JP2001102619A - Method and system for manufacturing solar cell panel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system for manufacturing a solar cell panel while preventing adhesives from projecting or being unfilled. SOLUTION: The system for manufacturing a solar cell panel comprises a die 3 for cell having a surface for suction holding a solar cell 11, a die 4 for glass cover having a surface for 4c suction holding a cover glass 12, a laser displacement gauge 13 for measuring the thickness of a solar cell and a cover glass held on the suction surface of each die, a head 17 for coating any one of the solar cell held in a cell die or a cover glass held in a glass cover die with adhesives by an amount corresponding to the thickness thereof, pins for positioning the solar cells and the cover glasses at a specified interval when they are disposed oppositely and bonded, and a heater 25 for bonding the solar cells and the cover glasses.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a solar cell panel formed by laminating a solar cell and a cover glass.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a solar cell panel using a polycrystalline or single-crystal semiconductor wafer as a solar cell has a cover glass for the purpose of protecting the solar cell or having an action as an optical filter. They are fixed by bonding.

As a procedure for bonding and fixing the solar cell and the cover glass, an adhesive is applied to the plate-shaped solar cell by a dispenser, and the plate-shaped cover glass is placed on the solar cell. Pressurize at a predetermined pressure. Then, in this state, the solar cell panel is formed by leaving the adhesive to cure until the adhesive cures.

In a solar cell panel having such a configuration, a gap formed between a solar cell and a cover glass is filled with an adhesive. However, since the gap is not constant, the adhesive is filled. Even if a certain amount of the adhesive is applied, the adhesive may be excessive or insufficient, causing the adhesive to protrude or to be partially unfilled.

If the adhesive runs off, a cleaning step for removing the adhesive in a later step is required, which leads to an increase in manufacturing costs. In addition, when an unfilled portion occurs, sufficient bonding strength may not be obtained, or when the solar cell panel is used in outer space, bubbles in the unfilled portion may expand and cause damage.

[0006] The cover glass and the solar cell are 0.1%.
Since the thickness is as thin as about 1 mm, warpage cannot be avoided. Therefore, the filling volume of the adhesive also changes due to the warpage of the cover glass or the solar battery cell, which causes the adhesive to protrude or not to be filled.

Therefore, a method and an apparatus for bonding a solar cell and a cover glass disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-13640 have been proposed. The technique disclosed in this publication is to vacuum-adsorb the solar cells and the cover glass by vacuum suction means provided on the solar cell support stage and the cover glass support stage, and to bond them in a planar shape. I have.

As a result, the adhesive is easily spread evenly, and it is difficult to form a portion where the adhesive does not spread. Further, this eliminates the need to apply an excessive amount of the adhesive, so that the excess adhesive is less likely to protrude.

[0009]

Incidentally, since the thickness of the solar cell and the cover glass varies, the cover glass and the solar cell positioned at a predetermined interval due to the variation in the thickness of the solar cell and the cover glass. Also fluctuates.
Therefore, even if the solar cell and the cover glass are vacuum-adsorbed and bonded to each other in a flat shape, the adhesive is insufficient when the plate thickness is thin if only a fixed amount of adhesive is supplied. Unfilled area is likely to occur,
On the other hand, when the plate thickness is large, there is a case where the protrusion becomes excessive and the protrusion easily occurs.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus and a method for manufacturing a solar cell panel capable of adhering a solar cell and a cover glass without generating an unfilled area of the adhesive or protruding. It is to provide a method.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell panel in which a solar cell and a cover member are adhered to each other with an adhesive. And a second holding means having a second suction surface for holding the cover member by suction.
Holding means, adhesive amount determining means for determining the amount of adhesive used for bonding the solar cell and the cover member,
Coating means for applying a determined amount of adhesive to at least one of the solar cell or the cover member.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, at least one of the first and second suction surfaces has a deforming means for deforming the suction-held solar cell or the cover member into a concave shape. Item 1. An apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell panel according to Item 1.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, after the solar cell and the cover member are opposed to each other, the solar cell or the cover member deformed into a concave shape by the deforming means is released and pressurized. 3. The apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell panel according to claim 2, further comprising a pressure adjusting unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the adhesive amount determining means has a measuring means for measuring the thickness of the solar cell and the cover member, and the adhesive amount is determined based on the measured thickness. The solar cell panel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a positioning means for positioning the first and second suction surfaces at a predetermined interval when the solar cell and the cover member are opposed to each other for bonding. The solar cell panel manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the first holding means and the second holding means position the photovoltaic cells sucked and held on the respective suction surfaces and the cover glass so as to face each other, the first holding means and the second holding means are arranged to face each other. It has a structure that forms a closed space that houses the battery cells and the cover glass, and this closed space is
2. The apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell panel according to claim 1, wherein the pressure is reduced with a pressure weaker than a suction force generated on each suction surface.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in a method of manufacturing a solar cell panel for bonding a solar cell and a cover member with an adhesive, the amount of the adhesive used for bonding the solar cell and the cover member is determined. Adhesive amount determining step,
A step of applying a determined amount of an adhesive to at least one of the solar cell or the cover member, and a step of bonding the solar cell and the cover member at a predetermined interval to face each other. A method for manufacturing a solar cell panel.

According to the present invention, since the amount of the adhesive used for bonding is determined and supplied, the adhesive can be supplied without excess and deficiency.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the overall schematic configuration of a solar cell panel manufacturing apparatus, which includes a main body 1.
On the main body 1, trays 2 are arranged at predetermined intervals, and these trays 2 are driven intermittently in the direction of the arrow.

On the upper surface of each tray 2, a cell mold 3 as a first holding means and a cover glass mold 4 as a second holding means are provided alternately and fixedly in the transport direction. ing. That is, the two trays 2 provided with the cell mold 3 and the cover glass mold 4 form a pair.

As shown in FIG. 5, each of the dies 3 and 4 is
Flange portions 3b, 4b are provided on both sides of a, 4a, and each holding portion 3a, 4a has a flat suction surface 3c, 4c.

Each suction surface 3c, 4c has a suction path 3
d and 4d are open. One end of a suction tube 5 is connected to each of the suction paths 3d and 4d. Each suction tube 5
Is connected to the first vacuum source 6. Therefore, when the first vacuum source 6 is operated, each of the suction surfaces 3c, 4c
, A suction force is generated via the suction tube 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, one end of a positioning pin 7 as positioning means is attached to a pair of flange portions 4b of the cover glass mold 4. The other end of the positioning pin 7 is formed in a small-diameter portion 8.
When the cover glass mold 4 is turned over to face the cell mold 3, the pair of flange portions 3 of the cell mold 3
B fits into the fitting hole 9 formed in b. Thereby, the cover glass mold 4 is positioned so as to be at a predetermined distance from the cell mold 3, that is, the suction surfaces 3 c and 4 c of the molds 3 and 4 are at a predetermined distance.

The solar cell 11 is suction-held on the suction surface 3c of the cell mold 3, and the cover glass 12 as a cover member is suction-held on the suction surface 4c of the cover glass mold 4. ing. Each of the suction surfaces 3c, 4c
Is formed on a flat surface. Therefore, each suction surface 3c,
Even if there is a warp between the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 that are sucked and held by 4c, the warp is corrected and held.

The thickness of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 held by the molds 3 and 4 is measured by a laser displacement meter 13 as a thickness measuring means shown in FIG. That is, the laser displacement meter 13 is driven by the first actuator 14 in the X and Y directions. The driving of the first actuator 14 is controlled by a control device 15.

Accordingly, the laser displacement meter 13 detects the heights of a plurality of points of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 and the heights of a plurality of points of the suction surfaces 3c and 4c of the molds 3 and 4, respectively. The thicknesses of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 are calculated from the difference in height.

Since the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 are warped and held on the suction surfaces 3c and 4c, the thickness measurement by the laser displacement meter 13 can be performed accurately.

When the thicknesses of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 are determined, the tray 2 holding them has a structure shown in FIG.
The adhesive 18 is applied in an X-shape, for example, by a dispenser 17 as an application unit shown in FIG. Silicone rubber, for example, is used as the adhesive 18.

The application of the adhesive 18 to the solar cell 11 is not limited to the X-shape, but may be a straight shape or a curved shape. In short, the adhesive 18 is pressed by the cover glass 12 as described later. What is necessary is just to apply it in the state which is sometimes uniformly dispersed.

The dispenser 17 is driven in the X and Y directions by a second actuator 19 shown in FIG. The driving of the second actuator 19 is controlled by the control device 15.

The amount of the adhesive 18 applied to the solar cell 11 by the dispenser 17 is set based on the thickness of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 measured by the laser displacement meter 13. That is, since the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 each have a variation in thickness, the solar cell 11
When the cover glass 12 and the cover glass 12 are bonded while facing each other at a predetermined interval with reference to the suction surfaces 3c and 4c of the molds 3 and 4 as described later, the distance between the facing surfaces indicated by d in FIG. 6 is not constant. .

Therefore, when the thickness of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 is larger than a predetermined value, the amount of the adhesive 18 to be applied is reduced according to the thickness, and when the thickness is thin, the amount is increased. In this way, it is possible to supply a sufficient amount of the volume of the interval d.

The application amount of the adhesive 18 is controlled by the pressure of the compressed air sent to the dispenser 17.

When the adhesive 18 is applied to the solar cells 11, the cover glass 1 paired with the solar cells 11 is formed.
4A is held by a hand 23 provided at the tip of an arm 22 of a reversing mechanism 21 as shown in FIG. The reversing mechanism 21 is connected to the controller 1
5 controls the drive.

Then, after the arm 22 is raised as shown in FIG. 4B, the hand 23 is rotated 180 degrees in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 4C, and as shown in FIG. Then, the cover glass 12 is opposed to the solar cell 11 to which the adhesive 18 has been applied.

In this state, the hand 23 is lowered and the cover glass mold 4 passes through the state shown in FIG. 5 and the small-diameter portion 8 of the positioning pin 7 is turned into a pair of flanges of the cell mold 3 as shown in FIG. It fits into the fitting hole 9 formed in the part 3b. As a result, the cover glass mold 4 is positioned so as to be at a predetermined distance from the cell mold 3, that is, the suction surfaces 3c and 4c of the molds 3 and 4 are at a predetermined distance.

In this state, the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 face each other at a predetermined interval shown by d in FIG. 6 and the adhesive 18 applied to the solar cell 11
Is spread by being pressed by the cover glass 12, thereby bonding the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12.

The supply amount of the adhesive 18 is set according to the thickness of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12.
That is, when the cover glass mold 4 is positioned so as to face the cell mold 3, the adhesive 18 depends on the size of the space formed by the opposing surfaces of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12. It is supplied so that the supply amount is not too short or too short.

Therefore, even if the thickness of the solar cell 11 or the cover glass 12 varies, the solar cell 11
The cover glass 12 and the cover glass 12 can be bonded to each other without protruding the adhesive 18 or generating an unfilled area.

When the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 are adhered in this manner, the cell mold 3 and the cover glass mold 4 holding the solar cell 11 and the cover glass mold 4 are disposed above the main body 1 so as to be spaced apart from each other. Pass below 25. The heating device 25 heats the adhesive 18 made of silicone rubber at 75 degrees for about 15 minutes. As a result, the adhesive 18 is hardened, so that the adhesive 18 is prevented from flowing from the peripheral portion due to the weight of the cover glass 12 or the like.

When the heating by the heating device 25 is completed, the suction state of the cover glass 12 by the cover glass mold 4 is released, and the tray 2 holding the cover glass mold 4 is moved by the arm 27 of the removing mechanism 26. It is removed by the hand 28 provided at the tip.

Accordingly, since the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 which are adhered and fixed, that is, the solar cell panel 30 remain on the cell mold 3, the adsorption state of the solar cell 11 by the cell mold 3 is released. By doing so, the solar cell 11 can be taken out of the cell mold 3.

That is, according to the manufacturing apparatus of the solar cell panel 30 having such a configuration, the application amount of the adhesive 18 is controlled according to the thickness of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12. When the photovoltaic cells 11 and the cover glass 12 are adhered at a predetermined interval, the adhesive 18 can be supplied in an amount that does not protrude or generate an unfilled area, that is, an amount that is not excessive or insufficient.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the surface of the solar cell panel 30 on which the adhesive 18 is applied is formed on the uneven surface 11a. That is, in the solar cell 11, the concave and convex surface 11a in which the concave portion is formed with a width of several tens of microns is formed in order to increase the absorption efficiency of sunlight and improve the power generation efficiency. In this case, when the adhesive 18 is applied to the uneven surface 11a of the solar cell 11, air bubbles remain between the uneven surface 11a and the adhesive 18,
After laminating the cover glass 12, these bubbles may condense into large bubbles.

When the solar cell panel 30 is used in a space having a low pressure, the remaining air bubbles may expand and damage the solar cell panel 30.

Therefore, when a solar cell 11 having an uneven surface 11a is used, it is required that a cover glass 12 be attached to the solar cell 11 so that no air bubbles remain.

FIG. 7 shows a cell mold 3A and a cover glass mold 4A for this purpose. The same parts as those of the dies 3 and 4 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description is omitted. That is, an annular wall 31 is formed around the entire periphery of the flange portion 4b of the cover glass mold 4A. At the lower end of the inner peripheral surface of the annular wall 31, a seal member 32 is provided.

The sealing member 32 is turned upside down to face the cell mold 3A by inverting the cover glass mold 4A.
Close these molds 3A and 4A, that is, cover glass 1
When the solar cell 2 and the photovoltaic cell 11 are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval d via the adhesive 18 as shown in FIG.
The outer peripheral surface 3e of the flange portion 3b is hermetically sealed. Thereby, between the pair of molds 3A, 4A, the annular wall 3 is provided.
1 and the sealing member 32 form a sealed space 33.

The fitting hole 9 formed in the cell mold 3 into which the small diameter portion 8 of the pin 7 fits does not penetrate the flange 3b. Thereby, the closed state of the closed space 33 can be maintained.

A through hole 33 is formed in the flange 3b of the cell mold 3A, and a second vacuum source 34 is formed in the through hole 33.
Are connected by a suction tube 35. This second
The vacuum source 34 is designed to depressurize the closed space 33 at a pressure lower than that of the first vacuum source 6 that generates a suction force to attract and hold the solar cells 11 and the cover glass 12 to each of the molds 3A and 4A. Has become.

For example, the first vacuum source 6
The second vacuum source 34 is set to generate a suction force of 0.1 atm.

When the cover glass mold 4A is lowered and the lower end of the annular wall 31 on which the sealing member 32 is provided seals the outer peripheral surface 3e of the flange 3b of the cell mold 3A, a pair of molds 3A and 4A are formed. The pressure in the sealed space 33 formed therebetween is reduced by the second vacuum source 34.

Therefore, the uneven surface 11 of the solar cell 11
Even if air bubbles remain between the uneven surface 11a and the adhesive 18 due to the application of the adhesive 18 to the a, the air is removed by suction by reducing the pressure in the closed space 33. Thus, the cover glass 12 can be bonded to the solar cell 11 via the adhesive 18.

That is, since bubbles can be prevented from remaining between the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 of the solar panel 30, even when used in outer space or the like,
It is possible to prevent the solar cell panel 30 from being damaged due to the remaining air bubbles.

The suction force of the second vacuum source 34 is equal to each mold 3A,
The suction force is set to be weaker than the suction force of the first vacuum source 6 holding the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 by suction at 4A. Therefore, even if the pressure in the closed space 33 is reduced by the second vacuum source 34, the solar cells 11 and the cover glass 12 held on the adsorption surfaces 3c and 4c of the molds 3A and 4A may fall off or move. Nothing.

Although the annular wall 31 is formed in the cover glass mold 4A in the second embodiment, it may be formed in the cell mold 3A.

Further, the reversing mechanism 21 is provided in a vacuum chamber (not shown), and the vacuum chamber is depressurized in a state where the cover glass mold 4 is reversed, so that bubbles remaining between the solar cell 11 and the adhesive 18 are removed. May be removed.

FIGS. 9 to 14A and 14B show a third embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment shows a modified example of the cover glass mold 4 in which the cover glass 12 can be adhered to the solar cell 11 without causing the adhesive 18 to protrude or unfilled areas.

That is, as shown in FIG. 13, a recess 41 is formed on the holding surface 4c of the cover glass mold 4 except for the peripheral portion, as a deforming means, and the suction passage 4d is opened in the recess 41. ing.

As shown in FIG. 9, a first vacuum source 6 is connected to suction paths 3 d and 4 d between the cell mold 3 and the cover glass mold 4 via a suction tube 5. A three-way switching valve 42 as a pressure adjusting means is connected to the suction tube 5 connected to the first vacuum source 6 and the suction path 4d of the cover glass mold 4.
Is provided. A pressurizing source 43 for supplying compressed air is connected to the three-way switching valve 42.

Therefore, by the switching operation of the three-way switching valve 42, the first vacuum source 6 and the pressure source 43 can be selectively communicated with the suction path 4d of the cover glass mold 4. It has become.

In such a configuration, first, the three-way switching valve 42 is connected to the first vacuum source 6 by the suction path 3 of each of the molds 3 and 4.
The switching operation is performed so as to communicate with d and 4d. In this state, when the cover glass 12 is sucked on the suction surface 4c of the cover glass mold 4, the portion of the cover glass 12 except the peripheral portion is deformed into a concave shape by the concave portion 41 formed on the suction surface 4c.

In this state, the cover glass mold 4 is opposed to the cell mold 3 in an inverted state as shown in FIG. 9 and then lowered as shown in FIG. The mold 3 is positioned at a predetermined facing distance.

That is, the cover glass 12 is positioned at a predetermined interval with respect to the solar cell 11 to which a predetermined amount of the adhesive 18 is supplied according to the thickness of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12. At this time, since the cover glass 12 is deformed in a concave shape, the opposing interval in the central portion is sufficiently larger than the opposing interval in the peripheral portion.

Next, as shown in FIG.
2, the suction path 4d of the cover glass mold 4 and the first
The communication with the vacuum source 6 is interrupted, and the communication with the pressure source 43 is performed. As a result, pressurized air is supplied to the suction path 4d, so that the concave deformation of the cover glass 12 is gradually removed as shown in FIG. Is pressed by the cover glass 12 and dispersed throughout.

At this time, the interval between the central portion of the cover glass 12 and the solar cell 11 is sufficiently larger than the interval between the peripheral portions because the cover glass 12 is deformed in a concave shape. The traveling speed when the adhesive 18 is dispersed increases as the interval increases. For example, in a two-dimensional Poiseuille flow between parallel plates, the velocity of the liquid is proportional to the square of the spacing.
That is, when the interval is small, the traveling speed of the adhesive 18 becomes extremely slow.

Therefore, the peripheral portion of the cover glass 12 has a small interval, so that the traveling speed of the adhesive 18 is low, and the central portion has a large interval, so that the traveling speed is high. That is, FIG.
As shown in (a), the adhesive 18 is applied to the solar cell 11
At the central portion X of the cover glass 12 and the cover glass 12, the unfilled region is quickly spread, and when the peripheral portion Y is reached, the movement stops as shown in FIG. 14 (b) and hardly protrudes from the peripheral portion.

As described above, after the cover glass 12 is positioned so as to face the solar cell 11 with the cover glass 12 deformed in a concave shape, the concave deformed state of the cover glass 12 is returned to the original state. It is possible to prevent the unfilled region of the adhesive 18 from being generated in the portion, and prevent the portion from protruding in the peripheral portion.

In the third embodiment, the concave portion 41 is formed in the cover glass mold 4 and the cover glass 12 is deformed into a concave shape. However, the concave portion 41 is formed in the cell mold 3 and the solar cell 11 is formed. It may be deformed in a concave shape. In this case, the switching operation of the three-way switching valve 42 causes the suction path 3
What is necessary is just to make it possible to make the pressure source 43 communicate with d.

Further, according to the third embodiment, as described above, the adhesive 18 is caused to flow quickly in the central portion of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 facing each other, and the progress is slowed in the peripheral portion. Therefore, regardless of the thickness variation between the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12,
Even if a predetermined amount of the adhesive 18 is supplied, the adhesive 1
8 can be prevented from being unfilled, and can be relatively well prevented from protruding from the peripheral portion.

That is, when the bonding method of the third embodiment is used, the thickness of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 is not measured, and only a predetermined amount of the adhesive 18 is supplied. However, the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 are not filled and the protrusion of the adhesive 18 does not occur.
And it is possible to adhere.

Further, the cover glass 12 deformed into a concave shape
After releasing the suction state, the cover glass 12 is returned to the original state from the deformed state by applying pressure by the pressurizing source 43, but after removing the suction, the cover glass 12 is substantially flattened without applying pressure. You can go back.

FIGS. 15 and 16 (a) to 16 (c) show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the suction surface of the cover glass mold 4 for sucking and holding the cover glass 12 is formed on the convex surface 40c, and the cover glass 12 is deformed into a convex shape along the longitudinal direction and held by suction. .

The cell mold 3 and the cover glass mold 4 include:
As in the third embodiment, each of the first vacuum sources 6
The cover glass mold 4 is provided with a three-way switching valve 51 that shuts off the communication between the suction path 4d and the first vacuum source 6 and opens the air to the atmosphere.

When bonding the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12, first, as shown in FIG. 16A, the solar cell 11 coated with the adhesive 18 is deformed in a convex shape. The facing cover glass 12 is positioned in opposition.
Next, the cover glass 12 is lowered, and the central portion in the bending direction is brought into contact with the adhesive 18.

Only the central portion of the cover glass 12 has the adhesive 1
By contacting 8, the air is hardly trapped in the contact portion. That is, the central part of the cover glass 12 is adhered to the solar cell 11 without unfilled with the adhesive 18.

When the central portion of the cover glass 12 is brought into contact with the adhesive 18, the suction holding state of the cover glass 121 is released. As a result, the convex cover glass 12 is deformed flat, so that the adhesive 18 spreads over the entire surface and the solar cell 11 can be formed without causing unfilled regions.
The cover glass 12 can be adhered to the substrate.

In this case, if the adhesive 18 is spotted on the vertex of the curved portion of the cover glass 12 which is held in a convex shape, it is possible to surely prevent bubbles from remaining in the central portion. it can.

When the cover glass 12 is returned from the convexly deformed state to the flat state, not only the suction state is released but also the cover glass 12 is forcibly deformed by applying pressure to the cover glass 12 with compressed air or the like. You may do so. Furthermore, the cover glass 12 may be deformed in a convex shape not only in the longitudinal direction but also in the width direction crossing the direction.

FIG. 17 shows a method of bonding a solar cell 11 and a cover glass 12 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. That is, the tray 61 shown in FIG. 17 is transported at a predetermined interval to the main body 1 shown in FIG. 1 of the first embodiment described above, and the solar battery cells 11 are held on the tray 61 by suction. A first pedestal 62 is provided, and a second pedestal 63 on which the cover glass 12 is sucked and held is provided.

As shown in FIG. 17A, the first pedestal 6
When the adhesive 18 is applied to the solar battery cells 11 held by the second holder 2, the first suction head 64 is positioned above the second pedestal 63 holding the cover glass 12. As in the first embodiment, the amount of the adhesive 18 applied is determined by measuring the thickness of the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12, and is supplied according to the s section lowland.

Next, as shown in FIG. 17 (b), the first suction head 64 descends to suck the cover glass 12, and then moves up to a predetermined position. The suction head 65 is driven to be positioned below and below the first suction head 64. In this state, the cover glass 12 suction-held by the first suction head 64 is transferred to the second suction head 65.

The second suction head 65 having received the cover glass 12 rotates by 180 degrees as shown in FIG.
The surface holding and holding the cover glass 12 is turned downward. In this state, as shown in FIG.
5 moves above the first pedestal 62, and the cover glass 12
Is positioned to face the solar cell 11.

Next, the second suction head 65 descends,
The cover glass 12 is attached to the solar cell 1 via the adhesive 18.
1 at a predetermined interval. Thereby, the cover glass 12 is bonded to the solar cell 11 by the adhesive 18.

The adhesive 18 that adheres the solar cell 11 and the cover glass 12 is subjected to a static pressure due to the weight of the cover glass 12 and a negative pressure due to the surface tension at the interface of the adhesive. The static pressure of the cover glass 12 due to its own weight acts in the direction in which the adhesive 18 spreads to the periphery, and the negative pressure due to surface tension also acts in the direction in which the adhesive 18 spreads to the periphery. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent the adhesive 18 from protruding from the peripheral portion before being cured by heating.

Hereinafter, a method for preventing the adhesive 18 from protruding will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 (a) to 18 (c). In a state before the adhesive 18 reaches the peripheral portion as shown in FIG. 18 (a), the order liquid level of the adhesive 18 is a concave radius R _1, negative tension on the adhesive 18 by the surface tension appear. When the adhesive 18 as shown in FIG. 18 (b) reaches the peripheral portion, the unevenness of the liquid level of the adhesive 18 becomes the radius R ₂ of the convex inverted. At this time, the pressure due to the surface tension is replaced with a plus. In the case of a positive pressure, the protruding adhesive 18 acts as a pressure in a direction to return to the space between the cover glass 12 and the solar cell 11.

On the other hand, the static pressure due to the weight of the cover glass 12 tends to push out the adhesive 18. In the state shown in FIG. 18B, the static pressure due to the own weight of the cover glass 12 is larger than the pressure due to the surface tension, so that the adhesive 18 moves in the protruding direction.

In the state shown in FIG. 18 (c), the adhesive 18 protrudes more and the apparent wetting angle 大 き く increases. The radius at this time is R _3. When the wetting angle 大 き く increases, the positive pressure due to the surface tension increases, and approaches the static pressure due to the weight of the cover glass 12. At the wetting angle す る where both pressures are opposed, the progress of the adhesive 18 in the protruding direction is stopped.

The above is the reason why the adhesive 18 is prevented from stopping and protruding in the peripheral portion. The condition for stopping the adhesive 18 without protruding is shown in the following equation (1).

[0091]

(Equation 1)

The above equation (1) can be modified into the following equation (2).

[0093]

(Equation 2)

Here, ρ: specific gravity of the cover glass (k
g / m ³ ) g: gravitational acceleration 9.8 m / s ² σ: surface tension N / mt t: thickness of cover glass G: distance (m) between cover glass and solar cell. The left side of the above equation (1) is the static pressure due to the weight of the cover glass 12, and the right side is the positive pressure due to the surface tension. The cover glass 12 has a thickness of 0.2 mm and a specific gravity of 2.
7, the interval is 0.1 mm, and the surface tension of the adhesive 18 is 0.0
Substituting these into equation (2) as 3N / m, ψ becomes 2.52 degrees. That is, when ψ becomes 2.52 degrees, the advance of the adhesive 18 stops.

When the cover glass 12 is bonded to the solar battery cell 11 with the adhesive 18, a weight may be placed on the cover glass 12 in order to increase the spreading speed of the adhesive 18. In this case, there is a restriction on the weight of the weight so that the adhesive 18 does not protrude from the peripheral portion.

That is, the condition for preventing the adhesive 18 from protruding from the peripheral portion is expressed by the following equation (3).

[0097]

(Equation 3)

The equation (3) can be modified as the following equation (4).

[0099]

(Equation 4)

Here, W: weight of the weight (kg) A: area of the surface in contact with the weight. Therefore, in this equation (4), the right side is 1
If determined as follows, it is possible to prevent the adhesive 18 from protruding from the peripheral portion.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be variously modified. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the adhesive is applied to the solar cell, but the adhesive may be applied to the cover glass. In that case, the cover glass may be arranged on the lower side, and the solar battery cells may be arranged on the upper side to bond them.

Further, although the laser displacement meter is used to measure the thickness of the solar cell and the cover glass, other means such as an air micrometer may be used.

[0103]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a solar cell and a cover glass are bonded to each other using an adhesive, an unfilled area of the adhesive is generated or the adhesive protrudes from the peripheral portion. Can be reliably prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overall configuration of a manufacturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a laser displacement meter for measuring the thickness of a solar cell and a cover glass.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a dispenser for applying an adhesive to the solar cell.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the operation of a reversing mechanism for reversing a cover glass and facing a solar battery cell.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which the cell mold and the cover glass mold are positioned to face each other.

FIG. 6 is a side view showing a state in which a cell mold and a cover glass mold are similarly positioned at a predetermined interval.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a second embodiment of the present invention, in which a cell mold and a cover glass mold are opposed to each other.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state in which a cover glass is adhered to a solar cell having the uneven surface.

FIG. 9 is a side view showing a third embodiment of the present invention, in which a cell mold and a cover glass mold are opposed to each other.

FIG. 10 is a side view showing a state in which the cell mold and the cover glass mold are positioned at a predetermined interval.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing a state where the holding state of the cover glass held by the cover glass mold is released.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a state in which the cover glass is released from the holding state and is pressed.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a mold for a cover glass.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view showing a flow state of the adhesive.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a pair of molds showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing a step of bonding a cover glass to a solar cell in the same manner.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view sequentially showing a step of bonding a cover glass to a solar battery cell according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing a state of an adhesive in a peripheral portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 ... Cell mold (first holding means) 3a ... Suction surface 4 ... Cover glass mold (second holding means) 4a ... Suction surface 11 ... Solar cell 12 ... Cover glass 13 ... Laser displacement meter (thickness) 17 ... Coating head (coating means) 25 ... Heating device

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hitoshi Tsuchiya 33 Shinshinoko-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture F-term in Toshiba Production Technology Center Co., Ltd. 5F051 CA40 CB30 EA18 JA20

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell panel for bonding a solar cell and a cover member with an adhesive, a first holding means having a first suction surface for holding the solar cell by suction, and the cover A second holding unit having a second suction surface for holding the member by suction; an adhesive amount determining unit for determining an amount of an adhesive used for bonding the solar cell and the cover member; Coating means for applying a determined amount of adhesive to at least one of the cover members. 2. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second suction surfaces has a deforming means for deforming the held solar cell or the cover member into a concave shape. Battery panel manufacturing equipment. 3. After the solar cell and the cover member are opposed to each other, there is provided pressure adjusting means for releasing the state of adsorption of the solar cell or the cover member deformed into a concave shape by the deforming means and applying pressure. The apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell panel according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said adhesive amount determining means has a measuring means for measuring the thickness of said solar cell and said cover member, and determines based on the measured thickness. 2. An apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell panel according to claim 1. 5. A positioning means for positioning said first and second suction surfaces at a predetermined interval when said photovoltaic cells and said cover member are opposed to each other for bonding. An apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell panel according to claim 1. 6. The first holding means and the second holding means, when the solar cell and the cover glass, which are sucked and held on the respective suction surfaces, are positioned facing each other, the solar cell and the cover glass. 2. The solar cell panel according to claim 1, wherein the closed space is configured to form a closed space for accommodating the pressure, and the closed space is depressurized with a pressure weaker than a suction force generated on each suction surface. manufacturing device. 7. A method for manufacturing a solar cell panel for bonding a solar cell and a cover member with an adhesive, wherein an adhesive amount determining step for determining an amount of an adhesive used for bonding the solar cell and the cover member. And a step of applying a determined amount of adhesive to at least one of the solar cell or the cover member, and a step of bonding the solar cell and the cover member so as to face each other at a predetermined interval. A method for manufacturing a solar cell panel.