Flexible Solar Panel Clamp for Secure Single-Panel Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping systems for photovoltaic modules are inadequate as they either slip or fall off when clamping a single panel, require additional panels for support, or create stress concentrations due to their fixed lengths and lack of adjustability, making them difficult to use on inclined surfaces like rooftops.
Innovation Solution
A flexible clamp with an arch or C-shaped configuration that applies asymmetric forces, allowing for adjustable height and angular deflection, ensuring secure clamping without slippage, and featuring serrations for enhanced grip, which can be used on variable height panels and withstand dynamic loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clamps (T-clamp, U-clamp, Z-clamp) are made shorter than panel height to ensure proper gripping, then gripping capability is improved, but the clamp slips or falls off when clamping a single panel and requires additional panels for support
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp transitions from a rigid structure to a flexible one that can dynamically adapt its shape. The flexible material allows the clamp to bend and conform to the panel edge, maintaining gripping force without slipping or falling off, while enabling single-panel installation without requiring adjacent panels for support.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp's physical parameters (shape, length, flexibility) are changed by using flexible material that can be bent to different degrees. This allows the same clamp to adapt to varying panel heights and thicknesses while maintaining reliable gripping capability, resolving the contradiction between gripping reliability and ease of operation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional clamps are made longer than panel height to provide support, then stability is improved, but large forces are needed to overcome stiffness and clamp the panel in place
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is constructed from flexible material that can be bent into the desired shape. This flexibility eliminates the stiffness problem of conventional long clamps, allowing the clamp to be installed on single panels without requiring large forces to overcome rigidity, while still providing adequate support and stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If panel height varies, then adaptability to different panels is improved, but the clamp height must also vary leading to need for multiple different height clamps with no adjustability
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible clamp is designed to be universal and adaptable to different panel heights and thicknesses. A single clamp design can be bent to various degrees to accommodate different panels, eliminating the need for multiple different height clamps and reducing device complexity while maintaining broad panel compatibility.
4Manufacturing precision
If L-clamp is made exactly the correct height to clamp panels, then clamping precision is improved, but it creates uneven force on panels causing stress concentrations and slippage
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible clamp material can be bent to change its shape and distribution of contact points. This allows the clamp to achieve precise clamping while distributing force more evenly across the panel, avoiding stress concentrations and slippage that occur with rigid L-clamps of fixed height.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The flexible clamp provides secure clamping of solar panels to support structures, allowing for initial panel securing without additional support, reducing assembly labor, and maintaining contact under varying panel heights and environmental stresses, while being adaptable to different panel thicknesses and inclined surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
with flexible material between the two flat surfaces joining them together
Implementation Method 2
A hole through the top and bottom surfaces allows for a bolt to be installed and provide the force necessary to effect the downward and angular movement clamping the panels in place
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible height-adjustable clamp for clamping a solar panel to a support structure or base, with flat surfaces on the upper and lower parts of the clamp, the upper section clamping on the panels; and the lower section mounting against the base; with a hole through both flat surfaces for bolting a connector through the surfaces to secure the clamp and panel to the supporting structure; and a flexible section connecting the two surfaces in the form of an arc or folded section; with mechanical stops to allow positioning to against said panel.