WO2013110456A2

WO2013110456A2 - Adaptor plate, adaptor and solar module fastening device

Info

Publication number: WO2013110456A2
Application number: PCT/EP2013/000197
Authority: WO
Inventors: Herbert Meyer
Original assignee: Pöppelmann Holding GmbH & Co. KG
Priority date: 2012-01-24
Filing date: 2013-01-23
Publication date: 2013-08-01
Also published as: WO2013110456A3; DE102012001195A1

Abstract

Adaptor plate for use as part of a fastening device for solar modules, comprising an underside, which is to face the solar module and to be connected thereto, and a fastening means which is situated on the side opposite to the underside, wherein the fastening means is designed for the direct fixing of an adaptor to be arranged on a frame, and the adaptor plate, which is preferably formed from glass-fibre-reinforced plastic, has, laterally with respect to the fastening means, a plurality of webs for stiffening the adaptor plate, which webs are at least substantially perpendicular to the underside. Furthermore, the invention relates to an adaptor for fixing to an above-mentioned adaptor plate, and also a solar module fastening device comprising an above-described adaptor plate and an above-described adaptor.

Description

Adapter plate, adapter and solar module fixing device

The present invention relates to a part according to the invention as an adapter plate formed part for use as part of a fastening device for solar modules, comprising a to be addressed to the solar module and to be connected to this bottom and a side located on the opposite side fixing means. Furthermore, the invention relates to an adapter for locking with a cross-section in particular rectangular carrier and for use as part of a fastening device for solar modules, with two extending from a base, movable clip arms, between which in a space of the carrier is introduced, wherein the clamping arms each having at least one locking edge or surface for fixing the carrier at an end remote from a base. Finally, the invention comprises a solar module fastening device comprising an adapter plate and an adapter.

The prior art discloses a multiplicity of fastening devices for solar modules. Thus, for example, EP 0 419 775 A2 shows part for connection to a solar module, which has parts of the article according to the invention as claimed in claim 1. The article disclosed in the prior art is to stick with its underside to a solar module. On the opposite side

CONFIRMATION COPY ing side, a fastener is shown, which is suitable for direct attachment to a support device.

Also, from US 3536281 an adapter is known with which a junction box can be attached to a frame. This adapter has the features of the preamble of claim 11.

Both the definition of the junction box as well as the determination of the solar module to a carrier additional funds are needed. These are usually screwdrivers, rivets or the like ..

It is envisaged to provide a solar module mounting device in which the determination of the solar modules to a carrier is easier, more economical and safe to install

The object is achieved by an adapter plate according to claim 1, an adapter according to claim 11 and a fastening device according to claim 22.

According to the invention, the adapter plate is characterized by the features of claim 1. In particular, the fastening means for direct fixing of an adapter to be arranged on a frame is formed. The preferably made of fiberglass reinforced plastic adapter plate has laterally to the attachment means a plurality of at least substantially perpendicular to the bottom webs to stiffen the adapter plate. By the direct determination on non-positive and / or positive ways of adapter plate to adapter or vice versa, the determination is faster than if additives such as screws, rivets or the like. Used and additionally held and stockpiled. The ease of installation is increased.

In addition, the formation of the adapter plate as a plate-shaped element, i. with a substantially flat extent to a small structure, which is nevertheless sufficiently stable for holding a flat solar module due to the use of a plurality of stiffening webs. In particular, in combination with a choice of material in which the preferably made of fiberglass reinforced plastic adapter plate glass fiber content of more than 40%, preferably 45% - 55%, is given a sufficiently high strength and rigidity of the plate with sufficiently good processability.

The adapter plate can already be attached to the installation site on the back of the solar module before transporting the solar module. The flat design of the adapter plate leads to lower Tarnsportkosten compared to the prior art, as in a packaging unit more solar modules can be transported as would be possible with the known from the prior art, pre-mounted fasteners. In particular, the inventive adapter plate does not build higher than 1.5 cm. For safe bonding of the adapter plate on the solar module, the adapter plate is rough on your bottom. An inventive adapter is provided with a particular complementary to the fastening means of the adapter plate formed fixing means, which is integrally connected to the base of the likewise preferably made of fiberglass reinforced plastic adapter. The adapter according to the invention is formed by the fixing means waiving any fasteners for immediate fixing to an adapter plate in particular as above or nachbeschrieben.

Especially when already factory-glued with the solar module adapter plates, the adapter can be used directly in the adapter plate or latched to this without further aids or otherwise secured to then festzuklammern solar module and adapter plate and adapter to a carrier. Due to the mobility of the clamp arms a certain tolerance in the definition is present, so that due to different thermal expansion coefficients of the respective materials resulting tolerances can be compensated. It requires no use of screws, rivets or the like .. The installation of a solar module on the support can be made without further tools.

Accordingly, the object is achieved by a Solarmodulbefesti- supply device having a pre- or nachbeschriebene, inventive adapter plate and a directly to be determined on this pre or post described inventive adapter Advantageously, the fastening means of the adapter plate is provided with a thread, so that an inventive adapter with an internal or external thread can be screwed directly to the adapter plate.

Preferably, the thread of the adapter plate is formed as an internal thread, so that the adapter plate can continue to build flat. Here, the adapter plate in the region of the internal thread slightly thicker (in the direction of a vertical to the bottom) may be formed as to the sides of its planar extension.

The adapter according to the invention is therefore designed to be particularly advantageous when the fixing means comprises a thread, in particular an external thread. Here, the two threads of adapter plate and adapter are preferably designed as at least two-start thread, the gears are arranged offset in the double-threaded each 180 °, otherwise correspondingly uniformly. This results in a recess of -s 200 °, so that the solar module mounting device according to the invention is even easier to assemble. With a four-start thread you are then even more comfortable to turn, i. guaranteed with less rotation.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a serving for locking the adapter means is arranged in a vertical projection on a plane defined by the underside within a defined by an envelope of the thread of the adapter plate circumference. This is in particular an acoustic coupling element which, when latched to the adapter, produces an audible sound. res signal. Accordingly, the adapter is provided with a locking means serving for latching with the adapter plate, which is arranged in a projection on a transversely to a direction of rotation of the threaded adapter equipped aligned level within a defined by an envelope of the thread circumference. Thus, the latching means of the adapter and the latching serving means of the adapter plate are arranged in a no longer accessible after fixing the adapter to the adapter plate area. By training as an acoustic coupling element a clearly audible noise is achieved when locking, which made the operator the end position identified, so that too much effort is avoided when screwing. By a suitable latching a release of the adapter from the adapter plate at least to an extent in which latching means or latching means, avoided at the same time. Should it nevertheless come to a release, it can break especially with a formation of a web-like (locking) means with a defined breaking point, so that an already used adapter is optically identifiable

Preferably, at least one latching web of the adapter engages in a recess in the adapter plate.

Alternatively or in addition to a definition by means of a thread, the fastening means of the adapter plate can also be designed as at least one insertion compartment, into which the adapter can be inserted and secured in the latter via a flexible latching element. Advantageously, the latching element is part of the adapter plate, while the adapter itself is provided with one or two projections, the are to be inserted into the slot and on the shape of the adapter can be fixed. In an embodiment with two slide-in compartments, the adapter can for example have two insertion strips, which can also be driven in by protruding edges provided with protruding edges which form the insertion compartments.

For further stiffening of the adapter plate, in particular in a design with an internal thread, a wall of the same or of the fastening means is bounded by laterally connected webs. The internal thread is thus advantageously limited to a structure formed by the webs with other webs as honeycomb profile structure and sufficiently stiffened by this.

A sufficiently large absorption of forces in the adapter plate is ensured when the flat-shaped adapter plate is provided in a plan view along a vertical bottom with a width which is in particular greater by a multiple than the extension of the adapter plate in the direction of the vertical.

The adapter plate may have any outlines in their planar extent. However, particularly advantageous is the design of the adapter plate with at least one straight edge portion over which an automatic positioning of the adapter plate results in the attachment to a solar module a unique investment edge. For better gripping the adapter plate, it can also be provided with two mutually parallel sections of straight side walls. Instead of or in addition to a honeycomb structure or to a honeycomb profile, the webs in the adapter plate may extend radially to a running in particular within the fastener, vertical axis to the bottom, wherein it is in particular a Einschraub- or a central longitudinal axis through the axis to be provided Adapter acts.

A dimensionally flexible fixing of the adapter and thus of the solar module is then improved if at least one of the latching arms has an at least partially extending from the clamp arm in the gap clamping plate. As a gap in this case is defined by the clamp arms without the clamping straps area defined. Through this, a playful determination in the direction parallel to the bottom of a flat solar module can be ensured. The clamping strap may, for example, be bulbous bulged and then be approximated towards the base of the adapter back to the clamp arm to allow a clamping of the profile to be determined approximately in the middle of one side of the same.

The insertion of the profile is also simplified when using a clamping strap when it extends from the locking edge having the end of the stapling arm in the direction of the base.

On its rear side facing away from the intermediate space, the clamping lug is advantageously provided with a stiffening web, so that on the one hand a sufficiently large surface contact with the profile, on the other hand, however, the tab gleich- sufficiently flat and yet stable in time can be formed in particular fiberglass reinforced plastic as an adapter material.

Also from the base, at least one clamping tongue, which extends at least partially into the intermediate space, can be present as part of the adapter. In combination with the locking edges of the staple arms and the clamping straps of the stapler arms, an advantageously rectangular profile is then play-loaded in two dimensions and thus advantageously fixed, on the one hand profile tolerances as well as movements due to different thermal expansion coefficients can be compensated.

The longitudinal extent of the clamping tongue is in this case given in particular in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the carrier.

Preferably, the adapter is provided with clip arms, which form with their locking webs having noses becoming wider with increasing distance from the base insertion region. As a result, the ease of assembly is further increased.

Adapter and adapter plate are produced in particular by injection molding, which provides a sufficiently high production rate with high complexity of the parts. At the same time, when using identical adapter plates, the profile of the adapter can be adapted to desired carriers. From this results in a good adaptability of the fastening device according to the invention to the variety of carrier profiles available on the market.

In order once again to be able to have on the one hand a sufficiently large contact surface on the profile, on the other hand sufficient flexibility with simultaneous rigidity, at least one clamping arm is provided with a stiffening element arranged in particular on its rear side facing away from the intermediate space. Such a stiffening element may be web-like and preferably extends from the rear side of the staple arm facing away from the gap to the rear side of the base facing away from the intermediate space.

The functionality of the adapter, and thus of the solar module mounting device, is further improved when the adapter has a cable support integrally formed therewith. This is in particular a three-piece cable holder, wherein two web-like stiffening elements in each case on the two main webs of the staple arm and integrally formed as a hook-shaped holding means on the back side facing away from the gap. Between these then a flange-like counter-holding means is arranged, so that a receiving space for cables is created.

Further advantages and details of the invention can be taken from the following description of the figures. In the schematic representations shows:

1 shows an article according to the invention, 2 shows a part of the article according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

3 shows the object according to FIG. 2 in a further view,

4 shows a further part of the article according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

5 shows a further article according to the invention,

6 shows a part of the article according to the invention according to FIG. 5, FIG.

7 shows a further part of the article according to the invention according to FIG. 5, FIG.

Equal or similar parts are - if appropriate - provided with identical reference numbers. Individual technical features of the exemplary embodiments described below can also lead to developments of the invention with the features of the above-described embodiments.

1 comprises an adapter 1 and an adapter plate 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 1 is an adapter plate 2 provided with an internal thread as part of a fastener and an adapter 1, which is integral with a base 3 of the Adapters 1 has connected external thread as part of a fixing means. Dash-dotted lines 4 are intended to indicate the edges of a rectangular support, for example a hollow extruded aluminum profile. This carrier is ultimately intended to represent the framework for mounting a solar module, not shown.

Starting from the base, two bracket arms 6 extend in a direction away from a bottom 7. At the end of the bracket arms 6, these are connected to lugs 8, each having a locking edge or side 9. Between the clamp arms 6, a gap 11 is formed, into which the carrier or the frame profile can be introduced.

In order to compensate for tolerances of the carrier or due to thermal expansion, the carrier is clamped both in the direction perpendicular to the bottom 7 as well as parallel thereto with flexible means. Thus, both clamping arms on clamping tabs 12, while extending from the base two clamping tongues 13 in the direction of the gap.

FIG. 2 shows a double-threaded external thread 14 of the adapter 1, which is formed integrally with the base 3. Both the clamping lug and the clamping arm are provided with stiffening webs 16 and 17 on their rear side facing away from the intermediate space (see FIG.

The stiffening webs 16 additionally each form hooks 18 (FIG. 1), which together with a tab 19 represent a cable holder. In particular, an inventive adapter according to FIGS. 2 and 3 has two cable holders. In addition, the adapter 1 forms by means of its clamping arms 6 and the latching edges 9 having lugs 8 from an increasingly wider with increasing distance from the base insertion region 21 for the respective carrier. To support a widening insertion region 21, the lugs are at their uppermost end further outwardly curved (with respect to. Located in the direction of the base below the lugs interspace) issued.

About the double-threaded 14, the adapter 1 is fixed to the adapter plate 2 without further fastening means. Accordingly, the adapter plate (see Fig. 4) is provided with a two-start internal thread 22. At the bottom of the threads having mounting portion two recesses 23 in the bottom plate of the adapter plate are present. These form with the locking arms 24 a locking device for locking the adapter in the adapter plate. At the same time, this is designed so that an audible indicator for indicating the end position of the adapter is provided by an audible clicking. The locking webs 24 are provided at their end with corresponding lugs which engage in the recesses 23. A release of the adapter 1 from the adapter plate leads to damage of the webs 24, so that an indication of the previous use of the adapter 1 is given.

The adapter plate according to FIG. 4 has a planar design and, in a plan view along a perpendicular to the underside 7, has a width B which is greater by a multiple than the extent of the adapter plate in the direction of the vertical. He- the adapter plate is noticeably slightly thicker in the fastening region having the thread and runs out towards the edge. This ensures a good introduction of force from the thread in the adapter plate or vice versa of the adapter plate in the thread. The distribution of the force and transmission of the force is achieved in particular by the adapter plate stiffening honeycomb structure, which is formed by a plurality of perpendicular to the bottom webs 26. These are in particular integrally formed with a wall 27 on which the threads are arranged.

Two mutually parallel sides 28 of the adapter plate are used for accurate installation in an automated assembly and a precise mounting of the module.

Instead of a honeycomb structure, the embodiment also has adapter plate 2 and adapter 1 having Fig. 5 stiffening webs 26 which extend radially to a fastener crossing the vertical axis 30 to the bottom 7. In part, these stiffening webs 7 are in turn attached to a wall 32 which is part of the fastener. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 is a reference to the connection adapter adapter plate to a latching solution, as is particularly apparent in Figs. 6 and 7.

To fix the adapter 1, a slot 29 is provided, which is bounded and formed by a bottom 31, a side wall 32, overhangs 33 and a flexible latching element 34. In this compartment 29, an adapter shown in Fig. 7 is to be inserted, which corresponds to the recesses 36 and 39 37 has a 37 to be arranged under the overhangs locking collar 38. The protuberances 37 are arranged offset by 180 ° on the locking collar 38.

Correspondingly, the latching element 34 has the recess 39 at the location opposite the recess 36, which results from a springing back of the side wall 41 of the latching element 34. The insertion of the adapter 1 is carried out by pressing down the locking element 24 and inserting the adapter 1 in the insertion compartment 29 over the locking element away.

Like the adapter plate 2 of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the adapter plate 2 according to FIG. 6 has a sectionally straight side wall 28.

The adapter of FIG. 7 is functionally equivalent to the adapter of FIG. 1 with respect to its bracket arms. However, it has only one instead of two cable holders.

Claims

claims

An adapter plate for use as part of a fastening device for solar modules, comprising a solar panel to be addressed and connected to this underside (7) and located on the underside of the opposite side fastener, wherein the fastening means for the immediate determination of an adapter to be arranged on a frame ( 1) is formed and the preferably made of fiberglass reinforced plastic adapter plate (2) laterally to the attachment means a plurality of at least substantially perpendicular to the bottom (7) standing webs (26) for stiffening the adapter plate (2).

2. Adapter plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means comprises a thread.

3. Adapter plate according to claim 2, characterized in that the thread is formed as an internal thread (22).

4. Adapter plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that serving for locking the adapter means (23) is arranged in a vertical projection on a through the bottom (7) defined plane within a defined by an envelope of the thread circumference.

5. Adapter plate according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening means as at least one insertion compartment (29) is formed, in which the adapter (1) can be inserted and in which it via a flexible locking element (34) is securable.

6. Adapter plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an at least substantially perpendicular to the underside (7) standing wall (27) of the fastening means is bounded by laterally connected thereto webs (26).

7. Adapter plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter plate (2) is flat, wherein in a plan view along a perpendicular to the bottom (7), the width of the adapter plate (7) is in particular greater by a multiple than the extension the adapter plate in the direction of the vertical.

8. Adapter plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the webs (26) with further webs (26) form a honeycomb profile.

9. Adapter plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the webs (26) extend radially to a vertical axis to the underside (7).

10. Adapter plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adapter plate (2) with at least one straight edge portion (28) is provided

11. adapter for locking with a cross-section in particular rectangular support and for use as part of a fastening device for solar modules, with two from a base (3) extending movable clip arms (6), between which in an intermediate space (11) of the carrier is introduced in that the clip arms (6) have at least one latching edge (9) for securing the carrier at an end remote from a base (3), characterized in that the adapter (1), which is preferably made of fiberglass reinforced plastic, is connected to the base (3). 3) integrally connected fixing means by which the adapter (1) waiving any fastening elements for immediate fixing to an adapter plate (2) is formed in particular according to one of the preceding claims.

12. An adapter according to claim 11, characterized in that the fixing means comprises a thread, in particular an external thread (14).

13. An adapter according to claim 12, characterized in that a for locking with the adapter plate (2) serving latching means (24) in a projection on a transversely to a rotational direction of the adapter (1) aligned plane within a defined by an envelope of the thread circumference is arranged.

14. Adapter according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that at least one of the clamping arms (6) has an at least partially by the clamping arm (6) in the intermediate space extending clamping tab (12).

15. An adapter according to claim 14, characterized in that the clamping tab (12), starting from the latching edge (9) having the end of the staple arm (6) in the direction of the base (3).

16. An adapter according to any one of claims 14 or 15, characterized in that the clamping strap (12) is provided with a particular on its from the gap (11) facing away from the rear stiffening web (17).

17. Adapter according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the adapter (1) starting from the base (3) at least one at least partially in the intermediate space (11) extended clamping tongue (13).

18. An adapter according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the clamping arms (6) with their locking edges (9) having lugs (8) with increasing distance from the base (3) becoming wider insertion region.

19. An adapter according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterized in that at least one clamping arm (6) is provided with a particular on its rear side facing away from the gap rear side stiffening element (16).

20. An adapter according to claim 19, characterized in that extending the stiffening element (16) except for the gap (11) facing away from the back of the base (3).

21. Adapter according to one of claims 11 to 20, characterized by at least one cable holder.

22. Solar module fastening device comprising an adapter plate (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10 and an adapter (1) to be fixed directly thereto according to one of claims 11 to 21.