DE202010010597U1 - Clamping device for fixing framed solar modules - Google Patents

Abstract

Clamping means (100; 300; 500; 600) for mounting framed solar modules (42) on a support (41), said clamping means comprising at least one upper support portion (11; 31; 51; 61) for engaging said module frame (42) and at least a lateral abutment portion (12; 32; 52; 62) for laterally guiding the outer edge of the module frame (42), characterized in that at the lateral abutment portion (12; 32; 52; 62) at least one electrically conductive mandrel (16; 36; 56; 66) is provided for the electrical connection of the module frame (42) to the clamping device (100; 300; 500; 600).

Description

The The present invention relates to a clamping device for fastening of framed solar modules on a support.

Around For example, to be able to install solar modules on a roof, Usually a scaffold is made out on the roof Longitudinal struts and cross struts arranged over Roof hooks are attached to the rafters. To the plate-shaped To fix solar modules to this strut framework are different Types of brackets or clamps known.

One Solar module includes several solar cells that are inside the solar module electrically interconnected. The solar cells are usually covered on the side facing the sun with a glass pane. Also, the back can be covered with a glass or for example with a weatherproof plastic composite film be concealed. Overall, this construction forms a laminate. To the Protection of the laminate, for example, during transport and during assembly as well as for fastening and for stiffening of the composite, the laminate is usually of a surrounding aluminum frame surround. Usually, the aluminum frame profiles used coated with an anodized layer. This oxidic layer on the aluminum frame is a few microns thick and guaranteed a corrosion protection. It is electrically largely non-conductive.

The Longitudinal struts and cross braces are usually formed of aluminum or steel profiles. Also the clamping devices mostly consist mainly of aluminum or stainless steel. For fixing the solar modules by means of the clamping device has the clamping device In general, an upper support section, from the top one Subsection of the module frame overlaps and when attaching the clamping device on the support frame a clamping Holder of the solar module causes.

Problematic when using framed solar modules whose frames with is provided with a non-conductive Eloxalschicht, is the grounding the solar modules. The solar modules may change Capacitive charge, so it to high contact voltages can come at the modules. Especially because of the risk of electrical Short circuits or insulation faults in terms of it on a personal protection mandatory, a touch safety to ensure the solar modules. Because of the non-conductive Eloxalüberzugs the frame profiles usually has a separate electrically conductive connection of the respective Solar module frame to the solar modules supporting strut framework be made with subsequent grounding of the entire Framework. For this is an additional separate work step with further material requirements required, which is expensive for the assembly of the solar modules and is unfavorable.

It is already known, in clamping devices for solar modules having an upper support portion for engaging the module frame, which clamps the module frame when mounting the clamping device, on the inside of the support portion, which comes into clamping contact with the module frame to provide an electrically conductive mandrel, which penetrates the anodized layer and which creates an electrically conductive connection between the module frame and the rail substructure. For example, describe the German utility model writings DE 20 2005 009 883 U1 and DE 20 2005 009 884 U1 a middle clamp or an edge clamp for fastening and simultaneous electrical potential connection of framed photovoltaic modules on corresponding rail profiles, wherein the bearing surfaces or support portions of the clamps have a sharpened, hard mandrel which penetrates the anodized layer. As a result, an electrically conductive connection between the frame profile, clamp and used substructure is made. Also the German utility model DE 20 2005 001 469 U1 describes a clamp for solar panels, wherein on the underside of the acting as a clamping support portion collar a small mandrel is provided for penetration into the anodized outer skin of Paneelumrandung, so for a safe mass dissipation via the rails, which form the support framework is taken care of. In a comparable way goes from the German utility model DE 20 2005 003 224 U1 a clamping element for clamping a solar module out, which has a force acting on the upper surface of the solar module clamping portion which carries at least one mandrel which penetrates the insulating coating of the solar module frame from above when tightening the clamp on the support section and into the electrically conductive inner material of the frame eingrabt.

Problematic with these solutions is that with insufficient clamping pressure during assembly of the solar modules the mandrel the anodized layer only penetrates insufficiently and that in this case the electric Connection of the frame to the clamp and thus to the support frame is not ensured. In this case, it can be too serious Safety defects come, as the touch safety of the solar module is not guaranteed.

The invention is based on the object, the electrical connection of a coated with an insulating protective layer solar module frame to improve the support structure, at the same time a simple installation of the solar modules should be ensured.

These Task is by a clamping device for attaching framed Solarmodulen solved, as is apparent from the claim 1. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments this clamping device.

The inventive solution is based on a Clamping device for fixing framed solar modules on one Carrier, wherein the clamping device at least one upper support section for reaching over the module frame and at least one lateral abutment section for lateral guidance the outer edge of the module frame has. at the fixation of the solar module to be fastened in the clamping device becomes an edge of the solar module at the lateral abutment portion the clamping device applied. The upper support portion of the clamping device is more or less directly at the top of the module frame at. By tightening a screw or the like, the clamping device is connected to an underlying support rail is the solar module is clamped below the upper support section and so attached. According to the invention, it is provided in that in the lateral contact section in orientation to the solar module at least one electrically conductive mandrel is provided, the lateral during clamping of the solar module The edge of the anodized module frame scores and thus an electrical Contact between the inner electrically conductive material of the frame and the clamping device produces. Since the clamping device in itself is conductive, the ground connection of the module frame is over the clamping device made to the support frame so that a grounding of the solar modules by the grounding of the support frame is guaranteed. Through the scratching process during the assembly of the solar modules, ie when tightening the clamping device, the invention ensures a much safer penetration the anodized layer in comparison with already known thorns, the provided on the underside of the support portion of the clamping device are and only a punctual penetration of the anodized layer from above, which may not be sufficient is. The electrically conductive mandrel in or on the side Investment section of the clamping device thus ensures a much safer penetration of the anodizing and increased so that the safety in the equipotential bonding and grounding of the Solar modules.

Per lateral abutment portion of the clamping device can one or more pins may be provided. For example, you can two or three dome over the length of the clamp be distributed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention Clamping device consists of the conductive mandrel substantially made of corrosion and acid resistant material, for example, made of stainless steel. Through this material For one thing, the mandrel is hard enough to hold the anodized layer of the Module frame sufficient to be able to score. On the other hand, this is the conductivity of the mandrel ensured.

Around the scoring of the anodized layer by the conductive mandrel To further improve, it is in a preferred embodiment provided the clamping device according to the invention, that the end of the spike is pointed. This is particularly advantageous Way, ensuring that the mandrel is sufficient the anodizing layer scored to the electrical connection of the module frame to the clamping device manufacture.

to Attachment of the mandrel in the lateral abutment portion of the clamping device are preferably one or more holes at the appropriate location provided, which serve to receive and attach the dome. Especially this can be a threaded hole, in which in simple A mandrel is screwed with thread. The holes can designed for example as through holes or as blind holes be. This embodiment of the lateral abutment sections with a or more holes has the advantage that the mandrel for electrical Connection of the module frame variably used depending on the user's request can or may not be. Thus, the clamping devices, which are equipped with holes, supplied with or without mandrel become.

The Clamping device according to the invention can be used as edge clamp or designed as a middle clamp. The edge clamp is for Attachment of only one solar module in the edge area of a solar module field provided in a conventional manner. A middle clamp is used for Fixing of two adjacent solar modules.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention Clamping device is in the clamping device to a clamping device, the biased in its open position against a spring force is. The advantage of this clamping device, in the manner according to the invention with one or more conductive mandrel (s) for electrical Connection of the module frame to the clamping device equipped is, lies in their particularly comfortable handling during assembly the solar modules. In particular, the clamping device is more advantageous Way adjustable.

Further Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following Description of embodiments related with the drawings. Here are the different features each realized individually or in combination with each other be.

In show the drawings:

1 a first embodiment of a middle clamp according to the invention in side view;

2 the clamping device according to the invention 1 in isometric view;

3 an embodiment of a clamping device according to the invention as edge clamp in side view;

4 a mounted on a rail clamping device according to the invention with clamped solar module and

5 Further embodiments of a middle clamp according to the invention ( 5A ) and an edge clamp according to the invention ( 5B ) in sectional view.

1 shows a clamping device according to the invention 100 in side view as middle clamp. The clamping device 100 is used for clamping and fixing two opposite plate-shaped solar modules (not shown) on a support frame (not shown). The clamping device 100 has two opposing upper support sections 11 on, which are provided for overlapping a frame of the solar modules. Here are the solar modules with their edges on lateral abutment sections 12 the clamping device. The the support sections and the abutment sections 11 and 12 forming legs of the clamping device 100 be from a first element 13 worn inside a second element 14 to be led. By actuating a threaded bolt, in particular a screw (not shown), within a bore 15 of the first element 13 becomes the first element 13 moved down so that the framed solar modules are fixed by clamping.

The core of the invention is that on the lateral abutment sections 12 the clamping device 100 electrically conductive mandrels 16 are arranged, which scrape the Eloxalschicht the frame profiles of the solar modules during assembly and fixation of the solar modules and so an electrical connection of the module frame to the clamping device 100 produce. In this way, a grounding of the solar modules can be achieved in a particularly advantageous manner, whereby the contact safety of the solar modules is ensured.

The dome shown here 16 are not shown to scale. For example, the mandrels protrude by less than a millimeter, for example about 0.5 mm. This is generally sufficient to scratch the anodized layer of the module frame so as to make contact with the conductive material of the frame profile underlying the anodized layer.

2 shows an isometric view of the in 1 illustrated clamping device according to the invention 100 , In this illustration is the spring 21 to recognize the inside of the clamping device 100 is arranged and the one bias of the clamping device 100 effected in an open position against the spring force. For mounting the clamping device 100 on a rail of the support frame for the solar system is a threaded plate 22 intended. This threaded plate 22 is about a threaded bolt 23 placed in a central threaded hole of the threaded plate 22 engages, with the clamping device 10 connected. The threaded plate 22 is introduced, for example, in a C-shaped rail and used in a conventional manner as an abutment for fixing the clamping device 100 on a support profile (not shown).

The lateral abutments 12 the clamping device 100 each have a through hole 24 on. This hole 24 is used to attach an electrically conductive mandrel (not shown here), the electrical connection of the module frame to the clamping device 100 accomplished. The holes 24 can be configured as through holes, for example, as a continuous threaded holes, as shown here, into which threaded bolts are screwed as mandrels. This embodiment of the invention has the advantage that the holes can be provided as standard and that the supply or attachment of thorns for electrical connection of the module frame can be made depending on the user.

In this embodiment is per side abutment section 12 one hole each 24 intended. For example, in other embodiments, two or more bores may be provided to provide multiple domes per contact surface. This may possibly improve the electrical connection of the module frame to the clamping device.

In addition to the design of the hole 24 as a through hole, for example, a blind hole may be provided, which is the wall thickness of the lateral abutment portion 12 not completely penetrating. Furthermore, it can vorgese hen, the mandrel for electrical connection in another way to the lateral abutment section 12 attach, for example by a spot weld. The prerequisite for this is that the electrical conductivity of the mandrel is maintained.

3 shows a comparable clamping device 300 in one embodiment as edge clamp. The the upper edition section 31 and the lateral abutment section 32 forming legs of the clamping device 300 serve for fixing and fixing a solar module on (in this illustration) the left side of the clamping device 300 , On the solar module (not shown) facing surface of the lateral abutment portion 32 is a thorn 36 provided that scratches the anodized layer of the module frame during assembly of the solar module and thereby an electrical connection of the module frame to the clamping device 300 and thus ensures the support framework. The mandrel may, as in this embodiment, be designed as a sharpened pin, which is the surface of the contact section 32 surmounted by less than 1 mm. In other embodiments, the mandrel may be configured, for example, as a conical elevation on the surface of the lateral abutment portion.

4 illustrates the attachment of a solar module 42 using the erfindungemäßen clamping device 300 , Shown here is the clamping device 300 standing at a rail 41 by means of the threaded plate 22 is attached. The framed solar module 42 is done using the clamping device 300 clamped and fixed. During assembly, the threaded bolt 23 screwed in so that the framed solar module 42 from the upper support portion (not visible here) and the lateral abutment portion 32 is held clamped. During clamping of the framed solar module 42 using the clamping device 300 becomes the lateral abutment section 32 relative to the peripheral edge of the module frame 42 emotional. As a result, the mandrel protruding on the surface of the lateral contact section facing the module frame is scribed 36 the anodized layer of the module frame 42 and thus provides the electrical connection of the module frame 42 with the clamping device 300 and thus with the profile rail 41 ago. In this illustration is not the thorn 36 but only to recognize the rear part of the bore, in which the mandrel is arranged.

The 5A and 5B show a further embodiment of the clamping device according to the invention, once as a middle clamp 500 ( 5A ) and once as an edge clamp 600 ( 5B ). The clamping device 500 is made of two lateral angled leg sections, each with an upper support portion 51 and a lateral abutment section 52 formed for lateral guidance of the outer edge of the module frame of a solar module. These legs are connected to each other via a bridge, which is a bore 53 is broken. The hole 53 is provided for receiving a threaded bolt to the clamping device 500 to be mounted on a rail and thereby below the upper support section 51 Framed solar modules (not shown) clamped to fix. On the solar modules facing surfaces of the lateral abutment sections 52 are each one or more spines 56 intended. During installation of the solar modules, these mandrels scratch the anodized layer of the module frames and thus set the electrical connection of the module frame to the clamping device 500 for sure. In this embodiment, the mandrels 56 via a blind hole in the lateral abutment sections 52 the clamping device 500 attached.

The 5B shows a corresponding clamping device 600 in one embodiment as edge clamp. In this embodiment is only on one side of the clamping device 600 an upper support section 61 and a lateral abutment section 62 for clamping support of a solar module. On the outer surface of the lateral abutment section 62 is a thorn 66 for electrical connection of the module frame to the clamping device 600 intended.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - DE 202005009883 U1 [0006]
• - DE 202005009884 U1 [0006]
• - DE 202005001469 U1 [0006]
• - DE 202005003224 U1 [0006]

Claims (7)

Clamping device ( 100 ; 300 ; 500 ; 600 ) for mounting framed solar modules ( 42 ) on a support ( 41 ), wherein the clamping device at least one upper support portion ( 11 ; 31 ; 51 ; 61 ) for spreading the module frame ( 42 ) and at least one lateral abutment section ( 12 ; 32 ; 52 ; 62 ) for laterally guiding the outer edge of the module frame ( 42 ), characterized in that on the lateral abutment section ( 12 ; 32 ; 52 ; 62 ) at least one electrically conductive mandrel ( 16 ; 36 ; 56 ; 66 ) for the electrical connection of the module frame ( 42 ) to the clamping device ( 100 ; 300 ; 500 ; 600 ) is provided. Clamping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one conductive mandrel ( 16 ; 36 ; 56 ; 66 ) made of corrosion and acid-resistant material, in particular of stainless steel. Clamping device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the free end of the mandrel ( 16 ; 36 ; 56 ; 66 ) is pointed. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the lateral abutment section ( 12 ; 32 ; 52 ; 62 ) at least one bore ( 24 ), in particular a threaded bore, for receiving the mandrel ( 16 ; 36 ; 56 ; 66 ) is provided. Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device has an edge clamp ( 300 ; 600 ). Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device has a middle clamp ( 100 ; 500 ). Clamping device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device ( 100 ; 300 ) is biased in an open position against a spring force.