Elastic contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating clamp
By designing a flexible contact photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture, the problems of fixture clamping damage and contact stability were solved, enabling efficient electroplating and rapid disassembly of photovoltaic cells, improving electroplating efficiency and adaptability, and reducing production costs.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- XIAN TAIJIN NEW ENERGY & MATERIALS SCI TECH CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing photovoltaic cell electroplating fixtures suffer from problems such as clamping damage, poor contact stability, and poor process adaptability, which affect cell performance and production costs.
A flexible contact photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture is designed, which adopts a conductive device, a fixing device and a base mechanism. The fixture achieves electroplating of the cells on both sides with different current densities by pushing with a cylinder. The flexible contact design of conductive spring and probe achieves efficient contact conductivity and quick disassembly.
It achieves high-efficiency contact conductivity in photovoltaic cells, reduces breakage rate, improves electroplating efficiency, adapts to cells of different sizes and materials, and reduces production costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN224258835U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electroplating fixture technology, and more specifically to an elastic contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture. Background Technology
[0002] The grid line electroplating process for photovoltaic cells is a crucial step in the fabrication of high-efficiency cells, directly affecting the conductivity and uniformity of the grid lines, and consequently, the cell's photoelectric conversion efficiency. Traditional horizontal electroplating fixtures are prone to problems such as uneven solution flow and poor clamping contact, leading to large differences in plating thickness or missed plating at clamping points, thus affecting cell performance. Vertical fixtures, by optimizing the cell arrangement and clamping structure, can improve the uniformity of plating solution distribution and reduce mechanical damage, and have become a research hotspot in recent years. However, existing technologies still face the following challenges: First, clamping damage, where metal clamping points can easily scratch the cell surface, leading to copper leakage or increased local resistance; second, poor contact stability, where uneven clamping pressure can cause intermittent connections, affecting current transmission efficiency; and finally, process adaptability, where customized fixture designs are required for cells of different sizes or materials, increasing production costs.
[0003] Patent CN221740498U employs a hinged gripper design. The first and second grippers contact the battery cell via conductive silicone, preventing surface damage from metal clamping points. The conductive silicone combines flexibility and conductivity, adapting to the fragile structure of heterojunction batteries and significantly reducing the risk of copper leakage. However, silicone material is prone to aging in long-term high-temperature or strong-acid electroplating solutions, potentially affecting conductivity stability. Furthermore, the gripper structure has high tolerance requirements for battery cell thickness; excessively thin or thick cells may result in insufficient clamping force or excessive compression. Patent CN213804048U achieves double-sided self-clamping of the battery cell through the cooperation of fixed contacts on the base frame and elastic contacts on the upper frame. The contact pressure is uniform and controllable, and the elastic contacts can adapt to minor deformations on the battery cell surface, improving the uniformity of electroplating current distribution. However, the elastic contacts rely on a mechanical structure for clamping, which may lead to spring fatigue or contact wear with long-term use. In high-density arrangements, adjacent contacts may experience electric field interference due to insufficient spacing, affecting plating accuracy. Patent CN119491290A uses a matrix arrangement to fix the battery cells, with anode plates symmetrically distributed on both sides. Combined with a surrounding nozzle to spray the plating solution, it optimizes the uniformity of the coating in the vertical direction. The metal load surrounds the battery cells to reduce edge effects and is suitable for the fabrication of ultra-fine grid lines with a linewidth of less than 10 micrometers. However, the fixture structure is complex, the maintenance cost is high, and the adaptability to the size and shape of the battery cells is low. The distance between the anode plate and the fixture needs to be precisely controlled, otherwise it is easy to cause uneven electric field distribution or waste of plating solution. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a flexible contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture that can achieve vertical or horizontal electroplating. By designing the cell clamping method and changing the cathode conductive structure, it achieves efficient contact conductivity of the photovoltaic cell, enabling electroplating of different current densities on both sides of the cell; as well as rapid cell disassembly, while reducing the breakage rate and improving electroplating efficiency.
[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the technical problem is: an elastic contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture, the electroplating fixture including a conductive device, a fixing device and a base mechanism; each of the fixing devices is installed on the base mechanism, and each of the conductive devices is installed on the fixing device; the fixing device includes a single-sided fixing device and a double-sided fixing device; each of the fixing devices is pushed up and down by a cylinder; the cell to be electroplated is placed between the fixing device and the base mechanism, which can realize electroplating of the cell with different current densities on both sides.
[0006] Furthermore, the conductive device includes a conductive sheet, a first conductive spring, a probe, and a second conductive spring; the conductive sheet is mounted on the fixing device, one end of the conductive sheet is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the other end is connected to the base mechanism through the second conductive spring; one end of the first conductive spring is connected to the conductive sheet, and the other end is connected to the probe.
[0007] Furthermore, the single-sided fixing device is installed at both ends of the base mechanism, and the double-sided fixing device is installed in the middle of the base mechanism, with at least one double-sided fixing device.
[0008] Furthermore, the single-sided fixing device includes a single-sided fixing clamp, a bolt, and a compression spring; the single-sided fixing clamp is fixed to the base plate by the bolt and the compression spring, and the position of the single-sided fixing clamp is adjusted by the cylinder and the compression spring.
[0009] Furthermore, the double-sided fixing device includes double-sided fixing clamps, bolts, and compression springs; the double-sided fixing clamps are fixed to the base plate by bolts and compression springs, and the position of the double-sided fixing clamps is adjusted by cylinders and compression springs.
[0010] Furthermore, the single-sided fixing clamp and / or the double-sided fixing clamp are provided with several through holes. The through holes are used for the probe in the conductive device to pass through. After the probe passes through the through holes, it contacts the electroplating point on the front side of the battery cell to realize the electroplating on the front side of the battery cell.
[0011] Furthermore, the base mechanism includes a base plate and a conductive spring; the conductive spring is installed on the back of the base plate; the conductive device is used to realize the front electroplating of the battery cell, and the conductive spring is used to realize the back electroplating of the battery cell.
[0012] Furthermore, the base plate of the base mechanism is provided with a slot for placing the battery cells; conductive devices are provided on both sides of the slot.
[0013] The working principle of the above electroplating fixture is as follows:
[0014] First, the electroplating fixture is fixed into the automatic loading and unloading device. A cylinder lifts the bolts, causing the single-sided and / or double-sided fixing devices to rise. A robotic arm or manual operation is then used to pick up and place the solar cells. The cylinder then lowers the fixture, causing the probes on the single-sided and / or double-sided fixing devices to contact the electroplating points on the front of the photovoltaic cell. Conductive springs are distributed at both ends of the cell and contact the electroplating points on the back. The single-sided and double-sided fixing devices, the first conductive spring, the probes, and the conductive springs achieve cell fixation and conductivity. The probes and conductive springs are connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the anode is connected to the positive terminal. Then, the fixture is removed from the operating table manually or by automated equipment and installed in the electroplating tank to achieve grid line electroplating.
[0015] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: Compared with the prior art, the elastic contact photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture provided by this utility model can realize vertical electroplating or horizontal electroplating, can realize electroplating on both sides simultaneously, and can also realize electroplating on both sides with different current densities; by designing the cell clamping method and changing the cathode conductive structure, efficient contact conductivity of photovoltaic cells is achieved, as well as rapid disassembly of cells; the cells are clamped on the fixture before electroplating, and the elastic contact design of probes and conductive springs greatly reduces the cell breakage rate and improves electroplating efficiency. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the electroplating fixture provided by this utility model.
[0017] Figure 2 A side view of the electroplating fixture provided by this utility model.
[0018] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the local structure of region A in the middle.
[0019] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the local structure of region B in the middle.
[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the single-sided fixing device in an electroplating fixture.
[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the double-sided fixing device in an electroplating fixture.
[0022] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the conductive device in an electroplating fixture.
[0023] Among them, 1-conductive device, 11-conductive sheet, 12-first conductive spring, 13-probe, 14-second conductive spring; 2-single-sided fixing device, 21-single-sided fixing clamp, 22-bolt, 23-compression spring; 3-double-sided fixing device, 31-double-sided fixing clamp; 32-through hole; 4-base mechanism, 41-base plate, 42-conductive spring, 43-slot. Detailed Implementation
[0024] 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.
[0025] Example
[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, a flexible contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture includes a conductive device 1, a fixing device, and a base mechanism 4. Each of the fixing devices is mounted on the base mechanism 4, and each of the conductive devices 1 is mounted on the fixing device. The fixing device includes a single-sided fixing device 2 and a double-sided fixing device 3. Each of the fixing devices is pushed up and down by a cylinder (not shown). The base plate 41 of the base mechanism 4 is provided with a slot 43 for placing the cell. Conductive devices 1 are provided on both sides of the slot 43. The cell to be electroplated is placed in the slot 43, which can realize electroplating of different current densities on both sides of the cell.
[0027] like Figure 3 and 7 As shown, the conductive device 1 includes a conductive sheet 11, a first conductive spring 12, a probe 13, and a second conductive spring 14; the conductive sheet 11 is mounted on the fixing device, one end of the conductive sheet 11 is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the other end is connected to the base mechanism 4 through the second conductive spring 14; one end of the first conductive spring 12 is connected to the conductive sheet 11, and the other end is connected to the probe 13.
[0028] like Figure 5As shown, the single-sided fixing device 2 is installed at both ends of the base mechanism 4, and the double-sided fixing device 3 is installed in the middle of the base mechanism 4. The number of the double-sided fixing devices 3 is at least one. The single-sided fixing device 2 includes a single-sided fixing clamp 21, a bolt 22, and a compression spring 23. The single-sided fixing clamp 21 is fixed to the base plate 41 by the bolt 22 and the compression spring 23, and the position of the single-sided fixing clamp 21 is adjusted by the cylinder and the compression spring 23.
[0029] like Figure 6 As shown, the double-sided fixing device 3 includes a double-sided fixing clamp 31, a bolt 22, and a compression spring 23; the double-sided fixing clamp 31 is fixed to the base plate 41 by the bolt 22 and the compression spring 23, and the position of the double-sided fixing clamp 31 is adjusted by the cylinder and the compression spring 23.
[0030] The single-sided fixing clamp 21 and / or the double-sided fixing clamp 31 are each provided with several through holes 32, such as Figure 3 As shown, the through hole 32 is used for the probe 13 in the conductive device 1 to pass through. After the probe 13 passes through the through hole 32, it contacts the electroplating point on the front side of the battery cell to realize the electroplating on the front side of the battery cell.
[0031] like Figure 2 As shown, the base mechanism 4 includes a base plate 41 and a conductive spring 42; the conductive spring 42 is installed on the back of the base plate 41; the conductive device 1 is used to realize the front electroplating of the battery cell, and the conductive spring 42 is used to realize the back electroplating of the battery cell.
[0032] When using the above-mentioned electroplating fixture, the electroplating fixture is first placed in the automatic loading and unloading device (not shown). The fixture is fixed by the fixing device to prevent fragmentation when placing and removing the battery cells. The single-sided fixing device 2 and / or the double-sided fixing device 3 are pushed up by the cylinder to make room for the placement of the battery cells. Then, the battery cells are placed in the slot 43 of the base plate 41 by manual labor or a robotic arm. The conductive spring 42 is aligned with the conductive point on the back of the battery cell. Then, the cylinder is depressurized, the single-sided fixing device 2 and / or the double-sided fixing device 3 are lowered, the compression spring 23 and the bolt 22 start to act to drive the probe 13 to descend and fix the battery cell on the base plate 41 of the fixture. The tip of the probe 13 just touches the electroplating point of the battery cell. At this time, the loading is completed. Finally, the electroplating fixture is transported to the electroplating tank by manual labor or automated equipment.
[0033] The probe 13 and the conductive spring 42 are connected to the negative terminal of the power supply as the cathode device for electroplating, and the anode device is connected to the positive terminal of the power supply. Then, double-sided electroplating is performed. After electroplating is completed, the fixture is transported to the automatic loading and unloading device by manual or automated equipment. The single-sided fixing device 2 and / or the double-sided fixing device 3 are pushed up by the cylinder to make room for the removal of the battery cells. Then, the battery cells are removed from the slot 43 of the base plate 41 by manual or robotic arm. This whole process is the battery cell loading and unloading process.
[0034] 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 flexible contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture, characterized in that: The electroplating fixture includes a conductive device, a fixing device, and a base mechanism; each of the fixing devices is mounted on the base mechanism, and each of the conductive devices is mounted on the fixing device; the fixing device includes a single-sided fixing device and a double-sided fixing device; each of the fixing devices is moved up and down by a cylinder; the battery cell to be electroplated is placed between the fixing device and the base mechanism, which can realize electroplating of the battery cell on both sides with different current densities.
2. The elastic contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The conductive device includes a conductive sheet, a first conductive spring, a probe, and a second conductive spring; the conductive sheet is mounted on the fixing device, one end of the conductive sheet is connected to the negative terminal of the power supply, and the other end is connected to the base mechanism through the second conductive spring; one end of the first conductive spring is connected to the conductive sheet, and the other end is connected to the probe.
3. The elastic contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The single-sided fixing device is installed at both ends of the base mechanism, and the double-sided fixing device is installed in the middle of the base mechanism. The number of the double-sided fixing devices is at least one.
4. The elastic contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The single-sided fixing device includes a single-sided fixing clamp, bolts, and a compression spring; the single-sided fixing clamp is fixed to the base plate by bolts and a compression spring, and the position of the single-sided fixing clamp is adjusted by a cylinder and a compression spring.
5. The elastic contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The double-sided fixing device includes double-sided fixing clamps, bolts, and compression springs; the double-sided fixing clamps are fixed to the base plate by bolts and compression springs, and the position of the double-sided fixing clamps is adjusted by cylinders and compression springs.
6. A flexible contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture as described in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The single-sided and / or double-sided fixing clamps are provided with several through holes. The through holes are used for the probes in the conductive device to pass through. After the probes pass through the through holes, they come into contact with the electroplating points on the front side of the battery cell, thereby realizing the electroplating of the front side of the battery cell.
7. The elastic contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The base mechanism includes a base plate and a conductive spring; the conductive spring is installed on the back of the base plate; the conductive device is used to realize the electroplating of the front side of the battery cell, and the conductive spring is used to realize the electroplating of the back side of the battery cell.
8. The elastic contact type photovoltaic cell electroplating fixture as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The base plate of the base mechanism has a slot for placing battery cells; conductive devices are provided on both sides of the slot.