Solar cell breaking device, solar cell processing facility, solar cell breaking method, and method for producing shingled solar cell array

Abstract

The present invention relates to a breaking device (10) for solar cells (SC), comprising a support device (1) defining a support plane (11) for a solar cell (SC) to be broken, and at least one ejector bar (2a-2e) and at least one hold-down bar (3a-3d) with a breaking edge (31). The at least one ejector bar (2a-2e) and the at least one hold-down bar (3a-3d) extend along a transverse direction (T), are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction (L) and are each coupled to a drive unit (4) by means of which the ejector bar (2a-2e) can be raised beyond the support plane (11) and the hold-down bar (3a-3d) can be lowered in the direction of the support plane (11), so that a solar cell (SC) to be broken can be broken into at least two solar cell strips (SCS1-SCS5) by raising the ejector bar (2a-2e) at the breaking edge (31) of the hold-down bar (3a-3d).Furthermore, a plant (100) for processing solar cells (SC), in particular a plant for manufacturing solar modules, a method for breaking solar cells (SC) and a method for producing a shingled solar cell arrangement are disclosed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a breaking device for solar cells, a system for processing solar cells, in particular a system for manufacturing solar modules, a method for breaking solar cells and a method for producing a shingled solar cell arrangement.

[0002] Solar cells (photovoltaic cells) are typically installed in solar modules (photovoltaic modules), in which multiple solar cells are electrically connected in series and / or parallel to achieve a desired output voltage and / or current. Within a solar module, the solar cells are usually hermetically encapsulated between a transparent front cover and a back cover using an encapsulating material to protect them from environmental influences.

[0003] Both the efficiency and the dimensions of solar cells, especially silicon solar cells, have been significantly increased by technological advances in recent years. However, increasing cell dimensions also has the disadvantage of increasing the currents within the solar cell. This leads to increased losses at the cell connectors, which electrically connect the solar cells in a solar module, and at internal busbars, as well as to greater heat generation within the solar cell. These two effects negatively impact the achievable module efficiency.

[0004] For this reason, it has been common practice in the photovoltaic industry for several years to manufacture solar modules not from full cells, but from half cells or from solar cell strips.

[0005] Solar modules manufactured from strips of solar cells are particularly well-known in the form of so-called shingle modules. In shingle modules, a standard-sized solar cell (for example, M6) is cut into 5 or 6 strips, which are then overlapped with a conductive adhesive, similar to roof tiles, to form a shingle-like arrangement.

[0006] The use of segmented solar cells (half-cells or cell strips) in a solar module has the advantageous effect that reducing the dimensions of the individual cells lowers their resistance and current, resulting in lower power loss. Since the components of a segmented solar cell generate the same power as a full cell, the usable power increases with lower power loss, thus correspondingly improving the module efficiency. In addition to improved efficiency, half-cell or shingled modules also exhibit improved performance under partial shading. This is because the series-connected groups of individual cells occupy less surface area than in a full-cell module.

[0007] Several techniques are known for cutting solar cells, especially silicon solar cells. For example, they can be separated using a diamond-tipped saw blade, but this has the disadvantage of resulting in material loss in the form of chips. Another method is thermal laser separation (TLS), in which a laser interacts with a cooling medium along a cut line to generate thermal stresses within the solar cell, causing it to split. A further method involves first creating scored lines (break lines) on the surface of the solar cell and then inducing mechanical stresses along these lines to split the cell. These scored lines can be created, for example, by a laser or by mechanical scoring with a diamond.To induce mechanical stress, a solar cell with scribed lines is placed in a breaking device where force is applied to the area of ​​the scribed lines. One way to apply the force is to guide the scribed solar cell over a curved, vacuum-operated conveyor belt, causing the solar cell to break along the scribed lines. However, this method has the disadvantage of insufficient reproducibility, resulting in an increased reject rate.

[0008] The object of the invention is therefore to create an improved breaking device for solar cells, an improved system for processing solar cells, in particular a system for manufacturing solar modules, and an improved method for breaking solar cells, which are characterized by good reproducibility of the breaking process, a low rejection rate and a high throughput.

[0009] This problem is solved by a breaking device for solar cells with the features of claim 1, a plant for processing solar cells, in particular a plant for manufacturing solar modules, with the features of claim 11, and by a method for breaking solar cells with the features of claim 14.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a shingled solar cell arrangement which is also characterized by good reproducibility, a low reject rate and a high throughput.

[0011] This problem is solved by a method for producing a shingled solar cell arrangement with the features of claim 16.

[0012] Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0013] A first aspect of the present invention relates to a breaking device for solar cells comprising a support device that defines a support plane for a solar cell to be broken, and at least one ejector bar that is located below the support plane in the breaker's rest state. The breaking device according to the invention further comprises at least one hold-down bar with a breaking edge that is located above the support plane in the breaker's rest state. The at least one ejector bar and the at least one hold-down bar extend along a transverse direction and are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction.The at least one ejector bar and the at least one hold-down bar are each coupled to a drive unit by means of which the ejector bar can be raised beyond the support plane and the hold-down bar can be lowered in the direction of the support plane, so that a solar cell to be broken can be broken into at least two solar cell strips by raising the ejector bar at the breaking edge of the hold-down bar.

[0014] In this context, a longitudinal direction is understood to mean, in particular, a machine direction, i.e., a direction in which raw material in the form of solar cells to be broken is fed into the breaking device and / or the solar cell strips are discharged after breaking. A transverse direction is understood to mean, in particular, a direction that runs at a 90° angle to the longitudinal direction and extends in the plane of the support plane.

[0015] The directional terms "above", "below", "raise" and "lower" - each including variations thereof or related terms - are to be understood in relation to an installation direction of the breaking device according to the invention.

[0016] The installation direction is defined by a direction parallel to a normal direction of the support plane and pointing towards the support plane. In some designs, the crushing device can be installed so that the installation direction coincides with the direction of gravity. In other designs, however, the crushing device can also be installed in reverse, so that the installation direction is opposite to the direction of gravity.

[0017] In the first case, i.e., when the crushing device is used with the installation direction in the direction of gravity, the above directional designations are to be understood relative to the direction of gravity, so that "below" denotes a position offset in the direction of gravity and "above" a position offset against the direction of gravity.

[0018] In the second case, i.e., when the device is used with the installation direction opposite to the direction of gravity, the above directional designations are to be understood inverted with respect to the direction of gravity, so that "above" denotes a position offset in the direction of gravity and "below" a position offset against the direction of gravity.

[0019] A general definition of the aforementioned directional terms, independent of the direction of gravity, can be as follows: "Above" corresponds to a position on this side of the support plane relative to the installation direction, while "below" denotes a position on the other side of the support plane relative to the installation direction. The terms "raise" and "lower" are defined analogously, so that, for example, "raise" denotes a movement against the installation direction and / or "lower" a movement in the installation direction.

[0020] In principle, the breaking device according to the invention is not dependent on a specific installation direction and can be installed with the installation direction in the direction of gravity or vice versa (upside down) or even at any angle to the direction of gravity.

[0021] In this context, the term "solar cells" refers specifically to silicon solar cells, for example, monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon solar cells. However, solar cells made of other brittle materials are included equally.

[0022] The drive device can be designed in particular so that at least one holding bar can be brought as close as possible to a surface of the solar cell to be broken when lowering towards the support plane, or can touch the surface of the solar cell.

[0023] The at least one hold-down bar can, in its various embodiments, have a base body with a predetermined longitudinal extent, wherein the breaking edge can project beyond the base body in the longitudinal direction.

[0024] The function of at least one hold-down bar is, in particular, to provide a counterforce opposing the breaking force generated by the ejector bar. In other words, the hold-down bar acts as a counter-support during the breaking process. The solar cell is positioned on the support device such that the breaking edge of the at least one hold-down bar corresponds to the position of a desired division line. By holding the solar cell against the breaking edge of the hold-down bar during the breaking process, a very defined break of the solar cell and good reproducibility of the breaking process can be achieved.

[0025] According to a further development, the drive unit can comprise a cam guide arrangement with at least one guide cam in which an engagement element, in particular a guide roller, coupled with the at least one pusher bar and the at least one hold-down bar, is received.

[0026] The shape of the guide track defines a kinematic profile suitable for carrying out the crushing process, for the at least one hold-down bar and the at least one ejector bar. This is advantageously a purely mechanical solution that is very robust, has low failure rates, and allows for high throughput. The use of guide rollers is beneficial because it reduces frictional forces within the guide track. In other embodiments, however, the engagement elements can also have sliding guides.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the guide cam can be formed on a cam slide that is slidably mounted and can be actuated, in particular, by a slide actuator. The cam slide can, in particular, be slidable parallel to the support plane along the longitudinal direction.

[0028] The cam guide arrangement converts a linear movement of the cam slide along the longitudinal direction into a linear movement of the at least one hold-down bar and / or the at least one ejector bar along the normal direction. The slide actuator can be, in particular, a linear drive, for example, comprising a pneumatic cylinder or an electric lifting cylinder, such as a linear servo motor. The kinematics of the at least one ejector bar and / or the at least one hold-down bar during the crushing process are determined, in particular, by the guide cam's path in the normal direction. The guide cam can, for example, be in the form of a groove or a slot in the cam slide.

[0029] A cam-guided guide arrangement allows the entire assembly of hold-down and ejector bars to be advantageously driven by a common actuator, whereby the guide cam provides a kinematic positive coupling that combines high reproducibility of the movement sequences with minimal control engineering effort. For these reasons, the breaking device according to the invention is particularly suitable for short cycle times and high throughputs.

[0030] Alternatively, the drive of the ejector strips and / or hold-down strips can also be carried out by drive elements individually assigned to the ejector strips and / or hold-down strips, for example individually controllable lifting cylinders.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, the guide track can have at least three longitudinally adjacent sections: a) a resting area at a first distance from the support plane, b) a lowering area at a second distance from the support plane, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance, and c) a lifting area at a third distance from the support plane, wherein the third distance is smaller than the first distance.

[0032] A transition zone can be present between the resting area and the lowering area and / or between the lowering area and the lifting area of ​​the guide track. This transition zone connects the areas located at the respective distances from the support plane via a transition curve. The slope of the transition curve can be adjusted depending on the desired kinematic behavior (acceleration of the release / holding bar(s) during the transition from one area of ​​the guide track to an adjacent area).

[0033] Adjusting the kinematics of the cam guide assembly – for example, to convert the crushing device for processing different types of solar cells – can be done quickly and easily by replacing the cam slide. For this purpose, the cam slide can be arranged in a replaceable manner on the slide actuator.

[0034] The resting area, lowering area and / or lifting area of ​​the guide rail can extend at least partially parallel to the support plane.

[0035] A distance from the support plane is understood in particular to mean a distance in the normal direction to the support plane.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, the support device can comprise a plurality of holding elements, in particular suction elements, which are arranged to hold a solar cell to be broken and / or the solar cell strips after breaking, wherein at least one holding element is arranged on this side and at least one further holding element is arranged on the other side of a hold-down bar with respect to the longitudinal direction.

[0037] An arrangement of the holding elements with respect to the longitudinal direction on both sides of the breaking edge of the hold-down bar is functionally advantageous, as this ensures that both the solar cell before breaking and the solar cell strips after breaking can be securely held on the support device. The holding elements can be, in particular, vacuum suction grippers, preferably bellows suction grippers. In embodiments, several holding elements can be arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction on both sides of a respective hold-down bar, spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction.

[0038] In some embodiments, the at least one hold-down bar and / or the at least one ejector bar can extend at least partially along the transverse direction over a solar cell to be broken which is held on the support device in an operating state of the breaking device. In particular, the at least one hold-down bar and / or the at least one ejector bar can extend completely in the transverse direction over a solar cell to be broken, thereby achieving the most homogeneous force application possible along the breaking edge and thus a very precise break of the solar cell and further improved reproducibility of the breaking process. However, the at least one ejector bar and / or the at least one hold-down bar, in particular the breaking edge of the hold-down bar, can also be segmented and, for example, composed of adjacent and spaced-apart bar segments in the transverse direction.

[0039] According to further training, at least one push-off strip can have at least one recess open towards the support surface, through which, in particular, a linear conveyor, especially a conveyor belt and / or a conveyor chain, can be guided. In particular, at least one push-off strip can have two recesses open towards the support surface, which are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction.

[0040] The recess(s) in the crushing bar have a predetermined extent in the normal direction to the support plane. This allows solar cells fed to the crushing device via the linear conveyor to be lifted from the linear conveyor by raising the crushing device (by holding the solar cells relatively stationary on the support device). Furthermore, after crushing, the solar cell strips can be placed back onto the linear conveyor by lowering the crushing device for transport to subsequent processing stations. The predetermined extent of the recess(s) in the normal direction is specifically designed to ensure collision-free movement of the crushing device relative to the linear conveyor during raising and lowering.

[0041] According to a further preferred embodiment, the breaking device can comprise a plurality of ejector strips and a plurality of hold-down strips, each with a breaking edge. In this embodiment, at least some of the ejector strips can be mechanically coupled to a hold-down strip. The ejector strips coupled to the hold-down strips each form breaking heads, and the ejector strips and hold-down strips assigned to each breaking head can be moved simultaneously by means of the drive unit.

[0042] Preferably, the ejector bar and the hold-down bar of each breaker head are coupled to the guide track by means of a common engagement element, which makes simultaneous movement particularly easy to implement. With other

[0043] Ejector bars and hold-down bars, which together form a breaking head, can be separate components that are connected to each other, in particular detachably connected. Specifically, the connection of a respective ejector bar to a respective hold-down bar can allow adjustment of the relative positioning in the normal direction, so that the width of the gap between the ejector bar and the breaking edge of the hold-down bar is adjustable. This is particularly advantageous for adapting the breaking device to different solar cells to be broken, especially solar cells with different thicknesses. In other embodiments, however, a respective ejector bar and a respective hold-down bar, which together form a breaking head, can also be an integral component.In particular, the ejector bar and the hold-down bar of each crushing head are located in a common position with respect to the longitudinal direction.

[0044] According to further training, the crushing heads can each be arranged together with at least one holding element of the support device on a slide unit.

[0045] In particular, an assembly of slide units can be movably guided in the longitudinal direction on or by a guide device, wherein the guide device preferably comprises at least one guide cylinder or at least one guide rail. In embodiments, the guide device comprises two guide elements spaced apart in the transverse direction, for example, guide cylinders or guide rails, each extending along the longitudinal direction.

[0046] When the sled units are moved along the longitudinal direction, the crushing head and the at least one holding element, each attached to the sled units, are moved together; in other words, their movement along the longitudinal direction occurs simultaneously by moving the respective sled unit.

[0047] According to a further preferred embodiment, the slide units on or at the guide device can be transferred from an expanded state, in which the slide units are located at a first longitudinal distance from each other, to a compressed state, in which the slide units are located at a second longitudinal distance, which is smaller than the first longitudinal distance from each other, and vice versa.

[0048] In the breaker's resting state, the slide units are in an expanded state. Furthermore, the breaking(s) of the solar cell are also performed in this expanded state. After the solar cell has been broken into a predetermined number of solar cell strips, the slide units can be compressed to create a partial overlap between adjacent solar cell strips in the longitudinal direction. A partially overlapping arrangement of the solar cell strips is, in particular, the basis for a shingled solar cell arrangement, as required in the production of shingled modules.Advantageously, the breaking device according to the invention allows both a solar cell to be cut into a specific number of solar cell strips and these strips to be arranged in a shingled solar cell configuration, which represents an increased functional integration that has the potential to reduce the number of processing stations in the production of shingled solar modules.

[0049] According to a further development, a spring element can be arranged between each pair of adjacent slide units. This spring element is designed to push the slide units apart longitudinally, so that the slide units are in the expanded state without any external force being applied. In particular, the slide units can be brought into the expanded state without any external force being applied. The spring element can, in particular, comprise at least one wave spring. Alternatively or additionally, the spring element can be held on or attached to the guide device.

[0050] Wave springs are a type of spring particularly well-suited for this application because they combine a compact axial size with comparatively high spring forces. However, other (compression) spring types, such as coil springs or disc springs, can also be used.

[0051] According to a further preferred embodiment, the breaking device can include an actuating element that is operationally coupled or can be coupled to the slide units and is designed to push the slide units together along the longitudinal direction in order to bring the slide units into the compressed state.

[0052] To transition the slide units from the expanded to the compressed state, an actuating force can be introduced into the slide units via the actuating element. The actuating element is capable of overcoming the sum of the axial compressive forces of the spring elements arranged between adjacent slide units. The actuating force can be introduced at a slide unit located longitudinally on the outside, whereby adjacent slide units can be moved along with it by the displacement of the outer slide unit. In other words, the slide units can follow an accordion-like movement when compressed. If no actuating force is introduced via the actuating element, the slide units advantageously return to their expanded state passively under the influence of the spring elements.

[0053] The actuating element can in particular include a linear drive, for example a pneumatic cylinder, which is particularly effective along the longitudinal direction and / or is coupled or can be coupled to the slide units via a deflection lever.

[0054] In In some versions, the linear drive can be positioned below the support device, resulting in a particularly space-saving design. This allows the crushing device to be compact and easily integrated into a production system. The deflection lever can, in particular, reverse the direction of action of the linear drive. To transmit the actuating force to a longitudinally external slide unit, this slide unit can have a pressure piston upon which the deflection lever acts.

[0055] In a further embodiment, the breaking device can include a path limiting device which is operationally coupled or can be coupled to the slide units and which is designed to hold the slide units in the expanded and / or compressed state at predetermined target positions with respect to the longitudinal direction.

[0056] Preferably, the travel limiting device comprises stops assigned to each slide unit, wherein a first stop defines a target position corresponding to the expanded state and a second stop defines a target position corresponding to the compressed state. The first and second stops can be adjustable with respect to their longitudinal positioning. In particular, the travel limiting device can comprise a threaded rod clamped at one end, onto which nuts are screwed as first and second stops. To prevent the nuts from loosening unintentionally, self-locking nuts or locknuts can be used.

[0057] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a system for processing solar cells, in particular a system for manufacturing solar modules. The system comprises at least one crushing device according to the first aspect of the invention and at least one conveying device, in particular a linear conveyor, with which solar cells to be crushed can be fed to the crushing device and / or crushed solar cell strips can be removed from the crushing device. The conveying device integrates the crushing device into the material flow of the solar cell processing system, which may include further processing stations. These further processing stations may, for example, include at least one scoring station with which scoring lines (predetermined break lines) are created on a solar cell to be crushed, and / or at least one adhesive application station with which an electrically conductive adhesive is applied to the solar cell along the scoring lines.

[0058] According to an advantageous embodiment, the crushing device can be movably mounted in the normal direction to the support plane of the solar cell and driven by a lifting drive, so that a solar cell supplied to the crushing device by the conveying device can be lifted off the conveying device by means of the support device of the crushing device.

[0059] By lifting the solar cell from the conveying device, the crushing process(s) on the solar cell can be carried out in the crushing device in a stationary state of the solar cell.

[0060] The conveying device, in particular the at least one linear conveyor, can in particular be set up for clocked operation, whereby in particular a conveying movement can be stopped to lift off the solar cell.

[0061] After one or more crushing processes in the crushing device have been completed, the resulting solar cell strips can be placed back onto the linear conveyor by lowering the crushing device.

[0062] According to a further development of the solar cell processing plant, the conveying device can comprise a linear conveyor, in particular at least one conveyor belt and / or at least one conveyor chain. The linear conveyor, in particular the at least one conveyor belt and / or the at least one conveyor chain, can be guided through at least one recess in the pusher bar. This results in optimal integration of the crushing device and a particularly compact design of the plant.

[0063] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a method for breaking solar cells, which is carried out using a breaking device, in particular a breaking device according to the first aspect of the present invention. The breaking device comprises at least one pairing of a release bar and an associated hold-down bar with a breaking edge, wherein the release bar and the hold-down bar each extend along a transverse direction and are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction. The method comprises the following steps: a) Picking up a solar cell to be broken in a support plane on a support device of the breaking device, b) Lowering the hold-down bar in the direction of the support plane, c) Raising the push-off bar beyond the support plane and thereby d) breaking the solar cell at the breaking edge of the hold-down bar into two solar cell strips.

[0064] The hold-down bar provides a counterforce to the breaking force generated by the ejector bar. In other words, the hold-down bar acts as a support during the breaking process.

[0065] According to a further development of the method for breaking solar cells, the breaking device can comprise two or more pairs of ejector bars and associated hold-down bars, each with a breaking edge, wherein steps b) to d) are repeated for further pairs of hold-down bars and ejector bars to divide the solar cell into a predetermined number of solar cell strips.

[0066] In some embodiments, at least one predetermined breaking line can be created on the solar cell before step a), in particular by laser treatment. The predetermined breaking line extends in the transverse direction and is positioned with respect to the longitudinal direction in such a way as to correspond to the desired division of the solar cell. In other words, the predetermined breaking line is created where the solar cell is to be divided.

[0067] If the solar cell is to be divided into more than two solar cell strips, several predetermined breaking lines can be created on the solar cell. In this case, the positioning of the predetermined breaking lines along the longitudinal direction corresponds to the desired division pattern or the intended dimensions of the solar cell strips after breaking.

[0068] The solar cell is arranged on the support device of the breaking device in such a way that the positioning of the predetermined breaking lines corresponds to a position of the breaking edges of the hold-down bars.

[0069] A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a method for producing a shingled solar cell array, which includes a method for breaking solar cells according to the third aspect of the invention. When carrying out the inventive method for producing a shingled solar cell array, the at least one release strip initially remains in its raised state after breaking the solar cell in step d), and then step e) The solar cell strips are pushed together along their length so that there is a partial overlap between adjacent solar cell strips. Then, step f) is carried out, in which adjacent solar cell strips are laid on top of each other so that the underside of one solar cell strip rests on the top side of an adjacent solar cell strip. To lay the solar cell strips, at least one of the breaking device's release bars is lowered below the support surface.

[0070] The longitudinal compression of the solar cell strips can be achieved, in particular, by moving the sled units of the crushing device from their expanded to their compressed state. Alternatively or additionally, the adjacent solar cell strips can also be stacked on top of each other while the sled units of the crushing device are in the compressed state.

[0071] In some embodiments, before breaking the solar cell in step a), an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, can be applied to a surface of the solar cell in the area of ​​the predetermined breaking lines.

[0072] The adhesive can be applied to the solar cell, particularly in adhesive application areas adjacent to the predetermined breaking lines on both sides along their length. In other words, each predetermined breaking line can run within an adhesive application area. The adhesive application can take place before or after the predetermined breaking lines are created on the solar cell.

[0073] The adhesive ensures, on the one hand, that the shingle arrangement is mechanically stable and resilient after the adhesive has cured. On the other hand, the adhesive also provides the electrical contact for the solar cell strips, so that the busbars typically found on the surfaces of the solar cells in conventional solar modules made of full or half cells can be omitted, thus increasing the energy yield.

[0074] All features, combinations of features and their specific advantages disclosed with respect to the devices according to the first and second aspects of the invention are transferable to the methods according to the third and fourth aspects of the invention and vice versa.

[0075] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described below.

[0076] They show: Fig. 1 an isometric view of a crushing device according to the invention; Fig. 2a an isometric longitudinal sectional view of the crushing device according to the invention; Fig. 2b a longitudinal sectional view of the crushing device according to the invention; Fig. 3 a side view of the crushing device according to the invention in its rest state; Fig. 4 a side view of a cam slide of the crushing device according to the invention; Fig. 5 a side view of the crushing device according to the invention in a raised state; Fig. 6 a side view of the crushing device according to the invention during a first crushing operation; Fig. 7 a side view of the crushing device according to the invention during a second crushing operation; Fig. 8 a side view of the crushing device according to the invention during a third crushing operation; Fig. 9 a side view of the crushing device according to the invention during a fourth crushing operation; Fig.Fig. 10a a side view of the breaking device according to the invention with the slide units in the compressed (collapsed) state; Fig. 10 a longitudinal section view of the breaking device according to the invention with the slide units in the compressed (collapsed) state; Fig. 11 a side view of the breaking device according to the invention when depositing broken solar cell strips; Fig. 12 an isometric view of a system according to the invention for processing solar cells; Fig. 13 a schematic view of another system according to the invention for processing solar cells; Fig. 14 a flowchart of a method according to the invention for breaking solar cells; and Fig. 15 a flowchart of a method according to the invention for producing a shingled solar cell arrangement.

[0077] In Fig. 1 The breaking device 10 for solar cells SC according to the invention is shown in an isometric view. The breaking device 10 comprises a support device 1, which defines a support plane 11 for a solar cell SC to be broken. The support device 1 comprises a plurality of holding elements 12, in particular in the form of suction elements, which are configured to hold a solar cell SC to be broken and / or broken solar cell strips (see Fig. 6 bis Fig. 9 ) to keep.

[0078] In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Furthermore, an installation direction E is shown, which is defined by a direction parallel to a normal direction N of the support plane 11 and pointing towards the support plane 11. According to the embodiments shown in the figures, the breaking device 10 is installed such that the installation direction E essentially coincides with the direction of gravity. In other embodiments not shown in the figures, however, the breaking device 10 can also be installed in reverse – in other words, upside down – so that the installation direction E can be opposite to the direction of gravity. With a reversed installation direction E, the directional terms used below, such as "above," "below," "lift," and "lower," would therefore be understood as inverted with respect to the direction of gravity.However, the basic function of the breaking device 10 does not change in the case of overhead use or other changes in installation direction, since the function of the breaking device 10 is fundamentally independent of a specific installation position.

[0079] The breaking device further comprises several ejector bars 2a-2e, which in the illustrated rest state of the breaking device 10 are located below the support plane 11, and several hold-down bars 3a-3d, each with a breaking edge 31, which in the rest state of the breaking device 10 are located above the support plane 11. The ejector bars 2a-2e and hold-down bars 3a-3d extend along a transverse direction T over the solar cell SC to be broken. In particular, the hold-down bars 3a-3d extend in the direction of gravity above and the ejector bars 2a-2e extend in the direction of gravity below the solar cell SC to be broken.

[0080] Each hold-down strip 3a-3d functionally interacts with an associated release strip 2a-2e, with each hold-down strip 3a-3d and associated release strip 2a-2e forming a pair. For example, release strip 2a interacts with hold-down strip 3a, release strip 2b with hold-down strip 3b, release strip 2c with hold-down strip 3c, and so on. Each hold-down strip 3a-3d and its associated release strip 2a-2e of a pair are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction L.

[0081] The ejector bars 2a-2e and hold-down bars 3a-3d are each coupled to a drive unit 4, which allows the ejector bars 2a-2e of a pair to be raised beyond the support level 11 and the hold-down bars 3a-3d of a pair to be lowered towards the support level 11, so that a solar cell SC to be broken can be broken into two solar cell strips SCS 1 - SCS 5 by raising the ejector bar 2a-2e of a pair at the breaking edge 31 of the hold-down bar 3a-3d of a pair (see Fig. 6 bis Fig. 9 ).

[0082] The drive unit 4 comprises a cam guide arrangement 41 with a guide cam 411 in which engagement elements 412a-412e, in particular in the form of guide rollers 412a-412e, are received and coupled to the pusher bars 2a-2e and to the hold-down bars 3a-3d, respectively. The guide cam 411 is formed on a cam slide 413, which is slidably mounted and can be actuated by a slide actuator 414, which can, for example, be a pneumatic cylinder. In particular, a piston rod 414' of the pneumatic cylinder is mechanically coupled to the cam slide 413, while a housing of the pneumatic cylinder is arranged in a relatively fixed position. The cam slide 413 is slidably, in particular parallel to the support plane 11, along the longitudinal direction L. Fig. 1 Starting from the rest state shown, the cam slide 413 can be moved in a direction pointing to the left in the figure, thereby converting the linear movement of the cam slide 413 along the longitudinal direction L into a linear movement of the engagement elements 412a-412e in the normal direction N.

[0083] The linear movement of the engagement elements 412a-412e in the normal direction N is transmitted via force transmission elements connected to the engagement elements 412a-412e, for example in the form of pushrods 66 (see Fig. 2a ff.), to the ejector bars 2a-2e and hold-down bars 3a-3d. In other words, the path of the guide cam 411 defines a kinematics suitable for carrying out the breaking operations for the hold-down bars 3a-3d and ejector bars 2a-2e. Advantageously, all ejector bars 2a-2e and hold-down bars 3a-3d can be positively actuated by a common actuator, which represents a cost-effective and robust solution.

[0084] The retaining elements 12 are arranged, particularly with respect to the longitudinal direction L, such that at least one retaining element 12 is arranged on this side and at least one further retaining element 12 is arranged on the other side of a hold-down strip 3a-3d, so that both the solar cell SC before breaking and the solar cell strips SCS 1 - SCS 5 after breaking (see Fig. 6 bis Fig. 9 ) can be securely held on the support device 1. The holding elements 12 are in particular vacuum suction grippers, preferably bellows suction grippers.

[0085] The ejector strips 2a-2e each have recesses 21 open towards the support surface 11, through which a linear conveyor, in particular a conveyor belt, can be guided, wherein solar cells SC to be broken can be fed to the breaking device 10 by the linear conveyor and solar cell strips SCS 1 - SCS 5 after breaking (see Fig. 6 bis Fig. 9 ) can be discharged from the breaking device 10. For this purpose, the recesses of all pusher bars 2a-2e are aligned with each other in the longitudinal direction L. Fig. 12 shows an integration of the crushing device 10 into a system 100 for processing solar cells SC.

[0086] Furthermore, the crushing device 10 comprises at least one, and in particular two, mounting flanges 9 with which the crushing device 10 can be mounted in a plant 100 for processing solar cells SC. The mounting flanges 9 can be located, in particular in the direction of gravity below the receiving plane 11 and in the direction of gravity below the guide arrangement 41.

[0087] A lifting drive 8 is arranged on one or more mounting flanges 9, by means of which the crushing device 10 can be moved essentially in the normal direction N to the support plane 11 of the solar cell SC. By lifting the crushing device 10 in a lifting direction opposite to gravity, a solar cell SC fed to the crushing device 10 by a conveying device, together with the support device 1, can be lifted from the conveying device. In the lifted state, the crushing processes can then be carried out on the solar cell SC before the crushed solar cell strips SCS 1 - SCS 5 (see Fig. 6 bis Fig. 9 ) then placed back onto the conveyor device by lowering the crushing device 10.

[0088] Based on Fig. 2a ,Figure 10, which shows an isometric longitudinal sectional view of the breaking device 10 according to the invention, is further explained below. A portion of the ejector bars 2b-2e is mechanically coupled to a hold-down bar 3a-3d, wherein the ejector bars 2b-2e coupled to the hold-down bars 3a-3d each form breaking heads 5a-5d. In other words, each of the breaking heads 5a-5d comprises an ejector bar 2b-2e and a hold-down bar 3a-3d. The breaking heads 5a-5d can each be actuated by the drive unit 4, whereby the ejector bar 2b-2e and the hold-down bar 3a-3d assigned to each breaking head 5a-5d can be moved simultaneously. The force transmission elements in the form of pushrods 66, which transmit the linear movement of the engagement elements 412a-412e in normal direction N to the pusher bars 2b-2e and hold-down bars 3a-3d, are connected to the breaker heads 5a-5d.

[0089] The crushing heads 5a-5d are each arranged together with at least one retaining element 12 of the support device 1 on a slide unit 6a-6d, the slide units 6a-6d being movably mounted in the longitudinal direction L. The pushrods 66 connected to each crushing head 5a-5d are each mounted in guide bores provided in the slide units 6a-6d. At least one vacuum connection 67 is arranged on each slide unit 6a-6d, via which a vacuum source can be fluidically connected to the retaining elements 12, which are designed as suction elements.

[0090] The slide units 6a-6d are guided movably in the longitudinal direction L on a guide device 63, for example a guide cylinder or a guide rail. Preferably, the guide device 63 comprises two guide elements 63 spaced apart in the transverse direction T, for example guide cylinders or guide rails, each extending along the longitudinal direction L. This is in Fig. 2b depicted.

[0091] The slide units 6a-6d can be moved on the guide device 63 from an expanded state in which the slide units 6a-6d are at a first longitudinal distance l 1 (see Fig. 9 ) from each other, into a compressed state in which the slide units 6a-6d are at a second longitudinal distance l 2 (see Fig. 10a ), which is smaller than the first longitudinal distance l 1 , are present from each other, are transferred and vice versa. In the rest state of the breaking device 10, which is in Fig. 2b As shown, the slide units 6a-6d are in the expanded state.

[0092] Between adjacent slide units 6a-6d a spring element 64, in particular a wave spring, is arranged which is designed to push the slide units 6a-6d apart in the longitudinal direction L, so that the slide units 6a-6d are in the expanded state or are brought into the expanded state without external force.

[0093] The crushing device 10 further comprises an actuating element 61, which can be operatively coupled to the slide units 6a-6d and is configured to push the slide units 6a-6d together along the longitudinal direction L in order to bring them into the compressed state. The actuating element 61 comprises a linear drive, in particular a pneumatic cylinder, which acts along the longitudinal direction L and is actuated via a deflection lever 62 (see Fig.10b ) acts on the slide units 6a-6d. The deflection lever 62 is pivotably mounted on a bearing block 621 about a pivot axis 622 and is designed to reverse the direction of action of the linear drive 61, so that a pressure force generated by the linear drive 61 and acting along the longitudinal direction L can be introduced into the slide units 6a-6d as an actuating force acting along the longitudinal direction L in the opposite direction.

[0094] The actuating force is introduced into a longitudinally external slide unit 6a-6d (in the illustration the leftmost slide unit 6d), wherein the longitudinally external slide unit 6d has a pressure piston 65 which serves as a force application surface for the deflection lever 62.

[0095] The actuating force acting on the slide units 6a-6d is dimensioned such that it can overcome the sum of the compressive forces of the spring elements 64 arranged between adjacent slide units 6a-6d. By introducing the actuating force, the slide units 6a-6d are moved longitudinally, starting from the outermost slide unit 6d, and pushed together like an accordion.

[0096] One of the ejector strips 2a (far right in the illustration) is not arranged on a longitudinally displaceable slide unit 6a-6d, but rather on an ejector head 5x that is relatively stationary with respect to the longitudinal direction L. Only the ejector strip 2a is arranged on the ejector head 5x, and no associated hold-down strip. The ejector strip 2a arranged on the ejector head 5x remains stationary even during the compression of the slide units 6a-6b and serves, in a sense, as a reference for positioning the slide units 6a-6b along the longitudinal direction L in the expanded and compressed states.

[0097] The actuating element 61 is arranged particularly with respect to the direction of gravity below the support device 1 and below the slide units 6a-6d, which is particularly space-saving.

[0098] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a side view of the crushing device 10 according to the invention in its rest state. In particular, a travel limiting device 7 of the crushing device 10 can be seen, which is operationally coupled or can be coupled to the slide units 6a-6d and is designed to hold the slide units 6a-6d at predetermined target positions with respect to the longitudinal direction L in the expanded and / or compressed state. The travel limiting device 7 comprises stops assigned to each slide unit 6a-6d, wherein a first stop defines a target position associated with the expanded state and a second stop defines a target position associated with the compressed state. The first and second stops are adjustable with respect to their positioning in the longitudinal direction. More precisely, the travel limiting device 7 comprises a threaded rod fixed at one end, onto which nuts are screwed as first and second stops.The threaded rod is firmly connected to the ejector head 5x, particularly in the longitudinal direction, for example by being screwed into a corresponding mating thread and secured. The slide units 6a-6d, on the other hand, are movable along the threaded rod within the limits defined by the first and second stops.

[0099] Furthermore, the structure and function of the cam guide arrangement 41 are explained in more detail. The guide cam 411 formed in or on the cam slide 413 thus comprises three areas, which are located at different distances d1, d2, d3 from the support plane 11. Distance d1 corresponds here to a rest area (411a, see Figure 411a). Fig. 4 ), distance d 2 , which is greater than distance d 1 , corresponds to a lowering range (411b see Fig. 4 ) and distance d 3, which is smaller than distance d 1, corresponds to a lifting range (411c see Fig. 4 ). By moving the cam slide 413, in particular by the slide actuator 414, in a direction pointing to the left in the figure, the engagement elements 412a-412e are now moved in the normal direction N according to a kinematics defined by the three areas and their transition, whereby this movement is transferred to the crushing heads 5a-5d.

[0100] Furthermore, the detachable connection between the hold-down bars 3a-3d and the ejector bars 2b-2e, each forming a breaker head 5a-5d, is visible. Each hold-down bar 3a-3d has a slot extending in the normal direction, at the edges of which a screw, arranged on the respective ejector bar 2b-2e, is supported. By loosening the screw, the relative positioning of the hold-down bar 3a-3d and the ejector bar 2b-2e in the normal direction N can advantageously be adjusted, so that the width of the gap between the ejector bar 2b-2e and the breaking edge 31 of the hold-down bar 3a-3d of a breaker head 5a-5d can be adjusted.

[0101] Fig. 4 Figure 413 shows the cam follower 413 with the guide cam 411, comprising the rest area 411a, the lowering area 411b, and the lifting area 411c, in a side view. The guide cam 411 can be formed in or on the cam follower 413, in particular as a slot, i.e., penetrating the material of the cam follower 413, or as a groove, i.e., not penetrating the material of the cam follower 413.

[0102] Fig. 5 Figure 1 shows the crushing device 10 according to the invention in a side view in a raised state, as indicated by the arrow in the area of ​​the lifting drive 8. As already explained herein, a solar cell SC fed to the crushing device 10 by a conveying device is lifted from the conveying device by raising the crushing device 10 and received in a relatively stationary position on the holding plane 11 of the holding device 1. The raised state of the crushing device 10 represents the starting point for the crushing processes to be carried out by the crushing device 10 on the solar cell SC, which take the form of four fractures in the Fig. 6 bis Fig. 9 shown.

[0103] Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows a side view of the breaking device 10 according to the invention during a first breaking operation, which is effected by the ejector bar 2a and the hold-down bar 3a. As indicated by the arrows, the ejector bar 2a, arranged on the ejector head 5x, is extended beyond the support surface 11 (see Figure 1). Fig. 5 ) raised beyond and the hold-down bar 3a associated with the breaking head 5a lowered towards the support plane 11, thereby breaking the solar cell SC at a first dividing line on the breaking edge 31 of the hold-down bar 3a to obtain a first solar cell strip SCS 1. After completion of the first

[0104] During the breaking process, the ejector bar 2a remains in a raised state, so that the first solar cell strip obtained, SCS 1, is at an acute angle to the support plane.

[0105] The movement of the hold-down bars 3a-3d and the ejector bars 2a-2e during the crushing processes is controlled by the cam guide arrangement 41 in the manner already described herein, namely by the fact that the cam slide 413 is actuated by the slide actuator 414 and thereby displaced in a direction pointing to the left in the illustration, which in the Fig. 6 bis Fig. 9 Each is indicated by an arrow.

[0106] During the first breaking process, an engagement element 412a coupled to the ejector bar 2a (see e.g. Fig. 1 ) into the lifting area 411c (see Fig. 4 ) the guide track 411 moves, thereby raising the pusher bar 2a over the plunger rod 66. Similarly, for the hold-down bar 3a associated with the breaker head 5a: An engagement element 412a coupled to the hold-down bar 3a moves into the lowering area 411b (see Fig. 4 When the guide cam 411 is moved, the hold-down bar 3a is lowered via the pushrod 66. This basic principle applies equally to all subsequent crushing operations and is therefore not repeated for each crushing operation.

[0107] Fig. 7 Figure 1 shows a side view of the breaking device 10 according to the invention during a second breaking process, which is effected by the ejector bar 2b and the hold-down bar 3b. As indicated by the arrows, the ejector bar 2b associated with the breaking head 5a is raised above the support plane, and the hold-down bar 3b associated with the breaking head 5b is lowered towards the support plane, thereby breaking the solar cell SC at a second dividing line on the breaking edge 31 of the hold-down bar 3b to obtain a second solar cell strip SCS 2. After completion of the second breaking process, the ejector bar 2b remains in a raised position, so that the resulting second solar cell strip SCS 2 is at an acute angle to the support plane.

[0108] Fig. 8 Figure 1 shows a side view of the breaking device 10 according to the invention during a third breaking operation, which is effected by the ejector bar 2c and the hold-down bar 3c. As indicated by the arrows, the ejector bar 2c associated with the breaking head 5b is raised above the support plane, and the hold-down bar 3c associated with the breaking head 5c is lowered towards the support plane, thereby breaking the solar cell SC at a third dividing line on the breaking edge 31 of the hold-down bar 3c to obtain a third solar cell strip SCS 3. After completion of the third breaking operation, the ejector bar 2c remains in a raised position, so that the resulting third solar cell strip SCS 3 is at an acute angle to the support plane.

[0109] Fig. 9 Figure 1 shows a side view of the breaking device 10 according to the invention during a fourth breaking operation, which is effected by the ejector bar 2d and the hold-down bar 3d. As indicated by the arrows, the ejector bar 2d associated with the breaking head 5c is raised above the support plane, and the hold-down bar 3d associated with the breaking head 5d is lowered towards the support plane, thereby breaking the solar cell SC at a fourth dividing line on the breaking edge 31 of the hold-down bar 3d to obtain a fourth solar cell strip SCS 4. After completion of the fourth breaking operation, the ejector bar 2d remains in a raised position, so that the resulting fourth solar cell strip SCS 4 is at an acute angle to the support plane. Any remaining portion of the solar cell SC after the fourth breaking operation forms a fifth solar cell strip SCS 5.

[0110] It is self-evident that the present invention also covers breaking devices 10 which are set up to perform fewer or more breaking operations, i.e. can be adapted so that a solar cell SC can also be divided into fewer or more than five solar cell strips.

[0111] After completion of the last crushing process, the cam slide 413 is moved further until all engagement elements 412a-412e are in the lifting area 411c (see Fig. 4 ) of the guide rail 411. In this state, all solar cell strips SCS 1 - SCS 5 are then at an acute angle to the mounting plane.

[0112] The sled units 6a-6d (see Fig. 2a , 2b ), on which the crushing heads 5a-5d and at least one retaining element 12 are arranged, are still in their expanded state at this time, which in Fig. 9 This is illustrated by the first longitudinal distance l 1 shown.

[0113] In a subsequent step, the slide units 6a-6d are transferred into their compressed state, which in Fig.10a and Fig. 10b This is shown and clarified by the drawn second longitudinal distance l2, which is smaller than the first longitudinal distance l1. Regarding the underlying mechanics, reference is made to the explanations in connection with Fig. 2a In the compressed state of the sled units, the solar cell strips SCS 1 - SCS 5 are arranged with respect to the longitudinal direction L such that they overlap at least partially. A partially overlapping arrangement of the solar cell strips SCS 1 - SCS 5 forms the basis for a shingled solar cell arrangement, as required for shingled modules.

[0114] In Fig. 10b The deflection lever 62, which is pivotably mounted on the bearing block 621 about the pivot axis 621, can be seen, whereby for this purpose the bearing block 621 is shown in the view of the Fig. 10b was hidden.

[0115] In a subsequent step, the partially overlapping solar cell strips SCS 1 - SCS 5 are laid on top of each other, whereby the release bars 2a-2e, which previously held the solar cell strips SCS 1 - SCS 5 at an acute angle to the support surface, are lowered for this purpose. This is in Fig. 11 This is illustrated and clarified by the arrows arranged on the push-off strips 2a-2e. The lowering of the entire push-off strip assembly 2a-2e is achieved by moving the cam slide 413 back to its initial position, so that all engagement elements 412a-412e are in the rest area 411a (see Fig. 4 ) of the guide track. After the solar cell strips SCS 1 - SCS 5 are laid on top of each other, a shingled solar cell arrangement is formed, which, after the crushing device 10 is lowered by the lifting drive 8, can be transported away by a conveyor coupled to the crushing device 10.

[0116] To prepare the crushing device 10 for processing another solar cell, it is finally returned to its resting state, for which the slide units 6a-6d are brought into the expanded state. This is done in particular by the actuating element 61 (see Fig. 2a , 2b ) is placed in a forceless state, whereby the slide units 6a-6d are pushed apart with respect to the longitudinal direction L under the influence of restoring forces provided by the spring elements 64.

[0117] Fig. 12 Figure 1 shows the integration of the crushing device 10 into a system 100 for processing solar cells SC. The system 100 comprises a conveying device 101 with two linear conveyors, in particular conveyor belts and / or conveyor chains, running parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction L, which are open towards the support surface 11 by the recesses 21 provided in the ejector strips 2a-2d of the crushing device 10 (see, for example, Figure 10). Fig. 1 ) are guided. The breaking device 10 is in the state shown in the figure in its raised position, which can be seen from the fact that the holding device 1, on which the solar cell SC is mounted, is extended in the normal direction N and is also illustrated by the arrow in the area of ​​the lifting device 8.

[0118] Fig. 13 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of another system 100 according to the invention for processing solar cells SC. The system 100 comprises one or more conveying devices 101 with two linear conveyors, in particular conveyor belts and / or conveyor chains, running parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction L, through which a solar cell SC and / or the solar cell strips SCS n are transported through the system 100 after processing in the form of a shingled solar cell arrangement. A solar cell SC to be processed can, for example, pass through the system 100 in a direction that points from left to right in the figure.

[0119] The processing operation carried out in plant 100 begins with an unprocessed solar cell SC, which is marked with scoring lines 201 or predetermined breaking lines in a scoring station 20. The scoring station 20 can have one or more scoring elements, in particular laser scoring elements. The solar cell SC marked with scoring lines 201 is then conveyed to an adhesive application station 30, in which an adhesive, in particular an electrically conductive adhesive, is applied to the solar cell SC along the scoring lines 201.

[0120] The adhesive is applied to the solar cell SC in adhesive application areas 301 that are adjacent to the predetermined breaking lines 201 on both sides with respect to the longitudinal direction, with the scoring lines each running within the adhesive application areas 301. In other words, the scoring lines 201 are each surrounded by an adhesive application area 301.

[0121] The solar cell SC, which is provided with both scoring lines 201 and adhesive in the adhesive application areas 301, is then conveyed to the breaking device 10, in which the solar cell SC is divided along the scoring lines 201 into a predetermined number of solar cell strips SCSn and the solar cell strips SCSn are joined together to form a shingled solar cell arrangement. Bezugszeichenliste

[0122] 10 Breaking device 1 Support device 11 Support level 12 Holding elements, in particular suction elements 2a-2e Ejector bar 21 Recess 3a-3d Hold-down bar 31 Breaking edge 4 Drive unit 41 Slide guide arrangement 411 Guide slide 411a Rest area 411b Lowering area 411c Lifting area 412a-412e Engagement element, in particular guide roller 413 Slide slide 414 Slide actuator 414' Piston rod 5a-5d Breaking heads 5x Ejector head 6a-6d Slide units 61 Actuating element 62 Deflection lever 621 Bearing block 622 Swivel axis 63 Guide device 64 Spring element 65 Pressure ram 66 Pushrods 67 Vacuum connections 7 Travel limiting device 71 nuts 8 lifting drive 9 mounting flange 20 Scoring station 201 Scoring lines 30 Adhesive application station 301 Adhesive application areas 100 Solar cell processing plant 101 Conveyor device, linear conveyor L Longitudinal direction T Transverse direction N Normal direction E Installation direction d1 First distance d2 Second distance d3 Third distance l 1 First longitudinal distance l 2 Second longitudinal distance SC Solar cell SCS 1 - SCS 5 Solar cell strip

Claims

1. Breaking device (10) for solar cells (SC), comprising a support device (1) defining a support plane (11) for a solar cell (SC) to be broken, and at least one release bar (2a-2e) located below the support plane (11) in a rest state of the breaking device (10), and at least one hold-down bar (3a-3d) with a breaking edge (31) located above the support plane (11) in the rest state of the breaking device (10), wherein the at least one release bar (2a-2e) and the at least one hold-down bar (3a-3d) extend along a transverse direction (T), are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction (L), and are each coupled to a drive unit (4) by means of which the release bar (2a-2e) can be raised beyond the support plane (11) and the hold-down bar (3a-3d) can be lowered in the direction of the support plane (11). is,so that a solar cell (SC) to be broken can be broken into at least two solar cell strips (SCS1-SCS5) by lifting the ejector strip (2a-2e) at the breaking edge (31) of the hold-down strip (3a-3d).

2. Breaking device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the drive unit (4) comprises a cam guide arrangement (41) with at least one guide cam (411) in which an engagement element (412a-412e), in particular a guide roller (412a-412e), is received, coupled with the at least one ejector bar (2a-2e) and with the at least one hold-down bar (3a-3d).

3. Breaking device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the guide track (411) has at least three longitudinally adjacent sections (411a, 411b, 411c): a) a resting area (411a) at a first distance (d1) from the support plane (11), b) a lowering area (411b) at a second distance (d2) from the support plane (11), wherein the second distance (d2) is greater than the first distance (d1), and c) a lifting area (411c) at a third distance (d3) from the support plane (11), wherein the third distance (d3) is smaller than the first distance (d1).

4. Breaking device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support device (1) comprises a plurality of holding elements (12), in particular suction elements (12), which are configured to hold a solar cell (SC) to be broken and / or the solar cell strips (SCS1-SCS5) after breaking, wherein at least one holding element (12) is arranged on this side and at least one further holding element (12) is arranged on the other side of a hold-down bar (3a-3d) with respect to the longitudinal direction (L).

5. Breaking device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one holding bar (3a-3d) and / or the at least one ejecting bar (2a-2e) extends at least partially along the transverse direction (T) over a solar cell (SC) to be broken which is received on the support device (1) in a state of use of the breaking device (10).

6. Breaking device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one pusher bar (2a-2e) has at least one recess (21) open towards the support plane (11), through which in particular a linear conveyor (101), in particular a conveyor belt and / or a conveyor chain, can be guided, in particular wherein the at least one pusher bar (2a-2e) has two recesses (21) open towards the support plane (11), which are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction (T).

7. Breaking device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of release bars (2a-2e) and a plurality of hold-down bars (3a-3e) each with a breaking edge (31), wherein at least a part of the release bars (2b-2e) is mechanically coupled to each hold-down bar (3a-3d), and wherein the release bars (2b-2e) coupled to hold-down bars (3a-3e) each form breaking heads (5a-5d), and wherein the release bars (2b-2e) and hold-down bars (3a-3e) each assigned to the breaking heads (5a-5d) are simultaneously movable by means of the drive unit (4).

8. Breaking device (10) according to claim 7, wherein the breaking heads (5a-5d) are each arranged together with at least one retaining element (12) of the support device (1) on a slide unit (6a-6d).

9. Breaking device (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein an assembly of the slide units (6a-6d) is movably guided in the longitudinal direction (L) on or by a guide device (63), in particular wherein the guide device (63) comprises at least one guide cylinder or at least one guide rail.

10. Breaking device (10) according to claim 9, wherein the slide units (6a-6d) on or at the guide device (63) can be transferred from an expanded state, in which the slide units (6a-6d) are located at a first longitudinal distance (l1) from each other, to a compressed state, in which the slide units (6a-6d) are located at a second longitudinal distance (l2) which is smaller than the first longitudinal distance (l1) from each other, and vice versa.

11. Plant (100) for processing solar cells (SC), in particular a plant for manufacturing solar modules, comprising at least one crushing device (10) according to one of the preceding claims and at least one conveying device (101), in particular a linear conveyor, with which solar cells (SC) to be crushed can be fed to the crushing device (10) and / or crushed solar cell strips (SCS1-SCS5) can be removed from the crushing device (10).

12. System (100) according to claim 11, wherein the crushing device (10) is movably mounted essentially in the normal direction (N) to the support plane (11) of the solar cell (SC) and is driven by a lifting drive (8), so that a solar cell (SC) supplied to the crushing device (10) by the conveying device (101) can be lifted off the conveying device (101) by means of the support device (1) of the crushing device (10).

13. Plant (100) according to claim 12, - wherein the conveying device (101) comprises a linear conveyor, in particular at least one conveyor belt and / or at least one conveyor chain, - and wherein the crushing device (10) is a crushing device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 10, - and wherein the linear conveyor is guided through the at least one recess (21) of the pusher bar (2a-2e).

14. Method for breaking solar cells (SC) using a breaking device, in particular a breaking device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the breaking device (10) comprising at least one pairing of a release bar (2a-2e) and an associated hold-down bar (3a-3d) with a breaking edge (31), wherein the release bar (2a-2e) and the hold-down bar (3a-3d) each extend along a transverse direction (T) and are spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal direction (L), comprising the steps of: a) receiving a solar cell (SC) to be broken in a support plane (11) on a support device (1) of the breaking device (10), b) lowering the hold-down bar (3a-3d) in the direction of the support plane (11), c) raising the release bar (2a-2e) beyond the support plane (11) and thereby d) breaking the solar cell (SC) at the breaking edge (31) the retaining bar (3a-3d) into two solar cell strips (SCS1-SCS5).

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein the breaking device (10) comprises two or more pairs of release bars (2a-2e) and associated hold-down bars (3a-3e) each having a breaking edge (31), and wherein steps b) to d) are repeated for further pairs of hold-down bars (3a-3e) and release bars (2a-2e) to divide the solar cell (SC) into a predetermined number of solar cell strips (SCS1-SCS5).

16. A method for producing a shingled solar cell arrangement, comprising a method for breaking solar cells (SC) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the at least one release strip (2a-2e) initially remains in its raised state after breaking the solar cell (SC) in step d), and then step e) is performed in which the solar cell strips (SCS1-SCS5) are pushed together along the longitudinal direction (L) so that a partial overlap occurs between adjacent solar cell strips (SCS1-SCS5), and then step f) is performed in which adjacent solar cell strips (SCS1-SCS5) are laid on top of each other so that an underside of one solar cell strip (SCS1-SCS5) rests on an upper side of an adjacent solar cell strip (SCS1-SCS5), wherein the at least one release strip (2a-2e) is used to lay the solar cell strips (SCS1-SCS5). is lowered below the support level (11).

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