JP6034678B2 - Junction box, photovoltaic system, and fuse box cover - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a junction box, a photovoltaic power generation system, and a fuse box cover.

  The junction box is used, for example, in a photovoltaic power generation system to collect electricity generated by a solar cell module and send it out to a power conditioner. More specifically, the junction box used when performing maintenance and inspection of the solar cell module includes a switch for disconnecting the solar cell module from the circuit, a terminal block, and a solar cell module having a low voltage from the high voltage solar cell module. A reverse current prevention diode for preventing current from flowing into the solar cell and a surge absorber for protecting the solar cell module from surge voltage such as lightning.

  By the way, patent document 1 is disclosing the switch of the solar cell module which the assembly | attachment of the apparatus in the connection box in a solar power generation system becomes easy, and size reduction of a connection box can be achieved. Generally, in a photovoltaic power generation system, it is necessary to perform periodic maintenance inspections. And from the viewpoint of work safety and prevention of damage expansion of the device, an electric circuit switchgear including a switch, a disconnector, a circuit breaker, etc. (hereinafter also referred to as a switch, etc.) at the time of maintenance inspection or when a failure occurs. It is necessary to disconnect the solar cell module from the circuit by closing the electric circuit. Therefore, when performing maintenance inspection and repair of the photovoltaic power generation system, it is usually required to reliably perform switching operation of switches such as a plurality of switches arranged in parallel.

JP 2000-173376 A

  However, an operator who performs maintenance inspection or repair may mistakenly forget to switch some lever switches such as a plurality of switches to the OFF position. Especially for switches such as switches and the like housed in a junction box installed in a narrow place or dark place, it may be difficult to accurately grasp the position of the switch. It may happen that you forget to cut it.

  In addition, when an abnormal current flows in the circuit due to a short circuit, etc., a junction box with a fuse intended to prevent equipment or parts from burning or fire by shutting down the circuit may be adopted. . However, in contrast to the advantage of adopting a fuse, when a fuse with a relatively high replacement frequency is adopted, the operator has more opportunities to perform switching operations of switches such as switches. As a result, human error may be increased. In addition, when the junction box is equipped with a fuse, it is possible that the operator's hand may touch the circuit around the fuse not only during replacement when the fuse is blown but also during periodic maintenance and inspection of the junction box. Therefore, special consideration must be given to the safety of work vehicles.

  Therefore, for example, in the maintenance and inspection work of the photovoltaic power generation system, which will be increasingly demanded in the future, even when a junction box equipped with a fuse is adopted, an electric circuit switch including a switch, a disconnector, a circuit breaker, etc. It is extremely important for the operator to perform the switching operation of the lever switch of the apparatus easily and with high accuracy from the viewpoint of improving the safety of the work.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and improves the ease and certainty of switching operation of the lever switch at the time of maintenance inspection and repair of the junction box provided with the fuse, and thus the safety of the operator. This greatly contributes to the development of technology that enhances performance.

  One of the purposes of the present inventor is to increase the accuracy of the switching operation even in a situation where the operator cannot visually check especially the switching portion of the lever switch generally arranged in parallel. , Earnest research. As a result, by devising the structure of the cover of the fuse box in the junction box, in particular, the overall structure including the shape of the cover including the area close to or in contact with the switching portion, the plurality of lever switches can be turned off with high accuracy. The inventor has found that the position can be switched. As a result, a junction box that is considered to prevent the operator from touching the fuse and the circuit around the fuse with the lever switch turned on, typically during maintenance and repair of the photovoltaic power generation system, and the fuse A box cover was created.

  One junction box of the present invention has a single-throw lever switch that can be switched ON or OFF, and one or more electric circuit switching devices selected from the group of switches, disconnectors, and circuit breakers, A fuse box electrically connected to the electric circuit switching device, and a fuse box cover mounted on the upper surface side of the fuse box so as to be openable and closable. In addition, in this junction box, when the above-mentioned lever switch is in the ON state, when the above-mentioned fuse box cover is opened substantially upward or toward the lever switch side, all the lever switches in the ON state are in the OFF state. It becomes possible to switch to.

  According to this junction box, the operator accidentally opened the cover of the fuse box while the lever switch of the electric circuit switchgear such as a switch is ON, for example, at the time of maintenance inspection of the photovoltaic power generation system or replacement of the fuse. Even in this case, the lever switch of the electric circuit switching device can be switched to the OFF state with high accuracy. Therefore, even if the operator cannot visually see the junction box, all the lever switches in the ON state are switched to the OFF state by opening the above-mentioned fuse box cover. Therefore, the accuracy of the switching operation is improved. Can be increased.

  One fuse box cover of the present invention is a fuse box cover that is attached to the upper surface side of the fuse box included in the connection box so as to be opened and closed. In addition, the fuse box cover is selected from the group of switches, disconnectors, and circuit breakers that are provided in the aforementioned junction box and have a single throw lever switch that can be switched ON or OFF. Or, when the lever switches of a plurality of circuit switching devices are in the ON state, all the ON state lever switches can be switched to the OFF state when the fuse box cover is opened substantially upward or toward the lever switch side. It becomes.

  According to this fuse box cover, for example, when maintenance and inspection of a photovoltaic power generation system or replacement of a fuse, an operator accidentally covers the fuse box with the lever switch of an electric circuit switching device such as a switch turned on. Even when it is opened, it is possible to switch all of the lever switches of the circuit switching device to the OFF state with high accuracy. Therefore, even if the operator cannot visually check the junction box, all the lever switches in the ON state are switched to the OFF state by opening the fuse box cover, so that the accuracy of the switching operation is increased. be able to.

  In the present application, the number of electric circuit switching devices may be one, or a plurality of electric circuit switching devices may be provided in parallel. Here, the phrase “a plurality of electric circuit switching devices are arranged in parallel” is not necessarily limited to the arrangement in which the plurality of electric circuit switching devices are adjacent to or in contact with each other. For example, in “a plurality of circuit switching devices are arranged in parallel”, a plurality of circuit switching devices are arranged with a certain distance (for example, an interval corresponding to the width of one circuit switching device). Embodiments are also included.

  According to one junction box of the present invention, an operator erroneously turns on or off a lever switch of an electric circuit switching device such as one or a plurality of switches at the time of maintenance and inspection of a photovoltaic power generation system or replacement of a fuse. Even when the cover of the fuse box is opened, it is possible to switch all of the lever switches of the electric circuit switching device to the OFF state with high accuracy. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operator from being electrocuted or injured during the above-described operation with high accuracy, so that the safety of the operator can be significantly improved.

  Further, according to one fuse box cover of the present invention, an operator can turn on a lever switch of an electric circuit switching device such as one or a plurality of switches at the time of maintenance inspection of a photovoltaic power generation system or replacement of a fuse, for example. Even if the cover of the fuse box is accidentally opened, all the lever switches of the circuit opening / closing device can be switched to the OFF state with high accuracy. As a result, it is possible to prevent the operator from being electrocuted or injured during the above-described operation with high accuracy, so that the safety of the operator can be significantly improved.

It is a figure which shows roughly the internal structure of the junction box of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the fuse box and switch of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the example of the structure of the fuse box cover of 1st Embodiment. It is a side view which shows the process in which the lever switch of 1st Embodiment switches from ON to OFF. It is a figure which shows the state which the lever switch of 1st Embodiment switched to OFF. It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the fuse box and switch of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows roughly the structure of the fuse box and switch of 3rd Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this description, common parts are denoted by common reference symbols throughout the drawings unless otherwise specified. In the drawings, each element of each embodiment is not necessarily shown in a scale ratio. Moreover, in order to make each drawing easy to see, some reference numerals may be omitted.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the internal configuration of the junction box 200 of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the fuse box 100 and the switch 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the connection box 200 is installed in a solar power generation system. The connection box 200 includes a fuse box 100 provided with a fuse for protecting a circuit and preventing accidents such as heating and ignition in an inner box 150 provided in a metallic housing 220. A fuse box cover 50 is attached to the fuse box 100. The connection box 200 includes a plurality of switches 20 electrically connected to the fuse box 100 and a terminal block 70 provided integrally with the fuse box 100. Furthermore, the connection box 200 includes a surge absorber (not shown) that protects the solar cell module from surge voltage in the housing 220.

  The switch 20 has a lever switch 10 that can be switched ON or OFF, and the switch 20 opens and closes an electric circuit that connects the solar cell module and a circuit, for example, during maintenance and inspection of the solar cell module. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of switches 20 are provided in parallel in the connection box 200. The switch 20 is electrically connected to the fuse box 100. In addition, in addition to the switch 20, a circuit breaker that cuts off an electric circuit in a state where a load current flows is included in an electric circuit switching device that opens and closes an electric circuit when an accident such as a short circuit occurs or during maintenance and inspection of equipment. A disconnector is provided on the primary side of the circuit breaker for opening and closing the electric circuit when there is no load. Therefore, also in this embodiment, a switch, a disconnector, or a circuit breaker is properly used as an electric circuit switch according to the application.

  The lever switch 10 of the present embodiment is a two-position single throw type in an ON state and an OFF state, and has a known configuration that rotates in a seesaw manner between the ON side and the OFF side. The lever switch 10 includes a contact mechanism (not shown) provided with a known movable contact and a terminal. 1 and 2 show a state in which all lever switches 10 are set to the ON side.

  In the present embodiment, the terminal block 70 is integrally provided on the side surface portion of the fuse box 100. The terminal block 70 is used for electrical connection by sandwiching a wiring connection terminal such as a round crimp terminal between the terminal plate and the washer by screwing a terminal screw into the terminal plate, for example. .

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the fuse box cover 50. The fuse box cover 50 is attached to the upper surface side of the fuse box 100 so as to be opened and closed. The fuse box cover 50 covers each fuse, thereby protecting the fuse. In addition, the fuse box cover 50 is provided with a bent portion 52 at the distal end portion on the switch 20 side to form an inclined surface 54. Therefore, the inclined surface 54 which is a part of the tip portion protrudes to the upper surface side of the fuse box 100 along the back surface portion of the lever switch 10 in a state where the lever switch 10 is set to the ON side.

  The fuse box cover 50 is configured so that the engaging portion 58 can be fitted into a recess or a through hole 56 formed on the side surface of the fuse box 100. Therefore, for example, the operator grasps the end portion 57 opposite to the tip portion of the fuse box cover 50, and from the recess or the through hole 56 provided on the side surface of the fuse box 100 on the opposite side of the tip portion described above, the fuse box cover. By removing the 50 engaging portions 58, the fuse box cover 50 is opened substantially upward or toward the lever switch 10 side.

  By providing the above-described configuration, in this embodiment, when the fuse box cover 50 is opened by an operator or the like while the lever switch 10 is ON, the lever switches 10 of all the switches 20 are switched from ON to OFF. It becomes possible. A more specific description of the switching of the lever switch 10 from the ON state to the OFF state will be described later.

  In addition, although the position of the engaging part 58 of the fuse box cover 50 and the position of the recessed part or the through-hole 56 with which the side surface of the fuse box 100 is provided may be employ | adopted as being provided in side surfaces other than the above-mentioned opposite side of a front-end | tip part. As will be described later, in order for the fuse box cover 50 to move the lever switch 10 to the position of the OFF state with higher accuracy, the engaging portion 58 and the recessed portion or the through hole 56 are provided on the opposite side of the above-described tip portion. It is preferred that

  The fuse box cover 50 is made of, for example, a resin such as polycarbonate, nylon, PVC, or an insulating material such as glass or ceramics.

  Next, a process in which all the lever switches 10 of the switch 20 are switched from the ON state to the OFF state when the fuse box cover 50 is opened while the lever switch 10 is ON will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a side view showing a process in which all the lever switches 10 in the ON state of the switch 20 are switched from the ON state to the OFF state when the fuse box cover 50 is opened. 4A is a schematic side view of the lever switch 10 before the fuse box cover 50 is opened, and FIG. 4B is a schematic side view of the lever switch 10 after the fuse box cover 50 is opened. It is.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the state (10a) in which the lever switch 10 is set to the ON side, it is substantially upward (in the direction of arrow X shown in FIG. 4B) or to the lever switch 10 side (in the direction of arrow Y). When the fuse box cover 50 is opened, the inclined surface 54 of the bent portion 52 provided at the distal end portion on the switch 20 side comes into contact with the back surface portions 12 of all the lever switches 10 in the ON state of the switch 20. At the same time, the back surface portion 12 is pushed in. Therefore, all lever switches 10 in the ON state can be switched to the OFF state by pressing the front end portion of the fuse box cover 50 on the circuit switching device side against the back surface portion 12 in the ON state of the lever switch 10. .

  In addition, the back surface part 12 in this embodiment shows the back surface part when the lever switch 10 is in an ON state (when the lever switch 10 is in an OFF state, it is an upper surface part). Then, as shown by the arrow Z in FIG. 4B, the lever switch 10 is turned on by rotating from the state set to the ON side (10a) to the state set to the OFF side (10b). Is switched to the OFF state. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the fuse box cover 50 is opened and the lever switches 10 of all the switches 20 are switched to the OFF state.

<Second Embodiment>
This embodiment is the same as the junction box 200 of the first embodiment except that a part of the lever switch 10 of the plurality of switches 20 is in the OFF state. Therefore, the description overlapping with the description of the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the fuse box 100 and the switch 20 according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. Even if a part of the lever switch 10 is in the OFF state as in the present embodiment, at least the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

  Specifically, when the fuse box cover 50 is opened by an operator or the like, the front end portion of the fuse box cover 50 on the side of the circuit opening / closing device is pushed to all the back surface portions 12 of the lever switch 10 that is in the ON state. You will win. Accordingly, all the lever switches 10 in the ON state can be switched to the OFF state, so that the work such as fuse replacement after that is safe.

  As already described, if the installation position of this junction box is a narrow place or dark place where it is difficult to work, if the lever switch 10 is already in the OFF state, There is an increased possibility that some lever switches 10 remain in the ON state without checking the other lever switches 10. However, as described above, even if maintenance inspection or the like is started in such a state, opening the fuse box cover 50 according to the present embodiment opens the lever switch 10 in the ON state with high accuracy by switching to the OFF state. Therefore, it is worthy of special mention that the safety of subsequent work such as fuse replacement is achieved.

<Third Embodiment>
This embodiment is the same as the connection box 200 of the first embodiment except that the intervals between the plurality of switches 20 are not uniform. Therefore, the description overlapping with the description of the first embodiment is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the fuse box 100 and the switch 20 according to the present embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, a part of the lever switch 10 is removed from the connection box of this embodiment as compared to the connection box 200 of the first embodiment. Even in such an aspect, at least the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

  Specifically, also in the present embodiment, when the fuse box cover 50 is opened by an operator or the like, the tip of the fuse box cover 50 on the side of the electric circuit opening / closing device is connected to the back surface of the lever switch 10 that is in the ON state. It will be pressed against all of the part 12. Accordingly, all the lever switches 10 in the ON state can be switched to the OFF state, so that the work such as fuse replacement after that is safe. That is, even if the intervals between the plurality of switches 20 are not uniform, the tip of the fuse box cover 50 on the side of the circuit switchgear can be pressed against all of the back surface 12 of the lever switch 10 that is in the ON state. If possible, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

  Also in this embodiment, if the installation position of this junction box is a narrow place or dark place where it is difficult to work, if the intervals between the plurality of switches 20 are uneven, The possibility of leaving some lever switches 10 in the ON state without checking the lever switches 10 is increased. However, as described above, even if maintenance inspection or the like is started in such a state, opening the fuse box cover 50 according to the present embodiment opens the lever switch 10 in the ON state with high accuracy by switching to the OFF state. Therefore, it is worthy of special mention that the safety of subsequent work such as fuse replacement is achieved.

  By the way, in each of the above-described embodiments, the shape of the bent portion 53 such as the bent angle of the bent portion 52 of the fuse box cover 50 and the length of the inclined surface 54 is determined when the fuse box cover 50 is opened. If the front-end | tip part of the cover 50 can press all the back surface parts 12 of the lever switch 10 which is an ON state of an electric circuit switching device, it will not specifically limit. Also, the mode of engagement between the fuse box cover 50 and the fuse box 100 is not particularly limited.

  According to the connection box of each of the above-described embodiments, the internal wiring can be protected by the fuse box cover, and an electric circuit switchgear such as a switch, disconnector, or circuit breaker can be used during maintenance inspection of the connection box or replacement of the fuse. Even if the fuse box cover is opened while the lever switch is in the ON state, all the lever switches that are in the ON state are switched with high accuracy from the ON state to the OFF state. Therefore, even if the operator cannot see the junction box, all the lever switches in the ON state are switched to the OFF state by opening the above-mentioned fuse box cover, so the accuracy of the switching operation is improved. Can be increased. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operator from getting an electric shock or to be injured with a high degree of accuracy, and for example, the safety of replacing the fuse can be remarkably improved. In addition, according to the connection box of each of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to prevent water such as rainwater from entering the inside of the switch from the side surface of the lever switch and to prevent condensation.

  The disclosure of each of the above-described embodiments is described for explaining the embodiments, and is not described for limiting the present invention. In addition, modifications within the scope of the present invention including other combinations of the embodiments are also included in the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Lever switch 12 Back surface part 20 Switch 50 Fuse box cover 52 Bending part 54 Inclined surface 56 Recessed part or through-hole 57 End part on the opposite side to fuse box cover front-end | tip part 58 Engagement part 70 Terminal block 100 Fuse box 150 Inner box 200 Junction box 220 housing

Claims (7)

A single-throw lever switch that can be switched ON or OFF, and one or more electric circuit switchgears selected from the group of switches, disconnectors, and circuit breakers;
A fuse box electrically connected to the electric circuit switchgear;
A fuse box cover mounted on the upper surface side of the fuse box so as to be openable and closable;
With
A bent portion that protrudes from the upper surface side of the fuse box and is formed with an inclined surface along the back surface portion of the lever switch in the ON state is provided on the electric circuit switching device side of the fuse box,
When the fuse box cover is opened substantially upward or toward the lever switch in the ON state, the inclined surface is pressed by pressing all of the lever switches in the ON state with which the inclined surface abuts in the OFF direction. There it is possible that all of the lever switch of the oN state of contact is switched to the O FF state,
Connection box. A plurality of the electric circuit switching devices are provided side by side,
In some or all of the ON state of the lever switch and the fuse box cover is opened toward the substantially upward or the lever switch side, all of the lever switch of the ON state of the inclined surface abuts the It becomes possible to switch to the OFF state.
The junction box according to claim 1. The fuse box cover includes an engaging portion that can be fitted in a concave portion or a through hole provided on a side surface of the fuse box on the opposite side to the bent portion ,
By removing the engagement portion from the recess or the through hole , the fuse box cover can be opened substantially upward or toward the lever switch.
The junction box according to claim 1 or claim 2 . The junction box according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided.
Solar power system. A fuse box cover that is openably and closably attached to the upper surface side of the fuse box included in the connection box,
The lever switch of one or more electric circuit switching devices selected from the group of switches, disconnectors, and circuit breakers having a single throw lever switch that is provided in the junction box and can be switched ON or OFF. In the ON state,
Projecting the upper surface side of the fuse box, bends inclined plane along the rear surface portion is formed of the lever switch in the ON state, said fuse box cover provided on the path switching device side, the substantially upward Or, when opened toward the lever switch side, pressing all of the lever switches in the ON state with which the inclined surface abuts in the OFF direction causes all of the lever switches in the ON state with which the inclined surface abuts. It becomes possible to switch to the OFF state.
Fuse box cover. A plurality of the electric circuit opening and closing devices are provided in parallel in the connection box,
In some or all of the ON state before Symbol lever switch, the fuse when the box cover is opened toward the substantially upward or the lever switch side, all of the lever switch of the ON state of the inclined surface comes into contact Can be switched to the OFF state,
The fuse box cover according to claim 5 . Furthermore, on the side opposite to the bent portion, an engagement portion that can be fitted into a recess or a through hole provided on the side surface of the fuse box is provided,
By removing the engagement portion from the recess or the through hole, the fuse box cover can be opened substantially upward or toward the lever switch.
The fuse box cover according to claim 5 or 6.