REMOVING APPARATUS FOR REMOVING A FRAME FROM A SOLAR PANEL OF A SOLAR CELL MODULE

A removing apparatus for removing frame parts from a solar panel of a solar cell module includes a transporting mechanism, a panel fixing mechanism and a removing mechanism mounted on a frame mechanism. The panel fixing mechanism is operable to move the solar cell module upwardly away from the transporting mechanism and to be retainingly connected with the solar panel. The removing mechanism is disposed above the transporting mechanism, and includes removing modules respectively registered with the frame parts. Each removing module is driven to sequentially thrust and remove two ends of the corresponding frame part from the solar panel. Deformation of the frame parts during the removing process is prevented.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Taiwanese Patent Application No. 112131935, filed on Aug. 24, 2023, and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a solar cell module processing device, and more particularly to a removing apparatus for removing a frame from a solar panel of a solar cell module.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, solar cell modules have become very popular as green energy devices, which convert sunlight into electricity to be stored for use in applications. After a period of use the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell module degrades to a certain extent, and a recycling process where the non-functional solar cell module is discarded is required.

A solar cell module generally includes a solar panel to convert sunlight into electricity, and a frame surrounding the periphery of the solar panel. During the recycling process for removing four frame parts of the frame from the solar panel, the solar cell module is placed on a platform, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders disposed at front, rear, left and right sides of the solar cell module are used to synchronously remove those frame parts. The conventional processing with the removing devices might cause deformation of the frame parts and prevent reuse of the frame parts, and further manual collection of the bent and deformed frame parts is required, which is inconvenient and labor-intensive.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a removing apparatus that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the disclosure, the removing apparatus is for removing a frame from a solar panel of a solar cell module. The frame includes front, rear, left and right frame parts attached to front, rear, left and right sides of the solar panel and each having two ends. The removing apparatus includes a frame mechanism, a transporting mechanism, a panel fixing mechanism and a removing mechanism which are mounted on the frame mechanism. The transporting mechanism is for carrying and transporting the solar cell module. The panel fixing mechanism is operable to move the solar cell module upwardly away from the transporting mechanism and to be retainingly connected with the solar panel. The removing mechanism is disposed above the transporting mechanism, and includes front, rear, left and right removing modules which are operable to be respectively registered with the front, rear, left and right frame parts. Each of the front, rear, left and right removing modules is driven individually to thrust sequentially the two ends of a corresponding one of the front, rear, left and right frame parts so as to remove firstly one end of the corresponding frame part and then the other end thereof from the solar panel.

With the panel fixing mechanism moving the solar cell module upwardly away from the transporting mechanism and retainingly connected with the solar panel, and with each removing module removing sequentially two ends of the corresponding frame part, the frame parts can be removed from the solar panel while maintaining the shape thereof without any deformation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1,2and3, an embodiment of a removing apparatus200for removing a frame from a solar panel901of a solar cell module900is adapted to be in signal connection with a control device (not shown) so as to be controlled and operated to perform an automatic removing and recycling process for removing the frame from the solar cell module900. The frame includes front, rear, left and right frame parts902attached to front, rear, left and right sides of the solar panel901and each having two ends. In this embodiment, the removing and recycling process is for removing and collecting the frame parts902from the solar cell module900.

The removing apparatus200includes a frame mechanism3, a transporting mechanism4, a panel fixing mechanism5, a removing mechanism6and a frame collecting mechanism7which are mounted on the frame mechanism3.

The frame mechanism3includes a frame body31composed of a plurality of shafts, and a plurality of wall plates32disposed within and surrounding the frame body31. The frame body31and the wall plates32cooperatively define an operating compartment301which extends in a front-rear direction, a first transition compartment304which is in spatial communication with a rear end of the operating compartment301in an up-down direction, a collecting compartment305which is formed under the operating compartment301and which is in spatial communication with the first transition compartment304, and two second transition compartments306which are respectively formed at left and right sides of the operating compartment301and which are in spatial communication with both the operating compartment301and the collecting compartment305in the up-down direction. The operating compartment301has an inlet port302at a front side for moving the solar cell module900therein, and an outlet port303at a rear side for moving out the removed solar panel901therefrom.

With reference toFIGS.2,3,4and5, the transporting mechanism4includes a transporting module41which is mounted on the frame body31and in the operating compartment301, two rear stop modules42which are disposed at a rear side of the transporting module41and which are spaced apart from each other in a left-right direction, and two laterally aligning modules43which are mounted in the operating compartment301and which are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction.

The transporting module41includes a plurality of rollers411which extend in the left-right direction and are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, an endless transmission member412(seeFIG.4) which is trained on the rollers411, and a transporting driver413(seeFIG.3) which is operated to drive rotation of the transmission member412. A dropdown channel410is defined between two adjacent ones of the rollers411and is in spatial communication with both the operating compartment301and the collecting compartment305in the up-down direction. The rollers411are disposed for carrying and transporting the solar cell module900. The transmission member412is driven by the transporting driver413to make rolling of the rollers411so as to move the solar cell module900rearwardly. In this embodiment, the transmission member412is a chain meshing with the rollers411, and the transporting driver413is a motor. Alternatively, the transmission member412may be an endless belt.

With reference toFIGS.3and4, each rear stop module42includes a stop member421which is rotatably sleeved on the rearmost roller411, and a stop driver422which is mounted on the frame body31and coupled with the stop member421. The stop member421is driven by the stop driver422to be turned upwardly from a lower retreating position to permit a rearward movement of the solar cell module900, to an upper stopping position to stop the rearward movement of the solar cell module900.

In this embodiment, the stop driver422is in the form of a telescopic cylinder having upper and lower ends respectively pivoted with the stop member421and the frame body31and extendable and retractable in the inclined length direction to be shifted to rotate upwardly the stop member421to the upper stopping position. The stop driver422for rotating the stop member421may be implemented in a variety of forms. For example, a motor mechanism may serve as the stop driver422.

Moreover, the rear stop module42may be implemented in a variety of forms. For example, the stop driver422may be in the form of a telescopic cylinder extending uprightly, and be controlled to project upwardly higher than the transporting module41to stop the rearward movement of the solar cell module900. Alternatively, the transporting mechanism4may include only one rear stop module42.

With reference toFIGS.3and5, each laterally aligning module43includes two guide rails431which extend in the left-right direction and which are mounted on the frame body31, two laterally aligning members432which are slidably mounted on the guide rails431, and a synchronizing transmitting unit433which is coupled with the laterally aligning members432to synchronize movement of the laterally aligning members432along the guide rails431. The synchronizing transmitting unit434includes a circular rotary seat434which is rotatably mounted on the frame body31about a vertical axis, two linkages435, each of which interconnects the rotary seat434and a respective one of the laterally aligning members432and which are disposed diametrically opposite to each other, and a laterally aligning driver436which is coupled with the rotary seat434. The rotary seat434is rotated by the laterally aligning driver436to move synchronously the laterally aligning members432through the linkages435along the guide rails431in opposite directions. Through the laterally aligning members432driven to move close to each other in the left-right direction, left and right sides of the solar cell module900are thereby pressed to regulate orientation of the solar cell module900.

With reference toFIGS.4,7and8, the panel fixing mechanism5includes a first gripping unit51and a second gripping unit52which are mounted on the frame body31and disposed above and under the transporting module41, respectively. The first gripping unit51includes a plurality of suction members511which are securely mounted on the frame body31and spaced apart from each other in both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The second gripping unit52includes a plurality of pressing members521which are disposed corresponding with the suction members511, respectively. In this embodiment, each suction member511is in the form of a suction cup. Each pressing member521has a suction structure at an upper end thereof, and is telescopically driven in the up-down direction.

With reference toFIGS.2,7and8, the pressing members521of the second gripping unit52are driven to be raised upwardly higher than the transporting module41to abut against a bottom surface of the solar panel901of the solar cell module900, and cooperatively move the solar cell module900upwardly away from the transporting module41until a top surface of the solar panel901elastomerically abuts against the suction members511. The suction members511are squeezed by the upwardly moved solar panel901and are elastically deformed to generate a negative pressure for tightly attaching to the solar panel901. At this time, the pressing members521cooperate with the suction members511to grip and retain firmly the solar panel901in the up-down direction.

Alternatively, in another embodiment, only one of the first and second gripping units51,52has a suction structure driven to generate a negative pressure to be attached and connected to the solar panel901.

With reference toFIGS.2,4and6, the removing mechanism6is mounted in the operating compartment301, and includes a seat regulating module61which is mounted on the frame body31above the transporting module41, and front, rear, left and right removing modules62which are mounted on the frame body31and the seat regulating module61. The front and rear removing modules62are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction to be respectively registered with the front and rear frame parts902, and the left and right removing modules62are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction to be respectively registered with the left and right frame parts902. The front, left and right removing modules62are mounted on the seat regulating module61, and the rear removing module62is mounted on the frame body31.

The seat regulating module61includes two guiding rails611which are mounted on the frame body31, which extend in the front-rear direction and which are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, a threaded shaft612which extends in the front-rear direction and which is rotatably mounted on the frame body31, a first movable seat615which is movably mounted on the guiding rails611and which is threadedly engaged with the threaded shaft612, a second movable seat616which is movably mounted on the guiding rails611to be movable in the front-rear direction, which is threadedly engaged with the threaded shaft612and which is spaced apart from the first movable seat615in the front-rear direction, and a regulation driver617which is mounted on the frame body31and which is coupled with the threaded shaft612. Through the rotation of the threaded shaft612driven by the regulation driver617, the first and second movable seats615,616are moved synchronously in the front-rear direction along the guiding rails611.

In this embodiment, the threaded shaft612has a first threaded segment613and a second threaded segment614. The ratio of the lead of the first threaded segment613and the lead of the second threaded segment614is 2:1. The first movable seat615is threadedly engaged with the first threaded segment613, and the second movable seat616is threadedly engaged with the second threaded segment614. Specifically, during the rotation of the threaded shaft612, the ratio of the moving distance of the first movable seat615and the moving distance of the second movable seat616in the front-rear direction is 2:1. In other embodiments, the leads of the first and second threaded segments613,614may not be limited to this, or may be the same.

The removing module62mounted on the first movable seat615includes first and second telescopic cylinders621,623which are mounted below the first movable seat615and spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and a thrust rod626which is connected between the first and second telescopic cylinders621,623and which extends transverse to the first and second telescopic cylinders621,623. The first and second telescopic cylinders621,623extend in the front-rear direction. The first telescopic cylinder621is securely mounted on the first movable seat615, and has a forwardly first thrust end portion622which is pivotably connected with the thrust rod626about a vertical axis. The second telescopic cylinder623has a pivot end portion624which is pivotably connected with the first movable seat615about a vertical axis, and a forwardly second thrust end portion625which is opposite to the pivot end portion624and which is pivotably connected with the thrust rod626about a vertical axis.

The first telescopic cylinder621is driven to extend forwardly to bring the first thrust end portion622to forwardly press a corresponding end portion of the thrust rod626. The second telescopic cylinder623is driven to extend forwardly to bring the second thrust end portion625to forwardly press a corresponding end portion of the thrust rod626, and is swingable leftwardly and rightwardly relative to the first movable seat615through the pivot end portion624. The forwardly pressed thrust rod626thrusts the corresponding frame part902forwardly to remove the frame part902from the solar panel901retained by the panel fixing mechanism5. The removed frame part902may drop from one of the dropdown channels410, into the collecting compartment305and onto the frame collecting mechanism7.

Each removing module62mounted on the second movable seat616includes first and second telescopic cylinders621,623which extend in the left-right direction and which are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction, and a thrust rod626which is connected between the first and second telescopic cylinders621,623and which extends in the front-rear direction transverse to the first and second telescopic cylinders621,623. The first telescopic cylinder621is securely mounted on the second movable seat616, and has a first thrust end portion622which is pivotably connected with the thrust rod626about a vertical axis. The second telescopic cylinder623has a pivot end portion624which is pivotably connected with the second movable seat616about a vertical axis, and a second thrust end portion625which is opposite to the pivot end portion624and which is pivotably connected with the thrust rod626about a vertical axis. Each first telescopic cylinder621and each second telescopic cylinder623are driven individually to respectively and laterally (in the left-right direction) press front and rear end portions of the thrust rod626. The laterally pressed thrust rod626thrusts the corresponding frame part902laterally to remove the frame part902from the solar panel901retained by the panel fixing mechanism5. Subsequently, the removed frame part902may drop on the rollers411.

The rear removing module62has first and second telescopic cylinders621,623which extend in the front-rear direction and which are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction, and a thrust rod626which is connected between the first and second telescopic cylinders621,623and which extends in the left-right direction transverse to the first and second telescopic cylinders621,623. The first telescopic cylinder621is securely mounted on the frame body31, and has a rearwardly first thrust end portion622which is pivotably connected with the thrust rod626about a vertical axis. The second telescopic cylinder623has a pivot end portion624which is pivotably connected with the frame body31about a vertical axis, and a rearwardly second thrust end portion625which is opposite to the pivot end portion624and which is pivotably connected with the thrust rod626about a vertical axis. The first telescopic cylinder621and the second telescopic cylinder623are driven individually to respectively and rearwardly press left and right end portions of the thrust rod626. The rearwardly pressed thrust rod626thrusts the corresponding rear frame part902rearwardly to remove the rear frame part902from the solar panel901retained by the panel fixing mechanism5. Subsequently, the removed rear frame part902may drop through the first transition compartment304into the collecting compartment305and onto the frame collecting mechanism7.

With reference toFIGS.3,8and9, the frame collecting mechanism7includes two deflecting rod modules71which are mounted on the frame body31, which extend in the front-rear direction and which are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction to be at left and right sides of the transporting module41, and a frame collecting module72which is mounted on the frame body31in the operating compartment305and which conveys each of the frame parts902dropping in the collecting compartment305outwardly of the frame mechanism3.

Each deflecting rod module71includes a deflecting rod member711which is rotatably mounted on the frame body31about an axis in the front-rear direction, and a rod driver714which is mounted between the frame body31and the deflecting rod member711. The deflecting rod member711has an axle portion712which extends in the front-rear direction and which is rotatably mounted on the frame body31about the axis, and a plurality of deflecting rod portions713which are connected with the axle portion712, which are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction and which extend toward the other deflecting rod module71. The rod driver714is controlled to drive rotation of the axle portion712such that the deflecting rod portions713are turned upwardly away from the transporting module41and cooperatively carry the corresponding frame part902on the rollers411to move the frame part902above a corresponding one of the second transition compartments306, and then release the frame part902and permit the frame part902to drop into the corresponding second transition compartment306and further into the collecting compartment305and onto the frame collecting module72.

The frame collecting module72is in the form of a conveyer belt device which is disposed in the operating compartment305and which extends in the left-right direction and below the transporting module41for carrying the frame parts902dropping in the collecting compartment305through either one dropdown channel410, dropping into the collecting compartment305through the first transition compartment304, and dropping into the collecting compartment305through the second transition compartments306, and for conveying each of the frame parts902outwardly of the frame mechanism3either one of leftwardly and rightwardly.

With reference toFIGS.2,3and5, during a frame removing operation, through the transporting module41, the solar cell module900is conveyed automatically and rearwardly into the operating compartment301, and the rear stop modules42are shifted to the upper stopping position to stop the rearward movement of the solar cell module900. At the same time, the laterally aligning modules43regulate the orientation of the solar cell module900in the left-right direction.

With reference toFIGS.2,5and7, subsequently, the second gripping unit52is driven to move the solar cell module900upwardly away from the transporting module41, and cooperates with the first gripping unit51to grip the solar panel901in the up-down direction. At this stage, the removing mechanism6is disposed at an area surrounded by the frame parts902.

Next, the control device controls, according to information on the dimension of the solar cell module, the seat regulating module61to move the front removing module62and the left and right removing modules62in the front-rear direction relative to the solar cell module900so as to move the front removing module62forwardly close to the front frame part902, and synchronously move the left and right removing modules62to bring the centers of the thrust rods626in the front-rear direction into alignment with the centers of the corresponding left and right frame parts900.

Subsequently, the control device controls the operation of the removing modules62such that the front and rear frame parts902are removed firstly and the left and right frame parts902are then removed from the solar panel901.

With reference toFIGS.7,10and11, specifically, the first telescopic cylinders621of the front and rear removing modules62are operated to extend to firstly bring the corresponding end portion of the thrust rods626to thrust the end portions of the corresponding frame parts902in the front-rear direction until the end portions of the frame parts902are removed from the solar panel901. Then, the second telescopic cylinders623of these removing modules62are operated to extend to bring the other end portions of the thrust rods626to thrust the other end portions of the corresponding frame parts902until the other end portions of the frame parts902are removed from the solar panel901. Each removed frame part902drops on the frame collecting module72, and is conveyed in the left-right direction by the frame collecting module72outwardly of the frame mechanism3.

With reference toFIGS.12and13, subsequently, similar to the previous operation of the front and rear removing modules62, the first and second telescopic cylinders621,623of the left and right removing modules62are controlled to sequentially extend to firstly bring the corresponding end portions of the thrust rods626to thrust the end portions of the left and right frame parts902, and then bring the other end portions of the thrust rod626to thrust other end portions of the frame parts902. The removed frame parts902drop on the rollers411.

With reference toFIGS.8and9, the deflecting rod modules71are operated to move upwardly the frame parts902and carry laterally the frame parts902to permit the frame parts902to drop into the second transition compartments306and further onto the frame collecting module72. The frame parts902are further transported in the left-right direction outwardly of the frame mechanism3.

In other various embodiments, the control device can control firstly the operation of the left and right removing modules62to remove the left and right frame parts902, and then control the operation of the front and rear removing modules62to remove the front and rear frame parts902.

With each removing modules62sequentially thrusting two end portions of each frame part902, the frame parts902are removed from the solar panel901while maintaining the shape thereof without deformation of the frame parts902.

After the removal operation of the frame parts902is completed, the pressing members521of the second gripping unit52are lowered to bring the solar panel901into disengagement from the suction members511of the first gripping unit51and placement on the transporting module41. Finally, the rear stop modules42are controlled to shift to the lower retreating position, and the transporting module41is driven to transport the solar panel901outwardly of the operating compartment301so as to accomplish the frame removing operation of the solar cell module900.

In this embodiment, through the seat regulating module61operated to regulate the front removing module62and the left and right removing modules62, the removing apparatus of the disclosure can be adapted for the frame removing operation of solar cell modules900of different lengths. In other embodiment, the seat regulating module62may be provided to regulate only the front removing module62. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the seat regulating module62may be omitted, and each of the removing modules62is securely mounted on the frame body31to perform a frame removing operation of a certain sized solar cell module900. Specifically, the first telescopic cylinder621of each removing module62is securely mounted on the frame body31and non-horizontally rotatable relative to the frame body31.

Moreover, in other various embodiments, the deflecting rod modules71are omitted, and the removed left and right frame parts902are pressed laterally by the left and right removing modules62to drop into the second transition compartments306.

As illustrated, the frame parts902can be removed from the solar panel901while maintaining the shape thereof without any deformation.

Further, by incorporating the deflecting rod modules71and the frame collecting module72of the frame collecting mechanism7in the removing apparatus, the removing apparatus of the disclosure can perform an automatic collecting process for collecting the removed frame parts902so as to perform a fully automatic operation of the removing apparatus200.