Solar Junction Box with Integrated Converter for Three-Phase Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar panels require additional components and complex connections to provide different electrical power outputs for various loads, making it difficult to achieve a reliable and simplified power supply to connected consumers.
Innovation Solution
A junction box with three connection poles and at least one converter device, including three actuators and a control device, which can convert input current or voltage into time-variable output current or voltage, allowing for direct connection to consumers with different power requirements, including three-phase current or voltage, without the need for additional inverters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional solar panels use simple parallel/series connections without integrated converters, then the device structure is simple, but additional components (inverters, accumulators) are required and the system cannot provide time-variable output currents/voltages for different load requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the converter devices and control unit directly into the junction box of the solar panel, combining multiple functions (power conversion, control, and connection) into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate inverters and accumulators, resolving the contradiction by providing adaptability for different loads while maintaining manageable device complexity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The junction box is designed with multi-functional converter devices that can provide different electrical power outputs (varying currents and voltages) to accommodate various load requirements. The control unit enables the system to universally serve different consumer types without requiring additional specialized components, thus improving adaptability while keeping the overall structure unified.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional components like inverters and accumulators are added to solar panels, then different electrical power outputs can be provided for various loads, but the number of components increases and connections become complex
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the converter devices and control unit into the junction box, the patent reduces the number of separate components that need to be connected. The junction box becomes a self-contained unit that directly provides adapted power outputs, eliminating complex external connections to inverters and accumulators, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panel with the integrated junction box performs self-service by internally converting and adapting its power output to match different load requirements. The control unit automatically manages the conversion processes without requiring external control systems or multiple components, simplifying the system operation and reducing connection complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional solar panels provide direct current output, then the connection structure is simple, but separate components are needed for alternating current loads and the system lacks flexibility for three-phase current provision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple converter devices capable of generating three-phase current or voltage directly into the junction box. This consolidation provides the adaptability to supply different current types (including three-phase) while maintaining a unified structural approach, resolving the contradiction by embedding the complexity within the junction box rather than requiring separate external systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The converter devices in the junction box are designed with multi-functionality to provide different output types (single-phase, three-phase, varying voltages and currents) from a single integrated system. This universal capability allows the solar panel to directly serve diverse electrical consumers without requiring separate components for each current type, thus improving adaptability while keeping the device structure consolidated.
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 solution enables a reliable and simplified power supply to various consumers by maintaining output currents and voltages within a small deviation of the desired values, eliminating the need for additional components and ensuring optimal operation of solar cell groups, even under shading conditions, while dispensing with bypass circuits.
Implementation Method 1
the nth of the three actuators with n ∈ [1...3] converts an electrical input current IEn(t) predetermined over a time t into a time which can be predetermined by the control device variable output current IAn(t) converted
Data Source
AI summary
The box (7) has three actuators (13a-13c) e.g. four-quadrant actuators, comprising electrical guard contacts (11a-11c, 12a-12c) electrically contacted with electric guards (5a, 5b) of a solar module (3). Terminal pole contacts (14a-14c) are electrically connected to connection poles (15a-15c). A regulating device (17) is electrically connected with the three actuators. The input voltage of the regulating device is converted into time-varying output voltage predefined at the connection poles. The input voltage is applied to the actuators via the electrical guard contacts. An independent claim is also included for a method for generating a three-phase current.