U.S. patent application number 12/490003 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-07 for frame for a plate-shaped solar element.
This patent application is currently assigned to TESA SE. Invention is credited to Thomas GASSNER, Michael Schwertfeger.
Application Number | 20100000521 12/490003 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41226162 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100000521 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GASSNER; Thomas ; et
al. |
January 7, 2010 |
FRAME FOR A PLATE-SHAPED SOLAR ELEMENT
Abstract
The invention relates to a frame for a plate-shaped solar
element. The frame includes a bottom frame element (21) with a
first surface (24) and a top frame element (11) with a second
surface (14). The second surface (14) is disposed opposite the
first surface (24) and is at spaced from the first surface forming
a gap that accommodates an edge region of the plate-shaped solar
element (31). The first surface and the second surface are each
self-adhesive.
Inventors: |
GASSNER; Thomas;
(Heidgraben, DE) ; Schwertfeger; Michael;
(Hamburg, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Hilderbrand, Christa
875 Third Avenue, 8th Floor
New York
NY
10022
US
|
Assignee: |
TESA SE
HAMBURG
DE
|
Family ID: |
41226162 |
Appl. No.: |
12/490003 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/680 ;
29/890.033 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24S 40/44 20180501;
F24S 80/40 20180501; H02S 30/10 20141201; Y02E 10/47 20130101; F24S
80/70 20180501; Y02E 10/50 20130101; F24S 2025/601 20180501; Y10T
29/49355 20150115; Y02B 10/20 20130101; H01L 31/048 20130101; F24S
25/20 20180501; F24S 40/40 20180501 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/680 ;
29/890.033 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/02 20060101
F24J002/02; B23P 15/26 20060101 B23P015/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 7, 2008 |
DE |
10 2008 031 545.1 |
Claims
1. A frame for a plate-shaped solar element, comprising a bottom
frame element (21) having a first surface (24) and a top frame
element (11) having a second surface (14), wherein the second
surface (14) is situated opposite the first surface (24) and is at
a spacing from said first surface forming a gap that can
accommodate the edge region of the plate-shaped solar element (31),
wherein the first surface and the second surface are each
self-adhesive.
2. The frame according to claim 1, wherein the first surface (24)
is provided with a first adhesive strip (23) and the second surface
(14) is provided with a second adhesive strip (13).
3. The frame according to claim 2, wherein the first adhesive strip
(23) is a double-sided adhesive strip that has an inside adhesive
layer that is in contact with the first surface (24), and an
outside adhesive layer that faces the second surface (14) of the
top frame element (11).
4. The frame according to claim 2, wherein the second adhesive
strip (13) is a double-sided adhesive strip that has an inside
adhesive layer that is in contact with the second surface (14), and
an outside adhesive layer that faces the first surface (24) of a
bottom frame element (21).
5. The frame according to claims 4, wherein, when the plate-shaped
solar element (11) having an edge region, is inserted into the
frame, the bottom side of the plate-shaped solar element (11) is in
contact in the edge region, with the adhesive layer of the first
adhesive strip (23) and the top side of the solar module (11) is in
contact, in the edge region, with the adhesive layer of the second
adhesive strip (13).
6. The frame according to claim 4, wherein the bottom frame element
(21) includes an abutment edge (27) for the plate-shaped solar
element, said abutment edge extending from the first surface (24)
in the direction of the second surface (14) and outwardly defining
the gap that is realized between the first surface (24) and the
second surface (14).
7. The frame according to claim 4, wherein the bottom frame element
(21) includes a recess (26) disposed on the outside of the frame
and orthogonally relative to the first surface (24), and the top
frame element (11) has a portion (15) that is suitable for being
introduced into the recess (26) obtaining a positive-locking and/or
friction-locking connection, wherein the portion (15) is realized
orthogonally relative to the second surface (14) of the top frame
element (11) and extends from said second surface in the direction
of the bottom frame element (21).
8. The frame according to claim 7, wherein the bottom frame element
(21) is made up of part elements, wherein the part elements are
profiled elements that are interconnected by means of connecting
elements.
9. The frame according to claim 7, wherein the top frame element
(11) is made up of part elements (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d), wherein the
part elements (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) are profiled elements that are
interconnected by means of connecting elements.
10. The frame according to claim 8, wherein the part elements each
have hollow spaces (16, 25) into which the connecting elements are
inserted.
11. The frame according to claim 9, wherein between the bottom
frame element (21) and the top frame element (11) there is a
drainage channel, wherein the bottom side of the drainage channel
is formed by a groove, which is disposed in a region of the first
surface (24) of the bottom frame element (21) that is not
self-adhesive and is at a spacing from the self-adhesive finish in
the direction of the outside edge of the frame.
12. The frame according to claim 11, wherein drainage bores are
disposed in the bottom frame element (21) and/or in the top frame
element (11).
13. A method for producing a solar module, comprising the steps of
initially, placing a bottom side of a plate-shaped solar element
having an edge region, onto the a surface of a bottom frame
element, providing by means of an adhesive strip) an adhesive
connection between a bottom frame element and a solar element, and
subsequently, placing a top frame element in such a manner onto a
top side of in an edge region of the plate-shaped solar element,
that by means of the second adhesive strip an adhesive connection
is realized between the second surface of the top frame element and
the plate-shaped solar element.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] (1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a frame for a plate-shaped solar
element and to the use of such a frame for producing a solar
module.
[0003] Solar modules consist of a frame that surrounds the solar
element, which, as a rule, comprises a plurality of solar cells
arranged in one plane and embedded in a plastics material foil. The
plastics material foil, as a rule, is covered by a glass plate and
has a lamination on the rear side that is conventionally also
produced from plastics material. The solar element, which is
occasionally also referred to as a frameless solar module or
laminate, is surrounded by a frame, which has the effect of
strengthening the solar element, protects the solar element, in
particular the glass panel, during transport and makes it possible
for solar elements to be secured to buildings and structures. The
framed solar element, as a rule, is referred to as the solar
module.
[0004] (2) Description of Related Art
[0005] According to the state of the art one-piece frames are
generally used. Such a frame is pressed laterally onto the outside
edges of the solar element and the edges of the solar module are
then stuck down manually. This method of operation is
inefficient.
[0006] Also known are two-piece frames, which include a bottom
frame element, onto which the solar element is placed. The actual
frame is obtained by a top frame element being pressed into the
bottom frame element obtaining a friction-locking or
positive-locking connection, a gap being realized between the
bottom and the top frame element, into which the edge region of the
solar element is inserted.
[0007] DE 202 09 218 U1 discloses a two-piece frame for a frameless
solar module, said frame including a bottom frame element with a
surface onto which the solar module is placed. In addition, a slot
is provided in the bottom frame element, a portion of a top angular
frame element being inserted into said slot, thereby obtaining a
positive-locking and/or friction-locking connection between the two
frame elements. Before the solar module is placed into the frame,
the edge region of the solar module is enveloped in a resilient
material, for example a seal, which after the assembly is
positioned between the frame and the solar module. The production
of such a frame and the application of the seal, however, are
time-consuming and costly.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is the object of the invention to eliminate the
disadvantages of the state of the art. In particular, it aims to
provide a frame for accommodating a plate-shaped solar element
which makes a more efficient and more economic framing of solar
elements possible.
[0009] This object is achieved through the features of claims 1 and
13. Expedient developments of the invention are produced from the
features of claims 2 to 12 and 14.
[0010] A frame for a plate-shaped solar element is provided
according to the invention, said frame comprising a bottom frame
element with a first surface and preferably a top frame element
with a second surface, wherein the second surface is situated
opposite the first surface and is at a spacing from said first
surface forming a gap that can accommodate the edge region of the
plate-shaped solar element, wherein the first surface and the
second surface are each self-adhesive. Preferably, in this case,
the first surface is provided with a first adhesive strip and the
second surface is provided with a second adhesive strip. The frame
can also comprise just a bottom frame element with a second
surface, in which case a top frame element can be omitted.
[0011] The first and the second adhesive strip are expediently
double-sided adhesive strips, preferably double-sided foam adhesive
strips. In this case, the double-sided adhesive strip on the first
surface (first double-sided adhesive strip) has an inside adhesive
layer that is in contact with the first surface, whilst the outside
adhesive layer faces the second surface of the top frame element.
The double-sided adhesive strip on the second surface (second
double-sided adhesive strip) also has an inside adhesive layer that
is in contact with the second surface, whilst the outside adhesive
layer faces the first surface of the bottom frame element.
[0012] The first and the second frame element can be produced from
the same or different materials. According to a preferred specific
embodiment, the bottom and the top frame element are produced from
a weather-resistant material, such as, for example, aluminium or
other suitable materials.
[0013] The term solar element refers here to the laminate that
surrounds the solar cells. The solar element is frameless. The term
solar module refers here to the framed solar element, i.e. the
solar element that has been inserted into the frame.
[0014] The two-piece frame according to the invention makes it
possible, on account of the finish on the two surfaces that are in
contact with the edge region of the plate-shaped solar element, to
dispense with a seal on the one hand and with manual sticking down
on the other. This means that there are no time-consuming,
expensive, unwieldy sticking down processes directly on the solar
module at all and this simplifies the mounting of the solar element
into a frame in a considerable manner. The two adhesive strips
assume, in addition to the sealing of the solar module against the
effects of the weather, the function of the connection between top
and bottom frame element, the adhesive friction locking being
generated by the solar element. In addition, the two frame elements
can be additionally interconnected through an optional
positive-locking and/or friction-locking connection. The assembly
procedure is simplified by the frame according to the invention
such that, along with the currently conventional assembly in
production halls, even assembly on site is now also conceivable. In
this case, initially the bottom frame element is fixedly assembled
at the point of destination and then the solar element and the top
frame element are assembled as described below.
[0015] The two frame elements are provided with the adhesive strip
during their production, the surface of the first and of the second
adhesive strip that do not come into contact with the first or
respectively the second surface, each being provided with a
covering. These coverings are only removed when the solar module is
mounted.
[0016] To produce the solar module, first the covering is removed
from the adhesive layer that is situated on the first surface of
the bottom frame element. Then the bottom side of the plate-shaped
solar element is placed, in its edge region, onto the adhesive
layer that is situated on the first surface of the bottom frame
element, an adhesive connection thereby being realized between the
bottom frame element and the solar element. Then the top frame
element is mounted onto the plate-shaped solar element in such a
manner that the adhesive layer, which is situated on the second
surface of the top frame element and from which the covering had
previously been removed, comes into contact with the top side of
the plate-shaped solar element in its edge region. This means that
an adhesive connection is realized between the top frame element
and the solar element.
[0017] Once the plate-shaped solar element is inserted into the
frame, the bottom side of the plate-shaped solar element is in
contact, in its edge region, with the adhesive layer of the first
adhesive strip and the top side of the solar module is in contact,
in its edge region, with the adhesive layer of the second adhesive
strip.
[0018] The bottom frame element preferably includes an abutment
edge for the plate-shaped solar element, said abutment edge
extending from the first surface in the direction of the second
surface and outwardly defining the gap that is realized between the
first surface and the second surface. The abutment edge makes it
possible to position the solar element on the second surface in a
precise manner.
[0019] In addition, the bottom frame element can include a recess
that is realized on the outside of the frame and orthogonally
relative to the first surface, and the top frame element can have a
portion that can be introduced into the recess obtaining a
positive-locking and/or friction-locking connection, wherein the
portion is realized orthogonally relative to the second surface of
the top frame element and extends from said second surface in the
direction of the bottom frame element. A smooth outside edge of the
frame is obtained in this manner.
[0020] In an expedient manner, both the bottom frame element and
the top frame element are each made up of part elements, wherein
the part elements are interconnected by means of connecting
elements. The plate-shaped solar element is typically rectangular
such that the bottom and the top frame element are each made up of
four part elements, adjacent part elements of the respective frame
element being positioned at right angles one to another. The part
elements are preferably profiled elements that have profiled hollow
spaces. Connecting elements, for example commercially available
corner joints that can be inserted in a positive-locking manner
into the profiled hollow spaces, are provided for connecting
adjacent part elements. The contour of the first surface of the
bottom frame element and the contour of the second surface of the
top frame element consequently correspond to the edge region of the
solar element. The profiled elements are preferably
pre-manufactured profiled elements that have been mitred and cut to
predetermined lengths, which means that assembling the frame is
very simple. In addition, all the necessary bores, such, for
example, as are necessary for mounting a solar module on buildings
and structures, are already admitted into the two frame elements.
The mounting of the self-adhesive finish, in particular the two
adhesive strips, can be effected in an automated procedure.
[0021] Between the bottom frame element and the top frame element
there can be a drainage channel to drain off water. The bottom side
of the drainage channel is preferably formed by a groove, which is
realized in a region of the first surface of the bottom frame
element that is not covered by the first double-sided adhesive
strip and is at a spacing from the same in the direction of the
outside edge of the frame. The drainage channel has two essential
functions: on the one hand, to compensate for various expansions of
the components in the event of fluctuating temperatures and, on the
other hand, where necessary, to drain off any penetrating moisture.
In addition, drainage bores can be realized in the bottom frame
element and/or in the top frame element.
[0022] The use of the frame according to the invention for
producing a solar module is also provided according to the
invention. The solar module is assembled as follows: Once the
bottom frame element has been assembled from the part elements, the
covering of the first adhesive strip is removed and the solar
element is placed from above onto the first surface. The correct,
reproducible positioning is preferably effected by means of the
abutment edge, which ensures that the solar element is not stuck
down to the bottom frame element in the wrong position. The
pre-assembled top frame element is then pushed from above onto the
bottom frame with the solar element. In this case too, the covering
of the second adhesive strip had also been removed first of
all.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0023] The invention is described in more detail below by way of
drawings, in which:
[0024] FIG. 1a is a sectional representation of a part element of
the top frame element in accordance with a first specific
embodiment of the frame according to the invention;
[0025] FIG. 1b is a sectional representation of a part element of
the bottom frame element in accordance with the first specific
embodiment of the frame according to the invention;
[0026] FIG. 1c is a sectional representation of the bottom and of
the top frame element in accordance with the first specific
embodiment together with the solar element after the assembly
forming the solar module;
[0027] FIG. 2a is a sectional representation of a part element of
the top frame element in accordance with a second specific
embodiment of the frame according to the invention;
[0028] FIG. 2b is a sectional representation of a part element of
the bottom frame element in accordance with the second specific
embodiment of the frame according to the invention;
[0029] FIG. 2c is a sectional representation of the bottom and of
the top frame element in accordance with the second specific
embodiment together with the solar element after the assembly
forming the solar module;
[0030] FIG. 3a is a sectional representation of a part element of
the top frame element in accordance with a third specific
embodiment of the frame according to the invention;
[0031] FIG. 3b is a sectional representation of a part element of
the bottom frame element in accordance with the third specific
embodiment of the frame according to the invention;
[0032] FIG. 3c is a sectional representation of the bottom and of
the top frame element in accordance with the third specific
embodiment together with the solar element after the assembly
forming the solar module;
[0033] FIG. 4a is a sectional representation of a part element of
the top frame element in accordance with a fourth specific
embodiment of the frame according to the invention;
[0034] FIG. 4b is a sectional representation of a part element of
the bottom frame element in accordance with the fourth specific
embodiment of the frame according to the invention;
[0035] FIG. 4c is a sectional representation of the bottom and of
the top frame element in accordance with the fourth specific
embodiment together with the solar element after the assembly
forming the solar module; and
[0036] FIG. 5 is a top view of the solar module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] FIG. 1a shows the top frame element 11 of a first specific
embodiment of the frame according to the invention. The top frame
element 11 has an angular cross-section, the second surface 14,
which is provided with an adhesive strip 3, being realized on the
bottom side of the first portion 12. The second portion 15, which
abuts against an end face of the first portion 12, is realized
orthogonally relative to the first portion 12. When the frame has
been assembled, the second portion 15 rests on the outside 22 of
the bottom frame element 21.
[0038] The bottom frame element 21 (FIG. 1b) has a first surface
24, which is provided with an adhesive strip 23. The top frame
element 21 also includes a hollow space 25, into which corner
joints (not shown) can be inserted in a positive-locking manner in
order to interconnect several bottom frame elements 21.
[0039] FIG. 1c shows the frame mounted on the plate-shaped solar
element 31. It is clear that the bottom side of the solar element
31 rests, in its edge region, on the adhesive strip 23 that is
situated on the first surface 24 of the bottom frame element 21,
the bottom side of the solar module 31 thereby being stuck to the
bottom frame element 21. The top frame element 11 is stuck, in its
edge region, to the top side of the solar module 31 by means of the
adhesive strip 13 that is situated on the second surface 14, such
that the second portion 15 of the top frame element 11 abuts
against the outside 22 of the bottom frame element 21.
[0040] FIGS. 2a to 2c show a second specific embodiment of the
frame according to the invention, which is extensively similar to
the first specific embodiment. Additionally, there is a recess 26
provided in the upper region of the outside 22 of the bottom frame
element 21 that abuts against the first surface 24. The recess 26
is dimensioned such that it can accommodate the second portion 15
of the top frame element 11. A stepless outside edge of the frame
is obtained in this manner. The remaining references have the same
meaning as in FIGS. 1a to 1c. By the bottom frame element 21 having
the recess 26 realized on the outside of the frame and orthogonally
relative to the first surface 24, a positive-locking and/or
friction-locking connection is created. This friction-locking
connection can also be obtained by means of a snap-type or
locking-type connection, for example, if, in place of the recess 26
on the frame element 21, a groove is realized, in which a bead-like
section on the portion 15 engages, locks or snaps, the portion
preferably having to be developed in a resilient-elastic
manner.
[0041] With the third specific embodiment of the frame according to
the invention, shown in FIGS. 3a to 3c, in addition to the features
of the second specific embodiment (see FIGS. 2a to 2c), a web 27 is
provided on the bottom frame element 21, said web extending from
the first surface 24 of the bottom frame element 21 in the
direction of the second surface 14 and outwardly defining the gap
that is realized between the first surface 24 and the second
surface 14. The web 27 forms an abutment edge for the plate-shaped
solar element 31. The outside of the web 27 and the outside 22 of
the bottom frame element 21 are situated in the region of the
recess 26 preferably in one plane. The remaining references have
the same meaning as in FIGS. 2a to 2c.
[0042] FIGS. 4a to 4c show a fourth specific embodiment of the
frame according to the invention, where both the bottom frame
element 21 (as in the first three specific embodiments represented)
and the top frame element 11 are realized as hollow profiles. This
makes it possible to connect a plurality of top frame elements 11
by means of positive-locking corner joints (not shown) that are
inserted into the hollow spaces 16 of the top frame element 11. The
hollow space 16 is obtained by a web 17 being realized extending
parallel to the second portion 15 and at a spacing from the second
portion 15 in the direction of the second surface 14. The web 17,
which is shorter than the second portion 15, begins on the bottom
side of the first portion 12 and opens out in another web 18, which
extends parallel to the first portion 18, but is shorter than said
first portion. The additional web 18 begins on the inside of the
portion 15 and ends in the web 17.
[0043] Deviating from the first three specific embodiments
represented, the recess 26 of the bottom frame element 21 is
dimensioned such that it only accommodates that part of the second
portion 15 that is situated below the bottom side of the web 18.
The bottom frame element 21 also has a recess 29, which is defined
downwards by a surface 24' that is realized on the side of the web
27 that is remote from the first surface 24. Surface 24 and surface
24' are preferably situated in one plane. The extension of the
surface 24 from the web 27 in the direction of the outside of the
frame in this case corresponds to the length of the web 18 of the
top frame element 11. The length of the web 17 of the top frame
element is smaller than or equal to the length of the web 27, such
that the recess 29 is filled out by the edges of the top frame
element that define the opening 18. The web 27 must not contact the
surface of the web 14. The clearance established by the air gap 40
is defined by the length of the portion 15, it also being possible
for an air gap to be realized between the webs 28' and 17' (FIG.
4c). The outsides of the web 27 are aligned relative to inside wall
28 of the bottom frame element. A drainage channel can be realized
in the region A. Drainage bores can be provided in the region B.
The remaining references have the same meaning as in FIGS. 3a to
3c.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a top view of a solar module that shows a frame
according to the invention. It is clear that the top frame element
is made up of four part elements 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d. The bottom
frame element is also made up of four part elements (not
shown).
* * * * *