A sealing device and a laminator

Abstract

This invention provides a sealing device and a laminator. The sealing device includes: a first substrate; a second substrate corresponding to the first substrate, wherein the side of the second substrate facing the first substrate can at least fit against the outer edge of the corresponding side of the first substrate; and a sealing mechanism including a first sealing component disposed on the first substrate and a second sealing component disposed on the second substrate. The second sealing component is capable of moving relative to the second substrate under external force and interacting with the first sealing component, forcing the first substrate and the second substrate to fit tightly together, thereby achieving a sealing effect. The sealing device of this invention not only has low processing cost but also high sealing accuracy, significantly improving product packaging efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of packaging technology, specifically to a sealing device and a laminator having the sealing device. Background Technology

[0002] In current solar cell module encapsulation processes, a laminator is typically used to press multiple layers of material (such as a backsheet, cell module, and waterproof film) together in a specific order. For planar modules, after the layers are arranged in sequence to form the module, it is placed between two lower molds. Lamination is then achieved by applying pressure to the upper mold and heating both molds together. The purpose of applying pressure is to expel air between the layers in the module; the purpose of heating is to melt the film-like material and adhere the cell module to the backsheet. For irregularly shaped components (such as wavy components), the limited pressure resistance of the back sheet makes direct pressing with upper and lower templates impractical. Therefore, the industry typically uses a vacuum process to complete lamination, forming a vacuum capsule. This involves placing multiple layers of material into a flexible cavity composed of upper and lower frames. The upper and lower surfaces of the flexible cavity are generally made of flexible and thermally conductive silicone sheets. After the irregularly shaped component is assembled, it is placed into the flexible cavity, which is then vacuumed. This causes the flexible silicone sheets mounted in the upper and lower cavities to deform and tightly adhere to the irregularly shaped component, expelling air. After ensuring that all air is removed from the bonding surfaces of the component, the lamination process is carried out.

[0003] However, the applicant discovered that during the vacuuming process for venting the irregularly shaped components, the upper frame connects to the lower silicone plate in the lower frame solely through its own weight, ensuring the formation of a sealed flexible chamber. However, achieving this sealed connection requires not only high machining precision between the relative surfaces of the upper and lower frames to ensure consistent flatness errors, but also a high degree of matching between the mating surfaces of the upper frame and the lower silicone plate. In practice, due to various uncertainties arising from processing methods (such as welding), transportation, and assembly, it is difficult to guarantee that the frames and mating surfaces will not deform. Therefore, gaps typically exist between the mating surfaces, and the processing cost is also relatively high. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art, one aspect of the present invention aims to provide a sealing device to reduce processing costs while improving sealing accuracy.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, embodiments of the present invention provide a sealing device, comprising:

[0006] First matrix;

[0007] A second substrate is provided corresponding to the first substrate, and the side of the second substrate facing the first substrate can at least fit against the outer edge of the corresponding side of the first substrate;

[0008] A sealing mechanism, comprising a first sealing component disposed on the first substrate and a second sealing component disposed on the second substrate;

[0009] The second sealing component can move relative to the second substrate under external force and interact with the first sealing component, forcing the first substrate and the second substrate to fit tightly together to achieve a sealing effect.

[0010] In some embodiments, there are at least two first sealing components, which are mirror-disposed on the outer edge of the first substrate;

[0011] There are at least two second sealing components, which are respectively disposed on the outer edge of the second substrate corresponding to the first sealing component, wherein the second sealing component at the corresponding position can interact with the first sealing element.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first sealing assembly includes a first seal having an arcuate first surface;

[0013] The second sealing assembly includes:

[0014] The second seal has an arc-shaped second surface; and

[0015] A driving component, which is rotatably mounted on the second base and connected to the second sealing component;

[0016] When the driving member rotates under the drive of an external force, it drives the second sealing member so that the second surface can rotate along the first surface and press against the first surface.

[0017] In some embodiments, the distance between each point on the second surface along its rotation direction and the axis of the drive member gradually decreases, so that the contact pressure between the second surface and the first surface gradually increases as the second surface rotates along the first surface from the starting position to the ending position.

[0018] In some embodiments, the arcuate outer edge of the second surface is preferably an involute.

[0019] In some embodiments, a stop member is further provided on the second surface, and when the second surface is rotated to the termination position, the stop member abuts against the first seal member.

[0020] In some embodiments, a limiting groove is formed on the second surface, and when the second surface rotates to the termination position, the first surface slides into the limiting groove.

[0021] In some embodiments, the driving component is a gear shaft, and the second seal is fixedly connected to the shaft body of the gear shaft;

[0022] The external force is provided by a drive mechanism capable of meshing with the gear shaft;

[0023] The gear shaft has an incomplete tooth profile on its wheel body, and the gear shaft meshes with the drive mechanism only when the second surface rotates along the first surface.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first seal is a shaft;

[0025] The second seal is an arc-shaped guide ring, the inner surface of which forms the second surface. The second seal is fixed on the sector-shaped adapter plate and connected to the drive component through the sector-shaped adapter plate.

[0026] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a laminator that includes the sealing device described above.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the sealing device and laminator provided in the embodiments of the present invention not only simplify the preparation process and reduce the cost, but also significantly improve the sealing accuracy between the first substrate and the second substrate, so that even if there are certain defects between the bonding surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate, the first substrate and the second substrate can still have a good sealing effect.

[0028] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and illustrative only, and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0029] The overview of various implementations or examples of the technology described in this invention is not a complete disclosure of the full scope or all features of the disclosed technology. Attached Figure Description

[0030] In drawings that are not necessarily drawn to scale, the same reference numerals may describe similar parts in different views. The same reference numerals with or without letter suffixes may indicate different instances of similar parts. The drawings generally illustrate various embodiments by way of example rather than limitation and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain embodiments of the invention. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used in all drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. Such embodiments are illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive or exclusive embodiments of the apparatus or method.

[0031] Figure 1 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the sealing device in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the sealing device when the first substrate and the second substrate are not attached in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3 This is a structural diagram of the sealing device when the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure label:

[0035] 1-First substrate; 2-Second substrate; 3-First seal; 4-Second seal; 5-Driver; 6-First surface; 7-Second surface; 8-Sector-shaped adapter plate; 9-Drive mechanism; 10-Stop. Detailed Implementation

[0036] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this invention shall have the ordinary meaning understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this invention do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Terms such as "comprising" or "including" mean that the element or object preceding the word encompasses the elements or objects listed following the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0038] To keep the following description of the embodiments of the present invention clear and concise, detailed descriptions of known functions and known components are omitted.

[0039] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a sealing device, which includes:

[0040] First matrix 1;

[0041] The second substrate 2 is located below the first substrate 1 and is disposed opposite to the first substrate 1. The upper surface of the second substrate 2 can at least fit against the outer edge of the corresponding surface of the first substrate 1.

[0042] A sealing mechanism, comprising a first sealing assembly disposed on a first base 1 and a second sealing assembly disposed on a second base 2;

[0043] The second sealing component can move relative to the second substrate 2 under the drive of an external force and interact with the first sealing component, forcing the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 to fit tightly together.

[0044] The sealing device in this embodiment of the application provides a first sealing component and a second sealing component on two substrates respectively. The user can apply external force to the second sealing component, causing it to move and interact with the first sealing component. The force between the two sealing components forces the corresponding surfaces of the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 to fit tightly together, achieving a sealed connection. Compared with traditional processes, such as laminating machines that rely solely on the weight of the upper frame to seal against the lower silicone plate of the lower frame, this solution not only eliminates the requirement for high precision and high matching of the bonding surfaces, simplifying the process and reducing manufacturing costs, but also increases the contact pressure between the two substrates, significantly improving the sealing effect. Even if wear occurs on the surfaces of the two substrates used for bonding due to user movement or transportation of the sealing device, the sealing effect can still be guaranteed.

[0045] Furthermore, continue to combine Figure 2 and Figure 3 The shape and size of the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 are not unique. For example, they can be flat, irregularly shaped, or frame-shaped with the same structure but different sizes, or flat or frame-shaped with different sizes and structures. However, it should be noted that when the two substrates have different sizes and structures, they must meet one condition: the side of the second substrate 2 facing the first substrate 1 can at least fit with the outer edge of the corresponding side of the first substrate 1. That is, at least the projection of the outer contour line of the first substrate 1 in the direction perpendicular to the two substrates is located on the surface of the second substrate 2 that is used to fit with the first substrate 1, so that a sealing area can be formed after the two substrates are fitted together. For example, in this embodiment, the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 have a first chamber and a second chamber formed on their opposite sides, respectively. When the two substrates are fitted together, the two chambers can cooperate to form a sealing chamber. In addition, preferably, in order to more significantly improve the sealing effect between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2, a sealing gasket, such as an elastic rubber gasket, can be added to the mating surface of the first substrate 1 and / or the second substrate 2.

[0046] Furthermore, the number and specific location of the first and second sealing components can be determined according to the external structure of the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2, as well as the area to be sealed. For example, when only a small portion of the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2 has a gap, while the other areas are tightly sealed, a first sealing component and a second sealing component can be respectively provided at the corresponding portions of the two substrates, so that their interaction increases the contact pressure between the corresponding areas of the two substrates to achieve sealing. If the area is large, multiple first sealing elements 3 and second sealing elements 4 can be added to provide the contact pressure required for the two substrates to achieve sealing. In this embodiment, the preferred arrangement is as follows:

[0047] There are at least two first sealing components, which are mirror images of each other on the outer edge of the first base 1;

[0048] There are at least two second sealing components, which are respectively disposed on the outer edge of the second base 2 corresponding to the first sealing component. The second sealing components at the corresponding positions can interact with the first sealing element 3.

[0049] That is, the first sealing component and the second sealing component are arranged vertically correspondingly, and each is at least partially located outside the first substrate 1 or the second substrate 2. The portions of the two corresponding sealing components located outside their respective substrates interact with each other, so that the edges of at least two substrates have a sealing effect. In specific applications, the number of first sealing components may be equal to or less than the number of second sealing components, but each first sealing component must have at least one second sealing component corresponding to its position, or approximately corresponding to it, that is, satisfying the correspondence condition so that the at least one second sealing component can interact with the first sealing component. For example, multiple second sealing components are arranged side by side at the same position on the second substrate 2, and all of these multiple second sealing components can interact with the first sealing component.

[0050] Furthermore, such as Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the first sealing assembly includes at least a first seal 3, which has an arc-shaped first surface 6.

[0051] The second sealing assembly includes at least:

[0052] The second seal 4 has an arc-shaped second surface 7; and

[0053] The driving component 5 is rotatably mounted on the second base 2 and connected to the second sealing component 4;

[0054] When the driving member 5 rotates under the drive of an external force, it drives the second sealing member 4 so that the second surface 7 can rotate along the first surface 6 and press against the first surface 6.

[0055] For example, the first sealing element 3 is a rod with only part of its surface being arc-shaped, thus forming the first surface 6; or the first sealing element 3 is a round rod, and its first surface 6 is its outer surface.

[0056] As shown in Figure 1, the distances between the second surface 7 and the first surface 6 along their rotational direction and the driving member 5 are unequal. For example, in this embodiment, the arcuate outer edge of the second surface 7 is preferably set to approximately an involute, so that the distance between the second surface 7 and the axis of the driving member 5 along its rotational direction gradually decreases. This allows the second surface 7 to gradually increase the pressure on the first surface 6 during the rotation of the second surface 7 along the first surface 6 to the termination position (i.e., the end point of rotation), thereby gradually increasing the contact pressure between the second surface 7 and the first surface 6 and achieving a tight seal between the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2. That is, during the rotation of the second sealing member 4 along the first surface 6 of the first sealing member 3 to the termination position via its second surface 7, the rotational trajectories of the second sealing member 4 and the first sealing member 3 approximately form a pair of involutes, and the contact pressure between the second surface 7 and the first surface 6 is greatest only when the second sealing member 4 and the first sealing member 3 rotate to the termination position. In addition, by setting an involute surface, the pressure between the two is gradually increased, which can also promote the repair of the deformation between the relatively mating surfaces of the first substrate 1 and the second substrate 2, further improving the tightness of the fit between the two, so that even if there are certain defects on the corresponding surfaces of the two substrates, there can still be a good sealing effect.

[0057] Specifically, in this embodiment, the first sealing element 3 is a shaft, on which a first bearing may be added, and the upper surface of the first bearing forms a first surface 6; the second sealing element 4 is an arc-shaped guide ring, the inner surface of which forms a second surface 7. The guide ring is fixed on a sector-shaped adapter plate 8 and connected to the driving element 5 through the sector-shaped adapter plate 8. The second surface 7 is also provided with a stop 10 and a limiting groove. When the second surface 7 rotates to the end position, the stop 10 abuts against the first sealing element 3 to prevent the second sealing element 4 from continuing to rotate, thus limiting the second sealing element 4 to the end position; at the same time, the limiting groove abuts against the first surface 6, that is, against the first bearing, to prevent the first bearing from slipping off the first sealing element 3 and affecting the seal.

[0058] Furthermore, referring to the figure, the driving component 5 in this embodiment is a gear shaft, but it can also be composed of a rotating shaft, a second bearing, and a gear. The second seal 4 is fixedly connected to the shaft body of the gear shaft;

[0059] The external force is provided by the drive mechanism 9, which can mesh with the gear shaft. For example, the drive mechanism 9 has a rack that can mesh with the gear shaft, or the gear shaft can be changed to a shaft body plus a worm gear, and then the drive mechanism 9 can be in the form of a worm gear to achieve the driving effect.

[0060] The gear shaft has an incomplete tooth profile. The gear shaft meshes with the drive mechanism 9 only when the second surface 7 rotates along the first surface 6. In other words, by setting an incomplete tooth profile, the gear shaft meshes with the drive mechanism 9 only when the second surface 7 rotates along the first surface 6. At other positions, such as when the two substrates are in close contact, the gear shaft can be separated from the drive mechanism 9, thus fixing the angular position of the gear shaft and preventing it from being affected by the drive mechanism 9, thereby better ensuring the stability of the contact between the two substrates.

[0061] This application also provides a laminator that includes the sealing device described above. By providing the sealing device, the laminator can improve efficiency and encapsulation quality during the encapsulation of, for example, solar cell modules, while also reducing the operational difficulty for workers, making it particularly suitable for batch encapsulation processes.

[0062] Furthermore, although exemplary embodiments have been described in this invention, their scope includes any and all embodiments based on the invention that have equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., schemes involving intersections of various embodiments), adaptations, or alterations. Elements in the claims will be interpreted broadly based on the language used in the claims and are not limited to the examples described in this specification or during the implementation of this application, and such examples will be interpreted as non-exclusive. Therefore, this specification and examples are intended to be considered illustrative only, and the true scope and spirit are indicated by the full scope of the following claims and their equivalents.

[0063] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above examples (or one or more of them) can be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used by those skilled in the art when reading the above description. Furthermore, in the above detailed description, various features may be grouped together to simplify the invention. This should not be construed as an intention that a disclosed feature, which is not claimed, is necessary for any claim. Rather, the subject matter of the invention may be less than all the features of the particular disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated herein by reference as examples or embodiments, wherein each claim is independently considered as a separate embodiment, and these embodiments are contemplated as being able to be combined with each other in various combinations or arrangements. The scope of the invention should be determined by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents.

[0064] The above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention within its spirit and scope of protection, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions should also be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sealing device, characterized in that, include: First matrix; A second substrate is located below the first substrate and is disposed opposite to the first substrate, and the upper surface of the second substrate is at least able to fit against the outer edge of the corresponding surface of the first substrate. A sealing mechanism, comprising a first sealing component disposed on the first substrate and a second sealing component disposed on the second substrate; Wherein, the second sealing component can move relative to the second substrate under the drive of an external force and act with the first sealing component, or the first sealing component can move relative to the first substrate under the drive of an external force and act with the second sealing component, forcing the first substrate and the second substrate to fit tightly together, thereby achieving a sealing effect; There are at least two first sealing components, which are mirror-displayed on the outer edge of the first substrate; There are at least two second sealing components, and they are respectively disposed on the outer edge of the second substrate corresponding to the first sealing component, wherein the second sealing components at the corresponding positions can interact with the first sealing element; The first sealing assembly includes at least a first seal having an arc-shaped first surface; The second sealing assembly includes at least: A second sealing element having an arc-shaped second surface; and a driving element rotatably disposed on the second base and connected to the second sealing element; When the driving member rotates under the drive of an external force, it drives the second sealing member so that the second surface can rotate close to the first surface and rotate along the first surface, while pressing against the first surface. The distance between each point on the second surface along its rotation direction and the axis of the drive member gradually decreases, so that the contact pressure between the second surface and the first surface gradually increases as the second surface rotates along the first surface to the termination position. The outer edge of the second surface is an involute. The second surface is also provided with a stop member, which abuts against the first sealing member when the second surface rotates to the termination position.

2. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A limiting groove is formed on the second surface. When the second surface rotates to the termination position, the first surface slides into the limiting groove.

3. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The driving component is a gear shaft, and the second seal is fixedly connected to the shaft body of the gear shaft; The external force is provided by a drive mechanism capable of meshing with the gear shaft; The gear shaft has an incomplete tooth profile on its wheel body, and the gear shaft meshes with the drive mechanism only when the second surface rotates along the first surface.

4. The sealing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first sealing element is a shaft; The second seal is an arc-shaped guide ring, the inner surface of which forms the second surface. The second seal is fixed on the sector-shaped adapter plate and connected to the drive component through the sector-shaped adapter plate.

5. A laminator, characterized in that, It includes the sealing device as described in any one of claims 1-4.

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