US 11,817,821 B2
Modular solar panel design for improved durability and repairability
Muhammad Saleem, Dammam (SA); Abdulrahman Magdi Marzouk, Dammam (SA); Mohammed Alqhtani, Dammam (SA); and Abdulmalik Almakytah, Dammam (SA)
Assigned to Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam (SA)
Filed by Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam (SA)
Filed on Apr. 14, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/230,291.
Prior Publication US 2022/0337188 A1, Oct. 20, 2022
Int. Cl. H02S 40/36 (2014.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.01); H01L 31/05 (2014.01); H01L 31/049 (2014.01); H01R 12/79 (2011.01)
CPC H02S 40/36 (2014.12) [H01L 31/049 (2014.12); H01L 31/0504 (2013.01); H01R 12/79 (2013.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.12)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A modular solar panel, comprising:
a plurality of solar panel modules, each solar panel module including:
a solar cell assembly including:
a protective glass;
a base plate;
a solar cell array located between the protective glass and the base plate; and
a first electrical connection ribbon extending from a first end of the solar cell array and a second electrical connection ribbon extending from a second end of the solar cell array;
one or more coupling modules, each coupling module including:
an interior cavity configured to receive an end of the solar cell assembly;
a first magnet and a second magnet removably embedded in the coupling module;
a pin joint located on an exterior of the coupling module, wherein the pin joint of a first coupling module of the one or more coupling modules is configured to interlock with the pin joint of a second coupling module of the one or more coupling modules; and
an electrical connection port configured to receive one of the first and the second electrical connection ribbons,
wherein the electrical connection port of the first coupling module is configured to electrically connect to the electrical connection port of the second coupling module.