IP Library Granted Patent US 9,331,223
Granted Patent B2
US 9,331,223 · App. 13/944,712 · Granted May 3, 2016

Solar cell module and photovoltaic power generation system including the same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,331,223
App. No.
13/944,712
Granted
May 3, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A solar cell module is disclosed. The solar cell module includes a solar cell panel, and a frame disposed at a periphery of the solar cell panel. A fixing hole is formed at the frame. A first fastening member is coupled to the fixing hole.

Claims (45)

1. A solar cell module comprising:

a solar cell panel; and

a frame disposed at a periphery of the solar cell panel, the frame comprising a first section for receiving at least a portion of the solar cell panel and a second section outwardly extending from the first frame,

wherein a first fixing hole is formed at the second section of the frame, and a first fastening member is coupled to the first fixing hole,

wherein the first fastening member comprises a nut undetachably fixed to the frame in a riveted manner and including threads at an inner surface thereof,

wherein a support member for fixing the second section, and for connecting and fixing the solar cell module to another adjacent solar cell module is fixed to the first fixing hole by fastening a second fastening member to the first fastening member while interposing the support member between the first and second fastening members,

wherein the support member is positioned on the second section and the first fastening member and includes a second fixing hole corresponding to the first fixing hole,

wherein the second section comprises a vertical portion extending in perpendicular to the solar cell panel, and a parallel portion extending in parallel to the solar cell panel,

wherein the first fixing hole and the first fastening member are disposed at the parallel portion,

wherein the first fastening member is solely coupled and fixed to the first fixing hole to be fixed to the frame,

wherein the second fastening member entirely penetrates the support member in a thickness direction of the support member,

wherein the second fastening member constitutes a bolt extending through the nut of the first fastening member and the second fixing hole of the support member to be fastened to the threads of the first fastening member for fixing the frame to the support member,

wherein the first fastening member constitutes a lock nut,

wherein the threads of the lock nut have a deformed shape, have slits, and include portions spaced from one another and radially protruded, and

wherein the lock nut comprises a double nut including a lower nut having an eccentric upper sliding surface and an upper nut having a concentric lower sliding surface that are threadedly coupled, or a resin insert of a plate spring inserted into the threads of the lock nut.

2. The solar cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the fastening member comprises a nut portion disposed at one surface of the frame having a larger outer diameter than a diameter of the first fixing hole, a connecting portion extending from the nut portion, to be disposed within the first fixing hole, and a rivet portion disposed at the other surface of the frame while having a larger outer diameter than the diameter of the first fixing hole.

3. The solar cell module according to claim 2 , wherein the nut portion and the rivet portion extend orthogonal to the connecting portion.

4. The solar cell module according to claim 2 , wherein the first fastening member further comprises lugs provided at the rivet portion, to be protruded toward the other surface of the frame.

5. The solar cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the first fastening member has an integrated structure in which all portions thereof are made of the same material.

6. A photovoltaic power generation system comprising:

a solar cell module comprising a solar cell panel, and a frame disposed at a periphery of the solar cell panel, the frame comprising a first section for receiving at least a portion of the solar cell panel and a second section outwardly extending from the first frame;

a support member for fixing the second section; and

a fastener for fastening the solar cell module and the support member to each other,

wherein the fastener comprises

a first fastening member coupled to a first fixing hole formed at the second section of the frame, and

a second fastening member connected to the support member and fastened to the first fastening member,

wherein the first fastening member constitutes a nut undetachably fixed to the frame in a rivet manner and including threads at an inner surface thereof,

wherein the solar cell module comprises a plurality of solar cell modules, and the support member cross the plurality of solar cell modules so that the plurality of solar cell modules are connected and fixed together via the support member,

wherein the support member is positioned on the second section and the first fastening member and includes a second fixing hole corresponding to the first fixing hole,

wherein the second section comprises a vertical portion extending in perpendicular to the solar cell panel, and a parallel portion extending in parallel to the solar cell panel,

wherein the first fixing hole and the first fastening member are positioned at the parallel portion,

wherein the second fastening member extends from a rear side of the solar cell module, penetrates the support member, and is coupled to the first fastening member,

wherein the first fastening member is solely coupled and fixed to the first fixing hole to be fixed to the frame,

wherein the second fastening member entirely penetrates the support member in a thickness direction of the support member,

wherein the second fastening member constitutes a bolt extending through the nut of the first fastening member and the second fixing hole of the support member to be fastened to the threads of the first fastening member for fixing the frame to the support member,

wherein the first fastening member constitutes a lock nut,

wherein the threads of the lock nut have a deformed shape, have slits, and include portions spaced from one another and radially protruded, and

wherein the lock nut comprises a double nut including a lower nut having an eccentric upper sliding surface and an upper nut having a concentric lower sliding surface that are threadedly coupled, or a resin insert of a plate spring inserted into the thread of the lock nut.

7. The photovoltaic power generation system according to claim 6 , wherein:

the fastener further comprises an auxiliary fastening member interposed between the first fastening member and the support member; and

the auxiliary fastening member constitutes a washer.

8. The photovoltaic power generation system according to claim 6 , wherein the first fastening member comprises a nut portion disposed at one surface of the frame having a larger outer diameter than a diameter of the first fixing hole, a connecting portion extending from the nut portion, to be disposed within the first fixing hole, and a rivet portion disposed at the other surface of the frame while having a larger outer diameter than the diameter of the first fixing hole.

9. The photovoltaic power generation system according to claim 8 , wherein the nut portion and the rivet portion extend orthogonal to the connecting portion.

10. The photovoltaic power generation system according to claim 8 , wherein the first fastening member further comprises lugs provided at the rivet portion, to be protruded toward the other surface of the frame.

11. The photovoltaic power generation system according to claim 6 , wherein the first fastening member has an integrated structure in which all portions thereof are made of the same material.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 19, 2024
From: SHANGRAO XINYUAN YUEDONG TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD.
To: TRINA SOLAR CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 066831/0802 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 30, 2023
From: SHANGRAO JINKO SOLAR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD
To: SHANGRAO XINYUAN YUEDONG TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD
Reel/Frame 065725/0706 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 29, 2022
From: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
To: SHANGRAO JINKO SOLAR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 061571/0764 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 26, 2013
From: KIM, JEONGSHIK; KIM, HWANYEON
To: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
Reel/Frame 030883/0666 →