US 7,002,813 B2Granted

Assembly comprised of a panel-like constructed module and of a connection unit, production method and device

AssigneesLeopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG, Solarworld Aktiengesellschaft

InventorsEduard Bergmann, Herwig Rilling, Peter Westermayr, Clemens Hofbauer, Boris Klebensberger, Karsten Wambach

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

An arrangement which has a panel-like electrical/electronic module, such as a solar power module, and a connection unit which are electrically connected to one another. The module and the connection unit each have an essentially flat printed conductor structure with connecting sections. The printed conductor structures are situated in parallel planes. The connecting sections are rigid electrical conductor sections and are bent out from the planes of the printed conductor structures of the connection unit and the module. The connecting sections of the connection unit are situated corresponding to the arrangement of the connecting sections of the module so that for the connection unit connected to the module each connecting section of the module is electrically connected to a respective connecting section of the connection unit and these adjoin one another in one section situated in a different spatial position than that of the planes of the printed conductor structures.

Claims21

Dependent claims

Arrangement comprising:

a panel-like electrical/electronic module having a flat surface with openly contactable connecting sections which are part of an essentially flat printed conductor structure for the electrical connection of the module, the printed conductor structure of the module being situated in a plane;
and
a connection unit having electrical/electronic elements located on an essentially flat printed conductor structure situated in a plane parallel to the plane of the printed conductor structure of the module and having means for contacting the connecting sections of the module so that the module is electrically connectable via the connection unit;
wherein the means for contacting the connecting sections of the module include connecting sections which are part of the printed conductor structure of the connection unit, the connecting sections of the connection unit are bent out from the printed conductor structure of the connection unit at an angle relative to the planes of the printed conductor structures such that the connecting sections of the connection unit are non-parallel with the planes of the printed conductor structures, the connecting sections of the connection unit and the connecting sections of the module are rigid electrical conductor sections, the connecting sections of the module are bent out from the printed conductor structure of the module at an angle relative to the planes of the printed conductor structures such that the connecting sections of the module are non-parallel with the planes of the printed conductor structures, the connecting sections of the connection unit being situated corresponding to the arrangement of the connecting sections of the module so that for the connection unit connected to the module each connecting section of the module is electrically connected to a respective connecting section of the connection unit and these adjoin one another in one section situated in a different spatial position than that of the planes of the printed conductor structures.

1 more element

Method of joining a connection unit to a panel-like electrical/electronic module, the connection unit having an essentially flat printed conductor structure having connecting sections, the module having openly contactable connecting sections which are part of an essentially flat printed conductor structure for the electrical connection of the module, the method comprising the following steps:

positioning the connecting sections of the connection unit in an adjoining superposed or contiguous arrangement with the connecting sections of the module, each connecting section of the connection unit together with a connecting section of the module forming a joined unit,
grasping the connecting sections of the module,
lifting off the connecting sections of the module from the surface of the module,
bringing the connecting sections of the module together with the connecting sections of the connection unit so that the joined units are then situated in a different spatial position, and the surface of the connecting sections of the module, originally situated underneath the module and inaccessible, is freely accessible for producing a jointed connection for joining each connecting section of the module to a connecting section of the connection unit, and
joining each of the connecting sections of the connection unit and the module to form a joined unit by means of a jointed connection.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/415,267Filed 31 Oct 2002
Priority: DE 101 54 2347 Nov 2001
Published: US 2004/0047118 A111 Mar 2004
Granted: 21 Feb 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification27 codes

H05K 3/202
By affixing prefabricated conductor pattern: using self-supporting metal foil pattern
H01R 13/665
Structural association with built-in electrical component: with built-in electronic circuit
H01R 43/24
For assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve: assembling by moulding on contact members
H02S 40/34
Electrical components: comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes