Partial Reinforcement for Thin Solar Module Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to develop thinner and lighter photoelectric conversion module groups that maintain mechanical strength while reducing weight, as simply making them thinner can lead to warping or breaking during folding, and existing solutions that increase mechanical strength through metal reinforcing plates compromise portability by adding weight.
Innovation Solution
A photoelectric conversion module group is designed with flexible linking portions, flexible protective members, and rigid reinforcing members that partially cover the modules, allowing for exposed surface regions to balance mechanical strength and weight reduction, without increasing overall thickness or weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If photoelectric conversion modules are made thinner to reduce weight and improve portability, then weight and thickness are reduced, but mechanical strength deteriorates causing warping or breaking during folding
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing structure is segmented rather than continuous - reinforcing members are positioned only at specific locations (peripheral parts and side surface parts) rather than covering the entire module, providing structural support while minimizing weight addition
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcing members are strategically positioned at locations where mechanical strength is most needed (peripheral parts and side surface parts) rather than uniformly distributed, optimizing the balance between strength improvement and weight control
2Strength
If metal reinforcing plates are added to increase mechanical strength of thin solar cells, then strength is improved, but weight increases reducing portability
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of fully covering the photoelectric conversion modules with reinforcing members, the invention uses partial coverage at critical locations (peripheral parts and side surface parts), providing sufficient mechanical strength while minimizing the weight penalty of added reinforcing structures
3Length of moving object
If photoelectric conversion modules are made thinner for portability, then thickness is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to warping or breaking during folding
Solution Approach 1:
Reinforcing members are pre-installed on the photoelectric conversion modules before folding operations, providing structural support in advance to prevent warping or breaking that would occur during folding, thereby ensuring reliability while maintaining thinness
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a photoelectric conversion module group that enables a balance of high levels of mechanical strength improvement and weight reduction when thin photoelectric conversion modules are used. The photoelectric conversion module includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion modules (11); a flexible linking portion (12) that mechanically and electrically connects two adjacent photoelectric conversion modules (11) among the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules (11); a flexible protective member (14) that covers at least one of a front surface and a rear surface of the linking portion (12); and one or more rigid reinforcing members (13) that partially cover the photoelectric conversion modules (11). In a case in which a reinforcing member (13) is present at a rear surface of any of the photoelectric conversion modules (11), the rear surface includes an exposed surface region that is not covered by the reinforcing member (13).