IP Library Granted Patent US 9,944,055
Granted Patent B2
US 9,944,055 · App. 14/752,744 · Granted Apr 17, 2018

Thermo-compression bonding tool with high temperature elastic element

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,944,055
App. No.
14/752,744
Granted
Apr 17, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A thermo-compression bonding tool with a high temperature elastic element, and methods of bonding a metal sheet to a substrate using a thermo-compression bonding tool are described. In an example, a system for bonding a metal sheet to a substrate includes a stage to support the substrate and an elastic roller located above the stage. The elastic roller includes a high temperature material. The system also includes a heated backing plate located above the elastic roller. The backing plate is configured to apply pressure and heat to the elastic roller as the elastic roller rolls across a metal sheet disposed above the substrate.

Claims (24)

1. A system for bonding a metal sheet to a substrate, the system comprising:

a stage to support the substrate;

an elastic roller located above the stage, wherein the elastic roller comprises a material that can withstand temperatures at or above 350 degrees Celsius; and

a heated backing plate located above the elastic roller;

wherein the heated backing plate is configured to apply pressure and heat to the elastic roller as the elastic roller rolls across the metal sheet disposed above the substrate.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the heated backing plate is self-pivotable about a line substantially perpendicular to the elastic roller.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elastic roller comprises a hollow metal roller.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the hollow metal roller comprises a thin-walled stainless steel roller.

5. The system of claim 3 , wherein the elastic roller has an outer diameter in a range of 4 mm to 25 mm, and a wall thickness of 0.1 mm to 2 mm.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elastic roller comprises a metal tube configured to contain an inert gas inside the metal tube.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the inert gas comprises argon or helium.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the heated backing plate comprises one or more heating elements configured to heat the heated backing plate to a temperature in a range of 300 to 550 degrees C.

9. A system for bonding a metal sheet to a substrate, the system comprising:

a stage to support the substrate;

an elastic roller located above the stage, wherein the elastic roller comprises a material that can withstand temperatures in the range of 350-550 degrees Celsius; and

a heated backing plate located above the elastic roller;

wherein the heated backing plate is configured to apply pressure and heat to the elastic roller as the elastic roller rolls across the metal sheet disposed above the substrate.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the heated backing plate is self-pivotable about a line substantially perpendicular to the elastic roller.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the elastic roller comprises a hollow metal roller.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the hollow metal roller comprises a thin-walled stainless steel roller.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the elastic roller has an outer diameter in a range of 4 mm to 25 mm, and a wall thickness of 0.1 mm to 2 mm.

14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the elastic roller comprises a metal tube configured to contain an inert gas inside the metal tube.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the inert gas comprises argon or helium.

16. The system of claim 9 , wherein the heated backing plate comprises one or more heating elements configured to heat the heated backing plate to a temperature in a range of 300 to 550 degrees C.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 8, 2025
From: TOTALENERGIES SOLAR INTL; TOTALENERGIES SE
To: MAXEON SOLAR PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 073059/0122 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2024
From: MAXEON SOLAR PTE. LTD.
To: DB TRUSTEES (HONG KONG) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 067924/0062 →
SECOND LIEN SECURITY INTEREST AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 26, 2024
From: MAXEON SOLAR PTE. LTD
To: DB TRUSTEES (HONG KONG) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 071343/0553 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 5, 2024
From: MAXEON SOLAR PTE. LTD.
To: DB TRUSTEES (HONG KONG) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 067637/0598 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 24, 2023
From: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
To: MAXEON SOLAR PTE. LTD.
Reel/Frame 062699/0875 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 14, 2015
From: SEWELL, RICHARD; PASS, THOMAS
To: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 036791/0688 →