CN111034031B

CN111034031B - Device for fixing photovoltaic module

Info

Publication number: CN111034031B
Application number: CN201780093778.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·鲁伊斯莫利内罗; J·I·洛佩斯阿亚尔扎
Original assignee: Nklavi Renewable Energy Co ltd
Current assignee: Nklavi Renewable Energy Co ltd
Priority date: 2017-07-10
Filing date: 2017-07-10
Publication date: 2024-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2037-07-10
Also published as: ES2740049A2; ES2740049B2; CN111034031A; WO2019012163A1; ES2740049R2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for fixing a photovoltaic module and a solar tracker comprising said fixing device, said fixing device comprising: a body (2) having a bottom (2.1) with a first opening (2.3) and at least one protrusion (3) for contacting the photovoltaic module (1); a mount (4) for contacting the photovoltaic module (1) and a rotation pin (7) of the solar tracker, the mount having a base (4.1) with a second opening (4.3); a plate (6) for contact with the rotation pin (7); and a clamping means configured to pass through the first opening (2.3) and the second opening (4.3). In use, the photovoltaic module (1) is held between the at least one protrusion (3) of the body (2) and the base (4.1) of the mount (4), and the rotation pin (7) is held between the mount (4) and the plate (6).

Description

Device for fixing photovoltaic module

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the solar energy harvesting industry, and more particularly to the industry of swivel pins that secure photovoltaic modules to solar trackers.

Background

Solar trackers comprising a photovoltaic module for harvesting solar energy are currently well known. These photovoltaic modules are usually arranged on the ground and they can be oriented at any time according to the position of the sun.

The photovoltaic module is arranged above the ground by means of piles. A bearing is arranged on the upper longitudinal end of the pile and a rotation pin passes through the bearing. The photovoltaic module is arranged to be fixed to the rotation pin such that when the spatial orientation of the rotation pin changes, the spatial orientation of the photovoltaic module changes due to the bearings.

Photovoltaic modules are currently commercially available in varying thicknesses. Accordingly, in line with this varying thickness, rails are additionally used as connecting elements between the photovoltaic module and the rotation pins. In this way, the additional component with at least one projection for making contact with one of the photovoltaic modules is screwed to the rail according to the thickness of the corresponding photovoltaic module, while independently and additionally the rail is fixed to the rotation pin by means of another threaded element.

Another solution that is commonly used is to arrange rails dimensioned according to the photovoltaic module to be installed such that the photovoltaic module is directly screwed to the rails while the rails are screwed to the corresponding rotation pins.

Both solutions involve the use of a large number of components and the complexity of the time required for fixing the photovoltaic modules, and furthermore there is an additional cost which is particularly pronounced due to the large number of photovoltaic module units to be installed in each installation.

In view of the drawbacks or limitations of the current solutions, there is a need to design a solution that simplifies the task of fixing a photovoltaic module while at the same time providing flexibility with respect to the size and/or configuration of the photovoltaic module, and more particularly with respect to the thickness of the photovoltaic module.

Object of the Invention

In view of achieving this object and solving the previously mentioned objects of the current technology, among other advantages that will later develop, the present invention provides an apparatus for fixing a photovoltaic module, comprising: a body having a bottom with a first opening and at least one protrusion for contacting the photovoltaic module; a mount for contacting the photovoltaic module and a rotation pin of the solar tracker, the mount having a base with a second opening; a plate for contact with the rotation pin; and a clamping means configured to pass through the first opening and the second opening. According to the above description, in use, the photovoltaic module is held between the at least one projection of the body and the base of the mount, while the rotation pin is held between the mount and the plate.

In this way, the fixing means are adapted to the photovoltaic module independently of its thickness, which allows for the body and the mounting to be two separate but connectable parts, which can be connected by means of the same clamping means via insertion of the clamping means through the first and second openings. Furthermore, the adaptation to the adjustment of the rotation pin and the fixation of the rotation pin is achieved with a reduced number of components.

Preferably there are two protrusions protruding from the first side of the body, and more preferably the body also has two protrusions protruding from the second side of the body. In this way, a greater amount of contact is provided between the fixture and the photovoltaic module by the fixture. Instead, two protrusions are provided, each protruding from one of the sides and extending along the entire longitudinal extension of the body. This increases the contact surface provided by the fixture.

The mount preferably has a tab with a recess to receive the rotation pin. In this way, the contact between the mounting and the rotation pin is more tightly adjusted.

The clamping means comprises an elongated element which can be inserted through the first and second openings. The plate in turn preferably has a third opening through which the elongated element can be inserted.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the elongated element is a screw with a head. According to another exemplary embodiment, the clamping means comprises an intermediate section for connecting the elongated elements to each other.

The invention also provides a solar tracker comprising means for fixing a photovoltaic module, which is also an object of the invention. The sun tracker preferably comprises a rotation pin having two parallel faces, one to be arranged in contact with the mount, and more preferably with the recess, and the other to be arranged in contact with the plate. Thus, the fixing of the device of the invention to the rotation pin is optimized, preventing the device from rotating on the rotation pin. Preferably, the rotation pin further comprises two lateral faces perpendicular to the two aforesaid faces, the two lateral faces being to be arranged parallel to the elongated element.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a lower side perspective view of the device for securing photovoltaic module objects of the present invention, the device having a protrusion.

Fig. 2 shows an upper side angular perspective view of the device for securing a photovoltaic module of fig. 1, in which four protrusions are provided.

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the device for fixing an object of a photovoltaic module according to the invention, in which four protrusions are provided.

Fig. 4 shows a front view of the device for fixing a photovoltaic module of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of several devices for fixing photovoltaic module objects of the present invention, in which four protrusions are provided, the devices being shown in exploded view at a moment before they rest on the rotation pins, the figures also comprising an enlargement of the detail of one of the devices for fixing photovoltaic devices.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of several devices for fixing photovoltaic module objects of the present invention, provided with four protrusions in the device placed on the rotation pins, the figure also comprising a detail enlargement of one of the devices for fixing photovoltaic devices.

Fig. 7 shows a lower side perspective view of several devices for fixing photovoltaic module objects of the present invention, provided with four protrusions, which fix the photovoltaic module to the rotation pins, and further comprising a detail enlargement of one of the devices for fixing the photovoltaic device.

Fig. 8 shows a view of two of the devices for fixing photovoltaic module objects of the present invention, four protrusions being provided in the device for fixing several photovoltaic devices to the rotation pins.

Fig. 9 shows a lower side perspective view of the device for securing photovoltaic module objects of the present invention, with two protrusions provided therein.

Fig. 10 shows an upper side angular perspective view of the device for securing a photovoltaic module of fig. 9.

Fig. 11 shows a side view of the device for fixing an object of a photovoltaic module of the present invention, in which two protrusions are provided.

Fig. 12 shows a front view of the device for securing a photovoltaic module of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of several devices for fixing photovoltaic module objects of the present invention, in which two protrusions are provided, the device being shown in exploded view at a moment before they rest on the rotation pins, the figure also comprising an enlargement of the detail of one of the devices for fixing photovoltaic devices, having two protrusions.

Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of several devices for fixing photovoltaic module objects of the present invention, in which two protrusions are provided, the devices being placed on a rotation pin, the figure also comprising an enlargement of the detail of one of the fixing devices for photovoltaic devices with two protrusions.

Fig. 15 shows a lower side perspective view of several devices for securing photovoltaic module objects of the present invention, provided with four protrusions, which secure the photovoltaic module to the rotation pins, and further comprising a detail enlargement of one of the devices with two protrusions for securing the photovoltaic device.

Fig. 16 shows a view of two of the devices for fixing photovoltaic module objects of the present invention, two protrusions being provided in the device for fixing several photovoltaic modules to the rotation pins.

Detailed Description

The invention relates to a device for fixing a photovoltaic module 1, comprising a body 2, a mounting 4, a clamping means and a plate 6, the body having at least one projection 3. By means of this fixing device, the photovoltaic module 1 can be fixed to the rotation pin 7 of the sun tracker.

The body 2 has a longitudinal extension defined by a U-shaped cross section defined by a bottom 2.1 and a side 2.2, the side 2.2 being connected with its lower portion to the bottom 2.1. In other words, the bottom 2.1 has a width defined by the spacing between the sides 2.2 when said bottom 2.1 is connected. According to this arrangement, the side portions 2.2 are arranged such that access to the bottom portion 2.1 between the side portions is possible.

The bottom 2.1 comprises a first opening 2.3, preferably two, for the insertion of the clamping means. Similarly, the first openings 2.3 are preferably distributed according to the central longitudinal axis of the bottom 2.1.

The body 2 also has a protrusion 3 which protrudes outwards from the side based on the U-shaped longitudinal extension of the body. These protrusions 3 are located on the body 2, extending away from each other.

According to one option, said projection 3 has a longitudinal extension shorter than the extension of the body 2, the projection being located on an upper portion of the side 2.2 opposite to the lower portion. Similarly, the protrusion 3 is positioned corresponding to the longitudinal end of the body 2. In this way, the projections 3 extend open from the sides 2.2, in other words, are moved away from each other leaving an access opening to the bottom 2.1 between the sides 2.2. According to this arrangement, there are preferably two protrusions 3 protruding from a first side of the body 2 and two protrusions 3 protruding from a second side of the body 2, as can be clearly seen in fig. 2. The protrusions 3 of the first side are spaced apart from each other and the protrusions 3 of the second side are spaced apart from each other. In this way, the body 2 provides four points of contact with the photovoltaic module 1 available corresponding to the sides of the body 2, two for each side of the body.

According to another alternative, said projection 3 has a longitudinal extension equal to that of the body 2, the projection being located on the upper portion of the side 2.2. In this way, each of the projections 3 extends the entire length of the corresponding side portion, as can be seen in fig. 9. As in the previous option, the projections 3 extend open from the sides 2.2, in other words, are moved away from each other leaving an access opening to the bottom 2.1 between the sides 2.2. The body thus has one projection 3 on each of said sides. In this way, for each side of the body 2 a larger contact surface with the photovoltaic module 1 is provided, which is applicable in correspondence with the side of the body 2.

The mounting 4 also extends longitudinally, has a U-shaped cross section which is inverted in relation to the body 2 according to its mounting arrangement, on which the base 4.1 and the tab 4.2 are located, the tab 4.2 being connected by means of the region above it by the base 4.1. In other words, the base 4.1 has a width defined by the spacing between the tabs 4.2 when said base 4.1 is connected. The width of the base 4.1 is greater than the width of the bottom 2.1. In other words, the sides 2.2 are closer to each other than the wings 4.2 are to each other. According to this arrangement, the tabs 4.2 are arranged such that the base 4.1 is accessible between both tabs 4.2.

The base 4.1 comprises a second opening 4.3, preferably two, for the insertion of the clamping means. Similarly, the second openings 4.3 are preferably distributed according to the central longitudinal axis of the base 4.1.

The tab 4.2 comprises a recess 4.2' for receiving the rotation pin 7. The recess 4.2' is in contact with a portion of the outer contour of the corresponding rotation pin 7. According to this arrangement, the recess 4.2 'preferably has a complementary or reciprocal form to said portion of the outer contour, so that the mount 4 can be coupled to the rotation pin 7 by means of the recess 4.2'.

The clamping means is configured to be arranged through the body 2 and the mounting 4, more specifically through the first opening 2.3 and the second opening 4.3. For this purpose, the clamping means comprise an elongated element 5.1, preferably two, configured to be inserted through the first opening 2.3 and the second opening 4.3.

The clamping device further comprises holding elements 5.2, one for each elongated element 5.1. These holding elements 5.2 are configured to be arranged on the elongated element 5.1 such that they exert an axial holding based on the longitudinal extension of the elongated element 5.1. The elongated element 5.1 has a threaded end and the holding element 5.2 has threads such that said holding element 5.2 can be screwed onto said end of the elongated element 5.1. Preferably, the holding element 5.2 is a nut.

The plate 6 may then have a third opening 6.1 for insertion of the elongated element 5.1. According to this arrangement, the elongated element 5.1 can pass through the plate 6 so that the plate comes into contact with the rotation pin 7.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the elongated element 5.1 has a protuberance on the other end, in addition to the threaded end, meaning that the elongated element 5.1 can be configured as a screw with a head, the protuberance being defined as said head.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the elongated element 5.1 is arranged to be inserted through the first opening 2.3, the second opening 4.3 and the third opening 6.1 when in use. In addition, the mount 4 is arranged in contact with the rotation pin 7 by means of the tab 4.2, and more specifically by means of the recess 4.2'. Similarly, the plates 6 are arranged in contact with rotation pins 7, through which the elongated elements 5.1 also pass, said rotation pins 7 being positioned between said elongated elements. At least one of the photovoltaic modules 1 is in contact with one or more fins 3 of the corresponding side of the body 2 and with the base 4.1 of the mount 4.

Further, according to this exemplary embodiment, the plate 6 is axially held by the holding element 5.2 when in use, meaning that said holding element 5.2 presses the plate 6 against the rotation pin 7, which allows for the holding element to have a larger size than the third opening 6.1. In turn, a protuberance having a larger size than the first opening 2.3 is positioned between the sides 2.2 and in contact with the bottom 2.1.

Alternatively, the plate 6 is held axially by the protuberance, meaning that said protuberance presses the plate 6 against the rotation pin 7, which allows for the protuberance to be larger in size than the third opening 6.1. In turn, a holding element 5.2 having a larger size than the first opening 2.3 is positioned between the side portions 2.2 and in contact with the bottom portion 2.1.

In this exemplary embodiment, the extent to which the holding element 5.2 is screwed together with the aid of the protuberance determines the extent to which the assembly is clamped. In other words, the tighter the screwing of the holding element 5.2 on the elongated element 5.1, the more closely the photovoltaic module 1 will be directly via the one or more fins 3 and the base 4.1, and the more closely the rotation pin 7 will be directly via the plate 6 and the mount.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the clamping appliance further comprises an intermediate section 5.3, which connects the elongated element 5.1 via an end opposite to the threaded end. In this way, the elongated element 5.1 and the intermediate section 5.3 together have a U-shaped form.

According to this other exemplary embodiment, the elongated element 5.1 is arranged to be inserted through the first opening 2.3, the second opening 4.3 and the third opening 6.1 when in use. In addition, the mount 4 is arranged in contact with the rotation pin 7 by means of the tab 4.2, and more specifically by means of the recess 4.2'. Similarly, the plates 6 are arranged in contact with rotation pins 7 through which the elongated elements 5.1 pass, said rotation pins 7 being positioned between said elongated elements. At least one of the photovoltaic modules 1 is in contact with one or more fins 3 of the corresponding side of the body 2 and with the base 4.1 of the mount 4.

In addition, according to this other exemplary embodiment, the plate 6 is axially held by the holding element 5.2 when in use, meaning that said holding element 5.2 presses the plate 6 against the rotation pin 7, which allows for the holding element to have a larger size than the third opening 6.1. In turn, the intermediate section 5.3 is located on the bottom 2.1. This allows the separation distance between the sides 2.2 of the body 2 to be minimized, thereby allowing the spacing between the photovoltaic modules 1 arranged facing each side of the body 2 to be minimized. This has a high relationship in view of the high number of photovoltaic modules 1 to be included or to be installed.

Alternatively, the plate 6 forms the intermediate section 5.3, or vice versa, meaning that the plate 6 is integral with the elongated elements 5.1, instead of the plate being penetrated by the elongated elements 5.1, the plate connecting the elongated elements to each other. Thus, the plate 6 has no third openings 6.1. In turn, a holding element 5.2 having a larger size than the first opening 2.3 is positioned between the side portions 2.2 and in contact with the bottom portion 2.1.

In this other exemplary embodiment, the extent to which the holding element 5.2 is screwed together with the aid of the intermediate section 5.3 determines the extent to which the assembly is clamped. In other words, the tighter the screwing of the holding element 5.2 on the elongated element 5.1, the more closely the photovoltaic module 1 will be directly via the one or more fins 3 and the base 4.1, and the more closely the rotation pin 7 will be directly via the plate 6 and the mount.

In both embodiments, the clamping means are configured for clamping the body 2, the mount 4 and the plate 6, each photovoltaic module being held via one or more protrusions 3 and the mount 4, while the rotation pins 7 are held via the mount 4 and the plate 6. In this way, the clamping means are configured to apply said clamping by means of other components than the elongated element 5.1 and the holding element 5.2, such as protuberances or plates 6 that can additionally or alternatively act on the intermediate section 5.3.

Fig. 5 and 6 and fig. 13 and 14 show the fixation of the inventive fixation device object to one of the rotation pins 7 of the sun tracker. The rotation pin 7 is supported by the post 8, the rotation pin 7 and the post 8 being connected by a bearing 9, which allows the orientation of said rotation pin 7 and thus of the photovoltaic module fixed to the rotation pin 7 to be varied with respect to the post 8.

In this fixation the elongated element 5.1 is arranged to be inserted through the first opening 2.3 and the second opening 4.3, connecting the body 2 with the mount 4. The mounting 4 is placed in contact with the rotation pin 7 by means of the recess 4.2', the rotation pin 7 sliding between the elongated elements 5.1.

In addition, the corresponding elongated element 5.1 passes through the plate 6, the rotation pin 7 being positioned between the mount 4 and said plate 6. Similarly, the holding element 5.2 is screwed onto the elongated element 5.1 to adjust the position of the plate 6 throughout the elongated element 5.1, thereby exerting a clamping that secures the fixing means to the rotation pin 7. In this way, the screw-connection of the holding element 5.2 is achieved on the lower part, thereby facilitating this task for the operator in the vicinity of the pile 8.

In addition to fig. 15 and 16, fig. 7 and 8 also show the fixation of several photovoltaic modules 1 to the rotation pin 7, which is shown by means of the inventive fixation device object. In this case, unlike the fixation described in fig. 5 and 6 and fig. 13 and 14, the grouping (grouping) between the body 2 and the mount 4 is determined by the thickness of the photovoltaic module 1. In other words, the spacing between the protrusion 3 and the base 4.1 is based on the thickness of the photovoltaic module 1. Depending on the arrangement, the bottom 2.1 and the base 4.1 may be in contact or not.

In the fixing of the photovoltaic module 1, the holding element 5.2 is preferably partially screwed in order to provide a temporary positioning of the fixing device on the rotation pin 7. Then, the corresponding photovoltaic module 1 is arranged between the projection 3 and the base 4.1 of the mount 4 to finally perform the complete screwing of the holding element 5.2, in other words, until both the photovoltaic module 1 and the rotation pin 7 are clamped.

According to the above description, a fixture is provided which reduces the elements to be used, allows the thickness adjustment of the photovoltaic module 1 without modifying or adding any elements, and allows the arrangement directly at the installation point of the rotation pin 7, which facilitates the installation and replacement in an independent manner, and a solar tracker comprising said fixture.

The sun tracker preferably comprises a rotation pin 7 having an upper face 7.2 and a lower face 7.3, both the upper face 7.2 and the lower face 7.3 being parallel to each other. The rotation pin 7 is brought into contact with the mounting, and more preferably with the recess 4.2', by means of the upper face 7.2, and the rotation pin 7 is brought into contact with the plate 6, by means of the lower face 7.3. In this way the fixing of the device of the invention to the rotation pin 7 is optimised, preventing the rotation of the device on said pin 7. Similarly, the rotation pin 7 preferably has two sides 7.1, which are mutually parallel, so as to be arranged parallel to the elongated element 5.1.

Claims

1. An apparatus for securing a photovoltaic module, the apparatus comprising:

-a body (2) having a bottom (2.1) with a first opening (2.3) and at least one protrusion (3) for contact with the photovoltaic module (1);

a mount (4) for contact with the photovoltaic module (1) and a rotation pin (7) of a solar tracker, the mount having a base (4.1) with a second opening (4.3);

a plate (6) for contact with the rotation pin (7); and

a clamping means configured to pass through the first opening (2.3) and the second opening (4.3);

the clamping device comprises an elongated element (5.1) which can be inserted through a first opening (2.3) and a second opening (4.3);

such that the photovoltaic module (1) is held between at least one projection (3) of the body (2) and the base (4.1) of the mount (4) and the rotation pin (7) is held between the mount (4) and the plate (6), characterized in that the clamping means comprise a middle section (5.3) for connecting the elongated elements (5.1), and in that the middle section (5.3) is located, in use, on the bottom (2.1), wherein the first openings are distributed according to the central longitudinal axis of the bottom and the second openings are distributed according to the central longitudinal axis of the base, and wherein the mount (4) has tabs (4.2) with recesses (4.2') for receiving the rotation pin (7) defined by a longitudinally extending central edge portion and two straight lateral edge portions connected to opposite sides of the central edge portion and substantially perpendicular to the central edge portion and such that the two straight lateral edge portions of the clamping means are spaced apart from the elongated elements by a substantially equal distance between the two longitudinal edges of the elongated elements.

2. Device for fixing a photovoltaic module according to claim 1, characterized in that two protrusions (3) protrude from the first side of the body (2).

3. The device for fixing a photovoltaic module according to claim 2, characterized in that the body (2) additionally has two protrusions (3) protruding from the second side of the body (2).

4. The device for fixing photovoltaic modules according to claim 1, characterized in that said plate (6) has a third opening (6.1) through which said elongated element (5.1) is inserted.

5. Device for fixing a photovoltaic module according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that said elongated element (5.1) is a screw with a head.

6. A solar tracker comprising a device for fixing a photovoltaic module according to any of the preceding claims.