Automatic edge sealing device and edge sealing method for photovoltaic cell

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic edge-sealing device and method for photovoltaic cells. First, the cell to be processed is horizontally supported on a carrier platform, with the side portion of the cell to be sealed located outside the carrier platform. Then, the relative position of the side portion and the coating roller is adjusted so that the discharge position of the coating roller corresponds to the position of the side portion. Next, the cell is driven to move horizontally along the length of the side portion along the carrier platform, while the coating roller rotates around its vertical rotation center line to discharge material, sequentially applying coating material to the side portion along its length, thus achieving edge sealing. This automatic edge-sealing device has a simple structure, occupies little space, and is particularly suitable for large-scale continuous processing operations, significantly improving the edge-sealing efficiency and edge coating accuracy of the cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of photovoltaic cell manufacturing, and specifically to an automatic edge-sealing device and method for photovoltaic cells. Background Technology

[0002] Crystalline silicon solar cells typically use screen-printed silver paste, followed by high- or low-temperature sintering to form metal electrodes to extract photogenerated carriers. This is currently the most widely used metallization method for crystalline silicon solar cells, as it is simple and the mainstream mass production process. In recent years, with the continuous development of silicon wafer and cell technology, the production cost of solar cells has been decreasing. However, the proportion of expensive silver paste in the overall cell cost has been increasing, and the width-to-height ratio of the silver electrodes is limited by the screen-printing process, thus hindering further improvements in cell efficiency.

[0003] To further reduce the cost of solar cells and improve their efficiency, the possibility of mass production of metal electrodes for solar cells using electroplating has been explored. This electroplating method can use cheaper metals such as nickel and copper to partially or completely replace silver, thereby reducing costs.

[0004] Crystalline silicon solar cells are doped with different elements to form N-type and P-type diffusion layers, constituting a PN junction that generates a voltage difference. Under illumination, this generates charge carriers, enabling the cell to supply power. To improve the reliability of solar cells, their edges are insulated. During the electroplating process to form metal electrodes, the edges of the solar cell need to be protected with insulating materials to prevent metal deposition around the cell. Insulating materials can be photocurable inks, thermocurable inks, or similar insulating adhesives. Non-contact coating methods can be used, such as the non-contact edge coating device for solar cell substrates disclosed in CN201940332 U. In this device, a substrate support is connected to a transport device, moving the substrate into the groove of a roller to receive the coating material. However, this edge coating equipment cannot meet the cycle time requirements for mass production of solar cells, and when dimensional tolerances of the silicon wafer are unavoidable, controlling the coating precision during edge coating is difficult. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells to solve one or more problems in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: an automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells, comprising the following steps:

[0007] Step (1): The solar cell to be processed is horizontally supported on the carrier platform. The solar cell has a side portion to be sealed, and the side portion is located outside the carrier platform.

[0008] Step (2): Adjust the relative position of the side part and the coating roller so that the discharge position of the coating roller corresponds to the position of the side part;

[0009] Step (3): The coating roller and the substrate platform move relative to each other along the length extension direction of the side portion. The coating roller rotates around the rotation center line extending in the vertical direction to discharge material. The coating material is applied to the side portion sequentially along the length direction of the side portion to achieve coating and sealing of the side portion.

[0010] Preferably, step (2) includes step (2-1), adjusting the position of the slide platform so that the side portion extends along a preset first direction;

[0011] In step (3), the wafer carrier platform moves horizontally along the first direction.

[0012] Furthermore, in step (2-1), the slide platform is driven to rotate about a rotation center line extending in the vertical direction, thereby causing the side portion to extend along the first direction.

[0013] Furthermore, step (2) also includes step (2-2), adjusting the position of the coating wheel in a preset second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0014] Furthermore, during the translation of the substrate platform along the first direction, the distance between the discharge position of the coating roller and the side portion remains a constant preset value, or remains within a preset range.

[0015] Furthermore, the speed at which the substrate platform moves horizontally along the first direction is consistent with or as close as possible to the linear speed of the coating wheel when it rotates to discharge the material.

[0016] Preferably, the front and rear ends of the side portion are respectively formed with a first chamfer and a second chamfer, and step (3) includes:

[0017] Step (3-1): During the process of the first chamfered portion passing through the coating wheel, the substrate platform rotates around the rotation center line extending in the vertical direction, and the coating wheel coats and seals the first chamfered portion.

[0018] Step 3-2: The substrate platform moves translationally along the first direction, and the coating wheel coats and seals the side edges.

[0019] Step 3-3: As the second chamfered portion passes through the coating roller, the substrate platform rotates around the rotation center line extending in the vertical direction, and the coating roller coats and seals the second chamfered portion.

[0020] Preferably, the coating material is a liquid thermosetting resin soluble in alkaline solutions or a photocurable acid-resistant resin.

[0021] Preferably, the viscosity of the coating material is 50-1000 cP, more preferably 120-800 cP.

[0022] Preferably, the battery cell has two oppositely arranged side portions, and the length extension directions of the two side portions are parallel to each other. In step (3), during the horizontal movement of the carrier platform, two sets of coating rollers located on opposite sides of the battery cell in different translation directions respectively coat and seal the two side portions.

[0023] Furthermore, in step (2), the two coating rollers adjust their positions according to the position of their respective side edges.

[0024] Furthermore, the battery cell has two sets of first side portions that are arranged opposite to each other and parallel to each other, and two sets of second side portions that are arranged opposite to each other and parallel to each other. The angle between the first side portions and the second side portions is angle α. The automatic edge sealing method includes, after performing steps (1) to (3) on the two sets of first side portions to achieve coating and edge sealing, rotating the battery cell by the angle α, and then performing steps (1) to (3) on the two sets of second side portions to achieve coating and edge sealing.

[0025] In some embodiments, the angle α between the first side portion and the second side portion is 90°.

[0026] Furthermore, after the coating and sealing of the first side portion is completed, the battery cell is transferred to another carrier platform, and the coating and sealing of the second side portion is achieved.

[0027] Furthermore, the automatic edge sealing method also includes a curing step, after coating and sealing the first and second side portions of the battery cell, transferring the battery cell onto a support device while keeping both the first and second side portions suspended, and then curing the battery cell.

[0028] Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic edge-sealing device for photovoltaic cells to solve one or more problems of the prior art.

[0029] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: an automatic edge-sealing device for photovoltaic cells, the automatic edge-sealing device comprising:

[0030] A wafer carrier device, wherein the wafer carrier device is configured to move horizontally along a first direction, and the wafer carrier device includes at least a wafer carrier platform for carrying the battery cell, the wafer carrier platform being rotatably configured about a rotation center line extending in a vertical direction.

[0031] A coating apparatus is provided that can be horizontally moved along a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction. The coating apparatus includes a coating wheel that can rotate to discharge material about a rotation center line extending in a vertical direction, and a feeding mechanism for supplying coating material to the coating wheel.

[0032] A driving device for driving the coating device to move along the second direction.

[0033] Preferably, the wafer carrier further includes a platform adjustment mechanism for driving the wafer carrier platform to rotate around the rotation center line to adjust the position of the wafer carrier platform, and the automatic edge sealing equipment further includes a wafer positioning system for locating the actual position of the wafer on the wafer carrier platform, wherein the wafer positioning system is communicatively connected to the platform adjustment mechanism and the drive device.

[0034] Preferably, the carrier platform is a negative pressure adsorption platform capable of adsorbing and fixing the battery cell, the battery cell has a side portion to be sealed, and when the battery cell is located on the carrier platform, the side portion is located outside the carrier platform.

[0035] Preferably, the outer periphery of the coating wheel has an annular groove for accommodating the side portion, the coating wheel has a receiving cavity for accommodating the coating material, and a discharge channel connecting the receiving cavity and the annular groove, the discharge channel having a plurality of channels spaced apart circumferentially.

[0036] Preferably, the coating wheel includes an upper wheel body and a lower wheel body that are detachably connected. The outer periphery of the upper wheel body is provided with a plurality of upper grooves that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The outer periphery of the lower wheel body is provided with a plurality of lower grooves that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The upper grooves and the lower grooves are matched one-to-one to form a plurality of discharge channels.

[0037] Preferably, the coating apparatus comprises two sets, which are respectively located on opposite sides of the substrate platform along the first direction.

[0038] Preferably, the wafer carrier has two or more sets spaced apart along the first direction, and the automatic edge sealing equipment further includes a transport device for transferring the battery cells on different wafer carrier platforms.

[0039] Preferably, the automatic edge-sealing equipment further includes a support device for carrying the edge-sealed battery cell, a transfer device for transferring the battery cell from the carrier platform to the support device, and a curing system for curing the battery cell, wherein the curing system is a hot air dryer, a light curing machine, or a tunnel oven.

[0040] Due to the application of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art: The automatic edge-sealing equipment and method for photovoltaic cells of the present invention involves a carrier platform carrying the cell to be sealed in a linear translational motion. When the side of the cell engages with the coating wheel, the coating wheel applies the released coating material to the side during its rotation, thus achieving edge sealing. Each moving component in the equipment travels along a set motion path, making control and operation convenient. It does not require a complex multi-axis robot, quickly achieving circumferential edge sealing of the cell. It occupies less space and is particularly suitable for large-scale continuous processing operations, significantly improving the edge sealing efficiency and edge coating accuracy of the cell. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Appendix Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of an automatic edge-sealing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Appendix Figure 2 For the appendix Figure 1 Enlarged diagram of section A in the middle;

[0043] Appendix Figure 3 For the appendix Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the automatic edge banding equipment from another angle;

[0044] Appendix Figure 4 For the appendix Figure 1 A top view of the automatic edge banding equipment;

[0045] Appendix Figure 5 For the appendix Figure 1 A side view of the coating roller in an automatic edge banding device;

[0046] Appendix Figure 6 For the appendix Figure 5 An exploded view of the coating roller structure;

[0047] Appendix Figure 7 For the appendix Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the automatic edge-sealing equipment working with the battery cells to achieve coating and edge sealing;

[0048] Appendix Figure 8 For the appendix Figure 7 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the automatic edge banding equipment from another angle;

[0049] Appendix Figure 9 For the appendix Figure 8 Enlarged diagram of section B;

[0050] Appendix Figure 10 For the appendix Figure 7 A top view of the automatic edge banding equipment;

[0051] Appendix Figure 11 For the attached Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure along the CC direction;

[0052] Appendix Figure 12 For the appendix Figure 11 Enlarged schematic diagram of section D in the middle;

[0053] Appendix Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery cell that is to be sealed at the edges. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0055] See Figures 1 to 6 An automatic edge-sealing device for photovoltaic cells is shown. The device includes a wafer carrier 1, a coating device 2, a traveling device 3, and a driving device 4. The wafer carrier 1 is horizontally movable along a first direction and includes at least a wafer carrier platform 11 for carrying the solar cells 5 to be edge-sealed. The wafer carrier platform 11 is rotatably arranged along a rotation center line extending in a vertical direction. Specifically, the first direction is... Figure 1 The X-direction is indicated by the symbol; the traveling device 3 is used to drive the entire substrate carrier 1 to travel along the first direction (i.e., the X-direction); the coating device 2 is configured to move horizontally along a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction. Here, the second direction is specifically... Figure 1 The coating device 2 includes a coating wheel 21 that can rotate along a rotation center line extending in the vertical direction to discharge material, and a feeding mechanism 22 for supplying coating material to the coating wheel 21; the driving device 4 is used to drive the coating device 2 to move in the second direction (i.e., the Y direction).

[0056] The carrier platform 11 is specifically a negative pressure adsorption platform that can adsorb and fix the battery cell 5. A negative pressure access mechanism 12 is provided below it so that the battery cell 5 is fixedly adsorbed after being transferred onto the carrier platform 11 and moves synchronously with the movement of the carrier platform 11.

[0057] The wafer carrier device 1 also includes a platform adjustment mechanism (not shown in the figure) for driving the wafer carrier platform 11 to rotate around the rotation center line to adjust the position of the wafer carrier platform 11. Specifically, the platform adjustment mechanism can be a motor disposed below the wafer carrier platform 11. The motor is used to drive the wafer carrier platform 11 to rotate around the rotation center line by a specified angle, thereby adjusting the position of the battery cell 5 located on the wafer carrier platform 11. When the battery cell 5 is supported on the wafer carrier platform 11, its side portion to be sealed is located outside the wafer carrier platform 11, so as to cooperate with the coating roller 21 without contacting it, so that the coating roller 21 applies coating material to the side portion of the battery cell 5 when rotating, thereby achieving the coating and sealing treatment of the side portion.

[0058] The automatic edge-sealing equipment also includes a battery cell positioning system (not shown in the figure) for positioning the actual position of the battery cell 5 on the carrier platform 11. This battery cell positioning system includes at least a camera. The system is communicatively connected to both the platform adjustment mechanism and the drive device 4. Based on the actual position of the battery cell 5 located by the positioning system, the platform adjustment mechanism drives the carrier platform 11 to rotate by the required angle so that the length extension direction of the side portion to be sealed is parallel to the first direction X. The drive device 4 then moves horizontally along the second direction Y by the required distance based on the actual position of the battery cell 5, so that the discharge position of the coating roller 21 corresponds to the position of the side portion to be sealed, and the tangent direction at the discharge position is parallel to the length extension direction of the side portion to be sealed. Thus, the battery cell 5 is carried by the carrier platform 11, and during the horizontal movement of the carrier device 1 along the first direction X, different positions of the side portion to be sealed on the battery cell 5 sequentially pass the discharge position of the coating roller 21, thereby achieving coating and edge-sealing processing of the entire side portion.

[0059] See Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the outer periphery of the coating roller 21 has an annular groove 213 for accommodating the side portion of the battery cell 5. The coating roller 21 has a receiving cavity 215 for accommodating the coating material, and a discharge channel 214 connecting the receiving cavity 215 and the annular groove 213. The discharge channel 214 has multiple channels spaced apart along the axial direction. Here, the discharge ports of all the discharge channels 214 are evenly spaced on the circumferential sidewall of the annular groove 213, so that the coating roller 21 can achieve the most uniform discharge speed when rotating. During the rotation of the coating roller 21, the coating material in the receiving cavity 215 enters the annular groove 213 through the multiple discharge channels 214 under the action of centrifugal force. When the battery cell 5 moves horizontally along the first direction X, its side portion passes through the annular groove 213 and receives the coating material in the annular groove 213 to achieve coating and sealing.

[0060] Specifically, the coating roller 21 includes an upper roller body 211 and a lower roller body 212 detachably connected. The outer periphery of the upper roller body 211 is provided with multiple upper grooves 214a spaced apart circumferentially, and the outer periphery of the lower roller body 212 is provided with multiple lower grooves 214b spaced apart circumferentially. When the upper roller body 211 and the lower roller body 212 are fixedly fitted together to form the coating roller 21, the upper grooves 214a and lower grooves 214b correspond one-to-one and form multiple discharge channels 214. This not only simplifies the processing of the upper roller body 211 and the lower roller body 212 but also facilitates cleaning of the interior of the coating roller 21 and the discharge channels 214, avoiding residues caused by the difficulty in cleaning the dried coating material. The extension direction of the discharge channel 214 should not be limited. It can extend along the radial direction of the coating wheel 21 as shown in this embodiment. In other embodiments, it can also extend in a vortex-shaped curve so that the coating material in the accommodating cavity can flow outward into the annular groove 213 under the action of centrifugal force when the coating wheel 21 rotates.

[0061] The upper part of the coating roller 21, specifically the upper roller body 211, is provided with a material injection hole 216 extending vertically. The feeding mechanism 22 has at least a feeding pipe 221. The lower part of the feeding pipe 221 is sealed and inserted into the material injection hole 216 and is rotatably arranged relative to the upper roller body 211. During the process of coating the side of the battery cell 5 by rotating the coating roller 21 around its own axis, the feeding pipe 221 remains stationary and continuously supplies coating material to the receiving cavity of the coating roller 21. In addition, when it is necessary to clean the coating roller 21, cleaning material can be injected into the receiving cavity of the coating roller 21 through the feeding mechanism 22 to achieve automatic cleaning of the receiving cavity, the discharge channel 214 and the annular groove 213 on the coating roller 21, which is also very convenient.

[0062] The coating material is specifically a liquid thermosetting resin or a light-curing acid-resistant resin that is soluble in alkaline solutions, with a viscosity of 50 to 1000 cP, preferably 120 to 800 cP.

[0063] In this embodiment, there are two sets of coating devices 2, which are respectively located on opposite sides of the substrate platform 11 along the first direction X. This allows for simultaneous coating and sealing of the two opposite and parallel sides of the battery cell 5, improving processing efficiency. Each of the two sets of coating devices 2 is driven by a driving device 4, and each adjusts its position along the second direction Y to cooperate with the corresponding side of the battery cell 5, thus simultaneously achieving coating and sealing of both sides.

[0064] The wafer carrier 1 has two or more sets spaced apart along a first direction X. The automatic sealing equipment also includes a conveying device (not shown) for transferring the battery cells 5 between different wafer carrier platforms 11. See [reference needed] Figures 1 to 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the wafer carrier device 1 specifically comprises three sets; the coating device 2 includes two pairs, each pair having two sets. The first set of wafer carrier devices 1 is used to cooperate with one pair of coating devices 2 to coat and seal one pair of sides of the battery cell 5. The second set of wafer carrier devices 1 is used to cooperate with another pair of coating devices 2 to coat and seal the other pair of sides of the battery cell 5. The third set is used to unload the battery cell 5 after the edge sealing process for the next step of processing.

[0065] The automatic edge-sealing equipment also includes a support device (not shown in the figure) for carrying the edge-sealed solar cell 5, a transfer device (not shown in the figure) for transferring the solar cell 5 from the carrier platform 11 to the support device, and a curing system (not shown in the figure) for curing the solar cell 5. The curing system is a hot air dryer, a light curing machine, or a tunnel oven. After edge sealing, the solar cell 5 is transferred to the support device by the transfer device. When the edge-sealed solar cell 5 is on the support device, its edge-sealed sides are completely suspended. The solar cell 5 is then sent to the curing system along with the support device for drying and curing.

[0066] The following specific embodiments illustrate the method and process of sealing the battery cell 5 using the aforementioned automatic sealing equipment:

[0067] See Figure 13 The battery cell 5 shown in this embodiment is square in shape and has two first side portions 5a that are arranged opposite to each other and parallel to each other, and two second side portions 5b that are arranged opposite to each other and parallel to each other. The first side portions 5a have a first chamfer portion 5c and a second chamfer portion 5d at both ends in the length direction, respectively. The entire circumferential edge of the battery cell 5 needs to be coated and sealed.

[0068] See Figures 7 to 12 As shown, the battery cell 5 to be sealed is transferred by the external conveying device and placed flat on the carrier platform 11 of the first carrier device 1, and is fixedly adsorbed on the carrier platform 11. The two first side portions 5a of the battery cell 5 to be sealed are located on the outside of the carrier platform 11.

[0069] The cell positioning system obtains the actual position of the cell 5 on the cell carrier platform 11 and compares it with the preset value. It then transmits the corresponding position information that needs to be adjusted to the platform adjustment mechanism and the drive devices 4 on both sides. The platform adjustment mechanism drives the cell carrier platform 11 to rotate so that the extension direction of the first side 5a is parallel to the first direction X. The drive devices 4 on both sides drive the coating device 2 on the corresponding side to move along the second direction Y, so that the discharge position of the coating rollers 21 on both sides corresponds to the first side 5a on both sides. That is, the first side 5a is located in the annular groove 213 on the coating roller 21 along both the Y and Z directions.

[0070] The substrate carrier 1 is driven by the traveling device 3 to move forward in the first direction X. The coating devices 2 on both sides remain stationary in the Y direction. This ensures that during the translation of the substrate carrier platform 11 in the first direction X, the distance between the discharge position of the coating roller 21 and the first side 5a remains a constant preset value or within a preset range. During the translation of the substrate carrier 1 in the first direction X, the two sets of coating rollers 21 are driven to rotate around their own axes. When the first side 5a passes through the annular groove 213, the coating material flowing from the discharge channel 214 into the annular groove 213 is applied to the first side 5a, thus achieving coating and sealing of both sides of the first side 5a. During coating, the speed at which the substrate platform 11 moves horizontally in the first direction X is consistent with or as close as possible to the linear speed of the coating roller 21 when it rotates to discharge material. Specifically, it is consistent with or as close as possible to the linear speed at the discharge port of the discharge channel 214 on the coating roller 21, so that the coating material can be applied to the first side portion 5a as evenly as possible.

[0071] During the above process, as the wafer carrier 1 moves the battery cell 5 forward, the first chamfered portion 5c first engages with the annular groove 213. At this time, the wafer carrier platform 11 is driven to rotate slightly, so that the first chamfered portion 5c is coated and sealed. Then, the wafer carrier 1 moves linearly along the first direction to seal the first side portions 5a on both sides. Finally, the second chamfered portion 5d engages with the annular groove 213. At this time, the wafer carrier platform 11 is driven to rotate slightly, so that the second chamfered portion 5d is coated and sealed.

[0072] Next, the substrate carrier 1 is transported forward, disengaging from the first pair of coating devices 2, and transferred by an external transport device to be placed flat on the substrate carrier platform 11 of the second set of substrate carriers 1. It is then fixed and adhered to the substrate carrier platform 11, which rotates 90°, with the second side portions 5b suspended outside the platform 11. Following this, similar to the coating and sealing process for the first side portions 5a, the second pair of coating devices 2 cooperates with the substrate carrier 1 to seal the second side portions 5b.

[0073] Finally, after all four sides are sealed, the outer conveying device transfers the material to the carrier platform 11 of the third carrier device 1, thereby transferring it to the unloading position, and then to the outer support device. The material is then sent to the curing system along with the support device for curing treatment, and the sealing operation is completed.

[0074] In other embodiments, the carrier platform 11 with the battery cell 5 adsorbed on it can be kept stationary, while the coating device 2 can be driven to translate along the length of the side portion of the battery cell 5 to be sealed. This allows the coating roller 21 to translate relative to the battery cell 5 while rotating to discharge material, thereby achieving coating and sealing of the battery cell 5. Alternatively, the carrier platform 11 and the coating device 2 can be driven to translate separately, resulting in relative movement between them.

[0075] In other embodiments, only one set of substrate carrier 1 and one set of coating devices 2 may be configured. During the translation of the substrate carrier 1 along the first direction X, only one side edge is coated and sealed at a time. After completing the coating and sealing of one side edge, the substrate carrier 1 returns to its initial position, while the rotating platform 11 rotates at an appropriate angle so that the other side edge to be sealed extends parallel to the first direction. The substrate carrier 1 is then driven to translate along the first direction X to complete the coating and sealing of this other side edge. This cycle is repeated to achieve edge sealing of all sides, but the production efficiency is correspondingly lower than that of the embodiments in this application.

[0076] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of the present invention. Their purpose is to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of the present invention and implement it. They should not be used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit and essence of the present invention should be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic edge-sealing device for photovoltaic cells, characterized in that, The automatic edge-sealing equipment includes: A wafer carrier device, wherein the wafer carrier device is configured to move horizontally along a first direction, and the wafer carrier device includes at least a wafer carrier platform for carrying the battery cell, the wafer carrier platform being rotatably configured about a rotation center line extending in a vertical direction. A coating apparatus is provided that can be horizontally moved along a second direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction. The coating apparatus includes a coating wheel that can rotate to discharge material about a rotation center line extending in a vertical direction, and a feeding mechanism for supplying coating material to the coating wheel. A driving device is used to drive the coating device to move along the second direction. The battery cell has a side portion to be sealed, the outer periphery of the coating wheel has an annular groove for accommodating the side portion, the coating wheel has a receiving cavity for accommodating the coating material, and a discharge channel connecting the receiving cavity and the annular groove, the discharge channel having a plurality of channels spaced apart circumferentially.

2. The automatic edge-sealing equipment for photovoltaic cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wafer carrier device further includes a platform adjustment mechanism for driving the wafer carrier platform to rotate around the rotation center line to adjust the position of the wafer carrier platform. The automatic edge sealing device further includes a battery cell positioning system for locating the actual position of the battery cell on the wafer carrier platform. The battery cell positioning system is communicatively connected to the platform adjustment mechanism and the drive device.

3. The automatic edge-sealing equipment for photovoltaic cells according to claim 1, characterized in that: The carrier platform is a negative pressure adsorption platform capable of adsorbing and fixing the battery cell. When the battery cell is located on the carrier platform, the side portion is located outside the carrier platform.

4. The automatic edge-sealing equipment for photovoltaic cells according to claim 3, characterized in that: The coating wheel includes an upper wheel body and a lower wheel body that are detachably connected. The outer periphery of the upper wheel body is provided with a plurality of upper grooves that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The outer periphery of the lower wheel body is provided with a plurality of lower grooves that are spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The upper grooves and the lower grooves are matched one-to-one to form a plurality of discharge channels.

5. The automatic edge-sealing equipment for photovoltaic cells according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The coating device consists of two sets, which are located on opposite sides of the substrate platform along the first direction.

6. The automatic edge-sealing equipment for photovoltaic cells according to claim 5, characterized in that: The wafer carrier has two or more sets spaced apart along the first direction, and the automatic edge sealing equipment further includes a transport device for transferring the battery cells on different wafer carrier platforms.

7. The automatic edge-sealing equipment for photovoltaic cells according to claim 5, characterized in that: The automatic edge-sealing equipment also includes a support device for carrying the edge-sealed battery cells, a transfer device for transferring the battery cells from the carrier platform to the support device, and a curing system for curing the battery cells, wherein the curing system is a hot air dryer, a light curing machine, or a tunnel oven.

8. An automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells, implemented based on the automatic edge-sealing equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step (1): The solar cell to be processed is horizontally supported on the carrier platform. The solar cell has a side portion to be sealed, and the side portion is located outside the carrier platform. Step (2): Adjust the relative position of the side part and the coating roller so that the discharge position of the coating roller corresponds to the position of the side part; Step (3): The coating roller and the substrate platform move relative to each other along the length extension direction of the side portion. The coating roller rotates around the rotation center line extending in the vertical direction to discharge material, thereby applying the coating material to the side portion sequentially along the length direction of the side portion to achieve coating and sealing of the side portion.

9. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 8, characterized in that: Step (2) includes step (2-1), adjusting the position of the slide platform so that the side portion extends along a preset first direction; In step (3), the wafer carrier platform moves horizontally along the first direction.

10. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 9, characterized in that: In step (2-1), the slide platform is driven to rotate around a rotation center line extending in the vertical direction, thereby causing the side portion to extend along the first direction.

11. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 9, characterized in that: Step (2) further includes step (2-2), adjusting the position of the coating wheel in a preset second direction, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

12. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 11, characterized in that: During the translation of the substrate platform along the first direction, the distance between the discharge position of the coating roller and the side portion remains a constant preset value or within a preset range.

13. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 9, characterized in that: The speed at which the substrate platform moves horizontally along the first direction is consistent with the linear speed at which the coating wheel rotates to discharge the material.

14. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 8, characterized in that: The front and rear ends of the side portion are respectively formed with a first chamfer and a second chamfer, and step (3) includes: Step (3-1): During the process of the first chamfered portion passing through the coating wheel, the substrate platform rotates around the rotation center line extending in the vertical direction, and the coating wheel coats and seals the first chamfered portion. Step 3-2: The substrate platform moves translationally along the first direction, and the coating wheel coats and seals the side edges. Step 3-3: As the second chamfered portion passes through the coating roller, the substrate platform rotates around the rotation center line extending in the vertical direction, and the coating roller coats and seals the second chamfered portion.

15. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 8, characterized in that: The coating material is a liquid thermosetting resin soluble in alkaline solutions or a light-curing acid-resistant resin.

16. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 8, characterized in that: The viscosity of the coating material is 50-1000 cP.

17. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 16, characterized in that: The viscosity of the coating material is 120–800 cP.

18. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to any one of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that: The battery cell has two side portions that are arranged opposite each other and whose length extension directions are parallel to each other. In step (3), during the horizontal movement of the carrier platform, two sets of coating rollers located on opposite sides of the battery cell in different translation directions coat and seal the two side portions respectively.

19. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 18, characterized in that: In step (2), the two coating rollers each adjust their positions according to the position of their respective side edges.

20. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 18, characterized in that: The battery cell has two sets of first side portions that are arranged opposite to each other and parallel to each other, and two sets of second side portions that are arranged opposite to each other and parallel to each other. The angle between the first side portions and the second side portions is angle α. The automatic edge sealing method includes steps (1) to (3) to achieve coating and edge sealing on the two sets of first side portions, then rotating the battery cell by the angle α, and then performing steps (1) to (3) to achieve coating and edge sealing on the two sets of second side portions.

21. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 20, characterized in that: The angle α between the first side portion and the second side portion is 90°.

22. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 20, characterized in that: After the coating and sealing of the first side portion is completed, the battery cell is transferred to another carrier platform, and the coating and sealing of the second side portion is then achieved.

23. The automatic edge-sealing method for photovoltaic cells according to claim 20, characterized in that: The automatic edge sealing method further includes a curing step, which involves transferring the battery cell to a support device after coating and sealing the first and second side portions of the battery cell, keeping both the first and second side portions suspended, and then curing the battery cell.

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