Solar panel junction boxes having integrated function modules
A connection box for solar panels to enable the use of multiple types of passive and active covers for different functionalities in the junction box built into the panel to which the connection box is fixedly attached.
1. A solar panel junction box, comprising:
an identification module having:
a memory chip configured to store identification information of a solar panel to which the junction box is fixedly attached;
first contacts connected to the memory chip;
a base having second contacts configured for connection with sections of photovoltaic cells of a solar panel and with wires linking the solar panel to a string of solar panels; and
a cover having:
a printed circuit board having a circuit;
first connectors configured on the printed circuit board and configured to form electronic connections with the first contacts when the cover is attached to the base to close the junction box; and
second connectors configured on the printed circuit board and configured to form electronic connections with the second contacts when the cover is attached to the base to close the junction box;
wherein the first connectors and second connectors are configured to disconnect when the cover is detached from the base.
2. The solar panel junction box of claim 1 , wherein the cover is selected from a plurality of different covers having different functions implemented on printed circuit boards of the covers.
3. The solar panel junction box of claim 2 , further comprising:
a receptacle configured to hold the memory chip.
4. The solar panel junction box of claim 2 , wherein the base further includes a plurality of receptacles to receive snap-in tongues of the cover to lock the cover onto the base.
5. The solar panel junction box of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the snap-in tongues have a pin that is mechanically coded for mating with one of the plurality of receptacles of the base for receiving the snap-in tongues of the cover.
6. The solar panel junction box of claim 4 , wherein at least one latch for the snap-in tongues is configured to require a matching tool to open the latch.
7. The solar panel junction box of claim 2 , wherein the base has plastic receptacles configured to hold the second contacts in the base.
8. The solar panel junction box of claim 2 , wherein the memory chip is configured to be programmed during a manufacturing process of the solar panel with a serial number of the solar panel and characteristics data of the solar panel.
9. The solar panel junction box of claim 8 , wherein a controller installed in the cover is configured to read the memory chip during operation of the solar panel when the cover is attached to the base.
10. The solar panel junction box of claim 9 , wherein if the controller does not recognize the solar panel from the data stored in the memory chip, the controller is configured to discontinue the operation of the solar panel.
11. The solar panel junction box of claim 10 , wherein the circuit in the printed circuit board is configured to recognize the solar panel from the data stored in the memory chip based on data stored in a central registry to help reduce theft of panels.
12. The solar panel junction box of claim 2 , further comprising:
an electrically non-functional pin configured for mechanical coding.
13. The solar panel junction box of claim 2 , wherein the base is capable of receiving covers and form connections with circuits having different function in the received covers, including a first cover having a passive module and a second cover having an active function module.
14. The solar panel junction box of claim 2 , wherein each of the second connectors include a zig-zag shaped blade.
15. A cover of a solar panel junction box, comprising:
a printed circuit board having a circuit;
first connectors configured on the printed circuit board and configured to form electronic connections with first contacts configured in a base of the solar panel junction box when the cover is attached to the base to close the junction box, wherein the first contacts in the base are connected to a memory chip storing identification information of a solar panel on which the junction box is mounted; and
second connectors configured on the printed circuit board and configured to form electronic connections with second contacts configured in the base of the solar panel when the cover is attached to the base to close the junction box, wherein the second contacts in the base are connected with sections of photovoltaic cells of a solar panel and with wires linking the solar panel to a string of solar panel;
wherein the first connectors and second connectors are configured to disconnect when the cover is detached from the base.
16. The cover of claim 15 , wherein the circuit includes bypass diodes for the sections of the photovoltaic cells.
17. The cover of claim 16 , wherein the circuit further includes a microprocessor configured to read the memory chip during operation of the solar panel.