FR3041835A1 - MECHANISM FOR FIXING SOLAR PANELS ON METALLIC PLATES FORMING A ROOF. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention therefore relates to a mechanism for fixing solar panels to be placed on profiled metal plates and placed on the roof of a building. The plates have rectilinear profiles having a flat top bordered by two sloping flanks, the solar panels are mechanically coupled to clamps fixed by screws at the edges between the top and the sloping flanks. The clamp comprises a base formed by two flat flanges whose planes intersect at a given angle, a lower flange intended to come into contact with the sloping flank of the profile and having a length greater than a first determined value, for example 50 millimeters , an upper wing intended to come into contact with the top of the profile and having a length less than a second determined value, 9 millimeters for example, the angle between the two wings being equal to 120 ° plus or minus 1 degree. Thus, the gripper can be adapted to many types of profiled metal plates forming a roof, in particular to trapezoidal profiles having differently inclined flanks. According to an improvement, the clamp has a tab inserted between the panels which adjusts their spacing.

Description

Mechanism for fixing solar panels on metal plates forming a roof. 1. Field of the invention

The field of the invention is that of fixing solar panels on roofs of buildings. More specifically, the invention relates to the fact that the solar panels are fixed on roofs consisting of metal plates whose surface forms a wave having inclined sides. 2. Prior Art

Nowadays, a large number of dwellings have means of energy production. This energy is used by the home itself or passed on to an energy supplier, in which case it can be resold. Among the production means easy to install, there are solar panels, either photovoltaic type to produce electricity, or thermal type, they are then traversed by a heat transfer fluid. In the latter case, the fluid is used for heating or for producing hot water. In all cases, these panels are placed first on the roof of the building.

Most buildings have an inclined, rain-proof roof. The roof covering can be either smooth as slate or thatched, or structured, in the case of tile for example. Nowadays, pleated steel sheets, also called "steel bins", are used, fixing them by screwing on battens of the supporting structure. This type of coating provides strength and lightness, and has a very long life. These sheets are in the form of plates having rectilinear profiles extending in the direction of the slope, the profiles placed on the edges allow interlocking with the adjacent plates. The section of the plates is composed of straight segments forming a trapezoid with sloping edges or forms in circumflex accent. These rectilinear profiles increase the rigidity of the plates in the direction of the lines, and offer a high resistance to bending in the direction perpendicular to said lines. This is the reason why the battens are placed perpendicular to the direction of the rectilinear profiles.

A roof made of steel plates has a great strength and can support the weight of solar panels, whether thermal or photovoltaic, so that operators plan to fix the solar panels on the plates using pliers with the lower part consists of two wings whose planes intersect at a given angle. According to this project, the lower wing comes into contact with the sloping side of a trapezoidal profile and the upper wing comes into contact with the top of this profile. The clamp is fixed by screwing on the rectilinear profile and a fastening system in the upper part ensures the mechanical coupling with the solar panel.

A disadvantage is that the steel plate manufacturers create straight profiles having their own shapes and sizes, so the angle between the sloping sides and the top of the trapezoids can vary considerably. The two wings of the clamps are therefore generally not in contact with the sloping side and the top of the trapezoidal profile. If the slope of the profile is slightly inclined, the edge of the upper wing farthest from the junction with the lower wing is shearing the edge of the tray and compromises its sealing. There is therefore a real need for a solar panel fixing mechanism that can adapt to different shapes of profiles present on the metal plates on which they are mechanically coupled. 3. OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION The invention particularly aims at a mechanism for fixing solar panels providing an effective solution to at least some of these various problems.

In particular, according to at least one embodiment, an object of the invention is to provide a flat panel fastening element intended to be placed on the metal plate profiles constituting the roof of a building.

In particular, the object of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to easily adapt to the different slopes present on the profiles of such plates.

Another object of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to ensure a constant spacing between the solar panels forming a plane. 4. Presentation of the invention

For this, the invention provides a mechanism for fixing solar panels to be placed on profiled metal plates and placed on the roof of a building. The plates have rectilinear profiles having a flat top bordered by two sloping flanks, the solar panels are mechanically coupled to clamps fixed by screws at the edges between the top and the sloping flanks. The gripper comprises a base formed by two flat flanges whose planes intersect at a given angle, a lower flange intended to come into contact with the sloping flank of the profile and having a length greater than a first determined value, an upper flange intended to to come into contact with the top of the profile and having a length less than a second determined value, the angle between the two wings being equal to 120 ° plus or minus 1 degree.

Thus, according to this aspect of the invention, the clamp can adapt to many types of profiled metal plates forming a roof, in particular to trapezoidal profiles whose sides have very different slopes.

According to a first embodiment, the mechanism for fixing solar panels comprises a clamp fixing by screwing on the base, the clamp being surmounted by at least one lip extending on the edge of the panel, the screwing of the clamp coming to tighten the panel between the lip and the base. In this way, fixing the solar panels on the clamps is facilitated.

According to another embodiment, the clamp is fixed on a cylindrical rod rotatably mounted on the base of the clamp, the fastening screw of the clamp inserted into a threaded hole made in the cylindrical rod. In this way, the fixing of the panels easily adapts to the inclinations of the sides of the profiles.

According to another embodiment, the solar panel fixing mechanism comprises clamps having a clamp having a single lip, said clamps being intended to couple a single panel placed at the edge of the panel assembly. In this way, the edge of the assembly has a better aesthetic.

According to another embodiment, the clamp having a single lip has a reinforced structure giving it greater rigidity than clamps having two lips. In this way, the fasteners on the edge of the panel assembly have greater strength.

According to another embodiment, the solar panel fixing mechanism comprises a clamp having an upper lip and a flap forming two planes parallel to each other and connected by a connecting plate, the upper lip extending over the flank of the connecting plate in three orthogonal directions A, B and C. In this way, by turning the clamp at 90 °, the clamp can fix one or two panels.

According to another embodiment, the clamp further comprises a spacer adjustment tab whose end is above the base of the clamp to be inserted between the solar panels. In this way, the adjustment of the spacing between the panels is facilitated during installation.

According to another embodiment, the adjustment lug is a blade cut in the base of the clamp and folded so that its end is above the base. In this way, the clamp is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

According to another embodiment, the adjustment lug is rotatably mounted around the cylindrical rod. In this way, the clamp adapts easily to the different inclinations of the sides of the profiles.

According to another embodiment, the lower wing or the intersection of the lower wing and the upper wing comprises a groove constituting an area of weakness for manually detaching this wing portion. In this way, if an operator must position the clamp on a profile area comprising a fastening element of a metal plate, a screw for example, then it breaks this wing portion to ensure good contact of the clamp on the plate profile.

According to another embodiment, the length of the lower wing is greater than 50 millimeters.

According to another embodiment, the length of the upper wing is less than 9 millimeters. 5. List of Figures Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of particular embodiments, given as simple illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows an example of implementation of a solar panel installation on a building according to a first embodiment, - Figure 2 shows the building seen in profile with solar panels fixed by clamps according to a first embodiment, - FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a profiled plate wave according to an exemplary embodiment; FIG. 4 shows an example of a profile view pliers according to a first embodiment; FIG. 5 presents a first perspective view. of the clamp cooperating with a clamp and a fixing screw according to the first embodiment, - Figure 6 shows a second perspective view of the same clamp cooperated with With the clamp 5 and the fixing screw 6, FIG. 7 shows a variant of a clamp making it possible to fix one or two solar panels. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a gripper base according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; FIG. 9 is a side view of a gripper with a clamp in the position of fixing two panels; Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a clamp having a clamp in position for attaching two adjacent panels; - Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a clamp having a clamp in position allowing a single panel located at the edge of the assembly, - Figure 12 shows another perspective view of a clamp with a clamp in position for attaching a single panel. 6. DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 6.1 GENERAL PRINCIPLE The invention therefore relates to a mechanism for fixing solar panels intended to be placed on profiled metal plates and placed on the roof of a building. The plates have rectilinear profiles having a flat top bordered by two sloping flanks, the solar panels are mechanically coupled to clamps fixed by screws at the edges between the top and the sloping flanks. The clamp comprises a base formed by two flat wings whose planes intersect at a given angle. A first so-called "lower" wing which is intended to come into contact with a sloping flank of the profile, has a length greater than a determined value. A second so-called "upper" wing which is intended to come into contact with the top of the profile, has a length less than a determined value. The angle between the two wings is equal to 120 ° plus or minus 1 degree.

In this way, the clamp can be adapted to many types of profiled metal plates forming a roof, in particular to trapezoidal profiles whose sides have very different slopes. According to an improvement, the clamp has a tab inserted between the panels which allows to adjust their spacing and facilitate their installation. 6.2 Description of an embodiment

Fig. 1 shows a building 1 seen from above. This building is surmounted by an inclined roof 2 composed of profiled metal plates, such a plate assembly is also called "steel tray". This type of cover is often used to make a light roof, easy to install and paint. The plates have rectilinear profiles extending in the direction of the slope, the profiles placed on the edges allow an interlocking with the adjacent plates. The section of the plates represents a wave composed of line segments forming a straight line interspersed with trapezoid with inclined edges and / or structure in circumflex accent. This type of cover ensures a perfect seal against the weather (rain, snow, hail, ...) and may possibly include a layer of thermal insulation below. The invention is usable for any building, whatever its size, and the number of floors, or the type of metal (steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, etc.) to make the plates.

According to the invention, the building 1 is surmounted by solar panels 3 directly attached to the profiled metal plates. The panels 3 may protrude from the vertical walls of the building and may be used as an awning. The thickness of the solar panels is relatively thin, typically 20 millimeters to 55 millimeters. The mechanical coupling between the solar panels and the metal plates is provided by clamps 4 fixed at the edges between the inclined side of the profile and the flat top. According to the example described, each solar panel is coupled by a determined number of clamps and each clamp is coupled to two panels except at the edge of the panel assembly. If the panels are large, it is possible to put three or four clamps on each side. The invention is applicable for the installation of photovoltaic panels or solar panels traversed by a coolant.

Fig. 2 shows the building 1 seen in profile. We can see the solar panels 3 placed above the metal plates 2 and mechanically coupled to a plurality of clamps 4.

Fig. 3 shows an example of a profile wave composed of a plurality of line segments according to an exemplary embodiment. The drawing is measured, we can measure the width of the plate: 1 meter, and note that it has four trapezoidal structures. These trapezoidal structures are also on the sides, so that they overlap those of adjacent plates, which ensures the tightness of the entire roof. According to this example, the angle between the sloping sides and the top of the trapezoids is about 60 °. The clamps 4 make it possible to join the edges of the trapeziums with the top and bottom edges of the panels, that is to say the edges having directions perpendicular to the lines drawn by the profiles.

Fig. 4 show a gripper 7 seen in profile according to a first embodiment. The clamp advantageously consists of a base 10 formed by two flat wings whose planes intersect at a given angle. The lower wing 11 has a minimum length of 50 millimeters and the upper wing 12 has a maximum length of 9 millimeters. According to the invention, the angle between the two wings 11 and 12 is equal to 110 °. Tests have made it possible to verify that an angle of between 109 ° and 111 ° is suitable for any type of profile present on metal roof plates. In this way, the upper wing having a small width is placed on a small surface of the top of the profile and constitutes in itself a sufficient stop. The limitation of the width of this wing allows a good positioning of the clamp on the profile regardless of the inclination of the inclined side. In addition, if the flank is slightly inclined, the edge of the upper flange opposite the junction with the lower flange will tend to exert pressure on the flat top of the profile and shear. The shearing effect will be exerted on a shallow depth which should be compensated by the malleability of the material constituting the metal plate.

The clamp is extended upwards by a sleeve lug 13, one end of which is fixed to the base 10 and the other forms a cylindrical sheath surrounding a rod 14, the use of which will subsequently be seen.

Advantageously, the clamp 4 also comprises a spacing adjustment tab 15 which is inserted between the solar panels during their assembly and ensures a constant spacing between them. According to a preferred embodiment, this adjusting lug is a blade cut into the metal of the base of the clamp 10 and folded so that its end is above the sheath lug 13 and can thus be inserted between the solar panels. 3.

According to an alternative embodiment, the spacer adjustment lug 15 is rotatably mounted around the cylindrical rod 14. This lug is then constituted of two parts, one flat of a determined width, and the other forming a sheath which surrounds the stem and allows its rotation around. This embodiment makes it possible to easily adapt to the different inclinations of the sloping sides of the profiles, and the thicknesses of the panels. At the time of installation, the solar panels 3 are positioned and the operator rotates the tab 15 so that its flat end is positioned perfectly between the panels, possibly leaving them to exceed in height.

The different elements described in FIG. 4 form an inseparable block, with the exception of the rod 14. This block is made from a metal plate by a die-cutting tool (mechanically, by water jet or laser) and strikes for it to confer a three-dimensional form. We will now describe the other elements of the clamp that allow fixation with the solar panels 3.

Fig. 5 shows a first perspective view of the clamp 4 cooperating with a clamp 5 and a screw 6 for fixing the clamp. The clamp is a typical piece of aluminum, which provides mechanical coupling with the solar panels 3 while separating them from a distance. According to an exemplary embodiment, the clamp comprises a cap projecting on two sides by two lips and a body consisting of two branches 16. The two lips are covering the sides of two adjacent panels 3 and the distance between the two outer faces of branches 16 defines the spacing between the solar panels.

The cap of the clamp is pierced with a smooth hole for the passage of the screw 6 which slips between the two branches 16. The cylindrical rod 14 is pierced approximately in the middle by a threaded hole 18. The sheath of the leg 13 has a light 19 which extends tangentially over at least 180 ° of the circular portion of the tab. The screw 6 passes through the hole 17 and opens at the bottom of the clamp 5 to pass through the slot 19 and thus screw into the hole 18 of the rod. By tightening the screw on the rod, the clamp approaches the tab 13, and the edge of the solar panels 3 can be clamped between the lower face of the lips and the circular portion of the sleeve lug 13.

The plane formed by the lower face of the clamp lips which merges with that of the top of the solar panels must be parallel to the roof surface. But the inclination of the base of the clamp varies directly depending on the inclination of the profiled sidewall of the roof plate. To ensure that the panels remain parallel to the roof regardless of the inclination of the base of the clamp, the present embodiment provides that the cylindrical rod 14 rotates freely in the sleeve of the lug 13 and causes the clamp 5 in its rotation . In this way, the angle between the plane formed by the lower face of the clamp lips and the plane formed by the lower flange 11 can vary and thus adapt to the inclination of the profiled flanks of the metal plates 2. In this way, the clamp adapts to most of the profiles on the roof plates.

As previously described, a portion of the clamp 4 is cut from a steel plate to form the base 10, the sleeve lug 13 and the spacer adjustment lug 15. According to a variant, the sheath lug and the spacer adjustment tab 15 are welded to the base 10 of the clamp. According to another embodiment, a metal plate is stamped and cut to form the base with the two wings 11 and 12, then shaped to achieve the rounding of the sheath of the lug 13 and to create the adjusting lug 15 spacer. Advantageously, the light 18 is made by two cutting lines, the material delimited between these two sections is raised to form the spacer adjustment tab 15. In this way, a large part of the clamp is manufactured in a one-piece metal, from a simple rectangular plate. This part is then treated against erosion, lacquering or electroplating for example. According to one variant, the part is made of stainless steel.

Fig. 6 shows a second perspective view of the clamp 4 cooperating with a clamp 5 and a screw 6 for fixing the clamp. It is possible to see two fixing holes 20 made on the lower flange 11. These holes allow the passage of self-drilling screws which are fixed on the inclined sides of the profiles of the metal plates. According to an improvement, the upper flange 12 also has at least one hole for the passage of at least one fixing screw, this improvement can be envisaged only if the piercing of the edge of the tray 2 by the self-drilling screw does not compromise not its tightness.

The spacer adjusting lug 15 has a width of dimension "e", 2 cm on the prototype made. This dimension is equal to the distance separating the external faces of two branches 16 of the clamp. In this way, the operator first positions the panels 3 on the clamps by bringing them together so that they are on each side in contact with the tab 15. Then, he fixes the panels without moving them by inserting the clamp between them 5 and screwing the fixing screw 6. The panels are thus perfectly positioned and maintained on the roof of the building.

According to an improvement, the clamps positioned at the edge of the panel assembly comprise a clamp 5 with a single lip. This clamp is designed to couple only one solar panel with the roof.

Advantageously, this clamp has a reinforced structure so as to give it greater rigidity. In this way, this type of clamp is more resistant to greater lateral displacement forces due to the absence of plates on one side.

According to a variant illustrated in FIG. 7, the clamp 5 has an upper lip 21 and a flap 22 forming two planes parallel to each other and connected by a connecting plate 23. The upper lip 21 extends overflowing from the side of the connecting plate in three orthogonal directions A , B and C. According to this configuration, the clamp can fix a panel in the direction C, or fix two contiguous panels in the directions A and B.

Fig.8 shows a perspective view of a clamp base according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. According to this example, the cylindrical sheath of the lug 13 is relatively closed and traps more the rod 14 than in the example described in FIG. 4. The base of the clamp comprises a groove placed on the flange 11, or at the intersection of the flange 11 and the flange 12, to create an area of weakness for manually detaching by folding this part of the flange. 'wing. When the clamp is inadvertently positioned on a fastener of a section of a plate, the operator detaches this wing portion to prevent it from stopping on this attachment.

Fig. 9 shows a side view of a clamp with a clamp in the position of fixing two adjacent panels. The clamps are fixed at the top and bottom of each panel 3, that is to say on the sides perpendicular to the direction indicated by the profiles of the metal plates of the roof 2. The panels 3 are fixed with the aid of the clamp 5. positioning itself in the directions A and B, that is to say the directions perpendicular to the wing 12. The screw 6 is screwed into the rod to secure the panel on the clamp.

Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of a clamp having a clamp in the position of fixing two panels. By positioning the clamp described by this figure, the upper lip 21 covers the edge of two panels.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of a clamp with a clamp in position for attaching a panel. The same clamp 5 as before is used but turned 90 ° on the clamp. The upper lip 21 then covers in the direction C the edge of a single panel. The clamp is then placed at the edge of the assembly.

Fig. 12 shows another perspective view of a clamp with a clamp in position for attaching a single panel. The invention is not limited to the embodiments that have just been described. In particular, the invention can be implemented for installation of any type of flat panels, installing on a set of metal plates forming the roof of a building and having straight profiles with more or less inclined sidewalls.

Claims (12)

1. Mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) intended to be placed on profiled metal plates (2) and placed on the roof of a building (1), the plates having rectilinear profiles having a flat top bordered by two flanks sloping, the solar panels (3) being mechanically coupled to clamps (4) fixed by screws at the edges between the top of the profile and the sloping flanks, characterized in that said clamp (4) comprises a base ( 10) formed by two flat wings (11,12) whose planes intersect at a given angle, a lower flange (11) intended to come into contact with the sloping flank of the profile and having a length greater than a first determined value , an upper wing (12) intended to come into contact with the top of the profile and having a length less than a second determined value, the angle between the two wings being equal to 120 ° with a difference of one degree at most. 2. Mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a clamp (5) fixing by screwing on the base (10), the clamp being surmounted by at least one lip s' extending over the edge of the panel, the screwing clamp clamping the panel between the lip and the base (10). 3. mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) according to claim 2, characterized in that said clamp (5) is fixed on a cylindrical rod (14) rotatably mounted on the base of the clamp, the screw (6). fixing the clamp inserted in a threaded hole (18) formed in the cylindrical rod (14). 4. mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises clamps having a clamp (5) with a single lip, said tongs being intended to couple a single panel placed at the edge of the panel assembly 5. Mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) according to claim 4, characterized in that the clamp (5) with a single lip has a reinforced structure conferring greater rigidity than the clamps (5) having two lips . 6. mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said clamp (5) has an upper lip (21) and a flap (22) forming two planes parallel to each other and connected by a connecting plate (23), the upper lip (21) extending protruding from the sidewall of the connecting plate in three orthogonal directions A, B and C. 7. mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the clamp further comprises a spacer adjusting lug (15) whose end is above the base of the clip to be inserted between the solar panels (3). 8. mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) according to claim 7, characterized in that said adjustment tab is a blade cut in the base (10) of the clamp (4) and folded so that its end is above from the base. 9. mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) according to claim 7 in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that said adjusting lug is rotatably mounted around the cylindrical rod (14). 10. Mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lower wing (11) or the intersection of the lower wing (11) and the upper wing (12) comprises a groove constituting an area of weakness for manually detaching this wing portion. 11. mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the length of the lower flange (11) is greater than 50 millimeters. 12. Mechanism for fixing solar panels (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the length of the upper flange (12) is less than 9 millimeters.