Frameless Tile Module Retention System for Lamination Bow Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large laminated glass structures, including photovoltaic modules, suffer from lamination bow due to asymmetric heating during the lamination process, leading to instability and increased costs when frames are used to address this issue, which affects the aesthetics and financial efficiency of roofing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A frameless tile module with a retention system that applies force to the bottom glass layer, using retention devices such as plates or hooks, to suppress lamination bow, allowing for larger modules to be used without frames, thereby reducing costs and enhancing aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frames are added around PV modules to suppress lamination bow, then stability and water tightness are improved, but cost increases and aesthetics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the frame structure from PV modules while maintaining stability through an innovative retention system. The retention system consists of retention elements that attach directly to the PV module backsheet and connecting elements that secure modules to each other, eliminating the need for external frames and reducing material costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces adjustable retention elements that can compensate for lamination bow through controlled deformation. The retention system allows for dynamic adjustment during installation to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, maintaining module stability without rigid framing.
2Productivity
If larger PV modules are used to reduce cost, then financial efficiency is improved, but lamination bow increases causing gaps and water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system incorporates flexible connecting elements that can dynamically adjust to the curvature caused by lamination bow in large modules. These elements maintain continuous contact with the module edges, preventing water ingress despite the modules' larger size and associated thermal deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the retention mechanism from rigid mechanical fastening to a system that accommodates dimensional changes. The retention elements are designed with specific mechanical properties that allow them to deform within certain limits, adapting to the lamination bow parameters of large modules while maintaining sealing integrity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If double-glass structure is used in PV modules, then durability is improved, but lamination bow occurs due to asymmetric heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary counter-forces during module assembly to compensate for expected lamination bow. The retention system is pre-configured with specific tension and positioning that counteracts the natural curvature tendency of double-glass modules, maintaining flatness before thermal cycling occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention system is designed to accommodate thermal expansion differences between glass layers. The connecting elements have thermal properties matched to the glass, allowing them to expand and contract with the modules while maintaining constant retention force, preventing bow development during temperature cycles.
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 effectively suppresses lamination bow, enabling cost-effective, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing roofing solutions by maintaining the flatness and parallelism of glass layers, even with larger tile modules, thus preventing water ingress and improving system stability.
Implementation Method 1
the retention system is configured to exercise a force onto the bottom glass layer once the tile module is attached to the carrying structure, such that a lamination bow in the tile module is essentially suppressed
Implementation Method 2
The lamination bow is a result of an asymmetric heating of the different layers of laminated structures during the lamination process
Implementation Method 3
This leads to differences in thermal extension of the layers and thus to the lamination bow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
In a tile module (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4), wherein the tile module (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) is frameless, wherein the tile module (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) comprises a top glass layer (3), a bottom glass layer (4) and a retention system (6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 7.1, 7.2) for attaching the tile module (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) to a carrying structure, the retention system (6, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 7.1, 7.2) is configured to exercise a force onto the bottom glass layer (4) once the tile module (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) is attached to the carrying structure (10.1, 10.2), such that a lamination bow in the tile module (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4) is essentially suppressed.