# US 11,121,673 B2 · Solar cell module for a vehicle panel and a vehicle panel assembly including a solar cell module

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 11,121,673 B2
- Document ID: US11121673B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/375,495
- Filed: 2019-04-04
- Published: 2020-07-02
- Granted: 2021-09-14
- Earliest claimed: 2018-12-26
- Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Motors Corporation
- Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Motors Corporation
- Inventors: Sol Kim; Sang Hak Kim; Mi Yeon Song
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11121673B2

## CPC

- H02S 30/10: Frame structures
- B60L 8/003: {Converting light into electric energy, e.g. by using photo-voltaic systems}
- B60L 53/51: Photovoltaic means
- H02J 7/35: with light sensitive cells
- H02S 10/40: Mobile PV generator systems
- H02S 20/30: Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
- H02S 40/34: comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes
- B60K 2016/003: {solar power driven}
- Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy
- Y02E 70/30: Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
- Y02T 10/70: Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
- Y02T 10/7072: Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
- Y02T 10/90: Energy harvesting concepts as power supply for auxiliaries' energy consumption, e.g. photovoltaic sun-roof
- Y02T 90/12: Electric charging stations
- H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00)
- B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A solar cell module for a vehicle panel includes a solar cell that generates electric power using sunlight. The solar cell module further includes a connector that is electrically connected to the solar cell and that electrically connects a panel-side electrode formed on an inner surface of the vehicle panel and the solar cell. The connector extends from the solar cell in a coupling direction in which the solar cell is combined with the vehicle panel. The connector is connected to the panel-side electrode to electrically connect the panel-side electrode and the solar cell when the solar cell is mounted in a predetermined position of the vehicle panel.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A solar cell module for a vehicle panel, the solar cell module comprising:
a solar cell configured to generate electric power using sunlight; and
a connector electrically connected to the solar cell and configured to electrically connect a panel-side electrode formed on an inner surface of the vehicle panel and the solar cell,
wherein the connector extends from the solar cell in a coupling direction in which the solar cell is combined with the vehicle panel,
wherein the connector is connected to the panel-side electrode to electrically connect the panel-side electrode and the solar cell when the solar cell is mounted in a predetermined position of the vehicle panel,
wherein the connector includes a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the coupling direction, and
wherein the protruding portion of the connector is stopped by the inner surface of the vehicle panel to prevent the solar cell from being separated from the vehicle panel and to maintain the electrical connection between the solar cell and the panel-side electrode when the solar cell is mounted in the predetermined position of the vehicle panel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein the connector has elasticity such that at least a portion of the connector is combined with the vehicle panel in a snap-fit manner while being deformed and then restored in a process in which the solar cell is combined with the vehicle panel in the coupling direction.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein the connector includes:
a connector housing extending from an inner surface of the solar cell in the coupling direction and having an inner space; and
a connector electrode accommodated in the inner space of the connector housing and connected to the solar cell, wherein the connector electrode is connected to the panel-side electrode to electrically connect the solar cell and the panel-side electrode when the solar cell is mounted in the predetermined position of the vehicle panel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The solar cell module of claim 3, wherein the solar cell includes:
one or more photovoltaic cells configured to generate electric power using sunlight; and
a solar cell wire configured to supply the electric power generated by the photovoltaic cells to the outside, and
wherein the solar cell wire is inserted into the connector housing and connected to the connector electrode.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The solar cell module of claim 4, wherein the connector electrode includes:
an insertion hole into which the solar cell wire is inserted; and
a support pin formed in the insertion hole to prevent the solar cell wire inserted into the insertion hole from being separated from the insertion hole.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The solar cell module of claim 5, wherein the solar cell wire includes, in a portion inserted into the insertion hole, a hole through which the support pin passes when the solar cell wire is inserted into the insertion hole.

### Claim 7 (depends on 3)

The solar cell module of claim 3, wherein the connector housing includes:
a connector housing body extending in the coupling direction; and
a connector housing protrusion protruding from the connector housing body in a direction perpendicular to the coupling direction,
wherein the connector electrode includes:
a connector electrode extension extending in the coupling direction, the connector electrode extension being accommodated in the inner space of the connector housing; and
a connector electrode hook extending from one end of the connector electrode extension, the connector electrode hook being located on the connector housing protrusion, and
wherein the connector electrode hook is supported toward and brought into contact with the panel-side electrode by the connector housing protrusion.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The solar cell module of claim 7, wherein the connector housing protrusion has an inclined surface that is downwardly inclined toward the inner space of the connector housing, and
wherein the connector electrode hook is bent at the one end of the connector electrode extension and is located on the inclined surface of the connector housing protrusion.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The solar cell module of claim 7, wherein the connector housing body has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape with an empty space inside and is open in a direction toward the solar cell and in a direction toward the panel-side electrode, and
wherein the connector electrode is inserted through an opening of the connector housing body.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The solar cell module of claim 9, wherein the connector housing further includes:
a connector housing cover configured to cover a portion of the connector housing body that is open toward the panel-side electrode.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein the connector includes a pair of connectors,
wherein the solar cell module further comprises a panel coupling part formed between the pair of connectors by injection molding, with the pair of connectors combined with the solar cell, and
wherein the panel coupling part includes a fastening part for combination with the vehicle panel.

### Claim 12

A vehicle panel assembly including a solar cell module, the vehicle panel assembly comprising:
an upper panel;
a lower panel spaced apart from the upper panel to form an inner space between the upper panel and the lower panel; and
the solar cell module mounted in a mounting portion formed in the upper panel, the solar cell module being combined with the upper panel,
wherein the solar cell module includes:
a solar cell configured to generate electric power using sunlight; and
a connector electrically connected to the solar cell and configured to electrically connect a panel-side electrode formed on an inner surface of the upper panel and the solar cell,
wherein the connector extends from the solar cell in a coupling direction in which the solar cell is combined with the upper panel, and includes a protruding portion that protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the coupling direction, and
wherein the protruding portion of the connector is stopped by the inner surface of the upper panel to prevent the solar cell from being separated from the upper panel and maintain the electrical connection between the solar cell and the panel-side electrode when the solar cell is mounted in the mounting portion of the upper panel.