BR-202024017449-U2 - CONSTRUCTIVE ARRANGEMENT APPLIED TO A FIXING CLAMP FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES IN METAL STRUCTURES

Abstract

The following summary for a utility model refers to the development of a clamp for fixing photovoltaic modules to metal structures, where said clamp (1) contains a hole (3) through which the screw (4) passes, which tightens the upper clip (5), through the nut (6), fittings (7 and 8) enabling the clamp (1) to fit into the UDC profile (10), so as to fix the photovoltaic modules (14 and 15), through the upper clip (5).

Inventors

• SIDIMAR CAPITANIO
• DEIVES ANTONIO BUDEL

Assignees

• ALFIX INDUSTRIA DE ESTRUTURAS METALICAS LTDA

Dates

Publication Date

20260310

Application Date

20240826

Claims (2)

1. 1- CONSTRUCTIONAL ARRANGEMENT APPLIED IN A PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE FIXING CLAMP ON METALLIC STRUCTURES, characterized by employing a clamp in a general “L” shape (1) containing in its smaller part (2) a hole (3) through which the screw (4) passes, which tightens the upper clip (5), through the nut (6), where said clamp (1): a) - contains two slots (7 and 8) arranged in its larger part (9), orthogonal to the smaller part (2), where these slots (7 and 8) have slots facing opposite directions (7 facing outwards from 9 and 8 facing inwards from 9), allowing the clamp (1) to be fitted into the UDC profile (10) simply by rotating it and securing it by pressure (11, 12 and 13) and b) - allows the photovoltaic modules (14 and 15) to be fixed, through the upper clip (5), where the fixing of these photovoltaic modules (14 and 15) occurs at the bottom, by actuation of the screw (4).
2. 2- CONSTRUCTIONAL ARRANGEMENT APPLIED TO A PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE FIXING CLAMP IN METALLIC STRUCTURES, in accordance with claim 01 and characterized by having a variant of the clamp, equipped with a spring (16) that is held between the upper clip (5) and the smaller part (2) of said clamp (1).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [001] The following descriptive report for a utility model refers to the constructive arrangement provided in a clamp for fixing photovoltaic modules to metal structures, with purlins in profiled/bent UDC profile steel, where the clamp is fixed to the metal structures by means of a pressure fit, and the panels are fixed to the clamp by means of a screw and nut. STATE OF THE ART [002] Mounting clamps for photovoltaic modules are essential components used to attach solar panels to support structures. There are two main types of clamps: - Intermediate clamps: Used to secure two adjacent modules. - End clamps: Used at the ends of the modules. [003] These clamps ensure that the solar panels are firmly attached, withstanding harsh weather conditions and preventing damage to the modules. In addition, some modern clamps, such as the PowAR Slot, do not require screws. [004] A self-locking snap-fit clip fastener for fastening two components together is disclosed in WO2017074860. The clip fastener includes a U-shaped clip body comprising upper and lower legs and a curved end connecting the legs. The clip body has an open end into which the component to be fastened is inserted. The legs are movable between an initial spaced arrangement in which the component can be inserted into the clip body, to a final component engagement position in which the component is captured between the legs. A slidingly movable U-shaped trigger is attached to the clip body. A trigger guide channel is formed in the inner wall of one or both legs of the clip body. The trigger is slidingly movable in the channel. An interlocking system comprising first and second windows is formed in one of the legs of the clip body and a flange extending from the trigger. [005] Document ES1294190 discloses a fastener for securing a first element to a second element, wherein the fastener is adapted to pass through a first opening of the first element and a second opening of the second element in an insertion direction to achieve a securing position, and the fastener comprises at least one securing arm comprising a first securing section and a second securing section and is configured such that, when the clamp is in the securing position, the first securing section of the clamp is capable of engaging the first element and the second securing section is capable of engaging the second element to elastically hold the first element and the second element together. The fastener according to the present invention allows the first element and the second element to be secured by a simple insertion action and is easy to handle and therefore can improve the efficiency of the securing. [006] The closest state of the art to the proposed model is the clamp described in BR202024010467-1, which discloses a clamp for fixing photovoltaic modules to metal structures, where said clamp (1) contains an upper “L” extension (2), containing an upper hole (2a), two lateral ears (3 and 4) bent in opposite directions, arranged in two lateral projections (5 and 6), where said clamp contains a central oblong hole (7), and said lateral projections (5 and 6) form cavities (8, 9, 10 and 11) that are intended to fit into the free edges (12 and 13) of the UE profile (14). PROBLEMS WITH THE TECHNIQUE [007] The clamp described in BR202024010467-1 is an evolution in the way solar panels are attached to the metal structures that support them. [008] Despite this evolution, the BR202021010467-1 clamp has a complex manufacturing geometry, which may increase manufacturing costs. PROPOSED SOLUTION [009] Thus, due to considerations pertinent to the problems of the technique, one of the objectives of the present utility model is to develop a clamp for fixing photovoltaic modules, where the manufacturing with this geometry model becomes simpler because it can be carried out only by the extrusion process, prototyping is tied to only one manufacturing process, which can reduce the costs involved in raw materials and waste due to rework. [010] In this new geometry, the internal "arm" is eliminated, resulting in an increase in the thickness of the main "web" of the product. This increase in product generated a gain in bending moment in all three axes, reducing the forces applied at the point of contact between the part and the UDC profile. In addition to this increase in strength, the elimination of the internal "arms" not used in this application provided a reduction in mass. DESCRIPTION [011] The characterization of the present utility model is made by means of representative drawings of the clamp for fixing photovoltaic modules to metal structures, in such a way that the product can be fully reproduced by appropriate technique, allowing full characterization of the functionality of the object claimed. [012] Based on the elaborated figures that express the preferred way of carrying out the product now conceived, the descriptive part of the report is based, through a detailed and consecutive nu