WO2012022282A2 - Edge protection element for arranging frameless pv modules - Google Patents

Abstract

The edge protection element for arranging frameless PV modules on a supporting structure (3) is elastically designed and includes a lower section (7) to protect a lower side (4) of the edge (2), a lateral section (8) to protect a front side (5) of the edge (2), and an upper section (9) to protect an upper side (6) of the edge (2). The edge protection element further includes an integrated joint (10), by means of which the upper section (9) is pivotally arranged on the lateral section (8). The upper section (9) is prepositioned in an open position in which the opening is wider than it is in a position in which the upper section (9) runs parallel to the lower section (7).

Description

 description

 Edge protection element for the arrangement of unframed PV modules

The invention relates to an edge protection element, as provided for protecting an edge of an unframed PV module in its arrangement on a support structure.

Photovoltaic modules or short PV modules are usually mounted on support structures by means of clamping bodies. Such clamp bodies are braced against the support structure and grasp the PV modules on opposite edges. Usually four clamping bodies per PV module are provided, wherein adjacent PV modules can be fastened together by means of so-called middle clamps.

As a rule, PV modules have a glass pane at least on their upper side. This is unprotected at the edges of unframed PV modules, unlike framed PV modules. To attach unframed PV modules therefore elastic edge protection elements are expedient, which are each arranged between the PV module and the aforementioned clamping bodies and / or the support structure. Such clamp body and edge protection elements are known inter alia from US 2003/0070368 A1.

The assembly of unframed PV modules with the known edge protection elements is time-consuming, especially for large photovoltaic systems. In addition, the thousandfold accurate insertion of PV modules in prefixed clamp body or in the edge protection elements arranged therein can be very tedious in the long term. The same applies if such edge protection elements are aufzustecken in advance on the edges, and then the PV module is to be accurately introduced together with these in the clamp body.

The object of the invention is to develop an edge protection element with which the arrangement of unframed PV modules on a support structure is simplified.

The object is achieved with the edge protection element according to claim 1. Accordingly, this is elastic and provided to protect an edge of an unframed PV module when placed on a support structure. As a border, below

CONFIRMATION COPY Three-sided, that is, a lower, a front and a top comprehensive straight edge region of a flat plate-like object understood, which can also be referred to as edge in the general sense. A rectangular PV module accordingly has exactly four such edges or edges. As is typical for the arrangement of PV modules, the support structure may be designed in particular as a mounting rail.

The edge protector includes a lower portion for protecting the underside of the rim, a side portion for protecting the end of the rim, and an upper portion for protecting the top of the rim. Here, the lower portion act as a protective pad between the edge and the support structure. The upper section can be used as a protective pad between the edge and a Befestigungsmitte! act, in particular a rigid clamping body as provided for holding down the upper portion against the edge. In order to save space, the lower and upper portions are preferably made flat in the manner of a covering. To improve the retention properties and to more easily compensate for tolerances, nubs or ribs or other shapes may also be provided on the lower and / or upper portion. The lateral portion of the edge protection element can act as a lateral border for the edge. Here, the edge may rest with its front side on the side portion. However, it may also be expedient if a gap is provided between the end face and the lateral section, in particular to compensate assembly tolerances and / or to leave room for thermal expansion and / or to facilitate the insertion of the edge into the edge protection element. The lateral portion may be made flat as well as the lower and upper portions.

Particularly characteristic of the edge protection element according to the invention is that it contains an integrated joint, by means of which the upper portion is pivotally mounted on the lateral portion. The joint is therefore an integral part of the edge protection element and allows a defined pivotal movement of the upper portion relative to the lateral portion can be carried out with preferably only a small amount of force.

In addition, it is essential that the upper portion is prepositioned in an open position with respect to a position of the upper portion parallel to the lower portion is open further. The parallel to the lower portion imaginary parallel position, the upper section usually takes in the final assembly state, if the bottom and top of the edge are parallel to each other. The relative to this parallel position further upwardly open position of the upper portion facilitates during assembly substantially the insertion of the edge in the edge protection element. Therefore, unlike the prior art, accurate insertion or insertion is not required when the PV module is inserted into the edge protection element. It is also advantageous that the upper section is pre-positioned in its open position, in particular by suitable shaping in the production of the edge protection element. For this purpose, the joint is preferably designed in such a way that it prevents a gravity-induced movement of the upper region.

For further assembly, the upper portion of its initial further open position with little effort, for example, with a fingertip, with a tool or with a known from the prior art rigid clamping body can be actuated. In this case, the upper portion is pivoted down in a less open position in the direction of the lower portion or with an inserted edge in the direction of the upper side of the edge. Thus, the edge protection element according to the invention allows a very ergonomic method of assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the edge protection element has an integrated transmission means for pivoting down the upper region, this transmission means being designed for actuation by means of the edge. Such a transfer means may transfer the movement of the edge in a downward rotation of the upper portion about a pivot axis of the joint at an insertion of the edge in the edge protection element. Downward pivoting in this context means pivoting the upper portion from its open position closer to the position parallel to the lower portion. If necessary, this positive pivotal movement can already end before the upper section rests on the upper side of the edge, in particular if a gap is provided between the front side of the edge and the lateral section. It is essential that the transfer means by means of the edge to be protected when inserting in the corner region between the lower and lateral section is actuated. As a result, the actuation of the transmission means and as a result of the downward pivoting of the upper region already takes place merely by inserting the edge into the edge protection element. This simplifies and speeds up the assembly of the edge protection element. In addition, the edge is after pasting into the Edge protection element already protected on three sides, so that subsequent assembly steps with less care and thus can be performed faster. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the transmission medium is designed alternatively or optionally for actuation by means of a clamping body.

As a transfer means, a thin flap may be provided, which is stretched transversely between the lower and the upper portion and is folded when inserting the edge, while the upper section pulls down pivots. However, it is particularly preferred if the transmission means is at least one lever element, which is arranged at an angle to the upper portion. It is expedient if the at least one lever element is arranged at an angle at the upper portion in or near a pivot axis of the joint. Thus, the movement of the edge during insertion can be advantageously transferred into a rotational movement of the upper portion.

The open position of the upper portion preferably allows free insertion of the edge to the lateral and lower portions from laterally oblique and / or from above. In order to ensure unimpeded access to the corner region formed from the lateral and lower sections, the upper section is preferably set at least 10 ° to 90 ° relative to the parallel position upwards and accordingly opened further. In this way, the edge can be inserted laterally obliquely, for example at an angle of 30 ° relative to the lower portion in the edge protection element without hindrance. When inserted from above vertically, an opening angle of about 90 ° or more is particularly useful.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment it is provided that the integrated joint is a flexible strip. Such joints are also known by the term film hinge and accordingly have a linear joint shape. The flexible strip may consist of a much less rigid material as the lateral and upper section. Preferably, however, the flexible strip is made of a comparable or the same material but is made significantly thinner than the lateral and upper portions.

It is particularly advantageous if the flexible strip is dimensioned such that the distance between the lower portion and the upper portion with respect to its lower portion parallel position is variable. For this purpose, the flexible strip is preferably made wider or higher than is absolutely necessary for the mere pivoting movement. Depending on where the flexible strip is then kinked, it is thus possible to achieve different parallel distances between the upper and lower sections, in particular in a range between 5 and 8 mm. In this way, the edge protection element can accommodate unframed PV modules with the most common heights.

In a specific embodiment, it is conceivable that the flexible strip is not rectilinear, but is curved lengthwise, in particular circular arc. Such a curvature causes the upper portion to move down automatically when actuated beyond a certain position, as is known in principle from DE 297 19 637 U1 for covers of standing folders. Characteristic of such a curved strip is that the lateral and / or upper section urge, upon actuation of the upper region, to buckle.

Preferably, the edge protection element has at least one integrated holding means, with which the edge protection element can be fixed to a support structure. Such a holding means may be in a very simple case an inner corner, which cooperates with an outer corner of the support structure, so that the edge protection element is fixed at least in one direction against the support structure. Preferably, the edge protection element on the support structure by means of the holding means in opposite directions can be fixed, in particular in and against the Hangabtriebsrichtung an oblique arrangement. The holding means can also be elastic as part of the edge protection element.

The at least one integrated holding means is preferably adapted to engage with the support structure. For this purpose, the Haltemitte! be designed as engagement means, in particular in the manner of a pin or a web, which can be pressed or inserted into an opening in the support structure. It may be particularly advantageous if the holding means can cooperate for engagement with an existing in the support structure already undercut groove. To intervene, it may be expedient if the holding means provided with joining collars and / or self-locking in the manner of a snap hook executed. It is also preferred if the edge protection element is held secure by means of the holding means on the support structure. In this way, the edge protection element can still be mounted on the floor on one side Rail are then set, which is then finally mounted on a roof or an elevation.

In a particularly practical double-sided embodiment of the edge protection element, a first edge protection area is provided, to which the lower section, the lateral section, the upper section and the transmission means are assigned, wherein the edge protection element for protecting a further edge of a second PV module has a second such edge protection zone contains. It is also essential that the first and the second edge protection area are arranged opposite to each other. With such an edge protection element, the opposing edges of two adjacent PV modules can be encompassed or protected. The two edge protection areas are aligned mirror-inverted and otherwise preferably identical. Such an edge protection element is particularly suitable for so-called middle clamps.

In a preferred embodiment, the edge protection element may comprise a rear portion on the back of the side portion. The back section can be made similarly flat as the section below. If the edge protection element has a first and a second edge protection area as described above, the edge protection element may comprise a middle section instead of the rear section between the first and the second edge protection area. In both cases, it is particularly preferred if the rear or central portion for the determination of the edge protection element is provided on a support structure and / or cooperates with a clamping device for holding down the upper portion. In particular, an opening for passing through fastening means may be contained in the rear or middle section. In addition, it is particularly preferred if the rear or the middle section has the at least one integrated holding means. This may preferably be arranged on the underside of the rear or middle section.

The invention also relates to a method for actuating the upper portion of the edge protection element. If, as described above, the edge protection element has a transmission means for actuating the upper section, the actuation is preferably carried out by inserting the edge of an unframed PV element during insertion of the edge. Module in the edge protection element, the transmission means actuated by means of the edge and thereby the upper portion is pivoted downwards.

A fitter can insert the PV module or its edge into the edge protection element in various ways: In a first variant, the edge is inserted essentially by a downward movement of the PV module perpendicular to the lower section. In a second and preferred variant, the insertion of the edge is characterized essentially by an oblique lateral movement of the PV module and a simultaneous or subsequent downward pivoting of the PV module. In the latter case, it is advantageous if the downward pivoting takes place about a second edge of the same PV module that is opposite the edge to be inserted. In both variants, a first edge protection element can be actuated particularly advantageously by means of the edge, and a second edge protection element can be actuated by means of a second edge of the same PV module opposite the edge.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement with an edge protection element according to the invention and / or an arrangement which has been obtained according to a method mentioned above, wherein the edge protection element is fixed on a support structure. If the support structure is a support rail with a groove, the edge protection element can be fixed in particular transversely to the latter and be longitudinally displaceable. Preferably, the edge protection means and the support structure are engaged with each other by means of the integrated holding means. The edge protection element can at the same time be held secure on the support structure, so that it is easily possible to pre-assemble at least one, but preferably a plurality of edge protection elements on the support structure and then to arrange these common with the support structure fixed on a roof or an uprising.

In addition, it can be provided that the upper portion is pivoted downwards and is arranged in the edge protection element, the edge of an unframed PV module between the lower and the upper portion. In a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the support structure is arranged obliquely, wherein the PV module is secured by means of the lateral portion against downgrade. As a result, a PV module can be pre-positioned in a simple manner on the oblique support structure.

For this purpose, the lateral section of the edge protection element is preferably made dimensionally stable in such a way that it also retains the slope-down force of such a PV module in the case of a Can withstand inclination of more than 30 °. For this purpose, it is possible to connect the lower and upper sections comparatively rigidly with one another, in particular by providing a corresponding material thickness in the connection area. In this way, a stable corner region can be formed from the lower and lateral section, which avoids a buckling of the lateral area when loaded by the end face of the edge.

In addition, the assembly in a further assembly step may comprise a rigid clamping body which is clamped by means of clamping means against the support structure and thereby holds down the upper portion of the edge protection member against the top of the edge. In this case, the rigid clamping body can rest on the edge protection element and / or its distance to the support structure by means of a rigid distance means fixed. In this way, the clamping body can press the upper portion against the top of the edge with a defined clamping force.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to several embodiments. It

Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 three side views of an arrangement in different positions and with a double-sided edge protection element in half section

 FIGS. 4 to 8 show five views of the edge protection element according to FIGS. 1 to 3, FIGS. 9 and 10 show two side views of the arrangement according to FIG

 Fasteners in different positions

 Fig. 11 and Fig. 2 are two side views of the edge protection element according to FIG. 1 to

 Fig. 3 with PV modules of different heights

 13 is a side view of an arrangement as shown in FIG. 3 additionally with a

 shim

 14 is an overview perspective with arrangement according to FIG. 1

 FIGS. 15 and 16 show two side views of an arrangement such as FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 with one-sided edge protection element

 Fig. 17 to Fig. 19 are three side views of a diagonal order with

 Edge protection elements according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 15 and

PV modules in different positions Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 show side views of an arrangement with an edge protection element according to the invention for unframed PV modules. The edge protection element to be recognized in half section is designed to be elastic and to protect the edge 2 of an unframed PV module 1 when arranged on a support structure 3. The unframed PV module 1 can be seen on the right in the drawing and only partially shown. It is, as usual, of flat rectangular shape and, not further apparent, has a total of four straight edges, which may also be referred to as edges in the general sense.

The edge protection element is made of a weather-resistant rubber material, in particular of an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) or comparable material. EPDM has proven to be particularly suitable for outdoor applications because of its UV resistance. Suitable manufacturing methods are compression methods with integrated vulcanization and in particular thermal injection methods or injection molding methods,

The edge protection element is additionally shown separately in FIGS. 4 to 8 in different views. There it can be seen that the edge protection element represents exactly one object, so it is made in one piece. It is also made homogeneous in terms of its elastic material. But it is also possible to firmly integrate in the edge protection element further elements made of a different material, in particular metal elements for stiffening. It is also conceivable to provide such elements as a fixed part of the edge protection element outside.

As can be seen in particular in Fig. 1, the edge protection element has a lower portion 7 for protecting the bottom 4 of the edge 2, a lateral portion 8 for protecting the end face 5 of the edge 2 and an upper portion 9 for protecting the top 6 of the edge 2 on. The underside 4 and upper side 6 of the edge 2 are usually parallel to each other and away from each other and approximately at right angles to the end face 5. The lower portion 7 may act as a protective pad between the edge 2 and the support structure 3. The upper portion 9 can act accordingly as a protective support between the edge 2 and a clamping body, as can be seen in Fig. 9 and will be described below. To save space, the lower section 7 and upper section 9 is made flat. Thus, the lower portion 7 has a material thickness of about 4 mm and the upper portion 9 has a material thickness of about 3 mm. The lateral Section 8 can act as a lateral border for the edge 2 and thus block the escape of a fully inserted PV module 1 perpendicular to the end face 5. The lateral portion 8 is designed as the upper portion 9 with a material thickness of about 3 mm comparatively narrow.

For clarification it should also be noted that the edge 2 is not protected in its full length by the sections 7, 8, 9, but only a portion of the edge. Thus, the side length of the edge 2 may be, for example, 80 cm, whereas the edge protection element preferably has only a length between 6 and 15 cm. Usually, therefore, two to three edge protectors are used for a straight edge of the PV module. Fig. 14 illustrates the relationships.

Particularly characteristic of the edge protection element is that it contains an integrated joint 10, by means of which the upper portion 9 is pivotally mounted on the lateral portion 8. This pivoting mobility of the upper section 9 can be clearly seen on the basis of the different assembly states in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The integrated joint 10 is designed as a flexible strip. This connects the upper portion 9 with the side portion 8 and is made many times thinner than the upper and side portions 9 and 8, approximately by a factor of 10. The low material thickness of the hinge 10 and the flexible strip allows a defined pivoting movement of the upper portion 9 relative to the lateral portion 8 can be performed with relatively little effort. It is essential that the edge protection element is made of the elastic material homogeneous. Accordingly, the flexible strip has, due to its thin material thickness alone, a much lower bending stiffness than the lateral and upper sections 8 and 9. Because of this greatly differing deformability, the desired pivoting mobility of the upper section 9 relative to the lateral section 8 is achieved. The material thickness of the joint 10 or of the flexible strip is preferably only a few tenths of a millimeter,

The edge protection element also includes an integrated transfer means for pivoting down the upper portion 9, the transfer means being advantageously designed for actuation by means of the edge 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the transmission means in this embodiment is by means of two lever elements 11a and 11b, which are arranged at the upper portion 9 at an angle. These lever elements 11a and 11b are provided on the two narrow sides of the upper portion 9 and project from this approximately at right angles. In addition, it can be seen that the lever elements 11a and 11b are provided there in the region of the pivot axis of the joint 10. In this way, a predominantly translational movement of the edge 2 when inserted into the edge protection elements can advantageously be transmitted or converted into downward rotational movement of the upper section 9. Since the upper portion 9 protrudes on its narrow sides over the lateral and the lower portion 8 ₍ 7, the lever members 11a, 11b are freely downwardly pivotable about the pivot axis of the hinge 10 without being obstructed by the lateral portion 8 and / or lower portion 7 When the upper section 9 has reached a position parallel to the lower section 7, the lever elements 11a and 11b are aligned with the lateral section 8, as can be seen in FIG.

Characteristic of the edge protection element is further that the upper portion 9 is prepositioned in an open position, which is further opened with respect to a parallel to the lower portion 7 position of the upper portion 9 upwards. In the apparent from Fig. 1 open position of the upper portion 9 of this opposite his from Fig. 3 apparent and parallel to the lower portion 7 position is made approximately at right angles. The upper section 9 and the lateral section 8 form, as in FIG. 1 and in FIGS. 4 to 8, approximately one plane.

The pre-positioning of the upper portion 9 in the open position is achieved during manufacture by suitable shaping of the joint 10. The edge protection element is for this purpose preferably produced in the form shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8. It is essential that the open position of the upper portion 9 allows free insertion of the edge 2 to the lateral and lower portions 7 and 8 from the side obliquely and / or from above. For safe temporary maintenance of the open position, the upper and side portions 9 and 8 are not shown in the back of the hinge 10 with thin lobes connected, which are stretched in Abwärtsschenken the upper portion 9 and possibly tear. This provisional maintenance of the open position is particularly helpful for packaging as well as when setting the edge protection element on the support structure 3. As can be clearly seen in the assembly sequence FIGS. 1 to 3, the PV module 1 with the edge 2 advancing is first inserted obliquely from the side into the edge protection element at an angle of approximately 30 °. With progressive insertion of the edge 2 in the edge protection element, the lever elements 11a and 11b are actuated by the edge 2. The lever elements 11a and 11b act as a transfer agent on the upper portion 9, whereby the upper portion 9 is pivoted downward during insertion of the edge 2. In this case, the lever elements 11a and 11b start from a starting position parallel to the lower section according to FIG. 1 and into a vertical end position according to FIG. 3, in which they are positioned next to the lateral section 7 and aligned therewith. In the parallel or fully closed position of the upper portion 9 of FIG. 3, the edge 2 is then protected on three sides. Here, the parallel distance between the lower portion 7 and the upper portion 9 is equal to the height of the rim 2.

1 to 8 that the edge protection element is designed to protect a further edge 2 'of a second unframed PV module 1' 'on both sides, the second PV module 1' to be seen on the left in the drawing is like the first one The edge protection element therefore contains on the right side a first edge protection area to which the lower section 7, the lateral section 8, the upper section 9 and the two lever elements 11a and 11b are assigned, and on the left side it contains a second edge protection area Like the first edge protection area, the second edge protection area therefore comprises a lower section 7 ', a lateral section 8', an upper section 9 'and two lever elements 11a' and 11b ', wherein the lever elements 11a' and 11b 'are also provided as transfer means The only significant difference between the first and the second second edge protection area is that they are arranged opposite or mirror symmetry. The associated axis of symmetry can be seen in phantom in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The unframed PV module 1 'on the left side is already inserted into the second edge protection area in all three assembly states according to FIGS. 1 to 3. In contrast to the first edge nschutzbereich where the end face 5 of the edge 2 is applied directly to the side portion 8, a gap is provided between the end face of the edge 2 'and the lateral portion 9'. This gap can be provided to compensate for mounting tolerances and thermally induced expansions of the PV module 1 'and also facilitate the insertion of the edge 2. Nevertheless, the front side of the edge 2 'by means of lateral section 9 'already protected. Another difference can be seen in the position of the upper sections 9 and 9 'and the lever elements 11art> and 11a7b'. Thus, the inevitable pivotal movement by means of the lever elements 11a '/ b' already before a parallel resting of the upper portion 9 'on the upper side 6' of the edge 2 'ends, so that the upper portion 9' is opposite to upper side 6 'still made angled flat.

The edge protection element according to FIGS. 1 to 8 additionally comprises two elastic retaining means 14, with which it can be fixed to a support structure. The holding means 14 are designed in the manner of pins and therefore suitable to engage with a support structure. It can thus be seen in the arrangement according to FIGS. 1 to 3 how the edge protection element is fixed on the support structure 3 designed as a support rail by means of the retaining means 14. In this case, the edge protection element lies with the lower sides of the lower sections 9 and 9 'on the flat upper side of the support structure 3. In addition, the support structure 3 and the edge protection element by means of the holding means 14 are engaged with each other in such a way that the edge protection element is secured transversely to the support structure 3, along the support structure 3, however, is still displaced. For this purpose, a groove 15 is provided in the support structure 3, in which the edge protection element is inserted and fixed by means of its holding means 14. The groove 15 is also undercut and at the same time for the attachment further components provided, in particular for the fasteners of FIG. 9 and FIG 10. It is also seen that the holding means 14, the groove 15 slightly engage behind for a secure fit.

Finally, the edge protection element according to FIGS. 1 to 8 has, between the first and second edge protection area, a middle section 16 which is provided for fixing the edge protection element on the support structure 3. Thus, the above-described holding means 14 are arranged at this middle portion 16 on its underside. In addition, the central portion 16 acts as a support for a clamping body described below. As can be seen in particular in Fig. 8, the central portion 16 also includes an opening 17 which is provided for passing a screw or other fastening means.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the arrangement according to FIG. 3 with further fastening means. These include a rigid clamp body 20, a screw 21 and a nut 22. In the final assembled state of FIG. 10, the screw 21 passes through an opening in the Clamping body 20 and projects into the undercut groove 15 of the support rail designed as a support structure 3 and is there with the nut 22 in engagement. The nut 22 is received in the groove 15 against rotation and fixed at the top of the opening edges. It is essential that the clamping body 20 in the clamped state according to FIG. 10 suppresses the two upper sections 9 and 9 "of the edge protection element, so that the edges 2 and 2 'between the clamping body 20 and the support rail 3 or between the upper sections 9 and 9'. and the lower portions 7 and 7 "are held with a small clamping force. The clamping body 20 comes here with the central portion 16 of the edge protection element to the plant. In order to achieve an always defined clamping force, it may be advantageous to provide a non-closer spacer element between the clamping body 20 and the support structure 3, for example a sleeve. In addition, it is provided that the clamping body 20 with its two support cheeks 23, the side portions 8 and 8 'blocked against deformation inwards. Otherwise, such deformation could occur with a heavy load on the PV modules, especially in the case of large snow and / or wind loads.

In a variant, not shown, it is possible to dispose the nut 22 according to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 not in the undercut groove 15 but by means of an anchor element outside the groove. Such an anchor element holds the nut outside the groove against rotation and secured axially secured against train and further leads into the groove and engages behind the opening edges of the inside. Such an anchor element preferably has two opposing resilient snap hooks, which can be introduced by means of compression in the groove. The insertion can be facilitated by joining bevels on the outer sides of the snap hooks. In an advantageous variant, such an anchor element can also fulfill the prescribed function of a spacer element by the anchor member not only engages behind the opening edges of the mounting channel from the inside, but also supported from the outside, so that the anchor element is set after insertion up and down ,

11 and 12 illustrate that the flexible strips 10, 10 'of the edge protection element according to FIG. 1 are dimensioned so wide that the distances 13 between the lower sections 7, 7 "and the upper sections 9, 9" in their to the lower sections 7, 7 parallel positions are variable. Thus, in the same edge protection element, as shown in FIG. 11, two unframed PV modules 26, 26 'having a height of about 6 mm or, as shown in FIG. 12, two unframed PV modules 27, 27' with a Height of about 8 mm inserted. Depending on the height of the PV modules or the edges, the flexible strips 10, 10 'are bent at a different location. The width or height of the flexible strip expediently corresponds at least to the height difference to be covered. A height difference of about 3 mm is particularly preferred, since the heights of the currently most common unframed PV modules are between 5 mm and 8 mm. It can also be clearly seen that the lateral sections 8, 8 'are unchanged, and whose height expediently corresponds approximately to the minimum height of 5 mm. Fastening means, as can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10, may have to be adapted to different module heights. It is also possible that only the above-described spacer element is adapted, in particular in combination with an anchor element, whereby the clamping body 20 is universally usable and may no longer stand up on the central portion 16 and its distance from the support structure 3 is predetermined by the spacer element.

FIG. 13 shows that a shim 28 may be provided between the edge protection element and a support structure 29. Such Unterleg plate 28 can be used in particular to widen the support surface, if the support structure 29 as here too narrow for the edge protection element and the inserted edges. In addition, such a Unterleg plate 28 cooperate in an advantageous manner with the above-described spacer means, so that the number vorzuhaltender spacer can be reduced. So it is possible that a spacer sits directly on a shim of the appropriate height. It is also conceivable to stack such Unterlegplatten to achieve a desired distance height.

14 shows an overview of the opposite longitudinal edges 2 and 2 'of the adjacent PV modules 1 and 1'. The detail D1 corresponds approximately to the arrangement according to FIG. 1.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an arrangement with a one-sided edge protection element. In contrast to the edge protection element according to FIG. 1 to. Fig. 8, only one edge protection area is provided. The left-side second edge protection area is missing. The edge protection element is otherwise identical to the edge protection element according to FIG. 1 to FIG. 8, ie it has exactly one lower section 7, one lateral section 8 and one upper section 9. Rear side of the side portion 7, a rear portion 33 is provided, which is similar to the central portion 16 of FIG. Of the Clamping body 35 is designed on one side and is in the final assembly state with one of its outer support cheek 34 'on the mounting rail 3 and with its inner support cheek 34 on the rear portion 33. The clamping body 35 is clamped by means of a screw 32 and a nut 31 with the support structure 3.

17 to 19 illustrate various methods for arranging unframed PV modules by means of the aforementioned edge protection elements and various methods for actuating these edge protection elements. For this purpose, three side views are shown on an oblique arrangement with four mounting rails 3a to 3d. It can also be seen that three unframed PV modules 1a, 1b and 1c are arranged or evenly arranged on the mounting rails 3a to 3d.

The four mounting rails 3a to 3d are spaced parallel to each other and not shown fixed in place, in particular on a pitched roof or an oblique elevation on a terrain. Accordingly, the four mounting rails 3a to 3d form a common inclined plane, as is typical for photovoltaic installations.

Edge protection elements are respectively provided on the mounting rails 3a to 3d, with one-sided edge protection elements according to FIG. 15 and on the intermediate mounting rails 3b and 3c double-sided edge protection elements according to FIG. 1 being arranged on the lowermost and the uppermost mounting rail 3a and 3d. Alternatively, the support rails 3a and 3d may also be referred to as outer and the support rails 3b and 3c as inner of such an oblique arrangement.

As shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 15, the edge protection elements are fixed transversely to the respective support rail 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d by means of their holding means. In the longitudinal direction of the mounting rails 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, the edge protection elements are suitably positioned according to the desired position and the dimensions of the PV modules 1a, 1b and 1c.

Fig. 17 shows a Montageeabfoige, worked in the bottom to top, so first the lowest PV module 1a, then the PV module 1b and finally the PV module 1c is arranged. It can also be seen that the lowermost PV module 1a is already inserted in the edge protection elements on the mounting rails 3a and 3b. Accordingly, the PV module 1a lies with the undersides of its upper and lower edges on the lower sections of these edge protection elements. In addition, the upper portion of the edge protection element on the support rail 3a is already completely closed or to recognize in a parallel position to the lower portion, since the end face of this edge on the lateral portion of this edge protection element is applied directly. The upper portion of the edge protection element on the support rail 3b is barely recognizable still made slightly upwards, because there is provided between the front side of this edge and the lateral portion of this edge protection element, a small gap. Such a gap may be useful to compensate for assembly tolerances and / or to allow thermal elongation and / or to facilitate the insertion process.

The lower PV module 1a according to FIG. 17 is not only inserted in the edge protection elements on the mounting rails 3a and 3b, but also already prefixed. This means that the PV module 1a is provisionally fixed on the mounting rails 3a and 3b only by means of the edge protection elements without further fastening means as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. It is essential that the lower of the two edge protection elements counteracts the downward force of the PV module 1a. For this purpose, the lateral portion of the lower edge protection element is designed dimensionally stable and also dimensionally stable connected to the lower portion. In this way, the PV module 1a is blocked by the side portion against downward slipping obliquely down or secured against downgrade.

The upper PV module 1c according to FIG. 10 is approximated with its upper and lower edges to the edge protection elements on the support rails 3c and 3d straight. It is essential that the insertion of these edges essentially by a down to the lower portions of these edge protection elements downward movement of the PV module 1 c takes place. Continuing this downward movement is followed by a situation as seen in the middle PV module 1b. Thus, the center PV module 1b is shown in an advanced insertion state where its upper and lower edges are inserted into the edge protectors on the support rails 3b and 3c so far that the lever members of both edge protectors are being operated by the edges. Continuing this downward movement, the situation finally follows as it can be seen in the lower PV module 1a. FIG. 18 shows an alternative assembly sequence in which working from top to bottom, ie first the upper PV module 1c, then the middle PV module 1b and finally the lower PV module 1a is arranged. The upper module 1c, like the module 1a according to FIG. 10, has already been inserted into the edge protection elements on the mounting rails 3c and 3d and also pre-fixed, so that it is provisionally secured against slipping in the direction of its downhill force.

As can be seen in the lower PV module 1a according to FIG. 11, the insertion can also be effected essentially by an oblique sideways movement 37 and a simultaneous or subsequent downward pivoting 38 of the PV module 1a. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 2, the PV module 1a is inserted with its lower edge first at first obliquely into the edge protection element on the support rails 3a. In addition, the downward pivoting 38 is expediently carried out just around the lower edge of the PV module 1a opposite the upper edge. Continuation of this downward pivoting is followed by a situation as seen in the middle PV module 1b. Thus, the central PV module 1 b shown in FIG. 11 is shown in an advanced insertion state in which the lower edge in the edge protection element on the support rail 3a as it were completely inserted and the actuation process is almost complete and in which the upper edge just the Transmission means of the edge protection element on the support rails 3c operated.

The sequence of the arrangement of the PV modules 1a, 1b and 1c and the methods for actuating the edge protection elements according to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 can, of course, be chosen differently by a mechanic, in particular also vice versa and / or mixed. For example, the PV module 1a according to FIG. 18 can also be inserted obliquely laterally with its upper edge into the edge protection element of the mounting rail 3b and then be pivoted downwards with the lower edge toward the edge protection element on the mounting rail 3a. However, it is characteristic of the proposed method that a first edge protection element is actuated by means of the one edge and a second edge protection element is actuated by means of the other opposite edge of the same PV module.

Finally, FIG. 19 shows a final assembly state, which follows the situations according to FIGS. 17 and 18. Here all three PV modules 1a, 1b and 1c are finally inserted in the respective edge protection elements. It can also be seen that the Edge protection elements and thus also the PV modules 1a, 1b and 1c as shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 16 by means of Kiemmkörpern and fastening center are fixed in final.

Claims

claims 1. Edge protection element for unframed PV module, elastic and  intended to protect an edge (2) of an unframed PV module (1) when placed on a support structure (3), with a lower portion (7) for protecting a lower surface (4) of the edge (2), with a lateral portion (8) for protecting an end face (5) of the edge (2), and having an upper portion (9) for protecting an upper side (6) of the edge (2), characterized in that the edge protection element comprises an integral hinge (10) by means of which the upper section (9) is pivotably arranged on the lateral section (8), the upper section (9) being pre-positioned in an open position which is relative to a position of the upper section (9) parallel to the lower section (7) is open further. 2. edge protection element according to claim 1, characterized in that the  Edge protection element an integrated transmission means (11 a, 11 b) for  Downward pivoting of the upper portion (9), wherein the transmission means (1 a, 11 b) is designed for actuation by means of the edge (2) and / or for actuation by means of a clamping body. 3. edge protection element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transmission means (11 a, 11 b) at least one lever element (11 a, 11 b), which is arranged at an angle at the upper portion (9). 4. edge protection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized  characterized in that the open position of the upper section (9) permits free insertion of the edge (2) towards the lateral and lower sections (7, 8) from the side obliquely and / or from above. 5. edge protection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized  characterized in that the integrated joint (10) is a flexible strip. 6. edge protection element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flexible strip is dimensioned such that the distance (13) between the lower portion (7) and the upper portion (9) with respect to its lower portion (9) parallel position variable is. 7. edge protection element according to claim 5, characterized in that the flexible strip is curved lengthwise. 8. edge protection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized  in that the edge protection element has an integrated holding means (14) with which the edge protection element can be fixed to a support structure (3). 9. edge protection element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the integrated holding means (14) is adapted to engage with the support structure (3) into engagement. 10. edge protection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized  in that the edge protection element comprises a rear-side section (16) on the rear side of the lateral section (8). 1 1. edge protection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized  characterized in that a first edge protection area is provided to which the lower portion (7), the lateral portion (8), the upper portion (9) and the  Transfer means (11a, 11b) is assigned, and the edge protection element for protecting a further edge (2 ') of a second PV module (1') has a second such edge protection region (7 ', 8', 9 ', 11a', 11b ') contains, and the first and the second edge protection area are arranged opposite. 12. edge protection element according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the edge protection element between the first and second  Edge protection area comprises a central portion (33). 13. edge protection element according to claim 10 or 12, characterized in that in the rear portion (16) or in the central portion (33) an opening (17) for carrying out fastening means (20) is included. 14. edge protection element according to claim 8 and one of claims 10, 12 or 13, characterized in that on the rear side portion (16) or the central portion (33), the integrated holding means (14) is provided. 15. edge protection element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lateral portion (7) is designed dimensionally stable so that it can withstand the slope force of an unframed PV module (1a) at an inclination of at least 30 °. 16. A method for actuating the upper portion of an edge protection element according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 15, characterized in that during the insertion of the edge (2) of an unframed PV module (1) in the edge protection element, the transmission means (11a, 11b) by means the edge (2) is actuated and thereby the upper portion (9) is pivoted downwards. 17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the insertion of the  Edge (2) substantially by a vertical to the lower portion (6)  Downward movement of the PV module (1c) takes place. 18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that the insertion of the  Edge (2) substantially by an oblique sideways movement (37) of the PV module (1 a) and a simultaneous or subsequent downward pivoting (38) of the PV module (1 a) takes place. 19. The method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the downward pivoting about the edge (2) opposite the second edge of the PV module (1 a) takes place. 20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that by means of the edge (2) a first edge protection element and by means of the edge (2) opposite the second edge of the PV module (1) a second  Edge protection element is actuated. 21. Arrangement with an edge protection element according to one of claims 1 to 15 and / or obtained by a method according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the edge protection element is fixed on a support structure (3). 22. Arrangement according to the preceding claim and claim 8, characterized in that the edge protection element and the support structure (3) by means of the holding means (14) engage with each other. 23. An arrangement according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the upper portion (9) is pivoted downward and in the edge protection element between the lower and the upper portion (7, 9) an edge (2) of an unframed PV module (1) is arranged. 24. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support structure (3a _r 3b) and the PV module (1a) are arranged obliquely and the PV module (1a) by means of the lateral portion (7) is secured against downgrade. 25. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a rigid clamping body (20) is provided which is clamped by means of clamping means (21, 22) against the support structure (3) and the upper portion (9) against the upper side (6). of the edge (2) presses. 26. Arrangement according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rigid clamping body (20) rests on the edge protection element and / or its distance from the support structure (3) by means of a rigid Dtstanzmittels fixed.