Photovoltaic Roof Fastening with Universal Interlocking Surface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for photovoltaic components on roof surfaces face challenges in achieving reliable connections on diverse surface compositions like concrete or rough wood, leading to increased complexity and costs due to the need for special touch-and-close fastener elements.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a support surface with loop or interlocking elements applied after mounting, where a suitable joining surface is created using a bitumen or plastic material, allowing for detachable connection of touch-and-close fastener elements, regardless of the attachment surface type, using a backing web with bitumen mass and granulate, or a plastic sheet with interlocking elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If special touch-and-close fastener elements are used for rough surfaces, then connection reliability is improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into two separate functional components: a support element that attaches to the roof surface, and a mounting rail that attaches to the support element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the support element handles surface adaptation while the mounting rail provides standardized fastening functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element acts as an intermediary component between the roof surface and the mounting rail. It provides a standardized attachment surface (with loop elements) that mediates the connection, allowing the mounting rail to interact with a uniform interface regardless of the underlying surface complexity.
2Reliability
If special touch-and-close fastener elements are used for rough surfaces, then connection reliability is improved, but costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the fastening system into standardized support elements and mounting rails, mass production of each component becomes feasible. The support elements can be manufactured in large quantities with consistent loop element patterns, reducing per-unit costs compared to custom-made specialized fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element with loop elements serves as a universal base that can work with standardized mounting rails regardless of the underlying surface type. This universality allows for standardized manufacturing processes and component interchangeability, reducing costs associated with surface-specific customization.
3Ease of operation
If touch-and-close fastener elements are directly attached to diverse surfaces, then installation simplicity is maintained, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is pre-configured with loop elements in a standardized pattern before installation. This preliminary preparation allows the mounting rail to be attached using a simple, consistent procedure, while the support element itself has already been adapted to ensure reliable attachment to the specific surface type.
4Device complexity
If standardized fastening components are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support element incorporates loop elements distributed across its surface in a specific pattern, creating localized attachment points that provide both standardized interaction for the mounting rail and adapted attachment characteristics for the specific roof surface type.
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
Enables simple, reliable, and economical fastening of photovoltaic components by providing a universal attachment method that works on various roof surfaces, reducing the need for specialized fasteners and lowering installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
a bitumen mass is applied, preferably by doctoring
Implementation Method 2
touch-and-close connections of complementary interlocking elements which can be engaged to one another
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening system, in particular for components of photovoltaic systems, preferably on roof surfaces of buildings, includes providing a support surface (1) and at least one fastening component (7, 19) of loops and/or other interlocking elements on the support surface. After applying the fastening component (7, 19) in the mounted state of the support surface (1), at least one other corresponding fastening component (7, 19) provided with other interlocking elements can be detachably connected to the fastening components (7, 19) on the support surface.