JP5558131B2 - Hardness meter and hardness measuring method for diaphragm for laminating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a pressing member used in a laminating apparatus in which a workpiece such as a solar cell module is disposed on a hot plate, and the workpiece heated by the hot plate is sandwiched between the hot plate and the pressing member to be laminated. The present invention relates to a hardness meter for measuring the hardness of a diaphragm and a hardness measurement method using the hardness meter.

  Conventionally, when manufacturing a solar cell module, a laminating apparatus has been used (Patent Document 1). The laminating apparatus has an upper case having a diaphragm that is expandable downward, and a lower case having a hot plate. When laminating a solar cell module, first, the solar cell module on which the constituent members are superimposed is transported to a space formed by the upper case and the lower case. Next, the laminating apparatus evacuates the space formed by the upper case and the lower case, arranges the solar cell module on the hot plate, and then heats the constituent members, and then converts the atmospheric pressure inside the upper case. Is introduced. By doing so, the solar cell module is sandwiched and laminated between the diaphragm and the hot plate, and each component of the solar cell module is bonded and sealed with the molten filler.

  Since the diaphragm for such a laminating apparatus is used in the above-mentioned state, its lifetime is short and it is difficult to determine the replacement time. In addition, no method has been proposed to determine when to replace the diaphragm.

JP 2004-31739 A

  Here, the diaphragm used for the laminating apparatus will be described. The laminating apparatus has an upper case having a diaphragm that is expandable downward, and a lower case having a hot plate. The solar cell module material is stacked in a state where the upper case and the lower case are opened, and is conveyed onto the hot plate of the lower case. Thereafter, the upper case and the lower case are stacked one above the other to form a closed space. The space is divided by an upper chamber and a lower chamber by a diaphragm. The hot plate in the lower case is already heated. Therefore, the cover glass and the filler, which are transparent substrates, which are constituent members of the solar cell module, are heated, and the filler starts to melt. The upper chamber and the lower chamber are evacuated, and after reaching a certain degree of vacuum, the atmosphere is introduced into the upper chamber. As a result, the diaphragm of the upper case expands downward, and the constituent members of the solar cell module are sandwiched between the hot plate and the diaphragm and laminated.

This diaphragm is exposed to a gas containing an organic peroxide or the like generated in the process of melting the filler, which is a constituent member of the solar cell module, during the lamination process. The gas enters the inside of the diaphragm and enters a state of overcrosslinking. Further, the diaphragm bends at the end of the solar cell module when the component of the solar cell module is sandwiched between the hot plate during lamination. For this reason, the diaphragm breaks due to a crack generated from a bent portion or the like by multiple use. Even if it does not break, if a crack occurs, the evacuation is incomplete and the pinching pressure is insufficient, resulting in defective processing of the product. Moreover, when it breaks suddenly, the replacement | exchange is a serious operation | work and causes the fall of the production efficiency of a solar cell. Therefore, it is important to predict the replacement time of the diaphragm in order to smoothly produce the solar cell.
As a means for predicting the replacement time of the diaphragm, there is a method of measuring the hardness of the diaphragm in use with a Shore A hardness meter (or JISA hardness meter). According to this method, a probe having a sharp tip is pressed against the diaphragm, so that the diaphragm is damaged and the life of the diaphragm is shortened.
Generally, when the hardness of a rubber is measured with a hardness meter, if the hardness meter is pushed too much against the rubber, the hardness is higher than the original and does not show a normal value.
In general, the hardness meter is used in such a form that the object to be measured is pressed down from above. When measuring the hardness of the diaphragm with the diaphragm attached to the laminating device, measure the hardness in the form of pressing from below because the diaphragm, which is the object to be measured, is located above the hardness meter. become. This is different from the general measurement mode of hardness.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a hardness meter that accurately measures the hardness of a diaphragm used in a laminating apparatus and a hardness measurement method using the hardness meter. The purpose is that.

  In order to achieve the above object, a hardness meter according to a first aspect of the present invention has an upper chamber and a lower chamber partitioned by a diaphragm, and a workpiece is disposed on a hot plate provided in the lower chamber, and the heat Rubber for measuring the hardness of a diaphragm used in a laminating apparatus for laminating the work piece heated by a plate by laminating the lower chamber with a vacuum in the lower chamber and introducing air into the upper chamber between the hot plate and the diaphragm A hardness meter, a hardness measuring unit having a probe that contacts the diaphragm that is the object to be measured, a pressing unit that presses the hardness measuring unit against the diaphragm that is the object to be measured, and the diaphragm that is the object to be measured A pressing amount measuring unit that measures the pressing amount of the probe of the hardness measuring unit with respect to the diaphragm, and the diaphragm is attached to the laminating apparatus, It is characterized by measuring the hardness.

  The hardness meter according to a second aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the invention, a handle for pressing against the diaphragm as the object to be measured is further provided.

  The hardness meter according to a third aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the second aspect of the invention, a swing part is further provided between the handle part and the pressing part.

  A hardness meter according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the spherical surface of the first to third aspects, wherein the tip of the probe of the hardness measuring unit that contacts the diaphragm as the object to be measured has a radius of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. It is characterized by being.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for measuring a relationship between a hardness measured by the hardness meter and a Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness) of the diaphragm as a measured object in advance, and a measured object using the hardness meter. Measuring the hardness of the diaphragm, and measuring the Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness) of the diaphragm based on the relationship between the hardness measurement result by the hardness meter and the Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness). Diaphragm hardness measurement method characterized by the above.

  According to the hardness meter of the first invention, the hardness after use of the diaphragm used in the laminating apparatus is measured by setting the hardness meter perpendicular to the measurement surface of the diaphragm in a state attached to the laminating apparatus. Can do. Further, since the hardness meter of the first invention is provided with a pressing amount measuring unit for measuring the pressing amount, the probe of the hardness measuring unit of the hardness meter is not pressed too much against the diaphragm as the object to be measured. Hardness can be measured.

  According to the hardness meter of the second invention, the operator can more easily measure the hardness of the diaphragm attached to the laminating apparatus with the hardness meter of the present invention at the handle.

  According to the hardness meter of the third invention, since the hardness meter has a swing portion, the operator measures the hardness of the diaphragm attached to the laminating apparatus with the hardness meter at the handle portion. At this time, even if the diaphragm is pressed slightly from the oblique direction, the pressing portion can be brought into full contact with the diaphragm measurement surface by the action of the swinging portion. Therefore, the hardness of the diaphragm can be measured more accurately.

  According to the hardness meter of the fourth aspect of the invention, since the shape of the tip of the probe of the hardness measurement unit is a spherical surface having a radius of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, the probe is in contact with the diaphragm as the object to be measured. Scratches and cracks can be prevented from occurring.

  The hardness measurement method according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is to grasp in advance the relationship between the hardness measured by the hardness meter and the Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness) of the diaphragm as a measured object, and use the hardness meter to measure the measured value. The hardness of the diaphragm is measured, and the Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness) of the diaphragm is measured based on the relationship between the hardness measurement result obtained by the hardness meter previously grasped about the diaphragm and the Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness). . As a result, it is possible to prevent scratches and cracks from occurring when the probe of the hardness meter contacts the diaphragm which is the object to be measured.

It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the solar cell module as a to-be-processed object. It is a figure which shows the structure of the whole lamination apparatus. It is a sectional side view of the lamination part of a laminating apparatus. It is a sectional side view of the lamination part at the time of the lamination process of a laminating apparatus. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the hardness meter of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage method of the hardness meter of Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the hardness meter of Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the usage method of the hardness meter of Example 2 of this invention.

A diaphragm hardness meter used in the laminating apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.
Here, first, the workpiece 10 to be laminated by the laminating apparatus will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a solar cell module using a crystal cell as a workpiece 10. As shown in the drawing, the solar cell module 10 has a configuration in which a string 15 is sandwiched between a transparent cover glass 11 and a back material 12 via fillers 13 and 14. A material such as polyethylene resin is used for the back material 12. The fillers 13 and 14 are made of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) resin or the like. The string 15 has a configuration in which solar cells 18 as crystal cells are connected between electrodes 16 and 17 via lead wires 19.

  Moreover, as the workpiece 10, not only the solar cell module described above but also a solar cell module generally called a thin film type can be targeted. In a typical structure example of this thin film solar cell module, a power generation element composed of a transparent electrode, a semiconductor, and a back electrode is deposited on a transparent cover glass in advance. In such a thin film solar cell module, the cover glass is disposed downward, and the power generation element on the cover glass is covered with a filler. Further, the back material is covered on the filler. The components of the thin film solar cell module are bonded by vacuum heating lamination in such a state. That is, the thin film solar cell module is merely changed to a power generation element on which the above-described solar cell module crystal cells are deposited. The basic sealing structure of the thin film solar cell module is the same as that of the solar cell module described above.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of the laminating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The laminating apparatus 100 includes an upper case 110, a lower case 120, and a conveyance belt 130 for conveying the workpiece 10. The conveyor belt 130 conveys the workpiece 10 between the upper case 110 and the lower case 120. The laminating apparatus 100 is provided with a carry-in conveyor 200 for conveying the workpiece 10 before laminating to the laminating apparatus 100. Further, the laminating apparatus 100 is provided with a carry-out conveyor 300 for carrying out the workpiece 10 after lamination from the laminating apparatus 100. The carry-in conveyor 200 and the carry-out conveyor 300 are connected in series. The workpiece 10 is transferred from the carry-in conveyor 200 to the conveyance belt 130 and from the conveyance belt 130 to the carry-out conveyor 300.

  The laminating apparatus 100 is provided with a lifting device (not shown) composed of a cylinder, a piston rod, and the like. The lifting device can lift and lower the upper case 110 with respect to the lower case 120 while maintaining the horizontal state. The elevating device lowers the upper case 110 so that the internal space between the upper case 110 and the lower case 120 can be sealed.

  Next, the configuration of the laminating unit 101 of the laminating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a laminating unit 101 that laminates the workpiece 10 in the laminating apparatus 100. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of the laminating unit 101 during laminating.

  The upper case 110 is formed with a space opened downward. In this space, a diaphragm 112 is provided so as to partition the space horizontally. The diaphragm 112 is formed of heat-resistant rubber such as silicone rubber. As will be described later, the diaphragm 112 functions as a pressing member that presses the workpiece 10 and performs lamination. A space (upper chamber 113) partitioned by a diaphragm 112 is formed in the upper case 110.

  An intake / exhaust port 114 communicating with the upper chamber 113 is provided on the upper surface of the upper case 110. In the upper chamber 113, the inside of the upper chamber 113 can be evacuated and the atmosphere can be introduced into the upper chamber 113 via the intake / exhaust port 114.

  In the lower case 120, a space (lower chamber 121) opened upward is formed. In this space, a hot plate 122 (panel-shaped heater) is provided. The hot plate 122 is supported by a support member erected on the bottom surface of the lower case 120 so as to maintain a horizontal state. In this case, the hot plate 122 is supported so that the surface thereof is substantially level with the opening surface of the lower chamber 121.

  An intake / exhaust port 123 communicating with the lower chamber 121 is provided on the lower surface of the lower case 120. In the lower chamber 121, the inside of the lower chamber 121 can be evacuated and the atmosphere can be introduced into the lower chamber 121 through the intake / exhaust port 123.

  A conveyor belt 130 is movably provided between the upper case 110 and the lower case 120 and above the heat plate 122. The conveyor belt 130 receives the workpiece 10 before lamination from the carry-in conveyor 200 of FIG. 2 and accurately conveys it to the central position of the laminating unit 101, that is, the central part of the hot plate 122. Moreover, the conveyance belt 130 delivers the workpiece 10 after lamination to the carry-out conveyor 300 in FIG.

  Further, although not shown, a release sheet may be provided between the upper case 110 and the lower case 120 and above the conveyor belt 130. The release sheet prevents the fillers 13 and 14 from adhering to the diaphragm 112 when the fillers 13 and 14 (see FIG. 1) of the workpiece 10 are melted.

  Next, the laminating process by the laminating apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment will be described more specifically. First, as shown in FIG. 3, the conveyance belt 130 conveys the workpiece 10 to the center position of the laminate unit 101. At this time, the workpiece 10 is held at a position spaced apart from the hot plate 122 by raising a holding pin (not shown) which is arranged in the lower chamber 121 and the hot plate 122 and can move up and down. May be.

  Next, the lifting device lowers the upper case 110. By lowering the upper case 110, the internal space between the upper case 110 and the lower case 120 is sealed as shown in FIG. That is, the upper chamber 113 and the lower chamber 121 can be kept sealed inside the upper case 110 and the lower case 120, respectively.

Next, the laminating apparatus 100 evacuates the upper chamber 113 through the intake / exhaust port 114 of the upper case 110. Similarly, the laminating apparatus 100 evacuates the lower chamber 121 through the intake / exhaust port 123 of the lower case 120 (vacuum process). Due to the evacuation of the lower chamber 121, the bubbles contained in the workpiece 10 are sent out of the workpiece 10. When the workpiece 10 is held at a position separated from the hot plate 122 by a holding pin (not shown) that can move up and down, the holding pin is lowered from substantially the second half of the vacuum process to move the workpiece 10. Is placed on the hot plate 122.
Since the workpiece 10 is heated by the hot plate 122 heated by controlling the temperature with a temperature control device or the like, the fillers 13 and 14 included in the workpiece 10 are also heated.

  Next, the laminating apparatus 100 introduces air into the upper chamber 113 through the intake / exhaust port 114 of the upper case 110 while maintaining the vacuum state of the lower chamber 121. As a result, a pressure difference is generated between the upper chamber 113 and the lower chamber 121, so that the diaphragm 112 expands. Accordingly, the diaphragm 112 is pushed downward as shown in FIG. 4 (pressurizing step). The workpiece 10 is sandwiched between the diaphragm 112 extruded downward and the hot plate 122, and the constituent members are bonded to each other by the fillers 13 and 14 melted by heating.

  At this time, although the fillers 13 and 14 may protrude from between the cover glass 11 and the back surface material 12, the protruding fillers 13 and 14 stick to the release sheet. By interposing the release sheet in this way, the protruding fillers 13 and 14 are prevented from adhering to the diaphragm 112. Therefore, the release sheet prevents the fillers 13 and 14 from adhering to the workpiece 10 to be laminated next from the diaphragm 112. Further, when the protruding fillers 13 and 14 adhere to the conveyor belt 130, the attached fillers 13 and 14 are removed by a cleaning mechanism (not shown).

  After the laminating process is thus completed, the laminating apparatus 100 introduces air into the lower chamber 121 through the intake / exhaust port 123 of the lower case 120. At this time, the lifting device raises the upper case 110. By raising the upper case 110, the conveyor belt 130 can be moved as shown in FIG. The conveyor belt 130 delivers the workpiece 10 after lamination to the carry-out conveyor 300.

  Lamination is performed as described above. In the process, the filler (EVA) is melted to generate a gas containing an organic peroxide. Even when the surface of the diaphragm 112 is covered with the release sheet, this gas enters the space between the diaphragm and the release sheet from the surrounding gap and is absorbed into the inside of the diaphragm. As a result, the surface of the diaphragm becomes overcrosslinked, causing the diaphragm to break.

  Further, the diaphragm bends at the end of the solar cell module 10 as shown in FIG. As the number of uses increases, the bent portion K also becomes overcrosslinked, so that it becomes brittle and easily breaks.

  Next, a hardness meter 200 that measures the hardness of the diaphragm 112 used in the laminating apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

  The configuration of the hardness meter 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5A is a side view of the hardness meter, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the hardness meter. The hardness meter of the present invention includes a hardness measuring unit 210, a pressing unit 220, and a pressing amount measuring unit 230. Each part will be described below.

  As the hardness measuring unit 210, a known O-type hardness meter or the like can be used. The pressing unit 220 includes a mounting plate 221 of the hardness measuring unit and a mounting block 222 of the pressing amount measuring unit. A hardness measuring unit 210 is attached to the attachment plate 221. The area (length and width dimensions) of the mounting plate 221 may be such that the hardness meter can be measured in a stable posture when measuring the hardness of the diaphragm. The mounting plate 221 is a part that contacts the measurement surface of the diaphragm when measuring the hardness of the diaphragm. Further, the measuring element 211 of the hardness measuring unit 210 protrudes from the mounting plate 221. A mounting block 222 is provided at one end of the mounting plate. A pressing amount measuring unit 230 is attached to the attachment block 222. The pressing amount measuring unit 230 is configured by attaching a dial gauge 231 to an attachment block 222 via an attachment block 233. Reference numeral 232 denotes a dial gauge stylus.

  A method of using the hardness meter of Example 1 will be described with reference to FIG. When measuring the hardness of the diaphragm, the upper case 110 and the lower case 120 of the laminating apparatus are opened. In this state, the diaphragm 112 hangs downward. Since measurement cannot be performed in this state, vacuuming is performed once and the diaphragm is adsorbed to the back plate portion 118 of the upper case. As shown in FIG. 6, the hardness meter of this embodiment is set on the diaphragm adsorbed on the back plate. Preferably, the measurement is performed at a portion where the support portion such as the frame portion of the back plate portion 118 is provided. The operator holds the hardness measuring unit 210 and presses the mounting plate 221 of the pressing unit against the diaphragm of the laminating apparatus. At this time, the pressing amount measuring unit 230 provided on the attachment block 222 of the pressing unit 220 via the block 233 is checked so that the probe 211 is not pressed deeper than the specified amount. The tip of the stylus 232 of the dial gauge 231 is positioned below the contact surface S of the mounting plate 221 by an amount corresponding to the distance D. This distance D is set such that when the hardness gauge mounting plate 221 is pressed against the diaphragm and the dial gauge stylus is pushed back by the distance D, the probe 211 is pressed by a specified amount. The scale of the hardness measuring unit 210 at this time is read.

  By using the hardness meter of this embodiment, the hardness of the diaphragm can be accurately measured without pressing the probe 211 of the hardness meter deeply into the diaphragm.

  Example 2 of the hardness meter 200 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7A is a side view of the hardness meter, and FIG. 7B is a front view of the hardness meter. The hardness meter of the present embodiment has a configuration in which a handle portion 240 and a swing portion 250 are added to the hardness meter having the configuration of the first embodiment. The handle portion 240 includes a handle 241, a mounting plate 242 and a support column 243. The support columns 243 are provided at both ends of the mounting plate 242. The oscillation unit 250 is provided between the support columns 243 on both sides and the mounting blocks 222 on both sides of the pressing unit 220. The oscillation part is composed of a spring 251, a rod 252 and an adjusting nut 253.

  The mounting block 222 of the pressing part 220 is provided with a counterbore H1 and a through hole H2. A rod 252 is attached to the end face of the support post 243 opposite to the attachment side of the attachment plate 242. A screw portion is provided at the tip of the rod 252. The diameter of the rod is narrower than the diameter of the through hole H2 and has a gap. A spring 251 is provided between the end surface of the support column 243 and the end surface of the mounting block 222 through the rod 252. The amount of compression of the spring can be adjusted by screwing the adjusting nut 253 into the threaded portion of the rod.

  A method of using the hardness meter of Example 2 will be described with reference to FIG. The hardness measurement method is the same as that of the hardness meter of Example 1. In the first embodiment, the operator holds the hardness measuring portion and presses the mounting plate 221 against the diaphragm. The hardness meter of the second embodiment is additionally provided with a handle portion 240 and a swinging portion 250 with respect to the hardness meter of the first embodiment. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, when an operator stands on the side surface of the laminating apparatus and measures the hardness of the diaphragm inside the apparatus, even if the hardness of the diaphragm inside the apparatus is measured, the handle is used to move the diaphragm to the diaphragm. On the other hand, the hardness can be measured without any problem even if it is pressed somewhat obliquely.

Next, an operation method for determining the replacement time of the diaphragm used in the laminating apparatus using the hardness meter of the present invention will be described.
The tip of a stylus probe of a Shore A type hardness meter (or JISA hardness meter) that is usually used for measuring rubber hardness has a pointed shape although it has a flat portion with a small area. In the measurement using such a hardness meter, an accurate measurement is performed so that scratches and cracks do not occur when the probe of the hardness meter comes into contact with the diaphragm that has been over-crosslinked after being laminated many times. This makes it difficult to determine when to replace the diaphragm.
Therefore, the hardness meter of the present invention can use a hardness meter having a large R spherical shape at the tip of the probe as the hardness measuring portion. The shape of the tip of the probe can be a spherical surface having a radius of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Preferably, the shape of the tip of the probe is a spherical surface having a radius of 0.8 mm to 1.5 mm.
If the radius of the spherical surface at the tip of the probe of the hardness meter is less than 0.5 mm, the diaphragm may be damaged by the hardness measurement, and there is a risk that breakage or cracking may occur due to subsequent use of the diaphragm. If the radius of the spherical surface at the tip of the probe of the hardness meter exceeds 1.5 mm, a pressing force is required for the hardness measurement, and there is a possibility that accurate hardness measurement cannot be performed.
Therefore, the relationship between the Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness) and the hardness measured by the hardness meter of the present invention is measured in advance for the diaphragm used in the laminating apparatus, and a calibration table and a conversion formula are prepared. In order to determine the replacement time of the diaphragm used in the actual laminating apparatus, when measuring the rubber hardness of the diaphragm, the hardness is measured by the hardness meter of the present invention. The Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness) is obtained from the measurement result by the calibration table or the conversion formula. When the Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness) value increases from the Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness) value before using the diaphragm exceeds the specified value, for example, 50%, it is determined that the replacement period has arrived. To do.
With such a method for determining the replacement time, it is possible to predict the replacement time by measuring the hardness without imparting scratches or cracks that cause breakage to the diaphragm.

  Example 3 (1) and Example 3 (2) will be described with respect to the results of measurement using the hardness meter of the present invention.

[Example 3 (1)]
In Example 3 (1), a silicone diaphragm was attached to the laminating apparatus 100 of FIG. After a certain number of times of laminating, a sample for hardness measurement is cut out from the diaphragm, and the hardness of the diaphragm before cutting the sample is an example in which the hardness measured by a general hardness meter (sample measurement hardness) is 50 The hardness was measured with the hardness meter of Example 2 of the present invention at the same location where the sample was cut, and with a hardness meter having a spherical surface with a radius of the tip of the probe of 1.19 mm. The hardness measurement results of both were compared. In addition, when the hardness of the diaphragm was measured with the hardness meter of Example 2 of the present invention, the state of scratches and marks imparted to the diaphragm was also confirmed.
[Example 3 (2)]
Example 3 (2) was the same as Example 3 (1) except for the following. After a certain number of times of laminating, a sample for hardness measurement was cut out from the diaphragm, and the hardness (sample measurement hardness) measured with a general hardness meter was 70. The hardness meter had a spherical shape with a radius of 1.19 mm at the tip of the probe.

Comparative example

Comparative examples 1 to 4 will be described.
[Comparative Example 1]
Comparative Example 1 was laminated by attaching a silicone diaphragm to laminating apparatus 100 as in Example 3 (I). After a certain number of times of laminating, a sample for hardness measurement is cut out from the diaphragm, and the hardness of the diaphragm before cutting the sample is an example in which the hardness measured by a general hardness meter (sample measurement hardness) is 50 Was measured with a comparative hardness meter at the same location where the sample was cut. The comparative example hardness meter was a hardness meter in which the tip of the probe had a flat portion having a diameter of 0.79 mm and a corner portion at the end. The hardness of both was compared. The hardness measured by this comparative hardness meter was taken as the actual measurement value. The actual measured value of Comparative Example 1 was 45. Further, when the hardness of the diaphragm was measured with the hardness meter of Comparative Example 1, the state of scratches given to the diaphragm was also confirmed.
[Comparative Example 2]
Comparative Example 2 was the same as Comparative Example 1 except for the following. The comparative hardness meter used the same hardness meter as that of Comparative Example 1, but the actual measured value by the comparative hardness meter was 55, unlike Comparative Example 1.
[Comparative Example 3]
Comparative Example 3 was the same as Comparative Example 1 except for the following. After laminating a certain number of times, a sample for hardness measurement was cut out from the diaphragm, and the hardness (sample measurement hardness) measured with a general hardness meter was set to 40.
[Comparative Example 4]
Comparative Example 4 was the same as Comparative Example 1 except for the following. After a certain number of times of laminating, a sample for hardness measurement was cut out from the diaphragm, and the hardness (sample measurement hardness) measured with a general hardness meter was set to 70. Moreover, as a comparative example hardness tester, the shape of the tip of the probe was a spherical surface having a radius of 0.1 mm.

Table 1 summarizes the results of Example 3 and the comparative example. Table 1 will be described.
1) “Actual measurement value (x)” in the table is the measured hardness of the diaphragm measured after being laminated a certain number of times and then attached to the laminating apparatus. In Example 3, the hardness is measured with the hardness meter of Example 2, and in the comparative example, the measurement is performed with the comparative example hardness meter.
2) “Sample measured hardness” in the table is a measured value of hardness measured by a general hardness meter after cutting a sample for hardness measurement from a diaphragm after laminating a certain number of times.
3) “Diaphragm converted hardness (y)” in the table is the result of conversion to the Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness) of the diaphragm by a conversion formula. The conversion formula is created from the relationship between various actual measurement values (x) other than Example 3 (1) and Example 3 (2) and sample measurement hardness in Example 3.
4) In the table, the converted hardness of * 1 is the converted hardness converted according to the example of the conversion formula prepared in advance in Example 3 (y = 1.25x-27.5).
5) In the table, * 2 indicates that Comparative Examples 1 to 3 are measurements using a Shore A hardness meter (or JISA hardness meter), and thus cannot be converted.
6) In the table, * 3 indicates that the hardness is not converted because the diaphragm is cracked as a result of hardness measurement by the hardness meter of Comparative Example 4.
7) “Scratch status” in the table is evaluated in three stages. “1” indicates that a tear has occurred by the hardness meter needle, “2” indicates that the mark of the hardness meter needle that is the starting point of the tear is deep, and “3” indicates the mark of the hardness meter needle. Indicates an almost smooth state.

According to Table 1, in Example 3 (1) and Example 3 (2), the hardness meter of this example (the present invention) is used. As a result of measurement with the hardness meter of the present invention as in Example 3 (1) and Example 3 (2), the actual measurement values (x) were 62 and 78. The diaphragm conversion hardness (y) obtained by converting this result according to the example of the conversion formula of the present invention (y = 1.25x-27.5) is 50 and 70, and the sample measurement hardness and the diaphragm conversion hardness are the same. . Moreover, there is no damage given to the diaphragm by the hardness measurement.
According to Table 1, in the comparative example 1 and the comparative example 2, the shape of the probe at the tip of the hardness meter is the same, and the actual measurement values are greatly different even though the sample measurement hardness is the same. Moreover, it turns out that it is difficult to create a conversion formula from the numerical value of the actual measurement value (x) of Comparative Example 1 to Comparative Example 3 and the sample measurement hardness. In the hardness meter of the comparative example, since there is no pressing portion, pressing amount measuring portion, and swinging portion like the hardness meter used in Example 3, variation in measured hardness occurs when the same portion is measured a plurality of times. Further, in Comparative Examples 1 to 3, since the scratch is given to the diaphragm by the hardness measurement, the lifetime of the diaphragm is shortened by measuring the hardness of the diaphragm. Further, in Comparative Example 4, the diaphragm is cracked by the hardness meter needle by the hardness measurement.
From the above, it is shown that the hardness meter and the hardness measuring method for a diaphragm of the present invention are useful.

10 Workpiece (solar cell module)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Cover glass 13, 14 Filler 100 Laminating apparatus 101 Laminating part 110 Upper case 112 Diaphragm 113 Upper chamber 120 Lower case 121 Lower chamber 122 Hot plate 200 Hardness meter 210 Hardness measuring part 220 Pressing part 230 Pressing amount measuring part 240 Handle part 250 Oscillating part D Pressing amount H1 Sacrifice hole H2 Through hole K Bending part S Contact surface

Claims (4)

It has an upper chamber and a lower chamber partitioned by a diaphragm, and a workpiece is disposed on a hot plate provided in the lower chamber, and the workpiece heated by the hot plate is vacuumed in the lower chamber. A rubber hardness meter for measuring the hardness of a diaphragm used in a laminating apparatus for laminating by introducing air into the upper chamber and sandwiching and laminating between the hot plate and the diaphragm,
A hardness measuring unit having a probe that contacts the diaphragm, which is the object to be measured;
A pressing unit that presses the hardness measuring unit against the diaphragm that is the object to be measured;
A pressing amount measuring unit that measures the pressing amount of the probe of the hardness measuring unit against the diaphragm that is the object to be measured,
The shape of the tip of the probe of the hardness measuring unit is a spherical surface having a radius of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm,
A hardness meter, wherein the hardness of the diaphragm is measured in a state where the diaphragm is attached to the laminating apparatus.   The hardness meter according to claim 1, further comprising a handle portion for pressing against the diaphragm, which is an object to be measured.   The hardness meter according to claim 2, wherein the hardness meter further includes a swinging portion between the handle portion and the pressing portion. The step of measuring in advance the relationship between the hardness measured by the hardness meter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness) of the diaphragm as the object to be measured;
Measuring the hardness of the diaphragm, which is an object to be measured, using the hardness meter,
A method for measuring the hardness of a diaphragm, wherein the Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness) of the diaphragm is measured based on a relationship between a hardness measured by the hardness meter and a Shore A hardness (or JISA hardness).

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