Solar cell string cleaning device and scaling powder removing system and method

Abstract

The invention provides a solar cell string cleaning device, a scaling powder removing system and a scaling powder removing method. The cleaning device for the solar cell string comprises a conveyor belt, a cleaning device and a cleaning device, wherein the conveyor belt is used for enabling the solar cell string to periodically move on the conveyor belt; the cleaning liquid pipeline is used for conveying cleaning liquid to the cleaning sponge; the cleaning sponge wraps the outer wall of the cleaning liquid pipeline, and a plurality of grooves corresponding to the positions of main grids of the battery pieces are formed in the cleaning sponge; and the outer frame is provided with a plurality of air holes corresponding to the plurality of grooves in position, and the plurality of air holes are used for blowing air to the surface of the cleaned battery piece so as to accelerate volatilization of the residual cleaning liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a solar cell string cleaning device, a soldering flux removal system and a soldering flux removal method. Background Art

[0002] Photovoltaic modules are a key part of the solar power generation system, and their manufacturing quality directly affects the performance and life of the entire system. In the manufacturing process of photovoltaic modules, the welding process is an important link to ensure the reliability of electrical connections between cells. As an auxiliary material in the welding process, the main component of flux is usually rosin, which can remove oxides on the surface of solder and the base material to be welded to ensure smooth welding. However, the use of flux also brings a series of problems. Undesirable phenomena such as cell corrosion, reduced conductivity, circuit breakage, and grid line bubbles are largely related to the abuse of flux. Flux residue will increase the resistance of the module, reduce the power, and have a negative impact on long-term reliability. In addition, when the pH value of the flux residue is low, it may react with the packaging material EVA, resulting in yellowing, further reducing the power of the module.

[0003] When using an automatic welding machine for welding, common flux supply methods include solder ribbon immersion and spraying, but both methods are prone to cause flux residues in the edge area of ​​the main grid electrode on the light-receiving side of the cell. However, the cleaning method for residual flux in the manufacturing process of photovoltaic modules is still imperfect, resulting in a decrease in the power generation efficiency and reliability of the modules.

[0004] In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the art is in urgent need of a solar cell string cleaning technology for effectively removing the flux residue on the surface of the cell string after welding to avoid its influence on the reliability and power generation efficiency of the component, so as to improve the reliability and power generation efficiency of the component. Summary of the invention

[0005] A brief summary of one or more aspects is given below to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of all conceived aspects, and is neither intended to identify the key or decisive elements of all aspects nor to define the scope of any or all aspects. Its only purpose is to give some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description that will be given later.

[0006] In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the art provides a cleaning device for a solar cell string, a flux removal system, and a flux removal method, which are used to effectively remove the flux residue on the surface of the cell string after welding to avoid its influence on the reliability and power generation efficiency of the component, so as to improve the reliability and power generation efficiency of the component.

[0007] Specifically, the cleaning device for a solar cell string provided according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises: a conveyor belt, used to make the solar cell string perform periodic motion thereon; a cleaning liquid pipeline, used to transport the cleaning liquid to a cleaning sponge; the cleaning sponge, wrapping the outer wall of the cleaning liquid pipeline, wherein the cleaning sponge is provided with a plurality of grooves corresponding to the main grid positions of the battery cell; and an outer shell, provided with a plurality of air holes corresponding to the positions of the plurality of grooves, the plurality of air holes being used to blow air onto the surface of the cleaned battery cell to accelerate the volatilization of the residual cleaning liquid.

[0008] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning liquid is an ethanol solution, and the shell is made of polymethyl methacrylate-based organic glass, which contains an insulating and absorbing layer of aramid fiber material to reduce the volatilization of the ethanol solution before cleaning.

[0009] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning device also includes: an automatic telescopic rod for controlling the movement of the cleaning sponge along the surface of the battery cell to clean the residual flux on the front and back sides of the battery cell; and a steering telescopic rod for adjusting the position and angle of the cleaning sponge.

[0010] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning device also includes: a cleaning liquid storage tank for storing the cleaning liquid; a peristaltic pump for pumping out the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank to transfer it to the cleaning sponge; and a one-way check valve, which opens in response to the cleaning liquid flowing from the peristaltic pump to the cleaning sponge, and closes in response to the cleaning liquid flowing from the cleaning sponge to the peristaltic pump to prevent the cleaning liquid from flowing back to the cleaning liquid storage tank.

[0011] Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning device also includes: an infrared positioning device for detecting the position of the solar cell string; an air compressor for outputting air and blowing it toward the surface of the cell; and a controller, which is configured to: first control the steering telescopic rod to extend, drive the cleaning sponge to approach the cell string, and rotate 90° in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and then control the steering telescopic rod to continue to extend until it is in full contact with the surface of the cell to clamp the cell string; control the automatic telescopic rod to extend along its top slide rail to drive the cleaning sponge to move along one side of the cell surface to the other side; in response to the cleaning sponge moving to the other side, control the automatic telescopic rod to shorten along its top slide rail to drive the cleaning sponge to move in the opposite direction along the cell surface to the one side, and control the air compressor to output air to blow toward the cell surface through the air hole on the shell; and first control the steering telescopic rod to retract, drive the cleaning sponge to leave the cell string surface, and then control the steering telescopic rod to rotate 90° in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction.

[0012] In addition, the flux removal system provided according to the second aspect of the present invention includes: an outer frame, including an insulating absorption layer and an infrared positioning device; a fixing device, including a telescopic clamp for fixing the battery string; a transmission device, including a slide rail for allowing the conveyor belt to slide periodically thereon; and a cleaning device for the solar cell string as described in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0013] In addition, the flux removal method provided according to the third aspect of the present invention includes the following steps: controlling the battery string to move forward periodically along the conveying mechanism of the assembly line; and cleaning the battery string using the cleaning device for the solar cell string as described in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0014] Further, in some embodiments of the present invention, the step of cleaning the battery string via the cleaning device includes: first controlling the steering telescopic rod to extend, driving the cleaning sponge to approach the battery string, and rotating 90° in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and then controlling the steering telescopic rod to continue to extend until it is in full contact with the surface of the battery cell to clamp the battery string; controlling the automatic telescopic rod to extend along its top slide rail to drive the cleaning sponge to move along one side of the battery cell surface to the other side; in response to the cleaning sponge moving to the other side, controlling the automatic telescopic rod to shorten along its top slide rail to drive the cleaning sponge to move in the opposite direction along the battery cell surface to the one side, and controlling the air compressor to output air to blow toward the battery cell surface through the air holes on the outer shell; and first controlling the steering telescopic rod to retract, driving the cleaning sponge to leave the battery string surface, and then controlling the steering telescopic rod to rotate 90° in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction.

[0015] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, before the battery string is cleaned by the cleaning device, the flux removal method also includes the following steps: in response to the infrared positioning device detecting that the battery string enters a preset position, controlling the transmission mechanism to stop running, and clamping and raising the battery string by telescopic clamps at both ends of the preset position.

[0016] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the present invention, after the battery string is cleaned by the cleaning device, the flux removal method also includes the following steps: retrieving the telescopic clamp that clamps the battery string so that the battery string falls back to the conveying mechanism, and restarting the conveying mechanism to continue conveying the battery string forward. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The above features and advantages of the present invention can be better understood after reading the detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the following drawings. In the drawings, the components are not necessarily drawn to scale, and components with similar related properties or features may have the same or similar reference numerals.

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a flux removal system provided according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a conveyor belt provided according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a cleaning device provided according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a battery string provided according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 5 A schematic flow chart of a flux removal method provided according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0023] Reference numerals:

[0024] 10 Frame

[0025] 101 Isolation Absorption Layer

[0026] 11. Conveyor Belt

[0027] 111 Battery string

[0028] 112 Telescopic clamp

[0029] 12 Slide rail

[0030] 13 Cleaning fluid pipeline

[0031] 14. Cleaning sponge

[0032] 15. Housing

[0033] 151 Stoma

[0034] 20 Automatic telescopic rod

[0035] 21 Steering telescopic rod

[0036] 22 Cleaning fluid tank

[0037] 23. Peristaltic Pump

[0038] 24 One-way check valve

[0039] 25 Infrared positioning device

[0040] 26 Air compressor DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the contents disclosed in this specification. Although the description of the present invention will be introduced in conjunction with the preferred embodiment, this does not mean that the features of this invention are limited to this implementation. On the contrary, the purpose of introducing the invention in conjunction with the implementation is to cover other options or modifications that may be extended based on the claims of the present invention. In order to provide a deep understanding of the present invention, the following description will include many specific details. The present invention can also be implemented without using these details. In addition, in order to avoid confusion or blurring the focus of the present invention, some specific details will be omitted in the description.

[0042] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installed", "connected", and "connected" 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 it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two components. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0043] In addition, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "top", "bottom", "horizontal" and "vertical" used in the following description should be understood as the directions shown in the paragraph and the related drawings. Such relative terms are only used for the convenience of description and do not mean that the device described therein must be manufactured or operated in a specific direction, and therefore should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0044] It is understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various components, regions, layers and / or parts, these components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms, and these terms are only used to distinguish different components, regions, layers and / or parts. Therefore, the first component, region, layer and / or part discussed below may be referred to as a second component, region, layer and / or part without departing from some embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] As mentioned above, photovoltaic modules are a key part of the solar power generation system, and their manufacturing quality directly affects the performance and life of the entire system. In the manufacturing process of photovoltaic modules, the welding process is an important link to ensure the reliability of electrical connections between cells. As an auxiliary material in the welding process, the main component of flux is usually rosin, which can remove oxides on the surface of solder and the parent material to be welded to ensure the smooth progress of welding. However, the use of flux also brings a series of problems. Undesirable phenomena such as cell corrosion, reduced conductivity, circuit breakage, and grid line bubbles are largely related to the abuse of flux. Flux residue will increase the resistance of the module, reduce the power, and have a negative impact on long-term reliability. In addition, when the pH value of the flux residue is low, it may react with the packaging material EVA, resulting in yellowing, further reducing the power of the module.

[0046] When using an automatic welding machine for welding, common flux supply methods include solder ribbon immersion and spraying, but both methods are prone to cause flux residues in the edge area of ​​the main grid electrode on the light-receiving side of the cell. However, the cleaning method for residual flux in the manufacturing process of photovoltaic modules is still imperfect, resulting in a decrease in the power generation efficiency and reliability of the modules.

[0047] In order to overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the art is in urgent need of a solar cell string cleaning technology for cleaning residual flux between cell strings connected via multiple cell sheets, thereby effectively removing residual flux on the surface of the cell string after welding, avoiding its influence on component reliability and power generation efficiency, and improving component reliability and power generation efficiency.

[0048] In some non-limiting embodiments, the above-mentioned flux removal method provided in the third aspect of the present invention can be implemented based on the flux removal system provided in the second aspect of the present invention. Specifically, the flux removal system includes: an outer frame including an insulating absorption layer; a fixing device including a telescopic clamp for fixing a battery string; a transmission device including a slide rail for allowing a conveyor belt to slide periodically thereon; and a cleaning device for a solar cell string as in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0049] Please refer to Figure 1-2 , Figure 1A schematic structural diagram of a flux removal system provided according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 A schematic structural diagram of a conveyor belt 11 provided according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0050] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the flux removal system includes an outer frame 10, a fixing device, a transmission device and a cleaning device. Here, the outer frame 10 includes an insulating absorption layer 101, the fixing device includes a telescopic clamp 112 for fixing a battery string 111, and the transmission device includes a slide rail 12 for allowing the conveyor belt 11 to slide periodically thereon.

[0051] Please refer to Figure 3-4 , Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a cleaning device provided according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 A schematic structural diagram of a battery string 111 provided according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0052] like Figure 3-4 As shown, the cleaning device of the solar cell string 111 includes a conveyor belt 11, a cleaning liquid pipeline 13, a cleaning sponge 14, and a shell 15. The conveyor belt 11 is used to make the solar cell string 111 perform periodic motion thereon, and the cleaning liquid pipeline 13 is used to transport the cleaning liquid to the cleaning sponge 14. The cleaning sponge 14 wraps the outer wall of the cleaning liquid pipeline 13, and the cleaning sponge 14 is provided with a plurality of grooves corresponding to the main grid positions of the battery cell. The shell 15 is provided with a plurality of air holes 151 corresponding to the positions of the plurality of grooves, and the plurality of air holes 151 are used to blow air to the surface of the battery cell after cleaning to accelerate the volatilization of the residual cleaning liquid. Here, the cleaning liquid can be an ethanol solution, and the material of the shell 15 is polymethyl methacrylate organic glass, which contains an insulating absorption layer 101 of aramid fiber material inside, which is used to reduce the volatilization of the ethanol solution before cleaning.

[0053] In other embodiments, the cleaning device further includes an automatic telescopic rod 20, a steering telescopic rod 21, a cleaning liquid storage tank 22, a peristaltic pump 23, a one-way check valve 24, an infrared positioning device 25 and an air compressor 26.

[0054] Furthermore, the automatic telescopic rod 20 is used to control the movement of the cleaning sponge 14 along the surface of the battery cell to clean the residual flux on the front and back of the battery cell. The steering telescopic rod 21 is used to adjust the position and angle of the cleaning sponge 14. The cleaning liquid storage tank 22 is used to store the cleaning liquid. The peristaltic pump 23 is used to pump out the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank 22 to transfer it to the cleaning sponge 14. The one-way check valve 24 opens in response to the flow of the cleaning liquid from the peristaltic pump 23 to the cleaning sponge 14, and closes in response to the flow of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning sponge 14 to the peristaltic pump 23 to prevent the cleaning liquid from flowing back to the cleaning liquid storage tank 22. The infrared positioning device 25 is used to detect the position of the solar cell string 111. The air compressor 26 is used to output air and blow it to the surface of the battery cell.

[0055] The following will describe the working principle of the above-mentioned flux removal system and solar cell string cleaning device in combination with some embodiments of the flux removal method. Those skilled in the art can understand that these embodiments of the flux removal method are only some non-limiting implementation methods provided by the present invention, which are intended to clearly demonstrate the main concept of the present invention and provide some specific solutions that are convenient for the public to implement, rather than to limit all functions or all working modes of the flux removal system and cleaning device. Similarly, the flux removal system is also only some non-limiting implementation methods provided by the present invention, and does not constitute a limitation on the execution subject or execution order of each step in these flux removal methods.

[0056] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 A schematic flow chart of a flux removal method provided according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, the flux removal system can first control the battery string 111 to move forward periodically along with the conveying mechanism of the assembly line.

[0058] Afterwards, in response to the infrared positioning device 25 detecting that the battery string 111 enters the preset position, the transmission mechanism is controlled to stop running, and the battery string 111 is clamped and raised by the telescopic clamps 112 at both ends of the preset position, so as to clean the battery string 111 through the cleaning device of the solar cell string 111.

[0059] After cleaning, the flux removal system retracts the telescopic clamp 112 holding the battery string 111 to allow the battery string 111 to fall back onto the conveying mechanism, and restarts the conveying mechanism to continue conveying the battery string 111 forward.

[0060] Specifically, the steps of cleaning the battery string 111 via the cleaning device include: first controlling the steering telescopic rod 21 to extend, driving the cleaning sponge 14 to approach the battery string 111, and rotating 90° in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and then controlling the steering telescopic rod 21 to continue to extend until it is in full contact with the surface of the battery cell to clamp the battery string 111; controlling the automatic telescopic rod 20 to extend along its top slide rail 12 to drive the cleaning sponge 14 to move along one side of the battery cell surface to the other side; in response to the cleaning sponge 14 moving to the other side, controlling the automatic telescopic rod 20 to shorten along its top slide rail 12 to drive the cleaning sponge 14 to move in the opposite direction to one side along the battery cell surface, and controlling the air compressor 26 to output air to blow to the battery cell surface through the air holes 151 on the outer shell 15; and first controlling the steering telescopic rod 21 to retract, driving the cleaning sponge 14 to leave the surface of the battery string 111, and then controlling the steering telescopic rod 21 to rotate 90° in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction.

[0061] In summary, the solar cell string cleaning device, flux removal system and method provided in the art can be used to effectively remove flux residues on the surface of the cell string after welding, avoiding its impact on component reliability and power generation efficiency, thereby improving component reliability and power generation efficiency.

[0062] Although the above methods are illustrated and described as a series of actions for simplicity of explanation, it should be understood and appreciated that these methods are not limited by the order of the actions, because according to one or more embodiments, some actions may occur in a different order and / or concurrently with other actions from those illustrated and described herein or not illustrated and described herein but understandable to those skilled in the art.

[0063] The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be granted the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A solar cell string cleaning device, characterized in that: include: A conveyor belt, used to make the solar cell string perform periodic motion thereon; A cleaning liquid pipeline, used for conveying cleaning liquid to the cleaning sponge; The cleaning sponge wraps the outer wall of the cleaning liquid pipeline, wherein the cleaning sponge is provided with a plurality of grooves corresponding to the main grid positions of the battery cell; and The shell is provided with a plurality of air holes corresponding to the positions of the plurality of grooves, and the plurality of air holes are used to blow air to the surface of the cleaned battery sheet to accelerate the volatilization of the residual cleaning liquid.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning liquid is an ethanol solution, and the shell is made of polymethyl methacrylate organic glass, which contains an insulating and absorbing layer of aramid fiber material to reduce the volatilization of the ethanol solution before cleaning.

3. The cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that: Also includes: An automatic telescopic rod, used to control the cleaning sponge to move along the surface of the battery cell to clean the residual solder flux on the front and back sides of the battery cell; as well as The steering telescopic rod is used to adjust the position and angle of the cleaning sponge.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 3, characterized in that: Also includes: A cleaning liquid storage tank, used for storing the cleaning liquid; a peristaltic pump, used to pump out the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank to transfer it to the cleaning sponge; as well as The one-way check valve opens in response to the flow of the cleaning liquid from the peristaltic pump to the cleaning sponge, and closes in response to the flow of the cleaning liquid from the cleaning sponge to the peristaltic pump to prevent the cleaning liquid from flowing back to the cleaning liquid storage tank.

5. The cleaning device according to claim 4, characterized in that: Also includes: An infrared positioning device, used to detect the position of the solar cell string; An air compressor, used for outputting air and blowing it toward the surface of the battery sheet; as well as A controller, which is configured to: first control the steering telescopic rod to extend, drive the cleaning sponge to approach the battery string, and rotate 90° in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and then control the steering telescopic rod to continue to extend until it is in full contact with the surface of the battery cell to clamp the battery string; control the automatic telescopic rod to extend along its top slide rail to drive the cleaning sponge to move along one side of the battery cell surface to the other side; in response to the cleaning sponge moving to the other side, control the automatic telescopic rod to shorten along its top slide rail to drive the cleaning sponge to move in the opposite direction along the battery cell surface to the one side, and control the air compressor to output air to blow to the battery cell surface through the air holes on the shell; and first control the steering telescopic rod to retract, drive the cleaning sponge to leave the battery string surface, and then control the steering telescopic rod to rotate 90° in a counterclockwise or clockwise direction.

6. A flux removal system, characterized in that: include: an outer frame, including an insulating and absorbing layer; A fixing device including a telescopic clamp for fixing the battery string; A transmission device, including a slide rail, for allowing the conveyor belt to slide periodically thereon; as well as A solar cell string cleaning device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method for removing flux, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Control the battery string to move forward periodically along with the conveying mechanism of the assembly line; as well as The solar cell string is cleaned by the solar cell string cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. The flux removal method according to claim 7, wherein: The step of cleaning the battery string by the cleaning device comprises: First, the steering telescopic rod is controlled to extend, driving the cleaning sponge to approach the battery string and rotate 90° clockwise or counterclockwise, and then the steering telescopic rod is controlled to continue to extend until it is in full contact with the surface of the battery cell to clamp the battery string; Controlling the automatic telescopic rod to extend along its top slide rail to drive the cleaning sponge to move from one side of the battery cell surface to the other side thereof; In response to the cleaning sponge moving to the other side, controlling the automatic telescopic rod to shorten along its top slide rail to drive the cleaning sponge to move in the opposite direction along the surface of the battery cell to the one side, and controlling the air compressor to output air to blow toward the surface of the battery cell through the air holes on the housing; and First, the steering telescopic rod is controlled to retract, driving the cleaning sponge to leave the surface of the battery string, and then the steering telescopic rod is controlled to rotate 90° in the counterclockwise or clockwise direction.

9. The flux removal method according to claim 7, characterized in that: Before the battery string is cleaned by the cleaning device, the flux removal method further comprises the following steps: In response to the infrared positioning device detecting that the battery string enters the preset position, the transmission mechanism is controlled to stop running, and the battery string is clamped and raised via the telescopic clamps at both ends of the preset position.

10. The flux removal method according to claim 9, characterized in that: After the battery string is cleaned by the cleaning device, the flux removal method further comprises the following steps: The telescopic clamp holding the battery string is recovered to allow the battery string to fall back onto the conveying mechanism, and the conveying mechanism is started again to continue conveying the battery string forward.

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