Roof Mounting Rail Structure for Distributed Panel Load Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roof structures with composite material or sheet metal profiles struggle to manage tensile and compressive forces, particularly when installing photovoltaic or solar thermal panels, as they often exceed permissible point loads and fail to effectively transfer forces into the roof substructure, especially under snow loads.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging connecting elements between the roof covering and mounting rail, with end sections fastened directly to the roof substructure using first fastening means, and additional connecting elements along the rail to distribute forces more selectively, ensuring that compressive and transverse loads are absorbed by the more stable substructure rather than the covering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If connecting elements are attached to the roof covering at specific points to support mounting rails, then the mounting structure can be installed, but the permissible point loads of the composite material roof covering are quickly exceeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (mounting rail) that distributes loads from multiple connecting elements across a larger area of the roof covering. Instead of concentrating forces at discrete attachment points, the mounting rail acts as a load-distributing element that spreads tensile and compressive forces over an extended surface area, thereby reducing peak point loads while maintaining installation feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point-based load transfer to line-based or area-based load transfer by introducing the mounting rail as a continuous structural element. This dimensional change allows forces to be distributed along the length of the rail rather than concentrated at individual attachment points, effectively reducing the stress intensity at any single location on the roof covering
2Device complexity
If forces are transferred directly into the roof covering, then the mounting structure is simpler, but the roof covering cannot withstand the point loads and deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the force transfer path into multiple stages: first from support elements to mounting rails, then from mounting rails to roof covering via distributed connecting elements. This segmentation allows the mounting rail to bear a significant portion of the structural loads, reducing the burden on the roof covering and preventing deformation while maintaining overall structural integrity
3Ease of operation
If conventional mounting units are used with connecting elements at specific points, then installation is straightforward, but tensile and compressive forces cannot be effectively transferred into the roof substructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the force transfer mechanism from point-to-point connections to a distributed line-contact system using the mounting rail. This allows forces to be transferred continuously along the rail's length into the roof substructure through multiple connecting elements, significantly enhancing force transfer capability while maintaining installation simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting rail serves as a mediator that facilitates effective force transfer between the support elements and the roof substructure. It collects tensile and compressive forces from the support elements and distributes them to multiple attachment points on the substructure, enabling efficient load path creation without compromising installation ease
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a roof structure (1) comprising at least one installation unit (2) for securing support elements (19), in particular photovoltaic or solar thermal panels, comprising a roof substructure (12), a roof cover (4) comprising a composite material assembly and/or a profiled sheet-metal section, in particular sandwich elements and/or profiled trapezoidal sheet-metal sections, connection elements (6, 6.1, 6.2), and at least one installation rail (5). The connection elements (6, 6.1, 6.2) are arranged between the roof cover (4) and the installation rail (5). According to the invention, connection elements (6) are arranged at least in end sections (7) at both ends (8) of an installation rail (5), said connection elements being secured by first securing means (10), which secure the connection elements (6) to the roof substructure (12), in particular roof purlins (11) of the roof substructure (12), and at least one additional connection element (6.1, 6.2) is arranged along the installation rail (5) between the connection elements (6) which are secured by the first securing means (10).