Solar module comprising a stone frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solar modules with metal frames face environmental concerns due to energy-intensive mining and corrosion issues, leading to unsightly appearances over time, particularly on walls and facades.
Innovation Solution
The use of a stone frame with fiber stabilization for solar modules, which is weather-resistant, easy to clean, and maintains a decorative appearance, replacing traditional metal frames with a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal frames are used for solar modules, then structural strength and stability are improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates due to energy-intensive mining and CO2 emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the frame from metal to stone, fundamentally altering the environmental characteristics while maintaining structural functionality. Stone frames eliminate the need for energy-intensive metal mining and processing, directly addressing the environmental harm caused by conventional metal frames.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining stone with fiber reinforcement materials. This composite approach maintains the structural strength typically associated with metal frames while eliminating the environmental drawbacks of metal production, achieving both mechanical performance and environmental friendliness.
2Ease of manufacture
If metal frames are used for solar modules, then ease of manufacture is improved, but appearance quality deteriorates over time due to corrosion and soiling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to stone, which fundamentally alters the aging characteristics. Stone does not corrode like metal and maintains its aesthetic appearance over time, directly solving the appearance deterioration problem while remaining manufacturable through conventional stone cutting and finishing processes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If stone frames are used for solar modules, then environmental friendliness and appearance quality are improved, but structural strength deteriorates without fiber stabilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies fiber reinforcement within the stone frame structure, creating a composite material that combines the environmental and aesthetic benefits of stone with the tensile strength and crack resistance of fiber materials. This composite approach directly compensates for the inherent strength limitations of pure stone.
Solution Approach 2:
The fiber reinforcement acts as a preventive measure embedded within the stone frame during manufacturing, providing internal structural support that prevents future strength failures. This beforehand cushioning ensures the frame maintains adequate strength throughout its service life without requiring additional external reinforcement.
4Ease of operation
If stone frames are used for solar modules, then ease of maintenance is improved due to self-cleaning properties, but manufacturing complexity increases due to fiber stabilization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The fiber reinforcement is integrated into the stone frame during the manufacturing process, creating a unified composite structure. While this adds complexity to manufacturing, it enables the stone frame to achieve adequate structural strength without requiring thicker or more complex designs, thus balancing manufacturing complexity with long-term maintenance simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a new way of stabilizing and mounting solar panels in the form of conventional heat exchangers comprising a trough and a glass cover or of a photovoltaic panel on house walls with the aid of frames made of natural or artificial stones which are made break-resistant using fiber materials and are stabilized in such a way that the panels are also break-resistant on impact and can be mounted as self-supporting structures on a wall; furthermore, the panels in particular satisfy high standards in respect of esthetics and are low-maintenance and thus permanently appealing. Multiple solar panels comprising stone frames can form entire stone-solar panel facades.