Electroplating manipulator and electroplating device

Abstract

The present invention relates to the technical field of electroplating equipment, and discloses an electroplating manipulator and an electroplating device. The electroplating manipulator comprises: a gripping body, the bottom end of the gripping body is provided with an adsorption structure for adsorbing battery cells, and the periphery of the adsorption structure is provided with a cathode column; a driving component, suitable for driving the gripping body to move in a horizontal plane and to rise and fall in a vertical direction; a transmission component, and the driving component is connected to the gripping body through the transmission component. The adsorption structure at the bottom end of the gripping body is used to adsorb battery cells, and after adsorption, the battery cells are in contact with the cathode columns arranged on the periphery of the adsorption structure. During the electroplating process, the cathode columns will not be immersed in the electrolyte. Since the cathode columns are completely separated from the electrolyte, no metal deposition will be plated on the cathode columns, which eliminates the possibility of the cathode columns becoming larger and adhering to the battery cells, thereby avoiding the occurrence of battery cell fragments; the conductive performance of the cathode columns is not affected, and there is no need to stop the machine to replace the cathode columns, thereby ensuring the electroplating efficiency of the battery cells.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of electroplating equipment, and in particular to an electroplating robot and an electroplating device. Background Art

[0002] The working principle of photovoltaic cells is to use photovoltaic reaction after photoelectric materials absorb light energy, and directly convert light energy into electrical energy. Photoelectric conversion efficiency is an important indicator to measure the performance of photovoltaic cells. How to effectively improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency has become the focus of technological improvement. Improving the electrode metallization process and using electroplating to make electrodes for silicon cells can effectively improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency.

[0003] During the electroplating process of battery cells, the cathode of the electroplating equipment will be immersed in the electroplating tank, and a layer of metal deposits will be plated on the cathode. The deposited metal will cause the cathode to become larger, making it easy for the cathode to stick to the battery cell, and it is very easy to cause the battery cell to break when separated by external force. In addition, the enlargement of the cathode will affect its conductivity, and stopping the machine to replace the cathode will reduce production efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, the present invention provides an electroplating robot and an electroplating device to solve the problem that the cathode becomes larger when immersed in the electroplating solution, which causes the cathode to easily adhere to the battery cell and the cathode's conductivity decreases.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an electroplating robot for electroplating photovoltaic cells, the electroplating robot comprising:

[0006] A gripping body, wherein a suction structure for sucking the battery sheet is disposed at the bottom end of the gripping body, and a cathode column is disposed at the periphery of the suction structure;

[0007] A driving assembly, adapted to drive the grabbing body to move in a horizontal plane and to rise and fall in a vertical direction;

[0008] A transmission assembly, wherein the drive assembly is transmission-connected to the grabbing body through the transmission assembly.

[0009] Beneficial effects: The adsorption structure at the bottom end of the gripping body is used to adsorb the battery cell. After adsorption, the battery cell is in contact with the cathode column arranged on the periphery of the adsorption structure. The cathode column will not be immersed in the electrolyte during the electroplating process. Since the cathode column is completely separated from the electrolyte, no metal deposits will be plated on the cathode column, which eliminates the possibility of the cathode column sticking to the battery cell after it becomes larger, thereby avoiding the occurrence of battery cell fragments. Moreover, since the conductive performance of the cathode column is guaranteed, there is no need to stop the machine to replace the cathode, which ensures the electroplating efficiency and production efficiency of the battery cell, and the electroplating device continues to operate reliably.

[0010] In an optional embodiment, the adsorption structure includes a suction cup, and a plurality of cathode columns are arranged at intervals on the periphery of the suction cup; when the suction cup absorbs the battery cell, each cathode column is in contact with the battery cell.

[0011] Beneficial effects: The battery cell is adsorbed by a suction cup, which has a simple structure and high adsorption reliability; the cathode columns are arranged at intervals on the periphery of the suction cup and do not contact the suction cup, and the suction cup and the cathode columns do not interfere with each other; multiple cathode columns are arranged to ensure electrical contact performance and achieve reliable electroplating.

[0012] In an optional embodiment, the plurality of cathode columns are evenly distributed around the periphery of the suction cup.

[0013] Beneficial effect: The uniform distribution method further ensures the contact reliability between the cathode column and the battery cell, and ensures the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0014] In an optional embodiment, the gripping body comprises:

[0015] Bracket;

[0016] A fixing plate, the adsorption structure and the cathode column are both installed on the bottom surface of the fixing plate, and the fixing plate is installed on the bracket.

[0017] Beneficial effects: a fixed plate is provided to install the adsorption structure and the cathode column, so as to facilitate determination of the relative position and height of the adsorption structure and the cathode column, ensure reliable contact between the cathode column and the battery cell when the adsorption structure absorbs the battery cell, and ensure stable operation of the electroplating device.

[0018] In an optional embodiment, the drive assembly includes:

[0019] A horizontal driving assembly, comprising a motor, wherein the motor is drivingly connected to the bracket through the transmission assembly;

[0020] The lifting drive assembly comprises a cylinder, and the cylinder is drivingly connected to the bracket.

[0021] Beneficial effects: The motor of the horizontal drive component can drive the bracket to move horizontally, thereby moving the adsorption structure and the cathode column to the top of the electroplating tank, and then the cylinder of the lifting drive component is used to lower the grabbing body, so that the adsorption structure drives the absorbed battery cell to descend into the electrolyte in the electroplating tank. After the cathode column is energized, it can cooperate with the anode in the electrolyte to plate the metal ions in the electrolyte onto the battery cell (silicon wafer). The cylinder controls the height of the battery cell and only immerses the bottom side of the battery cell in the electroplating solution. During the electroplating process, the cathode will never contact the electroplating solution, so the cathode column will not become larger, and there will be no problems such as adhesion to the battery cell and the need to shut down for replacement, thereby ensuring the quality and production efficiency of the battery cell.

[0022] In an optional embodiment, the transmission assembly includes a rack and pinion transmission assembly, a synchronous belt transmission assembly, a screw transmission assembly, a belt transmission assembly or a chain transmission assembly.

[0023] Beneficial effects: The transmission component can be a combination of one or more of a gear rack transmission component, a synchronous belt transmission component, a screw transmission component, a belt transmission component or a chain transmission component, and can be selected and set according to needs in actual application. The transmission component adopts the existing mature transmission method and has high reliability.

[0024] In an optional embodiment, the cathode column is detachably mounted on the gripping body.

[0025] Beneficial effects: The cathode column is installed in a detachable manner, which is convenient for disassembly and replacement, and the height of the cathode column can be flexibly adjusted according to the suction cup.

[0026] In an optional embodiment, the cathode column is detachably mounted on the gripping body via a threaded connection.

[0027] Beneficial effects: The threaded connector has high connection reliability and is also easy to disassemble.

[0028] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides an electroplating device, comprising:

[0029] An electroplating tank suitable for containing an electrolytic solution;

[0030] an anode, disposed in the electroplating tank;

[0031] In the electroplating robot described in any of the above items, the driving component can move the battery cell carried by the grasping body to the top of the electroplating tank and immerse the bottom of the battery cell in the electrolyte.

[0032] Beneficial effect: A cathode column is arranged at the bottom end of the grabbing body of the electroplating robot. When the adsorption structure absorbs the battery cell, the cathode column contacts the upper side of the battery cell. Since the electroplating robot only immerses the bottom of the battery cell into the electroplating solution, the cathode column is never in contact with the electroplating solution, thereby eliminating the possibility of metal plating on the cathode column. There will be no problems of battery cell fragments caused by enlargement of the cathode column and reduced production efficiency caused by shutdown.

[0033] In an optional embodiment, the electroplating tank is connected to a liquid inlet device, a pulsating device is disposed at the end of the liquid inlet device, and the pulsating device is suitable for forming a uniform pulsating area at the bottom of the battery cell.

[0034] Beneficial effect: The uniform pulse area makes the metal ions in the electroplating solution evenly distributed and will not be deposited at the bottom of the electroplating tank, thus ensuring the quality and uniformity of the electroplating. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] In order to more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the related technologies, the drawings required for use in the specific embodiments or the related technical descriptions will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a front view of an electroplating robot according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A bottom view of the electroplating robot shown;

[0038] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A side view of the electroplating robot shown;

[0039] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Middle DD cross-sectional structure diagram;

[0040] Figure 5 for Figure 1 Middle EE cross-sectional structure diagram;

[0041] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the electroplating robot from a first perspective shown;

[0042] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural diagram of the electroplating robot from a second viewing angle shown;

[0043] Figure 8 A front view of an electroplating device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 Middle II cross-sectional structural diagram;

[0045] Fig.10 for Figure 8 A side view of the electroplating apparatus shown;

[0046] Fig.11 It is a structural schematic diagram of an electroplating production line provided with the electroplating device of the present invention;

[0047] Fig.12 for Fig.11 A partial enlarged structural diagram of part C in the middle.

[0048] Description of reference numerals:

[0049] 1. Grab the body; 11. Bracket; 12. Fixing plate;

[0050] 2. Adsorption structure;

[0051] 3. Cathode column;

[0052] 4. Driving assembly; 41. Cylinder;

[0053] 5. Battery cells;

[0054] 6. Electroplating tank;

[0055] 7. Drainage pipe;

[0056] 8. Liquid inlet pipe;

[0057] 9. Pulse device;

[0058] 10. Belt drive mechanism;

[0059] 13. Gear;

[0060] 14. Rack;

[0061] 15. Slider. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0063] In the description of the invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more; the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", "front end", "rear end", "head", "tail", etc. are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operate in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the invention. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0064] In the description of the present invention, it is also necessary to explain that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0065] Combine the following Figures 1 to 12 , describing an embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] According to an embodiment of the present invention, on the one hand, Figure 1-Figure 7 As shown, an electroplating robot is provided for electroplating a photovoltaic cell 5, and the electroplating robot comprises:

[0067] A gripping body 1, wherein a suction structure 2 for sucking a battery cell 5 is disposed at the bottom of the gripping body 1, and a cathode column 3 is disposed on the periphery of the suction structure 2;

[0068] A driving assembly 4, adapted to drive the grabbing body 1 to move in a horizontal plane and to rise and fall in a vertical direction;

[0069] Transmission assembly: the driving assembly 4 is transmission-connected to the grabbing body 1 via the transmission assembly.

[0070] The adsorption structure 2 at the bottom end of the gripping body 1 is used to adsorb the battery cell 5. After adsorption, the battery cell 5 is in contact with the cathode column 3 arranged on the periphery of the adsorption structure 2. During the electroplating process, the cathode column 3 will not be immersed in the electrolyte. Since the cathode column 3 is completely separated from the electrolyte, no metal deposition will be plated on the cathode column 3, which eliminates the possibility of the cathode column 3 sticking to the battery cell 5 after it becomes larger, thereby avoiding the occurrence of battery cell 5 fragments; and the cathode column 3 will not be plated with metal, thereby ensuring the conductive performance of the cathode column 3, and there is no need to stop the machine to replace the cathode column 3, thereby ensuring the electroplating efficiency and production efficiency of the battery cell 5, and the electroplating device continues to operate reliably.

[0071] It should be noted that after half of the cell 5 is electroplated, the cell 5 needs to be turned over to electroplate the other half. In the specific operation, after half of the cell 5 is electroplated, the electroplating robot is operated to place the cell 5 on the placement platform outside the electroplating device, and then turned over, and then transferred to the electroplating tank 6 through the adsorption structure, and then lowered to the other half of the cell 5 and immersed in the electroplating solution for electroplating, thereby completing the electroplating of the entire cell 5.

[0072] In some embodiments, the adsorption structure 2 includes a suction cup, and a plurality of cathode columns 3 are arranged at intervals on the periphery of the suction cup; when the suction cup absorbs the battery cell 5 , each cathode column 3 is in contact with the battery cell 5 .

[0073] The battery cell 5 is adsorbed by a suction cup, which has a simple structure and high adsorption reliability; the cathode columns 3 are arranged at intervals on the periphery of the suction cup and do not contact the suction cup, and the suction cup and the cathode columns 3 do not interfere with each other; a plurality of cathode columns 3 are provided to ensure electrical contact performance and achieve reliable electroplating.

[0074] The specific shape of the suction port of the suction cup can be circular or elliptical, and the number of suction cups can be selected and adjusted according to the size of the battery cell 5. When the extended area of ​​the battery cell 5 is large, multiple suction cups can be provided to ensure the adsorption capacity.

[0075] The suction cup generally adopts a physical squeezing method to form a vacuum in the suction cup to absorb the battery cell 5. Of course, a vacuuming method can also be provided to reduce the risk of the battery cell 5 falling for a heavy battery cell 5.

[0076] In some embodiments, a plurality of cathode columns 3 are evenly distributed around the periphery of the suction cup.

[0077] The uniform distribution method further ensures the contact reliability between the cathode column 3 and the battery cell 5, thereby ensuring the reliability of the electrical connection.

[0078] In some embodiments, the gripping body 1 comprises:

[0079] Bracket 11;

[0080] The fixing plate 12 , the adsorption structure 2 and the cathode column 3 are all installed on the bottom surface of the fixing plate 12 , and the fixing plate 12 is installed on the bracket 11 .

[0081] The fixing plate 12 is provided to install the adsorption structure 2 and the cathode column 3, so as to determine the relative position and height of the adsorption structure 2 and the cathode column 3, and ensure that the cathode column 3 and the battery cell 5 are reliably in contact when the adsorption structure 2 absorbs the battery cell 5, so that the electroplating device can operate stably.

[0082] like Figure 2 As shown, the four cathode columns 3 of the electroplating robot in this embodiment are arranged on the circumferential side of the suction cup near the four corners of the fixed plate 12.

[0083] In some embodiments, the drive assembly 4 includes:

[0084] A horizontal driving assembly, including a motor (not shown in the figure), which is connected to the bracket 11 through a transmission assembly;

[0085] The lifting drive assembly includes a cylinder 41 , and the cylinder 41 is transmission-connected to the bracket 11 .

[0086] The motor of the horizontal drive assembly can drive the bracket 11 to achieve horizontal movement, thereby moving the adsorption structure 2 and the cathode column 3 to the top of the electroplating tank 6, and then the cylinder 41 of the lifting drive assembly is activated to realize the descent of the grasping body 1, so that the adsorption structure 2 drives the absorbed battery cell 5 to descend into the electrolyte in the electroplating tank 6. After the cathode column 3 is energized, it can cooperate with the anode in the electrolyte to plate the metal ions in the electrolyte onto the battery cell 5 (silicon wafer). The cylinder 41 controls the height of the battery cell 5 so that only the bottom side of the battery cell 5 is immersed in the electroplating solution. During the electroplating process, the cathode will never contact the electroplating solution. Therefore, the cathode column 3 will not become larger, and there will be no problems such as adhesion to the battery cell 5 and the need to stop for replacement, thereby ensuring the quality and production efficiency of the battery cell 5.

[0087] In some embodiments, the transmission assembly includes a rack and pinion transmission assembly, a synchronous belt transmission assembly, a lead screw transmission assembly, a belt transmission assembly, or a chain transmission assembly.

[0088] The transmission assembly can be a combination of one or more of a gear rack transmission assembly, a synchronous belt transmission assembly, a screw transmission assembly, a belt transmission assembly or a chain transmission assembly, and can be selected and set according to actual application needs. The transmission assembly adopts the existing mature transmission method with high reliability.

[0089] like Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, in some embodiments, the transmission device of the electroplating device includes a belt transmission mechanism 10, and the electroplating robot is driven by the belt transmission mechanism 10 to move along the arrangement direction of the line body on the electroplating production line ( Fig.11 The transmission assembly of the grabbing body 1 is a gear rack transmission assembly, which is connected to the motor to drive the grabbing body 1 to move in a small range along the arrangement direction of the line body in the horizontal plane. The motor drives the gear 13 to rotate, and the gear 13 drives the rack 14 meshing with it to move. The bracket 11 of the grabbing body 1 is installed on the rack 14, so that the entire electroplating robot can move within a specific small range. The gear rack transmission assembly has high transmission stability. The grabbing body 1 is controlled to move perpendicularly to the arrangement direction of the line body in the horizontal plane through the slider 15 and the slide rail.

[0090] In some embodiments, the cathode column 3 is detachably mounted on the grab body 1 .

[0091] The cathode column 3 is installed in a detachable manner, which is convenient for disassembly and replacement, and the height of the cathode column 3 can also be flexibly adjusted according to the suction cup.

[0092] In some embodiments, the cathode column 3 is detachably mounted on the gripping body 1 via a threaded connection.

[0093] Threaded connectors have high connection reliability and are also easy to disassemble.

[0094] According to an embodiment of the present invention, on the other hand, Figure 8-Figure 10 As shown, an electroplating device is also provided, comprising:

[0095] An electroplating tank 6, suitable for containing an electrolytic solution;

[0096] an anode, disposed in the electroplating tank 6;

[0097] The electroplating robot, the driving component 4 can move the battery cell 5 carried by the grasping body 1 to the top of the electroplating tank 6, and immerse the bottom of the battery cell 5 in the electrolyte.

[0098] A cathode column 3 is arranged at the bottom end of the grabbing body 1 of the electroplating robot. When the adsorption structure 2 absorbs the battery cell 5, the cathode column 3 contacts the upper side of the battery cell 5. Since the electroplating robot only immerses the bottom of the battery cell 5 into the electroplating solution, the cathode column 3 is never in contact with the electroplating solution, thereby eliminating the possibility of the cathode column 3 being plated with metal, and there will be no problem of battery cell 5 fragmentation and shutdown resulting in reduced production efficiency due to the enlargement of the cathode column 3.

[0099] In some embodiments, the electroplating tank 6 is connected to a liquid inlet device, such as Fig. 9 As shown, a pulse device 9 is provided at the end of the liquid inlet device, and the pulse device 9 is suitable for forming a uniform pulse area at the bottom of the battery cell 5.

[0100] The uniform pulse area makes the metal ions in the electroplating solution evenly distributed and will not be deposited at the bottom of the electroplating tank 6, thereby ensuring the quality and uniformity of the electroplating.

[0101] like Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the electroplating tank 6 is connected with a liquid inlet pipe 8 and a liquid discharge pipe 7, and the opening and closing of the liquid inlet pipe 8 and the liquid discharge pipe 7 are controlled by valve bodies. The liquid inlet pipe 8 is a component of the liquid inlet device, and the pulse device 9 is arranged at the end of the liquid inlet pipe 8.

[0102] The pulse surge device 9 will form a uniform pulse surge area at the bottom of the solar cell 5. The cleaned solar cell 5 is placed on the electroplating tank 6 through the suction cup at the end of the manipulator. The electroplating solution is provided with an anode and the electroplating solution covers the lower surface of the solar cell 5. After a period of power-on, uniform deposited metal can be formed on the surface of the solar cell 5.

[0103] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and variations are all within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electroplating robot for electroplating photovoltaic cells (5), characterized in that: include: A gripping body (1), wherein a suction structure (2) for sucking the battery sheet (5) is arranged at the bottom end of the gripping body (1), and a cathode column (3) is arranged at the periphery of the suction structure (2); A driving assembly (4) adapted to drive the grabbing body (1) to move in a horizontal plane and to rise and fall in a vertical direction; A transmission assembly, wherein the drive assembly (4) is transmission-connected to the grabbing body (1) via the transmission assembly; The adsorption structure (2) comprises a suction cup, and a plurality of cathode columns (3) are arranged at intervals on the periphery of the suction cup; when the suction cup absorbs the battery cell (5), each cathode column (3) is in contact with the battery cell (5).

2. The electroplating robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of cathode columns (3) are evenly distributed around the periphery of the suction cup.

3. The electroplating robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The grabbing body (1) comprises: Bracket (11); A fixing plate (12), the adsorption structure (2) and the cathode column (3) are both mounted on the bottom surface of the fixing plate (12), and the fixing plate (12) is mounted on the bracket (11).

4. The electroplating robot according to claim 3, characterized in that: The driving component (4) comprises: A horizontal drive assembly, comprising a motor, the motor being in transmission connection with the bracket (11) via the transmission assembly; The lifting drive assembly comprises a cylinder (41), wherein the cylinder (41) is drivingly connected to the bracket (11).

5. The electroplating robot according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transmission assembly includes a rack and pinion transmission assembly.

6. The electroplating robot according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The cathode column (3) is detachably mounted on the grabbing body (1).

7. The electroplating robot according to claim 6, characterized in that: The cathode column (3) is detachably mounted on the gripping body (1) via a threaded connection.

8. An electroplating device, characterized in that: include: An electroplating tank (6) suitable for containing an electrolytic solution; an anode, arranged in the electroplating tank (6); According to the electroplating robot according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the driving component (4) is capable of transferring the battery cell (5) carried by the grasping body (1) to the top of the electroplating tank (6) and immersing the bottom of the battery cell (5) in the electrolyte.

9. The electroplating device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The electroplating tank (6) is connected to a liquid inlet device, and a pulsation device (9) is provided at the end of the liquid inlet device. The pulsation device (9) is suitable for forming a uniform pulsation area at the bottom of the battery cell (5).

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