Granted Patent B2

US 12,749,882 · App. 19/240,285 · Granted Sep 29, 2026

Inventor: Shawn J. Meine (Phoenix, AZ)

Assignee: Unirac, Inc.

H02G3/088H02G3/14

Abstract

Claims (61)

1 . A junction box comprising:

a housing including:

a bottom side,

a top side opposite the bottom side,

a base portion disposed at the bottom side,

sidewalls extending from the top side of the base portion,

an interior cavity defined at least in part by the base portion and the sidewalls, and

a slot formed at least in part by one sidewall of the sidewalls, the slot being offset in a direction away from the interior cavity, the slot being open to the bottom side of the housing;

a DIN rail disposable within the interior cavity, the DIN rail for mounting electrical components of one or more solar panel modules;

a lid positionable on the housing; and

at least one bracket to attach the housing to a solar array rail structure on which the one or more solar panel modules are disposed, the at least one bracket including:

a first portion at least partially disposable within the slot, wherein the first portion is insertable into the slot in a direction from the bottom side of the housing to the top side of the housing, and

a second portion engageable with the solar array rail structure.

2 . The junction box of claim 1 , wherein the first portion is parallel to the one sidewall of the sidewalls.

3 . The junction box of claim 1 , further comprising a fastener to secure the lid to the housing.

4 . The junction box of claim 1 , further comprising one or more markings or indicators associated with penetrations into the interior cavity.

5 . The junction box of claim 1 , wherein the second portion is perpendicular to the first portion.

6 . The junction box of claim 1 , wherein the lid hingedly connects to the housing.

7 . A junction box comprising:

a housing including:

a bottom side,

a top side opposite the bottom side,

an interior cavity in which electrical connections of one or more solar panels are disposable,

a sidewall extending from the bottom side, and

a slot defined between the sidewall and a flange spaced apart from the sidewall, the slot being open to the bottom side;

a lid to connect to the housing; and

a connector to attach the housing to a solar array rail structure, the connector including:

a first portion disposable within the slot, and

a second portion engageable with the solar array rail structure.

8 . The junction box of claim 7 , wherein the lid connects to the housing to enclose the interior cavity.

9 . The junction box of claim 7 , further comprising a fastener to attach the junction box to the solar array rail structure.

10 . The junction box of claim 7 , further comprising one or more holes disposed through the housing.

11 . The junction box of claim 7 , wherein:

the first portion is arranged parallel to the sidewall; and

the second portion is arranged perpendicular to the sidewall.

12 . The junction box of claim 7 , wherein:

the housing further includes a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourth sidewall; and

the interior cavity is defined at least in part by the sidewall, the second sidewall, the third sidewall, and the fourth sidewall.

13 . The junction box of claim 7 , further comprising a DIN rail disposable within the interior cavity, wherein at least one of the electrical connections is mounted to the DIN rail.

14 . An assembly attachable to a solar array rail structure, the assembly comprising:

a junction box including:

a housing having:

a bottom,

sidewalls extending upwardly from a periphery of the bottom,

an interior cavity to receive electrical connections from one or more solar panel modules, and

a receptacle extending beyond a surface of at least one sidewall of the sidewalls, the receptacle being located external to the interior cavity, the receptacle having an opening facing the bottom, and

a lid attachable to the housing; and

a connector engageable with the receptacle to attach the junction box to the solar array rail structure.

15 . The assembly of claim 14 , wherein the connector includes:

a first portion disposable within the receptacle; and

a second portion engageable with the solar array rail structure.

16 . The assembly of claim 15 , wherein:

the first portion is arranged parallel to the at least one sidewall; and

the second portion is arranged perpendicular to the at least one sidewall.

17 . The assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a fastener that is actuatable to attach the junction box to the solar array rail structure.

18 . The assembly of claim 14 , further comprising a DIN rail disposable within the interior cavity.

19 . The assembly of claim 18 , wherein at least one electrical connection of the electrical connections is mounted to the DIN rail.

20 . The assembly of claim 14 , wherein:

the housing defines an aperture;

the lid defines an aperture; and

a fastener is disposed through the aperture of the housing and the aperture of the lid to secure the lid to the housing.

Assignments (1)

Continuity (4)

References Cited (281)