Reverse-Mounted Photovoltaic Inverter Layout for Cooling and Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current photovoltaic inverters have complex installation processes, are prone to cable connection faults, and suffer from poor cooling and large size, which affects their stability and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The photovoltaic inverter design includes a reversely fastened circuit board with distinct subcavities for devices, thermally conductive connections for heat dissipation, and rigid fastening of the switch assembly to improve stability and reduce installation complexity, while minimizing size and enhancing cooling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional cable connection methods are used in photovoltaic inverters, then electrical connections can be established, but the installation process becomes complex and cable connection faults are easily generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation processVSAvoidcable connection fault
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates cables from the inverter system by implementing direct soldering connections between circuit board terminals and component leads. This removes the cable connection环节 that causes installation complexity and connection faults, achieving reliable electrical connections without cables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with direct soldering joints. Instead of using mechanical connectors and cables, electrical connections are established through soldering, which eliminates connection faults and simplifies the installation process.

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

2Reliability

If traditional inverter design is used, then the inverter can function, but it has a large size and poor cooling effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling effectVSAvoidinverter size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the circuit board with the heat dissipation structure by integrating cooling fins directly into the circuit board design. This combination allows the circuit board to serve both electrical and thermal management functions, improving cooling efficiency while reducing overall inverter size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends heat dissipation into the vertical dimension by adding cooling fins that protrude from the circuit board surface. This three-dimensional heat dissipation structure increases the heat exchange area without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint, thereby improving cooling while maintaining compact size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If circuit board is traditionally fastened in photovoltaic inverter, then assembly can be completed, but assembly difficulty is high and structure stability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure stabilityVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fastening function with the housing structure by integrating mounting protrusions and recesses directly into the housing and circuit board. This integration eliminates the need for separate fastening components and procedures, simplifying assembly while ensuring stable structural connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design reduces cable connections, improves cooling efficiency, stabilizes the structure, and simplifies installation, leading to enhanced performance and reduced size of the photovoltaic inverter.

Implementation Method 1

The inverter power assembly is in thermally conductive connection to a part of the cooling fins through the thermally conductive contact part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP4693871A1Photovoltaic inverter and photovoltaic system
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD
  • EP4693871A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4693871A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4693871A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This application provides a photovoltaic inverter and a photovoltaic system. The photovoltaic inverter includes a housing, a circuit board, cooling fins, a switch assembly, and PV ports. The circuit board is reversely fastened in the photovoltaic inverter. The circuit board partitions an accommodating cavity into a first subcavity and a second subcavity, and the first subcavity and the second subcavity accommodate a first device and a second device respectively. The second device includes an inverter power assembly fastened to a rear circuit board side. The cooling fins are located on a side that is of a bottom plate and that is away from a cover plate. The inverter power assembly is in thermally conductive connection to the cooling fins through a thermally conductive contact part. The switch assembly includes a knob, a connecting rod, and a switch body. The switch body includes breaking units. Pins of the breaking units are rigidly fastened to the rear circuit board side. In this application, the circuit board is reversely fastened in the photovoltaic inverter, and a large device is fastened to the rear circuit board side, so that both cooling effect and a product aesthetic feeling are considered. The switch body is rigidly fastened to the rear circuit board side through the pins. This reduces assembly difficulty of the photovoltaic inverter.