KR101036839B1 - Over head jig and apparatus for manufacturing of solar cell string - Google Patents

Abstract

An overhead jig and a solar cell string manufacturing apparatus using the same are disclosed. The overhead jig of the present invention, the jig main body; A plurality of frames coupled in a longitudinal direction to the jig main body and spaced apart from each other in an inner region of the jig main body; A plurality of pressure plates coupled to the plurality of frames in a horizontal direction between the plurality of frames and disposed to be spaced apart from each other; And an elastic body provided in the frame and applying an elastic force to the pressing plate so that the pressing plate maintains contact with the unit ribbon. According to the present invention, by stably and firmly fixing the unit ribbon to the solar cell wafer in the bonding process of the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon, it is possible to reduce the process error and improve the bonding performance of the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon.

Solar cell, wafer, ribbon, strip, jig

Description

OVERHEAD JIG AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING OF SOLAR CELL STRING}

The present invention relates to an overhead jig and an apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell string using the same, and more particularly, an overhead jig for stably and firmly fixing a unit ribbon to a solar cell wafer, and reducing overall tact time and productivity. It relates to a solar cell string manufacturing apparatus that can improve the.

Photovoltaic power generation is a technology that converts solar energy without pollution into direct electric energy. The basic principle of solar power generation is as follows. When solar light is irradiated to a solar cell composed of semiconductor PN junctions, electron and hole pairs are generated by light energy, and electrons and holes are moved to move the current across the n and p layers. The electromotive force is generated by the current flows to the load connected to the outside.

Such solar cells are commercialized as solar cell modules made of materials and structures that are resistant to climate and are connected in series or in parallel with the required unit capacity.

In addition, the solar cell module is implemented by forming a plurality of solar cell strings (solar cell strig) spaced apart by a predetermined width. Here, the solar cell string is manufactured by interconnecting a plurality of solar cell wafers in a strip of ribbon form. The strip is an electrically conductive material, and the plurality of solar cell wafers are electrically connected to each other through the strip. At this time, the solar cell wafer and the strip are bonded by laser welding or the like.

In recent years, as the demand for solar cell modules soars, there is a demand for a method for reducing overall tact time and improving productivity in a device for manufacturing a solar cell string constituting a solar cell module.

Meanwhile, an overhead jig for tightly fixing the strip to the solar cell wafer is used in the process of bonding the strip in the form of ribbon to the solar cell wafer. The overhead jig prevents the strip from deviating from the predetermined position on the solar cell wafer, and serves to improve the bonding performance of the solar cell wafer and the strip by bringing the strip into close contact with the surface of the solar cell wafer.

However, the conventional overhead jig has a problem in that the strip cannot be stably adhered to the solar cell wafer due to processing tolerances and assembly tolerances of the components, and deformation due to use. That is, in the conventional overhead jig, the parts to be stably contacted with the strip may not come into contact with the strip, in whole or in part, due to machining tolerances and assembly tolerances of the components, and deformation due to use. As such, when the strip is not stably fixed to the solar cell wafer in the bonding process of the solar cell wafer and the strip, the generation of a process error increases and a problem that the bonding performance of the solar cell wafer and the strip decreases.

An object of the present invention is to provide an overhead jig that can stably fix a unit ribbon to a solar cell wafer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell string manufacturing apparatus that can simplify the system configuration to reduce overall tact time and improve productivity.

According to the present invention, the object is an overhead jig for tightly fixing the unit ribbon to the solar cell wafer in the process of bonding the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon to produce a solar cell string, jig body; A plurality of frames coupled to the jig main body in a longitudinal direction in the inner region of the jig main body and spaced apart from each other; A plurality of pressure plates coupled to the plurality of frames in a horizontal direction between the plurality of frames and spaced apart from each other; And an elastic body provided in the frame, the elastic plate providing an elastic force to the pressure plate so that the pressure plate maintains contact with the unit ribbon.

Here, the pressing plate, when the unit ribbon is tightly fixed to the solar cell wafer may be formed convex toward the unit ribbon toward the lower end of the unit ribbon.

A contact ball may be provided at a lower end portion of the pressing plate at each position where the unit ribbon contacts the unit ribbon when the unit ribbon is closely fixed to the solar cell wafer.

At least one contact roller may be provided at a lower end portion of the pressing plate at a position in contact with the unit ribbon when the unit ribbon is tightly fixed to the solar cell wafer.

The overhead jig may further include a tension adjusting part provided inside the frame and adjusting the tension of the elastic body.

The tension control unit, the operation block for transmitting the elastic force by the elastic body to the end of the pressing plate; And a tension adjusting bolt fastened through the operation block to adjust a distance between an upper surface of the operation block and an inner upper surface of the frame, wherein the elastic body includes an upper surface of the control block and an inner side of the frame. It may be interposed between the top surfaces.

The plurality of frames may include a first frame and a second frame, and the plurality of pressing plates may be disposed between the first frame and the second frame.

The plurality of frames includes a first frame, a second frame, and a third frame, wherein the second frame is disposed between the first frame and the third frame, and the plurality of pressing plates is the first frame. A plurality of first pressing plates disposed between the frame and the second frame; And a plurality of second pressing plates disposed between the second frame and the third frame.

The second frame may be coupled to the jig main body to be movable in a horizontal direction.

The separation distance between the second frame and the third frame may be substantially twice the separation distance between the first frame and the second frame.

The elastic body may be a coil spring, the pressure plate may be made of stainless, and the jig body and the frame may be made of aluminum.

Another object is, according to the present invention, a solar cell wafer supply unit for supplying a solar cell wafer; A ribbon supply unit for cutting the ribbon supplied to the continuous line into unit ribbons having a predetermined length; A main conveyor unit providing a work line for bonding the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon; A pickup unit which picks up the solar cell wafer and transfers it to the main conveyor unit; A ribbon and jig pick-up unit for picking up the unit ribbon and the overhead jig and transferring the unit ribbon and the overhead jig to the main conveyor unit; And a bonding unit provided at one region of the main conveyor unit to bond the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon.

Here, the ribbon and jig pickup unit, the pickup body; A ribbon pickup unit coupled to the pickup body to absorb the unit ribbon; And a jig pick-up part coupled to the pick-up body and holding the overhead jig.

The ribbon pick-up unit may include: a first ribbon pick-up unit configured to absorb a portion overlapping with the overhead jig of the unit ribbon and to be divided into a plurality of parts so as not to interfere with the overhead jig; And a second ribbon pickup unit configured to absorb a portion of the unit ribbon not overlapped with the overhead jig.

The solar cell string manufacturing apparatus further includes a buffer stage disposed between the solar cell wafer supply unit and the main conveyor unit, wherein the pickup unit picks up the solar cell wafer from the solar cell wafer supply unit and A first pick-up unit for transferring to the buffer stage; And a second pickup unit which picks up the solar cell wafer seated on the buffer stage and transfers the solar cell wafer to the main conveyor unit, wherein the second pickup unit applies flux to the solar cell wafer and covers the solar cell wafer. You can pick up.

The second pickup unit, the second pickup body; A second wafer pickup unit coupled to the pickup body to absorb the solar cell wafer; And a top flux applicator coupled to the second pickup body to apply flux to the top surface of the solar cell wafer.

The solar cell string manufacturing apparatus may further include a lower surface flux applicator provided between the buffer stage and the main conveyor unit to apply flux to the lower surface of the solar cell wafer being transferred by the second pickup unit. .

The ribbon supply unit, a plurality of ribbon pulleys; A ribbon gripping portion which grasps and pulls the ribbon loosened from the ribbon pulley; A backup plate provided to be movable in a vertical direction from a lower side of the ribbon gripping portion, and supporting a ribbon drawn out by the ribbon gripping portion; And a ribbon cutting part cutting the ribbon drawn out by the ribbon holding part.

The backup plate may include a plurality of unit backup plates that are divided into each other, and the plurality of unit backup plates may move in a vertical direction so that the plurality of unit backup plates do not interfere with the ribbon holding part whose position varies depending on the length of the drawn ribbon. It may be provided to be driven separately.

The backup plate may include a plurality of ribbon suction holes for preventing a change in the position of the ribbon cut by the ribbon cutting unit.

The solar cell wafer supply unit includes a plurality of magazines in which solar cell wafers are stacked and received; And a magazine supply conveyor that sequentially transfers the plurality of magazines to a position at which the solar cell wafers are picked up.

The magazine feed conveyor includes: a first feed conveyor; A second supply conveyor disposed transversely from the first supply conveyor and having a conveying direction opposite to the conveying direction of the first feed conveyor; And a direction changer disposed between the first supply conveyor and the second supply conveyor and transferring the magazine located at the front end of the first supply conveyor to a rear end of the second supply conveyor.

The solar cell wafer supply unit is provided on the lower side of the magazine supply conveyor, the magazine recovery conveyor for transporting the magazine in which the pickup operation for the solar cell wafers is completed in a transport path opposite to the transport path of the magazine supply conveyor It may further include.

The bonding unit may include a plurality of laser beam irradiation units for irradiating a laser beam for laser welding the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon.

The present invention provides an overhead jig for stably fixing a unit ribbon to a solar cell wafer, which is caused by the unit ribbon not being stably fixed to the solar cell wafer in the bonding process of the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon. The process error can be reduced and the bonding performance of the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon can be improved.

In addition, the present invention includes a ribbon and a jig pick-up unit for simultaneously picking up the unit ribbon and the overhead jig and transporting them to the main conveyor unit, thereby simplifying the system configuration, reducing overall tact time and improving productivity.

In order to fully understand the present invention, the operational advantages of the present invention, and the objects achieved by the practice of the present invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and the contents described in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, in describing the present invention, descriptions of functions or configurations already known will be omitted to clarify the gist of the present invention.

1 is a schematic plan view of a solar cell string manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a solar cell wafer used in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a solar cell wafer and 4 is a plan view of a solar cell string manufactured by bonding unit ribbons, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for describing a bonding method of a solar cell wafer and a unit ribbon.

1 to 4, the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment may predetermine a solar cell wafer supply unit 110 and a ribbon 20 (see FIG. 9) supplied in a continuous line. A ribbon supply unit 160 for cutting into a unit ribbon 21 of length, a main conveyor unit 101 for providing a work line for joining the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon 21, and a solar cell wafer Pick-up units (120, 150) for picking up and transporting them to the main conveyor unit (10), jig supply unit (170) for supplying a plurality of overhead jigs (see FIGS. Ribbon and jig pickup unit 180 for picking up the overhead jig (200,300) supplied by the unit ribbon 21 and the jig supply unit 170 cut by the transfer to the main conveyor unit 101, and the main conveyor Solar cell wafers provided in one region of the unit 101 The bonding unit 190 which bonds the 10 and the unit ribbon 21 is included.

In addition, the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment further includes a buffer stage 131 disposed between the solar cell wafer supply unit 110 and the main conveyor unit 101. The pickup units 120 and 150 may include a first pickup unit 120 and a buffer stage 131 that pick up the solar cell wafer 10 from the solar cell wafer supply unit 110 and transfer the solar cell wafer 10 to the buffer stage 131. And a second pickup unit that picks up the solar cell wafer 10 seated on the plate and transfers the solar cell wafer 10 to the main conveyor unit 101.

On the other hand, the above components, as shown in Figure 1, is disposed on the work table 109, and is controlled by the control unit 185.

2 to 4, the solar cell string 15 is manufactured by interconnecting a plurality of solar cell wafers 10 with unit ribbons 21. That is, the plurality of solar cell wafers 10 are electrically connected to each other through the unit ribbon 21. At this time, the unit ribbon 21 is also referred to as a 'strip'.

The solar cell wafer 10 has a rectangular shape as a whole, and three joining lines 11 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the solar cell string 15 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces, respectively. The joining line 11 is a part to which the unit ribbon 21 is joined. However, in the present invention, the number of bonding lines 11 of the solar cell wafer 10 may be variously selected. In general, a solar cell wafer 10 having two bonding lines 11 and a solar cell wafer 10 having three bonding lines 11 are mainly used.

The unit ribbon 21 is provided by cutting the ribbon 20 supplied in a continuous line to a predetermined length. At this time, the ribbon 20 is made of an electrically conductive material, typically a copper material coated. In the solar cell wafer 10 used in the present embodiment, since three bonding lines 11 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, three unit ribbons 21 are disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the solar cell wafer 10. Are respectively bonded.

On the other hand, the bonding method of the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon 21 is as shown in FIG. That is, the unit ribbon 21 includes two solar cell wafers 10 adjacent to each other, and the upper surface of the solar cell wafer 10 and the lower surface of the solar cell wafer 10 behind the solar cell string 15. Connect in the longitudinal direction. However, in the present invention, the bonding method of the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon 21 may be variously selected. For example, the unit ribbon 21 connects the lower surface of the front solar cell wafer 10 and the lower surface of the rear solar cell wafer 10 in two solar cell wafers 10 adjacent to each other or adjacent to each other. Only adjacent portions of two solar cell wafers 10 may be connected in the width direction of the solar cell string 15.

5 is a perspective view of a solar cell wafer supply unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

1 and 5, the solar cell wafer supply unit 110 includes a plurality of magazines 30 in which the solar cell wafers 10 are stacked, and a plurality of magazines 30 in the solar cell wafer 10. The magazine supply conveyor 111 which sequentially transfers to the position to which they are picked up, and the magazine collection conveyor 115 provided in the lower side of the magazine 30 supply Kenvey are included.

The magazine 30 includes a rectangular frame-shaped support plate and eight vertical bars arranged upright at predetermined intervals along the edge of the support plate. The solar cell wafers 10 are stacked in a space defined by eight vertical bars. However, in the present invention, the structure and shape of the magazine 30 may be variously selected. Meanwhile, the magazine 30 in which the solar cell wafers 10 are stacked is accommodated by an operator at a position opposite to the position where the solar cell wafers 10 are picked up.

The magazine supply conveyor 111 includes the 1st supply conveyor 112, the 2nd supply conveyor 114, and the direction change part 113. As shown in FIG. At this time, the position where the magazine 30 in which the solar cell wafers 10 are stacked is placed is the rear end of the first supply conveyor 112 based on the transfer direction, and the position where the solar cell wafers 10 are picked up is the transfer direction. It is the tip of the second supply conveyor 114 on the basis of.

The first feed conveyor 112 and the second feed conveyor 114 are disposed substantially parallel. That is, the second supply conveyor 114 is spaced apart from the first supply conveyor 112 in the lateral direction. The second feed conveyor 114 has a conveying direction opposite to the conveying direction of the first feed conveyor 112. On the other hand, the first supply conveyor 112 and the second supply conveyor 114 use servo motors 112a and 114a as drive means.

The turning part 113 is disposed between the first supply conveyor 112 and the second supply conveyor 114. The turning unit 113 transfers the magazine 30 located at the front end of the first supply conveyor 112 to the rear end of the second supply conveyor 114. The turning part 113 is driven by an air cylinder (not shown). However, the driving means of the direction switching unit 113 in the present invention is not limited to the air cylinder can be variously selected.

The magazine recovery conveyor 115 is provided on the lower side of the magazine supply conveyor 111 to complete the pickup operation for the solar cell wafers 10, that is, the empty magazine 30 of the magazine supply conveyor 111. Transfer to the position corresponding to the rear end of the first supply conveyor 112. At this time, the magazine 30 located in the magazine supply conveyor 111 is transferred to the magazine recovery conveyor 115 by a lifter (not shown).

The magazine 30 transferred by the magazine collection conveyor 115 is recovered by an operator. The magazine recovery conveyor 115 only has a transport path opposite to the transport path of the magazine supply conveyor 111, and since the magazine recovery conveyor 115 is substantially the same as the magazine supply conveyor 111, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As such, in the solar cell wafer supply unit 110 according to the present embodiment, since the magazine supply conveyor 111 and the magazine recovery conveyor 115 have a 'c'-shaped transport path as a whole, the prior art having one linear transport path. By reducing the foot print, space utilization and work efficiency can be improved.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a first pickup unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second pickup unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 8 is an aspect of FIG. 1. In a battery string manufacturing apparatus, it is a perspective view of a flux application part.

1 and 6, the first pick-up unit 120 is coupled to the first pick-up body 121 and the first pick-up body 121 to pick up a first wafer picking up the solar cell wafer 10. The unit 122, the Y-axis drive unit 124 for moving the first pickup body 121 in the Y-axis direction (front and rear direction), and the first pickup body 121 for moving the X-axis direction (left and right directions) The X-axis drive part 126 and the Z-axis drive part 128 which move the 1st pick-up body 121 to Z-axis direction (up-down direction) are included. The first pickup unit 120 picks up the solar cell wafer 10 from the solar cell wafer supply unit 110 and transfers the solar cell wafer 10 to the buffer stage 131 disposed in front of the solar cell wafer supply unit 110. In detail, the first pickup unit 120 picks up the solar cell wafers 10 stacked in the magazine 30 located on the second supply conveyor 114 one by one and transfers them to the buffer stage 131.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the first wafer pickup unit 122 includes four suction cylinders 122b coupled to the square suspension plate 122a. Four adsorption cylinders 122b are connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) to vacuum-adsorb the solar cell wafer 10 by vacuum pressure. Four adsorption cylinders 122b are arranged in a square shape to vacuum-adsorb four corner portions of the solar cell wafer 10. However, in the present invention, the adsorption structure and shape of the first wafer pickup unit 122 may be variously selected.

The Y-axis driver 124 transfers the first pickup body 121 to a position corresponding to the buffer stage 131 along the main guide rail 125 disposed in the Y-axis direction. The X-axis driving unit 126 transfers the first pickup body 121 to the left and right directions along the sub guide rail 127 disposed in the X-axis direction. The Z axis driver 128 picks up the solar cell wafer 10 from the solar cell wafer supply unit 110 by the first wafer pick-up unit 122 or seats the picked-up solar cell wafer 10 on the buffer stage 131. The first pickup body 121 is transferred in the vertical direction so as to be vertical. At this time, each driving unit 124, 126, 128 of the first pickup unit 120 is implemented by a linear motor method. However, in the present invention, the driving method of each driving unit 124, 126, 128 of the first pickup unit 120 is not limited to the linear motor method but may be variously selected.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the buffer stage 131 is disposed between the solar cell wafer supply unit 110 and the main conveyor unit 101. The buffer stage 131 has a flat upper surface having a rectangular cross-sectional shape so that the solar cell wafer 10 can be stably seated. The buffer stage 131 provides a region in which the solar cell wafer 10 picked up by the first pickup unit 120 is seated.

Referring to FIG. 1, the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment further includes a vision inspection unit 133 disposed between the solar cell wafer supply unit 110 and the buffer stage 131. The vision inspection unit 133 performs a vision inspection on the solar cell wafer 10 in the process of transferring the solar cell wafer 10 to the buffer steep by the first pickup unit 120 using the vision camera. Specifically, the vision inspection unit 133 checks whether the solar cell wafer 10 is damaged and the position information. Accordingly, the first pickup unit 120 is based on the position information checked by the vision inspection unit 133 to accurately seat the solar cell wafer 10 at the predetermined position of the buffer stage 131 (the solar cell wafer ( 10) can be aligned. At this time, the alignment of the solar cell wafer 10 is achieved by the X-axis driving unit 126 of the first pickup unit 120. As such, the first pick-up unit 120 performing the alignment operation to accurately seat the solar cell wafer 10 at a predetermined position of the buffer stage 131 is to improve the accuracy in the flux coating operation to be described later. to be.

In addition, when the first pickup unit 120 determines that the solar cell wafer 10 is damaged by the vision inspection unit 133, the vision inspection unit does not transfer the solar cell wafer 10 to the buffer stage 131. The wafer is transferred to the defective wafer recovery unit 135 disposed adjacent thereto. At this time, the transfer of the damaged solar cell wafer 10 to the defective wafer recovery unit 135 is achieved by the X-axis driving unit 126 of the first pickup unit 120.

1 and 7, the second pickup unit 150 is coupled to the second pickup body 151 and the second pickup body 151 to pick up the second wafer picking up the solar cell wafer 10. A portion 152 and an upper flux applying portion 156 coupled to the second pickup body 151 at the rear of the second wafer pickup portion 152 to apply flux to the upper surface of the solar cell wafer 10. . At this time, the second pickup body 151 is coupled to the main guide rail 125 disposed in the Y-axis direction and moved in the Y-axis direction by the driving unit 155 of the linear motor method. The second pickup unit 150 picks up the solar cell wafer 10 seated on the buffer stage 131 and transfers it to the main conveyor unit 101, and at the same time, the solar cell wafer 10 seated on the buffer stage 131. The flux is applied to the top of). Here, the flux is a liquid-type vaporizing material having high liquidity to improve bonding when bonding the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon 21 in the bonding unit 190.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the second pickup body 151 includes a horizontal portion 151a and a vertical portion 151b and has a cross-sectional shape of the letter 'A' as a whole. The horizontal portion 151a of the second pickup body 151 is coupled to the main guide rail 125, and the second wafer pickup portion 152 and the top flux are applied to the vertical portion 151b of the second pickup body 151. Part 156 is coupled.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the second wafer pickup unit 152 has a bracket 153 coupled to the second pickup body 151 and an embodiment coupled to the bracket 153 and seated on the buffer stage 131. An adsorption pad 154 for vacuum adsorption of the battery wafer 10 and four vacuum tubes 154a for connecting the adsorption pad 154 and a vacuum pump (not shown) are included. In this case, the bracket 153 may allow the adsorption pad 154 to adsorb the solar cell wafer 10 seated on the buffer stage 131 or to seat the adsorbed solar cell wafer 10 on the main conveyor unit 101. It is configured to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the second pickup body 151. However, in the present invention, the structure and shape of the second wafer pickup unit 152 may be variously selected.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the upper flux applicator 156 is coupled to the second pickup body 151 and moves upward and downward on the guide rail 157a and the bracket 157 on which the guide rail 157a is formed. An application body 158 that is possibly coupled and three flux dispensers 159 that are coupled to one side of the application body 158. The three flux dispensers 159 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). In this case, the predetermined interval corresponds to the interval of the bonding line 11 formed on the upper surface of the solar cell wafer 10. The three flux dispensers 159 may also be sprayed, but the needle type is applied in consideration of the relatively narrow width of the bonding line 11 formed on the top surface of the solar cell wafer 10. However, in the present invention, the structure and shape of the top flux applicator 156 may be variously selected. For example, the number of flux dispensers 159 and the mechanism for adjusting the separation distance may be changed.

On the other hand, two flux dispensers 159 except the flux dispenser 159 located in the middle of the three flux dispensers 159 are connected to the ball screw 158a disposed in the X-axis direction. Accordingly, the separation distance between the three flux dispensers 159 can be adjusted by rotating the rotary knob 158b coupled to one end of the ball screw 158a. That is, the flux dispenser 159 located in the middle is fixed relative to the application body 158, but the two flux dispensers 159 located on the left and right sides are movable in the left and right directions by the rotation of the ball screw 158a. For example, when the rotary knob 158b is rotated in a clockwise direction, two flux dispensers 159 located on the left and right sides are separated from the flux dispenser 159 located in the middle to widen the distance between the three flux dispensers 159, On the contrary, when the rotary knob 158b is rotated counterclockwise, the two flux dispensers 159 located on the left and right sides are moved toward the flux dispenser 159 located in the middle to narrow the gap between the three flux dispensers 159.

As described above, since the separation distance between the three flux dispensers 159 is adjustable in the top flux coating unit 156 according to the present embodiment, the bonding line 11 is used depending on the type of the solar cell wafer 10 used. Even if the intervals of the different may correspond to this. On the other hand, in the case of using the solar cell wafer 10 formed with two bonding lines 11, the flux dispenser 159 located in the middle can be controlled so that the flux is not applied.

In the second pickup unit 150 having the above configuration, before the second wafer pickup unit 152 picks up the solar cell wafer 10 seated on the buffer stage 131, the top flux coating unit 156 may be formed. Flux is applied to the bonding line 11 formed on the upper surface of the solar cell seated on the buffer stage 131. That is, when the second pickup unit 150 moves toward the buffer stage 131, the bonding line 11 formed on the top surface of the solar cell wafer 10 on which the top flux applying unit 156 is seated on the buffer stage 131 is provided. Apply flux to At this time, the top flux applying unit 156 has three flux dispensers 159 are moved downward with respect to the second pickup body 151 in order to apply the flux in a more accurate position, the top surface of the solar cell wafer 10 The flux is applied to the top surface of the solar cell wafer 10 at a location adjacent to the. When the flux coating by the top flux coating unit 156 is completed, the second wafer pickup unit 152 picks up the solar cell wafer 10 seated on the buffer stage 131 and transfers it to the main conveyor unit 101. .

1 and 8, the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment further includes a lower surface flux applicator 140 disposed between the buffer stage 131 and the main conveyor unit 101. do. As shown in FIG. 8, the lower surface flux applicator 140 includes an application body 141 fixed on the work table 109 and three flux dispensers 142 coupled to one side of the application body 141. ). The three flux dispensers 142 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). Here, the predetermined interval corresponds to the interval of the bonding line 11 formed on the bottom surface of the solar cell wafer 10. The three flux dispensers 142 are spray type different from the three flux dispensers 159 of the upper flux applicator 156 described above. The lower surface flux coating unit 140 fluxes the flux to the bonding line 11 formed on the lower surface of the solar cell wafer 10 being transferred from the buffer stage 131 to the main conveyor unit 101 in the second pickup unit 150. Apply.

On the other hand, the separation distance between three flux dispensers 142 can be adjusted similarly to the three flux dispensers 159 of the upper surface flux application part 156 mentioned above. That is, the two flux dispensers 142 except for the flux dispenser 142 located in the middle of the three flux dispensers 142 are connected to the ball screw 143 disposed in the X-axis direction, and thus the three flux dispensers ( The separation distance between 142 is adjustable by rotating the rotary knob 144 coupled to one end of the ball screw 143. Therefore, the lower surface flux applicator 140 according to the present exemplary embodiment may correspond to the gap of the bonding line 11 according to the type of the solar cell wafer 10 used.

As described above, in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the first pickup unit 120 picks up the solar cell wafer 10 and transfers it to the buffer stage 131, and the second pickup unit 150. ) Is coated on the upper surface of the solar cell wafer 10 seated on the buffer stage 131 and then picked up and transferred to the main conveyor unit 101.

In the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the lower surface flux application unit 140 is disposed between the buffer stage 131 and the main conveyor unit 101, and the lower surface flux application unit 140 is disposed. Flux is applied to the lower surface of the solar cell wafer 10 being transferred from the buffer stage 131 to the main conveyor unit 101.

As a result, in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, a flux coating operation is performed on the solar cell wafer 10 in the process of transferring the solar cell wafer 10. Accordingly, in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, flux is applied to the top and bottom surfaces of the solar cell wafer 10 or the flux is applied to the ribbon 20 bonded to the solar cell wafer 10. Since a separate process for the purpose can be omitted, it is possible to reduce the overall tact time and improve productivity compared to the prior art.

9 is a plan view of a ribbon supply unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

1 and 9, the ribbon supply unit 160 includes three ribbon pulleys 161, a ribbon holding unit 169 holding and drawing the ribbon 20 unwound from the ribbon pulley 161, and A backing plate 165 supporting the ribbon 20 drawn out by the ribbon holding part 169 and a ribbon cutting part 168 cutting the ribbon 20 drawn out by the ribbon holding part 169. . The ribbon supply unit 160 cuts and supplies the ribbon 20, which is supplied in a continuous line, into a unit ribbon 21 having a predetermined length. In the present embodiment, since three ribbons 20 are simultaneously drawn out and cut from three ribbon pulleys 161, three unit ribbons 21 are supplied as one set. However, in the present invention, the number of ribbons 20 supplied by the ribbon supply unit 160 and the length of the unit ribbon 21 are not limited to the present embodiment, and the type and bonding method of the solar cell wafer 10 used. It can be variously selected according to. For example, in the case of using the solar cell wafer 10 in which two bonding lines 11 are formed, only two of the three ribbon pulleys 161 may be used to supply two unit ribbons 21 in one set. Can be.

As shown in FIG. 9, the three ribbon pulleys 161 are arranged in a line in the Z-axis direction on the drive box 162 to rotate at a predetermined rotational speed. However, FIG. 9 shows only the ribbon pulley 161 at the top because it is a plan view. The three ribbons 20 released from the three ribbon pulleys 161 are supplied to the ribbon cutting portion 168 via the plurality of tension bars 163 and the tension rollers 164. At this time, a leveler 166 is provided between the ribbon pulley 161 and the ribbon cutting portion 168, and the leveler 166 includes two pairs of upper and lower rollers 166a to be supplied to the ribbon cutting portion 168. The two ribbons 20 play a role of straightening horizontally while maintaining a constant tension.

As shown in FIG. 9, the ribbon cutting unit 168 includes a blade 168a for cutting the ribbon 20, a blade drive unit 168b for driving the blade 168a in the vertical direction, and a blade 168a. And a pedestal 168c provided at a lower side of the ribbon 20 to lift when cutting the ribbon 20 to support a portion of the ribbon 20 adjacent to the blade 168a.

As shown in FIG. 9, the ribbon gripping portion 169 includes three grippers 169a holding the three ribbons 20 and three grippers 169a along the guide rails 169b. And a gripper drive unit 169c to move in the Y-axis direction). The ribbon gripping portion 169 moves the gripper 169a forward by the gripper driving unit 169c while the gripper 169a grips the ribbon 20 supplied to the ribbon cutting portion 168 to the ribbon 20. Withdraw a predetermined length. At this time, the length of the ribbon 20 to be drawn out corresponds to the length of the unit ribbon 21 to be cut and depends on the moving distance of the gripper 169a holding the ribbon 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the backup plate 165 is divided into three unit backup plates 165a, 165b, and 165c, and is driven in a vertical direction by a plate driver (not shown). The backup plate 165 supports the ribbon 20 drawn out to a predetermined length by the ribbon gripping portion 169. In this case, a plurality of ribbon adsorption holes 167 are formed in the backup plate 165 to prevent the position change of the ribbon 20 drawn out by the ribbon gripping portion 169. That is, since the backup plate 165 vacuum-adsorbs and supports the ribbon 20 drawn out by the plurality of ribbon suction holes 167, the gripper 169a moves forward while holding the ribbon 20. The ribbon 20 is prevented from being separated from the predetermined position, and in particular, the cut ribbon 20 is prevented from being twisted toward the gripper 169a when the ribbon 20 is cut.

The three unit backup plates 165a, 165b, and 165c are individually driven in the vertical direction by plate driving units (not shown). Specifically, when the gripper 169a moves backward to grasp the ribbon 20, the three unit backup plates 165a, 165b and 165c are in the lowered position so as not to interfere with the moving gripper 169a. When the gripper 169a moves forward to grasp the ribbon 20, the unit backup plates of at least one of the three unit backup plates 165a, 165b, and 165c are lifted up. Move to to support the ribbon 20 is drawn out.

In this case, when the length of the unit ribbon 21 to be cut is relatively long and the gripper 169a is located in an area outside the front unit backup plate 165a, three unit backup plates 165a, 165b, and 165c are provided. Everyone moves to the ascending position. On the other hand, when the length of the unit ribbon 21 to be cut is relatively short and the position of the gripper 169a overlaps with the front unit backup plate 165a, the front unit backup plate does not interfere with the gripper 169a. Two unit backup plates 165b and 165c, except for 165a, move to the ascending position. Furthermore, when the position of the gripper 169a overlaps the front unit backup plate 165a and the middle unit backup plate 165b, only the rear unit backup plate 165c is raised so as not to interfere with the gripper 169a. Go to location.

As such, the ribbon supply unit 160 according to the present embodiment is divided into three unit backup plates 165a, 165b, and 165c for supporting the drawn ribbon 20 and driven separately. Even if the length of the unit ribbon 21 to be cut varies depending on the type and bonding method of the solar cell wafer 10 to be used, it may correspond to this. This is because if the backup plate 165 is integrally formed without being divided, a limitation occurs in the length of the unit ribbon 21 to be cut due to interference with the gripper 169a during the upward movement of the backup plate 165. to be. However, in the present invention, the number of divisions of the backup plate 165 is not limited to this embodiment and may be variously selected.

10 is a perspective view of an overhead jig according to an embodiment of the present invention used in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 11 is a plan view of the overhead jig of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 is an AA line of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of area B of FIG. 12, FIG. 14 is a front view and a cross-sectional view of the pressing plate in the overhead jig of FIG. 10, and FIG. 15 is according to another embodiment. Front view and cross section of a pressing plate.

Here, the overhead jig 200 is a jig for tightly fixing the unit ribbon 21 to the solar cell wafer 10 when the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon 21 are bonded on the main conveyor unit 101. to be.

10 to 13, the overhead jig 200 may be coupled to the jig main body 250 and the jig main body 250 in a vertical direction in an inner region of the jig main body 250 and spaced apart from each other. The frame 210 and the second frame 220 and the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220 in the horizontal direction and spaced apart from each other Five pressing plates 240 are provided, and a coil spring 230 as an elastic body that provides elastic force to the pressing plate 240, and a tension adjusting unit 260 for adjusting the tension of the coil spring 230.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the jig main body 250 has a square shape by combining a pair of unit plates 254 and a pair of unit bars 252 with each other. In this case, the pair of unit bars 252 is provided with a clamping portion 252a which is gripped by the jig pick-up portion 184 (FIG. 21). However, in the present invention, the jig main body 250 may be integrally formed, unlike the present exemplary embodiment in which a pair of unit plates 254 and a pair of unit bars 252 are formed to be bonded to each other.

The first frame 210 and the second frame 220 generally have a rectangular columnar shape, are disposed substantially parallel to the pair of unit bars 252, and both ends thereof are coupled to and fixed to the pair of unit plates 254. do. Meanwhile, the distance between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220_ is preferably set to correspond to the size of the solar cell wafer 10 used.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the first frame 210 includes a frame body 212 having an 'c' shaped cross section and an open upper portion of the frame body 212. Cover 214. That is, the first frame has a hollow structure in which an inner space is provided. At this time, the inner surface of the frame body 212 is formed with a slot (212a) is inserted into the end of the pressing plate 240. In addition, the through hole 214a is formed in the frame cover 214 at positions corresponding to the pressing plate 240.

The second frame 220 is disposed symmetrically with the first frame 210 and has substantially the same configuration as the first frame 210.

The pressurizing plate 240 is a part which contacts the unit ribbon 21 in order to fix the unit ribbon 21 closely with respect to the solar cell wafer 10. That is, the unit ribbon 21 is contact-pressed by the bottom surface of the pressing plate 240. The pressure plates 240 are spaced apart from each other between the first frame 210 and the second frame 220. That is, one end of the pressing plate 240 is inserted and coupled to the first frame 210 and the other end is inserted and coupled to the second frame 220.

On the other hand, the pressing plate 240, as shown in Figure 14, the bottom surface 241 in contact with the unit ribbon 21 is formed convex toward the unit ribbon, which is the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon This is to cope with thermal expansion of the unit ribbon 21 generated in the joining process of (21). That is, when the bottom surface 241 of the pressing plate 240 is convex, the unit ribbon 21 can slide in the plate surface direction, and thus the damage such as breaking of the unit ribbon 21 due to thermal expansion can be prevented. have.

In addition, FIG. 15 shows a pressurizing plate 40 different from the present embodiment, and a contact ball 41 is provided at a lower end of the pressurizing plate 40 shown in FIG. 15 at a position corresponding to the unit ribbon 21. become. The contact ball 41 is coupled to the ball engaging groove 40a formed at the lower end of the pressing plate 40. As such, when the contact ball 41 is provided at the lower end of the pressure plate 40, the unit ribbon 21 can slide more smoothly in the plate surface direction, so that the unit ribbon 21 is broken by thermal expansion as described above. It can prevent the damage of the back.

Although not shown in the accompanying drawings, the overhead jig of the present invention is provided with at least one contact roller (not shown) at a position corresponding to the unit ribbon 21 so as to correspond to thermal expansion of the unit ribbon 21. Press plates (not shown) may be selected.

Meanwhile, unlike the jig main body 250 and the frames 210 and 220 made of aluminum, the pressing plate 240 is made of a stainless material having excellent heat resistance, which is caused by the heat generated in the bonding process. 240 is to minimize the damage.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the coil spring 230 is provided in an inner space of the first frame 210 and the second frame 220. Specifically, five coil springs 230 are provided in the inner space of the first frame 210 at each position where one end of the pressing plate 240 is coupled, and each position where the other end of the pressing plate 240 is coupled to each other. Five are provided in the internal space of the two frames 220. However, in the present invention, the elastic body that imparts elastic force to the pressing plate 240 is not limited to the coil spring 230, and may be variously selected including a leaf spring (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the tension adjusting unit 260 is provided in the internal space of the first frame 210 and the second frame 220, and the position and number corresponding to the coil spring 230. Is provided. Hereinafter, the configuration and principle of the tension controller 260 will be described with reference to FIG. 13 based on the tension controller 260 provided in the inner space of the first frame 210.

The tension adjusting unit 260 includes an operation block 264 that transmits an elastic force by the coil spring 230 to an end of the pressure plate 240, and a tension adjustment bolt 262 that is fastened through the operation block 264. It includes. In this case, the coil spring 230 is interposed between the inner upper surface of the first frame 210, that is, the lower surface of the frame cover 214 and the upper surface of the operation block 264.

The operation block 264 has a hollow shape so that the tension adjusting bolt 262 is fastened through. A female thread (not shown) is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the operation block 264 to engage with a male thread (not shown) of the tension adjusting bolt 262. The upper surface of the operation block 264 is formed with a seating groove 264a in which the coil spring 230 is seated so as to prevent the coil spring 230 from being separated, and the pressing plate 240 is formed on the outer surface of the operation block 264. The coupling groove 264b into which the end of the groove is inserted is formed. The operation block 264 transmits the elastic force by the coil spring 230 to the pressure plate 240.

The tension adjusting bolt 262 is fastened through the operation block 264, and the lower end thereof is supported by the inner lower surface of the first frame 210. The upper end of the tension adjustment bolt 262 is formed with a hexagon nut groove (262a) engaging with the end of the rotary tool. The tension adjusting bolt 262 may adjust the tension of the coil spring 230 by adjusting the distance between the upper surface of the operation block 264 and the inner upper surface of the first frame 210.

For example, when the tension adjusting bolt 262 is rotated in a clockwise direction, the tension of the coil spring 230 increases because the operation block 264 engaged with the tension adjusting bolt 262 is raised and the coil spring 230 is compressed. do. On the other hand, when the tension adjustment bolt 262 is rotated counterclockwise, the tension of the coil spring 230 is reduced because the operation block 264 engaged with the tension adjustment bolt 262 is lowered and the coil spring 230 is extended. do. At this time, the operator can rotate the tension adjustment bolt 262 by inserting a rotary tool through the through hole (214a) formed in the frame cover (214).

As described above, the overhead jig 200 according to the present embodiment includes a coil spring 230 that provides an elastic force to the pressing plate 240 for contact-pressing the unit ribbon 21, thereby providing the solar cell wafer 10 with the solar cell wafer 10. The unit ribbon 21 can be stably fixed in close contact with each other. That is, in the overhead jig 200 according to the present embodiment, the pressure plate 240 elasticizes the unit ribbon 21 disposed on the solar cell wafer 10 by the coil spring 230 having a predetermined tension. By pressing, it is possible to solve the problem that the bottom surface 241 of the pressing plate 240 does not come into contact with the unit ribbon 21 in whole or in part due to machining tolerances and assembly tolerances of the contact components. Accordingly, in the overhead jig 200 according to the present exemplary embodiment, the unit ribbon 21 is not stably adhered to the solar cell wafer 10 in the bonding process of the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon 21. In this case, the process error caused by the process may be reduced, and the bonding performance of the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon 21 may be improved.

In addition, the overhead jig 200 according to the present embodiment includes a tension adjusting unit 260 that adjusts the tension of the coil spring 230, thereby adjusting the tension of the coil spring 230. With respect to the unit ribbon 21 can be adjusted to the optimum state for stably fixed. However, in the present invention, the tension adjusting unit 260 may be omitted.

16 is a perspective view of an overhead jig according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a plan view of the overhead jig of FIG. 16. 18 is a view for explaining the arrangement of the solar cell wafer, the unit ribbon and the overhead jig on the main conveyor unit.

Hereinafter, a description will be given focusing on differences from the overhead jig 200 according to the above-described embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, the overhead jig 300 may be coupled to the jig main body 350 and the jig main body 350 in a vertical direction in the inner region of the jig main body 350 and spaced apart from each other. A frame 310, a second frame 320, and a third frame 330, five first pressing plates 341 spaced apart from each other between the first frame 310 and the second frame 320, and Five second pressing plates 342 spaced apart from each other between the second frame 320 and the third frame 330. In this case, the second frame 320 is disposed between the first frame 310 and the third frame 330.

Meanwhile, the coil spring 230 and the tension adjusting unit 260 of the overhead jig 200 according to the above-described embodiment may be applied to the overhead jig 300 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the jig main body 350 has a square shape as a whole by a pair of unit plates 354 and a pair of unit bars 352. In this case, the pair of unit bars 352 is provided with a clamping portion 352a gripped by the jig pickup 184 (FIG. 21).

The first pressing plate 341 is disposed in the horizontal direction between the first frame 310 and the second frame 320 and both ends thereof are coupled to the first frame 310 and the second frame 320. The second pressing plate 342 is disposed in the horizontal direction between the second frame 320 and the third frame 330, and both ends thereof are coupled to the second frame 320 and the third frame 330. The pressing plate 341 and the second pressing plate 342 contact-press the unit ribbon 21 against the solar cell wafer 10.

Meanwhile, the separation distance d2 of the second frame 320 and the third frame is substantially twice the separation distance d1 of the first frame 310 and the second frame 320. Accordingly, the first pressing plate 341 contacts and presses one unit ribbon 21 and the second pressing plate 342 contacts and presses two unit ribbons 21 (see FIG. 18).

The overhead jig 300 having the above configuration is disposed on the main conveyor unit 101 in the form as shown in FIG. 18 with respect to the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon 21. The unit ribbon 21 is tightly fixed with respect to 10).

As such, the overhead jig 300 according to the present exemplary embodiment, unlike the overhead jig 200 according to the above-described exemplary embodiment, is a first press disposed between the first frame 310 and the second frame 320. Since the plate 341 and the second pressing plate 342 disposed between the second frame 320 and the third frame 330 can reduce the length of the pressing plate compared to the above-described embodiment, the solar cell wafer The unit ribbon 21 can be more closely fixed to the (10).

However, the structure and shape of the overhead jig in the present invention is not limited to this embodiment can be variously selected. For example, although there is a problem in that the structure is complicated, another frame (between the second frame 320 and the third frame 330) to correspond to the three bonding lines 11 formed on the solar cell wafer 10. May be additionally disposed. In addition, unlike the present exemplary embodiment, when using the solar cell wafer 10 on which the two bonding lines 11 are formed, three frames 310, 320, and 330 may be disposed to have the same separation distance from each other. In addition, by configuring the second frame 320 to be coupled to the jig main body 350 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, it is possible to adjust the mutual separation distance between the frames (310, 320, 330).

19 is a perspective view of a jig supply unit of the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, FIG. 20 is a plan view of a region where the jig supply unit and the ribbon supply unit of FIG. 19 overlap, and FIG. 21 is a solar cell string of FIG. 1. It is a perspective view of the ribbon and jig pick-up unit of a manufacturing apparatus. Hereinafter, only the overhead jig 300 illustrated in FIG. 16 is used for the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100.

1, 19 and 20, the jig supply unit 170 sequentially transfers a plurality of overhead jig 300 to the jig supply unit 170 at a position facing the ribbon supply unit 160. The jig conveyor 172 and the drive motor 174 which drives the jig conveyor 172 are included. The jig supply unit 170 supplies a plurality of overhead jig 300 for tightly fixing the unit ribbon 21 to the solar cell wafer 10 on the main conveyor unit 101.

The jig conveyor 172 is disposed such that its tip portion overlaps with the backup plate 165 above the backup plate 165 of the ribbon supply unit 160 with respect to the conveying direction. The overhead jig 300 is introduced from the rear end of the jig conveyor 172 and is transferred to the front end side. At this time, the overhead jig 300 is transferred to the position of the tip end of the jig conveyor 172, as shown in Figure 20, arranged so as to overlap with the front half of the unit ribbon 21 supported by the backup plate 165. do.

On the other hand, in the rear end region of the jig conveyor 172, a jig recovery unit 175 is provided, as shown in FIG. The jig recovery unit 175 picks up the overhead jig 300 which has been used in the main conveyor unit 101, and transfers it to the rear end of the jig conveyor 172.

Referring to FIG. 21, the ribbon and jig pickup unit 180 may include a pickup body 181, a ribbon pickup part 182 coupled to the pickup body 181 and adsorbing the unit ribbon 21, and a pickup body ( The pick-up unit 184 coupled to the 181 and gripping the overhead jig 300, and the pick-up body 181 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) to pick up the unit ribbon 21 and the overhead jig 300. Z-axis drive unit 185 for moving the unit, the picked unit ribbon 21 and the overhead jig 300 to the main conveyor unit 101 to transfer the pickup body 181 in the left and right directions (X-axis direction) X-axis drive unit 186 for moving to. At this time, the Z-axis driver 185 and the X-axis driver 186 is implemented by a linear motor method. The ribbon and jig pickup unit 180 simultaneously picks up the unit ribbon 21 and the overhead jig 300 located on the backup plate 165 of the ribbon supply unit 160 and transfers the overhead jig 300 to the main conveyor unit 101.

As shown in FIG. 21, the ribbon pickup unit 182 includes a first ribbon pickup unit 182a that sucks a portion overlapping the overhead jig 300 of the unit ribbon 21, and the unit ribbon 21. And a second ribbon pickup portion 182b for absorbing a portion that does not overlap with the overhead jig 300. At this time, the first ribbon pickup portion 182a is divided into a plurality of pieces so as not to interfere with the overhead jig 300. In the present embodiment, the first ribbon pickup portion 182a is divided into four in consideration of the shape of the overhead jig 300 of FIG. 16. The ribbon pick-up unit 182 is connected to a vacuum pump (not shown) through the vacuum tube 183 to pick up the unit ribbon 21 in such a manner as to vacuum-adsorb the unit ribbon 21 at a vacuum pressure. On the other hand, the ribbon pickup portion 182 is buffer coupled to the pickup body (181).

The jig pick-up part 184 includes a pair of clampers 184a for holding a pair of clamping parts 352a (see FIG. 16) formed on both sides of the overhead jig 300, as shown in FIG. 21. do. However, the manner in which the jig pickup unit 184 picks up the overhead jig 300 in the present invention is not limited to this embodiment and may be variously selected.

As such, in the ribbon and jig pickup unit 180 according to the present exemplary embodiment, a ribbon pickup unit 182 and a jig pickup unit 184 are provided in one pickup body 181, and the ribbon pickup unit 182 is a unit ribbon. At the same time, the jig pick-up unit 184 grips and picks up the overhead jig 300 and transfers it to the main conveyor unit 101, so that the ribbon pick-up unit and the jig pick-up unit are not shown. The overall tact time can be reduced by simplifying the system configuration rather than separately. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the ribbon pickup unit and the jig pickup unit may be provided separately.

In addition, the ribbon and jig pick-up unit 180 according to the present embodiment picks up the unit ribbon 21 and the overhead jig 300 to be mounted on the solar cell wafer 10 on the main conveyor unit 101 at substantially the same time. In this way, the unit ribbon 21 is first placed on the solar cell wafer 10 and the overhead jig 300 is seated thereon before the overhead jig 300 is seated on the solar cell wafer 10. ) Position can be prevented from being changed.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a main conveyor unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a bonding unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1.

1 and 22, the main conveyor unit 101 is disposed along the Y-axis direction in front of the lower surface flux applicator 140. The main conveyor unit 101 is a main conveyor belt 102 wound between the drive roller 104 and the driven roller 103 and having a conveying direction toward the bonding unit 180, and for driving the main conveyor belt 102. Drive motor 105. This main conveyor unit 101 provides a work line for joining the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon 21. That is, the main conveyor unit 101 transfers the solar cell wafer 10, the unit ribbon 21, and the overhead jig 300 arranged as shown in FIG. 18 toward the bonding unit 180. Specifically, the solar cell wafer 10 is transferred from the buffer stage 131 to the rear end of the main conveyor unit 101 by the second pickup unit 150, and the unit ribbon 21 and the overhead jig 300 are The ribbon and the jig pick-up unit 180 are transferred to the rear end of the main conveyor unit 101. At this time, the solar cell wafer 10, the unit ribbon 21 and the overhead jig 300, the main conveyor unit is provided on the main conveyor unit 101, the bonding unit 190 is provided in an arrangement as shown in FIG. It is conveyed toward the distal end of 101.

On the other hand, the main conveyor unit 101 is arranged at predetermined intervals along the conveying direction from the outside of the plurality of wafer adsorption holes 102b arranged at predetermined intervals along the conveying direction. It further comprises a plurality of jig adsorption holes (102a). At this time, the plurality of wafer adsorption holes 102b vacuum sucks the solar cell wafer 10 in order to prevent the position change of the solar cell wafer 10 on the main conveyor unit 101, and the plurality of jig adsorption holes 102a. The vacuum suction the rim of the overhead jig 300 to prevent the position change of the overhead jig 300 on the main conveyor unit (101). The plurality of wafer suction holes 102b and the plurality of jig suction holes 102a are connected to a vacuum pump (not shown).

As described above, the main conveyor unit 101 according to the present embodiment vacuum-adsorbs the solar cell wafer 10 and the overhead jig 300 by the plurality of wafer adsorption holes 102b and the plurality of jig adsorption holes 102a. Since it transfers in one state, the solar cell wafer 10, the unit ribbon 21, and the overhead jig 300 can be transferred more stably.

1 and 23, the bonding unit 190 is provided in the rear end region of the main conveyor unit 101. The joining unit 190 includes a bracket 196 movably coupled to the guide rail 197 in the Y-axis direction, a drive unit 195 of a linear motor method for moving the bracket 196 in the Y-axis direction, and a bracket ( The laser body 192 coupled to the 196, and three laser beam irradiation unit 191 coupled to one side of the laser body 192. That is, in the present embodiment, the bonding unit 190 bonds the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon 21 disposed on the main conveyor unit 101 by laser welding. However, the method of bonding the solar cell wafer 10 and the unit ribbon 21 in the present invention is not limited to the laser welding method may be variously selected.

The bonding unit 190 further includes a chamber 198 surrounding the laser beam irradiator 191 as shown in FIG. 1. Chamber 198 provides an area with an environment suitable for laser welding, where the interior of chamber 198 is heated to a predetermined temperature by a heater (not shown). In addition, the chamber 198 prevents harmful gas generated during laser welding from being delivered to an operator. The harmful gas generated inside the chamber 198 may include a discharge pipe (not shown) coupled to one side of the chamber 198. Through the outside.

Meanwhile, the three laser beam irradiation units 191 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the left and right directions (X-axis directions). In this case, the predetermined interval corresponds to the interval of the three bonding lines 11 formed on the solar cell wafer 10. The three laser beam irradiation units 191 are connected to three ball screws 193 disposed in the X-axis direction. Accordingly, the separation distance between the three laser beam irradiation unit 191 can be adjusted by rotating the rotary knob 194 coupled to one end of the ball screw 193. As described above, in the bonding unit 190 according to the present embodiment, since the separation distance between the three laser beam irradiation units 191 is adjustable, the bonding line 11 may be used according to the type of the solar cell wafer 10 used. Even if the interval is different, it can respond. On the other hand, when using the solar cell wafer 10 formed with two bonding lines 11, the laser beam irradiation unit 191 located in the middle can be controlled so that the laser beam is not irradiated.

As described above, the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a ribbon and jig pickup unit in which a ribbon pickup unit 182 and a jig pickup unit 184 are provided in one pickup body 181 ( By simultaneously picking up and transferring the unit ribbon 21 and the overhead jig 300 to the main conveyor unit 101, the system configuration can be simplified to reduce overall tact time and improve productivity.

In addition, in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the first pickup unit 120 picks up the solar cell wafer 10 and transfers it to the buffer stage 131, and the second pickup unit 150. Since the solar cell wafer 10 seated on the buffer stage 131 is transferred to the main conveyor unit 101, the flux coating operation is performed on the solar cell wafer 10 in the process of transferring the solar cell wafer 10. It is possible to. Accordingly, in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, flux is applied to the top and bottom surfaces of the solar cell wafer 10 or the flux is applied to the ribbon 20 bonded to the solar cell wafer 10. Since a separate process for the purpose can be omitted, it is possible to reduce the overall tact time and improve productivity compared to the prior art.

In addition, in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, since the backup plate 165 of the ribbon supply unit 160 is divided into a plurality of unit backup plates 165a, 165b, and 165c and driven separately, Even if the length of the unit ribbon 21 to be cut varies depending on the type and bonding method of the solar cell wafer 10 to be used, it may correspond to this.

In addition, in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, since the solar cell wafer supply unit 110 has a 'c'-shaped transfer path as a whole, it has a footprint than the prior art having one linear transfer path. print) to reduce space and improve work efficiency.

It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, such modifications or variations will have to be belong to the claims of the present invention.

1 is a schematic plan view of a solar cell string manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a solar cell wafer used in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1.

3 is a plan view of a solar cell string fabricated by bonding a solar cell wafer and a unit ribbon.

4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a bonding method of a solar cell wafer and a unit ribbon.

5 is a perspective view of a solar cell wafer supply unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

6 is a perspective view of a first pickup unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

7 is a perspective view of a second pickup unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

8 is a perspective view of a lower surface flux applicator in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1.

9 is a plan view of a ribbon supply unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

10 is a perspective view of an overhead jig according to an embodiment of the present invention used in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the overhead jig of FIG. 10.

12 is a cross-sectional view of the overhead jig taken along the line A-A of FIG.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of region B of FIG. 12.

14 is a front view and a cross-sectional view of the pressing plate in the overhead jig of FIG.

15 is a front view and a sectional view of a pressure plate according to another embodiment.

16 is a perspective view of an overhead jig according to another embodiment of the present invention.

17 is a plan view of the overhead jig of FIG. 16.

18 is a view for explaining the arrangement of the solar cell wafer, the unit ribbon and the overhead jig on the main conveyor unit.

19 is a perspective view of a jig supply unit of the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

20 is a plan view of a region in which the jig supply unit and the ribbon supply unit of FIG. 19 overlap.

21 is a perspective view of a ribbon and jig pickup unit of the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

22 is a perspective view of a main conveyor unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a bonding unit in the solar cell string manufacturing apparatus of FIG. 1.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: solar cell string manufacturing apparatus

200,300: Overhead Jig

101: main conveyor unit 110: solar cell wafer supply unit

120: first pickup unit 131: buffer stage

132: vision inspection unit 133: defective wafer recovery unit

140: the lower flux coating unit 150: the second pickup unit

160: ribbon supply unit 170: jig supply unit

180: ribbon and jig pickup unit 190: bonding unit

Claims (24)

In a process of bonding a ribbon electrically connecting a solar cell wafer to the solar cell wafer to manufacture a solar cell string, the unit ribbon obtained by cutting the ribbon into a predetermined unit length is tightly fixed to the solar cell wafer. As overhead jig for Jig body; A plurality of frames coupled to the jig main body in parallel with one another in an inner region of the jig main body; A plurality of pressure plates coupled between the plurality of frames in a direction crossing the direction in which the plurality of frames are arranged and spaced apart from each other; And And an elastic body provided in the frame and providing an elastic force to the pressure plate so that the pressure plate maintains contact with the unit ribbon. The method of claim 1, The pressure plate, And a bottom surface of the unit ribbon which is in contact with the unit ribbon when the unit ribbon is tightly fixed to the solar cell wafer is formed to be convex toward the unit ribbon. The method of claim 1, At the lower end of the pressing plate, An overhead jig, wherein a contact ball is provided for each position of contact with the unit ribbon when the unit ribbon is tightly fixed to the solar cell wafer. The method of claim 1, At the lower end of the pressing plate, And at least one contact roller is provided at a position in contact with the unit ribbon when the unit ribbon is tightly fixed to the solar cell wafer. The method of claim 1, The overhead jig provided in the frame, characterized in that it further comprises a tension control unit for adjusting the tension of the elastic body. The method of claim 5, The tension control unit, An operation block for transmitting an elastic force by the elastic body to an end portion of the pressing plate; And A tension adjusting bolt fastened through the operation block to adjust a distance between an upper surface of the operation block and an arbitrary inner top surface of the frame, The elastic body, And an overhead jig interposed between an upper surface of the adjusting block and an inner upper surface of the frame. The method of claim 1, The plurality of frames includes a first frame and a second frame, The plurality of pressing plates are disposed between the first frame and the second frame, the overhead jig. The method of claim 1, The plurality of frames includes a first frame, a second frame, and a third frame, wherein the second frame is disposed between the first frame and the third frame, The plurality of pressure plates, A plurality of first pressing plates disposed between the first frame and the second frame; And And a plurality of second pressing plates disposed between the second frame and the third frame. The method of claim 8, The second frame, The overhead jig is coupled to the jig main body so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the pressing plate between the first frame and the third frame. The method of claim 8, The separation distance between the second frame and the third frame is twice the separation distance between the first frame and the second frame. The method of claim 1, The elastic body is a coil spring, The pressing plate is made of stainless (stainless) material, the jig body and the frame is an overhead jig, characterized in that made of aluminum. A solar cell wafer supply unit for supplying a solar cell wafer; A ribbon supply unit for cutting the ribbon supplied to the continuous line into unit ribbons having a predetermined length; A main conveyor unit providing a work line for bonding the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon; A pickup unit which picks up the solar cell wafer and transfers it to the main conveyor unit; A ribbon and jig pick-up unit for picking up the unit ribbon and the overhead jig and transferring the unit ribbon and the overhead jig to the main conveyor unit; And And a bonding unit provided in one region of the main conveyor unit to bond the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon. The method of claim 12, The ribbon and jig pickup unit, Pickup body; A ribbon pickup unit coupled to the pickup body to absorb the unit ribbon; And And a jig pick-up part coupled to the pick-up body and gripping the overhead jig. The method of claim 13, The ribbon pickup unit, A first ribbon pickup unit which absorbs a portion overlapping with the overhead jig of the unit ribbon and is divided into a plurality of portions so as not to interfere with the overhead jig; And And a second ribbon pick-up part for adsorbing a portion of the unit ribbon not overlapped with the overhead jig. The method of claim 12, Further comprising a buffer stage disposed between the solar cell wafer supply unit and the main conveyor unit, The pickup unit, A first pickup unit which picks up the solar cell wafer from the solar cell wafer supply unit and transfers the solar cell wafer to the buffer stage; And A second pickup unit which picks up the solar cell wafer seated on the buffer stage and transfers the wafer to the main conveyor unit, The second pickup unit, The solar cell string manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that to apply a flux for improving the bonding when the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon is bonded to the solar cell wafer and to pick up the solar cell wafer. The method of claim 15, The second pickup unit, A second pickup body; A second wafer pickup unit coupled to the second pickup body to absorb the solar cell wafer; And The solar cell string manufacturing apparatus is coupled to the second pickup body and comprises a top flux coating unit for applying the flux to the top surface of the solar cell wafer. The method of claim 15, And a lower surface flux coating unit provided between the buffer stage and the main conveyor unit to apply flux to the lower surface of the solar cell wafer being transferred by the second pickup unit. The method of claim 12, The ribbon supply unit, A plurality of ribbon pulleys; A ribbon gripping portion which grasps and unleashes the ribbon loosened from the ribbon pulley; A backup plate provided to be movable in a vertical direction from a lower side of the ribbon gripping portion, and supporting a ribbon drawn out by the ribbon gripping portion; And And a ribbon cutting part for cutting the ribbon drawn out by the ribbon holding part. The method of claim 18, The backup plate, Optionally comprising a plurality of unit backup plates which are separated from each other or form a body, The plurality of unit backup plate, The solar cell string manufacturing apparatus, characterized in that the movement in the vertical direction is provided so as not to interfere with the ribbon holding portion that varies in position depending on the length of the drawn ribbon. The method of claim 18, The backup plate, And a plurality of ribbon adsorption holes for preventing a change in the position of the ribbon cut by the ribbon cutting unit. The method of claim 12, The solar cell wafer supply unit, A plurality of magazines in which solar cell wafers are stacked; And And a magazine supply conveyor which sequentially transfers the plurality of magazines to a position at which the solar cell wafers are picked up. The method of claim 21, The magazine feed conveyor, A first feed conveyor; A second supply conveyor disposed transversely from the first supply conveyor and having a conveying direction opposite to the conveying direction of the first feed conveyor; And A solar cell string disposed between the first supply conveyor and the second supply conveyor and including a direction shifter for transferring the magazine located at the front end of the first supply conveyor to a rear end of the second supply conveyor. Manufacturing equipment. The method of claim 22, The solar cell wafer supply unit, A magazine recovery conveyor provided on a lower side of the magazine supply conveyor and configured to transfer the magazine, which has been picked up for the solar cell wafers, to a transport path opposite to the transport path of the magazine supply conveyor; Solar string production apparatus. The method of claim 12, The bonding unit, And a plurality of laser beam irradiators for irradiating a laser beam for laser welding the solar cell wafer and the unit ribbon.

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