Fastening arrangement for attaching solar panels or glass elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mounting systems for solar panels and glass elements face challenges in ease and speed of installation, particularly as panel or element size or shape increases, requiring greater manageability during installation.

Innovation Solution

A fastening arrangement comprising elongated parts with specific geometric features such as levels, protrusions, recesses, and fastening surfaces allows for easier and quicker installation of solar panels or glass elements by attaching them to their edge areas, using fasteners like adhesive mass or two-sided tape, and includes aligning protrusions for alignment and sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional mounting systems are used for large solar panels or glass elements, then the panels can be attached to roofs or walls, but the installation becomes difficult and time-consuming due to poor manageability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidmanageability during installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate modular components: rails with receiving structures and panels with corresponding fastening elements. This segmentation allows for easier handling and installation of large panels, as the system can be assembled in discrete steps rather than requiring complete pre-assembly of large structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rails are pre-formed with receiving structures (recesses, grooves, or channels) that are designed to accommodate the fastening protrusions of the panels. This preliminary preparation of the mounting structure enables quick and straightforward attachment of panels during installation, eliminating the need for complex on-site adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If conventional fastening methods are used, then solar panels can be attached to structures, but the installation process is time-consuming and lacks precision in alignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The rails are pre-formed with receiving structures (recesses, grooves, or channels) that are designed to accommodate the fastening protrusions of the panels. This preliminary preparation of the mounting structure enables quick and straightforward attachment of panels during installation, eliminating the need for complex on-site adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The geometric shapes of the protrusions and receiving structures are designed to automatically guide and align panels during installation. The complementary shapes create a self-aligning mechanism that ensures proper positioning without requiring additional alignment tools or procedures, allowing the system to self-correct minor positioning errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If standard mounting rails are used, then panels can be fastened to structures, but achieving uniform alignment and level positioning is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precisionVSAvoidfastening structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The geometric shapes of the protrusions and receiving structures are designed to automatically guide and align panels during installation. The complementary shapes create a self-aligning mechanism that ensures proper positioning without requiring additional alignment tools or procedures, allowing the system to self-correct minor positioning errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening structures utilize asymmetric geometric shapes where protrusions on one component fit into specifically shaped receiving structures on the other component. This asymmetric design provides unique orientation and positioning, ensuring that panels can only be installed in the correct orientation and position, thereby guaranteeing uniform alignment across the entire installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3907441B1Fastening arrangement for attaching solar panels or glass elements
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 KELO MARKETING OY
  • EP3907441B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3907441B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3907441B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a fastening arrangement for solar panels and glass elements, the installation of which fastening arrangement is easier and quicker. The fastening arrangement comprises a first elongated part (1) for attaching a first panel or element (23) by the first edge area (28) of the panel or element and a second elongated part (2) for attaching a second solar panel (24) by the second edge area (29) of the panel or element.