Method and device for applying adhesive to solar element, method for producing solar module, and solar module production device

Abstract

The invention also relates to a method for applying, in particular, an electrically conductive adhesive to a solar element (2), in which the solar element (2) is passed by means of a workpiece carrier (5) of a conveying device (7) in a transfer movement beside an output nozzle (4) of an output device (3) for the adhesive and the adhesive is applied to the solar element (2). Before application of the adhesive, an adjustment movement is carried out transversely to the transport movement and thereby adjusted by a defined distance, with which the solar element (2) subsequently passes next to the output nozzle (4) for application of the adhesive.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for applying an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, to solar elements. Such a method and a device can be used for producing solar modules. Background Art

[0002] Various methods are known for producing solar modules from solar elements, ie, for example, from solar cells and / or solar cell strips and / or solar cell shingles.

[0003] One method provides for bonding the solar elements to one another during assembly of a solar module using solar elements. An adhesive, in particular a conductive adhesive, is used for this purpose. The conductive adhesive allows the electrodes of at least partially overlapping solar elements in the solar module to be electrically connected to one another, thereby establishing an electrical and mechanical connection between the overlapping solar elements of the solar module. The solar elements can be arranged in rows within the solar module, with adjacent rows of solar elements overlapping and bonded to one another. If adjacent rows are arranged offset from one another in the solar module, a so-called shingled matrix solar module can be produced.

[0004] In the case of solar modules which are constructed from rows which overlap one another in pairs and comprise a plurality of solar elements, the voltage build-up can take place across the rows transversely to the row orientation.

[0005] In another operating method, solar elements are initially arranged one above the other in a so-called string. Two successive solar elements in the longitudinal extension of the string can be bonded together in an overlapping shingled arrangement. Conductive adhesives can also be used to electrically connect successive solar elements in a string. Due to this interconnection, a voltage buildup across the solar elements in the string is achieved in the longitudinal direction of the string. Multiple strings can then be interconnected to form a solar module in a string configuration.

[0006] Furthermore, the quality of a solar module composed of a plurality of solar elements bonded to one another in this manner is influenced by the quality of the connections produced between the solar elements by means of the adhesive.

[0007] The production of high-quality adhesive bonds between solar elements can also be associated with relatively high costs, which can have an impact on the economic viability of solar module production. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device and a method for applying an especially electrically conductive adhesive to solar elements, as well as a solar module production device and a method for producing solar modules, which facilitate the economical and high-quality production of solar modules.

[0009] In order to achieve this object, a method for applying an especially electrically conductive adhesive to a solar element is first proposed, which method has the measures and features of the independent method claim.

[0010] Therefore, according to the present invention, in order to achieve this object, a method for applying an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, to a solar element is proposed, wherein the solar element is passed by a dispensing nozzle of a dispensing device for the adhesive at a defined distance by means of a workpiece carrier, and the adhesive is applied to the solar element at this distance. Prior to applying the adhesive, the defined distance at which the solar element passes by the dispensing nozzle is set by means of a distance adjustment device.

[0011] To this end, the distance adjustment device can initiate an adjustment movement by which a defined distance is set. The adjustment movement can be oriented, for example, transversely or perpendicularly to the transport movement in which the workpiece carrier with the solar element passes past the discharge nozzle. The adjustment movement can be oriented along, preferably parallel to, the direction of dispensing the adhesive onto the solar element as predetermined by the discharge nozzle. In this case, the distance adjustment device can move the discharge nozzle and / or the workpiece carrier and / or the surface along which the workpiece carrier passes past the discharge nozzle transversely or perpendicularly to the transport movement of the solar element past the discharge nozzle and / or along, preferably parallel to, the direction of dispensing the adhesive onto the solar element as predetermined by the discharge nozzle, by performing the adjustment movement, in order to set the defined distance.

[0012] The defined distance can in particular be a distance which can be measured between the discharge nozzle and the solar element located in the application position in the discharge direction of the adhesive onto the solar element.

[0013] The distance at which the adhesive is applied to the solar element can decisively influence the adhesive application. Depending on the size of the distance that the solar element passes by the outlet nozzle for applying the adhesive, the adhesive can be applied, for example, in a thicker or thinner track.

[0014] The invention utilizes the fact that by selectively adjusting the distance at which the solar element passes the discharge nozzle for adhesive application, the adhesive application can be influenced in a targeted and relatively simple manner.

[0015] Since the distance between the delivery nozzle and the solar element can be varied using the distance adjustment device, the adhesive application on the solar element can be varied independently of the delivery nozzle, and the adhesive application method can be adjusted quickly and uncomplicatedly if necessary. For example, if it is found that the adhesive is being applied in a path that is too wide or too thick, the distance can be increased by adjusting the movement without requiring complex modifications to the system.

[0016] In one embodiment of the method, it is provided that the distance adjustment device moves the discharge nozzle and / or the workpiece carrier and / or the surface along which the workpiece carrier passes by the discharge nozzle in an adjustment movement in order to adjust the defined distance. The discharge nozzle and / or the workpiece carrier and / or the surface along which the workpiece carrier passes by the discharge nozzle can be moved in an adjustment movement that is transverse or perpendicular to the transport movement of the workpiece carrier and / or is oriented along, preferably parallel to, the discharge direction of the adhesive onto the solar element defined by the discharge nozzle in order to adjust the defined distance as desired.

[0017] The adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, is preferably applied directly to the busbars of the solar element.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the method, which will be explained in more detail below, a magnetically driven mover of a magnetically guided planar drive is used as the workpiece carrier. Such a workpiece carrier enables particularly simple and flexible execution of adjustment movements directed transversely to the transport movement and thus facilitates particularly efficient execution of the claimed method.

[0019] By setting a defined distance at which the solar element passes the discharge nozzle for adhesive application, the design freedom when applying adhesive to the solar element can be increased in a particularly simple manner. If, for example, it is determined that applying the adhesive at a specific distance between the discharge nozzle and the solar element does not result in an adhesive track of the desired quality or shape on the solar element, the distance at which the solar element passes the discharge nozzle for adhesive application during the transport movement can be adjusted using a distance adjustment device and an adjustment movement.

[0020] The method thus enables efficient adaptation of the adhesive application process to solar elements without requiring modifications to the system.

[0021] In one embodiment of the method, the workpiece carrier is positioned against the guide device by a distance adjustment device, in particular by an adjustment movement, in particular by performing the aforementioned adjustment movement. The workpiece carrier then passes along the guide device and, in this case, the solar element, at a defined distance past the discharge nozzle. The adhesive is then applied to the solar element.

[0022] The guide device can be designed such that it forces the workpiece carrier into a motion path that is arranged relative to the discharge nozzle such that a solar element located on the workpiece carrier can pass by the discharge nozzle at a defined distance from the discharge nozzle. The guide device can thus at least indirectly predetermine a defined distance at which the solar element must pass by the discharge nozzle for application of the adhesive.

[0023] The workpiece carrier can be positioned by the distance adjustment device, in particular by carrying out the aforementioned adjustment movement, for example against a guide device which is arranged or formed between the discharge nozzle and the transport movement plane of the workpiece carrier.

[0024] The distance adjustment device allows the workpiece carrier to approach the discharge nozzle during its adjustment movement, more precisely to the level of the discharge nozzle, with the guide device limiting the adjustment movement of the workpiece carrier. As soon as the workpiece carrier contacts the guide device, the distance adjustment device can terminate the adjustment movement, and the workpiece carrier can then pass by the discharge nozzle in a transport movement oriented transversely to the adjustment movement.

[0025] The adjustment movement and the transport movement can be oriented in particular perpendicularly to one another. In one embodiment of the method, the adjustment movement is oriented in or against the direction of gravity and / or along, in particular parallel to, the direction of dispensing the adhesive onto the solar element. The transport movement is preferably oriented horizontally.

[0026] In one embodiment of the method, the workpiece carrier can be positioned against the guide device by the distance adjustment device, in particular by performing an adjustment movement, on the side facing the discharge nozzle. However, the workpiece carrier can also be positioned against the guide device by the distance adjustment device, in particular by performing an adjustment movement, on the side facing away from the discharge nozzle.

[0027] In this method variant, the workpiece carrier can be positioned against a guide device by a distance adjustment device, which is arranged or constructed on the side of the carrier's transport plane facing away from the discharge nozzle. Specifically, the guide device can be arranged or constructed on a surface along which the workpiece carrier passes by the at least one discharge nozzle to apply the adhesive to the solar elements. Thus, the workpiece carrier can pass by the discharge nozzle along the guide device, between the guide device and the discharge nozzle, to apply the adhesive to the solar elements. In this method variant, the workpiece carrier is moved away from the discharge nozzle by the distance adjustment device.

[0028] In one embodiment of the method, a mechanical guide is used as the guide. In another embodiment of the method, a pneumatic guide is used, in particular an air cushion generated by an air bearing unit. Mechanical guides allow for particularly precise presetting of defined distances. The advantage of pneumatic guides can be that different defined distances can be predefined relatively easily. When using an air cushion as the pneumatic guide, for example, the air cushion can be made larger or smaller by varying the air pressure provided by the air bearing unit, in particular with a smaller or larger height measurable in the adhesive delivery direction, thereby presetting the defined distance in the desired manner.

[0029] The adjustment movement caused by the distance adjustment device and performed by the workpiece carrier is limited by the correspondingly formed air cushion and thus adjusts the desired distance at which the solar elements pass by the dispensing nozzle with the workpiece carrier during the transport movement for adhesive application.

[0030] The actual distance between the dispensing nozzle and the solar element, measurable in the dispensing direction of the adhesive, can be determined by means of a distance sensor, and if the actual distance deviates from a defined distance, an adjusting movement caused by the distance adjustment device is correspondingly carried out to adjust the defined distance. This embodiment of the method enables automatic adjustment of the defined distance, wherein any distance deviations are automatically detected and corrected by targeted implementation of the adjusting movement, so that the solar element can automatically pass by the dispensing nozzle at a defined distance from the dispensing nozzle that is correct for the respective application, for application of the adhesive.

[0031] In one embodiment of the method, a workpiece carrier with solar elements is passed beneath and past a discharge nozzle to apply the adhesive to the solar elements. The direction of adhesive delivery to the solar elements corresponds to the direction of gravity. This method variant facilitates particularly precise and simple application of adhesive to the solar elements.

[0032] The adhesive can preferably be applied to the solar elements in the form of an adhesive bead oriented in the direction of the workpiece carrier's transport motion past the discharge nozzle and / or applied to the solar elements laterally offset relative to the longitudinal center axis of the solar elements. Such adhesive application can facilitate a secure connection between adjacent solar elements in a solar module that at least partially overlap one another.

[0033] In particular, when an electrically conductive adhesive is used as adhesive, applying the adhesive to the solar elements in the form of an adhesive bead facilitates reliable electrical contacting between solar elements that at least partially overlap one another in a solar module.

[0034] In order to achieve this object, a method for producing a solar module is also proposed, wherein an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, is applied to solar elements according to a method for applying an adhesive according to any of the claims relating to this method, and the solar elements are subsequently bonded to one another, in particular overlappingly, to produce a solar module.

[0035] By gluing the solar elements together, a mechanical and / or electrical connection between the solar elements can be achieved. A plurality of solar elements coated with adhesive can be arranged in a row. Adjacent rows of solar elements in a solar module, each comprising a plurality of solar elements, can be bonded to one another in an overlapping shingled arrangement and thereby electrically and mechanically connected to one another.

[0036] In this case, a row of solar elements covered with adhesive can be laid partially overlapping an already laid row of solar elements covered with adhesive and thereby be electrically and / or mechanically connected to the already laid row.

[0037] Two rows arranged next to each other in the solar module to be produced can be arranged offset from each other and glued together. This allows the production of so-called shingled matrix solar modules, which have particularly good predictable yields even when their photovoltaically active surface is partially shaded.

[0038] To offset rows of solar elements that are arranged side by side and / or overlap one another in a solar module, offset elements can be used. Offset elements can be solar elements that have different, in particular shorter, dimensions that can be measured in the longitudinal direction of the solar element row compared to the solar elements that are mainly present in a row.

[0039] To achieve this object, a device for applying an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, is also proposed, which has the means and features of the independent claims for such a device. Therefore, to achieve this object, a device for applying an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, to a solar element is proposed, wherein the device has means by which the device is configured to carry out a method for applying an adhesive according to any of the claims for such a method.

[0040] As means for carrying out the method, the apparatus may include a dispensing device for dispensing, in particular electrically conductive, adhesive, the dispensing device having at least one dispensing nozzle, a workpiece carrier for at least one solar element, and a conveying device by means of which the workpiece carrier, together with at least one solar element arranged thereon, passes the at least one dispensing nozzle of the dispensing device during a transport movement. Furthermore, the apparatus may include a distance adjustment device configured to adjust a defined distance at which at least one solar element can pass the at least one dispensing nozzle by means of the workpiece carrier in order to apply the adhesive to the solar element.

[0041] The workpiece carrier can have at least one receptacle for a solar element. The receptacle can be formed on a side of the workpiece carrier which faces the at least one dispensing nozzle when applying the adhesive to the solar element.

[0042] The distance adjustment device can be used to perform an adjustment movement and is particularly provided for moving the discharge nozzle and / or the workpiece carrier and / or the conveying device, along a surface along which the workpiece carrier can pass past the at least one discharge nozzle, in an adjustment movement to adjust a defined distance.

[0043] The distance adjustment device can be configured to perform an adjustment movement transversely or perpendicular to the plane of transport of the workpiece carrier past the discharge nozzle and / or oriented along, in particular parallel to, an adhesive discharge direction predetermined by the discharge nozzle to adjust a defined distance.

[0044] Furthermore, the device can have at least one guide device, against which the workpiece carrier can be positioned by a distance adjustment device and along which the workpiece carrier with at least one solar element arranged thereon can pass past the discharge nozzle. The guide device can be arranged or constructed in a discharge region of the discharge device, in which the at least one discharge nozzle of the discharge device is arranged or constructed.

[0045] In one embodiment of the device, the device has a mechanical guide as a guide and / or at least temporarily a pneumatic guide, in particular an air cushion. To form the pneumatic guide, in particular the air cushion, the device can have an air bearing unit.

[0046] The device can have at least one guide device, which is arranged or configured between the transport plane of the workpiece carrier and the at least one discharge nozzle of the discharge device. The transport plane of the workpiece carrier is the plane in which the workpiece carrier passes the discharge nozzle of the discharge device in order to apply the adhesive to the solar element.

[0047] In one embodiment of the device, the device comprises a guide device which is arranged or configured on a side of the transport plane of the workpiece carrier facing away from the at least one discharge nozzle. The guide device can, for example, be configured or configured on a surface along which the workpiece carrier can pass by the at least one discharge nozzle of the discharge device.

[0048] In one embodiment of the device, it is provided that the workpiece carrier has, on its side facing the guide device, at least one spacer, by means of which the workpiece carrier can be positioned against the guide device.

[0049] The spacers can serve as sliding elements, by means of which the workpiece carrier contacts the corresponding guides. If the spacers are arranged or formed on the side of the workpiece carrier on which the at least one receptacle for the at least one solar element is also arranged or formed, the spacers can also ensure that a minimum distance is maintained between the guides and the solar elements arranged on the workpiece carrier. In this way, the spacers can prevent unintentional contact between the solar elements and the guides.

[0050] The at least one spacer can be arranged on a side of the workpiece carrier on which the at least one solar element can be arranged. The at least one spacer can have a height, measurable in the direction of dispensing the adhesive onto the solar element, that is greater than a height of the solar element arranged on the workpiece carrier, measurable in the same direction above the workpiece carrier. Contact between the guide device and the solar element arranged on the workpiece carrier can thus be avoided.

[0051] The guide device can include at least one guide strip. The guide strip can be oriented in the direction of the conveying motion of the workpiece carrier. If the guide strip of the guide device is contacted by the workpiece carrier or a spacer of the workpiece carrier, the guide strip can be designed as a sliding guide strip. During the conveying motion, the workpiece carrier then passes by the at least one discharge nozzle of the discharge device by means of sliding contact along the at least one guide strip. If the guide device includes two parallel guide strips spaced apart from each other, which are also oriented in the direction of the conveying motion, the workpiece carrier can be guided particularly precisely and without tilting.

[0052] The air bearing unit mentioned above can have at least one air outlet. Air can be blown in via the air outlet to form an air cushion. Preferably, at least one row of air outlets is provided, which is oriented in the direction of the conveying movement of the workpiece carrier past the at least one discharge nozzle.

[0053] The at least one air outlet can be formed on an air bearing slat of the air bearing unit. In one embodiment of the air bearing unit, the air bearing unit can include at least two air bearing slats, preferably oriented parallel to one another, each of which has a row of air outlets oriented in the direction of the conveying motion. By blowing compressed air into these air outlets, an air cushion can be formed, which is then positioned between the corresponding guide slats and the workpiece carrier. The workpiece carrier can include a number of mating slats corresponding to the number of air bearing slats, with the surfaces of the mating slats facing the air outlets serving as air bearing surfaces.

[0054] In one embodiment of the device, the device includes at least one distance sensor. The distance sensor can be configured to determine the distance between the at least one dispensing nozzle and a solar element arranged on a workpiece carrier, or to determine the distance between the dispensing nozzle and the workpiece carrier. The distance sensor can preferably be configured to determine the distance in the adhesive dispensing direction and / or for contactless distance measurement. Thus, contact with the solar element and / or the workpiece carrier can be avoided within the scope of the distance measurement.

[0055] The distance adjustment device of the device can include a drive device, by means of which the discharge nozzle can be adjusted to perform an adjustment movement in order to set a defined distance at which the solar elements are to pass by the discharge nozzle by the transport movement of the workpiece carrier for application of the adhesive. The adjustment movement can be oriented transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the transport movement performed by the workpiece carrier as it passes by the discharge nozzle.

[0056] The drive device that can be used for adjusting the outlet nozzle can be, for example, a screw drive device. The screw drive device is conducive to the precise implementation of the adjustment movement of the outlet nozzle.

[0057] In one embodiment of the apparatus, the conveying device can include a magnetically guided planar drive. In this embodiment of the apparatus, the at least one workpiece carrier can be a magnetically driven mover that, by means of the planar drive, can be passed past the at least one discharge nozzle to apply the adhesive to the solar element. The planar drive can be configured for multi-coordinate positioning of the workpiece carrier configured as a mover, preferably with six degrees of freedom. In this way, the planar drive can be used to perform not only transport movements of the workpiece carrier configured as a mover, but also adjustment movements oriented transversely to the transport movement.

[0058] The planar drive can have a drive surface along which the workpiece carrier can preferably be moved with six degrees of freedom. The use of a planar drive and a workpiece carrier designed as a mover allows for a large degree of design freedom when applying adhesive to solar elements. This allows for various application modes, which can be generated by corresponding movement patterns that can be moved with the workpiece carrier in the discharge area of the discharge device.

[0059] Furthermore, when a planar drive and a magnetically driven mover are used as the workpiece carrier, the application of the adhesive and thus the method already described in detail can be adjusted particularly easily. The drive surface of the planar drive can be the aforementioned surface along which the workpiece carrier passes by the at least one discharge nozzle.

[0060] In order to be able to dispense the adhesive onto the solar element under the effect of gravity, it can be expedient if the at least one dispensing nozzle of the dispensing device is arranged above the drive surface of the planar drive.

[0061] The planar drive can also serve as a distance adjustment device, by means of which the at least one workpiece carrier can be moved in an adjustment movement, in particular transversely to its transport movement, to adjust a defined distance. In this embodiment of the device, the workpiece carrier, which is designed as a magnetically driven mover, can be brought closer to or further away from the at least one discharge nozzle by the adjustment movement of the at least one discharge nozzle to adjust a defined distance.

[0062] Furthermore, the device can be configured to electrostatically charge the workpiece carrier and thus to secure the solar element to the workpiece carrier in a contactless manner. To this end, the device can include an electrostatic charging device. By means of the electrostatic charging device, the workpiece carrier, in particular the receptacle for the solar element on the workpiece carrier, can be electrostatically charged and thus the solar element can be secured to the workpiece carrier in a contactless manner.

[0063] Furthermore, the device can include a control unit that is configured to actuate the distance adjustment device in order to adjust a defined distance at which the solar elements on the workpiece carrier are to pass the discharge nozzle. The control unit can thus control the adjustment movement caused by the distance adjustment device in order to adjust the defined distance.

[0064] The control unit can in particular be configured to actuate the distance adjustment device as a function of a deviation between the actual distance determined by means of the aforementioned distance sensor and a defined distance in order to adjust a defined distance at which the solar element on the workpiece carrier passes by the at least one outlet nozzle.

[0065] Finally, in order to achieve this object, a solar module production plant is proposed, which has the features of the claims directed to such a solar module production plant. The solar module production plant is used to produce solar modules from solar elements that are electrically connected to one another, wherein the solar module production plant has at least one device for applying adhesive to the solar elements, which device has the features of the claims directed to such a plant.

[0066] Furthermore, the solar module production plant can have an assembly device, by means of which the solar elements provided with adhesive can be arranged in a desired laying pattern and thereby bonded to one another in an overlapping manner. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0067] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Other exemplary embodiments can be obtained by combining the features of one or more claims and / or by combining one or more features of the exemplary embodiments. The accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0068] Figures 1 to 10 Different views of a first embodiment of a device for applying adhesive to solar elements are shown, wherein the device comprises a conveying device with a magnetically guided planar drive and a magnetically driven mover is provided as a workpiece carrier, which can be moved by means of the planar drive during a transport movement. Figures 1 to 10 The device shown passes past the discharge nozzle of the discharge device. The workpiece carrier can be moved in an adjustment movement against a guide device and then, in a transport movement transverse to its orientation, pass past the discharge nozzle along the guide device, which is arranged on the discharge device and above the plane of transport movement of the workpiece carrier.

[0069] Figures 11 to 20 Different views of a second embodiment of a device for applying adhesive to solar elements are shown, which are conveyed by means of a workpiece carrier past a dispensing nozzle of a dispensing device for the adhesive, wherein Figures 11 to 20 The device shown in FIG has two guide strips serving as guides in the discharge area of the discharge device, onto which a workpiece carrier designed as a mover of the planar drive of the device is lowered during an adjustment movement and can subsequently be moved along these guide strips past a total of three discharge nozzles of the discharge device during a transport movement;

[0070] Figures 21 to 30 Different views of another embodiment of a device for applying adhesive to solar elements, wherein in this device an air cushion is provided as a guide for a workpiece carrier, which air cushion can be generated by means of an air bearing unit of the device, which is arranged on a discharge device of the device;

[0071] Figures 31 to 37 Different views of another embodiment of a device for applying adhesive to solar elements are shown, wherein the device is characterized by a dispensing nozzle for the adhesive, which is positionally variable during an adjustment movement, the adjustment movement being oriented transversely to the transport movement of the workpiece carrier and the solar elements arranged thereon;

[0072] Figures 38 to 44 Another embodiment of a device for applying adhesive to solar elements is shown, wherein in the device, the adhesive is applied to the solar cell. Figures 31 to 37 Compared to the device shown in , the at least one discharge nozzle of the discharge device is held in a fixed position and the adjustment movement is carried out transversely to the conveying movement direction by means of a workpiece carrier designed as a runner of the planar drive of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] All figures show at least parts of a device for applying adhesive to solar elements 2, each designated by reference numeral 1. In the following description, components of the device 1 that are identical in their function are provided with identical reference numerals even in different embodiments.

[0074] The devices 1 each have means by which they are provided for carrying out the method already explained above for applying an especially electrically conductive adhesive to solar elements 2 .

[0075] Each of the devices 1 shown has, as a means for carrying out the method, a dispensing device 3 for dispensing an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, which has at least one dispensing nozzle 4. Some of the devices 1 shown have dispensing devices 3 each with three dispensing nozzles 4. Furthermore, all devices 1 each have at least one workpiece carrier 5 with at least one receptacle 6 for a solar element 2, and a transport device 7, by means of which the workpiece carrier 5, with at least one solar element 2 arranged thereon, can be moved past the at least one dispensing nozzle 4 of the dispensing device 3 during a transport movement. All devices also have a distance adjustment device 8. The respective distance adjustment device 8 can be used to set a defined distance at which at least one solar element 2 can pass by the at least one dispensing nozzle 4 with the help of the workpiece carrier 5, and adhesive is applied to the solar element 2.

[0076] In each device 1, the defined distance is set by an adjusting movement brought about by the respective distance adjusting device 8. The adjusting movement performed by the respective distance adjusting device 8 is oriented transversely or perpendicularly to the conveying movement of the solar elements 2 past the respective discharge nozzle 4 and is oriented along, i.e., along or against, in particular parallel to, the predetermined discharge direction of the adhesive onto the solar elements 2 by the respective discharge nozzle 4.

[0077] The devices 1 for applying adhesive 1 shown in the figures differ in part by the type of their distance adjustment device 8 and the adjustment movement which is carried out in order to adjust a defined distance.

[0078] On device 1 Figure 1-10 In the embodiments shown in Figures 11-20, 21-30, and 38-44, the distance adjustment device 8 is provided for moving the workpiece carrier 5 in an adjustment movement to adjust a defined distance. In this case, the workpiece carrier 5 is moved in the adjustment movement transversely or perpendicularly to its transport movement (in which it passes by the discharge nozzle 4) and thus in, in particular parallel to, the adhesive discharge direction predetermined by the discharge nozzle 4.

[0079] On device 1 Figures 31-37 In the embodiment shown in FIG, the distance adjustment device 8 is provided for moving the outlet nozzle 4 of the outlet device 3 in an adjustment movement in order to adjust a defined distance. For this purpose, Figures 31-37 The dispensing nozzle 4 of the device 1 shown in FIG is movable in space. Here, the adjustment movement is also oriented transversely or perpendicularly to the transport movement of the workpiece carrier 5 passing by the dispensing nozzle 4 and is therefore oriented along, in particular parallel to, the adhesive dispensing direction predetermined by the dispensing nozzle 4.

[0080] In one embodiment of the apparatus 1 (not shown in the figures), a distance adjustment device 8 is provided, which is designed to move a surface 9 of the conveying device 7 (along which the workpiece carrier 5 passes by the at least one discharge nozzle 4 in a transporting motion) in an adjusting motion in order to adjust a defined distance at which the at least one solar element 2 passes by the discharge nozzle 4 of the discharge device 3 by means of the workpiece carrier 5 in order to apply the adhesive to the solar element 2. In this case, the apparatus 1 has a movable surface 9 of the conveying device 7. The adjusting motion can also be directed transversely or perpendicularly to the transporting motion of the workpiece carrier 5 past the discharge nozzle 4 and thus along, in particular parallel to, the adhesive discharge direction predetermined by the discharge nozzle 4.

[0081] exist Figures 1 to 30The different devices 1 shown in FIG. 1 each have at least one guide device 10 , which is formed in a discharge region 11 of the discharge device 3 , in which the at least one discharge nozzle 4 is arranged.

[0082] By means of an adjustment movement, the corresponding workpiece carrier 5 is positioned in these devices 1 against the corresponding guide device 10 and then moved along the guide device 10 so that the at least one solar element 2 arranged on the workpiece carrier 5 passes by the discharge nozzle 4 at a defined distance and the adhesive is applied to the solar element 2 at this time.

[0083] exist Figure 1-20 In both devices 1 shown in FIG, a mechanical guide is used as the guide 10. Figures 21 to 30 In the embodiment of the device 1 shown in FIG, a pneumatic guide device, ie an air cushion, is used or generated as the guide device 10 .

[0084] In order to produce an air cushion used as a pneumatic guide, Figures 21 to 30 The device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has an air bearing unit 12 .

[0085] exist Figure 1-10 In both devices 1 shown in Figures 21 to 30 , the guide device 10 is respectively arranged or constructed between the transport movement plane of the workpiece carrier 5 and the at least one discharge nozzle 4 of the corresponding discharge device 3 .

[0086] exist Figures 11 to 20 The device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a guide device 10 which is arranged on the side of the transport movement plane of the workpiece carrier 5 facing away from the at least one discharge nozzle 4. Specifically, the guide device 10 is arranged on the surface 9 already mentioned above, along which the workpiece carrier 5 passes by the at least one discharge nozzle 4 of the discharge device 3 in order to apply the adhesive to the solar elements 2 on the workpiece carrier 5.

[0087] exist Figures 1 to 10 The devices shown in Figures 21 to 30 have workpiece carriers 5 which have spacers 13 on the side of the respective workpiece carrier 5 on which the at least one solar element 2 can be arranged. The spacers 13 have a height, measurable in the direction of delivery of the adhesive onto the solar element 2, which is greater than the height of the solar element 2 arranged on the respective workpiece carrier 5, measurable in the same direction.

[0088] The spacers 13 of the workpiece carrier 5 are Figure 2 as well as Figure 22 By means of an adjusting movement, the workpiece carrier 5 can be positioned with its spacers 13 against the guide means 10 and then passed by the discharge nozzle 4 along the corresponding guide means 10 during a transport movement.

[0089] exist Figure 1-10 The devices 1 shown in Figures 11 to 20 also have guide devices 10 each comprising two guide strips 14. It can be seen that the guide strips 14 are oriented in the direction of the transport movement of the workpiece carrier 5.

[0090] exist Figures 1 to 10 In the device 1 shown in FIG, the guide strips 14 are arranged between the discharge nozzle 4 and the transport movement plane of the workpiece carrier 5 and on the underside of the discharge device 3 and extend through the discharge region 11 .

[0091] The workpiece carrier 5 can be moved with its four spacers 13 against the guide strips 14 of the guide device 10 . To this end, the workpiece carrier 5 performs an adjustment movement directed transversely to the transport movement, approaching a total of three discharge nozzles 4 of the discharge device 3 .

[0092] exist Figure 11-20 The device 1 shown in FIG has a guide device 10 with two guide strips 14 that are parallel to each other and oriented in the direction of the conveying movement. The guide strips of the device 1 are arranged on the surface 9 along which the workpiece carrier 5 passes the discharge nozzle 4 of the discharge device 3 during the conveying movement.

[0093] By regulating movement, Figures 11 to 20 The workpiece carrier 5 of the device 1 shown in FIG is lowered from above onto the guide strips 14 of the guide device 10 of the device 1 and subsequently passes the discharge nozzle 4 along the two guide strips 14 at a distance defined by the guide strips 14. Due to the adjustment movement performed by the workpiece carrier 5, up to three solar elements 2 arranged on the workpiece carrier 3 are also brought into the defined distance from the discharge nozzle 4 and can pass the discharge nozzle 4 at a defined distance in order to apply the adhesive to the solar elements 2.

[0094] Figures 21 to 30 The air bearing unit 12 of the device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has two rows of air outlets 15 . Each row of air outlets 15 is oriented in the direction of the conveying movement of the workpiece carrier 5 . The air outlets 15 serve to form an air cushion below the air outlet 15 , which then serves as a guide 10 for the workpiece carrier 5 . It can be seen here that each row of air outlets 15 extends through the discharge region 11 of the discharge device 3 .

[0095] The air outlets 15 of the air bearing unit 12 are formed on the air bearing strips 16 of the air bearing unit 12. The device 1 has two air bearing strips 16 oriented parallel to each other, on each of which a row of air outlets 15 oriented in the direction of the conveying movement is formed. Figure 28The air outlet openings 15 can be seen particularly clearly in the sectional view of FIG.

[0096] The workpiece carrier 5 of the device 1, which cooperates with the air bearing unit 12, has two mating strips 17 on its upper side facing the air bearing unit 12, and the number of mating strips 17 corresponds to the number of air bearing strips 16. The mating strips 17 have surfaces facing the air outlets 15. These surfaces of the mating strips 17 serve as air bearing surfaces, by means of which the workpiece carrier 5 rests on the air cushion serving as the guide 10 and slides along it during the transport movement. The air cushion is formed between the air outlets 15 of the air bearing strips 16 and the mating strips 17 of the workpiece carrier 5.

[0097] The counter strip 17 also assumes the function of a spacer 13 for protecting the solar element 2 , which is arranged on the receptacle 6 of the workpiece carrier 5 .

[0098] The other workpiece carriers 5 shown in the figures also have mating strips 17, which are oriented in the direction of transport motion, via their already mentioned spacers 13. Different workpiece carriers 5 can contact the corresponding guide devices 10 with their mating strips 17. The mating strips 17 then also serve as sliding bodies, via which the workpiece carriers 5 then pass along the corresponding guide devices 10 past the discharge nozzles.

[0099] exist Figures 31 to 44 The devices 1 shown in each embodiment have a distance sensor 18. The distance sensor 18 serves to determine the actual distance between the at least one dispensing nozzle 4 and a solar element 2 arranged on the receptacle 6 of the respective workpiece carrier 5. The distance sensor 18 is specifically provided here to determine the distance between the dispensing nozzle 4 and the solar element 2 in the dispensing direction of the adhesive onto the solar element 2 and also for contactless distance measurement.

[0100] exist Figures 31-37 The device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a distance adjustment device 8 having a drive 19, i.e., a screw drive, by means of which the discharge nozzle 4 can be adjusted in space to carry out an adjustment movement transverse to the transport movement of the workpiece carrier. Taking into account the distance measured by means of the distance sensor 18, the adjustment movement can be carried out in a targeted manner and the discharge nozzle 4 can be raised or lowered accordingly by means of the drive 19 in order to set a defined distance at which the solar element 2 with the workpiece carrier 5 should pass by the discharge nozzle 4 for application of the adhesive.

[0101] All devices 1 have a conveyor device 7 including a magnetically guided planar drive 20. All workpiece carriers 5 are designed as magnetically driven movers, which can be conveyed by means of the corresponding planar drive 20 past the at least one discharge nozzle 4 of the corresponding discharge device. The planar drive 20 is each configured for multi-axis positioning of the workpiece carrier 5 designed as a mover. Multi-axis positioning can be performed with up to six degrees of freedom.

[0102] Each planar drive 20 has a drive surface as a surface 9 along which the corresponding workpiece carrier 5 can move. The drive surface is formed by the stator 21 of the corresponding planar drive 20. In all the devices 1 shown in the figures, the discharge nozzle 4 of the discharge device 3 is arranged above the drive surface 9 of the corresponding planar drive 20.

[0103] On device 1 Figures 1 to 30 In the embodiments shown in Figures 38 to 44 , the corresponding planar drive 20 also serves as a distance adjustment device 8 , by means of which the corresponding workpiece carrier 5 can be moved in an adjustment movement transverse to the transport movement to adjust a defined distance.

[0104] Furthermore, all devices 1 have an electrostatic charging device 22 which is provided for electrostatically charging the workpiece carrier 5 and thus for contactlessly fixing the solar element 2 on the workpiece carrier 5 .

[0105] Furthermore, all devices 1 each comprise a control unit 23 which is configured to actuate the distance adjustment device 8 in order to carry out an adjustment movement and to adjust a defined distance at which the solar element 2 on the respective workpiece carrier 5 should pass by the at least one discharge nozzle 4 .

[0106] In the embodiment of the device 1 with a distance sensor 18 (the embodiment in Figures 31 to 44 ), the control unit 23 is configured to actuate the distance adjustment device 8 as a function of the deviation between the actual distance and the defined distance. The actual distance can be the distance measurable by means of the distance sensor 18 between the discharge nozzle 4 and the solar element 2 arranged on the workpiece carrier 5. A regulating movement is then performed as a function of this deviation in order to adjust the defined distance at which the solar element 2 on the workpiece carrier 5 then passes by the at least one discharge nozzle 4.

[0107] The device 1 for applying the adhesive 1 can be a component of a solar module production plant, designated as a whole by the reference numeral 24 , which is provided for producing solar modules from solar elements 2 that are electrically connected to one another.

[0108] The device 1 described above for applying adhesive to solar elements 2 is provided for carrying out the method described below.

[0109] In the method for applying an especially electrically conductive adhesive to solar elements 2 , provision is made for the solar elements 2 to be passed by a workpiece carrier 5 at a defined distance past a dispensing nozzle 4 of an adhesive dispensing device 3 and for the adhesive to be applied to the solar elements 2 .

[0110] Before applying the adhesive to the solar element 2, a defined distance is set by means of the distance adjustment device 8. To this end, an adjustment movement is carried out by the distance adjustment device 8 and thereby a defined distance, measurable in the dispensing direction of the adhesive onto the solar element 2, is set, at which the solar element 2 then passes by the dispensing nozzle 4 for the application of the adhesive.

[0111] According to an embodiment of the method, the distance adjustment device 8 causes an adjustment movement of the output nozzle 4, the workpiece carrier 5 and / or the surface 9 (in particular the drive surface of the planar drive device 20 mentioned above, along which the workpiece carrier 5 passes by the output nozzle 4) to adjust a defined distance.

[0112] In the embodiment of the method shown in the figures, the adjustment movement respectively brought about by means of the respective distance adjustment device 8 is oriented transversely or perpendicularly to the transport movement of the solar element 2 past the respective discharge nozzle 4 and is also oriented along, in particular parallel to, the predetermined discharge direction of the adhesive onto the solar element 2 by the respective discharge nozzle 4.

[0113] In a device 1 having a guide device 10, according to the method, the workpiece carrier 5 is brought into contact with the corresponding guide device 10 by an adjustment movement and the workpiece carrier 5 together with at least one solar element 2 arranged thereon is then passed along the guide device 10 past the discharge nozzle 4 and the adhesive is applied to the solar element 2 here.

[0114] Workpiece carrier 5 Figures 1 to 10 21 to 30 are positioned by means of an adjustment movement against a guide 10 arranged between the discharge nozzle 4 and the transport movement plane of the workpiece carrier 5. Here, the workpiece carrier 5 moves away from the surface 9 and approaches the discharge nozzle 4.

[0115] exist Figures 11 to 20 In the device 1 shown in FIG, the workpiece carrier 5 is positioned by an adjusting movement against a guide device 10 which is arranged on the side of the transport movement plane of the workpiece carrier 5 facing away from the discharge nozzle 4.

[0116] On device 1 Figure 1-10In the embodiments shown in Figures 21 to 30, the corresponding workpiece carrier 5 is positioned against the guide device 10 by adjusting the movement to face the side of the discharge nozzle 4. Figures 11 to 20 In the device 1 shown in FIG, it is provided that the workpiece carrier 5 is moved away from the discharge nozzle 4 by an adjusting movement and is positioned with the side facing away from the discharge nozzle against the guide device 10 .

[0117] exist Figure 1-10 The guide device 10 shown in FIG. 11-20 is a mechanical guide device, and in FIG. Figure 21-30 A pneumatic guide is provided in the device 1 shown in FIG. An air cushion is generated here by means of an air bearing unit 12 of the device 1 as a pneumatic guide.

[0118] exist Figures 31-44 In the device 1 shown in FIG, the actual distance, measurable in the discharge direction of the adhesive, between the discharge nozzle 4 and the solar element 2 on the corresponding workpiece carrier 5 is determined by means of a distance sensor 18, and if the actual distance deviates from a defined distance, a corresponding adjustment movement is performed to adjust a defined distance at which the solar element 2 then passes by the discharge nozzle 4.

[0119] In all illustrated embodiments of the apparatus 1, a respective workpiece carrier 5 with at least one solar element 2 is passed beneath and past the respective discharge nozzle 4 to apply adhesive to the solar element 2. The electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the solar element 2 in the form of adhesive beads 25 oriented in the direction of transport and in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the solar element 2 and laterally offset relative to the longitudinal center axis of the respective solar element 2. The adhesive beads 25 are preferably applied directly to the busbars of the solar element 2. This facilitates reliable electrical interconnection in the finished solar module of the solar elements 2 that are subsequently bonded together.

[0120] Figure 3-10 The application of the method for applying an adhesive to a solar cell is shown. Figure 1-10 The device 1 shown in FIG.

[0121] Figure 3 The workpiece carrier 5 is shown in its starting position. From this starting position, the workpiece carrier 5 is guided out in a rightward-directed transport movement and in an adjustment movement. By means of the adjustment movement, the workpiece carrier 5 is lifted from the drive surface 9 and brought closer to the discharge nozzle 4 of the discharge device 3. As a result, the workpiece carrier reaches Figure 4 , in which the workpiece carrier with its spacers 13 contacts the guide strips 14 of the guide device 10 . Figure 5 and 6The workpiece carrier 5 is further shown resting on the guide 10 , but now further moved to the right; the adhesive can also be seen being applied to the solar elements 2 arranged on the surface of the workpiece carrier 5 .

[0122] Figure 7 The workpiece carrier 5 is shown after the adhesive has been applied to the solar element 2. In this position, the workpiece carrier 5 is returned again in the direction of the drive surface 9, ie away from the discharge nozzle 4 by a return movement directed opposite to the adjustment movement. Figure 8 It is shown that the workpiece carrier 5 with the solar elements 2 arranged thereon is then located outside the discharge region 11 of the discharge device 3 .

[0123] Figure 9 and 10 It is shown that each of the three solar elements 2 arranged on the workpiece carrier 5 is covered with an adhesive bead 25. The adhesive bead is applied laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the solar element 2 and is oriented in the direction of the longitudinal center axis.

[0124] according to Figure 13-20 Clearly show Figure 11-20 The working principle of the device is shown in FIG.

[0125] exist Figure 13 In the initial position, the workpiece carrier 5 lies on the drive surface 9 and is still outside the output region 11 of the output device 3 .

[0126] By means of a movement directed to the right in the plane of the drawing, the workpiece carrier 5 is moved into the discharge area 11 of the discharge device 3 and lowered by means of an adjustment movement transverse to this orientation onto the guide strips 14 of the guide device 10 in order to adjust a defined distance at which the solar element 2 then passes the discharge nozzle 4 of the discharge device 3 in order to be applied with adhesive. For this purpose, the workpiece carrier 5 is adjusted according to Figures 15 to 18 The guide strips 14 along the guide device 10 then pass past the three discharge nozzles 4 of the discharge device 3. The height of the guide strips 14 above the drive surface 9 then predetermines the defined distance at which the solar elements 2 pass past the discharge nozzles.

[0127] exist Figure 17 , the workpiece carrier 5 is shown in the position it assumes after the adhesive has been applied to the solar elements 2. Here, the workpiece carrier 5 is raised again by a return movement counter to the adjustment movement to the level it had before it was lowered onto the guide strips 14.

[0128] Figure 19 and 20 The result of the adhesive application is shown, namely three adhesive beads 25 oriented in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the respective solar element 2 and applied offset thereto.

[0129] exist Figure 21-30 In the device 1 shown in , it is provided that the workpiece carrier 5 with the three solar elements 2 arranged thereon is moved from a starting position by an adjustment movement from below onto an air cushion serving as a guide 10 , which is generated by means of an air bearing unit 12 of the device 1 .

[0130] Starting from a starting position (not shown) outside the discharge area 11 of the discharge device 3, the workpiece carrier 5 enters Figure 23 This is achieved by lifting the workpiece carrier 5 from the drive surface 9 by means of a planar drive 20 , which in its function serves as a distance adjustment device 8 . Figure 23 The workpiece carrier 5 is shown with its mating strips 17 resting on an air cushion serving as a guide 10. The workpiece carrier 5 with the three solar elements 2 arranged thereon is then removed from the air cushion. Figure 23 Move to the position shown in Figure 26 and 25 In the position shown, the adhesive has already been partially applied to the solar element 2 .

[0131] according to Figure 27 The workpiece carrier 5 then descends again in the direction of the drive surface 9 of the planar drive 20 in the return movement and according to Figure 28 The dispensing device 3 is then moved out of the dispensing region 11 .

[0132] Figure 29 and 30 The result of the adhesive application is shown. Each of the three solar elements 2 is provided with an adhesive bead 25 which is arranged on the solar element 2 in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the respective solar element 2 and offset therewith.

[0133] Figures 34-37 Show Figures 31-37 The working principle of the device 1 shown in FIG.

[0134] From the basis Figure 34 Starting from the initial position, the workpiece carrier 5 with the solar element 2 arranged thereon enters the detection range of the distance sensor 18 of the device 1. The position of the discharge nozzle 4 in space is changed depending on the distance determined by the distance sensor 18 between the discharge nozzle 4 and the solar element 2 positioned on the workpiece carrier 5. This occurs if the determined distance deviates from the defined distance at which the solar element 2 is to pass by the discharge nozzle 4.

[0135] The position of the discharge nozzle is adjusted by an adjustment movement caused by the distance adjustment device 8. The drive device 19, which is designed as a screw drive, changes the position of the discharge nozzle 4 above the solar element 2 arranged on the workpiece carrier 5 according to the distance deviation. As a result, the workpiece carrier 5 with the solar element 2 located thereon passes by the discharge nozzle 4 at the correct distance from the discharge nozzle 4, so that the adhesive can be applied as desired.

[0136] The results of this method are Figure 32 and 33 On the solar element 2 , an adhesive bead 25 can be seen which is oriented in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of the solar element 2 and is arranged offset relative thereto.

[0137] Figures 41-44 illustrate Figures 38-44 The working principle of the device 1 is shown in FIG.

[0138] With Figures 31-37 , the distance between the discharge nozzle 4 and the solar element 2 is also determined here by means of the distance sensor 18 of this device 1. If a deviation is detected between the defined distance at which the solar element 2 should pass by the discharge nozzle 4 and the determined distance, the distance adjustment device 8 initiates a corresponding adjustment movement, by which the defined distance can be set.

[0139] Provision is made here for the workpiece carrier 5 to be adjusted according to the determined distance deviation by means of the planar drive 20 which functions as a distance adjustment device 8 , i.e. the workpiece carrier 5 and thus the solar element 2 is moved either closer to the discharge nozzle 4 or further away from it during the adjustment movement.

[0140] Figure 41 The workpiece carrier 5 is shown outside the dispensing area 11 of the dispensing device 3. The rightward transport motion of the workpiece carrier 5 brings the solar element 2 positioned thereon into the detection range of the distance sensor 18. The distance between the solar element 2 and the dispensing nozzle 4 of the dispensing device 3 is determined by contactless distance measurement. If a deviation is detected between the determined distance and the defined distance at which the solar element 2 should pass the dispensing nozzle 4, a distance correction can be performed. This is achieved by raising or lowering the workpiece carrier 5 on the drive surface 9 via the distance adjustment device 8 (here, the planar drive 20).

[0141] Figure 42 The workpiece carrier 5 is shown with the solar element 2 located thereon in the discharge region 11 of the discharge device 3. In this case, the solar element 2 is already located below the discharge nozzle 4 for the application of adhesive.

[0142] according to Figure 43 , adhesive coating is basically completed. Figure 44 The workpiece carrier 5 is shown outside the discharge region 11 of the discharge device 3 after the adhesive has been applied to the solar elements 2 .

[0143] Figure 39 and 40 The result of the adhesive application is shown. It can be seen here that the solar element 2 has an adhesive bead 25 arranged in the longitudinal direction of its longitudinal center axis and offset therewith.

[0144] The method for applying adhesive to solar elements 2 can be implemented within the scope of a method for producing a solar module. In this case, an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, is applied to the solar elements 2 according to the method for applying adhesive to solar elements 2, and the solar elements 2 are then bonded to one another, for example overlappingly, to produce a solar module.

[0145] Reference Signs List

[0146] 1 Equipment for applying adhesive

[0147] 2 Solar cells

[0148] 3 output devices

[0149] 4 output nozzles

[0150] 5 workpiece carriers

[0151] 6 5 on the receiving portion for 2

[0152] 7Conveying device

[0153] 8. Distance adjustment device

[0154] 9 surface, driving surface

[0155] 10 guide device

[0156] 11 Output Area

[0157] 12 air bearing units

[0158] 13 spacer

[0159] 14 guide slats

[0160] 15 air outlet

[0161] 16 air bearing slats

[0162] 17 Coordinating slats

[0163] 18 distance sensors

[0164] 19 drive device, screw drive device

[0165] 20 plane drive device

[0166] 21 stator

[0167] 22 Electrostatic charging device

[0168] 23 control unit

[0169] 24Solar module production equipment

[0170] 25 adhesive lines

Claims

1. Method for applying an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, to a solar element (2), wherein: The solar element (2) is passed by a discharge nozzle (4) of a discharge device (3) for adhesive at a defined distance by means of a workpiece carrier (5), and adhesive is applied to the solar element (2) at this distance, wherein the defined distance at which the solar element (2) passes by the discharge nozzle (4) for adhesive application is adjusted by means of a distance adjustment device (8) before the adhesive is applied.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The distance adjustment device (8) causes an adjustment movement by which a defined distance is adjusted, in particular the distance adjustment device (8) moves the discharge nozzle (4) and / or the workpiece carrier (5) and / or the workpiece carrier (5) in an adjustment movement along the surface (9) next to the discharge nozzle (4) to adjust the defined distance.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The adjustment movement caused by the distance adjustment device (8) is oriented transversely or perpendicularly to the conveying movement of the solar element (2) past the discharge nozzle (4) and / or along, in particular parallel to, the discharge direction of the adhesive onto the solar element (2) predetermined by the discharge nozzle (4).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The workpiece carrier (5) is positioned by a distance adjustment device (8), in particular by performing an adjustment movement, against a guide device (10), along which the workpiece carrier (5) and, in the process, the solar element (2) pass by the discharge nozzle (4) at a defined distance for application of the adhesive.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The workpiece carrier (5) is positioned by a distance adjustment device (8), in particular by performing an adjustment movement, against a guide device (10) arranged or constructed between the discharge nozzle (4) and the transport movement plane of the workpiece carrier (5).

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The workpiece carrier (5) is positioned by a distance adjustment device (8), in particular by performing an adjustment movement, against a guide device (10), which is arranged or constructed on the side of the conveying movement plane of the workpiece carrier (5) facing away from the output nozzle (4), in particular, the guide device is arranged or constructed on the surface (9) along which the workpiece carrier (5) passes beside the at least one output nozzle (4).

7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The workpiece carrier (5) is positioned against the guide device (10) by the distance adjustment device (8), in particular by performing an adjustment movement, with the side facing the discharge nozzle (4), or the workpiece carrier (5) is positioned against the guide device (10) by the distance adjustment device (8) with the side facing away from the discharge nozzle (4).

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein Mechanical and / or pneumatic guides, in particular air cushions generated by air bearing units (12), are used as guides.

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The actual distance between the dispensing nozzle (4) and the solar element (2), which is measurable in the dispensing direction of the adhesive, is determined by means of a distance sensor (18) and, if the actual distance deviates from a defined distance, an adjusting movement caused by the distance adjusting device (8) is correspondingly performed to adjust the defined distance.

10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein A workpiece carrier (5) with a solar element (2) passes below the discharge nozzle (4) past the discharge nozzle to apply adhesive to the solar element (2) and / or the adhesive is applied to the solar element (2) in the form of an adhesive bead (25) oriented in the direction of transport movement of the workpiece carrier (5) and / or the adhesive is applied to the solar element (2) laterally offset relative to the longitudinal center axis of the solar element (2).

11. A method for producing a solar module, wherein: An adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, is applied to solar elements (2) according to a method for applying an adhesive as claimed in any of the preceding claims, and the solar elements (2) are subsequently bonded to one another, in particular overlappingly, to produce a solar module.

12. Device (1) for applying an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, to a solar element (2), wherein: The device (1) has means by which the device (1) is provided for carrying out a method according to any of the preceding claims for applying an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, to a solar element (2).

13. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The device (1) comprises, as a means for carrying out the method, a dispensing device (3) for dispensing an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, the dispensing device comprising at least one dispensing nozzle (4); at least one workpiece carrier (5) for at least one solar element (2); a conveying device (7) by means of which the workpiece carrier (5) with at least one solar element (2) arranged thereon can pass past the at least one dispensing nozzle (4) of the dispensing device (3); and a distance adjustment device (8) which is provided for adjusting a defined distance at which the at least one solar element (2) can pass by the at least one discharge nozzle (4) by means of a workpiece carrier (5) for application of adhesive.

14. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The distance adjustment device (8) is configured to perform an adjustment movement, in particular the distance adjustment device (8) is configured to move the discharge nozzle (4) and / or the workpiece carrier (5) and / or the conveying device (7) in an adjustment movement along a surface (9) along which the workpiece carrier (5) passes next to the at least one discharge nozzle (4) to adjust a defined distance.

15. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The distance adjustment device (8) is provided for performing an adjustment movement which is oriented transversely or perpendicularly to a plane of transport movement of the workpiece carrier (5) passing by the discharge nozzle (4) and / or along, in particular parallel to, an adhesive discharge direction predetermined by the discharge nozzle (4) in order to adjust a defined distance.

16. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The device (1) has, in particular, at least one guide device (10) in an output region (11) of an output device (3) in which the at least one output nozzle (4) is arranged or constructed, against which a workpiece carrier (5) can be positioned by means of a distance adjustment device (8) and along which the workpiece carrier (5) can pass by the output nozzle (4) together with the solar element (2) arranged thereon.

17. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The device (1) has a mechanical guide and / or a pneumatic guide, in particular an air cushion, as a guide device (10).

18. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The device (1) has at least one air bearing unit (12) which is provided for forming a pneumatic guide, in particular an air cushion.

19. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The device (1) has at least one guide device (10), which is arranged or constructed between the conveying movement plane of the workpiece carrier (5) and the at least one output nozzle (4) of the output device (3), and / or the device (1) has a guide device (10), which is arranged or constructed on the side of the conveying movement plane of the workpiece carrier (5) facing away from the at least one output nozzle (4), in particular, is arranged or constructed on a surface (9) along which the workpiece carrier (5) can pass by the at least one output nozzle (4).

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein The workpiece carrier (5) has at least one spacer (13) on its side facing the guide device (10), by means of which the workpiece carrier (5) can be positioned against the guide device (10).

21. The device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The at least one spacer (13) is arranged on a side of the workpiece carrier (5) on which the at least one solar element (2) can be arranged, and / or the at least one spacer (13) has a height measurable in the delivery direction of the adhesive to the solar element (2), which is greater than the height of the solar element (2) arranged on the workpiece carrier (5) measurable in the same direction.

22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein The guide device (10) has at least one guide strip (14), which is preferably oriented in the direction of transport movement of the workpiece carrier (5).

23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein The guide device, in particular the air bearing unit (12), has at least one air outlet (15), preferably at least one row of air outlets (15), for forming an air cushion, the at least one row of air outlets being oriented in the direction of the conveying movement of the workpiece carrier (5) passing by the at least one discharge nozzle (4), in particular the at least one air outlet (15) being constructed on an air bearing strip (16) of the air bearing unit (12).

24. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The workpiece carrier (5) has a mating strip (17) on its side facing the guide device (10), in particular the mating strip serves as a spacer (13) and / or an air bearing surface and / or is oriented in the direction of transport movement.

25. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The device (1) has at least one distance sensor (18) for determining the distance between the at least one discharge nozzle (4) and a solar element (2) arranged on the at least one workpiece carrier (5), in particular the distance sensor 18 is designed to determine the distance between the discharge nozzle (4) and the solar element (2) in the adhesive discharge direction and / or for contactless distance measurement.

26. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The distance adjustment device (8) has a drive (19), in particular a spindle drive, by means of which the discharge nozzle (4) can be adjusted to perform an adjusting movement.

27. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The conveying device (7) comprises a magnetically guided planar drive (20), and the at least one workpiece carrier (5) is a magnetically driven mover which, by means of the planar drive (20), can pass past the at least one discharge nozzle (4) in order to apply the adhesive to the solar element (2).

28. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The planar drive (20) is provided for multi-coordinate positioning of a workpiece carrier (5) configured as a mover, preferably with six degrees of freedom, and / or the planar drive (20) has a drive surface (9) on which the workpiece carrier (5) can be moved, preferably with six degrees of freedom.

29. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 14 to 28, wherein The at least one discharge nozzle (4) of the discharge device (3) is arranged above the surface (9), in particular above the drive surface (9) of the planar drive (20).

30. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The planar drive (20) serves as a distance adjustment device (8), by means of which the at least one workpiece carrier (5) can be moved in an adjustment movement transverse to the transport movement in order to adjust a defined distance.

31. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The device (1) has an electrostatic charging device (22) which is provided for electrostatically charging a workpiece carrier (5) and thus for contactlessly fixing a solar element (2) to the workpiece carrier (5).

32. Apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The device (1) has a control unit (23) which is configured to control a distance adjustment device (8) in particular as a function of a deviation between a defined distance and an actual distance measured by means of a distance sensor (18) in order to adjust a defined distance at which a solar element (2) on a workpiece carrier (5) can pass by the at least one outlet nozzle (4).

33. A solar module production plant (24) for producing solar modules from solar elements (2) electrically connected to one another, wherein: The solar module production plant (24) comprises a device (1) for applying adhesive to solar elements (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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