Method and apparatus for manufacturing solar modules

Abstract

Method for manufacturing solar modules (2), wherein solar elements (3) are assembled into rows (4) on a transfer unit (5), each row (4) comprising at least two solar elements (3), and wherein the solar modules (2) are constructed from electrically interconnected rows (4), wherein the rows (4) of the solar module (2) are bonded together with an electrically conductive adhesive in an overlapping manner for electrical and mechanical connection of the rows (4) of solar elements (3) to each other, and wherein the electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the solar elements (3) of the rows (4) to be bonded together during a transfer movement of the rows (4) of the solar module (2) to be bonded together, in particular during assembly of the solar module (2), wherein a relative orientation of the solar elements (3) within a row (4) and also of the rows (4) to each other on the transfer unit (5) is maintained during feeding.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a device for manufacturing solar modules.

[0002] Such methods and devices are already known in practice. Here, solar elements are assembled into rows, and the solar modules are constructed from electrically connected rows. The solar elements used can be photovoltaic solar cells or parts cut from them, so-called shingles.

[0003] Patent application US 2016 / 163914 A1 discloses a method and apparatus for the automated production of solar modules. The method involves placing a solar cell on a conveyor belt using a computer-controlled loading module. The solar cell is then scored into two or more solar strips using a computer-controlled scoring module to introduce predetermined breaking points into the solar cell. Next, conductive paste is applied to one edge of each of the strips using a computer-controlled paste dispensing module. The solar cell is then split along the predetermined breaking points to separate the strips. Finally, the strips are repositioned using a computer-controlled shingling module so that the edge of each strip with conductive paste is bonded to another strip to form a string of strips.

[0004] The patent application US 2016 / 163912 A1 discloses a device for distributing a conductive paste onto photovoltaic cells during the manufacture of a solar panel, the device comprising a cartridge for holding the conductive paste. The device further comprises a dispensing module coupled to the cartridge, the dispensing module being configured to dispense a predetermined quantity of the conductive paste onto the busbars of a respective photovoltaic structure. A robotic arm coupled to the dispensing module is also provided, the robotic arm being configured to adjust the position of the dispensing module, thereby facilitating alignment between the dispensing module and the busbars of the photovoltaic structure.

[0005] Document DE 10 2013 010 447 A1 discloses a method and a device for manufacturing a flexible solar module string.

[0006] German patent application DE 10 2010 016 975 A1 discloses a method for interconnecting planar rigid or flexible solar cells and for establishing contact with the busbars for current conduction. The method is characterized in that electrically conductive layers are produced on an entire solar cell matrix consisting of several overlapping solar cells at one or more (numerous) switching points by means of screen printing, dispensing, spraying, vapor deposition, sputtering or electroplating, or that contact material is applied to and fixed on the entire solar cell matrix at the switching points.

[0007] Document DE 37 08 548 A1 discloses a solar cell module made of overlapping solar cells that are electrically connected to each other in the overlap zone, characterized in that the rows of solar cells, consisting of at least two solar cells, are arranged in such an overlapping manner that the butt joints resulting from the arrangement of solar cells to form a row of solar cells are offset from those in adjacent rows of solar cells.

[0008] Document CN 1 10 137 293 discloses a fully serially-parallel stacked photovoltaic module comprising a plurality of solar cells arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein the front of a solar cell is provided with an upper electrode and the rear with a lower electrode. The cells are interconnected via their upper and lower electrodes, with an n+1-th row of cells being offset by a displacement X in the direction of the upper electrode; where n = 1, 3, 5, 7, ....

[0009] Document CN 1 04 600 141 discloses a solar cell module. The solar cell module comprises at least one set of solar cells, wherein the set of solar cells comprises at least two solar cell strings connected in series, wherein a solar cell string comprises at least two cell units connected in parallel, one cell unit being cut out of a solar cell, and two adjacent cell units being connected in series.

[0010] The object of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing solar modules and a corresponding direction that promotes the efficient manufacturing of solar modules.

[0011] To solve the problem, a method is first proposed that incorporates the means and features of the first independent claim, which relates to a method for manufacturing solar modules. In particular, to solve the problem, the aforementioned method proposes that the rows of a solar module are bonded together with an electrically conductive adhesive, and that the electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the solar elements of the rows to be bonded together during a transfer movement of the rows of the solar module to be bonded together, in particular during the assembly of the solar module with the rows.

[0012] According to the invention, the use of an electrically conductive adhesive provides, on the one hand, a mechanical connection and, on the other hand, an electrical connection between the rows of solar cells.

[0013] In this way, the bonding of the rows to each other and the electrical contacting of the solar elements of one row and ultimately of two adjacent rows to each other can at least be prepared in one process step.

[0014] In one embodiment of the method, a dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit, remains stationary in a horizontal position during the dispensing process. In this embodiment of the method, the electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the rows of solar cells that move relative to the stationary dispensing unit during the transfer movement.

[0015] To change the distance to the lines, the dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit, can be adjusted in a vertical position in one embodiment of the method.

[0016] In another embodiment of the method, a dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit, is moved during the dispensing process. The movement of the dispensing unit can be, in particular, longitudinal and / or oblique to the longitudinal direction of at least one row of solar cells onto which the electrically conductive adhesive is to be applied, and / or vertical.

[0017] In this embodiment of the method, there can be at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit that is moved during the dispensing of the electrically conductive adhesive.

[0018] The solar cells in a row, coated with electrically conductive adhesive, can be attached to the solar module simultaneously or sequentially. Individual handling of each solar cell with electrically conductive adhesive for mounting on the solar module can be avoided with simultaneous installation.

[0019] The electrically conductive adhesive can be applied with an adhesive layer that is 0.5mm or less thick and 0.6mm or less wide.

[0020] To solve the problem, a method for manufacturing solar modules is also proposed, which includes the means and features of the second independent claim directed to such a method. To solve the problem, it is therefore proposed in the method defined above, in particular, that the rows of a solar module are bonded together with an electrically conductive adhesive, and that the electrically conductive adhesive is applied in a single step to at least two solar elements of the rows of the solar module to be bonded together.

[0021] The features of the two independent claims can be combined in one embodiment of the method.

[0022] In one embodiment of the method, it can be provided that the at least two solar elements onto which the electrically conductive adhesive is applied belong to different rows.

[0023] In one embodiment of the method, it is possible to bond the solar elements of adjacent rows together simultaneously. Here, it is possible to first position a row of solar elements coated with an adhesive bead on a solar module to be manufactured. Subsequently, a second row of solar elements can be positioned with a certain overlap on the already arranged row of solar elements in such a way that it rests on the adhesive bead of the already positioned row of solar elements and is thereby bonded to it. In this way, it is avoided to coat the solar elements of the rows to be joined with adhesive individually and to bond them individually to the already positioned solar elements.

[0024] In one embodiment of the method, it may be provided that the solar elements of adjacent rows are sequentially bonded together.

[0025] In one embodiment of the method, the electrically conductive adhesive is applied to all solar elements in a row in a single operation. This variant of the method facilitates particularly efficient production of solar modules.

[0026] Furthermore, it is possible to apply the electrically conductive adhesive to the solar elements of a row with a lateral offset to a longitudinal center axis. This promotes an overlapping connection between two adjacent rows of solar elements on a solar module being manufactured.

[0027] To solve the problem, a device for manufacturing solar modules is also proposed, which has the means and features of the independent claim directed to such a device.

[0028] To solve the problem, it is therefore particularly proposed that the device mentioned at the outset shall have means by which it is equipped to carry out a method for manufacturing solar modules according to one of the claims directed to such a method.

[0029] According to the invention, the device has a transfer unit which is configured for the joint transfer of at least two rows of solar elements to the assembly of a solar module.

[0030] According to the invention, the device comprises at least one dispensing unit for dispensing electrically conductive adhesive. The dispensing unit is preferably configured to dispense electrically conductive adhesive simultaneously onto at least two rows of solar cells. The dispensing can preferably take place onto at least two rows of solar cells simultaneously being supplied to a solar module.

[0031] The dispensing unit can also be configured to dispense electrically conductive adhesive sequentially onto at least two rows of solar cells.

[0032] The dispensing unit can have at least one dispensing nozzle, in particular two or three or more dispensing nozzles, and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit. Preferably, the dispensing unit has a number of dispensing nozzles and / or screen printing units and / or roll printing units that corresponds to the number of printing positions for lines on the previously mentioned transfer unit.

[0033] In this way, it is possible to simultaneously apply electrically conductive adhesive to all rows of solar cells arranged on the transfer unit using the dispensing unit. Electrically conductive adhesive can also be applied to the rows using screen printing units or roll printing units.

[0034] In one embodiment of the device, the dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit, is stationary in a horizontal position during the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesive. In this embodiment of the device, any relative movement between the dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit, and the row of solar cells to be coated with the electrically conductive adhesive, which may be necessary for the application of the electrically conductive adhesive, can be a transfer movement of the row relative to the stationary dispensing unit.

[0035] In order to be able to change the distance between the dispensing unit, in particular between a dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit, and the row of solar cells to be provided with the electrically conductive adhesive, it may be advantageous if a vertical position of the dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit, is changeable, for example by a correspondingly vertically adjustable holder of the device for the dispensing unit, in particular for at least one dispensing nozzle and / or for at least one screen printing unit and / or for at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit.

[0036] In another embodiment of the device, the dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit, is movable, especially during the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesive. The dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit, can be movably mounted and / or driven by a motor for this purpose.The movement of the dispensing unit, in particular its at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit, can be aligned at least longitudinally along a row of solar cells to be coated with electrically conductive adhesive and / or longitudinally along a support area for a row of solar cells on a transfer unit of the device, for example the one already mentioned above.

[0037] In one embodiment of the device, the dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit, is movable in the longitudinal direction of a line and / or a support position for a line on the transfer unit during the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesive. For this purpose, the device may have a corresponding linear guide.

[0038] In one embodiment of the device, it is provided that two adjacent dispensing nozzles and / or screen printing units and / or roller printing units of the dispensing unit have the same distance to each other as two adjacent lines and / or support positions for lines on the previously mentioned transfer unit.

[0039] This enables the simultaneous application of electrically conductive adhesive to adjacent rows of solar elements that are being assembled or are already assembled on the transfer unit and are together, for example, fed into the assembly of a solar module.

[0040] A vertical projection of at least one dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit, onto a support position for a row of solar elements on the transfer unit can be laterally offset to a longitudinal center axis of the support position and / or laterally offset to a longitudinal center axis of a row of solar elements arranged on the support position.

[0041] According to the invention, the device has a control unit by which the device is configured to carry out a method according to one of the claims relating to a method for manufacturing solar elements.

[0042] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to the embodiments shown. Further exemplary embodiments result from combining the features of one or more claims with each other and / or in combination of one or more features of the exemplary embodiments.

[0043] They show: Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a first embodiment of a device for manufacturing solar modules, wherein the device has a transfer unit in the form of a vacuum table with which a total of three rows of solar elements can be transferred together to a discharge position for the purpose of fitting a solar module with the rows, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 a second embodiment of a device for manufacturing solar modules, wherein a transfer unit of the device, with which three rows of solar elements can be fed together to the assembly of a solar module, is designed as a belt conveyor, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 a third embodiment of a device for manufacturing solar modules, wherein this device also has a transfer unit in the form of a belt conveyor, but wherein here a transfer movement of the transfer unit is directed transversely, namely perpendicularly, to the orientation of the rows of solar elements arranged on the transfer unit, and Fig. 7 a perspective side view of the in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Dispensing unit shown with a total of three dispensing nozzles, whose vertical projections onto support positions of the transfer unit for rows of solar elements have a lateral offset to a longitudinal center axis of the respective support position, Fig. 8 a top view of the in Fig. 7 illustrated delivery unit as well as Fig. 9 a front view of the in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 units of delivery shown.

[0044] In the following description of various embodiments of the invention, elements that are functionally identical are given the same reference numbers even if they differ in design or shape.

[0045] All figures show at least parts of a device for the production of solar modules, designated as a whole by 1 2.

[0046] Each device 1 has means by which the device 1 is set up to carry out the method for manufacturing solar modules 2 described below.

[0047] In this process, solar elements 3 are assembled into rows 4, and solar modules 2 are built from the electrically connected rows 4.

[0048] At least two lines 4, or at least three lines 4 in the examples shown in the figures, are built up and then together fed into the assembly of a solar module 2.

[0049] In all embodiments of devices 1 shown in the figures, the rows 4 are fed together to the solar module 2 by means of a motorized transfer unit 5.

[0050] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the embodiment of such a device 1 shown in Figure 2, a vacuum table is used as the transfer unit 5, which is movable between a loading point 8 and an unloading point 9.

[0051] The in the Fig. 3 and Fig. Device 1 shown in section 4 has a belt conveyor as a transfer unit 5. The transfer movement of the belt conveyor allows the rows 4, which are mounted on the belt conveyor, to be fed together to the assembly of the solar module 2.

[0052] The in the Fig. 5 and Fig. The device 1 shown in Figure 6 is also equipped with a transfer unit 5, which is designed as a belt conveyor.

[0053] While during the in the Fig. 3 and Fig. In the device 1 shown in section 4, a transfer movement of the transfer unit 5 in the longitudinal direction of the rows 4 arranged on the transfer unit 5 takes place, the transfer movement of the transfer unit 5 is that of the rows 4 arranged on the transfer unit 5. Fig. 5 and Fig. The device 1 shown in 6 is oriented transversely, namely perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rows 4 of solar elements 3 built on the transfer unit 5.

[0054] A relative alignment of the solar elements 3 within a row 4 and also of the rows 4 to each other, which are built on the transfer unit 5, is maintained during feeding.

[0055] Each of the devices 1 shown in the figures has a vacuum generation unit 6 with which rows 4 of solar cells 3 can be fixed at least temporarily to the respective transfer unit 5 by means of a vacuum. The vacuum generation units 6 are shown in a highly schematic way in the figures.

[0056] Each device 1 shown further comprises a dispensing unit 7 for dispensing electrically conductive adhesive onto rows 4 of solar cells 3, which are arranged on the transfer unit 5. A number of rows 4 fed together are synchronized to a specific application rate of the electrically conductive adhesive. The electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the rows 4 of solar cells 3 to mechanically and electrically connect the solar cells 3 and the rows 4 to each other.

[0057] In an embodiment of the device 1 not shown in the figures, the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesive onto lines 4 in screen printing and / or roll printing is provided. For this purpose, this device 1 has a dispensing unit 7 for electrically conductive adhesive, which is configured for screen printing and / or roll printing. Such a dispensing unit 7 comprises at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit.

[0058] The delivery units 7 of the devices 1 are each arranged between the previously mentioned loading point 8 and the previously mentioned unloading point 9 of lines 4.

[0059] The delivery units 7 of the in the Fig. 1 and Fig. Devices 1 shown in Figures 2, 3, and 4 have a number of dispensing nozzles 10 corresponding to a number of support positions 11 for rows 4 of solar cells 3 on the transfer unit 5. Consequently, the dispensing units 7 shown in the Fig. Devices 1-4 shown each have three discharge nozzles 10.

[0060] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In embodiments of devices 1 shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the dispensing nozzles 10 of the dispensing units 7 remain stationary during the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesives.

[0061] To adjust the distance between the dispensing units 7, in particular their dispensing nozzles 10, and the lines 4 onto which electrically conductive adhesive is to be applied, it is possible to adjust at least the dispensing nozzles 10 of the dispensing units 7 vertically. For this purpose, the devices 1 have a vertically adjustable bracket 26 for the dispensing nozzles 10. The vertically adjustable brackets 26 are, for example, in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 9 is clearly visible.

[0062] During the Fig. 5 and Fig. In the device 1 shown in Figure 6, the dispensing unit 7, namely at least one dispensing nozzle 10 of the dispensing unit 7, can be moved longitudinally along the lines 4 and thus longitudinally along the support positions 11 for lines 4 on the transfer unit 5 during the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesive. Here, too, vertical adjustment of at least the dispensing nozzle 10 is possible by means of a correspondingly adjustable bracket 26 in order to change the distance between the dispensing nozzle 10 and the line 4 below it as required.

[0063] The vertical projections of the dispensing nozzles 10 of the dispensing units 7 onto the support positions 11 located below them in the operating position for lines 4 on the respective transfer unit 5 are laterally offset from the longitudinal center axes of the support positions 11 and thus also laterally offset from the longitudinal center axes of the lines 4 arranged on the support positions 11. This allows the application of electrically conductive adhesive with a lateral offset from the longitudinal center axes of the lines 4. The lateral offset is particularly advantageous in Fig. 9 can be seen from the front view of the delivery unit 7 with the transfer unit 5 located below it.

[0064] The representations of Fig. 7-9, which is the delivery unit 7 of the in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The device shown in Figure 2 further illustrates that two adjacent dispensing nozzles 10 of the dispensing unit 7 have the same distance to each other as two adjacent lines 4 and thus also as two adjacent support positions 11 for lines 4 on the transfer unit 5.

[0065] The vacuum generation units 6 of the devices 1 are connected to suction openings 23, which the respective transfer unit 5 has. Each transfer unit 5 has at least one row 24 of such suction openings 23 for each of its support positions 11. In this way, the rows 4 of solar cells 3 can be reliably fixed to the transfer units 5 during their feeding.

[0066] In the method used on the devices 1 for manufacturing solar modules 2, the rows 4 are bonded with an electrically conductive adhesive, as previously mentioned. The electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the solar elements 3 during a transfer movement of the rows 4 to assemble a solar module 2 with the rows 4.

[0067] As previously mentioned, the application of electrically conductive adhesive to lines 4 of solar cells 3 occurs in the Fig. The devices shown in Figures 1-4 consist of dispensing nozzles 10 of the respective dispensing unit 7, which are fixed in the horizontal position but can be changed in the vertical position. The relative movement between the lines 4 and the dispensing nozzles 7 required for the dispensing of the electrically conductive adhesive is the transfer movement performed by the transfer unit 5, by which the lines 4 are moved from the loading position 8 to the unloading position 9.

[0068] The functioning of the in the Fig. 5 and Fig. The device 1 shown in Figure 6 differs with respect to the dispensing of the electrically conductive adhesive. The single dispensing nozzle 10 of the dispensing unit 7 of this device 1 is moved longitudinally along the row 4 of solar cells 3 located below the dispensing nozzle 10 during the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesive. For this purpose, the device 1 has a linear guide 25. The dispensing nozzle 10 of the dispensing unit 7 is moved along the linear guide 25. Fig. 5 and Fig. The device 1 shown in Figure 6 is used to dispense electrically conductive adhesive onto the row 4 of solar cells 3 positioned below the dispensing nozzle 10. The dispensing nozzle 10 is moved along a track along which it is moved during the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesive and may have a lateral offset from the longitudinal center axis of the row 4 to be coated with electrically conductive adhesive.

[0069] During the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesive, the position of the dispensing nozzle 10 can be kept constant transversely to the longitudinal extent of the line 4 to be coated with electrically conductive adhesive. In this context, it can be provided that the dispensing nozzle 10 is movable synchronously with the transfer unit 5 in the direction of the transfer movement.

[0070] On all devices 1, the solar elements 3 of a row 4, which are provided with electrically conductive adhesive, are simultaneously applied to the solar module 2 to be manufactured.

[0071] In the production of solar modules 2, the electrically conductive adhesive is applied to at least two of the solar elements 3 in one step.

[0072] The at least two solar elements 3 belong to different rows 4. In the Fig. In the devices shown in 1-4, solar elements 3 of a total of three rows 4 are simultaneously provided with electrically conductive adhesive in one operation.

[0073] During the assembly of the solar module 2, the solar elements 3 of adjacent rows 4 are bonded together simultaneously. For this purpose, the assembly units 19 shown in the figures, with their grippers 20, can successively place the rows 4 supplied by the respective transfer unit 5 on top of each other with a certain overlap, whereby the solar elements 3 of adjacent rows 4 are bonded together simultaneously.

[0074] In all of the devices 1 shown in the figures, offset pieces 12 are used during the assembly of the rows 4 to create an offset of adjacent rows 4 first at the respective transfer unit 5 and later also at the fully assembled solar module 2.

[0075] The offset pieces 12 are solar elements which have a shorter length compared to other solar elements designated 3 in the figures and which are not designed as offset pieces 12.

[0076] The figures show that at least two, namely three or even more, offset rows 4 are fed together to populate a solar module 2.

[0077] In one embodiment of the method, groups of at least two rows 4 can be built up in parallel and fed together to a common loading unit. One of the transfer units 5 shown in the figures can also be used for this purpose.

[0078] To provide the solar cells 3 and the mounting blocks 12, each of the devices 1 shown in the figures has a magazine 13. Using a transfer unit 14, which includes a handling robot 15, namely a swivel-arm robot, the mounting blocks 12 and solar cells 3 stored and provided in the respective magazine 13 can be removed and arranged in rows 4 on the respective transfer unit 5. Each magazine 13 has a total of two conveyor belts 16, on which the mounting blocks 12 and the somewhat longer, regular solar cells 3 are stored in stacks.

[0079] Each device 1 has a control unit 17 for checking solar cells 3 and also offset pieces 12. The control units 17 are arranged between the magazine 13 and the transfer unit 14 of the respective device 1 and each includes at least one optical inspection means, for example a camera 18.

[0080] With the aid of the handling robot 15 of the transfer unit 14, the solar elements 3 and / or offset pieces 12 taken from the magazine 13 can be presented to the camera 18 of the control unit 17 in order to inspect the solar elements 3 and offset pieces 12 before they are arranged on the respective transfer unit 5. Downstream of the respective transfer unit 5 and also the unloading point 9, each of the devices 1 has a loading unit 19. Each loading unit 19 comprises several grippers 20, which are designed as suction grippers.

[0081] The assembly units 19 are configured to receive one, more, or even all rows 4 of solar cells 3, which are provided by the respective transfer unit 5 at the unloading point 9, and to transfer them to a downstream transport unit 21 of the respective device 1. The respective transport unit 21 serves to supply at least one solar module 2, equipped with rows 4 of solar cells 3, 12, to a downstream processing station, for example, an oven.

[0082] As mentioned previously, a transfer movement of transfer unit 5 is one of the ones in the Fig. The devices shown in 1-4 are aligned in the longitudinal direction of support positions 11 and thus also in the longitudinal direction of rows 4 on the transfer unit 5.

[0083] In the Fig. 5 and Fig. In the embodiment of device 1 shown in Figure 6, the transfer movement of the transfer unit 5 is oriented transversely, namely perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of support places 11 and thus transversely, namely perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the rows 4 which are arranged on the support places 11 of the transfer unit 5.

[0084] The transfer movements of transfer unit 5 of the in the Fig. The devices 1 shown in Figures 1-4 are aligned transversely, namely perpendicularly to the transport movement of the respective transport unit 21, which is downstream of the transfer unit 5.

[0085] In the Fig. 5 and Fig. In the embodiment of device 1 shown in Figure 6, the transfer movement of the transfer unit 5 is aligned in the direction of a transport movement of the transport unit 21 used there.

[0086] Transport unit 21 of the in the Fig. 5 and Fig.The device 1 shown in Figure 6, as well as the transfer unit 5, is designed as a belt conveyor.

[0087] To carry out the method described above, each of the devices 1 shown in the figures also has a control unit 22. This control unit 22 allows the aforementioned functional units of the respective device 1 to be controlled as required by the method.

[0088] The invention relates to improvements in the technical field of manufacturing solar modules 2. For this purpose, a method for manufacturing solar modules 2 is proposed, in which rows 4 of solar elements 3 are bonded with an electrically conductive adhesive. The method provides that the electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the solar elements 3 during a transfer movement of the rows 4. Reference symbol list 1 Device 2 solar modules 3 solar element 4th line 5 transfer units 6 Vacuum generation unit 7 delivery units 8 loading positions 9 Unloading position 10 Dispensing nozzle 11th edition 12 Offset piece 13 Magazine 14 Transfer unit 15 handling robots 16 Conveyor belt 17 Control unit 18 Camera 19 assembly unit 20 grippers 21 transport units 22 Control unit 23 Intake opening 24th row 25 linear guides 26 bracket

Claims

[1] Method for manufacturing solar modules (2), wherein solar elements (3) are assembled into rows (4) on a transfer unit (5), each row (4) comprising at least two solar elements (3), and wherein the solar modules (2) are constructed from electrically interconnected rows (4), wherein the rows (4) of the solar module (2) are bonded together with an electrically conductive adhesive in an overlapping manner for electrical and mechanical connection of the rows (4) of solar elements (3) to each other, and wherein the electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the solar elements (3) of the rows (4) to be bonded together during a transfer movement of the rows (4) of the solar module (2) to be bonded together, in particular during assembly of the solar module (2), wherein a relative orientation of the solar elements (3) within a row (4) and also of the rows (4) to each other on the transfer unit (5) is maintained during the feeding. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein a dispensing unit (7) for dispensing the electrically conductive adhesive, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle (10) and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit (7), remains stationary in a horizontal position during dispensing and / or is adjusted in a vertical position to change the distance to the rows (4), and / or wherein the dispensing unit (7) for dispensing the electrically conductive adhesive, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle (10) and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit (7), is moved during dispensing, in particular in the longitudinal direction and / or obliquely to the longitudinal direction of at least one row (4) of solar cells (3) and / or in the vertical direction. [3] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar elements (3) of a row (4) provided with the electrically conductive adhesive are applied simultaneously to the solar module (2). [4] Method for manufacturing solar modules (2), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, wherein solar elements (3) are assembled into rows (4) on a transfer unit (5), wherein the solar modules (2) are constructed from electrically interconnected rows (4), wherein the rows (4) of the solar module (2) to be bonded together are bonded together with an electrically conductive adhesive in an overlapping manner for electrical and mechanical connection of the rows (4) of solar elements (3) to each other, wherein the electrically conductive adhesive is applied in one step to at least two solar elements (3) of the rows (4) of the solar module (2) to be bonded together, wherein the at least two solar elements (3) belong to different rows (4), and wherein a relative orientation of the solar elements (3) within a row (4) and also of the rows (4) to each other on the transfer unit (5) is maintained during feeding. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar elements (3) of adjacent rows (4) are bonded together simultaneously. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive adhesive is applied to all solar elements (3) of a row (4) in one operation and / or wherein the electrically conductive adhesive is applied to solar elements (3) of the row (4) with a lateral offset to a longitudinal center axis of a row (4). [7] Device (1) for manufacturing solar modules (2), wherein the device (1) comprises means by which it is configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims, namely a transfer unit (5) for the joint transfer of at least two rows (4) of solar elements (3) to a component of the solar module (2), at least one dispensing unit (7) for dispensing electrically conductive adhesive and a control unit (22) by which the device (1) is configured to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. [8] Device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the dispensing unit (7) has or is at least one dispensing nozzle (10) and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit, in particular wherein the dispensing unit (7) has a number of dispensing nozzles (10) and / or screen printing units and / or roll printing units corresponding to a number of placement positions (11) for lines (4) on the transfer unit (5). [9] Device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the dispensing unit (7), in particular at least one dispensing nozzle (10) and / or a screen printing unit and / or a roller printing unit of the dispensing unit (7), is stationary in space at least in a horizontal position during the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesive. [10] Device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the dispensing unit (7), in particular at least one dispensing nozzle (10) and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit (7), is movable, in particular during the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesive. [11] Device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the dispensing unit (7), in particular at least one dispensing nozzle (10) and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit (7), is movable in the longitudinal direction of a line (4) and / or a support position (11) for a line (4) on the transfer unit (5) during the dispensing of electrically conductive adhesive, and / or wherein the dispensing unit (7), in particular at least one dispensing nozzle (10) and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit (7), is changeable in its vertical position, for example by a vertically adjustable holder (26) of the device (1). [12] Device (1) according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein two adjacent dispensing nozzles (10) and / or screen printing units and / or roll printing units of the dispensing unit (7) have the same distance to each other as two adjacent lines (4) and / or support positions (11) for lines (4) on the transfer unit (5). [13] Device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 12, wherein a vertical projection of at least one dispensing unit (7), in particular at least one dispensing nozzle (10) and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roller printing unit of the dispensing unit (7), onto a support position (11) for a line (4) on the transfer unit (5) is laterally offset to a longitudinal center axis of the support position (11) and / or to a longitudinal center axis of a line (4) arranged on the support position (11).

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