Panel support device

Abstract

According to the present invention, a frame part includes a left frame and a right frame that are provided so as to be separated from each other in the left-right direction and an upper frame and a lower frame that are provided so as to be separated from each other in the up-down direction and each connect the left frame and the right frame, and a panel support device comprises an upper holder and a lower holder that are provided at a gap from each other in the up-down direction and a left upright member and a right upright member that extend in the up-down direction and respectively support left and right ends of the upper holder and the lower holder. The left upright member and the right upright member are fixed between the upper frame and the lower frame, and a panel is supported between the upper holder, the lower holder, the left upright member, and the right upright member.

Description

Panel Support Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a panel support device.

[0002] Photovoltaic power generation has been seen as a promising way to effectively utilize natural energy in response to environmental issues. Silicon (Si)-based solar cell modules are at the center of such power generation, and crystalline and thin-film solar cells are known as types of silicon power generation layers. A new type of solar cell that uses a crystalline material called perovskite has also attracted attention.

[0003] The technology described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 aims to easily install a solar cell module on an existing transparent member, specifically, transparent window glass.

[0004] The solar cell module of Patent Document 1 is formed by laminating a transparent plate, two or more translucent resin interlayers, and a translucent film equipped with a translucent adhesive layer in this order, with photovoltaic cells disposed between the two or more resin interlayers, and the adhesive layer being attached to an existing transparent member for installation. This makes it possible to retrofit the solar cell module by simply attaching it to the existing transparent member.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-048222

[0006] However, in the installation method of adhering the adhesive layer of a solar cell module to an existing transparent member, as in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to completely prevent air from entering between the transparent member and the solar cell module during installation, and air bubbles remain between the transparent member and the solar cell module after installation. This results in a problem of poor appearance of the transparent member. Furthermore, when the entire surface of the solar cell module is directly adhered to the transparent member, it is difficult to remove the solar cell module from the transparent member, making it difficult to replace the solar cell module or restore the transparent member to its original state. Furthermore, the force generated during removal, i.e., the force of peeling the solar cell module body from the transparent member, may damage the solar cell module body or the transparent member.

[0007] The above-mentioned problems are not limited to cases where a solar cell module is installed on an existing transparent member, but can also occur when various panels (e.g., dimming glass, glass with built-in LEDs, heat-generating glass, glass with built-in blinds, flat-screen televisions, flat-screen LCD panels, etc.) are installed on existing transparent members.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a panel support device that allows panels to be easily and attractively added to existing transparent members.

[0009] The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration: [1] A panel support device for holding and installing a panel on an existing transparent member fixed to a frame portion, wherein the frame portion includes: left and right frames spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and upper and lower frames spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction and connecting the left and right frames, respectively, the panel support device further includes: upper and lower holders spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction, and left and right vertical members that support both left and right end portions of the upper and lower holders and extend vertically in the up-down direction, the left and right vertical members being fixed between the upper and lower frames, and the panel being supported between the upper and lower holders, the left and right vertical members and the right vertical member.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a panel support device that allows panels to be easily added to existing transparent members with good appearance.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example in which a solar cell module is supported by a panel support device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an example in which a solar cell module is installed on an existing window glass using the panel support device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of portion VII in FIG. 3. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of portion VIII in FIG. 3. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of portion IX in FIG. 4. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of portion X in FIG. 5. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the left vertical member and the right vertical member in FIG. 6. FIG. 12 is a view showing the vicinity of the upper ends of the left vertical member and the right vertical member. FIG. 13 is a view showing the vicinity of the upper ends of the left vertical member and the right vertical member according to a modified example. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an example in which a solar cell module is supported by a panel support device according to a modified example. FIG. 15 is a front view showing an example in which a solar cell module is installed on an existing window glass using a panel support device according to a modified example. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in FIG. 15. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 15. FIG. 19 is a front view showing an example in which a solar cell module is installed on an existing window glass using a panel support device according to another modified example. FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing an example in which a solar cell module is installed on an existing window glass using a panel support device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 21 is a front view of FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII in FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII in FIG. 21. FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIV-XXIV in FIG. 21. Figure 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in Figure 20. Figure 26 is an enlarged view of the upper holder and its periphery in Figures 22 to 24. Figure 27 is an enlarged view of the lower holder and its periphery in Figures 22 to 24. Figure 28 is an enlarged view of the upper right and upper left parts of Figure 21. Figure 29 is an enlarged view of the lower right and lower left parts of Figure 21.

[0012] Each embodiment of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and it goes without saying that various improvements and modifications may be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0013] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example in which a solar cell module is supported by a panel support device according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a front view showing an example in which a solar cell module is installed on an existing window glass by a panel support device according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V in Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 2.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the panel support device 1 holds and installs a solar cell module 40 (panel) having a wiring cord 45 on an existing window glass 30 (transparent member) fixed to a frame 20.

[0015] As shown in Figure 2, the frame portion 20 includes a left frame 25 and a right frame 27 that are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction and extend in the vertical direction (the up-down direction in Figure 2; the direction of gravity), and an upper frame 21 and a lower frame 23 that are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction and extend in the left-right direction, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23 connect the left frame 25 and the right frame 27, respectively. Examples of the frame portion 20 to which the window glass 30 is fixed include a frame, a stile, a frame, a mullion, a sash, etc.

[0016] The window glass 30 is a rectangular glass plate that is fitted and fixed in the opening of the frame 20. Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 to 6, the upper and lower edges of the window glass 30 are fitted into fitting grooves 21a, 23a formed in the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23, and the left and right edges of the window glass 30 are fitted into fitting grooves 25a, 27a formed in the left frame 25 and the right frame 27.

[0017] As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the upper frame 21, lower frame 23, left frame 25, and right frame 27 have fitting grooves 21a, 23a, 25a, and 27a on their back sides (toward the back of the paper in Figure 2) and fixing grooves 21b, 23b, 25b, and 27b on their front sides (toward the front of the paper in Figure 2) in the front-to-back direction, which is perpendicular to the direction of gravity and the left-to-right direction. The fitting grooves 21a, 23a, 25a, and 27a and the fixing grooves 21b, 23b, 25b, and 27b are adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction. As shown in Figures 3 to 6, the upper and lower edges and the left and right edges of the window glass 30 are fitted into the fitting grooves 21a, 23a, 25a, and 27a via sealant 29. As shown in Fig. 5, the upper and lower ends of the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D are fixed to the fixing grooves 21b, 23b of the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 6, no particular members are fixed to the fixing grooves 25b, 27b of the left frame 25 and the right frame 27, and the fixing grooves 25b, 27b and the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D face each other in the left-right direction with a gap between them.

[0018] As described above, the window glass 30 is placed in the rear-side fitting grooves 21a, 23a, 25a, and 27a, and the left vertical member 1C and right vertical member 1D supporting the upper holder 1A and lower holder 1B are placed in the front-side fixing grooves 21b and 23b. Therefore, the window glass 30 is placed on the rear side, and the solar cell module 40 supported by the upper holder 1A, lower holder 1B, left vertical member 1C, and right vertical member 1D is placed on the front side. Typically, the rear side on which the window glass 30 is placed faces the exterior, and the rear side on which the solar cell module 40 is placed faces the interior. The window glass 30 and solar cell module 40 may abut in the front-back direction or face each other with a gap between them.

[0019] The existing transparent member is not limited to the window glass 30, but may be, for example, a transparent resin plate. Examples of the transparent resin plate include polycarbonate and acrylic.

[0020] The panel support device 1 in this embodiment includes upper holder 1A and lower holder 1B arranged at a distance from each other in the vertical direction, and left and right vertical members 1C and 1D that support the left and right ends of upper holder 1A and lower holder 1B and extend vertically in the vertical direction, respectively. The left and right vertical members 1C and 1D are fixed between an upper frame 21 and a lower frame 23. A solar cell module 40 is supported between the upper holder 1A, the lower holder 1B, the left vertical member 1C, and the right vertical member 1D. In other words, the solar cell module 40 is supported on all four sides by the upper holder 1A, the lower holder 1B, the left vertical member 1C, and the right vertical member 1D, respectively.

[0021] In this embodiment, the frame members 100 constituting the lower holder 1B, left vertical member 1C, and right vertical member 1D have substantially the same structure, whereas the upper holder 1A has a different structure. While the wiring cords 45 are passed through the lower holder 1B, left vertical member 1C, and right vertical member 1D, the upper holder 1A does not need to be passed through the wiring cords 45. Therefore, the upper holder 1A has a simpler structure than the frame members 100 of the lower holder 1B, left vertical member 1C, and right vertical member 1D. Therefore, the lower holder 1B, left vertical member 1C, and right vertical member 1D have storage spaces 12 for storing the wiring cords 45, whereas the upper holder 1A does not have a storage space 12. However, from the perspective of using the same materials to reduce costs, the upper holder 1A may have substantially the same structure as the lower holder 1B, left vertical member 1C, and right vertical member 1D.

[0022] Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of portion VII in Fig. 3. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3 and 7, upper holder 1A is an elongated member extending in the left-right direction perpendicular to left frame 25 and right frame 27, and its left-right length is approximately equal to that of solar cell module 40. Upper holder 1A supports the upper edge of solar cell module 40.

[0023] The upper holder 1A is formed with a pair of through holes 51, 53 that pass through the upper holder 1A in the left-right direction, with the upper through hole 51 being referred to as the upper through hole 51 and the lower through hole 53 being referred to as the lower through hole 53. A pair of locking members (not shown) can be inserted into both left and right ends of the upper through hole 51, and the upper holder 1A is supported and fixed to the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D by the pair of locking members.

[0024] An opening 55, which is smaller in the front-to-back dimension than the lower through-hole 53, is formed in the lower surface of the upper holder 1A over the entire length of the upper holder 1A. This opening 55 is in communication with the lower through-hole 53. The panel base 31 and the remove gasket 33 are inserted into the lower through-hole 53 through the opening 55. The left-to-right lengths of the panel base 31 and the remove gasket 33 are approximately equal to those of the upper holder 1A and the solar cell module 40. The panel base 31 is a platform on which the solar cell module 40 is placed, and the remove gasket 33 is an elastic member for fixing the solar cell module 40 placed on the panel base 31.

[0025] The panel base 31 has a fitting portion 31a that is inserted into the lower through-hole 53 and the opening 55 and fits into the upper holder 1A, and a mounting portion 31b that connects to the bottom of the fitting portion 31a and on which the solar cell module 40 is placed. The mounting portion 31b is located on the back side of the lower surface of the upper holder 1A (the window glass 30 side, left side in Figure 7). The mounting portion 31b has a wall portion 31c that extends downward from the end on the back side. The upper end of the solar cell module 40 is positioned by abutting against this wall portion 31c.

[0026] The removal packing 33 is positioned closer to the front side (opposite the window glass 30; right side in FIG. 7 ) than the panel base 31 and the solar cell module 40 placed on the panel base 31. The removal packing 33 is inserted into the lower through-hole 53 and the opening 55 and fitted into the upper holder 1A. The panel base 31 and the solar cell module 40 are then sandwiched between the removal packing 33 and the upper holder 1A. This secures the panel base 31 and the solar cell module 40 to the upper holder 1A. The removal packing 33 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and can be attached to and detached from the upper holder 1A. Therefore, by removing the removal packing 33, the panel base 31 and the solar cell module 40 can also be removed from the upper holder 1A.

[0027] Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of portion VIII in Fig. 3. Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of portion IX in Fig. 4. Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of portion X in Fig. 5. Figs. 8 to 10 are cross-sectional views of the lower holder taken along a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction. As shown in Figs. 1 to 2 and 8 to 10, lower holder 1B is an elongated member extending in the left-right direction perpendicular to left frame 25 and right frame 27, and its left-right length is approximately equal to that of solar cell module 40. Lower holder 1B supports the lower side of solar cell module 40.

[0028] The lower holder 1B includes a pair of frame members 100, 100 arranged one above the other, and a cover member 120 that covers the front sides of the pair of frame members 100, 100. Of the pair of upper and lower frame members 100, the upper frame member 100 may be referred to as the upper frame member 100A, and the lower frame member 100 may be referred to as the lower frame member 100B.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2, in the solar cell module 40 of this embodiment, the terminal box 46 is provided in the left-right center of the lower end, so that the upper frame member 100A is not provided in the left-right center of the pair of frame members 100, 100 stacked one on top of the other. In other words, the lower frame member 100B is provided over the entire length of the solar cell module 40, while the upper frame members 100A are provided in pairs on both the left and right sides of the top surface of the lower frame member 100B. As a result, a groove 119 (see Figures 2 and 8) for accommodating the terminal box 46 is provided between the pair of left and right upper frame members 100A, 100A.

[0030] The frame member 100 has a substantially square cross section and includes a central through-hole 101 that passes through the central axis of the frame member 100 in the left-right direction, and side through-holes 103 formed in four locations on the top, bottom, front, and back sides. The square cross section of the frame member 100, including the central through-hole 101 and the four side through-holes 103, has rotational symmetry at 90°, 180°, 270°, and 360°, that is, four-fold rotational symmetry.

[0031] A pair of locking members (not shown) can be inserted into both left and right ends of the central through-hole 101, and the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D are supported and fixed by the pair of locking members.

[0032] Openings 105, smaller in size than the side through-holes 103, are formed over the entire length of the frame member 100 on the top, bottom, front, and back side surfaces of the frame member 100. These openings 105 communicate with the side through-holes 103. The panel base 31 and the remove gasket 33 are inserted into the side through-holes 103 through the openings 105. The left-right lengths of the panel base 31 and the remove gasket 33 are approximately equal to that of the frame member 100.

[0033] The structure of the panel base 31 and the remove gasket 33 arranged relative to the lower holder 1B is substantially the same as the structure of the panel base 31 and the remove gasket 33 arranged relative to the upper holder 1A described above with reference to Figure 7, and is arranged substantially symmetrically in the vertical direction, so similar symbols are used in the drawings and their explanation will be omitted.

[0034] The fitting portion 31a of the panel base 31 is inserted into the side through-hole 103 on the top surface of the upper frame member 100A. The bottom end of the solar cell module 40 is positioned by abutting against the wall portion 31c of the panel base 31.

[0035] The removal packing 33 is inserted into the side through-hole 103 on the top surface of the upper frame member 100A and fits into the upper frame member 100A, sandwiching the panel base 31 and the solar cell module 40 between the removal packing 33 and the upper frame member 100A. This allows the panel base 31 and the solar cell module 40 to be detachably fixed to the lower holder 1B.

[0036] The cover member 120 is an elongated member extending in the longitudinal direction of the lower holder 1B and is made of, for example, aluminum. The vertical dimension of the cover member 120 is set so that it covers the area from below the lower frame member 100B to above the removal packing 33. Note that in FIG. 1, the cover member 120 is shown lower than it actually is to show the position where the terminal box 46 of the solar cell module 40 is provided. However, in reality, as shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the cover member 120 extends upward so as to cover the lower end of the solar cell module 40, the terminal box 46, the removal packing 33, etc.

[0037] 8 and 9, a pair of upper and lower engaging claws 121, 121 are formed on the back surface of the cover member 120. These upper and lower engaging claws 121, 121 engage with the side surface through-holes 103, 103 on the front side of the upper frame member 100A and the lower frame member 100B, respectively.

[0038] 2, 9, and 10, the wiring cord 45 drawn out in the left-right direction from the terminal box 46 is housed in the side through-hole 103 on the back side of the upper frame member 100A. Therefore, this side through-hole 103 forms a storage space 12 capable of storing the wiring cord 45.

[0039] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the left-side vertical member and the right-side vertical member in Figure 6. As shown in Figures 1 to 2, 5 to 6, and 11, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are elongated members that extend in the vertical direction parallel to the left frame 25 and the right frame 27. The vertical lengths of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are longer than the solar cell module 40 and are approximately equal to the length between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23. The left-side vertical member 1C supports the left edge of the solar cell module 40, and the right-side vertical member 1D supports the right edge of the solar cell module 40.

[0040] The left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D each comprise a frame member 100. The frame members 100 constituting the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are substantially identical in structure to the frame member 100 constituting the lower holder 1B described above with reference to Figures 8 to 10, and are substantially identical to the frame member 100 constituting the lower holder 1B rotated 90 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] Furthermore, the structure of the panel base 31 and the remove gasket 33 arranged for the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D is approximately the same as the structure of the panel base 31 and the remove gasket 33 arranged for the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B, and is approximately equivalent to the panel base 31 and the remove gasket 33 arranged for the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B rotated 90 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, so similar symbols are used in the drawings and their explanation will be omitted.

[0042] The fitting portions 31a of the panel base 31 are inserted into the inner left and right side through-holes 103 of the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D. The lower end of the solar cell module 40 is positioned by abutting against the wall portion 31c of the panel base 31.

[0043] The removal packings 33 fit into the inner left and right side through-holes 103 of the left and right vertical members 1C and 1D, sandwiching the panel base 31 and the solar cell module 40 between the removal packings 33 and the upper frame member 100A. This allows the panel base 31 and the solar cell module 40 to be detachably fixed to the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D.

[0044] The wiring cord 45 drawn out in the left-right direction from the lower holder 1B is stored in the side through-holes 103 on the back side (window glass 30 side) of the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D. Therefore, the side through-holes 103 on the back side of the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D form a storage space 12 capable of storing the wiring cord 45.

[0045] There are no limitations on the method of fixing the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D to the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23, as long as they are fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23. In this embodiment, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23 by tensioning them.

[0046] FIG. 12 illustrates the vicinity of the upper ends of the left-side vertical member and the right-side vertical member. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 12 , the upper ends of the frame members 100 of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are provided with threaded holes 107. Bolt members 122 are threaded into the threaded holes 107, and by adjusting the amount of vertical protrusion of the bolt members 122 relative to the threaded holes 107, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D can be tensioned and fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23. That is, with the lower end of the frame member 100 placed on the lower frame 23, the bolt members 122 are rotated in a direction that increases the amount of upward protrusion of the bolt members 122 (in the direction that removes them from the threaded holes 107) until the bolt members 122 abut against the upper frame 21. This causes the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D to be tensioned and fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23. The bolt member 122 does not need to be in direct contact with the upper frame 21, but may be indirectly in contact with the upper frame 21 via a leaf spring 123 as described below.

[0047] In the illustrated example, a leaf spring 123 serving as a spring member is interposed between the bolt member 122 and the upper frame 21. The leaf spring 123 generates a biasing force in the vertical direction, which further strengthens the fixation of the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23.

[0048] 12, the screw holes 107 are provided at the upper ends of the frame members 100 of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D, but they may also be provided at the lower ends of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D. Even in this case, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D can be secured between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23 by threading the bolt members 122 into the screw holes 107 and adjusting the amount of vertical protrusion of the bolt members 122 relative to the screw holes 107. In this case, the leaf springs 123 may also be interposed between the bolt members 122 and the lower frame 23.

[0049] The method of tensioning and fastening the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D may be changed from that shown in Fig. 12 to that shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 13 shows the vicinity of the upper ends of the left-side vertical member and the right-side vertical member according to a modified example. As shown in Fig. 13, the upper ends of the frame members 100 of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are provided with straight holes 109 without female threads.

[0050] An abutment member 124 capable of abutting against the upper frame 21 is inserted into the straight hole 109. The abutment member 124 has a shaft portion 124a without a male thread that is inserted into the straight hole 109, and a disk-shaped head portion 124b that is provided at the upper end of the shaft portion 124a and can abut against the upper frame 21. A compression coil spring 125 serving as a spring member is disposed (i) between the head portion 124b of the abutment member 124 and the upper end portions of the frame members 100 of the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D, and (ii) around the shaft portion 124a of the abutment member 124. The compression coil spring 125 biases the head portion 124b of the abutment member 124 toward the upper frame 21, thereby firmly securing the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23.

[0051] In the example shown in Figure 13, the straight holes 109 are provided at the upper ends of the frame members 100 of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D. However, they may also be provided at the lower ends of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D. In this case, an abutment member 124 that can abut against the lower frame 23 is inserted into the straight hole 109. The abutment member 124 has a shaft portion 124a that is inserted into the straight hole 109 and a disk-shaped head portion 124b that is provided at the lower end of the shaft portion 124a and can abut against the lower frame 23. A compression coil spring 125 is disposed between (i) the head portion 124b of the abutment member 124 and the lower ends of the frame members 100 of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D, and (ii) around the shaft portion 124a of the abutment member 124. By biasing the head 124b of the abutment member 124 toward the lower frame 23 using the compression coil spring 125, the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D can be firmly fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23.

[0052] 1 to 2 and 5, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are fixed to the lower frame 23 with bolts. More specifically, a base 111 is fixed to the lower ends of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D by fitting into a central through-hole 101 of the frame member 100. The base 111 is then fixed by threading bolts 113 into the fixing grooves 21b of the lower frame 23. In this way, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are fixed to the lower frame 23 in a self-supporting manner.

[0053] 1 and 2, the solar cell module 40 is, for example, a superstrate type solar cell module, and is formed by sandwiching a plurality of cells 47 sealed with a filler between a front cover on the light-receiving side (window glass 30 side) and a back cover made of weather-resistant film. The edges of the solar cell module 40 are covered with an edge cover made of rubber such as ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM) for waterproofing and dustproofing.

[0054] 2, cells 47 inside the solar cell module 40 are connected to each other by conductive interconnectors 48. The ends of the interconnectors 48 are pulled out from the back cover and connected to a terminal box 46 provided for extracting generated power. In the solar cell module 40 of the illustrated example, the terminal box 46 is provided in the center of the lower end in the left-right direction.

[0055] As described above with reference to Figure 8, the terminal box 46 is housed in the groove 119 between the pair of left and right upper frame members 100A, 100A. Note that there is a vertical gap between the terminal box 46 and the lower frame member 100B so that the terminal box 46 is not subjected to a load due to the weight of the solar cell module 40 itself.

[0056] 2 to 3 and 8, a wiring cord 45 for outputting electricity generated by the solar cell module 40 to the outside is connected to the terminal box 46. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the wiring cord 45 drawn out to both the left and right sides from the terminal box 46 is passed through side surface through-holes 103, 103 on the back sides of the pair of left and right upper frame members 100A, 100A. These side surface through-holes 103 form storage spaces 12 for storing the wiring cord 45.

[0057] 10 and 11 , the wiring cord 45 extends laterally through the side through-holes 103, 103 of the pair of left and right upper frame members 100A, 100A to reach the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D, and then is disposed in the side through-holes 103, 103 on the back sides of the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D, extending vertically and being guided up to the ceiling of the building. Therefore, the side through-holes 103 on the back sides of the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D form a storage space 12 in which the wiring cord 45 can be stored.

[0058] In this way, the wiring cord 45 is stored in the side through-holes 103 as the storage space 12 of the upper holder 1A, the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D and is not exposed to the outside, so that the wiring cord 45 is not exposed when viewed from the front side, and it looks good.

[0059] In addition, the panel having a wiring cord is not limited to the solar cell module 40 described above, but may be any plate-shaped body to which a wiring cord is connected, such as light-controlling glass, glass with built-in LEDs, heat-generating glass, glass with built-in blinds, flat-screen televisions, and flat-screen LCD panels.

[0060] The solar cell module 40 as described above is installed on the window glass 30 using the panel support device 1 (upper holder 1A, lower holder 1B, left vertical member 1C and right vertical member 1D) in steps (a) to (c) described below.

[0061] (a) First, the upper holder 1A, the lower holder 1B, the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D are assembled together.

[0062] 7 to 11, after the panel base 31 is fixed to the upper holder 1A, the lower holder 1B, the left vertical member 1C, and the right vertical member 1D, the solar cell module 40 is placed from the front side onto the panel base 31. Then, by fixing the removal packing 33 to the upper holder 1A, the lower holder 1B, the left vertical member 1C, and the right vertical member 1D, the solar cell module 40 is supported between the upper holder 1A, the lower holder 1B, the left vertical member 1C, and the right vertical member 1D.

[0063] (c) The left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D are fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23, thereby fixing the panel support device 1 to the frame portion 20.

[0064] The solar cell module 40 can be additionally installed on the window glass 30 through the simple process described above.

[0065] The order of steps (b) and (c) is not limited. Step (b) may be performed first, and the solar cell module 40 may be integrated into the panel support device 1, and then the panel support device 1 may be fixed to the frame 20 in step (c). Conversely, step (c) may be performed first, and the panel support device 1 may be fixed to the frame 20, and then the solar cell module 40 may be fixed to the panel support device 1 in step (b).

[0066] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the panel support device 1 includes upper holder 1A and lower holder 1B arranged at a distance from each other in the vertical direction, and left vertical member 1C and right vertical member 1D that support both left and right ends of upper holder 1A and lower holder 1B and extend vertically in the vertical direction. The left vertical member 1C and right vertical member 1D are fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23, and the solar cell module 40 is supported between the upper holder 1A, the lower holder 1B, the left vertical member 1C, and the right vertical member 1D. Therefore, a panel support device 1 can be provided that allows the solar cell module 40 to be easily and attractively added to an existing window glass 30. That is, in this embodiment, unlike Patent Document 1, an adhesive layer is not provided on the solar cell module, and the panel support device 1 is fixed to the frame 20. Therefore, the solar cell module 40 can be positioned so that it contacts the window glass 30 or faces it with a small gap between them, preventing air bubbles from forming between the solar cell module 40 and the window glass 30 and improving the appearance. Furthermore, when restoring the window glass 30 to its original state, the panel support device 1 can be simply removed from the frame 20. Therefore, unlike Patent Document 1, it is not necessary to peel the entire solar cell module 40 from the window glass 30. Simply removing the panel support device 1 from the frame 20 simplifies the restoration process and reduces the risk of damage to the window glass 30 or the solar cell module 40. Furthermore, there is no need to set the lengths of the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B to match the left-right width of the frame 20 (the dimension between the left frame 25 and the right frame 27), facilitating installation preparation and installation work. Furthermore, if the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are not fixed in tension between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23, there is no need to set the length of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D to match the vertical height of the frame portion 20 (the dimension between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23), making installation preparation and work even easier.

[0067] Furthermore, the wiring cords 45 of the solar cell modules 40 are stored in the side through-holes 103 that serve as storage spaces 12 in the lower holder 1B, left vertical member 1C, and right vertical member 1D, and are therefore not exposed to the outside, resulting in a good appearance. Note that the storage spaces 12 for storing the wiring cords 45 may be provided in at least one of the upper holder 1A, lower holder 1B, left vertical member 1C, and right vertical member 1D.

[0068] The left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D are fixed in a tensioned manner between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23. Therefore, the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D can be easily fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23.

[0069] 12 , threaded holes 107 are provided at the upper or lower ends of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D, and bolt members 122 are threaded into the threaded holes 107. By adjusting the amount of vertical protrusion of the bolt members 122 relative to the threaded holes 107, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D can be tensioned and fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23. Therefore, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D can be easily fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23.

[0070] Furthermore, a leaf spring 123 as a spring member is interposed between the bolt member 122 and the upper frame 21 or the lower frame 23, so that the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D are firmly fixed together.

[0071] Furthermore, as shown as an example of a modified example in Figure 13, a straight hole 109 is provided at the upper or lower end of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D, and an abutment member 124 is provided having an axial portion 124a that is inserted into the straight hole 109 and a head portion 124b that is provided at the vertical end of the axial portion 124a and can abut against the upper frame 21 or the lower frame 23. A compression coil spring 125 serving as a spring member is arranged between the head portion 124b and the upper or lower end of the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D, and around the axial portion 124a, and the compression coil spring 125 biases the head portion 124b of the abutment member 124 toward the upper frame 21 or the lower frame 23, so that the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D can be fixed in place by tension between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23. According to this modification, the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D can be easily and firmly fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23.

[0072] The left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D are fixed to the lower frame 23 with bolts, so that they can be easily fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are self-supportingly fixed to the lower frame 23 by the bolts 113 and are simultaneously tension-fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23. However, the fixing method is not limited to this. The left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D may be self-supportingly fixed to the lower frame 23 by the bolts 113 without tension-fixing, as shown in Figures 14 to 18, or may be fixed to the lower frame 23 only by tension-fixing, without being self-supportingly fixed by the bolts 113, as shown in Figure 19. In other words, as long as the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23, the fixing method and the fixed object are not limited. They may be fixed to the upper frame 21 or the lower frame 23 as described above, or they may be fixed to the left frame 25 or the right frame 27 as will be described later with reference to Figures 20 to 29.

[0074] Fig. 14 is a perspective view showing an example in which a solar cell module is supported by a panel support device according to a modified example. Fig. 15 is a front view showing an example in which a solar cell module is installed on an existing window glass by a panel support device according to a modified example. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVI-XVI in Fig. 15. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVII-XVII in Fig. 15. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in Fig. 15.

[0075] As shown in Figures 14 to 18, in this modified example, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D have a vertical length shorter than the vertical dimension between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23, and are not fixed in a tensioned manner between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23. Therefore, the tensioning mechanisms (bolt members 122, abutment members 124, etc.) shown in Figures 12 and 13 are not provided. The left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are self-supportingly fixed to the lower frame 23 by bolts 113 via bases 111. Even with this configuration, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D can be easily fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23.

[0076] 19 is a front view showing an example of installing solar cell modules on an existing window glass using a panel support device according to another modification. In the example of Fig. 19, a pair of solar cell modules 40, 40 are fixed between a left frame 25 and a right frame 27 by the panel support device 1.

[0077] 19 , in this modification, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are not fixed to the lower frame 23 by a base 111 or bolts 113, but are placed on the lower frame 23. The left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are then fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23 by tension using bolt members 122 or the like. Even with this configuration, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D can be easily fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23.

[0078] 1 and 14 show an example in which the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are fixed to the lower frame 23 by bolts 113 in a self-standing manner, but the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D may also be fixed to the upper frame 21 by hanging them with bolts. In this case, the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D may or may not be fixed by tension between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23.

[0079] The left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are not limited to what they can be fixed to as long as they are fixed between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23, and may be fixed to the left frame 25 and the right frame 27 as shown in Figures 20 to 29.

[0080] Second Embodiment Fig. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing an example in which a solar cell module is installed on an existing windowpane using a panel support device according to a second embodiment. Fig. 21 is a front view of Fig. 20. Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII in Fig. 21. Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIII-XXIII in Fig. 21. Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIV-XXIV in Fig. 21. Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXV-XXV in Fig. 20. Fig. 26 is an enlarged view of the upper holder and its periphery in Figs. 22 to 24. Fig. 27 is an enlarged view of the lower holder and its periphery in Figs. 22 to 24. Fig. 28 is an enlarged view of the upper right and upper left portions of Fig. 21. Fig. 29 is an enlarged view of the lower right and lower left portions of Fig. 21.

[0081] As shown in FIGS. 20 to 29, the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B of this embodiment have a different structure from those of the first embodiment.

[0082] The upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B each have an outer member 130 extending in the left-right direction and an inner member 140 housed inside the outer member 130 and extending in the left-right direction. The outer member 130 and the inner member 140 are made of, for example, an extruded aluminum alloy. Comparing the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B, the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B have the same function in that the inner member 140 is housed inside the outer member 130 and can be pulled out of the outer member 130 by moving the inner member 140 in the left-right direction. However, the structures of the outer member 130 and the inner member 140 are different. Therefore, for ease of distinction, the outer member 130 and the inner member 140 of the upper holder 1A will be referred to as the upper outer member 130A and the upper inner member 140A, and the outer member 130 and the inner member 140 of the lower holder 1B will be referred to as the lower outer member 130B and the lower inner member 140B.

[0083] First, the upper outer member 130A and upper inner member 140A of the upper holder 1A will be described. As shown in Figures 20 to 29, the upper outer member 130A is a long tubular member extending in the left-right direction, and its left-right length is approximately equal to that of the solar cell module 40 (see Figures 20 and 21 in particular). Therefore, the upper outer member 130A covers the entire upper edge of the solar cell module 40.

[0084] 22 to 26, the entire length of the upper side of the solar cell module 40 is covered with a cushioning material 150. The cushioning material 150 is made of, for example, rubber or resin, and its length in the left-right direction is approximately equal to that of the solar cell module 40.

[0085] 26 , the cushioning material 150 has a planar upper surface 151 perpendicular to the up-down direction, and a front surface 152 and a back surface 153 extending perpendicularly downward from the front-to-back end of the upper surface 151, and has a generally U-shaped cross section that is open downward as a whole. The cushioning material 150 is fitted onto the upper end of the solar cell module 40 so that the front surface 152 and the back surface 153 sandwich the upper end of the solar cell module 40.

[0086] The lower portions of the front surface 152 and the back surface 153 of the cushioning material 150 are narrow portions 152a, 153a that are narrower in the front-to-back direction than the upper portions. A pair of flange portions 133d, 133e of the upper outer member 130A and a pair of flange portions 145d, 145e of the left side member 141, which will be described later, abut against these narrow portions 152a, 153a.

[0087] The upper outer member 130A has a groove 131 (see FIG. 26 ) that runs through the upper outer member 130A in the left-right direction. The groove 131 is recessed from the bottom surface upward along the entire length of the upper outer member 130A. The upper inner member 140A (left member 141 and right member 142), cushioning material 150, and the upper ends of the solar cell modules 40 are disposed within the groove 131. In other words, the groove 131 is capable of accommodating the upper ends of the solar cell modules 40 (panels). A downward-facing opening 132 is formed in the lower portion of the upper outer member 130A along the entire length in the left-right direction, and this downward-facing opening 132 communicates with the groove 131. Therefore, the upper outer member 130A has a generally U-shaped cross section that opens downward.

[0088] More specifically, the upper outer member 130A has a planar upper surface 133a perpendicular to the up-down direction, a front surface 133b and a back surface 133c extending vertically downward from the front-to-back ends of the upper surface 133a, a flange portion 133d protruding from the lower end of the front surface 133b toward the back side, and a flange portion 133e protruding from the lower end of the back surface 133c toward the front side. A downward-facing opening 132 is provided between the pair of flange portions 133d, 133e. The upper end of the solar cell module 40 and the buffer material 150 are disposed in the downward-facing opening 132, and the tips of the pair of flange portions 133d, 133e abut against the pair of narrow portions 152a, 153a of the buffer material 150.

[0089] 20 and 21, the upper inner member 140A of the upper holder 1A includes a left member 141 disposed on the left side and a right member 142 disposed on the right side inside the upper outer member 130A. 20 and 21 show a state in which the left member 141 is pulled out to the left from the upper outer member 130A, and the right member 142 is pulled out to the right from the upper outer member 130A.

[0090] The left side member 141 and the right side member 142 are each tubular members extending in the left-right direction and are housed in the groove 131 of the upper outer member 130A so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. The sum of the left-right dimensions of the left side member 141 and the right side member 142 is preferably approximately the same as the left-right dimension of the upper outer member 130A. This is because the larger the left-right dimensions of the left side member 141 and the right side member 142, the longer the length by which the left side member 141 and the right side member 142 can be pulled out to the outside of the upper outer member 130A, and the larger the adjustment range according to the dimension between the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D.

[0091] The cross-sectional shape of the left side member 141 will be described with reference to Figure 26. The left side member 141 has a groove 143 that penetrates the left side member 141 in the left-right direction. The groove 143 is recessed from the bottom surface upward along the entire length of the left side member 141. The buffer material 150 and the upper end of the solar cell module 40 are disposed within the groove 143. That is, the groove 143 is capable of accommodating the upper end of the solar cell module 40 (panel). A downward opening 144 is formed in the lower part of the left side member 141 along the entire length in the left-right direction, and this downward opening 144 communicates with the groove 143. Therefore, the left side member 141 has a generally U-shaped cross section that opens downward.

[0092] The left-side component 141 has a planar upper surface 145a perpendicular to the up-down direction, a front surface 145b and a back surface 145c extending perpendicularly downward from the front-to-back ends of the upper surface 145a, a flange portion 145d protruding from the lower end of the front surface 145b toward the back side, and a flange portion 145e protruding from the lower end of the back surface 145c toward the front side. A downward-facing opening 144 is provided between the pair of flange portions 145d, 145e. The upper end of the solar cell module 40 and the buffer material 150 are disposed in the downward-facing opening 144, and the tips of the pair of flange portions 145d, 145e abut against a pair of narrow portions 152a, 153a of the buffer material 150.

[0093] The outer surface of left side member 141 abuts against the inner surface of upper outer member 130A, and the inner surface of left side member 141 abuts against the outer surface of cushioning material 150. Therefore, when left side member 141 is pulled out of groove 131 inside upper outer member 130A, left side member 141 slides against upper outer member 130A and cushioning material 150.

[0094] When the left side member 141 slides, the upper outer member 130A and the cushioning material 150 are not displaced. The cushioning material 150 is fitted and fixed to the upper edge of the solar cell module 40, and the upper outer member 130A is fixed by a pair of flanges 133d, 133e, sandwiching the cushioning material 150. Therefore, even when the left side member 141 slides, the relative positions of the solar cell module 40, the cushioning material 150, and the upper outer member 130A do not change.

[0095] The left and right members 141 and 142 have the same cross-sectional shape, and therefore a description of the right member 142 will be omitted.

[0096] 20 , 21 , 25 , and 28 , a fixing plate 165 is provided at the left end of the left side member 141 and the right end of the right side member 142, respectively, and extends toward the front side (the front side of the paper in FIG. 20 ) of the left side member 141 and the right side member 142. The fixing plate 165 may be separate from or integrated with the left side member 141 and the right side member 142, and if separate from them, the fixing plate 165 is fixed to the left side member 141 and the right side member 142 with screws or the like.

[0097] 21 , 28 , and 29 , a left-side vertical member 1C and a right-side vertical member 1D are fixed to the right side surface of the left frame 25 and the left side surface of the right frame 27, respectively. The left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D each extend in the vertical direction, and their vertical dimensions are set to be larger than those of the solar cell module 40. The left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are fixed to the left frame 25 and the right frame 27 at two locations with screws 161.

[0098] The left-side member 141 and the right-side member 142 are fixed to the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D. Specifically, the fixing plate portion 165 of the left-side member 141 is fixed to the upper part of the left-side vertical member 1C with screws 166, and the fixing plate portion 165 of the right-side member 142 is fixed to the upper part of the right-side vertical member 1D with screws 166. In this way, the left end of the left-side member 141, which is pulled out to the left from the upper outer member 130A, is fixed to the left-side vertical member 1C, and the right end of the right-side member 142, which is pulled out to the right from the upper outer member 130A, is fixed to the right-side vertical member 1D, thereby fixing the upper holder 1A to the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D.

[0099] The distance between the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D varies depending on the type of window frame and solar cell module 40 to be installed. Therefore, with the upper holder 1A of this embodiment, by adjusting the length by which the left member 141 and the right member 142 are pulled out from the upper outer member 130A depending on the distance between the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D, it is possible to fix the upper holder 1A to the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D even for window frames and solar cell modules 40 of different sizes, and ultimately to fix the solar cell module 40.

[0100] Furthermore, although the upper inner member 140A includes a pair of left and right members 141 and 142 in this embodiment, it may include only one of the left and right members 141 and 142. That is, while the upper inner member 140A is configured such that the left and right members 141 and 142 can be pulled out from both the left and right sides of the upper outer member 130A, the left member 141 may be pulled out only from the left side of the upper outer member 130A without the right member 142, or the right member 142 may be pulled out only from the right side of the upper outer member 130A without the left member 141. For example, if only the left member 141 is provided without the right member 142, the right end of the upper outer member 130A may be fixed to the right vertical member 1D with a screw or the like, and the left member 141 may be pulled out from the upper outer member 130A and fixed to the left vertical member 1C. Even in this case, the upper holder 1A can be fixed to the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D in accordance with window frames and solar cell modules 40 of different sizes.

[0101] Next, the lower outer member 130B and lower inner member 140B of the lower holder 1B will be described. As shown in Figures 20 to 29, the lower outer member 130B is a long tubular member extending in the left-right direction, and its left-right length is approximately equal to that of the solar cell module 40 (see particularly Figures 20 and 21). Therefore, the lower outer member 130B covers the entire length of the lower side of the solar cell module 40.

[0102] 27 , the lower outer member 130B includes a lower portion 135 having a generally rectangular cross section, and a front side wall portion 136 and a back side wall portion 137 extending upward from the front end portion and the back end portion, respectively, of the lower portion 135. The vertical height of the front side wall portion 136 is greater than the vertical height of the back side wall portion 137. More specifically, the front side wall portion 136 is set to a height that covers the front surface of a setting block 155 (described later), whereas the back side wall portion 137 is set to a height that covers a portion of the lower part of the back surface of the setting block 155.

[0103] The lower outer member 130B has a groove 138 surrounded by a lower portion 135, a front sidewall 136, and a back sidewall 137. The groove 138 passes through the lower outer member 130B in the left-right direction and is open at the top and back. As shown in Figures 21 and 24, a pair of setting blocks 155, 155 are disposed at both left-right ends of the groove 138.

[0104] The setting block 155 is fixed by being sandwiched between the front sidewall 136 and the back sidewall 137. A recess 155a extending in the left-right direction is formed in the upper surface of the setting block 155, and the lower end of the solar cell module 40 is placed in the recess 155a. In this way, the groove 138 of the lower outer member 130B accommodates the pair of setting blocks 155, 155 and the lower end of the solar cell module 40 placed on the pair of setting blocks 155, 155.

[0105] The lower portion 135 of the lower outer member 130B has a through-hole 134 that passes through the lower portion 135 of the lower outer member 130B in the left-right direction. The through-hole 134 has a generally rectangular cross section, and the lower inner member 140B is disposed inside the through-hole 134.

[0106] 20 and 21, the lower inner member 140B of the lower holder 1B includes a left member 147 disposed on the left side and a right member 148 disposed on the right side inside the lower outer member 130B. 20 and 21 show a state in which the left member 147 is pulled out to the left from the lower outer member 130B, and the right member 148 is pulled out to the right from the lower outer member 130B.

[0107] The left side member 147 and the right side member 148 are each tubular members extending in the left-right direction and are housed in the through-holes 134 of the lower outer member 130B so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. The sum of the left-right dimensions of the left side member 147 and the right side member 148 is preferably approximately the same as the left-right dimension of the lower outer member 130B. This is because the larger the left-right dimensions of the left side member 147 and the right side member 148 are, the longer the length by which the left side member 147 and the right side member 148 can be pulled out from the lower outer member 130B, and the larger the adjustment range according to the dimension between the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D.

[0108] The cross-sectional shape of the left side member 147 will be described with reference to Figure 27. The left side member 147 is recessed toward the front side and has a groove 149 that penetrates the left side member 147 in the left-right direction. A rear-facing opening 146 is formed on the back side of the left side member 147 over the entire length in the left-right direction, and this rear-facing opening 146 communicates with the groove 149. Therefore, the left side member 147 has a generally U-shaped cross section that opens rearward (toward the window glass 30).

[0109] The left side member 147 has a planar surface 147a perpendicular to the front-to-back direction, an upper surface 147b and a lower surface 147c extending horizontally from the vertical ends of the surface 147a toward the rear side, a flange portion 147d protruding downward from the rear end of the upper surface 147b, and a flange portion 147e protruding upward from the rear end of the lower surface 147c. A rear-facing opening 146 is provided between the pair of flange portions 147d, 147e.

[0110] The outer surface of the left side member 147 abuts against the inner surface of the through-hole 134 of the lower outer member 130B. Therefore, when the left side member 147 is pulled out from the through-hole 134 inside the lower outer member 130B, the left side member 147 slides against the through-hole 134.

[0111] The left and right members 147 and 148 have the same cross-sectional shape, and therefore a description of the right member 148 will be omitted.

[0112] 20 , 21 , 25 , and 29 , a fixing plate 165 is provided at the left end of the left side member 147 and the right end of the right side member 148, extending toward the front side (the front side of the paper in FIG. 20 ) of the left side member 147 and the right side member 148. The fixing plate 165 may be separate from or integrated with the left side member 147 and the right side member 148, and if separate from them, the fixing plate 165 is fixed to the left side member 147 and the right side member 148 with screws or the like.

[0113] The left-side member 147 and the right-side member 148 are fixed to the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D. Specifically, the fixing plate portion 165 of the left-side member 147 is fixed to the lower part of the left-side vertical member 1C with a screw 166, and the fixing plate portion 165 of the right-side member 148 is fixed to the lower part of the right-side vertical member 1D with a screw 166. In this way, the left end of the left-side member 147 pulled out to the left from the lower outer member 130B is fixed to the left-side vertical member 1C, and the right end of the right-side member 148 pulled out to the right from the lower outer member 130B is fixed to the right-side vertical member 1D, thereby fixing the lower holder 1B to the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D.

[0114] The distance between the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D varies depending on the type of window frame and solar cell module 40 to be installed. Therefore, with the lower holder 1B of this embodiment, by adjusting the length by which the left member 147 and the right member 148 are pulled out from the lower outer member 130B depending on the distance between the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D, it is possible to fix the lower holder 1B to the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D even for window frames and solar cell modules 40 of different sizes, and ultimately to fix the solar cell module 40.

[0115] Furthermore, although the lower inner member 140B includes a pair of left and right members 147 and 148 in this embodiment, it may include only one of the left and right members 147 and 148. That is, while the left and right members 147 and 148 are configured to be able to be pulled out from both the left and right sides of the lower outer member 130B in this embodiment, the left member 147 may be pulled out only from the left side of the lower outer member 130B, and the right member 148 may not be provided. Alternatively, the right member 148 may be pulled out only from the right side of the lower outer member 130B, and the left member 147 may not be provided. For example, if only the left member 147 is provided without the right member 148, the right end of the lower outer member 130B may be fixed to the right vertical member 1D with a screw or the like, and the left member 147 may be pulled out from the upper outer member 130A and fixed to the left vertical member 1C. Even in this case, the upper holder 1A can be fixed to the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D in accordance with window frames and solar cell modules 40 of different sizes.

[0116] 20 and 21 , two first weight bearing members 17 that support the lower holder 1B are provided on the lower frame 23, spaced apart in the left-right direction. The first weight bearing members 17 are plate-shaped members that are fixed to the lower frame 23 by fixing means (e.g., screws, adhesive, etc.) not shown. The upper surface of the first weight bearing member 17 abuts against the lower surface of the lower outer member 130B, supporting the lower holder 1B. The shape of the first weight bearing member 17 is not particularly limited and may be set as desired.

[0117] Here, it is preferable to arrange the first weight receiving members 17 so that gaps U are provided between the first weight receiving members 17, 17, and between the first weight receiving members 17 and the left frame 25 or the right frame 27. The gaps U communicate in the front-to-back direction between the front side (indoor side) and the back side (window glass 30 side) below the lower holder 1B and above the lower frame 23. Providing such gaps U prevents warm air from accumulating between the window glass 30 and the solar cell module 40, and allows air to escape to the front side (indoor side) through the gaps U.

[0118] As shown in Fig. 22, the groove 138 of the lower outer member 130B accommodates the terminal box 46 installed at the lower end of the solar cell module 40. As shown in Fig. 20 and Fig. 21, the terminal box 46 of this embodiment is provided in the center of the lower end of the solar cell module 40 in the left-right direction.

[0119] 20 to 23, the wiring cord 45 drawn out from both the left and right ends of the terminal box 46 extends in the left-right direction within the groove 138 of the lower outer member 130B. Therefore, the groove 138 of the lower holder 1B also functions as a storage space for storing the wiring cord 45.

[0120] A pair of setting blocks 155, 155 are installed at both the left and right ends of the groove 138, preventing the passage of the wiring cord 45. Therefore, near the location where the setting blocks 155 are installed, the wiring cord 45 is pulled out from the groove 138 to the back side (toward the window glass 30) and placed between the lower holder 1B and the window glass 30, as shown in Figures 21 and 24.

[0121] 21 and 25, the wire cord 45 is disposed in the grooves 149 of the lower inner member 140B (the left member 147 and the right member 148) at locations laterally outward of the setting block 155 and the lower outer member 130B. Therefore, the grooves 149 of the lower inner member 140B also function as storage spaces for storing the wire cord 45.

[0122] 25 , a cover 149a is attached to the lower inner member 140B so as to cover the inward opening 146 that connects to the groove 149. This cover 149a prevents water, dust, etc. from entering the groove 149 and also prevents the wiring cord 45 from falling out of the groove 149.

[0123] The wiring cord 45 extends left and right within the groove 149 to reach the left frame 25 and the right frame 27, and then extends, for example, vertically and is guided up to the ceiling of the building.

[0124] In this way, the wiring cord 45 is stored in the grooves 138, 149 as storage spaces and is not exposed to the outside, so when viewed from the front as shown in Figure 21, the wiring cord 45 is not exposed, which gives a good appearance.

[0125] As described above, the panel support device 1 of this embodiment includes upper holder 1A and lower holder 1B arranged at a distance from each other, and upper holder 1A and lower holder 1B are fixed to left vertical member 1C and right vertical member 1D, respectively, and have grooves 131, 138, and 143 capable of accommodating at least a portion of the end of solar cell module 40 (panel), and lower holder 1B has grooves 138 and 149 (storage space) capable of accommodating wiring cord 45. Therefore, a panel support device 1 can be provided that allows solar cell module 40 to be easily and attractively added to an existing window glass 30.

[0126] Frame portion 20 includes left and right frames 25 and 27 spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and lower frame 23 connecting left and right frames 25 and 27. Upper holder 1A and lower holder 1B are fixed to left and right frames 25 and 27, respectively, and lower frame 23 is provided with first weight-receiving member 17 that supports lower holder 1B. This reliably prevents lower holder 1B from falling off.

[0127] Furthermore, the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B have an outer member 130 that extends in the left-right direction, and an inner member 140 that is housed inside the outer member 130 and extends in the left-right direction. The inner member 140 can be pulled out of the outer member 130 by moving it in the left-right direction. The left-right ends of the inner member 140 pulled out from the outer member 130 are fixed to the left-side vertical member 1C or the right-side vertical member 1D, and the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B are thereby fixed to the left-side vertical member 1C or the right-side vertical member 1D. Therefore, by adjusting the lengths of the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B to match the left-side distance between the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D, the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B can be fixed to the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D even if the left-side distance is different, and thus the solar cell module 40 can be fixed.

[0128] The inner member 140 has left members 141, 147 arranged on the left side and right members 142, 148 arranged on the right side inside the outer member 130, and the left ends of the left members 141, 147 pulled out from the outer member 130 are fixed to the left vertical member 1C, and the right ends of the right members 142, 148 pulled out from the outer member 130 are fixed to the right vertical member 1D, thereby fixing the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B to the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D. Therefore, by adjusting the lengths of the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B to match the left-right distance between the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D, the upper holder 1A and the lower holder 1B can be fixed to the left vertical member 1C and the right vertical member 1D even if the left-right distance between them is different, and thus the solar cell module 40 can be fixed.

[0129] In the second embodiment described above, an example was shown in which the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D are fixed to the left frame 25 and the right frame 27, but the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D may also be fixed to the upper frame 21 or the lower frame 23. In this case, the method of fixing the left-side vertical member 1C and the right-side vertical member 1D to the upper frame 21 or the lower frame 23 is not particularly limited, but for example, as exemplified in the first embodiment, tension fixing between the upper frame 21 and the lower frame 23 (see FIGS. 1 to 13), free-standing fixing to the lower frame 23 (see FIGS. 14 to 18), or hanging fixing to the upper frame 21 may be employed.

[0130] As described above, the present specification discloses the following configurations: (1) A panel support device for holding and installing a panel on an existing transparent member fixed to a frame portion, wherein the frame portion includes: left and right frames spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and upper and lower frames spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction and connecting the left and right frames, respectively, the panel support device further includes: upper and lower holders spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction, and left and right vertical members that support both left and right end portions of the upper and lower holders and extend vertically in the up-down direction, the left and right vertical members being fixed between the upper and lower frames, and the panel being supported between the upper holder, the lower holder, the left vertical member, and the right vertical member. (2) The panel support device according to (1), wherein the panel has a wiring cord, and at least one of the upper holder, the lower holder, the left vertical member, and the right vertical member has a storage space capable of storing the wiring cord. (3) The panel support device according to (1) or (2), wherein the left vertical member and the right vertical member are fixed between the upper frame and the lower frame in a tensioned manner. (4) The panel support device according to (3), wherein the upper end or lower end of the left vertical member and the right vertical member is provided with a screw hole, and a bolt member is threaded into the screw hole, and the left vertical member and the right vertical member can be fixed between the upper frame and the lower frame in a tensioned manner by adjusting the amount of vertical protrusion of the bolt member into the screw hole. (5) The panel support device according to (4), wherein a spring member is interposed between the bolt member and the upper frame or the lower frame.(6) The panel support device according to (3), wherein the left vertical member and the right vertical member have holes at their upper or lower ends, and the left vertical member and the right vertical member have abutment members each having a shaft portion inserted into the hole and a head portion provided at the vertical end of the shaft portion and capable of abutting against the upper frame or the lower frame, and wherein spring members are disposed between the head portion and the upper or lower end of the left vertical member and the right vertical member and around the shaft portion, and the spring members bias the head portion of the abutment member toward the upper frame or the lower frame, thereby enabling the left vertical member and the right vertical member to be fixed in position between the upper frame and the lower frame. (7) The panel support device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the left vertical member and the right vertical member are fixed to at least one of the upper frame and the lower frame with bolts. (8) The panel support device described in (1), wherein the upper holder and the lower holder have an outer member extending in the left-right direction, and an inner member housed inside the outer member and extending in the left-right direction, the inner member can be pulled out to the outside of the outer member by moving it in the left-right direction, and the left-right end of the inner member pulled out to the outside from the outer member is fixed to the left vertical member or the right vertical member, thereby fixing the upper holder and the lower holder to the left vertical member or the right vertical member. (9) The panel support device described in (8), wherein the inner member has a left-side member arranged on the left side inside the outer member and a right-side member arranged on the right side, and the left end of the left-side member pulled out from the outer member is fixed to the left-side vertical member, and the right end of the right-side member pulled out from the outer member is fixed to the right-side vertical member, thereby fixing the upper holder and the lower holder to the left-side vertical member and the right-side vertical member.

[0131] This application is based on a Japanese patent application filed on May 24, 2024 (Patent Application No. 2024-084916) and a Japanese patent application filed on December 23, 2024 (Patent Application No. 2024-226243), the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0132] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Panel support device 1A Upper holder 1B Lower holder 1C Left vertical member 1D Right vertical member 12 Storage space 20 Frame 21 Upper frame 21a Fitting groove 21b Fixing groove 23 Lower frame 23a Fitting groove 23b Fixing groove 25 Left frame 25a Fitting groove 25b Fixing groove 27 Right frame 27a Fitting groove 27b Fixing groove 29 Sealing material 30 Window glass (transparent member) 31 Panel base 31a Fitting portion 31b Mounting portion 31c Wall portion 33 Removable packing 40 Solar cell module (panel) 45 Wiring cord 46 Terminal box 47 Cell 48 Interconnector 51 Upper through-hole 53 Lower through-hole 55 Opening 100 Frame member 100A Upper frame member 100B Lower frame member 101 Central through-hole 103 Side through-hole (storage space portion) 105 Opening 107 Screw hole 109 Straight hole (hole) 111 Base 113 Bolt 119 Groove portion 120 Cover member 121 Engagement claw 122 Bolt member 123 Leaf spring (spring member) 124 Abutment member 124a Shaft portion 124b Head portion 125 Compression coil spring (spring member) 130 Outer member 130A Upper outer member 130B Lower outer member 131 Groove portion 132 Downward opening 133a Upper surface 133b Front surface 133c Back surface 133d, 133e Flange portion 134 Through-hole 135 Lower portion 136 Front side wall portion 137 Back side wall portion 138 Groove portion (storage space portion) 140 Inner member 140A Upper inner member 140B Lower inner member 141 Left side member 142 Right side member 143 Groove portion 144 Downward opening 145a Upper surface 145b Front surface 145c Back surface 145d, 145e Flange portion 146 Backward opening 147 Left side member 147a Front surface 147b Upper surface 147c Lower surface 147d, 147e Flange portion 148 Right side member 149 Groove portion (storage space portion) 149a Cover 150 Cushioning material 151 Upper surface 152 Front surface 152a Narrow width portion 153 Back surface 153a Narrow width portion 155 Setting block 161 Screw 165 Fixing plate 166 Screw

Claims

1. A panel support device for holding and installing a panel on an existing transparent member fixed to a frame portion, wherein the frame portion includes: left and right frames arranged at a distance from each other in the left-right direction; and upper and lower frames arranged at a distance from each other in the up-down direction and connecting the left and right frames, respectively; the panel support device further includes: upper and lower holders arranged at a distance from each other in the up-down direction; and left and right vertical members which support both left and right end portions of the upper and lower holders and extend vertically in the up-down direction, the left and right vertical members being fixed between the upper and lower frames, and the panel being supported between the upper holder, the lower holder, the left vertical member and the right vertical member.

2. The panel support device according to claim 1, wherein the panel has a wiring cord, and at least one of the upper holder, the lower holder, the left vertical member, and the right vertical member has a storage space portion capable of storing the wiring cord.

3. The panel support device according to claim 1, wherein the left vertical member and the right vertical member are fixed between the upper frame and the lower frame in a tensioned manner.

4. A panel support device as described in claim 3, wherein the left vertical member and the right vertical member have threaded holes at their upper or lower ends, bolt members are screwed into the threaded holes, and by adjusting the amount of vertical protrusion of the bolt members relative to the threaded holes, the left vertical member and the right vertical member can be tensioned and fixed between the upper frame and the lower frame.

5. A panel support device according to claim 4, wherein a spring member is interposed between the bolt member and the upper frame or the lower frame.

6. A panel support device as described in claim 3, wherein holes are provided at the upper or lower ends of the left-side vertical member and the right-side vertical member, and abutment members are provided having a shaft portion inserted into the hole and a head portion provided at the vertical end of the shaft portion and capable of abutting the upper frame or the lower frame, and wherein spring members are arranged between the head portion and the upper or lower ends of the left-side vertical member and the right-side vertical member and around the shaft portion, and wherein the spring member biases the head portion of the abutment member toward the upper frame or the lower frame, thereby enabling the left-side vertical member and the right-side vertical member to be tensioned and fixed between the upper frame and the lower frame.

7. The panel support device according to claim 1, wherein the left vertical member and the right vertical member are fixed to at least one of the upper frame and the lower frame with bolts.

8. The panel support device described in claim 1, wherein the upper holder and the lower holder have an outer member extending in the left-right direction, and an inner member housed inside the outer member and extending in the left-right direction, the inner member can be pulled out to the outside of the outer member by moving it in the left-right direction, and the left-right ends of the inner member pulled out to the outside from the outer member are fixed to the left vertical member or the right vertical member, thereby fixing the upper holder and the lower holder to the left vertical member or the right vertical member.

9. A panel support device as described in claim 8, wherein the inner member has a left-side member arranged on the left side and a right-side member arranged on the right side inside the outer member, and the left end of the left-side member pulled out from the outer member is fixed to the left-side vertical member, and the right end of the right-side member pulled out from the outer member is fixed to the right-side vertical member, thereby fixing the upper holder and the lower holder to the left-side vertical member and the right-side vertical member.

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