Assembly comprising profiles for supporting a solar panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar panel mounting techniques face challenges such as reduced bending strength and stiffness, increased complexity and cost, and reduced energy conversion efficiency due to torsional forces, corrosion, and difficulty in adapting to varying panel thicknesses, as well as ergonomic issues during installation.
Innovation Solution
A structural profile assembly featuring two parallel structural profiles with continuous top covers and spaced panel support sections, allowing solar panels to be slidably mounted between them, reducing friction and moisture accumulation, and enabling easy adaptation to different panel thicknesses while maintaining mechanical strength and reducing material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two independent rails are secured with screws and bolts to adapt to different solar panel thicknesses, then adaptability is improved, but bending strength and stiffness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the upper rail and lower rail into a single integrated structural profile made from one piece of material. This unified structure eliminates the need for separate components connected by fasteners, thereby restoring full bending strength and stiffness while maintaining adaptability through adjustable clamping mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable clamping mechanisms that allow the structural profile to dynamically adapt to different solar panel thicknesses. This adjustability provides versatility without compromising the inherent strength of the integrated structure, as the adaptation is achieved through movable components rather than separate rigid parts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If screws and bolts are used to secure the rails, then adaptability to different panel thicknesses is improved, but mounting time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fastening function from the structural profile itself by integrating adjustable clamping mechanisms directly into the design. This eliminates the need for separate screws and bolts, significantly reducing mounting time while maintaining adaptability through the built-in adjustment capability of the clamping system.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable clamping mechanisms are designed to be self-adjusting, allowing installers to quickly adapt to different panel thicknesses without requiring multiple fastening operations. The self-service nature of these mechanisms reduces manual intervention and accelerates the mounting process.
3Strength
If continuous top covers and panel supports are used, then structural strength is improved, but friction during sliding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the panel support into discrete sections rather than using a continuous support surface. This segmentation reduces the contact area between the solar panel and the structural profile during sliding, thereby reducing friction while maintaining structural strength through the integrated design of the segmented supports.
4Strength
If continuous panel support is used, then structural strength is improved, but moisture accumulation and corrosion increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the panel support into discrete sections with gaps between them. This segmentation prevents continuous moisture accumulation along the support surface, allowing water to drain away and reducing corrosion risks while maintaining the structural integrity of the integrated profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of continuous contact into a benefit by using segmented supports that allow moisture to escape. The gaps between segments transform the harmful accumulation effect into a beneficial drainage effect, reducing corrosion while maintaining structural strength.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly comprises at least two structural profiles arranged parallel to each other with respect to their length direction and at least one solar panel. Each of the structural profiles is doubled walled and comprises a continuous top cover and a plurality of spaced panel support sections. Each of said plurality of structural profiles is positioned such that, in between the respective top covers and their corresponding panel supports of adjacent structural profiles, along the length direction, the at least one solar panel can be slidably mounted at both its opposing edges.