Hinged Solar Mount Assembly to Simplify Multi-Piece Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rooftop solar arrays face challenges in installation due to multi-piece mounts that are difficult to keep together before installation, requiring a solution to securely assemble and attach multiple components.
Innovation Solution
The Grip Mount system, comprising a Grip Arm and Attachment Bracket with a flexible member and interlocking mechanism, allows for easy assembly and secure attachment to a roof surface by using grip flanges and a flexible member to maintain the assembly in both open and closed states, facilitating installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pieces are used to form the mount, then the mount can be adapted to different roof configurations, but the pieces are difficult to keep together before installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate mount pieces into a single integrated assembly where the first arm, second arm, and attachment bracket are connected through hinges and kept together by a flexible member. This merging allows the multi-piece structure to maintain adaptability while solving the problem of keeping pieces together during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible member is pre-installed on the mount assembly before installation onto the roof. This preliminary action of securing the flexible member to the arms and bracket ensures that all pieces remain connected and organized prior to the actual installation process, eliminating the difficulty of keeping multiple pieces together.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the mount uses multiple pieces for flexibility, then it can accommodate different installations, but the installation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible member (such as a rubber band or elastic strap) to connect the multiple rigid components of the mount. This flexible element simplifies the overall assembly by providing a simple, unified structure that maintains flexibility and adaptability while reducing the complexity of handling and installing multiple separate pieces.
3Ease of operation
If the mount is designed as a single piece, then assembly is simpler, but it cannot be easily adjusted for different roof surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The mount is divided into segmented components (first arm, second arm, attachment bracket) that are connected through hinges, allowing each segment to move independently. This segmentation enables the mount to adapt to different roof surfaces and angles while maintaining a simplified assembly process through the use of the flexible member that keeps all segments connected.
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 Grip Mount system simplifies the installation process by securely holding multiple pieces together and attaching them to the roof surface efficiently, ensuring a stable and secure rooftop solar array setup.
Implementation Method 1
A Flexible Member 103 flexibly secures the First Arm 101 and Second Arm 102 together
Data Source
AI summary
A solar mount, for use with a bracket attachment, has an open and a closed state. In the open state, grip flanges on two hinged arms can pass through a slot opening on the bracket attachment. In the closed state, the grip flanges cooperate with respective groves in the bracket attachment to secure the solar mount to the bracket attachment. In the closed state, a fastener attaches a solar accessory, such as a rail, and holds the two hinged arms together. A flexible mount helps hold the two hinged arms together in the open state, and also helps hold the two hinged arms in the closed state.