Method and apparatus for manufacturing solar cell modules

Abstract

The present invention relates to improvements in the technical field of manufacturing solar cell modules (2).To this end, a method for manufacturing solar cell modules (2) is proposed in particular in which rows (4) of solar cell elements (3) are glued together by means of an electrically conductive adhesive, which is applied to the solar cell elements (3) during a transport movement of the rows (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell module.

[0002] Such methods and apparatuses are already known in practice. In this case, a plurality of solar cell elements are combined to form a plurality of rows, and a solar cell module is composed of rows that are electrically connected to each other. The solar cell elements used in this case may be photovoltaic solar cells, or members cut from these solar cells, so-called singles. International Publication No. 2010 / 000812 discloses a method for manufacturing a solar module comprising at least two rows of interconnected solar cells arranged on a foundation, oriented parallel to each other, the latter comprising the steps of preparing and oriented the foundation; oriented and positioning the solar cells on the foundation; placing cell assemblies on the opposing edge regions of adjacent solar cells and integrating the cell assemblies to the edge regions; integrating the interconnected solar cells into a lateral assembly; and covering the interconnected solar cells with a cover, in the order described above. German Utility Model No. 20220444 describes a solar cell module comprising: A) at least one front outer coating layer facing the energy source, made of glass or a transparent plastic that is impact-resistant, UV-stable, and weather-resistant, and has low water vapor transmission; B) at least one plastic adhesive layer located between A) and C) and in which at least one solar cell is embedded and electrically connected to each other; and C) at least one back outer layer facing away from the energy source, made of glass or a weather-resistant plastic, and has low water vapor transmission, wherein the plastic adhesive layer in B) has a hardness of 75 Shore A to 70 Shore D and a softening temperature Terw of 90°C to 150°C, and an elastic modulus of 2 MPa (measured according to the DMS method). A solar cell module is disclosed, characterized in that it is made of an aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane having the following properties: the aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane is a reaction product comprising an aliphatic diisocyanate (A), at least one Tserevichninov active polyol (B) having at least 1.8 to at most 3.0 Tserevichninov active hydrogen atoms and a number average molecular weight of 600 to 10000 g / mol in the agent, and at least one Tserevichninov active polyol (C) as a chain extender having at least 1.8 to at most 3.0 Tserevichninov active hydrogen atoms and a number average molecular weight of 60 to 500 g / mol in the agent, and the molar ratio of the NCO group of the aliphatic diisocyanate to the Tserevichninov active hydrogen atoms based on (B) and (C) is 0.85 to 1.2, preferably 0.9 to 1.1. International Publication No. 2016 / 090304 discloses an apparatus for applying conductive paste to photovoltaic structures during the manufacture of solar panels, comprising: a sleeve for containing conductive paste; a nozzle delivery module connected to the sleeve and configured to deliver a predetermined amount of conductive paste through a nozzle to a collection layer of each photovoltaic structure; and a robotic arm connected to the nozzle delivery module and configured to adjust the position of the nozzle delivery module, thereby facilitating alignment between the nozzle delivery module and the collection layer of photovoltaic structures.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a method and a corresponding apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell module that promote the efficient production of solar cell modules.

[0004] To solve this problem, first, a method having the means and features of the first independent claim directed to a method for manufacturing a solar cell module is proposed. Thus, in particular, to solve this problem, in the method described at the beginning, it is proposed to bond the rows to each other with a conductive adhesive, and to apply this conductive adhesive to the solar cell elements, particularly during the transfer movement of the rows for mounting the rows on the solar cell module.

[0005] By using a conductive adhesive, on the one hand, a mechanical connection between the rows of solar cell elements is Achieved and on the other hand, an electrical connection is Achieved .

[0006] Thus, on the one hand, the adhesion between the rows and on the other hand, the electrical contact connection between the solar cell elements of one row and finally between two adjacent rows but are at least prepared in one process step It will be done .

[0007] In a completed solar cell module, one voltage level can be applied to each individual row consisting of multiple solar cells. Therefore, no voltage increase occurs beyond the solar cells of a single row in the longitudinal direction of the row. However, in a completed solar cell module, it is possible to generate voltage increases beyond electrically connected rows, and consequently, voltage increases in the lateral or perpendicular direction to the longitudinal direction of the rows.

[0008] Therefore, according to the method, multiple solar cell elements may be combined to form multiple rows. In this case, one voltage level can be applied within the range of each individual row consisting of multiple solar cell elements. In this case, the solar cell module may consist of multiple rows that are electrically connected to each other. In this solar cell module, a voltage rise occurs that exceeds the electrically connected rows, and consequently, a voltage rise occurs in the lateral or perpendicular direction to the longitudinal direction of the rows.

[0009] Therefore, in the claimed sense of the present invention, one row can be distinguished from a conventional string consisting of multiple solar cell elements. In a string, the solar cell elements are electrically connected to each other in such a way that a voltage rise occurs in the string over the solar cell elements that are electrically connected to each other along the longitudinal direction of the string.

[0010] In one embodiment of the method, a dispensing unit for providing a conductive adhesive, in particular, at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of the dispensing unit, is specified to remain fixed to space with respect to at least a horizontal position during dispensing. In this embodiment of the method, the conductive adhesive is applied to a row of solar cell elements that are moved relative to the dispensing unit, which is fixed to space, during transport motion.

[0011] In one embodiment of the method, in order to change the spacing between rows, a serving unit, in particular at least one serving nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of the serving unit, may be adjusted with respect to its vertical position.

[0012] In another embodiment of the method, it is specified that a dispensing unit for dispensing a conductive adhesive, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of the dispensing unit is moved during dispensing. The movement of the dispensing unit may be in particular in the longitudinal direction of at least one row of solar cell elements to which the conductive adhesive is to be dispensed and / or obliquely and / or vertically to this longitudinal direction.

[0013] In this embodiment of the method, there may be at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of a dispensing unit that is moved during the dispensing of the conductive adhesive.

[0014] A row of solar cells coated with conductive adhesive may be attached to a solar module simultaneously or sequentially. When attached simultaneously, individual handling of the solar cells coated with conductive adhesive for mounting to the solar module can be avoided.

[0015] The conductive adhesive may be applied as an adhesive layer having a height of 0.5 mm or less and a width of 0.6 mm or less.

[0016] Furthermore, in order to solve the problem, a method having the means and features of a second independent claim relating to a method for manufacturing a solar cell module is also proposed. Accordingly, in order to solve the problem, in the method defined at the beginning, it is proposed to bond the rows together with a conductive adhesive and to apply this conductive adhesive to at least two solar cell elements in a single work step.

[0017] The features of both independent claims may be combined with each other in one embodiment of the method.

[0018] In one embodiment of the method, it may be specified that at least two solar cell elements to which the conductive adhesive is applied are located in different rows.

[0019] In one embodiment of the method, it may be specified that adjacent rows of solar cells be bonded to each other simultaneously. In this case, one row of solar cells with an adhesive bead can first be provided to the solar cell module to be manufactured. Then, a second row of solar cells can be positioned with some overlap with the already positioned row of solar cells and placed on the adhesive bead of the already provided row of solar cells, thus being bonded to the already positioned row of solar cells. In this way, it is avoided that adhesive is individually applied to the solar cells in the rows to be connected and that the solar cells are connected individually to the already positioned solar cells.

[0020] In one embodiment of the method, it may be specified that solar cell elements in adjacent rows are sequentially bonded to each other.

[0021] In one embodiment of the method, a conductive adhesive is applied to all solar cell elements in a single row in a single work step. This variation of the method facilitates particularly efficient manufacturing of solar cell modules.

[0022] Furthermore, the conductive adhesive can be applied to the solar cell elements in a row with a lateral offset relative to the longitudinal central axis of the row. This facilitates the connection of two adjacent rows of solar cell elements to the solar cell module to be manufactured, overlapping each other.

[0023] Also, in order to solve the problem, an apparatus having the means and features of an independent claim directed to an apparatus for manufacturing a solar cell module is also proposed.

[0024] Therefore, in order to solve the problem, in the apparatus described at the beginning, in particular, it is proposed that this apparatus has means configured to carry out the method according to any one of the claims directed to a method for manufacturing a solar cell module.

[0025] The apparatus As a means, according to the present invention, has a transfer unit configured to transfer at least two rows of solar cell elements together for attachment to a solar cell module. do .

[0026] According to the present invention , the apparatus As a means, further, has at least one supply unit for supplying a conductive adhesive. This supply unit is preferably configured to supply the conductive adhesive to at least two rows of solar cell elements simultaneously. In this case, the supply may preferably be carried out for at least two rows of solar cell elements that are simultaneously dedicated to attachment to a solar cell module.

[0027] The supply unit may also be configured to supply the conductive adhesive to at least two rows of solar cell elements sequentially.

[0028] The supply unit may have at least one supply nozzle, in particular two or three or more supply nozzles and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit, or may be at least one supply nozzle, in particular two or three or more supply nozzles and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit. Preferably, the supply unit has a number of supply nozzles and / or screen printing units and / or roll printing units corresponding to the number of placement locations for the rows in the transfer unit described above.

[0029] In this way, the conductive adhesive can be applied simultaneously to all rows of solar cell elements arranged in the transfer unit by the dispensing unit. The conductive adhesive can also be applied to the rows by screen printing via the screen printing unit. The conductive adhesive can also be applied to the rows by roll printing via the roll printing unit.

[0030] In one embodiment of the apparatus, it is specified that a dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of the dispensing unit is fixed to space with respect to at least a horizontal position during dispensing of the conductive adhesive. In this embodiment of the apparatus, the relative motion between the dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of the dispensing unit and the row of solar cell elements to which the conductive adhesive is to be applied, which may be required in some cases, may be a transport motion of the row performed relative to a dispensing unit fixed to space.

[0031] In order to allow the spacing between a supplying unit, particularly one supplying nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of the supplying unit, and a row of solar cell elements to which a conductive adhesive is to be applied, it may be advantageous that the vertical position of the supplying unit, particularly one supplying nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of the supplying unit, is variable, for example, by a correspondingly vertically adjustable holder of the apparatus for the supplying unit, particularly one supplying nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of the supplying unit.

[0032] In another embodiment of the apparatus, a dispensing unit, particularly at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of this dispensing unit, is specified to be movable, in particular during the dispensing of conductive adhesive. For this purpose, the dispensing unit, particularly at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of this dispensing unit, may be movablely supported and / or driven by a motor. In this case, the movement of the dispensing unit, particularly at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of this dispensing unit, may be directed in the longitudinal direction of one row of solar cells to which at least conductive adhesive is to be dispensed and / or in the longitudinal direction of the mounting location for one row of solar cells in, for example, the transfer unit of the apparatus already described above.

[0033] In one embodiment of the apparatus, it is specified that a dispensing unit, in particular at least one dispensing nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of the dispensing unit is movable in the longitudinal direction of one column and / or in the longitudinal direction of the mounting location for one column in the transport unit during dispensing of conductive adhesive. For this purpose, the apparatus may have corresponding linear guides.

[0034] In one embodiment of the apparatus, it is specified that two adjacent supply nozzles and / or screen printing units and / or roll printing units of a supply unit have the same spacing from each other as two adjacent rows and / or the same spacing as the placement locations for rows in the transport unit already described above.

[0035] This enables the simultaneous application of conductive adhesive to adjacent rows of solar cells, which are provided together with, for example, mounting to a solar cell module, and are configured in a transfer unit.

[0036] The shadow projected perpendicularly from at least one supplying unit, particularly at least one supplying nozzle and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit of this supplying unit onto a mounting location for one row of solar cells in the transfer unit, may be laterally offset with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the mounting location and / or the longitudinal central axis of one row of solar cells positioned at the mounting location.

[0037] The device is According to the present invention, as a means, A control unit configured to carry out the method described in any one of the claims relating to a method for manufacturing a solar cell element. do .

[0038] The present invention will be described in detail below based on several embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Other embodiments will become apparent by combining the features of each or more of the claims and / or by combining the features of each or more of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0039] [Figure 1] This figure shows a first embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing solar cell modules, which has a transfer unit in the form of a negative pressure table, and which can transfer a total of three rows of solar cell elements to an unloading position and mount the rows together into a solar cell module. [Figure 2] This figure shows a first embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing solar cell modules, which has a transfer unit in the form of a negative pressure table, and which can transfer a total of three rows of solar cell elements to an unloading position and mount the rows together into a solar cell module. [Figure 3]This figure shows a second embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing solar cell modules, wherein a transfer unit of the apparatus, which can transport three rows of solar cell elements together for mounting into a solar cell module, is formed as a belt conveyor. [Figure 4] This figure shows a second embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing solar cell modules, wherein a transfer unit of the apparatus, which can transport three rows of solar cell elements together for mounting into a solar cell module, is formed as a belt conveyor. [Figure 5] This figure shows a third embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing solar cell modules, which also has a transfer unit in the form of a belt conveyor, but the transfer motion of this transfer unit is directed laterally, i.e., perpendicular to the orientation of the rows of solar cell elements arranged in the transfer unit. [Figure 6] This figure shows a third embodiment of an apparatus for manufacturing solar cell modules, which also has a transfer unit in the form of a belt conveyor, but the transfer motion of this transfer unit is directed laterally, i.e., perpendicular to the orientation of the rows of solar cell elements arranged in the transfer unit. [Figure 7] Figures 1 and 2 show a supply unit comprising a total of three supply nozzles. The shadows of these supply nozzles projected perpendicularly onto the mounting locations of the transfer unit for the rows of solar cells are offset laterally with respect to the longitudinal central axis of each mounting location, and these are perspective side views of the supply unit. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a plan view of the supply unit. [Figure 9] Figures 7 and 8 are front views of the supplied unit.

[0040] In the following description of various different embodiments of the present invention, the same reference numerals are used for elements that are functionally identical, even if they differ in configuration or assigned shape.

[0041] All drawings show at least a part of the apparatus for manufacturing the solar cell module 2, each of which is denoted by reference numeral 1.

[0042] Each apparatus 1 has means configured to carry out a method for manufacturing a solar cell module 2 as described below.

[0043] Multiple solar cell elements 3 are combined to form multiple rows 4, and later, a solar cell module 2 is constructed from these rows 4 that are electrically connected to each other.

[0044] At least two rows 4, or at least three rows 4 in the example shown in the drawing, are formed and then assembled together for mounting onto the solar cell module 2.

[0045] In all embodiments of the apparatus 1 shown in the drawings, each row 4 is brought together for mounting onto the solar cell module 2 by a single motor-driven transport unit 5.

[0046] In the embodiment of such apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, a negative pressure table that is movable between a loading point 8 and an unloading point 9 is used as the transfer unit 5.

[0047] The apparatus 1 shown in Figures 3 and 4 has a belt conveyor as a transfer unit 5. The transfer motion of this belt conveyor allows the rows 4 configured on the belt conveyor to be attached together to the solar cell module 2.

[0048] The device 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is also equipped with a transfer unit 5 formed as a belt conveyor.

[0049] In the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 3 and 4, the transport motion of the transport unit 5 is performed in the longitudinal direction of the row 4 arranged in the transport unit 5, whereas in the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6, the transport motion of the transport unit 5 is directed laterally, that is, perpendicular to, the longitudinal direction of the row 4 of solar cell elements 3 configured in the transport unit 5.

[0050] The relative orientation of the solar cell elements 3 within the range of one row 4 and within the range of the rows 4 configured in the transfer unit 5 remains maintained during supply.

[0051] Each of the devices 1 shown in the drawings has a negative pressure generating unit 6 that can at least temporarily fix the rows 4 of solar cell elements 3 in place on each transfer unit 5 using negative pressure. This negative pressure generating unit 6 is shown only in a highly schematic manner in the drawings.

[0052] Each illustrated apparatus 1 further includes a supply unit 7 for supplying conductive adhesive to rows 4 of solar cell elements 3 arranged in a transfer unit 5. The number of rows 4 supplied together is adjusted according to the rate at which the conductive adhesive is applied. The conductive adhesive is applied to the rows 4 of solar cell elements 3, thereby mechanically and electrically connecting the solar cell elements 3 to each other and the rows 4 to each other.

[0053] In embodiments of the apparatus 1 not shown in the drawings, the provision of conductive adhesive to row 4 by screen printing and / or roll printing is specified. For this purpose, the apparatus 1 has a supply unit 7 for conductive adhesive configured for screen printing and / or roll printing. Such a supply unit 7 comprises at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit.

[0054] Each supply unit 7 of device 1 is positioned between the previously mentioned loading point 8 and the previously mentioned unloading point 9 in row 4.

[0055] The supply unit 7 of the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and Figures 3 and 4, has multiple supply nozzles 10. The number of these supply nozzles 10 corresponds to the number of placement locations 11 for the rows 4 of solar cell elements 3 in the transfer unit 5. As a result, each of the supply unit 7 of the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 has three supply nozzles 10.

[0056] In the embodiments of apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 and Figures 3 and 4, the dispensing nozzle 10 of the dispensing unit 7 remains fixed to the space while the conductive adhesive is being dispensed.

[0057] To allow the spacing between the dispensing unit 7, particularly its dispensing nozzle 10, and the row 4 to which the conductive adhesive is to be applied to be adjusted as needed, at least the dispensing nozzle 10 of the dispensing unit 7 can be adjusted vertically. For this purpose, the apparatus 1 has a vertically adjustable holder 26 for the dispensing nozzle 10. This vertically adjustable holder 26 can be clearly seen, for example, in Figures 8 and 10.

[0058] In the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6, the dispensing unit 7, or at least one dispensing nozzle 10 of the dispensing unit 7, may be moved along the longitudinal direction of the row 4 and, consequently, along the longitudinal direction of the mounting location 11 for the row 4 in the transfer unit 5 while dispensing the conductive adhesive. In the illustrated configuration, at least the vertical adjustment of the dispensing nozzle 10 is made possible by a correspondingly adjustable holder 26, thereby changing the distance between the dispensing nozzle 10 and the row 4 located below it as needed.

[0059] The shadow projected perpendicularly from the dispensing nozzle 10 of the dispensing unit 7 onto the mounting area 11 for row 4 in each transfer unit 5, which is located below it at the point of use, is shifted laterally with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the mounting area 11, and consequently, also laterally with respect to the longitudinal central axis of row 4 located in the mounting area 11. This makes it possible to apply conductive adhesive that is shifted laterally with respect to the longitudinal central axis of row 4. This lateral shift can be particularly clearly seen in Figure 9, based on a front view of the dispensing unit 7 and the transfer unit 5 located below it.

[0060] Figures 7 to 9, which reproduce the supply unit 7 of the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2, further show that the two adjacent supply nozzles 10 of the supply unit 7 have the same spacing between them as the two adjacent rows 4 and, consequently, the two adjacent placement locations 11 for row 4 in the transfer unit 5.

[0061] The negative pressure generating unit 6 of the device 1 is connected to the suction openings 23 of each transfer unit 5. Each transfer unit 5 has at least one row 24 such suction openings 23 for each of its mounting locations 11. In this way, the row 4 of solar cell elements 3 can be reliably positioned and fixed to the transfer unit 5 during supply.

[0062] In the method for manufacturing the solar cell module 2 carried out in apparatus 1, as already described above, the rows 4 are bonded together with a conductive adhesive. This conductive adhesive is applied to the solar cell elements 3 during the transport motion of the rows 4 to attach them to the solar cell module 2.

[0063] As already mentioned above, in the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4, the conductive adhesive is supplied to the row 4 of the solar cell element 3 from a supply nozzle 10, which is fixed in horizontal position relative to space but variable in vertical position, for each supply unit 7. The relative motion between the row 4 and the supply nozzle 7 required to supply the conductive adhesive is carried out by a transport unit 5, which moves the row 4 from the loading position 8 to the unloading position 9.

[0064] The functional configuration of the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is a different functional configuration with respect to the provision of conductive adhesive. A single providing nozzle 10 of the providing unit 7 of this apparatus 1 is moved longitudinally along the row of solar cell elements 3 to which the conductive adhesive is being provided, while providing the conductive adhesive to the row of solar cell elements 3 located below the providing nozzle 10. For this purpose, the apparatus 1 has a linear guide 25. Along this linear guide 25, the providing nozzle 10 of the providing unit 7 of the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is moved to provide the conductive adhesive to the row of solar cell elements 3 positioned below the providing nozzle 10. The trajectory that the providing nozzle 10 follows while providing the conductive adhesive may have a lateral displacement with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the row 4 to which the conductive adhesive is being provided.

[0065] During the dispensing of the conductive adhesive, the position of the dispensing nozzle 10 may be kept constant in a direction lateral to the longitudinal extension of the row 4 to which the conductive adhesive is supplied. In connection with this, the dispensing nozzle 10 may be specified to be movable in synchronization with the transfer unit 5 in the direction of the transfer movement of the transfer unit 5.

[0066] In all apparatus 1, a row 4 of solar cell elements 3, coated with conductive adhesive, is simultaneously applied to the solar cell module 2 to be manufactured.

[0067] During the manufacturing of the solar cell module 2, the conductive adhesive is applied to at least two of the multiple solar cell elements 3 in a single manufacturing step.

[0068] At least two solar cell elements 3 are each located in different rows 4. In the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4, conductive adhesive is applied to all three rows 4 of the solar cell elements 3 simultaneously in a single process.

[0069] When the solar cells are attached to the solar cell module 2, adjacent solar cell elements 3 in rows 4 are bonded to each other simultaneously. To achieve this, the mounting unit 19 shown in the drawing uses its gripper 20 to stack the rows 4 provided by each transfer unit 5, overlapping them to a certain extent one after the other. In this case, adjacent solar cell elements 3 in rows 4 are bonded to each other simultaneously.

[0070] In all the devices 1 shown in the drawings, an offset piece 12 is used when configuring the row 4, which causes a misalignment of adjacent rows 4 to occur first in each transport unit 5, and later in the solar cell modules 2 after they have been installed.

[0071] The offset piece 12 is a solar cell element having a shorter length compared to another solar cell element that is denoted as reference numeral 3 in the drawing and is not formed as an offset piece 12.

[0072] The drawing shows that at least two, and even three or more, rows 4 that are offset from each other are provided together for mounting to the solar cell module 2.

[0073] In one embodiment of the method, at least two groups of rows 4 may be configured in parallel in time, to be supplied together for mounting. For this purpose, one of the transport units 5 shown in the drawings may be used.

[0074] To prepare the solar cell elements 3 and offset pieces 12, each apparatus 1 shown in the drawing has a magazine 13. A handling robot 15, i.e., a transfer unit 14 having a swivel arm robot, may take out the offset pieces 12 and solar cell elements 3 stored and prepared in each magazine 13 and arrange them in rows 4 in each transfer unit 5. Each magazine 13 has a total of two conveyor belts 16. On these conveyor belts, one contains the offset pieces 12, and the other contains regular solar cell elements 3 that are somewhat longer in stacks.

[0075] To inspect the solar cell element 3 and the offset piece 12, each device 1 has an inspection unit 17. This inspection unit 17 is located between the magazine 13 and the transfer unit 14 of each device 1 and is equipped with at least one optical inspection means, such as a camera 18.

[0076] The handling robot 15 of the transfer unit 14 brings the solar cell elements 3 and / or offset pieces 12, removed from the magazine 13, to the camera 18 of the inspection unit 17, which allows the solar cell elements 3 and offset pieces 12 to be inspected before being placed in their respective transfer units 5. After being positioned at each transfer unit 5 and unloading point 9, each device 1 has a mounting unit 19. Each mounting unit 19 comprises a plurality of grippers 20 formed as suction grippers.

[0077] The mounting unit 19 is configured to receive one or more rows 4 or all rows 4 of the solar cell elements 3 provided from each transfer unit 5 to the unloading point 9 and hand them over to the subsequent transport unit 21 of each device 1. Each transport unit 21 works to supply at least one solar cell module 2, with rows 4 of solar cell elements 3,12 mounted, to a subsequent processing station, such as a furnace.

[0078] As already mentioned above, the transport motion of the transport unit 5 of the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is directed in the longitudinal direction of the placement area 11 in the transport unit 5, and consequently in the longitudinal direction of the row 4.

[0079] In the embodiment of apparatus 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6, the transport motion of the transport unit 5 is directed laterally to the longitudinal direction of the placement location 11, that is, perpendicular to it, and consequently laterally to the longitudinal direction of the row 4 arranged in the placement location 11 of the transport unit 5, that is, perpendicular to it.

[0080] The transport motion of the transport unit 5 of the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is directed laterally, that is, perpendicular to, the transport motion of each transport unit 21 located behind the transport unit 5.

[0081] In the embodiment of apparatus 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6, the transfer motion of the transfer unit 5 is directed in the direction of the transport motion of the transport unit 21 used in the same embodiment.

[0082] The transport unit 21 of the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is formed as a belt conveyor, similar to the transfer unit 5.

[0083] To carry out the method described above, each of the devices 1 shown in the drawings further includes a control unit 22. This control unit 22 can control the aforementioned functional units of each device 1 so that the method is carried out.

[0084] The present invention relates to improvements in the technical field of manufacturing solar cell modules 2. In particular, a method for manufacturing solar cell modules 2 is proposed, wherein rows 4 of solar cell elements 3 are bonded together with a conductive adhesive. This method specifies that the conductive adhesive is applied to the solar cell elements 3 during the transport motion of the rows 4. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0085] 1 device 2 Solar cell modules 3. Click the solar panel button. 4 columns 5 Transfer Unit 6. Negative pressure generating unit 7. Units provided 8 Loading position 9 Unloading position 10 Nozzles 11. Place of installation 12 Offset Pieces 13 Magazines 14 Delivery Unit 15 Handling Robots 16 Conveyor Belts 17 Inspection Units 18 Cameras 19 Mounting Unit 20 Grippa 21 Conveyor Unit 22 Control Unit 23 Inlet opening 24 columns 25 Linear Guide 26 Holding body

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a solar cell module (2), wherein multiple solar cell elements (3) are combined to form multiple rows (4), each row (4) having at least two solar cell elements (3), and the solar cell module (2) is constructed from rows (4) that are electrically connected to each other, In order to electrically and mechanically connect the rows (4) of the solar cell element (3) to each other, the rows (4) are bonded to each other with a conductive adhesive, and the conductive adhesive is applied to the solar cell element (3) during the transport motion of the rows (4). The method is characterized by simultaneously applying the solar cell elements (3) in one row (4), to which the conductive adhesive has been applied, to the solar cell module (2). method.

2. The dispensing unit (7) for providing the conductive adhesive is characterized in that, during dispensing, it remains fixed in space with respect to at least a horizontal position and / or is adjusted with respect to a vertical position to change the spacing between the rows (4), and / or the dispensing unit (7) for providing the conductive adhesive is moved in the longitudinal direction of at least one row (4) of the solar cell elements (3) and / or obliquely and / or vertically with respect to the longitudinal direction. The method according to claim 1.

3. A method for manufacturing a solar cell module (2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of solar cell elements (3) are combined to form a plurality of rows (4), and the solar cell module (2) is composed of rows (4) that are electrically connected to each other, In order to electrically and mechanically connect the rows (4) of the solar cell elements (3) to each other, the rows (4) are bonded to each other with a conductive adhesive, and the conductive adhesive is applied to at least two solar cell elements (3) in a single work step. method.

4. The solar cell elements (3) in adjacent rows (4) are bonded to each other simultaneously. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The conductive adhesive is applied to all solar cell elements (3) in one row (4) in a single work step, and / or the conductive adhesive is applied to the solar cell elements (3) of the row (4) with a lateral displacement with respect to the axis of symmetry extending in the longitudinal direction of the row (4). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. An apparatus (1) for manufacturing a solar cell module (2), comprising: a transfer unit (5) for transporting together at least two rows (4) of solar cell elements (3) for mounting onto the solar cell module (2); at least one supply unit (7) for providing a conductive adhesive; and a control unit (22) configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Device (1).

7. The supply unit (7) has at least one supply nozzle (10) and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit, or at least one supply nozzle (10) and / or at least one screen printing unit and / or at least one roll printing unit, and the supply unit (7) has a number of supply nozzles (10) and / or screen printing units and / or roll printing units corresponding to the number of placement locations (11) for rows (4) in the transport unit (5). The apparatus (1) according to claim 6.

8. The dispensing unit (7) is fixed in space with respect to at least a horizontal position while dispensing the conductive adhesive, and / or the dispensing unit (7) is movable while dispensing the conductive adhesive. The apparatus (1) according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The dispensing unit (7) is movable in the longitudinal direction of one row (4) and / or in the longitudinal direction of the placement area (11) for one row (4) in the transfer unit (5) while dispensing the conductive adhesive, and / or the dispensing unit (7) is variable with respect to its vertical position. Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. The two adjacent dispensing nozzles (10) of the dispensing unit (7) and / or the screen printing unit and / or the roll printing unit are spaced the same distance apart from each other as the two adjacent rows (4) and / or the placement locations (11) for row (4) in the transport unit (5). Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

11. The projection point obtained by projecting at least one supply unit (7) perpendicularly onto a placement location (11) for one row (4) in the transport unit (5) is laterally shifted with respect to the axis of symmetry extending in the longitudinal direction of the placement location (11) and / or the axis of symmetry extending in the longitudinal direction of one row (4) arranged in the placement location (11). Apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 6 to 10.

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