IP Library Granted Patent US 8,771,024
Granted Patent B2
US 8,771,024 · App. 13/646,904 · Granted Jul 8, 2014

Dual compressive connector

Inventors: Vadim Shmukler (Rishon-Lezion, IL); Israel Gershman (Yahud, IL)
Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,771,024
App. No.
13/646,904
Granted
Jul 8, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An electrical connector for electrically connecting multiple photovoltaic bus bars. A casing includes first and second opposing walls. An elastic strip is bent into a bent elastic strip with a first leg and a second leg. The bent elastic strip is disposed between the first and second walls of the casing with the first leg pressing against the first wall and the second leg pressing against the second wall. The bent elastic strip is configured to hold at least one of the photovoltaic bus bars between the first leg and the first wall and another of the photovoltaic bus bars between the second leg and the second wall. The bent elastic strip may be formed of resilient spring metal with a thickness and an elastic modulus. The thickness and/or the elastic modulus of the elastic strip is/are configured so that the bus bars are inserted without requiring a tool to open a space and so that the bus bars are removed from the connector without requiring a tool to break the electrical connection.

Claims (38)

1. An electrical connector, comprising:

a casing having formed therein an opening to receive a first bus bar and a second bus bar, the casing comprising a first wall and a second wall opposing the first wall; and

an elastic strip comprising a first leg and a second leg,

wherein the first leg is configured to press against the first wall and the second leg is configured to press against the second wall, and

wherein the elastic strip is configured to hold the first bus bar, inserted through the opening, between the first leg and the first wall and to hold the second bus bar, inserted through the opening, between the second leg and the second wall.

2. The electrical connector of claim 1 ,

wherein at least one of a thickness and an elastic modulus of the elastic strip is configured such that the first bus bar and the second bus bar are inserted without requiring a tool to open a first space between the first leg and the first wall or open a second space between the second leg and the second wall.

3. The electrical connector of claim 1 ,

wherein at least one of a thickness and an elastic modulus of the elastic strip is configured such that the first bus bar between the first leg and the first wall is removable by pulling the first bus bar, and the second bus bar between the second leg and the second wall is removable by pulling the second bus bar.

4. The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein a protrusion of at least one of the first leg and the second leg is configured to be inserted into and pass through a hole in the casing.

5. The electrical connector of claim 1 ,

wherein at least one of the first leg and the second leg of the elastic strip is slotted longitudinally over a portion thereof to form a third leg, and

wherein the third leg is configured to hold a third bus bar against one of the first wall and the second wall.

6. The electrical connector of claim 5 , wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the third leg are individually operable to hold and release the first bus bar, the second bus bar, and the third bus bar, respectively.

7. The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein the elastic strip is formed of resilient spring metal, and wherein at least one of a thickness and an elastic modulus of the elastic strip is configured such that the first bus bar and the second bus bar are inserted by poking.

8. The electrical connector of claim 1 , wherein a single bend of the elastic strip forms the first leg and the second leg.

9. An electrical connector, comprising:

a casing including a first wall and a second wall, the second wall opposing the first wall;

a first elastic strip comprising a first leg and a second leg; and

a second elastic strip comprising a third leg and a fourth leg;

wherein the first leg presses against the first wall, the second leg and the third leg press against each other, and the fourth leg presses against the second wall,

wherein the first elastic strip and the second elastic strip are configured to hold a first bus bar between the first leg and the first wall, a second bus bar between the second leg and the third leg, and a third bus bar between the third leg and the second wall.

10. The electrical connector of claim 9 ,

wherein at least one of a thickness and an elastic modulus of the first elastic strip and the second elastic strip are configured such that the first bus bar, the second bus bar, and the third bus bar are inserted by poking.

11. The electrical connector of claim 9 ,

wherein at least one of a thickness and an elastic modulus of the first elastic strip and the second elastic strip are configured such that an electrical connection is breakable when a user pulls on at least one of the first bus bar, the second bus bar, and the third bus bar.

12. A method, comprising:

folding sheet metal to form a casing with an opening to receive a first bus bar and a second bus bar therethrough, the casing comprising a first wall and a second wall opposing the first wall; and

inserting an elastic strip through the opening of the casing between the first wall and the second wall such that a first leg of the elastic strip presses against the first wall and a second leg of the elastic strip presses against the second wall.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising electrically connecting the first bus bar by poking the first bus bar through the opening and between the first wall and the first leg of the elastic spring.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising electrically disconnecting the first bus bar by pulling the first bus bar out from between the first wall and the first leg of the elastic spring through the opening.

15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

bending a strip of resilient spring metal to form the elastic strip having the first leg and the second leg.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the inserting of the elastic strip comprises pushing a protrusion of the first leg of the elastic strip through a hole in the casing.

17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising punching or drilling a hole in the first wall of the casing.

18. The method of claim 12 , further comprising welding or soldering the first leg of the elastic strip to the casing.

19. The method of claim 12 , further comprising soldering an electrical fixture, extending from the casing, to a solder pad.

20. The method of claim 12 , further comprising dividing the second leg of the elastic strip to form a third leg of the elastic strip.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2016
From: KREOS CAPITAL IV (EXPERT FUND) LIMITED
To: SOLAREDGE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
Reel/Frame 039117/0822 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 15, 2013
From: SOLAREDGE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
To: KREOS CAPITAL IV (EXPERT FUND) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 029634/0619 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 4, 2013
From: SHMUKLER, VADIM; GERSHMAN, ISRAEL
To: SOLAREDGE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
Reel/Frame 029564/0449 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 12785801 · May 24, 2010
Provisional Application 61180458 · May 22, 2009
Related Publication 20130061472A1 · Mar 14, 2013