Solar Cell Module Reinforcing Member Design to Reduce Shearing Stress
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar cell modules face stress issues due to snow and wind loads, leading to potential cracking and delamination of solar cell elements and glass, and a need for enhanced load-bearing performance, especially in windy and snowy areas.
Innovation Solution
A solar cell module design featuring a reinforcing member with a horizontal support part and inclined parts at its ends, which distributes compressive stress and reduces shearing stress, enhancing load-bearing performance while maintaining a simple structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the solar cell module is enlarged to increase productivity, then the number of manufacturing man-hours per unit area is reduced, but the module receives larger wind load and snow load and is likely to be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The solar cell module is divided into multiple sections with reinforcing members placed at regular intervals across the back surface. Each reinforcing member creates a localized support section, segmenting the large module into smaller load-bearing units that can better withstand wind and snow loads while maintaining overall module strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcing members are strategically positioned at the back surface of the module to provide localized reinforcement where needed. The reinforcing members have varying cross-sectional shapes (rectangular, circular, triangular, or polygonal) tailored to specific structural requirements, providing enhanced strength at critical locations without adding unnecessary weight or complexity throughout the entire module.
2Strength
If a rectangular columnar reinforcing member is placed at the central portion of the solar cell module, then the load bearing performance is improved, but strong bending stress and shearing stress are applied to the solar cell module at the angular portion of the reinforcing member
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing members are designed with rounded cross-sectional shapes (circular, oval, or polygonal with smooth transitions) instead of sharp rectangular angles. This curvature eliminates concentrated stress points at angular portions, distributing bending and shearing stresses more evenly across the module structure and preventing crack initiation at the reinforcing member edges.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional parameters of the reinforcing members are optimized by using shapes with rounded corners or curved surfaces. This parameter change from sharp angles to curved geometries fundamentally alters the stress distribution pattern, reducing peak stresses and preventing the repeated stress concentration that leads to cracking and delamination over the module's design life.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple structure is used for the solar cell module, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the load bearing performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The module structure is segmented into standardizable components (front surface, back surface, and modular reinforcing members) that can be manufactured independently and assembled systematically. This segmentation allows for simple, repeatable manufacturing processes while achieving enhanced load bearing capacity through the distributed reinforcing member configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing members use simple geometric shapes (rectangular, circular, triangular, or polygonal cross-sections) that are easy to manufacture using standard extrusion or molding processes. Despite the simplicity of individual components, the strategic placement and configuration of these simple shapes provide sophisticated load distribution and enhanced structural performance without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A solar cell module (101) according to the present invention comprises: a solar cell panel (2) that includes a light-receiving surface (2a), a non-light-receiving surface (2b), and a first side part (2c1) and a second side part (2c2) which are disposed between the light-receiving surface and the non-light-receiving surface and are not on the same surface; a first retaining member (31) that retains the first side part of the solar cell panel; a second retaining member (32) that retains the second side part of the solar cell panel; and a reinforcing member (4) disposed between the first retaining member and the second retaining member on the same side as the non-light-receiving surface, the reinforcing member being in an elongated shape. The reinforcing member comprises a support part (4a) that supports the non-light-receiving surface of the solar cell panel, and the support part includes a horizontal part (4b) parallel to the non-light-receiving surface and also includes an inclined part (4c) disposed at an end of the horizontal part, the inclined part being inclined so as to be apart from the non-light-receiving surface as the inclined part is apart from the horizontal part. The reinforcing member is secured to the solar cell panel by an adhesive (12) on the horizontal section and the inclined section. Because the thickness of the adhesive at the end of the inclined section is thick, there are effects that deformation of the solar cell in the compressed direction easily occurs, and the shearing stress applied to the solar cell by the outer edge of the reinforcing member can be reduced.