Movable mounting device for photovoltaic equipment

Abstract

A movable mounting device for a photovoltaic installation is provided, which is provided for mounting via a hinged mounting system between two adjacent frames, each configured to support at least one photovoltaic panel. [Solution] The mounting system comprises a fixed segment connected to the frame of a photovoltaic panel, a second fixed segment connected to the frame of a second adjacent photovoltaic panel, wherein the first and second fixed segments are linked to each other via a shaft, the end of which is coupled to a movable element, and a limiting means for limiting the deployment angle defined by the two frames.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention is a mounting device for a movable frame designed to support a photovoltaic panel, and is provided especially for the attachment between two adjacent frames by a hinge-type attachment system, enabling the frames to have a variable angle between them and be attached in a minimal space.

Background Art

[0002] Structures that facilitate the installation, removal, and transfer of panels in a deployment system for ground-mounted photovoltaic panels are known today in the field of renewable energy, especially photovoltaic energy.

[0003] However, such systems can be expensive, and since the structure is predefined for a specific number of photovoltaic panels, they have greater limitations in terms of the number of photovoltaic panels that can be attached. From a structural perspective, they can be bulky in the folded state and require guiding means such as rails or tracks for deployment, which can make them more expensive to manufacture.

[0004] Therefore, there is still a need to find a structure with an attachment system that is easy to manufacture and thus economically cheaper.

[0005] Furthermore, the applicant does not currently recognize any invention having all the features described herein.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention is configured as novel in the relevant application field, solves the drawbacks described above, and contributes to further additional advantages that will become apparent from the following description. It was developed with the aim of providing a mounting device for photovoltaic equipment.

[0007] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a movable mounting device for a photovoltaic installation, provided for mounting between two adjacent frames, each configured to support at least one photovoltaic panel, via a hinged mounting system, the mounting system comprising: a fixed segment connected to the frame of a photovoltaic panel; a second fixed segment connected to the frame of a second adjacent photovoltaic panel, wherein the first and second fixed segments are linked to each other via a shaft, the end of which is coupled to a movable element; and limiting means for limiting the unfolding angle defined by the two frames.

[0008] In particular, the present invention is characterized in that the shaft consists of a single elongated component having a plurality of segments of different diameters, such that the shaft is provided with a first segment configured for connecting a mobility element, a second segment having a larger diameter than the first segment and configured to act as a stopper for a hinged mounting system and a mobility element, a third segment having a different diameter from the first segment and provided for connecting to the first and second fixed segments of a hinged mounting system, and a fourth segment having a threaded region, the threaded region of which is configured for connecting a threaded stopper element.

[0009] Preferably, the mobility element consists of wheels.

[0010] According to the present invention, the above-mentioned limiting means consists of a tension member whose length can be changed, and each of its two ends is fixed to a mounting member connected to the shaft.

[0011] Preferably, the mounting member, which is part of the apparatus of the present invention, consists of an object that is elongated in the longitudinal direction and has a first central region provided for coupling to a shaft, and an end mounting region, each of which has a hook-shaped end defined by a grooved portion, so that a tension member can be releasably coupled to the grooved portion.

[0012] According to the present invention, an elongated object forming a mounting member has a central segment with an offset segment that, when viewed from the side, is located in a plane parallel to the rest of the elongated object.

[0013] Preferably, the tension member is a chain with numerous connecting parts, but other tension members such as a metal cable with high mechanical strength can also be used.

[0014] In addition, the device includes an anchoring means that can be connected to the shaft and is configured to keep the wheel stationary on a support surface or the ground.

[0015] Preferably, the anchoring means consists of a rod, one end of which can be fixed to the aforementioned shaft where the wheel is coupled, and the other end of which is attached to a plate.

[0016] According to the present invention, the threaded fastening element present on the shaft may be a conventional nut, simplifying the mounting process.

[0017] As a result of this mounting device, for the optimization of portability and energy efficiency, the photovoltaic panel can be positioned at a variable tilt angle relative to the horizontal plane of the ground, for example, 15-20°. Furthermore, the system is easy to manufacture and easy for operators to install. Thus, frame deployment is facilitated, and the time required for frame deployment is reduced, whether on flat ground or ground with some degree of surface irregularity.

[0018] The fact that the frame containing the photovoltaic panels can be folded not only offers advantages from a transportation standpoint, but also implies a reduction in transportation costs from the manufacturing site to the installation site for forming the photovoltaic equipment, as they require less volume during storage.

[0019] Thus, the described apparatus represents an innovative structure with structural and configuration features previously unknown for its intended purpose, and together with its usefulness, provides sufficient grounds for obtaining the claimed exclusive rights.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the apparatus of the present invention will become apparent from the description of preferred but non-exclusive embodiments, which are shown as non-limiting examples in the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a mounting device for a photovoltaic equipment according to the present invention, in a partially deployed position. [Figure 2] This is a detailed perspective view of the area where one of the removable wheels is located. [Figure 3] This is a detailed partial top perspective view of the area where the hinged mounting system is located, with some parts omitted for clarity. [Figure 4a] This is a perspective view of the shaft. [Figure 4b] This is a side view of the shaft. [Figure 4c]It is a front view of the shaft. [Figure 5] It is a front view of an attachment member which is part of the attachment system. [Figure 6] It is a plan view of an attachment member which is part of the attachment system. [Figure 7] It is a schematic plan view showing the mechanical connection of various parts of the attachment system and the anchor means, and some parts are omitted for clarity. [Figure 8] It is a front view of an embodiment of a locking pin which is part of the attachment system.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Disclosed is a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention including parts and elements which will be pointed out and described in detail below while referring to the above-mentioned drawings and according to the corresponding numbers.

[0023] Furthermore, the terms first, second, third, etc. in this specification and the claims are used to distinguish similar elements and do not necessarily describe a sequential or chronological order. The terms may be exchanged in appropriate situations, and the embodiments of the present invention may be operated in an order different from that described or illustrated in this specification.

[0024] Furthermore, the terms upper, lower, up, down, etc. in this specification and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and do not necessarily mean relative positions.

[0025] The figure shows an embodiment of a movable mounting device for a photovoltaic power generation facility formed by a plurality of photovoltaic panels. The mounting device is generally indicated by reference numeral (1). The mounting device is provided for attachment between two frames (10) that support one or more photovoltaic panels (1). The two frames (10) are adjacent and are connected to each other via the hinge-type attachment system described below located on the opposing lower sides of the respective frames.

[0026] Photovoltaic panels are not described in detail because they can be any panel available on the market today.

[0027] Each frame (10) is formed by a rectangular, frame-like scaffold.

[0028] The device allows the frame (10) to support the photovoltaic panels (1) in a folded position such that they are arranged parallel to each other in a vertical plane, while in a second unfolded position, i.e., the operating position of the photovoltaic equipment, the frame (10) is unfolded at corners, as shown in Figure 1.

[0029] In particular, each of the two hinged mounting systems, positioned facing or opposite each other, consists of a fixed segment (2) connected to a frame (10) supporting a photovoltaic panel (1), and a second fixed segment (3) connected to the frame (10) of a second adjacent photovoltaic panel, the first and second fixed segments (2 and 3) being linked to each other via a shaft (4), the ends of which are coupled to a mobility element consisting of wheels (5) to facilitate the deployment and folding of the adjacent frames (10).

[0030] The apparatus also includes limiting means provided to limit the angle of unfolding defined between two adjacent frames (10), as will be described below.

[0031] Referring particularly to Figures 4a to 4c, the shaft (4) consists of a single elongated component having multiple segments of different diameters, arranged in order from the outer portion to the inner portion: a first segment (40) configured for connecting the mobility element; a second segment (41) which is larger in diameter than the first segment (40) of the shaft and configured to act as a stopper for positioning the wheel; and a third segment (42) which is of a different diameter from the first segment (40) and is provided for connecting to the first and second fixed segments of the hinged mounting system. Finally, there is a fourth segment (43) which has a threaded area for connecting a threaded stopper element consisting of a nut (6).

[0032] The limiting means consist of a tension member (7) of varying length, which is made up of a chain with multiple connecting parts, and each of the two ends of the tension member is fixed to a mounting member (8) connected to a shaft (4). In this way, the inclination angle of each of the two frames (10) can be changed, thereby making it possible for them all to have the same inclination angle depending on the length of the tension member (7).

[0033] As can be seen in more detail in Figures 5 and 6, the mounting member (8) described above consists of an object having an elongated shape in the longitudinal direction and has a first central region (80) provided for coupling to the shaft (4) via a through hole (82), and two end mounting regions (81) located at opposing ends, each having a hook-shaped end defined by a grooved portion so that a tension member (7) (e.g., a chain with a connecting portion) can be releasably coupled at the grooved portion (83).

[0034] It should be noted that the elongated object forming the mounting member (8), when viewed from the side, has a central segment that coincides with the first central region (80) and is offset, i.e., located in a plane parallel to the rest of the object forming the mounting member (8), thereby preventing friction between different parts during the rotational motion of the wheel (5).

[0035] In addition, anchoring means can be provided which can be connected to a shaft (4) and are configured to keep a wheel (5) immobile on a support surface or the ground. These anchoring means consist of a rod (9) which at one end can be fixed to the shaft (4) where the wheel (5) is coupled, and the other end of the rod (9) is attached to a plate (12) having reduced thickness, a rectangular shape and a flat surface, thereby allowing, for example, easy manual placement of additional counterweight elements (not shown) or passing anchor elements through holes (120) made in the plate (12) itself.

[0036] To maintain the wheel connection, a locking pin (11) (see Figure 7) is provided, configured to pass through at least one hole made in the shaft (4).

[0037] Furthermore, a counterweight (or anchor) system may be provided to keep the wheel (5) stable on the ground surface.

[0038] Details, shapes, dimensions, and other supplementary elements used in the manufacture of the mounting device of the present invention may be appropriately replaced with others without exceeding the scope defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A movable mounting device for a photovoltaic installation, wherein the mounting device is provided for mounting between two adjacent frames, and each frame is configured to support at least one photovoltaic panel (1) by a hinged mounting system, A first fixed segment (2) connected to the first frame, A second fixed segment (3) connected to a second frame adjacent to a first frame, wherein the first fixed segment and the second fixed segment are linked to each other via a shaft (4), and the end of the shaft (4) is connected to a mobility element, A limiting means for limiting the unfolding angle defined by the two frames, Equipped with, Mounting device comprising a single elongated component having multiple segments of different diameters, wherein the shaft (4) is provided with, in order from the outer portion to the inner portion, a first segment (40) configured for coupling the mobility element, a second segment (41) having a larger diameter than the first segment (40) and configured to act as a stopper for the hinged mounting system and the mobility element, a third segment (42) having a different diameter from the first segment (40) and provided for coupling to the first and second fixed segments of the hinged mounting system, and a fourth segment (43) having a threaded region, the threaded region of which is configured for coupling a threaded stopper element.

2. The mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the mobility element consists of wheels (5).

3. The mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the limiting means consists of a tension member (7) whose length can be changed, and each of the two ends of the tension member (7) is fixed to a mounting member connected to the shaft.

4. The mounting device according to claim 3, wherein the mounting member is an elongated object having a first central region provided for connection to the shaft (4) and two mounting regions at its end, each of which has a hook-shaped end defined by a grooved portion, thereby allowing the tension member to be releasably connected at the grooved portion of the hook-shaped end.

5. The mounting device according to claim 4, wherein the elongated object forming the mounting member has, when viewed from the side, a central segment with an offset segment which is located in a plane parallel to the rest of the elongated object.

6. The mounting device according to claim 3, wherein the tensioning member is a chain with a number of connecting parts.

7. The mounting device according to claim 1, comprising anchoring means that can be connected to the shaft and are configured to keep the wheel immobile on a support surface or the ground.

8. The mounting device according to claim 7, wherein the anchoring means is a rod (9) that can be fixed at one end to the shaft (4) where the wheel (5) is coupled, and the other end is attached to a plate (12).

9. The mounting device according to claim 8, wherein the plate (12) has a flat surface and holes (120) made on the surface.

10. The mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element having the screw threads is a nut.

11. The mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the frame is formed by scaffold-like frames having a rectangular shape.

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