Pivoting PV Mount Frame for Fast Rooftop Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar photovoltaic (PV) module installations face challenges such as high installation time and labor due to requirements for wind uplift resistance and snow load support, often necessitating labor-intensive roof penetration or heavy ballast systems, which increase system weight and installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
A PV system with a photovoltaic module attached to a lightweight, rectangular mount frame featuring a deflector and mount foot that pivot for easy installation, minimizing mounting surface impact and eliminating the need for roof penetration or heavy ballast, using materials like outdoor-grade plastics and fiber-reinforced composites for reduced weight and simplified installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If roof penetration hardware is used to secure solar modules, then wind uplift resistance is improved, but system weight and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a lightweight mount frame that attaches to the roof, and a ballast weight system that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the frame to provide structural support while the ballast provides anchoring force, eliminating the need for complex penetration hardware and reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ballast weights to counteract wind uplift forces on the solar modules. Instead of using heavy penetration hardware to resist uplift, the invention employs movable ballast weights that provide the necessary counterbalancing force, thereby achieving wind uplift resistance without increasing permanent system weight or installation complexity.
2Reliability
If heavy ballast objects are placed to secure solar modules, then wind uplift resistance is improved, but system weight and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast weights are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing them to be easily positioned and adjusted during installation and maintenance. This dynamic approach simplifies the mounting system by eliminating complex fixed anchoring mechanisms while maintaining effective wind uplift resistance through flexible weight positioning.
3Strength
If traditional mounting systems are used, then structural support is provided, but shipping density is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mount frame is designed with nested components that can be compactly stored during shipping and easily deployed during installation. The ballast weights and mounting components fit within each other, maximizing shipping density while maintaining full structural support capability when deployed.
Data Source
AI summary
A photovoltaic system comprises a photovoltaic module attached to a photovoltaic mount frame, the mount frame having a rectangular shape. A deflector is attached to the mount frame by a rotatable deflector and mount frame attachment wherein the deflector pivots around the rotatable deflector and mount frame attachment from a nesting position under the photovoltaic module in the mount frame to an installation position raising at least a first side of the mount frame. A mount foot is attached to the deflector by a rotatable mount foot and deflector attachment wherein the mount foot pivots around the rotatable mount foot and deflector attachment from a nesting position in a mount foot nesting indention in the deflector to an installation position planar to a mounting surface.