An assembly adapted to support panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frame-less photo-voltaic panels lack sufficient structural rigidity to span distances between mounting profiles without bending, necessitating an improved assembly for efficient and safe mounting that provides adequate structural support.
Innovation Solution
The assembly features longitudinal and transverse profiles with U-shaped cross sections and profile support structures, allowing panels to be slid into place, with transverse profiles extending to be enclosed by longitudinal profiles, providing secure support without additional mounting means, and optionally incorporating elastic elements for added stability and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If frame-less photo-voltaic panels are used to reduce transport volume and weight, then weight and transport efficiency are improved, but structural rigidity deteriorates causing unallowable bending between mounting profiles
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is segmented into longitudinal profiles and transverse profiles that create multiple support points across the panel surface. This segmentation distributes the structural support function across multiple components, allowing frame-less panels to be adequately supported without requiring frames, thus reducing weight while preventing bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a bidirectional profile system with both longitudinal and transverse elements, creating a two-dimensional support grid. This dimensional approach provides support at multiple locations across the panel surface, preventing bending in both longitudinal and transverse directions, thereby compensating for the lack of panel rigidity.
2Reliability
If transverse profiles are secured at intermediate locations during mounting, then structural stability is improved, but assembly complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal profiles are pre-installed and configured to receive transverse profiles at their ends. This preliminary configuration creates self-aligning receiving structures that guide the transverse profiles into place, eliminating the need for intermediate securing operations and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile support structures are designed to automatically guide and position transverse profiles during assembly. The U-shaped cross-sections and extending legs create self-aligning features that enable workers to simply slide transverse profiles into place without requiring additional securing actions, making the assembly process self-servicing.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed an assembly (10) adapted to support panels (20), arranged in a plurality of rows (30) arranged side by side, each row (30) comprising two longitudinal profiles (40) and a plurality of transverse profiles (50) extending between said two longitudinal profiles (40). Both the longitudinal profiles (40) and the transverse profiles (50) comprise panel support structures (42, 52). The longitudinal profiles (40) further comprise a profile support structure (62) arranged below each panel support structure (42). The transverse profiles (50) comprise, extending at both opposing ends (72, 74), respective extensions (76, 78) configured to be respectively enclosed by said profile support structures (62).