Solar cell piece welding device

Abstract

This invention provides a single-cell solar cell welding device. The device includes a frame, and sequentially arranged from the inlet end of the frame are a ribbon feeding mechanism, a ribbon processing mechanism, a ribbon traction mechanism, a cell welding mechanism, and a cell inspection mechanism. The ribbon traction mechanism includes a first ribbon pulling mechanism located near the outlet end of the ribbon processing mechanism and a second ribbon pulling mechanism located far from the outlet end of the ribbon processing mechanism. The first and second ribbon pulling mechanisms move in the ribbon extension direction and perpendicular direction. The opening end of the pulling claw of the second ribbon pulling mechanism is parallel to the extension direction of the ribbon axis. The beneficial effects of this invention are: it can meet different needs as required, that is, it can realize the welding of the positive and negative electrodes of a single cell to the ribbon, and it can also realize the string welding of cells. When welding the positive and negative electrodes of a single cell to the ribbon, it can be further coordinated with the rework of cell strings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of photovoltaic module technology, specifically relating to a single-cell solar cell welding device and its welding method. Background Technology

[0002] With the widespread application of solar energy, the solar photovoltaic panel industry has also flourished. During the production of solar panels, multiple solar cells and welding strips are welded together into a string using a stringer. String welding refers to welding multiple solar cells together in a specific order and direction to form a series circuit. In this way, the cells can be interconnected, allowing current to flow from one cell to another, thus forming a complete solar panel. Before being put into actual use, the solar strings need to be inspected. If any defective cells are found in the string, they must be removed and replaced.

[0003] Currently, string welding machines on the market use a welding strip traction mechanism to pull or tighten the processed welding strip before welding it to the battery cells. Due to structural limitations of the welding strip traction mechanism, it can only weld adjacent battery cells first, thus achieving string connection between multiple cells. The resulting battery string structure is simple and cannot weld the positive and negative electrodes of individual battery cells to the welding strip. This means that if individual battery cells are needed, additional mechanisms and methods are required to cut the battery string. This makes the entire process cumbersome and hinders the automation of battery cell repair by integrating with battery string inspection and replacement equipment. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a single-cell solar cell welding device and its welding method.

[0005] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A single-cell solar cell welding device includes a frame. From the inlet end of the frame, a ribbon feeding mechanism, a ribbon processing mechanism, a ribbon traction mechanism, a cell welding mechanism, and a cell inspection mechanism are sequentially arranged. The ribbon traction mechanism includes a first ribbon pulling mechanism located near the outlet end of the ribbon processing mechanism and a second ribbon pulling mechanism located far from the outlet end of the ribbon processing mechanism. The first and second ribbon pulling mechanisms move in the ribbon extension direction and the vertical direction. The opening end of the pulling claw of the second ribbon pulling mechanism is parallel to the extension direction of the ribbon axis.

[0007] Preferably, the cross-section of the wire pulling claw of the second wire pulling mechanism is L-shaped.

[0008] Preferably, the first and second welding strip pulling mechanisms are respectively disposed on both sides of the welding strip, each including a lateral moving mechanism disposed on the outer side of the welding strip, a lifting mechanism is vertically disposed on the lateral moving mechanism, the lifting mechanism is provided with a gripper arm, and the lower end of the gripper arm is evenly distributed with pulling grippers, the gripper arm extending from the outer side of the welding strip to the inner side; the setting direction of the lateral moving mechanism is consistent with the welding strip transmission direction.

[0009] Preferably, the wire pulling claw of the first wire pulling mechanism is a first wire pulling claw with its open end pointing vertically downward, and the wire pulling claw of the second wire pulling mechanism is a second wire pulling claw with its open end facing the wire pulling.

[0010] Preferably, a welding light box is provided above the battery cell welding mechanism, and the upper and lower cylinders are connected to the welding light box. When the upper and lower cylinders are working, the welding light box covers the battery cell welding mechanism.

[0011] Preferably, the battery cell testing mechanism includes an image acquisition camera mounted on top of the frame.

[0012] Preferably, the welding device further includes a material gripping mechanism, which includes upper and lower gripping cylinders and a tooling suction plate placed at the lower end of the upper and lower gripping cylinders. The end of the tooling suction plate is provided with an electromagnetic end. The upper and lower gripping cylinders are connected to upper and lower linear motors through a connecting plate. A suction plate is connected below the connecting plate. A vacuum suction cup for adsorbing battery cells is provided at the bottom of the suction plate.

[0013] Preferably, the distance between the electromagnetic ends at both ends of the tooling suction plate is greater than the length of the suction plate.

[0014] Preferably, a strip clamping mechanism is provided on one side of the material gripping mechanism, the strip clamping mechanism including a pressure plate and independent pressure pins evenly distributed at the bottom of the pressure plate.

[0015] Preferably, the welding method of the above-described solar cell monolayer welding device is characterized by comprising the following steps:

[0016] S1. The welding strip enters the welding strip processing mechanism from the welding strip feeding mechanism for routine processing and then enters the welding strip traction mechanism of the conveying platform.

[0017] S2. The first and second welding strip pulling mechanisms respectively pull the beginning and end of the welding strip with their pulling claws, and then the welding strip is cut by the cutter on the welding strip processing mechanism. At this time, the first and second welding strip pulling mechanisms keep the beginning and end of the welding strip taut.

[0018] S3. The material grabbing mechanism places the grabbed single battery cell onto the welding strip. The bottom welding strip and the battery cell are kept in a fixed position by the adsorption component under the conveying platform. The first welding strip pulling mechanism and the second welding strip pulling mechanism release the pulling claw to complete the traction of the bottom welding strip of the battery cell.

[0019] S4. Through the lifting mechanism of the welding strip traction mechanism, the first wire clamp and the second wire clamp will continue to pull the upper welding strip of the battery cell and place the upper welding strip above the battery cell.

[0020] S5. The material gripping mechanism presses the gripped battery cell onto the upper welding strip of the single battery cell.

[0021] S6. The conveyor platform transports the compressed welding strip and individual battery cells to the welding station for welding by the battery cell welding mechanism. During welding, the welding light box can further ensure that the welding heat is not lost and improve the welding quality.

[0022] S7. After welding is completed, the gripping mechanism grips and removes the battery cell fixture. The welded single battery cell enters the inspection station, and current and voltage are applied to both ends of the single battery cell by the pressure of the inspection pressure needle assembly on one side of the gripping mechanism. The inspection camera takes pictures of it and performs EL inspection.

[0023] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: This utility model can meet different needs as required, namely, it can realize the welding of the positive and negative electrodes of a single battery cell to the solder strip, and it can also realize the string welding of battery cells. When welding the positive and negative electrodes of a single battery cell to the solder strip, it can be further integrated with battery string repair equipment to achieve integrated operation, providing a favorable foundation for improving the automated repair of battery strings. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 : A schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 2 : A schematic diagram of the structure of the first welding strip pulling mechanism in this utility model.

[0026] Figure 3 : A schematic diagram of the structure of the second welding strip pulling mechanism in this utility model.

[0027] Figure 4 : A schematic diagram of the battery cell gripping mechanism in this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0028] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the following description is provided in conjunction with the appendix. Figures 1-4The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0029] This utility model discloses a single-cell solar cell welding device. The welding device includes a frame, within which a conveyor platform is installed. From the inlet end of the frame inwards, a ribbon feeding mechanism 1, a ribbon processing mechanism, a ribbon traction mechanism 2, a cell welding mechanism 4, and a cell inspection mechanism 6 are sequentially arranged. The ribbon feeding mechanism 1 includes a material roller and ribbon placed on the roller. The ribbon enters the ribbon processing mechanism for processing. Typically, the ribbon processing includes soaking the ribbon in flux, pressing it, flattening it, and then the ribbon is pulled and stretched to the desired position by the ribbon traction mechanism 2, after which it is cut off at the tail end by a cutter. A transfer line is installed above the conveyor platform, and a gripping mechanism is installed on the transfer line. The gripping mechanism is used to grip the cells or cell fixtures, working in conjunction with other mechanisms to complete the single-cell welding process.

[0030] The welding strip traction mechanism 2 of this utility model includes a first welding strip pulling mechanism located near the discharge end of the welding strip processing mechanism and a second welding strip pulling mechanism located far from the discharge end of the welding strip processing mechanism. The welding strip traction mechanism 2 includes a moving mechanism and pulling claws, the number of which is proportional to the number of welding strips. For those skilled in the art, in this embodiment, the welding strip pulled by the first welding strip pulling mechanism is the tail end of the welding strip, and the welding strip pulled by the second welding strip pulling mechanism is the head end of the welding strip. Both welding strip pulling mechanisms are movable, meaning that the pulling claws can be displaced in both the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0031] The first and second welding strip pulling mechanisms have essentially the same moving structure, including a lateral moving mechanism disposed on the outer side of the welding strip and a lifting mechanism vertically disposed on the lateral moving mechanism. The lifting mechanism is provided with a gripper arm 23, and the lower end of the gripper arm 23 is evenly distributed with pulling grippers. The lateral moving mechanism is positioned in the same direction as the welding strip conveying direction.

[0032] In this embodiment, the wire pulling claw of the first welding strip pulling mechanism is a first wire pulling claw 24. The open end of the first wire pulling claw 24 faces vertically downward and is perpendicular to the axis of the welding strip. Of course, the structure of the first wire pulling claw 24 can also be other forms.

[0033] The second wire pulling mechanism has a wire pulling claw 27, which is L-shaped. The opening end of the claw is parallel to the extension direction of the wire pulling axis. Furthermore, the opening end of the second wire pulling claw 27 faces the wire pulling end.

[0034] Specifically, the lateral movement mechanism is a lateral linear lead screw module 21, on which a lifting mechanism is vertically mounted via a base plate. The lifting mechanism includes a back plate 22, with a lead screw 26 vertically mounted in the center of its inner side. A set of guide rails is mounted on both sides of the lead screw. The bottom of the lead screw 26 is connected to a drive motor 25 on one side via a pulley. The gripper arm 23 is connected to the lead screw via a gripper connecting plate. When the drive motor 25 operates, it drives the lead screw to rotate, thereby driving the gripper arm 23 to move up and down on the lead screw. When the lateral linear lead screw module 21 operates, it can drive the gripper arm 23 to move horizontally upwards.

[0035] In this invention, the movable welding strip pulling mechanism, combined with two different types of clamps, can place the pulled-out welding strip at different positions on a single solar cell. These different positions include placing the welding strip on either side of the positive or negative electrode of the solar cell, or at different positions on the same side of the solar cell. For example, for a conventional configuration where both ends of the welding strip extend beyond the solar cell, the welding strip can be pulled out of the solar cell directly using the first and second pulling clamps. If it is necessary to retract one end of the welding strip inside the solar cell, the second pulling clamp 27 can be used. Since the second pulling clamp 27 is L-shaped, when the welding strip is clamped and pulled laterally by the second pulling clamp 27, the clamp is released when the welding strip is at the desired position inside the solar cell.

[0036] After the battery cells and welding strips are positioned, the assembly is transported to the welding station by the conveyor platform. The battery cell welding mechanism then performs the direct welding connection between the welding strips and the battery cells. To better ensure welding quality and avoid heat loss during the welding process, a welding light box is installed above the battery cell welding mechanism 4. The welding light box is connected to upper and lower cylinders. When the upper and lower cylinders operate, they drive the welding light box to cover the entire battery cell welding mechanism, allowing the battery cell welding mechanism to perform welding inside the welding light box. After welding is completed, the upper and lower cylinders drive the welding light box to move upward.

[0037] The welded products are then transported by a conveyor line to the cell inspection unit for testing. The cell inspection unit 6 includes an image acquisition camera mounted on a rack. Images of the welded products are acquired and fed back to the inspection components for testing, typically checking for issues such as incomplete solder joints and defective cells.

[0038] This utility model also includes a material gripping mechanism. One side of the material gripping mechanism is provided with a detection needle assembly for assisting in the EL detection of battery cells. The two are combined on both sides of the bracket and can be used selectively as needed, which can better save space.

[0039] The gripping mechanism can grip not only the battery cells but also the battery cell fixtures. It includes a vertical linear motor 34 with a connecting plate mounted on it, which moves vertically up and down. A gripping cylinder 34 is mounted on the upper side of one side of the connecting plate, and its cylinder shaft is connected to a fixture suction plate 31. Electromagnetic terminals 32 are connected to the bottom surfaces of both ends of the fixture suction plate 31, allowing it to adsorb the battery cell fixtures. A suction plate 33 is connected below the connecting plate, and its bottom has a vacuum suction cup for adsorbing the battery cells. The distance between the electromagnetic terminals at both ends of the fixture suction plate is greater than the length of the suction plate 33, meaning the suction plate 33 is positioned between the two battery terminals. By controlling the suction plate or the fixture suction plate, the battery cell fixtures or battery cells can be adsorbed. The corresponding transfer is completed in conjunction with the transfer line (the transfer line is not shown in this utility model).

[0040] The detection needle assembly includes an upper and lower pressing linear motor mounted on a bracket. A pressure plate is connected to the upper and lower pressing linear motor. Independent pressure needles are evenly distributed at the bottom of the pressure plate. During EL testing, current and voltage are applied to both ends of a single battery cell through the pressure needles.

[0041] This utility model also discloses a welding method for welding single battery cells using the above welding device. To better understand the welding principle of this utility model, the welding process of single battery cells and welding strips is described below:

[0042] The welding strip enters the welding strip processing mechanism from the welding strip feeding mechanism 1 and undergoes routine processing before entering the welding strip traction mechanism 2 on the conveyor platform. The first and second welding strip pulling mechanisms, using their pulling claws, first pull and tighten the beginning and end of the welding strip, and then the cutting blade on the welding strip processing mechanism cuts it. At this point, the first and second welding strip pulling mechanisms continue to tighten the beginning and end of the welding strip. The material grabbing mechanism, using the vacuum suction cup on the suction plate 33, places the grabbed single battery cell onto the welding strip. The bottom welding strip and the battery cell are held in place by the adsorption components under the conveyor platform. The first and second welding strip pulling mechanisms then release their pulling claws, completing the traction of the bottom welding strip of the battery cell.

[0043] The lifting mechanism of the welding strip traction mechanism allows the first and second wire-pulling jaws to continue pulling the upper layer of welding strip from the battery cell, placing it above the cell. The sequence of traction and cutting of the welding strip is the same as that of the bottom welding strip.

[0044] Furthermore, since the second wire-pulling jaw has an L-shaped structure, when pulling the bottom wire, the wire can be retracted into the battery cell. Of course, the structure of this invention can also achieve the string welding between adjacent battery cells in existing string welding machines, easily achieved by adjusting the height of the first and second wire-pulling jaws. The string welding principle is the same as existing string welding principles.

[0045] The material-grabbing mechanism uses the electromagnetic end of the tooling suction plate 31 to grip the battery cell and press it firmly above the upper welding strip of the single battery cell. The conveying platform transports the pressed welding strip and the single battery cell to the welding station, where they are welded by the battery cell welding mechanism 4. During welding, the welding light box further ensures that the welding heat is not lost, thereby improving the welding quality.

[0046] After welding is completed, the gripping mechanism picks up and removes the battery cell fixture. The welded single battery cell enters the inspection station, and current and voltage are applied to both ends of the single battery cell by the pressure needle assembly on one side of the gripping mechanism. The inspection camera takes pictures of the cell and performs EL inspection.

[0047] Finally, it should be noted that the conveying platform (conveyor line), welding strip feeding mechanism, welding strip processing mechanism, etc., mentioned in the text are similar in structure to those in conventional string welding machines and are not the focus of protection of this utility model, so they will not be described in detail here. Terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" appearing in the text indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0048] Furthermore, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and are not intended to limit it; although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. A single-cell solar cell welding device, characterized in that: The device includes a frame, and from the inlet end of the frame, a welding strip feeding mechanism, a welding strip processing mechanism, a welding strip traction mechanism, a battery cell welding mechanism, and a battery cell testing mechanism are arranged in sequence. The welding strip traction mechanism includes a first welding strip pulling mechanism located near the outlet end of the welding strip processing mechanism and a second welding strip pulling mechanism located far from the outlet end of the welding strip processing mechanism. The first welding strip pulling mechanism and the second welding strip pulling mechanism move in the welding strip extension direction and the vertical direction. The opening end of the pulling claw of the second welding strip pulling mechanism is parallel to the extension direction of the welding strip axis.

2. The solar cell sheet soldering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The cross-section of the wire pulling claw of the second welding strip pulling mechanism is L-shaped.

3. The solar cell sheet soldering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The first and second welding strip pulling mechanisms are respectively located on both sides of the welding strip. Each includes a lateral moving mechanism located on the outer side of the welding strip. A lifting mechanism is vertically arranged on the lateral moving mechanism. The lifting mechanism is equipped with a gripper arm. Pulling grippers are evenly distributed at the lower end of the gripper arm. The gripper arm extends from the outer side of the welding strip to the inner side. The direction of the lateral moving mechanism is consistent with the direction of welding strip transmission.

4. The solar cell sheet soldering apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein: The first wire pulling mechanism has a first wire pulling claw with its open end pointing vertically downwards. The second wire pulling mechanism has a second wire pulling claw with an L-shaped arrangement and its open end facing the wire pulling.

5. The solar cell sheet soldering apparatus of claim 2, wherein: A welding light box is installed above the battery cell welding mechanism. The upper part of the welding light box is connected to the upper and lower cylinders. When the upper and lower cylinders work, they drive the welding light box to cover the battery cell welding mechanism.

6. The solar cell monolithic welding apparatus as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The battery cell testing mechanism includes an image acquisition camera mounted on top of the frame.

7. The solar cell sheet soldering apparatus of claim 5, wherein: The welding device also includes a material gripping mechanism, which includes upper and lower gripping cylinders and a tooling suction plate placed at the lower end of the upper and lower gripping cylinders. The end of the tooling suction plate is provided with an electromagnetic end. The upper and lower gripping cylinders are connected to upper and lower linear motors through a connecting plate. The suction plate is connected below the connecting plate, and a vacuum suction cup for adsorbing battery cells is provided at the bottom of the suction plate.

8. The solar cell sheet soldering apparatus of claim 7, wherein: The distance between the electromagnetic ends at both ends of the tooling suction plate is greater than the length of the suction plate.

9. The solar cell sheet soldering apparatus of claim 7, wherein: One side of the material gripping mechanism is provided with a strip pressing mechanism, which includes a pressure plate and independent pressure pins evenly distributed at the bottom of the pressure plate.

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