Solar Junction Box with Displaceable Contacts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional solar panels face issues with reduced performance and potential damage due to varying sunlight intensities across solar cells, leading to inefficiencies and failures, which existing bypass diodes partially address but with limitations in manufacturing efficiency and storage requirements.

Innovation Solution

A junction box design with displaceable contact elements and diodes that can accommodate different solar module configurations, allowing for efficient electrical connections and reduced storage needs by compensating for manufacturing tolerances, enabling flexible and adaptable solar panel assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional junction boxes with fixed contact elements are used, then manufacturing precision requirements are high, but storage requirements increase and manufacturing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconductor arrangement precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact elements are designed to be displaceable along the conductor, allowing dynamic adjustment to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. This eliminates the need for high precision fixed positioning and enables a single junction box type to accommodate variations in conductor arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The junction box design with displaceable contact elements can accommodate different solar module configurations and conductor arrangements. This universality allows a single junction box type to be used across multiple product variants, reducing storage requirements and improving manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple junction box types are stocked to accommodate different solar module configurations, then adaptability is improved, but storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different solar modulesVSAvoidstorage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The junction box incorporates displaceable contact elements that can adapt to different solar module configurations and conductor arrangements. This universal design allows a single junction box type to serve multiple applications, eliminating the need to stock multiple specialized types and thereby reducing storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact elements can change their position parameters along the conductor to accommodate different module configurations. This parameter adjustment capability provides adaptability without requiring multiple fixed-design junction box types, reducing inventory complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If fixed contact elements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing tolerances cannot be compensated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact element structureVSAvoidtolerance compensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The contact elements are designed with displacement capability along the conductor, providing a simple yet effective mechanism to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. This dynamic feature adds minimal complexity while significantly improving tolerance compensation and overall manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances manufacturing efficiency, reduces storage requirements, and improves solar panel performance by allowing a single junction box type to fit various solar modules with different conductor arrangements, minimizing rejects and maintaining consistent quality.

Implementation Method 1

at least one diode, which the at least two contact elements electrically contacted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiode: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2296181B1Connection socket, use of same in a solar panel and manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2013.11.13 YAMAICHI ELECTRONICS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP2296181B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2296181B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2296181B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The wiring box (7) has a housing device (9) arranged on a solar module (3) with an arrangement side (13). The housing device has a supporting unit (11). A contact device (21) is provided, which has two contact elements (23a,23b) and a diode (25), which electrically contacts two contact elements. An independent claim is also included for a method for producing a solar panel.