Solar module frame

Abstract

The present invention relates to a solar module frame and, more specifically, to a solar module frame in which male- and female-structured fastening means are provided at each of two adjacent frames so that the two frames can be assembled, and thus distortion and assembly deviation between the frames can be minimized and assemblability can be improved.

Description

solar module frame

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar module frame, and more specifically, to a solar module frame that can minimize distortion and assembly deviation between frames and improve assembly efficiency by providing a male-female structure fastening means to each of two adjacent frames so that the two frames can be assembled.

[0002] A solar module is a device that converts solar energy into electrical energy. It is secured to a frame that wraps around its perimeter and can be installed anywhere. Solar module frames include aluminum and steel frames.

[0003] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a conventional aluminum frame. As shown, the conventional aluminum frame includes a horizontal frame (3) and a vertical frame (4) that wrap around the frame of a solar module (2), and is configured so that the ends of the horizontal frame (3) and the vertical frame (4) can be mutually joined by cutting them at approximately 45° and inserting a corner key (5) inside and then fitting them in.

[0004] Fig. 2 is a drawing of a conventional steel frame viewed from the outside, and Fig. 3 is a drawing of Fig. 2 viewed from the inside. As shown, the conventional steel frame has a horizontal frame (3) and a vertical frame (4) fixed by clinching.

[0005] In other words, steel frames lack separate frame fastening or assembly structures, such as corner keys for aluminum frames. Therefore, assembly between steel frames is difficult, resulting in low mass production.

[0006] [Prior Art Literature]

[0007] (Patent Document 1) Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-133573 (published on May 9, 2003)

[0008] The present invention has been devised to solve the above problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a solar module frame that can minimize distortion and assembly deviation between frames and improve assembly efficiency by providing a male-female structure fastening means to each of two adjacent frames so that the two frames can be assembled.

[0009] The present invention is a frame that wraps around the edge of a solar module, comprising: a first frame installed on a first side of the solar module and provided with a first fastening means; and a second frame installed on a second side of the solar module adjacent to the first side and provided with a second fastening means; wherein the first fastening means and the second fastening means are configured to be fastened to each other in a male-female structure, and the first frame and the second frame can be assembled to each other using the first fastening means and the second fastening means.

[0010] The first fastening means may include a hook, and the second fastening means may include a hook hole into which the hook is inserted.

[0011] A clinching member protruding toward the second frame may be provided at one end of the first frame, the hook may be fixed on the clinching member, and the hook hole may be formed at one end of the second frame opposite the hook.

[0012] The above hook hole may be formed in the central portion of one end of the second frame, so that the entire periphery is closed.

[0013] The above hook hole includes an inlet portion and a sliding portion extending from the inlet portion, and the hook is inserted into the inlet portion of the hook hole, and the hook can be configured to slide along the sliding portion of the hook hole.

[0014] The width of the above entrance portion may be configured to be larger than the width of the hook, and the width of the above sliding portion may be configured to be smaller than the width of the above entrance portion.

[0015] The above hook hole may be arranged at the end of one end of the second frame and configured to have an open end structure.

[0016] The above hook hole is configured to extend from the open end of the hook hole to the opposite side, and the hook can be inserted into the open end of the hook hole and configured to be slidable along the extension direction of the hook hole.

[0017] The open end of the above hook hole may be configured to have a structure extending from the center toward the open end.

[0018] The above hook includes a hook body extending to a predetermined length and a hook neck connecting the hook body and the clinching member, and the hook body can be configured to be flat along the longitudinal direction.

[0019] The above hook includes a hook body extending to a predetermined length and a hook neck connecting the hook body and the clinching member, and the hook body may be configured in a form bent one or more times along the length direction.

[0020] The hook body is formed with a curved portion that is bent inwardly and then outwardly along the longitudinal direction, and a fixing portion is formed at an end of the second frame spaced apart from the hook hole, and the curved portion of the hook body can be fixed to the fixing portion.

[0021] The above hook neck may be configured such that at least a portion thereof is bent to form a predetermined angle with the clinching member.

[0022] The above first frame and second frame may be made of steel material.

[0023] The above solar module is configured in a rectangular shape, the first frame may be installed on one of the long side and the short side of the frame of the solar module, and the second frame may be installed on the other of the long side and the short side of the frame of the solar module.

[0024] The present invention provides a male-female structure of fastening means to each of two adjacent frames so that the two frames can be assembled, thereby minimizing distortion and assembly deviation between the frames and improving assembly efficiency.

[0025] Figure 1 is a drawing showing a conventional aluminum frame.

[0026] Figure 2 is a drawing of a conventional steel frame viewed from the outside.

[0027] Figure 3 is a drawing of Figure 2 viewed from the inside.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a drawing of a solar module frame according to a first example of the present invention viewed from the outside.

[0029] Figure 5 is a drawing of Figure 4 viewed from the inside.

[0030] Figure 6 is a side view of the first frame according to the first example.

[0031] Fig. 7 is a side view of the coupling structure between the first frame and the second frame according to the first example.

[0032] Figure 8 is a drawing of the first frame and the second frame according to the first example viewed from different angles.

[0033] Fig. 9 is a drawing of the connection structure between the first frame and the second frame according to the first example, viewed from a different angle.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a drawing of a solar module frame according to a second example of the present invention, viewed from the outside.

[0035] Figure 11 is a drawing of Figure 10 viewed from the inside.

[0036] Fig. 12 is a side view of the first frame according to the second example.

[0037] Fig. 13 is a side view of the coupling structure between the first frame and the second frame according to the second example.

[0038] Figure 14 is a drawing of the first frame and the second frame according to the second example viewed from different angles.

[0039] Figure 15 is a side view of a hook according to the second example.

[0040] Fig. 16 is a drawing showing various modified embodiments of the hook according to the present example.

[0041] Figure 17 is a drawing showing a hook hole according to another example.

[0042] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0043] FIG. 4 is a drawing of a solar module frame according to a first example of the present invention as viewed from the outside, and FIG. 5 is a drawing of FIG. 4 as viewed from the inside.

[0044] As shown, the frame (1) of the present invention largely includes a first frame (10) and a second frame (20) installed on the frame of a solar module.

[0045] The first frame (10) is installed on the first side of the solar module, and the second frame (20) is installed on the second side of the solar module. The first side and the second side are adjacent to each other, and the first frame (10) and the second frame (20) are arranged adjacent to each other so that their respective ends meet and are assembled.

[0046] Although not illustrated separately, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the solar module may be configured in a rectangular shape having approximately two long sides and two short sides, and the first frame (10) may be installed on one of the long sides or the short sides of the frame of the solar module, and the second frame (20) may be installed on the other side of the frame of the solar module. For example, the first frame (10) may correspond to one horizontal frame or a pair of horizontal frames, and the second frame (20) may correspond to one vertical frame or a pair of vertical frames. In addition, the first frame (10) and the second frame (20) may be assembled to be approximately perpendicular to each other, and may be arranged to surround at least a portion of the frame of the solar module (2) having an approximately rectangular shape.

[0047] A first fastening means (100) is provided on the first frame (10), and a second fastening means (200) is provided on the second frame (20). At this time, the first fastening means (100) and the second fastening means (200) are configured to be fastened to each other in a male-female structure, and accordingly, the first frame (10) and the second frame (20) can be assembled to each other using the first fastening means (100) and the second fastening means (200).

[0048] That is, the present invention provides a male-female structure fastening means to each of the first and second frames, so that the two can be temporarily assembled before the two are completely joined through a clinching process. In this way, the present invention can minimize distortion and assembly deviation between frames by performing a preliminary assembly between frames using the fastening means, and based on this, when the subsequent clinching process is performed, the assembly properties of the frames can be improved and the mass production of the entire solar module can be enhanced.

[0049] Below, we will look at specific implementation examples of the concluding means.

[0050] FIG. 6 is a side view of the first frame according to the first example, FIG. 7 is a side view of the coupling structure between the first frame and the second frame according to the first example, FIG. 8 is a side view of the first frame and the second frame according to the first example from a different angle, and FIG. 9 is a side view of the coupling structure between the first frame and the second frame according to the first example from a different angle.

[0051] As illustrated, the fastening means may be configured with a hook (101) and a hook hole (201) structure. That is, the first fastening means (100) may include a hook (101), and the second fastening means (200) may include a hook hole (201) into which the hook (101) is inserted.

[0052] More specifically, a clinching member (11) protruding toward a second frame (20) may be provided at one end of the first frame (10), a hook (101) may be fixed on the clinching member (11), and a hook hole (201) may be formed at one end of the second frame (20) to face the hook (101). The clinching member (11) may be in the form of a flat plate and may be made of the same steel material as the first frame (10), and the hook (101) installed on the clinching member (11) may also be made of steel. That is, the hook (101) may be formed by molding the clinching member (11) or may be manufactured simultaneously with the clinching member (11) and formed integrally with the clinching member (11).

[0053] The plate-shaped clinching member (11) can be configured to be approximately perpendicular to the main body of the first frame (10) and parallel to the second frame (20). When the first frame (10) and the second frame (20) are temporarily assembled using a fastening means having a hook (101) and a hook hole (201) structure, one side of the plate-shaped clinching member (11) can be in contact with the inner side of the second frame (20). By joining the portion where the clinching member (11) and the second frame (20) are in contact through a clinching process after the preliminary assembly between the first frame (10) and the second frame (20), the occurrence of distortion between the frames can be minimized, and the mass productivity of the entire solar module can be improved.

[0054] Referring to Fig. 8, the hook hole (201) of the present example may be formed in the central portion of one end of the second frame (20) so as to have a structure in which the periphery is completely closed. That is, in the present example, the hook hole (201) may be positioned inwardly at a predetermined distance from the end (20E) of one end of the second frame (20), and accordingly, the edge of the hook hole (201) may have a closed shape with a single line extending therefrom.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the hook hole (201) of the present example may include an inlet portion (211) and a sliding portion (221) extending from the inlet portion (211). The width of the inlet portion (211) may be formed to be wider than the width of the sliding portion (221). In addition, a hook (101) may be inserted into the inlet portion (211) of the hook hole and may be slid along the sliding portion (221) of the hook hole. This may provide convenience in assembly between frames and at the same time increase the bonding strength between the two frames.

[0056] In this example, the hook (101) may be configured in a flat shape. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the hook (101) includes a hook body (121) extending to a predetermined length, and a hook neck (111) connecting the hook body (121) and the clinching member (11). At this time, the hook body (121) may be configured flat along the longitudinal direction. This has the advantage of a simple hook structure, making it easy to manufacture.

[0057] Meanwhile, although not shown separately, the hook (101) may be configured in a bent shape as described below. In addition, as a set configuration, a mounting portion (202) for mounting the curved portion of the hook may be further formed on one end of the second frame (20) in addition to the hook hole (201), and at the same time or separately, the hook hole (201) may be configured in a shape in which at least a portion of the edge is open.

[0058] Fig. 10 is a drawing of a solar module frame according to a second example of the present invention as viewed from the outside, and Fig. 11 is a drawing of Fig. 10 as viewed from the inside. In this example, the shapes of the hook (101) and the hook hole (201) may be configured differently compared to the first example.

[0059] FIG. 12 is a side view of the first frame according to the second example, FIG. 13 is a side view of the coupling structure between the first frame and the second frame according to the second example, FIG. 14 is a side view of the first frame and the second frame according to the second example from a different angle, and FIG. 15 is a side view of the hook according to the second example.

[0060] First, as illustrated, the hook (101) of the present example may be configured in a bent shape, unlike the hook (101) of the first example which is configured in a flat shape. More specifically, referring to FIG. 15, the hook (101) includes a hook body (121) extending to a predetermined length, and a hook neck (111) connecting the hook body (121) and the clinching member (11). At this time, the hook body (121) may be configured in a shape bent one or more times along the longitudinal direction.

[0061] More specifically, as illustrated, the hook body (121) may be configured in an approximately S shape by extending from the hook neck (111) in the longitudinal direction (right side in the drawing), then being bent once inward (downward side in the drawing), and then being bent once again in the outward direction (upward side in the drawing). That is, the hook body (121) of the present example may be formed with a curved portion (131) that is bent inward and then outward in the longitudinal direction.

[0062] And, as a set configuration with the hook (101) of this structure, one end of the second frame (20) of the present example may further include a fixing portion (202) in addition to the hook hole (201). That is, the second fastening means (200) may further include a fixing portion (202).

[0063] Referring to Fig. 14, in addition to the hook hole (201), a mounting portion (202) is further formed at the end of the second frame (20) of the present example, and the mounting portion (202) may be spaced apart from the hook hole (201) and may be positioned closer to the center (lower side in the drawing) of the second frame (20) than the hook hole (201). The mounting portion (202) may be configured in the form of a hole penetrating the second frame (20), or may be configured in the form of a groove sunken inward from the surface of the second frame (20). In addition, the curved portion (131) of the hook body may be mounted on this mounting portion (202).

[0064] More specifically, as described above, the hook hole (201) includes an inlet portion (211) and a sliding portion (221) formed to extend from the inlet portion (211), and a hook (101) is inserted into the inlet portion (211) of the hook hole, and the hook (101) can be slid along the sliding portion (221) of the hook hole. At this time, in the present example, as shown in FIG. 13, the hook (101) is slid so that the curved portion (131) of the hook body can be slid onto the mounting portion (202) arranged in the sliding direction.

[0065] In this way, the hook of this example can be first fastened to the hook hole (201) and secondarily fastened to the mounting portion (202). This double fastening structure of the hook can help further increase the bonding strength between frames.

[0066] Fig. 16 is a drawing showing various modified embodiments of the hook according to the present example. As shown, the hook (101) includes a hook neck (111) and a hook body (121), and at this time, the hook neck (111) may be configured such that at least a portion thereof is bent to form a predetermined angle with the clinching member (11). For example, as shown in (a) of Fig. 16, the angle formed by the hook neck (111) and the clinching member (11) may be configured to be 120 degrees, as shown in (b) of Fig. 16, the angle formed by the hook neck (111) and the clinching member (11) may be configured to be 115 degrees, or as shown in (c) of Fig. 16, the angle formed by the hook neck (111) and the clinching member (11) may be configured to be 125 degrees. In this way, the present invention can appropriately respond to changes in the thickness of the second frame inserted between the hook neck and the clinching member by adjusting the angle between the hook neck and the clinching member.

[0067] Fig. 17 is a drawing showing a hook hole according to another example. As illustrated, the hook hole (201) of the present example may be configured to have an open structure at the end (20E) of one end of the second frame (20). That is, unlike the hook hole (201) discussed above, which is spaced inward a predetermined distance from the end (20E) of one end of the second frame (20), the hook hole (201) of the present example may be formed in close contact with the end (20E) of one end of the second frame (20), and accordingly, the edge of the hook hole (201) may have an open structure at the end portion (201E).

[0068] In addition, the hook hole (201) of the present example is configured to extend from the open end (201E) of the hook hole to the opposite side, that is, the center side of the second frame (20), and in this hook hole (201), a hook (101) is inserted into the open end (201E) of the hook hole, and the hook (101) can be slid along the extension direction of the hook hole (201). This can improve the convenience of fastening between the hook and the hook hole.

[0069] Furthermore, the open end (201E) of the hook hole may be configured to have a structure that extends from the center of the hook hole (201) toward the open end side (201E). For example, as illustrated, the open end (201E) of the hook hole may be configured in a round shape. In this way, since the open end of the hook hole, i.e., the entrance side, is formed wider than the central portion excluding the open end of the hook hole, the hook can be more easily inserted into the hook hole.

[0070] However, if the end of the hook hole is configured in an open form as in this example, the convenience of fastening between the hook and the hook hole may be improved, but the fastening strength between the two is weak, so there is a risk that the hook may easily come off from the hook hole.

[0071] To compensate for this, as described above, the hook (101) is bent to form an approximately S-shape, and a mounting portion (202) is further formed in addition to the hook hole (201) so that the curved portion (131), which is the bent portion of the hook, is mounted on the mounting portion (202), thereby preventing the hook (101) from coming off or loosening between the first frame (10) and the second frame (20). That is, configuring the end of the hook hole to be open, configuring the hook to be in an S-shape, and configuring the hook to have a double fastening structure by further forming a mounting portion in addition to the hook hole may correspond to one set configuration.

[0072] However, it is not limited to this, and various combinations can be made by considering the advantages of each, such as configuring the hook in a flat or bent shape, configuring the hook hole in a closed shape or configuring it in an open shape at least partially, and forming a fixing portion in addition to the hook hole.

[0073] Furthermore, although not shown separately, the first fastening means (100) and the second fastening means (200) can be configured in opposite directions, such as forming a hook hole (201) in the first frame (10) and forming a hook (101) in the second frame (20), and the first and second fastening means (100, 200) can be provided at each of the two opposite ends of the first frame (10) and the second frame (20), so that the two opposite ends of the first and second frames (10, 20) can be assembled and fastened to each other.

[0074] As described above, the present invention provides a male-female structure of fastening means to each of two adjacent frames so that the two frames can be assembled, thereby minimizing distortion and assembly deviation between the frames and improving assembly efficiency.

[0075] While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential features thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

[0076] [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1: Solar module frame

[0078] 10: First frame

[0079] 11: Absence of clinching

[0080] 100: First concluding means

[0081] 101: Hook

[0082] 111: Hook Neck

[0083] 121: Hook body

[0084] 131: Curve

[0085] 20: Second frame

[0086] 20E: End of one side of the second frame

[0087] 200: Second concluding means

[0088] 201: Hookhole

[0089] 211: Entrance area

[0090] 221: Sliding section

[0091] 202: Anchoring

[0092] 201E: Open end of hook hole

Claims

1. As a frame that wraps around the edge of a solar module, A first frame installed on the first side of the solar module and having a first fastening means; and A second frame is installed on a second side adjacent to the first side of the solar module and includes a second fastening means; The above first fastening means and the second fastening means are formed as a male and female structure and are fastened to each other, The first frame and the second frame are configured to be assembled to each other using the first fastening means and the second fastening means. Solar module frame.

2. In paragraph 1, The first fastening means includes a hook, The second fastening means includes a hook hole into which the hook is inserted. Solar module frame.

3. In paragraph 2, A clinching member protruding toward the second frame is provided at one end of the first frame, The above hook is fixed on the above clinching member, The above hook hole is formed at one end of the second frame opposite to the hook. Solar module frame.

4. In paragraph 3, The above hook hole is formed in the central part of one end of the second frame, and is configured to have a structure in which the periphery is completely closed. Solar module frame.

5. In paragraph 4, The above hook hole includes an inlet portion and a sliding portion extending from the inlet portion, The hook is inserted into the entrance portion of the hook hole, and the hook is configured to be slidable along the sliding portion of the hook hole. Solar module frame.

6. In paragraph 5, The width of the above entrance portion is greater than the width of the above hook, The width of the above sliding portion is configured to be smaller than the width of the above entrance portion, Solar module frame.

7. In paragraph 3, The above hook hole is arranged at the end of one end of the second frame and is configured with an open end structure. Solar module frame.

8. In paragraph 7, The above hook hole is configured in a form extending from the open end of the above hook hole to the opposite side, The hook is inserted into the open end of the hook hole, and the hook is configured to be slidable along the extension direction of the hook hole. Solar module frame.

9. In paragraph 8, The open end of the above hook hole is configured with a structure extending from the center toward the open end side. Solar module frame.

10. In paragraph 3, The above hook includes a hook body extending to a predetermined length and a hook neck connecting the hook body and the clinching member, The above hook body is configured to be flat along the length direction, Solar module frame.

11. In paragraph 3, The above hook includes a hook body extending to a predetermined length and a hook neck connecting the hook body and the clinching member, The above hook body is configured in a form that is bent at least once along the length direction. Solar module frame.

12. In paragraph 11, The above hook body has a curved portion that is bent inward along the length and then outward. At the end of the second frame, a fixing portion is formed spaced apart from the hook hole, The curved portion of the hook body is secured to the above-mentioned mounting portion. Solar module frame.

13. In paragraph 11, The above hook neck is configured such that at least a portion thereof is bent to form a predetermined angle with the clinching member. Solar module frame.

14. In paragraph 1, The above first frame and second frame are made of steel material, Solar module frame.

15. In paragraph 1, The above solar module is configured in a rectangular shape, The above first frame is installed on one of the long side and short side of the frame of the solar module, The second frame is installed on the other of the long side and short side of the frame of the solar module. Solar module frame.

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