JP2011077174A - Solar cell module and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solar cell module where solar cells can electrically be conducted even if solder is not used as a conventional case, and to provide a method of manufacturing the module. <P>SOLUTION: The solar cell module M has a plurality of the solar cells 7, and edges 7e and 7e of the solar cell 7 are overlapped and electrically conducted. The module has a conduction part 5 which is laid between the overlapped edges 7e and 7e and has conductivity. When the conduction part 5 receives depression force from the edge 7e, it abuts on the edge 7e by force resisting against the depression force, and electrically conducts the solar cells 7 and 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a solar cell module configured by connecting a plurality of solar cells and a method for manufacturing the same.

  In recent years, from the improvement of awareness about energy problems, expectations for solar power generation using solar cell modules are increasing, and the demand for solar cell modules is increasing. Therefore, with such an increase in demand, a high-performance solar cell module and technical development for manufacturing the same are desired.

  The solar cell module described in Patent Document 1 is configured to obtain a practical voltage by connecting a plurality of solar cells (solar cell elements) in series. For this reason, in the solar cell module described in Patent Document 1, a conductive material is provided on the front and back surfaces of each of the strip-shaped solar cells, as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). Thus, the structure which is electrically connected by overlapping the edge parts 80a and 81a of the adjacent photovoltaic cells 80 and 81 up and down is employ | adopted.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the solar cell module is manufactured by superimposing the edge 81a of the newly connected solar cell 81 on the edge 80a of the solar cell 80. As shown in FIG. 7B, the solder 84 interposed between the overlapped edges 80a and 81a is heated and melted by the upper and lower heaters 82 and 83, and then cooled and solidified. This is done by electrical connection.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2009-10355 (see FIGS. 9 and 10)

  However, according to the manufacturing method, the following problems may occur. That is, the solder 84 between the edge portions 80a, 81a of the solar cells 80, 81 that are stacked one above the other is heated by the upper heater 82 via the upper solar cell 81, and by the lower heater 83, Heating is performed via the lower solar cells 80 already connected to the plurality of solar cells 79. At this time, the solar cells 81 and 80 need to be heated to the melting temperature Tf or higher of the solder 84 using the upper and lower heaters 82 and 83 as shown in FIG. Then, heating by the heaters 82 and 83 is stopped, the solder 84 is lowered to a temperature lower than the solidification temperature Tf together with the solar cells 81 and 80, and the solder 84 is solidified.

However, in this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, the lower solar cell 80 is already connected to a plurality of solar cells 79, so that the overall surface area is large and the amount of heat radiation is large. Will increase. On the other hand, since there is only one upper solar cell 81 to be newly connected, the surface area is small and the amount of heat radiation is small. For this reason, even if the edge portions 80a and 81a are once heated to the solidification temperature Tf or higher by the upper and lower heaters 82 and 83, and then the heating is stopped and the solder 84 is cooled, the upper and lower sides of the solder 84 are solidified. As shown in FIG. 8A, a temperature difference Δt is generated between the upper solar cell 81 and the lower solar cell 80.
Then, the amount of elongation due to thermal expansion differs between the solar cells 80 and 81 due to this temperature difference Δt. Therefore, when the temperature further decreases to room temperature after the solder 84 is solidified, it shrinks due to the difference in the amount of elongation. Since the amounts are different, stress is generated in the overlapping portion of the solar cells 80 and 81, and the module M is warped as shown in FIG.

  Then, this invention aims at providing the solar cell module which can be made into the state which electrically connected the photovoltaic cells, without using solder conventionally, and its manufacturing method. .

The present invention for achieving the above object is a solar cell module having a plurality of solar cells, the edges of the solar cells being overlapped and electrically conducting, and A conductive portion interposed between the edges and having conductivity, and when the conductive portion receives a pressing force from the edges in a state where the edges are overlapped with each other, the force resisting the pressing force Is brought into contact with the edge portion to electrically connect the solar cells.
According to the present invention, when the conductive portion receives a pressing force from the edge in a state where the edges are overlapped with each other, the conductive portion comes into contact with the edge due to a force against the pressing force, and the solar cells are Since it is electrically connected, a state where the conductive portion is in close contact with the edge portion of the solar battery cell by the force against the pressing force is obtained. For this reason, even if it does not use solder conventionally, the state which the edge parts of the photovoltaic cell electrically connected can be obtained.

Although there are various configurations of the conductive portion, the conductive portion is provided in a state of being electrically connected to one of the edge portions to be superimposed, and generates a spring force with respect to the other of the edge portions. It can be set as the structure which consists of a spring piece.
In this case, in a state where the edges of the solar battery cells are overlapped, the spring piece provided on one of the edges is elastically deformed to cause the spring force to act on the other of the edges as a restoring force. Thus, the spring piece can be in close contact with the other edge.
Or as another structure, the said electroconductive part can be set as the structure which consists of the processus | protrusion which is provided in the state electrically connected with one of the said edge part overlapped, and protrudes from the said one to the other.
In this case, the protrusions provided on one of the edge portions are elastically deformed and the restoring force is applied to the other edge portion in a state where the edge portions of the solar battery cells are overlapped with each other. Can be in close contact with the other edge.

Moreover, although the said electroconductive part may be formed from some edge parts of a photovoltaic cell, the member separate from a photovoltaic cell may be sufficient.
That is, the conductive part is a separate body from the solar battery cell, and may be formed of a leaf spring provided along the longitudinal direction of the edge to be overlapped and having a continuous uneven shape.
In this case, in a state where the edges of the solar battery cells are overlapped with each other, the leaf spring is elastically deformed and a restoring force (spring force) is applied to both edges, so that the leaf spring is overlapped. It can be in a state of being in close contact with both edges.

  In each of the above cases, a fitting portion in which the conductive portion is fitted may be formed on the edge portion to be overlapped. In this case, the conductive portion is fitted into the fitting portion, so that the conductive portion and the edge are fitted. Misalignment with the part is prevented.

Further, the present invention is a manufacturing method for manufacturing a solar cell module by arranging a plurality of the solar cells in a state where the edges of the solar cells are overlapped with each other, on the first sealing member, the edge When a plurality of solar cells are arranged in a state where the parts are overlapped, and when the edges are arranged, the edges are overlapped with each other to receive a pressing force from the edge, and the edge is caused by a force against the pressing force. The edge portions are overlapped with each other through a conductive portion having conductivity that contacts the portion, and then the plurality of solar cells arranged on the first sealing member are It is characterized by being integrated by being sandwiched between a sealing member and a second sealing member.
According to the present invention, when a plurality of solar cells are arranged in a state where the edges are overlapped with each other, when the edges are overlapped and a pressing force is received from the edges, the edge is caused by a force against the pressing force. Since the edges are overlapped with each other through the conductive part having conductivity that contacts the part, the state where the conductive part is in close contact with the edge of the solar cell by the force against the pressing force is obtained. It is done. For this reason, even if it does not use solder conventionally, the solar cell module in which the edge part of the photovoltaic cell electrically connected can be obtained. And since a plurality of photovoltaic cells are arranged on the first sealing member and then sandwiched and integrated by the second sealing member, the solar cells are connected by these sealing members. Structural connection is made, and the overall shape of the plurality of solar cells is maintained.

  According to the present invention, since the conductive portion is in close contact with the edge of the solar battery cell, the edges of the solar battery cells are electrically connected to each other without using solder as in the prior art. A conducting state is obtained. That is, in order to electrically connect the solar cells, it is not necessary to heat to melt the solder as in the conventional case, and the operation at room temperature becomes possible. For this reason, it becomes possible to prevent the curvature which generate | occur | produced conventionally.

It is explanatory drawing which shows a part of solar cell module of this invention. It is a perspective view explaining the specific structure of an electroconductive part (1st embodiment). It is a perspective view explaining the specific structure of an electroconductive part (2nd embodiment). It is sectional drawing explaining the specific structure of an electroconductive part (3rd embodiment). It is explanatory drawing explaining the manufacturing method of a solar cell module. It is sectional drawing which shows a part of solar cell module. It is explanatory drawing explaining a prior art. It is explanatory drawing explaining the problem by a prior art.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a part of the solar cell module of the present invention. First, the configuration of the solar cell module M (hereinafter also simply referred to as module M) will be described.

  In the module M, a plurality of solar cells 7 (hereinafter also simply referred to as cells 7) are provided side by side in one direction, and electrodes 31 are provided on both sides of the plurality of cells 7. The cell 7 and the electrode 31 are sandwiched by sealing members 32 and 33 from both sides, and the module M forms an integral sheet. The sealing members 32 and 33 on both sides have flexibility, and at least the upper surface side (the side on which sunlight is incident) is made of a film-like resin member that transmits sunlight. The cell 7 and the electrode 31 are in close contact with the front and back surfaces.

Each cell 7 is configured by laminating a lower electrode layer 7b, a semiconductor layer 7c, and an upper electrode layer 7d in this order on a conductive substrate 7a having conductivity.
Adjacent cells 7 and 7 are in a state of being overlapped at the edge portions 7e and 7e, and are electrically conductive at the overlapped edge portions 7e and 7e. The overlapped edge portions 7e and 7e are referred to as an overlapping portion 8.
In order to make the edge portions 7e and 7e electrically conductive, the conductive portion 5 having conductivity is interposed between the edge portions 7e and 7e to be overlapped in the present invention. A specific configuration of the conductive portion 5 will be described later.

  Each cell 7 has a strip shape (elongated thin plate shape) in which a direction parallel to the arrangement direction is a short direction, and a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction is a long direction, and an edge portion on the long side 7e constitutes the overlapping portion 8. Each cell 7 at both ends in the arrangement direction is electrically connected to the electrode 31.

In order to manufacture the module M having a plurality of cells 7 as described above, as will be described later, as shown in FIG. 5A, one direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 5A). The edges 7e and 7e of the adjacent cells 7 and 7 are overlapped so that the module M becomes longer toward the surface, and the edges 7e and 7e are electrically connected to each other by the conductive part 5. Good.
In FIG. 5A, a plurality (seven) of cells 7 are already connected, and these are called semi-finished products 20. FIG. 5A shows a state in which a new cell 7 is about to be connected to the semi-finished product 20 from above, and this new cell 7 is called a connection cell 11 and the semi-finished product 20 side. A cell to which the connection cell 11 is connected is called a connected cell 21.

[Specific Configuration of Conducting Section 5 (First Embodiment)]
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a specific configuration of the conductive portion 5. The module M is configured such that the back surface side of the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11 is superimposed on the upper surface side of the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 on the semi-finished product 20 side via the conductive portion 5. The
And in this embodiment, the spring piece 15 is partially provided in the edge part 7e of the to-be-connected cell 21 as the electroconductive part 5, and the spring piece 15 is formed in multiple numbers along the edge part 7e of the to-be-connected cell 21. Has been. This spring piece 15 is a structure which produces a spring force with respect to the edge part 7e of the connection cell 11 used as the other party made to electrically conduct.
That is, if the edge 7e of the connected cell 11 is overlapped with the edge 7e of the connected cell 21, the spring piece 15 provided on the edge 7e of the connected cell 21 is overlapped with the edge 7e of the connected cell 11. When a pressing force in the mating direction is received, the spring is elastically deformed by the pressing force and a spring force (restoring force) against the pressing force is generated. The spring piece 15 abuts on the edge 7e of the connection cell 11 in a state where this spring force is generated, and the edge 7e of the connected cell 21 and the edge 7e of the connection cell 11 are electrically connected. it can.

The configuration of the spring piece 15 will be further described. By forming the cut C at the edge 7e of the connected cell 21, a part of the edge 7e can be bent to the upper surface side, and this part becomes the spring piece 15. The base portion 15a of the spring piece 15 is bent to the upper surface side by plastic deformation. In the present embodiment, the notch C is formed in an L shape in the short direction and the long direction of the connected cell 21, and the spring piece 15 that is bent to the upper surface side and is cantilevered is configured.
Further, the notch C extends from the upper surface of the connected cell 21 to the back surface of the conductive substrate 7a shown in FIG. 1, and is formed over the entire thickness of the connected cell 21. This conductive substrate 7a is formed from a thin plate made of metal (for example, stainless steel). For this reason, the spring piece 15 as a whole has a configuration that can be elastically deformed in the front and back direction of the connected cell 21 although it is bent to the upper surface side due to plastic deformation at the base portion 15a.

  As described above, the spring piece 15 is composed of a part of the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 and is connected by the base portion 15a. Therefore, the spring piece 15 and the connected cell 21 are in an electrically conductive state. Each spring piece 15 formed in the connected cell 21 in a state where the edge 7e of the connected cell 21 and the edge 7e of the connected cell 11 are overlapped with each other is the length of the edge 7e of the connected cell 11. In this embodiment, the edge portions 7e and 7e are pressed against each other by being partially in contact with the back surface of the edge portion 7e along the direction. Therefore, each spring piece 15 receives a larger pressing force from the edge 7e of the connection cell 11, and abuts on the edge 7e of the connection cell 11 with a force against the pressing force. And each spring piece 15 will be in the state which has elastically deformed in the superposition direction and the restoring force has arisen. Thereby, the state where the spring piece 15 is in close contact with the back surface of the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11 is obtained. In particular, since the edge portions 7e and 7e are pressed against each other by the sealing members 32 and 33, the abutted state can be reliably obtained. For this reason, the state where the edge portions 7e and 7e of the connected cell 11 and the connected cell 21 are electrically connected to each other can be obtained without using solder as in the prior art.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the overlapping portion 8 as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the cell 7. As shown in this figure, the edge 7 e of the connected cell 21 has a spring piece 15. Is formed on the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11 with a fitting portion 17 into which the spring piece 15 is fitted. In this embodiment, the fitting part 17 consists of a recessed part formed by notching the back surface of the edge part 7e of the connection cell 11 partially. By fitting the spring piece 15 into the fitting portion 17, the displacement between the connected cell 21 in which the spring piece 15 is formed and the connection cell 11 is prevented.
The fitting portion 17 may be a concave groove that is formed long along the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11. In this case, a plurality of spring pieces 15 are fitted into the concave groove. On the other hand, the fitting part 17 may be an independent recess into which one spring piece 15 is fitted.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the spring piece 15 is provided on the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 has been described. On the contrary, although not illustrated, the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11 is bent downward. The provided spring piece 15 may be provided. In this case, the fitting portion 17 is formed on the edge portion 7 e of the connected cell 21.

[Specific Configuration of Conducting Section 5 (Second Embodiment)]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a specific configuration of the conductive portion 5. As in the first embodiment, this solar cell module M is connected to the upper surface side of the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 on the semi-finished product 20 side via the conductive portion 5, and the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11 is connected. The back side is configured to overlap.
In the present embodiment, the protrusion 25 is partially provided as the conductive portion 5 on the edge 7 e of the connected cell 21. The protrusion 25 is configured to protrude from the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 where the protrusion 25 is formed to the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11 that is electrically connected. A plurality of protrusions 25 are formed along the edge 7e.

That is, as shown in FIG. 3, by forming a bottomed hole from the back surface to the front surface by, for example, a punch (not shown) in the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21, the edge portion 7e A part of the protrusion protrudes toward the upper surface side, and this part becomes the protrusion 25.
Further, the protrusion 25 is configured by plastically deforming the conductive substrate 7a shown in FIG. 1, and the conductive substrate 7a is formed from a thin plate made of metal (for example, stainless steel). Therefore, the protrusion 25 has a configuration that can be elastically deformed.
Therefore, if the edge 7e of the connected cell 11 is overlapped with the edge 7e of the connected cell 21, the protrusion 25 provided on the edge 7e of the connected cell 21 is overlapped with the edge 7e of the connected cell 11. When a pressing force in the direction is received, the spring force (restoring force) against the pressing force is generated due to elastic deformation by the pressing force. And the protrusion 25 contact | abuts to the edge part 7e of the connection cell 11 in the state which this spring force generate | occur | produced, and the edge part 7e of the to-be-connected cell 21 and the edge part 7e of the connection cell 11 can be electrically connected. .

  Since the protrusion 25 is formed of a part of the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21, the protrusion 25 and the connected cell 21 are in an electrically conductive state. Then, in a state where the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 and the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 11 are overlapped, each protrusion 25 formed on the connected cell 21 is in the longitudinal direction of the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 11 In this embodiment, the edge portions 7e and 7e are pressed against each other by being sandwiched in the thickness direction by the sealing members 32 and 33. Each protrusion 25 receives a larger pressing force from the edge 7e of the connection cell 11, and abuts on the edge 7e of the connection cell 11 by a force against the pressing force. And each protrusion 25 will be in the state which has elastically deformed and produced the restoring force although it is slight in the superimposition direction.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the overlapping portion 8 when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the cell 7. As shown in FIG. 6B, the protrusion 25 is formed on the edge 7 e of the connection cell 11. A fitting portion 27 into which is fitted is formed. In this embodiment, the fitting part 27 consists of a hollow part obtained by forming a bottomed hole from the back surface to the front surface of the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11 by, for example, a punch (not shown).
In the case of this embodiment, in a state where the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 and the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11 are overlapped, the protrusion 25 is fitted to the fitting portion 27 so that the protrusion 25 is elastically contracted. It is deformed and a restoring force is generated in the enlargement direction. That is, a mechanical interference fit state is obtained by the protrusion 25 and the fitting portion 27.

As described above, the state in which the protrusion 25 is in close contact with the back surface side of the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11 by the elastic restoring force is obtained. A state where the edges 7e and 7e with the connection cell 21 are electrically connected to each other is obtained.
Furthermore, the protrusion 25 is fitted in the fitting portion 27, so that the displacement between the connected cell 21 in which the protrusion 25 is formed and the connection cell 11 is prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the case has been described in which the protrusion 25 is provided to protrude toward the connection cell 11 at the edge 7e of the connected cell 21, but on the contrary, although not illustrated, the protrusion 25 is connected. The edge 11e of the cell 11 may be provided so as to protrude toward the connected cell 21. In this case, the fitting portion 27 is formed in the connected cell 21.

[Specific Configuration of Conducting Section 5 (Third Embodiment)]
FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a specific configuration of the conductive portion 5, and is a view in which the overlapping portion 8 is viewed in the short direction of the cell 7. As in the first and second embodiments, this solar cell module M has an edge portion of the connection cell 11 on the upper surface side of the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 on the semi-finished product 20 side via the conductive portion 5. 7e is configured such that the back surface side is overlapped.
And in this embodiment, the leaf | plate spring 35 which is a different body from the connection cell 11 and the to-be-connected cell 21 as the electroconductive part 5 is provided between edge part 7e, 7e. The leaf spring 35 is provided along the longitudinal direction (left and right direction in FIG. 4) of the edge portions 7e and 7e to be overlapped, and has a shape in which uneven waves are continuous. In this embodiment, the single leaf | plate spring 35 is provided along the longitudinal direction of the said edge parts 7e and 7e for every edge part 7e and 7e.

The leaf spring 35 is made of a conductive material, and is made of a metal such as copper. The surface side of the connected cell 21 has a conductive upper electrode layer 7d (see FIG. 1) such as ITO, and the back side of the connection cell 11 is conductive such as metal (for example, stainless steel). The conductive substrate 7a (see FIG. 1) having a conductive layer is electrically connected between the connected cell 11 and the connected cell 21 by interposing a conductive leaf spring 35 therebetween. A conducting state is obtained.
The leaf spring 35 is made of an elongated thin plate metal having a dimension that is equal to or smaller than the width of the edge portions 7e and 7e to be overlapped. In addition, the width dimension of the edge part 7e to overlap is about 1 mm, for example.

  The leaf spring 35 is made of metal and has an uneven wave shape as a whole, and thus has a configuration that can be elastically deformed in the thickness direction of the cell 7. Therefore, if the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11 is overlapped with the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 with the leaf spring 35 interposed therebetween, the leaf spring 35 extends from the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 and from the connection cell 11. The pressing force in the overlapping direction is received from the edge portion 7e of the lens, and the spring force (restoring force) against the pressing force is generated due to elastic deformation by the pressing force. The plate spring 35 abuts against the edge 7e of the connected cell 21 and the edge 7e of the connected cell 11 in a state where this spring force is generated, and the edge 7e of the connected cell 21 and the edge 7e of the connected cell 11 are contacted. Can be electrically connected to each other.

  As described above, the leaf spring 35 provided between the edge 7e of the connected cell 21 and the edge 7e of the connected cell 11 is overlapped in the longitudinal direction of the edge 7e of the connected cell 11. A part of the surface of the edge 7e is in contact with the back surface of the edge 7e, and a part of the surface of the edge 7e of the connected cell 21 is in contact with the surface of the edge 7e. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4B, in this embodiment, the edge portions 7e and 7e are pressed against each other by being sandwiched between the sealing members 32 and 33 in the thickness direction of the cell 7. Thus, the leaf spring 35 receives a larger pressing force from the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 and the edge portion 7e of the connecting cell 11, and thereby the edge portion of the connected cell 21 by a force against the pressing force. 7e and the edge 7e of the connection cell 11 are contacted. And the leaf | plate spring 35 will be in the state which has elastically deformed in the superimposition direction and the elastic restoring force has arisen.

  As a result, a state in which the leaf spring 35 is in close contact with both the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11 and the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 can be obtained. A state in which the edges 7e and 7e of the cell 11 and the connected cell 21 are electrically connected to each other is obtained.

  FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the overlapping portion 8 as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the cell 7. A fitting portion 37 into which the leaf spring 35 is fitted may be formed on both (or one) of the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21 and the edge portion 7e of the connection cell 11. In the present embodiment, the fitting part 37 is formed on both sides, and the surface of the edge part 7e of the connected cell 21 and the back surface of the edge part 7e of the connection cell 11 are partially cut away to form a concave groove. Consists of. By fitting the convex portion of the leaf spring 35 into the fitting portion 37, the positional deviation of the leaf spring 35, the connected cell 21, and the connection cell 11 is prevented.

  In addition, the fitting part 37 is not formed in the surface of the edge part 7e of the to-be-connected cell 21, The flat upper electrode layer 7d (refer FIG. 1) may be used as it is. In this case, by forming the fitting portion 37 on the surface of the edge portion 7e of the connected cell 21, it is possible to avoid the possibility that cracks or the like occur in the region other than the formation portion, that is, the surface that receives sunlight. can do.

[Method of manufacturing solar cell module M]
A method for manufacturing the module M according to each of the embodiments will be described. As shown in FIG. 5 (a), a plurality of cells 7 are manufactured one after another while the edges 7e, 7e of the cells 7 are overlapped. Specifically, a plurality of cells 7 are arranged on the first sealing member 32 by overlapping the edges 7e and 7e.

Then, when arranging a plurality of the cells 7, the edges 7 e and 7 e are overlapped with each other via the conductive portions 5 of the respective embodiments, and all the necessary cells 7 are placed on the first sealing member 32. After the arrangement, as shown in FIG. 5B, the plurality of cells 7 are integrated by being sandwiched between the first sealing member 32 and the second sealing member 33. An electrode 31 (see FIG. 1) is also provided on the first sealing member 32, and the electrode 31 is also integrated with the cells 7 by the sealing members 32 and 33. The conductive portion 5 is the spring piece 15, the protrusion 25, or the leaf spring 35 described in each embodiment. The conductive portion 5 has conductivity, and the edges 7e and 7e are overlapped with each other to apply a pressing force from the edge 7e. When it is received, it comes into contact with the edge 7e by a force that resists this pressing force.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the cell 7 and the electrode 31 are sandwiched between the sealing members 32 and 33 from both surfaces, and the module M is formed into a single sheet.

  The sealing members 32 and 33 are film-like resin members that are flexible and transmit sunlight, and are preferably made of a material having one or both of flexibility and elasticity, and are made of, for example, EVA resin. And as shown in FIG.4 (b), the sealing members 32 and 33 melt | dissolve the joint surface of the surrounding parts 32a and 33a which contact each other directly, and both the sealing members 32 and 33 are made into one sheet. Make it. Moreover, the sealing members 32 and 33 have a larger outline shape than the overall outline shape of the plurality of cells 7 in which all necessary elements are arranged, and the entire plurality of cells 7 are formed by the sealing members 32 and 33. Is sealed so that the module M is integrated.

According to the module M obtained by the above manufacturing method, when arranging a plurality of cells 7, the edges 7 e and 7 e are overlapped with each other via the conductive portion 5 of each embodiment. Thus, a state of being in close contact with the edge portion 7e is obtained. As described above, the mechanical connection by the conductive portion 5 makes it possible to obtain a module M in which the edge portions 7e and 7e of the cell 7 are electrically connected to each other without using conventional solder. And since it is not necessary to use solder, the operation | work at normal temperature is attained.
In addition, since the plurality of cells 7 are arranged on the first sealing member 32 and then sandwiched and integrated by the second sealing member 33, the sealing members 32 and 33 allow the cells to be integrated. The structural connection between the seven cells is made, and the overall shape of the plurality of cells 7 is maintained.

  And since the electroconductive part 5 is pinched | interposed by the sealing members 32 and 33 in the state which elastically deformed in the thickness direction of the cell 7, the clearance gap g (for example, the edge parts 7e and 7e of the cells 7 and 7 on both sides) Even if the gap g varies depending on the position, the conductive portion 5 can be elastically deformed to follow the gap g according to the size of the gap g. The state connected to is surely obtained. In particular, the module M of the present embodiment has a configuration in which the cell 7 itself is very thin and the sealing members 32 and 33 are thin and flexible, so that it can be flexibly bent in various directions. When the module M is curved, the gap g between the cells 7 and 7 may change. However, according to the conductive portion 5 of the present invention, the electrically connected state is maintained following the change. .

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated form, and other forms may be used within the scope of the present invention. For example, the number of cells 7 included in the module M can be changed, and the form of the electrode 31 may be other than that shown in FIG. 1, and the metal formed on the cell 7 located at the end. Foil etc. may be sufficient.
Moreover, although the protrusion 25 shown in FIG. 3 has a shape raised in two steps, it may have a shape of only one step. Moreover, although the fitting part shown in FIG. 6 demonstrated the case where a part of back surface of the connection cell 7 was notched and formed, the protrusion (not shown) fitted to the electroconductive part 5 is said back surface. You may form by providing.

  5: Conductive part, 7: Solar cell, 7e: Edge part, 15: Spring piece, 17: Fitting part, 25: Protrusion, 27: Fitting part, 32: First sealing member, 32: Second Sealing member 35: leaf spring 37: fitting part M: solar cell module

Claims (6)

A solar cell module having a plurality of solar cells, the edges of the solar cells being overlapped and electrically conducting,
A conductive portion interposed between the edges to be superposed and having conductivity;
When receiving a pressing force from the edge in a state where the edges are overlapped with each other, the conductive portion comes into contact with the edge by a force against the pressing force and electrically connects the solar cells. A solar cell module characterized in that   2. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the conductive portion is provided in a state of being electrically connected to one of the edge portions to be overlapped, and includes a spring piece that generates a spring force with respect to the other of the edge portions. .   2. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the conductive portion includes a protrusion that is provided in a state of being electrically connected to one of the edge portions to be overlapped and protrudes from the one to the other.   2. The sun according to claim 1, wherein the conductive portion is a separate body from the solar battery cell, and is provided along a longitudinal direction of the edge to be overlapped, and is formed of a leaf spring having a continuous uneven shape. Battery module.   The solar cell module as described in any one of Claims 1-4 in which the fitting part which the said electroconductive part fits is formed in the said edge part overlapped. A manufacturing method for manufacturing a solar cell module by arranging a plurality of the solar cells in a state where the edges of the solar cells are overlapped with each other,
On the first sealing member, a plurality of solar cells are arranged in a state where the edges are overlapped with each other, and when the arrays are arranged, the edges are overlapped to receive a pressing force from the edges. And the edges are overlapped with each other through a conductive portion having conductivity that abuts against the edge by a force against the pressing force,
Thereafter, the plurality of solar cells arranged on the first sealing member are integrated by being sandwiched between the first sealing member and the second sealing member. Manufacturing method of battery module.

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