Solar Mounting Bracket Slot for One-Handed Profile Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for solar modules and collectors on pitched roofs require complex adjustments and two-handed operation for secure attachment, lacking simplicity and ease of alignment for vertical and horizontal profiles.
Innovation Solution
A mounting bracket design with a slot at the upper end to temporarily hold a vertical profile, allowing easy alignment and definitive attachment using self-tapping screws, enabling single-handed operation and straightforward assembly of substructures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If slots and screw/nut connections are used for adjusting and securing vertical profiles, then alignment and secure attachment are achieved, but assembly complexity increases and two-handed operation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is segmented into distinct functional zones: an insertion zone with a slot for temporary positioning, and a fastening zone with a through-hole for definitive attachment. This segmentation allows the assembly process to be divided into simple sequential steps (insert → align → secure) rather than requiring complex simultaneous operations with multiple components like slots and screw/nut connections
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the alignment function from the fastening process by providing a dedicated insertion slot that temporarily holds the vertical profile in the correct position. This separates the alignment task from the secure attachment task, allowing each to be performed with simple, intuitive operations rather than requiring complex adjusted fastening mechanisms
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple adjustment mechanisms are provided for aligning vertical and horizontal profiles, then precise alignment is achieved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is pre-configured with a slot positioned at the optimal location for receiving the vertical profile. This preliminary arrangement of the insertion zone eliminates the need for operators to perform complex adjustments during assembly - they simply insert the profile into the pre-positioned slot, align it visually, and secure it with a single fastening action
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion slot acts as an intermediary element between the mounting bracket and the vertical profile. It provides a temporary holding position that guides the profile into correct alignment, serving as a mediator that simplifies the transition from rough insertion to precise final positioning without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms
Data Source
Figure 1~5
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Figure 6~7
AI summary
The device i.e. mounting bracket (11), has a fastening element (1) for mounting the device on a roof beam or a rafter of a roof substructure for brick or corrugated sheet roofs. The bracket is connected with the fastening element. An uppermost lying section of the bracket functions as a fastening leg (19) for a vertical profile (27) that is to be arranged on an inclined roof in a slope line, for the substructure. The fastening leg includes a fork-like end for tool-less insertion or sliding of a vertically lying leg of the vertical profile.