Tile Roof Mounting Base and Hook for Leak-Safe Solar Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of solar panels on rooftops, particularly on tiled roofs, is challenging due to structural support issues, water leakage risks, uneven surfaces, and safety concerns, which complicates the installation process and limits maintenance time.
Innovation Solution
A tile roof mounting system featuring a base member with parallel latching and fastening tracks, and tile hooks that can be securely fastened to support solar panels, allowing for flexible installation and minimizing the need for multiple fasteners.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional mounting methods are used on tiled roofs, then solar panels can be installed, but the tile materials cannot structurally support the installation and water leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mounting system consisting of a base member with channels and a tile hook that mediates between the tile roof and solar panel. The base member is installed on the roof surface without penetrating tiles, while the tile hook engages with the base member to provide structural support. This intermediary system avoids direct damage to tiles while distributing loads to prevent water leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is segmented into distinct functional components: a base member with latching and fastening tracks, a tile hook with support region, and mounting apparatus. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the base member provides attachment points, the tile hook provides structural support, and together they create a modular system that adapts to tile surfaces without compromising integrity.
2Strength
If multiple fasteners are used to secure solar panels on tiled roofs, then structural support is improved, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple fastening functions into a single integrated tile hook component. The tile hook combines the latching region that engages with the latching track and the fastening region that secures to the fastening track into one piece. This consolidation allows the installer to secure the solar panel using a single fastener through the fastening track, eliminating the need for multiple separate fasteners while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The base member is designed with universal functionality, featuring both a latching track and a fastening track that can accommodate different types of tile hooks and solar panel mounting configurations. The latching track provides one type of engagement while the fastening track provides another, allowing the same base member to serve multiple securing purposes with a single component.
3Area of stationary object
If the roof surface is used for solar panel installation, then unused space is utilized, but access and safety challenges increase installation time requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The base member is designed to be pre-installed on the roof surface before solar panels are mounted. The base member with its tracking channels is positioned and secured in advance, creating a prepared mounting infrastructure. This preliminary action allows tile hooks to be quickly attached and solar panels to be rapidly installed without requiring complex on-site adjustments, significantly reducing installation time while utilizing the roof space efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
Tile roof mounting systems are disclosed for installing solar panels on a tile roof. The systems may include a base member that can be installed under a tile of the tile roof having two parallel tracks. A first track may include a channel for receiving an end of a tile hook; and the second track may be used to fasten the tile hook to the base member. The tile hook can include a latching region for latching onto the channel, a fastening region that can be fastened to the fastening track, and a supporting region used to support one or more components of a solar panel installation above the roof tiles.