US 11,722,094 B2
Flexible circuit for solar cell assemblies
Christopher M. Fetzer, Chicago, IL (US)
Assigned to The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed by The Boeing Company, Chicago, IL (US)
Filed on Apr. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/232,176.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/068,840, filed on Aug. 21, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0060145 A1, Feb. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. H02S 30/20 (2014.01); H01L 31/02 (2006.01); H01L 31/05 (2014.01)
CPC H02S 30/20 (2014.12) [H01L 31/02021 (2013.01); H01L 31/0512 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar cell assembly comprising:
a solar cell having a solar-facing surface and a non-solar-facing surface, the solar cell comprising a cell corner;
a flexible circuit coupled to the non-solar-facing surface of the solar cell, wherein the flexible circuit is substantially coextensive with the solar cell, the flexible circuit comprising:
a flexible insulator comprising a top insulating layer and a bottom insulating layer that form a plurality of edges aligned with the solar cell, a flexible corner extending past the cell corner, and a flexible tab extending from an edge of the plurality of edges; and
a circuit substantially embedded in between the top insulating layer and the bottom insulating layer of the flexible insulator, wherein the circuit comprises a first electric contact exposed and extending beyond the top insulating layer of the flexible insulator and along the bottom insulating layer of the flexible insulator at a solar-facing side of the flexible corner, and a second electric contact exposed at a solar-facing side of the flexible tab, a section of the top insulating layer, a section of the first electric contact, and a section of the bottom insulating layer of the flexible corner being configured to bend and invert such that the first electric contact couples to one or more electric leads on the solar-facing surface of the solar cell.