Appearance detection device and solar cell manufacturing production line

Abstract

The utility model relates to an appearance detection device and a solar cell manufacturing production line. The appearance detection device comprises a machine body which is provided with a bearing surface for bearing a battery piece; the straight light source and the oblique light source are both arranged on the machine body, the optical axis of the straight light source is perpendicular to the bearing surface, the straight light source is used for providing direct light rays to the bearing surface, the optical axis of the oblique light source intersects with the bearing surface, and the oblique light source is used for providing oblique light rays to the bearing surface; the camera is arranged on the machine body, the optical axis of the camera coincides with the optical axis of the straight light source, and the camera is used for collecting images of the battery pieces located on the bearing face. According to the appearance detection device and the solar cell manufacturing production line, the detection effect can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of solar cell manufacturing technology, specifically to an appearance inspection device and a solar cell manufacturing production line. Background Technology

[0002] After the solar cells are manufactured, they need to undergo visual inspection to determine if they meet appearance standards. Traditional visual inspection devices, such as AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) vision inspection systems, use a direct light source to emit direct light, a camera to capture images, and a controller to perform visual inspection based on the captured images to determine if the solar cells are visually acceptable. However, this traditional method of visual inspection cannot detect defects such as chemical residues and color differences, resulting in poor inspection effectiveness. Utility Model Content

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide an appearance inspection device and a solar cell manufacturing production line that can improve the inspection effect in response to the above problems.

[0004] An appearance inspection device, the appearance inspection device comprising:

[0005] The body has a support surface for supporting the battery cells;

[0006] Both a straight light source and an oblique light source are disposed on the body. The optical axis of the straight light source is perpendicular to the bearing surface, and the straight light source is used to provide direct light to the bearing surface. The optical axis of the oblique light source intersects with the bearing surface, and the oblique light source is used to provide oblique light to the bearing surface.

[0007] A camera is mounted on the body, and the optical axis of the camera coincides with the optical axis of the linear light source. The camera is used to capture images of the battery cells located on the support surface.

[0008] In some embodiments, the angle between the optical axis of the oblique light source and the bearing surface is A, where 45°≤90°-A≤60°.

[0009] In some embodiments, the oblique light source is closer to the bearing surface than the straight light source;

[0010] There are multiple oblique light sources arranged around the optical axis of the straight light source. The orthographic projection of the straight light source on the bearing surface falls into the area enclosed by the projections of all the oblique light sources.

[0011] In some embodiments, the appearance inspection device further includes a mounting strip on which all the oblique light sources are disposed, and together with the mounting strip, form a light strip.

[0012] In some embodiments, the body includes a base and a glass plate. The base has a light transmission channel. The linear light source is disposed at the bottom opening of the light transmission channel. The light strip is disposed in the light transmission channel and extends circumferentially along the light transmission channel. The glass plate covers the top opening of the light transmission channel, and the top surface of the glass plate facing away from the light transmission channel forms the bearing surface.

[0013] In some embodiments, the optical transmission channel includes a first sub-section and a second sub-section that are interconnected. The first sub-section is a groove structure and the second sub-section is a channel structure. The first sub-section is located on top of the second sub-section, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the first sub-section is larger than that of the second sub-section.

[0014] The light strip is installed on the bottom wall of the first sub-part, and the glass plate covers the top opening of the first sub-part away from the second sub-part. The camera and the linear light source are configured to form a camera, and the camera is located at the bottom opening of the second sub-part away from the first sub-part.

[0015] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second sub-part gradually increases in the direction from the second sub-part to the first sub-part, and the camera is held in place at the bottom opening of the second sub-part away from the first sub-part.

[0016] In some embodiments, the bottom wall of the first sub-part has a limiting groove, the mounting strip is at least partially confined within the limiting groove, and the oblique light source is at least partially located outside the limiting groove.

[0017] In some embodiments, the appearance inspection device further includes a controller, which is electrically connected to the linear light source, the oblique light source, and the camera.

[0018] A solar cell manufacturing production line includes an appearance inspection device as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The aforementioned appearance inspection device and solar cell manufacturing production line utilize a direct light source to provide direct light to the supporting surface, and an oblique light source to provide oblique light to the supporting surface, allowing both direct and oblique light to simultaneously illuminate the appearance inspection surface of the solar cell. Simultaneously, a camera photographs the solar cell, obtaining an image of the cell. Under direct light, defects such as notches and cracks on the appearance inspection surface of the solar cell can be displayed in the image; under oblique light, defects such as residues and color differences on the appearance inspection surface of the solar cell can be displayed in the image. Therefore, by observing whether any of these defects are displayed in the image, it can be determined whether the appearance of the solar cell is acceptable. Thus, in this application, by combining a direct light source, an oblique light source, and a camera, the types of defects that can be detected in the appearance inspection can be increased, improving the inspection effect. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a straight light source, an oblique light source, and a battery cell in one embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the appearance inspection device in this application;

[0023] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the appearance inspection device after the glass plate has been removed.

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 3 The diagram shows the structure of the appearance inspection device after the LED strip has been removed.

[0025] Figure 5 for Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of the second sub-section of the appearance inspection device shown;

[0026] Figure 6 for Figure 3 The diagram shows the structure of the second sub-unit of the appearance inspection device in conjunction with the camera.

[0027] Icon labels:

[0028] 1. Appearance inspection device; 2. Battery cells;

[0029] 10. Body; 20. Camera; 30. Oblique light source; 40. Mounting strap; 50. Direct light source;

[0030] 11. Base; 111. Light transmission channel; 111a. First sub-section; 111b. Second sub-section; 111c. Limiting groove; 12. Glass plate; 121. Bearing surface. Detailed Implementation

[0031] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0032] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0033] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0034] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0035] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0036] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0037] After the solar cells are manufactured, they need to undergo visual inspection to determine if they meet appearance standards. Traditional visual inspection devices, such as AOI (Automated Optical Inspection) vision inspection systems, use a direct light source to emit direct light, a camera to capture an image, and then a controller to perform visual inspection based on the captured image to determine if the solar cells are visually acceptable. However, this traditional method of visual inspection cannot detect defects such as chemical residues and color differences, resulting in poor inspection effectiveness.

[0038] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2 To alleviate the above problems, the applicant, after in-depth research, designed an appearance inspection device 1, which includes a body 10, a direct light source 50, an oblique light source 30, and a camera. The body 10 has a bearing surface 121 for supporting the battery cell 2. The direct light source 50, the oblique light source 30, and the camera are all mounted on the body 10. The optical axis of the direct light source 50 is perpendicular to the bearing surface 121, and the direct light source 50 is used to provide direct light to the bearing surface 121. The optical axis of the oblique light source 30 intersects with the bearing surface 121, and the oblique light source 30 is used to provide oblique light to the bearing surface 121. The optical axis of the camera coincides with the optical axis of the direct light source 50, and the camera is used to capture images of the battery cell 2 located on the bearing surface 121.

[0039] The appearance inspection device 1 can be either an upright appearance inspection device 1 or an inverted appearance inspection device 1. When the appearance inspection device 1 is an upright appearance inspection device 1, the direct light source 50, the oblique light source 30, and the camera are located above the supporting surface 121, and the battery cell 2 is supported on the supporting surface 121, with the supporting surface 121 and the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2 facing the direct light source 50, the oblique light source 30, and the camera. The battery cell 2 has an appearance inspection surface and a back surface opposite to the appearance inspection surface. When the appearance inspection device 1 is an upright appearance inspection device 1, the back surface of the battery cell 2 is in contact with the supporting surface 121.

[0040] When the appearance inspection device 1 is an inverted appearance inspection device 1, the direct light source 50, the oblique light source 30 and the camera are located below the bearing surface 121. The bearing surface 121 is set away from the direct light source 50, the oblique light source 30 and the camera. The appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2 is in contact with the bearing surface 121 and is set towards the direct light source 50, the oblique light source 30 and the camera.

[0041] Specifically, the optical axis of a light source usually refers to the center line of light emission, that is, the central axis from which the light rays are emitted. The optical axis of a camera refers to the central optical axis of the camera, which determines the imaging center and the direction of light transmission.

[0042] The optical axis of the direct light source is 50 (specifically as follows) Figure 1 (as shown by the dashed line L1), the optical axis of the camera (specifically as shown in the image). Figure 1 As shown by the dashed line L1) and the direct light beam is not only perpendicular to the bearing surface 121, but also perpendicular to the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2, and the optical axis of the oblique light source 30 (specifically as shown in the figure) Figure 1 As shown by the dashed line L2, both the oblique rays intersect with the bearing surface 121 and the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2. The intersection means that the angle between the two is an acute angle or an obtuse angle.

[0043] In actual operation, the direct light source 50 provides direct light to the bearing surface 121, and the oblique light source 30 provides oblique light to the bearing surface 121, so that both direct and oblique light can simultaneously illuminate the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2. Simultaneously, the camera takes a picture of the battery cell 2 and obtains an image of the battery. Under direct light, defects such as notches and cracks on the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2 can be displayed in the image; under oblique light, defects such as drug residues and color differences on the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2 can be displayed in the image. Therefore, by observing whether any of the above defects are displayed in the image, it can be determined whether the appearance of the battery cell 2 is acceptable. It can be understood that if any of the above defects are present in the image, the appearance inspection of the battery cell 2 is unacceptable; if none of the above defects are present in the image, the appearance inspection of the battery cell 2 is acceptable.

[0044] Therefore, in this application, by using the direct light source 50 and the oblique light source 30 in conjunction with the camera, the types of defects that can be detected in the appearance inspection can be increased, and the inspection effect can be improved.

[0045] In some embodiments, the appearance inspection device 1 may further include a controller, which is electrically connected to the linear light source 50, the oblique light source 30, and the camera. The controller controls the operation of the linear light source 50, the oblique light source 30, and the camera. The controller controls the linear light source 50 and the oblique light source 30 to turn on, and when the battery cell 2 is mounted on the support surface 121, the controller controls the camera to take a picture. Then, the controller compares the image fed back by the camera with the standard image stored in the controller and determines whether the appearance inspection of the battery cell 2 is qualified.

[0046] Of course, in some other embodiments, the operator may also determine whether the battery cell 2 has passed the appearance inspection based on the image captured by the camera.

[0047] Please continue reading. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the angle between the optical axis of the oblique light source 30 and the bearing surface 121 is A, where 45°≤90°-A≤60°.

[0048] Specifically, the angle between the optical axis of the oblique light source 30 and the bearing surface 121 is the same as the angle between the optical axis of the oblique light source 30 and the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2, both being A. The angle between the optical axis of the oblique light source 30 and the optical axis of the straight light source 50 is B, where A+B=90°. 90°-A is B, and 45°≤90°-A≤60°, i.e., 45°≤B≤60°. Within this angle range, when the obliquely incident light shines on the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2, defects such as drug residues and color differences can be clearly presented in the image, which helps to improve the reliability of the inspection.

[0049] Please see Figures 3 to 6 In some embodiments, the oblique light source 30 is closer to the bearing surface 121 than the straight light source 50; there are multiple oblique light sources 30, which are arranged around the optical axis of the straight light source 50, and the orthographic projection of the straight light source 50 on the bearing surface 121 falls into the area enclosed by the projections of all the oblique light sources 30.

[0050] Under this design, on the one hand, the oblique light source 30 does not block the direct light emitted by the straight light source 50, thus not affecting the defects presented when the direct light emitted by the straight light source 50 is projected onto the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2. On the other hand, all the oblique light sources 30 can work together to emit oblique light simultaneously along the circumference of the appearance inspection surface of the battery, so that the entire appearance inspection surface can be illuminated by oblique light. As a result, defects such as drug residues and color differences on the entire appearance inspection surface can be presented in the image, further improving the accuracy and reliability of appearance inspection.

[0051] Please refer to it again. Figure 3 In some embodiments, the appearance inspection device 1 further includes a mounting belt 40, on which all oblique light sources 30 are disposed and together with the mounting belt 40 form a light strip.

[0052] It is understandable that the mounting strap 40 serves to fix all the oblique light sources 30. By fixing the mounting strap 40, all the oblique light sources 30 can be fixed. The operation of fixing all the oblique light sources 30 is simple and convenient, which helps to improve the assembly efficiency of the appearance inspection device 1.

[0053] Please see Figures 2 to 6 In some embodiments, the body 10 includes a base 11 and a glass plate 12. The base 11 has a light transmission channel 111. A linear light source 50 is disposed at the bottom opening of the light transmission channel 111. A light strip is disposed in the light transmission channel 111 and extends circumferentially along the light transmission channel 111. The glass plate 12 covers the top opening of the light transmission channel 111, and the top surface of the glass plate 12 facing away from the light transmission channel 111 forms a bearing surface 121.

[0054] In this embodiment, the appearance inspection device 1 is an inverted appearance inspection device 1, invertedly placed on the glass plate 12, with the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2 facing down and in contact with the bearing surface 121.

[0055] In actual operation, direct and oblique light rays penetrate the glass plate 12 and illuminate the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2. The camera takes pictures of the battery cell 2 to obtain an image of the battery cell 2.

[0056] In this embodiment, the light strip and the linear light source 50 are mainly concentrated in the base 11. This design can reduce the influence of external light on the light strip and the linear light source 50, and improve the accuracy of the inspection. In addition, the high degree of integration of the components of the appearance inspection device 1 is beneficial to reducing the size of the appearance inspection device 1.

[0057] Please see Figures 3 to 6 In some embodiments, the light transmission channel 111 includes a first sub-section 111a and a second sub-section 111b that are interconnected. The first sub-section 111a has a groove structure, and the second sub-section 111b has a channel structure. The first sub-section 111a is located on top of the second sub-section 111b, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the first sub-section 111a is larger than that of the second sub-section 111b. A light strip is installed on the bottom wall of the groove of the first sub-section 111a, and a glass plate 12 covers the top opening of the first sub-section 111a away from the second sub-section 111b. A camera and a linear light source 50 are configured to form a camera 20, which is located at the bottom opening of the second sub-section 111b away from the first sub-section 111a.

[0058] The cross-sectional area of ​​the first sub-part 111a is larger than that of the second sub-part 111b. The light strip is installed on the bottom wall of the groove of the first sub-part 111a, and the camera 20 is located at the bottom opening of the second sub-part 111b away from the first sub-part 111a. With this design, direct light and oblique light do not interfere with each other, improving the accuracy of detection. In addition, the bottom wall of the groove of the first sub-part 111a can support the light strip and facilitate its installation. The way the camera and the direct light source 50 are configured to form the camera 20 means that fixing the camera 20 is equivalent to fixing both the camera and the direct light source 50 simultaneously. This design facilitates the simultaneous installation of the camera and the direct light source 50.

[0059] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second sub-part 111b gradually increases in the direction from the second sub-part 111b to the first sub-part 111a, and the camera 20 is held in the bottom opening of the second sub-part 111b away from the first sub-part 111a.

[0060] The bottom opening of the second sub-part 111b, which is smaller in distance from the first sub-part 111a, facilitates the mounting and installation of the camera 20. The cross-sectional area of ​​the second sub-part 111b gradually increases in the direction from the second sub-part 111b to the first sub-part 111a. Therefore, the wall surface of the second sub-part 111b does not interfere with the direct light emitted from the direct light source 50, allowing the direct light to propagate directly to the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2.

[0061] In some embodiments, the bottom wall of the first sub-part 111a has a limiting groove 111c, the mounting strip 40 is at least partially confined within the limiting groove 111c, and the oblique light source 30 is at least partially located outside the limiting groove 111c. Preferably, the mounting strip 40 is entirely confined within the limiting groove 111c, and the oblique light source 30 is entirely located outside the limiting groove 111c.

[0062] The limiting groove 111c is designed to install and limit the mounting belt 40, facilitating its fixation. The oblique light source 30 is at least partially located outside the limiting groove 111c, allowing the oblique light from the oblique light source 30 to illuminate the appearance inspection surface of the battery cell 2.

[0063] This application also provides a solar cell manufacturing production line, which includes the appearance inspection device 1 as described in any of the above embodiments. The solar cell manufacturing production line of this application has the effects of any of the above embodiments, and therefore will not be described again here.

[0064] The aforementioned appearance inspection device 1 and solar cell manufacturing production line provide direct light from the direct light source 50 to the bearing surface 121, and oblique light from the oblique light source 30 to the bearing surface 121, allowing both direct and oblique light to simultaneously illuminate the appearance inspection surface of the solar cell 2. Simultaneously, a camera captures an image of the solar cell 2. Under direct light, defects such as notches and cracks on the appearance inspection surface of the solar cell 2 are displayed in the image. Under oblique light, defects such as residues and color differences on the appearance inspection surface of the solar cell 2 are displayed in the image. Therefore, by observing whether any of these defects are displayed in the image, it can be determined whether the appearance of the solar cell 2 is acceptable. Thus, in this application, by combining the direct light source 50, the oblique light source 30, and the camera, the types of defects that can be detected in the appearance inspection can be increased, improving the inspection effect.

[0065] 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.

[0066] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively 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 protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An appearance inspection apparatus characterized by comprising: The appearance detection device comprises: a machine body (10) having a bearing surface (121) for bearing a battery piece (2); a straight light source (50) and an oblique light source (30) arranged on the machine body (10), the optical axis of the straight light source (50) is perpendicular to the bearing surface (121), the straight light source (50) is used for providing straight light to the bearing surface (121), the optical axis of the oblique light source (30) intersects the bearing surface (121), and the oblique light source (30) is used for providing oblique light to the bearing surface (121); a camera arranged on the machine body (10), and the optical axis of the camera coincides with the optical axis of the straight light source (50), and the camera is used for collecting the image of the battery piece (2) located on the bearing surface (121).

2. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by The angle between the optical axis of the oblique light source (30) and the bearing surface (121) is A, and 45°≤90°-A≤60°.

3. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The oblique light source (30) is close to the bearing surface (121) relative to the straight light source (50). The oblique light source (30) is multiple and arranged around the optical axis of the straight light source (50), and the orthographic projection of the straight light source (50) on the bearing surface (121) falls into the area surrounded by the projections of all the oblique light sources (30).

4. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 3, characterized by The appearance detection device further comprises a mounting belt (40), and all the oblique light sources (30) are arranged on the mounting belt (40) and jointly form a light belt with the mounting belt (40).

5. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 4, characterized by The machine body (10) comprises a base (11) and a glass plate (12), the base (11) has a light transmission channel (111) therein, the straight light source (50) is arranged at the bottom opening of the light transmission channel (111), the light belt is arranged in the light transmission channel (111) and extends along the circumference of the light transmission channel (111), and the glass plate (12) covers the top opening of the light transmission channel (111), and the back surface of the glass plate (12) facing away from the light transmission channel (111) forms the bearing surface (121).

6. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The light transmission channel (111) comprises a first sub-part (111a) and a second sub-part (111b) in communication with each other, the first sub-part (111a) is a groove structure, the second sub-part (111b) is a channel structure, the first sub-part (111a) is located at the top of the second sub-part (111b), and the cross-sectional area of the first sub-part (111a) is greater than that of the second sub-part (111b). The light belt is mounted on the groove bottom wall of the first sub-part (111a), the glass plate (12) covers the top opening of the first sub-part (111a) away from the second sub-part (111b), the camera and the straight light source (50) form a camera (20), and the camera (20) is arranged at the bottom opening of the second sub-part (111b) away from the first sub-part (111a).

7. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein The cross-sectional area of the second sub-portion (111b) gradually increases in a direction in which the second sub-portion (111b) points to the first sub-portion (111a), and the camera (20) is clamped to a bottom opening of the second sub-portion (111b) away from the first sub-portion (111a).

8. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 6, wherein The groove bottom wall of the first sub-portion (111a) has a limiting groove (111c), the mounting band (40) is at least partially limited in the limiting groove (111c), and the oblique light source (30) is at least partially located outside the limiting groove (111c).

9. The appearance inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by The appearance detection device further comprises a controller electrically connected with the straight light source (50), the oblique light source (30) and the camera.

10. A solar cell manufacturing line characterized by comprising: The appearance detection device comprises any one of the appearance detection devices according to claims 1 to 9.

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