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CONNECTING STRUCTURE OF SOLAR CELL MODULES
5
1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0001] One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to connecting
structures of solar cell modules and alignment of the solar cell modules.
10 BACKGROUND2. Related Art
[0002] Recently, as the eventual exhaustion of energy sources such as oil or coal is
expected, interests in substitute (alternative) energy sources are increasing. Among
these energy sources, solar cells are batteries that convert solar energy directly into
electrical energy by using a semiconductor device and are regarded as a next-
15 generation battery.
[0003] A solar cell converts light energy into electrical energy by using the
photovoltaic effect, and may be classified according to materials, for example, into a
silicon solar cell, a thin film solar cell, a dye-sensitized solar cell, and an organic
polymer solar cell.
20 [0004] A solar generator includes an array formed by connecting a plurality of solar
cell modules in which solar cells are connected serially or in parallel. According to the
related art, screw holes are processed or provided in the frames of the solar cell
modules, and, for example, a connection plate in which assembly holes corresponding
to the screw holes are formed, is disposed between adjacent solar cell modules. Then,
25 the plurality of solar cell modules are connected to form an array, in which the
assembly holes and the screw holes are assembled together by screws. However,
according to this method, it is difficult to form the screw holes, and if the screw holes
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and the assembly holes do not match up with each other, it is difficult to align the
plurality of solar cell modules with one another.
5
SUMMARY
[0005] Aspects of one or more embodiments of the present invention are directed
toward a connecting structure of solar cell modules in which connection of the solar cell
modules and alignment of the solar cell modules may be easily performed. In one
10 embodiment, a solar cell array includes a plurality of solar cell modules, each of the
solar cell modules including: a frame having a first side extending along a first
direction, and a first insertion hole formed in the first side and extending along the first
direction; and a connecting structure extending along a second direction perpendicular
to the first direction for connecting two adjacent modules of the solar cell modules, and
15 including a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion respectively received in
the first insertion holes of the two adjacent modules, wherein each of the first insertion
holes has a guide portion and an insertion portion, the guide portion bending from the
insertion portion to guide the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion into
the respective guide portions.
20 [0006] The connecting structure may have a half dumbbell shape.
[0007] Each of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion may have
a hemispheric shape.
[0008] The connecting structure may further include a middle portion connected
between the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion of the connecting
25 structure.
[0009] The insertion portion may extend along the first direction to the guide portion,
and the guide portion may have a larger width than that of the insertion portion in a
third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction.
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[0010] The guide portion may have a shape corresponding to the first coupling
portion or the second coupling portion such that the connecting structure is rotatable in
5 the guide portion.
[0011] A side of the guide portion may have a curvature substantially identical to
that of the first coupling portion or the second coupling portion.
[0012] A side of the guide portion may include a first securing part configured to
secure the first coupling portion or the second coupling portion in the corresponding
10 guide portion.
[0013] At least one of the first coupling portion or the second coupling portion may
include a second securing part configured to engage the first securing part.
[0014] At least one of the first securing part or the second securing part may be
substantially elastic.
15 [0015] One of the first securing part or the second securing part may include a
groove or step, and another one of the first securing part or the second securing part
may include a protrusion.
[0016] The insertion portion may include a plurality of insertion portions extending
along the first direction, and the guide portion may include a plurality of guide portions,
20 the insertion portions and the guide portions being alternately arranged, and each of
the guide portions may have a larger width than that of a corresponding one of the
insertion portions in a third direction perpendicular to both the first direction and the
second direction.
[0017] The frame may further include a second side extending from an end of the
25 first side in the second direction, and a portion of the first insertion hole extends into
the second side in the second direction.
[0018] A solar cell module of the plurality of solar cell modules may further include
a second insertion hole extending along the second side of the frame.
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[0019] The first insertion holes of the two adjacent modules may face each other in
the second direction and may be substantially symmetrical in shape with respect to
5 each other.
[0020] In one embodiment, a connecting structure for connecting adjacent solar cell
modules is provided. The connecting structure includes a first coupling portion, a
second coupling portion, and a middle portion extending along a first direction and
having a first end and a second end respectively connected to the first coupling portion
10 and the second coupling portion. Widths of the first coupling portion and the second
coupling portion are wider than that of the middle portion in a second direction
perpendicular to the first direction. A cross-section of each of the first coupling portion
and the second coupling portion has a curved side and a substantially straight side, the
first direction being normal to the cross-section. The connecting structure is configured
15 to be rotatable around an axis extending along the first direction when the first coupling
portion and the second coupling portion are respectively received in insertion holes of
the adjacent solar cell modules.
[0021] The connecting structure may have a half dumbbell shape.
[0022] Each of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion may have
20 a hemispheric shape.
[0023] A cross-section of the middle portion may have a rectangular, circular, or
semi-circular shape.
[0024] Each of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion may have
a shape corresponding to a guide portion of the insertion hole such that the connecting
25 structure is rotatable in the guide portion around the axis extending along the first
direction, while the connecting structure is not substantially rotatable in another portion
of the insertion hole.
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[0025] The curved side may have a curvature substantially identical to that of a side
of the guide portion of the insertion hole.
5 [0026] At least one of the first coupling portion or the second coupling portion may
include a first securing part configured to engage a second securing part on a side of
the guide portion of the insertion hole.
[0027] At least one of the first securing part or the second securing part may be
substantially elastic.
10 [0028] One of the first securing part or the second securing part may include a
groove or step, and another one of the first securing part or the second securing part
may include a protrusion.
[0029] Each of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion may have
a semi-cylindrical shape.
15 [0030] Each of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion may have
two semi-cylindrical portions spaced apart from each other in the first direction.
[0031] The curved side may have at least two sections having different curvatures.
[0032] A cross section of each of the first coupling portion and the second coupling
portion in the first direction, may have a tapered shape.
20 [0033] According to the embodiments of the present invention, solar cell modules
may be easily connected and aligned.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of a connecting structure for
25 connecting solar cell modules according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of a solar cell module according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a solar cell unit of FIG. 1 A;
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[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a connection member illustrated in FIG. 1A according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
5 [0038] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the solar cell module of FIG. 1A cut along
a line l-l';
[0039] FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate a method of connecting solar cell modules
using the connecting structure of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
10 [0040] FIG. 6A is a modification example of a connecting structure of the solar cell
modules of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 6B is a modification example of a connecting structure of the solar cell
modules of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 7 is another modification example of a connecting structure of the solar
15 cell modules of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0043] FIGS. 8 through 11 illustrate different connection members according to
several embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
20 [0044] In the drawings, each constituent element may be exaggerated, omitted, or
schematically illustrated for convenience of explanation and clarity. Also, the size of
each constituent element may not perfectly reflect an actual size. In the present
specification, when a first constituent element is described as being formed "on" or
"under" a second constituent element, the first constituent element may be formed
25 "directly" or "indirectly" "on" or "under" the second constituent element with or without a
third constituent element interposed therebetween. The state of being "on" or "under"
a constituent element is described based on the drawings. In addition, like elements
are labeled with like reference numerals even when illustrated in different drawings.
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[0045] The present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown.
5 [0046] FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a connecting structure for connecting solar
cell modules according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an
exploded perspective view of a solar cell unit 100 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 3 illustrates a
connection member 300 illustrated in FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the solar cell unit 100 of FIG. 1A
10 cut along a line l-l'. FIGS. 5A through 5C illustrate a method of connecting solar cell
modules using the connecting structure of FIG. 1 A.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 1 A, in the connecting structure of solar cell modules, a first
solar cell module 1 and a second solar cell module 2, which are disposed adjacent to
each other, are connected to each other. The first solar cell module 1 and the second
15 solar cell module 2 may be connected by inserting the connection member 300 into a
first insertion hole 211 formed in the first solar cell module 1 and a second insertion
hole 212 formed in the second solar cell module 2.
[0048] First, the first solar cell module 1 and the second solar cell module 2 may
have the same shape, e.g., rectangular shape, and are placed on a holder (not shown)
20 or the like and connected to one another to form an array.
[0049] Each of the first solar cell module 1 and the second solar cell module 2
includes a solar cell unit 100 and a frame 200 connected to a boundary or periphery of
the solar cell unit 100. As the first solar cell module 1 and the second solar cell module
2 have the same shape, description will focus on the first solar cell module 1 below.
25 Also, the first solar cell module 1 will be described with respect to a first direction x, a
second direction y that is perpendicular to the first direction x, and a third direction z
that is perpendicular to the first direction x and the second direction y. The first
direction x may be a height direction of the first solar cell module 1, the second
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direction y may be a width direction of the first solar cell module 1, and the third
direction z may be a thickness direction of the first solar cell module 1.
5 [0050] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the solar cell unit 100 may include a plurality of solar
cells 110, a plurality of ribbons 120 that form a plurality of solar cell strings 130 by
electrically connecting the plurality of solar cells 110, a first encapsulation film 140 and
a front substrate 160 that are disposed above the plurality of solar cells 110, and a
second encapsulation film 150 and a rear substrate 170 that are disposed below the
10 plurality of solar cells 110.
[0051] Each of the solar cells 110 is a semiconductor device that converts solar
energy into electrical energy, and may be, for example, a silicon solar cell, a compound
semiconductor solar cell, a dye-sensitized solar cell, or a tandem solar cell.
[0052] The ribbons 120 electrically connect the plurality of solar cells 110 serially, in
15 parallel, or in combination of serial and parallel connections to form the solar cell
strings 130. In one embodiment, the ribbons 120 may connect a front electrode formed
on a light receiving surface of the solar cell 110 and a rear electrode formed on a rear
surface of another adjacent solar cell 110 by using a tabbing operation. The tabbing
operation may be performed by coating a surface of the solar cells 110 with a flux,
20 disposing the ribbons 120 on the solar cells 110 coated with the flux, and performing
heat treatment. Alternatively, a conductive film may be attached between a surface of
the solar cells 110 and the ribbons 120, and then the plurality of solar cells 110 may be
connected in series or in parallel by thermal compression.
[0053] Here, the solar cell strings 130 may be electrically connected to one another
25 via bus ribbons 125. In one embodiment, the bus ribbons 125 are arranged
horizontally at two ends of the solar cell strings 130, and the two ends of the ribbons
120 of the solar cell strings 130 may be alternately connected by the bus ribbons 125.
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Also, the bus ribbons 125 may be connected to a junction box which is disposed on a
rear surface of the solar cell unit 100.
5 [0054] The first encapsulation film 140 is disposed on the light receiving surface of
the solar cells 110, and the second encapsulation film 150 is disposed on a rear
surface of the solar cells 110. The first encapsulation film 140 and the second
encapsulation film 150 are adhered by lamination to block water or oxygen penetration
which may adversely affect the solar cells 110.
10 [0055] The first encapsulation film 140 and the second encapsulation film 150 may |
be formed of, for example, an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, a polyvinyl
butyral, an oxide of ethylene vinyl acetate, a silicon resin, an ester resin, or an olefin
resin.
[0056] The front substrate 160 is disposed on the first encapsulation film 140 and
15 may be formed of a highly light transmissive glass or a polymer material. Also, to
protect the solar cells 110 from external impact, the front substrate 160 may be formed
of tempered glass. In order to prevent or reduce reflection of solar light and to increase
transmittance of solar light, the front substrate 160 may be formed of low-iron tempered
glass of a low iron content.
20 [0057] The rear substrate 170 is a layer protecting the solar cells 110 on the rear
surface of the solar cell 110, and performs functions such as water proofing, insulation,
and ultraviolet (UV) blocking. The rear substrate 170 may be a stacked structure of
polyvinyl fluoride/PET/polyvinyl fluoride, but is not limited thereto.
[0058] While the solar cell unit 100 including the solar cells 110 that are crystalline,
25 has been described above, the solar cell unit 100 is not limited thereto, and the solar
cell unit 100 may include a thin film type solar cell, a dye-sensitized solar cell, or an
organic polymer type solar cell.
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1
[0059] Referring back to FIG. 1 A, the frame 200 is connected to the boundary of the
solar cell unit 100, and the first insertion hole 211 is formed in the frame 200.
5 [0060] The first insertion hole 211 may be formed in the frame 200 of the first solar
cell module 1 along a first surface 202. In one embodiment, the first insertion hole 211
is a groove having a portion that extends from the first surface 202 of the frame 200 to
a set or predetermined depth in the second direction y of the first solar cell module 1,
and another portion that passes through a second surface 204 (that is perpendicular to
10 the first surface 202) and is formed to extend along the first direction x of the first solar
cell module 1.
[0061] Also, a height of the first insertion hole 211 corresponds to the third direction
z of the first solar cell module 1, and the first insertion hole 211 may extend along the
second direction y of the first solar cell module 1 from the first surface 202 of the frame
15 200 at a set or predetermined height and may have a hemispheric shape at an internal
end thereof. The shape of the first insertion hole 211 corresponds to a shape of the
connection member 300 (e.g., see FIG. 3) which will be described later with reference
to FIG. 3.
[0062] Here, the second insertion hole 212 formed in the second solar cell module 2
20 adjacent to the first solar cell module 1 is formed symmetrically to the first insertion
hole 211 described above with respect to the first direction x of the first solar cell
module 1. As the connection member 300 is inserted simultaneously or concurrently
into both the first insertion hole 211 and the second insertion hole 212, the first solar
cell module 1 and the second solar cell module 2 may be connected to each other by
25 the connection member 300.
[0063] FIG. 1B is a schematic perspective view of a solar cell module according to
an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1B, a third insertion hole 213
may be further formed along the second surface 204. Accordingly, the first solar cell
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module 1 may be connected to a third solar cell module (not shown) not only in the
second direction y but also in the first direction x.
5 [0064] FIG. 3 is a plan view (A), a front view (B), and a side view (C) of the
connection member 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 3, the connection member 300 includes two coupling portions 320
and a connection portion 310 connecting the two coupling portions 320 to each other.
[0065] The two coupling portions 320 are hemisphere-shaped, and are respectively
10 inserted into the first insertion hole 211 and the second insertion hole 212. When the
two coupling portions 320 are inserted into the first insertion hole 211 and the second
insertion hole 212, the connection portion 310 may be fixed in the insertion holes 211
and 212 such that the first solar cell module 1 and the second solar cell module 2 are
not separated from each other. A cross-section of the connection portion 310 may be
15 rectangular, circular, or semicircle-shaped, but is not limited thereto.
[0066] Here, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first solar cell module 1 of FIG.
1A cut along a line l-l', illustrating a detailed view of the first insertion hole 211.
Referring to FIG. 4, the first insertion hole 211 formed through the second surface 204
along the first direction x of the first solar cell module 1 extends up to a receiving
20 portion 220.
[0067] The receiving portion 220 is an area where the coupling portion 320 (see
FIG. 3) inserted into the first insertion hole 211 is received, and the receiving portion
220 extends along the first direction x of the first solar cell module 1 and is bent
downward at 90°. For example, the first insertion hole 211 and the receiving portion
25 220 are connected together to form an L-shape opening.
[0068] The receiving portion 220 includes a guide portion 222 that is curved and a
suspension threshold 224 formed along the third direction z of the first solar cell
module 1. The guide portion 222 allows the first insertion hole 211 and the receiving
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portion 220 to be formed continuously, and has the same or substantially the same
curvature radius as the hemisphere-shape of the coupling portion 320 (see FIG. 3) and
5 is convex in an insertion direction of the coupling portion 320.
[0069] The guide portion 222 has a concave surface. The concave surface may be
partly circular in cross-section. In a preferred embodiment the partly circular crosssection
is across an axis extending substantially perpendicular to an insertion direction
and an axis along said insertion direction, preferably the cross-section is across axes x
10 and z. The term partly-circular may be preferably an arc of a circle from 75° to 180°,
preferably 90° to 180°, more preferably 125° to 180°, more preferably 140° to 180°.
[0070] Also, the concave surface may be partly spherical or cylindrical. The term
partly spherical or cylindrical preferably means that the concave surface would cover
25% to 55% of a sphere of the same radius as the receiving portion 220, preferably
15 35% to 55%, more preferably 40% to 50%.
[0071] Also, the suspension threshold 224 contacts a lower surface of the coupling
portion 320 when the coupling portion 320 is received in the receiving portion 220. The
suspension threshold 224 may prevent the coupling portion 320 received in the
receiving portion 220 from being separated from the first solar cell module 1.
20 [0072] A method of connecting solar cell modules using the connecting structure of
FIG. 1A will be described with reference to FIG. 5. Hereinafter, for convenience of
description, an operation of using the coupling portions 320 to connect the solar cell
modules will be illustrated and described. I
[0073] The solar cell modules are connected using a connecting structure as
25 follows: first, as illustrated in (A) of FIG. 5, the coupling portion 320 is inserted into the
first insertion hole 211, and then moves along the first direction x of the first solar cell
module 1 so as to meet the guide portion 222.
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[0074] Here, the guide portion 222 has a uniform curvature radius so as to have the
same shape as the coupling portion 320, and thus, if force is continuously applied to
5 the coupling portion 320 in the first direction x of the first solar cell module 1, as
illustrated in (B) of FIG. 5, the coupling portion 320 rotates in a direction perpendicular
to the first direction x of the first solar cell module 1 along the guide portion 222 in the
receiving portion 220. That is, the coupling portion 320 rotates around an axis
extending in the y direction.
10 [0075] The coupling portion 320 that rotates along the guide portion 222 is received
in the receiving portion 220 while having a bottom surface of the coupling portion 320
being in contact with the suspension threshold 224 as illustrated in (C) of FIG. 5.
Accordingly, connection between the coupling portion 320 and the first solar cell
module 1 is completed.
15 [0076] Here, as described above, the connection member 300 (see FIG. 3) includes
the two coupling portions 320 that are connected via the connection portion 310 (see
FIG. 3), and the two coupling portions 320 are concurrently (e.g., simultaneously)
inserted into the first insertion hole 211 of the first solar cell module 1 and the second
insertion hole 212 (see FIG. 1A) of the second solar cell module 2 (see FIG. 1A). Also,
20 the connection portion 310 may be exposed to the outside between the first solar cell
module 1 and the second solar cell module 2, and thus, the connection member 300
may be inserted into the first solar cell module 1 and the second solar cell module 2 by
applying a force to the connection portion 310.
[0077] According to the current embodiment of the present invention, just by
25 inserting the connection member 300 into the first insertion hole 211 and the second
insertion hole 212 which are respectively formed in the first solar cell module 1 and the
second solar cell module 2, the first solar cell module 1 and the adjacent second solar
cell module 2 may be easily connected to each other, and aligned with each other.
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[0078] FIG. 6A is a modification example of a connecting structure of the solar cell
modules of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 [0079] Although FIG. 6A illustrates the coupling portion 320 that is received in the
receiving portion 220 as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the coupling portion 320 and the
receiving portion 220 are illustrated separately for convenience of description.
Components such as the coupling portion 320, the receiving portion 220, the guide
portion 222 or the like are substantially the same as those illustrated in and described
10 with reference to FIGS. 3 through 5, and description below will focus on differences
from the embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0080] Referring to FIG. 6A, a first connection portion 226 (e.g., a first securing part)
may be formed in the guide portion 222, and a second connection portion 330 (e.g., a
second securing part) that is coupled to the first connection portion 226 may be formed
15 in the coupling portion 320. For example, the first connection portion 226 may be a
protrusion, and the second connection portion 330 may be a groove that is matched by
the protrusion.
[0081] In one embodiment, the first connection portion 226 may be protruded in a
rotation direction of the coupling portion 320 from the guide portion 222, and may be
20 elastic. Accordingly, the first connection portion 226 is pressed by a surface of the
coupling portion 320 when the coupling portion 320 rotates while being in contact with
the guide portion 222. When the coupling portion 320 is received in the receiving
portion 220, the first connection portion 226 is restored to an original state by its elastic
force, and is coupled to the second connection portion 330 formed in the coupling
25 portion 320. Accordingly, when the coupling portion 320 is received in the receiving
portion 220, separation of the coupling portion 320 from the frame 200 may be
effectively prevented.
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[0082] Although a single protrusion is illustrated as the first connection portion 226
in FIG. 6A, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first
5 connection portion 226 may also be at least two protrusions. (See FIG. 6B). Also, the
first connection portion 226 may be a groove, and the second connection portion 330
may be a protrusion.
[0083] FIG. 7 is another modification example of a connecting structure of the solar
cell modules of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 [0084] FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the coupling portion 320 is inserted into the
first insertion hole 211 as illustrated in FIG. 5A. In FIG. 7, the frame 200, the coupling
portion 320, and the first insertion hole 211 are substantially the same as those
illustrated in and described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 5, and the description
below will focus on differences from the previous embodiments.
15 [0085] Referring to FIG. 7, as the first insertion hole 211 is formed in the frame 200
along the first direction x of the first solar cell module 1, the first insertion hole 211 is
connected in line with first through third receiving portions 220A through 220C.
[0086] While three receiving portions, e.g., the first receiving portion 220A, the
second receiving portion 220B, and the third receiving portion 220C, are illustrated in
20 FIG. 7, the number of receiving portions is not limited thereto.
[0087] A plurality of connection members 300 are sequentially inserted into the first
insertion hole 211, and the coupling portions 320 are respectively received in the first
receiving portion 220A, the second receiving portion 220B, and the third receiving
portion 220C.
25 [0088] Thus, a connection force between the first solar cell module 1 and the
second solar cell module 2 may be further improved or increased.
[0089] FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view (A), a front view (B), and a side view (C) of a
connection member 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
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Referring to FIG. 8, the connection member 400 includes two coupling portions 420
and a connection portion 410 connecting the two coupling portions 420 to each other.
5 The two coupling portions 420 each have a semi-cylindrical shape. A cross-section of
the connection portion 410 may be rectangular, circular, or semicircle-shaped, but is
not limited thereto.
[0090] FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view (A), a front view (B), and a side view (C) of a
connection member 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 Referring to FIG. 9, the connection member 500 includes two coupling portions 520
and a connection portion 510 connecting the two coupling portions 520 to each other.
The two coupling portions 520 each include two semi-cylindrical portions 520a and
520b spaced apart from each other in a first direction. The two semi-cylindrical portions
are connected to each other by a connection member 530. Cross-sections of the
15 connection portions 510 and 530 may be rectangular, circular, or semicircle-shaped,
but is not limited thereto.
[0091] FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view (A), a front view (B), and a side view (C) of a
connection member 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to FIG. 10, the connection member 600 includes two coupling portions 620
20 and a connection portion 610 connecting the two coupling portions 620 to each other.
Here, a cross-section of each of the coupling portions 620 has a curved side 620a and
a substantially straight side 620b, and the curved side 620a includes at least first
section 620a1 and second section 620a2 having different curvatures.
[0092] The first section 620a1 may be 25% to 50% of the surface of a semi-
25 cylindrical portion of the same radius as the coupling portion, preferably 30% to 45%,
more preferably 35% to 40%.
[0093] The second section 620a2 may be a flange. The flange is capable of fitting
into corresponding section of a receiving portion and locking into place. The flange may
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be flexible and makes up the rest of the cross-section. The function of the flange is to
improve the strength of the coupling between the coupling portion 620 and the
5 receiving portion.
[0094] A cross-section of the connection portion 610 may be rectangular, circular, or
semicircle-shaped, but is not limited thereto.
[0095] FIG. 11 illustrates a plan view (A), a front view (B), and a side view (C) of a
connection member 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 Referring to FIG. 11, the connection member 700 includes two coupling portions 720
and a connection portion 710 connecting the two coupling portions 720 to each other.
Here, a cross section of each of the coupling portions 720 in a first direction has a
tapered shape. A cross-section of the connection portion 710 may be rectangular,
circular, or semicircle-shaped, but is not limited thereto.
15 [0096] The connecting structure of solar cell modules according to the embodiments
of the present invention is not limited to the above-described structures and methods.
Some or all of the embodiments may be selectively combined to make various
modifications.
[0097] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with
20 reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following
claims, and equivalents thereof.
25 Explanation of Some Reference Numerals
1: first solar cell module 2: second solar cell module
100: solar cell unit 200: frame
211: first insertion hole 212: second insertion hole
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220: receiving portion 222: guide portion
300: connection member 310: connection portion
5 320: coupling portion
10
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20
25
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WE CLAIM:
5 1. A solar cell array comprising:
a plurality of solar cell modules, each of the solar cell modules comprising a
frame having a first side extending along a first direction, and a first insertion hole
formed in the first side and extending along the first direction; and
a connecting structure extending along a second direction perpendicular to the
10 first direction for connecting two adjacent modules of the solar cell modules, and
comprising a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion respectively received
in the first insertion holes of the two adjacent modules,
wherein each of the first insertion holes has a guide portion and an insertion
portion, the guide portion bending from the insertion portion to guide the first coupling
15 portion and the second coupling portion into the respective guide portions.
2. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting
structure has a half dumbbell shape.
20 3. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first
coupling portion and the second coupling portion has a hemispheric shape.
4. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting
structure further comprises a middle portion connected between the first coupling
25 portion and the second coupling portion of the connecting structure.
5. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insertion portion
extends along the first direction to the guide portion, and the guide portion has a larger
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1
width than that of the insertion portion in a third direction perpendicular to both the first
direction and the second direction.
5
6. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide portion has a
shape corresponding to the first coupling portion or the second coupling portion such
that the connecting structure is rotatable in the guide portion.
10 7. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 1, wherein a side of the guide
portion has a curvature substantially identical to that of the first coupling portion or the
second coupling portion.
8. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 1, wherein a side of the guide
15 portion comprises a first securing part configured to secure the first coupling portion or
the second coupling portion in the corresponding guide portion.
9. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of the first
coupling portion or the second coupling portion comprises a second securing part
20 configured to engage the first securing part.
10. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of the first
securing part or the second securing part is substantially elastic.
25 11. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 9, wherein one of the first
securing part or the second securing part comprises a groove or step, and another one
of the first securing part or the second securing part comprises a protrusion.
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12. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the insertion portion
comprises a plurality of insertion portions extending along the first direction, and the
5 guide portion comprises a plurality of guide portions, the insertion portions and the
guide portions being alternately arranged, and each of the guide portions has a larger
width than that of a corresponding one of the insertion portions in a third direction
perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction.
10 13. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame further
comprises a second side extending from an end of the first side in the second direction,
and a portion of the first insertion hole extends into the second side in the second
direction.
15 14. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 13, wherein a solar cell module of
the plurality of solar cell modules further comprises a second insertion hole extending
along the second side of the frame.
15. The solar cell array as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first insertion holes
20 of the two adjacent modules face each other in the second direction and are
substantially symmetrical in shape with respect to each other.
16. A connecting structure for connecting adjacent solar cell modules,
comprising:
25 a first coupling portion;
a second coupling portion; and
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a middle portion extending along a first direction and having a first end and a second
end respectively connected to the first coupling portion and the second coupling
5 portion,
wherein widths of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion are
wider than that of the middle portion in a second direction perpendicular to the first
direction, and
wherein a cross-section of each of the first coupling portion and the second
10 coupling portion has a curved side and a substantially straight side, the first direction
being normal to the cross-section, and the connecting structure is configured to be
rotatable around an axis extending along the first direction when the first coupling
portion and the second coupling portion are respectively received in insertion holes of
the adjacent solar cell modules.
15
17. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein the connecting
structure has a half dumbbell shape.
18. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the first
20 coupling portion and the second coupling portion has a hemispheric shape.
19. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein a cross-section
of the middle portion has a rectangular, circular, or semi-circular shape.
25 20. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the first
coupling portion and the second coupling portion has a shape corresponding to a guide
portion of the insertion hole such that the connecting structure is rotatable in the guide
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portion around the axis extending along the first direction, while the connecting
structure is not substantially rotatable in another portion of the insertion hole.
5
21. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 20, wherein the curved side
has a curvature substantially identical to that of a side of the guide portion of the
insertion hole.
10 22. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 20, wherein at least one of
the first coupling portion or the second coupling portion comprises a first securing part
configured to engage a second securing part on a side of the guide portion of the
insertion hole.
15 23. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 22, wherein at least one of
the first securing part or the second securing part is substantially elastic.
24. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 22, wherein one of the first
securing part or the second securing part comprises a groove or step, and another one
20 of the first securing part or the second securing part comprises a protrusion.
25. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the first
coupling portion and the second coupling portion has a semi-cylindrical shape.
25 26. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the first
coupling portion and the second coupling portion comprises two semi-cylindrical
portions spaced apart from each other in the first direction.
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27. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein the curved side
comprises at least two sections having different curvatures.
5
28. The connecting structure as claimed in claim 16, wherein a cross section
of each of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion in the first
direction, has a tapered shape.