US20080223432A1

US20080223432A1 - Fixing frame for a solar energy module

Info

Publication number: US20080223432A1
Application number: US11/686,374
Authority: US
Inventors: Chang Chi Lee
Original assignee: Jin Hsin Ho Mold Enterprise Co Ltd
Current assignee: Jin Hsin Ho Mold Enterprise Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-03-15
Filing date: 2007-03-15
Publication date: 2008-09-18

Abstract

A fixing frame for a solar energy module includes a frame body having inserting grooves for a supporting board and a locking chute for a solar panel, wherein the locking chute contains locking flanges. An I-shaped supporting board is installed into the inserting grooves of the frame body so that it can efficiently resist external forces. During assembly, the solar panel is inserted into the locking chute of the frame body and its top edge and bottom edge are secured by the locking flanges of the chute to ensure stability and high force resistance.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing frame for a solar energy module. More particularly, the present invention relates to a frame that securely holds a solar panel.
2. Description of Related Art
A conventional fixing frame for a solar module as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 comprises a frame 50 having a supporting board 51 welded into place; a U-shaped chute 52 is located in the lower portion of the frame 50 and allows a solar panel 30 to be inserted into the chute 52 and fixed in the chute 52. Although the aforesaid frame accomplishes the function of fixing the solar module, it still has some improvable defects, such as:
1. Poor stability: The solar panel is fixed in the U-shape chute, and therefore there a minor interstice exists between the panel and the chute, resulting in instability.
2. Poor force resistance: The supporting board is fixed into the frame via a welding method, and thus when the frame is under stress, of either pulling forces or pressing forces, the supporting board will be broken at the welding points as a result of weakness in those areas.
The present invention is intended to improve upon the above mentioned drawbacks of the conventional fixing frame for the solar module. The present invention provides improvements so as to solve the problems of bad stability and poor force resistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the present invention is a fixing frame for a solar energy module, particularly for an aluminum alloy solar energy module, comprising: a frame body having inserting grooves for a supporting board and a locking chute for a solar panel wherein the locking chute contains the locking flanges. An I-shaped supporting board is installed into the inserting grooves of the frame body so that it can efficiently resist external forces. During assembly, the solar panel is inserted into the locking chute of the frame body and its top edge and bottom edge are held by the locking flanges of the chute. In addition, the frame body and the I-shaped supporting board are made of a high strength aluminum alloy which ensures stability and high force resistance.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying diagrams.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the assembled frame of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a segmented view schematically showing the assembled frame of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the assembled frame of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically showing the practical use of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a segmented view of the conventional fixing frame for a solar energy module; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional fixing frame for a solar energy module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While this invention is capable of embodiment in many different forms, shown in the drawings and herein described in detail is the preferred embodiment of the invention. The preferred embodiment is disclosed with the understanding that the present description is but one example of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the single embodiment illustrated.
FIGS. 1 to 3 are perspective, segmented perspective and sectional views schematically showing a fixing frame for a solar energy module of the present invention.
The frame comprises:
a frame body 10 having inserting grooves 11 and a locking chute 12, wherein the locking chute 12 contains the locking flanges 120;
an I-shaped supporting board 20 that is installed by sliding into the inserting grooves 11 of the frame body 10; and
the frame body 10 and the I-shaped supporting board 20 are made of a high-strength aluminum alloy (aluminum alloy designations: 7050, 7075, 7150, 7175 and 7475, as per the 4-digit alloy designation system developed by the Aluminum Association “AA”).
In light of the structural description stated above, the present invention achieves the function of a high strength aluminum alloy frame for the solar energy module.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 are a segmented and perspective view, respectively, schematically showing a fixing frame for a solar energy module of the present invention. During assembly, the solar panel 30 is inserted into the locking chute 12 of the frame body 10 and its top edge and bottom edge are secured by the locking flanges 120 of the chute 12. In addition, there are multiple fastener receiving apertures 13 installed on the outer plate of the frame body 10; when the four segments of the frame body 10 have assembled as a frame, a fastener 40 can be fastened into said apertures 13 so that the frame becomes fixed.
Although numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, this disclosure is one example only, and changes may be made with regard to specific details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the invention to the full extent indicated by the general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A fixing frame for a solar energy module, wherein the frame is made of a high strength aluminum alloy.

2. A fixing frame for a solar energy module, comprising:

a frame body having inserting grooves and a locking chute, wherein the locking chute contains locking flanges;

an I-shaped supporting board is installed by gliding into the inserting grooves of the frame body; and

the frame body and the I-shaped supporting board are made of a high strength aluminum alloy.

3. A frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein the aluminum alloy designation is 7050.

4. A frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein the aluminum alloy designation is 7075.

5. A frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein the aluminum alloy designation is 7150.

6. A frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein the aluminum alloy designation is 7175.

7. A frame as claimed in claim 2, wherein the aluminum alloy designation is 7475.