WO2012076737A1

WO2012076737A1 - Support structure for solar panels with multifunctional securing elements

Info

Publication number: WO2012076737A1
Application number: PCT/ES2011/070134
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jorge Agustín LAHORA CRUZ
Original assignee: Lahora Cruz Jorge Agustin
Priority date: 2010-12-07
Filing date: 2011-03-02
Publication date: 2012-06-14
Also published as: ES2400414B1; ES2400414A2; ES2400414R1

Abstract

Support structure for solar panels with multifunctional securing elements, formed by pieces of thermoplastic material that are coupled in order to form modular or reticular elements (2), comprising profile sections (3) and tubes (4) that incorporate the panels (5), affixed by means of clamps (6), it being possible to install said structure on a roof, directly on the ground, or on vertical posts (7) with bracing tubes (10), wherein, for the connection between profile sections (3) and tubes (4), said structure incorporates nodes (8) formed from various pieces of thermoplastic material which are coupled together by means of elbow studs (83) and guide holes (84) provided therein, which nodes, furthermore, allow the coupling of an adaptation piece (86) for affixing the grid directly onto beams (9) of a roof; the invention is further characterized in that, for the connection between tubes (4) and the vertical posts (7), the structure incorporates knuckle joints (12) with provision for adjustment of height and tilt in any plane.

Description

SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANELS WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL CLAMPING ELEMENTS

D E S C R I P C I O N

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention, as expressed in the present specification, refers to a support structure for solar panels with multifunctional fasteners, providing important advantages and innovative features, which will be described in detail below, which represent a remarkable improvement. against what is already known in this field.

More specifically, the object of the invention focuses on a support structure for anchoring solar panels, both thermal and photovoltaic, specifically of the type configured from a set of parts, essentially tubes, stringers and / or profiles, whose coupling by means of fasteners made of thermoplastic material, allows the construction of modular elements or cross-sections of profiles in which the panels are fixed without the need to use any type of tool for placement, since said fixation is mainly carried out by means of pressure clipping of some staples designed for this purpose, while the union between profiles and tubes is carried out by inserting and guiding the fasteners, presenting the particularity that said fasteners have an innovative and studied structural design that substantially improves their functionality and effectiveness, expanding its versatility and allowing advantageously the coupling of the support structure on any type of surface or deck of a ship or building, directly on the ground to form solar fields or on the ground but supported by poles that allow to overcome orographic slopes, in which case it contemplates coupling elements that They allow quick and easy correction of any deviation from the parallelism, height or positioning of the posts.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The field of application of the present invention is within the sector of the industry dedicated to the manufacture of support structures for solar panels, whether thermal or photovoltaic, covering both those for installation on buildings, and solar fields for direct installation on the terrain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

At present, and as a reference to the state of the art, it is worth mentioning that multiple types of structures intended for! purpose that concerns here, that is, for the fixation of solar panels, which, generally, consist of tubular structures, made of galvanized iron or aluminum, which are coupled to each other and to the panels by means of fixing systems based on welds and / or screwed

In order to solve these inconveniences, the applicants themselves own a patent of invention no. PCT / ES2009 / 000483, relating to a "Modular support structure for solar panels" in which an innovative system based on thermoplastic material parts is disclosed. clipping by means of a series of modules suitable for receiving solar panels, without using any type of tool for placement. Specifically, said system comprises a structure formed by a set of pieces, made of thermoplastic material, coupled together by pressure clipping, forming modular elements formed by triangular fences and horizontal crossbars consisting of hollow tubes, connection nodes, connecting rods with variable positioning angle, anchor nails that inserted in the crossings they are used for the fixation of the panels themselves, and interlocking points, for each joint, with a joint system between modules to make them integral with each other, deflector system to lower wind loads, seasonal tilt system, to allow varying the inclination of the panels with respect to the plane on which the structure is installed once it is mounted and fixed to said panels, and leveling regulator system to fix the structure on uneven floors. Likewise, the applicant is the holder of another document n °

P201031812 which describes a support structure for solar panels with quick fixation system and regulation system for its adaptation to the ground configured from parts easily coupled to each other, made with thermoplastic material, which once assembled form a grid of profiles as a support base for the panels comprising two types of clips for fixing them quickly and without the use of tools, designed one for panels with frame and the other for panels without frame, counting the proposed structure, in addition, with an anchoring system to the ground by means of posts that incorporates a regulation system that advantageously allows it to be adapted to the irregularities, unevenness or hollows that the terrain may present, being therefore suitable for any type of installation. Specifically, this structure is formed by thermo-plastic parts comprising a grid of ribbed profiles joined by knot pieces, and posts that are articulated in the lower part, the solar panels being fixed by means of "T" staples distributed at their edges, contemplating a first type of long staples for frameless panels and a second type of tall staples for framed panels. The posts, meanwhile, have an upper part that is configured from a base that is elongated in a threaded tube that fits into the complementary threaded section provided internally in the upper area of the post.

These systems, although they satisfactorily fulfill the purposes for which they are intended, present certain aspects that can be improved, this being the essential objective of the present invention to ensure said improvement by developing a new support structure for solar panels in which the fasteners that allow the union between tubes and profiles, to form both the triangular modules and the profile grills, allow to do it more advantageously, quickly and easily and in which the joints of the structure with the posts, in addition to a vertical regulation to overcome the irregularities of the ground, allow to make a correction of the position in any direction .

It should also be noted that the existence of any other invention of similar application that presents technical, structural and constitutive characteristics similar to those presented in the structure described herein is unknown, being the characterizing details that conveniently distinguish it set out in the final claims that accompany the present specification thereof.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

Thus, the support structure for solar panels with multifunctional fasteners that the present invention proposes is configured as a remarkable novelty within its field of application, since according to its implementation and in a restrictive way the aforementioned objectives are satisfactorily achieved .

Specifically, the recommended structure is configured from a set of pieces, all of them made of thermoplastic material, which are coupled together to configure tubular modular elements or to configure a grid of profiles, ribbed or not, with the dimensions that it is appropriate in each case, fixing the panels on them by means of staples that, by means of a clipping system, hold the edges of said panels to the structure of tubes and / or profiles, and where the only bolted anchors that must be made they will be the ones that fix the whole structure to the roof, roof or place of placement of the same, in the case of being installed in such a way, since, when the structure is configured as a grid of profiles, the possibility of installing it is contemplated on vertical posts that overcome irregularities and uneven terrain.

Well, said structure, whether it is configured as modular elements formed from the union of tubular pieces, as if it is configured as a grid formed from profiles, which in turn is incorporated on tubular stringers and vertical posts, to the union between said tubes, profiles and stringers, with each other and with each other, has a first type of fastening elements that we will call knots, which have the particularity of having an innovative multifunctional structural configuration that improves the structure's construction , both at the level of facilitating assembly and versatility to install it in different locations.

Said knots, consist of a set of three pieces of thermoplastic material, where two of them are identical, advantageously the same mold is used for its manufacture, and they are coupled to each other arranged inversely to embrace the tubular elements, said coupling being made by inserting elbows in guide holes provided in them, For its part, the third piece of! The node is coupled over the previous two by the same system of lugs and guide holes, with a gap according to the dimensions and shape of the structure profiles, which are perpendicularly coupled to the tubular element.

The advantage of this fastening element over other known systems is essentially that the aforementioned coupling between these three pieces based on elbows and guide holes, for joining the tubular elements with the profiles, is carried out extremely quickly and simple, without using tools or of making pressure, constituting, however, a secure and firm union.

The described node also has the advantage of allowing the fixing of the structure on the deck of a ship, building or similar location, fixing it directly on the beams or profiles thereof, for which the lower part of the symmetrical parts for an adaptation piece that, also made of thermoplastic material and provided with the same configuration as the part it replaces to be coupled by means of bent-up lugs in guide holes, will have inferiorly the shape and dimensions of said beams or profiles to be coupled on them, anchoring by screwing.

On the other hand, when the structure is designed to be incorporated on vertical posts, a piece of assembly suitable for coupling to it is coupled to the lower part of the three that make up the knot, by means of the same system of elbows and guide holes. , depending on the position occupied by the knot, the upper end of the posts or the upper end of bracing tubes that complete the vertical support of the structure, said couplings being made by means of articulated and adjustable fasteners in e! first case and articulated in the second.

Said articulated and adjustable fasteners intended to be coupled at the top of the vertical posts constitute, for their part, another of the innovative singularities of the invention since they are specially designed to be structurally configured to allow, in addition to an articulated joint of said posts with the grid of profiles and stringers that form the structure to install it with the appropriate inclination, an angular regulation in any planes and a height adjustment of said union, thereby allowing to correct any deviation, lack of parallelism or height inaccurate that could have occurred in the placement of the posts. For this purpose, these articulated and adjustable fasteners that, for easier identification, will be called a patella, comprise three essential pieces, an internal part formed by a tubular section at whose upper end there is a ring suitable for the insertion of a tubular element, a central part in the form of a sphere that has a through central hole in which the tubular section of the inner piece is inserted, and an outer piece that, in turn formed by two symmetrical parts, tightly embraces the spherical center piece and externally adjusts to the dimensions of the tube that makes up the vertical post, being fixed to it by pressure pins that fit into holes provided in the post for this purpose.

In this way, the internal part, whose upper ring is the one that is articulated to the parts of the structure, can be adjusted in height by more or less penetrating the tubular section thereof into the spherical central part. Said spherical centerpiece, meanwhile, allows a rotational movement of the assembly, since it can rotate in any direction or plane within the external part, logically within limits determined by the contact of the internal part with the rest of the elements. .

In view of the foregoing, it is found that the described support structure for solar panels with multifunctional fasteners represents, an innovation of structural and constitutive characteristics unknown until now for this purpose, reasons that together with its practical utility, provide it with a foundation enough to obtain the privilege of exclusivity that is requested.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention, this descriptive report is attached, as an integral part thereof, of a set of drawings, in which, with character Illustrative and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure number 1.- Shows a partial perspective view of the support structure for solar panels with multifunctional fasteners, object of the invention, in an example of embodiment thereof in the form of a grid of pipes and profiles supported by poles. vertical, appreciating in it its general configuration and the main parts and elements that it comprises. Figure number 2.- Shows a perspective view of a detail of the example of the structure, according to the invention, shown in the previous figure, showing in it two examples of the fastening elements of knot type and allowing perpendicular coupling between pipes and profiles and between the grill and the vertical support elements.

Figures 3 and 4.- They show paths in perspective views of portions of the structure in which the nodes are observed in greater detail.

Figure number 5.- Shows an exploded view of the knot piece, showing in it the configuration of the three main pieces that make up the knot as well as the elements that it incorporates to allow its coupling.

Figures 6 and 7.- They show each perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of the applicable structure to be incorporated directly on a cover, by means of the use of adaptation pieces coupled to the nodes and fixed directly to the beams of the cover.

Figure number 8.- Shows a perspective view of a detail of the joint by means of a knot and ball joint between one of the tubes of the grid of the structure with the upper part of the vertical post. Figures 9 to 1 1 .- They show various perspective views of the pieces that make up the patella.

Figure number 12.- Shows a perspective view of the coupling piece that allows the articulated joint between the ends of the bracing tubes of the vertical posts both to the reticle and to the flange that joins them to the middle part of said post.

Figure number 13.- Shows a perspective view of the flange mentioned in the explanation of the previous figure, and joining the lower ends of the bracing tubes to the vertical post.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the described figures, and according to the numbering adopted, an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed therein, which comprises the parts and elements indicated and described in detail below.

Thus, as can be seen in said figures, the structure (1) in question is formed by a set of thermoplastic material pieces that are coupled together to configure modular elements or reticles (2) (as is the case of the example represented in the figures), comprising profiles (3) and tubes (4) on which the panels (5) fixed by means of staples (6) are incorporated which have a clipping system that holds the edges of said panels (5), and can be installed said set of profiles (3) and tubes (4) on a roof or on the ground directly, or installed on vertical posts (7) such as the one shown in the figures, according to the needs of each installation.

Well, for the perpendicular junction between the profiles (3) and the tubes (4) that make up the grid of the structure (1), the invention contemplates as fasteners between them, the incorporation of some knots (8) formed from three pieces of thermoplastic material, two identical lower ones (81) and an upper one (82), which are coupled to each other, making said collection by means of! to inserting elbows (83) into guide holes (84) provided therein.

Specifically, as seen in Figure 5, the aforementioned nodes (8) are configured from two lower parts (81), which, as indicated, are identical, which are designed so as to fit each other arranged inversely, housing the tube (4) between them, so that it is fitted in the semicircular cavity (85) that crosses them longitudinally through its internal face. To that end, on said inner face both lower parts (81) have along one of their sides several bent-up lugs (83) arranged coincidentally with as many guide holes (84) provided on the opposite side, so that at the face the two pieces inversely, said studs fit into said holes. In addition, the guide holes (84) have an L-shaped configuration, that is, with a wider entrance area and a narrower guide area, so that after penetrating the bolt into them, and slightly displacing the pieces in opposite directions , the angled part of the studs is locked in the narrow or guide area of the holes, joining both firmly. For its part, the third piece of the knot (8) or top piece

(82) is coupled on the outer face of any of the two lower parts (81), usually the one above the tube (4), joining it by the same system of elbows (83) and guide holes (84) ), preferably by inserting angled lugs (83) provided in the lower part of the upper part (82) inserted in guide holes (84) provided in the upper face of the lower part (81). To fix the profile (3), this upper part (82) has a recess (82a) of shape and dimensions according to the shape and dimensions of the profile (3) to which it is intended to be fixed tightly thereon. When the structure (1) is intended to be installed on a roof, the grid (2) may only be formed by profiles (3) fixed directly to the beams (9) of said roof, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, for which the knot comprises only an upper part (82) that fits over the profiles (3) and a single lower part (81) to which an adaptation piece (86) is attached inferiorly, which, also made in matter! thermoplastic and superiorly equipped with the same configuration of elbows (83) and guide holes (84) as the inner face of the lower part (81) to which it replaces, is adjusted inferiorly on the beam (9) of the roof, by two fins (87) provided therein for this purpose, fixed on this occasion by screwing, for which the lower parts (81) provide for the existence of two holes (88) on both sides of it. On the other hand, when the structure (1) is designed to be incorporated on vertical posts (7), it is coupled to the lower part of the node (8), by means of the same system of elbows (83) and guide holes (84), a piece of assembly (89) in the form of a double arch, suitable for coupling an articulated joint that, depending on the position occupied by the knot (8), will serve to fix the grill (2) to the upper end of the posts vertical (7) or to the upper end of bracing tubes (10) which, joined at their opposite end to the middle area of the vertical post (7) by means of a flange (1 1) which will be described later, reinforce, secure and complete the vertical support of the structure (1).

Said articulated joints thus consist of fasteners that, for the upper part of the vertical post (7) are determined by a ball joint (12), which, as seen in Figures 9 to 11, comprises three pieces coupled between yes, an internal part (121), a central part (122) and an external part (123),

The inner part (121) comprises a lower tubular section (121 a) and an upper ring (12b) suitable for the insertion of a bolt (13) which, in turn, is inserted into the attached assembly part (89) inferior to the knot (8). The central part (122) is configured in the form of a sphere and has a through central recess in which the tubular section (121a) of the internal part is inserted. And the outer part (123) is formed by two symmetrical parts (123a), between which the spherical centerpiece (122) is tightly housed, while externally it has a cylindrical configuration that conforms to the inner dimensions of the tube that forms the vertical post (7), looking at him! by means of pressure pins (124) that fit into two holes provided in the vertical post (7) for this purpose.

In this way, the internal part (121) can be adjusted in height by penetrating the tubular section (121 a) more or less into the spherical central part (122). Said spherical centerpiece (122), on the other hand, allows a rotational movement of the assembly, since it can rotate in any plane within the two parts (123a) that make up the external part (123).

Finally, it should be noted that the articulated joints of the upper ends of the bracing tubes (10) with the reticle (2), are also made by means of assembly pieces (89) coupled to the lower part of the nodes (8) that they are attached to the tubes (4), counting, in this case, with coupling parts (14) which, as shown in figure 12, are constituted by a straight lower section (141) that is inserted tightly into said bracing tubes (10) and an upper ring (142) which by means of a jester (13) joins together said assembly parts (89). And in the lower part of the bracing tubes (10), said coupling pieces (14) are joined to the ends of the flange (1 1) that joins the lower ends of the bracing tubes to the vertical post, and that They are designed to ta! effect. Describing sufficiently the nature of the present invention, as well as the way of putting it into practice, it is not considered necessary to extend its explanation so that any person skilled in the art understands its scope and the advantages that derive from it.

In parallel, it is noted that, within its Essentially, the recommended invention may be put into practice in other embodiments that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example, and to which it will also achieve the protection sought, provided that it is not altered, changed or modified in principle. fundamental.

Claims

one . ~ SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANELS WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL CLAMPING ELEMENTS, of the type formed by a set of pieces of thermoplastic material that are coupled together to configure modular elements or reticles (2), comprising profiles (3) and tubes (4) on The panels (5) fixed by means of clipping clips (6) that hold the edges of said panels (5) are incorporated, said set of profiles (3) and tubes (4) being installed on a cover , directly to the ground, or installed on vertical posts (7) with bracing tubes (10), characterized in that, for the perpendicular connection between the profiles (3) and the tubes (4) it incorporates fasteners consisting of knots ( 8) formed from several pieces of thermoplastic material, which are coupled together, by inserting elbows (83) in guide holes (84) provided in said parts for this purpose, knots that, in addition, allow the coupling of a adaptation piece (86) to fix the profiles (3) of the grid directly on the beams (9) of a cover; and because, for the union between the tubes (4) and the upper end of the vertical posts (7) it incorporates fasteners constituted by ball joints (12) that allow to regulate said union in aiture and inclination in any plane.

2. - SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANELS WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL CLAMPING ELEMENTS, according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide holes (84) of the pieces that make up the nodes (8) have an L-shaped configuration, that is, with a wider entrance area and a narrower guide area, so that, when the angled pins (83) penetrate them, and slightly move the pieces in opposite directions, the angled portion of said studs (83) is locked in the narrow area of said guide holes (84).

3.- SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANELS WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL CLAMPING ELEMENTS, according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the nodes (8) are formed from two identical lower parts (81), which are designed so that they fit together, arranged inversely, housing the tube (4) between them, of so that it is adjusted in the semicircular cavity (85) that crosses them longitudinally through its internal face, counting, along one of its sides, with several angled lugs (83) arranged coincidentally with as many guide holes (84) provided on the opposite side, so that when facing the two pieces inversely, said lugs fit into said holes.

4. - SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANELS WITH FUNCTIONAL MULTI HOLDING ELEMENTS, according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the knots (8) incorporate an upper part (82) that is coupled on the outer face of one of the two lower parts (81), usually the one above the tube (4), joining it by means of elbows (83) and guide holes (84), presenting a gap (82a) of shape and dimensions according to the shape and dimensions of the profile (3) to which it is intended to be fixed closely on it.

5. - SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANELS WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL CLAMPING ELEMENTS, according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, when the structure (1) is installed on a cover, the grid (2) is formed by profiles (3) fixed directly to the beams (9) of said cover and the nodes (8) are formed by an upper part (82) that fits on the profiles (3) and a single lower part (81) to which a part is attached of adaptation (88) that fits inferiorly on the beam (9) by means of two fins (87) provided in it for this purpose, fixing the threaded medial assembly, for which the lower parts (81) provide for the existence of holes (88 ).

8.- SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANELS WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL CLAMPING ELEMENTS, according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, when the structure (1) is designed to be incorporated on vertical posts (7), an assembly piece (89) in the form of a double arc is attached to the lower part of the node (8) , suitable for attaching a ball joint (12) to fix the grill (2) to the upper end of the vertical posts (7) or a coupling piece (14) to fix the upper end of the bracing tubes (10).

7. - SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANELS WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL CLAMPING ELEMENTS, according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the ball joint (12) comprises three parts coupled together, an internal part (121), a central part (122) and an outer piece (123), where the inner piece (121) comprises a lower tubular section (121 a) and an upper ring (12b) suitable for inserting a bolt (13) which, in turn, is inserted into the assembly piece (89); the central part (122) is shaped in a sphere and has a through central hole in which the tubular section (121 a) of the internal part is inserted; and the outer part (123) is formed by two symmetrical parts (123a), between which the spherical centerpiece (122) is tightly housed, while externally it has a cylindrical configuration that conforms to the inner dimensions of the tube that forms the vertical post (7), fixed by means of pressure bolts (124) that fit into holes provided in the vertical post (7) for this purpose.

8. - SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR PANELS WITH MULTIFUNCTIONAL CLAMPING ELEMENTS, according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that the coupling parts (14) are constituted by a straight lower section (141) that is inserted tightly into the bracing tubes (10) and an upper ring (142) which, by means of bolt (13), joins the assembly parts (89) together to the lower part of the knots (8).