Solar Panel Mounting Device with Multi-Directional Locking Abutments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar panel attachment systems are not robust enough to maintain the panel in place during severe weather conditions, such as strong winds, leading to potential deformation, disconnection, and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device with a support surface, first and second locking abutments, and a third blocking abutment, along with an elbow piece forming a housing to accommodate the wing of a spar, which secures the solar panel to a frame, preventing movement in multiple directions and ensuring stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple hanging system with a flange is used to attach the solar panel to the frame, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability and strength of the attachment are insufficient under severe weather conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into multiple functional components: a support surface for bearing weight, first and second locking abutments for directional restraint, and a third blocking abutment for additional stabilization. This segmentation allows each component to address specific failure modes separately, achieving high reliability without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking abutments and blocking stops are pre-positioned to counteract wind loads and other severe weather forces before they can cause panel displacement or deformation. The first locking abutment prevents movement in one direction while the second prevents movement in the opposite direction, creating preliminary resistance against atmospheric forces.
2Strength
If multiple locking abutments and blocking stops are added to improve panel fixation under wind loads, then the reliability and strength are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking and blocking functions are merged into a single integrated fixing device structure. The support surface, first locking abutment, second locking abutment, and third blocking abutment are combined into one cohesive component that attaches to the frame, reducing the number of separate parts while maintaining strong holding force through multi-directional restraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a bearing surface for the spar, implements bidirectional locking through first and second locking abutments, and adds stabilization with a third blocking abutment. This multi-functionality achieves high strength and reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Reliability
If a robust fixing system with multiple abutments is implemented to prevent panel deformation and displacement, then the reliability and strength are improved, but the ease of operation and assembly time may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The first locking abutment, second locking abutment, and third blocking abutment are pre-configured in the fixing device structure before installation. This preliminary arrangement allows the installer to simply position the device and secure it, without needing to manually adjust or configure multiple separate locking components during assembly, thus maintaining ease of operation despite the complex functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
- Improved mounting device for a solar panel to a frame. - The invention relates to a mounting device (1) for a solar panel (2), the solar panel (2) comprising a plate (3) and a support having a first longitudinal member (6), said device comprising: - a bearing surface (10) against which said first longitudinal member (6) is intended to rest, - a first locking stop (12) for said first longitudinal member (6), in order to limit or prevent its movement along a first direction (D1), - a second locking stop (16) for said first longitudinal member (6), the mounting device (1) also comprising a third locking stop (20) for said first longitudinal member (6), in order to limit or prevent its movement along a second direction (D2) perpendicular to said first direction (D1). - Mounting of solar panels on a frame.