End clamp for fixing a framed PV module

1. An end clamp ( 01 ) for fixing a framed PV module ( 02 ) on a support profile ( 03 ), comprising a console element ( 05 ) which can be fixed to the support profile ( 03 ), and comprising a clamp strap ( 04 ) for holding down the frame ( 08 ) of the PV module ( 02 ), the clamp strap ( 04 ) having at least one clamping surface ( 07 ) which can come into contact with the frame ( 08 ) of the PV module ( 02 ) in a clamping manner, and the clamp strap ( 04 ) having a supporting surface ( 17 ) which can come into contact with a side of a contact surface ( 20 ) of the console element ( 05 ) while supporting the clamp strap ( 04 ), and a turnbuckle ( 06 ) which engages between the clamp strap ( 04 ) and the console element ( 05 ) and by means of which the clamp strap ( 04 ) can be tightened against the console element ( 05 ) to hold down the frame ( 08 ) of the PV module ( 02 ),

wherein

at least one fixing element ( 18 ) is provided at the supporting surface ( 17 ) of the clamp strap ( 04 ), wherein the fixing element ( 18 ) can be fixed to a counter fixing element ( 21 ) which has a complementary shape in at least one of a positive or frictional manner in the contact surface ( 20 ) of the console element ( 05 ), an approximation of the supporting surface ( 17 ) of the clamp strap ( 04 ) towards the support profile ( 03 ) being excluded by at least one of the positive mechanical engagement or frictional connection between the fixing element ( 18 ) and the counter fixing element ( 21 ), wherein the console element ( 05 ) comprises two expanding hooks ( 22 , 23 ) which are hinged in an elastic manner and which can be fixed in a recess ( 30 ) of the support profile ( 03 ), wherein the expanding hooks ( 22 , 23 ) each have a hook element ( 24 , 25 ) which can engage behind the edge of the recess ( 30 ) in a fixing manner, and wherein the two expanding hooks ( 22 , 23 ) can converge in an elastic manner in order to loosen the rear grip of the hook elements ( 24 , 25 ) on the edge of the recess ( 30 ).

2. The end clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the number of counter fixing elements ( 21 ) in the contact surface ( 20 ) of the console element ( 05 ) is higher than the number of fixing elements ( 18 ) at the supporting surface ( 17 ) of the clamp strap ( 04 ).

3. The end clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the fixing elements ( 18 ) and the counter fixing elements ( 21 ) are realized in the manner of a gearing which has a complementary shape.

4. The end clamp according to claim 3 , wherein the gearing projects at angle from the supporting surface ( 17 ) of the clamp strap ( 04 ) and the free ends of the gearing point towards the clamping surface ( 07 ).

5. The end clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the clamping surface ( 07 ) of the clamp strap ( 04 ) comprises two clamping surface sections ( 09 , 10 ) which extend perpendicularly to one another and which can grip a corner edge ( 11 ) of the frame ( 08 ) of the PV module ( 02 ).

6. The end clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the supporting surface ( 17 ) has a protrusion ( 19 ) in relation to the inside ( 16 ) of the clamp strap ( 04 ) which points to the turnbuckle ( 06 ).

7. The end clamp according to claim 1 , wherein a gap ( 28 ) is realized between the two expanding hooks ( 22 , 23 ), the turnbuckle ( 06 ) being inserted into said gap ( 28 ) when the end clamp ( 01 ) is tightened, wherein at least one blocking bar ( 29 ) is formed on the inside of the expanding hooks ( 22 , 23 ) pointing towards the turnbuckle ( 06 ), wherein a free end can come into contact with the thread ( 27 ) of the turnbuckle ( 06 ) and therefore block an elastic approximation of the expanding hooks ( 22 , 23 ).

8. The end clamp according to claim 7 , wherein the diameter of the thread ( 27 ) of the turnbuckle ( 06 ) is slightly larger than the distance between the free ends of the opposite blocking bars ( 29 ).

9. The end clamp according to claim 1 , wherein the clamp strap ( 04 ) comprises two strap arms ( 14 , 15 ) which extend at angle to one another, the clamping surface ( 07 ) being disposed at the first strap arm ( 14 ) and the supporting surface ( 17 ) being disposed at the second strap arm ( 15 ).

10. The end clamp according to claim 9 , wherein the intermediate angle between the two strap arms ( 14 , 15 ) is smaller or larger than 90 degrees.

11. The end clamp according to claim 10 , wherein the intermediate angle between the two strap arms ( 14 , 15 ) is in the range between 89 degrees and 85 degrees or in the range between 91 degrees and 95 degrees.

12. The end clamp according to claim 1 , wherein a grounding element is provided at the clamp strap ( 04 ) by means of which an electrically conductive contact between the clamp strap ( 04 ) and the frame ( 08 ) of the PV module ( 02 ) can be established.

13. The end clamp according to claim 12 , wherein the grounding element is realized in the manner of a contact screw ( 12 ) whose free end opposite to the screw head has a tip ( 13 ) which can be pushed in the surface of the frame ( 08 ) of the PV module ( 02 ).

14. The end clamp according to claim 13 , wherein the tip ( 13 ) of the contact screw ( 12 ) is disposed in the clamping surface ( 07 ) of the clamp strap ( 04 ).