Structure for securing solar cell modules and frame and securing member for solar cell modules

A frame for solar cell modules for supporting peripheral sides of a solar cell panel in a solar cell module and engaged horizontally between a base unit and a top portion located on both sides of a shaft portion of a securing member, through the use of the securing member including the base unit, the shaft portion, the top portion, and an inner protrusion, the base unit having a securing unit for securing the solar cell module to a predetermined supporting member at a location decentered with respect to a center point in a horizontal direction, the shaft portion extending upward from a position on the opposite side of a horizontal-direction center point of an upper face of the base unit from the securing unit, the top portion protruding toward both sides from an upper end of the shaft portion and extending substantially parallel to the upper face of the base unit, the inner protrusion being placed on the same side of the shaft portion as the securing unit between the top portion and the base unit, the inner protrusion forming a narrower space than the space between the base unit and the top portion, the inner protrusion having an outer end portion extending along a shaft line substantially parallel to the shaft portion, wherein the base unit, the shaft portion, the top portion, and the inner protrusion are integrally formed,

• the frame comprising:
• an insertion supporting portion supporting the peripheral sides of the solar cell panel inserted thereto and an upper side face extending in a vertical direction on the opposite side from the side on which the solar cell panel is inserted;
• a junction portion placed below the insertion supporting portion, and having an opening on the opposite side from the side on which the solar cell panel is inserted, the top portion of the securing member being inserted through the opening;
• and
• a contact portion placed below the junction portion and located on an inner side than the upper side face of the insertion supporting portion in a direction of a face of the solar cell panel, a face of the contact portion being brought into contact with the shaft portion of the securing member, the contact portion being brought into contact with the outer end portion of the inner protrusion to close part of the space,
• whereby the predetermined amount of the space formed between upper side faces of the frames facing each other is capable of absorbing a change in relative locations between the frames facing each other via the securing member, which change is caused by a deformation of at least one of the respective solar cell modules facing each other via the securing member.

A securing member for solar cell modules for securing a solar cell module to a predetermined supporting member, the solar cell module having a frame supporting peripheral sides of a plate-like solar cell panel,

• the securing member comprising:
• a base unit having a horizontally long, box-like shape and has a securing unit for securing the securing member to a predetermined supporting member at a location decentered with respect to a center point in a horizontal direction;
• a shaft portion extending upward from a position on the opposite side of a horizontal-direction center point of an upper face of the base unit from the securing unit;
• a top portion protruding toward both sides from an upper end of the shaft portion and extends substantially parallel to the upper face of the base unit;
• and
• an inner protrusion placed on the same side of the shaft portion as the securing unit between the top portion and the base unit, the inner protrusion forming a narrower space than a space between the base unit and the top portion, the inner protrusion having an outer end portion extending along a shaft line substantially parallel to the shaft portion, wherein the base unit, the shaft portion, the top portion, and the inner protrusion are integrally formed,
• the frame of the solar cell module being horizontally engaged between the base unit and the top portion on both sides of the shaft portion, impaction of the frame engaged between the base unit and the top portion being prevented by the outer end portion of the inner protrusion,
• whereby the predetermined amount of the space formed between upper side faces of the frames facing each other is capable of absorbing a change in relative locations between the frames facing each other via the securing member, which change is caused by a deformation of at least one of the respective solar cell modules facing each other via the securing member.