Insertion assisting tool

Abstract

To provide an insertion aid capable of smoothly inserting a power generation sheet into a cylindrical body and arranging it in the cylindrical body.SOLUTION: The insertion aid is an insertion aid for inserting a solar cell sheet having flexibility into a cylindrical body by making the solar cell sheet into a cylindrical shape, and includes a connection part connected to the cylindrical body and a body part connected to the connection part, the body part has an outlet opening connected to the cylindrical body at a boundary with the connection part, and an inner surface of the body part has a curved surface part guiding the solar cell sheet to the outlet opening while being rounded, and the curved surface part is gradually narrowed from an inlet opening of the body part toward the outlet opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an insertion aid, and more particularly to an insertion aid used when inserting a power generating sheet of a solar cell (solar cell sheet) into a cylindrical body. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART A cylindrical solar cell having a cylinder and a solar cell sheet inserted into the cylinder is known (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-92118 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Inserting a solar cell sheet into a cylindrical body requires the steps of rolling the solar cell sheet, inserting the rolled solar cell sheet into the cylindrical body, and unrolling the inserted solar cell sheet inside the cylindrical body. If the solar cell sheet is creased or scratched during these steps, the performance of the solar cell sheet will be reduced. Furthermore, if excessive stress is applied to the solar cell sheet when rolling it, the solar cell sheet may crack or the film on the solar cell sheet may peel off. Therefore, when inserting the solar cell sheet into the cylindrical body and positioning it inside the cylindrical body, the work must be carried out carefully to avoid damaging the solar cell sheet, such as by creating creases.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an insertion aid that allows the smooth insertion of a power generating sheet into a cylindrical body and placement of the sheet inside the cylindrical body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An insertion aid according to one embodiment of the present invention is an insertion aid for forming a flexible solar cell sheet into a cylindrical body and inserting it into a cylindrical body, and comprises a connection part that connects to the cylindrical body and a body part that connects to the connection part, the body part has an exit opening that connects to the cylindrical body at the boundary with the connection part, the inner surface of the body part has a curved part that guides the solar cell sheet to the exit opening while rolling it up, and the curved part gradually narrows from the entrance opening of the body part toward the exit opening. The curved surface of the body of the insertion aid of the present invention narrows from the body inlet opening toward the body outlet opening, so when inserting a solar cell sheet (power generating sheet) into a cylindrical body, the solar cell sheet can be rounded (cylindrical) and inserted into the cylindrical body. This allows the solar cell sheet to be inserted smoothly. By performing the insertion smoothly, the solar cell sheet can be inserted into the cylindrical body without applying stress to the solar cell sheet.

[0007] Preferably, the curved surface portion forms a concave curved surface when viewed in the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet, and the concave curved surface is asymmetrical. When the curved surface portion forms an asymmetric curved surface when viewed in the direction of inserting the solar cell sheet, the asymmetric curved surface has different slopes on the left and right. In other words, in this configuration, the curved surface portion has a concave curved surface with different slopes on the left and right. As a result, when the solar cell sheet curls up inside the insertion aid, the right side of the solar cell sheet curls up faster than the left side (or the left side curls up faster than the right side). This prevents the right and left ends of the solar cell sheet from colliding, allowing the solar cell sheet to be inserted smoothly into the cylinder.

[0008] Preferably, the diameter of the outlet opening of the body is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder. By making the diameter of the body outlet opening smaller than the diameter of the hole (inner diameter) of the cylinder, the solar cell sheet does not come into contact with the inner surface of the cylinder when it enters the cylinder, which reduces the resistance to the solar cell sheet in the insertion direction, making it easier to insert the solar cell sheet.

[0009] The diameter of the outlet opening of the body may be 75% to 95% of the inner diameter of the cylindrical body.

[0010] Preferably, the inlet opening of the body is defined by the concave curved surface of the curved surface portion and a connecting portion connecting upper edges of the concave curved surface. Also, preferably, the connecting portion is provided with a protrusion that protrudes downward toward the concave curved surface. When the protrusions protrude from the connecting part toward the curved surface of the body (i.e., protrude downward), the space required for the solar cell sheet to pass through the entrance opening of the body is limited, which prevents the solar cell sheet from lifting up and wrinkling (rippling) when inserted.

[0011] Preferably, the protrusions are inclined in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet. Also, preferably, when the solar cell sheet is inserted into the cylinder from the insertion aid, the tips of the protrusions face the center line of the solar cell sheet. If the protrusion extends diagonally downward from the connecting portion and the tip of the protrusion faces the center line of the solar cell sheet, it is possible to prevent the solar cell sheet from lifting off the concave curved surface and becoming wrinkled when the solar cell sheet is inserted.

[0012] The protrusion may be movable in the direction in which the solar cell sheet is inserted. If the protrusion can move along the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet, the position of the protrusion can be changed (adjusted) depending on the thickness of the solar cell sheet. For example, if the solar cell sheet is thin, the protrusion is moved (positioned) toward the body outlet opening, and if the solar cell sheet is thick, the protrusion is moved (positioned) toward the body inlet opening. Because the concave curved surface of the body narrows toward the body outlet opening, the volume defined by the concave curved surface (the spatial volume inside the body) decreases from the body inlet opening toward the body outlet opening. If the solar cell sheet is thick and the protrusion is positioned close to the body outlet opening, the lower end of the protrusion may come into contact with the solar cell sheet, preventing smooth movement of the solar cell sheet in the insertion direction. Therefore, if the solar cell sheet is thick, the protrusion is positioned toward the body inlet opening. By adjusting the position of the protrusion depending on the thickness of the solar cell sheet, the solar cell sheet can be inserted smoothly.

[0013] The top of the insertion aid may be closed by a lid, and the lid may be provided with a gas supply port for introducing gas into the body.

[0014] Preferably, the bottom of the concave curved surface of the curved surface portion slopes upward from the inlet opening to the outlet opening of the body portion.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insertion device comprising the insertion aid and a moving mechanism that moves the solar cell sheet within the cylindrical body while the insertion aid is connected to the cylindrical body.

[0016] The movement mechanism may include a cable connected to a tip of the solar cell sheet. The moving mechanism may include a gripping member that grips the solar cell sheet.

[0017] The moving mechanism may include a cable connected to the solar cell sheet, an inlet plug connected to the cable and positioned within the cylinder, and a moving unit that moves the inlet plug within the cylinder. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, the power generation sheet can be smoothly inserted into the cylindrical body and positioned inside the cylindrical body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state before a solar cell sheet is inserted into a glass tube to which an insertion aid according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the state in which the solar cell sheet is placed on the insertion aid from the state shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the state in which the solar cell sheet has been moved closer to the entrance of the glass tube from the state shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the state in which the solar cell sheet has been inserted into the glass tube inlet from the state shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the state in which the solar cell sheet has been advanced into the glass tube from the state shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the solar cell sheet has been further advanced into the glass tube from the state shown in FIG. 5; [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the state in which the entire solar cell sheet has been inserted into the glass tube, following the state shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the glass tube shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the insertion aid shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view of the insertion aid seen from the opposite side of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the insertion support tool. [Figure 16] Schematic diagram of the entire insertion device. [Figure 17]17A to 17C are diagrams illustrating in detail the operation of the insertion device of FIG. 16. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the insertion device. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 shows another modification of the insertion device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this embodiment, an insertion aid and an insertion device for smoothly inserting a solar cell sheet (solar cell substrate) into a cylindrical body when manufacturing a cylindrical solar cell will be described. In the following description, components not directly related to the present invention will not be described and will not be illustrated. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. The configurations of the embodiments may be modified or changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions (such as usage conditions and usage environment). The technical scope of the present invention is determined by the claims, not by the individual embodiments described below. Furthermore, the present invention may be configured by appropriately combining parts of each embodiment. In all figures, components having the same function are designated by the same reference symbols, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before a solar cell sheet (power-generating sheet) 20 is inserted into a glass tube 10. An insertion aid 30 is attached to the entrance 11 of the glass tube 10. The insertion aid 30 is an aid (insertion aid tool) for smoothly inserting the solar cell sheet 20 into the glass tube 10. The solar cell sheet 20 is a flexible power-generating sheet. In this embodiment, the solar cell sheet 20 is a rectangular sheet. The solar cell sheet 20 has a front end (front side) 21 and a rear end (rear side) 22 in the longitudinal direction (Y direction). Reference numeral 21a indicates the right corner of the front end 21, and reference numeral 21b indicates the left corner of the front end 21. The solar cell sheet 20 also has a right side (right edge) 23 and a left side (left edge) 24. The solar cell sheet 20 of this embodiment has a strip-shaped pulling portion 26 that is long in the width direction (X direction) at the front end 21. The traction section 26 has holes 27. The solar cell sheet 20 consists of the traction section 26 and a sheet body (power-generating sheet) 28. The traction section 26 is formed by attaching an insulating sheet near the front end 21 of the power-generating sheet 28 (the power-generating sheet 28 is positioned below the insulating sheet). Note that the plane defined by the X direction (X axis) and Y direction (Y axis) is sometimes referred to as the XY plane, the plane defined by the X direction and Z direction (Z axis) is sometimes referred to as the XZ plane, and the plane defined by the Y direction and Z direction is sometimes referred to as the YZ plane.

[0022] The glass tube 10 is a cylinder with a predetermined diameter, and has an inlet 11 on the side where the solar cell sheet 20 is inserted. The other end of the glass tube 10 in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) is an outlet 12. In FIG. 1 , the Y direction is the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet 20. The X direction is the width direction of the solar cell sheet 20 and is also the width direction of the insertion support tool 30. The Z direction is the height direction of the insertion support tool 30. In this embodiment, the view from above in the Z direction is expressed as a top view. The dimension in the Y direction is sometimes referred to as length, the dimension in the X direction as width, and the dimension in the Z direction as height (thickness). The +Y direction is sometimes referred to as the front side, and the -Y direction as the rear side. In this embodiment, the width (dimension in the X direction) of the solar cell sheet 20 is the same as the inner circumferential length of the glass tube 10.

[0023] 2 shows the state in which the solar cell sheet 20 has been moved slightly in the insertion direction (moved in the Y direction) from the state in FIG. 1, with the vicinity of the front end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 resting on the insertion support tool 30. In FIG. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the solar cell sheet 20 has been further moved in the insertion direction from the state shown in FIG. 2, and the front end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 has approached the inlet portion 11 of the glass tube 10. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the front end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 has been inserted into the inlet portion 11 of the glass tube 10, following the state shown in FIG.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a state in which the solar cell sheet 20 has moved slightly inside the glass tube 10 from the state shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the front end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 has moved from the state shown in FIG. 5 to the vicinity of the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10. FIG. 7 shows the state in which the entire solar cell sheet 20 has been inserted into the glass tube 10, following the state shown in FIG.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a glass tube 10. The glass tube 10 has an inlet portion 11 and a main body portion 14. The glass tube 10 is a transparent tube made of, for example, soda glass, quartz glass, or borosilicate glass. The inner diameter of the inlet portion 11 is the same as the inner diameter of the main body portion 14. The outer diameter of the inlet portion 11 is smaller than the outer diameter of the main body portion 14. As shown in FIG. 1, an insertion aid 30 is connected to the inlet portion 11 of the glass tube 10.

[0026] FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the insertion aid 30. The insertion aid 30 has a connection portion 32 that connects to the inlet portion 11 of the glass tube 10 and a body portion 33 that extends from the connection portion 32 in the -Y direction. The body portion 33 has an open top. The connection portion 32 may also be referred to as the front portion of the insertion aid 30. The body portion 33 may also be referred to as the main body of the insertion aid 30. The body portion 33 and the connection portion 32 are integrally molded. A groove 34 is formed near the boundary between the body portion 33 and the connection portion 32. The groove 34 extends in the Y direction and coincides with the center line of the body portion 33. When inserting the solar cell sheet 20 into the insertion aid 30 and / or the glass tube 10, the longitudinal center line of the solar cell sheet 20 is aligned with the groove 34. Alternatively, the groove 34 may be omitted and a line having the same function as the groove 34 may be drawn on the insertion aid 30.

[0027] The connecting portion 32 is a hollow annular portion that is fitted onto the inlet portion 11 of the glass tube 10. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 32 is connected to (fitted onto) the inlet portion 11 of the glass tube 10. The connecting portion 32 may be fitted onto the inlet portion 11 of the glass tube 10. The connecting portion 32 is not limited to being fitted onto (fitted onto) the inlet portion 11 of the glass tube 10, but may be fitted onto or into the inlet portion 11 with a gap between them without contact. The length (dimension in the Y direction) of the connecting portion 32 is shorter than the length of the inlet portion 11 of the glass tube 10. The connecting portion 32 forms a connecting hole (through hole) 32a. At the portion where the body portion 33 connects to the connecting portion 32 (i.e., the outlet 33a of the body portion 33), the right curved surface portion 38a and the left curved surface portion 38b of the curved surface portion 38 are connected to form an annular portion (hole) 33b. To prevent the insertion aid 30 from wobbling when placed on a flat surface, the body 33 has a body support portion 35 on the outside. The hole formed by the annular portion 33b may be referred to as the outlet opening of the body 33. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the insertion aid 30 as seen from the opposite side of FIG.

[0028] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the body 33 has a curved surface portion 38 that forms the recess 36 inside the body 34, a connecting portion (upper wall portion) 42 that connects rear ends 39a, 40a of the two edges (upper right edge 39 and upper left edge 40) of the curved surface portion 38 in the X direction, and a protrusion 44 that extends diagonally downward from the connecting portion 42. An opening 46 is formed at the rear end of the body 33 by the curved surface portion 38 and the connecting portion 42. The curved surface portion 38 defines a curved surface (recess 36) that gradually narrows from the opening 46 toward the through-hole 32a. The recess 36 is defined by a curved surface that gradually narrows in the Y direction from the opening 46. Because the solar cell sheet 20 enters the insertion aid 30 through the opening 46, the opening 46 may also be referred to as an entrance opening.

[0029] The protrusions 44 prevent the solar cell sheet 20 from floating upward (in the Z direction) from the curved surface portion 38 of the insertion aid 30 when the solar cell sheet 20 is inserted from the insertion aid 30 into the glass tube 10. The protrusions 44 also prevent the solar cell sheet 20 from wrinkling inside the insertion aid 30 when it is inserted into the glass tube 10. The connecting portion 42 has an upper surface 42a and a rear surface 42b. The upper surface 42a is parallel to the XY plane. The rear surface 42b is inclined rather than perpendicular to the XY plane. The angle of inclination of the rear surface 42b is the same as the angle of inclination of the protrusion 44 (the plane defined by the rear surface 42b and the plane defined by the rear surface 44a of the protrusion 44 are in the same plane).

[0030] Figure 11 is a left side view of the insertion support tool 30. As shown in Figure 11, the rear surface 42b of the connecting portion 42 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ1 with respect to the XY plane. The rear surface 44a of the protruding portion 44 is also inclined at a predetermined angle θ1 with respect to the XY plane.

[0031] FIG. 12 is a rear view of the insertion aid 30 (a view of the insertion aid 30 as viewed in the Y direction). As shown in FIG. 12, the curved surface 38 of the body 33 of the insertion aid 30 defines the recess 36. The curved surface 38 (recess 36) is composed of a right curved surface 38a and a left curved surface 38b. In this embodiment, when viewed in the Y direction around the protrusion 44, the curved surface 38 has different inclinations on the left and right sides. More specifically, the inclination of the right curved surface 38a with respect to the XY plane is greater than the inclination of the left curved surface 38b. Therefore, when the solar cell sheet 20 is curled up and inserted into the connection portion 32 from the state shown in FIG. 3 as shown in FIG. 4, the right side of the solar cell sheet 20 curls up and enters the connection portion 32 before the left side. To enable the right side of the solar cell sheet 20 to curl up and enter the connection portion 32 before the left side, the position (height) of the upper right edge 46a of the entrance opening 46 of the insertion aid 30 is higher than the upper left edge 46b, as shown in FIG. 12. The boundary between the upper right side 46a and the upper left side 46b is a protrusion 44.

[0032] The protrusion 44 is located at the center of the width of the insertion aid 30. When viewed in the Y direction, the shape of the protrusion 44 is an inverted triangle. The distance in the Z direction between the lower end (tip) 44b of the protrusion 44 and the recess 36 of the curved surface portion 38 (the gap below the lower end 44b of the protrusion 44) is not limited to that shown in FIG. 12. For example, it may be shorter than the distance (gap) shown in FIG. 12. Note that depending on the material and flexibility of the solar cell sheet 20, the inner diameter of the glass tube 10, etc., it may not be necessary to provide the protrusion 44. An annular portion (hole) 33b formed at the portion where the body portion 33 connects to the connecting portion 32 (i.e., the outlet 33a of the body portion 33) is located above the lowest point 36a of the recessed portion 36 of the curved portion 38. In other words, in Figure 12, the height (distance from the XY plane) of the recessed portion 36 of the curved portion 38 increases as one progresses in the Y direction (the recessed portion 36 slopes upward as one progresses in the Y direction).

[0033] Fig. 13 is a top view of the insertion aid 30. As shown in Fig. 13, in top view, the width of the body 33 of the insertion aid 30 is approximately constant for a predetermined distance (body support portion 35) in the Y direction from the opening 46, and then narrows towards the connection portion 32. The angle θ2 (sheet insertion angle) defined by the portion that narrows towards the connection portion 32 is determined by factors such as the softness of the solar cell sheet 20. The sheet insertion angle is the angle defined by the right curved surface portion 38a and the left curved surface portion 38b. At the portion where the body portion 33 connects to the connection portion 32, the right curved portion 38a and the left curved portion 38b of the curved portion 38 are connected. In top view, the right curved portion 38a extends slightly to the left beyond the center line (groove 34). Also, at the portion where the body portion 33 connects to the connection portion 32, in top view, the front end 38af of the right curved portion 38a is closer to the connection portion 32 than the front end 38bf of the left curved portion 38b. This is so that the right side of the solar cell sheet 20 can enter the connection portion 32 before the left side.

[0034] FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the insertion aid 30. The longitudinal cross-sectional view is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane passing through the longitudinal centerline of the insertion aid 30 and perpendicular to the XY plane. As shown in FIG. 14, the thickness (Z-direction dimension) of the lower surface (bottom surface) 33c of the body 33 gradually increases in the Y direction from the rear end 33e of the body 33 to the vicinity of the body outlet 33a, with the thickness increasing significantly near the body outlet 33a (thickened portion 33d being formed). The thickened portion 33d continues to the body outlet 33a (to the boundary with the connecting portion 32). Due to the thickened portion 33d, a step 37 is formed at the joint between the body outlet 33a and the connecting portion 32. Due to the thickened portion 33d, the inner diameter of the body outlet 33a (the inner diameter of the hole 33b) is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the glass tube 10. In other words, the circumferential length of the hole 33b is shorter than the inner circumferential length of the glass tube 10. For example, the circumferential length of the hole 33b is 75 to 95% of the inner circumferential length of the glass tube 10. As a result, when the tip of the solar cell sheet 20 enters the glass tube 10 from the body 33 through the connection part 32, the circle (circumferential surface) of the solar cell sheet 20 formed by the curling of the solar cell sheet 20 enters the glass tube 10 without coming into contact with the inner circumferential wall of the glass tube 10. In other words, when the solar cell sheet 20 enters the glass tube 10 from the insertion aid 30, the solar cell sheet 20 is made to float slightly above the inner circumferential wall of the glass tube 10. This allows the solar cell sheet 20 to be inserted smoothly into the glass tube 10.

[0035] Next, the process of inserting the solar cell sheet 20 into the glass tube 10 and the function of the insertion aid 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in FIG. 1, the longitudinal direction of the solar cell sheet 20 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the glass tube 10 , and the front end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 is positioned near the entrance opening 46 of the insertion aid 30 .

[0036] 2, the front end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 is placed on the body 33 of the insertion aid 30. The curved surface (concave portion) 38 of the body 33 causes the solar cell sheet 20 to bend (flex) slightly concavely.

[0037] Next, as shown in FIG. 3 , when the front end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 approaches the body outlet 33a of the insertion support tool 30, the solar cell sheet 20 is further bent (flexed) into a concave shape by the curved surface (concave) 38 of the body 33. Because the curved surface 38 is formed to narrow overall from the entrance opening 46 toward the through-hole 32a, the distance between the right corner 21a and the left corner 21b of the front end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 is shorter than in the state shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, because the inclination of the right curved surface 38a of the curved surface 38 is greater than the inclination of the left curved surface 38b, the right side of the solar cell sheet 20 is bent more than the left side. In other words, the right side of the solar cell sheet 20 curls up before the left side. At this time, the protrusion 44 of the insertion support tool 30 is positioned above the solar cell sheet 20 to prevent the solar cell sheet 20 from floating up.

[0038] Next, as shown in Figure 4, the front end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 is inserted into the connection hole 32a of the connection part 32 of the insertion support tool 30. Because the right side of the solar cell sheet 20 is curled up before the left side, the right side of the solar cell sheet 20 enters the connection hole 32a before the left side. As a result, the right corner 21a and left corner 21b of the front end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 overlap without colliding when entering the connection hole 32a. More specifically, they overlap so that the right corner 21a is on the bottom and the left corner 21b is on top.

[0039] Next, as shown in Figure 5, when the solar cell sheet 20 is further inserted into the glass tube 10, the solar cell sheet 20 is rolled up by the insertion aid 30 and moves inside the glass tube 10 towards the exit 12. At this time, the solar cell sheet 20 moves (is inserted) with the right side of the solar cell sheet 20 overlapping the left side. In addition, the protrusions 44 prevent the center line of the solar cell sheet 20 in the Y direction from shifting from the center line of the glass tube 10 in the Y direction.

[0040] Next, as shown in Figure 6, when the solar cell sheet 20 is further inserted into the glass tube 10, the entire solar cell sheet 20 becomes cylindrical and moves through the glass tube 10 toward the exit 12. In this state, the right edge 23 and left edge 24 of the solar cell sheet 20 slightly overlap each other, and the right edge 23 and left edge 24 are nearly parallel to each other. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the solar cell sheet 20 is further inserted into the glass tube 10, the entire solar cell sheet 20 is inserted into the glass tube 10.

[0041] The width (dimension in the X direction) of the solar cell sheet 20 is not limited to that described above. In the above explanation, the right edge 23 and the left edge 24 of the solar cell sheet 20 abut against each other when the solar cell sheet 20 is completely inserted into the glass tube 10. However, the right edge 23 and the left edge 24 of the solar cell sheet 20 may not abut against each other but may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance. In other words, the width of the solar cell sheet 20 may be shorter than the inner circumferential length of the glass tube 10. For example, the width of the solar cell sheet 20 may be 75% to 95% of the inner circumferential length of the glass tube 10.

[0042] As described above, the insertion aid 30 of this embodiment is an insertion aid for inserting a flexible solar cell sheet 20 into a cylindrical body (glass tube 10) by forming it into a cylindrical shape. The insertion aid 30 includes a connector 32 that connects to the glass tube 10 and a body 33 that connects to the connector 32. The body 33 has an outlet opening 33a (33b) that connects to the glass tube 10 at the boundary with the connector 32, and the inner surface of the body 33 has a curved surface 38 that guides the solar cell sheet 20 to the outlet opening 33a while curling it. The curved surface 38 gradually narrows from the inlet opening 46 of the body 33 toward the outlet opening 33a. Because the curved surface 38 of the body 33 of the insertion aid 30 narrows from the body inlet opening 46 toward the body outlet opening 33a, when inserting the solar cell sheet 20 into the glass tube 10, the solar cell sheet 20 can be curled (into a cylindrical shape) and inserted into the glass tube 10. This allows the solar cell sheet 20 to be inserted smoothly. By smoothly performing the insertion operation, the solar cell sheet 20 can be inserted into the glass tube 10 without applying stress to the solar cell sheet 20. Therefore, the insertion operation can be performed without causing damage to the solar cell sheet 20.

[0043] The curved surface portion 38 of the body portion 33 forms a concave curved surface 36 when viewed in the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet 20, and the concave curved surface 36 is asymmetric. When the curved surface portion 36 forms asymmetric curved surfaces 38a, 38b when viewed in the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet, the asymmetric curved surfaces 38a, 38b have different slopes on the left and right. That is, in this embodiment, the curved surface portion 38 has concave curved surfaces 38a, 38b with different slopes on the left and right. As a result, when the solar cell sheet 20 curls up inside the insertion aid 30, the right side of the solar cell sheet 20 curls up faster than the left side. This prevents the right end 21a and left end 21b of the solar cell sheet 20 from colliding with each other, allowing the solar cell sheet 20 to be inserted smoothly into the glass tube 10.

[0044] The diameter of the outlet opening 33b of the body 33 is smaller than the inner diameter of the glass tube 10. For example, the diameter of the outlet opening 33b of the body 33 is 75% to 95% of the inner diameter of the glass tube 10. By making the hole size (diameter) of the body outlet opening 33b smaller than the hole size (inner diameter) of the glass tube 10, the solar cell sheet 20 does not come into contact with the inner surface of the glass tube 10 when it enters the glass tube 10. This reduces the resistance to the solar cell sheet 20 in the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet 20, making it easier to insert the solar cell sheet 20.

[0045] The entrance opening 46 of the body 33 is defined by the concave curved surface 36 of the curved surface portion 38 and a connecting portion 42 that connects the upper edges 39, 40 of the concave curved surface 36. The connecting portion 42 is provided with a protrusion 44 that protrudes downward toward the concave curved surface 36. When the protrusion 44 protrudes from the connecting portion 42 toward the curved surface of the body 33 (i.e., protrudes downward), it limits the space when the solar cell sheet 20 passes through the body entrance opening 46. As a result, it is possible to prevent the solar cell sheet 20 from lifting up from the curved surface portion 38 and becoming wrinkled (wavy) when the solar cell sheet 20 is inserted.

[0046] The protrusions 44 are inclined in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet 20. Furthermore, when the solar cell sheet 20 is inserted from the insertion support tool 30 into the glass tube 10, the tips 44b of the protrusions 44 are positioned so as to face the center line of the solar cell sheet 20. When the protrusions 44 extend diagonally downward from the connecting parts 42 and the tips 44b of the protrusions 44 face the center line of the solar cell sheet 20, it is possible to prevent the solar cell sheet 20 from lifting up from the concave curved surface 36 and wrinkling when the solar cell sheet 20 is inserted. The bottom of the concave curved surface 36 of the curved surface portion 48 is inclined upward from the entrance opening 46 to the exit opening 33b of the body portion 33. This allows the solar cell sheet 20 to smoothly curl up and enter the glass tube 10.

[0047] The configuration of the insertion aid 30 is not limited to the above configuration. For example, the protrusion 44 may be made movable. An insertion aid 30 with a movable protrusion 44 will be described as an insertion aid 130 with reference to FIG. 15. In the following description, only differences from the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 14 will be described. The same reference numerals are used for the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1 to 14.

[0048] In the insertion support tool 130 of Figure 15(A), the protrusion 144 is movable in the Y direction. Figure 15(B) shows the state in which the protrusion 144 has been moved in the +Y direction from the state of Figure 15(A).

[0049] A through-hole 143 is formed in the connecting portion 142 of the insertion support tool 130, penetrating the connecting portion 142 in the Z direction. In top view, the through-hole 143 has an oval shape that is long in the Y direction. A screw 145 extending in the -Z direction is provided in the through-hole 143, and the lower end (tip) of the screw 145 is screwed into the upper part of the protrusion 144. When the screw 145 is tightened, the protrusion 144 is fixed to the connecting portion 142. When the screw 145 is loosened, the protrusion 144 becomes movable relative to the connecting portion 142 (it becomes movable within a range defined by the through-hole 143).

[0050] 15 is used, the position of the protrusion 144 can be adjusted depending on how the solar cell sheet 20 deforms (whether it curls or wrinkles) when it is inserted into the glass tube 10. Furthermore, if it is desired to change the dimension of the protrusion 144 in the Z direction, it can be replaced with a protrusion 144 that is longer (or shorter) in the Z direction than the protrusion 144 shown in FIG.

[0051] If the protrusion 144 can move along the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet 20, the position of the protrusion 144 can be changed (adjusted) depending on the thickness of the solar cell sheet 20. For example, if the solar cell sheet 20 is thin, the protrusion 144 is moved (positioned) toward the trunk outlet opening 33b, and if the solar cell sheet 20 is thick, the protrusion 144 is moved (positioned) toward the trunk entrance opening 46. Because the concave curved surface 36 of the trunk 33 narrows toward the trunk entrance opening 33b, the volume defined by the concave curved surface 36 (the spatial volume inside the trunk 33) decreases from the trunk entrance opening 46 toward the trunk exit opening 33b. If the solar cell sheet 20 is thick and the protrusion 144 is located close to the trunk exit opening 33b, the lower end of the protrusion 144 may come into contact with the solar cell sheet 20, preventing smooth movement of the solar cell sheet 20 in the insertion direction. Therefore, if the solar cell sheet 20 is thick, the protrusion 144 is positioned toward the trunk entrance opening 46. By adjusting the position of the protrusions 144 according to the thickness of the solar cell sheet 20, the solar cell sheet 20 can be inserted smoothly.

[0052] Next, with reference to Figures 16 and 17, an insertion device 50 used when inserting the solar cell sheet 20 into the glass tube 10 will be described. For convenience of illustration, the insertion aid 30 is shown in a simplified form in Figures 16 and 17. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an insertion device 50. The insertion device 50 includes a winder 51, a first cable 52 extending from the winder 51 and entering the glass tube 10 through the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10, a first inlet plug 54 provided at the tip (left end) 52a of the first cable 52, a second inlet plug 56 attached to the left surface 54a of the first inlet plug 54, a second cable 58 extending leftward (in the -Y direction) from the second inlet plug 56, and an insertion aid 30 attached to the glass tube 10. The end (rear end) 58a of the second cable 58 is connected to the winder 51. Reference numerals 53a, 53b, and 53c denote rollers that assist the movement of the first cable 52 and the second cable 58. The insertion device 50 excluding the insertion aid 30 may be referred to as a movement mechanism that moves the solar cell sheet 20. The winding machine 51 may be referred to as a moving unit that moves the first introduction plug 54. In this embodiment, the first inlet plug 54 is made of a ferromagnetic material, and the second inlet plug 56 is a permanent magnet. Therefore, the second inlet plug 56 is detachably attached to the left surface 54a of the first inlet plug 54 by magnetic force. The configuration for attaching the second inlet plug 56 to the left surface 54a of the first inlet plug 54 is not limited to magnetic force. For example, a protrusion with a male thread may be provided on the right surface of the second inlet plug 56 (the surface that contacts the left surface 54a of the first inlet plug 54), and a female threaded hole that engages with the protrusion may be provided on the left surface 54a of the first inlet plug 54, and the second inlet plug 56 may be attached to the left surface 54a of the first inlet plug 54 by screwing (engaging) the male thread with the female thread. The second cable 58 is a wire made of a hard rigid body, such as a piano wire. The tip of the second cable 58 is attached to a fixing structure (for example, a hook) provided on the left surface of the second inlet plug 56.

[0053] The winding machine 51 can move the first cable 52 in the direction of arrow B1 (+Y direction) and the direction of arrow B2 (-Y direction). The winding machine 51 also moves the second cable 58 in the directions of arrows B11 and B12. The winding machine 51 is, for example, a small electric winch. The first inlet plug 54 is a plug having the same inner diameter as the inner diameter of the glass tube 10, and moves in the longitudinal direction (directions B1 and B2) of the glass tube 10 (together with the first cable 52) as the first cable 52 moves. The first inlet plug 54 is made of, for example, resin.

[0054] The inner diameter of the second inlet plug 56 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first inlet plug 54. The second inlet plug 56 is detachably attached to the left surface 54a of the first inlet plug 54. In this embodiment, the second inlet plug 56 moves together with the first inlet plug 54 until the first inlet plug 54 exits the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10. In other words, the second inlet plug 56 moves together with the first inlet plug 54 as long as it is positioned within the glass tube 10. The second inlet plug 56 is separated from the first inlet plug 54 when the first inlet plug 54 exits the glass tube 10. The attachment and detachment of the second inlet plug 56 and the first inlet plug 54 will be described later with reference to FIG. 17 .

[0055] The left surface 54a of the first inlet plug 54 and the solar cell sheet 20 are connected by a third cable 59. When the first inlet plug 54 moves in the B1 direction, the solar cell sheet 20 also moves in the B1 direction. An insertion aid 30 is attached to the entrance 11 of the glass tube 10 (the left end of the glass tube 10 in Figure 16). A part (front side) of the solar cell sheet 20 is positioned inside the insertion aid 30. The state in Figure 16 corresponds to the state in Figure 3. The rear end 59a of a third cable 59 is attached to the front end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20. Specifically, the rear end 59a of the third cable 59 is attached to the hole 27 of the traction part 26 of the solar cell sheet 20. The front end 59b of the third cable 59 is connected to the lower part of the left surface 54a of the first introduction plug 54. For example, a hook-shaped protrusion is provided on the lower part of the left surface 54a of the first introduction plug 54, and by hooking the front end 59b of the third cable 59 onto the hook-shaped protrusion, the front end 59b of the third cable 59 can be connected to the left surface 54a of the first introduction plug 54. The configuration for connecting the front end 59b of the third cable 59 and the first introduction plug 54 may be as follows. (1) A through hole extending in the Y direction is formed in the lower part of the first inlet plug 54. In this case, the front end 59b of the third cable 59 passes through the through hole and emerges on the right side of the first inlet plug 54. Thereafter, the front end 59b of the third cable 59 is fastened (fixed) on the right side of the first inlet plug 54 using a stopper or the like. (2) Two through holes (a first through hole and a second through hole) extending in the Y direction are formed in the lower part of the first introduction plug 54. In this case, the front end 59b of the third cable 59 first passes through the first through hole and emerges on the right side of the first introduction plug 54. Then, the front end 59b of the third cable 59 makes a U-turn and passes through the second through hole and emerges on the left side of the first introduction plug 54. Then, the front end 59b of the third cable 59 is attached to the hole 27 of the traction part 26. (3) A configuration is prepared in which the front end 59b of the third cable 59 is fixed (connected) in advance to the lower part of the left surface of the first introduction plug 54. A hook is provided on the rear end 59a of the third cable 59, and the hook is attached to the hole 27 of the traction part 26.

[0056] The winding machine 51 may be driven by a user operating a control unit (not shown) included in the winding machine 51, or may be driven based on instructions from a control device (not shown) connected by wire or wirelessly to the winding machine 51. The control device may be, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone.

[0057] Figures 17(A) to 17(E) are diagrams for explaining in detail the operation of the insertion device 50 of Figure 16. For convenience of illustration, only a part of Figure 16 is depicted in Figures 17(A) to 17(E).

[0058] Figure 17(A) shows the state in which the winding machine 51 has pulled the first cable 52 in the direction B1 from the state in Figure 16, and the first inlet plug 54 has reached the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10. The second inlet plug 56 moves together with the first inlet plug 54. Figure 17(A) shows the state in which almost the entire solar cell sheet 20 has been inserted into the glass tube 10. This is the state in which the winding machine 51 has finished inserting the solar cell sheet 20.

[0059] 17(B), the first inlet plug 54 is separated from the second inlet plug 56. Because the first inlet plug 54 and the second inlet plug 56 are joined by magnetic force, the first inlet plug 54 can be separated from the second inlet plug 56 by pulling the first inlet plug 54 strongly in the B1 direction. Additionally, the third cable 59 is separated from the first inlet plug 54. If the front end 59b of the third cable 59 is hooked on a hook-shaped protrusion provided on the left surface 54a of the first inlet plug 54, the front end 59b of the third cable 59 can be removed from the hook-shaped protrusion. The second inlet plug 56 remains inside the glass tube 10. Because the second cable 58 is a hard, rigid body (for example, piano wire), it can maintain a state in which it extends in the Y direction substantially along the center line of the glass tube 10. The second inlet plug 56 is attached to the front end of the second cable 58 and is positioned inside the glass tube 10. After the state shown in Figure 17(B) is reached, the rear end 59a of the third cable 59 is detached from the pulling portion 26 of the solar cell sheet 20.

[0060] Next, as shown in Figure 17(C), in this embodiment, the glass tube 10 is separated from the insertion aid 30. In this embodiment, only the inlet portion 11 of the glass tube 10 is inserted into the insertion aid 30, so the glass tube 10 can be separated from the insertion aid 30 by pulling the glass tube 10 in the B1 direction. Note that although the glass tube 10 is tilted in Figure 17(C), this tilting is not essential. The separated glass tubes 10 are removed from the insertion device 50 and are then subjected to the next process (for example, a process of assembling a plurality of cylindrical solar cells to form a solar cell unit (module)). Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 17(D), a new glass tube 10A is prepared, an insertion aid 30 is attached to the inlet 11 of the glass tube 10A, and the first inlet plug 54 is attached to the second inlet plug 56 at the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10A.

[0061] Next, as shown in Figure 17(E), the second inlet plug 56 is moved in the direction B2 until it reaches the inlet 11 of the glass tube 10A. The movement of the second inlet plug 56 is performed by the winding machine 51. The first inlet plug 54 moves in the direction B2 together with the second inlet plug 56 until it reaches the vicinity of the inlet 11 of the glass tube 10A. Thereafter, the third cable 59 attached to the tip of the new solar cell sheet 20A is attached to the left surface 54a of the first inlet plug 54. It is assumed that the preparation of the new solar cell sheet 20A and the attachment of the third cable 59 to the new solar cell sheet 20A are completed before the state shown in Figure 17(E) is reached.

[0062] Next, the winder 51 is driven to pull the first cable 52 in the B1 direction, resulting in the state shown in Figure 16. Thereafter, the operations shown in Figures 17(A) to 17(E) are carried out in sequence.

[0063] The configuration of the insertion device 50 is not limited to the configuration shown in Figures 16 and 17. For example, an insertion device 60 as shown in Figure 18 or an insertion device 70 as shown in Figure 19 may be used.

[0064] The insertion device 60 shown in Figure 18 will be described below. Note that elements similar to those in Figures 16 and 17 will be given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof may be omitted. The insertion device 60 of Figure 18 has an actuator 62, an inlet plug 64, and a vacuum plug 66. The inlet plug 64 and the vacuum plug 66 are provided in the glass tube 10 at a predetermined distance in the Y direction. The inlet plug 64 is closer to the inlet portion 11 of the glass tube 10 than the vacuum plug 66. The vacuum plug 66 is a member provided to create a vacuum (reduce the pressure) in the space between the vacuum plug 64 and the inlet plug 64. The vacuum plug 66 has a hole (not shown) that penetrates in the Y direction, and a vacuum pump is connected to this hole to perform vacuuming, thereby creating a vacuum in the space between the vacuum plug 66 and the inlet plug 64. The Y-direction through-hole of the vacuum plug 66 has an openable and closable structure (for example, a one-touch joint), and the Y-direction through-hole is closed after vacuuming is completed. The actuator 62 + It has a push rod 63 that is movable in the Y direction.

[0065] An insertion aid 30 is attached to the inlet 11 of the glass tube 10. An actuator 62 is provided on the inlet opening 46 side of the insertion aid 30, and a push rod 63 of the actuator 62 passes through the insertion aid 30 in the Y direction and extends into the glass tube 10. It is assumed that the leading end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 is positioned above the insertion support tool 30. It is also assumed that the leading end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 is attached to the inlet plug 64 by a cable 59A. The cable 59A is a cable similar to the third cable 59 in FIG. 16 .

[0066] When the actuator 62 is driven and the push rod 63 moves in the B1 direction, the push rod 63 pushes the inlet plug 64 in the B1 direction. When the inlet plug 64 moves in the B1 direction, the vacuum plug 66 also moves in the B1 direction. The vacuum plug 66 can move along with the movement of the inlet plug 64 because the space between the inlet plug 64 and the vacuum plug 66 is a vacuum. The vacuum between the inlet plug 64 and the vacuum plug 66 also creates a force pulling the inlet plug 64 in the B1 direction. In the insertion device 60 of FIG. 18 , the sum of the force pushing the inlet plug 64 in the B1 direction by the push rod 63 and the force pulling the inlet plug 64 in the B1 direction by the vacuum space between the inlet plug 64 and the vacuum plug 66 creates a force that moves the solar cell sheet 20 in the B1 direction. When the vacuum plug 66 reaches the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10 and is pushed out through the outlet 12, only the vacuum plug 66 exits the glass tube 10, while the inlet plug 64 remains inside the glass tube 10. The push rod 63 then pushes the inlet plug 64 in the direction B1, positioning the inlet plug 64 at the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10. The actuator 62 is then stopped. In this state, the inlet plug 64 is positioned at the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10, so the inlet plug 64 is removed from the glass tube 10. The inlet plug 64 can be removed by driving the push rod 63, or manually by an operator. When the inlet plug 64 is removed from the glass tube 10, the cable 59A is removed from the solar cell sheet 20. When the cable 59A is removed from the solar cell sheet 20, the insertion of the solar cell sheet 20 into the glass tube 10 is complete. The actuator 62 is then driven to move the push rod 63 in the direction B2, and the push rod 63 is removed from the glass tube 10.

[0067] Next, the insertion device 70 of Fig. 19 will be described. In the following description, elements similar to those in Fig. 18 will be given the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted. The insertion device 70 in Figure 19 has a vacuum pump 72, a communication part 74 connecting the inlet 73 of the vacuum pump 72 to the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10, and an inlet plug 64. The inlet plug 64 is located inside the glass tube 10. The vacuum pump 72 is located on the outlet 12 side of the glass tube 10. The communication part 74 has a fitting flange part 74a that enters the glass tube 10 from the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10, and an annular flange part 74b that extends radially outward from the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10. The fitting flange part 74a fits (connects) to the inner circumference of the glass tube 10. The annular flange part 74b positions the communication part 74 relative to the glass tube 10. An insertion aid 30 is attached to the inlet 11 of the glass tube 10. It is assumed that the leading end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 is positioned above the insertion support tool 30. It is also assumed that the leading end 21 of the solar cell sheet 20 is attached to the inlet plug 64 by a cable 59A.

[0068] When the vacuum pump 72 begins its suction operation, a suction force acts on the inside of the glass tube 10 via the communication part 74, sucking (moving) the inlet plug 64 in the direction B1. When the inlet plug 64 moves in the direction B1 and reaches the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10, the vacuum pump 72 is stopped. The communication part 74 is then removed from the glass tube 10, leaving only the inlet plug 64 at the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10. The inlet plug 64 is then removed from the glass tube 10. The inlet plug 64 is removed manually by an operator. Alternatively, the inlet plug 64 may be removed using the vacuum pump 72. When the inlet plug 64 is removed from the glass tube 10, the cable 59A is removed from the solar cell sheet 20. When the cable 59A is removed from the solar cell sheet 20, the insertion of the solar cell sheet 20 into the glass tube 10 is complete.

[0069] The present invention is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, in Fig. 16, the solar cell sheet 20 is connected to the first inlet plug 54 by the third cable 59, and the first inlet plug 54 is pulled in the B1 direction, but the solar cell sheet 20 may be gripped by a gripping member (gripping and pulling mechanism) and moved in the B1 direction. When a gripping member is used, for example, a thin plate-like tape is attached to the pulling portion 26 of the solar cell sheet 20, and the plate-like tape is gripped by the gripping member and moved (pulled) in the B1 direction.

[0070] In FIG. 18 , the inlet plug 64 is pushed by the push rod 63 of the actuator 62 to move the inlet plug 64 in the B1 direction within the glass tube 10. However, the inlet plug 64 may be moved in the B1 direction without using the push rod 63. For example, the inlet plug 64 may be moved in the B1 direction by the high-pressure gas flow by supplying high-pressure gas (air, nitrogen) from the insertion aid 30 into the glass tube 10. In this case, for example, a lid is provided on the top of the insertion aid 30 to close the top. A gas supply port is also formed in the lid. By supplying high-pressure nitrogen from the gas supply port into the insertion aid 30, the inlet plug 64 can be pushed by the nitrogen flow while creating a nitrogen atmosphere inside the insertion aid 30. In the case of perovskite solar cells, the solar cell sheet 20 may be deteriorated by oxygen, so it is preferable that the gas that comes into contact with the solar cell sheet 20 be nitrogen. The gas supply unit (not shown) that supplies high-pressure nitrogen is a gas supply unit that supplies a gas flow into the insertion aid 30 that pushes the inlet plug 64 in the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet 20. In the case of perovskite solar cells, the solar cell sheet 20 may be deteriorated by moisture (humidity), so it is preferable to insert the solar cell sheet 20 into the glass tube 10 in a dry room.

[0071] In FIG. 19, the solar cell sheet 20 is moved in the B1 direction within the glass tube 10 by sucking it with a vacuum pump 72, but a magnet may be used instead of the vacuum pump 72, and the solar cell sheet 20 may be moved in the B1 direction by sucking the inlet plug 64 with the magnet.

[0072] Although the inclination angle of the right curved surface portion 38a of the curved surface portion 38 is larger than the inclination angle of the left curved surface portion 38b, the inclination angle of the right curved surface portion 38a may be smaller than the inclination angle of the left curved surface portion 38b. In this case, the left side of the solar cell sheet 20 will curl up before the right side and enter the glass tube 10. Although the protrusion 44 is described as being provided on the connecting portion 42 of the body portion 33 of the insertion support tool 30, the position of the protrusion 44 is not limited to this. For example, the position of the protrusion 44 may be closer to the body portion outlet 33a than the connecting portion 42 in Fig. 9, as long as it is on the Y-direction center line of the body portion 33. In that case, the position should be such that the role of the protrusion 44 is to prevent the solar cell sheet 20 from floating up. 9, the dimension of the protrusion 44 in the Y direction is small, but the protrusion 44 may have a predetermined length (thickness) in the Y direction. In this case, it is preferable that the dimension of the connecting portion 42 in the Y direction is also large. Although the second cable 58 is described as being a hard rigid body (for example, piano wire), it may be made of a coiled wire. In this case, a structure for attaching the tip of the second cable 58 is provided in the second inlet plug 56, and the tip of the second cable 58 is attached to the structure, thereby fixing the second cable 58 to the second inlet plug 56. In the state shown in FIG. 7, the front end 21 of the Taiyo Yuden sheet 20 may be located at a position several tens of mm away from the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10 in the −Y direction. 18 has the inlet plug 64 and the vacuum plug 66, the vacuum plug 66 does not have to be provided. In this case, the force that moves the inlet plug 64 in the B1 direction is only the pushing force of the push rod 63. For example, if the position of the inlet plug 64 (perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the glass tube 10) can be maintained when the push rod 63 pushes the inlet plug 64 in the B1 direction, the vacuum plug 66 does not have to be used. 19 may have a net provided at the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10. When the introduction plug 64 is moved in the B1 direction by the introduction device 70 and reaches the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10, the introduction plug 64 is captured by the net, and the position of the introduction plug 64 at the outlet 12 of the glass tube 10 can be stabilized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10: glass tube, 11: inlet, 12: outlet, 14: main body, 20: solar cell sheet (solar cell substrate), 21: front end, 22: rear end, 26: traction part, 30: insertion aid, 32: connection part, 33: body, 34: groove, 36: recess, 37: step, 38: curved surface, 41: bottom surface, 44: protrusion, 46: opening, 50: insertion device, 60: insertion device, 70: insertion device, 130: insertion aid, 144: protrusion

Claims

1. An insertion aid for inserting a flexible solar cell sheet into a cylindrical body, the aid comprising: a connection portion that connects to the cylindrical body; a body portion connected to the connection portion, the body portion has an outlet opening connected to the cylindrical body at the boundary with the connection portion, an inner surface of the body portion has a curved surface portion that guides the solar cell sheet to the outlet opening while rolling it up; The insertion aid is characterized in that the curved surface portion gradually narrows from the entrance opening of the body portion toward the exit opening.

2. 2. The insertion aid according to claim 1, wherein the curved surface portion forms a concave curved surface when viewed in the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet, and the concave curved surface is asymmetrical.

3. 2. The insertion aid according to claim 1, wherein the diameter of the outlet opening of the body is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical body.

4. 4. The insertion aid according to claim 3, wherein the diameter of the outlet opening of the body is 75% to 95% of the inner diameter of the cylindrical body.

5. the inlet opening of the body portion is defined by the concave curved surface of the curved surface portion and a connecting portion connecting upper edges of the concave curved surfaces, 3. The insertion aid according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion is provided with a protrusion that protrudes downward toward the concave curved surface.

6. 6. The insertion aid according to claim 5, wherein the protrusion is inclined in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet, and when the solar cell sheet is inserted into the cylinder from the insertion aid, the tip of the protrusion faces the center line of the solar cell sheet.

7. 6. The insertion aid according to claim 5, wherein the protrusion is movable in the insertion direction of the solar cell sheet.

8. 2. The insertion aid according to claim 1, wherein the upper part of the insertion aid is closed by a lid, and the lid is provided with a gas supply port for introducing gas into the body.

9. 3. The insertion aid according to claim 2, wherein a bottom of the concave curved surface of the curved surface portion is inclined upward from the entrance opening of the body portion toward the exit opening.

10. 2. The insertion aid according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is a glass tube, and when the solar cell sheet is inserted into the glass tube, it becomes a cylindrical solar cell.

11. An insertion aid according to any one of claims 1 to 10; a moving mechanism that moves the solar cell sheet within the cylindrical body while the insertion support tool is connected to the cylindrical body; An insertion device comprising:

12. The insertion device of claim 11 , wherein the movement mechanism includes a cable connected to a tip of the solar cell sheet.

13. The insertion device according to claim 11 , wherein the moving mechanism includes a gripping member that grips the solar cell sheet.

14. 12. The insertion device of claim 11, wherein the movement mechanism includes a cable connected to the solar cell sheet, an introduction plug connected to the cable and positioned within the cylindrical body, and a movement unit that moves the introduction plug within the cylindrical body.

Images