Modular Power Wiring for Detachable Sheet Solar Cell Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable energy harvesters, such as sheet solar cells, face issues with adjustability, replacement of faulty components, and secure attachment/detachment, leading to potential damage and reduced reliability.

Innovation Solution

A power wiring apparatus featuring a plate-shaped wiring member with conductive connectors and a detachable external circuit element that can be easily attached and detached parallel to its surface, allowing for flexible configuration, storage, and integration with energy harvesting elements, enabling efficient power generation and consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If sheet solar cells are combined into a module in a fixed state, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability and replaceability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The solar cell module is divided into individual solar cell units that can be separately attached and detached. Each solar cell can be independently connected to the wiring member through connectors, allowing selective replacement and reconfiguration while maintaining overall module stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The module structure transitions from a fixed rigid assembly to a dynamic reconfigurable system. Connectors enable the solar cells to be attached and detached as needed, providing adaptability in configuration while the wiring member maintains structural stability when cells are connected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Strength

If solar cells are attached by hooking onto wiring perpendicular to surface direction, then connection strength is improved, but ease of operation and reliability deteriorate due to bending stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection strengthVSAvoidease of attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attaching solar cells perpendicular to the surface direction (hooking onto wiring), the connectors are designed to attach parallel to the surface direction. This inversion of the attachment direction eliminates bending stress during attachment and detachment operations while maintaining secure connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of repair

If solar cells are made detachable for replacement, then ease of repair is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential damage during attachment and detachment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the attachment direction to be parallel rather than perpendicular to the surface, the connector design eliminates bending stress that causes damage during attachment and detachment. This allows frequent replacement operations without compromising the reliability and integrity of the solar cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

The apparatus enhances portability and convenience by allowing for adjustable size, reduced stress during attachment/detachment, and improved power generation efficiency, while preventing damage from excessive stress.

Implementation Method 1

an energy harvesting element as a circuit element capable of outputting, from the second connector, power generated by energy harvesting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3771092B1Power wiring device
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 ZEON CORP
  • EP3771092B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3771092B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP3771092B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present disclosure aims to provide a power wiring apparatus that has improved portability and convenience. A power wiring apparatus (1) of the present disclosure includes a plate-shaped wiring member (10), which includes a plurality of first connectors (12) and is configured to conductively connect the plurality of first connectors (12) to each other, and a plate-shaped external circuit element (20) mounted on the wiring member (10) and including a second connector (21) mechanically and electrically attachable to and detachable from any first connector (12) among the plurality of first connectors (12). The insertion and removal direction of the second connector (21) with respect to the first connector (12) is substantially parallel to the surface direction of the external circuit element (20). The external circuit element (20) includes an energy harvesting element as a circuit element capable of outputting, from the second connector (21), power generated by energy harvesting.