Solar Panel Mounting Assembly With Spring-Biased Stress Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar panel mounting systems require substantial preparation time and resources for installation, often involving awkward positioning and mechanical assistance, and are prone to stresses from natural elements and ambient changes.
Innovation Solution
A solar panel mounting system that includes a support structure with a biasing assembly, restraining, and retaining elements, utilizing a guide assembly with conical washers and spring washers to facilitate easy installation and absorption of physical stresses, along with anti-rotation elements for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional rack-and-frame mounting systems are used, then solar panels can be securely mounted, but substantial preparation time and resources are required for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: support rails mounted to the foundation, and mounting assemblies that can be independently positioned and attached to the rails. This segmentation allows for pre-preparation of support structures and rapid deployment of mounting assemblies, reducing on-site installation time while maintaining secure mounting capability
Solution Approach 2:
Support rails are pre-mounted to the foundation structure before solar panel installation. This preliminary action allows the foundation and support structure to be prepared in advance, eliminating the need for simultaneous preparation during panel installation and significantly reducing overall installation time
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple installers manually position and mount solar panels, then panels can be installed in precise positions, but awkward positioning and mechanical assistance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly incorporates a sliding mechanism that allows the assembly to move dynamically along the support rail during positioning. This dynamic positioning capability enables installers to easily adjust and precisely position panels along the rail without awkward manual handling or mechanical assistance, combining ease of operation with positioning precision
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly acts as an intermediary between the support rail and the solar panel. It provides a standardized interface with attachment points that simplify the connection process, allowing precise positioning through the sliding mechanism while reducing the physical effort and complexity required by installers
3Stability of the object's composition
If solar panels are firmly secured to prevent movement, then mounting stability is achieved, but the system cannot absorb physical stresses from natural elements
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly incorporates spring washers that change their mechanical parameters (force, position) in response to external stresses. These springs allow the assembly to flex and adjust its characteristics under load, enabling the system to absorb physical stresses from thermal expansion, wind, and other natural elements while maintaining stable mounting through controlled elastic deformation
4Productivity
If each panel is mounted in a different position to maximize solar exposure, then energy efficiency is optimized, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly is designed as a universal component that can be positioned at any location along the support rail and performs the same mounting function regardless of position. This universality allows each panel to be independently positioned to maximize solar exposure while using the same standardized assembly, optimizing energy efficiency without increasing mounting system complexity
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
The system reduces installation time and resources, provides vertical flexibility to absorb physical stresses, and maintains solar panel positioning despite environmental changes, ensuring efficient and stable mounting.
Implementation Method 1
a spring washer positioned between the conical washer and the solar panel bracket, the spring washer resiliently urging the conical washer toward a surface of the two inwardly bent flanges
Implementation Method 2
provides vertical flexibility to absorb physical stresses
Data Source
AI summary
A solar panel mounting system may include a solar panel mounting assembly for mounting to a support structure. The solar panel mounting assembly may include a restraining element, a retaining element and a biasing assembly that supports the restraining and retaining elements. The support structure may include an upper surface and a lower surface spaced from the upper surface. The biasing assembly may further include a biasing element that resiliently urges the retaining element toward a securing element for supporting a solar panel that is positioned between the retaining element and the upper surface of the support structure, and resiliently urges the restraining element toward the lower surface of the support structure. A retention device may resiliently bias the solar panels of a solar panel assembly together on a support structure.