Symmetric Insulation-Piercing Cable Layout for Reversible PV Connection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current insulation piercing cable connection systems are inefficient and costly, particularly when used in photovoltaic systems integrated into road surfaces, due to the need for complex AC converters and expensive electronic components, and lack flexibility in installation and maintenance, leading to high material and labor costs.
Innovation Solution
A specially designed insulation piercing cable connection system featuring a flat cable with three or more conductors, a cross-section with two orthogonal axes of symmetry, and a point symmetrical arrangement, allowing for easy installation in either direction and reducing the need for complex AC converters by using direct current, which also enables Power Line Communication without expensive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If AC converters with integrated MPPT are used in photovoltaic systems, then power conversion and tracking efficiency are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power conversion function from the cable system by using separate DC/DC converters with integrated MPPT that connect to the insulation piercing cable. This separates the complex conversion function from the simple cable connection, allowing the cable to remain simple while still achieving efficient power conversion through the external converters.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation piercing cable with symmetric design serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection, allows bidirectional installation, and supports both DC and AC applications. The cable system is designed to work with various converter types, making it universally applicable different photovoltaic system configurations.
2Ease of operation
If insulation piercing cable connection systems are used in photovoltaic systems, then installation flexibility is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential incorrect connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric conductor arrangement within the symmetric cable structure. The conductors are positioned at specific locations (two outer conductors and one or more inner conductors) that create an asymmetric pattern when viewed from the top. This asymmetric conductor layout allows the system to maintain bidirectional cable installation flexibility while ensuring correct polarity connection through the specific spatial arrangement of conductors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color-coded insulation or conductor identification to indicate polarity and conductor function. Different colors are used to distinguish between positive and negative conductors, as well as to identify specific conductor positions in multi-conductor cables. This visual coding system maintains installation flexibility while preventing incorrect connections through clear visual identification.
3Ease of manufacture
If symmetric cable cross-sections are used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but connection directionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines symmetric cable outer geometry with asymmetric internal conductor arrangement. The cable cross-section maintains symmetry for easy manufacturing and bidirectional installation, while the conductors inside are positioned asymmetrically (with specific outer and inner conductor locations) to provide connection directionality and polarity identification when the cable is connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by moving the directionality information from the two-dimensional cable cross-section symmetry to the three-dimensional conductor spatial arrangement. The symmetric outer shape allows easy manufacturing and bidirectional installation, while the asymmetric positioning of conductors in the vertical dimension (outer vs inner conductors) provides the necessary connection directionality.
4Loss of information
If Power Line Communication is implemented over cable conductors, then communication capability is improved, but energy loss increases due to additional electronic components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables Power Line Communication to use the existing cable infrastructure for both power transmission and communication purposes. The communication function is integrated into the power cable system itself, allowing the cable to serve dual purposes without requiring separate communication wiring or additional active electronic components that would increase energy consumption.
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 reduces material and labor costs, increases reliability, and allows for flexible installation, while maintaining efficient energy transfer and communication in photovoltaic systems, especially when integrated into road surfaces, by using a direct current bus voltage and eliminating the need for complex AC-output stages and expensive PLC components.
Implementation Method 1
said insulation piercing cable connector is compatible to be electrically connected to said insulation piercing cable by piercing the insulation of said insulation piercing cable with said cable piercing conductors
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to an insulation piercing cable connection system, to an insulation piercing cable and an insulation piercing connector for use in said insulation piercing cable connection system, and to a photovoltaic system.