TWI639518B - Apparatus configured for alignment of a screen device with respect to a substrate used in the manufacture of a solar cell, system for deposition of a material on a substrate used in the manufacture of a solar cell, and method for aligning a screen device - Google Patents

Abstract

This disclosure provides an apparatus (100) configured for aligning a screen device (110) with respect to a substrate (10) used in the manufacture of solar cells. The apparatus includes a base device (120) and one or more rotatable devices, the one or more rotatable devices configured to contact the screen device (110), wherein at least one of the one or more rotatable devices is rotatable The device (130) is connected to the base device (110) via one or more elastic elements (140).

Description

Configured to use the screen device with respect to Equipment for aligning substrates in production, systems for depositing materials on substrates used in the manufacture of solar cells, and methods for placing screen devices relative to substrates used in the manufacture of solar cells Standard method

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus configured to align a screen device with respect to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells, for depositing materials on a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells System and method for aligning a screen device with respect to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells. The embodiments of the present disclosure relate particularly to equipment configured for screen printing on substrates used in the manufacture of solar cells.

Solar cells are photovoltaic devices that directly convert sunlight into electrical power. In this field, it is known to use a printing technique (such as screen printing) to manufacture solar power on a substrate (such as a crystalline silicon base) Cells to provide a pattern of wires (such as selective emitters) on one or more surfaces of the structure of the solar cell.

In the manufacture of solar cells, the substrate and the print head can be centered or aligned relative to each other using an alignment device. As an example, the print head or components of the print head (such as a screen device) can move relative to the substrate. The wire pattern can then be printed to be aligned with respect to the substrate. The alignment device may use mechanical contact between the alignment device and the screen device to move and align the screen device. Over time, the alignment device may wear out, and the alignment may become inaccurate. The alignment device should be repaired in a short time interval to provide accurate alignment, and the cost for maintaining the alignment device is high. The downtime of solar cell manufacturing equipment may be increased, and substrate yield may be reduced.

In view of the above, a new device configured to align a screen device with respect to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells, which overcomes at least some of the problems in the art, for depositing materials on New systems used on substrates in the manufacture of solar cells and new methods for aligning screen devices are beneficial. In particular, there is a need to provide devices, systems and methods that allow for accurate alignment over a long period of time. More specifically, there is a need for devices, systems, and methods that allow the effect of reducing the wear of mechanical components used in the alignment of screen devices.

In view of the above, a device configured for aligning a screen device with respect to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells is provided A system for depositing materials on a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells and a method for aligning a screen device with respect to the substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells. Further aspects, advantages and features of this disclosure are obvious from the scope of patent application, the description and the accompanying drawings.

According to one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an apparatus configured to align the screen device with respect to the substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells. The apparatus includes a base device and one or more rotatable devices, the one or more rotatable devices are configured to contact the screen device, wherein at least one first rotatable device of the one or more rotatable devices is passed through one or more The elastic element is connected to the base device.

According to another aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a system for depositing materials on a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells. The system includes a screen device and a device configured for aligning the screen device relative to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells according to the embodiments described herein.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for aligning a screen device with respect to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells. The method includes the steps of: contacting the screen device with one or more rotatable devices of the alignment device, wherein at least one first rotatable device of the one or more rotatable devices is connected to the pair via one or more elastic elements The base device of the standard equipment; and at least one rotatable device that rotates one or more rotatable devices to align the screen device relative to the substrate.

The embodiments also relate to equipment for implementing the disclosed methods and include equipment parts for implementing the aspects of each of the described methods. The aspects of these methods can be implemented by hardware components, a computer programmed with appropriate software, by any combination of the two, or in any other way. What's more, the embodiment according to this disclosure also relates to a method for operating the device. The method for operating the device includes aspects of a method for implementing each function of the device.

1‧‧‧X axis

2‧‧‧Y axis

3‧‧‧Z axis

4‧‧‧θ axis

5‧‧‧force

6‧‧‧Printing direction

10‧‧‧ substrate

20‧‧‧ substrate support

100‧‧‧ Equipment

110‧‧‧ Screen device

112‧‧‧ Screen frame

113‧‧‧Sliding surface

114‧‧‧ Web version

115‧‧‧Axis

116‧‧‧Transformation

120‧‧‧Base device

130‧‧‧The first rotatable device

132‧‧‧The first axis of rotation

140‧‧‧Elastic element / first elastic element

142‧‧‧Second elastic element

150‧‧‧Installation device

300‧‧‧ Equipment

320‧‧‧Base device

322‧‧‧Part 1

324‧‧‧Part Two

326‧‧‧Part III

330‧‧‧The first rotatable device

332‧‧‧First axis of rotation

350‧‧‧Installation device

360‧‧‧ Second rotatable device

362‧‧‧Second axis of rotation

370‧‧‧The third rotatable device

372‧‧‧The third axis of rotation

400‧‧‧System

480‧‧‧Print head

482‧‧‧Scraper

600‧‧‧ Equipment

610‧‧‧ Screen device

620‧‧‧Base device

625‧‧‧ opening

630‧‧‧The first rotatable device

640‧‧‧The first elastic element

642‧‧‧Second elastic element

650‧‧‧Installation device

652‧‧‧Fixed part

654‧‧‧Moveable part

655‧‧‧ slit

660‧‧‧Second rotatable device

670‧‧‧The third rotatable device

800‧‧‧Method

810‧‧‧box

820‧‧‧block

For a way to make the above-mentioned features of this disclosure can be understood in detail, refer to the embodiments to obtain a more specific description of this disclosure (briefly summarized above). The accompanying drawings relate to the embodiment of this disclosure and are explained below: FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of θ alignment of the screen device according to the embodiment described here; FIG. 2 shows a diagram based on this A schematic view of an apparatus of the embodiment described that is configured for aligning a screen device relative to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells; FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment according to the invention A schematic view of an apparatus configured for aligning a screen device with respect to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells; FIG. 4 shows a method for depositing materials on a substrate according to an embodiment described herein A schematic diagram of the system used on the substrate in the manufacture of solar cells; Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a region of an apparatus configured for aligning a screen device relative to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells according to embodiments described herein; Figure 6 shows A schematic view of an apparatus configured for aligning a screen device relative to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells according to the embodiments described herein; FIG. 7A is shown in FIG. 6 A schematic diagram of the details of the device; FIG. 7B shows a schematic diagram of the installation device of the device according to the embodiment described herein; and FIG. 8 shows a screen device relative to the screen device according to the embodiment described herein. Flow chart of a method for aligning a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells.

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the disclosure, where one or more examples are shown in the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same element symbols represent the same parts, and only differences related to individual embodiments are explained. Each example is provided by way of explaining this disclosure, and does not mean that the work is limited by this disclosure. In addition, features shown or described as part of one embodiment can be used on or in combination with other embodiments to produce yet another embodiment. It is intended that the embodiments include such modifications and changes.

An apparatus configured for alignment of the screen device (hereinafter also referred to as "alignment device") may use mechanical contact between the alignment device and the screen device to align the screen device. Specifically, align Device scanning is used to move the screen device relative to the substrate to perform alignment. Over time, the alignment device may wear out, and the alignment may become inaccurate. The alignment equipment should be repaired in a short time interval to provide accurate alignment, and the cost of maintaining the alignment equipment is high. In addition, the downtime of the solar cell manufacturing equipment may be increased, and the output of the solar cell manufacturing equipment may be reduced.

This disclosure provides an apparatus configured for aligning a screen device using one or more rotatable devices that contact the screen device to align the screen device relative to the substrate. One or more rotatable devices can rotate about individual axes of rotation, wherein the screen device is moved and aligned by rotating one or more rotatable devices. At least one first rotatable device of one or more rotatable devices is connected to the base device via one or more elastic elements. One or more elastic elements push at least one first rotatable device against the screen device. For example, even if there are deformations or irregularities at the screen device or rotatable device (s), these deformations or irregularities can be compensated by the thrust provided by one or more elastic elements. In addition, once the equipment is assembled or set up, the user does not need to change or operate the wear compensation device provided by the equipment. The wear of the components is automatically compensated by the thrust provided by one or more elastic elements. Solar cell manufacturing equipment has reduced downtime and provides increased efficiency.

The device, system and method of this disclosure allow accurate alignment over a long period of time. In particular, the effect on the accuracy of alignment caused by the wear of mechanical components, such as screen devices and / or rotatable devices, can be minimized or even avoided. The interval between repairs can be extended Long, and can reduce maintenance costs. The downtime of the solar cell manufacturing equipment can be reduced, and the yield and efficiency of the solar cell manufacturing equipment can be improved. One or more rotatable devices allows for improved plane alignment (or improved flatness conditions) of the screen or screen device.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of θ alignment of the screen device 110 according to the embodiment described herein.

The system for depositing materials in use in the manufacture of solar cells may include a printing head (not shown) and a screen device 110 configured to form one or more wire patterns on the substrate 10. In some embodiments, the screen device 110 may be included in the print head. The one or more wire patterns may be selected from the group consisting of solar cell fingers and bus bars. The substrate 10 may be aligned relative to the screen device 110 before printing one or more wire patterns and / or between two consecutive printing processes for printing two wire patterns on the substrate 10.

Alignment can be performed by moving the screen device 110 and optionally by moving the substrate 10. In some embodiments, the alignment may include at least one of translational movement of the screen device 110 along the X axis 1 and / or the Y axis 2. Alignment also includes rotational alignment about the θ axis (indicated by the element symbol "4"). The θ axis may define a plane of movement in which the screen device 110 moves and aligns. The moving plane may also be referred to as "aligned plane". The moving plane can span the X axis 1 and the Y axis 2. According to some embodiments, the moving plane is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate 10 on which the material is to be deposited (eg, printed). Especially when it comes to the moving plane or the alignment plane relative to the substrate When 10 or the relative orientation of the surface of the substrate, substantially parallel is understood to allow deviation from the correct parallel orientation by, for example, 10 ° or less.

In some embodiments, axes such as X-axis 1, Y-axis, and θ-axis can be used to align the screen device 110 relative to the substrate 10 such that the printed pattern (eg, one or more wire patterns) is substantially centered On the surface of the substrate 10.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 100 configured to align the screen device 110 with respect to the substrate 10 used in the manufacture of solar cells according to the embodiments described herein.

The apparatus 100 includes a base device 120 and one or more rotatable devices configured to contact the screen device 110. At least one first rotatable device 130 of one or more rotatable devices is connected to the base device 120 via one or more elastic elements 140. The one or more elastic elements 140 provide a force (indicated by the element symbol "5") that pushes the at least one first rotatable device 130 against the screen device 110. Deformation and / or irregularities caused by, for example, wear can be compensated, and accurate alignment can be ensured even over a long period of time.

According to some embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments described herein, the one or more rotatable devices are configured to be relative to the at least one rotatable device by rotating the one or more rotatable devices about an axis of rotation The substrate 10 is aligned with the screen device 110. As an example, at least one first rotatable device 130 may be rotatable about a first axis of rotation 132. The rotation of one or more rotatable devices (such as at least one first rotatable device 130) is mechanically transmitted to the screen device 110 to (for example) The screen device 110 is moved in the moving plane or the alignment plane explained with reference to FIG. In particular, theta alignment in the movement plane or alignment plane may be performed using the rotation of one or more rotatable devices.

The term "base device" used throughout this disclosure should be understood as an element to which one or more elastic elements can be connected such that at least one first rotatable device 130 is movable relative to the base device. According to some embodiments, the base device 120 is stationary or fixedly positioned. The at least one first rotatable device 130 is movable relative to the base device 120 so that one or more elastic elements 140 can push the at least one first rotatable device 130 against the screen device 110. According to some embodiments that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, at least one first rotatable device 130 is connected to the base device 120 via one or more elastic elements 140 to be perpendicular to the at least one first rotatable device The device 130 is movable in the direction of the first axis of rotation 132. As an example, at least one first rotatable device 130 can move in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of movement.

In some embodiments that may be combined with other embodiments described herein, the one or more rotatable devices may be rollers or wheels. As an example, one or more rotatable devices may have a cylindrical shape, wherein the cylindrical axis of the cylinder may correspond to the axis of rotation of the corresponding rotatable device. In other examples, one or more rotatable devices may be circular or spherical.

According to some embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments described herein, the apparatus includes one or more actuators (such as motors) of at least one rotatable device configured to rotate one or more rotatable devices. Make As an example, each rotatable device of one or more rotatable devices may be connected to a corresponding actuator or motor to rotate the rotatable device to move and align the screen device 110. In some embodiments, apparatus 100 may include one or more further actuators configured to translate mobile screen device 110, for example, along the X-axis and / or Y-axis described with reference to FIG. 1.

According to some embodiments that may be combined with other embodiments described herein, one or more rotatable devices are configured to align the screen device relative to the substrate in a two-dimensional plane that is substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate 10 110. As an example, the two-dimensional plane may be or correspond to a moving plane or an alignment plane. The surface of the substrate 10 may be the surface on which the material is to be deposited (eg, printed). Specifically, the surface of the substrate 10 may be a surface on which one or more wire patterns forming, for example, fingers and / or bus bars of a solar cell are to be deposited or printed on.

In some embodiments, one or more rotatable devices may be rotatable about respective axes of rotation that are substantially perpendicular to the plane of movement and / or the surface of the substrate 10 on which the material is to be deposited. The term "substantially perpendicular" with respect to the substantially vertical orientation of the axis of rotation and the surface of the moving plane or substrate 10, where a deviation of several degrees from the correct vertical orientation (eg, up to 10 ° or even up to 15 °) is still considered "Substantially vertical."

According to some embodiments that may be combined with other embodiments described herein, one or more rotatable devices may include four or less rotatable devices, specifically three or less rotatable devices, and may be more specific The ground is three rotatable devices. In other embodiments, one or more can be rotated The device may be a single rotatable device, as shown in the example in Figure 2. Specifically, the screen device 110 may be rotatably mounted on the axis 115 provided on the first side or first edge portion of the screen device 110. A single rotatable device may contact the screen device at the second side or second edge portion of the screen device 110 to rotate the screen device 110 about the axis 115. The first side or first edge portion and the second side or second edge portion may be opposite sides or side portions of the screen device 110.

In some embodiments, one or more rotatable devices are configured to contact the lateral side surface of screen device 110. The lateral side surface may also be referred to as "sliding surface" or "contact surface". The lateral side surface of the screen device 110 may extend substantially perpendicular to the moving plane. According to some embodiments, the screen device 110 may have two extended surfaces, wherein one of the two extended surfaces is configured to face the substrate 10, and the other surface of the two extended surfaces is configured to face away from the substrate 10, for example, Towards the print head or its scraper. The lateral side surface of the screen device 110 may connect two extended surfaces. In some embodiments, the two extended surfaces may be substantially parallel to the moving plane and / or the surface of the substrate 10 on which the material is to be deposited.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 further includes a mounting device 150 configured to support at least one first rotatable device 130 rotatable about the first axis of rotation 132. Specifically, at least one first rotatable device 130 may be mounted to the mounting device 150. In some embodiments, the mounting device 150 may be a flexible joint. The mounting device 150 can be connected to the bottom via one or more elastic elements 140 座 装置 120。 Seat device 120. Specifically, at least one first rotatable device 130 may be connected to the base device 120 via the mounting device 150.

According to some embodiments, the mounting device 150 may be connected to the base device 120 only via one or more elastic elements 140. In another example, the apparatus 100 may include a guide device (not shown) that connects the mounting device 150 to the base device 120. The guide device may allow the guide device 150 to guide movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first rotation axis 132 to push the at least one first rotatable device 130 against the screen device 110, for example.

According to some embodiments that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, one or more elastic elements 140 are springs. As an example, one or more elastic elements 140 are selected from the group consisting of coil springs, leaf springs, leaf springs, and any combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more elastic elements 140 may be provided as a flexible body material, such as rubber. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and one or more elastic elements may be configured to provide a force to push at least one first rotatable device 130 against another element on the screen device 110.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 300 configured to align the screen device 110 with respect to the substrate 10 used in the manufacture of solar cells according to further embodiments described herein.

According to some embodiments, which may be combined with other embodiments described herein, one or more rotatable devices may include four or less rotatable devices, in particular three or less rotatable devices, and may be more Specifically three rotatable devices. As an example, one or more rotatable device packages At least one first rotatable device 330 and at least one further rotatable device are included, such as a second rotatable device 360 and a third rotatable device 370. At least one first rotatable device 330 and second rotatable device 360 and third rotatable device 370 provide three-point contact with the screen device 110. In particular, the three-point contact can provide improved alignment of the screen device 110 in the moving plane, particularly because it facilitates the search for correct screen flatness.

At least one first rotatable device 330 is supported by the mounting device 350 to be rotatable about the first axis of rotation 332. The at least one first rotatable device 330 is pushed against the screen device 110 using the force provided by one or more elastic elements, such as the first elastic element 140 and the second elastic element 142. At least one further rotatable device may be rotatably mounted on the base device 320. As an example, the second rotatable device 360 may be rotatable about the second axis of rotation 362. The third rotatable device 370 may be rotatable about the third axis of rotation 372. Specifically, at least one further rotatable device is rotatably supported by the base device 320, but cannot be displaced or translated relative to the base device 320.

In some embodiments, the axes of rotation of one or more rotatable devices may be substantially parallel to each other. Specifically, the first rotation axis 332, the second rotation axis 362, and the third rotation axis 372 may be substantially parallel to each other. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the rotation axes may be inclined with respect to each other.

According to some embodiments that may be combined with other embodiments described herein, the base device 320 may be a frame. The frame may have a first portion 322 and a second portion 324 that extend substantially parallel to each other, wherein the screen device 110 may be located between the first portion 322 and the second portion 324. The first part 322 and the second part 324 may be connected by the third part 326. The first portion 322, the second portion 324, and the third portion 326 may define an aperture or receiving space configured to receive the screen device 110. In some embodiments, the frame may have a U-shape or a rectangular shape, such as a closed rectangular shape.

According to some embodiments, at least one first rotatable device 330 may be mounted to the third portion 326 using one or more elastic elements and optionally a mounting device 350. At least one further rotatable device may be rotatably mounted on the first part 322 and / or the second part 324. As an example, the second rotatable device 360 may be rotatably mounted to the first part 322, and the third rotatable device 370 may be mounted to the second part 324.

According to some embodiments that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the one or more elastic elements include a first elastic element 140 and a second elastic element 142 that connect the mounting device 350 to the base device 320. At least one first rotatable device 330 may be supported at a position of the mounting device 350 between the first elastic element 140 and the second elastic element 142. As an example, the mounting device 350 may be bar-shaped. The first elastic element 140 may be connected to the first end portion of the mounting device 350, and the second elastic element 142 may be connected to the second end portion of the mounting device 350 Minute. The first end portion and the second end portion may be opposite end portions of the mounting device 350. At least one first rotatable device 330 may be disposed between the first elastic element 140 and the second elastic element 142 (for example) at a middle portion of the mounting device 150.

According to some embodiments, the mounting device 350 may include a mounting frame having an opening. At least one first rotatable device 330 may be rotatably installed in the opening. As an example, the first end portion of the first rotation axis 332 of the at least one first rotatable device 330 may be rotatably connected to the first frame portion of the mounting frame. The second end portion of the first rotation axis 332 may be rotatably connected to the second frame portion of the mounting frame. The first frame portion and the second frame portion may be substantially parallel to each other. At least one first rotatable device 330 may be positioned between the first frame portion and the second frame portion.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a system 400 for depositing materials on a substrate 10 used in the manufacture of solar cells according to embodiments described herein. The system 400 includes a screen device 110 and an apparatus configured to align the screen device 110 according to the embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, the system 400 may be a screen printing system.

The substrate 10 may be positioned on a substrate support 20 (such as a printing nest). The substrate support 20 may be configured to support the substrate 10 during a printing process, such as a screen printing process. Optionally, the substrate support 20 may be configured to transport the substrate 10 between two or more process stations, such as printing stations and inspection stations.

In some embodiments, the screen device 110 includes a screen frame 112 and a screen 114. The screen 114 defines a screen pattern or feature corresponding to the structure to be printed on the substrate 10 (eg, one or more wire patterns, such as fingers and / or bus bars). The screen pattern or feature may include at least one of a hole, groove, cutout, or other hole.

According to some embodiments, the system 400 includes at least one print head 480 configured for screen printing on the substrate 10. In some embodiments, the screen device 110 may be included in at least one print head 480. In other embodiments, the screen device 110 may be provided as a separate entity. The at least one print head 480 may include a printing device (such as a squeegee 482) configured to contact the screen 114. The squeegee 482 moves in the printing direction 6 and pushes the material to be printed (referred to as "printed material") through the screen 114, and in particular by the screen pattern that defines one or more wire patterns to the substrate 10 on.

According to some examples that may be combined with other embodiments described herein, the printed material may be selected from the group consisting of silver, aluminum, copper, tin, nickel, silicon-based paste, and any combination thereof.

As shown in FIG. 4, the rotation axis of one or more rotatable devices (such as the first rotation axis 132 of at least one first rotatable device) may be substantially perpendicular to the printing direction 6. The printing direction 6 and / or the axis of rotation may be substantially parallel to the vertical direction 3. The vertical direction 3 may be parallel to gravity.

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a cross section of an apparatus configured to align a screen device with respect to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells according to embodiments described herein.

According to some embodiments that may be combined with other embodiments described herein, the mounting device 150 may be an elastic joint. One or more elastic elements 140 (such as springs) can push the mounting device 150 to compensate for the deformation 116 of the sliding surface 113 provided by the lateral side surface of the screen device 110. In some embodiments, the deformation 116 may result from continuous and / or repeated θ movement and alignment of the screen device 110.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of an apparatus 600 configured to align the screen device 610 relative to a substrate (not shown) used in the manufacture of solar cells according to the embodiments described herein. FIG. 7A shows a schematic view of the details of the device 600 shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 7B shows a schematic diagram of the installation device of the device 600.

The apparatus 600 includes a screen device 610 and one or more rotatable devices. The one or more rotatable devices include at least one first rotatable device 630 rotatably supported by the mounting device 650. The one or more rotatable devices may include at least one further rotatable device, such as a second rotatable device 660 and a third rotatable device 670 rotatably mounted to the base device 620. The mounting device 650 is mounted to the base device 620 using one or more elastic elements such as the first elastic element 640 and the second elastic element 642.

According to some embodiments that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the base device 620 has a screen device 610 configured to accommodate And / or the opening 625 of the substrate 10. In some embodiments, the screen device 610 is mounted on the top surface of the base device 620. One or more rotatable devices may protrude from the top surface of the base device 620 to contact the lateral side surface of the screen device 610.

According to some embodiments that can be combined with other embodiments described herein, the mounting device 650 includes a fixed portion 652 and a movable portion 654. The mounting device 650 having the fixed portion 652 and the movable portion 654 may be configured as an elastic joint. The fixing part 652 may be connected to the base device 620. Specifically, the fixed portion 652 may be stationary relative to the base device 620. In some embodiments, the movable portion 654 may be movable relative to the fixed portion 652 and / or the base device 620. As an example, the movable portion 654 may be mounted to the fixed portion 652 to be movable relative to the fixed portion 652.

According to some embodiments, the movable portion 654 may include a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first end portion and the second end portion may be connected to the fixed portion 652. At least a middle portion of the movable portion 654 may be movable relative to the fixed portion 652. In some embodiments, the movable portion 654 is at least partially disposed in the receiving space provided by the fixed portion 652.

In some embodiments, the fixed portion 652 and the movable portion 654 are provided by the body of the mounting device 650. Specifically, the body of the mounting device 650 may have one or more cutouts or slits 655 configured to separate the movable portion 654 from the fixed portion 652. As an example The body of the mounting device 650 may be a single piece of material, such as metal (such as steel or aluminum) or polymer material (such as plastic). One or more cuts or slits 655 may be provided in the body so that the movable portion 654 is movable relative to the fixed portion 652.

In some embodiments, at least one first rotatable device 630 is rotatably supported or mounted to the movable portion 654 by the movable portion 654 (eg, the middle portion). As an example, one or more elastic elements (such as the first elastic element 640 and the second elastic element 642) may be configured to provide a force acting on the movable portion 654 to push the at least one first rotatable device 630 against On the screen device 610. As an example, the first end or end portion of the one or more elastic elements may be connected to the base device 620 and / or the fixed portion 652. The second end or end portion of the one or more elastic elements may be configured to contact the movable portion 654 to push the movable portion 654 in a direction toward the screen device 610. In some embodiments, the second end or end portion of one or more elastic elements can be connected to the movable portion 654.

Once the device is assembled or set up, the user does not need to change or operate the wear compensation device provided by the device. The wear of the components is automatically compensated by the force provided by one or more elastic elements. Solar cell manufacturing equipment has reduced downtime and provides increased efficiency.

Figure 8 shows a flowchart of a method 800 for aligning a screen device with respect to a substrate used in the manufacture of solar cells according to embodiments described herein.

The method 800 includes (in block 810) contacting the screen device with one or more rotatable devices of the alignment apparatus, wherein at least one first rotatable device of the one or more rotatable devices is via one or more elastic elements And connected to the base device of the alignment device. At block 820, the method includes rotating at least one rotatable device of one or more rotatable devices to align the screen device relative to the substrate.

In some embodiments, the method 800 includes using the force provided by the one or more elastic elements to push the at least one first rotatable device against the screen device. As an example, during rotation of the at least one rotatable device (eg, during the alignment process), at least one first rotatable device is pushed against the screen device.

According to some embodiments, the method further includes a first printing process for printing one or more first wire patterns on the substrate 10 after the screen device is aligned with respect to the substrate 10. In some embodiments, the substrate 10 having one or more first wire patterns printed thereon may be dried. As an example, the substrate 10 may be moved to a drying station for drying one or more first wire patterns. In another example, one or more first wire patterns may be dried in the printing station without moving the substrate 10.

According to some embodiments, the method includes a second printing process for printing one or more second wire patterns on the substrate 10, such as on or above one or more first wire patterns. The screen device used in the second printing process can be used with the embodiments described herein to be aligned with respect to the substrate 10. The screen device can be the same screen device used in the first printing process, or it can be, for example, a different one provided in another printing station Same as screen device. In some embodiments, the substrate 10 having one or more second wire patterns printed thereon may be dried.

According to some embodiments, the alignment device used in method 800 is configured according to the embodiments described herein. Specifically, the method 800 can be utilized in the devices, structures, and systems described herein.

According to the embodiments described herein, the method for aligning the screen device with respect to the substrate used in solar cell manufacturing can be performed using computer programs, software, computer software products, and related controllers. The device may have a CPU, memory, user interface, and input and output devices that communicate with corresponding components of equipment used to process large-area substrates.

The embodiments of the present disclosure allow accurate alignment over a long period of time. In particular, the influence of the alignment accuracy caused by the wear of mechanical components such as screen devices and / or rotatable devices can be minimized or even avoided. The interval between repairs can be extended, and maintenance costs can be reduced. The downtime of solar cell manufacturing equipment can be reduced, and the output and efficiency of solar cell manufacturing equipment can be increased. One or more rotatable devices allow the screen or the improved plane alignment of the screen device (or improved plane conditions). In addition, once the equipment is assembled or set up, the user does not need to change or operate the wear compensation device provided by the equipment. The wear of the components is automatically compensated by the force provided by one or more elastic elements. Solar cell manufacturing equipment has reduced downtime and provides increased efficiency.

Although the foregoing content relates to embodiments of the disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure can be designed without departing from the basic scope of the disclosure, and the scope of the disclosure is determined by the scope of the following patent applications.

Claims (20)

An apparatus configured for aligning a screen device with respect to a substrate used in the manufacture of a solar cell, the apparatus comprising: a base device; and one or more rotatable devices, configured To contact the screen device, wherein at least one first rotatable device of the one or more rotatable devices is connected to one or more sides of the base device via one or more elastic elements. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more rotatable devices are three or less rotatable devices. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more rotatable devices are configured to be opposed to the substrate by rotation of at least one rotatable device of the one or more rotatable devices about a rotation axis Quasi-screen device. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more rotatable devices are configured to align the screen device relative to the substrate in a two-dimensional plane parallel to a surface of the substrate. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more rotatable devices includes at least one second rotatable device rotatably mounted to the base device. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a mounting device configured to support the at least one first rotatable device to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation, wherein the mounting device is via the one or more elastic elements And connected to the base device. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the one or more elastic elements include a first elastic element and a second elastic element connecting the mounting device to the base device, and wherein the at least one first rotatable device It is supported at a position of the mounting device between the first elastic element and the second elastic element. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the mounting device includes a fixed part and a movable part, wherein the at least one first rotatable device is rotatably supported by the movable part. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one first rotatable device is connected to the base device via the one or more elastic elements so as to be perpendicular to the first of the at least one first rotatable device The direction of the axis of rotation is movable. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more elastic elements are springs. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base device includes a frame having an opening configured to accommodate at least one of the screen device and the substrate. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising one or more actuators configured to rotate at least one rotatable device of the one or more rotatable devices. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the apparatus is configured to move and align the screen device by rotating the at least one rotatable device. A system for depositing a material on a substrate used in the manufacture of a solar cell, the system comprising: a screen device; and the device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The system of claim 14, further comprising at least one printing device configured to perform screen printing on the substrate. A method for aligning a screen device with respect to a substrate used in the manufacture of a solar cell, the method comprising the steps of: contacting the screen with one or more rotatable devices of an alignment device Plate device, wherein at least one first rotatable device of the one or more rotatable devices is connected to one or more sides of a base device of the alignment apparatus via one or more elastic elements; and the one or more are rotated At least one rotatable device of the plurality of rotatable devices is aligned with the screen device relative to the substrate. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one rotatable device is rotated by one or more actuators of the alignment device. The method of claim 16, wherein the screen device is moved and aligned by rotating the at least one rotatable device. The method of claim 17, wherein the screen device is moved and aligned by rotating the at least one rotatable device. The method according to claim 16, wherein the alignment device is configured according to claim 1.