Wire transfer device for solar cells, device and method for manufacturing solar modules

Abstract

A wire transfer device for a solar cell, a device for manufacturing a solar module, and a method are provided. The wire transfer device for a solar cell includes a substrate on which a wire for a solar cell having a compression portion is disposed, a loading unit for loading the wire and moving the wire to the substrate, a clamp unit disposed above the substrate to overlap the wire, an alignment unit for applying a force to the clamp unit so that the clamp unit aligns the wire for a solar cell on the substrate unit, and an unloading unit for sending out the wire for a solar cell aligned with the clamp unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a wire conveying device for photovoltaic cells, a photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus including the wire conveying device, and a photovoltaic module manufacturing method. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, due to global environmental issues, the depletion of fossil fuels, problems related to the disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear power generation, and site selection issues associated with the construction of new power plants, interest in new and renewable energy sources has been increasing. Among these energy sources, research and development of photovoltaic power generation, which is pollution-free and provides unlimited energy, has been actively carried out.

[0003] For photovoltaic power generation, a semiconductor device is needed to convert photovoltaic energy into electrical energy, and this device is called a photovoltaic cell. Since a single photovoltaic cell generates a maximum voltage of only about 0.5 V, multiple individual photovoltaic cells must be connected in series for use. Such a connected and modular structure of individual photovoltaic cells is called a photovoltaic cell module.

[0004] Typically, photovoltaic (PV) cell modules are manufactured through a process of classifying PV cells and conducting cell testing, a process of welding (lapping) PV cells to connect them in series using wires, a process of arranging PV cells in a horizontal configuration and laying low-iron tempered glass, EVA, backsheet, etc., a process of laminating PV cell modules obtained by vacuum hot pressing, and a process of module testing to check whether the completed PV cell modules are operating normally.

[0005] The welding process includes applying flux to the wires and allowing them to dry, cutting the wires, aligning the cut wires with the photovoltaic cells using a clamp, and welding the wires between the photovoltaic cells.

[0006] However, when the wires are misaligned or rotated approximately 90 degrees during the welding process, the photovoltaic cells may break during the connection process. This leads to reduced productivity and lower yield.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a device for transmitting wires to a apparatus in which welding is performed to connect multiple photovoltaic cells while simultaneously correcting the position of each wire so that the wire is accurately positioned in the correct location during the process of connecting the wire to the photovoltaic cells. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] The purpose of this invention is to provide a wire conveying device for photovoltaic cells, a photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus including the wire conveying device, and a photovoltaic module manufacturing method.

[0010] Technical solution

[0011] One aspect of the present invention provides a wire conveying device for photovoltaic cells, the wire conveying device for photovoltaic cells comprising: a substrate on which wires for photovoltaic cells having compression portions are disposed; a loading unit configured to load the wires and move the wires to the substrate; a clamping unit disposed above the substrate to overlap with the wires; an alignment unit configured to apply force to the clamping unit such that the clamping unit aligns the wires on the substrate; and an unloading unit configured to discharge the clamping unit and the aligned wires.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention provides a photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a pressing device configured to compress wires for photovoltaic cells in a preset pattern; a welding device configured to connect a plurality of photovoltaic cells using the wires; and a conveying device disposed between the pressing device and the welding device, configured to align the wires on a substrate using a clamping unit, and to convey the clamping unit and the wires to the welding device, wherein the conveying device comprises: a loading unit configured to load the wires, which have passed through the pressing device, onto the substrate; a clamping unit disposed above the substrate to overlap with the wires; an alignment unit configured to apply force to the clamping unit such that the clamping unit aligns the wires on the substrate; and an unloading unit configured to unload the clamping unit and the aligned wires to the welding device.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module, the method comprising: compressing wires for a photovoltaic cell in a preset pattern; aligning the wires using a clamping unit such that the compressed portions of the multiple wires for the photovoltaic cell have a preset arrangement; and receiving the aligned wires and soldering the wires to the photovoltaic cell.

[0014] Beneficial effects

[0015] According to embodiments of the present invention, a wire conveying device for photovoltaic cells, a photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus including the wire conveying device, and a photovoltaic module manufacturing method can improve the quality of photovoltaic cell modules by aligning the wires for photovoltaic cells onto the photovoltaic cells in a predetermined arrangement. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a conceptual view illustrating a photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1A side view of a wire transmission device used for photovoltaic cells.

[0018] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A plan view of the wire transmission device.

[0019] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view taken from line AA.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a photovoltaic module manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figures 6 to 10 It is shown Figure 2 A view of the process by which a wire conveying device aligns and conveys wires.

[0022] Best way to carry out the invention

[0023] One aspect of the present invention provides a wire conveying device for photovoltaic cells, the wire conveying device for photovoltaic cells comprising: a substrate on which wires for photovoltaic cells having compression portions are disposed; a loading unit configured to load the wires and move the wires to the substrate; a clamping unit disposed above the substrate to overlap with the wires; an alignment unit configured to apply force to the clamping unit such that the clamping unit aligns the wires for photovoltaic cells on the substrate; and an unloading unit configured to discharge the clamping unit and the aligned wires for photovoltaic cells.

[0024] The alignment unit may include: a pusher disposed on one side of the clamping unit; and a drive unit configured to provide a driving force that causes the pusher to reciprocate linearly toward the clamping unit.

[0025] The actuator can be magnetic and can be attached to one side of the clamping unit.

[0026] The alignment unit may also include a stop disposed between the pusher and the substrate.

[0027] The clamping unit may include: a wire clamp having a contact end configured to contact a compressed portion of a wire for a photovoltaic cell; and clamp blocks disposed on both sides of the wire clamp, and an alignment unit may apply force to the clamp blocks to align the compressed portion to a preset position.

[0028] The fixture block may have a fixture slot configured to face the pusher of the alignment unit, such that when the alignment unit is driven, the pusher is inserted into the fixture slot.

[0029] The substrate may include: a first guide block including a first guide groove configured to align multiple wires for the photovoltaic cell at a preset interval; and a second guide block including a second guide groove into which a compressed portion of each wire for the photovoltaic cell is inserted.

[0030] The loading unit can be configured to move multiple cut wires for photovoltaic cells to the upper side of the substrate and raise the substrate.

[0031] The unloading unit may include: a magnet portion configured to generate magnetic force and connected to a clamping block; and an adsorption portion disposed above the wires for the photovoltaic cell and configured to pick up the wires for the photovoltaic cell.

[0032] The conveying device may also include a position checking unit disposed above the substrate and configured to identify the position of the wires for photovoltaic cells disposed on the substrate.

[0033] Another aspect of the present invention provides a photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a pressing device configured to compress wires for photovoltaic cells in a preset pattern; a welding device configured to connect a plurality of photovoltaic cells using the wires; and a conveying device disposed between the pressing device and the welding device, configured to align the wires on a substrate using a clamping unit, and to convey the clamping unit and the wires to the welding device, wherein the conveying device comprises: a loading unit configured to load the wires, which have passed through the pressing device, onto the substrate; a clamping unit disposed above the substrate to overlap with the wires; an alignment unit configured to apply force to the clamping unit such that the clamping unit aligns the wires on the substrate; and an unloading unit configured to unload the clamping unit and the aligned wires to the welding device.

[0034] The conveying device may also include a conveyor unit configured to convey a jig unit recovered from the welding device to a substrate.

[0035] The photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus may also include a cutting device disposed between the pressing device and the conveying device, and configured to cut wires for photovoltaic cells having compressed portions formed in a preset pattern.

[0036] The alignment unit may include: a pusher disposed on one side of the clamping unit; and a drive unit configured to provide a driving force that causes the pusher to reciprocate linearly toward the clamping unit.

[0037] The clamping unit may include: a wire clamp having a contact end configured to contact a compressed portion of a wire; and clamp blocks disposed on both sides of the wire clamp, and an alignment unit may apply force to the clamp blocks to align the compressed portion to a preset position.

[0038] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module, the method comprising: compressing wires for a photovoltaic cell in a preset pattern; receiving aligned wires and aligning the wires using a clamping unit such that the compressed portions of the multiple wires for the photovoltaic cell have a preset arrangement; and welding the wires to the photovoltaic cell.

[0039] Alignment wires may include: placing a clamping unit on a substrate; and applying force to the clamping unit using a pusher of the alignment unit.

[0040] The alignment guide may include: applying force to the clamping unit by the alignment unit while the contact end of the clamping unit is in contact with the compressed part, so that the compressed part is aligned to a preset position.

[0041] Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the accompanying drawings, claims, and detailed description of the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0042] In the following, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] This invention is capable of various modifications and can have various embodiments. Therefore, specific embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail in the detailed description. The effects, features, and methods of implementing the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and can be implemented in various forms.

[0044] In the following description, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding parts are indicated by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0045] In the following implementation, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular expressions include plural expressions.

[0046] In the following implementation, terms such as “comprising” or “having” indicate the presence of the feature or component, and do not exclude the possibility that one or more other features or components may be added.

[0047] When the implementation can be carried out in different ways, a particular process sequence can be performed in a manner different from the described order. For example, two processes described consecutively can be performed substantially simultaneously, or they can be performed in the reverse order of the described order.

[0048] In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of components may be exaggerated or reduced for ease of description. For example, the dimensions and thicknesses of components shown in the drawings are arbitrary for ease of description, and therefore the invention is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0049] Figure 1 This is a conceptual view showing a photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Reference Figure 1 The photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a pressing device 10 configured to compress wires W for photovoltaic cells, a cutting device 20 configured to cut wires W, a conveying device 30 configured to convey wires W to a welding device 40, and a welding device 40 configured to weld wires W to photovoltaic cells C.

[0051] The conductor W can be used to electrically connect multiple photovoltaic cells C. The conductor W can be arranged along the surface of multiple photovoltaic cells C and can electrically connect adjacent photovoltaic cells C. The conductor W can be defined by names such as busbar, solder strip, or lap wire.

[0052] The conductor W may include various conductive materials for connecting the photovoltaic cell C. For example, the conductor W may have a metal core layer and a solder layer formed of solder material coated on the surface of the core layer in a thin layer.

[0053] The conductor W may include a compressed portion WC and an uncompressed portion WR. The uncompressed portion WR may be disposed on the surface of the photovoltaic cell C, and the compressed portion WC may be disposed in the space between adjacent photovoltaic cells C. Due to the compressed portion WC, the space between adjacent photovoltaic cells C can be reduced, thereby improving the quality and productivity of the photovoltaic module.

[0054] The pressing device 10 can compress the wire W in a preset pattern. The pressing device 10 can compress the wire W in a preset pattern to form a compressed portion WC.

[0055] The pressing device 10 may include at least one roller for compressing the wire W and a drive unit (not shown) configured to provide driving force to the roller.

[0056] In one embodiment, multiple wires W can be fed to the pressing device 10 as a group, and the roller can compress the multiple wires W in a preset pattern. Therefore, a compressed portion WC may be included in a section of the multiple wires W pressed by the roller.

[0057] The cutting device 20 can cut the compressed wire W to a preset length. The cutting length of the wire W can be set to be longer than the length of the photovoltaic cell C in order to connect adjacent photovoltaic cells C.

[0058] In one embodiment, the cutting device 20 may include a cutting unit (not shown) and a driving unit (not shown), the driving unit being configured to provide driving force to the cutting unit. The cutting unit can cut wires W according to a preset cutting length, and can simultaneously cut multiple wires W as a set.

[0059] In one embodiment, the cutting device 20 can be disposed on one side of the pressing device 10, so that the pressed wire W is continuously introduced into the cutting device 20. Alternatively, the pressing device 10 and the cutting device 20 can be integrated into a single device, allowing pressing and cutting to be performed simultaneously or sequentially. Furthermore, the cutting device 20 can be disposed between the pressing device 10 and the conveying device 30.

[0060] The conveying device 30 can convey the wires W to the welding device 40. The conveying device 30 can align the compressed portions WC of multiple wires W set as a group and convey the multiple wires W to the welding device 40.

[0061] In one embodiment, the conveying device 30 may be disposed on one side of the pressing device 10 or the cutting device 20, such that the cut wire W is continuously conveyed to the welding device 40. Alternatively, the conveying device 30 may be integrated with at least one of the pressing device 10 and the cutting device 20 to directly convey the pressed and cut wire W to the welding device 40. Furthermore, the conveying device 30 may be disposed between the pressing device 10 and the welding device 40. The conveying device 30 will now be described in detail.

[0062] The welding device 40 can electrically connect the wire W to multiple photovoltaic cells C. The welding device 40 can weld the wire W to the welding pad (not shown) of each photovoltaic cell C, thereby connecting the wire W to the photovoltaic cell C.

[0063] The photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a wire feeding device (not shown) configured to supply wires W to the pressing device 10. Additionally, the photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a photovoltaic cell feeding device (not shown) configured to supply each photovoltaic cell C to the welding device 40. The photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus 1 may include a laminating device (not shown) configured to cover the photovoltaic module, which has undergone the welding process, with a sealing member (not shown).

[0064] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 Side view of the wire conveying device 30. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1A plan view of the wire transmission device 30, and Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 The cross-sectional view taken from line AA.

[0065] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The wire conveying device 100 may include a base plate 110, a loading unit 120, a clamping unit 130, an alignment unit 140, an unloading unit 150, a conveyor unit 160, a supply plate 170, a guide plate 180, and a stop member 190.

[0066] A conductor W with a compression portion WC can be provided on the substrate 110. The substrate 110 can be configured such that a set of conductors W are provided thereon, and the arrangement of the conductors W is aligned before soldering.

[0067] The substrate 110 may have a planar shape, so that the wires W can be stably positioned.

[0068] Reference Figure 4 The substrate 110 may include a first guide block 111. The first guide block 111 may align the wire W on the substrate 110 at a preset interval.

[0069] Multiple first guide blocks 111 can be provided on the substrate 110 to support the wire W at multiple points in the longitudinal direction of the wire W.

[0070] The first guide block 111 may protrude from the upper surface of the substrate 110 and may have a first guide groove 1111. Multiple first guide grooves 1111 may be provided along the longitudinal direction of the first guide block 111. Since the multiple first guide grooves 1111 are spaced apart from each other, the positions of multiple wires W in the width direction can be set on the substrate 110. At this time, the uncompressed portion WR of the wire W can be inserted into the first guide groove 1111.

[0071] The substrate 110 may include a second guide block 112. The second guide block 112 may support the compressed portion WC of the wire W on the substrate 110.

[0072] When the compressed portion WC of the conductor W is not aligned, the second guide block 112 can provide a space in which the clamping unit 130, which will be described later, is used to align the compressed portion WC of the conductor W.

[0073] The first guide block 111 and the second guide block 112 can have different heights.

[0074] In this embodiment, the first height h1 of the first guide block 111 can be set to be greater than the second height h2 of the second guide block 112. Since the wire W is supported on the second guide block 112 through the surface of the compressed portion WC, the second height h2 of the second guide block 112 can be set to be less than the first height h1 of the first guide block 111, and the uncompressed portion WR is inserted into the first guide block 111 via the first guide groove 1111.

[0075] The substrate 110 can be configured to move upward or downward in the height direction. During the alignment process, the lifting drive unit 113 can move the substrate 110 upward or downward. Specifically, multiple wires W can be introduced onto the substrate 110 at a lower height, and then the substrate 110 can be raised so that the multiple wires W contact and align with the clamping unit 130.

[0076] In this embodiment, the lifting drive unit 113 may include various components capable of adjusting the height of the substrate 110. For example, the lifting drive unit 113 may raise or lower the substrate 110 by transmitting the rotational force of a drive motor via a chain, belt, gear, or the like. Alternatively, the lifting drive unit 113 may be configured as a hydraulic cylinder or a pneumatic cylinder to raise or lower the substrate 110.

[0077] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, during the process of setting the wire W on the substrate 110, the lifting drive unit 113 places the substrate 110 at a lower position. Thereafter, the lifting drive unit 113 can raise the substrate 110 by a preset height h3 in the +Z axis direction, thereby positioning the second guide block 112 in the second region AR2.

[0078] Subsequently, in order to rearrange the wires W on the substrate 110, the lifting drive unit 113 can lower the substrate 110 by a preset height h3 in the −Z axis direction.

[0079] The loading unit 120 can move the wire W to the substrate 110. The cut wire W can be temporarily placed on the supply plate 170, and the loading unit 120 can move the wire W placed on the supply plate 170 to the substrate 110.

[0080] In an embodiment, the loading unit 120 may include a body 121 and a clamp 122.

[0081] The body 121 can extend in one direction and can move across the upper side of the substrate 110. That is, the body 121 can reciprocate in the X-axis direction.

[0082] The clamp 122 can be disposed at the end of the body 121 and can clamp the end of the wire W. When the body 121 moves forward to the supply plate 170, the clamp 122 can clamp the end of the wire W disposed on the supply plate 170.

[0083] Subsequently, as the body 121 retracts toward the rear side of the substrate 110, the clamp 122 releases its grip, allowing the wire W to be disposed on the substrate 110. At this time, the compressed portion WC of the wire W can be disposed on the second guide block 112.

[0084] The clamping unit 130 can contact the wires W disposed on the substrate 110. The clamping unit 130 can align the wires W and can maintain the alignment of a set of wires W when the wires W are moved to the welding device 40.

[0085] The clamping unit 130 can be moved to a preset alignment position via the conveyor unit 160. The clamping unit 130 can be disposed in a first region AR1 above the second guide block 112, and then, when the wire W disposed on the substrate 110 moves upward via the lifting drive unit 113, the wire W can contact the wire clamp 132 of the clamping unit 130.

[0086] In one embodiment, the clamp unit 130 may include a clamp block 131 and a clamp wire 132.

[0087] The clamp block 131 can be disposed on both sides of the clamp unit 130 and can support the clamp wire 132. The clamp block 131 can be disposed above the conveyor unit 160, and the clamp unit 130 can be moved to the first region AR1 by the drive of the conveyor unit 160.

[0088] The clamp block 131 may include a clamp groove 1311 on one of its side surfaces. The clamp groove 1311 may be configured to face the alignment unit 140 that applies force to the clamp unit 130. When the alignment unit 140 is driven, the pusher 141 may be inserted into the clamp groove 1311.

[0089] The wire clamp 132 can be supported by clamp blocks 131 and can be elastic. The wire clamp 132 can be supported by a pair of clamp blocks 131 facing each other and can have a preset elasticity, so that its shape is deformed by external force and returns to its original shape when the external force is removed.

[0090] The wire clamp 132 can deform into various shapes depending on the arrangement of the wire W when in contact with the wire W. For example, the wire clamp 132 can have an annular shape with a hollow interior, such that the interior space deforms when an external force is applied and returns to the annular shape when the external force is removed.

[0091] The alignment unit 140 can align the wires W disposed on the substrate 110 by using the clamp unit 130.

[0092] Alignment unit 140 can be disposed on one side of clamping unit 130. Specifically, alignment unit 140 can be disposed on the -Y axis side of clamping unit 130, and force can be applied to clamping unit 130 to move clamping unit 130 in the Y axis direction.

[0093] In an embodiment, the alignment unit 140 may include a pusher 141, a cylinder 142, a drive unit 143, a first body 144, and a second body 145.

[0094] The pusher 141 can be disposed on one side of the clamping unit 130 and can apply force to the clamping unit 130. The pusher 141 can be disposed on the first body 144 to face the clamping block 131 of the clamping unit 130, and the clamping block 131 can move in the Y-axis direction by the linear movement of the pusher 141.

[0095] The pusher 141 may be magnetic. When the pusher 141 is inserted into the clamp slot 1311, the pusher 141 can be magnetically coupled to the clamp block 131.

[0096] The cylinder 142 can receive driving force from the drive unit 143 and can make the pusher 141 reciprocate linearly.

[0097] In the embodiment, the cylinder 142 can cause the first body 144 to reciprocate linearly in the Y-axis direction, and through the linear reciprocating motion of the first body 144, the pusher 141 can also reciprocate linearly in the Y-axis direction.

[0098] In another embodiment, cylinder 142 can cause each actuator 141 to reciprocate linearly in the Y-axis direction. Cylinder 142 can be directly connected to actuator 141 to move actuator 141 toward clamp block 131.

[0099] The drive unit 143 can provide driving force to the cylinder 142. The cylinder 142 can perform linear reciprocating motion by compressing and expanding the air supplied from the drive unit 143.

[0100] The first body 144 can support the pusher 141, and the second body 145 can be connected to an external structure (not shown) to fix the position of the alignment unit 140.

[0101] Although an embodiment of driving the alignment unit 140 by a cylinder method has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various driving methods that enable the actuator 141 to reciprocate linearly can be applied to the alignment unit 140. For example, the actuator 141 can move linearly by receiving driving force from a drive motor, piezoelectric material, etc.

[0102] Alignment unit 140 may include a controller (not shown). The controller can control the linear movement of cylinder 142 by determining whether linear reciprocating motion of cylinder 142 is being performed, the linear travel distance of cylinder 142, and the linear travel speed of cylinder 142.

[0103] The clamp unit 130 can reciprocate linearly according to the force applied by the alignment unit 140.

[0104] In one embodiment, when the alignment unit 140 applies a force to the clamping unit 130 in the +Y axis direction, the clamping unit 130 can move in the +Y axis direction. Thereafter, the clamping unit 130 can be coupled to the pusher 141 of the alignment unit 140 and return in the −Y axis direction.

[0105] The unloading unit 150 can deliver the clamping unit 130 and the wire W to the welding device 40. The unloading unit 150 can be positioned above the clamping unit 130 and the wire W.

[0106] The unloading unit 150 can move in the -Z axis direction during the process of adsorbing the wire W, and can move in three axial directions to transfer the adsorbed wire W to the welding device 40.

[0107] In one embodiment, the unloading unit 150 is movable to pick up the wire W and is coupled to the clamp block 131. After the wire W is aligned by the alignment unit 140, the unloading unit 150 can move in the −Z axis direction to pick up the wire W.

[0108] In an embodiment, the unloading unit 150 may include a body 151, a magnet part 152, an adsorption part 153, and an adsorption driving part 154.

[0109] The body 151 can form the exterior of the unloading unit 150 and can support the magnet part 152 and the adsorption part 153.

[0110] The magnet part 152 can be disposed above the clamping unit 130, and the clamping unit 130 can be attached to the unloading unit 150.

[0111] The adsorption section 153 can be set along the wire W and can pick up the wire W by adsorption.

[0112] The adsorption drive part 154 can be connected to the adsorption part 153, and when driven, it can draw in air so that the wire W is fixed to the adsorption part 153.

[0113] The conveyor unit 160 can supply the clamp unit 130 to a preset alignment position. The conveyor unit 160 can extend in the X-axis direction. The conveyor unit 160 can receive the clamp unit 130 again from the welding device 40 at one end, and can move the clamp unit 130 in the opposite direction at one end, thereby supplying the clamp unit 130 to the alignment position.

[0114] The conveyor unit 160 may be disposed above the substrate 110 to provide a path along which the clamping unit 130 may move. The clamping unit 130 may be disposed in the first region AR1 along the conveyor unit 160.

[0115] Specifically, the conveyor unit 160 can move the clamp unit 130 above the second guide block 112, so that the contact end of the clamp unit 130 contacts the compressed portion WC of the wire W.

[0116] The conveyor units 160 can be disposed on both sides of the substrate 110 facing each other. Since the substrate 110 is disposed between the conveyor units 160, the substrate 110 can move up or down without being disturbed by the conveyor units 160.

[0117] The supply plate 170 may have wires disposed thereon, for which processes such as compression and cutting have been performed. In an embodiment, the wires W disposed on the supply plate 170 can be moved onto the substrate 110 by the loading unit 120.

[0118] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 6 The guide plate 180 can be disposed on one side of the clamping unit 130 to guide the sliding movement of the clamping unit 130.

[0119] The guide plate 180 can be disposed on the side opposite to the alignment unit 140, and the guide plate 180 can assist the sliding of the clamping unit 130 when the clamping unit 130 moves in the Y-axis direction through the alignment unit 140.

[0120] In one embodiment, the guide plate 180 may have a polytetrafluoroethylene coating to reduce friction of the clamping block 131 of the clamping unit 130.

[0121] A stop 190 may be disposed between the pusher 141 and the conveyor unit 160 to restrict the movement of the clamp unit 130. The stop 190 may be disposed on the side opposite to the guide plate 180.

[0122] In the implementation method, refer to Figure 9 The upper end of the stop 190 can protrude from the conveyor unit 160 and can be configured to overlap the lower part of the clamp block 131.

[0123] During the process of the clamp unit 130 returning in the −Y axis direction, the stop 190 can contact the lower part of the clamp block 131 to limit the movement of the clamp block 131 so that the clamp block 131 does not move beyond the stop 190.

[0124] In addition, since the stop 190 restricts the movement of the clamp unit 130, the magnetic pusher 141 can be separated from the clamp block 131.

[0125] The wire conveying device 100 may include a position checking unit (not shown). The position checking unit can check the position or arrangement of the wires W disposed on the substrate 110. The position checking unit can transmit the sensed position checking results to a controller (not shown), so that the controller can further determine whether the wires W need to be rearranged.

[0126] In an implementation, the position checking unit may correspond to an image sensor, such as a camera or lidar, capable of identifying the position of the wire W.

[0127] The photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus 1 and the wire conveying device 30 or 100 of the present invention can align the wires for photovoltaic cells, thereby improving the productivity and reliability of photovoltaic modules. Since the photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus 1 and the wire conveying device 30 or 100 align the compressed portion of the wires for photovoltaic cells before the welding process, and the compressed portion is positioned or oriented in a set position during the process, the cutting of wires generated during the manufacturing process and the occurrence of cracks in the photovoltaic cell module can be reduced.

[0128] Specifically, multiple conductors W, each having a compression portion WC, need to be positioned such that the compression portion WC is in a specific location or orientation. For example, the flat portion of the compression portion WC of each conductor W needs to be positioned facing one direction. Since the compression portion WC is positioned between photovoltaic cells C during the welding process, the compression portions WC of multiple conductors W need to be positioned in the same direction between the photovoltaic cells C. If the compression portions WC of multiple conductors W are positioned in different directions, quality degradation such as cracks may occur in the photovoltaic module during the welding process performed by the welding device 40 or the subsequent lamination process.

[0129] The wire conveying device 30 or 100 can improve productivity by aligning the compressed portion WC before conveying the wire W to the welding device 40. The wire conveying device 30 or 100 can align the compressed portion WC in a set direction by allowing the alignment unit 140 to apply force to the clamping unit 130.

[0130] According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus 1 and the wire conveying device 30 or 100 are adapted to conventional photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus by additionally setting an alignment unit, the facility can be improved and the photovoltaic module productivity can be increased in a simple manner.

[0131] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a photovoltaic module manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0132] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 5 A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module according to another embodiment of the present invention is described in detail.

[0133] In step S510, the pressing device 10 can compress the wire W in a preset pattern.

[0134] The pressing device 10 can receive the wire W from the wire feeding device and compress the wire W in a preset pattern.

[0135] The pressing device 10 can compress the wire W in the overlapping parts of multiple photovoltaic cells during the welding process. The uncompressed portion WR of the wire W can be disposed on the surface of the photovoltaic cell C, and the compressed portion WC of the wire W can be disposed in the space between adjacent photovoltaic cells C.

[0136] In step S520, the cutting device 20 can cut the wire W into a preset length.

[0137] The cutting device 20 can cut the wire W so that the wire W (which has a compressed portion WC compressed by the pressing device 10 and an uncompressed portion WR) has a preset length. The length of the wire W can be set differently according to the size of each photovoltaic cell C or the specifications of the photovoltaic module.

[0138] In step S530, the conveying device 30 can be aligned with the wire W, so that the compressed portion WC of the wire W has a preset arrangement.

[0139] The conveying device 30 can align the misaligned wire W in which the compressed portion WC is located by allowing the alignment unit 140 to apply force to the clamp unit J used to fix the wire W.

[0140] The process of aligning the wire W will be described in detail below.

[0141] In step S540, the conveying device 30 can convey the clamping unit J and the alignment wire W to the welding device 40.

[0142] The conveying device 30 can convey the clamping unit J and the wire W to the welding device 40 through the unloading unit 150.

[0143] In one embodiment, the conveying device 30 can convey the clamping unit J and the wire W to the welding device 40 by connecting the magnet portion included in the unloading unit 150 to the clamping unit J and using the adsorption portion 153 included in the unloading unit 150 to adsorb the wire W.

[0144] The process of transferring the fixture unit J and the wire W to the welding device 40 will be described in detail below.

[0145] In step S550, the welding device 40 can receive the alignment wire W and weld the wire W to the photovoltaic cell C.

[0146] The welding device 40 can receive photovoltaic cells C from the photovoltaic cell feeding device. The welding device 40 can receive wires W at a preset position on the photovoltaic cell C. The welding device 40 can electrically connect the photovoltaic cell C and the wires W by welding.

[0147] When the wire W is placed on the photovoltaic cell C, the conveying device 30 can retrieve the clamp unit J. The clamp unit J can then be transferred back to the conveyor unit 160 and moved to the alignment position.

[0148] Figures 6 to 10 It is shown Figure 2 A view of the process by which the wire conveying device 100 aligns with and conveys the wire W.

[0149] The following will refer to Figures 6 to 10 Detailed description Figure 5 Steps S530 and S540.

[0150] The conveying device 30 can be aligned with the wire W so that the compressed portion WC of the wire W has a preset arrangement.

[0151] The wire W can be disposed on the substrate 110. Specifically, the wire W can be disposed on the first guide block 111 of the substrate 110.

[0152] Reference Figure 6 The wire W can be disposed on the substrate 110 via the loading unit 120 of the wire conveying device 100. By conveying the wire W using the loading unit 120, the alignment wire WA1 aligned at a preset position can be disposed on the substrate 110.

[0153] However, during the transmission of conductor W, misaligned conductor WT1 may occur due to misalignment of its compressed portion WC. Misaligned conductor WT1 may cause cracks in the photovoltaic module during the welding or lamination process of conductor W connecting multiple photovoltaic cells C.

[0154] After the alignment wire WA1 and the misaligned wire WT1 are placed on the substrate 110 by the loading unit 120, the substrate 110 can be lifted in the +Z axis direction by the lifting drive unit 113.

[0155] In one embodiment, the substrate 110 can be raised to a preset height h5 in the +Z axis direction by the lifting drive unit 113, so that the alignment wire WA1 and the misaligned wire WT1 come into contact with the clamp unit 130.

[0156] The aligned wire WA1 and the misaligned wire WT1 can contact the wire clamp 132 of the clamp unit 130 via the lifting base plate 110. The contact end 1321 of the wire clamp 132 can contact the aligned wire WA1 and the misaligned wire WT1.

[0157] The wire clamp 132 can be made of a metallic material and can have an internal hollow space, thus possessing elasticity and shape recovery force. For example, when the misaligned wire WT1 comes into contact with the contact end 1321 of the wire clamp 132, a portion of the wire clamp 132 connected to the contact end 1321 that has already contacted the misaligned wire WT1 may deform. Therefore, even when the misaligned wire WT1 is present on the substrate 110, the wire clamp 132 can contact all wires W, including the aligned wire WA1 and the misaligned wire WT1.

[0158] Reference Figure 7 The alignment unit 140 can apply force to the clamping unit 130. The alignment unit 140 can apply force to one side of the clamping block 131 using the pusher 141.

[0159] In one embodiment, the pusher 141 of the alignment unit 140 can be inserted into the clamping slot 1311 of the clamping unit 130. The clamping block 131 may have the clamping slot 1311 on the side facing the pusher 141. In one embodiment, the depth of the clamping slot 1311 may be set to be equal to or greater than the length of the pusher 141. The clamping slot 1311 provides an area where the pusher 141 applies force.

[0160] In one embodiment, the pusher 141 of the alignment unit 140 may be magnetic. When the pusher 141 and the clamp block 131 come into contact with each other, the clamp block 131 may be magnetically coupled to the pusher 141.

[0161] In one embodiment, the alignment unit 140 can move a predetermined distance d1 in the −Y-axis direction to apply force to the clamping unit 130, and the clamping unit 130 can correspondingly move in the −Y-axis direction. Additionally, the alignment unit 140 can apply force to the clamping unit 130 at a predetermined speed. Here, the predetermined distance d1 can correspond to a distance obtained by adding the length corresponding to the depth of the clamping groove 1311 to the distance between the pusher 141 and the clamping block 131 before the force is applied.

[0162] Reference Figure 8 When the alignment unit 140 applies force to the clamp unit 130, the misaligned wire WT1 can be aligned.

[0163] When the misaligned wire WT1 is aligned with the aligned wire WA2 in the same arrangement, a portion of the wire clamp 132 that has been deformed due to the misaligned wire WT1 can be restored to its state before contact.

[0164] When the alignment unit 140 applies a force to the clamping unit 130, the clamping unit 130 can move in the same direction as the force applied by the alignment unit 140. Specifically, when the alignment unit 140 applies a force to the clamping unit 130 in the -Y axis direction, the clamping unit 130 can also move in the -Y axis direction.

[0165] The guide plate 180 can be positioned on the side of the clamping unit 130 opposite to the side where the alignment unit 140 is located, thereby helping the clamping unit 130 to stay within a preset position range. In addition, since the guide plate 180 has a coating on its surface for sliding guidance, the guide plate 180 can guide the movement of the clamping block 131 in the -Y axis direction.

[0166] Reference Figure 9 After aligning the wire W by applying force to the clamp unit 130, the alignment unit 140 and the clamp unit 130 can return to their original state before the force was applied.

[0167] The alignment unit 140 can move a preset distance d1 in the +Y axis direction. Therefore, the clamping unit 130, which is magnetically coupled to the pusher 141 of the alignment unit 140, can also move together with the alignment unit 140.

[0168] The stop 190 can restrict the movement of the clamping unit 130 during the movement process of the clamping unit 130 coupled to the alignment unit 140.

[0169] Specifically, the upper end of the stop 190 can protrude from the conveyor unit 160 and can be configured to partially overlap the lower side of the clamping block 131 to contact the clamping unit 130 during its movement. Thus, during the movement of the clamping unit 130, the stop 190 can restrict the movement of the clamping block 131, preventing the clamping unit 130 from moving beyond the stop 190. At this time, because the stop 190 restricts the movement of the clamping unit 130, the pusher 141 can disengage from the clamping block 131.

[0170] Reference Figure 10 The wire conveying device 100 can convey the clamp unit 130 and the alignment wire W to the welding device 40.

[0171] The unloading unit 150 can transfer the clamping unit 130 and the alignment wire W to the welding apparatus 40. In one embodiment, the unloading unit 150 can move in the -Z axis direction to transfer the clamping unit 130 and the alignment wire W to the welding apparatus 40.

[0172] The magnet portion 152 included in the unloading unit 150 can be magnetically coupled to the clamping unit 130. In addition, the adsorption portion 153 can adsorb the air around the wire W to adsorb the wire W.

[0173] After the clamping unit 130 is coupled to the magnet portion 152 and the adsorption portion 153 adsorbs the wire W, the unloading unit 150 can move in three axial directions to transfer the clamping unit 130 and the adsorbed wire W to the welding apparatus 40.

[0174] The photovoltaic module manufacturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention can align the wires used for photovoltaic cells, thereby improving the productivity and reliability of photovoltaic modules. Because this photovoltaic module manufacturing method aligns the compressed portion of the wires used for photovoltaic cells before the welding process, such that the compressed portion is positioned or oriented in a predetermined location during the process, it can reduce wire cutting and the occurrence of cracks in the photovoltaic cell module during the manufacturing process.

[0175] As described above, the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings; however, this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent embodiments can be made therefrom. Therefore, the true scope of protection of the invention should be determined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

[0176] The specific implementations described in the embodiments are implementation methods and do not limit the scope of the embodiments in any way. Furthermore, unless specifically mentioned as "necessary" or "important," a component may not be essential for applying the invention.

[0177] In the description of the embodiments (particularly the claims), the use of the term "described" and similar indicative terms may correspond to both the singular and the plural. Additionally, when a scope is described in the embodiments, the scope includes the invention applying the various values ​​that fall within that scope (unless otherwise stated), and this is the same as describing each individual value constituting the scope in the detailed description. Finally, unless the order of the steps constituting the method according to the embodiments is explicitly stated, or if the opposite is stated, the steps may be performed in a suitable order. The embodiments are not necessarily limited by the order in which the steps are described. In the embodiments, all example or exemplary terms (e.g., "etc.") are used merely for the purpose of describing the embodiments in detail, and the scope of the embodiments is not limited by the example or exemplary terms, except as limited by the claims. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications, combinations, and changes can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents, depending on design conditions and factors.

[0178] Industrial applicability

[0179] The wire conveying device for photovoltaic cells, the photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus, and the photovoltaic module manufacturing method according to embodiments of the present invention can be applied to various industrially available devices. Embodiments of the present invention can be applied to various devices used for manufacturing photovoltaic modules.

Claims

1. A wire transmission device for photovoltaic cells, comprising: A substrate on which wires for photovoltaic cells are provided with compressed portions; A loading unit configured to load the wires and move the wires to the substrate; A clamping unit is disposed above the substrate to overlap with the conductor; An alignment unit configured to apply force to the clamping unit such that the clamping unit aligns the wires for the photovoltaic cell on the substrate; as well as An unloading unit is configured to deliver the clamping unit and the aligned wires for the photovoltaic cells.

2. The wire conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The alignment unit includes: A pusher, the pusher being disposed on one side of the clamping unit; and A drive unit configured to provide a driving force that causes the pusher to reciprocate linearly toward the clamping unit.

3. The wire conveying device according to claim 2, wherein, The actuator is magnetic and can be attached to one side of the clamping unit.

4. The wire conveying device according to claim 2, wherein, The alignment unit also includes a stop disposed between the pusher and the substrate.

5. The wire conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The clamping unit includes: A wire clamp, the wire clamp including a contact end configured to contact the compressed portion of the wire for a photovoltaic cell; and Clamping blocks, the clamping blocks being disposed on both sides of the wire clamp; and The alignment unit applies force to the clamp block, causing the compressed portion to be aligned to a preset position.

6. The wire conveying device according to claim 5, wherein, The clamp block has a clamp slot configured to face the pusher of the alignment unit, such that when the alignment unit is driven, the pusher is inserted into the clamp slot.

7. The wire conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The substrate includes: A first guide block, the first guide block including a first guide groove, the first guide groove being used to align multiple wires for photovoltaic cells at preset intervals; and The second guide block includes a second guide groove into which the compressed portion of each of the plurality of wires is inserted.

8. The wire conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The loading unit is also configured to move multiple cut wires for photovoltaic cells onto the substrate and raise the substrate.

9. The wire conveying device according to claim 1, wherein, The unloading unit includes: A magnet portion, configured to generate magnetic force and connected to a clamping block; and An adsorption section is disposed above the wire for the photovoltaic cell and configured to pick up the wire for the photovoltaic cell.

10. The wire conveying device according to claim 1, further comprising: A position checking unit is disposed above the substrate and configured to identify the position of the wires for photovoltaic cells disposed on the substrate.

11. A photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus, comprising: A pressing device configured to compress wires for photovoltaic cells in a preset pattern; A welding apparatus configured to connect multiple photovoltaic cells using the wires for photovoltaic cells; as well as A conveying device is disposed between the pressing device and the welding device, and is configured to align the wires for the photovoltaic cells on the substrate using a clamping unit, and to convey the clamping unit and the wires for the photovoltaic cells to the welding device. The conveying device includes: A loading unit configured to load the wires for photovoltaic cells that have been passed through the pressing device onto the substrate; The clamping unit is disposed above the substrate to overlap with the wires for the photovoltaic cell; An alignment unit configured to apply force to the clamping unit such that the clamping unit aligns the wires for the photovoltaic cell on the substrate; and An unloading unit is configured to unload the clamping unit and the aligned wire into the welding apparatus.

12. The photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The conveying device further includes a conveyor unit configured to convey the clamp unit recovered from the welding device to the substrate.

13. The photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: A cutting device is disposed between the pressing device and the conveying device and is configured to cut the wires for photovoltaic cells, the wires having a compressed portion formed in the preset pattern.

14. The photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The alignment unit includes: A pusher, the pusher being disposed on one side of the clamping unit; and A drive unit configured to provide a driving force that causes the pusher to reciprocate linearly toward the clamping unit.

15. The photovoltaic module manufacturing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, The clamping unit includes: A wire clamp having a contact end configured to contact a compressed portion of the wire for a photovoltaic cell; and Clamping blocks, the clamping blocks being disposed on both sides of the wire clamp; and The alignment unit applies force to the clamp block, causing the compressed portion to be aligned to a preset position.

16. A method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module, comprising: Compress the wires used in photovoltaic cells according to a preset pattern; The clamping unit is used to align the wires for the photovoltaic cells, so that the compressed portions of the multiple wires for the photovoltaic cells have a predetermined arrangement; and Receive the aligned wires and solder the wires for the photovoltaic cell to the photovoltaic cell.

17. The photovoltaic module manufacturing method according to claim 16, wherein, The wires for aligning the photovoltaic cells include: The clamping unit is mounted on the substrate; and The clamping unit is applied force using the pusher of the alignment unit.

18. The photovoltaic module manufacturing method according to claim 16, wherein, The wires for aligning the photovoltaic cells include: With the contact end of the clamp unit in contact with the compression part, the alignment unit applies force to the clamp unit, causing the compression part to be aligned to a preset position.

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