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the column members are fixedly supported on the lower flange of the mounting base frame, with the column base of the corner column also serving as an anchor bolt for fixing the mounting base frame to the foundation concrete.

3. The aforementioned column material is a solar panel installation frame structure according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the column base of the intermediate column is fixedly supported at the outer edge position of the upper flange of the mounting base frame via a splice plate.

4. The solar panel installation frame structure according to claim 1, wherein vibration-damping rubber is interposed at the joint between the horizontal frame and the solar panel fixing frame.

5. A frame structure used for installing solar panels in the installation space for equipment and machinery installed in parallel on the roof of a building, The frame structure is constructed independently for each of the equipment machines and consists of a framework structure comprising four column members whose column bases are fixedly supported at the upper end of the equipment machine, a horizontal frame that spans between the column members located in the depth direction of the equipment machine and is joined and supported at the upper end of each column member, and a solar panel fixing frame that is joined and supported perpendicularly to the horizontal frame. The frame structure for installing solar panels is characterized in that the horizontal frame and the solar panel fixing frame are made of shaped steel with mounting holes arranged in a row, the solar panels are fastened to the mounting holes of the solar panel fixing frame at positions corresponding to the dimensions of the solar panels, and the structure is installed on the solar panel fixing frame.

6. The aforementioned column material is a solar panel installation frame structure according to claim 5, wherein the column base is fixedly supported at the upper ends of the four corners of the equipment.

7. The solar panel installation frame structure according to claim 5, wherein the column member has a base frame stretched between the column bases, and the base frame is fixedly supported by the fixing attachment in a state where it is in surface contact with the fixing attachment attached to the upper side of the equipment machine.

8. The solar panel installation frame structure according to claim 5, wherein vibration-damping rubber is interposed at the joint between the horizontal frame and the solar panel fixing frame.

9. The aforementioned equipment is an air conditioning outdoor unit, as per the frame structure for installing solar panels according to claim 1 or claim 5.

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