Multifunction Spacer-Wire Clips for Solar Panel Shipping and Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar panel shipping and installation methods require separate spacer clips for protection during transit, which are discarded before installation, and additional wire management clips, leading to waste and potential damage to wires during the transition process.
Innovation Solution
Multifunction spacer-wire clips that serve as both spacers during shipping and wire managers during installation, eliminating the need for separate spacer and wire clips by integrating spacer and wire management functions into a single component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate spacer clips and wire management clips are used, then protection during shipping and wire management are achieved, but waste increases and wire damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spacer function and wire management function into a single integrated clip component. The clip includes a body portion that provides spacing during shipping and a wire retention feature that manages wires during installation, eliminating the need for separate spacer clips and wire management clips.
Solution Approach 2:
The clip is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a spacer during shipping to protect solar panels, and simultaneously serves as a wire management device during installation through its integrated wire retention feature. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed and minimizes waste.
2Reliability
If separate spacer clips and wire management clips are used, then protection during shipping and wire management are achieved, but potential damage to wires occurs during transition
Solution Approach 1:
The wire retention feature is pre-integrated into the clip body during manufacturing, so the wire management capability is already in place before shipping. This eliminates the transition period where wires are vulnerable to damage when moving from shipping packaging to installation setup.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the spacer and wire management functions into one component, the wire retention feature is always present alongside the spacer function, providing continuous protection and eliminating the gap where wire damage could occur during the transition from shipping to installation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate clips are used, then specific functions are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components (spacer clip and wire management clip) into a single integrated clip with unified structure. The clip body contains both the spacing function and the wire retention feature, reducing component count while maintaining functional versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated clip is designed to be universal, performing both spacing and wire management functions through its multi-functional structure. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple specialized components while maintaining adaptability to different installation scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Multifunction spacer-wire clips provide spacing and protection during the shipping of solar panels. A multifunction spacer-wire clip can be subsequently used for wire management during installation and solar panel operation. One example of a spacer-wire clip includes a flange overhang portion, a main body portion. a frame arm portion, and a wire retainer extending from the main body portion sized and configured to selectively retain at least one wire within at least one wire cavity.