SE539441C2 - Module for mounting modules - Google Patents

Abstract

Summary The present invention relates to a system for mounting modules on a structure, the system comprising a plurality of structural elements (1) for attachment to the structure and a plurality of longitudinal module elements (20) for attachment to the modules and for connecting the structural elements. The structural elements comprise an elongate rail (2) having a lower side (3) designed to abut the structure, an upper side (4) intended to weld the counter-modules, and two separate first fastening elements (5a-b) each projecting from the upper side, extending along the length of the rail and are provided with first snap means (6a-b). along the length of the frame and is provided with a second snap means (25) for connection by snap attachment to said first snap means, the first and second snap means being formed so as to form a sealing joint between the first and second fasteners when the longitudinal module member is connected to the structural member. The first and second fastening elements together with the rail define a channel (7) which extends along the length of the rail. (Figure 3)

Description

Technical Field The present invention relates to a system comprising a plurality of elongate elements for mounting modules, such as solar panels, glass sections, sheet metal modules, etc., on a structure, for example a roof or a facade.

Prior art A roof on a building comprises an inner roof and an outer roof, for example in the form of a roof tile, sheet metal or roofing felt, which protects the roof from moisture and dirt. It is known to install solar panels on rooftops. These panels are then set up with the help of a framework that is mounted directly on the roof.

US2012 / 0272613 discloses a framework for solar panels that can be mounted on a roof. The framework comprises a plurality of elongate elements of two different types which are mounted in parallel rows and columns and thus form a grid of elements. One type of base element is regularly provided with fastening means for fastening the solar panels.

WO2012 / 115544 discloses another example of a framework for solar panels comprising a plurality of elongate elements of a longitudinal and a transverse type which are mounted so as to form a grid of elements. The elements of one kind are provided with female-type snap members and the elements of the other kind are provided with male-type snap means for connecting the elements to each other by snap-fitting. The transverse type of abutment elements are provided with grooves and the underside of the solar panels are provided with rails which are threaded into these grooves in order to attach the solar panels to the framework.

A disadvantage of these frameworks is that they let water and dirt through the solar panels. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide an improved system for assembling modules on a structure.

This object is achieved with a system as defined in claim 1.

Such a system comprises a plurality of structural members for attachment to the structure and a plurality of longitudinal module members for attachment to the modules, each of the structural members comprising an elongate rail having an underside formed abutting the structure, an upper side intended to face the modules, and two separate first fasteners. each projecting from the top, extending along the length of the rail and being provided with first snap means, the module elements comprising a plurality of longitudinal module elements each comprising an elongate body shaped to be sealed along an edge of the module.

The invention is characterized in that each of the module elements comprises a second fastening element which projects from the body and extends along the length of the body and is provided with a second snap means for connection by snap attachment to said first snap means, the first and second snap means being formed so as to form a corrosive joint between the first and second fasteners when the longitudinal module member is connected to the structural member, and the first and second fasteners define together with the rail a channel extending along the length of the rail, said module member comprising a first module member configured to be fixed along the edge of a first module and a second module elements are designed to be fixed along an opposite edge of a second module, the first and second module elements are arranged at a distance from each other for connection to one of said structural elements, the first module element comprises said second fastening elements arranged for connection snap-fit attachment to one of said first fasteners of the structural member, and the other module member includes said second fastener for connection by snap-fit to the other of said fastener fasteners.

The term sealing is intended to protect against the ingress of liquid, but not necessarily to be waterproof. The sealing joint must be designed to protect against water intrusion, but it does not necessarily prevent water vapor from penetrating.

The system according to the invention makes it possible to mount the modules directly on the structure very quickly and easily without the structure needing any conventional waterproof cladding such as external roofs such as tile roofs, sheet metal roofs or cardboard roofs.

The longitudinal module elements are intended to be mounted on two opposite edges of the module. These sides are oriented in the direction of inclination of the structure in connection with the module assembly. The channels that are formed between the fastening elements divert water that collects in the intermediate modules and thus reduces the risk of water coming into contact with the structure below the modules. Such a system makes it possible to mount a plurality of modules on a single roof so that they form a water-protective outer roof. The modules can be mounted directly on the suspended ceiling without the need for an external roof or other roof cladding. The roof can be replaced with, for example, solar panels that generate heat or electricity for the house. In this way, the costs of an external roof are saved. Different types of modules can be used on the same structure. For example, one or more modules may be windows. The modules can also be mounted directly on a facade without the need for any wall cladding, such as brick or wood paneling.

Once the structural elements have been screwed onto the structure, the modules can be clicked unscrewed and adjusted. Thanks to the snap function, the modules are quick and easy to assemble. A further advantage achieved with the invention is that the channels formed between the modules can be used for fastening roof safety details, such as lifeline brackets, snow slide protection and ladders. Another advantage is that the panels can only be removed with one special tool, which makes theft of the panels more difficult.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the structural element is made in one piece and has a substantially constant cross-section along its length, the first snap member forming part of the first fastening element and extending along the entire length of the first fastening element, and the longitudinal modular element is made in one piece and has a substantially constant cross-section along its length, the second snap member forming part of the second fastening element and extending along the entire length of the second fastening element. Such profiles can be manufactured easily and at a low cost by extrusion, extrusion or extrusion. The snap means form part of the structural elements and the module elements, and extend along the entire length of the elements. In this way, the shape of the structural elements and the module elements is used as the only locking, which provides a strong and cost-effective solution.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first fastening elements are designed resiliently in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rail. Thanks to the fact that the first fastening elements are resilient in one direction across the rail, the fastening of the modules is facilitated. The modules can be single-fastened between two structural elements, which are mounted on the structure at a distance from each other which corresponds to the width of the module.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the first snap member comprises a projecting knee and the second snap member comprises a projection designed to hook into the knee. This design of the snap means means that they form a sealing joint between the first and the second fastening element when these are connected to each other.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the fastening elements has structural upper elements which are bent outwards in the direction of the channel in order to guide the second snap member in the direction of the first snap member when mounting the modules. This facilitates the assembly of the modules.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the structural element comprises support elements arranged on each side of the channel for supporting the module. The support elements are designed so that they hold up the module from the structure at the same time as the fastening elements lock the module in a direction relative to the structure.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal module element comprises an elongate guide element which extends along the length of the longitudinal module element and guide elements are arranged to abut against said support element when the module element is connected to the structural element. The guide element helps to control the placement of the structural element and the longitudinal module elements relative to each other during assembly.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the module elements comprise a plurality of transverse module elements for attaching two adjacent modules to each other, each of the transverse module elements having an elongate body designed to attach the modulus element along an edge of the module and projecting fasteners extending transversely along the module. and is arranged to be sealingly connected to a corresponding projecting fastener of an adjacent transverse module element so as to form a sealing joint between the transverse module elements. The transverse module elements are mounted on two opposite sides of the module, which sides are intended to be horizontally oriented when the module is mounted. The transverse module elements make it possible to connect the lower edge of a first module to the upper edge of a second module in a substantially watertight manner. , thereby preventing water from flowing down between the modules. The condensed water that can be formed during the modules is directed to channel 1 and 5a via the flanges 62 and 63.

According to an embodiment of the invention, each of the transverse module elements is provided with a hook and each end of said support elements is provided with an opening designed to receive the respective hook to prevent the module from sliding down the structure is inclined.

Thanks to the support element, the control element and the hook, the system becomes self-adjusting in such a way that the modules click into the structural elements in a controlled manner in three dimensions. This means that it is not necessary to measure where the structural elements are to be placed. This nurse system itself, with a considerably faster assembly as a result According to an embodiment of the invention, the frames of the longitudinal module elements are designed to clamp the module element along an edge of the module. According to an embodiment of the invention, the frames of the transverse module elements are designed to clamp the module elements along an edge of the module. By clamping the module elements to the modules, the modules can be mounted easily and quickly. The modules are fixed without the use of screws, nails, rivets or other types of fasteners that can damage the modules.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will now be explained in more detail by describing various embodiments of the invention and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a cross section through a structural element according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2a shows a cross section through a longitudinal modular element according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2b shows a cross section through a longitudinal modular element according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 shows in a side view two modules mounted to a structure with a system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows in a perspective view a structural element and a module provided with longitudinal module elements connected to the structural element.

Figure 5 shows a cross section through a first transverse module element according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a cross section through a second transverse module element according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 shows in a perspective view two modules connected to each other by means of a first and a second transverse module element according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 shows a roof with modules mounted with a system according to the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention The invention relates to a system for mounting modules on a structure, for example a roof or a facade. The modules preferably have a rectangular shape and have two pairs of opposite edges. The modules can be, for example, solar cell modules or window modules. The system includes a plurality of elongate structural members configured for securing the structure and a plurality of elongate module members configured for securing the modules. In the embodiment described below, the system comprises different types of demodulation elements. The system comprises longitudinal module elements designed for fastening along a first pair of opposite edges of the modules and transverse module elements for fastening along a second pair of opposite edges of the modules. intended to be mounted with its longitudinal axis across the slope of the structure. The transverse module elements can be of two different types, for example a first type which is mounted along an upper edge of the module and a second type which is mounted along a lower edge of the module.

Figure 1 shows a cross section through an embodiment of a structural element 1. The structural element 1 comprises an elongate rail 2 which has an underside 3 designed to abut against the structure and an upper side 4 intended to face the modules. Furthermore, the structural element comprises two first fastening elements 5a-b, each of which projects from the upper side 4 and extends along the entire length of the rail. A lower part of the fastening elements 5a-b are parallel to each other. The fastening elements 5a-b are designed resiliently in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rail 2. The fastening elements 5a-b are resilient due to the fact that they are long and narrow.

The fastening elements 5a-b are provided with first snap means 6a-b. Each of the first snap members 6a-b forms part of the fastening element 5a-b and extends along the length of the entire fastening element. In this embodiment, the snap members 6a-b are in the form of a projecting knee. In this embodiment, the knees point towards each other. Alternatively, knees can point apart. In this embodiment the fastening element 5a-b is bent so that a snap member 6a-b in the form of a projecting knee is formed at a distance from the rail 2. The fastening elements 5a-b are arranged at a distance from each other and together with the upper side 4 of the rail 2 form an elongate first channel 7 Advantageously, the fastening elements 5a-b are arranged at a distance from each other which is in the range 1 - 4 cm, and preferably in the range 2 - 3 cm. Each of the fastening elements 5a-b has an upper part 8a-b which is bent outwards in the direction away from the channel 7. The structural element 1 is preferably made in one piece and has a substantially constant cross-section along its length, which makes the structural element suitable for extrusion.

The structural element 1 comprises two support elements 9a-b arranged to support the modules and keep them at a distance from the structure. The support elements 9a-b are arranged outside and at a distance from the first fastening elements 5a-b seen from the center axis of the rail. The support elements 9a-b project from the upper side 4 of the rail and extend along the entire length of the rail. The support elements are parallel to the lower parts of the fastening elements 5a-b and have substantially the same height. The support elements 9a-b are wider, i.e. has a larger wall thickness, the end fastening elements 5a-b, to be able to support the modules. The support elements have several tasks. One task is to carry the modules. Another task is to provide a second sealing barrier to prevent water from penetrating under the modules.

The support elements 9a-b are arranged at a distance from the long sides of the rail so that a portion 10a-of the rail 2 projects on each side of the longitudinal structural element 1. An outer end 12a-b of the projecting portion 10a-b is folded up and forms a third barrier. to prevent water from penetrating under the modules. The projecting portion 10a-b forms a second elongate channel 13a-b on each side of the first channel 7. The channels 13a-b extend along the length of the rail and are parallel to the channel 7. It may form condensation water between the structure and the modules. This condensed water can be transported away via the other channels 13a-b.

Figure 2a shows a cross section through a longitudinal modular element 20 according to an embodiment of the invention. The longitudinal module member includes an elongate body 22 configured to be sealingly secured along an edge of the module and a second fastener 24 projecting from the body 22 and extending along the length of the body and provided with second snap means 25. The second snap member 25 forms part of the the second fastener 24 and extends along the entire length of the fastener. The second snap member 25 may be resilient but need not be. The second snap member 25 is designed for connection by snap attachment to one of the first snap members 6a-b of the hose structure element 1.

The first and second snap members 6a-b, 25 are designed to form a sealing joint between the first and second fasteners 5a-b, 24 when the longitudinal module member and the structural member are connected to each other. The second snap member 25 has the shape of a projection designed to hook into the knee of the first fastening elements 5a-b of the hose structure element in order to connect the fastening elements to each other and form the sealing joint.

The upper curved part 8a-b of the first fastening elements is designed to partly guide the second snap member 25 in the direction of the first snap member 6a when connecting the module element to the structural element, and partly to transmit force to the first fastening element 5a-b so that the fastening element 5a-b springs outwards in the direction of the support element in order to facilitate the snap-on attachment of the modules. Due to the fact that the first fastening elements 5a-b are resilient in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rail, the distance between the fastening elements 5a-b of two parallel rails 2 placed on the roof does not exactly correspond to the width of the modules in order to snap the module. The first and second fastening elements together form walls in the channel 7. The longitudinal module element 20 is preferably made in one piece and has a substantially constant cross-section along its length, which makes the module elements suitable for extrusion. For example, the structural elements 1 and the module elements 20 are made of aluminum, plastic or composite material.

Furthermore, the longitudinal module element 20 comprises an elongate guide element 27 which extends along the length of the longitudinal module element and is arranged to abut support elements 9a-b of the longitudinal module element when the structural element 1 and the module elements 20 are connected to each other. In this embodiment, the body 22 is provided with a through cavity 28 to reduce the weight of the module element. An upper end of the body 22 is provided with clamping means 30 designed to clamp the longitudinal module elements 20 along an edge of the module. The body 22 has an outer side 32 facing outwards from the module and an inner side 34 facing inwards towards the module when the longitudinal module element 20 is attached to the module, and a lower side 36 facing downwards towards the structural element 1 when the module is mounted. The second fastening element 24 and the elongate guide element 27 extend from and along the underside 36 and are substantially parallel. The distance between the second fastening element 24 and the elongate guide element 27 corresponds approximately to the distance between the first fastening element 5a-boch and the support element 9a-b of the structural element 1.

Figure 2b shows a longitudinal module element 21 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. A second fastener 33 projects from the outer side 32 of the body and extends along the length of the body. The second fastening element 33 is provided with a second snap member 35 for connection by snap attachment to a first snap member hose structure element. In this embodiment, the first fastening elements of the structural element are longer than in the previously shown embodiment. The first fastening elements of the structural element are longer than the support elements. This embodiment improves the stackability of the modules when to be stored and transported. In this embodiment, the support elements 9a and 9b become shorter, which means increased strength and reduced material consumption. 36 will also be shorter with increased strength and reduced material consumption as a result.

Figure 3 shows a side view of two modules 40, 41 which are mounted to a structure 43 by means of a plurality of structural elements 1 and longitudinal module elements 20a-b. Each of the modules has been provided with longitudinal module elements 20a-b along two opposite edges. The structural element 1 is fixed in the structure. For example, the rail 224a-b of the both module elements 20a-b may be connected to the fastening elements 5a-b of the structural element 1. They are screwed into the structure. The fasteners longitudinal first and second snap members 6a-b, 25 are in contact with each other and form a sealing joint between the first and second fasteners 5a-b, 24a-b. The support elements 9a-b of the hose structure element 1 are in contact with the control elements 27a-b of the longitudinal module elements 20a-b. In this way, a sealing joint is also formed between the support elements and the guide elements. The first and second fastening elements 5a-b, 24a-b together with the rail 2 define a channel 7 which extends along the length of the rail.

Figure 4 shows in a perspective view the structural element 1 and a module 40 which is provided with the medongitudinal module element 20b-c along two opposite edges. As can be seen in the figure, each end of the support elements 9a-b is provided with an opening 42a-b in the form of a recess designed to receive a hook of a transverse module element which will be described in more detail below. The purpose of the openings 42a-b and the hooks is to hold the module 40 in place and prevent the module from sliding down at an inclined structure.

The system also includes a plurality of elongate transverse module elements for attaching two adjacent modules to each other. The transverse module elements are designed for attachment along an edge of the module in the same way as the longitudinal module element. Figure 5 shows a cross section through a first transverse module element 45 according to an embodiment of the invention, and Figure 6 shows a cross section through a second transverse module element 46 according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 shows in a perspective view two modules 40, 43 connected to each other by means of the first and second transverse module elements 45, 46. Each of the transverse module elements 45, 46 has an elongate frame 48, 49 designed to fasten the transverse module elements along an edge of the module. Each of the frames 48, 49 is provided with clamping means 50, 51 designed to clamp the transverse module element 20 along an edge of the module. The first transverse module member 45 includes a frustoconically projecting first fastener 52 extending along the length of the transverse module member. The second transverse module element 45 comprises a projecting second fastening means 53 which extends along the length of the transverse module element and is arranged to be sealingly connected to the fastening means 52 of the first transverse module element so as to form a sealing joint between the transverse module elements 45, 46. as shown in Figure 7. The first fastener 52 has a recess 55 and the second fastener 53 has a protruding portion 56 with a mold adapted to the recess 55 so that the fasteners fit together and lock the transverse module elements 45, 46 in a plane parallel to the plane of propagation of the modules and thus prevents the modules from sliding apart.

Each of the transverse module elements 45, 46 is provided with a hook 58, 59 designed to be received by the openings 42a-b in the support elements 9a-b to prevent the module from sliding down at an inclined structure. The second transverse module element 46 comprises a spacer element 60 projecting from the body adapted to abut against it. The spacer element 60 has a folded edge so that the spacer element forms a trough. The trough first transverse module element 45 when the modules are mounted defines a channel whose task is to collect water that may come between the modules. Spacer element 60 projects in the same direction from the body as the fastening means 53 and is substantially parallel thereto. The first transverse module element 45 comprises a contact element 61 projecting from the body and designed to be in contact with the spacer element 60 when the modules 40, 43 are mounted.

The transverse module elements 45, 46 are preferably made in one piece and have a substantially constant cross-section along their length, which makes them suitable for manufacturing by extrusion. For example, the transverse module elements are made of aluminum, plastic or composite material.

A method of mounting a number of modules on a sloping roof with a system according to the invention, may for example comprise the steps: - a plurality of modules are provided with longitudinal module elements 20 mounted along two opposite edges of the modules, - one of the remaining two edges of the modules is provided with a first transverse module element and the second opposite edge are provided with a second transverse module element, - a plurality of structural elements are mounted on the structure with the longitudinal axes arranged in the inclination direction of the structure by connecting the first snap means to the second snap means, a channel being formed between two adjacent modules in the direction of inclination of the structure, and the first and second transverse module elements connecting to each other as shown in Figure 7. With such a method, easy to mount the modules on the structure. Alternatively, a first row of structural elements is mounted on the structure, and the following rows can be mounted in connection with the modules being put in place.

Figure 8 shows an example of a roof with a plurality of modules 40, 41, 43 mounted with a system according to the invention. If there are large roofs where there is a risk of large amounts of water collecting, a rubber strip can be applied in the upper part of the duct to prevent water from being pressed in between the snap elements.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but may be varied and modified within the scope of the appended claims. The frames can be designed in many other ways depending on how the modules are designed. For example, it is possible to remove the support elements if the first fastening elements are made stronger.

Claims (10)

11 Requirements A system for mounting modules on a structure, the system comprising a plurality of structural members (1) for attachment to the structure and a plurality of module members (20, 45, 46) for attachment to the modules and for connection to the structural members, each of the structural members comprising an elongate rail (2) having an underside (3) designed to abut against the structure, an upper side (4) intended to face the modules, and two separate first fastening elements (5a-b) each projecting from the upper side, extending outwards length and are provided with first snap means (6a-b), and the module elements comprise a plurality of longitudinal module elements (20) each comprising an elongate body (22) designed to be sealed along an edge of the module, characterized in that each of the module elements comprise a second fastening element (24a; 24b) which projects from the body and extends along the length of the body and is provided with a second snap means (25) for attachment snap attachment to said first snap means, the first and second snap means being configured to form a sealing joint between the first and second fasteners when the longitudinal module member is connected to the structural member, and the first and second fasteners defining together with the rail a channel (7) extending along the length of the rail, said module element comprising a first module element (20a) designed to be fixed along the edge of a first module (40) and a second module element (20b) formed to be fixed along an opposite edge of a second module (41), the first and second module elements are spaced apart for connection to one of said structure elements (1), the first module element comprises said second fastening element (24a) arranged for connection by snap-fitting to one of said first fastening elements (5a) of the structural element, and the the second module element comprises said second fastening element (24b) for an closure by snap-fitting to the other of said fastening elements (5b) of structural elements. The system according to claim 1, wherein the structural element (1) is made in one piece and has a substantially constant cross-section along its length, the first snap member (6a-b) forming part of the first fastening element and extending along the entire length of the first fastening element, and the longitudinal module element (20) is made in one piece and has a substantially constant cross-section along its length, the second snap member (25) forming part of the second fastening element and extending along the entire length of the second longitudinal fastening element. The system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first fastening elements (5a-b) are shaped resiliently in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rail. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first snap member (6a-b) comprises a projecting knee and the second snap member (25) comprises a projection formed atthaka in the knee. 12 The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of said first fastening elements (5a-b) has an upper part (8a-b) which is bent outwards in the direction of the channel (7) for guiding the second snap member (25) in direction of the first snap member (6a-b) upon connection of the module element (20) to the structural element (1). The system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the structural element (1) comprises support elements (9a-b) arranged on each side of said channel (7) for supporting the module. The system of claim 6, wherein said longitudinal module member (20) comprises an elongate guide member (27) extending along the length of the longitudinal module member and arranged to abut said support member (9a-b) when the longitudinal module member (20) is connected to the structural element. The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the module elements (20) comprise a plurality of transverse module elements (45, 46) for attaching two adjacent modules to each other, each of the transverse module elements having an elongate frame (48, 49) designed to securing the module member along an edge of the module and (52,53) the length of the module member and is arranged to sealingly connect to a corresponding projecting protruding fastener extending along the transverse fastener of an adjacent transverse module member so as to form a sealing joint between the transverse module elements. The system of claims 6 and 8, wherein each of the transverse module elements (45, 46) is provided with a hook (58.59) and each end of said support elements (9a-b) is provided with an opening (42a). -b) designed to receive the respective hook to prevent the module from sliding down at an inclined structure. The system of claims 1 and 8, wherein said frames (22,48,49) are configured to clamp the longitudinal module members and the transverse module members to the module.