Solar Cell Connecting Apparatus With Strip Retaining Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar cell soldering apparatuses face limitations in flexibility, throughput, and process independence due to the use of transport plates, which restrict the ability to handle varying solar cell sizes and configurations efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A solar cell connecting apparatus utilizing continuous-flow manufacturing principles with conveyer belts and strip retaining elements to transport and connect solar cells, allowing for flexible production and high throughput without the need for physical changes or plate movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If transport plates are used to carry solar cells through the connecting apparatus, then the solar cells can be transported and positioned for connection, but the flexibility to handle varying solar cell sizes and configurations is restricted and plate movement back causes waste time
Solution Approach 1:
The transport plate is divided into multiple individual transport elements (fingers or belts) that can move independently. This segmentation allows each element to adapt to different solar cell sizes and configurations while simplifying the overall system by eliminating the need for large, complex adjustable plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport system transitions from static plates to dynamic, continuously moving transport elements. The transport belts or fingers can adjust their positions and movements in real-time to accommodate varying solar cell configurations, providing flexibility without mechanical complexity.
2Productivity
If transport plates are used to carry solar cells, then solar cells can be transported through the apparatus, but the cycle rate is reduced due to the need to move plates back without load
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system operates continuously with belts or fingers that constantly move solar cells forward through the processing zones. There is no idle return movement because the transport elements remain in position or continuously cycle, eliminating waste time and maximizing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Strip retaining elements are introduced as intermediary components that hold the strips in place on the solar cells during transport. This allows the transport system to move continuously without stopping to reposition or secure strips, maintaining high cycle rates while ensuring proper connection.
3Manufacturing precision
If gripping elements on transport plates are used to fix solar cell positions, then solar cells can be positioned accurately, but the system lacks flexibility for different solar cell sizes and gap sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The transport belts or fingers are designed with universal positioning capabilities that can accommodate multiple solar cell sizes and gap configurations through programmable movement patterns. The same transport elements serve multiple functions across different production scenarios without requiring physical changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves adaptability by changing operational parameters (speed, position, timing) of the transport elements rather than physical dimensions. This allows precise positioning for different solar cell configurations while maintaining the same hardware, thus preserving both accuracy and versatility.
4Reliability
If horizontal plate movement is used to transport solar cells through processing zones, then solar cells can be moved through preheating, soldering, and cooling zones, but the apparatus length increases and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system transitions from horizontal plate movement to vertical or multi-dimensional conveyor belt movement. This dimensional change allows compact arrangement of processing zones (preheating, soldering, cooling) in a vertical stack or compact configuration, reducing the overall apparatus length while maintaining process quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Processing zones are nested or stacked vertically within each other, with the transport belts passing through multiple zones in sequence. This nesting arrangement minimizes the horizontal footprint and total apparatus length while ensuring each solar cell receives the complete processing sequence for reliable connections.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a solar cell connecting apparatus, for example a solar cell connecting apparatus, for manufacturing solar cell strings from individual solar cells and electrically conductive strips, having a first module for joining solar cells and strips together; a second module which is connected to the first module for connection, for example, soldering of the strips to the solar cells; and a third module for transportation of the solar cells from the first module through the second module. The connecting apparatus is characterized in that the first module has an apparatus for placing a strip retaining element on to a solar cell with strips, in order to fix the strips on the solar cell, and the third module is adapted in order to also transport the retaining element together with the solar cell (FIG. 2).