Façade Panel Hook-Rail Assembly for Detachable Solar Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a robust fastening assembly that allows individual detachment of façade panels with integrated solar panels for ease of maintenance and replacement, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and structural integrity, especially in high-rise buildings where roof space is insufficient for traditional solar panel installation.
Innovation Solution
A fastening assembly comprising fastening rails, supporting elements, and attaching brackets with hook-shaped profiles and clamping elements that allow for detachable attachment of façade panels, ensuring minimal spacing and high clamping force to withstand extreme weather conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If façade panels are robustly attached to the building, then structural integrity and resistance to extreme weather conditions are improved, but the ability to individually detach panels for maintenance and replacement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening assembly is segmented into modular components: fastening rails attached to the building, supporting elements attached to the façade panel, and attaching brackets connecting the two. This segmentation allows the panel to be robustly attached while enabling individual detachment by simply releasing the bracket from the rail, without affecting other panels.
Solution Approach 2:
The attaching bracket features a dynamic connection mechanism with a rim that can be hooked onto the fastening rail and securely held during normal conditions, yet can be easily detached when needed for maintenance. The connection transitions from a secure locked state during operation to an easily releasable state for maintenance.
2Shape
If façade panels are attached with minimal spacing, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but the robustness and stability of attachment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the robustness mechanism from the horizontal spacing dimension to the vertical dimension. The rim of the attaching bracket extends in a vertical plane and hooks onto the horizontal fastening rail, creating a mechanical interlock that provides robust attachment even when horizontal spacing between panels is minimal for aesthetic purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The attaching bracket acts as an intermediary element between the façade panel and the fastening rail. Its hook-shaped profile with an extended rim creates a mechanical interlock that ensures robust attachment, allowing minimal spacing between panels while maintaining attachment reliability through the intermediary bracket mechanism.
3Shape
If solar panels are installed on the roof, then aesthetic character is maintained, but sufficient energy production capacity deteriorates due to insufficient roof space
Solution Approach 1:
The solution transitions solar panel installation from the horizontal roof surface to the vertical façade surface of the building. This dimensional change from horizontal to vertical placement allows significantly increased solar panel capacity while maintaining aesthetic character through the integrated façade panel design.
4Quantity of substance
If façade panels with integrated solar panels are used, then energy production capacity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the solar panel integration into pre-fabricated façade panels that come with integrated solar cells. This segmentation allows the complex solar integration to be manufactured separately and then simply attached to the building through the fastening assembly, reducing on-site manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A fastening assembly for fastening a plurality of facade panels (3) to the face of a building (5), mutually spaced apart from each other by a spacing d, wherein said facade panels comprise one or more solar panels (7), said fastening assembly comprising: a plurality of first and second fastening rails (9, 11), a plurality of elongated supporting elements (13), each comprising a pair of a first attaching bracket (17) attached to the top of said supporting element, and a second attaching bracket (19) attached to the bottom of said supporting element, wherein said pair of first and second attaching brackets is arranged for detachably attaching said facade panel to said face of said building, wherein said first and second attaching brackets have hook-shaped profiles comprising a rim (21) for hooking said attaching bracket to one of said first and second fastening rails (9, 11), and wherein a height h of said rim, in use, substantially corresponds to, and is at most said spacing d, and further comprise clamping elements in the form of slots (23) for fixing the brackets to a respective rail, said first attaching brackets (17) being arranged such that said slot is vertically aligned with said spacing d.