Solar Roof Panel Profile for Wind-Proof Fastening and Cable Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solar roof panels face challenges in wind-proof fastening, impact protection, UV protection of adhesive materials, and organized cable routing, which affect the service life and installation complexity of solar roof panels.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a first profile that spans the connection box and forms a receiving space for the connection box and connecting lines, with a hook-shaped end section creating a cable channel, and additional profiles for edge protection, allowing for secure engagement and easy cable management, while using plate-like electrodes laminated between cover layers for moisture protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If photovoltaic modules are installed on roofs with conventional fastening methods, then the installation is simple, but wind-proof fastening and impact protection are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewind-proof fastening strengthVSAvoidfastening structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the fastening function and protective function into a single integrated profile structure. The profile is formed by folding the fastening element itself, creating a unified component that provides both mechanical attachment to the roof and protective coverage for the photovoltaic module edges and junction box, thereby improving strength without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The profile structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a mechanical fastening element for wind-proof attachment, provides impact protection for the module edges, shields adhesive materials from UV radiation, and creates cable routing channels. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving enhanced protection without requiring separate dedicated components for each function.

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

2Object-affected harmful factors

If junction boxes and connecting cables are exposed on the surface, then cable access is easy, but impact protection and UV protection of adhesive materials are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUV protection of adhesive materialsVSAvoidcable routing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The profile structure creates a nested configuration where the junction box and connecting cables are received within a cavity or channel formed by the folded profile. This nesting arrangement protects the cables and adhesive materials from UV radiation and physical impact while maintaining organized cable routing through the integrated structure, resolving the contradiction between protection and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The profile structure acts as an intermediary element between the external environment (UV radiation, impact) and the sensitive components (adhesive materials, cables). It provides a protective barrier that shields these components while incorporating channels and openings that facilitate cable access and routing, thereby resolving the contradiction through this mediating structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If multiple solar roof panels are installed without integrated connecting means, then panel installation is flexible, but cable routing becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable routing complexityVSAvoidpanel assembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The profile structure serves as both a mechanical connecting means for joining adjacent panels and as an integrated cable routing channel. This dual functionality allows panels to be assembled with simple mechanical connection while the profile simultaneously provides organized pathways for cables, reducing cable routing complexity without compromising assembly ease.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the mechanical connection function and cable routing function into a single integrated profile structure that forms part of the panel assembly. This combination allows adjacent panels to be connected mechanically while the same structure provides cable pathways, thereby reducing overall system complexity and facilitating both manufacturing and installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If edge regions of photovoltaic modules are exposed, then manufacturing is simple, but impact protection and UV protection are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact protection of module edgesVSAvoidprofile structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The profile structure is formed by folding the fastening element into distinct segments or zones: a base portion for attachment, vertical sections for protection, and horizontal sections for cable routing. This segmentation provides targeted protection for different areas (edges, junction box, adhesive regions) while maintaining a systematic structure that does not excessively increase complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protective coverage for module edges, junction box, and adhesive materials is achieved by merging these functions into a single continuous profile structure formed by folding the fastening element. This integrated approach provides comprehensive protection without requiring multiple separate protective components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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 solution enhances wind-proof fastening, impact protection, and UV protection, ensuring a longer service life and simplifies cable management, enabling complete roof coverage with solar panels without complex cable supply, while maintaining electrical connectivity and ease of maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

Solar cells of a photovoltaic module are connected via junction boxes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4178104B1Solar roof panel
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 PREFA ALUMINUMPROD
  • EP4178104B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4178104B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4178104B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a solar roof panel (1) comprising a photovoltaic module (2) with a junction box (5) for connecting electrical conductors (6) to the photovoltaic module (2) and a plate-like fastening element (3) for the photovoltaic module (2), wherein the photovoltaic module (2) is connected over a surface to a front (4) of the fastening element (3), wherein the fastening element (3) has a back opposite the front (4) and wherein the fastening element (3) has profiles (11, 12, 22, 23) formed by folding from the fastening element (3) at its respective opposite edges, which form complementary connecting means, so that the connecting means of adjacent solar roof panels (1) can be positively engaged with each other,A first profile (11) of the aforementioned profiles has a section (13) spanning the junction box (5) and/or a connecting line (6) running between junction boxes (5) of two adjacent solar roof panels (1).