Junction box for a solar panel
First Claim
1. A junction box for use in establishing electric connection between an electric cable and output terminals of a solar panel located proximate one edge of the panel, said box comprising first and second separate box members adapted to respectively engage opposite faces of the panel proximate said one edge with the panel edge sandwiched therebetween and coacting when so engaged to define a passage through the box extending from an opening in the exterior of the box, sized to pass the electric cable, to a location proximate the panel terminals, said box members coacting with the panel when engaged with the panel to seal the passage except for said opening.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A solar panel assembly (10) includes a power generating sheet (22) having two output terminals (30,32), and an electric cable (20) soldered at one end to terminals (30) and (32). A frame member is anchored to the solar panel in overlying relation to the terminals and an epoxy material (62) fills a cavity (58) defined by the frame member (40). A case (42) covers the frame member (40). The case includes an upper member (44) and a lower member (46) which are snap fitted together through apertures in the solar panel. The case (42) includes a tension relieving device which prevents tension on the cable (20) from being transferred to the cable end connected to the terminals (30) and (32). The epoxy provides a water resistant seal which allows the solar panel to be used in hostile environments.
199 Citations
22 Claims
- 1. A junction box for use in establishing electric connection between an electric cable and output terminals of a solar panel located proximate one edge of the panel, said box comprising first and second separate box members adapted to respectively engage opposite faces of the panel proximate said one edge with the panel edge sandwiched therebetween and coacting when so engaged to define a passage through the box extending from an opening in the exterior of the box, sized to pass the electric cable, to a location proximate the panel terminals, said box members coacting with the panel when engaged with the panel to seal the passage except for said opening.
- 4. A junction box for use in establishing electric connection between an electric cable and output terminals of a solar panel located proximate one edge of the panel, said box comprising first and second box members adapted to engage opposite faces of the panel proximate said one edge with the panel edge sandwiched therebetween and coacting when so engaged to define a passage through the box extending from an opening in the exterior of the box, sized to pass the electric cable, to a location proximate the panel terminals, the box further including potting material filling a portion of said passage proximate the panel terminals and adapted to encase the portion of the cable proximate the terminals, said second box member engaging the lower face of the solar panel, said first box member engaging the upper face of the panel and defining a downwardly opening hollow overlying the panel terminals, said box further including a frame member having an enclosing border configuration and sized to fit within said hollow, and said epoxy filling the area overlying said terminals enclosed by said frame member.
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7. A junction box for shielding the connection of an electric cable to output terminals of a solar panel positioned proximate an end edge portion of the solar panel, said junction box comprising:
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a first case member; a frame member, having an enclosing border configuration, received within said first case member and positioned against one face of the edge portion of the solar panel in overlying, surrounding relation to the output terminals of the solar panel; an anchor plate positioned against an opposite face of the edge portion of the solar panel and secured to said frame member; a second case member positioned against said opposite face of the edge portion of the solar panel and secured to said first case member to clamp the edge portion of the solar panel therebetween; and means within said case members defining an electric cable passage extending from a location exteriorally of the junction box to a location within said frame member in overlying proximity to the terminals. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A low profile junction box for a flat solar panel having output terminals characterized in that the junction box includes first and second separate case members clamped about the flat solar panel;
- the junction box has a combined height transverse to the plane of the solar panel that is substantially less than the length of the junction box measured transverse to the height of the box; and
the junction box closes about the output terminals of the solar panel and defines a passage therethrough to allow an electric cable connected to the output terminals to pass through the box to a location outside of the box, said case members coacting with said panel when clamped about the panel to seal the passage except for said opening. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- the junction box has a combined height transverse to the plane of the solar panel that is substantially less than the length of the junction box measured transverse to the height of the box; and
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19. A junction box for connecting the output terminals of a solar panel to an electric cable, said junction box comprising:
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an anchor plate positionable on one side of the solar panel; a frame member having an enclosing border configuration positionable on another side of the solar panel in opposition to said anchor plate; means for affixing said frame member to said anchor plate with said solar panel sandwiched therebetween and with said frame member positioned in surrounding relation to the output terminals of the solar panel; said frame member being constructed to retain a water sealing potting material therebetween that is adapted to encase the end of an electric cable connected to the output terminals of the solar panel; and said frame having a passage in the border thereof to allow the electric cable to pass therethrough for connection to the output terminals of the solar panel.
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20. A method of establishing a sealed connection between a solar panel having output terminals and an electric cable comprising the steps of:
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connecting one end of the cable to the output terminals; potting said one cable end in a quantity of potting material overlying and sealing said terminals; and positioning a junction box over the potting material with the electric cable extending out of the junction box through an aperture in the junction box. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification