Pitched-Roof Solar Collector Mounting With Snow-Catching Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening systems for solar collectors on pitched roofs allow snow to easily slide off, posing a risk of roof avalanches and damage, as they maintain the same inclination as the roof, leading to ineffective snow accumulation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A fastening system with a carrier part that offsets the edge regions of solar collectors, creating a steeper angle than the roof, with a snow catcher surface and adjustable bearing surfaces to accumulate and melt snow, and optional heating and sprinkler elements for effective snow management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solar collectors are installed with the same inclination as the roof, then the installation is simple and follows the roof structure, but snow easily slides off causing roof avalanches and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is designed with different support heights at different locations: the first support has a smaller distance to the mounting surface while the second support has a larger distance, creating a localized offset that generates an overhang. This local structural differentiation creates a snow catcher surface without changing the overall installation simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a vertical offset dimension between adjacent solar collectors by positioning their support structures at different distances from the mounting surface. This creates a stepped configuration with an overhang that forms a snow catcher surface, adding a new dimensional feature to the otherwise planar roof installation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the carrier part offsets edge regions to create steeper angles, then snow accumulation is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier part is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs several functions: it supports the solar collector, provides the offset for snow accumulation, creates the overhang for snow catching, and maintains the steep angle for snow retention. This consolidation of multiple functions into a single component reduces overall structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the support function and the snow catcher function into a single integrated carrier part structure. The offset mechanism and overhang formation are combined with the mounting function, eliminating the need for separate snow catcher structures and simplifying the overall device
3Productivity
If a single carrier part holds two adjacent solar collectors, then installation efficiency improves, but the precision required for positioning increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier part is designed with self-aligning features where the offset and overhang geometry automatically guide the positioning of adjacent solar collectors. The structural configuration itself provides the positioning reference, eliminating the need for complex external alignment mechanisms or high-precision adjustment procedures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Prevents snow avalanches by accumulating and melting snow between collectors, ensuring the maximum effective collector area remains active and safe, while being cost-effective and simple to implement.
Implementation Method 1
the carrier part has a heating element which is arranged in the edge area of the eaves-side component, which is offset in relation to the adjacent edge area of the ridge-side component, in particular in the area of the snow catcher surface, as a result of which the snow collected there Snow can be melted
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an attachment system (1) having flat components (10, 11, 12) in the form of plates, in particular photovoltaic or solar-thermal elements, and supporting parts (2) for mounting the components (10, 11, 12) in the form of plates on a mounting surface (3), in particular on a steep-pitched roof (4), wherein at least two components (10, 11, 12), which are arranged in a row in a preferred direction (FT), in particular in the first eaves direction, are held by a plurality of supporting parts (2) which are mounted on the mounting surface (3). According to the invention, the supporting part (2) is designed to hold adjacent edge areas (10b, 11a; 11b, 12a) of two components (10, 11, 12), which are arranged in a row in a preferred direction (FT), in a state such that they are each at inclination angle (ß) with respect to the inclination angle (α) of the mounting surface (3), such that an edge area (IIa, 12a) of the one component (11, 12), which in particular is on the eaves side, is at least partially offset, preferably by the thickness (d) of the component (10, 11, 12) with respect to the adjacent edge area (10b, 11b) of the other component (10, 11), in particular the component (10, 11) on the first side, at right angles to the mounting surface (3).