A junction box and photovoltaic module

Abstract

This application discloses a junction box and a photovoltaic module. The junction box includes: a housing with a width along a first direction; a diode located within the housing; and a heat pipe located within the housing, extending along the first direction and having a length along the first direction, wherein the length of the heat pipe is greater than or equal to the width of the housing. By incorporating a heat pipe within the housing, which is open to the outside, this application enables timely dissipation of heat generated by the diode within the junction box, achieving heat dissipation without increasing shading of the solar cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of photovoltaic technology, and in particular to a junction box and a photovoltaic module. Background Technology

[0002] As the power of photovoltaic modules continues to increase, the module current gradually rises, and the corresponding requirements for the heat dissipation capacity of the junction box diodes also become increasingly stringent. The best way to increase the heat dissipation capacity of the diodes is to increase their size, but this will increase the cost of the diodes, and the size of the junction box will also need to be increased accordingly. Increasing the size of the junction box will increase the shading of the solar cells by the junction box, thus affecting the module power. Therefore, increasing the size of the diodes is basically not a feasible method.

[0003] Existing technology dissipates heat by adding a plastic sleeve to the outside of the junction box. This method mainly relies on liquid flowing through the junction box to remove heat from the surrounding area. However, the liquid cannot flow through the inside of the junction box, so the amount of heat removed by the liquid is limited. In addition, the added plastic sleeve is quite bulky, which will increase the shading of the solar cells and reduce the power generation of the photovoltaic module. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the issue that adding a plastic sleeve to the existing junction box for heat dissipation increases the obstruction of the solar cells, this application provides a junction box and a photovoltaic module, with the specific technical solution as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a junction box for use in photovoltaic modules, the junction box comprising:

[0006] A box body, the box body having a box body width along a first direction;

[0007] A diode, located within the housing; and

[0008] A heat pipe is located in the housing and extends in the housing along the first direction. The heat pipe has a length along the first direction, wherein the length of the heat pipe is greater than or equal to the width of the housing.

[0009] In some embodiments, the heat pipe is a hollow body, which includes a hollow cuboid and a hollow cylinder.

[0010] In some embodiments, when the heat pipe is a hollow cuboid, the length of the heat pipe ranges from 20mm to 35mm; and / or the heat pipe has a width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the width of which ranges from 2mm to 5mm; and / or the heat pipe has a height in a third direction perpendicular to the plane containing the first and second directions, the height of which ranges from 2mm to 4mm.

[0011] In some embodiments, when the heat pipe is a hollow cylinder, the length of the heat pipe ranges from 20mm to 35mm, and / or the heat pipe has an outer diameter, which ranges from 2mm to 5mm.

[0012] In some embodiments, the heat pipe has a heat pipe wall thickness, the value of which ranges from 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

[0013] In some embodiments, a dust plug is also included, wherein the heat pipe has a hollow structure and the shape of the dust plug matches the hollow structure.

[0014] In some embodiments, the box body has a first sidewall and a second sidewall disposed opposite to each other along the first direction, and a third sidewall and a fourth sidewall disposed opposite to each other along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall and the fourth sidewall constitute the inner cavity of the box body.

[0015] In some embodiments, when the length of the heat pipe is greater than or equal to the width of the housing, the first sidewall and the second sidewall are respectively provided with mounting holes at opposite positions, the shape of the mounting holes matching the shape of the heat pipe, so that one end of the heat pipe passes through the first sidewall and the other end passes through the second sidewall.

[0016] In some embodiments, the device also includes a base located below the housing, a cover located above the housing, and a cable clip that connects to the third side wall of the housing.

[0017] In some embodiments, the heat pipe is located on one or both sides of the diode in the inner cavity along a third direction perpendicular to the plane containing the first and second directions.

[0018] Secondly, this application also provides a photovoltaic module, which includes the junction box described in any of the first aspects above.

[0019] The junction box and photovoltaic module technology provided in this application have the following effects: By optimizing the junction box structure and setting a heat pipe in the box body, which is connected to the outside, the heat generated by the diodes in the junction box can be discharged in time to achieve the purpose of heat dissipation. Without increasing the shading of the solar cells, the heat dissipation function of the junction box is improved. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is an example diagram of a junction box provided in this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This application provides an example diagram of a heat pipe;

[0023] Figure 3 This application provides, such as Figure 1 The exploded view of the junction box shown.

[0024] Icon labels:

[0025] Box body: 101;

[0026] Heat pipe: 102;

[0027] Diode: 103;

[0028] Cable connector: 104;

[0029] Cable: 105;

[0030] Dust plug: 106;

[0031] Box lid: 107;

[0032] Base: 108;

[0033] Cable tray: 109;

[0034] First sidewall: 1011;

[0035] Second sidewall: 1012;

[0036] Third sidewall: 1013;

[0037] Fourth sidewall 1014;

[0038] Mounting hole: 1015;

[0039] Hollow structure 1021. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some examples or embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, these drawings can be applied to other similar scenarios without creative effort. Unless obvious from the context or otherwise specified, the same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same structures or operations.

[0041] As indicated in this application and claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words "a," "an," "an," and / or "the" are not specifically singular and may include plural forms. Generally speaking, the terms "comprising" and "including" only indicate the inclusion of explicitly identified steps and elements, which do not constitute an exclusive list, and the method or apparatus may also include other steps or elements.

[0042] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is usually based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms 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 on the scope of protection of this application; the directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0043] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "on top of," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation beyond the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures were inverted, a device described as "above" or "on top of" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0044] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, these terms have no special meaning and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application. In addition, although the terminology used in this application is selected from commonly known and used terms, some terms mentioned in this application's specification may have been chosen by the applicant according to his or her judgment, and their detailed meanings are explained in the relevant sections of this description. Moreover, this application should be understood not only through the actual terms used, but also through the meaning implied by each term.

[0045] See Figure 1 The diagram shows an example of a junction box provided in this application. The junction box includes a box body 101, a heat pipe 102, a diode 103, a cable clamp 104, and a cable 105. Both the heat pipe 102 and the diode 103 are located within the box body 101, with the heat pipe 102 mounted around the diode 103. The box body 101 has a width along a first direction A. The heat pipe 102 extends within the box body 101 along the first direction A and has a length along the first direction A, which is greater than or equal to the width of the box body 101. The length of the heat pipe ranges from 20mm to 35mm. In some embodiments, the length of the heat pipe can be 1mm to 2mm longer than the width of the box body to facilitate the installation of the heat pipe 102 within the box body 101.

[0046] The heat pipe 102 is configured as a hollow structure, which can be, but is not limited to, a hollow cuboid structure and a hollow cylinder structure. In one embodiment, such as Figure 2 The image shown is an example diagram of a heat pipe provided in this application. Figure 2 The heat pipe 102 is a hollow cuboid structure. The heat pipe 102 has a length along a first direction A, ranging from 20mm to 35mm. The heat pipe 102 has a width along a second direction B perpendicular to the first direction A, ranging from 2mm to 5mm. The heat pipe 102 has a height along a third direction C perpendicular to the plane containing the first and second directions A and B, ranging from 2mm to 4mm. In another embodiment, the heat pipe 102 is a hollow cylinder structure (not shown in the figure). When the heat pipe 102 is a hollow cylinder, it has a length along the first direction A, ranging from 20mm to 35mm, and an outer diameter, ranging from 2mm to 5mm. The heat pipe 102 also has a wall thickness, which ranges from 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

[0047] This application uses a heat pipe 102 to expel hot air from the junction box. The heat pipe 102 is installed around the diode 103. The heat generated by the diode 103 is transferred to the heat pipe 102. As the heat increases, the air in the heat pipe 102 gradually becomes hot air. The heat pipe 102 passes through the box 101 and is connected to the outside. The outside air temperature is lower than the temperature of the hot air in the heat pipe 102, so convection occurs, thereby realizing the timely discharge of hot air from the heat pipe 102 and improving the heat dissipation performance of the junction box.

[0048] In some implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, the junction box also has a dust plug 106, and the heat pipe 102 includes a hollow structure 1021. The shape of the dust plug 106 matches the hollow structure 1021. To prevent the heat pipe 102 from falling off during the transportation of the junction box from the junction box manufacturer to the component manufacturer, a removable dust plug 106 can be installed at one or both ends of the heat pipe 102. The dust plug 106 is then removed after the component has cured, ensuring the stability of the heat pipe 102 in the junction box.

[0049] See Figure 3 As shown, this application provides the following: Figure 1 The exploded view shown is of a junction box. The junction box body 101 is composed of a first sidewall 1011, a second sidewall 1012, a third sidewall 1013, and a fourth sidewall 1014. The first sidewall 1011 and the second sidewall 1012 are arranged opposite each other along a first direction A, and the second sidewall 1012 and the third sidewall 1013 are arranged opposite each other along a second direction B perpendicular to the first direction A. The first sidewall 1011, the third sidewall 1013, the second sidewall 1012, and the fourth sidewall 1014 are connected end to end to form the inner cavity of the junction box body 101. The first sidewall 1011 and the second sidewall 1012 each have mounting holes 1015 at opposite positions. The shape of the mounting holes 1015 matches the shape of the heat pipe 102, allowing one end of the heat pipe 102 to pass through the first sidewall 1011 and the other end of the heat pipe 102 to pass through the second sidewall 1012. The number of mounting holes 1015 on the first sidewall 1011 and the second sidewall 1012 respectively matches the number of heat pipes 102. In one embodiment, after the heat pipe 102 passes through the mounting hole 1015, there is a gap between the heat pipe 102 and the mounting hole 1015. Applying potting compound to fill the gap can ensure the waterproof performance of the junction box.

[0050] The heat pipe 102 and diode 103 are housed within the cavity of the housing 101, along a third direction C perpendicular to the plane containing the first direction A and the second direction B. The heat pipe 102 is located on one or both sides of the diode 103. The number of heat pipes 102 can be set according to actual application requirements. In one embodiment, two heat pipes 102 can be used, and the two heat pipes 102 can be installed on either side of the diode 103. Preferably, the two heat pipes 102 are installed on the side of the diode 103 closest to the base 104, which helps reduce the complexity of subsequent installation of the junction box. In another embodiment, four heat pipes 102 are used, with two heat pipes 102 installed on each side of the diode 103, further improving the heat dissipation performance of the diode 103.

[0051] The heat pipe 102 is made of a thermally conductive material. To prevent leakage in the junction box, silicon carbide or graphite is preferred as the material for the heat pipe 102. The heat pipe 102 can also be made of metal, but the metal material must undergo metal oxidation treatment or be coated with an oxide coating. Aluminum oxide coating is preferred as the oxide coating. Alternatively, the heat pipe 102 can be made of high thermal conductivity epoxy resin. When high thermal conductivity epoxy resin is used, the heat pipe 102 is integrally molded with the housing 101 using injection molding.

[0052] The junction box also includes a cover 107 located above the box body 101, a base 108 located below the box body 101, a cable clamping part 104 connected to the third side wall 1013 of the box body 101, and a cable holder 107 located near the cable clamping part 104 and below the cable 105.

[0053] This application optimizes the junction box structure, improving the heat dissipation function of the junction box without changing the main material of the junction box or increasing the obstruction of the battery cells.

[0054] This application also provides a photovoltaic module, including the junction box described in any of the above embodiments.

[0055] The basic concepts have been described above. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, the above disclosure is merely illustrative and does not constitute a limitation of this application. Although not explicitly stated herein, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, improvements, and corrections to this application. Such modifications, improvements, and corrections are suggested in this application, and therefore remain within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of this application.

[0056] Furthermore, this application uses specific terms to describe embodiments of the application. For example, "an embodiment," "one embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic related to at least one embodiment of the application. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "an alternative embodiment" mentioned twice or more in different locations in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, certain features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments of the application can be appropriately combined.

[0057] Similarly, it should be noted that, in order to simplify the description of the present application and thus aid in the understanding of one or more embodiments, the foregoing description of the embodiments of the present application sometimes combines multiple features into a single embodiment, drawing, or description thereof. However, this disclosure method does not imply that the subject matter of the present application requires more features than those mentioned in the claims. In fact, the embodiments contain fewer features than all the features of the single embodiments disclosed above.

[0058] In some embodiments, numbers describing the quantity of components and attributes are used. It should be understood that such numbers used in the description of embodiments are modified in some examples with the terms "approximately," "approximately," or "generally." Unless otherwise stated, "approximately," "approximately," or "generally" indicates that the numbers are allowed to vary by ±20%. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters used in the specification and claims are approximate values, which may be changed depending on the characteristics required by individual embodiments. In some embodiments, numerical parameters should take into account specified significant digits and employ a general method of digit reservation. Although the numerical ranges and parameters used to confirm their breadth of scope in some embodiments of this application are approximate values, in specific embodiments, such values ​​are set as precisely as feasible.

[0059] Although this application has been described with reference to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate this application, and various equivalent changes or substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, any changes or modifications to the above embodiments within the essential spirit of this application will fall within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A terminal block, characterized by The application relates to a junction box applied to a photovoltaic module, the junction box comprising: a box body having a box body width along a first direction; a diode located in the box body; and a heat pipe located in the box body, the heat pipe extending along the first direction in the box body, the heat pipe having a heat pipe length along the first direction, wherein the heat pipe length is greater than or equal to the box body width.

2. The junction box of claim 1, wherein, The heat pipe is a hollow body, and the hollow body comprises a hollow cuboid and a hollow cylinder.

3. The junction box of claim 2, wherein, When the heat pipe is a hollow cuboid, the heat pipe length ranges from 20 mm to 35 mm; and / or The heat pipe has a heat pipe width along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the heat pipe width ranges from 2 mm to 5 mm; and / or The heat pipe has a heat pipe height along a third direction perpendicular to a plane in which the first direction and the second direction lie, and the heat pipe height ranges from 2 mm to 4 mm.

4. The junction box of claim 2, wherein, When the heat pipe is a hollow cylinder, the heat pipe length ranges from 20 mm to 35 mm, and / or the heat pipe has a heat pipe outer diameter, and the heat pipe outer diameter ranges from 2 mm to 5 mm.

5. The junction box of claim 1, wherein, The heat pipe has a heat pipe wall thickness, and the heat pipe wall thickness ranges from 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

6. The junction box of claim 1, wherein, A dustproof plug is further included, the heat pipe comprises a hollow structure, and the dustproof plug is shaped to match the hollow structure.

7. A terminal block according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The box body has a first side wall and a second side wall oppositely arranged along the first direction, and a third side wall and a fourth side wall oppositely arranged along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the first side wall, the second side wall, the third side wall and the fourth side wall constitute an inner cavity of the box body.

8. The junction box of claim 7, wherein, When the heat pipe length is greater than or equal to the box body width, the first side wall and the second side wall have mounting holes at opposite positions, respectively, and the mounting holes are shaped to match the heat pipe, so that one end of the heat pipe passes through the first side wall and the other end passes through the second side wall.

9. The junction box of claim 7, wherein, A base is further included below the box body, a box cover is further included above the box body, and a cable clamping portion is in connection with the third side wall of the box body.

10. The junction box of claim 7, wherein, In the inner cavity, the heat pipe is located on one side or both sides of the diode along a third direction perpendicular to a plane in which the first direction and the second direction lie.

11. A photovoltaic module, characterized by The photovoltaic module comprises the junction box according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images