JP5901740B2 - String wiring device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a string wiring device that corrects application conditions of a bonding material based on the application state of the bonding material applied to a solar battery cell.

  Conventionally, in a solar cell module (solar cell panel) in which a plurality of solar cells having a negative electrode on the light-receiving surface and a positive electrode on the back surface are arranged vertically and horizontally, a plurality of solar cells are arranged. An interconnector is used for string wiring. That is, the interconnector connects the electrodes of one solar battery cell and the electrodes of another adjacent solar battery cell to each other and performs string wiring. As this type of solar cell module, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 is known.

JP 2003-298095 A JP 2011-187601 A

  Although the thing of patent document 1 uses the solder-coated interconnector in order to join an interconnector to a photovoltaic cell, the solder-coated interconnector is expensive, and the cost of a solar cell module is reduced. It becomes a factor to raise.

  On the other hand, the thing of patent document 2 comes to join an interconnector to a photovoltaic cell via cream solder (thing which added flux to solder powder and made it suitable viscosity). Therefore, a solar cell module can be manufactured without using an expensive interconnector.

  However, when joining using solder cream, apply cream solder on the interconnector, place the solar cell on it, apply cream solder on the solar cell, and then It is necessary to mount the interconnector on the solar cell and join the interconnector to the solar cell. For this reason, there exists a problem which a joining process becomes long.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems. In the process of supplying solar cells, the bonding material can be applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar cell, and the application condition of the bonding material can be corrected. An object of the present invention is to provide a simple string wiring device .

The string wiring device of the present invention is a string wiring device that electrically connects the positive side electrode and the negative side electrode of adjacent solar cells via a conductive member, and a cell delivery station that delivers the solar cells; the a solar cell bonding material coating apparatus for applying a bonding material to the surface of the cell transfer station is provided the solar cell cells supply unit the bonding material applied to the surface and a inspection camera for capturing of When an image processing device for image processing the image information captured by the inspection camera, based on the result of the image processing by the image processing apparatus, a correction control unit for correcting the bonding material coating conditions by the bonding material coating apparatus a joining unit for joining the conductive member to the solar cell, the thickness of the coating state of the bonding material were tested The cells from the cell transfer station and a working robot for transporting the joining unit.

  According to such a configuration, the bonding material can be applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell in the process of supplying the solar battery cell, and the application of the bonding material is performed based on the application state of the bonding material imaged by the inspection camera. Since the start position, the end position, and the like can be measured, it is possible to quickly and accurately determine the application conditions that have been relied on by hand.

It is a schematic plan view which shows a solar cell module. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected along 2-2 line | wire of FIG. It is sectional drawing cut | disconnected along the 3-3 line of FIG. It is a top view which shows the whole solar cell module manufacturing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic side view which shows the connector supply unit of a string wiring apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which cuts and pulls out an interconnector to predetermined length. It is a schematic plan view which shows the cell supply unit of a string wiring apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the supply procedure of the photovoltaic cell in a cell supply unit. It is a top view which shows the photovoltaic cell by which the flux was apply | coated. It is the figure seen from the arrow 10 direction of FIG. It is a schematic plan view which shows the carry head of a cell supply unit. It is a top view which shows the joining unit of a string wiring apparatus. It is a figure which shows the pressing member provided in the upper hot plate of the joining unit. It is a figure which shows the state which superposed | polymerized the interconnector and the photovoltaic cell in the junction unit. It is a figure which shows the conveyance member of the cell conveyance unit of a string wiring apparatus. It is a schematic plan view which shows the slow cooling station of a cell conveyance unit. It is the figure seen from the arrow 17 direction of FIG. 4 which shows a cell conveyance unit. It is the figure seen from the arrow 18 direction of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a matrix wiring apparatus.

  Hereinafter, a string wiring device for solar cells and a solar cell module manufacturing device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a solar cell module (solar cell panel) 10. The solar cell modules 10 are arranged in an XY plane and electrically connected in series (Xm in the X direction, X direction). The solar cells 11 are arranged in the Y direction perpendicular to the Y direction). For easy understanding, FIG. 1 shows an example in which a solar cell module 10 is configured by a total of 16 solar cells 11 in which Xm is 4 and Yn is 4 rows.

  The photovoltaic cells 11 adjacent in the X direction are electrically connected via an interconnector 12 as a conductive member. The interconnector 12 forms a straight line having a length straddling two solar cells 11 adjacent to each other in the X direction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the right end (front half) of the longitudinal direction is The negative electrode formed on the lower surface (light receiving surface) of the solar cell 11 or the positive electrode formed on the upper surface (rear surface) is joined to the left end (second half) in the longitudinal direction of the solar cell 11. It is joined to the plus side electrode formed on the upper surface or the minus side electrode formed on the lower surface.

  In the solar cells 11 arranged at both ends in the X direction, an interconnector 12a having a shorter length than the interconnector 12 having a length straddling the two solar cells 11 is provided on the lower surface (minus side electrode) of the solar cells 11. Alternatively, it is joined to the upper surface (plus side electrode). Each one end of the short interconnector 12a is slightly protruded from both ends of the solar battery cell 11.

  As a result, the required number Xm of solar cells 11 arranged in the X direction are electrically connected in series to form solar cell groups 110A and 110B that are string-wired. Then, the solar cell groups 110A and 110B are arranged in the Y direction with the required number of columns Yn, and the interconnectors 12a having short lengths are matrix-wired to constitute the solar cell module 10.

  At this time, in each of the odd-numbered solar cell groups 110A from the top of FIG. 1, each end of the interconnector 12a having a short length is connected to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar cells 11 at the left and right ends as shown in FIG. The solar cell group 110B in the even-numbered columns from the top in FIG. 1 is slightly protruded, and each end of the short-length interconnector 12a has solar cells at the left and right ends as shown in FIG. It slightly protrudes from the lower surface and the upper surface of the cell 11.

  As described above, the solar cell module 10 includes two types of solar cell groups 110A and 110B (hereinafter, the first solar cell group 110A and the second solar cell group 110B) in which the junction structure of the interconnector 12 is different. The first and second solar battery cell groups 110A and 110B are alternately arranged in the Y direction.

  And each one end of the interconnector 12a protruded from both ends of the first solar cell group 110A in the odd-numbered row and the interconnector protruded from both ends in the second solar cell group 110B in the even-numbered row As shown in FIG. 1, each end of 12a is joined to each other by a bus metal 14 as a conductive member, so that all the solar cells 11 constituting the solar cell module 10 are connected in series.

  In general, the solar cell module 10 includes a cover glass made of transparent tempered glass on the light receiving surface (minus side electrode), and a back sheet having excellent weather resistance on the back surface (plus side electrode). A plurality of solar cells 11 are sealed with a resin such as EVA between the back sheet and the back sheet, and in the embodiment described below, for convenience of explanation, they are arranged on a cover glass. The Xm × Yn solar battery cells 11 are referred to as a solar battery module 10.

  Next, a specific configuration of a manufacturing apparatus that manufactures the solar cell module 10 having the above configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the manufacturing apparatus includes a string wiring device (string wiring step) 21, a layup device (layup step) 22, and a matrix wiring device (matrix wiring step) arranged along the X direction. ) 23. The lay-up device 22 and the matrix wiring device 23 are connected by a transport conveyor 25, and the solar cell module 10 that is matrix-wired by the matrix wiring device 23 is transported to the next process by the carry-out conveyor 26.

  The string wiring device 21 includes two sets of connector supply units (conductive member supply units) 31A and 31B that supply the interconnector 12 for string wiring of the first and second solar battery cell groups 110A and 110B, Two sets of cell supply units 32A and 32B for supplying the battery cells 11, two sets of joining units 33A and 33B for joining the interconnector 12 to the solar battery cells 11, and the solar battery cell 11 to which the interconnector 12 is joined are conveyed. The two units (two rows) of the cell transport units 34A and 34B are arranged in parallel.

  The connector supply units 31A and 31B, the cell supply units 32A and 32B, the joining units 33A and 33B, and the cell transport units 34A and 34B are disposed on a common base 35. In the following, each unit that manufactures the first solar cell group 110A is referred to as a first unit, and each unit that manufactures the second solar cell group 110B is referred to as a second unit to be distinguished. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the first connector supply unit 31 </ b> A has a plurality of rows (two rows in the embodiment) of bobbins 41 spaced in the Y direction around which the interconnector 12 is wound, and the bobbin 41. Each of the interconnectors 12 is clamped at one end and pulled out in the X direction, and a vertically movable cutter 43 for cutting the interconnector 12 pulled out to a predetermined position by the pulling means 42 into a predetermined length is provided. .

  The pulling means 42 has a moving base 45 movably supported by a guide rail 44 formed along the X direction. The moving base 45 is rotated by a motor 46 and is a first ball screw shaft 47. Is rotated along the guide rail 44 in the X direction by a predetermined amount.

  A second ball screw shaft 48 is supported on the moving table 45 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the first ball screw shaft 47, and the second ball screw shaft 48 is installed on the moving table 45. The motor 49 is rotationally driven. In addition, a movement guide 50 for guiding the interconnector 12 is fixed to the movement table 45.

  The pull-out means 42 is provided with first and second clampers 51 and 52 for clamping the interconnector 12 pulled out from the bobbin 41. The first and second clampers 51 and 52 are operated by an actuator not shown. Thus, the interconnector 12 can be clamped and unclamped. The first clamper 51 is disposed at a position downstream of the cutter 43, and the second clamper 52 is disposed at a position upstream of the cutter 43.

  The first clamper 51 is screw-engaged with the second ball screw shaft 48 so that the end of the interconnector 12 can be clamped and moved by a predetermined amount in the X direction. On the other hand, the second clamper 52 is advanced and retracted by a predetermined amount in the X direction by a cylinder (not shown), and when the interconnector 12 is cut to a predetermined length, the base portion of the interconnector 12 to be cut is removed. It is designed to clamp.

  The interconnector 12 pulled out from the bobbin 41 is pulled out while being guided by a plurality of guide rollers 55. At a lower position between the plurality of guide rollers 55, an engagement roller 56 is pivotally supported by an elevating member 57 that can move up and down, and the interconnector 12 is stretched over the engagement roller 56 in a U-shape. It is bent and guided to the fixed second clamper 52.

  A guide roller (downstream guide roller) 55 on the downstream side of the engaging roller 56 is common to the plurality of interconnectors 12 joined to the solar battery cell 11, and the outer surface thereof has an interface in the plurality of types of solar battery cells 11. A number of grooves are provided in accordance with the joining positions of the connector 12 in the Y direction. As a result, when the interconnector 12 is pulled out from the bobbin 41, even if the pull-out position from the bobbin 41 moves in the Y direction, the interconnector 12 must be joined in the Y direction when it is drawn around by the downstream guide roller. It will fit the interval. Furthermore, since the groove | channel according to the joining space | interval of the Y direction of each interconnector 12 of multiple types of photovoltaic cell 11 is provided previously, the production change to the different photovoltaic cell 11 becomes easy. Further, the interconnector 12 is pulled out at an acute angle by the downstream guide roller 55 in the direction opposite to the direction of the winding rod by the bobbin 41.

  A piston rod 58 a of a tension cylinder 58 is connected to the elevating member 57, and the tension cylinder 58 pulls the interconnector 12 through the elevating member 57 with a tensile force smaller than the breaking force of the interconnector 12. . The tension cylinder 58 can change the tensile force according to the type (breaking force) of the interconnector 12.

  A solar battery cell in which the interconnector 12 drawn out from the bobbin 41 of the first connector supply unit 31A is cut to a predetermined length and placed on the lower hot plate 81 (see FIG. 12) of the first joining unit 33A. FIG. 6 shows a procedure for supplying the image data on the computer 11. First, in the in-situ state shown in FIG. 6A, the second ball screw shaft 47 is rotated by a predetermined amount by the second motor 49, whereby the first clamper 51 that clamps the tip of the interconnector 12 is moved. As shown in FIG. 6 (B), it is moved forward to a predetermined position and the interconnector 12 is pulled out by a predetermined amount. Thereafter, the cutter 43 is lowered to cut the interconnector 12 into a predetermined length.

  Subsequently, the first clamper 51 is moved integrally with the moving table 45 together with the moving guide 50 by moving the moving table 45 by a predetermined amount by the rotation of the first ball screw shaft 47 by the first motor 46. (See FIG. 6C). As a result, the first clamper 51 is moved onto the lower hot plate 81, and the interconnector 12 having a predetermined length clamped thereto is supplied onto the solar cells 11 placed on the lower hot plate 81. .

  At the same time, the second clamper 52 is unclamped and retracted by a certain amount, and then the second clamper 52 is moved forward by a constant amount while the interconnector 12 is clamped by the second clamper 52, and the interconnector 12 is moved to the cutter 43. (See FIG. 6D.) At the same time, the first clamper 51 is unclamped, and the first clamper 51 is moved together with the moving table 45 by the first and second motors 46 and 49. Is returned to the original position (see FIG. 6A), the interconnector 12 is polymerized on the solar battery cell 11.

  By the way, when the interconnector 12 clamped by the first clamper 51 is pulled out by the second motor 49, the moving acceleration is appropriately set (for example, 1G), whereby the interconnector 12 is pulled by the tension force of the tension cylinder 58. Can be towed against. As a result, the curl of the interconnector 12 wound around the bobbin 41 and having the curl can be removed and straightened. At this time, since the interconnector 12 is pulled with a tensile force smaller than the breaking force, if the tensile force acting on the interconnector 12 is increased, the elevating member 57 is raised, and therefore the interconnector 12 is excessively pulled. The curl can be removed without applying a force.

  The second connector supply unit 31B is also configured in the same manner as the first connector supply unit 31A described above, and the interconnector 12 pulled out from the bobbin 41 is cut to a predetermined length while removing the curl. It supplies to the photovoltaic cell 11 mounted in the upper hot plate 81 (refer FIG. 12) of 2 joining unit 33B.

  The first cell supply unit 32A conveys the solar cells 11 in the Y direction with the light receiving surface facing downward, and supplies them to the first joining unit 33A. The second cell supply unit 32B is a solar cell. The cell 11 is transported in the Y direction with the light receiving surface facing upward, and is supplied to the second joining unit 33B.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first cell supply unit 32 </ b> A has a cell supply station 62 for supplying a cassette 61 in which a large number of solar cells 11 are stacked with the light receiving surface facing downward, and a stack on the cassette 61. The cell lifter station 63 that always holds the uppermost solar cell 11 in a fixed height position, the cell inspection station 64 that inspects chipping or cracking of the solar cell 11, and the inclination of the solar cell 11 is corrected. An inclination correction station 65 and a cell delivery station 66 for delivering the solar battery cell 11 are arranged with a certain interval in the Y direction.

  The cassette 61 supplied to the cell supply station 62 is manually or automatically sent onto the lifter 63a of the cell lifter station 63, and the uppermost solar cell 11 stacked on the cassette 61 is always fixed by the lifter 63a. It is designed to be held at the height position. That is, even if the upper surface position of the uppermost solar cell 11 is detected by a height position detection sensor (not shown) and the stacked solar cells 11 are sequentially supplied, the uppermost solar cell 11 is always kept at a certain height. Can be held in this position.

  The cell inspection station 64 is provided with an inspection camera 67 that images the supplied solar battery cell 11 from above. By processing the image captured by the inspection camera 67, the solar battery cell 11 is defective such as a crack or a chip. Can be detected.

  Specifically, the cell inspection station 64 is provided with a holding base including a light source (not shown) and a white light diffusion plate, and the solar cells 11 are transferred onto the holding base by a cell transfer hand 71a described later. Is done. Then, during the return operation of the cell transfer hand 71a, that is, the moment when the portion between the cell transfer hands 71a and 71b passes through the holding table, the light source is turned on, and the solar cells transferred onto the holding table 11 is imaged by the inspection camera 67 provided above the solar battery cell 11. As a result, the solar battery cell 11 can be imaged without being affected by the cell transfer hand 71a, so image processing is performed to determine whether or not the transmitted image (shadow) of the captured solar battery cell 11 is missing or cracked. By doing so, it is possible to determine whether there is a chip or a crack.

  In the inclination correction station 65, the supplied photovoltaic cell 11 is pressed against the reference block 69 by the pressing member 68, whereby the inclination of the photovoltaic cell 11 is corrected. In addition, an opening / closing door 65a is provided on the lower surface of the inclination correction station 65 in order to discard the solar battery cell 11 detected as defective by the inspection camera 67, and a disposal box 70 is installed below the opening / closing door 65a. Yes.

  The photovoltaic cell 11 is moved from the cell lifter station 63 to the cell inspection station 64, from the cell inspection station 64 to the inclination correction station 65, and to the inclination correction station 65 by the pick and place operation by the three cell transfer hands 71a, 71b, 71c. To the cell delivery station 66 sequentially. That is, the cell transfer hands 71a, 71b, 71c are held by an unillustrated hand device provided in the cell supply unit 32A, and the hand device by the unillustrated moving device that can move in the Y direction and the up and down direction is used. By the pick-and-place operation, the solar cells 11 are sucked and held by the cell transfer hands 71a, 71b, 71c, and are sequentially transported to the next station.

  Dispensers 73a and 73b as flux application devices for applying a flux 72 as a bonding material to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell 11 are disposed between the inclination correction station 65 and the cell delivery station 66, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the dispensers 73a and 73b are provided with supply nozzles 73a1 and 73b1 for applying two rows of flux 72 to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell 11, respectively.

  As the bonding material, in addition to flux, cream solder or anisotropic conductive film (ACF) may be used. In the case of an anisotropic conductive film, the inspection / attachment conditions for the film attachment state are determined.

  Then, while the solar cell 11 is being transported and moved from the inclination correction station 65 to the cell delivery station 66 by the cell transfer hand 71c, an open / close valve (not shown) is opened and closed, and the supply nozzles 73a1 of the dispensers 73a and 73b The flux 72 is discharged from 73b1 and applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell 11, respectively.

  The cell delivery station 66 is provided with inspection cameras 151 and 152 that image the solar battery cell 11 coated with the flux 72 from above and below. In this case, an application state inspection station may be provided between the cell delivery station 66 and the inclination correction station 65, and inspection cameras 151 and 152 may be provided in the application state inspection station.

  Image information captured by the inspection cameras 151 and 152 is input to the image processing device 153 and subjected to image processing, and application conditions such as a flux application start position, a flux application end position, and a flux application amount are measured. To the control unit 154. The flux application amount is determined based on the width direction dimension of the area where the flux 72 is applied.

  Information regarding the target application condition is registered in the control unit 154 in advance, and the information captured by the inspection cameras 151 and 152 is compared with the registered information in the control unit 154, and the comparison result is displayed. Based on this, a signal for correcting the application conditions such as the flux application start position, the flux application end position, and the flux application amount is fed back to the dispensers 73a and 73b. Thereby, the application state of the flux 72 can be always maintained accurately by correcting the opening / closing timing and / or opening / closing amount of the opening / closing valve or by correcting the moving speed from the inclination correction station 65 to the cell delivery station 66. I have to. In this way, it is possible to quickly and accurately determine the application conditions that have been relied on by hand.

  The application conditions can be set / changed for each of the supply nozzles 73a1, 73b1, and can be set / changed for each of the front and back surfaces of the solar battery cell 11. In addition, the application condition may be changed every time during the production operation, or only during a predetermined number of production operations at the start of production (in this case, the production is performed only for a predetermined time without being performed every time at the start of production). Only when production is started after interruption). You may carry out at the time of resumption of production after flux replenishment.

  In addition, as a result of inspecting the application state of the flux 72, not only the application conditions are determined, but the solar cells 11 in which the application state is poor may be discarded, and the application position is shifted within an allowable range. If so, the joining position of the interconnector 12 may be corrected according to the application position of the flux 72. In this case, when the solar battery cell 11 is placed on the lower hot plate 81 by a carry head 78 described later, it is possible to place the solar battery cell 11 after correcting the position according to the application position of the flux 72.

  Also, instead of the inspection cameras provided in the cell supply units 32A and 32B, an inspection camera is provided in the working robot 74, and the solar cells 11 transferred to the cell delivery station 66 are imaged from above, and the flux 72 The application state may be inspected. This eliminates the need to provide inspection cameras in the cell supply units 32A and 32B. In this case, the coating state of one of the front surface and the back surface of the solar battery cell 11 may be inspected, and the coating conditions for both the front surface and the back surface may be set / changed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, between the cell delivery station 66 of the first and second cell supply units 32A and 32B and the first and second joining units 33A and 33B, the first And the working robot 74 which conveys the photovoltaic cell 11 is arrange | positioned at each lower hotplate 81 of 2nd joining unit 33A, 33B. The working robot 74 is common to the first and second cell supply units 32A and 32B. The working robot 74 includes a Y slide 76 that is slidably guided by a guide rail 75 installed along the Y direction, an X slide 77 that is slidably guided by the Y slide 76 in the X direction, and an X slide 77. And a carry head 78 supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The carry head 78 is provided with a suction hand 78 a that sucks the solar battery cells 11. In the string wiring device 21 according to the present embodiment, the work robot 74 performs only the operation of transferring the solar cells 11 from the cell delivery station 66 onto the lower hot plate 81, and therefore, only one carry head 78 is provided. Installed.

  The solar cells 11 transported from the cell delivery station 66 to the first and second joining units 33A and 33B by the carry head 78 are picked up by the camera 79 in the middle of the transport, and are displaced based on the image recognition. Is corrected.

  The second cell supply unit 32B is also configured in the same manner as the first cell supply unit 32A described above, with the flux 72 applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar cells 11 supplied with the light receiving surface facing upward. The solar battery cell 11 is supplied onto the upper hot plate 81 of the second joining unit 33B.

  As shown in FIG. 12, each of the first and second joining units 33A and 33B has a fixed lower hot plate 81 and a movable upper hot plate 82. The first and second joining units 33A and 33B are disposed at a predetermined distance in the Y direction across the fixed block 83 disposed between the first and second joining units 33A and 33B. The first and second cell transport units 34A and 34B are connected to respective one end portions (start end portions).

  Since the first joining unit 33A and the second joining unit 33B have basically the same configuration, the configuration of the first joining unit 33A will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  The lower hot plate 81 of the first joining unit 33A includes a heater for preheating the upper surface 81a of the lower hot plate 81, and the upper hot plate 82 is used for heating the lower surface 82a of the upper hot plate 82. Built-in heater.

  In the first joining unit 33A, a guide rail 84 is provided along the X direction on the side surface of the fixed block 83 installed on the base 35. A movable table 85 is guided on the guide rail 84 so as to be movable in the X direction by a predetermined amount. An upper hot plate 82 is supported on the guide rail 86 provided on the movable table 85 so as to be movable up and down by a predetermined amount.

  A ball screw shaft 88 driven by a motor 87 is supported on the fixed block 83 so as to be rotatable about an axis parallel to the X direction, and a ball nut 85 a fixed to the moving base 85 is screwed to the ball screw shaft 88. Is engaged. The upper hot plate 82 is positioned at an upper position of the lower hot plate 81 when the moving table 85 is guided by the guide rail 84 by the rotation of the ball screw shaft 88 and moved by a predetermined amount in the X direction. In this state, the upper hot plate 82 is guided by the guide rail 86 and lowered by a lifting device (not shown), whereby the solar cell 11 and the interconnector 12 are interposed between the lower hot plate 81 and the upper hot plate 82. Apply heat and crimp.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of (two) rows of interconnectors 12 (12a) having a predetermined length supplied from the first connector supply unit 31A are placed on the upper surface 81a of the lower hot plate 81. And on these interconnectors 12, the solar cells 11 with the flux 72 applied on the upper and lower surfaces are mounted so that the flux 72 applied on the lower surface is in contact with the interconnector 12, and further on the upper surface of the solar cells 11. A plurality of (two) rows of interconnectors 12 having a predetermined length are mounted at positions where they contact the applied flux 72. That is, on the lower hot plate 81, the solar battery cell 11 and the interconnector 12 are superposed on the top and bottom thereof.

  In this state, the interconnector 12 and the solar cell 11 are sandwiched between the lower hot plate 81 and the upper hot plate 82 by the movement and lowering of the upper hot plate 82 in the X direction, and the interconnector 12 and the solar cell 11 are heated. The interconnector 12 is joined to the plus side electrode and the minus side electrode of the solar battery cell 11 via the flux 72 by crimping.

  On the lower surface 82a of the upper hot plate 82 of the first joining unit 33A, a guide groove 89 is formed along the Y direction at the center in the X direction. In the guide groove 89, a pressing plate 90 as a pressing member is accommodated so as to be able to protrude and retract from the lower surface 82a of the upper hot plate 82. The holding plate 90 is pressed in a direction protruding from the lower surface of the upper hot plate 82 by an urging force of a spring (not shown), and is normally held at a position protruding from the lower surface 82 a of the upper hot plate 82 by a predetermined amount.

  Thus, prior to thermocompression bonding of the solar cells 11 and the interconnector 12 by the lowering of the upper hot plate 82, the interconnector 12 is pressed by the holding plate 90 with a spring force, and the interconnector 12 and the solar cells 11 are Misalignment is suppressed.

  Moreover, even if the upper hot plate 82 rises after the solar battery cell 11 and the interconnector 12 are thermocompression bonded, the presser plate 90 acts to keep pressing the interconnector 12 by the spring force. Thus, the positional deviation between the solar battery cell 11 and the interconnector 12 is regulated until the welded flux 72 is cured. As a result, the interconnector 12 can be accurately joined to a predetermined position of the solar battery cell 11.

  In FIG. 12, reference numeral 83 denotes a duct. By sucking air around the joining units 33 </ b> A and 33 </ b> B through this duct 160, it functions as a smoke absorbing device that sucks in smoke generated during thermocompression bonding.

  The second joining unit 33B is configured similarly to the first joining unit 33A described above. The difference between the first bonding unit 33A and the second bonding unit 33B is that the solar cell 11 faces the light receiving surface downward from the first cell supply unit 32A on the lower hot plate 81 of the first bonding unit 33A. Supplied in the posture. On the other hand, the solar cell 11 is supplied to the lower hot plate 81 of the second joining unit 33B from the second cell supply unit 32B with the light receiving surface facing upward.

  The first cell transport unit 34A has a length in the X direction sufficient to simultaneously support the required number Xm or more of solar cells 11 transported from the lower hot plate 81 of the first joining unit 33A. . As shown in FIG. 15, the first cell transport unit 34 </ b> A has a pair of transport members 91 that transport the solar cells 11 to which the interconnectors 12 are joined.

  Two rows of accommodating grooves 92 that can accommodate these conveying members 91 are provided on the upper surface of the lower hot plate 81 on both sides along the X direction. The transport member 91 lifts and carries the solar cell 11 from above the lower hot plate 81 by a lift-and-carry operation by the first cell transport unit 34A, that is, a box motion of ascending a → forward b → descending c → retreat d. It is transported to the start end of one cell transport unit 34A.

  The conveying member 91 is normally held at the original position buried in the accommodation groove 92, and when the joining between the solar battery cell 11 and the interconnector 12 is finished, the transport member 91 is lifted to scoop up the solar battery cell 11. Thereafter, the forward and downward movement of the transport member 91 transports the solar cells 11 by one pitch and supports them on a fixed support base (not shown) of the first cell transport unit 34A.

  As shown in FIG. 16, a slow cooling station 95 for gradually cooling the solar cells 11 transported by one pitch from the lower hot plate 81 is provided at the start end of the first cell transport unit 34A. Yes.

  The slow cooling station 95 is composed of a plurality of slow cooling heaters 96 a, 96 b, 96 c... Arranged along the X direction at intervals of the transport pitch of the solar battery cells 11. The plurality of slow cooling heaters 96a, 96b, 96c... Are set so that the heater temperature gradually decreases so that the temperature of the solar battery cell 11 conveyed from the lower hot plate 81 is gradually decreased. Therefore, the warpage of the solar battery cell 11 is suppressed by slow cooling.

  For this purpose, the solar cells 11 transported from the lower hot plate 81 by the first cell transport unit 34A are first transported onto the first slow-cooling heater 96a set to a predetermined temperature, and then the first slow-heater 96a. The solar cell 11 heated by the hot plates 81 and 82 is lowered by a predetermined temperature by the cold heater 96a. Next, the solar battery cell 11 is transported onto the second slow cooling heater 96b set lower than the first slow cooling heater 96a by a certain temperature and gradually cooled, and further from the second slow cooling heater 96b. It is transported onto the third slow cooling heater 96c set lower by a certain temperature and gradually cooled.

  Thus, the temperature of the solar battery cell 11 is gradually lowered by the slow cooling station 95 composed of 3 to 5 slow cooling heaters 96a, 96b, 96c,... 11 warpage is suppressed. The slow cooling station 95 including the plurality of slow cooling heaters 96a, 96b, 96c,.

  The second cell transport unit 34B is also configured in the same manner as the first cell transport unit 34A described above. The difference is whether the solar cells 11 are transported with the light receiving surface facing downward or transported upward. Only.

  As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the first cell mounting table 101 and the transfer device 103 are arranged in parallel on both sides of the first cell transport unit 34 </ b> A. The transfer device 103 transfers the first solar cell group 110 </ b> A including the predetermined number of solar cells 11 conveyed by the first cell conveyance unit 34 </ b> A onto the first cell mounting table 101. .

  The transfer device 103 includes a moving table 112 that is movably guided by a guide rail 111 installed on the base 35 along the Y direction, and a guide rail 113 that is formed on the moving table 112 along the vertical direction. And a plurality of suction heads 116 held by holding rails 115 held on the lifting table 114 so as to be positionally adjustable in the X direction. The adsorption heads 116 are provided in a number capable of adsorbing at least a predetermined number (Xm) of the solar cells 11 constituting the first solar cell group 110A, and the upper surfaces of the solar cells 11 are placed on the adsorption heads 116. A pair of adsorbing members 116a to be adsorbed are respectively held.

  In the embodiment, an extra suction head 116 is provided by α (two) so that different types of solar battery modules 10 can be accommodated, and usually the extra suction head 116 ′ is the first solar cell group. It is retracted to a position that does not hinder the adsorption of 110A.

  The adsorbing member 116a is brought into contact with the upper surface of each solar cell 11 on the first cell transport unit 34A as the elevating table 114 is lowered, and simultaneously adsorbs each solar cell 11 by vacuum adsorption. Then, the first solar cell group 110 </ b> A adsorbed by the adsorbing member 116 a is transferred onto the first cell mounting table 101 by the ascent of the elevating table 114 and the forward movement of the moving table 112.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the second cell transport unit 34B is provided with a second cell mounting table 102 in parallel, and the reversal transfer is performed between the second cell mounting table 102 and the second cell transport unit 34B. A loading device 104 is provided. The reverse transfer device 104 moves the second solar cell group 110B composed of the required number of solar cells 11 transported by the second cell transport unit 34A upside down onto the second cell mounting table 102. It is listed.

  The reversal transfer device 104 has a reversing table 122 supported on the base 35 so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 121 parallel to the X direction, and a motor 123 that reverses the reversing table 122 by 180 degrees as a drive source. And a plurality of suction heads 126 held on the slider 125 so as to be position-adjustable in the X direction.

  The suction head 126 is provided with Xm + α similarly to the suction head 116 of the transfer device 103 described above, and the lower surfaces of the predetermined number of solar cells 11 constituting the second solar cell group 110B are provided on these suction heads 126. A pair of adsorbing members 126a that adsorb each is held.

  The adsorbing member 126a is brought into contact with the lower surface of each solar cell 11 on the second cell transport unit 34B by the slide of the slider 125, and adsorbs each solar cell 11 simultaneously by vacuum adsorption. Then, the second solar cell group 110 </ b> B adsorbed by the adsorbing member 126 a is transferred onto the second cell mounting table 102 in an inverted state by reversing the reversing table 122 by 180 degrees.

  That is, the reverse transfer device 104 transfers the second solar cell group 110 </ b> B onto the second cell mounting table 102 while being reversed to a posture in which the light receiving surface faces downward. Thereby, the light receiving surfaces of the first and second solar battery cell groups 110A and 110B transferred onto the first and second cell mounting bases 101 and 102 are aligned downward.

  A lay-up device 22 is disposed corresponding to the first and second cell mounting bases 101 and 102 of the string wiring device 21. As shown in FIG. 4, the lay-up device 22 is supplied with a cover glass 130 for arranging a required number of solar battery groups 110A and 110B in the Y-axis direction automatically or manually from the standby position P1. It has become. On the cover glass 130, the 1st and 2nd photovoltaic cell groups 110A and 110B are conveyed alternately from the 1st and 2nd cell mounting bases 101 and 102, and are laid up.

  For this purpose, the lay-up device 22 is provided with a pair of guide rails 131 extending in the Y direction over the upper positions of the first and second cell mounts 101, 102. A carry head 132 that conveys the groups 110A and 110B is supported so as to be movable in the Y direction. A lift head 133 is supported on the carry head 132 so as to be movable up and down.

  Although not shown in the figure, a holding rail is attached to the lifting platform 133, and a plurality of (Xm + α) suction heads are held on the holding rail so that the position of the suction head can be adjusted in the X direction. Yes. The adsorption head holds a pair of adsorption members that respectively adsorb the upper surfaces of a predetermined number of solar cells 11 constituting the solar cell group 110A or 110B.

  The adsorbing member is brought into contact with the upper surface of each of the solar cells 11 of the solar cell groups 110A and 110B transferred onto the first or second cell mounting bases 101 and 102 by the lowering of the lifting / lowering base 133, and vacuum Each solar cell 11 is adsorbed simultaneously by adsorption. Then, the adsorbed solar cell groups 110A and 110B are transported onto the cover glass 130 supplied to the lay-up device 22 by the raising of the elevator 133 and the movement of the carry head 132 in the Y direction. Solar cell group 110 </ b> A, 110 </ b> B is attached to cover glass 130. In this case, 110 A of 1st photovoltaic cell groups conveyed from the 1st cell mounting base 101, 2nd photovoltaic cell group 110Bg conveyed from the 2nd cell mounting base 102, and the cover glass 130 are alternately turned to a Y direction. Installed.

  When the required number of solar cell groups 110 </ b> A and 110 </ b> B are mounted in the Y direction on the cover glass 130, the cover glass 130 is transported to the matrix wiring device 23 by the transport conveyor 25.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the matrix wiring device 23 includes a bus metal supply unit (conductive member supply unit) 142 for supplying a bus metal 14 (see FIG. 1) as a conductive member wound around a bobbin 141, and a guide rail. A working robot 144 is provided that can move in the X and Y directions along 143a and 143b.

  The bus metal supply unit 142 is configured to pull out the bus metal 14 wound around the bobbin 141 in the Y direction, cut it into a predetermined length, and supply the cut bus metal 14 to a predetermined position. In the working robot 144, a carry head 145 having an adsorbing member that adsorbs the bus metal 14 cut to a predetermined length, and a process head 146 having a heater for welding the bus metal 14 are movable in the vertical direction. Is retained.

  When the cover glass 130 is conveyed from the lay-up device 22 to the predetermined position by the conveyor 25, the bus metal 14 supplied to the predetermined position by the bus metal supply unit 142 is transferred by the carry head 145 of the work robot 144. The first and second photovoltaic cell groups 110A and 110B adjacent in the Y direction are sequentially mounted between the end portions of the interconnector 12 protruding from the right end portions. Thereafter, the bus metal 14 is welded by the process head 146 of the work robot 144, and the bus metal 14 and the interconnector 12 are electrically connected.

  When the matrix wiring at the right end of the solar cell groups 110A and 110B is completed, the cover glass 130 is transported by a predetermined amount by the transport conveyor 25, and in this state, the second and first solar cells that are next to each other in the Y direction. In the same manner as described above, the bus metal 14 is sequentially mounted between the end portions of the interconnector 12 protruding from the left end portions of the groups 110B and 110A, and the bus metal 14 is welded. Are electrically connected. As a result, all of the matrix Xm × Yn solar cells 11 are electrically connected in series.

  In this case, an interconnector may be used in place of the bus metal 14, and the interconnector may be joined to the interconnector 12 described above via a flux.

  Next, a method of stringing the solar cells 11 based on the above-described embodiment and a method of manufacturing the solar cell module 10 by combining the stringed solar cell groups 110A and 110B will be described.

  First, the in-situ state shown in FIG. 6A in which the tip end portion of the interconnector 12 pulled out from each bobbin 41 of the first and second connector supply units 31A and 31B is clamped by the first clamper 51. , The second ball screw shaft 48 is rotated by a predetermined amount by the second motor 49, the first clamper 51 is moved to the front position, as shown in FIG. 6B, and the interconnector 12 is moved to the predetermined position. Pull out until. In this state, the cutter 43 is lowered to cut the interconnector 12 to a predetermined length.

  Subsequently, the first motor 46 rotates the first ball screw shaft 47 by a predetermined amount, and the first clamper 51 together with the moving guide 50 is integrated with the moving table 45 as shown in FIG. Move. As a result, the first clamper 51 is moved onto the lower hot plate 81, and the interconnector 12 having a predetermined length clamped thereto is supplied onto the solar cells 11 placed on the lower hot plate 81. . On the other hand, the second clamper 52 is unclamped and retracted by a certain amount.

  Subsequently, the second clamper 52 is moved forward in a state where the interconnector 12 is clamped, and the interconnector 12 is pulled out to the front position of the cutter 43 (see FIG. 6D). After being unclamped, the first clamper 51 is returned to the original position together with the moving table 45 by the first and second motors 46 and 49 (see FIG. 6A).

  In this case, the interconnector 12 has a short length to be joined to the solar cells 11 positioned at both ends of the solar cell groups 110A and 110B and a long length to join the adjacent solar cells 11 to each other. And cut into two types. That is, when the interconnector 12 is joined to the first solar battery cell 11 of the solar battery cell group 110A, 110B, first, the short interconnector 12 is connected to the eleventh and second joint units 33A, 33B. Two rows are supplied to a predetermined position on each lower hot plate 81.

  Next, while the first solar cell 11 with the light receiving surface facing downward from the first cell supply unit 32A is supplied to the first joining unit 33A, the flux 72 is applied to the upper and lower surfaces by the dispensers 73a and 73b. (See FIG. 9). The application state of the flux 72 applied to the solar battery cell 11 is picked up by the inspection cameras 151 and 152 and subjected to image processing by the image processing device 153. Then, the application condition is corrected based on the result of the image processing.

  The solar battery cells 11 having the upper and lower surfaces coated with the flux 72 are supplied onto the interconnector 12 on the lower hot plate 81 of the first joining unit 33A. Similarly, the first solar cell 11 with the light receiving surface facing upward from the second cell supply unit 32B is coated with flux 72 on the upper and lower surfaces, and then on the lower hot plate 81 of the second joining unit 33B. Is mounted on the interconnector 12.

  Thereafter, the first half of the interconnector 12 having a long length is supplied to the solar battery cell 11 with the light receiving surface facing downward and the solar battery cell 11 with the light receiving surface facing upward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14 (A), the solar cells 11 and the interconnectors 12 are placed in a superposed state on the lower hot plates 81 of the first and second joining units 33A and 33B. The

  Subsequently, the interconnector 12 and the solar battery cell 11 are sandwiched between the lower hot plate 81 and the upper hot plate 82 by moving and lowering the upper hot plate 82 in the X direction, while heating the interconnector 12 and the solar battery cell 11. The interconnector 12 is joined to the plus side electrode and the minus side electrode of the solar battery cell 11 via the flux 72 by pressure bonding.

  At this time, as the upper hot plate 82 descends, the holding plate 90 shown in FIG. 13 presses the interconnector 12 on the solar battery cell 11 from above with a spring force, so that the interconnector 12 and the solar battery superposed with each other are stacked. The positional deviation of the cell 11 can be suppressed.

  Thereafter, each upper hot plate 82 is raised, moved by a predetermined amount in the X direction, and retracted from the lower hot plate 81. As a result, the interconnector 12 is joined to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell 11 via the flux 72.

  At this time, the presser plate 90 continues to press the interconnector 12 by the spring force even when the upper hot plate 82 rises, so that the position of the solar battery cell 11 and the interconnector 12 is maintained while the welded flux 72 is cured. Deviation can be regulated.

  The solar cells 11 to which the interconnector 12 is joined are scooped up by the transport member 91 by the lift and carry operation by the first and second cell transport units 34A and 34B, and transported one pitch at a time. As a result, the first solar battery cell 11 is conveyed from the lower hot plate 81 onto the first slow cooling heater 96a and gradually cooled. By this one-pitch conveyance, the latter half of the interconnector 12 joined to the upper surface of the solar battery cell 11 is positioned on the lower hot plate 81.

  Next, the second solar cell 11 from the first and second cell supply units 32A and 32B is supplied onto the lower hot plate 81 with the flux 72 applied in the same manner as described above. It is placed on the second half of the interconnector 12 positioned on 81.

  Thereafter, the interconnector 12 having a longer length is supplied onto the lower hot plate 81 in the same manner as described above from the first and second connector supply units 31A and 31B, and the front half of the interconnector 12 is on the solar battery cell 11. (See FIG. 14B). In this state, the upper hot plate 82 is operated, and the interconnector 12 is joined to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell 11 via the flux 72.

  Thereafter, the first solar battery cell 11 is simultaneously transported from the first slow cooling heater 96a to the second slow cooling heater 96b by the lift and carry operation by the first and second cell transport units 34A and 34B. The second solar battery cell 11 is conveyed from the lower hot plate 81 to the first slow cooling heater 96a.

  By repeating such an operation, the solar cells 11 to which the interconnector 12 is joined are sequentially transported one pitch at a time by the first and second cell transport units 34A and 34B. As a result, the first and second solar battery cell groups 110A and 110B including the predetermined number of solar battery cells 11 are transported on the first and second cell transport units 34A and 34B.

  In this way, the first and second solar battery cell groups 110A and 110B are manufactured by the same connection process (see FIG. 14) in which the interconnector 12, the solar battery cell 11, and the interconnector 12 are sequentially stacked from the lower side. Therefore, the string wiring operation of the solar battery cell groups 110A and 110B can be easily performed.

  The interconnector joined to the last photovoltaic cell 11 of the first and second photovoltaic cell groups 110A and 110B is also used with a short length, and the first joining unit 33A makes the length of the interconnector. The short interconnector 12a is joined to the back surface (upper surface) side of the solar cell 11, and the short interconnector 12a is joined to the light receiving surface (upper surface) side of the solar cell 11 by the second joining unit 33B. The

  When the solar battery cell groups 110A and 110B including the required number of solar battery cells 11 are transported on the first and second cell transport units 34A and 34B, respectively, they are transferred to the first and second joining units 33A and 33B. In order to manufacture the next solar cell group 110A, 110B, the short interconnector 12 is supplied again, the first solar cell 11 is supplied, and the above-described operation is repeated.

  Thus, when the last solar cell 11 of the solar cell groups 110A and 110B transported on the first and second cell transport units 34A and 34B passes through the slow cooling station 95, the transfer device 103 is transferred. The plurality of adsorption heads 116 adsorb the upper surfaces of the respective solar cells 11 of the first solar cell group 110A on the first cell transport unit 34A, and receive light without changing the posture by the transfer device 103. The surface is transferred onto the first cell mounting base 101 with the surface (minus side electrode) facing downward. That is, in the first solar cell group 110A, a short interconnector 12a joined to the negative electrode of the first solar cell 11 is disposed below the solar cell 11 as shown in FIG. In the state where it is located, it is transferred onto the first cell mounting table 101.

  Similarly, the lower surfaces of the respective solar cells 11 of the second solar cell group 110B on the second cell transport unit 34B are adsorbed by the plurality of suction pads 127 of the reverse transfer device 104, respectively. The second solar cell group 110B is turned upside down by the 180-degree reversing operation, and is transferred onto the second cell mounting table 102 with the light receiving surface (minus side electrode) facing downward. That is, in the second solar cell group 110B, the short interconnector 12a joined to the positive side electrode of the first solar cell 11 is positioned above the solar cell 11 as shown in FIG. In this state, the sample is transferred onto the second cell mounting table 102.

  As a result, the first and second solar cell groups 110A and 110B transferred to the first and second cell mounts 101 and 102, respectively, have the light receiving surfaces aligned downward, but the orientations are aligned. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first and second solar battery cell groups 110 </ b> A and 110 </ b> B have different connection structures of the interconnector 12 to the solar battery cells 11.

  Thus, the 1st and 2nd photovoltaic cell group 110A, 110B conveyed on 1st and 2nd cell conveyance unit 34A, 34B is 1st by the transfer apparatus 103 and the reverse transfer apparatus 104. And it is carried out to the 2nd cell mounting base 101,102. As a result, unnecessary solar cells 11 are not retained on the first and second cell transport units 34A and 34B, the above-described joining work and transport work can be continued, and the string wiring work is efficiently performed. Will be able to do it.

  On the other hand, a cover glass 130 for arranging a required number of two types of solar cell groups 110A and 110B alternately in the Y-axis direction is supplied automatically or manually to the layup position of the layup device 22. Solar cell groups 110 </ b> A and 110 </ b> B are alternately conveyed from the first and second cell mounting bases 101 and 102 by the carry head 132 onto the cover glass 130.

  That is, the first solar cell group 110 </ b> A is attached to the first row of the cover glass 130 from the first cell mounting base 101, and the second row of the second glass mounting base 102 is attached to the second row of the cover glass 130. The solar battery cell group 110B is mounted. Hereinafter, the first solar cell group 110A is attached to the odd-numbered rows of the cover glass 130, and the second solar cell group 110B is attached to the even-numbered rows, and the required number of solar cells in the Y-axis direction. Cell groups 110A and 110B are arranged. Thereby, the short interconnector 12a joined to the negative electrode of the solar battery cell 11 and the positive side of the solar battery cell 11 are connected to both ends of the solar battery cell groups 110A and 110B adjacent to each other in the Y-axis direction. The short interconnectors 12a joined to the electrodes are alternately arranged in the Y-axis direction.

  When solar cell groups 110A and 110B made up of Xm solar cells 11 string-connected in the Y direction on the cover glass 130 are mounted in Yn rows, the cover glass 130 is transferred from the layup device 22 by the conveyor 25. It is conveyed to the matrix wiring device 23.

  When the front end portion (the right end portion in FIG. 4) of the cover glass 130 is transported into the matrix wiring device 23, the interconnector 12a connected to the negative electrode protruding from the right end of the solar cell group 110A in the first row; A bus metal 14 cut to a predetermined length is mounted between the interconnector 12a connected to the positive electrode protruding from the right end of the solar cell group 110B in the second row.

  The bus metal 14 is pulled out from the bobbin 141 of the bus metal supply unit 142 of the matrix wiring device 23 in the Y direction, cut to a predetermined length, and sucked and held by a suction head attached to the carry head 145 of the work robot 144. And mounted between the interconnectors 12a.

  Similarly, the bus metal 14 is connected between the interconnectors 12a protruding from the right ends of the third and fourth row solar cell groups 110A and 110B, and between the fifth and sixth row solar cell groups 110A. , 110B are respectively mounted between the interconnectors 12a protruding from the right ends of the 110B.

  In this state, the process head 146 with a built-in heater is used to heat and bond the connecting portion between the bus metal 14 and the interconnector 12 so that the bus metal 14 is melted and joined to the negative electrode 12a. The interconnector 12a joined to the plus side electrode is electrically connected via the bus metal 14.

  Subsequently, when the cover glass 130 is conveyed by a predetermined amount in the X direction and the rear end portion (left end portion in FIG. 4) of the cover glass 130 is conveyed into the matrix wiring device 23, two rows are formed in the same manner as described above. Interconnector 12a connected to the negative electrode protruding from the left end of the fourth (fourth row) solar cell group 110B and the positive side protruding from the left end of the third row (fifth row) solar cell group 110A Between the interconnector 12a connected to the electrode, a bus metal 14 cut to a predetermined length is mounted. The bus metal 14 is welded by the process head 146, whereby the interconnector 12 a joined to the minus electrode and the interconnector 12 a joined to the plus electrode are electrically connected via the bus metal 14. .

  In this way, all the solar cells 11 of Xm × Yn are electrically connected in series via the interconnector 12 and the bus metal 14, and the solar cell module 10 is manufactured. Then, the said solar cell module 10 is carried out to the carry-out conveyor 26, and is conveyed by the following process. Then, in the next step, a resin such as EVA is sealed on the solar battery cell 11 and a back sheet is mounted, and the periphery is hermetically covered with an aluminum frame to be a finished product.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the bonding material application devices (dispensers) 73 a and 73 b that apply the bonding material (flux) 72 to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell 11, and the bonding applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell 11. Inspection cameras 151 and 152 that image the material 72, an image processing device 153 that performs image processing on image information captured by the inspection cameras 151 and 152, and a bonding material application device based on the results of image processing performed by the image processing device 153 A correction control device 154 for correcting the bonding material application condition by 73a and 73b is provided.

  With this configuration, it becomes possible to apply the bonding material 72 to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell 11 when supplying the solar battery cell 11, and based on the application state of the bonding material 72 imaged by the inspection cameras 151 and 152, Since the application start position, end position, and the like of the bonding material 72 are measured, it is possible to quickly and accurately determine the application conditions that have been relied on manually.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the bonding material application devices 73a and 73b include the plurality of supply nozzles 73a1 and 73b1 that simultaneously apply the plurality of rows of the bonding material 72 to the solar battery cell 11, and the supply nozzles 73a1 and 73b1 are provided. Since the bonding material 72 having a predetermined length is applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell 11 by being moved relative to the solar battery cell 11, a plurality of rows of the bonding materials 72 are applied to the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell. It can be easily applied.

  According to the above-described embodiment, since the bonding material application conditions are the bonding material application start position and the bonding material application end position, by feeding back the application state of the bonding material 72 imaged by the inspection cameras 151 and 152, The bonding material application start position and end position can be properly maintained.

  According to the above-described embodiment, since the bonding material application conditions are the bonding material application start position, the bonding material application end position, and the bonding material application amount, the application state of the bonding material 72 imaged by the inspection cameras 151 and 152 is determined. By performing the feedback, the bonding material application start position, the end position, and the bonding material application amount can be appropriately maintained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the bonding material (flux) 72 is applied in two rows on the upper and lower surfaces of the solar battery cell 11 has been described. It is applicable, and the application conditions may be at least the bonding material application start position and the bonding material application end position.

  In the above-described embodiment, the solar battery cell 11 to which the bonding material 72 is applied and the plurality of conductive members (interconnectors) 12 are thermocompression bonded between the lower hot plate 81 and the upper hot plate 82. However, it is also possible to attach a heater to a robot that can move in a three-dimensional direction.

  Thus, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments, and can take various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

  The flux application condition correction device according to the present invention is suitable for use in a solar cell module in which adjacent solar cells are electrically joined via a conductive member.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Solar cell module, 11 (11A, 11B) ... Solar cell, 12, 14 ... Conductive member (interconnector, bus metal), 21 ... String wiring apparatus, 31A, 31B ... Conductive member supply unit, 32A, 32B ... Cell supply unit, 33A, 33B ... joining unit, 34A, 34B ... cell transport unit, 72 ... joining material (flux), 73a, 73b ... joining material applicator (dispenser), 151, 152 ... inspection camera, 153 ... image processing Devices, 154... Correction control device.

Claims (4)

A string wiring device for electrically connecting a plus side electrode and a minus side electrode of adjacent solar cells via a conductive member ,
A cell delivery station for delivering the solar cells, a joining material application device for applying a joining material to the surface of the solar cells, and a joining material applied to the surface of the solar cells installed in the cell delivery station. A cell supply unit comprising: an inspection camera for imaging ;
An image processing device for image processing the image information captured by the inspection camera,
A correction control device for correcting the bonding material application condition by the bonding material application device based on the result of image processing by the image processing device ;
A joining unit for joining the conductive member to the solar battery cell;
A working robot for transporting the solar battery cell in which the application state of the bonding material is inspected from the cell delivery station to the bonding unit;
A string wiring device comprising: 2. The bonding material application apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of bonding material supply nozzles that simultaneously apply a plurality of rows of bonding materials to the solar cells, wherein the bonding material supply nozzles are relative to the solar cells. A string wiring device in which a bonding material having a predetermined length is applied to the surface of the solar battery cell by being moved. 3. The string wiring device according to claim 1, wherein the bonding material application conditions are a bonding material application start position and a bonding material application end position. 4. The string wiring device according to claim 3, wherein a bonding material application amount is added to the bonding material application condition.

Images