JP7502026B2 - Fixture and panel-like member installation structure - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fastener for a panel-like member, such as a solar cell module, and to an installation structure for the panel-like member that includes the fastener.

For example, panel-shaped components such as solar cell modules are known that are installed on the roofs of buildings. Such panel-shaped components are fixed to the installation portion by suitable fasteners according to the type of roof on which they are installed.

Patent Document 1 discloses a support for installing a solar cell module on the upper surface of a flat roof. The support has a fixed portion that is fixed onto the upper surface of the flat roof, and an attachment portion that is provided on the fixed portion and to which a module fastener can be attached. The fixed portion has an anchor disk that has a disk shape in a plan view, and an anchor bolt that stands vertically from the center of the anchor disk. The attachment portion is attached to the anchor bolt. The module fastener attached to the attachment portion extends along the edge of the solar cell module and fastens the edge of the solar cell module. A pair of module fasteners hold both opposing edges of the solar cell module. The anchor disk is fixed to the upper surface of the flat roof with a number of screws.

JP 2019-85702 A

For example, in a flat roof including an aerated lightweight concrete (ALC) underlayment, multiple underlayments may be arranged side-by-side in one or more rows. In this case, adjacent underlayments do not overlap each other, but are either in contact with each other or spaced apart from each other.

The inventors of the present application have found the following problems when fixing a panel-like member such as a solar cell module onto an installation section having such a base material. First, from the standpoint of the fixing strength of the fixing device, it is desirable to install the fixing device supporting the panel-like member so as to avoid the boundaries or spaces between the base materials. This places restrictions on the installation position of the fixing device, for example, the fixed part (anchor disk) described in Patent Document 1. This restriction also places restrictions on the installation position of the panel-like member.

On the other hand, from the viewpoint of arranging multiple panel-like members closely, it is desirable to be able to install the fasteners according to the installation positions of the panel-like members, rather than determining the installation positions of the panel-like members according to the possible installation positions of the fasteners.

Therefore, there is a need for a fixing device that can be installed according to the installation position of the panel-like member, and an installation structure for the panel-like member.

The fixture according to one embodiment has a base that is installed on an installation section, and a support body that is attached to the base and has a loading section for loading a panel-shaped member. The base has a first fastening member that extends away from the installation section. The support body has a hole group that includes at least three holes to which the first fastening member can be attached. The at least three holes included in the hole group are spaced apart from each other in a first direction.

The panel-shaped member installation structure according to one embodiment includes a plurality of the aforementioned fasteners and a plurality of panel-shaped members fixed by the plurality of fasteners.

According to the above aspect, it is possible to provide a fixing device that can be installed according to the installation position of the panel-like member, and an installation structure for the panel-like member.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an installation structure of a panel-like member. 2 is a side view of the installation structure of the panel-like member as viewed from the direction of the arrow 2A in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of region 3A of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fixture according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of region 5A in FIG. 4 . FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the fixture in the area 6A of FIG. 4 . FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a base portion constituting the fixture. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the position of a fastener and a recommended area in which installation of the fastener is recommended. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the position of a fastener and a recommended area in which installation of the fastener is recommended. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the position of a fastener and a recommended area in which installation of the fastener is recommended.

The following describes the embodiments with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, identical or similar parts are given identical or similar reference symbols. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratios of dimensions may differ from those in reality.

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing the installation structure of the panel-like member. Figure 2 is a side view of the installation structure of the panel-like member as seen from the direction of arrow 2A in Figure 1. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of area 3A in Figure 2.

The installation structure for the panel-like member may have at least one panel-like member 10 and a plurality of fixing devices 100. Each panel-like member 10 may be, for example, a solar cell module. The panel-like member 10 may be installed on an installation portion 50 such as the roof of a building.

In this embodiment, as an example, the panel-like member 10 is installed on a substantially flat installation portion 50. An example of such an installation portion 50 is a flat roof. On a flat roof, a plurality of base materials 52, such as ACL, are arranged in one or more rows. The plurality of base materials 52 may be arranged with a gap between them (see FIG. 1). Note that a sheet may be provided on the plurality of base materials 52.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the installation structure for the panel-like members includes multiple panel-like members 10 arranged in the horizontal direction (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "first direction"). This installation structure is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1, and may include only one panel-like member 10. In the following, the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and parallel to the top surface of the installation portion may be referred to as the "vertical direction".

Each panel-like member 10 is fixed to the installation section 50 by a fastener 100. As shown in FIG. 1, each panel-like member 10 may be fixed by multiple fasteners 100.

The panel-shaped member 10 may have a panel portion 12 and a frame portion 14. When the panel-shaped member 10 is a solar cell module, the panel portion 12 corresponds to a photoelectric conversion panel that converts solar energy into electrical energy, and the frame portion 14 corresponds to a frame provided around the photoelectric conversion panel.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fixture according to one embodiment. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of region 5A in Figure 4. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the fixture in region 6A in Figure 4. Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a base that constitutes the fixture. For convenience, Figure 5 shows an end of one panel-like member 10 attached to a loading section 370, which will be described later.

The fixture 100 may have a base 200 that is installed on the installation section 50, a support 300, and a fastener 500. The base 200 may have a base 210 that is attached to the installation section 50, and a first fastening member 290 that extends away from the installation section 50. The first fastening member 290 stands upright from the base 210.

In this embodiment, the base 200 may have a flat first disk 212, a flat second disk 214, and a sheet 216 (see FIG. 7). The sheet 216 may be provided between the base 210 and the first and second disks 212 and 214. The sheet 216 may be larger than the base 210 when viewed from above. That is, the sheet 216 may cover the base 210. The first fastening member 290 extends upward from the base 210 through the sheet 216, the first disk 212, and the second disk 214.

The base portion 210 is provided with a hole portion 215 for attaching a fastening member 900 for fixing to the installation portion 50. The fastening member 900 passes through the hole portion 215 and reaches the installation portion 50. The fastening member 900 may be, for example, a member such as a screw, a nail, or a bolt. The base portion 210 of the base 200 is attached to the installation portion 50 by the fastening member 900.

The support 300 is attached to the base 200 and has a loading section 370 on which the panel-like member 10 is loaded. The support 300 has a hole group 312 including at least three hole portions 314 to which the first fastening member 290 can be attached.

Specifically, the support 300 may have a first support member 310 and a second support member 350. In this embodiment, the first support member 310 may extend in the horizontal direction. The length of the first support member 310 in the horizontal direction may be equal to or greater than the length of the panel-like member 10 along the horizontal direction. Each first support member 310 is attached to the installation portion 50 by a pair of base portions 200.

The first support member 310 may have a generally H-shaped configuration when viewed from the horizontal direction (see FIG. 5). Specifically, the first support member 310 may have a fixed plate 311 extending in the horizontal direction, and a pair of side portions 320 extending in the height direction at both ends of the fixed plate 311 in the vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction. The generally H-shaped configuration is formed by the fixed plate 311 and the pair of side portions 320.

The first support member 310 may have an upper portion 330 and a lower portion 340. The upper portion 330 is formed by a portion that protrudes vertically from the upper portions of the pair of side portions 320. The lower portion 340 is formed by a portion that protrudes vertically from the lower portions of the pair of side portions 320. The upper portion 330 and the lower portion 340 may extend horizontally in the same manner as the fixing plate 311.

Each first support member 310 may have a hole group 312 including at least three holes 314 to which a first fastening member 290 extending upward from the base portion 210 of a certain base portion 200 can be attached. The hole group 312 may be provided in the fixing plate 311 of the first support member 310.

In this embodiment, the first support member 310 has a pair of hole groups 312 at both end regions of the first support member 310 in the lateral direction. In this embodiment, the first support member 310 is configured to be attachable to a pair of bases 200 by the pair of hole groups 312 provided at both end regions of the first support member 310. At least three hole portions 314 included in each hole group 312 are provided at intervals from each other in the lateral direction (see FIG. 6). Preferably, the hole group 312 has three hole portions 314 arranged at substantially equal intervals in the lateral direction.

Specifically, the first fastening member 290 extending upward from the base 210 of the base 200 is selectively inserted into one of at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312. The first fastening member 290 reaches above the fixing plate 311 of the first support member 310, and is fastened to the upper part of the fixing plate 311 by a member such as a nut 292. As a result, the first support member 310 is fixed to the base 200 by the first fastening member 290 using one of at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312. Here, the holes 314 located on the inside of both ends in the lateral direction among the at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312 may be those normally used for fixing to the base 200.

The second support member 350 may have a bottom portion 360 that abuts against the upper portion 330 of the first support member 310. That is, the second support member 350 is supported by the upper portion 330 of the first support member 310.

The second support member 350 may be attached to the first support member 310, specifically the upper portion 330 of the first support member 310, by the second fastening member 600. Specifically, the upper portion 330 of the first support member 310 has a hole 334 through which the second fastening member 600 passes. In addition, the bottom portion 360 of the second support member 350 has a hole 364 through which the second fastening member 600 passes. The hole 364 provided in the bottom portion 360 of the second support member 350 is in the same position as the hole 334 provided in the upper portion 330 of the first support member 310. Therefore, the second fastening member 600 passes through the hole 334 and the hole 364, and fastens the first support member 310 and the second support member 350 to each other. As a result, the position of the second support member 350 relative to the first support member 310 is fixed in a predetermined position.

Preferably, the second support member 350 is attached to the first support member 310 on the inside of the holes 314 located at both ends of the hole group 312 in the horizontal direction. In other words, the hole 334 through which the second fastening member 600 passes is provided on the inside of both ends of the hole group 312 in the horizontal direction. In this case, when the base 200 is attached to the hole 314 located on the inside of both ends of the hole group 312 in the horizontal direction, the base 200 can support the load received from the second support member 350 at a nearby position. Therefore, the installation structure of the panel-like member is easily stabilized.

More preferably, the hole 334 is provided closer to the hole 314 located on the inside of both ends of the hole group 312 than the hole 314 located on both ends of the hole group 312. More preferably, the hole group 312 has three holes 314, and the hole 334 through which the second fastening member 600 passes is provided at a position overlapping the hole 314 located in the center of the three holes 314 in the horizontal direction when viewed from the vertical direction (direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction). That is, the hole 314 located in the center of the three holes 314 in the horizontal direction may be located between a pair of holes 334 when viewed from above. In this case, when the base 200 is attached to the hole 314 located in the center of the horizontal direction among the holes 314 included in the hole group 312, the installation structure of the panel-like member becomes more stable.

The second support member 350 has a loading portion 370 that supports the end of the panel-like member 10 from below. Preferably, the second support member 350 has a pair of loading portions 370 that support the end of the panel-like member 10 that are adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction from below. The pair of loading portions 370 may be located above the bottom portion 360 and may be formed by the upper portion of the second support member 350.

The second support member 350 may have a groove 380 into which the third fastening member 700 is attached. The third fastening member 700 is used to attach the fastener 500 to the second support member 350.

The groove 380 may be provided in a plate that constitutes the loading section 370 of the second support member 350. The third fastening member 700 may extend from inside the groove 380 toward the upper side of the second support member 350.

The third fastening member 700 may be composed of a member such as a bolt and a nut. In this case, the diameter of the head of the bolt is larger than the diameter of the core (threaded portion) of the bolt. As a result, the groove portion 380 accommodates the head of the bolt, while the core of the bolt protrudes from the groove portion 380.

The groove 380 may extend in the horizontal direction. As an example, the groove 380 may extend from one end of the second support member 350 to the other end in the horizontal direction. This allows the third fastening member 700, together with the fastener 500 described below, to slide laterally relative to the second support member 350 when the third fastening member 700 is loosened. This makes it easier to attach the fastener 500 to the panel-like member 10.

In this embodiment, the vertical end of the second support member 350 is bent downward from the loading section 370 to form a plate section 390 located below the loading section 370. The plate section 390 may be provided with a hole 392 through which a string member (not shown), such as a cable tie, can pass. Here, when the panel-like member 10 is a solar cell module, wiring is connected to the panel-like member 10. This wiring can be tied to the plate section 390 by a string member passed through the hole 392.

The fastener 500 is configured to press downwardly against the end of the panel-like member 10 placed on the loading section 370, for example, the frame section 14. In this embodiment, the fastener 500 may have a bottom section 510, a pair of side sections 520 erected from the bottom section 510, and a flange section 530 protruding laterally from the upper portions of the pair of side sections 520.

In this embodiment, the fastener 500 has a generally U-shaped configuration when viewed from the vertical direction. Specifically, the generally U-shaped configuration is formed by a bottom portion 510 and a pair of side portions 520.

The third fastening member 700 passes through the bottom 510 of the fastener 500 and extends above the bottom 510. The third fastening member 700 is attached to the fastener 500 by, for example, a nut 720 above the bottom 510 of the fastener 500.

The flange portion 530 of the fastener 500 is disposed opposite the loading portion 370 of the second support member 350. A pair of flange portions 530 are provided side by side in the horizontal direction. The flange portions 530 press downward the end portion of the panel-like member 10 placed on the loading portion 370, specifically the upper portion of the frame portion 14 (see also FIG. 3). In addition, the pair of side portions 520 may abut against the end portion of the panel-like member 10 placed on the loading portion 370, specifically the side portions of the frame portion 14.

In this embodiment, the bottom 510 of the fastener 500 is located between the pair of flange portions 530 when viewed from above. In addition, it is preferable that the lower surface of the bottom 510 of the fastener 500 has a step 518 such that one of the pair of flange portions 530 is inclined downward more than the other of the pair of flange portions 530 (see Figures 5 and 6). More specifically, one of the pair of side portions 520 of the fastener 500 protrudes further downward than the other of the pair of side portions 520, thereby forming a step 518 on the lower surface of the bottom 510 of the fastener 500.

When the fastener 500 is fastened to the support 300, specifically the second support member 350, by the third fastening member 700, the step 518 causes the fastener 500 to tilt so that one flange portion 530 is directed downward relative to the other flange portion 530. Therefore, one of the adjacent panel-like members 10 is pressed more strongly by the flange portion 530.

In this case, after the fastener 500 is attached to one end of the adjacent panel-like members 10, the other end of the adjacent panel-like members 10 can be easily inserted between the flange portion 530 of the fastener 500 and the loading portion 370. That is, when constructing the panel-like members 10, the fastener 500 is first attached to the end of one panel-like member 10 using the flange portion 530 that can be pressed more strongly, and then the end of another panel-like member 10 is inserted between the other flange portion 530 and the loading portion 370. This makes it easier to install multiple panel-like members 10 in one direction in sequence. Also, when removing multiple panel-like members 10, it is easier to remove them in sequence from the opposite direction.

In the above-mentioned fastener 100, the hole group 312 for attaching the base 200 to the support 300 has at least three holes 314 arranged at intervals in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the base 200 can be attached to the support 300, specifically the first support member 310, at any one of at least three locations in the horizontal direction. Therefore, when the base 200 is attached to the central hole 314 of the at least three holes 314, if the base 200, particularly the base portion 210, is located, for example, at the boundary or space between the base materials 52 that constitute the installation portion 50, the base 200 can be attached to another hole 314. This allows the base 200, particularly the base portion 210, to be installed away from the boundary or space between the roof materials 52. In particular, when the base portion 210 is fixed to the installation portion 50 by the fastening member 900, it becomes possible to insert the fastening member 900 into the base material 52 while avoiding the boundaries or gaps between the base materials 52.

Preferably, the distance L1 between the two holes 312 located at both ends in the horizontal direction among the holes 314 included in the hole group 312 is longer than the length L2 of the base portion 210 along the horizontal direction. In this case, by using any one of at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312, the entire base portion 210 can be positioned away from the boundaries or spaces between the base materials 52.

Next, a more preferred embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8, 9, and 10. Figures 8, 9, and 10 are schematic diagrams showing the relationship between the position of the fixture and the recommended area in which the fixture is to be installed.

For example, a base material 52 such as ALC generally includes a recommended area R1 (filled area in Figures 8 to 10) where installation of fasteners is recommended, and a non-recommended area R2 where installation of fasteners is not recommended. Specifically, an area of a certain width W from the edge of each base material 52 becomes a non-recommended area R2 where installation of fasteners is not recommended from the standpoint of preventing damage to the base material 52, etc. This certain width W, in other words the size of the recommended area R1 and the non-recommended area R2, is generally determined by the manufacturer for each base material 52.

In a preferred embodiment, the distance L1 between the holes 314 located at both ends in the horizontal direction among the at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312 is equal to or greater than the length L3 of the non-recommended region R2 in the horizontal direction. In this case, the base 200 to be fixed to the support 300 can be positioned within the recommended region R1 by using any one of the at least three holes 314.

Here, the length L3 of the non-recommended region R2 in the horizontal direction varies depending on the base material 52, etc., as described above, but is often within the range of 100 mm to 300 mm, for example. In this case, it is preferable that the distance L1 between the holes 314 located at both ends in the horizontal direction out of the at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312 is within the range of 50 mm to 150 mm, for example.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, if the central hole 314 in the horizontal direction among at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312 is located within the recommended region R1, the base 200 can be fixed to the first support member 310 using the central hole 314.

As shown in FIG. 9, if one end hole 314 in the horizontal direction of at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312 is located within the recommended region R1, the base 200 can be fixed to the first support member 310 using the end hole 314.

Also, as shown in FIG. 10, if the hole 314 at the other end in the horizontal direction of at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312 is located within the recommended region R1, the base 200 can be fixed to the first support member 310 using the hole 314 at the other end.

If all of the at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312 are located within the recommended region R1, it is preferable to fix the base 200 to the first support member 310 using the central hole 314 in the horizontal direction among the at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312. In this case, as described above, the base 200 is positioned in a position close to the position where the load of the second support member 350 is applied, so that the installation structure of the panel-like member is likely to be stable.

As described above, holes 314 are provided on both sides of the central hole 314 of the at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312. In this case, the distance L1 between the holes 314 located at both ends in the horizontal direction of the at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312 can be made as short as possible, while increasing the distance between the installation position of the second support member 350 relative to the first support member 310 and the holes 314 at both ends of the at least three holes 314 included in the hole group 312. This makes it possible to relatively stabilize the installation structure of the panel-like member even when the base 200 is attached to the first support member 310 using the holes 314 at both ends.

Next, referring to Figures 1 and 2, an example of a preferred arrangement of the panel-like members 10 and the fastener 100 will be described. As described above, a plurality of panel-like members 10 may be arranged in the horizontal direction. Both ends of each panel-like member 10 in the horizontal direction are sandwiched between the loading portion 370 of the second support member 350 and the flange portion 530 of the fastener 500. In this case, the first support member 310 is arranged under a certain panel-like member 10, and does not have to be arranged under another panel-like member 10. Specifically, the first support member 310 is arranged under every other panel-like member 10 arranged in the horizontal direction.

In this case, a panel-like member 10 that does not have a first support member 310 positioned directly below it is loaded onto the loading portion 370 of a second support member 350 attached to a first support member 310 positioned directly below the adjacent panel-like member 10.

Since the first support members 310 are not positioned directly below all of the panel-like members 10, the load on the installation section 50 can be reduced. Furthermore, since interference between the first support members 310 can be reduced, the spacing between the panel-like members 10 in the horizontal direction can be minimized. In other words, the spacing between the panel-like members 10 in the horizontal direction can be made approximately the same as the distance between a pair of side portions 520 of the fastener 500.

As described above, the contents of the present invention have been disclosed through the embodiments, but the descriptions and drawings forming part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the present invention. From this disclosure, various alternative embodiments, examples and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is determined only by the invention-specific matters relating to the scope of the claims that are appropriate from the above explanation.

For example, in the embodiment described above, the support 300 includes a first support member 310 and a second support member 350 that are separable from each other. Alternatively, the first support member 310 and the second support member 350 may be configured as an inseparable unit.

In the above-described embodiment, the first support member 310 is configured to be long in the horizontal direction. Alternatively, the first support member 310 may be provided locally on the base 200. In this case, it is sufficient that one first support member 310 is provided for one base 200.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Panel-like member 50 Installation portion 100 Fixture 200 Base portion 210 Base portion 290 First fastening member 300 Support body 310 First support member 312 Hole group 314 Hole portion 350 Second support member 370 Loading portion 500 Fastener 510 Bottom portion 518 Step 530 Flange portion 600 Second fastening member 700 Third fastening member

Claims (11)

A base portion to be installed on the installation portion;
a support body attached to the base and having a loading portion for loading a panel-like member;
The base portion has a flat base portion attached to the installation portion and a first fastening member standing on the base portion and extending away from the installation portion,
the support body has a hole group including at least three hole portions to which the first fastening member can be attached,
At least three holes included in the hole group are spaced apart from each other in a first direction. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the group of holes has three of the holes arranged at substantially equal intervals in the first direction. The base portion has a base portion attached to the installation portion,
3. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein a distance between two of the holes included in the hole group that are located at both ends in the first direction is longer than a length of a portion of the base portion that abuts the installation portion along the first direction. The installation section includes a recommended area in which installation of the fastener is recommended, and a non-recommended area in which installation of the fastener is not recommended,
The fastener according to claim 1 , wherein a distance between the holes located at both ends in the first direction among the at least three holes is equal to or greater than a length of the non-recommended region in the first direction. the support body includes a first support member having the hole group and a second support member having the loading portion,
the first support member and the second support member are fastened to each other by a second fastening member,
The first support member has a hole through which the second fastening member passes,
The fastener according to claim 1 , wherein the hole is provided more inwardly than holes located at both ends of the hole group in the first direction. The fastener according to claim 5, wherein the hole is closer to the hole that is located on the inside of both ends in the first direction among the holes included in the hole group than to the hole that is located on both ends in the first direction among the holes included in the hole group. a length of the first support member in the first direction is equal to or greater than a length of the panel-like member along the first direction;
the first support member has a pair of the hole groups in both end regions of the first support member in the first direction,
The fixture according to claim 5 or 6 , wherein the first support member is configured to be attachable to a pair of the bases by a pair of the hole groups. a fastener having a flange portion for pressing downward the panel-like members loaded on the loading section,
the second support member has a pair of loading portions for loading the panel-like members adjacent to each other in the first direction,
The fastener according to claim 5 , wherein the fastener has a pair of the flange portions facing a pair of the loading portions. the fastener has a bottom portion between the pair of flange portions to which a third fastening member for fastening the fastener to the support body is attached,
The fastener according to claim 8 , wherein a bottom surface of the bottom portion of the fastener has a step such that one of the pair of flange portions is inclined downwardly relative to the other of the pair of flange portions. The fixture according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which has a sheet covering the base portion. A plurality of fasteners according to any one of claims 1 to 10;
and a plurality of panel-like members fixed by the plurality of fasteners.

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