Installation of solar modules onto transport units during manufacturing.

Abstract

Described herein is a method for manufacturing a solar module, in which solar elements are assembled in rows, each row having at least two solar elements, the solar module being composed of a plurality of rows electrically connected to each other, picking up at least two rows in one operation and preparing them at different heights above the solar module for mounting on the solar module, and lowering the plurality of rows together respectively for mounting on the solar module only to the point where only the row currently to be mounted contacts the solar module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a solar module, where solar elements are combined in a plurality of rows, each row having at least two solar elements, and the solar module is composed of rows that are electrically connected to each other.

[0002] The solar elements combined in a plurality of rows may be solar cells, photovoltaic solar cells, photovoltaic cells or parts partially separated therefrom, so-called singles, i.e., for example, solar cell singles or photovoltaic cell singles.

[0003] In such a method, individual solar elements or basic elements of solar cells are transferred one row at a time to a transfer unit, and the transfer unit is moved to an assembly area where the solar elements can be dropped one row at a time into a tray or another transfer unit, particularly a motor-driven transfer unit. The dropping of solar elements in a motor-driven transfer unit for supplying a solar module is also referred to as mounting on the solar module. Thus, the assembly area is also referred to as a mounting area, an attachment area or an assembly structure area.

[0004] For mounting solar modules, particularly integrated solar modules, rows, i.e., solar elements or rows of solar elements arranged one by one, can be arranged overlapping each other along the longitudinal axis of two adjacent rows. In the overlapping region, adhesive or other fastening means can be applied to join adjacent rows. The adhesive can be applied, for example, to the solar elements or rows located in the transfer unit. A dispensing unit can be used to apply the adhesive. For example, a dispenser capable of linear adhesive application can be used. Alternatively, the adhesive can be applied by a printing device. For example, the adhesive can be applied using a printing method, such as roll printing or screen printing. The adhesive-coated rows can be joined in contact with each other or oriented toward each other in a motor-driven transfer unit, and thus assembled into a solar module. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 163914 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 175233 describe systems and methods for manufacturing solar modules.

[0005] In this method, the time required between supplying individual solar elements and mounting them onto the solar module, also known as the cycle time, is extremely important. Reducing the cycle time leads to a significant reduction in the processing time for manufacturing the entire solar module. Therefore, the fundamental problem of this invention is to improve the efficiency of a method for manufacturing solar modules, and in particular to accelerate such a method.

[0006] The solution to this problem is to use the method described at the beginning. According to the present invention, In particular, for attachment to the solar module, at least two rows are picked up during one work process and prepared at different heights above the solar module, and then multiple rows are lowered together, each only to the point where the row currently to be attached makes contact with the solar module, for attachment to the solar module.

[0007] The basis of this invention is the recognition that cycle time can be reduced by performing individual method steps for multiple solar cells simultaneously. For example, in the method according to the present invention, multiple rows, i.e., at least two rows, are picked up from a transfer unit by a pickup device in one work process, thereby dropping these rows into a motor-driven transfer unit in a subsequent step. The motor-driven transfer unit is, for example, a tray or a belt conveyor. Here, the method according to the present invention can further drop at least two rows that overlap each other after dropping. This reduces the number of pickup processes and the distance traveled by the pickup device in the solar module manufacturing process, thereby shortening the time required for the manufacturing method. Thus, the efficiency of the method described at the beginning is improved.

[0008] In one embodiment, the remaining rows are configured to remain vertically separated from the solar module. For example, two or three rows are picked up simultaneously by the pickup device and fed onto the solar module. In the method according to the present invention, the pickup device can approach the solar module vertically until the first row, or the row currently to be mounted, makes contact with the solar module, for example, until it overlaps with a previously dropped row and makes contact, and the second and third rows or the remaining rows can remain vertically separated from the solar module by their vertical spacing as the first row makes contact with the solar module. In this way, the pickup device can mount one row onto the solar module while guiding multiple rows simultaneously. In one or more separate drop steps, another row can be mounted onto the solar module.

[0009] In one embodiment, rows are preferably configured to be picked up by suction devices that are vertically adjustable against restoring forces. For example, each solar element arranged in a row is picked up by at least one suction device. Here, the suction device for the first row can be positioned to protrude vertically beyond the suction device for the second row when viewed in the direction of the row to be picked up. The suction device for the second row itself can also protrude vertically beyond another suction device for a third row when viewed in the direction of the row, and so on. This makes it possible to selectively pick up or drop individual rows, for example, to drop the first row without dropping a second row. For example, it becomes possible to pick up or drop another second row after picking up or dropping the first row, and in particular before picking up or dropping one or more other third rows, using suction devices that are vertically adjustable against restoring forces. In other words, this makes it possible to pick up multiple rows together, i.e., by selectively dropping rows that were picked up together at a later date.

[0010] According to the present invention, In the method of the form described at the beginning, the solution to the problem mentioned at the beginning is to optionally, in particular, ensure that two consecutive rows travel different distances during the loading process. For example, during the loading process, the pickup device is moved perpendicular to the row, i.e., perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the row. For example, the pickup device picks up a first column and at least one second column. In this case, the pickup device is moved perpendicular and relative to the first row, for example, after dropping the first row into a motor-driven transfer unit and before dropping the second row into a motor-driven transfer unit, and is moved, for example, motor-driven or mechanically. In this way, during loading, the movement of the motor-driven transfer unit is complemented and / or replaced by the movement of the pickup device moving the rows from transfer unit to transfer unit. In this way, individual rows can be efficiently positioned in the transfer unit both temporally and spatially.

[0011] According to the present invention, During the installation process for attaching to the solar module, it is configured to pick up two consecutive rows in a single operation. According to the present invention, Furthermore, during the fitting process, two consecutive rows are made to travel different distances. It is configured to .

[0012] In one embodiment, the system is configured to keep the solar modules fixed in place during the installation process of two consecutive rows. In other words, the transport unit does not move during installation in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the pickup device can move perpendicular to the dropped first row after dropping the first row, thereby allowing the second row to be dropped into the transport unit adjacent to and overlapping the first row for installation onto the solar modules. Thus, the relative arrangement of the multiple rows can be determined or set at least by moving the pickup device. Alternatively, the transport unit is moved during installation.

[0013] In one embodiment, the solar modules are configured to be moved with time-controlled motion between two mounting processes. Timing-controlled movement of the solar modules or the transport unit can be advantageous when mounting rows onto the transport unit. During mounting, the rows are oriented and joined together on the transport unit. At this time, the time-controlled forward movement can create space at the mounting location for new rows to be placed on the transport unit. Therefore, when a pickup device needs to pick up a new load, the pickup device may move to sequentially drop all the rows to be picked up while the transport unit is moving.

[0014] In one embodiment, the solar modules are configured to move in a timely manner between two mounting processes, i.e., between the dropping of a row picked up in one work process and the dropping of another row picked up in another work process.

[0015] In this way, the relative arrangement of the rows being mounted can be determined solely by the movement of the pickup device, whereas the movement of the transfer unit allows for a smaller, and therefore shorter, movement distance of the pickup device during mounting. This makes mounting to the transfer unit easier, and especially faster and with greater precision.

[0016] In one embodiment, the solar modules are configured to be moved continuously during the installation process. Specifically, the solar modules are moved perpendicular to the row during the installation process. In other words, the transport unit is moved continuously during the installation process. This can further accelerate the solar module manufacturing process. This is because the row moves further during and after the installation of this row onto the module, and thus reaches subsequent method steps more quickly.

[0017] In a subsequent method step, the solar module may be moved to a thermal zone, such as a furnace, for heat treatment, i.e., to cure the adhesive. The solar module may remain in the transfer unit. Here, continuous movement of the transfer unit is advantageous because, under time-controlled movement, overlapping regions of thermal action occur due to the different residence times of the rows of solar cells under thermal action. These overlapping regions result in excessively strong or excessively weak thermal action, and consequently, striped patterns. In contrast, when the solar module or transfer unit is moved continuously, the solar module moves uniformly through the thermal zone where the adhesive applied to the rows and between rows cures.

[0018] The movement of the transport system can be adjusted by moving the pickup device accordingly when dropping a row. In this way, the relative movement of the transport unit with respect to the pickup device can be prevented when dropping a row. Alternatively, the duration of the dropping process can be selected to be particularly short enough to be negligible so that the described relative movement is negligible during row dropping.

[0019] According to the present invention, In particular, the solution to the problem mentioned at the beginning is provided, which is an apparatus for manufacturing solar modules, in which solar elements are assembled in rows, each row having at least two solar elements, and the solar module consists of multiple rows electrically connected to each other, and the apparatus includes a pickup device, which is designed to pick up at least two rows in one work process for mounting onto the solar module, prepare them at different heights above the solar module, and then lower multiple rows together, each only to the point where only the row currently to be mounted makes contact with the solar module, for mounting onto the solar module.

[0020] In one embodiment, the pickup device is configured to be designed so that the remaining rows remain vertically spaced away from the solar modules.

[0021] In one embodiment, the pickup device preferably includes a suction device that is vertically adjustable against restoring forces, and is configured to pick up rows, and in particular to pick up multiple rows together in a single work step.

[0022] According to the present invention,In particular, among the means for solving the problems mentioned at the beginning, an apparatus for manufacturing a solar module is provided. Solar cells are assembled in rows, each row having at least two solar cells. The solar module is composed of a plurality of rows that are electrically connected to each other. The apparatus includes a pickup device, and this pickup device is designed to travel different distances for at least two consecutive rows during the mounting process. For this purpose, the pickup device is movable in the traveling direction of the transfer unit and / or in the vertical direction, for example, in the direction along the rows.

[0023] According to the present invention, The pickup device is configured to pick up two rows that are consecutive to each other in one working process during the mounting process for mounting to the solar module. at least Two rows are picked up.

[0024] According to the present invention, further, The pickup device is configured to travel different lengths of travel distances for at least two consecutive rows during the mounting process.

[0025] In one embodiment, the pickup device is preferably configured to be movable relative to the solar module during the mounting process, particularly movable laterally with respect to the rows. Alternatively or additionally, the pickup device may preferably be movable in the direction along the rows during the mounting process.

[0026] In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a transfer unit for receiving the solar module, and this apparatus is configured to be designed to keep the transfer unit fixed in position during the mounting process of two consecutive rows.

[0027] In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured such that the transfer unit is controlled for timing movement during two mounting processes. In one embodiment, during two mounting processes, that is, between the drop of the row picked up in one working process and the drop of another row picked up in another working process, the apparatus is configured such that the transfer unit is controlled for timing movement.

[0028] In one embodiment, the apparatus is configured such that the transfer unit moves continuously, particularly during the mounting process.

[0029] Hereinafter, based on a plurality of preferred embodiments, the present invention will be described in more detail.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] [Figure 1A] It is a three-dimensional view showing a first apparatus for manufacturing a solar module. [Figure 1B] It is a plan view of the first apparatus. [Figure 2A] It is a three-dimensional view showing a second apparatus for manufacturing a solar module. [Figure 2B] It is a plan view of the second apparatus. [Figure 2C] It is a side view of the second apparatus. [Figure 3A] It is a three-dimensional view showing a third apparatus for manufacturing a solar module. [Figure 3B] It is a plan view of the third apparatus. [Figure 3C] It is a side view of the third apparatus. [Figure 4A] It is a side view showing the first pickup device, transfer unit, and transfer unit of the first, second, or third apparatus according to one method step. [Figure 4B] It is a side view showing the first pickup device, transfer unit, and transfer unit of the first, second, or third apparatus according to another method step. [Figure 4C]This is a side view showing the first pickup device, transfer unit, and transport unit of the first device, second device, or third device according to yet another method step. [Figure 4D] This is a side view showing the first pickup device, transfer unit, and transport unit of the first device, second device, or third device according to yet another method step. [Figure 4E] This is a side view showing the first pickup device, transfer unit, and transport unit of the first device, second device, or third device according to yet another method step. [Figure 4F] This is a side view showing the first pickup device, transfer unit, and transport unit of the first device, second device, or third device according to yet another method step. [Figure 4G] This is a side view showing the first pickup device, transfer unit, and transport unit of the first device, second device, or third device according to yet another method step. [Figure 4H] This is a side view showing the first pickup device, transfer unit, and transport unit of the first device, second device, or third device according to yet another method step. [Figure 5A] This is a side view showing the second pickup device of the first, second, or third device. [Figure 5B] This is a 3D diagram showing the second pickup device as viewed from above, and an exploded view showing an enlarged view of the pickup device, both representing the transfer unit of the first, second, or third device.

[0031] Figure 1A shows a three-dimensional diagram of a first apparatus for manufacturing a solar module 14. Apparatus 1 includes a transfer unit 2, a transport unit 3, and a pickup device 4. As shown in Figure 1A, the transport unit 3 contains solar elements 15 arranged in multiple rows. In this embodiment, the solar elements 15 are formed vertically as so-called singles. The solar elements 15, which are strips on a wafer, are also referred to as singles. The rows to be placed in the transport unit 3 are picked up by the pickup device 4 and dropped into the transport unit 2. In one or more preceding steps, the solar elements 15 are supplied to a supply unit 5 and placed in the transport unit 3 by a handling unit 6. This preceding step or these preceding steps can be controlled by a monitoring system 13, for example, a sensor system and / or a camera system.

[0032] The individual solar elements 15 in different rows may be arranged in the transfer unit 3, spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the row (or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the row). Alternatively, the individual solar elements 15 in different rows may be arranged in a so-called wall pattern, spaced apart laterally from the row and offset from each other in the longitudinal direction of the row, as shown in Figure 1A.

[0033] The transfer unit 3 is movable parallel to the row to be dropped into the transport unit 2, i.e., in the direction along the row. The transfer unit 3 is movable relative to the transfer unit 2. In this way, the transfer unit 3 is movable from a first position where the solar elements 15 are mounted on the transfer unit 3 by the handling unit 6 to a second position where the row is picked up by the pickup device 4 and dropped into the transport unit 2. Along the way from the first position to the second position, adhesive is applied to the solar elements 15 or the row along at least one longitudinal axis of the row. The adhesive is applied by multiple dispensing units, by multiple dispensers 7 in the illustrated embodiment, for example, one dispenser per row. Alternatively, the adhesive may be applied by just one dispenser 7 (see Figures 3A to 3C). Alternatively, the adhesive may be applied by a printing method, such as screen printing or roll printing, by a printing unit, such as a screen printing unit or roll printing unit.

[0034] After the adhesive is applied, the transfer unit 2 can join the rows placed in the transfer unit 3 with the rows that have already been dropped into the transfer unit 2. The joining of newly dropped rows is done by partially overlapping the newly dropped rows with the rows that have already been dropped, and the adhesive comes into contact with the rows that have already been dropped and the newly dropped rows. In other words, the rows placed in the transfer unit 2 partially overlap, especially in the area where the adhesive has been applied.

[0035] In a subsequent method step, the rows that are placed in the transfer unit 2 and assembled on the solar module 14 can be moved within the transfer unit 2. The transfer unit 2 may be, for example, a tray or a belt conveyor. The transfer unit 2 may be a motor-driven transfer unit. In the next method step, the mounted solar module 14 is guided to, for example, a region of thermal action, for example, a furnace, so that the adhesive hardens and the rows within the solar module 14 are firmly joined to one another.

[0036] The transfer unit 2 is movable continuously or with timing control during and / or after the mounting process. In particular, the transfer unit 2 is movable continuously during and after the mounting process. Alternatively, the transfer unit 2 is movable with timing control during the mounting process and is movable continuously after the mounting process.

[0037] Figure 1B shows the first apparatus 1 of Figure 1A in a plan view. The same or similar characteristic components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0038] Figure 2A shows a three-dimensional view of a second apparatus 1A for manufacturing solar modules 14. The second apparatus 1A is similar to the first apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B. The same or similar characteristic components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Instead of the transfer unit 3 of apparatus 1, apparatus 1A includes a transfer unit 3A. The transfer unit 3A is formed as a belt conveyor. The belt conveyor extends from a first position to a second position of the transfer unit 3 as described in Figure 1. This belt conveyor is movable parallel to the rows in which it is placed and parallel to the rows dropped into the transport unit 2. In other words, this belt conveyor is movable in the longitudinal direction of the rows. In this way, the solar elements 15 dropped into the transfer unit 3A and placed in the rows are moved from the first position to the second position by the movement of the belt conveyor, and the solar elements 15 are then dropped into the transport unit 2 using the pickup 4.

[0039] Figure 2B shows a plan view of the second apparatus 1A. Figure 2C shows a side view of the second apparatus 1A. The same or similar characteristic components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0040] Figure 3A shows a three-dimensional view of the third apparatus 1B for manufacturing the solar module 14. The third apparatus 1B is similar to the first apparatus 1 and the second apparatus 1A shown in Figures 1A-1B and 2A-2C. The same or similar characteristic components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0041] Instead of the transfer unit 2 of the first device 1, device 1B includes a transfer unit 2A formed as a belt conveyor. Instead of the transfer unit 3A of the second device 1A shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the third device 1B includes a transfer unit 3B formed as a belt conveyor. The belt conveyor 3B is movable perpendicular to the rows arranged on the belt conveyor. Accordingly, the transfer unit 2A, the transfer unit 3B, the handling unit 6, and the supply unit 5 are arranged in series perpendicular to the rows in the transfer unit 2A and the transfer unit 3B.

[0042] A configuration similar to the arrangement of the third device 1B shown in Figure 3A is one in which the transfer unit 3 of the first device 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B is arranged in series with the transport unit 2, the handling unit 6, and the supply unit 5. In such an arrangement, the transfer unit 3 may be movable perpendicular to the row placed on the transfer unit 3 or the transport unit 2, similar to the transfer unit 3B. Alternatively, in such an arrangement, the first position of the transfer unit 3, where the solar element 15 is mounted on the transfer unit 3 by the handling unit 6, and the second position of the transfer unit 3, where the solar element 15 is picked up from the transfer unit 3 by the pickup device 4 and dropped onto the transport unit 2, may coincide. In this way, there is no need to move the transfer unit between loading and unloading. The arrangement shown in Figure 3A has the particular advantage that the transfer unit 3B can be unloaded by the pickup device 4 and loaded by the handling unit 6 at the same time.

[0043] Figure 3B shows the third apparatus 1B in a plan view. Figure 3C shows the third apparatus 1B in a side view. The same or similar characteristic components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0044] Figure 4A shows a pickup device 4 positioned above the transfer unit 3. Here again, the transfer unit 3 is positioned above the transport unit 2. In other words, the transfer unit 3 is positioned in the second position of the transfer unit 3 as described in relation to Figure 1. Alternatively, the transfer unit 3 of the first device 1 may be the transfer unit 3A of the second device 1A, or the transfer unit 3B of the third device 1B. The transport unit 2 of the first device 1 may be the transport unit 2A of the third device 1B.

[0045] The pickup device 4 includes one or more suction devices. In the illustrated embodiment, the pickup device includes multiple suction devices arranged in series, and by using these suction devices, the pickup device 4 can pick up rows. In the illustrated embodiment, the multiple suction devices are arranged in three columns. In the illustrated embodiment, each column of the multiple suction devices extends perpendicular to the plane of the figure. Here, the first suction device or the multiple suction devices arranged in the first column (the left suction device column in Figure 4) contacts a row, or one or more solar elements 15 in a row, after the pickup device 4 moves perpendicularly toward the transfer unit 3, while one or more other suction devices in another column (the suction devices in the center and right suction device columns in Figure 4) are arranged so as to be perpendicularly separated from the row or solar elements 15.

[0046] As the vertical movement of the pickup device 4 continues in the direction of the transfer unit 3, another suction device approaches another row or another solar element 15 in another row. When moving further vertically in this way, that is, when moving vertically in the direction of the transfer unit 3 after the first suction device or the first row of suction devices has already made contact with a solar cell, this suction device, or these first suction devices, are displaced vertically against, for example, a restoring force. By vertically adjusting the position of the suction devices, vertical movement of the pickup device 4 is made possible after the suction device has made contact with a solar element 15 without destroying or damaging the solar element 15.

[0047] By adjusting their position vertically, multiple suction devices can be positioned at the same height relative to each other. By further moving the pickup device 4 vertically in the direction of the transfer unit 3, as shown in Figure 4B, a plurality of second suction devices, the middle row of suction devices in the illustrated embodiment, finally come into contact with a different solar element 15, and a plurality of third suction devices, the right row of suction devices in the illustrated embodiment, finally come into contact with a different solar element 15.

[0048] By moving the pickup device 4 vertically away from the transfer unit 3, each individual solar element 15 that comes into contact is picked up from the transfer unit 3 using the pickup device 4. Furthermore, the suction devices are returned to their original positions by a restoring force, so that the suction devices in different rows are spaced differently relative to the transfer unit 3 and the transport unit 2. This is shown in Figure 4C. By arranging the suction devices or rows of suction devices vertically in different directions, the solar elements 15 or rows to be picked up are positioned vertically spaced at different heights relative to the transfer unit 3 and the transport unit 2.

[0049] As shown in Figure 4D, the pickup device 4 is movable perpendicular to the row or translationally toward the solar module 14. In this way, the picked-up solar elements 15 or rows are arranged vertically separated at different heights by arranging the suction devices or rows of suction devices perpendicularly relative to the transfer unit 2.

[0050] The pickup device 4 may include suction devices that are not vertically adjustable, such as rows of suction devices. For example, a row of suction devices having the greatest vertical distance from the transfer unit 3 or transport unit 2 does not need to be vertically displaceable. In the illustrated embodiment, this is the row of suction devices on the right.

[0051] As shown in Figure 4E, the first row is brought into contact with the transport unit 2 or with a row already placed on the transport unit 2, while several other rows, the central second row and the rightmost third row in the illustrated embodiment, are positioned vertically separated above the transport unit 2 or the solar module 14. In other words, in order to mount them onto the solar module 14, the multiple rows are lowered together only until each row currently to be mounted makes contact with the solar module 14.

[0052] By moving the pickup device 4 and / or the transfer unit 2 perpendicular to the row or the longitudinal axis of the row, multiple other rows picked up by the pickup device 4 can be dropped into the transfer unit 2, as shown in Figures 4G and 4H. In other words, during the process of mounting to the solar module 14, the second row (the middle row in the illustrated embodiment) travels a different distance, namely a longer distance than the first row (the left row in the illustrated embodiment).

[0053] Therefore, as shown in Figures 4E to 4H, the second row can be positioned vertically above the appropriate drop position, thereby moving the pickup device 4 vertically towards the transfer unit 2 until the solar element 15 picked up by the second suction row makes contact with the transfer unit 2 or the previously dropped row.

[0054] In this process, as shown in Figure 4H, the transfer unit 2 comes into contact with the first suction unit row. After the first suction unit row comes into contact with the transfer unit 2, the pickup device 4 continues to move further vertically in the direction of the transfer unit 2, thereby adjusting the vertical position of the first suction unit row.

[0055] During the mounting process shown in Figures 4D to 4H, the solar module 14 or the transfer unit 2 can remain in a fixed position, for example, or move continuously. Between the two mounting processes, i.e., between the dropping of three picked-up solar elements 15 and the dropping of another three picked-up solar elements 15, the solar module 14 or the transfer unit 2 can move, for example, continuously and / or with timing control, thereby opening up another side of the transfer unit 2 for mounting.

[0056] Figure 5A shows a second pickup device 4A, similar to the first pickup device 4 shown in Figures 1A to 4H. The second pickup device 4A includes multiple suction devices 8 arranged in two rows in a side view. The suction devices 8 may correspond to the suction devices of the first pickup device 4.

[0057] The suction devices 8 arranged in the first row are spaced vertically at a first interval relative to a reference plane located below the pickup device 4A, such as the transfer unit 3 or transport unit 2. The suction devices 8 arranged in the second row are spaced vertically at a second interval relative to the reference plane. The second interval is greater than the first interval. The first and second intervals are changeable relative to the reference plane by the vertical movement of the pickup device 4A. When a suction device 8 in the first row comes into contact with the reference plane and the vertical movement of the pickup device 4A continues in the direction of the reference plane, the suction device 8 is vertically repositioned and moved in particular relative to the pickup device 4A. In the illustrated embodiment, the suction device 8 is moved relative to the pickup device 4A in the opposite direction to the movement of the pickup device 4A, i.e., away from the reference plane. The vertical repositioning is performed against a restoring force supplied by a spring element 9 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0058] Each suction unit 8 includes a vacuum suction unit 10, for example, a suction head. The vacuum suction unit 10 can pick up the solar element 15 by generating negative pressure on the surface of the solar element 15, and drop it by generating ambient pressure again, or by generating positive pressure. Each pressure state can be provided, for example, by a pump device (not shown) connected to the suction unit 8.

[0059] Similarly, in transfer unit 2 or 2A, and in transfer units 3, 3A or 3B, the solar element 15 can be held in each transfer unit or transfer unit by generating negative pressure on the surface of the solar element 15 (for example, facing away from the pickup device 4 and / or handling unit 6). The negative pressure can be supplied, for example, through an opening in each transfer unit or transfer unit connected to the pump device or pump device (not shown).

[0060] Figure 5B shows a three-dimensional view of the pickup device 4A positioned above the transfer unit 2. The same or similar characteristic components are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition to the spring element 9, the suction device 8 includes a retaining ring 11 and a spring push rod 12 in the illustrated embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. First apparatus for manufacturing solar modules 1A Second apparatus for manufacturing solar modules 1B Third apparatus for manufacturing solar modules 2. Transfer units for the first and second devices 2A Transfer unit of the third device 3. Transfer unit of the first device 3A Transfer unit of the second device 3B Transfer Unit of the Third Device 4. First pickup device 4B Second pickup device 5 Supply Units 6 Handling Units 7 Dispensers 8 Aspirator 9 Spring elements 10 Vacuum suction device 11 Retaining ring 12 Spring push rod 13. Monitoring System

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a solar module (14), wherein the solar elements (15) are assembled in rows, each of which has at least two solar elements (15), and the solar module (14) is composed of a plurality of rows electrically connected to each other, A method characterized by picking up at least two of the rows in one work process in order to attach the rows to the solar module (14), preparing at least two of the rows at different heights above the solar module (14), and lowering the multiple rows together only to the point where only the row currently to be attached makes contact with the solar module (14) in order to attach the rows to the solar module (14).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the remaining rows are kept vertically separated from the solar module (14).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the row is picked up by a suction device (8).

4. A method for manufacturing a solar module (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the solar elements (15) are assembled in rows, each of which has at least two solar elements (15), and the solar module (14) is composed of a plurality of rows electrically connected to each other, A method for attaching the rows to the solar module (14), characterized in that, in one work process, at least two consecutive rows are picked up, and during the attachment process, at least two consecutive rows travel distances of different lengths.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the solar module (14) is kept in a fixed position during the process of mounting two consecutive rows.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the solar module (14) is moved by timing control between the two mounting processes.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the solar module (14) is moved continuously during the installation process.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a striped wafer is used as a solar element (15).

9. An apparatus for manufacturing a solar module (14), wherein the solar elements (15) are assembled in rows, each row having at least two solar elements (15), and the solar module (14) is composed of a plurality of rows electrically connected to each other, An apparatus for manufacturing a solar module (14), characterized in that the apparatus includes a pickup device (4, 4A) which is designed to pick up at least two of the rows in one work process in order to mount the rows onto the solar module (14), to prepare at least two of the rows at different heights above the solar module (14), and to lower the multiple rows together only to the point where only the row currently to be mounted is in contact with the solar module (14) in order to mount the rows onto the solar module (14).

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the pickup device (4, 4A) is designed such that the remaining row remains vertically separated from the solar module (14).

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the pickup device (4, 4A) includes a suction device (8), the suction device (8) is designed to pick up the row.

12. An apparatus for manufacturing a solar module (14) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the solar elements (15) are assembled in rows, each of which has at least two solar elements (15), and the solar module (14) is composed of a plurality of rows electrically connected to each other, The apparatus includes a pickup device (4, 4A), the pickup device (4, 4A) being designed to pick up at least two consecutive rows in a single operation for mounting the rows onto the solar module (14), and to travel different distances for at least two consecutive rows during the mounting process.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the pickup device (4, 4A) is movable relative to the solar module (14) during the installation process.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the apparatus includes a transfer unit (2, 2A) for housing the solar module (14), and the apparatus is designed to keep the transfer unit (2, 2A) fixed in place during the process of mounting two consecutive rows.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the apparatus is designed such that the transfer unit (2, 2A) moves with timing control between two mounting processes.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the apparatus includes a transport unit (2, 2A) for housing the solar module (14), and the apparatus is designed such that the transport unit (2, 2A) moves continuously during the installation process.

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