Sealant removing device using laser and sealant removing method using laser

Abstract

Provided are a sealant removing device using laser and a sealant removing method using laser which can prevent deformation of a back sheet layer through a cooling structure. The sealant removing device using laser includes: a stage module which allows a waste solar panel to be seated thereon; a laser module for emitting laser light directed in one direction, to a sealant attached to the surface of a glass plate of the waste solar panel; and a cooling module for spraying a coolant to a back sheet layer bonded to the glass plate of the waste solar panel.

Description

Laser-based sealant removal device and laser-based sealant removal method

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for removing sealant attached to a waste solar panel, and more specifically, to a laser-based sealant removal device and laser-based sealant removal method that can cleanly remove sealant using a laser and prevent damage to a backsheet layer through temperature control.

[0002] Solar panels are typically constructed using a multilayer structure. For example, a solar panel may be constructed using a laminated structure consisting of a protective glass plate, a backsheet layer (a type of film layer bonded to the solar cells sealed with encapsulant), and a backsheet. These solar panels are further protected by a metal frame around the edges.

[0003] While this structure is useful for extending the lifespan of solar cells and modularizing the device, it also increases the complexity of the solar panel disposal process. Specifically, the solar panel disposal process involves multiple steps to disassemble the panel into its components, and these steps are crucial for component recycling.

[0004] For example, waste solar panels can be disassembled through processes such as dismantling the metal frame and separating the glass plate from the backsheet layer. Among these processes, the process of using a scraper to peel the backsheet layer attached to the glass plate is particularly important (e.g., Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0094258).

[0005] However, during the peeling process, when the scraper cuts the cut surface, the pressure of the scraper is transmitted to the glass plate. If the surface of the glass plate is uneven due to sealant (adhesive applied to seal the gap between the frame and the glass plate, etc.) or foreign substances attached to it, problems such as the glass plate being broken due to the pressure may occur.

[0006] In particular, sealant is difficult to process because it is bonded between the frame and the glass plate, and even if it is processed as a separate process, it is difficult to completely scrape it off due to the material (it is not easy to remove because it is made of adhesive) and location (it is arranged in a narrow and long manner, such as at the edge of the glass plate where the frame was), which is a problem when disposing of solar panels.

[0007] Meanwhile, the present invention was researched and developed with the support of the Korean government to solve these problems.

[0008] [National Research and Development Project 1 that supported this invention]

[0009] [Project ID] 2022003170

[0010] [Assignment Number] 2022003170007

[0011] [Ministry Name] Ministry of Environment

[0012] [Name of Project Management (Specialist) Institution] Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute

[0013] [Research Project Name] Green Innovation Enterprise Growth Support Program (Commercialization)

[0014] [Research Project Name] Development of Solar Waste Panel Resource Recycling Process Technology and Commercialization

[0015] [Contribution rate] 1 / 2

[0016] [Name of the project performing organization] Wonkwang SNT Co., Ltd.

[0017] Research Period: April 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024

[0018] [National Research and Development Project 2 that supported this invention]

[0019] [Project ID] 2050000175

[0020] [Assignment Number] RS-2022-KE002108

[0021] [Ministry Name] Ministry of Environment

[0022] [Name of Project Management (Specialist) Institution] Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute

[0023] [Research Project Name] Green Innovation Enterprise Growth Support Program (Research and Development)

[0024] [Research Project Name] Development of a Module-Level Power Evaluation Device (MLPE) for Solar Power Generation Systems to Improve Solar Waste Circulation

[0025] [Contribution rate] 1 / 2

[0026] [Name of the project performing organization] Wonkwang SNT Co., Ltd.

[0027] Research Period: April 1, 2022 - December 31, 2024

[0028] <Reference prior art literature>

[0029] (Patent Document 1) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0094258, (July 29, 2021)

[0030] The technical problem of the present invention is to solve these problems, and to provide a sealant removal device that can effectively remove sealant attached to waste solar panels when processing waste solar panels, and to provide a laser-based sealant removal device that significantly increases the sealant removal effect by using a laser. In addition, the present invention provides a laser-based sealant removal device that prevents damage to the backsheet layer through temperature control, thereby enabling very smooth recycling of the backsheet layer. In addition, a method for removing sealant using a laser is also provided.

[0031] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0032] A sealant removal device using a laser according to the present invention comprises: a stage module for mounting a waste solar panel; a laser module for irradiating a laser beam directed in one direction onto a sealant attached to a glass plate surface of the waste solar panel; and a cooling module for spraying a coolant onto a back sheet layer bonded to the glass plate of the waste solar panel.

[0033] The above cooling module can control the coolant so that the temperature of the back sheet layer does not exceed the melting point of the resin forming the back sheet layer.

[0034] The cooling module can spray the coolant on the back sheet layer, which is the opposite side of the glass plate to which the laser light is irradiated, at a position overlapping the irradiation point of the laser light.

[0035] It may further include a temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of the back sheet layer at a position overlapping with the irradiation point of the laser light.

[0036] The above temperature measuring unit can be formed as a non-contact temperature measuring device.

[0037] The method may further include an aiming module that adjusts the position of the laser module with respect to the stage module to aim the laser light toward the edge of the glass plate on which the sealant is applied.

[0038] The device may further include a transport module that moves at least one of the laser module and the stage module to move the laser light parallel to the surface of the glass plate relative to the glass plate.

[0039] The above coolant may be composed of a fluid sprayed through a nozzle.

[0040] The laser module may further include a focus control unit that focuses the laser light and creates a focus of the laser light above the surface of the glass plate.

[0041] The sealant removal device of the present invention comprises a stage module for settling a waste solar panel with a backsheet layer and a glass plate attached thereto so that the front surface of the glass plate is exposed; and a laser module for irradiating a laser beam onto the sealant attached to the front surface of the glass plate to burn and remove the sealant, thereby enabling the front surface of the glass plate formed on the opposite side of the backsheet layer to be uniformly treated while the backsheet layer and the glass plate are attached thereto.

[0042] The above sealant is formed along the edge of the front surface of the glass plate, and the laser module can be moved by the transport module so that the irradiation point of the laser light overlaps the edge.

[0043] The method for removing sealant using a laser according to the present invention comprises the steps of (a) arranging a waste solar panel with a backsheet layer and a glass plate attached thereto so that the front surface of the glass plate is exposed; and (b) irradiating a laser beam to the sealant attached to the front surface of the glass plate to burn and remove the sealant, thereby enabling the front surface of the glass plate formed on the opposite side of the backsheet layer to be uniformly treated while the backsheet layer and the glass plate are attached thereto.

[0044] In the above step (b), when the laser light is irradiated, a coolant may be sprayed onto the back sheet layer to control the temperature of the back sheet layer so as not to exceed the melting point of the resin forming the back sheet layer.

[0045] According to the present invention, the glass plate surface can be treated very uniformly before the peeling process during the disassembly of waste solar panels. This method removes only the sealant attached to the entire surface of the glass plate while the glass plate and backsheet layer of the waste solar panel are bonded. Specifically, the sealant and other foreign substances are burned away with a laser, resulting in a very clean and uniform surface treatment. Therefore, the problem of glass breakage due to unevenness in the glass plate during subsequent processes can be effectively resolved. Furthermore, the laser burning away of the sealant reduces slag and simplifies the process. Furthermore, the temperature of the backsheet layer can be controlled during laser processing to prevent deformation, making it very convenient to disassemble and recycle the backsheet layer during subsequent processes.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sealant removal device using a laser according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional drawing of the state before the sealant removal device of Fig. 1 is installed on a waste solar panel, with respect to the stage module.

[0048] Figure 3 is an operational diagram illustrating a process of mounting a waste solar panel on the sealant removal device of Figure 1 and removing the sealant.

[0049] Figure 4 is a graph showing the temperature control effect of the back sheet layer by the cooling module in the process of Figure 3.

[0050] Fig. 5 is an operational diagram showing the movement method of the laser irradiation position during the sealant removal process of Fig. 3.

[0051] The advantages and features of the present invention, as well as the methods for achieving them, will become clearer with reference to the embodiments described in detail below together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined solely by the claims. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the specification.

[0052] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, a laser-based sealant removal device and a laser-based sealant removal method according to the present invention will be described in detail. The method will be described based on the description of the device after the description of the device.

[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sealant removal device using a laser according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the state of the sealant removal device of FIG. 1 before installation of a waste solar panel on a stage module.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sealant removal device (1) using a laser according to the present invention (hereinafter, a sealant removal device) includes a stage module (100) on which a waste solar panel (A) is mounted, and a laser module (200) arranged adjacent to the stage module (100). The laser module (200) irradiates a surface of a glass plate (A1) of the waste solar panel (A) with a laser light directed in one direction (see L of FIG. 3) to burn and remove the sealant (B) attached to the glass plate (A1). The surface corresponds to the front surface of the glass plate (A1). A back sheet layer (A2) is attached to the back surface of the glass plate.

[0055] At this time, the sealant removal device (1) can control the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) by using the cooling module (300) to prevent the backsheet layer (A2) from overheating. By sufficiently lowering the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) by spraying a coolant (see C of FIG. 3) with the cooling module (300), the backsheet layer (A2) can be prevented from being deformed by the laser light incident on the glass plate (A1) or the heat generated when the laser light burns the sealant (B). Therefore, while simultaneously treating the surface of the glass plate (A1) with the laser light, the backsheet layer (A2) bonded to the glass plate (A1) can be protected from being deformed.

[0056] The sealant removal device (1) of the present invention is configured as follows. The sealant removal device (1) includes a stage module (100) for settling a waste solar panel (A), a laser module (200) for irradiating a laser light (see L of FIG. 3) directed in one direction onto a sealant (B) attached to a surface of a glass plate (A1) of the waste solar panel (A), and a cooling module (300) for spraying a coolant (see C of FIG. 3) onto a backsheet layer (A2) bonded to the glass plate (A1) of the waste solar panel (A).

[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention, the cooling module (300) can control the coolant so that the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) does not exceed the melting point of the resin forming the backsheet layer (A2). In addition, the cooling module (300) can spray the coolant on the backsheet layer (A2), which is the opposite side of the glass plate (A1) to which the laser light is irradiated, at a position overlapping the irradiation point of the laser light. Through this, the temperature can be efficiently controlled and deformation of the backsheet layer (A2) can be prevented through a precise cooling method that takes into account the material of the backsheet layer (A2) and the incident point of the laser light.

[0058] In addition, the sealant removal device (1) may further include a targeting module (210) that adjusts the position of the laser module (200) with respect to the stage module (100) to aim the laser light toward the edge of the glass plate (A1) on which the sealant (B) is applied, and may further include a transport module (400) that moves at least one of the laser module (200) and the stage module (100) to move the laser light parallel to the surface of the glass plate (A1) with respect to the glass plate (A1). Accordingly, the sealant (B) can be removed accurately and conveniently by changing the position of the laser light or moving the laser light.

[0059] Hereinafter, the configuration and operational effects of the present invention will be described in more detail based on one embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the stage module (100) may be formed as a structure having a hollow interior and a flat surface. The stage module (100) may be configured to accommodate a waste solar panel (A), and thus may be modified in various ways within such a configuration. Therefore, the drawings are merely exemplary. By way of example, the stage module (100) may be a structure including a movable frame (110) formed by connecting square bars or the like to surround the waste solar panel (A). The movable frame (110) may have an accommodation space therein, and the accommodation space may be formed to be open to expose the front (the side with the glass plate) and the back (the side with the back sheet layer) of the waste solar panel (A), excluding the side surfaces. In this example, the stage module (100) can support the waste solar panel (A) by using a plurality of catches (112) that protrude from the movable frame (110) and are caught on the waste solar panel (A) (see Fig. 2 - the dotted line is the position where the waste solar panel is installed).

[0061] The stage module (100) can be modified into various shapes capable of mounting a waste solar panel (A), and thus need not be limited to the drawing. The arrangement of the stage module (100) need not be limited to the horizontal direction as shown in the drawing, and vertical arrangement, etc., is also possible. It is preferable that the stage module (100) be arranged between the laser module (200) and the cooling module (300).

[0062] A brief description of the waste solar panel (A) is as follows. The waste solar panel (A) may have a glass plate (A1) formed on the front and a back sheet layer (A2) formed on the back. The front of the glass plate (A1) is exposed, and the back is bonded to the back sheet layer (A2). The waste solar panel (A) is mounted on the stage module (100) so that the glass plate (A1) faces the laser module (200). In the case where the laser module (200) is positioned above the stage module (100) as in the present embodiment, the waste solar panel (A) may be mounted on the stage module (100) so that the front surface where the glass plate (A1) is positioned faces upward.

[0063] The waste solar panel (A) is formed in a layered structure in which a glass plate (A1) and a back sheet layer (A2) are laminated (see enlarged views of FIGS. 1 and 2). The back sheet layer (A2) may be a type of film layer in which a solar cell sealed with an encapsulant and a back sheet are bonded, and is bonded to the glass plate (A1). The back sheet layer (A2) may be peeled from the glass plate (A1) in a subsequent peeling process, and the present invention may be used to uniformly treat the surface of the glass plate (A1) located opposite the back sheet layer (A2) before the peeling process (i.e., the front surface of the glass plate). That is, the sealant (B) and / or other foreign substances attached to the surface of the glass plate (A1) can be removed by the present invention.

[0064] The waste solar panel (A) of the present invention may have a metal frame (not shown) that was connected to protect the side (edge ​​portion) disassembled, and thus the sealant (B) applied between the glass plate (A1) and the metal frame (not shown) may remain along the edge of the surface of the glass plate (A1). The sealant (B) is made of a viscous resin or the like, and needs to be removed because it is fixed to the surface of the glass plate (A1) in a hardened state, making the surface uneven.

[0065] The laser module (200) irradiates a laser light (see L in Fig. 3) directed in one direction onto the sealant (B) attached to the surface of the glass plate (A1) of the waste solar panel (A). When the laser light hits the sealant (B), the sealant (B) is burned and removed, so it is processed quickly without leaving any residue, compared to removal methods such as scraping off the sealant (B).

[0066] The laser module (200) may be positioned adjacent to the stage module (100) as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and may be positioned to face the glass plate (A1) of the waste solar panel (A). In the case where the glass plate (A1) faces upwards as in the present embodiment, the laser module (200) may be positioned above the waste solar panel (A). The laser module (200) may have a light emitting portion (201) formed at an end thereof from which laser light is emitted, and the light emitting portion (201) may face the glass plate (A1). The laser module (200) may include an oscillation portion (not illustrated) for generating laser light, and the output may be adjusted through appropriate control. The shape or structure of the laser module (200) need not be particularly limited as long as it can irradiate laser light, so the drawing is exemplary.

[0067] In this embodiment, the laser module (200) can be combined with an aiming module (210). The aiming module (210) can adjust the position of the laser module (200) with respect to the stage module (100) to aim the laser light irradiated by the laser module (200) toward the edge of the glass plate (A1) on which the sealant (B) is applied. For example, the aiming module (210) can be formed with a structure including a two-axis linear guide or the like that can move the laser module (200) in at least two mutually perpendicular axes, thereby making it possible to freely adjust the position of the laser module (200) at least on a plane parallel to the surface of the waste solar panel (A) (see FIG. 1).

[0068] However, this is just one example, and the aiming module (210) does not need to be limited to that, and the aiming module (210) can be formed by utilizing various types of structures that can change position (e.g., a three-axis linear guide, a robot arm with joints, etc.). The aiming module (210) can also be transformed into various forms that can change the irradiation position of the laser light by adjusting the position of the laser module (200), so there is no need to understand it limited to the drawing.

[0069] The cooling module (300) sprays a coolant (see C in FIG. 3) onto the back sheet layer (A2) bonded to the glass plate (A1) of the waste solar panel (A). The cooling module (300) may include a nozzle structure (see 301 in FIG. 2) capable of spraying the coolant, and the coolant may be formed of a fluid sprayed through the nozzle (301). The fluid may be a liquid and / or a gas, and the gas may include various types of air at room temperature and / or cooled air.

[0070] Accordingly, a pipe structure (not shown) for supplying a coolant sprayed through a nozzle (301) may also be arranged in the cooling module (300). For example, the coolant may be supplied to the cooling module (300) by an external pressurizing device (pump, etc.). One or more fluids may be selectively and compositely used as the coolant, and such fluids may include fluids at room temperature or cooled to a temperature lower than room temperature. Accordingly, the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) may be controlled by adjusting the type and / or temperature and / or spray amount of the coolant sprayed through the cooling module (300) (although not shown, this may be controlled by a valve formed in the pipe or cooling module, etc.). Since the cooling module (300) may also be modified in various ways in such a form, the detailed structure is omitted in the drawing.

[0071] The cooling module (300) may be arranged to face the backsheet layer (A2) of the waste solar panel (A) so that the nozzle (301) faces the backsheet layer (A2). Accordingly, the laser module (200) may face the glass plate (A1) and the cooling module (300) may face the backsheet layer (A2) with the stage module (100) interposed therebetween (see Fig. 2). This arrangement is advantageous in that the coolant is sprayed in the opposite direction to the point of laser light irradiation to intensively cool the area around the temperature rise point. The operation related thereto will be described in more detail later.

[0072] In this embodiment, the cooling module (300) can be coupled to the position control module (310). The position control module (310) can play a role in adjusting the coolant injection position of the cooling module (300) to any position of the back sheet layer (A2). For example, the position control module (310) can be formed in a shape corresponding to the aforementioned aiming module (210) and can be formed in a structure including a two-axis linear guide or the like that can move the cooling module (300) in at least two directions perpendicular to each other like the aiming module (210). Accordingly, the cooling module (300) can also freely change its position on at least a plane parallel to the surface of the waste solar panel (A).

[0073] However, since this is also just one example, the position control module (310) does not need to be limited to that, and another type of position control module (310) can be formed by utilizing various types of structures capable of position change (e.g., 3-axis linear guide, robot arm with joints, etc.). The position control module (310) can be transformed into various forms that can change the coolant injection position by adjusting the position of the cooling module (300), and thus does not need to be limited to the drawing.

[0074] The sealant removal device (1) may include a transport module (400). The transport module (400) moves at least one of the laser module (200) and the stage module (100) to move the laser light irradiated by the laser module (200) parallel to the surface of the glass plate (A1) of the waste solar panel (A) with respect to the glass plate (A1) (see the operating diagram of FIG. 5). Accordingly, after setting the irradiation position of the laser light with the aforementioned aiming module (210), while moving the laser light parallel to the glass plate (A1) with the transport module (400), it is possible to automatically remove sealant (B) etc. attached in a straight line.

[0075] The transport module (400) may be formed, for example, in a structure that moves the stage module (100). For example, as in the present embodiment, the stage module (100) may include a movable frame (110), and the transport module (400) may be configured to move the movable frame (110). For example, the transport module (400) may be formed in a form that includes a drive roller (see 410 in FIG. 2) that contacts the movable frame (110) to move the movable frame (110) in a longitudinal direction, and a motor (see 420 in FIG. 2) that transmits power to the drive roller (410) to rotate it.

[0076] For example, the movable frame (110) can be slidably coupled to a guide bar (111) arranged in the longitudinal direction of the waste solar panel (A), and thus can move parallel along the guide bar (111) in the forward and reverse directions when the driving roller (410) rotates. In this way, the stage module (100) moves so that the irradiation position of the laser light can be automatically changed. In addition, the injection position of the coolant can also be automatically changed. In this way, when the stage module (100) is moved, the laser module (200) and the cooling module (300) are fixed, and only the stage module (100) is moved in parallel, so that the irradiation position of the laser light and the injection position of the coolant can be changed at the same time, which can be structurally advantageous.

[0077] However, it is not necessary to be limited to that, and it is also possible to move the laser module (200) instead of the stage module (100) or to move the stage module (100) and the laser module (200) simultaneously (in opposite directions). However, when moving the laser module (200), it is preferable to also move the cooling module (300) together with the laser module (200) so that the laser light irradiation position and the coolant injection position change together. The transport module (400) can also be modified in various forms, so it is not necessary to be limited to the drawing.

[0078] Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the sealant removal device (1) may further include a temperature measuring unit (500). The temperature measuring unit (500) may be positioned to measure the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2), and in particular, may be formed to measure the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) at a position overlapping with the irradiation point of the laser light irradiated from the laser module (200). Preferably, the temperature measuring unit (500) may be formed as a non-contact temperature measuring device, and may be formed as, for example, a thermal imaging camera.

[0079] However, since it is also possible to use a contact temperature measuring device (temperature sensor, etc.) if possible, it is not necessary to limit the understanding to this embodiment.

[0080] The thermal imaging camera can capture the entire distance of the backsheet layer (A2) while being spaced apart from the waste solar panel (A), and its center can be aligned with the center of the waste solar panel (A) and configured to move together with the waste solar panel. In the case where the stage module (100) moves as in this embodiment and the waste solar panel (A) moves in parallel, the temperature measuring unit (500) can also be configured to move in parallel with the waste solar panel (A) and measure the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2). For example, the temperature measuring unit (500) can be configured to be movable by being coupled to a linear guide (510) or the like.

[0081] Therefore, by using the temperature measuring unit (500), the temperature change and distribution of the backsheet layer (A2) can be continuously detected and identified in real time by zone or coordinate (e.g., coordinates that are ordered pairs of horizontal and vertical positions of the waste solar panel). By using the temperature measuring unit (500), the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) can be controlled more precisely by adjusting the coolant of the cooling module (300), and thereby, even while the laser light is continuously irradiated, the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) can be maintained below a specific limit temperature at which the backsheet layer (A2) does not deform by spraying sufficient coolant.

[0082] That is, the cooling module (300) can control the coolant so that the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) does not exceed the melting point of the resin forming the backsheet layer (A2), and further, the cooling module (300) can more effectively and precisely control the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) by spraying the coolant at a position overlapping the irradiation point of the laser light on the backsheet layer (A2), which is the opposite side of the glass plate (A1) to which the laser light is irradiated. Hereinafter, the operation method of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0083] FIG. 3 is an operational diagram illustrating a process of mounting a waste solar panel on the sealant removal device of FIG. 1 and removing the sealant, FIG. 4 is a graph illustrating the temperature control effect of the back sheet layer by the cooling module in the process of FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is an operational diagram illustrating a method of moving a laser irradiation position during the sealant removal process of FIG. 3.

[0084] A method for removing sealant (B) using laser light (L) is illustrated in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 3, a waste solar panel (A) is mounted on a stage module (100), and the laser module (200) is operated to irradiate the laser light (L) onto the sealant (B) attached to the surface of the glass plate (A1). The laser light (L) can be controlled to have an output sufficient to remove the sealant (B), and therefore, when the laser light (L) contacts the sealant (B), the sealant (B) is heated by the laser light (L) and burned, thereby being removed. Since the glass plate (A1) is made of a different material from the sealant (B) and has a higher melting point, the effect of the laser light (L) may be substantially negligible. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 3, only the sealant (B) can be cleanly removed from the glass plate (A1).

[0085] The waste solar panel (A) can be manually or automatically (using a conveyor, etc.) mounted on the stage module (100), and after the waste solar panel (A) is mounted on the stage module (100), the aiming module (210) can be operated to position the laser module (200) toward the edge of the glass plate (A1) to which the sealant (B) is attached. By adjusting the position in this way and operating the laser module (200), the laser light (L) is irradiated onto the sealant (B), as shown in FIG. 3, so that only the sealant (B) can be removed.

[0086] At this time, the cooling module (300) sprays a coolant (C) to lower the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2). For example, when laser light (L) is irradiated, the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) bonded to the glass plate (A1) may also rise due to the heat generated when the sealant (B) burns at the point of laser light (L) irradiation and the laser light (L) incident on a portion of the glass plate (A1). The present invention solves this problem by using the cooling module (300) to at least locally and intensively cool the backsheet layer.

[0087] The cooling module (300) is positioned corresponding to the laser module (200) with the waste solar panel (A) interposed therebetween as shown in Fig. 3, and can spray the coolant (C) in the opposite direction of the laser light (L). That is, the cooling module (300) sprays the coolant (C) at a position (see dotted line a) that overlaps the irradiation point of the laser light (L) on the back sheet layer (A2), which is the opposite surface of the glass plate (A1) to which the laser light (L) is irradiated. Therefore, the heat diffusion occurring around the irradiation point of the laser light (L), which is the heat source, can be very effectively eliminated.

[0088] That is, the cooling module (300) concentrates and sprays the coolant (C) in the exact opposite direction to the location where the laser light (L) is irradiated from the opposite side of the laser module (200), thereby dissipating heat with the coolant (C) and blocking heat from being transferred outside the laser light (L) irradiation point. Through this, the temperature of the entire backsheet layer (A2) can be controlled so as not to exceed the melting point of the resin forming the backsheet layer (A2).

[0089] The position of the cooling module (300) can be precisely controlled using the position control module (310), and the coolant (C) can be sprayed after adjusting the injection point of the coolant (C) to exactly overlap with the irradiation point of the laser light (L) using the position control module (310).

[0090] Moreover, since the temperature measuring unit (500) can continuously measure the overall temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) and the local temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) at the position (a) overlapping with the laser light (L) irradiation point, the injection amount, temperature, etc. of the coolant (C) can be controlled accordingly according to the measurement results of the temperature measuring unit (500). The temperature measuring unit (500) can display the measurement results on a monitor (not shown) or the like and can also transmit them to a control unit (not shown) composed of an electronic control device [e.g., a programmable logic controller (PLC)] or the like. Accordingly, the cooling module (300) can automatically adjust the injection amount and / or temperature of the coolant (C) so that the measured temperature does not exceed a specific temperature according to the control of the control unit. It goes without saying that it can also be controlled by manual operation of the user.

[0091] In Fig. 4, the amount of coolant (C) injected and the temperature change of the backsheet layer (A2) are graphically illustrated. For example, from the time point (t1) when the laser light (L) begins to be irradiated, the temperature of the location (see a in Fig. 3) of the backsheet layer (A2) that overlaps the point where the laser light (L) is irradiated may begin to rise. Accordingly, the cooling module (300) may also be controlled to start injecting the coolant (C) from the time point (t1) when the laser light (L) begins to be irradiated and to gradually increase the injection amount.

[0092] The amount of coolant (C) injected can be continuously increased, for example, until a point (t2) at which the temperature rise of the backsheet layer (A2) begins to decrease (e.g., an inflection point in the temperature graph), and can be maintained constant after the temperature rise begins to decrease. This control can be performed, for example, through automatic control utilizing a differential value of temperature change, etc. As a result, the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) can be maintained below a specific limit temperature, and even if the laser light (L) continues to be irradiated, it can be controlled not to increase or rather to decrease after a certain point (t3). Through this, the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) can be maintained, in particular, at a temperature not exceeding the melting point of the resin forming the backsheet layer (A2).

[0093] The backsheet layer (A2) is a type of film layer that includes parts formed of resin, such as the aforementioned sealant and backsheet, and thus has the problem of easily melting or deforming when overheated. However, by precisely controlling the temperature using a coolant (C) in this way, the temperature can be maintained below the melting point of the resin forming the backsheet layer (A2), thereby practically eliminating deformation. Therefore, it is possible to cleanly process the surface of the glass plate (A1) using laser light (L) while preserving the backsheet layer (A2) in its original form.

[0094] This temperature control can be performed by focusing on the backsheet layer (A2) at a location (a) overlapping with the location where the laser light (L) is irradiated, thereby dissipating heat from the location where the laser light (L) is irradiated before the heat spreads to other locations, thereby more effectively lowering the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2). Since other locations of the backsheet layer (A2) do not have a heat source (laser light), their temperatures cannot but be lower at the same time, and thus the temperature of the entire backsheet layer (A2) can be maintained below the melting point in this manner.

[0095] In this embodiment, as an example, the control using the injection amount of the coolant (C) as a variable has been described. However, as described above, the coolant (C) can be controlled in various ways, such as by strongly injecting air at room temperature and then changing to cooled air or another cooling fluid at a lower temperature, or by injecting a mixture of these, so that a substantially equivalent effect can be obtained through control using the injection amount and temperature of the coolant (C) as variables. For example, by using a coolant (C) at a lower temperature, the advantage of reducing the injection amount of the coolant (C) can be obtained. The temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) can be maintained below the melting point by applying the control method in various ways.

[0096] Accordingly, the sealant removal device (1) can remove the sealant (B) for a relatively long period of time without any problems while moving the laser light (L) parallel to the glass plate (A1), as illustrated in Fig. 5. That is, since the temperature is lowered with the coolant (C) when the laser light (L) is irradiated to prevent deformation of the back sheet layer (A2), the sealant (B) or other foreign substances attached to the edge and / or other points on the surface of the glass plate (A1) can be removed with the laser light (L) while preserving the back sheet layer (A2).

[0097] The laser light (L) can be moved in parallel along the glass plate (A1), for example, by moving the stage module (100) with the transport module (400). As illustrated, by operating the transport module (400) to move the stage module (100) to one side, the irradiation position of the laser light (L) and the injection position of the coolant (C) of the cooling module (300) can be changed simultaneously. Since the relative positions between the laser module (200) and the cooling module (300) do not change, the coolant (C) is continuously injected at the position (a) overlapping with the laser light (L) irradiation point even during movement. Therefore, the temperature control described above is also very smooth. The temperature measurement unit (500) moves together with the waste solar panel (A) along the linear guide (510) described above and measures the temperature, so the temperature measurement is also smooth. In this way, by moving the laser light (L) in parallel with the transfer module (400), the sealant (B) attached to the glass plate (A1) can be removed very effectively.

[0098] In addition, the sealant removal device (1) can also be controlled to reduce the amount of laser light (L) transmitted through the glass plate (A1) by adjusting the focus of the laser light (L). For example, the sealant removal device (1) can include a focus control unit (202) that is arranged in the laser module (200) and focuses the laser light (L) to create a focus of the laser light (L) above the surface of the glass plate (A1). Although briefly illustrated, for example, the focus control unit (202) can be formed as an optical system that can focus the laser light (L) and change the position of the focus, and within that limit, it is also possible to precisely control the position of the focus so that it is formed on the sealant (B) by implementing it in an appropriate form. The focus control unit (202) can be arranged at the end of the light output unit (201) of the laser module (200).

[0099] In this manner, the sealant (B) and other foreign substances on the surface of the glass plate (A1) can be burned and removed very effectively with laser light (L), while simultaneously preventing deformation of the backsheet layer (A2) through temperature control. Therefore, not only can the surface of the glass plate (A1) be cleaned, but the recycling of the backsheet layer (A2) can also be achieved very effectively.

[0100] The sealant removal device (1) of the present invention also has the following features in one aspect. The sealant removal device (1) is applied to the flattening process of the front surface of the glass plate before peeling off the back sheet layer (A2) of the waste solar panel (A), and thus is performed in a state where the back sheet layer (A2) and the glass plate (A1) are bonded. That is, the sealant removal device (1) includes a stage module (100) that places a waste solar panel (A) (e.g., one in which only the metal frame and junction box described above have been dismantled) with a backsheet layer (A2) and a glass plate (A1) attached thereto so that the front surface of the glass plate (A1) is exposed, and a laser module (200) that irradiates a laser beam onto the sealant (B) attached to the front surface of the glass plate (A1) to burn and remove the sealant, so that the front surface of the glass plate (A1) formed on the opposite side of the backsheet layer (A2) with the backsheet layer (A2) and the glass plate (A1) attached thereto can be uniformly processed.

[0101] At this time, the sealant (B) is formed along the edge of the front surface of the glass plate (A1), and the laser module (200) can be moved by the transport module (400) so that the laser light irradiation point overlaps the edge. This configuration can be confirmed from the embodiments described above, and this configuration is also not excluded from the technical concept of the present invention.

[0102] Hereinafter, a sealant removal method using a laser according to the present invention will be described in detail. Since the sealant removal method of the present invention can be substantially performed using the sealant removal device (1) described above, any details that can be understood based on the above description will be omitted for illustrative purposes. The sealant removal method may include the following steps.

[0103] First, a waste solar panel (A) with a backsheet layer (A2) and a glass plate (A1) attached is placed so that the front surface of the glass plate (A1) is exposed [step (a)]. This step is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, so details refer to the above description.

[0104] Thereafter, the sealant (B) attached to the front surface of the glass plate (A1) is irradiated with laser light to burn and remove the sealant [step (b)]. This step is illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 , so details refer to the above description. In this manner, the front surface of the glass plate (A1) formed on the opposite side of the back sheet layer (A2) while the back sheet layer (A2) and the glass plate (A1) are attached can be uniformly treated.

[0105] At this time, in step (b) above, when irradiating with laser light, a coolant (C) can be sprayed onto the backsheet layer (A2) so that the temperature of the backsheet layer (A2) does not exceed the melting point of the resin forming the backsheet layer. Accordingly, deformation of the backsheet layer can also be prevented. This is illustrated in Fig. 4, etc., so please refer to the above description for details. In this way, while uniformly processing the entire surface of the glass plate with a laser, the backsheet layer attached to the opposite side is protected from deformation, and the backsheet layer can be separated and recycled through a subsequent process, such as by peeling it off.

[0106] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential features thereof. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

[0107] [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1: Laser-assisted sealant removal device

[0109] 100: Stage module 110: Movable frame

[0110] 111: Guide bar 112: Hook

[0111] 200: Laser module 201: Light output unit

[0112] 202: Focus control unit 210: Aiming module

[0113] 300: Cooling module 301: Nozzle

[0114] 310: Position control module 400: Transport module

[0115] 410: Drive roller 420: Motor

[0116] 500: Temperature measurement unit 510: Linear guide

[0117] A: Waste solar panels A1: Glass panels

[0118] A2: Backsheet layer B: Sealant

[0119] L: Laser light C: Coolant

[0120] The present invention allows for a uniform treatment of the glass surface prior to the peeling process during the disassembly of waste solar panels, facilitating subsequent processes. In particular, the laser burns away sealant and other foreign substances, eliminating residue and ensuring a clean, streamlined process. Furthermore, it prevents deformation of the backsheet layer, making it highly advantageous for recycling. Therefore, the present invention has significant industrial applicability.

Claims

1. Stage module for mounting waste solar panels; A laser module that irradiates a laser beam directed in one direction onto a sealant attached to the glass surface of the above-mentioned waste solar panel; and A sealant removal device using a laser, including a cooling module that sprays a coolant onto the back sheet layer bonded to the glass plate of the above-mentioned waste solar panel.

2. In paragraph 1, The above cooling module, A sealant removal device using a laser that controls the coolant so that the temperature of the backsheet layer does not exceed the melting point of the resin forming the backsheet layer.

3. In paragraph 1, The above cooling module, A sealant removal device using a laser that sprays the coolant on the back sheet layer, which is the opposite side of the glass plate to which the laser light is irradiated, at a position overlapping the irradiation point of the laser light.

4. In paragraph 3, A sealant removal device using a laser, further comprising a temperature measuring unit that measures the temperature of the back sheet layer at a position overlapping with the irradiation point of the laser light.

5. In paragraph 4, The above temperature measuring unit is a sealant removal device using a laser formed as a non-contact temperature measuring device.

6. In paragraph 1 A sealant removal device using a laser, further comprising an aiming module that adjusts the position of the laser module with respect to the stage module to aim the laser light toward the edge of the glass plate on which the sealant is applied.

7. In paragraph 6, A sealant removal device using a laser, further comprising a transport module that moves at least one of the laser module and the stage module to move the laser light parallel to the surface of the glass plate.

8. In paragraph 1, A sealant removal device using a laser, wherein the coolant is a fluid sprayed through a nozzle.

9. In paragraph 1, A sealant removal device using a laser, further comprising a focus control unit disposed in the laser module and focusing the laser light to create a focus of the laser light above the surface of the glass plate.

10. A stage module for mounting a waste solar panel with a backsheet layer and a glass plate attached so that the front surface of the glass plate is exposed; and Including a laser module that irradiates laser light to the sealant attached to the front surface of the glass plate to burn and remove the sealant, A sealant removal device using a laser that evenly processes the front surface of the glass plate formed on the opposite side of the back sheet layer while the back sheet layer and the glass plate are attached.

11. In paragraph 10, A sealant removal device using a laser, wherein the sealant is formed along the edge of the front surface of the glass plate, and the laser module is moved by a transport module so that the irradiation point of the laser light overlaps the edge. 12.(a) A step of arranging a waste solar panel with a back sheet layer and a glass plate attached so that the front surface of the glass plate is exposed; and (b) including a step of irradiating laser light onto the sealant attached to the front surface of the glass plate to burn and remove the sealant, A sealant removal method using a laser to uniformly process the front surface of the glass plate formed on the opposite side of the back sheet layer while the back sheet layer and the glass plate are attached.

13. In paragraph 12, A sealant removal method using a laser, wherein in the step (b), a coolant is sprayed onto the back sheet layer when the laser light is irradiated, thereby controlling the temperature of the back sheet layer so as not to exceed the melting point of the resin forming the back sheet layer.

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