Overlapping Roofing Panel Profile for Rail-Free Solar Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for installing solar modules on roofing panels are cumbersome due to the difficulty in handling and positioning fastening rails, which also complicate achieving leak-tightness and proper ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A panel design featuring a profile with longitudinal ribs, flanges, and protruding parts that allow for marginal overlap of panels to form a leaktight chamber, eliminating the need for a fastening rail and enabling direct fastening of solar modules, while maintaining ventilation and leak-tightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fastening rail is used to secure solar modules to roofing panels, then the solar modules can be fastened and ventilation is enabled, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming due to handling and positioning constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate fastening rail component from the system. Instead, the roofing panels themselves are designed with integrated protruding parts that directly receive fasteners, eliminating the need for additional rails and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the ventilation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening function previously performed by a separate rail is merged into the roofing panel structure itself. The protruding parts are integrated into the panel design, combining the structural, ventilating, and fastening functions into a single unified system.
2Productivity
If a fastening rail is installed on-site to secure solar modules, then solar modules can be mounted, but the installation time increases and leak-tightness becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding parts for fastener reception are pre-formed as integral features of the roofing panels during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for on-site rail installation and ensures that the leak-tightness design is built into the structure before installation begins.
3Reliability
If panels are assembled with overlapping edges to ensure leak-tightness, then the roofing becomes waterproof, but the complexity of achieving proper overlap and sealing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overlapping panel edges with protruding parts are designed to self-align and self-seal during installation. The geometry of the protruding parts and overlapping edges works together to automatically ensure proper positioning and leak-tightness without requiring complex sealing procedures or additional components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a panel having a profile. The panel includes a first longitudinal edge including in succession a first longitudinal rib, a flange, and a second longitudinal rib. Each longitudinal rib includes an upper central part and two lateral wings. The panel also includes a central part and a second longitudinal edge including in succession a first lateral portion, a protruding part, and a second lateral portion. The lateral portions have a configuration permitting them to at least partially overlap the upper central parts of the first and second longitudinal ribs. The protruding part is capable of receiving a fastener. The present invention also provides an assembly of panels marginally overlapping, a roofing and a kit for fabrication of roofing.