Turnable Cap for Solar Cell Pipe Sealing Through Roof

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no practical solution available for reliably leading solar cell pipes through roofing materials, posing a challenge for integrating solar cell systems with existing roofing structures.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a connecting sleeve and a cap with a sideward-facing receiving opening, sealable with heat shrink rubber, and a detachable cover for aeration access, designed to be mounted on conventional pipe ducts, allowing flexible installation and sealing of solar cell pipes through roofing materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional pipe ducts are used without modification, then the roofing structure remains simple and intact, but there is no reliable solution for leading solar cell pipes through the roofing material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of pipe leadingVSAvoidadaptability to solar cell integration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into multiple functional segments: a collar that interfaces with the pipe duct, a connecting sleeve that seals around the pipe, and a cap with receiving opening that directs the pipe. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while collectively providing adaptability for solar cell pipe integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The device acts as an intermediary component between the conventional pipe duct and the solar cell pipe system. It includes intermediate elements like the connecting sleeve with sealing surfaces and the cap with receiving opening, which mediate the connection and enable reliable pipe leading through the roofing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a sealed receiving opening is provided for pipes, then weather protection is improved, but access for aeration and maintenance becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweather protectionVSAvoidaccess for aeration
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cap is designed to be turnably mounted on the connecting sleeve, allowing it to rotate between a closed position that provides weather protection and an open position that enables access for aeration and maintenance. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between sealing and accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving opening is pre-configured with sealing surfaces and heat shrink rubber arrangement that automatically seal around the pipe when the cap is in the closed position. This preliminary preparation ensures weather protection is maintained while allowing easy opening for maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the cap is fixed in position, then manufacturing and installation are simplified, but flexibility in routing pipes from different directions is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of installationVSAvoidflexibility in pipe routing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cap is turnably mounted on the connecting sleeve rather than being fixed, allowing it to rotate to different orientations. This enables the receiving opening to face different directions to accommodate pipes coming from various angles, while the turnable mounting mechanism keeps the overall device relatively simple to manufacture and install.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The turnable cap design makes the device universal for different installation scenarios. The same device can accommodate pipes entering from different directions by rotating the cap to the appropriate orientation, providing multi-functionality without requiring multiple specialized components.

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

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

Enables reliable and flexible routing of solar cell pipes through various roofing materials, ensuring proper sealing and aeration access, thus facilitating the integration of solar cell systems with roofing structures.

Implementation Method 1

The receiving opening 5 is sealable with heat shrink rubber installed around said pipes 6

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat shrink: Thermal Contraction

Data Source

PatentEP2419667B1Device for leading pipes of a solar cell through a roof
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 TUOTE
  • EP2419667B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2419667B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2419667B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for leading pipes (6) of a solar cell through a roof, which device is characterized by a connecting sleeve having an upper end with an annular cross section, said connecting sleeve being mounted onto the straight-cut upper end of a dome-like collar (2a) of a conventional pipe duct (2) to surround the opening of the collar (2a), as well as by a cap (4) turnably installed on the upper end of said connecting sleeve (3) and provided with a sideward-facing receiving opening (5) for pipes (6) to be led from a solar cell into the building, whereby the receiving opening (5) is sealable around said pipes (6).