JP2010267829A - Socket connector device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a socket connector device which positions and holds a plurality of solar batteries according to an embodiment suitable for miniaturization and thinning and connect the solar batteries in series or in parallel under the condition where it is not necessary to do soldering work and include a special structure member. <P>SOLUTION: A socket connector device includes a cell holding portion 21 in which a plurality of cell housing portions 25 for housing a solar battery 11 are provided and a cell connecting portion 22 including an insulating housing 30 in which an engaging portion 31 which is engaged with one end 17 of the solar battery 11 housed in the cell housing portion 25 is provided, a plurality of pairs of conductive contacts including a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact in contact with a first terminal portion 15 and a second terminal portion of the solar battery 11 arranged in the engaging portion 31, and a contact connecting member 35 which connects the first conductive contact in one of the plurality of pairs of conductive contacts and the second conductive contact in the other one of the plurality of pairs of conductive contacts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The invention described in the claims of the present application relates to a socket connector device in which a plurality of solar cells (solar cells) are mounted and the solar cells are connected in series or in parallel.

  In recent years, active use of natural energy has been attracting attention in order to cope with various environmental problems. In particular, the use of sunlight, which is extremely clean and virtually inexhaustible, is expected to play a major role in the future use of natural energy.

  When using sunlight as an energy source, the utilization form performed using a solar cell that directly converts solar energy into electric power results in relatively high utilization efficiency. A solar cell obtains electric power by a photovoltaic effect by a semiconductor. However, a solar cell that is currently put into practical use has only a relatively small amount of electric power that can be supplied independently. Therefore, a plurality of solar cells are connected in series or in parallel to form a panel as a whole, and a solar cell module that can obtain a predetermined or higher power as a whole, and further, a plurality of solar cell modules are connected in series. Alternatively, solar cell arrays and the like that are connected in parallel and installed to obtain the required power are widely used in practice.

  In connecting a plurality of solar cells in series or in parallel, most basically, for example, a plurality of solar cells are arranged on a substrate, and a positive terminal portion of one solar cell and a negative terminal of another solar cell. Or the positive electrode terminal portions and the negative electrode terminal portions of a plurality of solar cells are interconnected by soldering or welding a conductive wire, a conductive ribbon, or the like. However, when a plurality of solar cells are connected with such soldering or welding, special tools and devices for soldering or welding are required, and bothersome soldering or welding operations are required. Will be required. Furthermore, once the solar cells have been soldered or welded, it is difficult to remove them from the substrate, and replacement of some of the plurality of solar cells must be given up.

  Therefore, in the related art, the conductive wire for the positive electrode terminal portion of one solar cell and the negative electrode terminal portion of another solar cell, or for the positive electrode terminal portions and the negative electrode terminal portions of a plurality of solar cells, A solar cell array structure has been proposed in which a plurality of solar cells can be connected in series or in parallel without soldering or welding using a conductive ribbon or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  In the conventional solar cell array structure disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, a substrate (8) is prepared, and each of the upper surfaces of the substrate (8) is integrally formed with the substrate (8). A plurality of locking pins (11) are arranged and arranged in a matrix at intervals according to the width dimension of the solar cell (4). In addition, a hook portion (12a, 12b) having a height corresponding to the height dimension of the solar cell (4) is provided at an upper end portion of each of the plurality of locking pins (11). Each of the plurality of locking pins (11) is embedded with an interconnector (9) made of gold or silver that penetrates the locking pin (11), and one end (9a) of the interconnector (9) Below (12a), it faces one of the spaces (cell spaces) in which the solar cells (4) are to be placed, and the other end (9b) of the interconnector (9) is connected to the substrate (8). In the upper surface of the cell, it faces a cell space adjacent to the cell space facing one end (9a).

  Under such circumstances, a solar cell (4) is placed in each of the cell spaces formed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of locking pins (11) arranged and erected on the upper surface of the substrate (8). And the upper electrode (10a) of the solar cell (4) is connected to one end (9a) of the interconnector (9) so that it is held by the upper surface of the substrate (8) and the lower surface of the flange (12b). When the lower electrode (10b) of the solar cell (4) is brought into contact with the other end (9b) of the interconnector (9), a plurality of solar cells (4) are placed in series. be able to.

  Further, by modifying the above-described configuration, one end (9a) and the other end (9b) of each of the plurality of interconnectors (9) respectively embedded in the plurality of locking pins (11) are welded or each other. A solar cell (4) is formed in each of the cell spaces formed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of locking pins (11) arranged in an array on the upper surface of the substrate (8) under the connection by soldering. ) So that it is held by the upper surface of the substrate (8) and the lower surface of the flange (12b), and the upper electrode (10a) of the solar cell (4) is connected to one end of the interconnector (9) ( 9a), and when the bottom electrode (10b) of the solar cell (4) is brought into contact with the other end (9b) of the interconnector (9), a plurality of solar cells (4) are connected in parallel. Can be put in.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-161682 (pages 2 and 3, FIGS. 1 to 3)

  As described above, a conductive wire or a conductive ribbon for the positive electrode terminal portion of one solar cell and the negative electrode terminal portion of another solar cell, or for the positive electrode terminal portions and the negative electrode terminal portions of a plurality of solar cells. In the conventionally proposed solar cell array structure in which a plurality of solar cells can be connected in series or in parallel without soldering or welding using the A special three-dimensional structure having a top surface in which a plurality of locking pins (11), which are assumed to be embedded with penetrating gold or silver interconnectors (9), are arranged in a matrix and are integrally formed. It is necessary to have a substrate (8) to take. In order to obtain such a board (8) having a special three-dimensional structure in which a plurality of locking pins (11) each having a gold or silver interconnector (9) embedded therein are integrally formed, a special and large scale is required. And a complicated manufacturing process are required, and the cost is increased.

  In addition, the above-described conventionally proposed solar cell array structure has a cell space formed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of locking pins (11) arranged in an array on the upper surface of the substrate (8). Each of the solar cells (4) disposed on the substrate (8) is held by the upper surface of the substrate (8) and the lower surface of the flange (12b) protruding above the solar cell (4) from the substrate (8). The total height including the thickness of the substrate (8) and the thickness of the solar cell (4) from the lower surface of the substrate (8) to the upper surfaces of the flanges (12a, 12b) of the plurality of locking pins (11). The size becomes relatively large, which is accompanied by inconvenience that it is not suitable for downsizing and thinning.

  In view of such points, the invention described in the claims of the present application relates to the positive electrode terminal portion of one solar cell and the negative electrode terminal portion of another solar cell, or the positive electrode terminal portions of a plurality of solar cells. Without any need for soldering or welding using conductive wires, conductive ribbons, etc., between each other and the negative electrode terminal parts, and with special members such as a board having a special three-dimensional structure, Provided is a socket connector device capable of positioning and holding a plurality of solar cells in a manner suitable for downsizing and thinning, and connecting them in series or in parallel.

  The socket connector device according to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 9 in the claims of the present application (hereinafter referred to as the present invention) is made of an insulating material and is formed on the first surface. A plurality of cell housing portions are provided for detachably housing a solar cell in which the light receiving portion and the first terminal portion are disposed and the second terminal portion is disposed on the second surface opposite to the first surface. And an insulating housing provided with a fitting portion that fits to one end portion of the solar cell housed in the cell housing portion of the cell holding portion, each of which is disposed in the fitting portion and the fitting portion A set of a plurality of conductive contacts comprising a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact respectively contacting the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion of the solar cell having one end portion into which , First in one of the plurality of sets of conductive contacts A state in which the conductive contacts are connected to the second conductive contact in the other one of the plurality of conductive contact sets, or the first conductive contacts and the plurality of conductive contact sets in each of the plurality of conductive contact sets. And a cell coupling portion including a contact coupling member that couples the second conductive contacts to each other.

  In particular, in the socket connector device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the solar cell in which the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact of the cell connecting portion are accommodated in the cell accommodating portion. One of the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact is the first terminal portion or the second terminal portion when contacting the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion disposed on the battery, respectively. An elastic pressing force is applied to.

  The socket connector device according to the present invention configured as described above has a first surface and a second surface that face each other, and the first surface is a light-receiving unit and, for example, a negative electrode terminal unit. A plurality of solar cells having a second terminal portion disposed on the second surface, for example, a positive electrode terminal portion, in a series connection state or a parallel connection state. It is used to make it take.

  And in the socket connector apparatus which concerns on this invention, the several cell accommodating part which each accommodates the above-mentioned several solar cell in the cell holding part formed with an insulating material is provided. In addition, the cell connecting portion formed separately from the cell holding portion includes an insulating housing provided with a fitting portion that fits into one end portion of the solar battery housed in the cell housing portion of the cell holding portion. The first and second terminal portions of the solar cell each having one end portion that is arranged in the fitting portion and that fits the fitting portion are in contact with the insulating housing, respectively. A plurality of conductive contact sets comprising a conductive contact and a second conductive contact; a first conductive contact in one of the plurality of conductive contact sets; and a second in another of the plurality of conductive contact sets. Or a state in which the first conductive contacts in each of the plurality of conductive contact sets and a second conductive contact in each of the plurality of conductive contact sets are connected to each other. Contact connection and the member is disposed.

  When the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact of the cell connecting portion abut each of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion disposed on the solar battery accommodated in the cell accommodating portion, for example, One of them applies an elastic pressing force to the first terminal portion or the second terminal portion arranged in the solar cell.

  Under such circumstances, each of the plurality of solar cells housed in the plurality of cell housing parts provided in the cell holding part is placed in a state where each of the light receiving parts is exposed to outside light. And when the fitting part provided in the insulating housing of the cell connecting part is fitted to one end part of the plurality of solar cells respectively accommodated in the plurality of cell accommodating parts of the cell holding part, each is fitted. Including a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact that are in contact with the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion of the solar cell, respectively, which are disposed in the portion and have one end portion into which the fitting portion is fitted. A plurality of conductive contact sets, and a state in which a first conductive contact in one of the plurality of conductive contact sets is coupled to a second conductive contact in the other one of the plurality of conductive contact sets, or a plurality Each of the first and second conductive contacts in each of the first and second conductive contacts, and the second and second conductive contacts in each of the plurality of conductive contacts. A plurality of solar cells with a state of exposing the light unit to the external light received in the plurality of cells containing portion of the cell holding part is connected in series state, or, placed in parallel connected state.

  The state in which the fitting portion provided in the insulating housing of the cell connection portion is fitted to one end portion of the plurality of solar cells housed in the plurality of cell housing portions of the cell holding portion is, for example, the cell holding portion The first engagement portion provided in the first connection portion and the second engagement portion provided in the insulating housing of the cell connection portion are maintained by mutual engagement.

  By using the socket connector device according to the present invention as described above, a plurality of solar cells are detachably attached to a plurality of cell accommodating portions provided in the cell holding portion, and separated from the cell holding portion. Just by allowing the formed cell connecting portion to be in a state where the fitting portion provided in the insulating housing is fitted to one end portion of a plurality of solar cells accommodated in the plurality of cell accommodating portions, The individual solar cells can be made very easily connected in series or in parallel. The socket connector device according to the present invention is arranged in a cell holding part provided with a plurality of cell accommodating parts for detachably accommodating solar cells, an insulating housing provided with a fitting part, and a fitting part. A plurality of conductive contact sets each comprising a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact; The first conductive contacts in each of the plurality of conductive contact sets and the second conductive contacts in each of the plurality of conductive contact sets are connected to each other. And a cell connecting portion configured to include a contact connecting member that takes a state of performing a special operation such as a substrate having a special three-dimensional structure. Without the need for wood, and it is possible to form the whole into a flat plate, suitable for smaller and thinner.

  Therefore, according to the socket connector device according to the present invention, the positive terminal portion of one solar cell and the negative terminal portion of another solar cell, or the positive terminal portions and the negative terminal portions of a plurality of solar cells. With no need for soldering or welding using conductive wires, conductive ribbons, etc., and it is unnecessary to provide special members such as a substrate having a special three-dimensional structure, a plurality of solar cells, Positioning and holding can be performed very easily and in a manner suitable for downsizing and thinning, and can be connected in series or in parallel.

  In particular, according to the third aspect of the socket connector device according to the present invention, the solar cell in which the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact of the cell connecting portion are accommodated in the cell accommodating portion. One of the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact is in contact with the first terminal portion or the second terminal portion. Since the elastic pressing force is applied, series connection or parallel connection of the plurality of solar cells is more reliably performed.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the socket connector apparatus which concerns on this invention with the example of the several solar cell by which the state connected in series by it is taken. It is a disassembled perspective view about the cell connection part which comprises an example of the socket connector apparatus shown by FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view with which the example of the 1st and 2nd conductive contact with which the cell connection part shown by FIG. 2 is provided, and an example of a conductive connection member is provided. It is a perspective view which shows the state with which the example of the some solar cell shown by FIG. 1 was mounted | worn to the cell holding part which comprises an example of the socket connector apparatus shown by FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state with which the example of the some solar cell shown by FIG. 1 was mounted | worn to the cell holding part which comprises an example of the socket connector apparatus shown by FIG. 1 is mounted on a cell holding part that constitutes an example of the socket connector device shown in FIG. 1, and a cell connection that constitutes an example of the socket connector device shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which the part engaged. 1 is mounted on a cell holding part that constitutes an example of the socket connector device shown in FIG. 1, and a cell connection that constitutes an example of the socket connector device shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the state which the part engaged. It is the fragmentary sectional view which expands and partially shows the VIII-VIII line cross section in FIG. It is the fragmentary sectional view which expands and shows partially the IX-IX line cross section in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the 1st and 2nd conductive contact with which the cell connection part which comprises the other example of the socket connector apparatus which concerns on this invention, and a conductive connection member are provided. It is a disassembled perspective view with which the description of the other example of the 1st and 2nd conductive contact with which the cell connection part which comprises the other example of the socket connector apparatus which concerns on this invention is provided, and a conductive connection member group is provided. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the solar cell with which the socket connector apparatus which concerns on this invention is mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the solar cell with which the socket connector apparatus which concerns on this invention is mounted | worn.

  A mode for carrying out the invention of the present application will be described with an example of a solar cell mounted on a socket connector device according to the present invention described below, and Example 1 and Example 2 of the present invention.

  12 and 13 show a solar cell 11 as an example of a solar cell to be mounted on the socket connector device according to the present invention.

  12 and 13, the solar cell 11 is formed as a rectangular flat plate as a whole, and is opposed to each other, for example, a first surface 12 and a second surface that have a relationship of a front surface and a back surface. Surface 13. The thickness from the first surface 12 to the second surface 13 is extremely small.

  Each of the first surface 12 and the second surface 13 is flat, and the first surface 12 has a light receiving portion 14 and, for example, a first terminal portion 15 serving as a negative electrode terminal portion. Further, the second surface 13 is provided with, for example, a second terminal portion 16 that is a positive electrode terminal portion. The first terminal portion 15 is provided at one end portion 17 of the one end portion 17 and the other end portion 18 facing each other in the solar cell 11, and the second terminal portion 16 is also provided at the one end portion 17. The first terminal portion 15 and the second terminal portion 16 are opposed to each other in the thickness direction of the solar cell 11.

  When the light receiving unit 14 is exposed to external light, the solar cell 11 having such a configuration produces a photovoltaic effect according to the external light, and the first terminal unit 15 and the second terminal unit 16. A voltage is generated between

  FIG. 1 shows a socket connector device 20 which is an example of a socket connector device according to the present invention, together with a plurality of solar cells 11 attached thereto.

  In FIG. 1, the socket connector device 20 is configured to include a cell holding portion 21 that has a rectangular flat plate shape as a whole and a cell connecting portion 22 that is formed separately from the cell holding portion 21.

  The cell holding part 21 is formed of, for example, an insulating material made of synthetic resin. The cell holding part 21 has a bottom part 24 surrounded by a frame-like part 23 on each of the three sides, and is formed in a rectangular shape as a whole. Are arranged and arranged. The frame-like portion 23 is provided with a plurality of locking portions 26 facing the bottom 24 of each of the plurality of cell storage portions 25.

  Each cell accommodating part 25 accommodates the solar cell 11 shown in FIG.12 and FIG.13 so that attachment or detachment is possible under the comparatively small depth. When the solar cell 11 is accommodated in the cell accommodating portion 25, the solar cell 11 is arranged with respect to the cell accommodating portion 25 from the portion where the frame-like portion 23 is not provided, with the other end 18 first. And the locking part 26. In that case, the 2nd surface 13 in the solar cell 11 is made to face the bottom part 24 in the cell accommodating part 25, and the light-receiving part 14 distribute | arranged to the 1st surface 12 in the solar cell 11 is exposed to external light Smelled.

  The cell connecting portion 22 includes an insulating housing 30, and the insulating housing 30 can be fitted to one end portion 17 in which the first terminal portion 15 and the second terminal portion 16 in the solar battery 11 are arranged. The fitting part 31 which can be provided is provided. In the insulating housing 30 in the cell connecting portion 22 shown in FIG. 1, for example, a plurality of the plurality of the solar cells 11 can be fitted to the one end portion 17 of the plurality of solar cells 11. Although the fitting part 31 is provided, it replaces with the some fitting part 31, and one comparatively large-scale fitting part 31 which can be fitted to all the one end parts 17 in the some solar cell 11 is provided. May be provided.

  In the insulating housing 30 of the cell connecting portion 22, a conductive connecting member group 32, which is separated from the insulating housing 30 for explanation in FIG. The conductive connecting member group 32 includes a plurality of conductive contact sets each including a first conductive contact 33 and a second conductive contact 34 disposed in a fitting portion 31 provided in the insulating housing 30. A first conductive contact 33 in one of the plurality of conductive contact sets is coupled to a second conductive contact 34 in the other one of the plurality of conductive contact sets adjacent to one of the conductive contact sets. A contact connecting member 35; a first external connection terminal portion 36 extending from one of the first conductive contacts 33 in each of the plurality of conductive contact groups and exposed to the outside of the insulating housing 30; A second external connection terminal portion 37 extending from one of the second conductive contacts 34 in each of the contact sets and exposed to the outside of the insulating housing 30. It contains.

  The first conductive contact 33 in each of a plurality of conductive contact sets each including a first conductive contact 33 and a second conductive contact 34 is fixed to the insulating housing 30. Further, as shown in FIG. 3 which shows the conductive connecting member group 32 in a more detailed manner, in each of a plurality of conductive contact sets each including a first conductive contact 33 and a second conductive contact 34. The second conductive contact 34 is formed at a fixed portion 39 fixed to the insulating housing 30, a pair of arm-shaped portions 40 extending in opposite directions from the fixed portion 39, and an open end portion of each arm-shaped portion 40. The contact portion 41 is located at a position separated from the fixed portion 39. The first conductive contact 33 fixed to the insulating housing 30 and the fixing portion 39 of the second conductive contact 34 are positioned opposite to each other.

  Each of the first conductive contact 33, the second conductive contact 34, the contact connecting member 35, the first external connection terminal portion 36, and the second external connection terminal portion 37 included in the conductive connection member group 32 is as follows. For example, it is formed of an elastic metal material which is a phosphor bronze plate material.

  Engagement recesses 51 (first engagement parts) are respectively formed in a pair of side parts 50 facing each other across the plurality of cell storage parts 25 arranged in the cell holding part 21 (a pair of engagements). One of the concavities 51 does not appear in the figure.) Further, a pair of side portions 52 facing each other across the plurality of fitting portions 31 in the insulating housing 30 of the cell connecting portion 22 can be engaged with an engagement recess 51 formed in the cell holding portion 21. A mating protrusion 53 (second engagement portion) is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, a plurality of solar cells 11 are accommodated in a plurality of cell accommodating portions 25 arranged and arranged in the cell holding portion 21 with each other end 18 first. One end of each solar cell 11 provided with the first terminal portion 15 and the second terminal portion 16 when it is inserted between the bottom portion 24 and the locking portion 26 in the portion 25. The portion 17 is placed so as to protrude from the cell accommodating portion 25 to the outside of the cell holding portion 21.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the cell connecting portion 22 is provided in the insulating housing 30 for the plurality of solar cells 11 respectively housed in the plurality of cell housing portions 25 in the cell holding portion 21. The plurality of fitting portions 31 thus placed are placed in a state of being fitted to one end portions 17 of the plurality of solar cells 11 placed in a state of projecting outward from the cell holding portion 25 to the cell holding portion 21. At that time, the pair of engaging protrusions 53 formed on the insulating housing 30 of the cell connecting portion 22 engages with the pair of engaging recesses 51 formed on the cell holding portion 21, respectively. The state in which the plurality of fitting portions 31 in 22 are respectively fitted to the one end portions 17 of the plurality of solar cells 11 is stably maintained.

  The insulating housing 30 of the cell connecting portion 22 has a rectangular flat plate shape formed by the cell holding portion 21 when the plurality of fitting portions 31 provided on the insulating housing 30 are placed in a state of being fitted to the one end portions 17 of the plurality of solar cells 11, respectively. When the plurality of fitting portions 31 provided in the insulating housing 30 of the cell connecting portion 22 are respectively fitted to the one end portions 17 of the plurality of solar cells 11, the cell holding portion 21 and the cell Both the connecting portion 22 and the connecting portion 22 form a rectangular flat plate shape as a whole.

  In this manner, the plurality of fitting portions 31 in the cell connecting portion 22 are respectively fitted to the one end portions 17 of the plurality of solar cells 11 accommodated in the plurality of cell accommodating portions 25 in the cell holding portion 21. As shown in FIG. 8 which is a partial cross-sectional view partially showing a cross section taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9 which is a partial cross-sectional view partially showing a cross section taken along line IX-IX in FIG. In addition, in each of the plurality of fitting portions 31 provided in the insulating housing 30 of the cell connection portion 22, the first conductive contact 33 provided in the cell connection portion 22 is disposed on the one end portion 17 of the solar cell 11. In addition, for example, the second conductive contact 34 that is in contact with the first terminal portion 15 that is the negative electrode terminal portion and that is provided in the cell connecting portion 22 is used as the contact portion 41 in the end portion 17 of the solar cell 11. For example, In contact with the second terminal portion 16 which is terminal portion abuts to the second terminal 16.

  The second conductive contact 34 that contacts the second terminal portion 16 disposed at the one end portion 17 of the solar cell 11 by contacting the contact portion 41 applies an elastic pressing force to the second terminal portion 16. Such a pressing force includes a fixed portion 39 fixed to the insulating housing 30 and a pair of arm-shaped portions 40 extending in opposite directions from the fixed portion 39, which the second conductive contact 34 formed of an elastic metal material has. And a contact portion 41 formed at the open end portion of each arm-like portion 40 and taking a position separated from the fixed portion 39.

  In each of the plurality of fitting portions 31 provided in the insulating housing 30 of the cell connecting portion 22, the second conductive contact 34 is a push that acts on the second terminal portion 16 disposed on the one end portion 17 of the solar cell 11. The pressure is transmitted to the first conductive contact 33 through the one end portion 17 of the solar cell 11 and the first terminal portion 15 disposed on the one end portion 17, and as a reaction, the first conductive contact 33 is connected to the first terminal. A pressing force is applied to the portion 15. As a result, the contact of the first conductive contact 33 with the first terminal portion 15 disposed on the solar cell 11 and the contact of the second conductive contact 34 with the second terminal portion 16 disposed on the solar cell 11. Is in a state of being reliably performed and maintained.

  As described above, in each of the plurality of fitting portions 31 provided in the insulating housing 30 of the cell connection portion 22, the first conductive contact 33 abuts on the first terminal portion 15 disposed in the solar cell 11. When the second conductive contact 34 comes into contact with the second terminal portion 16 disposed in the solar cell 11, a plurality of contact coupling members 35 are provided in the conductive coupling member group 32 disposed in the cell coupling portion 22. Each of the first conductive contact 33 in one of the plurality of conductive contact sets and the second conductive in the other one of the plurality of conductive contact sets adjacent to one of the conductive contact sets. Further, a first external connection terminal portion 36 is connected to the contact 34, and extends from one of the first conductive contacts 33 in each of the plurality of conductive contact sets, and is an insulating housing. 30, and the second external connection terminal portion 37 extends from one of the second conductive contacts 34 in each of the plurality of sets of conductive contacts and extends outside the insulating housing 30. Exposed.

  Thereby, in the conductive connecting member group 32 arranged in the cell connecting portion 22, a set of a plurality of conductive contacts each including a first conductive contact 33 and a second conductive contact 34 and a plurality of contact connecting members. 35 connects a plurality of solar cells 11 in series. In the cell connection portion 22, the first external connection terminal portion 36 and the second external connection terminal portion 37 that are included in the conductive connection member group 32 disposed on the cell connection portion 22 and are exposed to the outside of the insulating housing 30. A plurality of solar cells 11 are connected in series between the two.

  As described above, according to the socket connector device 20 configured to include the cell holding portion 21 and the cell connecting portion 22 formed separately from the cell holding portion 21 as a whole, a rectangular flat plate shape, It is assumed that the battery 11 is accommodated in each of a plurality of cell accommodating portions 25 arranged and arranged in the cell retaining portion 21 so that each protrudes outward from the cell retaining portion 25 to the cell retaining portion 21. A plurality of fitting portions 31 provided in the insulating housing 30 of the cell connecting portion 22 are respectively fitted to the one end portions 17 of the plurality of solar cells 11 to be placed, thereby providing a first provided in the cell connecting portion 22. A plurality of solar cells 11 can be connected in series between the external connection terminal portion 36 and the second external connection terminal portion 37. That is, soldering using a conductive wire, a conductive ribbon, or the like for one first terminal portion of the plurality of solar cells 11 and another one second terminal portion of the plurality of solar cells 11. Alternatively, a plurality of solar cells 11 can be connected in series without welding.

  In addition, the cell holding portion 21 that holds the plurality of solar cells 11 has a rectangular flat plate shape as a whole, and the plurality of fitting portions 31 provided in the insulating housing 30 of the cell connecting portion 22 include the cell holding portion. Since each of the cell holding portion 21 and the cell connecting portion 22 forms a rectangular flat plate as a whole when fitted into the one end portion 17 of each of the plurality of solar cells 11 held by the It is no longer necessary to provide a special member such as a substrate having a three-dimensional structure, and a plurality of solar cells 11 can be positioned and held in a manner suitable for miniaturization and thinning and connected in series. .

  In addition, when the insulating housing 30 of the cell connection part 22 is provided with one fitting part instead of the plurality of fitting parts 31, such one fitting part is the above-described plurality of fitting parts. The partition part between two adjacent in 31 is removed, and it is good to make it a relatively large one fitting part as a whole.

  The socket connector device 20 described above is configured to connect a plurality of solar cells 11 in series, but another example of the socket connector device according to the present invention includes a plurality of solar cells 11 connected in parallel. Is done.

  Other examples of the socket connector device according to the present invention for connecting a plurality of solar cells 11 in parallel to each other also correspond to the cell holding portion 21 and the cell connecting portion 22 described above, similarly to the socket connector device 20. The cell holding portion is configured in the same manner as the cell holding portion 21, but the cell connecting portion is the same as the insulating housing 30 provided with the plurality of fitting portions 31 described above. In addition, an insulating housing provided with a plurality of fitting portions is provided, and instead of the conductive connecting member group 32 described above, for example, a conductive connecting member group 55 shown in FIG. Is done.

  The conductive connecting member group 55 shown in FIG. 10 connects the plurality of first conductive contacts 56 and the plurality of first conductive contacts 56 that are respectively disposed in the plurality of fitting portions provided in the insulating housing. The contact connecting member 56A, the plurality of second conductive contacts 57 that are positioned opposite the first conductive contact 56 in the plurality of fitting portions provided in the insulating housing, and the plurality of second conductive contacts 57 , A first external connection terminal portion 59 extending from one of the plurality of first conductive contacts 56 and exposed to the outside of the insulating housing, and a plurality of second conductive contacts 57. A second external connection terminal portion 60 extending from one of the two and exposed to the outside of the insulating housing. The plurality of first conductive contacts 56 and the contact connecting member 56A are integrally formed.

  Each of the plurality of first conductive contacts 56 is fixed to the insulating housing. Further, as shown in FIG. 11 showing the conductive connecting member group 55 further separated, each of the plurality of second conductive contacts 57 includes a fixed portion 61 fixed to the insulating housing and a reverse portion from the fixed portion 61. A pair of arm portions 62 extending in the direction, and a contact portion 63 formed at the release end portion of each arm portion 62 and spaced from the fixed portion 61 are configured. The fixing portions 61 of the plurality of second conductive contacts 57 are commonly connected by the contact connecting member 58. The first conductive contact 56 fixed to the insulating housing and the fixing portion 61 of the second conductive contact 57 are positioned opposite to each other.

  The first conductive contact 56, the contact connecting member 56A, the second conductive contact 57, the contact connecting member 58, the first external connection terminal portion 59, and the second external connection terminal included in the conductive connection member group 55 as described above. Each of the portions 60 is formed of, for example, an elastic metal material that is a phosphor bronze plate material.

  Even in the other example of the socket connector device according to the present invention, the insulating housing of the cell holding part and the cell connecting part includes the pair of engaging recesses 51 and the pair of engaging protrusions 53 described above. A similar pair of engaging recesses and a pair of engaging protrusions are formed.

  Then, as in the case of the socket connector device 20 described above, a plurality of cell connecting portions are provided in the insulating housing for the plurality of solar cells 11 respectively accommodated in the plurality of cell accommodating portions in the cell holding portion. Are fitted into one end portion 17 of each of the plurality of solar cells 11 placed in a state of protruding outward from the cell holding portion from the cell housing portion. At that time, the pair of engagement protrusions formed on the insulating housing of the cell connection portion respectively engages with the pair of engagement recesses formed on the cell holding portion, thereby a plurality of fittings in the cell connection portion. The state in which the portions are respectively fitted to the one end portions 17 of the plurality of solar cells 11 is stably maintained.

  In this way, when the plurality of fitting portions in the cell connecting portion are respectively fitted to the one end portions 17 of the plurality of solar cells 11 housed in the plurality of cell housing portions in the cell holding portion. In each of the plurality of fitting portions provided in the insulating housing of the cell connection portion, the first conductive contact 56 provided in the cell connection portion is disposed on the one end portion 17 of the solar cell 11, for example, a negative electrode The second conductive contact 57 abutting on the first terminal portion 15 serving as the terminal portion and provided in the cell connecting portion is provided with the contact portion 63 in the end portion 17 of the solar cell 11, for example. The second terminal portion 16 that is a positive electrode terminal portion is brought into contact with the second terminal portion 16 so as to come into contact therewith.

  The second conductive contact 57 that contacts the second terminal portion 16 disposed on the one end portion 17 of the solar cell 11 and contacts the second terminal portion 16 applies an elastic pressing force to the second terminal portion 16. Such a pressing force includes the second conductive contact 57 formed of an elastic metal material, the fixed portion 61 fixed to the insulating housing, and a pair of arm-shaped portions 62 extending in the opposite directions from the fixed portion 61, It is obtained by a configuration provided with a contact portion 63 formed at the open end portion of each arm-like portion 62 and taking a position separated from the fixing portion 61.

  In each of the plurality of fitting portions provided in the insulating housing of the cell connection portion, the pressing force that the second conductive contact 57 acts on the second terminal portion 16 disposed on the one end portion 17 of the solar cell 11 is: The solar cell 11 is transmitted to the first conductive contact 56 via the one end portion 17 of the solar cell 11 and the first terminal portion 15 arranged on the one end portion. As a reaction, the first conductive contact 56 is transferred to the first terminal portion 15. A pressing force is applied. As a result, the first conductive contact 56 contacts the first terminal portion 15 disposed on the solar cell 11 and the second conductive contact 57 contacts the second terminal portion 16 disposed on the solar cell 11. Is in a state of being reliably performed and maintained.

  Thus, in each of the plurality of fitting portions provided in the insulating housing of the cell connection portion, the first conductive contact 56 abuts on the first terminal portion 15 disposed on the solar cell 11 and the second When the conductive contact 57 contacts the second terminal portion 16 disposed on the solar cell 11, the contact coupling member 56A includes a plurality of first coupling contacts 55A in the conductive coupling member group 55 disposed on the cell coupling portion. Are connected to each other, the contact connecting member 58 is connected to the plurality of second conductive contacts 57, and the first external connection terminal portion 59 is connected to the plurality of first contacts. The second external connection terminal portion 60 extends from one of the plurality of second conductive contacts 57 and extends from one of the conductive contacts 56 and is exposed to the outside of the insulating housing. It is exposed to the outside of the housing.

  Accordingly, in the conductive connection member group 55 arranged in the cell connection portion, the plurality of first conductive contacts 56, the contact connection member 56A, the plurality of second conductive contacts 57, and the contact connection member 58 include a plurality of suns. The batteries 11 are connected in parallel. In the cell connection portion, both the first external connection terminal portion 59 and the second external connection terminal portion 60 that are included in the conductive connection member group 55 arranged on the cell connection portion and are exposed to the outside of the insulating housing. In the meantime, a plurality of solar cells 11 are connected in parallel.

  According to such another example of the socket connector device according to the present invention, a plurality of solar cells 11 are respectively accommodated in a plurality of cell accommodating portions arranged and arranged in the cell holding portion, thereby A plurality of fitting portions provided in the insulating housing of the cell connecting portion are respectively fitted to one end portions 17 of the plurality of solar cells 11 placed in a state of projecting outward from the cell holding portion from the cell housing portion. Thus, a plurality of solar cells 11 can be connected in parallel between the first external connection terminal portion 59 and the second external connection terminal portion 60 provided in the cell connection portion. That is, soldering using a conductive wire, a conductive ribbon, or the like for one first terminal portion of the plurality of solar cells 11 and another one second terminal portion of the plurality of solar cells 11. Or several solar cells 11 can be connected in parallel, without welding.

  In addition, the cell holding portion for holding the plurality of solar cells 11 can be formed as a rectangular flat plate as a whole, and the plurality of fitting portions provided in the insulating housing of the cell connecting portion are held by the cell holding portion. Since each of the cell holding part and the cell connecting part can be formed into a rectangular flat plate as a whole when fitted to the one end part 17 of each of the plurality of solar cells 11, such as a substrate having a special three-dimensional structure. Under the assumption that it is not necessary to provide a special member, a plurality of solar cells 11 can be positioned and held in a manner suitable for downsizing and thinning, and can be connected in parallel.

  Note that, in another example of the socket connector device according to the present invention, when a single fitting portion is provided in the insulating housing of the cell connecting portion instead of the plurality of fitting portions, In such a fitting part, a partition part between two adjacent parts in the plurality of fitting parts is removed, so that a relatively large one fitting part is formed as a whole. Good.

  The socket connector device according to the present invention as described above relates to the positive electrode terminal portion of one solar cell and the negative electrode terminal portion of another solar cell, or between the positive electrode terminal portions and the negative electrode terminal portions of a plurality of solar cells. With no need for soldering or welding using conductive wires, conductive ribbons, etc., and it is unnecessary to provide special members such as a substrate having a special three-dimensional structure, a plurality of solar cells, It can be widely applied to, for example, various electronic devices such as mobile phones, and the like that can be positioned and held in a manner suitable for downsizing and thinning and can be connected in series or in parallel.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Solar cell, 12 ... 1st surface, 13 ... 2nd surface, 14 ... Light-receiving part, 15 ... 1st terminal part, 16 ... 2nd terminal 17 ... one end, 18 ... other end, 20 ... socket connector device, 21 ... cell holding part, 22 ... cell connecting part, 23 ... frame-like part, 24 ... Bottom part, 25 ... Cell housing part, 26 ... Locking part, 30 ... Insulating housing, 31 ... Fitting part, 32, 55 ... Conductive connecting member group, 33, 56 ... 1st conductive contact, 34, 57 ... 2nd conductive contact, 35, 56A, 58 ... Contact coupling member, 36, 59 ... 1st external connection terminal part, 37, 60 ... second external connection terminal part, 39, 61 ... fixed part, 40,62 ... arm-like part, 1,63 ... contact portion, 51 ... engaging recess 53 ... engaging projection

Claims (9)

A solar cell formed of an insulating material and having a light receiving portion and a first terminal portion disposed on a first surface and a second terminal portion disposed on a second surface opposite to the first surface. A cell holding part provided with a plurality of cell accommodating parts for detachably accommodating;
An insulating housing provided with a fitting portion that fits to one end of a solar battery housed in the cell housing portion of the cell holding portion, each of which is disposed in the fitting portion and the fitting portion fits A plurality of conductive contact sets each including a first conductive contact and a second conductive contact that respectively contact the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion of the solar cell having one end portion; A state in which the first conductive contact in one of the conductive contact sets is coupled to the second conductive contact in the other one of the plurality of conductive contact sets, or each of the plurality of conductive contact sets A cell connecting portion including a contact connecting member that connects the first conductive contacts to each other and the second conductive contacts in each of the sets of the plurality of conductive contacts. ,
A socket connector device comprising:   A first external connection terminal portion extending from one of the plurality of first conductive contacts and exposed to the outside of the insulating housing; and a plurality of the second conductive contacts. The socket connector device according to claim 1, further comprising a second external connection terminal portion extending from one and exposed to the outside of the insulating housing.   When the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact of the cell connecting portion abut on the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, respectively, disposed on the solar battery accommodated in the cell accommodating portion. 2. The socket according to claim 1, wherein one of the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact applies an elastic pressing force to the first terminal portion or the second terminal portion. Connector device.   One of the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact is formed at a fixed portion fixed to the insulating housing and an arm-shaped portion extending from the fixed portion, and at a position separated from the fixed portion. The socket connector device according to claim 3, further comprising a contact portion that contacts the first terminal portion or the second terminal portion.   One of the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact includes a pair of arm portions extending in opposite directions from the fixed portion, and the contact point is provided at each open end portion of the pair of arm portions. The socket connector device according to claim 4, wherein a portion is formed.   In the fitting portion in the insulating housing of the cell connecting portion, the fixing portion in one of the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact, and the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact The other terminal, the second terminal part arranged in the solar cell accommodated in the cell accommodating part or the contact part contacting the first terminal part is arranged opposite to each other. The socket connector device according to claim 5.   One set of the plurality of conductive contacts to which the first conductive contact and the second conductive contact connected by the contact connecting member in the cell connecting portion respectively belong, and the other one is adjacent to each other. The socket connector device according to claim 1, wherein:   The cell holding portion is provided with a first engaging portion, the cell connecting portion is provided with a second engaging portion in the insulating housing, and the cell connecting portion is provided with a fitting portion provided in the insulating housing. When fitting into one end of the solar battery housed in the cell housing part of the cell holding part, the first engaging part and the second engaging part are engaged with each other, and the fitting is performed. The socket connector device according to claim 1, wherein the joint portion maintains a state of being fitted to one end portion of the solar cell.   The first engaging portion is provided on each of a pair of opposing side edges sandwiching the plurality of cell accommodating portions in the cell holding portion, and the second engaging portion is provided on the cell connecting portion. 9. The socket connector device according to claim 8, wherein the socket connector device is provided at each of a pair of opposed end portions sandwiching the fitting portion in the insulating housing.