FR3141757A1 - Solar panel equipped with an installation aid device on the roof of a building - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a solar panel (10) equipped with an installation assistance device (12), said solar panel (10) being intended to be fixed on at least one fixing rail (16) which extends across a slope of a roof (14), the installation assistance device (12) comprising a support guide (40a, 40b) which comprises a base (42) adapted to be mounted on the solar panel ( 10), and a support arm (44) designed to bear on said rail (16) for fixing the solar panel (10), the support guide (40a, 40b) being designed to support the solar panel (10) and to prevent the solar panel (10) from sliding along the slope of the roof (14), and to allow the assembly formed by the solar panel (10) and the installation assistance device (12) to slide on said fixing rail (16). (Fig.1)

Description

Solar panel equipped with an installation aid device on the roof of a building Field of the invention

This patent application relates to the field of solar panels, and more particularly to the installation of a solar panel on the roof of a building.

State of the art

It is common to install a solar panel on a building, and in particular on the roof of a building, to take advantage of a space exposed to the sun, without taking up additional ground.

By solar panel we mean a photovoltaic panel, but without limitation, it can be a panel of the solar thermal collector type.

Generally, the solar panel is fixed on a first upstream rail and on a second downstream rail, following the slope of the roof.

Typically, the fixing rails are arranged projecting from the roof and across the slope formed by the roof.

The fixing rails are each fixed to the roof by a plurality of fixing hooks which are integral with a structural element of the roof, such as a framing element.

Installing the solar panel consists of successively transporting the solar panel from its storage location to its final location on the fixing rails where it will be fixed by means of fixing elements, such as jumpers or fixing clamps.

Transporting the solar panel to its location on the roof is usually carried out by two operators, due to the weight, bulk and wind resistance of the solar panel.

This routing operation is carried out over a more or less long distance, at least partly at height on the roof, which exposes operators to a fall from the roof.

Also, handling the solar panel can cause muscle injuries and muscle fatigue in operators.

In addition, a solar installation generally includes a plurality of solar panels, which further increases the exposure of operators to the risk of falls and injuries.

The present invention aims in particular to resolve the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art by proposing a solar panel equipped with an installation assistance device which makes it possible to facilitate the installation and handling of the solar panel from its storage location. , to its final location on the fixing rails.

This objective, as well as others which will appear on reading the description which follows, is achieved with a solar panel equipped with an installation assistance device, said solar panel being intended to be fixed on at least one rail fixing which extends across a slope of a roof, said solar panel comprising at least one solar energy collection slab which is delimited by a front face intended to be oriented towards the sun and a back face intended to be arranged facing the roof,

• une embase qui est adaptée pour être montée sur le panneau solaire, et
• un bras de support qui comprend au moins une première portion proximale reliée sur ladite embase et une seconde portion distale qui fait saillie par rapport au panneau solaire et qui est conçue pour être en appui sur ledit rail de fixation du panneau solaire,

characterized in that the installation assistance device comprises at least one support guide which comprises at least:

• a base which is adapted to be mounted on the solar panel, and
• a support arm which comprises at least a first proximal portion connected to said base and a second distal portion which projects relative to the solar panel and which is designed to rest on said solar panel fixing rail,

the support guide being designed to support the solar panel and to prevent the solar panel from sliding along the slope of the roof, and to allow the assembly formed by the solar panel and the installation aid device to slide on said fixing rail.

According to other optional characteristics of the invention, taken alone or in combination:

- the base of the installation assistance device is contained in the volume delimited by the solar panel, and the support arm is connected to the base in a removable manner between a support position in which the support arm projects relative to the solar panel to rest on said solar panel fixing rail, and a transport position in which the support arm is removed from the base to allow the stacking of a plurality of solar panels each equipped with 'a base;

- the base of the installation assistance device is contained in the volume delimited by the solar panel, and the support arm is movably mounted on the base between an deployed position in which the support arm projects relative to the solar panel to rest on said solar panel fixing rail, and a retracted position in which the support arm is removed to allow stacking of a plurality of solar panels each equipped with at least one support guide of said device help with installation;

- the solar panel comprises a peripheral frame which extends around the slab, and the base is mounted on said peripheral frame of the solar panel;

- the base of the installation assistance device is mounted on the back face of the solar panel slab;

- the base is removable. This feature makes it possible in particular to remove the installation aid device from the solar panel after its attachment, to reuse the installation aid device subsequently with another solar panel;

- the distal portion of the support arm has a flat support face which is designed to rest on one face of said solar panel fixing rail, to prevent the solar panel from sliding along the slope of the roof;

- the distal portion of the support arm comprises at least one roller which is designed to roll and/or slide on a raceway formed by said solar panel fixing rail.

The present invention also relates to an assembly which comprises at least one solar panel equipped with an installation assistance device of the type described above, and at least one fixing rail for said solar panel which is adapted to cooperate with said installation device. assistance with installation.

Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

is an exploded overview in perspective which illustrates a solar panel equipped with an installation assistance device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

is a perspective overview that illustrates the solar panel of the in an intermediate position;

is a perspective overview that illustrates the solar panel of the in a definitive position;

is a detailed longitudinal section view which illustrates the frame and the slab of the solar panel;

is a perspective view from below which illustrates the solar panel equipped with the installation assistance device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

is a cross-sectional view of the solar panel equipped with the installation assistance device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

is a sectional view which shows a stack of a plurality of solar panels each equipped with a base of an installation assistance device according to the first embodiment of the invention;

is a perspective view from below which illustrates each pivoting arm of the installation aid device in a deployed position, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

is a perspective view from below which illustrates each pivoting arm of the installation aid device in a retracted position, according to the second embodiment of the invention;

is a perspective view from below which illustrates the solar panel equipped with the installation assistance device according to a third embodiment of the invention;

is a cross-sectional view of the solar panel equipped with the installation assistance device according to the third embodiment of the invention;

is a perspective view from below which illustrates the solar panel equipped with the installation assistance device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

is a perspective view from below which illustrates the solar panel equipped with the installation assistance device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

is a detailed perspective view with cutaway, which illustrates a first support guide of the installation assistance device according to the fifth embodiment of the invention.

In the description and the claims, we will adopt, on a non-limiting basis, the terminology longitudinal, vertical and transverse with reference to the trihedron L, V, T indicated in the figures.

In all of these figures, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Figures 1 to 3 show a solar panel 10 equipped with an installation assistance device 12, according to the invention.

The solar panel 10 is a photovoltaic panel.

But without limitation, the solar panel 10 can be a solar thermal collector type panel designed to transform solar energy into heat.

In reference to the , the solar panel 10 is fixed on a roof 14 of a building, by means of a first upstream rail 16 and a second downstream rail 18.

The upstream rail 16 and the downstream rail 18 each extend longitudinally perpendicular to the slope formed by the roof 14, in a plane generally parallel to the roof 14.

Note that the upstream rail 16 is arranged upstream of the downstream rail 18 following the slope of the roof 14.

Also, as we can see in the , the upstream rail 16 has a generally square cross section, and it is delimited by a dorsal face 20 arranged facing the roof 14, a frontal face 22 opposite the dorsal face 20, an upstream face 24 and an opposite downstream face 26.

According to , the upstream rail 16 and the downstream rail 18 are each fixed projecting on the roof 14 by a plurality of fixing hooks 28 which are integral with a structural element (not shown) of the roof 14, such as a structural element.

The solar panel 10 comprises a slab 30 for capturing solar energy which is delimited by a front face 32 intended to be oriented towards the sun and an opposite back face 34 intended to be arranged facing the roof 14.

In addition, the solar panel 10 includes a structural peripheral frame 36 which extends around the slab 30.

As we can see in the , the peripheral frame 36 of the solar panel 10 is made by four profiles which each have a generally U-shaped section and which each delimit a rebate 38 in which the slab 30 of the solar panel 10 is retained.

It will be noted that the peripheral frame 36 extends from the back face 34 of the slab 30 in a direction perpendicular to the back face 34, the frame 36 thus providing a housing on the back of the solar panel 10.

The installation assistance device 12 is intended to facilitate the handling and installation of the associated solar panel 10 from its storage location, to its final location on the upstream rail 16 and the downstream rail 18.

For this purpose, according to a first embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, the installation assistance device 12 comprises a first support guide 40a and a second support guide 40b which are identical.

Each support guide 40a, 40b comprises a base 42 which is mounted on the solar panel 10, and a support arm 44 which extends from the associated base 42 towards the roof 14.

Still according to the first embodiment of the invention, the base 42 of each support guide 40a, 40b has the shape of a bracket which comprises a first portion 46 fixed on the dorsal face 34 of the solar panel 10, for example by bonding, and a second portion 48 which extends towards the roof 14 perpendicular to the solar panel 10, from the first associated portion 46.

Without limitation, the first portion 46 can be fixed on the back face 34 of the solar panel 10 in a removable manner, for example by reversible bonding.

Complementarily, the arm 44 of each support guide 40a, 40b has the shape of a tubular sleeve which extends perpendicular to the slab 30 of the solar panel 10, from a first proximal portion 50 mounted on the associated base 42, up to a second distal portion 52 forming a free end.

As we can see in the , the distal portion 52 of each arm 44 projects relative to the peripheral frame 36 of the solar panel 10, in a direction perpendicular to the slab 30 of the solar panel 10.

In addition, the distal portion 52 of each arm 44 has a longitudinal planar bearing face 53 which extends perpendicular to the slab 30 of the solar panel 10.

Thus, when the frame 36 of the solar panel 10 rests on the upstream rail 16 and the downstream rail 18 as illustrated in Figures 1, 5 and 6, the bearing face 53 of the distal portion 52 of each arm 44 rests on the upstream face 24 of the upstream rail 16, so as to oppose the transverse sliding of the solar panel 10 following the direction of the slope of the roof 14 and so as to allow the sliding of the assembly formed by the solar panel 10 and the installation assistance device 12 on the upstream rail 16, in a longitudinal direction.

Note that the first support guide 40a and the second support guide 40b are aligned longitudinally to cooperate in concert with the upstream rail 16, and are arranged symmetrically along a transverse median plane (not shown) of the solar panel 10.

Firstly, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the solar panel 10 equipped with the installation aid device 12 previously described is transported from its storage location (not shown), then it is placed on the upstream rail 16 and the downstream rail 18, for example by two operators (not shown), in an intermediate position illustrated in .

It will be understood that to limit the handling of the solar panel 10, the latter is placed on the upstream rail 16 and the downstream rail 18 as close as possible to its storage location.

In this intermediate position, the peripheral frame 36 of the solar panel 10 is supported on the upstream rail 16 and the downstream rail 18, and each support guide 40a, 40b opposes the transverse sliding force of the solar panel 10 in the direction of the slope of the roof 14.

Secondly, an operator pushes and slides the assembly formed by the solar panel 10 and the installation aid device 12, from its intermediate position illustrated in , to a final position on the roof 14, illustrated in .

In this final position, the solar panel 10 is fixed on the upstream rail 16 and the downstream rail 18, for example by means of four jumpers 56 which clamp the frame 36 of the solar panel 10 on the rails 16, 18.

Advantageously, the installation assistance device 12 according to the invention keeps the solar panel 10 immobile in its final position by opposing its sliding induced by the slope of the roof 14, which allows a single operator to fix it on the upstream rail 16 and the downstream rail 18 by means of jumpers 56.

In addition, this characteristic offers additional security by preventing the fall of the solar panel 10 in the event of failure of the jumpers 56 over time.

According to another aspect of the invention, each support arm 44 is connected to the associated base 42 by interlocking in a removable manner, between a support position illustrated in Figures 2,3,5 and 6, in which each arm 44 makes projection relative to the peripheral frame 36 of the solar panel 10 to cooperate with the associated upstream rail 16, and a transport position in which each arm 44 is removed from the base 42 to allow the stacking of a plurality of solar panels 10 each equipped with a base 42, as can be seen in the .

For this purpose, the proximal portion 50 of each tubular arm 44 delimits a housing 54 of shape complementary to the shape of the second portion 48 of the associated base 42, to allow the nesting of the arm 44 on the associated base 42.

Preferably, the proximal portion 50 of each arm 44 is retained on the second portion 48 of the associated base 42 by friction.

But without limitation, the connection can be made by any other means of fixing, such as a screw.

Also, the base 42 of each support guide 40a, 40b is contained in the volume delimited by the solar panel 10.

In other words, the base 42 of each support guide 40a, 40b does not exceed the frame 36 of the solar panel 10, which in particular allows the stacking of a plurality of solar panels.

According to a second embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the installation assistance device 12 comprises a first support guide 58a and a second support guide 58b which are similar to the first support guide 40a and the second guide support 40b previously described, but which each form an articulated hinge.

Indeed, each support guide 58a, 58b comprises a base 60 which is fixed on the dorsal face 34 of the slab 30 of the solar panel 10, and an articulated support arm 62 which has a distal portion 64.

The distal portion 64 of each arm 62 delimits a longitudinal planar bearing face 66 intended to cooperate with the upstream rail 16.

Each arm 62 is pivotally mounted on the associated base 60, around a longitudinal axis A, between a deployed position illustrated in , and a retracted position illustrated in .

In the deployed position, the distal portion 64 of each arm 62 extends in a direction perpendicular to the slab 30, and projects relative to the peripheral frame 36 of the solar panel 10, so that the distal portion 64 of each arm 62 is capable of bearing on the upstream face 24 of the upstream rail 16, so as to oppose the transverse sliding of the solar panel 10 following the direction of the slope of the roof 14 and to allow the sliding of the assembly formed by the solar panel 10 and the installation assistance device 12, following a longitudinal direction along the upstream rail 16.

For this purpose, each arm 62 is mechanically blocked from rotating in its deployed position by a stop (not shown).

In the retracted position, the base 60 and the arm 62 of each support guide 58a, 58b according to the second embodiment are contained in the volume delimited by the solar panel 10, so as not to protrude from the frame 36 of the solar panel 10, which allows the stacking of a plurality of solar panels 10 each equipped with the installation assistance device 12.

According to a third embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, the installation assistance device 12 comprises a first support guide 68a and a second support guide 68b which are identical and which are similar to the first support guide 40a and the second support guide 40b previously described, but which roll on the upstream rail 16 instead of sliding.

For this purpose, each support guide 68a, 68b comprises a base 70 in the form of a square which is mounted on the solar panel 10, and a support arm 72 which extends from the associated base 70, towards the roof 14.

Each base 70 comprises a first portion 74 fixed to the back face 34 of the solar panel 10, for example by gluing, and a second portion 76 which extends towards the roof 14 perpendicular to the solar panel 10.

Complementarily, each arm 72 comprises a tubular sleeve 78 which extends perpendicular to the slab 30 of the solar panel 10, from a first proximal portion 80 mounted on the second portion 76 of the base 70 associated in a removable manner, up to to a second distal portion 82 forming a free end.

Each support arm 72 is connected to the associated base 70 by interlocking in a removable manner, between a support position illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, in which each arm 72 projects relative to the peripheral frame 36 of the solar panel 10 to cooperate with the associated upstream rail 16, and a transport position in which each arm 72 is removed from the associated base 70 to allow the stacking of a plurality of solar panels 10 each equipped with a base 70.

The distal portion 82 of each arm 72 carries a first roller 84 which is mounted to rotate freely around a rolling axis B perpendicular to the slab 30 of the solar panel 10.

Each first roller 84 is arranged so as to roll on the upstream face 24 of the upstream rail 16 which forms a first raceway 86.

In addition, each arm 72 comprises an excrescence 88 which extends parallel to the slab 30 of the solar panel 10, from the associated sleeve 78, and which carries a second roller 90 mounted free to rotate around a perpendicular rolling axis C to slab 30 of solar panel 10.

Each second roller 90 is arranged so as to roll on a second raceway 92 which is delimited by an internal face of a groove 94 formed on the front face 22 of the upstream rail 16.

Thus, the first support guide 68a and the second support guide 68b of the installation assistance device 12 according to the third embodiment of the invention make it possible to oppose the transverse sliding of the solar panel 10 following the direction of the slope of the roof 14 and allow the assembly formed by the solar panel 10 and the installation assistance device 12 to slide in a longitudinal direction along the upstream rail 16.

Non-limitatively, still according to the third embodiment of the invention, each roller 84, 90 can be designed to slide and not to roll on the upstream rail 16, like a slider.

Likewise, still on a non-limiting basis, the first support guide 68a and the second support guide 68b may be devoid of the protrusion 88 and the second associated roller 90.

Also, it will be noted that the first support guide 40a and the second support guide 40b are aligned longitudinally to cooperate in concert with the upstream rail 16, and are arranged symmetrically along a transverse median plane (not shown) of the solar panel 10.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention illustrated in , the installation assistance device 12 comprises a single support guide 96 which comprises a base 98 which is mounted on the solar panel 10, and a support arm 100.

The base 98 has the shape of a U-shaped angle which extends longitudinally and which pinches the upper profile of the frame 36 of the solar panel 10.

The arm 100 comprises two uprights 102 which extend parallel to the slab 30 of the solar panel 10 and which are connected together by a longitudinal beam 104.

The spar 104 carries a first roller 106 and a second roller 108 which are aligned longitudinally and which are each free to rotate respectively around an axis D and an axis E perpendicular to the slab 30 of the solar panel 10.

The first roller 106 and the second roller 108 are arranged so as to roll on the upstream face 24 of the upstream rail 16 which forms a raceway.

Thus, the support guide 100 of the installation assistance device 12 according to the fourth embodiment of the invention makes it possible to oppose the transverse sliding of the solar panel 10 following the direction of the slope of the roof 14 and allows sliding of the assembly formed by the solar panel 10 and the installation assistance device 12, in a longitudinal direction along the upstream rail 16.

In addition, the installation assistance device 12 according to the fourth embodiment is removably mounted on the solar panel 10 by pinching the base 98 on the frame 36, which allows the assistance device to be removed. to installation 12 after fixing the solar panel 10 on the fixing rails and to reuse the installation aid device 12 subsequently to install another solar panel.

According to a fifth embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the installation assistance device 12 comprises a first support guide 110a and a second support guide 110b which are identical and which are each mounted removably on the frame 36 of the solar panel 10.

More particularly, each support guide 110a, 110b comprises a base 112 which has the shape of a U-shaped clamp open longitudinally and which cooperates with a first upright 114a and a second upright 114b respectively of the solar panel 10, to ensure the maintenance of each base 112 on solar panel 10.

As we can see in the with tearing, each base 112 is fixed on the frame 36 by an attached fixing element, such as a screw 116.

In addition, each base 112 has a longitudinal projection which extends parallel to the upstream rail 16 and which forms a support arm 118.

Each arm 118 carries a roller 120 which is mounted to rotate freely respectively around an axis F and a rolling axis G which are perpendicular to the slab 30 of the solar panel 10.

Each roller 120 is arranged so as to roll on the upstream face 24 of the upstream rail 16 which forms a raceway.

Thus, the first support guide 110a and the second support guide 110b of the installation assistance device 12 according to the fifth embodiment of the invention make it possible to oppose the transverse sliding of the solar panel 10 following the direction of the slope of the roof 14 and allow the assembly formed by the solar panel 10 and the installation assistance device 12 to slide in a longitudinal direction along the upstream rail 16.

Note that the first support guide 110a and the second support guide 110b are aligned longitudinally to cooperate in concert with the upstream rail 16, and are arranged symmetrically along a transverse median plane (not shown) of the solar panel 10.

Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that those skilled in the art are able to carry out different variants of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the installation assistance device 12 according to the invention can cooperate with the downstream rail 18 instead of the upstream rail 16.

Likewise, the installation assistance device 12 according to the invention can cooperate with the downstream rail 18 and the upstream rail 16 simultaneously, the installation assistance device 12 comprising, for example, at least one support guide which cooperates with the upstream rail 16 and at least one support guide which cooperates with the downstream rail 18.

Also, the use of the installation assistance device 12 according to the invention is not limited to a roof, it is also suitable for any inclined structure.

The installation assistance device 12 according to the invention can also be used with a solar panel which is arranged flat, that is to say in a non-inclined final position.

Likewise, the solar panel 10 can be devoid of peripheral frame and have a generally solid parallelepiped shape, the support guide being mounted on the back face 34 of the solar panel 10.

Finally, it will be understood that the different embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other.

Claims (9)

Solar panel (10) equipped with an installation assistance device (12), said solar panel (10) being intended to be fixed on at least one fixing rail (16) which extends across a slope of a roof (14), said solar panel (10) comprising at least one slab (30) for capturing solar energy which is delimited by a front face (32) intended to be oriented towards the sun and a back face ( 34) intended to be arranged facing the roof (14),
characterized in thatthe installation assistance device (12) comprises at least one support guide (40a, 40b) which comprises at least:

• a base (42) which is adapted to be mounted on the solar panel (10), and
• a support arm (44) which comprises at least a first proximal portion (50) connected to said base (42) and a second distal portion (52) which projects relative to the solar panel (10) and which is designed to be resting on said rail (16) for fixing the solar panel (10),

the support guide (40a, 40b) being designed to support the solar panel (10) and to prevent the solar panel (10) from sliding along the slope of the roof (14), and to allow the assembly formed to slide by the solar panel (10) and the installation assistance device (12) on said fixing rail (16). Solar panel (10) equipped with an installation aid device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (42) of the installation aid device (12) is contained in the volume delimited by the solar panel (10), and the support arm (44) is connected to the base (42) removably between a support position in which the support arm (44) projects relative to the solar panel (10) to rest on said rail (16) for fixing the solar panel (10), and a transport position in which the support arm (44) is removed from the base (42) to allow stacking a plurality of solar panels each equipped with a base (42). Solar panel (10) equipped with an installation aid device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (42) of the installation aid device (12) is contained in the volume delimited by the solar panel (10), and the support arm (44) is movably mounted on the base (42) between a deployed position in which the support arm (44) projects relative to the panel solar panel (10) to rest on said rail (16) for fixing the solar panel (10), and a retracted position in which the support arm (44) is removed to allow stacking of a plurality of solar panels ( 10) each equipped with at least one support guide (40a, 40b) of said installation assistance device (12). Solar panel (10) equipped with an installation aid device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (42) of the installation aid device (12) is mounted on the back face (34) of the slab (30) of the solar panel (10). Solar panel (10) equipped with an installation assistance device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the solar panel (10) comprises a peripheral frame (36) which extends around the slab ( 30), and in that the base (42) is mounted on said peripheral frame (36) of the solar panel (10). Solar panel (10) equipped with an installation assistance device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (42) is mounted on the solar panel (10) in a removable manner . Solar panel (10) equipped with an installation assistance device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distal portion (52) of the support arm (44) has a face of flat support (53) which is intended to rest on one face of said rail (16) for fixing the solar panel (10), to prevent the sliding of the solar panel (10) following the slope of the roof (14). Solar panel (10) equipped with an installation assistance device (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the distal portion (52) of the support arm (44) comprises at least a roller (84, 90) which is intended to roll and/or slide on a raceway formed by said rail (16) for fixing the solar panel (10). Assembly which comprises at least one solar panel (10) equipped with an installation assistance device (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, and at least one rail (16) for fixing said solar panel (10) which is adapted to cooperate with said installation assistance device (12).