Conductive device and electroplating equipment
By designing a conductive device in the electroplating equipment, automatic replenishment and replacement of the conductive oil can be achieved, solving the problems of uneven distribution and deterioration of the conductive oil, and improving the product yield and conductive performance of the battery cells.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422996036.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-05
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-28
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-05
AI Technical Summary
On electroplating equipment, the conductive oil is unevenly distributed in the track and may deteriorate after long-term use, resulting in a decrease in conductivity, affecting the quality of the battery cell grid line, and even causing jamming problems.
A conductive device was designed, including a track, a hanger, an oil supply system, an oil discharge system, and a conductive oil detection component. Through the design of the oil inlet and oil discharge holes, the conductive oil can be automatically replenished and replaced, ensuring the uniform distribution and quality of the conductive oil and avoiding friction and jamming.
It improves the product yield of battery cells, ensures stable conductive performance, and avoids battery cell quality problems caused by uneven or deteriorated conductive oil.
Smart Images
Figure CN223481317U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of solar cell manufacturing technology, and in particular to a conductive device and electroplating equipment. Background Technology
[0002] When electroplating the grid lines of film-coated solar cells on electroplating equipment, the cells are first placed into a rack, and then an automated robotic arm places the rack into the main machine's track, allowing the cells to enter the copper plating bath for electroplating. Before entering the copper plating bath, to ensure the conductivity between the track and the rack meets standards and to prevent jamming, conductive oil is manually added to the track. This method can cause uneven distribution of the conductive oil on the track, affecting conductivity. Furthermore, after long-term use, the conductive oil in the track may deteriorate or decrease. If the conductive oil is not replaced or replenished in time, friction between the conductive blocks on the rack and the track can cause jamming, affecting the contact between the conductive blocks and the track. This results in abnormal height and width of the plated film-coated solar cell grid lines, leading to problems such as grid line detachment and breakage. Utility Model Content
[0003] This application provides a conductive device and electroplating equipment that can quickly and effectively replenish and replace conductive oil, thereby improving the yield of battery cell products.
[0004] In a first aspect, the conductive device provided in the embodiments of this application includes:
[0005] The track has a groove, and the bottom of the groove has a plurality of oil inlet holes spaced apart along a first direction, and the groove wall has oil discharge holes.
[0006] A hanger for placing battery cells, the hanger including a conductive part that cooperates with the groove body, the bottom surface of the conductive part contacting the bottom of the groove body, and the conductive part being movable in the groove body along the first direction;
[0007] An oil supply system includes an oil inlet pipe and an oil inlet valve. The oil inlet pipe is connected to the oil inlet hole, and the oil inlet valve is used to open and close the oil inlet pipe. When the oil inlet pipe is open, conductive oil is injected into the tank through the oil inlet pipe and the oil inlet hole in sequence.
[0008] An oil sludge discharge system, connected to the oil sludge discharge port, is used to discharge oil sludge from the tank; and
[0009] A conductive oil detection element is installed in the tank to detect the quality of the conductive oil.
[0010] In some embodiments, the tank is divided into multiple tank segments along the first direction;
[0011] Each of the aforementioned tank sections is respectively provided with an oil inlet hole, an oil discharge hole, and a conductive oil detection element;
[0012] Each oil inlet valve is configured to correspond one-to-one with the tank segment, and each oil inlet valve is used to control the injection of conductive oil into the corresponding tank segment.
[0013] In some embodiments, the bottom of the tank has a centerline extending along the first direction, and the oil inlet is located on the centerline;
[0014] The tank has two opposing first tank walls, and a plurality of oil discharge holes are symmetrically opened on the two first tank walls and spaced apart along the first direction.
[0015] In some embodiments, the distance between the oil discharge holes of the two first tank walls is greater than the width of the conductive portion.
[0016] In some embodiments, the distance between the oil discharge holes of the two first tank walls is twice the width of the conductive portion.
[0017] In some embodiments, the distance between the oil discharge hole and the bottom of the tank is less than the height of the conductive part.
[0018] In some embodiments, the distance between the oil discharge hole and the bottom of the tank is two-thirds of the height of the conductive part.
[0019] In some embodiments, the track is further provided with a liquid inlet hole communicating with the tank body;
[0020] The conductive device further includes a liquid supply system for providing cleaning fluid. The liquid supply system includes an inlet pipe and an inlet valve. The inlet pipe is connected to the inlet hole, and the inlet valve is used to open and close the inlet pipe. When the inlet pipe is open, the cleaning fluid is injected into the tank through the inlet pipe and the inlet hole in sequence.
[0021] In some embodiments, the oil sludge discharge system includes a suction device, a discharge pipe, and a discharge valve. The discharge pipe is connected between the oil sludge discharge hole and the suction device. The discharge valve is used to open and close the discharge pipe. When the discharge pipe is open, the oil sludge is discharged sequentially through the oil sludge discharge hole, the discharge pipe, and the suction device.
[0022] Secondly, the electroplating equipment provided in the embodiments of this application includes the conductive device provided in any of the above embodiments.
[0023] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial features of the embodiments of this application are as follows: Before the hanger enters the track, the oil inlet pipe can be opened, allowing conductive oil to be injected into the tank sequentially through the oil inlet pipe and the oil inlet hole at the bottom of the tank. This ensures the quality of the oil at the contact point between the conductive part and the track. Furthermore, the oil inlet holes are spaced apart along the moving direction of the hanger, resulting in a more uniform distribution of the conductive oil. Additionally, as the conductive part moves within the tank, it pushes the conductive oil to flow, further ensuring a more even distribution of the conductive oil and preventing friction and jamming between the conductive part and the track, thus improving performance. This improves the product yield of battery cells. In addition, if the conductive oil detection device detects that the quality of the conductive oil in the track is substandard, it can also trigger the oil inlet valve to open, allowing conductive oil to enter the tank from the bottom. The oil sludge is discharged from the oil sludge discharge hole on the side wall of the tank, thereby effectively replacing the conductive oil in the tank, ensuring the quality of the conductive oil in the tank, and further improving the product yield of battery cells. Moreover, the oil sludge discharge hole is located on the side wall of the tank, which can prevent excessive conductive oil from being discharged from the oil sludge discharge hole, thus avoiding insufficient conductive oil in the tank and further preventing friction and jamming between the conductive parts and the track. Attached Figure Description
[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the conductive device structure according to an embodiment of this application;
[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 AA cross-section diagram;
[0026] Wherein: 1-track (101-tank body (101a-tank section, 1011-tank bottom, 1012-first tank wall), 102-oil inlet hole, 103-oil discharge hole), 2-hanger (201-conductive part (2011-top surface), 202-body), 3-conductive oil detection piece, 4-oil inlet pipe, 5-oil inlet valve, 6-liquid inlet pipe, 7-liquid inlet valve, 8-suction device, 9-discharge pipe, 10-discharge valve, 11-oil tank, 12-waste liquid storage tank. Detailed Implementation
[0027] To facilitate understanding of this application, a more complete description will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Preferred embodiments of this application are shown in the drawings. However, this application can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a thorough and complete understanding of the disclosure of this application.
[0028] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly attached to the other component or there may be an intervening component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or there may be an intervening component.
[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains. The terms used herein in the specification of this application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application.
[0030] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 This application embodiment of the conductive device includes a track 1, a hanger 2, an oil supply system, an oil discharge system, and a conductive oil detection element 3. The track 1 has a groove 101, an oil inlet hole 102, and an oil discharge hole 103. The bottom 1011 of the groove 101 has multiple oil inlets 102 spaced apart along a first direction, and the groove wall has oil discharge holes 103. The hanger 2 is used to hold battery cells and includes a conductive part 201. The conductive part 201 cooperates with the groove 101, and its bottom surface contacts the bottom 1011. The conductive part 201 can move within the groove 101 along the first direction. The oil supply system includes an oil inlet pipe 4 and an oil inlet valve 5. The oil inlet pipe 4 is connected to the oil inlet hole 102, and the oil inlet valve 5 can be used to open or close the oil inlet pipe 4. When the oil inlet pipe 4 is open, conductive oil flows sequentially through the oil inlet pipe 4 and the oil inlet hole 102 into the tank 101. When the oil inlet pipe 4 is closed, conductive oil will not flow into the tank 101. An oil sludge discharge system is connected to the oil sludge discharge hole 103 and is used to discharge oil sludge from the tank 101. A conductive oil detection element 3 is installed inside the tank 101 and is used to detect the quality of the conductive oil.
[0031] In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the conductive part 201 contacts the bottom of the tank 1011. Before the hanger 2 enters the track 1, the oil inlet pipe 4 can be opened to automatically inject a set amount of conductive oil. The conductive oil is injected into the tank 101 through the oil inlet pipe 4 and the oil inlet hole 102 of the bottom of the tank 101 in sequence. This ensures the quality of the oil at the contact point between the conductive part 201 and the track 1. Moreover, the oil inlet holes 102 are spaced apart along the moving direction of the hanger 2, making the conductive oil distribution more uniform. Furthermore, as the conductive part 201 moves within the tank 101, it pushes the conductive oil to flow, making the conductive oil distribution more uniform and preventing friction and jamming between the conductive part 201 and the track 1, thereby improving the product yield of the battery cells.
[0032] In this embodiment of the application, during the production process, if the conductive oil detection component 3 detects that the quality of the conductive oil in the track 1 is substandard, it can trigger the oil inlet valve 5 to open, and the conductive oil enters the tank body 101 from the bottom 1011. Meanwhile, the oil stains located above the newly injected conductive oil are discharged from the oil stain discharge hole 103 on the side wall of the tank body 101 to the tank body 101, thereby automatically discharging the deteriorated oil stains through the oil stain discharge hole 103 to the outside of the tank body 101, effectively replacing the conductive oil in the tank body 101, ensuring the quality of the conductive oil in the tank body 101, and further improving the product yield of the battery cells.
[0033] In this embodiment, the oil drain hole 103 is provided on the tank wall of the tank body 101, which can prevent excessive conductive oil from being discharged from the oil drain hole 103, thus avoiding insufficient conductive oil in the tank body 101. This further prevents the conductive part 201 from rubbing and getting stuck with the track 1, and further improves the product yield of the battery cell.
[0034] In some preferred embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The hanger 2 includes a main body 202 and two conductive parts 201. Please refer to [the documentation / reference]. Figure 1 The diagram shows a top view of the conductive device. The conductive parts 201 are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the body 202. Correspondingly, the wire device includes two tracks 1, with one conductive part 201 inserted into one track 1 and the other conductive part 201 inserted into the other track 1, thereby improving the stability of the mounting fixture 2 and further improving the product yield of the battery cells.
[0035] In some preferred embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The tank 101 is divided into multiple tank segments 101a along the first direction. Each tank segment 101a is respectively provided with an oil inlet hole 102, an oil discharge hole 103, and a conductive oil detection element 3. An oil inlet valve 5 is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the tank segment 101a, and each oil inlet valve 5 is used to control the injection of conductive oil into the corresponding tank segment 101a.
[0036] In this embodiment, during the electroplating process, the conductive oil detection component 3 can monitor the conductive oil in the corresponding tank segment 101a. If the quality of the conductive oil in the tank segment 101a fails to meet the process standards, the oil inlet valve 5 corresponding to the tank segment 101a will open, and the conductive oil will enter the tank body 101 through the oil inlet hole 102 of the tank segment 101a. As the conductive oil is injected into the tank bottom 1011, the amount of conductive oil in the tank body 101 increases, and the oil at the top is discharged through the oil discharge hole 103, thereby more effectively monitoring the quality of the conductive oil. Moreover, compared with replacing the conductive oil in one section, segmented monitoring of oil quality and segmented replacement of conductive oil can not only improve the efficiency of conductive oil replacement and ensure oil quality, but also reduce production costs.
[0037] As an example, the conductive oil detection element 3 can be a conductive oil detection probe. It is understood that in other embodiments, the conductive oil detection element 3 can also be other detection devices, which can be configured according to actual conditions, and will not be elaborated here.
[0038] In some preferred embodiments, the bottom of the tank 1011 has a centerline extending along a first direction, and the oil inlet 102 is located on the centerline, so that the conductive oil can enter the tank 101 more evenly and the oil quality in the tank 101 is more uniform.
[0039] In some preferred embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The tank 101 has two opposing first tank walls 1012, and oil discharge holes 103 are formed on the two first tank walls 1012. Each first tank wall 1012 has a plurality of oil discharge holes 103 spaced apart along a first direction, and the oil discharge holes 103 on the two first tank walls 1012 are arranged one-to-one, so that the oil can be discharged to the outside of the tank 101 more quickly and effectively, and the accumulation of oil in the tank 101 and the uneven oil quality in the tank 101 can be avoided as much as possible.
[0040] In some preferred embodiments, please refer to Figure 2 The distance L1 between the oil discharge holes 103 of the two first tank walls 1012 is greater than the width L2 of the conductive part 201, which at least ensures that the conductive oil that the conductive part 201 comes into contact with when it enters the tank 101 is the conductive oil that meets the process standard.
[0041] As an alternative implementation method, please refer to Figure 2 The distance L1 between the oil discharge holes 103 of the two first tank walls 1012 can be twice the width L2 of the conductive part 201, thereby further ensuring that the conductive oil that the conductive part 201 comes into contact with as soon as it enters the tank 101 is the conductive oil that meets the process standard, and avoiding the conductive part 201 from coming into contact with oil.
[0042] In related technologies, the top of the conductive part 201 may be provided with structures such as wires. In some preferred embodiments, the distance L3 between the oil discharge hole 103 and the bottom of the tank 1011 is less than the height L4 of the conductive part 201. That is, the top surface 2011 of the conductive part 201 is higher than the oil discharge hole 103, thereby preventing the wires and other structures on the top of the conductive part 201 from contacting conductive oil or conductive grease, thus avoiding defects in the battery cell process.
[0043] As an optional implementation, the distance L3 between the oil discharge hole 103 and the bottom of the tank 1011 is two-thirds of the height L4 of the conductive part 201. This not only effectively prevents oil or conductive oil from contacting the wires and other structures on the top of the conductive part 201, but also ensures that there is enough conductive oil in the tank 101, avoiding friction and jamming between the track 1 and the hanger 2 caused by insufficient conductive oil, and further improving the product yield of the battery cells.
[0044] In some preferred embodiments, a liquid inlet (not shown) is also provided on the track 1, which is connected to the tank 101. The conductive device also includes a liquid supply system for providing cleaning fluid. The liquid supply system includes an inlet pipe 6 and an inlet valve 7. The inlet pipe 6 is connected to the inlet hole, and the inlet valve 7 can be used to open or close the inlet pipe 6. When the inlet pipe 6 is open, the cleaning fluid is injected into the tank 101 sequentially through the inlet pipe 6 and the inlet hole. When the inlet pipe 6 is closed, the cleaning fluid will not be injected into the tank 101.
[0045] In this embodiment, after production is completed and it is necessary to clean the track 1 or change to a different conductive oil, the inlet valve 7 is opened, and the cleaning fluid can be injected into the tank 101 of the track 1 through the inlet pipe 6 and the inlet hole for thorough cleaning. The dirt generated during cleaning can be discharged through the oil discharge hole 103, which can prevent oil residue from remaining in the tank 101 after the electroplating process. If oil residue remains in the tank 101, it will adhere to the conductive part 201 during the next electroplating. When the rack 2 enters the drying equipment after electroplating, the oil will reach the drying tank and evaporate upon heating, contaminating the film-coated solar cells. Therefore, this embodiment can effectively avoid oil residue and improve the product yield of the solar cells.
[0046] As an example, the liquid inlet hole can be opened at the first end of the tank 101 and located on the tank wall of the tank 101.
[0047] In some preferred embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The oil sludge discharge system includes a suction device 8, a discharge pipe 9, and a discharge valve 10. The discharge pipe 9 connects the oil sludge discharge hole 103 and the suction device 8. The discharge valve 10 is used to open and close the discharge pipe 9. When the discharge pipe 9 is open, conductive oil that needs to be discharged, as well as cleaning debris and other liquids, can be discharged sequentially through the oil sludge discharge hole 103, the discharge pipe 9, and the suction device 8. When the discharge pipe 9 is closed, the liquid in the tank 101 will not be discharged through the oil sludge discharge hole 103, thus preventing the discharge of qualified conductive oil from the oil sludge discharge hole 103 when no sludge discharge is required.
[0048] In some examples, the aforementioned oil inlet valve 5, liquid inlet valve 7, and discharge valve 10 can be ball valves. It is understood that the oil inlet valve 5, liquid inlet valve 7, and discharge valve 10 can also be other types of valve structures.
[0049] In some preferred embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The oil supply system may also include an oil tank 11 connected to the oil inlet pipe 4, the oil tank 11 being used to supply conductive oil.
[0050] As an optional implementation, the working principle of the conductive device is as follows: After the electroplating equipment is turned on and the process parameters are set, the oil supply system injects standard conductive oil into the tank 101 of the track 1. The machine is started and running, the hanger 2 reaches the waiting position, and the automated robot puts the film battery cell into the body 202 of the hanger 2. After placement, the main equipment robot lifts the hanger 2, so that the conductive part 201 of the hanger 2 is placed into the tank 101 of the track 1, and the bottom of the conductive part 201 is at least in contact with the bottom 1011 of the tank 101. Then, the hanger 2 enters the copper tank electroplating process along the track 1. During the electroplating process, the conductive oil detection component 3 monitors the conductive oil in the corresponding tank section 101a. If the quality of the conductive oil in any tank section 101a does not meet the process requirements, the corresponding oil inlet valve 5 is opened, and the conductive oil enters the tank body 101 sequentially through the oil tank 11, oil inlet pipe, and oil inlet hole 102. The oil sludge is discharged sequentially through the discharge hole, discharge pipe 9, and suction device 8 to the waste liquid storage tank 12. After production is completed, when it is necessary to clean the track 1 or change to a different conductive oil, the liquid inlet valve 7 is opened, and the cleaning fluid can be injected into the tank body 101 of the track 1 sequentially through the liquid inlet pipe 6 and liquid inlet hole for thorough cleaning. The dirt formed during cleaning can be discharged sequentially through the discharge hole, discharge pipe 9, and suction device 8 to the waste liquid storage tank 12.
[0051] As an example, when the conductive oil detection element 3 detects that the impurities in the conductive oil exceed the standard, it can automatically send a signal to trigger the oil inlet valve 5 to increase the oil inlet flow. After the oil inlet flow reaches the preset value, the drain valve is opened simultaneously to suck out the oil, ensuring that the conductive oil is within the process standard range. When the conductive oil quality is higher than the standard, the inlet and outlet flow can be reduced simultaneously to control costs. After electroplating, if no production is carried out, the inlet pipe 6 can be opened to inject cleaning agent into the tank 101 of the track 1 for a comprehensive automated cleaning of the track 1, avoiding prolonged contact between the track 1 and the conductive part 201 with chemical components, which could lead to corrosion of the track 1 and the conductive part 201. In the addition, replacement, and cleaning processes, no manual operation is required, and the addition and discharge of each section can be automatically and independently controlled without affecting production capacity and processes.
[0052] It is understandable that the two orbitals 1 can be like Figure 1The two tracks 1 are connected to their respective waste liquid storage tanks 12, or the two tracks 1 can share a single waste liquid storage tank 12, which is not limited here.
[0053] The electroplating equipment in this application includes the conductive device provided in any of the above embodiments.
[0054] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0055] The above embodiments merely illustrate preferred implementations of this application, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A conductive device, characterized in that, include: The track has a groove, and the bottom of the groove has a plurality of oil inlet holes spaced apart along a first direction, and the groove wall has an oil discharge hole. A hanger for placing battery cells, the hanger including a conductive part that cooperates with the groove body, the bottom surface of the conductive part contacting the bottom of the groove body, and the conductive part being movable in the groove body along the first direction; An oil supply system includes an oil inlet pipe and an oil inlet valve. The oil inlet pipe is connected to the oil inlet hole, and the oil inlet valve is used to open and close the oil inlet pipe. When the oil inlet pipe is open, conductive oil is injected into the tank through the oil inlet pipe and the oil inlet hole in sequence. An oil sludge discharge system, connected to the oil sludge discharge port, is used to discharge oil sludge from the tank; and A conductive oil detection element is installed in the tank to detect the quality of the conductive oil.
2. The conductive device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The trough is divided into multiple trough segments along the first direction; Each of the aforementioned tank sections is respectively provided with an oil inlet hole, an oil discharge hole, and a conductive oil detection element; Each oil inlet valve is configured to correspond one-to-one with the tank segment, and each oil inlet valve is used to control the injection of conductive oil into the corresponding tank segment.
3. The conductive device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the tank has a centerline extending along the first direction, and the oil inlet is located on the centerline; The tank has two opposing first tank walls, and a plurality of oil discharge holes are symmetrically opened on the two first tank walls and spaced apart along the first direction.
4. The conductive device as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The distance between the oil discharge holes of the two first tank walls is greater than the width of the conductive part.
5. The conductive device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The distance between the oil discharge holes of the two first tank walls is twice the width of the conductive part.
6. The conductive device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The distance between the oil discharge hole and the bottom of the tank is less than the height of the conductive part.
7. The conductive device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that, The distance between the oil discharge hole and the bottom of the tank is two-thirds of the height of the conductive part.
8. The conductive device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The track is also provided with a liquid inlet hole that communicates with the tank body; The conductive device further includes a liquid supply system for providing cleaning fluid. The liquid supply system includes an inlet pipe and an inlet valve. The inlet pipe is connected to the inlet hole, and the inlet valve is used to open and close the inlet pipe. When the inlet pipe is open, the cleaning fluid is injected into the tank through the inlet pipe and the inlet hole in sequence.
9. The conductive device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The oil sludge discharge system includes a suction device, a discharge pipe, and a discharge valve. The discharge pipe is connected between the oil sludge discharge hole and the suction device. The discharge valve is used to open and close the discharge pipe. When the discharge pipe is open, the oil sludge is discharged sequentially through the oil sludge discharge hole, the discharge pipe, and the suction device.
10. Electroplating equipment, characterized in that, Includes the conductive device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.