WO2018225005A1 - Dispositif d'assemblage servant à assembler au moins une photopile et une feuille - Google Patents

Dispositif d'assemblage servant à assembler au moins une photopile et une feuille Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2018225005A1
WO2018225005A1 PCT/IB2018/054112 IB2018054112W WO2018225005A1 WO 2018225005 A1 WO2018225005 A1 WO 2018225005A1 IB 2018054112 W IB2018054112 W IB 2018054112W WO 2018225005 A1 WO2018225005 A1 WO 2018225005A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
holding device
foil
receiving surface
solar cell
cell
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2018/054112
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Wlodzimierz BLASZCZAK
Original Assignee
Meyer Burger (Switzerland) Ag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Meyer Burger (Switzerland) Ag filed Critical Meyer Burger (Switzerland) Ag
Publication of WO2018225005A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018225005A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/04—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof adapted as photovoltaic [PV] conversion devices
    • H01L31/042—PV modules or arrays of single PV cells
    • H01L31/05—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells
    • H01L31/0504—Electrical interconnection means between PV cells inside the PV module, e.g. series connection of PV cells specially adapted for series or parallel connection of solar cells in a module
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L31/00—Semiconductor devices sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation; Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment thereof or of parts thereof; Details thereof
    • H01L31/18—Processes or apparatus specially adapted for the manufacture or treatment of these devices or of parts thereof
    • H01L31/1876—Particular processes or apparatus for batch treatment of the devices
    • H01L31/188—Apparatus specially adapted for automatic interconnection of solar cells in a module
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Definitions

  • Joining device for joining at least one solar cell with a foil
  • the invention relates to a joining device for joining at least one solar cell with a foil.
  • the invention also relates to a method of joining at least one solar cell with a foil.
  • the foil may be a wire foil - also called FWA (foil wire assembly).
  • FWA foil wire assembly
  • the wires of the wire foil interconnect the electrical contacts of the solar cells.
  • the handling and attaching of the FWA to the cells is a task that should be conducted quickly in order to achieve high throughput. Also the handling of the foil is not trivial because it tends to curl-up.
  • the object of the invention is to overcome these problems and to provide a joining device ensuring the production of high quality photovoltaic modules having long lifetime and enhanced efficiency. Particularly, the formation of air bubbles between solar cell and foil should be prevented.
  • the joining device and the joining method should yield such photovoltaic modules in a reliable and cost-effective manner.
  • the joining device comprises: at least one holding device which has a receiving surface for receiving at least one solar cell and/or a foil (preferably one above the other, i.e. in form of a lay-up) and at least one electrostatic charging electrode for inducing an electrostatic force, preferably an attraction force in direction towards a receiving surface of a holding device and/or a rejection force in direction away from a receiving surface of a holding device and/or an attraction force between a solar cell and a foil.
  • an electrostatic force may be induced which forces the solar cell and the foil, when arranged at the receiving surface, against each other.
  • the effect of the electrostatic induction is a very uniform joining without the formation of bubbles between solar cell and foil.
  • charging electrode comprises any electrode capable of influencing or changing the charging state or electrostatic state of an object arranged at the receiving surface (e.g. solar cell and/or foil).
  • the charging electrode may be capable of increasing the amount of charging and/or spatially splitting positive and negative charge carriers (polarization) within an object, but may be also capable of reducing the charging state of the object (de-charging, e.g. by applying an alternating electric field) .
  • the joining device comprises at least one heating device for heating a solar cell and/or a foil, preferably when being arranged on the receiving surface of a holding device, wherein preferably the heating device is capable of pressing the solar cell and the foil together.
  • the combination of inducing an electrostatic attraction force between a solar cell and a foil and heating that cell- foil assembly results in a very uniform joining (without the formation of bubbles between solar cell and foil) and a very strong adherence between cell and foil.
  • the step of inducing an electrostatic attraction force between cell and foil and the step of heating the solar cell and/or the foil may be performed overlapping in time or one after the other.
  • a first holding device of the at least one holding device has the electrostatic charging electrode for inducing an electrostatic force, preferably an attraction force in direction towards its receiving surface and/or a rejection force in direction away from its receiving surface.
  • the charging electrode is comprised by the holding device (i.e. the charging electrode is a part - preferably an integral part - of the holding device).
  • the electrostatic charging electrode may be arranged behind the receiving surface and the effective range of the electrode overlaps with an area of the receiving surface.
  • charge carriers are displaced by the action of electrostatic field of the electrode.
  • one side of the flat object is charged positively and the other side is charged negatively.
  • the solar cell and the foil arranged at the receiving surface As a result an attracting force is will force solar cell and foil against each other.
  • Such a kind of joining may be a preliminary joining holding solar cell and foil together until in a subsequent stage of production the solar cell and the foil are laminated together within a laminator chamber.
  • the receiving surface may be a flat, preferably smooth surface coming into planar contact with the flat object (solar cell and/or foil). I.e. when received by the receiving surface the solar cell or the foil abuts on the receiving surface. The solar cell and the foil are received by the receiving surface in an arrangement one above the other, i.e. solar cell and foil are received as a lay-up.
  • the foil is preferably a wire foil - also called FWA (foil wire assembly).
  • the wires of the wire foil are attached (e.g. glued) to and/or partially embedded within the foil material (e.g. plastic).
  • the foil material is electrically non-conductive and preferably transparent.
  • the wires may run in parallel or may follow any other geometrical pattern, such as a grid pattern.
  • the wires of the wire foil interconnect the electrical contacts of the solar cells (when attached to the cell).
  • the holding device may comprise an electrode whose effective range covers (or overlaps with) the whole receiving surface.
  • the electrode may cover (or overlap with) only a partial area of the receiving surface.
  • the receiving surface has a first area which overlaps with the electrode and a second area which does not overlap with the electrode.
  • the first area is an "active" area (causing electrostatic induction) and the second area is an "inactive" area (causing no or insufficient electrostatic induction).
  • the holding device comprises at least two electrostatic charging electrodes which may be activated (charged) independent of each other, wherein a first electrode of the at least two electrostatic charging electrodes overlaps with a first area of the receiving surface and a second electrode of the at least two electrostatic charging electrodes overlaps with a second area of the receiving surface.
  • the first area is arranged preferably adjacent to the second area.
  • different areas of the receiving surface may be switched "active" or "inactive".
  • the first holding device comprises a heating device for heating a solar cell and/or foil, preferably via its receiving surface, wherein preferably the heating device is arranged, preferably directly, behind the receiving surface.
  • the heating device is arranged, preferably directly, behind the receiving surface.
  • the joining process is improved.
  • the foil may be brought into a sticky state improving the (provisional) connection.
  • Thermal energy may be transferred to the solar cell and/or (wire) foil e.g. by heat conduction, radiation and/or inductive heating.
  • the heating device comprises electric heating conductors (e.g. wires). It is preferred if the heating device or the heat generating portion of the heating device is arranged between the receiving surface and the at least one electrostatic charging electrode. Heat transfer may be optimized in such away.
  • a second holding device for transferring a solar cell to the first holding device
  • a third holding device for transferring a foil to the first holding device, wherein the second holding device has a receiving surface for receiving a solar cell and the third holding device has a receiving surface for receiving a foil and wherein the second holding device and the third holding device are movable relative to the first holding device, and
  • the joining device comprises a heating device for heating the solar cell and foil once placed on the first holding device, wherein preferably the heating device is movable relative to the first holding device.
  • the step of supplying the cell and the step of supplying the foil to the first holding device are done by separate holding devices. It is also preferred, if a separate heating device is provided (i.e. independent of the holding devices). In such an embodiment each step is performed by an independent device resulting in a high through-put.
  • the joining device comprises a first holding device and a second holding device for transferring a solar cell and/or a foil to the first holding device, wherein the second holding device has a receiving surface for receiving a solar cell and/or a foil and is movable relative to the first holding device.
  • the second holding device is a transfer device.
  • the second holding device allows separating the joining process from at least a part of the supplying process.
  • the solar cells may be supplied (individually or as a stack) to a supply station.
  • the second holding device then transfers the solar cells, preferably one after the other, to the first holding device.
  • the second holding device may be a gripper, such as a mechanical gripper or a vacuum gripper or an electrostatic gripper.
  • the first holding device and second holding device being movable relative to each other in a direction having a directional component which is parallel to the receiving surface of the first holding device, wherein preferably the second holding device is movable relative to the first holding device in vertical and/or horizontal direction.
  • This allows placing the starting components (solar cells or foil pieces) apart from the first holding device.
  • the second holding device comprises at least one electrostatic charging electrode and/or a vacuum gripper for inducing an electrostatic or suction force, preferably an attraction force in direction towards the receiving surface and/or a rejection force in direction away from the receiving surface.
  • the receiving surface may have a contact to ground potential, in order to hold the solar cell to be transferred at ground potential (and to prevent the solar cell from damaged caused by high induced voltages). This can be done by an electrode (that touches the cell and is connected to ground) on the engaging surface of the gripper or on the surface the cell is placed on.
  • the second holding device comprises a heating device for heating a solar cell and/or foil, preferably via its receiving surface, wherein preferably the heating device is arranged (directly) behind the receiving surface.
  • a starting component e.g. the solar cell
  • the other starting component e.g. the foil.
  • the heating device comprises electric heating conductors (e.g. wires). It is further preferred if the heating device or the heat generating portion of the heating device is arranged between the receiving surface and the at least one electrostatic charging electrode. Heat transfer may be optimized in such away.
  • the joining device comprises a third holding device, which has a receiving surface for receiving a foil or for receiving cell-foil-assemblies joined at the first holding device or at the second holding device, wherein preferably the third holding device comprises at least one electrostatic chargeable electrode for inducing an electrostatic force, preferably an attraction force in direction towards its receiving surface and/or a rejection force in direction away from its receiving surface and/or an attraction force between a solar cell and a foil (preferably lying on a first holding device), and/or wherein preferably the third holding device comprises a heating device for heating a solar cell and/or foil, preferably via its receiving surface, wherein preferably the heating device is arranged preferably directly behind the receiving surface and/or wherein preferably the third holding device is movable relative to the first holding device, preferably in vertical and/or horizontal direction.
  • the third holding device allows a further processing step, which may be based on the same (electrostatic) principle as the joining of a solar cell with a foil piece at the second holding device
  • the second holding device is moveable between a solar cell- or foil- supply station and the first holding device and/or between the first holding device and the third holding device.
  • the second holding device is a transfer device allowing to (spatially) separate individual processing steps.
  • the receiving surface of the first holding device faces upwardly and/or wherein the receiving surface of the second holding device faces downwardly and/or wherein the receiving surface of the third holding device faces upwardly or downwardly, and/or wherein the second holding device may be arranged above the first holding device and/or above the third holding device.
  • the receiving surface of the first, second and/or third holding device may have at least one electrical contact, which is connected to ground potential.
  • a further holding device is moveable relative to a first holding device and is capable of transferring a foil and/or a cell to the receiving surface of the first holding device, wherein at least one electrostatic charging electrode for inducing an electrostatic force is part of and/or arranged on a further holding device.
  • the further holding device is used as transfer device (e.g. functions as a gripper).
  • the at least one electrostatic charging electrode for inducing an electrostatic force is capable of being moved in a direction having a directional component which is parallel to the first receiving surface of a first holding device, preferably in a direction parallel to the first receiving surface of the first holding device, preferably at a distance to the first receiving surface of the first holding device which distance is smaller than 3cm, preferably smaller than 2cm, more preferred smaller than 1cm.
  • the at least one electrostatic charging electrode (which is capable of being moved parallel or with parallel component to the first receiving surface of the first holding device) is part of and/or arranged on a further holding device having a receiving surface for receiving a foil.
  • the first receiving surface faces upwardly and the receiving surface of the further holding device faces downwardly.
  • the object is also achieved by a method of joining at least one solar cell with a foil, preferably a wire foil, preferably by means of a joining device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: (I) bringing the solar cell and the foil together, such that the solar cell and the foil layer are arranged one on the other, preferably one above the other,
  • a cell-foil assembly is to be understood as an assembly of at least one cell and at least one foil arranged one on the other, independent of the magnitude of the force, by which they are held together.
  • the foil itself may be a wire foil, a so called FWA (foil wire assembly).
  • the foil area is roughly at least twice as large as the area of the solar cell, preferably at least twice as large as the area of the solar cell. It is further preferred, if the foil area is smaller than 2,5-times the area of the solar cell. In such a way so-called shingles are produced for further processing.
  • the individual shingles are joined with each other in a subsequent processing step.
  • the free foil area of a shingle is joined with the solar cell of another shingle thus forming a solar cell lay-up.
  • step (I) is performed by the (moveable) second holding device and step (II) by the first holding device, in that the electrostatic charging electrode of the first holding device is activated.
  • the foil and the solar cell are supported by a receiving surface of a first holding device, wherein preferably the first holding device comprises at least one electrostatically chargeable electrode, which is charged during step (I) and/or step (II).
  • step (II) is - at least partly - performed by moving at least one activated electrostatic charging electrode over the foil and/or cell, preferably parallel to the foil and/or cell, preferably at a distance to the foil and/or cell, which distance is smaller than 3cm, preferably smaller than 2cm, more preferred smaller than 1cm.
  • the movement of the (activated) electrostatic charging electrode allows inducing a strong attraction force between cell and foil (also called: strong "wetting").
  • the (moveable) electrostatic charging electrode is part of a (moveable) holding device, the return-movement of the holding device may be at the same time be used as "induction movement".
  • the solar cell and/or the foil is/are heated by at least one heating device during step (II) and/or before step (II) and/or after step (II), preferably at least during step (I).
  • Heating of the components, solar cell and/or foil may be performed e.g. by a heating device of the second holding device already during transfer, i.e. during step (I), and/or by a heating device of the first holding device prior or during step (II).
  • step (I) is performed by means of a second holding device, which has a receiving surface and is movable relative to the first holding device, wherein one of the solar cell and the foil, preferably the solar cell, is received at the receiving surface of the second holding device and moved to the other of the solar cell and the foil, preferably the foil, by means of the second holding device.
  • one of the solar cell and the foil, preferably the solar cell is attracted towards the receiving surface of the second holding device by means of electrostatic charging and/or by means of vacuum gripping.
  • step (I) the second holding device is moved in a direction having a directional component which is parallel to the receiving surface of the first holding device.
  • a first cell-foil-assembly as resulting from step (II) and/or from a subsequent heating step is joined to at least one further cell-foil-assembly, by the steps of: (III) bringing the first cell-foil-assembly and the at least one further cell-foil- assembly together, such that the first cell-foil-assembly and the at least one further cell-foil-assembly at least partially overlap with each other, and
  • step (IV) inducing, preferably by means of electrostatic charging, a force, by means of which the first cell-foil-assembly and the at least one further cell-foil-assembly are pressed against each other, and/or against a receiving surface of a holding device, wherein preferably at the end of step (III) the first cell-foil-assembly and the at least one further cell-foil-assembly are supported by a receiving surface of a third holding device, wherein preferably the third holding device comprises at least one electrode, which is electrostatically charged during step (IV), and/or wherein preferably the third holding device comprises a heating device that heats a cell-foil assembly, preferably via its receiving surface, and/or wherein the cell-foil-assembly and/or the at least one further cell-foil- assembly is heated by means of a heating device, wherein preferably the heating device is comprised by the third holding device, wherein preferably
  • multiple cell-foil-assemblies may be placed on top of each other to form a string.
  • the string forming location may have electrostatic means (keeping the foils flat and pressing the cell and foil to be joined together) and be heated (to join the foil with the cell).
  • a matrix may be formed by placing the cell/foils in an orientation as to form one meandering string that forms the matrix.
  • the at least one electrode (for inducing an electrostatic force) of the first and/or second and/or third holding device and the heating device of the same holding device may be formed integrally with each other, i.e. the same electrical conductors may be used for inducing an electrostatic force (high voltage) and for (electrically) heating (large current) the flat object on the receiving surface. Electrode and heating device may be formed within a common element.
  • the invention also relates to a method of gripping a flat object, particularly a solar cell, a wafer or a foil, preferably a wire foil, by means of a holding device, wherein the holding device comprises a receiving surface for receiving the flat object and at least one electrostatic charging electrode for inducing an electrostatic force attracting the flat object to the receiving surface, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
  • step (II) is performed in a contactless state of flat object and receiving surface. It is preferred if the gap has a width of at least 0,3mm, preferably at least 0,5mm. It is further preferred if the gap has a width of at most 5mm, preferably at most 3mm .
  • the invention also relates to a method of gripping a flat object, particularly a solar cell, a wafer or a foil, preferably a wire foil, from a stack of flat objects, by means of a holding device, wherein the holding device comprises a receiving surface for receiving the flat object and at least one electrostatic charging electrode for inducing an electrostatic force attracting the flat object to the receiving surface, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
  • This method may be performed according to the same principle as the foregoing method, i.e. keeping a gap while charging the electrode.
  • the receiving surface is heated by a heating device of the holding means, wherein preferably the heating device or a heat generating unit of the heating device is arranged between the receiving surface and the at least one electrostatic charging electrode.
  • a solar cell - foil - assembly (also called: lay-up), comprising at least one solar cell and at least one foil, preferably a wire foil, arranged one above the other, characterized in that the at least one solar cell and the at least one foil are held together (mainly) by electrostatic force, preferably by electrostatic force only.
  • Such an intermediate stage of production may be handled easily prior to the lamination process, in which the preliminary (electrostatic) connection is 'replaced' by a final (thermal) connection.
  • Such a (intermediate) cell-foil-assembly may comprise a plurality of solar cells and foils thereby forming e.g. string or matrix, the parts of which are held together (only or mainly) by electrostatic attraction.
  • Further embodiments of the invention are indicated in the figures and in the dependent claims. The list of reference marks forms part of the disclosure. The invention will now be explained in detail by the drawings. In the drawings:
  • Fig. 1 shows a joining device according to the invention
  • Fig.2 shows individual process steps a to j of a preferred joining method
  • Fig.3 shows a holding device with two electrodes and a heating device
  • Fig.4 shows a method of gripping a flat object from a stack
  • Fig. 5 shows a first holding device and a third holding device with their receiving surfaces facing upwardly
  • Fig. 6 shows a preferred embodiment of the joining device.
  • Fig. 1 shows a joining device 10 for joining at least one solar cell 9 with a foil 8, preferably a wire foil.
  • the joining device 10 comprises a first holding device 1 which has a receiving surface 11 for receiving at least one solar cell 9 and a foil 8 and at least one electrostatic charging electrode 21 for inducing an electrostatic force.
  • the electrostatic force is preferably an attraction force in direction towards the receiving surface 11 and/or a rejection force in direction away from the receiving surface 11.
  • the electrostatic charging electrode when activated also causes an (induced) charge carrier shift within solar cell and foil resulting in an attracting force between solar cell and foil.
  • the first holding device 1 also comprises a heating device 31 for heating its receiving surface 11.
  • the heating device 31 - or at least the heat generating portion of the heating device - may be arranged directly behind the receiving surface 11.
  • the heating device is indicated as electrical heating conductor, e.g. heating coil.
  • the heating device 31 or the heat generating portion of the heating device 31 is arranged between the receiving surface 11 and the at least one electrostatic charging electrode 21 (see Fig 5).
  • the joining device 10 may also comprise a second holding device 2 for transferring a solar cell 9 and/or a foil 8 to the first holding device 1 , wherein the second holding device 2 has a receiving surface 12 for receiving a solar cell 9 and/or a foil 8 and is movable relative to the first holding device 1 (indicated by the double arrows in Fig. 1 ) .
  • first holding device 1 and second holding device 2 may be movable relative to each other in a direction having a directional component which is parallel to the receiving surface 11 of the first holding device 1.
  • the second holding device 2 is movable relative to the first holding device 1 in vertical and horizontal direction.
  • the second holding device 2 may comprise at least one electrostatic charging electrode 22 for inducing an electrostatic force, preferably an attraction force in direction towards the receiving surface 12 and/or a rejection force in direction away from the receiving surface 12.
  • the second holding device 2 may comprise a heating device 32 for heating its receiving surface 12.
  • the heating device 32 may be arranged directly behind the receiving surface 12. It is preferred if the heating device 32 or a heat generating portion (electrical heating conductor, e.g. heating coil) of the heating device 32 is arranged between the receiving surface 12 and the at least one electrostatic charging electrode 22 (see Fig.3 and 4).
  • the electrostatic charging electrode 22 may comprise at least one plus pole, or at least one minus pole, or both.
  • the holding device comprises two electrostatic charging electrodes 22 which may be activated (charged) independent of each other.
  • the first electrode overlaps with a first area of the receiving surface 12, and may e.g. be used for lifting a solar cell
  • the second electrode overlaps with a second area of the receiving surface 12, and may e.g. be used for lifting a wire foil.
  • the first area is arranged adjacent to the second area.
  • different areas of the receiving surface 12 may be switched "active" or "inactive”.
  • the joining device 10 of Fig. 1 also comprises a third holding device 3, which has a receiving surface 13 for receiving cell-foil-assemblies 7 joined at the second holding device 2,
  • the third holding device 3 may comprise at least one electrostatic chargeable electrode 23 for inducing an attraction force in direction towards its receiving surface 13 and/or a rejection force in direction away from its receiving surface 13 and/or for generating an attractive force between two superimposed cell-foil- assemblies.
  • the third holding device 3 of Fig. 5 comprises a heating device 33 for heating its receiving surface 13, wherein preferably the heating device 33 is arranged preferably directly behind the receiving surface 13.
  • the third holding device 3 may be movable relative to the first holding device 1, preferably in vertical and/or horizontal direction.
  • the joining device 10 of Fig. 1 also comprises a cell supply station 4 and a foil supply station 5 (details of which are not shown).
  • the second holding device 2 is moveable between the solar cell supply station 4 and the first holding device 1 and also between the first holding device 1 and the third holding device 3. As can be seen from Figs.
  • the receiving surface 11 of the first holding device 1 faces upwardly; the receiving surface 12 of the second holding device 2 faces downwardly; and the receiving surface 13 of the third holding device 3 faces upwardly.
  • the second holding device 2 - acting as transfer device - may be arranged or moved above the first holding device 1 and/or above the third holding device 3.
  • a force is induced by means of electrostatic charging pressing the solar cell 9 and the foil 8 against each other to form a cell-foil-assembly 7 (e.g. a shingle).
  • the foil 8 and the solar cell 9 may be supported by the receiving surface 11 of the first holding device 1 , which has at least one electrostatically chargeable electrode 21, which is charged during step (I) and/or step (II).
  • Fig.2a to 2d A possible embodiment of such a method is illustrated in Fig. 2.
  • the second holding means 2 which is formed as electrostatic gripper, grips a solar cell
  • a foil piece 8 which may be at least twice as large as the solar cell 9, is placed on first holding means 1 (by a handling means, not shown). Solar cell 9 is then lowered towards the foil piece 8.
  • the electrode 21 of first holding means 1 is activated causing a preliminary joining of solar cell 9 and foil 8 (Fig. 2e).
  • the cell-foil assembly 7 is then transferred by means of the second holding device 2 to the third holding means 3 (Fig. 2f and 2g) and placed above another cell-foil assembly 7 already placed on the receiving surface of the third holding means 3 (Fig. 2h to 2j).
  • the cell-foil assemblies 7 are joined, preferably also by means of electrostatic induction.
  • the solar cell 9 and/or the foil 8 is/are heated by at least one heating device 31, 32 during step (II) and/or before step (II) and/or after step (II), preferably at least during step (I).
  • step (I) is performed by means of the second holding device 2, which has a receiving surface 12 and is movable relative to the first holding device 1, wherein one of the solar cell 9 and the foil 8 (here: the solar cell 9) is received at the receiving surface 12 of the second holding device 2 and moved to the other of the solar cell 9 and the foil 8 (here: the foil 8) by means of the second holding device 2.
  • Holding (or gripping) solar cell 9 is performed by means of electrostatic charging.
  • step (I) the second holding device 2 is moved in a direction having a directional component which is parallel to the receiving surface 11 of the first holding device 1.
  • a first cell-foil-assembly 7 as resulting from step (II) may be joined to at least one further cell-foil-assembly 7, by the steps of:
  • the first cell-foil-assembly 7 and the at least one further cell-foil-assembly 7 are supported by a receiving surface 13 of a third holding device 3, wherein preferably the third holding device 3 comprises at least one electrode 33, which is charged during step (IV).
  • the third holding device 3 comprises a heating device 33 that heats its receiving surface 13.
  • the heating device 33 or a heat generating portion of the heating device 33 may be arranged between the receiving surface 13 and the at least one electrostatic charging electrode 23 (Fig. 5).
  • Fig. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention, in which the third holding device 3' is capable of transferring foils 8 (here: wire foils) from a foil supply station 5 to a first holding device 1. See also the double arrow in Fig. 6 indicating the movement of the third holding device 3' relative to the foil supply station and relative to the first holding device 1 along a guide.
  • the third holding device 3' comprises a receiving surface 13' for receiving a foil 8. The receiving surface 13' faces downwardly (and is therefore not visible in Fig. 6).
  • the third holding device may comprise an (first) electrostatic chargeable electrode 23a or a vacuum gripper for inducing an electrostatic force or a suction force, preferably an attraction force in direction towards its receiving surface 13', in order to attract and hold the foil 8 during the transfer from the foil supplying station 5 to the first holding device 1.
  • the (first) electrode 23a or the vacuum gripper in Fig. 6 is indicated by dashed lines.
  • the third holding device 3' may also comprise an (second) electrostatic chargeable electrode 23b for inducing an electrostatic force, preferably an attraction force between a solar cell 9 arranged on the holding device 1 and a foil 8 that is put on top of the solar cell 9.
  • the (second) electrode 23b in Fig. 6 is arranged laterally of the receiving surface 13'. As the holding device 3' moves back to the supplying station 5 to collect a new foil 8, the (second) electrode 23b moves over the solar cell 9 and the foil 8 arranged on the holding device 1 and charges them electrostatically so that the solar cell 9 and the foil 8 are attracted to each other and/or to the holding device 1.
  • the first electrode 23a or the vacuum gripper and the second electrode 23b of the third holding device 3' may be activated and/or de-activated independent of each other.
  • the second holding device 2 transfers solar cells 9 from a solar cell supply station 4 towards the first holding device 1.
  • the second holding device 2 of Fig. 6 has similar function as the second holding device 2 of Fig. 1.
  • an electrostatic force may be induced which forces the solar cell 9 and the foil 8, when arranged at the first receiving surface 11, against each other.
  • the effect of the electrostatic induction is a very uniform joining without the formation of bubbles between solar cell and (wire) foil.
  • a very advantageous method of joining at least one solar cell 9 with a foil 8 comprises the step of moving the activated electrode 23b of the third holding device 3' over the arrangement of solar cell 9 and foil 8. As can be seen from Fig. 6 the movement during which such a force is generated is parallel to the first receiving surface 11. During such a movement the distance between the receiving surface 13' of the third holding device 3' and the cell foil assembly 7 is preferably smaller than 2cm, more preferred smaller than 1 cm .
  • the holding devices 1, 2, 3' of Fig. 6 each may have a heating device (not shown in Fig. 6) for heating the foil 8 and/or cell 9 and/or the cell-foil assembly.
  • this assembly is moved into the position of assembly 7 as shown in Fig. 6, moving it in the direction indicated by the arrow.
  • a heating device 34 e.g. by a moveable heating stamp (as shown in Fig. 6) or by hot air supply, both pressing the cell-foil assembly 7 against the holding device 1 , so that the real wetting between the cell 9 and the foil 8 occurs.
  • the invention also relates to a method of gripping a flat object, particularly a solar cell 9 or a foil 8, by means of a holding device 2.
  • the holding device 2 also called: electrostatic holding device or electrostatic gripper
  • the holding device 2 comprises a receiving surface 12 for receiving the flat object and at least one electrostatic charging electrode 22 for inducing an electrostatic force attracting the flat object to the receiving surface 12.
  • the method comprises the steps of: moving the holding device 2 towards the flat object thereby keeping a gap 6 between the receiving surface 12 and the flat object, bringing the electrode 22 of the holding device 2 into a charged state, such that the flat object is attracted by electrostatic force through the gap 6 towards the receiving surface 12.
  • gripping begins with a contactless arrangement and the flat object is attracted towards the receiving surface.
  • the method of gripping may be part of the method of joining as described above and/or may be performed by means of a joining device 10.
  • the gap 6 has a width D of at least 0,3mm, preferably at least 0,5mm, and/or of at most 5mm, preferably at most 3mm.
  • a further inventive method of gripping a flat object, particularly a solar cell 9, wafer or a foil 8, from a stack of flat objects, by means of a holding device 2 is described as follows (see also Fig. 4):
  • the holding device 2 comprises a receiving surface 12 for receiving the flat object and at least one electrostatic charging electrode 22 for inducing an electrostatic force attracting the flat object to the receiving surface 12.
  • the method comprises the steps of :

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Condensed Matter Physics & Semiconductors (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Container, Conveyance, Adherence, Positioning, Of Wafer (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un dispositif d'assemblage (10) servant à assembler au moins une photopile (9) et une feuille (8), de préférence une feuille métallique, le dispositif d'assemblage comprenant : au moins un dispositif de support (1, 2, 3, 3') qui présente une surface de réception (11, 12, 13 13') destinée à recevoir ladite photopile (9) et/ou la feuille (8) ; et au moins une électrode de charge électrostatique (21, 22, 23, 23a, 23b) destinée à induire une force électrostatique, de préférence une force d'attraction, en direction de la surface de réception (11) du dispositif de support (1, 2, 3, 3') et/ou une force de rejet dans une direction s'éloignant de la surface de réception (11) du dispositif de support (1, 2, 3, 3') et/ou une force d'attraction entre ladite photopile (9) et la feuille (8).
PCT/IB2018/054112 2017-06-09 2018-06-07 Dispositif d'assemblage servant à assembler au moins une photopile et une feuille WO2018225005A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17175347 2017-06-09
EP17175347.8 2017-06-09

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Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100037932A1 (en) * 2008-06-03 2010-02-18 Shmuel Erez System for simultaneous tabbing and stringing of solar cells
WO2010124078A2 (fr) * 2009-04-24 2010-10-28 Peter Peumans Réseaux photovoltaïques, cellules solaires à microconcentrateur et modules et procédés de fabrication
WO2012127344A1 (fr) * 2011-03-23 2012-09-27 3S Swiss Solar Systems Ag Système et procédés pour traiter électrostatiquement au moins un élément d'au moins une superposition d'une pluralité d'éléments de module solaire
US20120294967A1 (en) * 2011-05-17 2012-11-22 Ching-Huang Lin Machine for Manufacturing Electrode Tape
US20130052773A1 (en) * 2010-04-21 2013-02-28 Muehlbauer Ag Method and device for producing a solar module comprising flexible thin-film solar cells, and solar module comprising flexible thin-film solar cells

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20100037932A1 (en) * 2008-06-03 2010-02-18 Shmuel Erez System for simultaneous tabbing and stringing of solar cells
WO2010124078A2 (fr) * 2009-04-24 2010-10-28 Peter Peumans Réseaux photovoltaïques, cellules solaires à microconcentrateur et modules et procédés de fabrication
US20130052773A1 (en) * 2010-04-21 2013-02-28 Muehlbauer Ag Method and device for producing a solar module comprising flexible thin-film solar cells, and solar module comprising flexible thin-film solar cells
WO2012127344A1 (fr) * 2011-03-23 2012-09-27 3S Swiss Solar Systems Ag Système et procédés pour traiter électrostatiquement au moins un élément d'au moins une superposition d'une pluralité d'éléments de module solaire
US20120294967A1 (en) * 2011-05-17 2012-11-22 Ching-Huang Lin Machine for Manufacturing Electrode Tape

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