Panel mounting bracket assembly including an adjustable height extension device and related methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rooftop solar panel mounting fixtures lack sufficient strength and durability to securely attach panels during storms, and they often require complex installations that are difficult and hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a panel mounting bracket with a base, vertical extension, and adjustable height device, featuring serrated surfaces and fastener channels for secure attachment of solar panels directly to the rooftop, allowing for independent panel installation and removal without disrupting adjacent panels, and incorporating an adjustable height mechanism for uneven surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing mounting fixtures are used, then solar panels can be installed on rooftops, but they lack sufficient strength and durability to securely attach panels during storms
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate modular components: a base portion that attaches to the rooftop, a vertical extension portion that provides height adjustment, and a panel attachment portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, with the base providing secure rooftop attachment and the extension providing adjustable height support, thereby improving overall strength and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting fixture incorporates an adjustable height mechanism that allows the vertical extension to be modified during installation and potentially during maintenance. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the system to adapt to uneven rooftop surfaces and provides flexibility for future panel replacements or reconfigurations, enhancing both strength and reliability
2Reliability
If complex installation procedures are used, then secure panel attachment can be achieved, but the installation process becomes difficult and hazardous
Solution Approach 1:
The modular segmented design allows installers to work with smaller, more manageable components rather than handling entire complex mounting systems at once. The base portion can be attached to the rooftop first, then the vertical extension added, and finally the panel attachment components secured, breaking the installation into safer, more manageable steps
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical extension portion acts as an intermediary element between the rooftop base and the solar panel attachment points. This intermediate component provides a stable, adjustable connection point that simplifies the overall installation process by creating a modular assembly sequence, reducing the complexity and hazard of direct panel-to-roof attachment
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 provides enhanced stability and ease of installation by allowing secure attachment of solar panels directly to the rooftop, reducing the risk of damage during storms and simplifying the installation process by enabling panel-by-panel attachment and removal without affecting adjacent panels, while accommodating various rooftop types and surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
a height adjustment screw including a head carried by the upper portion to set a vertical height of the upper portion
Implementation Method 2
A bottom surface of the base may be serrated
Data Source
AI summary
A system for mounting at least one solar panel on a building may include at least one panel mounting bracket including a base to be positioned on the building, a vertical extension having a proximal end coupled to the base and a distal end vertically spaced apart from the base, and a first lateral extension carried on an exterior surface of the vertical extension. The system may further include an adjustable height extension device for the at least one panel mounting bracket including a lower portion, an upper portion carried by the lower portion to be connected with the at least one solar panel, a second lateral extension carried by the upper portion and vertically aligned with the first lateral extension, and a height adjustment screw including a head carried by the upper portion to set a vertical height of the upper portion.