Steel Panel Side Structure With Clamp Wings for Safer Panel Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar panel fixing systems require human intervention at the top of the panels for maintenance and panel changes, which is risky and difficult, and the transition from aluminum to steel manufacturing poses challenges due to the complexity of creating notches by folding.
Innovation Solution
A lateral structure for a support and fixing frame made of steel, using the folding process, which includes a support profile with reception wings and a fixing profile with tightening wings, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly of panels without human intervention on the panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple notches are created on profiles for assembly, then the clamping force can be adjusted and redundancy is provided, but the manufacture becomes complex when using bending process on steel
Solution Approach 1:
The profile is divided into multiple notches along its length, with each notch serving as an independent assembly position. This segmentation allows the system to provide redundancy and adjustable clamping force while maintaining simple manufacturing of each individual notch feature
Solution Approach 2:
The notches are pre-formed during the profile manufacturing process (either by extrusion for aluminum or bending for steel), so that no additional complex operations are needed during assembly. The preliminary creation of notches simplifies the overall manufacturing while ensuring assembly reliability
2Ease of manufacture
If profiles are made of steel using bending process, then material cost is reduced, but maintaining profile shape and creating notches becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bending process parameters (temperature, force, tooling) are optimized to achieve the desired notch geometry while maintaining the overall profile shape. By controlling the bending parameters, the system achieves both cost-effective steel manufacturing and precise profile formation
Solution Approach 2:
A bending tool or die is used as an intermediary to transfer the desired notch geometry to the steel profile. This tool mediates between the bending process and the final profile shape, ensuring precision while using cost-effective steel material
3Reliability
If multiple notches are provided for panel attachment, then assembly redundancy is achieved, but installation becomes more difficult and requires close attention from fitters
Solution Approach 1:
The notches are designed with asymmetric features or unique positioning that makes it obvious which notches should be used for assembly. This asymmetry eliminates confusion during installation while maintaining the redundancy of having multiple notches available
Solution Approach 2:
The correct notches are pre-marked or pre-positioned during manufacturing, so that fitters do not need to carefully select which notches to use during installation. The preliminary arrangement of notches simplifies the installation process while maintaining assembly reliability
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 solution enables efficient and safe assembly and maintenance of solar panels, reduces the risk of panel damage, and facilitates the transition to steel manufacturing by simplifying the creation of necessary profiles through the folding process.
Implementation Method 1
The first receiving wing and the second receiving wing are sandwiched between the clamping wings
Implementation Method 2
the goal is to manufacture steel parts by bending, since steel extrusion is not industrially feasible
Implementation Method 3
creating notches using bending
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Lateral structure (10) for a frame (3) for panels comprising a support profile (100) having two first bearing surfaces (107) intended to be fixed on the load-bearing structure (2) and from which rises for each a wall (110) which each integrates receiving wings (1111, 1112) connected together so as to form a male part (111), a fixing profile (200), comprising a web (205) from which extends at least one retaining wing (202), and clamping wings (2061, 2062) facing each other, the fixing profile being kept inserted on the receiving part, the receiving wings being sandwiched between the clamping wings.