FR2956681A1 - Photovoltaic panels positioning and securing device for use on e.g. main rafters of building i.e. house, has inverse U-shaped central part comprising flat base supporting edge of one of panels or two edges of two juxtaposed panels - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a metal support section (22) comprising an inverse U-shaped central part (23), and two lateral wings (24, 25) arranged at lower ends of branches of the central part. The wings are curved for forming gutters, respectively. Fixation units i.e. hook shaped cleats (34, 37), fix photovoltaic panels (17, 18) on roof elements e.g. spars (21). The central part has a flat base for supporting an edge of one of the panels or two edges of two juxtaposed panels. The central part overlaps a structural element of a roof and has a shape complementary to that of the structural element.

Description

DEVICE FOR THE INTEGRATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS ON A ROOF

The present invention relates to a device for placing photovoltaic panels on a roof structure of a building.

The photovoltaic panels are placed on the roofs either by fixing them on an existing roof (above the tiles, slates or other roof covering), or by integrating them into the roof structure, the panels then acting as roof covering .

The present invention relates to a device for the integration of such panels.

In known manner, the photovoltaic panels are placed and fixed on rafters or rafters of the roof, consisting of sections specifically designed for this purpose.

The realization of such roofs is made expensive because of the obligation to use specific profiles.

Moreover, photovoltaic panels generally consist of parallelepipedic boxes, placed edge to edge, which raises a first problem related to the stability and maintenance of said panels, and a second problem related to sealing.

Sealing is ensured for known specific profiles, by the presence of seals provided on the upper part of the profiles, and on which said photovoltaic panels rest. The presence of the seals further increases the complexity and cost of the specific profiles used, in addition to the difficulties resulting from the wear of the seals.

Finally, in a known manner, the fixing of the photovoltaic panels on the specific profiles is not only complicated, but also affects the seal because of the need to drill the profile, or the frame of the photovoltaic panel. The present invention overcomes these disadvantages and proposes a device for the integration of photovoltaic panels on a roof structure of construction, which is inexpensive to manufacture, without maintenance, and to ensure a seamless seal using simple means. To this end, according to the invention, the device for setting up and joining photovoltaic panels to the roof elements of a construction, such as rafters or rafters, of the type comprising on the one hand a profile comprising a central portion of cross section generally U-shaped inverted, and two side portions at the end of each branch of said U, curved to each form a gutter, and secondly means for fixing the panels on the elements of roof, is characterized in that the central portion of said U-profile has a substantially plane bottom on which is intended to support either the edge of a photovoltaic panel, or the two edges of two photovoltaic panels juxtaposed.

Furthermore, the central part of said section is able to overlap said element of the structure of the roof, and has a shape substantially complementary at least in part to said element, which preferably has a square or rectangular cross-section, and consists of a known type of crossbow, wood for example.

In particular, each panel fastening means comprises a tab including a first portion for attachment to said roof element; a second portion in the general shape of a hook, the curvature of which makes it possible to bypass the said gutter, and the distal end of which is capable of supporting a portion of the photovoltaic panel to fix and hold it relative to the said roof element .

In a preferred form, the distal end of the hook is adapted to bear on a portion of the panel substantially in the plane of the roof.

In particular, each hook has, seen in cross section, successively and from the fixing part of the tab: - a first substantially oblique flat portion, preferably forming an angle between 90 ° and 30 ° relative to the fixing part; - a second flat portion, substantially parallel to the fixing portion; a third part, either curved or L shaped, so as to form a hook; - A fourth flat terminal part, forming a nose, intended to bear against the corresponding part of the photovoltaic panel. More specifically, the device comprises a plurality of pairs of fixing lugs arranged in pairs facing each other on either side of the roofing element.

Advantageously, junction profiles are provided for two edges of two photovoltaic panels facing and / or joined, in a longitudinal direction, that is to say transverse to the slope of the roof, each joining profile comprising a substantially flat central portion extended on each of its lateral edges by a curved hook portion and adapted to engage the corresponding edges of the photovoltaic panels. Said junction profiles are shaped such that their central portion opens at each end (in the longitudinal direction) in a gutter of the fastening section of the panels.

The invention also relates to a roof assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinal support elements, such as rafters or rafters, and on each of which is adapted to bear and rest an elongated section comprising a central portion of cross section. generally U-shaped inverted, and two side portions, at the end of each branch of said U, curved to each form a gutter, the central portion of said U-shaped section having a substantially planar bottom on which is intended to bear either the edge a photovoltaic panel, the two edges of two photovoltaic panels juxtaposed, said panels being secured to the support elements by fastening means such as hook-shaped tabs.

The invention will be better understood in the light of the description which follows, relating to illustrative and nonlimiting examples of the device of the invention, with reference to the drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram of a roof structure including the device of the invention; FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a structural part showing a crossbow (or chevron), a section and two joined photovoltaic panels; • Figure 3 shows in perspective a rafter (or a chevron) on which a profile and on which two panels rests, and two lugs; • Figure 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of a set of rafters (or rafter), profiled, panels and fastening tabs; • Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of two panels and showing the side rafter (the chevron), the profile, the two legs and a longitudinal junction profile between two joined panels; Figure 6 shows in perspective a junction section portion; • Figure 7 shows in perspective from above four photovoltaic panels joined edge to edge.

3o The terms horizontal and vertical refer to directions or positions relating to the element described, when it is in place, according to the provision for which it is intended. It is the same for the terms up and down, and for the terms upper and lower.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown in schematic perspective part of building roof structure (house, building or other) comprising, for the purposes of illustration, a series of parallel chevrons 1, 2 and 3 whose ends are based on a blackout fault 4 and a ridge tip 5. The rafters and purlins are known in themselves, and are for example wood. The rafters 1 to 3 are sloped.

According to the invention, photovoltaic panels 6 to 13 (only nine are shown) known in themselves, rest in pairs, by their edges opposite or contiguous, on the rafters, via a profile respectively 14 , 15 and 16, which itself rests on the corresponding chevron. Each assembly consisting of a chevron, a profile and a pair of adjacent panels edge to edge, are secured together by securing tabs (which are not visible in Figure 1).

The profiles and legs are described and shown in more detail in the following figures.

Photovoltaic panels (hereinafter referred to as panels for convenience) are of known type, and consist of a parallelepiped frame, on one side of which is fixed a pan covered with photovoltaic cells. The inside of the frame, under said pan of cells, is hollow.

FIG. 2 shows a partial view of two panels 17 and 18 joined by their facing blanks 19 and 20, parallel to the slope of the roof, which rest on a wooden chevron 21, via a support section 22 metal, such as aluminum, galvanized steel, or plastic material. For the sake of clarity, the panel 18 is shown offset longitudinally with respect to the panel 17.

The support profile 22 comprises: A central portion 23 in the shape of an inverted U (seen in cross-section), positioned astride the chevron 21, the bottom 23A of said U being complementary in shape to the upper surface of the chevron (in the occurrence a flat surface); • Two lateral wings 24 and 25, each extending the lower end of the wings of said U, each side wing forming, with the corresponding tab of the U, a gutter. The facing edges of the two panels 17 and 18 rest on the bottom 23A of the inverted U of the central portion 23 of the profile 22.

Each gutter 24, 25 has a substantially plane bottom respectively 26, 27 and a vertical return respectively 28, 29.

In the example shown, the distal top edge (the panel side) of each vertical return 28, 29 touches or is arranged very close to the lower edge of the frame of the corresponding panel. The panels are secured to the profile and the chevron by securing tabs which are not shown in Figure 2, but described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 shows in perspective from below, two panels, the chevron 21 and the section 22 of FIG. 2, as well as two tabs 30 and 31 for securing.

In FIG. 3, two photovoltaic panels are represented, namely the photovoltaic panel 18 of FIG. 2, and another photovoltaic panel 30. These two panels are joined by their respectively facing sides 31 and 32. Each photovoltaic panel comprises a pan of 20 photovoltaic cells, respectively 18A and 30A, which is seen from below in the figure.

The panels 18 and 30 rest on the chevron 21 via a profile 22. Given the perspective, only one of the gutters, that referenced 25, of the profile 22 is visible, including the bottom 26 and the lateral return 28 of the gutter.

Means for securing the panels on the chevron 21 are provided in the form of a plurality of fastening tabs 33 and 34, only two of which are shown in Figure 3 for convenience. Each tab consists of a plate made of plastic material or of rigid metal (such as aluminum), and of thickness about 5 mm), of elongate shape and having a width of between 20 and 80 mm, preferably of the order of 40 mm.

The description which follows relates to the tab 34 which comprises (all the tabs having the same structure): a first flat part 35 intended to be fixed on the chevron 21 by means of two screws; a second portion in the general shape of a hook 36, whose curvature makes it possible to bypass said gutter, and whose distal end is able to bear on a portion of the frame of the photovoltaic panel in order to fix and maintain it in relation to said chevron.

Each tab is designed to maintain and secure each panel with respect to the rafters, without affecting, modify or drill, or other operation, either the profile 22 or the corresponding photovoltaic panel. The fastening of the panels on the chevron and maintaining the profile are described below with reference to Figure 4 showing a cross section (in a plane transverse to the direction of the slope of the roof).

We find in Figure 4 the elements described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3, namely the chevron 21, the section 22 and the photovoltaic panels 17 and 18.

Two fastening tabs 34 and 37 are arranged in pairs (in pairs facing each other) on either side of the chevron 21 / profiled assembly 22. The two tabs 34 and 37 are fixed by their planar fixing portion 35, 38, each by a pair of screws 39 and 40.

The hook portion (36 and 41) of each tab 34, 37 comprises, seen in cross-section, successively and from the plane fixing portion 35, 38: - - a first portion 42, 43 substantially flat oblique, preferably forming an angle of between 90 ° and 30 ° with respect to the fixing portion 35, 38; - a second portion 44, 45 plane, substantially parallel to the fixing portion; - a third portion 46, 47 curve (concavity facing the fixing portion 35, 38) so as to form a hook; - A fourth terminal portion 46A, 47A, flat, forming a nose, intended to bear against a longitudinal member 48, 49 of the frame of the corresponding panel 17, 18.

More specifically, said beam 48, 49 of the panel frame is L-shaped which has two branches: - a branch 48A, 49A (called support), in a vertical plane; on the end of said branch is fixed the pan 17A, 18A of photovoltaic cells; - Another branch 48B, 49B (called support), in a plane parallel to the roof and carrying (at least over part of its length) against the central portion 23 of the profile 22.

The distal end or nose 46A, 47A of the hook 36, 41 is flat on the support arm 48B, 49B, of the spar 48, 49 (of the panel frame) in a plane parallel to the plane of the roof.

Alternatively, visible in part in Figure 3, the tab 33, 34 is made so that the third portion 46, 47 of the hook 36, 41 is not curved (as in Figure 4) but inverted L-shaped whose distal end comprises said bearing nose 46A, 47A.

The hook 36, 41 has a shape such that, in a way, it "bypasses" the profile 22 to firstly press the latter on the chevron 21 and secondly pinch the profile 48, 49 of the panel frame. This makes it possible to secure the panels to the rafter while maintaining the profile, without affecting the continuity or the integrity of the profile and the panel. This ensures a perfect seal.

The panels 17 and 18 are placed edge to edge, without pressure, or arranged at a distance of 1 or 2 mm or more, if necessary, for example to allow expansion.

Note that the shape and arrangement of the fastening tabs of the invention can: • optimally resist forces that tend to lift the panels (wind); • the expansion of the panels that can lead to bringing the frames closer by their facing edges (sections 48 and 49).

The panels being directly exposed to the weather, the water which passes between two adjacent panels opens by gravity on the central portion 23 of the profile 22, then flows into one and / or the other side gutters 24, 25.

On the rafters are arranged several series of panels (see Figure 1). A single chevron supports two series of successive panels on its upper face.

Still with reference to FIG. 4, according to the invention, the photovoltaic panels are connected together according to their longitudinal edges, that is to say in a direction transverse to the slope, by joining profiles 50 and 51.

The junction profiles are visible: in FIG. 5 which shows a sectional view in a longitudinal vertical plane of the assembly shown in FIG. 4, and partially in perspective in FIG.

The joining profile 51 connects two panels 18 and 30 by their facing frame edges and more specifically by their respective longitudinal members 31 and 32, L-shaped with two branches: a transverse branch 31A, 32A in a vertical plane; - A longitudinal branch 31B, 32B bearing on the profile 22 and thus indirectly on the rafter 21.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the profile 51 is made of metal (steel, zinc-plated steel, aluminum, plastic material) and comprises: a flat central core 53; - A lateral portion 54 bent L in acute angle, inwardly, so as to trap the end edges of the longitudinal legs 32B (Figure 5) of the beam 32 of the frame of the corresponding panel; a plurality of hooks 55A, 55B (only two are shown in the partial view of the figure), L-shaped bent inwards, so as to trap the end edge of the longitudinal branch 31B (Figure 5) of the spar 31 of the frame of the corresponding panel.

According to FIG. 4, the end edges (in the longitudinal direction) 50A of the joining profile 50 and 51A of the joining profile 51 open into the corresponding channels 24 and 25 of the fastening section 22, and are provided with a lip 50B, 51 B.

The flat central portion 53 of the joining profile 51 is therefore in the plane of the slope of the roof. The bent portion 54 is downstream and the hooks 55A, 55B are upstream.

Water passing between the transverse edges 31, 32 opposite the panels flows into the central portion 53, and, because of the slope of the latter, is collected and channeled by the curved side portion 54. The water then flows at each end of the joining profile 51 into the corresponding lateral gutter 24, 25 of the support section 22.

The downstream curved side portion 54 thus plays a double role of hook and gutter.

Furthermore, the support profile 22 has a triple function of water recovery: 1. rainwater passing between the longitudinal edges of the panels (in the direction of the slope of the roof); 2. the rainwater passing between the transverse edges of the panels (in the direction transverse to the slope of the roof) which flows into the joining section 51 which itself discharges the water collected in the gutters 24 and 25; 3. the condensation water coming from the profiles of the panel frame and the inside of the photovoltaic cell panels.

In Figure 7 there is shown partially four panels 60, 61, 62 and 63 joined edge to edge in a square. The chevron, the support profile, the legs, the junction profile are not visible and are located, in this representation, under the line of separation 64 between the panels 60 and 62 on the one hand and the panels on the other hand 61 and 63.10

Claims (3)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device for the establishment and joining of photovoltaic panels on the roof elements of a construction, such as rafters or rafters, of the type comprising on the one hand a section comprising a central portion of cross section in the general form of U inverted, and two lateral portions, at the end of each branch of said U, curved to each form a gutter, and secondly means for fixing the panels on the roof elements, characterized in that the central portion of said U-profile has a substantially plane bottom on which is intended to support either the edge of a photovoltaic panel or the two edges of two photovoltaic panels juxtaposed. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the central portion of said section is able to overlap said element of the roof structure, and has a shape substantially complementary at least in part to said element, which preferably has a section square or rectangular right. 3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the securing means of the panels on the element consist of a plurality of tabs each comprising: - - a first part for fixing on said element roofing; a second portion in the general shape of a hook, the curvature of which makes it possible to bypass said channel, and whose distal end is able to bear on a part of the photovoltaic panel to fix and hold it relative to said roof element . 6. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the distal end of the hook is adapted to bear on a portion of the panel substantially in the plane of the roof. 7. Device according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that each hook has, seen in cross section, successively and from the fixing portion of the tab: - a first substantially flat oblique portion, preferably forming an angle of between 90 ° and 30 ° with respect to the attachment portion; - a second flat portion, substantially parallel to the fixing portion; a third part, either curved or L shaped, so as to form a hook; - A flat fourth end forming a nose, intended to bear against the corresponding portion of the photovoltaic panel. 6. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of pairs of fixing lugs arranged 2 to 2 opposite on either side of the roof element. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that there are provided junction profiles of two edges of two photovoltaic panels facing and / or joined in a longitudinal direction, that is to say say transverse to the slope of the roof. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that each joining profile comprises a substantially flat central portion comprising on its upstream edge a plurality of hooks curved inwardly, and on its downstream edge a bent portion L acute angle the hooks and the L-shaped downstream edge being able to engage the corresponding edges of the photovoltaic panels. 9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said junction profiles are shaped such that their downstream edges form a gutter which flows at its end (in the direction transverse to the slope of the roof) in a gutter of panel fixing profile. 10. A roof assembly comprising a plurality of longitudinal support elements, such as rafters or rafters, and on each of which is able to bear and rest an elongated section comprising a central portion of cross section in the general U-shaped inverted , and two lateral parts, at the end of each branch of said U, curved to each form a gutter, the central portion of said U-shaped section having a substantially plane bottom on which is intended to bear either the edge of a photovoltaic panel either the two edges of two photovoltaic panels juxtaposed, said panels being secured to the support elements by fastening means such as hook-shaped legs.