Electrical connectors for solar modules
AssigneeAndalay Solar, Inc.
InventorsBarry Cinnamon, David Baker, Wilson W. Leong, Alexander W. Au
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solar module is disclosed that has one or more integrated electrical connectors. In addition, a solar module electrical connector holder is disclosed that has resilient wing portions and axial portions that mate with a first connector window in a frame of a solar module and allow the position of an electrical connector to be moved one of vertically, horizontally and angularly with respect to the frame. In addition, a solar module frame is disclosed that has a first connector window in one of the side frame members that is capable of accepting an electrical connection so that the electrical connection is integrated into the frame of the solar module.
Claims17
A solar module, comprising:
- a solar panel;
- a frame having two side frame members and a top frame member and a bottom frame member connected together to form a frame that surrounds the solar panel;
- a first connector window in one of the side frame members;
- a first electrical connection being coupled to the first connector window so that the first electrical connection is integrated into the frame of the solar module;
- and
- wherein the first electrical connection further comprises an electrical connector and a connector holder wherein the electrical connector is seated in the connector holder, the connector holder mates with the first connector window and the connector holder allows a position of the electrical connector to be moved one of vertically, horizontally, axially and angularly with respect to the frame.
A solar assembly, comprising:
- a first solar module;
- a second solar module electrically connected to the first solar module;
- the first solar module further comprising a solar panel, a frame having two side frame members and a top frame member and a bottom frame member connected together to form a frame that surrounds the solar panel, a first connector window in one of the side frame members and a first electrical connection being coupled to the first connector window so that the first electrical connection is integrated into the frame of the solar module;
- the second solar module further comprising a solar panel, a frame having two side frame members and a top frame member and a bottom frame member connected together to form a frame that surrounds the solar panel, a second connector window in one of the side frame members and a second electrical connection being coupled to the second connector window so that the second electrical connection is integrated into the frame of the solar module;
- and
- wherein each respective electrical connection further comprises an electrical connector and a connector holder wherein the electrical connector is seated in the connector holder, the connector holder mates with the respective connector window and the connector holder allows a position of the electrical connector to be moved one of vertically, horizontally, axially and angularly with respect to the frame.
A solar module electrical connector holder, comprising:
- a body portion;
- a first resilient wing portion attached to the body portion;
- a second resilient wing portion attached to the body portion;
- wherein the first and second resilient wing portions mate with a first connector window in a frame of a solar module and allow the position of an electrical connector to be moved one of vertically, horizontally and angularly with respect to the frame, and
- a first axial portion attached to the body portion and a second axial portion attached to the body portion wherein the first and second axial portions permits an electrical connector to be moved axially within the connector holder.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.