Solar Panel Guard Bracket with Rigid Mesh Barrier

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solar panel guard systems fail to effectively prevent animal and debris intrusions due to lack of rigidity, durability, and resistance to weather changes, leading to damage and efficiency losses in solar panel systems.

Innovation Solution

A solar panel guard system featuring a metal bracket with a clip and leg structure that securely attaches to the solar panel, supporting a rigid guard structure made of durable materials like metal or plastic mesh, which prevents animals from entering the space under the panels and withstands environmental factors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flexible physical barrier is used to prevent animal intrusions, then the system provides basic protection, but the barrier lacks rigidity and can be easily pushed under by animals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidbarrier rigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a rigid guard structure (metal or plastic mesh) instead of flexible barriers, providing both protection effectiveness and structural strength to prevent animals from pushing under the barrier

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional mounting methods are used, then the guard structure can be installed, but the mounting lacks durability and fails under weather changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation capabilityVSAvoidmounting durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate components (brackets with clips and legs) that can be individually installed and adjusted, providing both ease of installation and durable weather-resistant connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The brackets are pre-formed with clip and leg structures that are prepared in advance for secure attachment to solar panels, ensuring durable mounting from the beginning rather than requiring subsequent reinforcement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the guard structure is made more rigid to prevent animal intrusions, then protection effectiveness improves, but the weight and complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection effectivenessVSAvoidguard structure weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses metal or plastic mesh materials that provide rigid protection against animal intrusions while maintaining relatively low weight compared to solid plate structures, achieving protection effectiveness without excessive weight gain

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11309831B2Solar panel guard system
Publication Date: 2022.04.19 CROOK TYLER
  • US11309831B2 patent drawing
  • US11309831B2 patent drawing
  • US11309831B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A solar panel guard system includes a bracket that includes a clip disposed at a first distal end of the bracket. The clip is configured to removably attach to a solar panel. The bracket further includes a leg extending from the clip to a second distal end of the bracket. The solar panel guard system further includes a guard structure including an upper edge configured to be disposed proximate the solar panel and a lower edge configured to be disposed proximate a surface that is disposed under the solar panel. The guard structure is configured to prevent objects from entering under the solar panel. The solar panel guard system further includes a fastening device configured to removably secure the guard structure to the leg of the bracket via an opening formed by the guard structure.