US5045481A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing a solar cell
Assignee: Telefunken Systemtechnik AG
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Filing: 1990-07-30
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Granted: 1991-09-03
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Expires: 2010-07-30
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a solar cell which consists of a doped semiconductor base body and metallic connection contacts on the front and rear sides. For interconnection with further solar cells to form solar modules in series or parallel connection, at least one of the connection contacts comprises a connector contact which is homogeneously integrated with it, protrudes from the semiconductor base body and is deformable.
Inventors
- 👤 Roland Schilling
- 👤 Karl-Heinz Tentscher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 11:56
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F19/00; H10F19/90; H10F19/902; H10F19/904; H10F77/00; H10F77/93; H10F77/933; H10F77/935; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E10/00; Y02E10/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A process for manufacturing a solar cell from a semiconductor body, comprising the steps of: providing a semiconductor base body having first and second opposing major surfaces, wherein an edge zone is defined along an edge of the first major surface of said semiconductor body; depositing a strip-shaped region on said edge zone, said strip-shaped region preventing bonding of metallic compounds or alloys to said semiconductor base body; depositing by vaporization a first metallic connection contact on said strip-shaped region and on the first major surface of said semiconductor body, said strip-shaped region preventing said first metallic connection contact from adhering to said semiconductor body; depositing a second metallic connection contact on the second major surface of said semiconductor body, one of said first and second metallic connection contacts having a comb-like structure; and severing the portion of the semiconductor body at said edge zone from the remainder of said semiconductor body, whereby said first metallic connection contact projects over the edge of the resulting solar cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A process for manufacturing a solar cell from a semiconductor body, comprising the steps of: providing a semiconductor base body having first and second opposing major surfaces, wherein an edge zone is defined along an edge of the first major surface of said semiconductor body; depositing a strip-shaped region on said edge zone, said strip-shaped region preventing bonding of metallic compounds or alloys to said semiconductor base body; depositing by vaporization a first metallic connection contact on said strip-shaped region and on the first major surface of said semiconductor body, said strip-shaped region preventing said first metallic connection contact from adhering to said semiconductor body; depositing a second metallic connection contact on the second major surface of said semiconductor body, one of said first and second metallic connection contacts having a comb-like structure; and severing the portion of the semiconductor body at said edge zone from the remainder of said semiconductor body, whereby said first metallic connection contact projects over the edge of the resulting solar cell.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process defined by claim 1 wherein the step of depositing said strip-shaped region on said semiconductor body is effected by a photolithography process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The process defined by claim 2 wherein the step of severing the portion of the semiconductor body at the edge zone from the remainder of said semiconductor body comprises the substeps of cutting a groove in the second surface of said semiconductor body at said edge zone with one of a laser or saw; and breaking said portion of said semiconductor body from the remainder of said body at said groove to sever said portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
75 words
The process defined by claim 1 wherein the step of severing the portion of the semiconductor body at the edge zone from the remainder of said semiconductor body comprises the substeps of cutting a groove in the second surface of said semiconductor body at said edge zone with one of a laser or saw; and breaking said portion of said semiconductor body from the remainder of said body at said groove to sever said portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process defined by claim 4 wherein the depth of said groove is approximately one-third the thickness of said semiconductor body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process defined by claim 1 wherein the step of depositing said strip-shaped region on said edge zone is effected by vapor depositing one of silver, photoresist, and silicon dioxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process defined by claim 1 wherein said first metallic connection contact has a comb-like structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process defined by claim 1 wherein said second metallic connection contact has a comb-like structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of interconnecting two solar cells manufactured by the process defined by claim 1 wherein the first metallic contact of one cell is fastened to the second metallic contact of the other cell by one of soldering, welding, adhesion, and ultrasound welding.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-02 | 1995-03-04 | 1995-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-02 | 1999-03-04 | 1999-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-02 | 2003-03-04 | 2003-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |