Terminal box and a method of providing it

• US 7,369,398 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2005
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems Limited (Sumitomo Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoshikawa, Hiroyuki, Naito, Kazuki, Higashikozono, Makoto
• Primary Examiner(s): Thompson; Gregory D
• Application Number:
  US11/194,413
• Publication Number:
  US 20060049802A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,009 Days
• Field of Search: 361/641
• US Class Current: 361/641
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/34 comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/209 Heat transfer by conduction from internal heat source to heat radiating structure H05K7/20909 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

Terminal plates (30) are juxtaposed on a base plate (11) for electrically connecting positive and negative electrodes of a solar battery module (90) to cables (80) for external connection. A rectifying device (50) spans between adjacent terminal plates (30). Each rectifying device (50) has a bypass diode (52) and a metal clip (53) resiliently holds the bypass diode (52). A heat discharging sheet (40) is attached to the lower surface of the clip (53) for discharging heat generated by the bypass diode (52). Heat discharged from a heat discharging surface (40A) of the heat discharging sheet (40) is received by a heat receiving surface (90A) of the solar battery module (90) via a through hole (11B) formed in the base plate (11) and is discharged efficiently from the solar battery module (90).

Claims

1. A terminal box for mounting on a surface of an electric or electronic device, comprising a base plate having an outer surface facing outwardly on the terminal box and an opposite inner surface facing into the terminal box, at least one through hole formed through the base plate between the outer surface and the inner surface, terminal plates arranged on the inner surface of the base plate for electrically connecting positive and negative electrodes of an electric or electronic module, at least one rectifying device spanning between the terminal plates for bypass at a time of an inverse load, at least one heat discharging element attached to the rectifying device and disposed at least partly in the through hole in the base plate, the heat discharging element having a heat discharging surface facing outwardly from the terminal box at the through hole for discharging heat generated by the rectifying device, and a substantially transparent resin layer provided on at least part of the outer surface of the base plate and projecting beyond the outer surface of the base plate farther than the heat discharging surface of the heat discharging element, whereby the resin layer can be mounted on the surface of the electronic or electronic device with the heat discharging surface of the heat discharging element being opposed to and spaced from the electric or electronic device.

2. The terminal box of claim 1, wherein the heat discharging element comprises a heat discharging sheet attached to the rectifying device.

3. A terminal box for an electric or an electronic device, comprising:

a base plate, terminal plates arranged on the base plate for electrically connecting positive and negative electrodes of an electric or electronic module, at least one rectifying device spanning between the terminal plates for bypass at a time of an inverse load, at least one heat discharging element attached to the rectifying device for discharging heat generated by the rectifying device, wherein partition walls are formed on the base plate and extend substantially along edges of the terminal plates and cables for connection of the terminal plates with the electric or electronic module.

4. The terminal box of claim 3, wherein an insulating resin is filled at least partly into a space defined by the partition walls and onto the terminal plates and the cables inside the partition walls.

5. A terminal box for an electric or an electronic device, comprising:

a base plate, terminal plates arranged on the base plate for electrically connecting positive and negative electrodes of an electric or an electronic module, at least one rectifying device spanning between the terminal plates for bypass at a time of an inverse load, the rectifying device including a clip for mounting the rectifying device on the base plate and at least one heat discharging element attached to the rectifying device for discharging heat generated by the rectifying device.

6. The terminal box of claim 5, wherein the clip has a first support with an arranging surface arranged on the base plate, the heat discharging element being attached to a portion of the arranging surface.

7. The terminal box of claim 6, wherein the arranging surface of the first support is adjacent to a heat discharging plate of the rectifying device.

8. The terminal box of claim 6, wherein the clip has a second support and an intermediate coupling extending between and joining the first and second supports, a guide diverging at a leading end of the second support for guiding the rectifying device into engagement with the clip.

9. The terminal box of claim 5, wherein the clip comprises a stopper disposed for engaging the rectifying device and preventing relative movement of the rectifying device.

10. A method of assembling a terminal box for an electric or electronic device, comprising:

providing a plurality of terminal plates for electrically connecting positive and negative electrodes of an electric or electronic module;

arranging the terminal plates on an inner surface of a base plate of the terminal box;

providing at least one rectifying device that spans between two of the terminal plates for bypass during an inverse load;

attaching at least one heat discharging element to the rectifying device at a position aligned with a through hole in the base plate for discharging heat generated by the rectifying device; and

providing a substantially transparent resin layer on an outer surface of the base plate, whereby the resin layer can be disposed on a surface of the electric or electronic device with the heat discharging element opposed to the electric or electronic device.