FR2951208A1 - Device for fixing photovoltaic modules on sealed roof of e.g. dwelling, has longitudinal gutters arranged parallel to each other, and arranged remote from base surfaces of OMEGA shaped base profile for forming receiving spaces - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has an OMEGA shaped base profile (2) including two base surfaces (23, 24) forming respective returns of ends of lateral wings (21, 22) arranged opposite to a core (20). Longitudinal gutters (33, 34) are arranged on both sides of the wings of the profile and are arranged parallel to each other. The longitudinal gutters are arranged remote from the base surfaces of the profile for forming receiving spaces. The wings have an orifice (26) and another orifice that are formed opposite to the spaces, respectively.

Description

DEVICE FOR FIXING PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES

The invention relates to a device, incorporating profiles of particularly suitable shape, for fixing photovoltaic modules, the modules may in particular constitute all or part of a waterproof roof of housing or industrial premises.

In recent years, for economic reasons, a certain interest in the use of solar energy has developed to partly ensure the electricity consumption needs of homes or commercial premises.

To provide these electricity requirements, it is known to have on the roofs photovoltaic modules comprising photovoltaic cells coupled in series with each other and generating a direct current when exposed to light.

Some large roofs, such as those of livestock buildings, are even more and more transformed or built, by assembling photovoltaic modules, the electricity produced being generally resold to power generation companies.

A photovoltaic module is most often formed of a laminated panel, comprising two glass substrates on the front face and rear face, and between which are arranged photovoltaic cells constituted by a stack of semiconductor materials (for example silicon). sandwiched between two metal electrodes.

All of the above elements constituting the photovoltaic cells 30 are surrounded and carried by a metal support frame, 25 also incorporating the cables for the electrical distribution. This frame offers the advantage of being able to easily report and fix a photovoltaic module on the roof.

Fixing photovoltaic modules is usually carried out by fixing on the existing framework, more particularly on and transversely to the battens, metal sections spaced from the width of a module. The modules are then reported against the profiles, and are secured by appropriate fastening means. Various types of profiles and attachment means exist. Most often the profiles have a symmetry with respect to their longitudinal median axis, two adjacent lateral modules being reported on either side of this axis. Furthermore, the fastening means consist, for example, of fasteners, of which a portion in the form of a rod is introduced at the join of adjacent modules and is fixed in the profile, while another part in the form of platinum comes to capoter the edges. two modules.

The waterproofness of the roof is obtained by various means depending on the types of profiles and fastening means used.

The object of the invention is to propose another solution to the known photovoltaic module fixing systems. The device of the invention ensuring the fixing of photovoltaic modules comprises at least one profile whose body has a median part, and two opposite side parts connected to the middle part, and is characterized in that: the middle part of the profile has cross-section the general shape of an inverted U which comprises a core and two lateral wings extending facing each other and respectively connected to the two lateral parts of the profile, this middle part being of height (in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the profile) greater than the height of the lateral parts, the core of the middle part has the general shape of an Omega and is provided with a longitudinal rib, called abutment rib, forming on either side thereof a respective shoulder, and on each of which is intended to rest the edge of the rear face of a photovoltaic module, each side portion of the profile comprises a longitudinal rib providing a groove on one of its sides and in connection with a wing of the middle part.

Thus, the median portion projecting from the rest of the body of the profile, in particular by the shoulders, can accommodate and support the edge of respectively two adjacent photovoltaic modules, the arrangement of these being simply by depositing them on the shoulders .

In addition, the abutment rib of the core of the middle portion makes it possible to wedge the edge of the modules laterally and advantageously provides, in combination with each shoulder, a longitudinal slide along which the modules can slide to easily arrange them to the height. wanted the roof.

Finally, the longitudinal ribs of the side portions provide grooves for providing water flow channels to ensure the tightness of the roof. Indeed, in case of water penetration at the junction of the modules and the abutment rib of the middle part of the profile, 5 the water then flows along the shoulders and the lateral wings of the median part to fall into these channels. The channels arranged in the direction of slope of the roof open at the bottom of the frame in a usual gutter. In the following description is meant by "longitudinal", the qualifier relating to an orientation parallel to the slope of a roof, while "transverse" refers to an orientation perpendicular to this slope. The term "lateral" for modules forming the roof covering, will relate to modules arranged side by side in a direction transverse to the slope of the roof; and "upper" and "lower" are understood to mean the elements of elements positioned upwards and downwards respectively according to the slope of the roof.

The profiles of the device of the invention advantageously replace the usual rafters and extend according to the slope of the roof transversely to the purlins of the frame to which the profiles are fixed. Thus, the simplicity of manufacture of the framework is gaining, as it no longer needs, as in the traditional frameworks, to add rafters and battens to ensure the maintenance of hard cover covering.

According to one feature, each lateral portion has on the other longitudinal side of the rib, opposite the groove, a flat surface intended to serve as a surface for fixing the profile to the frame. Fixing at this surface makes it possible to guarantee the tightness of the device, which would not be the case if the attachment were made at the level of the longitudinal grooves of the profile. According to another characteristic, the median part of the generally U-shaped profile has a generally trapezoidal cross section, the U flanges being substantially oblique with respect to the core, and preferably the ribs of the lateral portions also have a section of generally trapezoidal shape. Such a profile makes it easy to ensure an overlap of the profiles when several profiles are to be abutted according to the slope of the roof, to provide the adequate length of chevron.

The device advantageously comprises water evacuation means arranged transversely to at least two spaced sections, and intended to be placed under and facing the lateral edges of two upper and lower abutting modules.

The water evacuation means consist in particular of troughs fixed to the ribs of the lateral parts of two spaced sections, and having a slope opening facing a groove of one of the lateral parts.

The device further comprises at least one pareclose intended to cooperate, preferably by interlocking, with the median abutment rib of the profile or profiles, and to overlap the outer face (front face) of the longitudinal edges of the modules. The pareclose is fixed to the abutment rib, in particular by screws provided with sealing washers.

Preferably, the profile is metallic and manufactured for example by a profiling technique.

According to the invention, the profiles are intended to form the rafters of a roof structure.

The device mounted and fixed on a frame makes it possible to receive photovoltaic modules forming all or part of the coating of the roof.

The present invention is now described by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting examples of the scope of the invention, and from the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a partial perspective view of a device of the invention integrating in particular a plurality of specific sections, for mounting and fixing photovoltaic modules constituting all or part of a roof; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a profile of the invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the section of Figure 2; FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a section 20 associated with two adjacent lateral photovoltaic modules; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the abutment of two sections by recovery; Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the abutment of two upper and lower photovoltaic modules; Figure 7 illustrates a partial perspective view of the lower portion of a lower end module of the roof; Figure 8 illustrates a partial perspective view of the upper portion of an upper end module of the roof.

FIG. 1 illustrates a device of the invention for mounting on a roof photovoltaic modules 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, etc. Photovoltaic modules are advantageously used as roofing cladding (for all or part of the roof) thanks to the device of the invention ensuring, in addition to fixing, the waterproofness of the roof.

The device comprises a plurality of profiles 2, or as shown in Figure 1, reference 2A, 2B, 2C, supporting the photovoltaic modules, sealing means 3 arranged between modules and transversely to the slope of the roof, and blocks 4 of blocking in the mounted position of the modules, arranged at the longitudinal junction of adjacent side modules, for example between the modules 1A and 1D, and 1B and 1E.

The profiles are spaced two by two by a distance corresponding to the width of a module, the same section serving to support a longitudinal edge of two adjacent lateral modules.

The modules are arranged between two sections and abutted by their transverse sides; two lower adjacent modules, such as 1A or 1D, and upper, such as 1B or 1E, are associated edge by edge by their edge, the sealing means 3 constituting a transverse sealing interface.

The modules are generally rectangular. They are here assembled in "portrait" mode, that is to say that their long sides are parallel to the slope of the roof. They can alternatively be arranged in "landscape" mode, their long sides being transverse to the slope of the roof and parallel to the purlins of the frame. In the latter mode, the profiles 30 are simply spaced a greater distance, but the sealing means are arranged similarly, transversely to the slope of the roof, and the parecloses are also arranged longitudinally, straddling the modules facing the profiles.

The profiles 2 are preferably metal, such as stainless steel, electro-galvanized steel, galvanized steel, or aluminum. A profile is made for example by a profiling technique from a strip. In a variant, the profile is made of composite material obtained by extrusion.

A profile 2, as visible in FIG. 2, has a longitudinal body 20 decomposing into three longitudinal parts, a middle part 5, and two opposite lateral parts 6 and 7, connected on either side of the median part 5. The lateral parts 6 and 7 are identical and symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal central axis X of the profile, extending centrally to the middle part 5.

The side portions 6 and 7 constitute the base of the profile for its installation and assembly to the roof structure, while the middle portion 5 is projecting and higher than these side portions constitute the support surface 20 of the modules.

Unlike a conventional roof, the frame does not need to receive conventional rafters and battens, simplifying the realization of the roof of the invention. Indeed, the profiles of the invention very advantageously replace the rafters extending from the sand pit to the ridge and being secured to the breakdowns 10 of the frame, as shown in Figure 1. Of course, in case of integration of modules on an already existing conventional framework, the profiles will be fixed on the battens. As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the middle part 5 of a profile comprises a web 50, two lateral wings 51 and 52 facing each other, extending in the direction and connected respectively to the lateral parts 6 and 7. This part median has a general shape of inverted U, and preferably the U having a trapezoidal general section.

The core 50, of general Omega (SZ) shape with straight edges, is provided at its center with a longitudinal rib 53, respectively generating on each side, two shoulders 54 and 55 on which (FIG. intended to rest the rear faces 11 of the longitudinal sides of two adjacent lateral modules, such as 1A and 1D.

Each lateral portion 6 and 7 (FIG. 2) identically presents a longitudinal rib 60, 70 respectively, having a flat 61, 71 respectively, and two lateral flanks 62 and 63, 72 and 73, respectively. The free end 63a of FIG. lateral flank 62, opposite the flat 61, is connected to the end 51a of the wing 51 (opposite to the median core 50 of the median portion) by a plane junction 64. Similarly, the end 72a of the lateral flank 72 of the middle part, is connected to the end 52a, by a plane junction 74.

The planar junctions 64 and 74, combined with the flanks 63 and 72 of the lateral parts and the flanges 51 and 52 of the middle part, delimit respective U-shaped grooves 65 and 75 intended to form longitudinal drainage channels 25. of water guaranteeing the watertightness of the roof.

Indeed, in the event of water infiltration under the pareclose 4 along the longitudinal edges of the modules, the water travels on the outer face of the median portion under the modules, more particularly along the shoulders 54 and 55 and lateral wings 51 and 52 to fall into the channels 65 and i0 75. The latter follow the slope of the roof and are intended to lead advantageously in a conventional gutter at the lower end of the roof.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, on the side of the distal edges of each longitudinal rib 60 or 70, opposite the medial portion 5, and coplanar with the plane junctions 64 and 74, the lateral flanks of the rib are bent to extend along planar distal wings 66 and 76 which are intended to form the fastening surfaces of the profile to failures of the frame. This attachment is thus advantageously carried out outside the grooves 65 and 75 to ensure the tightness of the roof. It is ensured by screws 67.

Preferably, the general shape (FIG. 3) of each hollow portion of the body of the profile, in particular the longitudinal rib 53, the core 50 associated with the wings 51 and 52 of the middle part, and the ribs 60 and 70 of the lateral parts, is of substantially trapezoidal section. This shape allows easy covering, as shown in Figure 5, one end 21 of the profile body by that 22 of another profile to juxtapose longitudinally profiles and reach the useful length of chevron.

In order to maintain the tightness of the device, the profiles overlap so that the upper profile straddles the lower section in the direction of the slope.

In addition, this trapezoidal shape facilitates the stacking of profiles for storage and / or transport on site.

It is noted that the elements 66, 61, 64, 54, 55, 71, 74 and 76 are parallel to each other and to the plane of the roof. Similarly, it is noted that the wings 51 and 52, and the flanks 62, 63, 72 and 73 are oblique with respect to the plane of the base of the profile, and therefore with respect to the plane of the roof.

Finally, the configuration of the three-section profile, whose two lateral parts which are symmetrical and provided with opposite symmetrical flat bearing surfaces (junctions 64 and 74 and distal wings 65 and 76), provides the profile with a mechanical inertia adapted to securing the device and a distribution of stresses exerted by the weight of the modules.

Sealing between modules must be obtained longitudinally to the modules on the one hand, which is achieved by the longitudinal grooves 65 and 75 of the profiles, and transversely on the other hand, which is done by means of sealing 3.

Preferably, the sealing means 3 associated with each transverse upper edge of a module in the mounted position of the module, and as illustrated in FIG. 6, consist of a sealing strip.

By way of example, this strip is an extruded polymeric profile made of TPE elastomer or other suitable material, of the silicone type, extruded PVC surrounded by butyl. Alternatively, it may be metallic and provided with an attached seal, the metal part being integral with the edge of the module, while the seal is disposed opposite.

The sealing means 3 can be reported independently on the edges of the modules during assembly on site of the latter, or can be made before solidarity, manufacturing plant for example.

The sealing strip 3 has a general L-shaped section, comprising a branch 30 of association with the edge of the module and a substantially perpendicular branch 31 extending preferably at its free end by a return 32 bent substantially at 45 ° inwardly of said L.

The branch 30 of the rod 3 is thus secured to the upper edge and over its entire height, a lower module, such as the module 1A shown in Figure 6. In the mounted position of the modules, the branch 31 overlaps the outer face 12 , facing the environment, the upper module 1 B, more particularly the edge of the metal frame of the module. The bent return 32, preferably substantially elastic, allows to perfectly fit the outer surface of the module regardless of its profile, and maximizes the seal.

Finally, to perfect the seal at this level of transverse abutment modules, chutes 8 are arranged under the modules (Figures 1 and 4), transversely to the profiles. Each chute is formed of a plate 80 extending transversely to the profiles and flange 81. The plate, in the mounted position, is slightly inclined relative to the base of the profiles. The chute opens at its lowest point, the side of the grooves 65 or 75 forming drainage channels.

With reference to FIG. 2, the securing of the troughs 8 is carried out by its distal ends against the flats 61 and 71 of the longitudinal ribs 60 and 70 respectively of the lateral parts of the profiles, by fixing means 83 of the screw type. This attachment outside the grooves-channels 65 and 75 ensures the sealing of the device.

The last elements of the device of the invention are parecloses 4 for holding the modules in position. The parecloses are preferably made of metallic material, of the aluminum type.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a bead 4 has a core 40 that overlaps the external face 12 of two adjacent lateral modules 1A and 1D disposed on either side of a profile 2. The core 40 is provided on its internal face, facing the profile, two wings of attachment 41 and 42, spaced and facing, cooperating on horseback by interlocking with the longitudinal longitudinal rib 53 of the profile.

The pareclose 4 is made integral with the section 2 by fixing means 43 of the self-drilling screw type, passing through the core of the bead and the rib 53. A rubber washer is of course arranged in an interface between the screw head and the outer surface of the rib 53 to ensure sealing.

The mounting of the roof through the device of the invention is now described.

The profiles 2 are fixed to the purlins 10 of the frame by screwing the attachment surfaces 66 and 76 of their side portions. The troughs 8 are in turn attached to the profiles and at successive heights of the slope of the roof so as to be at the transverse junctions of the modules.

The modules provided with the sealing means 3 are inserted between the sections. The shoulders 54 and 55 of the middle part of the profiles and the lateral flanks of the median rib 53 advantageously serve as slides for sliding the modules along the rails and arranging them at the desired location along the slope of the roof.

With regard to FIG. 7, low stops, one of which is illustrated by reference numeral 90, are fixed by welding or screwing, against the shoulders 55 of the lower end edges of the lowest sections of the roof, close to the sandpit of the frame. The lowest modules of the roof are thus supported against these low stops.

In the upper part of the roof, near the ridge, high stops, a 91 of which is illustrated in FIG. 8, are fixed, preferably by screwing, also on the shoulders, at the upper end edges of the upper sections. ups. The modules are thus wedged between the low and high stops. It is advantageously provided a space 92 between the upper end modules and the upper stops 91 to take account of the expansion set of the modules. The beads 4 can then be nested at the longitudinal junction of the modules and fixed to the profiles by screwing.

Finally, a ridge plate 93 sealing (Figure 8), for example zinc, 25 is reported straddling the ridge, covering the upper ends of the modules.

Side edges and sandbox side (not shown in the figures), the sealing is performed by appropriate parts covering the lateral and lower ends of the modules which are respectively arranged in the bank and lower end of the roof.

The device of the invention is thus simple and fast implementation, minimizing assembly operations and requiring only few elements, while ensuring the tightness of the roof covered by the photovoltaic modules.

Claims (10)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device for fixing photovoltaic modules comprising at least one profile whose body has a middle part (5), and two opposite side parts (6, 7) connected to the middle part, and is characterized in that the central part (5 ) of the profile has in cross section the general shape of an inverted U which comprises a core (50) and two lateral wings (51, 52) extending opposite and respectively connected to the two lateral parts (6, 7) of the profile , this median portion being of height (in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the profile) greater than the height of the lateral parts, the core (50) of the middle part has the general shape of an Omega and is provided with a longitudinal rib (53), said abutment rib, forming on each side thereof a respective shoulder (54, 55), and each lateral portion (6, 7) of the profile comprises a longitudinal rib (60 , 70) providing a groove (65, 75 ) on one of its sides and in connection with a lateral wing of the middle part. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each lateral portion (6, 7) has on the other longitudinal side of the rib (60, 70), opposite the groove, a flat surface (66, 76) intended to serve as a fixing surface for the profile. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the middle portion (5) of the profile has a generally trapezoidal cross section, preferably the ribs (60, 70) of the side portions also have a generally trapezoidal cross section. 4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for discharging water (8) arranged transversely to at least two spaced sections, and intended to be placed under, and facing side edges of two upper and lower butted modules. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the water discharge means (8) consist of troughs fixed to the ribs of the lateral parts of two spaced sections, and having a slope (82) opening opposite to a groove (65, 75) of one of the side portions. 6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one pareclose (4) intended to cooperate, preferably by interlocking, with the median abutment rib (53) of the profile or profiles and overlap the outer face of the longitudinal edges of the modules. 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the pareclose (4) is fixed to the abutment rib (53) by screws provided with sealing washers. 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile is metallic and preferably manufactured by a profiling technique. 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or profiles are intended to form the rafters of a roof structure. 25 10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is mounted and fixed on a frame and receives photovoltaic modules forming all or part of the coating of the roof.