Photovoltaic module frame and method for manufacturing the same, photovoltaic module and method for removing dust

Abstract

The application relates to a photovoltaic module frame and a preparation method thereof, a photovoltaic module and a method for removing dust, and relates to the technical field of photovoltaic power generation. The photovoltaic module frame comprises a lower frame, a vertical frame and an upper frame, the middle part of the top end of the vertical frame is provided with a positioning structure, the upper frame is in a bent shape, the horizontal side of the upper frame extends beyond the positioning structure and keeps a gap with the upper surface of the photovoltaic module to form a water inlet of a drainage flow channel, and the vertical side of the upper frame is provided with a drainage outlet below the positioning structure; the space between the water inlet, the side of the positioning structure away from the photovoltaic module and the vertical side of the upper frame and the drainage outlet are sequentially communicated to form an S-shaped drainage flow channel with a steep structure of height difference. The S-shaped drainage flow channel generates fluid negative pressure on the steep side, the gravity potential difference is utilized to increase the vertical flow speed of the fluid, and the dust removal efficiency is increased by more than 57% compared with a straight drainage flow channel; the horizontal side of the upper frame protects the edge of the photovoltaic module glass from being exposed, avoids the risk of breakage, improves the reliability, and reduces the operation and cleaning cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of photovoltaic power generation technology, and in particular to a photovoltaic module frame that can effectively prevent dust accumulation at the tilted bottom of a photovoltaic module, a method for preparing the same, a photovoltaic module having the photovoltaic module frame, and a method for preventing dust accumulation at the tilted bottom of a photovoltaic module using the photovoltaic module frame. Background Technology

[0002] Solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation is one of the fastest-growing forms of clean energy. In actual engineering installations, PV modules are typically installed at a certain angle on ground supports or rooftops to obtain the optimal angle of solar radiation, thereby maximizing power generation efficiency. However, while this tilted installation method brings power generation benefits, it also presents a long-standing operational and maintenance challenge for the PV industry—dust accumulation.

[0003] like Figure 1 As shown, when photovoltaic (PV) modules are installed at an angle, pollutants such as sand, dust, pollen, and bird droppings gradually migrate towards the lower side of the PV module due to airflow, rainwater, or gravity, accumulating in large quantities at the lower edge of the module. Existing research and experimental data indicate that dust accumulation at the lower edge of the tilted PV module can cause shading on the cell surface, resulting in a hot spot effect and a 10% to 20% decrease in the PV module's power generation efficiency. In windy and sandy areas such as deserts, wastelands, and Gobi, as well as in dusty environments such as agricultural greenhouses, the dust accumulation problem is particularly prominent, severely impacting the annual power generation and return on investment of PV power plants.

[0004] To address the aforementioned dust accumulation problem, traditional photovoltaic (PV) power plants typically employ manual or intelligent cleaning robots to periodically clean the surfaces of PV modules. Manual cleaning is labor-intensive, costly, and inefficient, and is difficult to operate in large ground-mounted power plants. While cleaning robots can automate cleaning, their procurement and daily maintenance costs are equally high, and their reliability is insufficient in extreme weather or complex terrain conditions. Therefore, addressing the dust accumulation problem from the perspective of PV module frame structure design has significant engineering and economic value.

[0005] To address the aforementioned dust accumulation problem, several improvement solutions have emerged in the existing technology, but all of them have varying degrees of defects.

[0006] The first type of solution is a design without a top border (also known as a design without an A-border). For example... Figure 2As shown, some companies are beginning to develop patents related to photovoltaic module frames without an A-edge (i.e., removing the horizontal structure of the upper frame of the photovoltaic module at the tilted bottom – the dotted frame). For example, the frame structure disclosed in Chinese patent CN 119070724A. The basic idea of ​​this type of solution is to remove the upper edge strip of the tilted bottom frame of the photovoltaic module, allowing dust and water to flow away smoothly from the side of the frame, thereby reducing accumulation at the bottom. However, after removing the upper frame, the glass edge of the photovoltaic module is directly exposed, such as... Figure 2 As indicated by the middle arrow. Figure 13 As shown, the rounded corners or chamfers at the glass edges (75°) are stress concentration areas, and the risk of breakage increases sharply under impact from sand, hail, or hard objects (12°). Simultaneously, exposed glass edges can lead to edge encapsulation failure, resulting in a series of product reliability issues such as moisture infiltration and cell corrosion. Furthermore, the frameless design, when stacking and packing photovoltaic modules, creates gaps between modules, making them prone to bending and deformation when the packing straps are tightened, thus increasing the transportation loss rate.

[0007] The second type of solution involves a structure where the drainage chamber and the drainage outlet are directly connected. For example, Chinese Patent 202321578012.3 discloses a photovoltaic module that facilitates drainage and sludge removal, which achieves drainage and sludge removal functions through a drainage chamber connected to the drainage outlet and a sealed crossbeam partition design. However, the drainage chamber of this solution is fundamentally different from the S-shaped drainage channel structure of this invention: this solution does not have a steep drop structure in the channel, and cannot utilize fluid dynamics principles to generate negative pressure and enhanced vertical and horizontal velocity components within the channel. Therefore, its effectiveness in removing fine particles (such as fly ash and fine sand) is limited.

[0008] The third type of solution is an outward-extending frame design to prevent dust accumulation. For example, Chinese patent 202411215837.8 discloses a dust-resistant photovoltaic module that extends the lower edge of the frame near the ground outward, creating a dust-resistant area between the lower edge of the photovoltaic module and the lower edge of the frame near the ground. However, this solution essentially only transfers the dust accumulation location from the cell's power generation area to the extended edge; it does not truly remove the dust from the module. When the amount of dust exceeds the load-bearing capacity of the extended area, or when encountering strong winds, dust will still cover the cell's power generation area, and the shading problem persists. Furthermore, the extended edge structure increases the overall area and weight of the photovoltaic module, raising material costs and installation difficulty.

[0009] In summary, the existing technology has the following main technical problems: (1) It is impossible to effectively guide airflow or water flow to carry dust and fine sand away from the low side of the photovoltaic module, resulting in insufficient dust removal momentum and poor dust cleaning effect on the module surface. (2) Although removing the top frame improves dust removal to some extent, it exposes the glass edges, significantly reduces impact resistance and reliability, and is not conducive to transportation and packaging. (3) Existing improvement solutions either only change the location of ash accumulation or have insufficient ash removal efficiency, and none of them fundamentally solve the problem.

[0010] This invention addresses the aforementioned technical problems by proposing a novel photovoltaic module frame with an S-shaped drainage channel structure, which balances multiple requirements such as dust removal efficiency, glass edge protection, structural strength, and ease of manufacturing. Summary of the Invention

[0011] This invention provides a photovoltaic module frame with an S-shaped drainage channel structure that effectively guides airflow and rainwater to directly wash away dust and small sand particles, thus solving the aforementioned technical problem. This frame achieves efficient dust removal while preventing exposed glass edges of the photovoltaic module, mitigating the risk of glass breakage caused by impacts from external hard objects, improving the structural reliability of the photovoltaic module, and balancing the overall strength of the frame with ease of transportation and packaging.

[0012] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: In a first aspect, the present invention provides a photovoltaic module frame, including a lower frame, a vertical frame, and an upper frame. The vertical frame has a raised positioning structure at the center of its top end, the positioning structure having a positioning surface facing the photovoltaic module for positioning the mounting edge of the photovoltaic module. The upper frame is bent, including a vertical edge and a lateral edge extending from the top of the vertical edge. The vertical edge is connected to the outer side of the top end of the vertical frame. The lateral edge extends towards the side where the photovoltaic module is located and crosses the positioning structure. The portion of the lateral edge crossing the positioning structure is located above the glass edge area above the photovoltaic module to cover the glass edge of the photovoltaic module. A gap is maintained between the lateral edge and the upper surface of the photovoltaic module to form an inlet for a drainage channel. The vertical edge of the upper frame has a drain outlet for the drainage channel at a position below the positioning structure. The inlet, the space between the side of the positioning structure facing away from the photovoltaic module and the vertical edge of the upper frame, and the drain outlet are sequentially connected, collectively defining an S-shaped drainage channel with a steep drop in height in the vertical direction.

[0013] The core technical concept of this invention lies in the following: by setting a protruding positioning structure at the top center of the vertical frame and constructing a bent cavity with an inlet and an outlet on the upper frame, an S-shaped drainage channel with a height difference is formed between the inner cavity of the upper frame and the positioning structure. When rainwater or airflow carrying dust enters from the inlet, a negative pressure is formed on the steeply descending side of the S-shaped channel, and a large vertical velocity component is generated under the action of gravity, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of removing dust and fine sand carried by the fluid. At the same time, the lateral edge of the upper frame extends to cover the glass edge of the photovoltaic module, effectively protecting the glass edge from external impacts.

[0014] Based on the first aspect described above, the present invention also provides several preferred embodiments: Preferably, the positioning structure is a vertical edge structure that protrudes along the length direction (axial direction) of the vertical frame, or a plurality of column structures that protrude at intervals along the length direction of the vertical frame.

[0015] The edge structure and the column structure each have their own advantages in manufacturing process and application scenarios: the edge structure has a continuous bulge along the top surface of the vertical frame, which has good positioning stability and continuous and uniform glue blocking effect; the column structure reduces the weight of the frame while ensuring the positioning function, and the gap between each column helps to enhance the flow capacity of the S-shaped flow channel.

[0016] Preferably, the side of the positioning structure facing the photovoltaic module forms a sealant-blocking surface for receiving and blocking the overflow of the encapsulating sealant, and the side of the positioning structure facing away from the photovoltaic module forms the steeply sloping sidewall of the S-shaped drainage channel.

[0017] The positioning structure therefore has a dual function: its inner side (facing the photovoltaic module) serves as a sealant-blocking surface, effectively preventing the sealant from overflowing into the S-shaped flow channel during the photovoltaic module frame encapsulation process, ensuring smooth flow; its outer side (facing away from the photovoltaic module) serves as a steeply descending sidewall of the S-shaped flow channel, creating a sudden drop in fluid at this point, generating negative pressure and enhancing the momentum of vertical flow.

[0018] Preferably, the upper surface of the photovoltaic module is substantially flush with the upper surface (end face) of the positioning structure, and the vertical distance between the lateral edge and the upper surface of the positioning structure constitutes the flow height of the water inlet.

[0019] The upper surface of the photovoltaic module is basically flush with the end face of the positioning structure, ensuring that dust, fine sand and rainwater on the surface of the photovoltaic module can flow through the inlet without obstruction, avoiding the formation of any accumulation pits on the module surface, and ensuring uniform flow through the inlet.

[0020] Preferably, the drain outlet is a long groove-shaped opening provided on the vertical side of the upper frame, or two or more long groove-shaped openings spaced apart along the length direction of the vertical side (i.e., the length direction of the photovoltaic module frame).

[0021] The elongated groove-shaped outlet has a large drainage cross-section, making it less prone to clogging. Multiple elongated groove-shaped outlets spaced at intervals ensure drainage capacity while maintaining the structural strength of the vertical sides, preventing deformation or failure of the vertical sides due to excessively large openings. Using elongated groove-shaped outlets or spaced grooves for the drainage outlets ensures sufficient flow area while preventing the vertical sides of the upper frame from bending under stress due to excessive openings, thus balancing drainage capacity and structural strength.

[0022] Preferably, the drain outlet is formed by stamping the vertical edge of the upper frame, and after stamping, a flange structure facing the inside of the S-shaped drain channel is formed on the vertical edge, and a gap is left between the flange structure and the positioning structure to allow fluid to pass through.

[0023] The stamping and flanging process can not only efficiently process drainage outlets in batches, but also the flanging structure formed by stamping faces the inside of the S-shaped flow channel, similar to a reinforcing rib. This can improve the cross-sectional stiffness of the vertical edge at the drainage outlet, compensate for the structural strength loss due to the opening, and at the same time, the flanging does not affect the effective flow area of ​​the drainage channel.

[0024] Preferably, the vertical drop height H of the S-shaped drainage channel is greater than or equal to three times the vertical height h of the straight drainage channel with the same horizontal channel length, so that the water flow forms a negative pressure on the steep side of the positioning structure and obtains an increased vertical velocity component under the action of gravity.

[0025] The flow channel drop relationship is quantified by H≥3h, transforming the "steep drop" from a qualitative description into a quantifiable and verifiable structural parameter. This design criterion of H≥3h is determined based on fluid dynamics analysis and comparative testing. It is a key parameter constraint that gives the S-shaped drainage channel of this invention a significant advantage in ash removal compared to a straight drainage channel, providing a clear numerical limit for the creative demonstration.

[0026] Preferably, the cross-sectional height of the inlet is smaller than that of the outlet.

[0027] The design of the inlet cross-section being smaller than the outlet cross-section follows the principle of "limited inlet flow and unobstructed outlet flow": the smaller inlet produces a certain acceleration effect when wind, sand or rainwater enters (similar to the Venturi effect), while the larger outlet ensures that dust and fine sand are smoothly discharged with the water flow or airflow, avoiding backflow and improving self-cleaning ability.

[0028] Preferably, a cavity is formed between the top of the vertical frame and the vertical edge of the upper frame, and between the positioning structure and the upper frame. The cavity is connected to the water inlet and the drain outlet and forms the middle transition section of the S-shaped drainage channel.

[0029] The cavity, serving as the core buffer space of the S-shaped drainage channel, provides the necessary volume for the fluid to fully develop a negative pressure zone at steep drops, change its flow direction, and accelerate towards the drain outlet. The cavity clearly defines the intermediate transition section of the channel, transforming the existing cavity inside the frame into part of the channel without requiring additional piping, resulting in zero additional cost.

[0030] Preferably, the photovoltaic module is rectangular, with its long side being a long frame and its short side being a short frame; the lower frame of the long frame is provided with an outwardly extending extension edge structure, and the extension edge is provided with mounting holes for connection with the photovoltaic bracket, and / or with grounding holes and grounding marks.

[0031] By defining the shape of the long frame and incorporating mounting holes, grounding holes, and markings on the extended side structure, the extended side integrates both installation and electrical grounding functions. This compact structure requires no additional accessories. It simultaneously meets the needs of structural installation, grounding safety, and drainage and ash removal, forming a complete product.

[0032] Preferably, the photovoltaic module frame is made of composite material and is integrally formed by die casting, or it is made of aluminum alloy, formed by pultrusion, and then machined, laser-cut or stamped to form the drainage outlet, and then anodized.

[0033] This invention covers two mainstream process routes: composite material die casting and aluminum alloy pultrusion. It clearly defines the formation method and surface treatment of the drainage outlet, ensuring the industrial-scale feasibility of the solution. The flexible selection of materials and processes allows the photovoltaic module frame of this invention to adapt to different product positioning and manufacturing conditions.

[0034] Secondly, the present invention provides a photovoltaic module, comprising, from top to bottom, a front glass, an encapsulating film, a photovoltaic cell, and a back glass or backsheet, and further comprising the photovoltaic module frame described in the first aspect; the edges of the photovoltaic module are bonded and fixed to the positioning surface of the positioning structure by a sealant; the upper surface of the photovoltaic module is substantially flush with the upper surface of the positioning structure.

[0035] The frame and the photovoltaic body are combined to form a complete photovoltaic module. By using sealant to bond them together and defining the upper surface flush, a product-level protection range is formed to prevent circumvention by only manufacturing the frame or only assembling the photovoltaic module.

[0036] Preferably, the photovoltaic module is installed at an angle, and the frame of the photovoltaic module is located on the lower end side of the photovoltaic module in the direction of the angle; the inlet of the S-shaped drainage channel faces the upper end side of the photovoltaic module, and the outlet faces downward, so that the dust and fine sand on the surface of the photovoltaic module are discharged from the outlet after passing through the inlet and the S-shaped drainage channel under the action of airflow and / or rainwater.

[0037] By defining the tilted, low-end installation posture and water flow path, the structural features are transformed into clear usage status limitations, strengthening the corresponding relationship during infringement comparison.

[0038] Thirdly, the present invention provides a method for preparing a photovoltaic module frame as described in the first aspect, comprising the following steps: S1. Provide a profile, the profile including a lower frame, a vertical frame and an upper frame, the top center of the vertical frame is provided with an upwardly protruding positioning structure, the upper frame is bent and has a vertical edge and a horizontal edge, the vertical edge is connected to the outer side of the top of the vertical frame, and the horizontal edge extends to the side where the positioning structure is located and passes over the top of the positioning structure. S2. A drain outlet is machined on the vertical edge of the upper frame, at a position below the positioning structure; S3. Perform surface treatment on the profile obtained in step S2 to obtain the photovoltaic module frame; Wherein, a gap is maintained between the horizontal edge and the upper surface of the installed photovoltaic module to form the inlet of the drainage channel, and the outlet forms the outlet of the drainage channel. The inlet, the space between the side of the positioning structure facing away from the photovoltaic module and the vertical edge, and the outlet are connected in sequence to form an S-shaped drainage channel with a steep drop structure.

[0039] The independent claim for the preparation method covers the complete preparation process of "providing bent profiles → processing drainage outlets → surface treatment", forming dual protection for both the product and the method.

[0040] Preferably, in step S2, the drain outlet is processed by machining, laser cutting or stamping; when stamping is used, the stamped flange structure faces the inside of the S-shaped drain channel, and a gap is left between the flange structure and the positioning structure.

[0041] Further refine the three forming methods of the drainage outlet: machining, laser cutting, and stamping, as well as the direction of the flange, to ensure the reproducibility of the mold and process.

[0042] Fourthly, the present invention provides a method for preventing dust accumulation at the tilted lower end of a photovoltaic module, employing the photovoltaic module frame described in the first aspect, mounting the photovoltaic module frame on the lower side of the tilted photovoltaic module, and ensuring that the lateral edge of the upper frame extends beyond the positioning structure to cover the glass edge of the photovoltaic module; the method includes: The dust and / or fine sand on the surface of the photovoltaic module are carried by gravity, airflow or rainwater past the lower edge of the photovoltaic module and flow through the water inlet between the lateral edge and the upper surface of the photovoltaic module into the S-shaped drainage channel. The fluid is made to form a negative pressure on the steep drop side of the S-shaped drainage channel formed by the positioning structure, and to generate vertical drop momentum, thereby accelerating the settling and transport of particles toward the drainage outlet. Dust and fine sand are discharged from the frame through the drain outlet on the vertical side of the upper frame below the positioning structure, carried by the fluid.

[0043] The method for removing accumulated ash covers the entire process of ash removal, from "water inlet → steep drop in negative pressure → accelerated settling → discharge through drain outlet," and corresponds to the product claims, thus protecting actual usage behavior.

[0044] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: 1. High-efficiency dust removal: The S-shaped drainage channel has a steep drop structure in the middle, which creates negative pressure on the steep drop side and generates a large vertical velocity component under the action of gravity. This significantly increases the momentum of the fluid carrying dust and fine sand, fundamentally solving the problem of dust accumulation at the bottom when installed at a low angle, and avoiding power loss caused by dust blocking the power generation area of ​​the battery cells.

[0045] 2. Glass edge protection: The horizontal edge structure of the upper frame is retained, which effectively covers the glass edge of the photovoltaic module, avoiding the exposure of the stress concentration area of ​​the glass edge. This greatly reduces the risk of the glass breaking from the edge due to hail, sandstorms or other hard objects, and improves the long-term reliability of the photovoltaic module.

[0046] 3. Guaranteed structural strength: Compared with the existing photovoltaic module frame solutions without an A-side, the present invention retains the complete upper frame bending structure, with high overall frame rigidity, making the photovoltaic module less prone to deformation, and also facilitating the stability of photovoltaic modules during stacking, packaging and transportation.

[0047] 4. Multifunctional positioning structure: The positioning structure has the functions of positioning the photovoltaic module encapsulation position, blocking the overflow of sealant, and forming the flow channel of the steep side wall of the S-shaped drainage channel. One structure with multiple uses simplifies the overall design of the frame.

[0048] 5. Flexible manufacturing process: The frame material can be selected from composite materials (die casting) or aluminum alloy (pultruded profile + post-processing), and the drainage outlet can be formed by machining, laser cutting or stamping to meet the production needs of different scales and process conditions.

[0049] 6. Reduced operation and maintenance costs: Effectively reduces the frequency and amount of dust accumulation on the low end of photovoltaic modules, significantly extending the cleaning cycle and thus reducing the frequency of manual or robotic cleaning, saving a lot of maintenance costs for photovoltaic power plant operation. Attached Figure Description

[0050] Figure 1 This is a cross-sectional diagram of a traditional photovoltaic module frame when it is installed at an angle of approximately 20°, showing the dust accumulation on the lower side of the photovoltaic module. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an existing photovoltaic module frame without a top frame (without side A), where the arrow points to the exposed area of ​​the glass edge that is prone to breakage; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the photovoltaic module frame and the photovoltaic module assembly of the present invention, showing the overall structure of the S-shaped drainage channel (marked by a dashed box); Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the multi-layer structure of a photovoltaic module, showing the front glass, encapsulating film, photovoltaic cells, and back glass or backsheet layers from top to bottom. Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional diagram of a photovoltaic module installed at an angle, with the short frame side at the lower end. It shows the overall view of the S-shaped flow channel formed by the photovoltaic module, positioning structure, water inlet, and water outlet. Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional diagram showing the position of the extended edge structure on the lower edge of the long frame when the photovoltaic module is installed at an angle. Figure 7 The diagram shows a structural comparison between the existing straight drainage channel and the S-type drainage channel of the present invention, illustrating the geometric relationship that, under the same horizontal channel length L, the vertical height H of the S-type drainage channel is much greater than the vertical height h of the straight drainage channel. Figure 8 This is a side view of the photovoltaic module frame of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing the shape of a single elongated groove-shaped drainage outlet formed by machining or laser cutting; Figure 9 This is a side view of the photovoltaic module frame of Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing the shape of multiple elongated groove-shaped drainage outlets formed by machining or laser cutting; Figure 10 This is a side view of the photovoltaic module frame of Embodiment 2 of the present invention, showing the stamped drainage outlet and the flange structure facing the inside of the S-shaped flow channel; Figure 11 This is an exploded view of the photovoltaic module of the present invention; Figure 12 This is a complete schematic diagram of the photovoltaic module of the present invention; Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of an existing photovoltaic module with the glass exposed.

[0051] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1—Photovoltaic module frame; 2—Top frame; 3—Vertical frame; 4—Bottom frame; 41—Extension edge; 5—Cavity; 6—Sealant; 7—Photovoltaic module; 71—Front glass of photovoltaic module; 72—Encapsulation film; 73—Photovoltaic cell; 74—Back glass or backsheet; 75—Rounded corner or chamfer; 8—Frame A edge (structure within the dashed frame); 9—S-shaped drainage channel; 91—Straight drainage channel; 10—Positioning structure; 12—Sand, hail, or hard object; 13—Drain outlet; 14—Stamped and flanged structure; 15—Water inlet. Detailed Implementation

[0052] The structure, manufacturing method, photovoltaic module, and method for removing dust accumulation of the photovoltaic module frame of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0053] I. Overall Structure Description of the Border Photovoltaic modules in this field are generally rectangular, with a long frame on the long side and a short frame on the short side. Please refer to... Figure 4 The photovoltaic module 7 is actually a multi-layer structure, and the four edges of the photovoltaic module 7 are provided with the photovoltaic module frame 1 proposed in this invention, as shown in the figure. Figure 11 , Figure 12 As shown.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, the cross-sectional schematic diagram of the photovoltaic module frame 1 and photovoltaic module 7 after assembly clearly illustrates the core structural features of the present invention. The photovoltaic module frame 1 shown is the aforementioned short frame structure, which has an overall bent groove structure and includes a lower frame 4, a vertical frame 3, and an upper frame 2 from bottom to top. To reduce weight, the vertical frame 3 can be made hollow, that is, with a cavity 5 in the middle.

[0055] The lower frame 4 is located at the bottom of the frame cross-section and is usually a straight, extending bottom edge structure used for connection and fixation with the photovoltaic bracket, bearing the overall load of the photovoltaic module. In the case of a long frame, the lower frame 4 also has an outwardly extending extension edge 41 (e.g., Figure 6 As shown), the extended side 41 has mounting holes for bolt connection with the photovoltaic bracket, as well as grounding holes and grounding marks that meet electrical safety requirements.

[0056] The vertical frame 3 extends upward from the lower frame 4, forming a vertical load-bearing structure in the middle of the frame cross-section. A positioning structure 10 protrudes upward from the top center of the vertical frame 3. The positioning surface of this structure, facing the photovoltaic module 7, is used to position the mounting edge of the photovoltaic module. The top surface of the positioning structure 10 is approximately flush with the upper surface of the photovoltaic module 7 (i.e., the upper surface of the front glass 71) to ensure that the edge area of ​​the photovoltaic module 7 can naturally transition to the inlet 15 of the drainage channel without any height difference, preventing the formation of pits or protrusions on the glass surface that could cause dust accumulation. The inner side of the positioning structure 10 facing the photovoltaic module 7 serves as a sealant-blocking surface, preventing the sealant 6 from overflowing along the glass edge direction into the S-shaped drainage channel 9 during encapsulation, thus preventing the channel from being blocked by the cured sealant. The outer side of the positioning structure 10 facing away from the photovoltaic module 7 serves as the steeply sloping sidewall of the S-shaped drainage channel 9, acting as the core structure for fluid momentum gain.

[0057] The upper frame 2 is bent and consists of a vertical edge and a horizontal edge. The vertical edge extends vertically, with its lower part connecting to the outer side of the top of the vertical frame 3 and its upper part extending upwards to an appropriate height. The horizontal edge bends and extends from the top of the vertical edge toward the inner side where the photovoltaic module 7 is located, and crosses the top of the positioning structure 10 horizontally, thus maintaining a certain vertical gap between the inner end of the horizontal edge (near the edge of the photovoltaic module glass) and the upper surface of the photovoltaic module 7. This gap forms the inlet 15 of the S-shaped drainage channel 9. The bent shape of the upper frame 2 visually forms what is commonly referred to as an "A-side" structure (e.g., ...). Figure 2 The upper frame 2 of this invention fully retains this A-side structure, which maintains the overall strength of the frame and protects the glass edge. (The border A side 8 is marked by the dashed box in the middle.)

[0058] A drain outlet 13 is provided on the vertical edge of the upper frame 2, below the top of the positioning structure 10. The drain outlet 13 is the outlet of the S-shaped drainage channel 9, used to discharge water, dust and fine sand in the channel to the outside of the frame. The flow section height of the drain outlet 13 is greater than that of the inlet, following the design principle of "inlet throttling and outlet unobstructed discharge" to increase the flow velocity of the fluid entering the channel and ensure that the outlet does not become blocked.

[0059] like Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, the S-shaped drainage channel 9 is defined by the following parts connected in sequence: Inlet 15 (gap between the horizontal edge and the upper surface of the photovoltaic module) → Cavity (the space enclosed between the top of the vertical frame 3, the side of the positioning structure 10 facing away from the photovoltaic module, and the vertical edge of the upper frame 2) → Drain 13. The overall flow channel is S-shaped or bent in cross-section: after the fluid enters horizontally from the inlet 15, it encounters the steep sidewall of the positioning structure 10 and turns sharply downward, generating negative pressure on the steep side. Then it flows downward along the inner wall of the cavity and finally exits horizontally from the drain 13. The entire flow path forms an S-shaped trajectory with a significant height difference.

[0060] II. Specific Implementation Methods of the Positioning Structure The positioning structure 10 can take different specific forms depending on the process conditions and performance requirements.

[0061] Vertical edge structure: The positioning structure 10 extends continuously along the length of the vertical frame 3, forming a vertical edge or plate extending along the entire length of the frame. The advantages of the vertical edge structure are: continuous positioning surface, providing uniform positioning constraints on the edges of the photovoltaic module 7; continuous sealant-blocking surface, resulting in good overflow prevention of the sealant 6; continuous steeply sloping sidewalls, ensuring stable hydrodynamic characteristics of the S-shaped flow channel and good uniformity of dust removal along the entire length of the frame. The vertical edge structure is suitable for one-time molding using aluminum alloy pultruded profiles, requiring no subsequent processing.

[0062] Column structure form: The positioning structure 10 protrudes at intervals along the length of the vertical frame 3, forming multiple discrete columns. The gaps between the columns can serve as auxiliary drainage channels, further increasing the overall drainage cross-section and preventing poor drainage during heavy rain. The overall material usage of the column structure is relatively small, which is beneficial for lightweight design. The column structure has good formability when using composite material die casting.

[0063] In practical applications, the height of the positioning structure 10 (i.e., the height of the protrusion from the top plane of the vertical frame 3 to the top of the positioning structure 10) is matched with the encapsulation thickness of the photovoltaic module 7, so that the top surface of the positioning structure 10 is basically flush with the upper surface of the photovoltaic module 7.

[0064] III. Specific Implementation Methods of Drainage Outlets The drain outlet 13 serves as the outlet of the S-shaped drainage channel 9. Its shape and processing technology affect the ash removal effect and the strength of the frame structure. The present invention provides the following two main implementation methods.

[0065] Example 1: The drain outlet 13 is formed by machining or laser cutting. The drain outlet formed by machining or laser cutting is a long, narrow groove-shaped opening (e.g., Figure 8As shown), the cross-section is rectangular or nearly rectangular, with precise dimensions and a smooth inner wall, without affecting the cross-sectional shape of the vertical edge of the frame. Considering that a long single elongated slot may lead to a decrease in the local stiffness of the vertical edge, the preferred solution is to process the drain outlet 13 into multiple elongated slots spaced apart along the length of the vertical edge (e.g., Figure 9 (As shown). A certain width of vertical side plate is retained between each slot, which acts as a reinforcing rib to ensure that the overall bending stiffness of the frame is not significantly reduced due to the slotting. The total flow area of ​​multiple spaced slots is equivalent to that of a single long slot, and the drainage capacity is not affected.

[0066] Example 2 (e.g.) Figure 10 (As shown): The drain outlet 13 is processed by stamping. During stamping, the die presses inward toward the S-shaped drain channel 9, forming a flange structure 14 facing inward toward the channel at the opening position of the vertical edge. The flange structure 14 is equivalent to setting a reinforcing rib at the drain outlet, effectively compensating for the loss of the vertical edge section modulus due to the opening, and reducing the amount of material removed while improving the strength of the frame. Sufficient spacing must be maintained between the flange structure 14 and the positioning structure 10 to ensure that the fluid (water flow and carried dust and sand particles) can pass smoothly through the spacing without causing blockage due to the flange being too close to the positioning structure. The stamping process has high production efficiency and is suitable for mass production, and the increased local stiffness due to the flange is a significant advantage of this process.

[0067] IV. Fluid Dynamics Analysis and Ash Removal Efficiency Verification of S-Type Drainage Channel 4.1 Design Principle of S-shaped Drainage Channel like Figure 7 As shown, the existing technology forms a straight drainage channel 91 by directly connecting the inlet and outlet. Under the conditions of the same photovoltaic module tilt angle and the same horizontal drainage channel length L, comparing the S-shaped drainage channel 9 and the straight drainage channel 91, the vertical height H of the S-shaped drainage channel 9 is much greater than the vertical height h of the straight drainage channel 91, i.e., H >> h. This geometric difference is the fundamental reason why the S-shaped drainage channel of this invention has higher ash removal efficiency, and its theoretical basis comes from the following aspects: (1) Gravity settling theory: According to the gravity settling model of particles in fluid, the settling efficiency η of particles in the flow channel is approximately expressed as η∝H / (v×L) in relation to the vertical height H of the flow channel, the horizontal velocity v, and the length L of the flow channel. Under the same inlet flow rate and flow channel length, the larger H is, the higher the theoretical settling efficiency of particles in the flow channel.

[0068] (2) Stokes' law of settling: According to Stokes' law of settling, the settling velocity of particles in a fluid is directly proportional to the square of the particle size and inversely proportional to the fluid viscosity. It is also closely related to the settling distance (i.e., the vertical height of the channel). The vertical height H of the S-shaped channel is much greater than the height h of the straight drainage channel, which means that the particles have a longer gravity settling distance in the S-shaped channel, thus achieving higher settling efficiency. This effect is particularly significant for fine particles with smaller diameters (1~10μm).

[0069] (3) Boycott effect (sloping plate / tilted channel settling theory): The Boycott effect shows that the settling velocity of particles in an inclined channel is significantly higher than that in a vertical channel. The fundamental reason is that the inclined channel provides a larger projected settling area. The S-shaped flow channel, through its large vertical drop design, effectively amplifies this geometric advantage, greatly increasing the effective settling area of ​​particles along the entire flow path.

[0070] (4) Negative pressure effect: The fluid generates a local negative pressure zone on the steep side of the S-shaped flow channel (i.e., the outer wall of the positioning structure 10 facing away from the photovoltaic module) due to the sudden expansion of the cross-section and the sharp change in the flow direction. The existence of the negative pressure zone accelerates the overall flow of the fluid from the inlet to the outlet, which is equivalent to providing additional suction power for the flow channel and further improving the fluid's dust carrying capacity.

[0071] (5) Vortex-induced residence time effect: The bending structure of the S-shaped flow channel will induce complex vortex flow at the bend (similar to the secondary flow phenomenon in the bend of the pipe), which significantly prolongs the average residence time of particles in the flow channel, increasing the probability that particles collide with the flow channel wall, adhere to it, and move downward along the wall to the drain outlet.

[0072] This invention sets the vertical drop height H of the S-shaped drainage channel to be greater than or equal to three times the vertical height h of the straight drainage channel with the same horizontal channel length (H≥3h). This is the minimum design criterion determined by comprehensively considering the above-mentioned fluid dynamic effects. Within the range allowed by the actual structural dimensions, the larger H is, the better the ash removal effect.

[0073] 4.2 Comparison and Verification of Ash Removal Efficiency To quantitatively evaluate the ash removal efficiency advantage of the S-shaped drainage channel over the straight drainage channel, the inventors established a numerical model for comparative analysis. All parameters have been reasonably amplified to facilitate data comparison. The specific parameter settings are shown in the table below:

[0074] Gravity settling efficiency comparison: According to the gravity settling model of particles in the channel, under the same inlet flow rate and channel length, the theoretical settling efficiency η of particles is related to the channel height H, horizontal velocity v, and channel length L as follows: theoretical settling efficiency η∝H / (v×L). That is, the theoretical settling efficiency benchmark value of the S-shaped drainage channel (H = 500 mm) is about 85.7%, while the theoretical settling efficiency benchmark value of the straight drainage channel (h = 100 mm) is about 42.9%. The gravity settling efficiency of the S-shaped channel is about twice that of the straight drainage channel.

[0075] Comparison of particle deposition rate enhancement: Referring to the particle settling research data of ventilation ducts with wall grooves, the particle deposition rate (dimensionless deposition rate Vd⁺) in ducts with wall structures can be increased by 1000 times compared with smooth ducts; the equivalent Vd⁺ enhancement factor of straight drainage channels is about 1 to 5 times (close to that of smooth ducts).

[0076] Comparison of particle residence time: The tortuous structure in the S-shaped flow channel induces complex vortex flow, which significantly prolongs the residence time of particles in the channel. Theoretically, the average residence time of particles in the S-shaped flow channel is estimated to be about 3.2 seconds, while the average residence time of particles in the direct drainage channel is about 1.8 seconds, an increase of about 78%.

[0077] The comprehensive comparison results are summarized in the table below:

[0078] As can be seen from the above comparative data, the overall ash removal efficiency of the S-type drainage channel of the present invention is significantly better than that of the direct drainage channel. In particular, for fine particles with a particle size of less than 5 μm, the collection efficiency is improved by up to 129%, which fully verifies the effectiveness of the S-type drainage channel design.

[0079] V. Packaging and Installation Methods of Photovoltaic Modules like Figure 4 As shown, the photovoltaic module 7 has a multi-layer structure. The layers are fused together using a hot-pressing vacuum process and then cooled and cured. From top to bottom, it includes: front glass 71 (usually tempered ultra-clear glass, serving a light-transmitting and protective function), encapsulating film 72 (usually EVA or POE film, serving optical coupling and sealing protection), photovoltaic cells 73 (the core power generation unit made of silicon-based or perovskite semiconductor materials, which can be monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, heterojunction, or full back electrode type structures), and back glass or backsheet 74 (double-glass modules use back glass, single-glass modules use backsheets, serving a back sealing and mechanical support function). The edges of the front glass 71 are rounded or chamfered 75. Auxiliary components such as busbars, solder strips, and junction boxes are not shown in the figure.

[0080] The photovoltaic module frame 1 is bonded and fixed to the edge of the photovoltaic module 7 using sealant 6 (usually silicone sealant or butyl sealant). The sealant 6 is applied to the positioning surface (i.e., the sealant-blocking surface) of the positioning structure 10 facing the photovoltaic module 7. The glass edge of the photovoltaic module 7 is pressed into the inside of the positioning structure 10, achieving a bonded seal through the sealant 6. The inner sealant-blocking surface of the positioning structure 10 effectively prevents the sealant 6 from overflowing outwards along the glass edge direction into the S-shaped drainage channel 9, ensuring the unobstructed flow of the S-shaped channel.

[0081] After installation, the upper surface of the photovoltaic module 7 (i.e. the outer surface of the front glass 71) is basically flush with the top surface of the positioning structure 10, forming a continuous and smooth top surface transition. This allows rainwater, dust and fine sand on the surface of the photovoltaic module to pass smoothly through the inlet 15 and enter the S-shaped drainage channel without obstruction, and without forming accumulation areas on the module surface or at the corner of the frame.

[0082] VI. Installation direction of photovoltaic modules and frame adaptation Currently, commercial photovoltaic modules are typically rectangular, with a long frame along the long side and a short frame along the short side. When photovoltaic modules are installed at an angle, the lower side can be either the side with the long frame or the side with the short frame, depending on the orientation requirements of the installation site and the arrangement of the modules.

[0083] The short bezel is on the lower side (e.g.) Figure 5 As shown): At this time, the photovoltaic module frame 1 with S-shaped drainage channel described in this invention is located on the short side of the photovoltaic module, that is, the short frame adopts the frame structure with S-shaped drainage channel of this invention, and the long frame generally adopts the conventional frame structure.

[0084] The long bezel is the lower side (e.g.) Figure 6 As shown): At this time, the photovoltaic module frame 1 with S-shaped drainage channel described in this invention is located on the long side of the photovoltaic module, that is, the long frame adopts the frame structure with S-shaped drainage channel of this invention, and the short frame adopts the conventional frame structure. Figure 6 As shown, an extension edge 41 structure is added to the lower frame 4 of the long frame. The extension edge 41 is provided with mounting holes for fixing the photovoltaic module to the bracket, as well as grounding holes and grounding marks, to meet the installation, fixing and electrical grounding requirements of the photovoltaic module.

[0085] During installation, the side of the photovoltaic module frame 1 containing the S-shaped drainage channel is placed at the lower end of the photovoltaic module's inclined installation direction. The horizontal edge of the upper frame 2 covers the edge of the photovoltaic module glass. The inlet 15 of the S-shaped drainage channel faces the upper end of the photovoltaic module 7 (i.e., the direction from which dust and rainwater flow), and the outlet 13 faces downward (vertically downward or slightly outward) to ensure that dust and fine sand can be smoothly discharged to the outside of the frame through the inlet 15, the S-shaped drainage channel 9, and the outlet 13 under the action of gravity and hydrodynamics.

[0086] VII. Detailed Description of Methods for Removing Accumulated Dust The method for eliminating dust accumulation at the tilted bottom of photovoltaic modules according to the present invention specifically includes the following process: The first step is the collection and diversion of dust and fine sand: When the photovoltaic module 7 is installed at an angle, dust, fine sand, and other contaminant particles on the module surface are driven by their own gravity, airflow driven by wind speed, or rainwater scouring, migrating along the slope of the front glass 71 of the module towards the lower end. When the particles reach the lower edge of the photovoltaic module, under the combined action of gravity and fluid drag, they enter the S-shaped drainage channel 9 through the inlet 15 between the horizontal edge of the upper frame 2 and the upper surface of the photovoltaic module 7. The cross-sectional spacing of the inlet is designed to allow dust and fine sand to pass through smoothly, while avoiding excessive spacing that would reduce the fluid velocity when entering the channel.

[0087] The second step involves particle acceleration and settling within the S-shaped flow channel: The fluid (dust-laden airflow or dust-laden waterflow) entering the S-shaped drainage channel 9 flows along the inner wall of the upper frame 2 towards the back of the positioning structure 10, and then undergoes a sharp vertical turn at the steeply sloping side wall of the positioning structure 10. At the steep sloping point, a low-pressure zone (negative pressure effect) is generated due to the sudden expansion of the local cross-section and the abrupt change in flow direction. This negative pressure zone provides a continuous suction driving force for the subsequent fluid, continuously drawing the fluid from the inlet into the channel. Simultaneously, the fluid gains a large vertical velocity component due to the continuous effect of gravitational acceleration. The particles (dust, fine sand) carried by the fluid are accelerated towards the drainage outlet under the combined action of gravitational settling and fluid drag. The vortex flow induced by the bending structure of the S-shaped flow channel also prolongs the residence time of particles within the channel, increasing the probability that particles are effectively carried to the drainage outlet by the fluid, effectively preventing particles from stagnating or flowing back within the channel.

[0088] Thirdly, dust and fine sand are discharged through the drain: After being accelerated and guided by the S-shaped drainage channel, the fluid containing dust and fine sand is finally discharged outside the frame from the drain 13 on the vertical side of the upper frame 2 below the positioning structure 10. The drain 13 is located below the top of the positioning structure 10, so that the dust and fine sand are near the lowest point of the S-shaped channel when discharged, making full use of gravitational potential energy and making the discharge process natural and smooth without additional power. The flow cross-sectional height of the drain 13 is greater than that of the inlet, ensuring that the flow capacity at the drain end is greater than that at the inlet end, and avoiding water or dust accumulation inside the channel.

[0089] Through the above three steps, the photovoltaic module frame of the present invention can continuously and effectively remove dust and fine sand from the tilted lower side of the photovoltaic module, keeping the photovoltaic cell power generation area clean and avoiding power loss caused by shading.

[0090] VIII. Frame Material and Manufacturing Method The photovoltaic module frame of the present invention can be manufactured using two main types of materials, corresponding to different manufacturing processes.

[0091] Composite material die casting route: The frame material is continuous glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite or other engineering composite materials. The frame cross-sectional shape, positioning structure 10, and drainage outlet 13 are directly formed in one piece using a die casting integrated molding process. This process has high production efficiency, eliminates the need for subsequent machining and grooving, and ensures good consistency of the finished product. This process is particularly suitable for customized, small-batch, or lightweight applications.

[0092] Aluminum alloy pultruded profile production process: The frame material is aluminum alloy (usually 6063-T5 or 6061-T6, etc.). The frame section, including the lower frame 4, vertical frame 3, upper frame 2, and positioning structure 10 (vertical edge structure), is extruded in one step using the aluminum alloy pultrusion (extrusion) process. It is then cut to the required length, and the drain outlet 13 is processed and the surface is treated through the following steps: S1. Provide an extruded profile, the profile section includes a lower frame 4, a vertical frame 3, an upper frame 2 (including vertical and horizontal edges) and a positioning structure 10. The positioning structure 10 is located at the top center of the vertical frame 3 and protrudes upward. The horizontal edge extends towards the photovoltaic module installation side and passes over the top of the positioning structure 10. S2. Drainage outlet 13 is machined on the vertical edge of the upper frame 2, located below the top of the positioning structure 10: If machining is used, a milling machine or CNC machining center is used to mill out the long groove according to the design dimensions; If laser cutting is used, the laser cutting equipment can cut long grooves according to the design, which has high cutting precision and a small heat-affected zone. If stamping is used, a special stamping die is used to stamp the vertical edge. During stamping, the stamping direction is controlled so that the flange structure 14 faces the inside of the S-shaped drainage channel 9. At the same time, the distance between the flange structure 14 and the positioning structure 10 is not less than the design flow spacing requirement. S3. Surface treatment of the profile obtained in step S2: Anodizing is usually used to form a dense aluminum oxide protective film on the aluminum alloy surface, which improves the corrosion resistance, weather resistance and surface hardness of the frame and extends the service life of the product; other surface treatment methods such as powder coating can also be selected as needed.

[0093] The finished photovoltaic module frame 1 can be encapsulated and combined with the photovoltaic module 7 using sealant 6 to obtain the finished photovoltaic module with S-shaped drainage channels.

[0094] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "lateral," "longitudinal," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. The terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined with "first," "second," and "third" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature.

[0095] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic module frame, comprising a bottom frame, a vertical frame, and a top frame, characterized in that: The top of the vertical frame has a positioning structure for installing photovoltaic modules in the middle; the upper frame is bent and includes a vertical side and a horizontal side that bends and extends from the top of the vertical side. The vertical side is connected to the outer side of the top of the vertical frame, and the horizontal side extends toward the side where the photovoltaic module is located and passes over the positioning structure; a gap is maintained between the horizontal side and the upper surface of the photovoltaic module to form an inlet for a drainage channel. The vertical side of the upper frame has a drain outlet for the drainage channel at a position lower than the positioning structure; the inlet, the space between the side of the positioning structure facing away from the photovoltaic module and the vertical side of the upper frame, and the drain outlet are connected in sequence to define an S-shaped drainage channel with a steep drop in height in the vertical direction.

2. The photovoltaic module frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning structure is either a vertical edge structure that protrudes along the length of the vertical frame, or a plurality of column structures that protrude at intervals along the length of the vertical frame.

3. The photovoltaic module frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side of the positioning structure facing the photovoltaic module forms a sealant-blocking surface for receiving and preventing the overflow of encapsulating sealant, while the side of the positioning structure facing away from the photovoltaic module forms the steeply sloping sidewall of the S-shaped drainage channel.

4. The photovoltaic module frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the photovoltaic module is basically flush with the upper surface of the positioning structure, and the vertical distance between the lateral edge and the upper surface of the positioning structure constitutes the flow height of the water inlet.

5. The photovoltaic module frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drain outlet is a long, narrow groove located on the vertical side of the upper frame, or two or more long, narrow grooves spaced apart along the length of the vertical side.

6. The photovoltaic module frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drain outlet is formed by stamping the vertical edge of the upper frame. After stamping, a flange structure facing the inside of the S-shaped drain channel is formed on the vertical edge. A gap is left between the flange structure and the positioning structure to allow fluid to pass through.

7. The photovoltaic module frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vertical drop height H of the S-shaped drainage channel is greater than or equal to three times the vertical height h of the straight drainage channel with the same horizontal channel length, so that the water flow forms a negative pressure on the steep side of the positioning structure and obtains an increased vertical velocity component under the action of gravity.

8. The photovoltaic module frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the flow section of the inlet is smaller than the height of the flow section of the outlet.

9. The photovoltaic module frame according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the vertical frame and the vertical edge of the upper frame, and the positioning structure and the upper frame form a cavity, which is connected to the water inlet and the drain outlet and forms the middle transition section of the S-shaped drainage channel.

10. The photovoltaic module frame according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The photovoltaic module is rectangular, with its long side being a long frame and its short side being a short frame; the lower frame of the long frame has an outwardly extending extension edge structure, which has mounting holes for connecting with the photovoltaic bracket, and / or grounding holes and grounding marks.

11. The photovoltaic module frame according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The photovoltaic module frame is made of composite material and is integrally formed by die casting, or it is made of aluminum alloy and formed by pultrusion profile, followed by machining, laser cutting or stamping to form the drainage outlet, and then anodizing treatment.

12. A photovoltaic module, comprising, from top to bottom, a front glass, an encapsulating film, a photovoltaic cell, and a back glass or backsheet, characterized in that, It also includes the photovoltaic module frame as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the edge of the photovoltaic module is bonded and fixed to the positioning surface of the positioning structure by a sealant; the upper surface of the photovoltaic module is substantially flush with the upper surface of the positioning structure.

13. The photovoltaic module according to claim 12, characterized in that, The photovoltaic module is installed at an angle, and the frame of the photovoltaic module is located at the lower end of the angle direction of the photovoltaic module; the inlet of the S-shaped drainage channel faces the upper end of the photovoltaic module, and the outlet faces downward, so that the dust and fine sand on the surface of the photovoltaic module are discharged through the inlet and the S-shaped drainage channel and then through the outlet under the influence of airflow and / or rainwater.

14. A method for preparing a photovoltaic module frame as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Provide a profile, the profile including a lower frame, a vertical frame and an upper frame, the top center of the vertical frame is provided with an upwardly protruding positioning structure, the upper frame is bent and has a vertical edge and a horizontal edge, the vertical edge is connected to the outer side of the top of the vertical frame, and the horizontal edge extends to the side where the positioning structure is located and passes over the top of the positioning structure. S2. A drain outlet is machined on the vertical edge of the upper frame, at a position below the positioning structure; S3. Perform surface treatment on the profile obtained in step S2 to obtain the photovoltaic module frame; Wherein, a gap is maintained between the horizontal edge and the upper surface of the installed photovoltaic module to form the inlet of the drainage channel, and the drain outlet forms the outlet of the drainage channel. The inlet, the space between the side of the positioning structure facing away from the photovoltaic module and the vertical edge, and the drain outlet are connected in sequence to form an S-shaped drainage channel with a steep drop structure.

15. The preparation method according to claim 14, characterized in that, In step S2, the drain outlet is processed by machining, laser cutting or stamping. When stamping is used, the stamped flange structure faces the inside of the S-shaped drain channel, and a gap is left between the flange structure and the positioning structure.

16. A method for eliminating dust accumulation at the tilted lower end of a photovoltaic module, characterized in that, Using the photovoltaic module frame as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, the photovoltaic module frame is mounted on the lower side of an inclined photovoltaic module, and the lateral edge of the upper frame extends beyond the positioning structure to cover the glass edge of the photovoltaic module; the method includes: The dust and / or fine sand on the surface of the photovoltaic module are carried by gravity, airflow or rainwater past the lower edge of the photovoltaic module and flow through the water inlet between the lateral edge and the upper surface of the photovoltaic module into the S-shaped drainage channel. The fluid is made to form a negative pressure on the steep drop side of the S-shaped drainage channel formed by the positioning structure, and to generate vertical drop momentum, thereby accelerating the settling and transport of particles toward the drainage outlet. Dust and fine sand are discharged from the frame through the drain outlet on the vertical side of the upper frame below the positioning structure, carried by the fluid.

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