Standing Seam PV Mounting Plate for Non-Penetrating Roof Clamping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Installing photovoltaic cell modules on standing seam metal panel building surfaces poses challenges due to the need to avoid puncturing the expensive and potentially leaky surfaces, while existing mounting methods can cause damage and corrosion.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly that includes a mounting device, a mounting plate, a clamping member, and a threaded clamp fastener, allowing for secure attachment to standing seams without penetration, using a slot and fastener configuration that engages the seam without piercing, and incorporating features for alignment, grounding, and wire management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If mounting devices are used to attach photovoltaic modules to standing seam panels, then the photovoltaic modules can be securely mounted, but the standing seam panels may be punctured causing leakage and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly introduces intermediate components (mounting device with slot, seam fastener, mounting plate, clamping member) that mediate between the photovoltaic module and the standing seam panel. Instead of directly piercing the panel, the slot receives the standing seam and the fastener secures it within the slot, creating an indirect attachment path that preserves panel integrity while achieving secure mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting assembly divides the mounting function into separate components: the mounting device with slot that interfaces with the standing seam, the seam fastener that secures the seam to the device, the mounting plate that provides a clamping surface, and the clamping member that applies pressure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without requiring penetration of the building surface.
2Reliability
If standing seam panels are used to define building surfaces, then the building surface is more durable and aesthetically pleasing, but the cost of the building surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting device utilizes the existing standing seam structure itself as part of the mounting mechanism. The slot is designed to receive the standing seam, and the seam fastener secures the seam within the slot, effectively using the panel's own structural feature (the seam) to facilitate mounting without requiring additional penetration or modification that would compromise the panel's integrity or require more expensive materials.
3Ease of manufacture
If puncturing is used to mount structures on metal panel building surfaces, then the mounting is simpler and more direct, but leakage and corrosion issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting assembly introduces intermediate components (mounting device with slot, seam fastener, mounting plate, clamping member) that mediate between the photovoltaic module and the standing seam panel. Instead of directly piercing the panel, the slot receives the standing seam and the fastener secures it within the slot, creating an indirect attachment path that preserves panel integrity while achieving secure mounting.
Data Source
AI summary
A mounting assembly (70c) for installing solar cell or photovoltaic modules (58) on a building surface (34) is disclosed. The mounting assembly (70c) includes a mounting device (74), a stud (114) that may be threaded to the mounting device (74), a clamping member (142) that may be positioned on the stud (114), and a nut (128) that may be threaded onto the stud (114) to secure the clamping member (142) to the mounting device (74). A mounting plate (110′) is disposed somewhere between the clamping member (142) and the mounting device (74). This mounting plate (110′) includes a raised structure or dome (174) on its upper surface (170) for positionally registering modules (58) thereto, a plurality of grounding projections (172) on this same upper surface (170), and a plurality of wiring tabs or clips (178) on its lower surface (176).