Method and control method and device for processing thin-film solar cells

Abstract

The application discloses a processing method and control method and device of a thin-film solar cell. The processing method comprises the following steps: collecting an optical picture of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing processing; identifying etching lines formed by the laser scribing processing in the optical picture; generating a processing path of laser edge cleaning processing according to the etching lines; and driving a laser processing unit to perform the laser edge cleaning processing along the processing path. The application has the beneficial effect of providing a processing method and control method and device of a thin-film solar cell capable of effectively providing accurate positioning for laser edge cleaning processing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of thin-film solar cell processing technology, and more specifically, to a processing method and control method and apparatus for thin-film solar cells. Background Technology

[0002] In the production of thin-film solar cells, the entire cell needs to be divided into smaller cells, which requires laser etching on the cells. Typically, P1, P2, and P3 process lines are etched to divide the cells. This process is called laser scribing for thin-film solar cells. After the cells are divided, the edge film layer of the large cells needs to be cleaned. This process is usually called laser edge cleaning for thin-film solar cells.

[0003] In related technologies, a simple coarse positioning method is generally used for positioning. The positioning groove is raised by a cylinder, so that the positioning groove can hold the thin-film solar cell. The edge of the groove is used as the positioning edge for laser edge cleaning.

[0004] This positioning method has low accuracy and is greatly affected by the consistency of the thin-film solar cell manufacturing process, resulting in low positioning accuracy that cannot meet the requirements of fine positioning processing. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The summary section of this application is intended to provide a brief overview of the concepts, which will be described in detail in the detailed description section below. This summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed technical solutions, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed technical solutions.

[0006] As a first aspect of this application, some embodiments of this application propose a method for processing thin-film solar cells, including: acquiring an optical image of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing; identifying etched lines formed by laser scribing in the optical image; generating a processing path for laser edge cleaning based on the etched lines; and driving a laser processing unit to perform laser edge cleaning along the processing path.

[0007] Furthermore, generating a laser edge-cleaning processing path based on the etched lines includes: setting the processing path according to the extension direction of the etched lines so that the processing path is at least partially parallel to the extension direction of the etched lines.

[0008] Furthermore, generating a laser edge-cleaning processing path based on the etched lines includes: setting the processing path according to the extension direction of the etched lines so that the processing path is at least partially perpendicular to the extension direction of the etched lines.

[0009] Furthermore, the processing method also includes: driving another laser processing unit to perform laser scribing; wherein driving one laser processing unit to perform laser edge clearing along the processing path and driving another laser processing unit to perform laser scribing are performed simultaneously.

[0010] Furthermore, the process of acquiring optical images of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing includes: acquiring optical images of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing using multiple optical cameras in a first set of optical cameras, wherein the multiple optical cameras in the first set of optical cameras are positioned on a first straight line.

[0011] Furthermore, the processing method also includes: rotating the thin-film solar cell at a preset angle; wherein, after rotating the thin-film solar cell at the preset angle, at least two optical images of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing are acquired again.

[0012] Furthermore, after rotating the thin-film solar cell at a preset angle, at least two optical images of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing are acquired again using a second set of optical cameras positioned on a second straight line, with the first and second straight lines having an intersection point.

[0013] Furthermore, the first and second straight lines are set perpendicularly.

[0014] Furthermore, an optical camera is placed at the intersection of the first and second straight lines.

[0015] Furthermore, the process of generating a laser edge-cleaning path based on the etched lines includes: performing a straight-line fitting based on the etched lines in at least two optical images, thereby using the fitted straight line as the processing path.

[0016] As a second aspect of this application, some embodiments of this application propose a control method for a thin-film solar cell processing system, wherein the thin-film solar cell processing system is used to implement the aforementioned processing method; the control method includes: in response to an acquired optical image of a thin-film solar cell after laser scribing, identifying etched lines in the optical image; generating a processing path for laser edge cleaning based on the extension direction of the identified etched lines; outputting a command signal to drive the laser to move based on the processing path; repeating the above steps to sequentially perform laser edge cleaning on the four sides of the thin-film solar cell.

[0017] Furthermore, the process of generating a laser edge-cleaning path based on the extension direction of the identified etching lines includes: performing a straight-line fitting on the image of the etching lines in the optical image; and generating a processing path based on the image fitting results of the etching lines in at least two optical images.

[0018] As a third aspect of this application, some embodiments of this application propose a control device for a thin-film solar cell processing system, comprising: an identification module for identifying etched lines in an optical image of a thin-film solar cell after laser scribing; a path module for generating a processing path for laser edge clearing based on the extension direction of the identified etched lines; and an instruction module for outputting an instruction signal to drive the laser to move based on the processing path.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this application are: to provide a processing method, control method and apparatus for thin-film solar cells that can effectively provide precise positioning for laser edge cleaning. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the application and to make other features, objects, and advantages of the application more apparent. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain the application and do not constitute an undue limitation of the application.

[0021] Furthermore, throughout the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. It should be understood that the drawings are schematic, and the elements are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0022] In the attached diagram:

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first processing position processing system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second processing position processing system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the relative positional relationship between a laser and a thin-film solar cell according to an embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the main steps of a processing method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the main steps of a control method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a control device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0029] The meanings of the reference numerals in the figure are as follows:

[0030] 110. Gantry crane;

[0031] 120. Laser processing unit;

[0032] 121. First laser processing unit;

[0033] 122. Second laser processing unit;

[0034] 130. Thin-film solar cells;

[0035] 200. Control device;

[0036] 210. Identification module;

[0037] 220. Path module;

[0038] 230. Instruction module;

[0039] D1, First Direction;

[0040] D2, Second Direction;

[0041] L1, the first straight line;

[0042] L2, the second straight line;

[0043] P3, Etched lines. Detailed Implementation

[0044] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While some embodiments of this disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this disclosure. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments of this disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0045] It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this disclosure can be combined with each other.

[0046] It should be noted that the concepts of "first" and "second" mentioned in this disclosure are used only to distinguish different devices, modules or units, and are not used to limit the order of functions performed by these devices, modules or units or their interdependencies.

[0047] It should be noted that the terms "a" and "a plurality of" used in this disclosure are illustrative rather than restrictive, and those skilled in the art should understand that, unless otherwise expressly indicated in the context, they should be understood as "one or more".

[0048] The names of messages or information exchanged between multiple devices in the embodiments of this disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of such messages or information.

[0049] This disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0050] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the processing system for thin-film solar cells has at least the following components to achieve laser scribing and laser edge cleaning: a laser processing unit 120, a displacement device, an optical camera, and a controller.

[0051] The laser is used to etch thin-film solar cells. As a preferred option, the laser processing unit can include a galvanometer, a field mirror, and a laser emitter. With such a combination, the angle of the light incident on the field mirror can be changed by the swing of the galvanometer, and the position of scribing and edge cleaning can be adjusted. Furthermore, scribing and edge cleaning can be performed simultaneously by using a scribing laser processing unit and an edge cleaning laser processing unit that are placed on opposite sides and staggered.

[0052] As an extension, a laser processing unit can be used to perform both scribing and edge cleaning, scribing and then cleaning the edges.

[0053] As an extension, multiple laser processing units can be used to achieve the functions of scribing and edge cleaning. More specifically, two laser processing units located on the same side of the thin-film solar cell can be used to achieve the functions of scribing and edge cleaning respectively; alternatively, two laser processing units located on opposite sides of the thin-film solar cell can be used to achieve the functions of scribing and edge cleaning respectively, for example, Figure 3 As shown, in a preferred embodiment, when the glass substrate is located below, the first laser processing unit 121 for edge cleaning is located below the thin-film solar cell, and the second laser processing unit 122 for scribing is located above the thin-film solar cell. Of course, depending on the material of the thin-film solar cell itself, it is also possible to use a configuration where the laser processing unit 121 for edge cleaning is located above the thin-film solar cell, and the laser processing unit 122 for scribing is located below the thin-film solar cell, or both the laser processing unit 121 for edge cleaning and the laser processing unit 122 for scribing are located on the same side of the thin-film solar cell.

[0054] The thin-film solar cell can be a thin-film silicon-based solar cell deposited on a glass substrate, a perovskite cell, or other thin-film solar cells. The laser processing unit used for laser etching of thin-film solar cells is a well-known technical solution in the art, and its specific solution is not the focus of this application, so it will not be described in detail here.

[0055] The displacement device in the processing system is used to drive the movement of components such as the laser processing unit and optical camera. As a specific example, Figure 1As shown, the positioning device may include a gantry 110. The displacement device can be implemented using a two-dimensional or three-dimensional displacement system, such as a linear motor or a ball screw mechanism, which are well known to those skilled in the art. The specific solution is not the focus of this application and will not be described in detail here.

[0056] The optical camera in the processing system is used to capture images of the thin-film solar cells. Generally, the images are taken from a vertical perspective, that is, to capture a planar image of the thin-film solar cells. Specifically, a single optical camera can be used to capture images in a moving manner. To ensure accuracy and efficiency, multiple optical cameras can be used to implement the solution of this application. Preferably, a CCD camera can be used. As an extension, a millimeter-wave camera or an infrared camera can also be used, as long as the images captured by these cameras can reflect the morphology of the thin-film solar cells.

[0057] As a more specific embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the extension of the gantry 110 is defined as the first direction D1, and the direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 is defined as the second direction D2. In this embodiment, the thin-film solar cell can be transported to the processing station in a direction parallel to the long side of the thin-film solar cell by mounting an optical camera to the gantry 110 and other equipment structures, such as... Figure 1 As shown, in Figure 1 Optical cameras are installed at image acquisition points C and D, which are located on the first straight line L1, parallel to the first direction D1. Two optical images are acquired by the optical cameras at positions C and D. After the entire thin-film solar cell is rotated horizontally by 90 degrees... Figure 2 Optical cameras are installed at at least two of the image acquisition points A, B, and D shown in the diagram. Image acquisition points A, B, and D are all located on the second straight line L2, which is parallel to the second direction D2. Of course, other arrangements of the optical cameras can be used to achieve at least two optical cameras on the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 respectively for acquiring optical images. As a preferred embodiment, such as… Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, an optical camera can be set at the intersection of the first straight line L1 and the second straight line L2, such as the optical camera at image acquisition point D. That is, the first group of optical cameras and the second group of optical cameras share the optical camera located at image acquisition point D, thereby reducing the number of optical cameras.

[0058] The controller in the processing system of this application ( Figure 1 (Not shown in the diagram) It can be implemented using a separate dedicated chip or a general-purpose chip. In some solutions, the controller can be a computer or a server. The main function of the controller is to execute software programs to process data and output instructions.

[0059] As can be seen from the above, the processing method of this application can basically be implemented by configuring software using general processing equipment.

[0060] like Figure 4 As shown, the processing method of this application mainly includes the following steps:

[0061] S1 acquires optical images of thin-film solar cells after laser scribing.

[0062] S2 identifies etched lines formed by laser scribing in optical images.

[0063] S3 generates the processing path for laser edge cleaning based on the etched lines.

[0064] S4 drives a laser processing unit to perform laser edge cleaning along the processing path;

[0065] S5 repeats steps S1-S4, sequentially performing laser edge cleaning on all four sides of the thin-film solar cell.

[0066] Specifically, step 1 is performed after a certain process of laser scribing is carried out on the thin-film solar cell, such as the scribing process of P3.

[0067] In the related technologies for the fabrication of thin-film solar cells, there are generally three scribing processes: P1, P2, and P3.

[0068] Among them, the scribing process P1 is to use a laser to scribing and etching the back electrode layer after it has been prepared in the preparation of thin-film solar cells, thereby dividing the back electrode layer and realizing the subsequent connection of the battery cell series circuit.

[0069] The scribing process P2 is used in the fabrication of thin-film solar cells. After the absorber layer and / or buffer layer is prepared, a laser is used to scribing the absorber layer and / or buffer layer to completely etch away the absorber layer and / or buffer layer.

[0070] The scribing process P3 is used in the fabrication of thin-film solar cells. After the fabrication of each layer, such as the front electrode layer and the window layer, a laser is used to scribing lines to separate the individual cell units except for those connected in series through the back electrode layer.

[0071] The laser edge cleaning process referred to in this application refers to laser etching of the edge area of ​​the entire thin-film solar cell to remove the film layer in the edge area.

[0072] Therefore, according to the general process sequence, laser edge cleaning can usually be set after scribing process P3. Of course, in some special cases, laser edge cleaning can also be performed during or after other processes.

[0073] As a preferred embodiment, step S1 of the processing method of this application begins after at least one etched line is completed in the scribing process P3, or after all scribing processes P3 are completed. Of course, under certain processes, edge cleaning can also be performed simultaneously during scribing processes P1 and P2. In this case, step S1 can also be set in other situations where there are visible etched lines.

[0074] Specifically, using the above settings, step S1 includes:

[0075] Optical images of the thin-film solar cells after laser scribing are acquired by multiple optical cameras in the first group of optical cameras, which are set on the first straight line L1.

[0076] As a preferred option, step S1 involves acquiring an image of an etched line completed by the scribing process P3. (Refer to...) Figure 1 As shown, the thin-film solar cell is transported to the processing station from a direction parallel to its long side. The long side of the entire thin-film solar cell panel is laser-etched using a scribing process P3 in a vertical gantry 110 manner. Then, step S1 is performed, where optical cameras at image acquisition points C and D are used to acquire images. Then, step S2 is performed to identify the etched lines formed by the laser scribing process in the optical image. Figure 1 Then, step S3 is performed, which generates a processing path for laser edge cleaning of the short side of the thin-film solar cell based on the direction of the identified etching lines, and then laser edge cleaning of the short side of the thin-film solar cell is performed by the laser processing unit 120.

[0077] As a specific implementation, step S3 includes the following steps: setting a processing path according to the extension direction of the etched lines so that the processing path is at least partially parallel to the extension direction of the etched lines. Alternatively, setting a processing path according to the extension direction of the etched lines so that the processing path is at least partially perpendicular to the extension direction of the etched lines.

[0078] Step 3 specifically generates the processing path by fitting a straight line based on the etching lines in at least two optical images, and then using the fitted straight line as the processing path.

[0079] The technique of fitting straight lines based on etched lines is a well-known technical solution and is not the inventive aspect of this application, so it will not be elaborated here.

[0080] Specifically, after laser edge cleaning is performed on one side of the thin-film solar cell, the processing method further includes: rotating the thin-film solar cell at a preset angle; wherein, after rotating the thin-film solar cell at the preset angle, at least two optical images of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing are acquired again. Specifically, the optical images of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing are acquired again using a second set of optical cameras positioned on the second straight line L2. The second set of optical cameras includes at least two optical cameras, and the first straight line L1 and the second straight line have at least one intersection point. The first set of optical cameras and the second set of optical cameras can share the optical camera at the intersection point, thereby reducing the number of optical cameras.

[0081] As a preferred solution, after identifying Figure 1 After etching the P3 lines, a cleaning path is generated to clear the short sides, and laser cleaning is performed. After that, the entire thin-film solar cell is rotated horizontally by 90 degrees, and then optical images are acquired through image acquisition points B and D. Then, steps 2 and 3 are performed to identify the P3 etching lines, and then a cleaning path is generated to clear the long sides. Using this repositioning method, laser cleaning is performed again. The above process steps are repeated to complete the laser cleaning of the four sides of the thin-film solar cell.

[0082] In addition, the processing method also includes: driving one laser processing unit to perform laser edge clearing processing while driving another laser processing unit to perform laser scribing processing; wherein, driving one laser processing unit to perform laser edge clearing processing along the processing path and driving another laser processing unit to perform laser scribing processing are performed simultaneously, and the laser scribing can be used to cut off the effective area and the edge clearing area.

[0083] That is, during edge cleaning, the two lasers follow... Figure 3 Arranged as shown, from top to bottom (with) Figure 1 In the processing of the paper (shown in the vertical direction), in this embodiment, the thin-film solar cell is located above the glass substrate (in the vertical direction shown on the paper). Figure 1 (As shown in the paper, the upper laser processing unit is responsible for scribing, which scribes the thin-film solar cell from the front, cutting off the effective area and the edge cleaning area. The lower laser processing unit is responsible for edge cleaning, which performs laser edge cleaning on the edge cleaning area of ​​the thin-film solar cell from the back, thereby shortening the processing cycle and improving processing efficiency.)

[0084] In some embodiments, the upper laser processing unit is responsible for edge cleaning, and the lower laser processing unit is responsible for line marking; alternatively, the laser processing unit responsible for edge cleaning and the laser processing unit responsible for line marking are located on the same side of the thin-film solar cell, and the positions of the corresponding laser processing units can be adjusted according to the processing method. Furthermore, the processing method of having the front of the solar cell facing upwards or the back facing upwards can also be adjusted according to actual needs, and the position of the corresponding laser processing unit can also be adjusted accordingly, without further limitations here.

[0085] Referring to Figure 5, a control method for a thin-film solar cell processing system according to an embodiment of this application includes the following steps:

[0086] ST1 responds to the acquired optical image of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing and identifies the etched lines in the optical image;

[0087] ST2 generates a laser edge-cleaning processing path based on the identified extension direction of the etched lines;

[0088] ST3 outputs command signals to drive the laser processing unit to move according to the processing path.

[0089] Specifically, step ST2 includes:

[0090] ST21 performs linear fitting on the image of etched lines in optical images;

[0091] ST21 generates a processing path based on the image fitting results of the etched lines in at least two optical images.

[0092] As mentioned above, the processing method of this application mainly relies on the improvement of the processing procedure, and the above control method can realize the above technical solution.

[0093] Reference Figure 6 As shown, a control device 200 according to an embodiment of this application includes: an identification module 210, used to identify etched lines in an optical image of a thin-film solar cell after laser scribing; a path module 220, used to generate a processing path for laser edge clearing based on the extension direction of the identified etched lines; and an instruction module 230, used to output an instruction signal to drive the laser processing unit to move based on the processing path.

[0094] The above description is merely a selection of preferred embodiments of this disclosure and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in the embodiments of this disclosure is not limited to technical solutions formed by specific combinations of the above-described technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by arbitrary combinations of the above-described technical features or their equivalents without departing from the above-described inventive concept. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above-described features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in the embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for processing thin-film solar cells, characterized in that: The processing method includes: Acquire optical images of thin-film solar cells after laser scribing. Identify the etched lines formed by laser scribing in the optical image; A laser edge-cleaning processing path is generated based on the etched lines; Drive a laser processing unit to perform laser edge cleaning along the processing path; The acquisition of optical images of the thin-film solar cells after laser scribing includes: Optical images of the thin-film solar cells after laser scribing are captured by multiple optical cameras in the first group of optical cameras, which are set on a first straight line. The processing method further includes: Rotate the thin-film solar cell at a preset angle; Among them, at least two optical images of the thin-film solar cell after it has been laser-scribing processed are collected again after the thin-film solar cell is rotated at a preset angle; After rotating the thin-film solar cell at a preset angle, at least two optical images of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing are acquired again using a second set of optical cameras set on a second straight line, where the first straight line and the second straight line have an intersection point. The first straight line and the second straight line are set perpendicular to each other; An optical camera is set at the intersection of the first straight line and the second straight line; The process of generating a laser edge-cleaning path based on the etched lines includes: The etching lines in at least two optical images are fitted with a straight line to form the processing path.

2. The method for processing thin-film solar cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The process of generating a laser edge-cleaning path based on the etched lines includes: The processing path is set according to the extension direction of the etched lines so that the processing path is at least partially parallel to the extension direction of the etched lines.

3. The method for processing thin-film solar cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The process of generating a laser edge-cleaning path based on the etched lines includes: The processing path is set according to the extension direction of the etched lines so that the processing path is at least partially perpendicular to the extension direction of the etched lines.

4. The method for processing thin-film solar cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processing method further includes: Drive another laser processing unit to perform laser scribing; The laser edge clearing process of driving one laser processing unit along the processing path and the laser scribing process of driving another laser processing unit are performed simultaneously.

5. A control method for a thin-film solar cell processing system, wherein, The thin-film solar cell processing system is used to implement the processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The control method includes: In response to the acquired optical image of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing, the etching lines in the optical image are identified; The processing path for laser edge cleaning is generated based on the extension direction of the identified etching lines; According to the processing path, output the command signal to drive the laser to move; Repeat the above steps to perform laser edge cleaning on all four sides of the thin-film solar cell.

6. The control method for the thin-film solar cell processing system according to claim 5, characterized in that: The process of generating a laser edge-cleaning path based on the extension direction of the identified etched lines includes: Perform linear fitting on the image of the etched lines in the optical image; The processing path is generated based on the image fitting results of the etched lines in at least two of the optical images.

7. A control device for a thin-film solar cell processing system, used to implement the control method for the thin-film solar cell processing system according to any one of claims 5-6, characterized in that: The control device for the thin-film solar cell processing system includes: The identification module is used to identify the etched lines in the acquired optical image of the thin-film solar cell after laser scribing. The path module is used to generate the processing path for laser edge cleaning based on the extension direction of the identified etching lines; The instruction module is used to output instruction signals to drive the laser processing unit to move according to the processing path.

Images