Connecting box for a solar panel and solar panel

0001The invention relates to a connecting box for a solar panel according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a solar panel according to the preamble of claim 7.

0002Solar panels have a large number of solar cells which are used to obtain power from sunlight. The electric voltage generated by the solar cells is conveyed via electric lines, for example to a rectifier, for feeding into the alternating voltage network or to a battery. A connecting box is provided for conveying and for electrical contacting of the lines of the solar panel.

0003A corresponding connecting box is known from European patent application <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP1102354A2"><text>EP 1 102 354 A2</text></patcit>. The connecting box has a housing, in the base board of which is provided an opening for introducing the electric lines of the solar panel. Electrical contacts for contacting the electric lines are provided in the connecting box. The electrical contacts are in turn connected to terminal pins which are arranged in a side wall of the housing and are used for connecting electric lines. The connected electric lines lead to the rectifier or to the battery. Conductor rails comprising a contact region for detachable connection of a foil conductor of the solar panel are provided in the housing as the electrical contacts. The contact region comprises a metal clamping spring to which the foil contact can be securely clamped. For introducing the foil contact, the clamping spring is opened in a clamping region by means of tool, then the foil contact is introduced into the clamping spring and the tool then removed from the clamping spring, so the clamping spring recoils into the starting position and in the process securely clamps the foil contact.

0004The object of the invention consists in providing a connecting box and a solar panel with which simple contacting between the connecting box and the solar panel is possible.

0005The object of the invention is achieved by the connecting box according to claim 1 and by the solar panel according to claim 7.

0006Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

0007One advantage of the connecting box is the fact that it can be contacted with the electrical terminals of the solar panel via an automatic assembling operation. It is also thus possible to mechanically fasten the connecting box to the solar panel and, at the same time, to electrically contact it with the lines of the solar panel. Simple and inexpensive production of a module, consisting of connecting box and solar panel, is thus possible.

0008The solar panel has the advantage that a connecting box can be connected to the electric lines of the solar panel via an automatic assembling operation. This advantage is achieved in that the solar panel comprises fixed electrical contacts which can be inserted in a mechanical operation in a contact of the connecting box.

0009In a preferred embodiment, the contact of the connecting box comprises a spring contact with an insertion region for automatic feeding of the electrical contacts of the solar panel. The insertion region of the spring contact tapers in the direction of a contact region. The contact is preferably formed by two spring contacts. The spacing between the two spring contacts in the contact region is smaller than the diameter of the contacts of the solar panel to be contacted. Secure and simple contacting of the electrical contacts of the solar panel is possible as a result of a conically tapering insertion region.

0010In a preferred embodiment, in a plane perpendicular to an insertion direction, the insertion region comprises an opening region of up to 90°. The insertion region is preferably oriented in the direction of the base of the connecting box and a back region of the connecting box. It is thus possible to place the contacts of the connecting box directly from above onto the contacts of the solar panel or from the side onto the contacts of the solar panel. A combination of a vertical and a lateral push-on direction is also possible. Greater flexibility in the assembly of the connecting box is therefore provided.

0011In a further preferred embodiment, the connecting box has, in front of the contacts thereof, a receiving space which allows insertion of the contacts of the solar panel into the connecting box and subsequent lateral movement of the connecting box in the direction of the contacts of the solar panel. Sufficient space is thus provided in the connecting box for a secure assembly process even in the lateral direction.

0012In a further preferred embodiment the connecting box comprises a peripheral flat sealing face on the lower side with which gluing of the connecting box to the solar panel is possible. The gluing technique provides secure and reliable holding, which is also water-tight, of the connecting box on the solar panel. In addition, gluing technology is suitable for mechanical assembling.

0013In a preferred embodiment the receiving space of the connecting box is limited by a housing part which is substantially rectangular in cross-section. The rectangular shape of the housing part merges into the circular shape of the lid region of the connecting box. The combination of the rectangular shape for the receiving region and of the circular region for receiving the electrical terminals provides an optimum shape.

0014In a preferred embodiment the spring arms of a contact are formed on opposing sides of a wiring board and are arranged substantially perpendicularly to the wiring board. The spring arms extend starting from side regions of the wiring board in the direction of the centre of the wiring board and extend beyond the end of the wiring board. The spring arms are preferably bent inwardly, approximately in the central region of the wiring board, and the wiring board comprises bent side walls over virtually the entire length at the sides, to reinforce the wiring board.

0015In a preferred embodiment the spring arms, the wiring board and spring contacts are constructed in one piece for electrically connecting the further lines.

0016In a further preferred embodiment the connecting box comprises, in a side wall, openings for feeding an electrical cable. The opening is preferably formed by a cylindrical sleeve. A thread on which the threaded sleeve with an annular stop face can be screwed, is formed on the outer side of the sleeve. A flexible sealing sleeve is introduced into the sleeve and is pressed against the stop face by screwing on of the threaded nut. The internal diameter of the sealing sleeve is reduced in the process and a cable guided through the sealing sleeve is sealed with respect to the connecting box.

0017In a further preferred embodiment the connecting box comprises a connecting plug and/or a port which have electrical contacts which are electrically connected to the electrical contacts of the connecting box.

0018The solar panel comprises a connection board with fixed contacts which are electrically connected to the electric lines of the solar panel. The fixed contacts are suitable for automatic assembling of the solar panel with the connecting box. Solar panels conventionally comprise foil conductors as electric lines which, however, are not suitable for automatic assembling. However, by attaching the connecting elements with the fixed contacts, automatic assembling with a connecting box is possible. In automatic assembling the connecting box is placed with the electrical contacts on the fixed contacts of the connection board.

0019In a preferred embodiment, the connecting element comprises holding pins in which a respective fixed contact is held. The holding pins provide the advantage that the fixed contacts have a spacing from the connection board and are therefore more easily accessible for an automated assembling operation. In a further preferred embodiment the connecting element comprises an electrical holding and contact device suitable for holding and contacting an electrical component with the two fixed contacts. The holding and contacting device is preferably used for electrically connecting a diode.

0020The invention will be described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the figures, in which: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is exploded view of a first connecting box;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> is a cross-section through the insertion region of the spring contacts;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> shows further conductor rails with clamping springs;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> shows a connecting box according to an embodiment of the invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Fig. 5</figref> is a view from below of the connecting box of <figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref>;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Fig. 6</figref> is a cross-section through a connecting box according to an embodiment of the invention placed on a solar panel;</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Fig. 7</figref> is a cross-section through a further embodiment of a connecting box according to the invention provided on a solar panel; and</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref> shows a solar panel with a connecting element and another connecting box.</li></ul>

0021<figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows essential components of a connecting box 1. The connecting box 1 comprises a base board 2 on which a circular side wall 3 is provided. An opening for feeding electric lines of a solar panel is introduced into the base board 2. Holding device 5 for receiving contact elements 10 are provided on the base board 2. Cable openings 6 for feeding a cable are introduced into the side wall 3. The cable opening 6 is surrounded by a sleeve with a thread onto which a sleeve nut 9 can be screwed. To seal the introduced cable, a sealing sleeve 7 is introduced into the cable opening 6. The sealing sleeve 7 has a through-aperture for passage of the cable and is manufactured from a resilient material. A snap ring 8 is arranged between the sealing sleeve 7 and an abutment region of the sleeve nut 9. When the sleeve nut 9 is screwed onto the thread of the cable opening 6, the sealing sleeve 7 is pushed against a stop face of the side wall 3 and in the process compressed in the longitudinal direction so the diameter of the through-aperture is reduced and the external diameter of the sealing sleeve 7 increased. A secure seal between the housing of the connecting box and the cable is thus achieved.

0022Three contact elements 10 which, in the assembled state, are inserted into the holding devices 5 are arranged over the connecting box 1. The contact elements 10 are substantially composed of a rectangular contact board 13 on which, at one end, a spring terminal 11 for contacting an electric line is provided. The contact board 13 has, on both longitudinal sides, upwardly bent side edges 14 which merge in a back region, associated with the spring terminal 11, with a holding board 31. The holding board 31 extends perpendicularly to the contact board 13 beyond the lateral edges 14. Two spring arms 12 extend beyond the contact board 13 at one side of the holding board 31 arranged opposite the spring terminal 11. The spring arms 12 are bent in the direction toward the centre of the contact board 13. The two spring arms of a contact elements 10 are at an acute angle to one another and have a minimum spacing in a contact region 19 arranged in front of the contact board 13. The spring arms 12 can preferably also touch in the contact region 19.

0023The contact region 19 is used to contact a fixed contact of a solar panel and is arranged perpendicular to the base board 2. For this purpose, the contact region 19 has a front receiving region 17 and lower receiving region 18. In the front receiving region 17 two spring arms 12 are bent outwards, starting from the contact region 19, so a front receiving region 17 tapering in the direction of the contact region 19 is formed, as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>. The two spring arms 12 are also arranged at an acute angle to one another in the lower receiving region 18 in the direction of the contact region 19, so a lower receiving region 18 tapering from the bottom is also formed, as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref>. Automatic insertion of a fixed contact of a solar panel into the contact region 19 from below and from the front is thus possible.

0024A sealing groove 52, in which a sealing ring 15 is inserted, is introduced into the peripheral side wall 3. A removable lid 16, which covers the connecting box 1 and seals against moisture, is placed on the side wall 3 in the assembled state. A peripheral sealing face, with which the connecting box 1 is glued to a solar panel by an automatic assembling operation, is provided on the lower side of the base board 2. For this purpose, glue is applied to the sealing face and then the connecting box 1 placed on the solar panel, the contact elements 10 being contacted by correspondingly associated fixed contacts of the solar panel by the automatic placement operation.

0025<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 2</figref> shows two cross-sections through the contact region 19 of a contact element 10. The left-hand diagram shows a cross-section in the longitudinal direction of the spring arms 12 and the right-hand diagram shows a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the spring arms 12 through the contact region 19. The tapering front receiving region 17 can clearly be seen in the left-hand diagram. The lower receiving region 18 also has a tapering form, as can be seen in the right-hand diagram. The lower receiving region 18 merges in a flowing manner into the front receiving region 17, so a tapering receiving region is also formed in the transition region between the front and the lower receiving region 17, 18. The contact element 10 can thus be placed by a placement operation vertically from above onto the solar panel, in which the fixed contact of the solar panel is inserted into the contact region 19 through the lower receiving region 18, and also by a lateral pushing-on operation in which the fixed contact of the solar panel is inserted into the contact region 19 via the front receiving region 17, in an automatic contacting operation. In addition, any placement direction which is located between a vertical and a lateral placement direction is possible.

0026<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> shows, in a perspective view, three second contact elements 20 which can be inserted into the holding devices 5 of the connecting box 1 instead of the contact elements 10. The second contact elements 20 also have spring terminals 11 which are formed in one piece with further contact terminals 21. The further contact terminals 21 have a third receiving region 36 arranged opposite the spring terminals 11.

0027<figref idref="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> shows, on the right-hand side, a cross-section through the further contact terminal 21 of a second contact element 20. The further contact terminal 21 comprises a spring contact 32 limiting a second contact region 35 with a second contact board 33. A third receiving region 36 tapering in the insertion direction is formed in the direction of the second contact region 35 between the spring contact 32 and the second contact board 33. The spring contact 32 is resiliently held and has, preferably in the second contact region 35, a fixed spacing from the fixed second contact board 32. The second contact element 20 is also suitable for contacting in an automatic placement operation owing to the tapering third receiving region 36. The second contact region 35 is arranged parallel to the base board 2.

0028<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 4</figref> shows a second connecting box 22 providing a further embodiment of a connecting box. The second connecting box 22 comprises a second base board 25 and a second peripheral side wall 37. The other side wall 37 delimits a lid opening 27. A second lid 38 is held on the second side wall 37. The second base board 25 covers a front region of the second connecting box 22 and extends right up over the centre of the lid opening 27. In a back region the second base board 25 has a second opening 39 extending up to a back edge region of the sealing face 26. The second side wall 37 merges, in a back region, into a housing wall 24 guided up to a back side wall. The housing wall 24 delimits a receiving space 23 formed behind the lid opening 27. The receiving region 23 is used, during the automatic assembly operation, to receive the fixed contacts of the solar panel and allows a subsequent lateral displacement of the second connecting box 22 with respect to the fixed contacts. The fixed contacts of the solar panel located in the receiving space 23 are pushed in the direction of the second contact elements 20 during the lateral displacement The formation of a receiving space 23 is also possible in the embodiment of the connecting box 1 of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>.

0029<figref idref="f0003">Fig. 5</figref> shows a view from below of the second connecting box 22. A peripheral sealing face 26, which is flat in construction and is used for peripheral, tight gluing of the second connecting box 22 to the flat surface of the solar panel, can clearly be seen here. The second base board 25, ending in a region located beneath the lid opening 27, is arranged in the front region. The receiving space 23 covered by the housing wall 24 is formed in the back region. During automatic assembly of the second connecting box, the second connecting box, of which the peripheral sealing face 26 is covered by an adhesive, is guided until just over the surface of the solar panel, wherein the fixed contacts of the solar panel are located in the receiving space 23. The fixed contacts are then inserted into the contact regions of the contact elements 10 or of the second contact elements 20 by a lateral movement. The second connecting box with the sealing face 26 is then placed on the surface of the solar panel. Once the glue has dried, the second connecting box 22 is rigidly connected to the solar panel.

0030The second connecting box 22 comprises, on the second base board 25, contact elements 10 or second contact elements 20. In the illustrated embodiment the second connecting box 22 does not have any terminals for electric lines. The second connecting box 22 can also have cable openings 6 corresponding to the connecting box of <figref idref="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>.

0031<figref idref="f0004">Fig. 6</figref> shows a cross-section through a third connecting box 40 and a solar panel 28 with fixed contacts 41. The solar panel 28 comprises solar cells 44 generating an electrical voltage from sunlight which is tapped by foil lines 29. The foil lines 29 are soldered to solder tongues 30. The solder tongues 30 are guided to a connection board 53. The connection board 53 is fastened to the solar panel 28, preferably glued. The connection board 53 comprises pins 45 which are formed on the upper side of the connection board 53 and have a fixed length. Fixed contacts 41 are led out at one contact side in the pins 45. The fixed contacts 41 are electrically connected to the solder tongues 30. The connection board 53 and the pins 45 are preferably injected from a plastics material. In the illustrated embodiment the fixed contacts 41 are constructed in the form of contact tongues arranged parallel to the solar panel 28 or parallel to the arrangement of spring contacts 32 and the second contact boards 33 of the second contact elements 20.

0032The third connecting box 40 comprises a receiving space 23 formed in front of the second base board 25 and the second contact elements 20. No base board 25 is provided below the receiving space 23. In an automatic assembling operation the connection board 53 is introduced into the receiving space 23 and then the fixed contacts 41 are inserted into the second contact regions 35 of the second contact elements 20 by a lateral movement of the third connecting box 40. The third connecting box 40 is then placed with the peripheral sealing face, covered with adhesive, on the solar panel 28. Automatic contacting and assembling of the solar panel 28 is possible as the solar panel 28 has a connection board 53 with fixed electrical contacts 41 which are contacted by the foil lines 29 which tap the voltage generated by the solar panel 28.

0033The third connecting box 40 comprises a contact connector 42 and a contact socket 43 formed on a side wall of the third connecting box 40. The contact connector 42 and the contact socket 43 comprise a pin contact 46 which is electrically connected to the second contact element 20 via a second spring terminal 47.

0034<figref idref="f0005">Fig. 7</figref> shows the third connecting box 40 which, however, in the illustrated embodiment comprises first contact elements 10 instead of the second contact elements 20. The first contact elements 10 have, in contrast to the second contact elements 20, receiving regions 17, 18 in the contact regions 19 which are formed substantially perpendicularly to the second base board 25. Corresponding to the orientation of the receiving region 17, 18, the first contact elements 10 are suitable for contacting fixed contacts 41 of the solar panel 28 using an automated assembling operation, which contacts are arranged perpendicularly to the solar panel 28. The solar panel 28 comprises a connection board 53 and pins 45 comprising fixed contacts on one contact side. The contacts 41 are arranged perpendicularly to the solar panel 28 and inserted in the contact regions 19 of the contact elements 10. The third connecting box 40 is assembled on the solar panel 28. The form of the contact elements 10 provides the advantage that the fixed contacts 41 can be contacted by a vertical placement movement of the third connecting box 40. In the process, the fixed contacts 41 are inserted into the contact region 19 of the contact elements 10 via the lower receiving region 18. Owing to the formation of the front receiving region 17 it is, however, also possible to contact the contact elements 10 via a laterally directed movement of the third connecting box 40 with the fixed contacts 41 of the solar panel 28, the fixed contacts 41 being inserted into the contact region 19 of the contact elements 10 via the front receiving region 17. However, directions of movement during assembly are also possible which comprise a combination of a vertical and a lateral movement operation. A movement of the third connecting box 40, for example at an angle of 45° to the solar panel 28, can also be advantageous in automatic assembling and contacting, depending on the position of the solar panel, the construction of the connection board 53 and the pins 46 and the embodiment of the receiving space 23.

0035<figref idref="f0006">Fig. 8</figref> shows a fourth connecting box 48 and a solar panel 28. Solar cells 44, which generate an electric voltage from sunlight and convey it via two foil conductors 29, are arranged on the solar panel 28. The foil conductors 29 are soldered to contact tongues 30 guided to the connection board 53. The connection board 53 is fastened to the upper side of the solar panel 28. The connection board 53 comprises two pins 45 which have contacts 41 fixed to one contact side. The fixed contacts 41 are electrically connected to the solder tongues 30. The fourth connecting box 48 comprises a base panel in which an opening 4 for feeding the contacts 41 is formed. The fourth connecting box 48 comprises a peripheral side wall 3 delimiting a lid opening. A fourth lid 49 for closing the fourth connecting box 48 is also provided. Cable openings 6 are introduced into the side wall 3. Cables 50, which in the illustrated embodiment have a seal 51, are introduced through the cable openings 6. The fourth connecting box 48 is also suitable for an automatic assembling operation. However, in this case the electrical contact between the fixed contacts 41 and the conductors of the cable 50 has to be carried out by manual contacting. The fourth connecting box 48 is preferably securely glued via a peripheral sealing face to the solar panel.

0036A contact and holding device 54 comprising two contact and holding arms which are each electrically connected to one of the two fixed contacts 41, is preferably provided on the connection board 53. The contact and holding arms are preferably constructed in the form of insulation piercing connecting devices. The insulation piercing connecting devices are used for holding and contacting a diode with the two fixed contacts 41.