Inductor Insert Layout for Flexible PV Interconnection Soldering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soldering devices for photovoltaic panels require reprogramming or terminal replacement when panel formats change, leading to inefficient production and downtime.

Innovation Solution

A device with an inductor having parallel branches and a longitudinally arranged insert, which heats the header ribbon uniformly regardless of bus bar spacing, using a magnetic field and cooling mechanism to ensure consistent soldering across different panel formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional welding devices are used for soldering photovoltaic module interconnections, then the basic soldering function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing precision deteriorates due to lack of positioning accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into distinct functional modules: a positioning system with guide rails and positionable clamps for precise location, a welding gun assembly for soldering, and a control system. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system precision without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Positionable clamps serve as intermediaries between the positioning system and the photovoltaic module interconnections. These clamps provide precise positioning and stable support during the welding process, ensuring manufacturing precision while keeping the overall device structure manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If manual positioning methods are used for photovoltaic module interconnections, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming alignment processes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoldering efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning system performs preliminary positioning actions before the actual welding process. Guide rails and positionable clamps pre-establish the correct positions of photovoltaic module interconnections, eliminating time-consuming manual alignment during welding and thus improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated positioning mechanism featuring guide rails and motorized or pneumatic positionable clamps. This substitution reduces the time required for alignment while maintaining device complexity at an acceptable level through standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If stable support is not provided for photovoltaic module interconnections, then device complexity is reduced, but welding quality deteriorates due to movement and misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding qualityVSAvoidsupport structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Positionable clamps act as intermediaries that provide stable support for photovoltaic module interconnections during welding. These clamps securely hold the interconnections in place, preventing movement and misalignment, thereby ensuring welding quality without requiring an overly complex support structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure provides localized stability exactly where needed—at the interconnection points during welding—rather than requiring comprehensive support throughout the entire system. This localized approach maintains welding quality while minimizing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables flexible soldering across various panel formats without terminal replacement, enhancing productivity and reducing downtime.

Implementation Method 1

an inductor (50) arranged to generate an induction field across the solder material (40)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The inductor (50) is arranged to generate an induction field across the solder material (40) to be applied to the first and second interconnections (31, 32)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4341030B1Device for soldering the interconnections of photovoltaic panels with an inductor and longitudinally arranged insert
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 ECOPROGETTI SRL
  • EP4341030B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4341030B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4341030B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention concerns a device (10) for soldering the interconnections of photovoltaic panels (1).Said device (10) comprises: an inductor (11), which in turn comprises a filament (12), which substantially develops so as to form two parallel branches (13a, 13b): a first branch (13a) and a second branch (13b), and an insert (14), which has a longitudinal development, which is at least partly surrounded longitudinally by said filament (12) and is interposed between said two branches (13a, 13b).