Photovoltaic Junction Box Bracket With Rotatable Spacer Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching junction boxes to photovoltaic panels are not adequately efficient for secure and flexible electrical connections across multiple panels, limiting the scalability and reliability of photovoltaic installations.
Innovation Solution
A bracket system with a central fastener and rotatable/spacer components that allows secure attachment of junction boxes to both photovoltaic and non-photovoltaic sides of panels, enabling electrical connections between adjacent panels, either edge-to-edge or corner-to-corner, facilitating flexible and robust mounting configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing methods for attaching junction boxes to photovoltaic panels are used, then the attachment is simple, but the security and flexibility of electrical connections across multiple panels is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system is divided into separate functional components: a bracket for mounting to the photovoltaic panel frame, a central fastener for securing the junction box, and rotatable spacers for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable spacers enable dynamic adjustment of the junction box position relative to the photovoltaic panels. The spacers can rotate to accommodate different panel configurations (edge-to-edge or corner-to-corner connections), providing flexibility without requiring multiple fixed attachment methods.
2Reliability
If a secure attachment method is implemented, then the reliability improves, but the ease of installation and adjustment may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable spacers allow installers to easily adjust the junction box position by simply rotating the spacers to the desired orientation, rather than requiring complex repositioning mechanisms or multiple attachment methods. This maintains ease of operation while ensuring secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket serves as an intermediary component that simplifies the attachment process. It provides a standardized mounting interface to the photovoltaic panel frame, while the central fastener and spacers handle the junction box securing, dividing the installation steps into manageable, easy-to-perform actions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bracket system supports multiple panel configurations, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system is designed as a universal attachment mechanism that can accommodate multiple photovoltaic panel configurations through the rotatable spacers. The same basic components (bracket, central fastener, spacers) serve multiple functions depending on how the spacers are positioned, eliminating the need for different attachment systems for different configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable spacers provide the adaptability needed for different mounting configurations (edge-to-edge or corner-to-corner) without adding significant complexity. The rotation mechanism is a simple, intuitive motion that allows the system to adapt to various panel arrangements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for attaching a junction box to a photovoltaic. The photovoltaic panel has a photovoltaic side and a non-photovoltaic side. The device includes a bracket with a first side attachable to the junction box and a second side attachable to the non-photovoltaic surface of the photovoltaic panel. A central fastener is attachable at one end to the bracket and a plate is adapted for connecting to the other end of the central fastener and for mounting on the photovoltaic side of the photovoltaic panel. One or more rotatable spacers, connectible to the central fastener, may be located on the non-photovoltaic side of the photovoltaic panel. One or more fixed spacers may be located on the non-photovoltaic side connectible to the bracket.