IP Library Granted Patent US 8,308,504
Granted Patent B2
US 8,308,504 · App. 13/133,910 · Granted Nov 13, 2012

Connecting device for connection to a solar module and solar module with such a connecting device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,308,504
App. No.
13/133,910
Granted
Nov 13, 2012
Kind
B2
Abstract

A connecting device for connection to an electrical connection system of a solar module comprises a connector housing for arranging on an outer face of the solar module and current-carrying components arranged in the connector housing, which components comprise at least one contact for connection to a conductor of the electrical connection system of the solar module, which conductor leads out from the solar module. A connection device, which may be arranged inside the connector housing, for positioning the conductor which leads out from the solar module is also provided, it being possible for the connection device and the contact to be arranged relative to one another in such a way that the contact is initially guided contactlessly along the conductor which leads out, so as to contact said conductor which leads out, and contacts the conductor which leads out in an end position. Reliable contact is thus possible without displacing the conductor which leads out.

Claims (19)

1. Connecting device for connection to an electrical connecting system of a solar module, comprising:

a connector housing for arranging on an outer face of the solar module, and

current-carrying components arranged in the connector housing, which components comprise at least one contact for connection to a conductor of the electrical connection system of the solar module, which conductor leads out from the solar module,

a connection device, which may be arranged inside the connector housing, for positioning the conductor which leads out from the solar module, it being possible for the connection device and the contact to be arranged relative to one another in such a way that the contact is moved, at least in part, along the conductor which leads out so as to contact said conductor which leads out, characterised in that

the connection device comprises at least one guide means which is configured in such a way that the contact is initially guided contactlessly along the conductor which leads out, so as to contact said conductor which leads out, and contacts the conductor which leads out when in an end position.

2. Connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection device comprises at least one contact surface, to which the conductor which leads out from the solar module may be attached, and the guide means is configured in such a way that the contact is initially guided at a distance from the contact surface and the conductor which leads out, and presses in the direction of the contact surface when in the end position.

3. Connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the contact encompasses the conductor which leads out in the end position and the guide means is configured in such a way that the contact is initially expanded so as to contactlessly bypass the conductor which leads out.

4. Connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection device comprises at least one web, to which the conductor which leads out may be attached, and the guide means is arranged at an end of the web facing the contact.

5. Connecting device according to claim 4 , wherein the guide means is bulbous.

6. Connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the guide means is configured at the connection device as a projection, a swelling or a bulge, which has a guide surface on which the contact initially contactlessly bypasses the conductor which leads out so as to contact said conductor which leads out.

7. Connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection device comprises at least one web, to which the conductor which leads out may be attached and the contact presses the conductor which leads out against the web when in the end position.

8. Connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the contact is configured as a bent, in particular U-shaped, semi-circular or Ω-shaped contact spring having opposing longitudinal sides which, when in the end position, contacts the conductor which leads out on at least one of its longitudinal sides.

9. Connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection device comprises a base, by means of which the connection device can be attached and fixed to the solar module, and comprises at least one web arranged transverse, in particular perpendicular to the base, to which web the conductor which leads out may be attached.

10. Connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection device comprises at least one positioning means for guiding and positioning the connector housing when said connector housing is arranged above the connecting device and is attached to the solar module.

11. Connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the current-carrying components comprise at least one conductor rail having a first contact region for connection to the conductor which leads out from the solar module, and a second contact region for connection to an external electrical conductor, the contact being formed in one piece with the conductor rail in the first contact region.

12. Connecting device according to claim 11 , wherein the conductor rail is formed from a punched part and the contact is configured as a contact spring which is punched, in part, from the punched part and is bent.

13. Connecting device according to claim 11 , wherein the conductor rail comprises a third contact region for contacting a diode component, the third contact region being formed, in particular, in one piece with the conductor rail.

14. Connecting device according to claim 11 , wherein the conductor rail is formed in the second contact region in one piece with a terminal contact as part of a plug connection device so as to connect the conductor rails to the external electrical conductor.

15. Solar module with a connecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the connection device is attached and fixed to the solar module and the connector housing is arranged above the connection device in such a way that the contact contacts the conductor which leads out.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 16, 2015
From: TYCO ELECTRONICS AMP GMBH
To: TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
Reel/Frame 036617/0856 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 9, 2011
From: ACKERMANN, GERHARD; SCHAARSCHMIDT, MANFRED
To: TYCO ELECTRONICS AMP GMBH
Reel/Frame 026419/0846 →