Solar Cell String Tabbing with Multi-Stage Heating for Uniform Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tabbing processes for solar cell modules often result in suboptimal bonding quality between solar cells and wires, which can affect the efficiency and reliability of the solar cell module.

Innovation Solution

A tabbing apparatus comprising a first transfer unit, a first heating unit, a second transfer unit, and a second heating unit, which work in conjunction to precisely transfer and heat the solar cell string, ensuring uniform and robust bonding of wires to solar cells through controlled heating and transfer mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single heating unit is used to heat the solar cell string, then the device complexity is reduced, but the bonding quality between solar cells and wires deteriorates due to non-uniform heating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of heating unitsVSAvoidbonding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is divided into multiple independent heating units (first heating unit with first heating member, second heating unit with second heating member) positioned at different locations along the solar cell string. Each heating unit independently heats its local region, ensuring uniform temperature distribution across the entire bonding area, which directly resolves the non-uniform heating issue and improves bonding quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating units are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the solar cell string, adding a spatial dimension to the heating process. This multi-position arrangement along the length of the string enables simultaneous heating at multiple locations, achieving uniform bonding quality throughout the entire assembly area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the transfer unit continuously moves the solar cell string, then the productivity is improved, but the heating uniformity deteriorates due to movement-induced temperature variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer speedVSAvoidheating uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer unit operates continuously to move the solar cell string through the bonding process, maintaining constant motion to improve productivity. Simultaneously, multiple heating units are positioned along the transfer path to provide continuous heating coverage, ensuring that the moving string receives uniform heat treatment at all locations, thus resolving the conflict between continuous motion and heating uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple heating units are used to ensure uniform heating, then the bonding quality is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is segmented into multiple independent heating units, each responsible for a specific section of the solar cell string. This segmentation allows for localized heating control, where each unit operates independently to heat only its designated area, reducing overall energy consumption compared to heating the entire string with a single large heating unit, while still achieving uniform bonding quality across all sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Improves the bonding quality between solar cells and wires, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of solar cell modules by ensuring consistent and effective electrical connections.

Implementation Method 1

a first heating unit configured to heat the solar cell string transferred by the first transfer unit, and a second heating unit configured to heat the solar cell string transferred by the second transfer unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentEP4626185A1Tabbing apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 HANWHA SOLUTIONS CORP
  • EP4626185A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4626185A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4626185A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tabbing apparatus includes a first transfer unit configured to transfer a solar cell string in a first direction, a first heating unit configured to heat the solar cell string transferred by the first transfer unit, a second transfer unit spaced apart from the first transfer unit in the first direction and configured to receive the solar cell string from the first transfer unit, and a second heating unit configured to heat the solar cell string transferred by the second transfer unit.