Vertical electroplating hanger for copper plating of photovoltaic cell

Abstract

The utility model discloses a vertical electroplating hanger for copper plating of a photovoltaic cell. The vertical electroplating hanger comprises a fixing mechanism, a clamping mechanism and an electroplating mechanism, the fixing mechanism comprises a clamp bottom plate, and a plurality of openings for placing battery pieces are formed in the clamp bottom plate; the hanging tool is fixed on the electroplating bath through the clamp bottom plate; the clamping mechanism comprises a clamp cover plate and a spring bolt, and the spring bolt is used for adjusting the tightness of the clamp cover plate; the clamping mechanism is used for fixing the battery piece in the opening; the electroplating mechanism comprises an elastic probe and an elastic sheet, the elastic probe is arranged in the through hole of the clamp cover plate, and the elastic sheet is arranged on the back surface of the clamp bottom plate; and the elastic probe and the elastic sheet are respectively used for electroplating the front surface and the rear surface of the battery piece. According to the utility model, vertical electroplating can be realized, efficient contact conduction of the battery piece and quick disassembly of the battery piece are realized by designing a battery piece clamping mode, and the fragment rate can be greatly reduced while the double-sided copper electroplating efficiency of the photovoltaic battery piece is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electroplating technology, and more specifically to a vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional solar cell electrode fabrication primarily utilizes screen printing. However, to improve the economy and efficiency of electrode fabrication, electroplating technology has been proposed as an electrode fabrication method. Electroplated electrodes exhibit better conductivity than screen-printed electrodes and reduce losses due to light shading, thereby further improving the photoelectric conversion efficiency of solar cells. As an electrode fabrication method, electroplating allows the use of cheaper metals such as copper to fabricate metal grid lines, significantly reducing the cost of solar cell manufacturing. Electroplating technology is categorized into horizontal and vertical electroplating based on the cell placement method. Vertical electroplating fixtures are typically fixed or integrated into a transport system such as a steel belt. The fixture has one or more clamping elements made of conductive material and electrically connected to an external circuit, using the solar cell as the cathode.

[0003] Patent CN116411321A provides a copper plating process and apparatus for crystalline silicon heterojunction solar cells. It uses a tension sensor to determine the copper plating thickness of the crystalline silicon cell and sets the tension of a tension spring to the weight of the crystalline silicon cell after copper plating. The tension sensor can only be activated when the crystalline silicon cell reaches the specified weight. This method requires high sensor accuracy and is relatively complex to implement. Patent CN218932348U proposes a novel heterojunction solar cell grid line electroplating apparatus. A locking device on the clamp holds the stop module against the cell, preventing contact with the electroplating solution. The electroplating solution enters the cell through a central gap for plating. However, disassembling the cell using this apparatus is relatively complex. Patent CN218932348U proposes an electroplating clamp that uses a stop block and two elastic clamping parts in sliding engagement to clamp and release the cell. However, this device is inconvenient for picking up and placing the cell and is prone to causing breakage. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells. This fixture enables vertical electroplating and, through the design of the cell clamping method, achieves efficient contact and conductivity of the cells, as well as rapid disassembly of the cells. While improving the efficiency of double-sided copper plating of photovoltaic cells, it can significantly reduce the breakage rate.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the technical problem is: a vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells, the fixture including a fixing mechanism, a clamping mechanism provided on the fixing mechanism, and an electroplating mechanism provided on the fixing mechanism and the clamping mechanism;

[0006] The fixing mechanism includes a clamp base plate, which has several openings for placing battery cells; the hanger is fixed to the electroplating tank via the clamp base plate.

[0007] The clamping mechanism includes a clamp cover plate and a spring bolt, the spring bolt being used to adjust the tightness of the clamp cover plate; the clamping mechanism is used to fix the battery cell in the opening;

[0008] The electroplating mechanism includes an elastic probe and a spring sheet. The elastic probe is disposed in the through hole of the fixture cover plate, and the spring sheet is disposed on the back side of the fixture base plate. The elastic probe and the spring sheet are used to realize the electroplating of the front and back sides of the battery cell, respectively.

[0009] Furthermore, each of the openings is provided with a clamp cover plate along its upper and lower edges, and each clamp cover plate is provided with a plurality of spring bolts.

[0010] Furthermore, the upper edge, lower edge, or both edges of the clamp cover are provided with a plurality of through holes for mounting the elastic probe, and the elastic probe passes through the through holes and contacts the electroplating point on one side of the battery cell.

[0011] Furthermore, the height of the elastic probe is adjusted by a screw.

[0012] Furthermore, the spring is fixed to the back of the fixture base plate by screws, and contacts the electroplating point on the other side of the battery cell.

[0013] Furthermore, the structure of the spring piece is that one end is bent or both ends are bent.

[0014] Furthermore, the fixture base plate is provided with a handle.

[0015] Furthermore, the elastic probe and spring are connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the current density provided by the elastic probe and spring is the same or different when electroplating the battery cell.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: Compared with the prior art, the vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells provided by this utility model has the following advantages:

[0017] 1) Through the design of elastic probes and springs, electroplating of the front and back sides of the solar cell can be achieved simultaneously; and electroplating with different current densities on both sides can be achieved; thus improving the efficiency of copper plating on the solar cell and increasing product benefits.

[0018] 2) Before electroplating, clamp the battery cells onto the hanger first, and then perform electroplating. This can greatly reduce the battery breakage rate.

[0019] 3) The fixture base plate has multiple openings, which can be used for electroplating multiple battery cells at the same time; the height of the elastic probe is adjusted by screws, which can be used for electroplating battery cells of different thicknesses.

[0020] 4) A robotic arm can be added during the loading and unloading process to achieve fully automated electroplating operations. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the hanging device provided in this utility model.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the hanging device provided in this utility model from another angle.

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view along the AA direction.

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view at point B.

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the hanging device and the operating table provided in this utility model.

[0026] Figure 6 This is another schematic diagram showing the combination of the hanger and the operating table provided in this utility model.

[0027] Among them, 1-handle; 2-clamp base plate; 3-clamp cover plate; 4-spring bolt; 5-elastic probe; 6-spring piece; 7-battery cell; 8-operating table; 9-first cylinder; 10-second cylinder; 11-third cylinder; 12-battery cell mounting plate. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To facilitate understanding of this utility model, a more comprehensive description will be given below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of this utility model. However, this utility model can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the disclosure of this utility model.

[0029] Example 1

[0030] A vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells, the fixture comprising a fixing mechanism, a clamping mechanism disposed on the fixing mechanism, and an electroplating mechanism disposed on the fixing mechanism and the clamping mechanism.

[0031] The fixing mechanism includes a clamp base plate 2, which has several openings for placing battery cells. The hanger is fixed to the electroplating tank (external equipment, not shown in the figure) via the clamp base plate 2, thus achieving the fixing of the hanger and the placement and removal of the battery cells 7. In this embodiment, two protruding structures are provided on one side of the clamp base plate 2, and the ends of the protruding structures are provided with bends. The hanger is fixed to the electroplating tank via the bends on the clamp base plate 2 to achieve the electroplating of the battery cells 7; alternatively, the hanger can be fixed to the operating table 8 via the bends to achieve the placement and removal of the battery cells 7. The clamp base plate 2 has multiple openings that extend through the clamp base plate 2 along its thickness direction.

[0032] The clamping mechanism includes a clamp cover plate 3 and spring bolts 4. The spring bolts 4 are used to adjust the tightness of the clamp cover plate 3. The clamping mechanism is used to fix the battery cell 7 in the opening. Each opening is provided with a clamp cover plate 3 along its upper and lower edges. The clamp cover plate 3 is arranged along the long side of the battery cell 7. Each clamp cover plate 3 is provided with a plurality of spring bolts 4.

[0033] The electroplating mechanism includes an elastic probe 5 and a spring sheet 6. The elastic probe 5 is disposed in the through hole of the fixture cover plate 3, and the spring sheet 6 is disposed on the back side of the fixture base plate 2. The elastic probe 5 and the spring sheet 6 are used to electroplat the front and rear sides of the battery cell 7, respectively.

[0034] The fixture has two states: clamping and releasing the battery cell 7. When it is in the clamping state, the clamping cover plate 3 and spring bolt 4 in the clamping mechanism, as well as the elastic probe 5 and spring piece 6 in the electroplating mechanism, will close relative to each other and form a clamping action on the battery cell 7 in the thickness direction, fixing the battery cell 7 in the opening of the fixture base plate 2. When it is in the releasing state, the clamping cover plate 3 and spring bolt 4 in the clamping mechanism, as well as the elastic probe 5 and spring piece 6 in the electroplating mechanism, will loosen relative to each other to release the battery cell 7, thereby removing the battery cell 7. The spring bolt 4 is connected to the second cylinder 10 to achieve the lifting and lowering of the fixture cover plate 3.

[0035] The clamp cover plate 3 has several through holes along its upper and lower edges, or both edges, for mounting the elastic probes 5. The elastic probes 5 pass through these through holes and contact the electroplating points on one side of the battery cell 7. The height of the elastic probes 5 is adjusted by screws. The spring sheet 6 is fixed to the back of the clamp base plate 2 by screws and contacts the electroplating points on the other side of the battery cell 7, enabling simultaneous electroplating on both sides of the battery cell 7. The spring sheet 6 has a structure with one end bent or both ends bent. The elastic probes 5 and spring sheet 6 are connected to the negative terminal of the power supply. During electroplating of the battery cell 7, the current densities provided by the elastic probes 5 and spring sheet 6 may be the same or different.

[0036] The clamp base plate 2 is provided with a handle 1. The handle 1 is fixed to the front of the clamp base plate 2, which facilitates the loading and unloading of the fixture. Alternatively, the handle 1 can be removed from the fixture, and the equipment can be transported via guide rails.

[0037] The working principle of the above-mentioned hanger is as follows:

[0038] like Figure 1 , 5 As shown in Figure 6, the hanger is first placed into the groove of the operating table 8. The first cylinder 9 pushes out the clamping block to press the edge of the hanger, thus fixing the hanger and preventing fragmentation when placing and removing the battery cells. The second cylinder 10 pushes the clamp cover plate 3 to rise, leaving space for the placement of the battery cells 7. The third cylinder 11 lifts the battery cell mounting plate 12 until it is flush with the surface of the operating table 8. Then, the battery cells 7 are placed on the battery cell mounting plate 12 manually or by a robotic arm, with the short side of the battery cell 7 abutting against the battery cell mounting plate 12. On the protrusion of the mounting plate 12, the third cylinder 11 of the operating table 8 releases air, the battery cell mounting plate 12 descends, and the battery cell 7 is lifted up by the spring piece 6. Then the second cylinder 10 releases air, the clamp cover plate 3 descends, the spring bolt 4 begins to act and fixes the battery cell 7 on the clamp base plate 2. The tips of the elastic probe 5 and the spring piece 6 just touch the electroplating points on both sides of the battery cell 7, and the cell loading is completed at this time. After that, the first cylinder 9 releases air, the clamping block retracts, and finally the hanger is transported into the electroplating tank by manual or automated equipment.

[0039] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the elastic probe 5 and the spring piece 6 are connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the anode is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply. Then, double-sided electroplating is performed. After electroplating, the hanger is transported to the groove on the operating table 8 by manual or automated equipment. First, the clamping block is pushed out by the first cylinder 9 to press the edge of the hanger to fix the hanger and prevent the battery cell 7 from breaking. Then, the clamp cover plate 3 is pushed up by the second cylinder 10 to make room for the removal of the battery cell 7. The battery cell mounting plate 12 is lifted by the third cylinder 11 until it is flush with the surface of the operating table. Then, the battery cell 7 is removed from the battery cell mounting plate 12 by manual or robotic arm. This whole process is the removal and placement of the battery cell 7.

[0040] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model. Therefore, all equivalent technical solutions also fall within the scope of the present utility model. The patent protection scope of the present utility model should be defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells, characterized in that: The hanger includes a fixing mechanism, a clamping mechanism disposed on the fixing mechanism, and an electroplating mechanism disposed on the fixing mechanism and the clamping mechanism; The fixing mechanism includes a clamp base plate, which has several openings for placing battery cells; the hanger is fixed to the electroplating tank via the clamp base plate. The clamping mechanism includes a clamp cover plate and a spring bolt, the spring bolt being used to adjust the tightness of the clamp cover plate; the clamping mechanism is used to fix the battery cell in the opening; The electroplating mechanism includes an elastic probe and a spring sheet. The elastic probe is disposed in the through hole of the fixture cover plate, and the spring sheet is disposed on the back side of the fixture base plate. The elastic probe and the spring sheet are used to realize the electroplating of the front and back sides of the battery cell, respectively.

2. The vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the openings is provided with a clamp cover plate along its upper and lower edges, and each clamp cover plate is provided with a plurality of spring bolts.

3. A vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The clamp cover plate has several through holes on its upper edge, lower edge, or both edges for mounting the elastic probe. The elastic probe passes through the through holes and contacts the electroplated point on one side of the battery cell.

4. A vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The height of the elastic probe is adjusted by a screw.

5. A vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The spring clip is fixed to the back of the fixture base plate by screws and contacts the electroplating point on the other side of the battery cell.

6. A vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The spring sheet has a structure with one end bent or both ends bent.

7. A vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The fixture base plate is equipped with a handle.

8. A vertical electroplating fixture for copper plating of photovoltaic cells as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The elastic probe and spring are connected to the negative terminal of the power supply. When electroplating the battery cells, the current density provided by the elastic probe and spring may be the same or different.

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