Patent Publication Number: US-2017353148-A1

Title: Extended photovoltaic module fixture

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to an extended photovoltaic module unit. More particularly, the invention relates to an extended photovoltaic module fixture for installing photovoltaic modules, which allows a plurality of photovoltaic modules to be extended in a folding or sliding manner. 
     Generally, a method of employing solar energy is typically classified into a solar-heat employing method of performing heating and power generation by using water heated by the sun, and a solar-light employing method of electrically operating various kinds of machines and mechanisms by generating electricity using solar light. 
     The solar-light employing method is referred to as photovoltaic generation, and a photovoltaic generating unit is classified into a standalone photovoltaic generating unit and a grid-connected photovoltaic generating unit. 
     The standalone photovoltaic generating unit includes a solar-cell array (solar-cell panel) that is made by coupling a plurality of solar-cell modules composed of solar cells for generating power using solar light, a storage battery that stores power produced from the solar-cell panel, a power control device that controls to store power produced from the solar-cell panel at a constant level in the storage battery or to supply the power to an external load, an inverter that inverts direct current supplied from the storage battery and the power control device into alternating current, and an auxiliary generator. The photovoltaic generation has the following problems: a large installation area is required because of low energy density, and a space for installing a solar-cell panel should be secured because of a limited installation place. 
     In order to secure an area for installing the photovoltaic module, it may be considered to install the module in a place having a lot of sunshine and a wide open area, for example, a water surface of the river, the lake, a reservoir, a dam or the like. In this case, a ship should be used to install the photovoltaic module in the water surface or perform maintenance, so that mobility is undesirably limited. 
     The inventor has proposed a photovoltaic module fixture intended to install the fixture fixing a photovoltaic module on the water or on land as in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2. 
     That is, Patent Document 1 relates to a water photovoltaic module-integrated buoyant body, in which buoyant bodies coupled at top surfaces thereof with photovoltaic cell modules are arranged in a row or from front to back and side to side, and are connected to each other in a water surface of the river, the lake, a reservoir, a dam or the like, and then a buoyant body located at an edge is fixed to a fixing pillar, so that, when a height is variably adjusted depending on a change in water level, the photovoltaic module concentrates solar light while maintaining a float state to generate power, and an interval is maintained by a spacing protrusion formed on the buoyant body, thus preventing the photovoltaic cell module from being shaded. Patent Document 2 relates to a fixing structure for a land photovoltaic module, including a fixture on which a photovoltaic cell module may be obliquely mounted, a support which has on one side thereof a first hole to fixedly come into contact with a side surface of a lower portion of the fixture and has on the other side thereof a second hole to fixedly come into contact with a ground, and an anchor pile which has a predetermined length to pass through the second hole and be laid under the ground. 
     However, the photovoltaic module fixtures of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are problematic in that one photovoltaic module is fixed to one fixture unit, so that an occupied space is limited when a plurality of photovoltaic modules is installed, and an amount of produced power is limited in a single fixture. 
     CITED REFERENCES 
     
         
         Korean Patent No. 10-1339358 (published on Dec. 9, 2013) 
         Korean Patent No. 10-1312027 (published on Sep. 26, 2013) 
       
    
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the related art, and an aspect of the present invention is directed to an extended photovoltaic module fixture, which allows a plurality of photovoltaic modules to be installed to one fixture, and connects respective photovoltaic modules to each other in a folding or sliding manner, thus allowing the photovoltaic modules to be extended. 
     In order to accomplish the object, the present invention provides an extended photovoltaic module fixture, including a main body having a first photovoltaic power generation module fixed on a plurality of support parts protruding upwards from an upper surface thereof, and a third photovoltaic power generation module slidably provided as a drawer type in an accommodation space formed inwards from an outer surface of one side thereof; a hinge part formed at one side of an upper part of the main body; and an auxiliary body having one side rotatably connected to the main body via the hinge part, and having a second photovoltaic power generation module fixed at a module supporting groove of a lower end thereof, wherein the first module and the second module face each other when the auxiliary body is located at an upper side of the main body, and each module is in a power generation state when the auxiliary body rotates around the hinge part and spreads on the main body or when the third module is taken out from the accommodation space. 
     According to the present invention, one side of an upper portion of a fixture is foldably connected to one end of a photovoltaic module, and simultaneously a photovoltaic module is slidably installed in the fixture, thus allowing a plurality of photovoltaic modules to be simultaneously installed in one fixture and to be extended if necessary, therefore facilitating conveyance and installation, minimizing an occupied space, reducing the manufacturing cost of the fixture, and consequently increasing economic efficiency and productivity. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a spread state of an extended photovoltaic module fixture according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a non-spread state of the extended photovoltaic module fixture according to the present invention 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the extended photovoltaic module fixture according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating essential parts of the extended photovoltaic module fixture according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a connected and installed state of the extended photovoltaic module fixture according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a photovoltaic module (third module) according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an extended photovoltaic module fixture according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a non-spread state of the extended photovoltaic module fixture according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a view illustrating a structure of an extended photovoltaic module fixture according to a further embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, since the embodiments merely aid in understanding the present invention, they are not intended to limit the present invention. A detailed description of technology that is obvious to those skilled in the art or is readily obtained will be omitted herein. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a spread state of an extended photovoltaic module fixture according to the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating a non-spread state of the extended photovoltaic module fixture according to the present invention, and  FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the extended photovoltaic module fixture according to the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the extended photovoltaic module fixture of the present invention includes a main body  10 , a hinge part  20 , and an auxiliary body  30 . By these elements, a first module  1 , a second module  2  and a third module  3 , which are power generating units using solar light, are installed. 
     The main body  10  may be made of synthetic resin, for example, and may have a space therein to serve as a buoyant body, with a plurality of support parts  11  being formed on an upper surface thereof to protrude upwards. A module support step  12  may be formed on each the support part  11  to seat the first module  1  thereon, so that the first module  1  may be fastened via a screw or the like when it is seated on the module support step  12 . 
     An inlet of an accommodation space  14  is formed in an outer surface of one side of the main body  10 , the accommodation space  14  is formed from the inlet to the inside of the main body  10 , and a third photovoltaic power generation module  3  is slidably provided as a drawer type in the accommodation space  14 . That is, the third module  3  may be taken out from the main body  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and may be put and stored in the accommodation space  14  of the main body  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     For example, the hinge part  20  is used to join two elements so that they may rotate. The shape and structure of the hinge part are not limited to an illustrated example. 
     The auxiliary body  30  may be made of synthetic resin similarly to the main body, and may have a space therein to be used as a buoyant body. It should be noted that the present invention does not limit the material or shape of the auxiliary body  30 . 
     One side of the auxiliary body  30  is rotatably connected to the main body  10  via the hinge part  20 , and a module supporting groove  31  is formed in a lower end [the lower end is defined with respect to  FIG. 2  in which the auxiliary body  30  is placed over the main body  10 ] of the auxiliary body  30 . The third module  3  that is the photovoltaic power generating unit is fastened via a screw or the like in the state where the third module is seated on the module supporting groove  31 . 
     Since the auxiliary body  30  may rotate about the hinge part  20  as an axis, the auxiliary body may be located above the main body  10  to cover a top of the main body  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , or may be spread from the main body  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Here, when the auxiliary body  30  is located above the main body  10 , the first module  1  and the second module  2  face each other to be protected from external factors. 
     In contrast, when the auxiliary body  30  rotates about the hinge part  20  as the axis and spreads over the main body  10 , the first module  1  and the second module  2  are ready to generate power by solar light. Further, when the third module  3  is taken out from the accommodation space  14 , power may also be generated by the third module  3 . 
     Thus, the state (non-spread state) of  FIG. 2  is suitable when the photovoltaic module is conveyed to or stored in an installation place, and the state (spread state) of  FIG. 1  is a state where photovoltaic power generation is performed after installation. 
     Meanwhile, a ‘T’-shaped connecting groove  13  may be formed on an outer surface of one side of the main body  10  when observed from above. This will be described below in detail with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
     When the auxiliary body  30  is spread out, a free end of the auxiliary body  30 , namely, an opposite end thereof that is not connected with the hinge part  20  may be inclined or sag by the load of the auxiliary body  30 , it is preferable to install a support leg  40  for holding and supporting the free end of the auxiliary body  30 . The support leg  40  may adopt a length varying structure, such as an antenna structure or a fishing rod, for example. 
     In order to stably install the support leg  40 , a support-leg holding hole  33  may be formed in the free end of the auxiliary body  30  to insert and hold one end of the support leg  40 . Of course, the location of the support-leg holding hole  33  is not limited to an illustrated shape, and the shape of the support-leg holding hole may be variously changed as long as it is possible to hold the support leg  40 . 
     In order to prevent the support leg  40  from being lost, a support-leg storage groove  32  may be formed in an upper end [the upper end is defined with respect to  FIG. 2  in which the auxiliary body  30  is placed over the main body  10 ] of the auxiliary body  30  to put and store the support leg  40  therein. Although not shown in the drawings, a cover may be further provided on the storage groove  32  so as to prevent the removal of the support leg  40 . 
     As illustrated in the drawings, the photovoltaic module fixture of the present invention may be inclined at an upper surface thereof. Here, the inclined portion should face to the south. In order to easily set a direction when the fixture is installed, a compass  60  may be installed at a position on an upper surface of the main body  10 . 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating essential parts of the extended photovoltaic module fixture according to the present invention. This illustrates a state in which guide bars  15  of the third module are separated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the accommodation space  14  may have the shape of a rectangle that is long in a horizontal direction when viewed from a front. The guide bars  15  may be provided on both ends in a longitudinal direction of the accommodation space  14  to come into contact with both ends of the third module  3  and thereby guide the sliding operation of the third module  3 . 
     As illustrated in an enlarged view, the guide bar  15  has a ‘ ’-shaped cross-section and a predetermined length. When a pair of guide bars  15  is installed at both ends of the accommodation space  14 , the guide bars  15  are installed such that openings thereof face each other. The guide bar  15  is made of a metal material. In this case, when the third module  3  slides, a smooth slide is achieved while reducing abrasion by friction. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a connected and installed state of the extended photovoltaic module fixture according to the present invention. 
     As described above, the ‘T’-shaped connecting groove  13  that is open at a top may be formed on an outer surface of one side of the main body  10 . In this case, a plurality of main bodies  10  may be connected to each other via a connector  60  having a ‘I’-shaped cross-section. That is, as illustrated in the drawing, the connecting grooves  13  of the respective main bodies  10  face each other when two main bodies  10  come into contact with each other. If the connector  60  is inserted into a facing connecting groove  13 , it is possible to fix two main bodies  10 . In this way, it is possible to successively install a plurality of main bodies  10 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a photovoltaic module (third module) according to another embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an extended photovoltaic module fixture according to another embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a non-spread state of the extended photovoltaic module fixture according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 to 8 , a foldable auxiliary leg  3 ′ is provided on one side of the third module  3  that slides like a drawer. Thus, when the third module  3  is taken out from the main body  10 , the auxiliary leg  3 ′ may be spread to support the free end. In contrast, when the third module  3  is put into the accommodation space  14 , the auxiliary leg  3 ′ may be put in a folded state. 
     Here, a ‘U’-shaped leg accommodation space  16  may be further formed in a lower portion of the guide bar  15  to accommodate the foldable auxiliary leg  3 ′ in a folded state. 
     Projections  17  having vertically formed holes  17 ′ are provided on upper and lower sides of an inlet of the accommodation space  14 , and a ‘T’-shaped or ‘ ’-shaped locking pin  18  is inserted into the holes  17 ′. In this case, it is possible to prevent the third module  3  stored in the accommodation space  14  from being removed from the accommodation space  14  by the locking pin  18 . 
       FIG. 9  is a view illustrating a structure of an extended photovoltaic module fixture according to a further embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , an energy storage system (ESS)  71  for storing power produced from the first, second and third modules  1 ,  2  and  3  like a battery and an inverter  72  are installed in the main body  10 . 
     The inverter  72  compares power produced from the first, second and third modules  1 ,  2  and  3  with demand power and then stores surplus power in the energy storage system  61 . Further, the inverter may control to use power stored in the energy storage system  61  as the demand power if the demand power is larger than the produced power. 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Throughout the disclosure, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures and embodiments of the present invention. 
     While the present invention has been described with respect to the specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 [Reference Numerals] 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                  1: First module 
                  2: Second module 
               
               
                   
                  3: Third module 
                  3′: Auxiliary leg 
               
               
                   
                 10: Main body 
                 11: Support part 
               
               
                   
                 12: Module support step 
                 13: Connection groove 
               
               
                   
                 14: Accommodation space 
                 15: Guide bar 
               
               
                   
                 16: Leg accommodation space 
                 17: Projection 
               
               
                   
                 17′: Hole 
                 18: Locking pin 
               
               
                   
                 20: Hinge part 
                 30: Auxiliary body 
               
               
                   
                 31: Module support groove 
                 32: Storage groove 
               
               
                   
                 33: Leg locking groove 
                 40: Support leg 
               
               
                   
                 50: Compass 
                 60: Connector 
               
               
                   
                 71: Energy storage system(ESS) 
                 72: Inverter