阅读说明：本技术 电池片串焊排版设备 (Battery piece series welding typesetting equipment ) 是由 李文 蒋小龙 季斌斌 于 2019-09-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种电池片串焊排版设备,包括电池片上料装置、电池片串焊装置、电池串排版装置及电池串组焊接装置,电池片上料装置用于将多片电池片运送至电池片串焊装置；电池片串焊装置用于将电池片上料装置运送来的多片电池片与多组焊带按照预定顺序叠放,并焊接成电池串；电池串排版装置用于将电池片串焊装置制成的多个电池串排版成电池串组；电池串组焊接装置至少用于将互联条横跨焊接于电池串排版装置生成的电池串组中并列排布的至少两个电池串上。通过设置电池片上料装置、电池片串焊装置、电池串排版装置及电池串组焊接装置,可自动化地完成在长电池串组上焊接互联条,从而提高太阳能电池板的发电效率。(The invention relates to a battery piece series welding typesetting device, which comprises a battery piece feeding device, a battery piece series welding device, a battery piece typesetting device and a battery series group welding device, wherein the battery piece feeding device is used for conveying a plurality of battery pieces to the battery piece series welding device; the battery piece series welding device is used for stacking a plurality of battery pieces conveyed by the battery piece feeding device and a plurality of groups of welding strips according to a preset sequence and welding the battery pieces and the welding strips into a battery string; the battery string typesetting device is used for typesetting a plurality of battery strings made by the battery piece series welding device into a battery string group; the battery string group welding device is at least used for welding the interconnection bars on at least two battery strings which are arranged in parallel in the battery string group generated by the battery string typesetting device in a crossing way. By arranging the cell piece feeding device, the cell piece serial welding device, the cell string typesetting device and the cell string group welding device, the welding of the interconnection strips on the long cell string group can be automatically completed, so that the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel is improved.)

1. The utility model provides a battery piece series welding typesetting equipment which characterized in that, battery piece series welding typesetting equipment includes battery piece loading attachment, battery piece series welding device, battery string typesetting device and battery cluster welding set, wherein:

the battery piece feeding device is used for conveying a plurality of battery pieces to the battery piece series welding device;

the battery piece series welding device is positioned at the subsequent station of the battery piece feeding device and is used for stacking a plurality of battery pieces conveyed by the battery piece feeding device and a plurality of groups of welding strips according to a preset sequence and welding the battery pieces into a battery string;

the battery string typesetting device is positioned at the subsequent station of the battery piece serial welding device and is used for typesetting a plurality of battery strings made by the battery piece serial welding device into a battery string group;

the battery string group welding device is positioned at the subsequent station of the battery piece typesetting device and is at least used for welding the interconnection bars on at least two battery strings which are arranged in parallel in the battery string group generated by the battery string typesetting device in a crossing way.

2. The series welding and typesetting equipment for battery pieces according to claim 1, wherein the battery piece feeding device comprises a feeding mechanism, a conveying mechanism, a detection mechanism and a placement mechanism;

the feeding mechanism is positioned at the feeding end of the conveying mechanism and is configured to place a battery piece to the conveying mechanism;

the detection mechanism is positioned on the side edge of the conveying mechanism and is used for detecting the battery piece on the conveying mechanism;

the placing mechanism is located at the discharge end of the conveying mechanism and is configured to move away the battery piece on the discharge end of the conveying mechanism and place the battery piece at a preset position.

3. The series welding and typesetting equipment for battery pieces according to claim 2, wherein the feeding mechanism comprises a rotating shaft driving mechanism, a rotating shaft, a first carrying part and a second carrying part;

the first conveying part and the second conveying part are connected to the rotating shaft and positioned on two sides of the rotating shaft, and one or two picking parts are respectively arranged on the first conveying part and the second conveying part;

the power output end of the rotating shaft driving mechanism is connected with the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft driving mechanism drives the rotating shaft to rotate so as to drive the first carrying portion and the second carrying portion to synchronously rotate, and when the first carrying portion rotates to the upper portion of the battery storage mechanism, the second carrying portion rotates to the upper portion of the feeding end of the conveying mechanism.

4. The cell string welding and typesetting device according to claim 2, wherein the cell feeding device further comprises a cell storage mechanism, and the feeding mechanism is configured to move between the cell storage mechanism and the feeding end of the conveying mechanism so as to pick up and place one or two cells in the cell storage mechanism on the conveying mechanism.

5. The battery piece series welding typesetting equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery piece series welding device comprises a welding strip feeding mechanism, a welding conveying belt and a welding mechanism;

the welding strip feeding mechanism is matched with the battery piece feeding device, and a plurality of groups of welding strips and a plurality of battery pieces are stacked on the welding conveying belt according to a preset sequence;

the welding conveyer belt is used for conveying the stacked battery plates and the multiple groups of welding belts to the welding mechanism;

the welding mechanism is used for welding the stacked battery pieces and the multiple groups of welding strips to form a battery string.

6. The battery piece series welding and typesetting equipment according to claim 1, wherein the battery string typesetting device comprises a feeding conveyer belt, a typesetting bearing platform, a tidying mechanism, a detection mechanism and a carrying mechanism;

the detection mechanism is positioned above or below the feeding conveying belt and is configured to detect the battery strings on the feeding conveying belt;

the conveying mechanism is configured to move between the feeding conveying belt and the arranging mechanism, so that qualified battery strings detected by the detection mechanism on the feeding conveying belt are conveyed to the arranging mechanism and are arranged by the arranging mechanism;

the carrying mechanism is also configured to move between the regulating mechanism and the typesetting bearing table so as to carry the battery strings regulated by the regulating mechanism to the typesetting bearing table for typesetting to obtain the battery string group.

7. The battery piece series welding and typesetting equipment according to claim 6, wherein the battery strings conveyed on the feeding conveyor belt comprise two types of battery strings, the battery string typesetting device further comprises two recovery platforms, the two recovery platforms are arranged on the side edge of the feeding conveyor belt, and the carrying mechanism is further configured to move between the feeding conveyor belt and the two recovery platforms so as to carry the two types of battery strings which are detected to be unqualified by the detecting mechanism on the feeding conveyor belt to the two recovery platforms respectively.

8. The battery piece series welding and typesetting equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery string welding device comprises a battery string bearing device, an interconnection strip unreeling device, an interconnection strip processing device and a first placing and welding module;

the battery string group bearing device is used for bearing a battery string group;

the interconnection strip unwinding device is positioned on one side of the battery string group bearing device and is used for bearing an interconnection strip material roll;

the interconnection strip processing device is arranged at the discharge end of the interconnection strip unreeling device and used for drawing out an interconnection strip from the interconnection strip material roll and cutting the interconnection strip into a first preset length;

the first welding module of placing sets up to be in battery cluster group carrier's extending direction reciprocating motion is used for picking up interconnection strip processing apparatus cuts at least one interconnection strip that obtains to interval perpendicularly in proper order lay extremely corresponding position between the head and the afterbody of the battery cluster group that battery cluster group carrier bore is laid on the battery cluster group the interconnection strip span in on two at least battery strings in the battery cluster group, it still will lay to place the welding module the interconnection strip welds on the battery cluster group.

9. The series welding and typesetting equipment for battery plates according to claim 8, wherein the battery string welding device is further used for welding bus bars at two ends of the battery string; the battery string welding device also comprises a bus bar unreeling device and a bus bar processing device;

the bus bar unreeling device is positioned on one side of the battery string bearing device and is used for bearing a bus bar material roll;

the bus bar processing device is arranged at the discharge end of the bus bar unreeling device and used for drawing out the bus bars from the bus bar material roll and cutting the bus bars into second preset lengths;

the first placement welding module carries bus bars from the bus bar processing device to the head end and the tail end of the battery string and welds the bus bars to the battery string; alternatively, the welding device further includes a second placement welding module that carries bus bars from the bus bar handling device to the head end and the tail end of the battery string and welds the bus bars to the battery string.

10. The battery piece series welding typesetting equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the battery piece series welding typesetting equipment further comprises a battery pack assembling device, and the battery pack assembling device is positioned at a subsequent station of the battery pack welding device and is used for assembling a battery pack into a battery pack; the battery component assembling device comprises a bearing plate and a carrying mechanism; the carrying plate is used for carrying a plurality of groups of battery string sets to be assembled, and the carrying mechanism is used for carrying the battery string sets to the carrying plate from the battery string set welding device.

Technical Field

The invention relates to solar cell production equipment, in particular to cell series welding typesetting equipment for manufacturing cell series groups from cells.

Background

In the production process of the solar cell panel, a plurality of cell sheets are required to be welded to form cell strings, then a plurality of cell strings are typeset according to a preset rule, then the ends of the typeset cell strings are connected through bus bars, and finally a cell string group, a glass plate, EVA, a junction box and the like connected with the bus bars are assembled according to a preset mode to form the solar cell panel.

When a solar panel assembled by longer cell strings is produced, if only the way of connecting and converging the end parts of the cell strings is adopted, the electricity generation efficiency of the cell string group is generally low.

The existing cell series welding typesetting equipment is generally only suitable for producing solar panels consisting of cell strings with conventional lengths, and the production equipment suitable for solar panels consisting of longer cell strings is lacked.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides efficient automatic battery piece series welding typesetting equipment capable of adopting long battery strings, aiming at the problem that the existing battery piece series welding typesetting equipment is not suitable for adopting the long battery strings.

The technical scheme of the invention is as follows: the utility model provides a battery piece stringer welding typesetting equipment, includes battery piece loading attachment, battery piece stringer welding device, battery cluster typesetting device and battery cluster group welding set, wherein: the battery piece feeding device is used for conveying a plurality of battery pieces to the battery piece series welding device; the battery piece series welding device is positioned at the subsequent station of the battery piece feeding device and is used for stacking a plurality of battery pieces conveyed by the battery piece feeding device and a plurality of groups of welding strips according to a preset sequence and welding the battery pieces into a battery string; the battery string typesetting device is positioned at the subsequent station of the battery piece string welding device and is used for typesetting a plurality of battery strings made by the battery piece string welding device into a battery string group; the battery string group welding device is positioned at the subsequent station of the battery piece typesetting device and is at least used for welding the interconnection bars on at least two battery strings which are arranged in parallel in the battery string group generated by the battery string typesetting device in a crossing way.

By arranging the cell piece feeding device, the cell piece serial welding device, the cell string typesetting device and the cell string group welding device, the welding of the interconnection strips on the long cell string group can be automatically completed, so that the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel is improved.

Furthermore, the battery piece feeding device comprises a feeding mechanism, a conveying mechanism, a detection mechanism and a placement mechanism; the feeding mechanism is positioned at the feeding end of the conveying mechanism and is configured to place the battery piece to the conveying mechanism; the detection mechanism is positioned on the side edge of the conveying mechanism and is used for detecting the battery piece on the conveying mechanism; the placing mechanism is located at the discharging end of the conveying mechanism and is configured to move away the battery piece on the discharging end of the conveying mechanism and place the battery piece at a preset position.

Through the cooperation of feed mechanism, conveying mechanism, detection mechanism and placement mechanism, realize the automatic feeding to the battery piece to material loading in-process has realized the automated inspection to the battery piece.

Further, the feeding mechanism comprises a rotating shaft driving mechanism, a rotating shaft, a first conveying part and a second conveying part; the first conveying part and the second conveying part are connected to the rotating shaft and positioned on two sides of the rotating shaft, and one or two picking parts are respectively arranged on the first conveying part and the second conveying part; the power output end of the rotating shaft driving mechanism is connected with the rotating shaft, the rotating shaft driving mechanism drives the rotating shaft to rotate so as to drive the first carrying part and the second carrying part to synchronously rotate, and when the first carrying part rotates to the position above the battery storage mechanism, the second carrying part rotates to the position above the feeding end of the conveying mechanism.

Through optimizing the setting to feed mechanism, realized the rotatory material loading to the battery piece to material loading efficiency has been promoted.

Further, the battery piece feeding device also comprises a battery storage mechanism, and the feeding mechanism is configured to move between the battery storage mechanism and the feeding end of the conveying mechanism so as to pick up and place one or two battery pieces in the battery storage mechanism on the conveying mechanism.

Through setting up battery storage mechanism, made things convenient for getting of feed mechanism to the material loading efficiency of battery piece has been promoted.

Furthermore, the battery piece series welding device comprises a welding strip feeding mechanism, a welding conveying belt and a welding mechanism; the welding strip feeding mechanism is matched with the battery piece feeding device, and a plurality of groups of welding strips and a plurality of battery pieces are stacked on the welding conveying belt according to a preset sequence; the welding conveyer belt is used for conveying the stacked battery plates and the multiple groups of welding belts to the welding mechanism; the welding mechanism is used for welding the stacked battery pieces and the multiple groups of welding strips to form a battery string.

Through the cooperation of the welding conveyer belt, the welding belt feeding mechanism, the welding mechanism and the battery piece feeding device, the automatic feeding of the battery pieces and the welding belt and the automatic welding of the battery strings are realized.

Further, the battery string typesetting device comprises a feeding conveyer belt, a typesetting bearing platform, a tidying mechanism, a detection mechanism and a carrying mechanism; the detection mechanism is positioned above or below the feeding conveying belt and is configured to detect the battery strings on the feeding conveying belt; the conveying mechanism is configured to move between the feeding conveying belt and the arranging mechanism, so that qualified battery strings detected by the detection mechanism on the feeding conveying belt are conveyed to the arranging mechanism and are arranged by the arranging mechanism; the carrying mechanism is also configured to move between the regulating mechanism and the typesetting bearing platform so as to carry the battery strings regulated on the regulating mechanism to the typesetting bearing platform for typesetting to obtain a battery string group.

Through the cooperation of the typesetting bearing platform, the feeding conveying belt, the arranging mechanism, the detecting mechanism and the carrying mechanism, the battery strings are detected and arranged while the typesetting of the battery strings is realized, so that the production efficiency of the solar cell panel is obviously improved, and the production cost is reduced.

Further, the battery string that carries on the material loading conveyer belt includes two types of battery strings, and battery string composing device still includes two recovery platforms, and two recovery platforms set up in the side of material loading conveyer belt, and transport mechanism still is configured to and removes between material loading conveyer belt and two recovery platforms to carry two types of battery strings that detect unqualifiedly through detection mechanism on the material loading conveyer belt to two recovery platforms respectively.

Through setting up two recovery platforms, realized retrieving the classification of two types of battery cluster that detect unqualified.

Furthermore, the battery string welding device comprises a battery string bearing device, an interconnection strip unreeling device, an interconnection strip processing device and a first placing and welding module; the battery string group bearing device is used for bearing the battery string group; the interconnection strip unwinding device is positioned on one side of the battery string group bearing device and is used for bearing an interconnection strip material roll; the interconnection strip processing device is arranged at the discharge end of the interconnection strip unwinding device and is used for drawing the interconnection strips out of the interconnection strip material roll and cutting the interconnection strips into a first preset length; the first welding module of placing sets up to the extending direction reciprocating motion at battery cluster group carrier for pick up at least one interconnection strip that interconnection strip processing apparatus cut and obtained, and lay perpendicularly to the corresponding position between the head and the afterbody of the battery cluster group that battery cluster group carrier bore at the interval in proper order, lay on the interconnection strip of laying on the battery cluster group and span on two at least battery strings in the battery cluster group, place the welding module and still weld the interconnection strip of laying on the battery cluster group.

Through setting up battery cluster and bearing device, interconnection strip unwinding device, interconnection strip processing apparatus and first placing the welding module, can accomplish welding interconnection strip on battery cluster voluntarily, production efficiency is high to can guarantee the welding quality of interconnection strip.

Furthermore, the battery string welding device is also used for welding bus bars at two ends of the battery string; the battery string welding device also comprises a bus bar unreeling device and a bus bar processing device; the bus bar unreeling device is positioned on one side of the battery string bearing device and is used for bearing a bus bar material roll; the bus bar processing device is arranged at the discharge end of the bus bar unreeling device and used for drawing out a bus bar from a bus bar material roll and cutting the bus bar into a second preset length; the first placing and welding module carries the bus bars from the bus bar processing device to the head end and the tail end of the battery string group, and welds the bus bars to the battery string group; alternatively, the welding device further comprises a second placing welding module which carries the bus bars from the bus bar processing device to the head end and the tail end of the battery string group and welds the bus bars to the battery string group.

Through setting up busbar welding set, can weld the busbar on the battery cluster that has welded the interconnection bar, improve the compactness of production rhythm.

Furthermore, the battery piece series welding typesetting equipment also comprises a battery pack assembling device, wherein the battery pack assembling device is positioned at the subsequent station of the battery pack welding device and is used for assembling the battery pack into a battery pack; the battery component assembling device comprises a bearing plate and a carrying mechanism; the bearing plate is used for bearing a plurality of groups of battery string sets to be assembled, and the carrying mechanism is used for carrying the battery string sets to the bearing plate from the battery string set welding device.

Through setting up battery pack assembly device, can assemble battery pack nearby, further improve the production efficiency of equipment.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an alternative embodiment of the series welding and typesetting device for battery plates according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery sheet feeding device in an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of a battery sheet feeding apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a feeding mechanism in a battery pack feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a cell series welding device in one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery string layout apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural view of a battery string welding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In fig. 1 to 7, the battery pack layout equipment includes a battery sheet series welding layout device 1, a battery storage mechanism 10, a first battery storage mechanism 11, a second battery storage mechanism 12, a feeding mechanism 20, a rotating shaft 21, a first carrying portion 22, a second carrying portion 23, a conveying mechanism 30, a first conveying mechanism 31, a second conveying mechanism 32, a placing mechanism 40, a welding conveyer 50, a battery series layout device 60, a layout bearing table 61, a regulating mechanism 62, a buffer storage platform 63, a first feeding conveyer 64, a second feeding conveyer 65, a first recycling platform 66, a second recycling platform 67, a battery series group welding device 70, a battery series group bearing device 71, an interconnection strip unwinding device 72, an interconnection strip processing device 73, an interconnection strip traction device 731, a first placement welding module 74, a placing device 741, a bus strip unwinding device 75, a bus strip processing device 76, a bus strip traction device 761, a bus strip unwinding device 72, a bus strip unwinding device, a bus strip winding device 75, a bus strip processing device 76, a bus strip, A second placing welding module 77, a battery string set 700, and a battery assembly assembling device 80.

Detailed Description

In order to make the aforementioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, embodiments accompanied with figures are described in further detail below.

The invention relates to a battery piece series welding typesetting device which is used for manufacturing battery pieces into a battery series group.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an alternative embodiment of the series welding and typesetting device for battery plates according to the invention.

The battery piece series welding typesetting equipment 1 at least comprises a battery piece feeding device, a battery piece series welding device, a battery series typesetting device 60 and a battery series group welding device 70. Optionally, the battery piece series welding typesetting apparatus 1 further includes a battery assembly assembling device 80.

The battery piece feeding device is used for conveying a plurality of battery pieces to the battery piece series welding device; the battery piece series welding device is positioned at the subsequent station of the battery piece feeding device and is used for stacking a plurality of battery pieces conveyed by the battery piece feeding device and a plurality of groups of welding strips according to a preset sequence and welding the battery pieces into a battery string; the battery string typesetting device 60 is positioned at the subsequent station of the battery piece string welding device and is used for typesetting a plurality of battery strings made by the battery piece string welding device into a battery string group; the cell string group welding device 70 is located at a subsequent station of the cell sheet typesetting device, and is at least used for welding the interconnection bars across at least two cell strings arranged in parallel in the cell string group generated by the cell string typesetting device 60.

By arranging the cell piece feeding device, the cell piece serial welding device, the cell string typesetting device 60 and the cell string group welding device 70, the welding of the interconnection strips on the long cell string group can be automatically completed, so that the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel is improved.

Optionally, the cell string welding typesetting apparatus 1 further includes a cell assembly assembling device 80, where the cell assembly assembling device 80 is located at a subsequent station of the cell string group welding device 70, and is used for assembling the cell string group into a cell assembly; the battery assembly assembling apparatus 80 includes a carrier plate and a carrying mechanism; the carrier plate is used to carry a plurality of sets of battery strings to be assembled, and the carrying mechanism is used to carry the battery strings from the battery string welding device 70 to the carrier plate.

By providing the battery pack assembling apparatus 80, the battery pack can be assembled nearby, and the production efficiency of the apparatus can be further improved.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the battery sheet feeding apparatus according to the present invention.

The automatic detection device aims to solve the technical problem that the automatic detection of the battery piece cannot be realized in the loading process of the battery piece loading device in the prior art. The invention provides a battery piece feeding device, and the embodiment of the battery piece feeding device provided by the invention is described in detail below with reference to fig. 2 to 4.

The battery piece feeding device provided by the invention at least comprises a feeding sub-device which can independently complete the feeding of the battery pieces. As shown in fig. 2, in some embodiments, the battery sheet feeding apparatus of the present invention includes only one feeding sub-apparatus. As shown in fig. 3, in other embodiments, the battery piece feeding device in the present invention includes two feeding sub-devices arranged side by side, and the two feeding sub-devices can achieve parallel feeding, so as to improve the feeding efficiency of the battery piece.

With continued reference to fig. 2 and 3, the feeding sub-device includes a feeding mechanism 20, a conveying mechanism 30, a detecting mechanism (not shown), and a placing mechanism 40.

The feeding mechanism 20 is located at the feeding end of the conveying mechanism 30, and the feeding mechanism 20 is configured to place the battery piece to the conveying mechanism 30. The conveying mechanism 30 conveys the battery plate from the feeding end to the discharging end.

The detection mechanism is located at the side of the conveying mechanism 30, and the detection mechanism is configured to detect the battery piece on the conveying mechanism 30.

The placing mechanism 40 is located at the discharging end of the conveying mechanism 30, and the placing mechanism 40 is configured to move away the battery piece on the discharging end of the conveying mechanism 30 and place the battery piece to a preset position. For example, in some embodiments, the placing mechanism 40 places the qualified battery piece on the discharging end on a welding conveying line of a subsequent process, and places the unqualified battery piece on the discharging end on a recycling station.

It can be seen that, through the cooperation of the feeding mechanism 20, the conveying mechanism 30, the detecting mechanism and the placing mechanism 40, the battery piece feeding device of the invention can realize automatic feeding of battery pieces and can realize detection of the battery pieces in the feeding process.

Optionally, the battery piece feeding device of the present invention further includes a recycling storage mechanism, and the placing mechanism 40 removes the battery piece that is detected to be unqualified on the discharging end of the conveying mechanism 30 and places the battery piece to the recycling storage mechanism.

Optionally, the battery piece feeding device of the present invention further comprises a battery storage mechanism 10 for storing battery pieces to be fed. The battery storage mechanism 10 may be a battery storage rack fixedly installed, or may be in the form of a battery box driven by a conveyor belt.

As shown in fig. 3, when the battery sheet feeding device includes two feeding sub-devices, one battery storage mechanism 10 may be disposed at a side of each feeding sub-device, and the feeding mechanisms 20 of the two feeding sub-devices respectively pick up battery sheets from the corresponding battery storage mechanisms 10.

In some embodiments, the battery pieces to be loaded are all of the same type, for example, the battery pieces to be loaded are all right-angle battery pieces, at this time, the battery storage mechanism 10 is configured to store the right-angle battery pieces, and the loading mechanism 20 is configured to move between the battery storage mechanism 10 and the loading end of the conveying mechanism 30 to pick up and place the right-angle battery pieces in the battery storage mechanism 10 on the conveying mechanism 30. If the battery pieces to be loaded are all chamfered battery pieces, the battery storage mechanism 10 is configured to store the chamfered battery pieces, and the loading mechanism 20 is configured to move between the battery storage mechanism 10 and the loading end of the conveying mechanism 30, so as to pick up and place the chamfered battery pieces in the battery storage mechanism 10 on the conveying mechanism 30.

It should be noted that: in practical implementation, the feeding mechanism 20 may be configured to pick up one battery piece at a time and place the picked battery piece on the conveying mechanism 30, such as only one picking portion is provided on the feeding mechanism 20. The feeding mechanism 20 may also be configured to pick up two battery pieces at a time and place the picked up two battery pieces side by side on the conveying mechanism 30, for example, two picking portions are provided on the feeding mechanism 20.

In other embodiments, the battery pieces to be loaded comprise two different types, such as two types of right-angle battery pieces and chamfered battery pieces, in these embodiments, in order to realize the classified storage and loading of the two types of battery pieces, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the battery storage mechanism 10 comprises a first battery storage mechanism 11 for storing the right-angle battery pieces and a second battery storage mechanism 12 for storing the chamfered battery pieces, and the conveying mechanism 30 comprises two first conveying mechanisms 31 for conveying the right-angle battery pieces and a second conveying mechanism 32 for conveying the chamfered battery pieces, which are arranged in parallel. The feeding mechanism 20 is configured to pick up right-angled battery pieces from the first battery storage mechanism 11 and place the battery pieces on the first conveying mechanism 31, and pick up chamfered battery pieces from the second battery storage mechanism 12 and place the battery pieces on the second conveying mechanism 32.

In these embodiments, the feeding mechanism 20 may be configured to be provided with only one picking portion that picks up and places one right-angled battery piece in the first battery storage mechanism 11 on the first conveying mechanism 31 at a time, or picks up and places one chamfered battery piece in the second battery storage mechanism 12 on the second conveying mechanism 32 at a time.

The feeding mechanism 20 may also be configured to be provided with two picking portions, each of which can simultaneously pick up and place one right-angled battery piece in the first battery storage mechanism 11 and one chamfered battery piece in the second battery storage mechanism 12 on the first conveying mechanism 31 and the second conveying mechanism 32, respectively. Of course, the feeding mechanism 20 with such a structure may also pick up only one right-angle battery piece or one chamfer piece at a time and place the battery piece or the chamfer piece on the corresponding conveying mechanism, that is, the two picking parts can independently perform picking actions.

As shown in fig. 4, in some embodiments, the feeding mechanism 20 includes a spindle driving mechanism (not shown), a spindle 21, a first carrying portion 22, and a second carrying portion 23, wherein: the first conveying part 22 and the second conveying part 23 are connected to the rotating shaft 21 and located on two sides of the rotating shaft 21, and the first conveying part 22 and the second conveying part 23 are respectively provided with a picking part for picking up the battery pieces. The power output end of the rotating shaft driving mechanism is connected with the rotating shaft 21, the rotating shaft driving mechanism drives the rotating shaft 21 to rotate so as to drive the first carrying part 22 and the second carrying part 23 to synchronously rotate so as to realize position exchange, so that when the first carrying part 22 rotates to the upper part of the battery storage mechanism 10, the second carrying part 23 rotates to the upper part of the feeding end of the conveying mechanism 30.

So set up, can realize the rotatory material loading to the battery piece to promote material loading efficiency. For example, as shown in fig. 4, when the picking part on the second carrying part 23 carries a cell to the feeding end of the cell feeding conveyor mechanism 30 and drops a cell to be welded, the first carrying part 23 just reaches above the cell storage mechanism 10 to pick up another cell to be welded, and vice versa.

In the feeding mechanism 20 in the embodiment of fig. 4, each carrying part is provided with only one picking part, so that the carrying part can pick up only one battery piece at a time. The picking part is arranged on the conveying part in a sliding mode, and the position of the picking part in the horizontal direction is adjusted through sliding. With this arrangement, the picking part can pick up the battery pieces stored at different battery storage mechanisms, such as the first battery storage mechanism 11 and the second battery storage mechanism 12 in the foregoing embodiment, and can place the picked battery pieces on different conveying mechanisms, such as the first conveying mechanism 31 and the second conveying mechanism 32 in the foregoing embodiment.

Of course, in other embodiments, two picking portions may be disposed on the first conveying portion 22 and the second conveying portion 23, and each of the two picking portions can pick up two battery pieces at a time. In these embodiments, when the battery pieces to be loaded are all right-angle battery pieces or chamfered battery pieces, each of the carrying portions can simultaneously pick up two right-angle battery pieces or two battery pieces at a time. When the battery pieces to be loaded comprise right-angle battery pieces and chamfered battery pieces, each carrying part can simultaneously pick up one right-angle battery piece and one chamfered battery piece each time.

Optionally, the first conveying mechanism 31 and the second conveying mechanism 32 are both stepping mechanisms, the driving portion of the first conveying mechanism 31 and the driving portion of the second conveying mechanism 32 are both electrically connected to the control module, and the control module respectively and independently controls the driving portion of the first conveying mechanism 31 and the driving portion of the second conveying mechanism 32 to drive.

Set up conveying mechanism into step mechanism, can realize the marching type transmission to the battery piece, promptly: and each time the driving part of the conveying mechanism drives once, the conveying mechanism carries the battery piece to move forwards for a preset distance and stays for a preset time till the driving part drives the next time. When the conveying mechanism is in the stop time period, the feeding mechanism 20 places the battery pieces to the feeding end of the conveying mechanism, and the placing mechanism 40 picks up the battery pieces from the discharging end of the conveying mechanism, so that the feeding mechanism 20 can conveniently discharge and take the battery pieces from the conveying mechanism.

The battery piece feeding device in the embodiment of the invention can be applied to a battery piece series welding device to feed battery pieces to be welded onto a welding conveying belt of the series welding device. In some embodiments, the placing mechanism 40 of the battery piece feeding device is configured to move between the first conveying mechanism 31 and the welding conveyer belt to place the right-angled battery piece conveyed on the first conveying mechanism 31 on the welding conveyer belt, and the placing mechanism 40 is further configured to move between the second conveying mechanism 32 and the welding conveyer belt to place the chamfered battery piece conveyed on the second conveying mechanism 32 on the welding conveyer belt.

Since the battery string is formed by sequentially welding a predetermined number of battery pieces, the battery piece feeding device needs to sequentially convey and stack the predetermined number of battery pieces onto the welding conveying line. As described above, when the battery sheet feeding device in the embodiment of the present invention is used to feed battery sheets, the unqualified battery sheets on the conveying mechanism 30 are removed from the conveying mechanism 30 by the placing mechanism 40 and placed at the recycling storage mechanism. When the unqualified battery pieces are removed and recycled, the battery pieces are bound to be in shortage. Therefore, in order to ensure that the battery piece feeding device can convey and stack a predetermined number of battery pieces onto the welding conveying line, timely feeding is needed to make up for the shortage of battery pieces caused by the unqualified battery pieces being removed and recycled.

Based on the above consideration, in the process of feeding the battery piece, when the placing mechanism 40 removes an unqualified battery piece from the discharging end of the conveying mechanism 30, the feeding mechanism 20 immediately picks up a battery piece with the same type as the removed unqualified battery piece from the battery storage mechanism 10 and places the battery piece at the feeding end of the conveying mechanism 30, so that the timely feeding of the battery piece is realized.

Specifically, in some embodiments, the battery sheet feeding apparatus of the present invention comprises the following steps: the feeding mechanism 20 picks up the battery pieces and places the battery pieces at the feeding end of the conveying mechanism 30, and the conveying mechanism 30 conveys the loaded battery pieces towards the discharging end. During the conveying process, the detection mechanism detects the battery pieces on the conveying mechanism 30. The placing mechanism 40 removes the qualified battery pieces from the discharging end of the conveying mechanism 30, places the battery pieces on the welding conveying belt according to a preset stacking mode, and recovers the unqualified battery pieces from the discharging end of the conveying mechanism 30. Specifically, each time the placing mechanism 40 recovers a defective battery piece from the discharging end of the conveying mechanism 30, the feeding mechanism 20 then places a battery piece of the same type as the recovered defective battery piece at the feeding end of the conveying mechanism 30.

In some series welding embodiments, the battery pieces to be welded include right-angle battery pieces and chamfered battery pieces, and in order to realize the classified feeding of the two types of battery pieces, the conveying mechanism 30 includes a first conveying mechanism 31 and a second conveying mechanism 32 which are arranged side by side, correspondingly. In these embodiments, the feeding mechanism 20 places one right-angle battery piece and one chamfered battery piece on the feeding end of the first conveying mechanism 31 and the feeding end of the second conveying mechanism 32 of the conveying mechanism 30 respectively until the discharging of the predetermined number of right-angle battery pieces and the predetermined number of chamfered battery pieces is completed. The placing mechanism 40 removes the battery pieces from the discharging ends of the first conveying mechanism 31 and the second conveying mechanism 32 respectively and stacks the battery pieces on the welding conveyor belt.

Since different types of battery pieces cannot be welded into the same battery string. To prevent mixing, the placing mechanism 40 may first continuously transport a predetermined number of right-angle battery pieces from the first conveying mechanism 31 and sequentially stack the right-angle battery pieces on the welding conveyor belt to form a string of right-angle battery strings by welding. Then, a predetermined number of the chamfered battery pieces are continuously conveyed from the second conveying mechanism 32 and are sequentially stacked on the welding conveyor belt to be welded to form a string of the chamfered battery strings, and so on.

In the process of carrying and stacking the right-angle battery plates, the second conveying mechanism 32 is controlled to pause conveying, and the feeding mechanism 20 sequentially removes the qualified predetermined number of right-angle battery plates from the discharge end of the conveying mechanism 30 and places the right-angle battery plates on the welding conveying belt according to the predetermined stacking mode.

When the chamfered battery pieces need to be stacked, the first conveying mechanism 31 is controlled to suspend conveying, and the feeding mechanism 20 sequentially removes the qualified chamfered battery pieces with the preset number from the discharge end of the conveying mechanism 30 and places the chamfered battery pieces on the welding conveying belt according to a preset stacking mode.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the series welding device for battery plates in the present invention.

As shown in fig. 5, the cell serial welding apparatus includes a solder ribbon feeding mechanism (not shown), a solder conveying belt 50, and a soldering mechanism (not shown). The welding strip feeding mechanism is matched with a placing mechanism 40 in the battery piece feeding device, and a plurality of groups of welding strips and a plurality of battery pieces are stacked on the welding conveyer belt 50 according to a preset sequence; the welding conveyer belt 50 is used for conveying the stacked battery plates and the plurality of groups of welding belts to a welding mechanism; the welding mechanism is used for welding the stacked battery pieces and the multiple groups of welding strips to form a battery string.

Through the cooperation of the welding conveyer belt 50, the welding belt feeding mechanism, the welding mechanism and the battery sheet feeding device, the automatic feeding of the battery sheets and the welding belts and the automatic welding of the battery strings are realized.

Optionally, in order to improve the welding efficiency, the welding conveyer belts 50 are provided with two, and the welding stations of the two welding conveyer belts 5 are provided with welding structures.

In some embodiments, one set of welding belts 50 is used for lap welding right angle cells and another set of belts 50 is used for lap welding chamfered cells.

Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the battery string layout apparatus 60 according to the present invention.

Referring to fig. 6, the battery string typesetting apparatus 60 includes a typesetting carrier 61, a feeding conveyor belt, a regularizing mechanism 62, a detecting mechanism (not shown), and a transporting mechanism (not shown).

The feeding conveyor belt is configured to convey a battery string to be welded. Optionally, the battery string feeding conveyor belt comprises a first feeding conveyor belt 64 and a second feeding conveyor belt 65 which are arranged on two sides of the typesetting bearing platform 61, and the first feeding conveyor belt 64 and the second feeding conveyor belt 65 synchronously convey the battery strings, so that the feeding efficiency is improved.

The detection mechanism is located the top or below of material loading conveyer belt, and detection mechanism is configured to detect the battery cluster on the material loading conveyer belt.

The conveying mechanism is configured to move between the feeding conveyor belt and the arranging mechanism 62, so that the battery strings detected to be qualified by the detection mechanism on the feeding conveyor belt are conveyed to the arranging mechanism 62 and arranged by the arranging mechanism 62.

The carrying mechanism is also configured to move between the arranging mechanism 62 and the typesetting carrier 61 to carry the battery strings arranged on the arranging mechanism 62 to the typesetting carrier 61 to obtain a battery string group.

Therefore, through the cooperation of the typesetting bearing platform 61, the feeding conveyer belt, the regulating mechanism 62, the detecting mechanism and the carrying mechanism, the battery string typesetting device 60 of the invention realizes the regulation and detection of the battery strings while realizing the typesetting of the battery strings, thereby obviously improving the production efficiency of the solar cell panel and reducing the production cost.

In order to recover the battery strings of the battery strings which are detected to be unqualified, the battery piece string typesetting device provided by the invention optionally further comprises a recovery platform for recovering the battery strings which are detected to be unqualified by the detection mechanism on the feeding conveyer belt.

In some embodiments, the battery strings conveyed on the feeding conveyor belt are all the same battery strings, that is, the battery string group is composed of the same battery strings. In these embodiments, only one recovery platform is provided. This recovery platform sets up in the side of material loading conveyer belt, and transport mechanism still is configured to move between material loading conveyer belt and this recovery platform to detect unqualified battery cluster to this receipts platform through detection mechanism on with the material loading conveyer belt on, thereby realize the recovery to detecting unqualified battery cluster.

In other embodiments, the batteries conveyed on the feeding conveyor belt comprise two different types of battery strings, namely a first type of battery string and a second type of battery string, namely, a battery string group is composed of the first type of battery string and the second type of battery string. In these embodiments, as shown in fig. 1, two recycling platforms are provided, namely a first recycling platform 66 and a second recycling platform 67, and the first recycling platform 66 and the second recycling platform 67 are respectively provided on two sides of the feeding conveyor belt, wherein: the first recovery platform 66 is used for recovering the first battery strings which are detected to be unqualified on the feeding conveyer belt, and the second recovery platform 67 is used for recovering the second battery strings which are detected to be unqualified on the feeding conveyer belt.

In these embodiments, the carrying mechanism is further configured to move between the feeding conveyor belt and the two recycling platforms to carry the first type battery strings and the second type battery strings that are detected to be unqualified by the detection mechanism on the feeding conveyor belt to the corresponding recycling platforms respectively, so as to realize the classified recycling and storage of the two types of battery strings that are detected to be unqualified.

When the number of the two types of battery strings is equal, namely the battery string group is composed of the first type of battery strings and the second type of battery strings which are the same in number, the first type of battery strings and the second type of battery strings are loaded alternately in the typesetting process, and the loading waiting condition does not exist generally. And when the two types of battery strings are not equal in number, namely the battery string group is composed of the first type of battery strings and the second type of battery strings, and the number of the first type of battery strings is more than that of the second type of battery strings. In this case, in the typesetting process, if the current second-type battery strings are recovered due to unqualified detection, the second-type battery strings are in short supply. At this time, the first battery string qualified in detection needs to be cached to wait for the subsequent feeding of the second battery string, so that the number of the two battery strings qualified in detection is ensured to be matched, and a battery string group is formed by typesetting.

In view of the above, optionally, the battery string typesetting device 60 of the present invention further includes a buffer storage platform 63 disposed at the side of the feeding conveyor belt for buffering the first type of battery strings with a larger number. In the typesetting process, the carrying mechanism is also configured to move between the feeding conveyer belt and the buffer platform 63, and after the carrying mechanism carries the second battery strings which are not detected by the detection mechanism to the corresponding recovery platform, the first battery strings which are detected by the detection mechanism to be qualified on the feeding conveyer belt are carried to the buffer platform 63 for buffering.

The carrying mechanism is also configured to move between the buffer platform 63 and the warping mechanism 62 to carry the first type of battery strings buffered on the buffer platform 63 to the warping mechanism 62 for warping.

In some embodiments, the first type of battery string is a chamfered battery string, the second type of battery string is a right-angle battery string, each set of the arranged battery string sets includes two chamfered battery strings and one right-angle battery string located between the two chamfered battery strings, and the cache platform 63 is configured to cache the chamfered battery strings.

Optionally, the battery string feeding conveyor belts include a first feeding conveyor belt 64 and a second feeding conveyor belt 65 disposed on both sides of the composition bearing table 61.

When the battery string group to be typeset includes the first-type battery strings and the second-type battery strings, to prevent mixing, the first feeding conveyor belt 64 is configured to convey the first-type battery strings, and the second feeding conveyor belt 65 is configured to convey the second-type battery strings.

The invention also provides a battery string typesetting method, which is used for typesetting a plurality of battery strings into a battery string group, and the battery string typesetting method comprises the following steps: detecting a battery string conveyed by feeding; arranging the qualified battery strings; and carrying the battery string after the arrangement to a typesetting station for typesetting to obtain a battery string group.

The method for typesetting the cell strings realizes the detection and the arrangement of the cell strings while realizing the typesetting of the cell strings, thereby obviously improving the production efficiency of the solar cell panel and reducing the production cost.

Of course, the battery string typesetting method provided by the present invention can be implemented by using the battery string typesetting apparatus 60 provided by the present invention, and the specific process is as follows: the battery string detection mechanism detects the battery strings on the feeding conveyer belt; the conveying device picks up the qualified battery strings on the feeding conveyer belt and conveys the picked qualified battery strings to the battery string arranging mechanism to arrange the qualified battery strings; the transport device transports the regular battery strings to the typesetting carrying platform 61 for typesetting to obtain the battery string set.

Optionally, the battery string layout method further includes recovering the battery strings that are detected to be unqualified. When the battery strings conveyed by the feeding are the same battery strings, uniformly recovering and storing the battery strings which are detected to be unqualified; and when the battery strings conveyed by the feeding are two types of battery strings, the battery strings which are detected to be unqualified are classified and recycled.

In some embodiments, the battery string set after the typesetting is completed is composed of two types of battery strings, and the number of the two types of battery strings is not equal, for example, the number of the first type of battery string is greater than the number of the second type of battery string.

In some embodiments, the first type of battery strings are chamfered battery strings, the second type of battery strings are right-angle battery strings, each set of battery strings after the composition is completed includes two chamfered battery strings and one right-angle battery string, and the battery strings after the composition is completed are transported to a composition station for composition, including: arranging two strings of chamfered battery strings in the same battery string group in the same direction; and arranging the right-angle battery strings in the battery string group in the same group between the two chamfered battery strings in the battery string group in the same group.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of an alternative embodiment of a battery string welding apparatus 70 according to the present invention. The cell string welding device 70 is at least used for welding the interconnection bar across at least two cell strings arranged in parallel in the cell string assembly 700. The battery string welding device 70 includes a battery string carrying device 71, an interconnection strip unwinding device 72, an interconnection strip processing device 73, and a first placing and welding module 74.

The battery string carrying device 71 is used for carrying the battery string 700; the interconnection strip unreeling device 72 is positioned on one side of the battery string bearing device 71 and is used for bearing an interconnection strip material roll; the interconnection strip processing device 73 is arranged at the discharge end of the interconnection strip unreeling device 72 and is used for drawing the interconnection strips out of the interconnection strip material roll and cutting the interconnection strips into a first preset length; the first placing and welding module 74 is configured to reciprocate in the extending direction of the battery string bearing device 71, and is configured to pick up at least one interconnection bar obtained by cutting by the interconnection bar processing device 73, and vertically lay the interconnection bars at intervals in sequence to corresponding positions between the head and the tail of the battery string 700 borne by the battery string bearing device 71, the interconnection bars laid on the battery string 700 cross over at least two battery strings in the battery string 700, and the first placing and welding module 74 also welds the laid interconnection bars to the battery string 700.

According to the invention, by arranging the battery string group bearing device 71, the interconnection strip unreeling device 72, the interconnection strip processing device 73 and the first placing and welding module 74, the welding of the interconnection strips on the battery string group 700 can be automatically completed, the production efficiency is high, and the welding quality of the interconnection strips can be ensured.

Alternatively, the interconnection bar processing device 73 includes an interconnection bar pulling device 731 and an interconnection bar cutting device. The interconnection bar traction device 731 is mounted at the discharge end of the interconnection bar unwinding device 72 and used for drawing the interconnection bar out of the interconnection bar unwinding device 72; an interconnection bar cutting means is installed at one side of the stroke of the interconnection bar drawing means 731 for cutting the interconnection bar into a first predetermined length.

The interconnection bar processing device 73 combines an interconnection bar traction device 731 with an interconnection bar cutting device, and can manufacture interconnection bars nearby, thereby improving the feeding efficiency of the interconnection bars.

Optionally, the battery string welding device 70 is also used to weld bus bars at both ends of the battery string 700. At this time, the battery string welding apparatus 70 further includes a bus bar unwinding apparatus 75 and a bus bar processing apparatus 76.

The bus bar unreeling device 75 is located at one side of the battery string bearing device 71 and is used for bearing a bus bar material roll; the bus bar handling device 76 is installed at a discharge end of the bus bar unwinding device 75, and is used for drawing out the bus bars from the bus bar roll and cutting the bus bars into a second predetermined length.

The bus bar can be transported and welded in two ways.

First, a set of first place weld modules 74 are shared with the interconnect strip handling and welding. The first placement welding module 74 carries the bus bars from the bus bar handling device 76 to the head and tail ends of the battery string 700 and welds the bus bars to the battery string 700.

Second, a set of second placement welding modules 77 is used alone. The second placement welding module 77 carries the bus bars from the bus bar handling device 76 to the head end and the tail end of the battery string 700, and welds the bus bars to the battery string 700.

By arranging the bus bar unreeling device 75 and the bus bar processing device 76, bus bars can be welded on the battery string set 700 with the welded interconnection bars, and the compactness of the production rhythm is improved.

Optionally, the first placing and welding module 74 and the second placing and welding module 77 each include a placing device 741 and a welding module; the placement device 741 is used for carrying the interconnection bars or the bus bars, and the welding module is used for welding the interconnection bars or the bus bars to the battery string 700.

The placing device 741 and the welding module are integrated into a whole by placing the welding module, so that the floor area of the equipment can be reduced.

Alternatively, the bus bar processing device 76 includes a bus bar pulling device 761 and a bus bar cutting device. The bus bar pulling device 761 is installed at a discharge end of the bus bar unwinding device 75, and is used for pulling out the bus bar from the bus bar unwinding device 75; the bus bar cutting device is installed at one side of the bus bar pulling device 761 to cut the bus bar into a second predetermined length.

The bus bar processing device 76 combines the bus bar traction device 761 with the bus bar cutting device, so that the bus bars can be manufactured nearby, and the bus bar feeding efficiency is improved.

The invention also discloses a welding method for welding the interconnection bars and/or the bus bars on the battery string group.

The welding method comprises the following steps: composing at least two strings of battery strings in parallel into a battery string group 700; cutting a predetermined number of interconnection strips with a first predetermined length, vertically laying the cut interconnection strips with a predetermined number between the head end and the tail end of the battery string group 700 at intervals, wherein the interconnection strips laid on the battery string group 700 cross at least two battery strings in the battery string group 700; the interconnection bars laid on the battery string set 700 are welded to the battery string set 700, so that the interconnection bars are electrically connected to the battery string set 700.

Before welding the interconnection bars on the battery string set 700, the step of typesetting the battery string set 700 and the step of manufacturing the interconnection bars are set, so that the process can be optimized, and the welding efficiency can be improved.

Optionally, when the predetermined number is one, cutting the interconnection bar of a predetermined number first predetermined length comprises: drawing the interconnecting strip from the interconnecting strip roll; and cutting the extracted interconnection strip into a first preset length to obtain an interconnection strip.

When the interconnecting strips are manufactured, the steps of drawing and cutting the interconnecting strips are completed nearby, and the production process can be further optimized.

Optionally, when the predetermined number is at least two, cutting at least one interconnection strip of a first predetermined length, comprising: drawing the interconnecting strip from the interconnecting strip roll; cutting the extracted interconnection strip into a first preset length to obtain an interconnection strip; the step of drawing the interconnection strips from the reel of interconnection strips is continued to obtain at least two interconnection strips.

When the interconnecting strips are manufactured, the steps of drawing and cutting the interconnecting strips are completed nearby, and the production process can be further optimized.

Optionally, before or after the interconnection bars laid on the cell string assembly 700 are welded on the cell string assembly 700, the welding method further includes: and cutting two bus bars with a second preset length, and respectively placing and welding the two cut bus bars to the head end and the tail end of the battery string group 700 to electrically connect the bus bars with the battery string group 700.

After the interconnection bars are welded on the battery string set 700, a bus bar welding procedure is added, so that bus bar welding can be further completed, and the production efficiency is improved.

Optionally, cutting two bus bars of a second predetermined length comprises: drawing the bus bar from the bus bar roll; cutting the drawn bus bar into a second preset length to obtain a single bus bar; and continuously drawing the bus bar out of the bus bar material roll, and cutting the drawn bus bar into a second preset length to obtain a second bus bar with a second preset length.

When the bus bar is manufactured, the traction and cutting steps of the bus bar are completed nearby, and the production process can be further optimized.

The invention has been described above with a certain degree of particularity. It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the description of the embodiments is merely exemplary and that all changes that come within the true spirit and scope of the invention are desired to be protected. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description of the embodiments.