Clip for electrically connecting planar elements, such as solar cells, and the like, in series

• US 4,203,646 A
• Filed: 02/15/1979
• Issued: 05/20/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/1978
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: AMP Incorporated (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Ritchie, Leon T., Yeager, Marvin L., Desso, Jerome A.
• Primary Examiner(s): McGlynn, Joseph H.
• Application Number:
  US06/012,264
• Time in Patent Office: 460 Days
• Field of Search: 339/205, 339/258 R, 339/258P, 136/89 P, 136/89 PC, 357/79
• US Class Current: 439/724
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/022433 Particular geometry of the grid contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0508 the interconnection means having a particular shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/0512 made of a particular material or composition of materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/48 utilising a spring, clip, or other resilient member H01R4/52 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A clip is disclosed for interconnecting planar elements, such as solar cells, and the like, in series. The cells are connected by the clip to electrically interconnect a top circuit of one element to a bottom circuit of an adjacent element. The clips are manufactured from stock which includes a metallic strip with at least one insulating web secured along one surface covering approximately half the area thereof. At least two cantilever beams are stamped from the strip extending toward each end of the clip and lying spaced above a portion of the clip. The first arm presents an insulated surface to an uninsulated portion of the clip while the second arm presents an uninsulated surface to an insulation portion of the clip.

Claims

1. A clip for electrically interconnecting adjacent pairs of planar members, such as solar cells and the like, in series, said clip comprising:

a metal blank having at least one web of insulative material bonded to one side of said blank covering approximately half the surface area thereof,

at least one first arm and at least one second arm formed in said blank, each arm extending in cantilever fashion above a portion of said blank toward an end thereof,

said first and said second arms being oppositely directed with said first arm presenting an uninsulated surface to an insulated portion of said blank and said second arm presenting an insulated surface to an uninsulated portion of said blank whereby first and second members received in opposite ends of said clip have a first side of a first member electrically connected to a second side of a second member.

2. A clip according to claim 1 wherein:

said first and second arms are formed extending inwardly from opposite ends of the clip to include a portion of said web of insulative material, each said arm being folded upon itself thereby forming outwardly directed member receiving clips, said first arm presenting an uninsulated surface to the obverse of a first member received therein and an insulated surface to the reverse of said first member, said second arm presenting an insulated surface to the obverse of a second member received therein and an uninsulated surface to the reverse of said second member.

3. A clip according to claim 1 further comprising:

a second web of insulative material bonded to the opposite side of said blank from said at least one web, said webs extending in opposite directions from a medial portion of said blank,

said first and second arms being stamped from the reverse of said blank to extend in opposite directions from a medial portion of said clip, said first arm presenting an uninsulated surface to an insulated portion of the clip and said second arm presenting an insulated surface to an uninsulated portion of the clip.

4. A clip for electrically interconnecting in series adjacent pairs of planar elements, such as solar cells capable of converting solar energy to electrical energy, said clip comprising:

a metal blank having a first web of insulative material bonded to one end of the obverse and a second web of insulative material bonded to the reverse at an opposite end thereof;

at least one first arm formed extending in cantilever fashion from a medial portion of said blank towards said one end, said at least one arm having an exposed conductive bottom surface facing said first insulative web, and

at least one second arm formed extending in cantilever fashion from a medial portion of said blank towards said opposite end, said at least one second arm presenting an insulated surface towards the conductive obverse surface of said clip whereby first and second elements are received in opposite sides of said clip with a first side of a first element connected to a second side of a second element.

5. A laminated connector for interconnecting in series adjacent pairs of planar elements, such as solar cells, within an array of like elements, said clip comprising:

a unitary metallic member having a first web of insulation material bonded to one end portion of the obverse side and a second web of insulation material bonded to an opposite end portion of the reverse side parallel to but displaced from said first web,

first and second oppositely directed clip portions each defined by at least one cantilever beam integral with a medial portion of said member and projecting in opposite directions along said obverse side, the first of said clips having said web of insulation material lying on the obverse side with the surface of said beam opposing the insulated obverse of the member being uninsulated and the second of said clips having said second web of insulation bonded to said reverse with the surface of said beam opposing the uninsulated obverse surface of said member being insulated,

whereby adjacent solar cells are electrically connected in series by a first side of a first cell being engaged by said first clip and a second side of a second cell being engaged by the obverse of said member, the second side of the first cell and first side of said second cell lying against portions of said first and second webs of insulative material, respectively.

6. A connector for interconnecting in series adjacent pairs of planar elements, such as solar cells, within an array of like elements, said clip comprising:

a unitary metallic member having at least one web of insulation material bonded to one end portion of the obverse side covering approximately half the area thereof,

first and second oppositely directed clip portions each defined by at least one folded cantilever beam integral with and extending inwardly from an end portion of said member and opening in opposite directions towards their respective ends, the first of said clips having said web of insulation material underlying the uninsulated end portion of said beam and the second of said clips having an insulated end portion overlying an uninsulated portion,

whereby adjacent elements are electrically connected in series by a first side of a first element being electrically contacted by the upper portion of said first clip and a second side of a second element being electrically contacted by the lower portion of said second clip, the second side of the first element and first side of said second element lying against portions of said first and second webs of insulative material, respectively.