JP6174934B2 - Terminal box for solar cell module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal box for a solar cell module.

  Conventionally, various types of terminal boxes are used for electrical connection between devices. For example, in a solar battery panel of a solar power generation system, there is one in which a plurality of solar battery modules are arranged vertically and horizontally and a solar battery module terminal box for connecting an external connection cable to each solar battery module is attached. . In such a solar cell module terminal box, a plurality of terminals are arranged side by side, each module is connected to each terminal, and external connection cables are connected to the positive and negative electrode terminals at both ends in the arrangement direction. For example, in order to avoid a connection state with a module whose power generation capacity is reduced in the shade, a diode is connected between each of the electrode terminals and the intermediate terminal arranged between them (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).

JP 2009-302590 A

  In the solar cell module terminal box, the terminals are arranged side by side in the direction along the long side of the rectangular box-shaped case, and the mold type diodes connected between the terminals are arranged side by side in the direction in which the terminals are arranged. Has been placed. Further, a heat sink is provided so as to extend in parallel with the row of terminals, and each diode is fixed to the heat sink by screwing. Also, a pair of external connection cables are inserted into the terminal box so as to pass outside the both ends of the heat sink along the short side of the rectangular box-shaped case, and are connected to the pair of electrode terminals at both ends in the column direction of the terminals. Each is connected.

  In the terminal box with such a configuration, as described above, the external connection cable passes through the outside of both ends of the heat sink and is connected to the terminal, so the heat sink is installed to secure the space to pass the cable. There is a problem that the space to be used is narrowed and the size of the heat sink is limited. In particular, when dealing with high output type solar cell modules, the size of the heat sink is limited, so large or high performance diodes will be used, and the diodes will be changed due to differences in the capacity of the solar cell modules. There was a complication to do. When a plurality of single diodes are used to connect the terminals, the diodes are arranged with a certain distance therebetween. As a result, the arrangement space of the diode as a whole is widened, and the distance between the terminals is increased accordingly, which makes it difficult to make the solar cell module terminal box compact.

  In particular, conventionally, terminal boxes with different specifications are prepared according to differences in the output of the solar cell module. As a result, terminal boxes with different sizes, electrode terminals with different shapes, and various types are provided. It was necessary to prepare multiple types of members such as diodes. Therefore, there has been a problem that the assembly and management of the terminal box becomes complicated.

  In order to solve such problems and to cope with the difference in heat dissipation when the same diode is used for the terminal box attached to the solar cell module with different output, it is possible to deal with various solar cell modules. In the invention, a solar cell module terminal box, a case attached to the solar cell module, an electrode terminal provided on one side of the case to be connected to the solar cell module, A diode provided on the other side opposite to one side of the case, a heat sink coupled to the diode, an external connection cable connected to the electrode terminal and extending out of the case; The case has a portion wider than the one side on the other side, and the external connection cable is widened. Know towards the outside of the case was assumed to be extended.

  According to this, the electrode terminal connected to the solar cell module is provided on one side of the case, the heat radiating plate is coupled to the diode provided on the other side of the case, and the other side of the case is connected to one side. Since the external connection cable connected to the electrode terminal extends from the widened part toward the outside of the case, the space for routing the external connection cable in the case is increased. The extra space can be used as the space for disposing the heat sink, and the length of the heat sink can be further increased, which increases the amount of heat generated by the diode when the same diode is used. The heat sink can be used for various types of solar cell modules with different outputs just by changing the heat sink with one type of terminal box and one type of diode. Response is possible.

  Also, a solar cell module terminal box, which is arranged in a row along one side of the case to be connected to the solar cell module and a case attached to the solar cell module 3 A plurality of electrode terminals, a plurality of diodes arranged along the other side of the case opposite to one side of the case, and connected across adjacent ones of the electrode terminals; and coupled to the plurality of diodes A heat sink, and an external connection cable connected to each end of the row of the electrode terminals and extending toward the outside of the case, and the case is connected to the electrode terminal on the other side. It has a portion widened in the row direction, and the external connection cable extends from the widened portion toward the outside of the case.

  According to this, the electrode terminals connected to the solar cell module are arranged in one row on one side of the case, and the heat sink is coupled to the plurality of diodes arranged along the other side of the case The external connection cable connected to each end of the electrode terminal row extends from the portion widened in the arrangement direction of the electrode terminals of the case toward the outside of the case. It is no longer necessary to take a large space for routing the heat sink, and the surplus space can be used as a space for disposing the heat sink, and the length of the heat sink can be further increased. Even if the amount increases, it can be handled by the heat sink, and various types of solar cells with different output can be obtained by changing the heat sink with one type of terminal box and one type of diode. Corresponding to the module is possible.

  In particular, the widened portion forms a local protrusion that protrudes in the column direction, and the external connection cable is inclined toward the diode with respect to the column direction with respect to the wall that defines the protrusion. It is good to penetrate diagonally. According to this, since the external connection cable extends obliquely linearly with respect to the row of electrode terminals from the side where the diode is disposed to the outside of the case, the heat dissipation coupled to the diode The part that crosses the plate placement space is slanted, and the heatsink placement space can be secured, for example, to the extent that the corners of the rectangular shape are dropped. Can be extended in the row direction.

  The external connection cable may penetrate the wall defining the widened portion in the column direction. According to this, since the extending direction of the external connection cable extending toward the outside of the case is the electrode terminal column direction, the external connection cable does not overlap the entire range of the electrode terminal column direction. As a result, the space for disposing the heat sink can be made at least the full arrangement range of the electrode terminals.

  The external connection cable may penetrate the wall on the other side defining the widened portion in a direction perpendicular to the column direction. According to this, the widened portion may be widened corresponding to the thickness of the external connection cable, and the space for disposing the heat sink can be widened by the widened portion, and the external connection cable is connected to the electrode. By linearly extending in the direction orthogonal to the terminal row direction, the heat sink arrangement space can be secured in a rectangular shape extending in the electrode terminal row direction, and the heat sink plate is formed in a rectangular shape. There is no need to drop the corners, and the heat sink can be formed larger.

  The plurality of diodes may be incorporated in an integrated package. According to this, a plurality of diodes can be integrated as a package capable of reducing the arrangement space, and thereby the heat dissipation area of the heat sink can be made relatively wide. In addition, since it is not necessary to individually arrange a plurality of diodes and the space for arranging the same number of diodes can be reduced, the terminal box can be made compact in the case of the same heat dissipation characteristics.

  Further, the package is disposed so as to be opposed to substantially the center of the row of the electrode terminals, and the heat radiating plate has extending portions extending in opposite directions on both sides of the package, It is preferable that at least a part of the extending portion is provided with a heat radiating portion that is partially cut and raised or bent in a wave shape. According to this, the heat sink extends in the arrangement direction of the electrode terminals, and the diode package is arranged so as to face substantially the center thereof, so that the heat sink is extended to both sides of the heat sink plate. The shape of the extension can be designed freely. When the package is provided in a stacked state on the main surface of the heat sink, there is at least a gap corresponding to the thickness of the package between the main surface of the heat sink and the cover (lid) of the case. A part of the heat radiating part can be cut and raised in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the heat radiating plate, or it can be bent to wave the main surface of the heat radiating part. By forming the heat sink, the selection range of the heat sink is further expanded.

  Moreover, the said heat sink is good to be formed in the magnitude | size which reaches the said widened part. According to this, a heat sink can be formed still larger.

  Moreover, it is good for the said case to have a partition which encloses the said heat sink with a slight clearance so that a potting liquid may be satisfy | filled. According to this, when the size of the case is determined according to the heat dissipation amount, when using a heat sink with a small outer shape to correspond to a low output type solar cell module, the heat sink is slightly By providing a partition that surrounds with a small gap, the range that fills the potting liquid can be made the minimum necessary size, and the amount of the potting liquid used can be optimized even when the cases having the same outer shape are used.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the electrode terminals connected to the solar cell module are arranged in one row on one side of the case, and the plurality of diodes disposed away from the other side of the case are arranged. Because the heat sink is connected and the external connection cable connected to each end of the electrode terminal row extends from the portion widened in the arrangement direction of the electrode terminals of the case toward the outside of the case, It is not necessary to take a large space for routing the external connection cable, and the surplus space can be used as a space for disposing the heat sink, and the length of the heat sink can be further increased. Therefore, if the same diode is used, even if the heat generation amount of the diode increases, it becomes possible to cope with the heat dissipation plate, and respond to the difference in heat dissipation without changing the diode for the difference in power generation amount of the solar cell module It is possible to cope with this by selecting and using various types of heat sinks.

It is a perspective view which removes a cover and shows the whole terminal box for solar cell modules to which the present invention was applied. It is a principal part assembly exploded perspective view of the terminal box of FIG. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the terminal box 1 of FIG. (A)-(d) is a perspective view which shows the various shapes of a heat sink, respectively. (A)-(c) is a perspective view which shows the other shape of a heat sink, respectively. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 1 which shows the 2nd example of a wide part. FIG. 7 is a plan view schematically showing FIG. 6. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 1 which shows the 3rd example of a wide part. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 1 which shows the example which has arrange | positioned a small heat sink. It is the same schematic diagram as FIG. 7 which shows the shape difference of a body. (A) is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3 when there is one terminal, and (b) is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3 when there are two terminals. It is an example in the case of one cable for external connection, (a) is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3 when there are three terminals, (b) corresponds to FIG. 3 when there are two terminals. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an entire terminal box for a solar cell module to which the present invention is applied, with a cover removed, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view. The terminal box 1 is used by being fixed to, for example, an adhesive on the back surface of the solar cell module 2 in the solar power generation system to which the present invention is applied. For the sake of convenience, the positional relationship will be described with reference to the arrow directions shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the case that forms the outer shape of the terminal box 1 includes a body 3 formed in a box shape as a whole and a plate-like cover 4 that covers the opening surface of the body 3. The body 3 and the cover 4 are molded products of synthetic resin material. The body 3 is formed so as to extend along the outer peripheral wall 3d inside the outer peripheral wall 3d and on the outer peripheral wall 3d standing on the outer peripheral portion of the bottom wall portion attached to the back surface of the solar cell module 2. And an inner peripheral wall 3e in a closed state. The cover 4 is formed in substantially the same outer shape as the outer peripheral wall 3d, and has a peripheral wall portion (not shown) having a cross-sectional shape of the labyrinth structure by entering a gap between the outer peripheral wall 3d and the inner peripheral wall 3e.

  A package in which a plurality (four in the illustrated example) of electrode terminals 5a and 5b and a plurality (three in the illustrated example) of diodes (elements) are integrated inside the inner peripheral wall 3e of the body 3 A diode package 6 incorporated in the housing and a heat sink 7 coupled to the diode package 6 for heat dissipation are disposed.

  The arrangement configuration of the terminals 5a and 5b, the diode package 6, and the heat sink 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 schematically showing the configuration of the terminal box 1 of FIG. In FIG. 3, the outer peripheral wall 3d is representatively shown as the outer shape of the body 3, but the inner peripheral wall 3e is the same. Each of the terminals 5a and 5b is an upper side portion extending in the left-right direction as one side of the body 3 on the outer peripheral wall 3d in a plan view as viewed from the open side of the body 3 (direction orthogonal to the up-down left-right direction in the figure). 14 are linearly arranged in one row. A plurality of diodes (D1 to D3 in the figure) built in the diode package 6 are formed on the lower side 15 extending in the left-right direction on the other side of the outer peripheral wall 3d facing the one side of the body 3. It arrange | positions along and it is connected between the adjacent things of each terminal 5a * 5b. In the diode package 6, four legs 6a for the above-described cross connection by the diodes D1 to D3 are extended in parallel to the terminals 5a and 5b, and each leg 6a is connected to the corresponding terminals 5a and 5b. For example, they are connected by soldering. In addition to the above-mentioned soldering, the diodes may be connected by welding, screwing, pressure welding, spring connection, etc., and the connection method is arbitrary.

  In the illustrated example, a plurality of (in the illustrated example, four) known ribbon-like lead wires (not illustrated) are arranged in the solar cell module 2 at equal intervals in a horizontal row. Each hole 3 a for drawing each lead wire into the inside of the body 3 is provided in the bottom wall of the body 3 (the part that contacts the back surface of the solar cell module 2). The lead wire drawn out from the hole 3a into the body 3 is drawn out to the front side of the corresponding terminals 5a and 5b (opening side of the body 3) and connected to a predetermined position on the surface of the terminals 5a and 5b by, for example, soldering. The Note that the arrangement of the lead wires extending from the solar cell module 2 is not limited to the above-mentioned uniform horizontal row, but may be arranged offset from each other or arranged at irregular intervals. In such a case, the arrangement of the holes 3a may be matched to them.

  As described above, the diode package 6 is formed as an integrated body in which a plurality (three in the illustrated example) of diodes D1 to D3 are incorporated by resin molding. The diode package 6 thus formed is disposed at a position corresponding to the approximate center of the row of the terminals 5a and 5b. In the illustrated example, the length in the arrangement direction between the left and right ends of the four legs 6 a of the diode package 6 is shorter than the length in the arrangement direction between the left and right ends of the lead wires of the solar cell module 2.

  As described above, the terminals 5a and 5b are arranged in the horizontal direction of the terminal box 1 so as to correspond to the difference between the arrangement of the lead wires of the solar cell module 2 and the arrangement of the legs 6a of the diode package 6. On the other hand, it is formed in an L shape extending from the portion connected to the lead wire of the solar cell module 2 (the position of the corresponding hole 3a) to the portion connected to the foot 6a of the diode package 6. In the illustrated example, the terminals 5a at both ends in the arrangement direction and the two terminals 5b at the middle in the arrangement direction are arranged so that the L-shape and the inverted L-shape are left-right symmetrical. In addition, the shape of each terminal 5a * 5b is arbitrary, and the shape of the diode package 6 also has various shapes, and each is not limited to the shape of the example of illustration.

  The terminals 5a and 5b are disposed so as to fill substantially the entire upper half (upper side portion 14 side) half of the body 3 in the drawing, and the terminals 5a and 5b are erected on the bottom surface of the body 3. Each wall is separated and insulated. On the lower half (lower side 15 side) of the body 3 in the drawing, a heat radiating plate 7 is disposed so as to fill substantially the entire range. The heat radiating plate 7 is formed in an elongated plate shape in the arrangement direction of the terminals 5a and 5b (left and right direction in the drawing) as shown in the figure in a plan view with respect to the surface of the solar cell module 2, The length between both ends in the arrangement direction in the arrangement range of the terminals 5a and 5b (B in FIG. 3) is substantially the same. The diode package 6 is in contact with the heat sink 7 in the center in the longitudinal direction in a stacked state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a circular positioning hole 11 is provided at the center of the heat radiating plate 7, and a cylindrical boss 3 b projects from the center of the lower half of the bottom surface of the body 3. The heat radiating plate 7 is positioned on the body 3 by fitting the positioning hole 11 into the boss 3b. The boss 3b is provided with a screw hole 3c coaxially. Further, an insertion hole 6b passing through in the thickness direction is provided in the central portion of the diode package 6, the diode package 6 is placed on the central portion of the heat sink 7, the screw 9 is inserted into the insertion hole 6b, and the boss By screwing into the screw hole 3c of the part 3b, the diode package 6 and the heat radiating plate 7 are coupled and fixed to the body 3 together. In this way, the diode package 6 is abutted and fixed to the heat sink 7.

  Also, external connection cables 8 are connected to the electrode terminals 5a located at both ends of the terminals in the arrangement direction corresponding to positive and negative electrodes, for example, by soldering. The connection of the external connection cable 8 is not limited to the above-mentioned soldering, but includes welding, crimping, screwing, pressure welding, spring connection, etc., and the connection method is arbitrary. As shown in the figure, the external connection cables 8 extend from the terminals 5a at both ends in the arrangement direction while being obliquely separated from each other in the row direction of the terminals 5a and 5b arranged linearly. It is provided as follows. The body 3 is provided with an outer peripheral wall 3d that forms a substantially rectangular outer shape, and an inner peripheral wall 3e that is closed over the entire periphery along the outer peripheral wall 3d inside the outer peripheral wall 3d. . The external connection cable 8 is connected to the body 3 by a cable clamp 10 that engages the body 3 between the inner peripheral wall 3e and the outer peripheral wall 3d in the vicinity of the connection portion 8a soldered to the terminal 5a at each end in the arrangement direction. It is fixed and extends out of the body 3. In this way, by extending immediately from the vicinity of the electrode terminal 5 a to the outside of the body 3, it is not necessary to take a wide wiring space for the external connection cable 8 in the body 3.

  Further, the terminal box 1 is provided with a locally protruding portion 16 as a widened portion, in which a part of the body 3 protrudes in the left-right direction (the arrangement direction of the terminals 5a and 5b). The protruding portion 16 extends a part of the side wall portion 17 located in the arrangement direction of the terminals 5a and 5b on the outer peripheral wall 3d in a line perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the terminals 5a and 5b (the vertical direction of the side wall portion 17). It is formed in the shape of a right isosceles triangle projecting outward with the extended line of the part as the base. In the illustrated example, the apex angle of the triangle is a right angle. However, when the shape of the protrusion 16 is a triangle, the apex angle is not limited to a right angle, and may be various angles. Further, the shape of the protruding portion 16 is not limited to a triangular shape, and may be a trapezoidal shape, a semicircular shape, or other various shapes.

  The external connection cable 8 passes through the protrusion 16 in an oblique direction inclined toward the diode package 6 with respect to the row direction of the terminals 5a and 5b. In the illustrated example, the protruding portion 16 penetrates the inclined wall 16a on the side opposite to the terminals 5a and 5b corresponding to the isosceles side in an orthogonal direction, so that the cable clamp 10 is in contact with the inclined wall 16a. The contact surface is orthogonal to the axis of the external connection cable 8, and the holding force by the cable clamp 10 is suitably ensured.

  As described above, the heat sink 7 is formed long in the column direction of the terminals 5a and 5b, and is disposed in parallel with the terminals 5a and 5b on the opposite side of the body 3 from the side where the terminals 5a and 5b are disposed. Yes. As described above, the external connection cable 8 extends obliquely outward from the body 3 in a direction opposite to the terminals 5a and 5b, and the longitudinal direction of the heat sink 7 (arrangement of the terminals 5a and 5b). The external connection cable 8 extends obliquely in the direction).

  On the other hand, in the case where a pair of conventional external connection cables are wired in parallel to each other, the external connection cables extend so as to cross both longitudinal ends of the heat sink. For this reason, the length of the heat sink in the longitudinal direction is just before the external connection cable, and the installation space for the heat sink is reduced accordingly.

  On the other hand, according to the present invention, as described above, the external connection cable 8 extends obliquely outward from the body 3 in a direction opposite to the terminals 5a and 5b, and is connected to the body 3 for external connection. Since it is possible to prevent the cable 8 and the heat radiating plate 7 from interfering with each other, the space increase can be allocated to the expansion of the heat radiating plate 7. Thereby, the heat sink 7 can be extended in the row direction of the terminals 5a and 5b, and a larger heat sink 7 can be attached.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the terminals 5a and 5b, the heat sink 7 and the diode package 6 are disposed in the body 3, and the external connection cable 8 is connected to the corresponding electrode terminal 5a. The potting liquid is filled. And the cover 4 is assembled | attached to the body 3, and the inside of the body 3 will be in a sealing state.

  Although the present invention uses the diode package 6 in which the plurality of diodes D1 to D3 are integrated and integrated in the illustrated example, the length in the column direction of the terminals 5a and 5b of the heat sink 7 can be increased. The heat radiation area of the heat radiating plate 7 can be secured even by a conventionally known connection in which a single diode is connected between adjacent ones of the terminals 5a and 5b. Further, by using the diode package 6 in which a plurality of diodes D1 to D3 are integrated as in the illustrated example, the space for arranging the same number of diodes can be reduced. The box can be made compact.

  The heat radiating plate 7 is manufactured, for example, by pressing a metal thin plate, and as shown in FIG. 2, the heat radiating plate 7 is extended to a flat central portion 12 for placing the diode package 6 and both sides of the central portion 12. And both extending portions 13. As described above, since the length in the longitudinal direction of the heat radiating plate 7 (in the row direction of the terminals 5a and 5b) can be increased, it is possible to secure a wide area of the two extending portions 13 that contribute to the heat dissipation in the heat radiating plate 7. Can do.

  In the heat radiating plate 7, not only an increase in the heat radiating area but also a shape change of both the extending portions 13 can be designed freely. In the case of the illustrated example (first example), a plurality of cut and raised pieces 13 a that are partially cut and raised are provided on both extending portions 13 of the heat radiating plate 7. Thereby, since a heat radiation area expands rather than one plate-shaped thing and a contact area with a potting liquid also expands, heat dissipation can be improved.

  The shape of the heat radiating plate 7 is not limited to the above illustrated example (first example), and various shapes are shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part similar to the said example of illustration, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the heat radiating plate 21 of FIG. 4A, the extending portion 13 is provided with a plurality of ribs 13b parallel to each other. In this case, the heat dissipation performance is substantially the same as that of the heat dissipation plate 7 of the first example. Note that a slit shape may be used instead of the rib 13b.

  Moreover, in the heat sink 22 of FIG.4 (b), what extended the row | line | column 13 in which the U-shaped uneven | corrugated waveform part 13c was arranged in a row was arranged in multiple rows, and adjacent rows were shifted in the row direction. Things are provided. In this case, since the surface area of the heat radiating plate is larger than that of the heat radiating plate 7 of the first example, the heat radiating performance is high.

  Moreover, in the heat sink 23 of FIG.4 (c), the waved part 13d curved so that it may become a continuous big wave is provided in the extension part 13. As shown in FIG. In this case, since the surface area of the heat dissipation plate is larger than that of the heat dissipation plate 7 of the first example, the heat dissipation can be improved.

  Further, in the heat radiating plate 24 of FIG. 4D, the extending portion 13 is provided with an uneven corrugated portion 13e in which elongated crests and valleys having a U-shaped cross section are continuous, and the convex portion of the uneven corrugated portion 13e. The part is provided with a plurality of small holes 13f. Also in this case, since the surface area of the heat radiating plate is larger than that of the heat radiating plate 7 of the first example, the heat dissipation can be improved.

  Furthermore, the example of the heat sink 25 * 26 * 27 of another shape is shown to Fig.5 (a) * (b) * (c). In these figures, the same parts as those in the illustrated example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In the heat radiating plate 25 of FIG. 5A, the extending portion 13 remains a plate-like body. When the heat dissipation is not so much required, the heat dissipation plate 25 which is cut out from the plate material can be used, thereby reducing the processing cost.

  In the heat sink 26 of FIG. 5B, bent portions 13 g that are bent on the mounting side of the diode package 6 are provided at both ends of the extending portion 13 in the extending direction. In this case, since the surface area of the heat sink is larger than that of the heat sink 25 in FIG.

  Further, in the heat sink 27 of FIG. 5 (c), in addition to the bent portion 13 g of the heat sink 26, the heat sink 27 is bent to the mounting side of the diode package 6 at the upper and lower edges along the extending direction of the extended portion 13. Each of the bent portions 13h and 13i and a bent portion 13j that is similarly bent at the lower edge of the central portion 12 are provided. In this case, since the surface area of the heat sink is larger than that of the heat sink 26 of FIG. 5B, the heat dissipation can be further enhanced.

  According to the present invention, the external connection cable 8 extends obliquely outward from the protrusion 16 in a direction opposite to the terminals 5a and 5b, and the heat sink 7 is arranged in the row direction of the terminals 5a and 5b. Space can be expanded. Thereby, since the shape of the heat sink 7 can be changed greatly, and thus the heat dissipation can be greatly improved, it is possible to cope with a large amount of heat dissipation without changing the diode (diode package 6).

  Further, by using the diode package 6 incorporating a plurality of diodes, the space for installing the diodes can be reduced, the area of the extending portion 13 is increased correspondingly, and a plurality of heat dissipations having various shapes as described above are obtained. Plates 7 and 21 to 27 can be formed. Accordingly, the amount of heat generated in the diode package 6 due to the difference in the capabilities of the solar cell module 2 can be accommodated. For example, for the low-output type solar cell module 2, since the heat generation amount of the diode package 6 is low, any one of the heat radiation plate 21 in FIG. 3A and the heat radiation plates 25 to 27 in FIG. Select according to the amount of heat. On the other hand, since the amount of heat generated by the diode package 6 is high for the high-output type solar cell module 2, the heat radiating plates 22 to 24 shown in FIGS. 3B to 3D may be selected and used. Further, each of the heat radiation plates 22 to 24 of FIGS. 3B to 3D has a certain degree of heat radiation characteristic difference, and can correspond to a minute difference in the capability of the solar cell module 2.

  In each of the heat radiating plates 7 and 21 to 27, since the manufacturing cost varies depending on the complexity of the shape of the extending portion 13, it is not necessary to use an unnecessarily high heat radiation. For the terminal box 1 that is used for the power generation amount of the solar cell module 2 that is not so large, the processing cost can be reduced by using a heat dissipation plate (for example, 25 to 27) having a simple shape that is not relatively high in heat dissipation. Therefore, the cost of the terminal box 1 can be reduced.

  The protruding portion 16 in the illustrated example is formed in a substantially triangular shape extending in the vertical direction of the side wall portion 17 and protruding outward from the body 3 from the portion covering the terminals 5a and 5b. The shape of the part 16 is not limited to such a shape. The protrusion 16 is formed in a shape in which a part of the outer shape of the body 3 is widened in the column direction of the terminals 5a and 5b. As another example, refer to FIGS. 6 to 10 corresponding to FIG. I will explain. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the part similar to the said example of illustration, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the terminal box of FIG. 6, as shown in FIG. 7, the protruding portion 16 extends from the middle position of the terminals 5 a and 5 b to the entire range of the radiator plate 7 in the vertical direction of the body 3. (C in the figure). In this case, the external connection cable 8 extends from the connection portion 8a of the corresponding terminal 5a in the row direction of the terminals 5a and 5b, and penetrates the side wall 16b of the protruding portion 16. Thereby, the heat sink 7 can be expanded until it enters the protrusion 16 as shown in the figure, and the extension 13 can be further enlarged. Thereby, the heat sink 7 can be formed large and can respond suitably to the solar cell module 2 of a high spec model. Further, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5A, the heat radiating plate 25 can be formed in a shape close to a rectangle without reducing the corners. Thereby, the size of the heat sink 25 can be further increased.

  In the terminal box of FIG. 8, a protrusion 16 similar to that of FIG. 1 is provided, but the arrangement range of the heat sink 7 is extended downward in the vertical direction of the body 3. In the illustrated example, the vertical length of the heat radiating plate 7 is approximately twice that of the example of FIG. In this case, for example, even when the length of the terminal box 1 in the left-right direction (the row direction of the terminals 5a and 5b) is limited, there is a margin in the vertical direction (the direction orthogonal to the row direction of the terminals 5a and 5b). Applicable to. Also in this case, the heat radiating plate 7 can be formed large, and can be suitably adapted to the high-spec model solar cell module 2.

  Further, in the example of FIG. 1, only one row in which the plurality of cut and raised pieces 13 a form a row in the left-right direction is provided, but in the example in FIG. 8, two rows in the left and right direction of the plurality of cut and raised pieces 13 a are provided. It is provided to do. Furthermore, since the vertical width of the central portion 12 is increased, and an empty space that cannot be taken for mounting the diode package 6 is generated, the cut-and-raised piece 13a can be provided in the empty space. Thereby, heat dissipation can be improved further.

  The terminal box of FIG. 9 is an example that can correspond to the case where a small heat sink 7 is used, although the outer shape of the body 3 is the same as that of FIG. As shown in the drawing, the length of the heat radiating plate 7 in the longitudinal direction (the row direction of the terminals 5a and 5b) is shorter than the example of FIG. Further, a heat radiating plate partition 28 is provided in which a part of the inner peripheral wall 3e serving as a partition for filling the potting liquid surrounds the heat radiating plate 7 with a slight gap.

  This heat sink partition 28 is not provided when the heat sink 7 is arranged in the full width of the body 3 (in the row direction of the terminals 5a and 5b) as in the example of FIG. 1, but is small as shown in FIG. When the heat sink 7 is selected, it is formed at the time of molding. Thereby, when filling a potting liquid, it can be made into the minimum required range, and the efficiency of potting work and the waste of the usage amount of a potting liquid can be eliminated.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 7 showing the difference in shape of the body 3. In this case, the protruding portion 16 is provided in a range from an intermediate position in the arrangement range of the terminals 5a and 5b to an intermediate position in the arrangement range of the heat sink 7 (D in the figure). As a result, a downwardly facing lower wall 16 c is formed on the protruding portion 16. A part of the terminal 5a is arranged so as to enter the protruding part 16, and the external connection cable 8 connected to the part of the terminal 5a entering the protruding part 16 penetrates the lower wall 16c downward from the protruding part 16. It has been extended. Also in this case, the arrangement space of the heat sink 7 in the body 3 is not reduced by the external connection cable 8, and the heat sink 7 can be formed larger.

  The heat radiating plate 7 shown in FIGS. 6 to 10 is shown corresponding to FIG. 1 and can be replaced by various shapes shown in FIGS. In this way, a single-sized terminal box and a single diode can be used to handle various types of solar cell modules with different outputs by simply changing the heat sink. Can increase the sex.

  The terminal box of the present invention can be applied to various forms of the solar cell module 2 and will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part similar to the said example of illustration, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The example of FIG. 11A is a case where one terminal 5b is provided so as to correspond to the case where the number of lead wires from the solar cell module 2 is one. As shown in the figure, a terminal 5c to which an external connection cable 8 is connected is provided. In order to connect a diode between both terminals 5b and 5c, four legs 6a in the illustrated example of the diode package 6 are provided. Are connected to the corresponding terminals 5b and 5c (circles in the figure). Instead of using the diode package 6, a known single diode having two legs may be used (not shown). Also in this case, the heat sink 7 can be enlarged by providing the protruding portion 16 and extending the external connection cable 8 outward from the protruding portion 16.

  Moreover, the example of FIG.11 (b) is a case where the two terminals 5a are provided so that it may respond | correspond to the case where the lead wire from the solar cell module 2 is two. Also in this case, two of the four legs 6a in the illustrated example of the diode package 6 are connected to the corresponding terminals 5a (circles in the figure). Instead of using the diode package 6, two known single diodes having two legs may be used (not shown). In this case, the terminal 5b in the example of FIG. 3 is excluded, and the external connection cable 8 is connected to each terminal 5a, and the same effects as in the example of FIG. 3 can be obtained.

  FIG. 12A shows an example of a terminal box having one external connection cable 8 and three terminals 5a and 5b. In this case, three lead wires from the solar cell module 2 are connected to the three terminals 5a and 5b, respectively, and three of the four legs 6a in the illustrated example of the diode package 6 correspond to the respective terminals. The external connection cable 8 is connected to the terminal 5a at one end of the terminal row. Instead of using the diode package 6, two known single diodes having two legs may be used (not shown).

  FIG. 12 (b) shows an example of a terminal box having a single external connection cable 8 but two terminals 5a and 5b. In this case, two lead wires from the solar cell module 2 are connected to the corresponding terminals 5a and 5b, respectively. In the illustrated example, a single diode 36 is used, its two legs 36a are connected to the corresponding terminals 5a and 5b (circles in the figure), and the external connection cable 8 is connected to the terminal 5a at one end of the terminal row. It is connected. In the same manner as described above, the diode package 6 may be used to connect the two legs 6a.

  Also in these cases, the external connection cable 8 is extended outward from the protrusion 16 and the same effects as described above can be obtained. In addition, such a terminal box having one external connection cable 8 is provided with, for example, two areas in one solar cell module 2, and one terminal box includes, for example, three terminals and one terminal in FIG. This is applied to a case where a terminal box constituted by an external connection cable is attached and a terminal box constituted by two terminals and one external connection cable in FIG.

  The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, as those skilled in the art can easily understand, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and the gist of the present invention. As long as it does not deviate from the above, it can be appropriately changed. For example, a member (for example, heat conductive grease or a heat conductive sheet) for improving heat conductivity may be sandwiched between the diode package 6 and the heat sink 7 (21 to 27). Further improvement can be achieved. Moreover, it is good to use the copper alloy etc. which are excellent in thermal conductivity as a material of terminal 5a * 5b. In addition, the material of the heat sink may be an alloy mainly composed of aluminum, which has excellent thermal conductivity and is advantageous in terms of cost. However, if higher heat dissipation is required, pure copper with better thermal conductivity should be used. A close material or a material such as a copper alloy may be used. By arbitrarily selecting these metal materials and members for the purpose of improving thermal conductivity, a variety of variations with optimal performance and product cost can be provided for various types of solar cell modules.

  Moreover, it is applicable also to a terminal box provided with the same number of terminals as the number of lead wires of the solar cell module 2, and when the diode package 6 is used, a part of the plurality of legs 6a is connected to the terminals, The rest may be used without being connected. Further, although the diode package 6 composed of a package in which a plurality of diodes are integrated has been described, the present invention can also be applied to a structure in which a single diode is connected between adjacent terminals 5a and 5b. Further, by using a heat radiating plate having a different thickness, it is possible to apply a heat radiating plate having further various heat radiating characteristics. In addition, all the components shown in the above embodiment are not necessarily essential, and can be appropriately selected without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal box 3 Body 4 Cover 5a * 5b Terminal 6 Diode package 7 Heat sink 8 External connection cable 12 Center part 13 Extension part 14 Upper side part 15 Lower side part 16 Projection part 16a Inclined wall 16b Side wall 16c Lower wall 21-27 Plate 28 Heat sink partition

Claims (7)

A terminal box for a solar cell module,
A case attached to the solar cell module;
Three or more electrode terminals arranged in one row along one side of the case to be connected to the solar cell module;
A plurality of diodes disposed along the other side opposite to one side of the case and connected across adjacent ones of the electrode terminals;
A heat sink coupled to the plurality of diodes;
An external connection cable connected to each end of the row of the electrode terminals and extending toward the outside of the case;
The case has a portion widened in the column direction of the electrode terminals on the other side;
The external connection cable extends out of the case from the widened portion ;
The plurality of diodes are incorporated in an integrated package,
The package is disposed so as to face substantially the center of the row of the electrode terminals;
The heat radiating plate has extending portions extending in opposite directions on both sides of the package,
A solar cell module terminal box, wherein at least a part of the extending portion is provided with a heat radiating portion that is partially cut and raised or bent into a wave shape . 2. The terminal box for a solar cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the case has a partition that encloses the heat radiating plate with a slight gap so as to fill the potting liquid. A terminal box for a solar cell module,
A case attached to the solar cell module;
Three or more electrode terminals arranged in one row along one side of the case to be connected to the solar cell module;
A plurality of diodes disposed along the other side opposite to one side of the case and connected across adjacent ones of the electrode terminals;
A heat sink coupled to the plurality of diodes;
An external connection cable connected to each end of the row of the electrode terminals and extending toward the outside of the case;
The case has a portion widened in the column direction of the electrode terminals on the other side;
The external connection cable extends out of the case from the widened portion ;
A terminal box for a solar cell module , wherein the case has a partition that encloses the heat radiating plate with a slight gap so as to fill the potting liquid . The widened portion forms a local protrusion that protrudes in the column direction, and the external connection cable has an oblique direction in which a wall that defines the protrusion is inclined toward the diode with respect to the column direction. The terminal box for a solar cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminal box is inserted through the solar cell module. 4. The terminal box for a solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the external connection cable passes through a wall defining the widened portion in the column direction. 5. The said external connection cable penetrates the wall of the other side which defines the said widened part in the direction orthogonal to the said column direction, The Claim 1 thru | or 3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Terminal box for solar cell modules. The solar cell module terminal box according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heat radiating plate is formed in a size that reaches the widened portion.

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