Electrical terminal for a solar module.

p0001Solar modules consist essentially of a substrate on which a plurality of strip-like or disk-shaped solar cells are arranged and electrically interconnected. To protect against the weather, the solar cells are embedded in a plastic material. On the front side of this composite, a glass used as substrate. The back side of the composite can be protected by a special additional composite sheet or by a second glass sheet. For better handling, for mounting and to increase the fracture resistance or may be an existing usually of metal frame.

p0002To derive the current generated in the solar cell normally lit room or for interconnection of several solar modules connections are provided on this electric. This may for example be mounted terminal boxes on the module, inside which the respective terminals are provided in the form of cable clamps or bolts. Other connection options such as fixed frame mounted connection bolt or in the module permanently installed connecting cable are known.

p0003A disadvantage of the known electrical connectors for solar modules is their relatively high material and manufacturing costs, which can represent a not insignificant cost factor of the entire solar module.

p0004Object of the present invention is therefore to provide a solar module with a simple to produce electrical connection, which also ensures a simple, fast and safe interconnection.

p0005This object is achieved by a solar panel, which has at least two electrical terminals, each consisting of a bolt-shaped connecting element, which is fixed by means of an over ambitious, glued to the back of the module support member. Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention that the support member consists of plastic.

p0006Further embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

p0007The electrical connection of the solar module according to the invention can be mounted in a simple manner at any desired point of the module. The support member provides a secure fit of the connecting element, because it partially enclosing this and with its widened base provides sufficient contact surface for safe bonding to the module. The connecting element itself need only to the conductor strips to be soldered, that need to be led at a location on the rear of the module. The support member has centrally on one of the pin-shaped terminal member bore adapted so that a good grip of the connecting element is ensured even without bonding already via attachment of the support member. A manufactured plastic support member is also electrically insulating and sealed with a suitable bonding required for the electrical connection in the opening, for example, laminated solar module.

p0008A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides an at least partially hollow support member, whose cavities are potted in bonding with adhesive, so that a particularly tight and secure mounting of the connecting element is ensured on the module.

p0009In a further embodiment of the invention to incorporate a protective diode in the electrical connection. The protective diode can be soldered, for example, to the connection element and securely covered with the support member.

p0010The connecting element is pin-shaped and may have a circular, polygonal or circular segment-shaped cross section. A non-circular cross-section takes place in a correspondingly shaped support member a secure grip, so that an outline of the connecting element, for example, by twisting off from the soldering is avoided.

p0011The connection element has in its upper, protruding from the supporting member part on a configuration, which is suitable for safe and easy connection of a connecting cable. For example, the connecting element in the upper part comprise a thread, so that an electrical connection by means of a cable lug, screw caps and spring washers can be accomplished. Another connection possibility is given when the terminal element is configured in its upper part as a clamped connection. It is also possible to produce the electrical connection of a plug connection, wherein the connection element is formed as a socket or plug. Furthermore, it is possible to make the electric connection via a combination of connection possibilities, for example via a plug connection, which is secured by an additional screw.

p0012Another embodiment of the invention relates to a device for protecting the electrical connection from moisture and precipitation. After establishing an electrical connection of this example, may be covered or sealed by a battery cap or similar device. The protective cap is suitable for mounting on the support member, wherein the connection element or the electrical connection is covered with the protective cap. The protective cap may be a part of the connecting cable, the connecting element for connection to the planned end of which opens in the interior of the protective cap.

p0013For safe fastening of the protective cap on the support member may be provided on facing away from the connecting element sides of the support member means for engaging the cap, such as a recess or a corresponding projecting nose. Recess or nose may be continuous over the entire periphery of the support member and constitute as an annular groove or bead. If support member or cap are correspondingly elastic, sufficiently waterproof and well-fitting cover of the electrical connection can thus be produced.

p0014In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of electrical connections can be provided side by side. It is possible to provide a common support member for two connection elements. It need only be ensured that the electrical connections can be produced separately.

p0015Pro module at least two electrical connections must be provided. However, it is also possible to provide at least one further connection by means of which can be lower than the maximum voltage tap on the module.

p0016In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments and the accompanying four drawings. show case<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Figures 1 and 2</dt><dd>in schematic cross section the manufacturing of electric connection of a solar module and</dd><dt>Figures 3 and 4</dt><dd>Various embodiments of the connection element, also in schematic cross section.</dd></dl>

p0017Figure 1: The solar module consists of several solar cells 1, which are embedded between plastic films (31, 32). As the substrate 2 is used on the front of a glass pane. The back protection is ensured by a multi-layer laminated film. 3 The solar cells 1 are electrically connected, for example by appropriately soldered conductor ribbon. On at least two locations of the module, the conductor strips 4 are guided through the covering Ver-composite film 3 on the back of the module. Now That ends of the conductor strips 4 a connecting element 5 is soldered. This has, for example the shape of a cylinder, may have a widened foot 7 and having at its upper end a threaded 6th The figure shows the soldered connecting element 5, next to which is also soldered protection diode 20th

p0018Figure 2: On the connecting element 5 a made of plastic support member 8 is inserted, which has a correspondingly to the connecting element 5 shaped implementation. Advantageously, the support element 8 as shown widened at its base to provide a secure bearing surface on the solar module. Its greatest height it has around the connecting element 5 in order to give this a safe stop. The bearing surface of the support member may be designed plan, or as shown have different recesses which are filled with the glue on the back of the solar module with adhesive. 9 In the exemplary embodiment the support member 8 is formed of polycarbonate and is glued with a silicone adhesive on the composite film third

p00192 shows an electrical connection by means of a connecting cable 21 is already prepared. This terminates in a lug 10 which is fitted over the protruding out of the support member 8 part of the connecting element. There is 11 a spring washer 12 and a further screwed nut 13 secured between a first screwed nut. only schematically shown, the battery cap 14, which is connected to the terminal cable 21 and can be plugged onto the support member. 8 A nose 15 at the lower end of the battery cap can engage in a groove 16 of the support member 8 and are securely connected to this. The electrical connection is waterproof covered by the existing, for example, hard rubber battery cap 14th

p0020In Figure 3 another variant of a connecting element 5 is shown whose upper end has a clamping connection for connection of a cable. This consists substantially of a transversely guided to the axis of the connecting element 5 bore 17 and a turned-over, the connection element 5 sleeve 18 having a bore same nineteenth The sleeve 18 is on the connecting element 5 at least as far displaced that in the one position the bores 17 and 19 completely overlap, whereas in the other position there is only a small overlap of the two holes. A spring 22 may 18 hold the sleeve in the last position. Against the spring pressure, the sleeve 18 is now moved so far in that a connection cable may be passed through the now overlapping bores. After discharge of the spring 22, the sleeve 18 is shifted again, so that the cable end between the no longer completely overlapping bores of the sleeve and connecting element 5 is fixed. In this position, the sleeve 18 are fixed on the connecting element 5 nut screwed by a (not illustrated). It can optionally also be dispensed with the spring.

p0021Figure 4 shows the upper end of a connecting element constructed as a plug socket 5, and a plug provided with a corresponding connection cable.