Abstract:
A smart photovoltaic assembly and a photovoltaic system are provided. The smart photovoltaic assembly comprises a photovoltaic assembly main body, an installation plate disposed on a back surface of the photovoltaic assembly main body, and a current leading terminal connector provided on the installation plate for leading an electric current line from the photovoltaic assembly main body, wherein the current leading terminal connector has a first connector interface adapted for connecting with a second connector interface of a complementary electronic device. The current leading terminal connector is in electrical connection with the complementary electronic device by mutual connection of the first connector interface and the second connector interface. The photovoltaic system comprises the above mentioned smart photovoltaic assembly, wherein the electronic device may be a diode module, an electric voltage converting device, a monitor or other types of electronic devices according to the need of a user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to foreign Patent Application CN 201010255504.X, filed on Aug. 13, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the photovoltaic (PV) field of solar energy, particularly to a smart photovoltaic assembly and a photovoltaic system that has a simple structure and is easy to install. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Solar energy, as a new energy, has the advantage of infinite exploitation compared with traditional fossil fuels. As the international energy situation becomes severe, every country is making even greater efforts to develop the solar energy industry. As a result, the application of solar energy is becoming wider, such as satellite solar plates in the field of aviation and aerospace and solar water heaters in daily life, etc. 
         [0004]    The current prevailing manner of using solar energy is converting solar energy into electric energy via the photovoltaic effect of semiconductor materials. A solar cell is a typical photo-electric conversion device. In practical application, usually a photovoltaic system is formed with a solar module as the core. A complete photovoltaic power generation system mainly includes a solar assembly, a terminal box, voltage transformers, such as an inverter, and various instruments. The basic principle is: a solar assembly gets solar energy and converts it into electric energy; a terminal box leads the electric energy; the leaded direct current electricity is converted into the needed alternate current electricity via voltage transformers; finally, the alternate current electricity is directly incorporated to a public power grid for use; or the electric energy is stored in a storage battery and is controlled by a charge/discharge controller, wherein the storage battery receives the electric energy from the solar assembly when charging and provides electricity when discharging. 
         [0005]    A current standard photovoltaic assembly comprises a solar module and a terminal box fixed at the back of the solar module, the terminal box having a by-pass diode therein for protecting the solar module. Other electronic devices needed for the photovoltaic system, such an inverter and other instruments, are provided and installed separately from the solar module and need additional installation structures and spaces as well as connecting materials. As shown in  FIG. 1 , in a schematic drawing of a connecting structure between a terminal box and an inverter of a photovoltaic system of the prior arts, the terminal box  14  is directly adhered to the back of the solar module  11  and the inverter  12  is fixed independently and is connected with the solar module  11  through an electrical wire  13 . 
         [0006]    Thus, more labor and materials are needed when producing and installing the photovoltaic assembly and system of the prior arts, which is an obstacle for controlling the costs of production, installation and maintenance of the assembly and system. In addition, since the terminal box and the assembly are installed together, the function of the assembly is relatively limited. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention advantageously provide a smart photovoltaic assembly and a photovoltaic system that have a simple structure and are easy to install. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, a smart photovoltaic (PV) assembly comprises a photovoltaic assembly main body, an installation plate disposed on a back surface of the photovoltaic assembly main body, and a current leading terminal connector provided on the installation plate for leading an electric current line from the photovoltaic assembly main body, wherein the current leading terminal connector has a first connector interface adapted for connecting with a second connector interface of a complementary electronic device. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, both sides of the first connector interface are provided with a first locking socket or a first locking sheet, respectively. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment, the first connector interface at least comprises one anode connector terminal and one cathode connector terminal. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the first connector interface further comprises intermediate connector terminals. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, wherein the number of the intermediate connector terminals of the first connector interface is two. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the installation plate comprises a top plate and a side support portion which is formed by the edge portions of the top plate bending downwards and supports the top plate, and wherein the current leading terminal connector is provided at an end of a surface of the top plate. 
         [0014]    In one embodiment, the top plate is provided with a plurality of installation holes which may be through holes, swallow-tailed grooves or other installation modes except through holes. 
         [0015]    In one embodiment, the installation holes in the top plate are through holes and are arranged in a matrix, and wherein a width of an end of each through hole which is close to the current leading terminal connector is smaller than a width of an end of the through hole which is away from the current leading terminal connector. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, the through holes in the top plate are inverted “T” shaped or “L” shaped. 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the through holes at a middle portion of the top plate are inverted “T” shaped, and the through holes at both sides of the top plate are symmetrically arranged and “L” shaped. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, a side of the top plate of the installation plate which is close to the back surface of the photovoltaic assembly main body has a plurality of protruding ribs. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the installation plate is adhered fixedly to the photovoltaic assembly main body via the side support portion and the ribs. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the side support portion is provided with a plurality of heat emission holes. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the installation plate is made of a plastic material. 
         [0022]    In another embodiment, a photovoltaic system comprises the above smart photovoltaic assembly and a complementary electronic device detachably secured to the installation plate, the complementary electronic device having a second connector interface for matching with the first connector interface of the smart photovoltaic assembly, wherein the current leading terminal connector is in electrical connection with the complementary electronic device by mutual connection of the first connector interface and the second connector interface. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, both sides of the second connector interface are respectively provided with a second locking socket to be matched with the first locking sheet or a second locking sheet to be matched with the first locking socket, and wherein when the first connector interface and the second connector interface are plugged into each other, the first locking sheet is clipped with the second locking socket or the first locking socket is clipped with the second locking sheet. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the second connector interface at least comprises one anode connector terminal and one cathode connector terminal. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, the second connector interface further comprises intermediate connector terminals. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, the number of the intermediate connector terminals of the second connector interface is two. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the complementary electronic device comprises a diode module, a DC-AC conversion circuit, a DC-DC conversion circuit and/or an assembly monitoring circuit. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment, a bottom surface of the complementary electronic device is provided with bottom hooks that are arranged in a matrix and are used to position the complementary electronic device to the top plate of the installation plate, wherein the bottom hooks are inserted into the installation holes and guide the complementary electronic device to move towards the current leading terminal connector, thereby realizing electrical connection. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment, the cross-section of each bottom hook is inverted “T” shaped or “L” shaped. 
         [0030]    The advantageous effects of this invention are many, including, for example, the electrical connection between the current leading terminal connector provided on the installation plate and the complementary electronic device is realized by directly plugging the connector interfaces, so that the structure of the photovoltaic system is simple, easy to install and can meet various demands of the users; the flexible selection of the needed electronic device also facilitates to have different functions, thereby saving the material cost and the manual installation cost of the system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a schematic drawing of the connecting structure between a terminal box and an inverter of a known photovoltaic system; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is a schematic drawing of the structure of photovoltaic system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a schematic drawing of the structure of the installation plate in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is the front view of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is the side view of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is a schematic drawing of the structure of the electronic device in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is the front view of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is a schematic drawing of the plugged structure of the installation plate and the electronic device in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  is a schematic drawing of the circuit of the photovoltaic system in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
       System 
       [0041]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  6  and  8 , the photovoltaic system of one embodiment of this invention comprises a smart photovoltaic assembly and an complementary electronic device  60 ; the smart photovoltaic assembly further comprises a photovoltaic assembly main body  70 , an installation plate  50  and a current leading terminal connector  54  which is fixed on the installation plate  50  and which is used for leading an electric current, wherein the installation plate  50  is fixed on a back surface of the photovoltaic assembly main body  70 , and the current leading terminal connector  54  has a first connector interface  541 ; the electronic device  60  is fixed on the installation plate  50  and has a second connector interface  611  to be matched with the first connector interface  541 , wherein the current leading terminal connector  54  is in electrical connection with the electronic device  60  by mutual plugging of the first connector interface  541  and the second connector interface  611 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the installation plate  50  comprises a top plate  52  and a side support portion  53  which is formed by the edge portions of the top plate  52  bending downwards and supports the top plate  52 . A heat emission space is formed between the top plate  52  and the back surface of the photovoltaic assembly main body  70  via the side support portion  53 . The current leading terminal connector  54  is provided at an end of a surface of the top plate  52 . A side of the top plate  52  of the installation plate  50  which is close to the back surface of the photovoltaic assembly main body  70  has a plurality of protruding ribs  55  in both transverse and longitudinal directions. The installation plate  50  is adhered fixedly to the photovoltaic assembly main body  70  via the side support portion  53  and the ribs  55 . Of course, the installation plate  50  may also be fixed in other manners. 
         [0043]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , the first connector interface  541  comprises one anode connector terminal  1 , a cathode connector terminal  4 , a first intermediate connector terminal  2  and a second intermediate connector terminal  3 , wherein the anode connector terminal  1  and the cathode connector terminal  4  are necessary, while the intermediate connector terminals are selective. The number of these connector terminals is determined according to the design of the smart photovoltaic assembly main body  70  of the photovoltaic system. If the photovoltaic assembly main body  70  has only two electric current leading terminals, i.e. one anode connector terminal and one cathode connector terminal, the intermediate connector terminals are kept unconnected. 
         [0044]    The top plate  52  is provided with a plurality of through holes  521  which are arranged in a matrix, wherein a width of an end of each through hole  521  which is close to the current leading terminal connector  54  is smaller than a width of an end of the through hole which is away from the current leading terminal connector  54 . The through holes  521  are inverted “T” shaped or “L” shaped, wherein the through holes  521  at a middle portion are inverted “T” shaped, and the through holes  521  at both sides are symmetrically arranged and “L” shaped, so that the electronic device  60  can be installed on the top plate  52 . In fact, the through holes  521  can be arranged randomly and have any shape. The side support portion  53  is provided with a plurality of heat emission holes  531  along the length direction of the side support portion  53 . The heat emission holes  531  may have any shape. To facilitate manufacturing, the heat emission holes  531  may be rectangular shaped or circular shaped, and the spacing between each two adjacent heat emission holes  531  is the same. Of course, the through holes  521  may be swallow-tailed grooves or may be replaced by installation holes of other modes than through holes. 
         [0045]    The installation plate  50  corresponds to a pierced cover having through holes and may be formed integrally by a plastic material. The through holes  521  and the heat emission holes  531  may be formed in the formation of the installation plate  50  or may be formed separately after forming the installation plate  50 . When the installation plate  50  is installed at a back surface of the photovoltaic assembly main body  70 , a gap is formed between the top plate  52  and the photovoltaic assembly main body  70 , and a heat emission passage is formed by the through holes  521  and the heat emission holes  531 . When the installation plate  50  is made of a plastic material, the issue of grounding disappears. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIGS. 6-8 , a bottom surface of the electronic device  60  is provided with bottom hooks  613  that are arranged in a matrix and are used to position the electronic device  60  to the top plate  52  of the installation plate  50 , wherein the column spacing of the bottom hooks  613  matches that of the through holes  521  in the top plate  52 , and the cross-section of the bottom hooks is inverted “T” shaped or “L” shaped. The bottom hooks  613  can pass through the through holes  521  and guide the electronic device  60  to move towards the current leading terminal connector  54 , so that the first connector interface  541  and the second connector interface  611  plugged with each other, thereby realizing electrical connection. The bottom hooks  613  perform the functions of pre-positioning and guiding, thereby simplifying the installation process. Usually, there are more than three columns of bottom hooks  613 , and the specific number of the columns may be determined according to the type and size of the electronic device  60 . The through holes  521  may be swallow-tailed grooves or may be replaced by installation holes of other modes than through holes, so long as the installation holes can perform the function of guiding and positioning the bottom hooks  613 , i.e. the bottom hooks  613  are inserted into the installation holes and guide the electronic device  60  to move towards the current leading terminal connector  54  so as to realize electrical connection. 
         [0047]    The electronic device  60  may comprise a diode module, a DC-AC conversion circuit, a DC-DC conversion circuit and/or an assembly monitoring circuit, etc. The specific components of the electronic device  60  may be selected flexibly depending on the system requirements. For example, when the electronic device  60  is a diode module, the function of a common photovoltaic assembly can be realized; when the electronic device  60  is a conversion circuit, the function of an inverter can be realized. 
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , corresponding to the first connector interface  541 , the second connector interface  611  comprises one anode connector terminal  10 , a first intermediate connector terminal  20 , a second intermediate connector terminal  30 , and a cathode connector terminal  40 , wherein the anode connector terminal  10  and the cathode connector terminal  40  are necessary, while the first intermediate connector terminal  20  and the second intermediate connector terminal  30  are selective. The number of these connector terminals is determined according to the specific requirement of the circuit. With reference to  FIG. 9 , take a common diode module circuit for example, three by-pass diodes are sequentially connected between an anode and a cathode of the electronic device  60  in series; the anode connector terminal  10  is electrically connected to the anode of the electronic device  60 ; the cathode connector terminal  40 , to the cathode of the electronic device  60 ; and the first intermediate connector terminal  20  and the second intermediate connector terminal  30 , to an anode and a cathode of an intermediate diode, respectively. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIGS. 8-9 , after the first connector interface  541  is plugged into the second connector interface  611 , the anode connector terminal  1 , the cathode connector terminal  4 , the first intermediate connector terminal  2  and the second intermediate connector terminal  3  of the first connector interface  541  are electrically connected to the anode connector terminal  10 , the cathode connector terminal  40 , the first intermediate connector terminal  20  and the second intermediate connector terminal  30  of the second connector interface  611 , respectively. 
         [0050]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  8 , both sides of the first connector interface  541  of the current leading terminal connector  54  are provided with a first locking socket  542 , respectively; both sides of the second connector interface  611 , with a second locking sheet  612 , respectively. The first locking socket  542  is used for clipping with the corresponding second locking sheet  612  of the electronic device  60 . The first locking socket  542  and the second locking sheet  612  form a locking mechanism so that the current leading terminal connector  54  and the electronic device  60  are fixedly clipped with each other. Of course, a first locking sheet may be provided to both sides of the first connector interface  541 , respectively, and two corresponding second locking sockets are provided to the electronic device  60 . The electronic device  60  with different sizes can be accommodated by increasing or reducing the distance between the first locking socket  542  and the first connector interface  541 . 
       Installation 
       [0051]    The installation plate  50  is fixed to the photovoltaic assembly main body  70  via, for example, adhering, etc. The current leading terminal of the photovoltaic assembly main body  70  is electrically connected to the first connector interface  541  of the current leading terminal connector  54  on the installation plate  50  via, for example, soldering, etc. 
         [0052]    The electronic device  60  is placed over the top plate  52  of the installation plate  50 . Each of the bottom hooks  613  is aligned with and passes through the corresponding through hole  521  in the top plate  52  so as to pre-position the electronic device  60  on the top plate  52  of the installation plate  50 . The electronic device  60  is pushed towards the current leading terminal connector  54 . The bottom hooks  613  guide the electronic device  60  to move toward the current leading terminal connector  54  so that the first connector interface  541  and the second connector interface  611  are plugged with each other and the first locking socket  542  and the second locking sheet  612  are clipped with each other. 
         [0053]    In a photovoltaic system embodiment, the electrical connection between the current leading terminal connector  54  provided on the installation plate  50  and the electronic device  60  is realized by directly plugging the connector interfaces, so that the structure of the photovoltaic system is simple, easy to install and can meet various demands of the users; the flexible selection of the needed electronic device also facilitates to have different functions, thereby saving the material cost and the manual installation cost of the system. 
         [0054]    The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to that fall within the scope of the invention.