DE102011111377B3 - Adhesive tape applicator, useful to plate straight lines, comprises rollers for transporting, enveloping and compressing, a slide or ball element for guiding the tape, and a symmetrical or asymmetric wall surface of thin plate - Google Patents

Abstract

The adhesive tape applicator (3) comprises rollers for transporting, enveloping and compressing, a slide or ball element for guiding the tape to complete or partial envelope end, a symmetrical or asymmetric wall surface of thin plate (1), a slide and/or ball bearing for encompassing a plate to be adhered lying in x/y- y/z-plane, where the applicator is backlash-free into x/z- and y/z- plane, an envelope roller and/or a compressing roll, and a corner forming and cutting device. The envelope roller is attached parallel and vertical to a plate plane. The adhesive tape applicator (3) comprises rollers for transporting, enveloping and compressing, a slide or ball element for guiding the tape to complete or partial envelope end, a symmetrical or asymmetric wall surface of thin plate (1), a slide and/or ball bearing for encompassing a plate to be adhered lying in x/y- y/z-plane, where the applicator is backlash-free into x/z- and y/z- plane, an envelope roller and/or a compressing roll, and a corner forming and cutting device. The envelope roller is attached parallel and vertical to a plate plane, and is variably adjusted to a desired envelope width around plate edges. An adhesive tape (4) is wrapped by the envelope roller around the plate edges. The compressing roller of the adhesive tape is defined in an end position of the plate. The adhesive tape applicator is inserted to plate straight lines by feeding the tape to the edge of the thin plate perpendicular to the plate plane located in the tape-applicator, embracing the applicator around the plate by the slide or ball bearing, setting a tape cover at a top side and/or bottom side of the thin plate via a position of the perpendicular variable band-guide rollers, gluing the plate edge by guiding the applicator with the tape located next to a corner/curve, pressing the corner shaper, which bisects the corner point for folding the tape around the corner and for forming the excess tape material by folding the tape material at the corner simultaneously at both edges of the thin plate, separating the excess tape material by cutting knives of a corner cutting device, grappling the tape around the plate edge by the envelope roller, compressing the tape at the end position of the plate using the compressed roller, and separating a tapered tape (2) by the cutting device when reaching an identifier on a swivel arm of the tape guide roller after complete rotation of the applicator around the thin plate. A gap and a cover-free adhesive joint are attained with the separate end of the tape depending on the intended application, and a cover of the tape end is attained on the beginning of the tape or a tape-free gap is formed between the beginning of the tape and the end of the tape. The applicator is again removed from the plate after the step of separating the tapered tape and the step of feeding the envelope roller and the compressing roller via an intersection point.

Description

The present invention relates to an adhesive tape application device, which allows in a simple manner, to attach tape spooled goods exactly to the edges of a flat workpiece such as a photovoltaic panel and in particular also corners and curves completely and wrinkle-free.

Tape dispensers are known in many designs. They usually consist of a housing in which an adhesive tape roll is located, they have a pressure roller, with which the adhesive tape is pressed onto the base during unwinding, and a cutting unit for separating the processed part of the adhesive tape from the rest of the roll still in the device.

The problem with such adhesive tape dispensers is the exact masking of surfaces, especially narrow surfaces such. B. edges of a workpiece. Here, in addition to the described activities, it is particularly important to maintain exact angles and also to tap corners clean. This is z. As is the case with profile frame elements - usually made of aluminum - for attachment of solar cells, in particular photovoltaic elements in a solar cell module. Such modules must withstand the constantly changing weather conditions such as rain, wind, heat, cold or UV radiation. Essential requirement here is the greatest possible density of the system, because an accumulation of rain or condensation with the risk of freezing in winter or the penetration of fine dusts or dirt particles causes a significant reduction in the efficiency of the solar elements. The required tightness is ideally achieved with a fastening system, which is permanently elastic, thus tension and motion compensating, weather-resistant and UV-stable. The use of conventional technology z. B. in the form of mechanical fasteners such. As crush seals with EPDM sealing profiles and metal frame, which are often crimped, clamped or screwed, brings in many cases only an insufficient tightness of the collector, because the EPDM seal does not establish a permanent connection to the frame or the glass and by the decline of the Tension decreases the tightness of the seal with time. Moreover, this process is not automatable, but requires a costly manual production with longer cycle times. As a result of this conventional technique, the bonding of photovoltaic panels in a solar cell module has been demonstrated. First, liquid adhesives were used here, which although the density of the system significantly improved, but in terms of their processability (accuracy of the adhesive, necessary waiting time to further processing) still had disadvantages. In a further development, adhesive strips which have been specially equipped for this purpose have been manually applied to the edge region of the photovoltaic plate in such a way that the strip covers the edge itself as well as being folded over the edge edges to a certain extent and so when inserted into the edge a profile frame element causes a tight connection between the photovoltaic panel and the frame element as a result of the subsequent bonding. The extent to which this is achieved depends essentially on the manual skills of the processors in this approach. A certain automation and standardization, and thus a further improvement over the purely manual application of a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape on the edges with a certain envelope around the edges of a photovoltaic panel around now represents the tape applicator according to the invention for Randbeklebung photovoltaic panels of the type described below.

An inventive, in two planes without play around the module to be glued around band applicator with a corner trimmer is not known in practice. Although the patent literature repeatedly describes adhesive tape dispensing devices for the clean gluing of edges of a workpiece, they differ completely in their construction and operation from the applicator according to the invention. So claimed DE 29814818 U1 an adhesive tape dispensing device, which is particularly tailored to the conditions of taping strips and surfaces in advance of painting, consisting of a preferably rectangular carriage, which is provided with a holding and guiding handle and on which a receptacle for the adhesive tape roll is arranged. EP 0072779 B1 and US 4,401,503 describe in each case a device for the U-shaped application of an adhesive tape in the longitudinal direction around the edge of a sheet metal part at Falznahtverbindungen for sealing car body parts, especially car doors, in which the tape guide has a funnel-like Vorfaltkanal from which the prefolded tape between two resiliently pressed against each other pressing rollers, at the same time press it on the two sides of a introduced in the band folding area sheet metal part. US 6,447,638 and EP 1967476 A2 show an automated process for bonding protruding side edge parts of a frame in the assembly of automobile windows in this frame, the former describes how corresponding side edge parts of the adhesive tape used first bent back and then pressed automatically on reaching the end position to the side edge part to be bonded, whereby a fixed adhesive connection and the latter, as by the Use of guide rollers, attachment scooter and two pressure rollers a precise bonding of an adhesive tape in a correspondingly arched shape of the curved surface of the workpiece on this curved surface takes place. US 5,439,549 claims a system in which an adhesive tape is initially prefolded on both side edges and then the object to be stuck such. B. an insulation board used in aircraft construction is pulled together with the prefolded tape by a corresponding application device, whereby a bonding with randseitigem tape rollover takes place on both sides. Further simpler systems for Kantenbeklebung of workpieces without the envelope of the bonded tape are described numerous in the patent literature, such. In US 4,211,598 and in DE 3834602 C2 , In the latter, a laterally accurate guidance of the tape by means of a displaceable depending on the desired distance angle stop or at least on one side of the pinch roller radially projecting ring, which is arranged so that its distance to its associated band edge the desired distance of the tape from the edge of the corresponds to the sticking plate. EP 1033339 A2 describes a device for exact Kantenabkleben using a stop element that can be laterally more or less pushed out of the housing. WO 2010/009805 A1 claims a method for applying edge bands to narrow surfaces of plate-shaped workpieces by joining with the aid of a heat-activatable adhesive, the activation of which is effected by a plasma source. About the method for applying the tape on the edges of the plate-shaped workpiece no statement is made.

US 20030094243 A1 describes an adhesive tape dispenser in which the adhesive tape roll and the application roll device are constantly in opposite contact with each other, ie during application, the adhesive tape roll runs backwards in the direction of the application roll. In this case, the beginning of the adhesive tape roll is unwound and guided such that the roll is guided with the non-adhesive side over a pressure roller located at the front end of the applicator and finally with the rotation of this pressure roller with the sticky side is applied to the workpiece to be bonded. The advantages of this donor over the known systems are, first, in the greater precision of the application and also in the fact that due to the location of the pressure roller at the front end of the applicator maximum proximity of the adhesive surface to an obstacle such. B. can be reached at a 90 ° angle to the application movement wall.

The applicator according to the invention closest comes in the DE 102009003550 A1 described method and the included therein automated device for bonding an edge of a flat object, in particular a solar cell module with a preferably liner having adhesive tape, wherein the object contacted with the adhesive tape and during the transported with a handling device object at separately synchronously with moving tape on this the edge of the object is applied. At the same time, an automatic rolling of the liner drawn off during the gluing process takes place on a corresponding shaft or roller. The purpose of this device is to prevent stretching of the adhesive tape, as in conventional application methods, in which the solar module is placed on the adhesive tape and pulled off the roll by the contact force between the adhesive tape and the edge of the module due to a feed movement of the module, took place. The tape adheres to the edge of the module and is then optionally crimped around this edge. Also provided is a cutting device, by means of which the adhesive tape is cut or perforated as a function of its length to be adhered to the object without severing the liner.

The described tension-free adhesive tape application is achieved in a different manner with the present, non-automated adhesive tape application device according to the invention, a cutting device is not provided here. The object of the system described here is now to represent a comparison with the prior art more precise application device for bonding plate edges, its advantages in the leading and in x- / y-plane spring loaded pivoting tape guide roller, in the x / z and the y / z plane play-free driving around a thin plate by the applicator, in the enveloping width completely variable, edge-precise envelope of the tape and its subsequent error-free bonding around the edges of the plate around and in particular finally in the use of Eckformers / -beschneiders lie whose The task is to beat the tape around the plate corners, thereby folding and then separating the then excess tape material (the "corner ears") over the respective corner.

This object is achieved by an adhesive tape applicator according to claim 1 and by the uses of this applicator according to claims 7-10. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims 2-6.

The tape applicator and its method of use are described in more detail below, if it is of plate corners the speech, then of course also plate curves or bends and curves of all kinds are implied.

The initial feeding and gluing the tape to the edge of a thin plate must be performed perpendicular to the plate plane and the same height over the entire circumference. For these reasons, at least two of the band-guiding rollers are mounted in the applicator parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane of the plate.

The applicator is inserted with suitable guides (slide or ball guides) encompassing clearance around the plate to stop, the applicator can thus move freely in the x- / y-plane and lead against the plate edge. In the x / z and the y / z plane, the applicator is trapped via the encompassing, play-free guide and in a defined position.

The ribbon penetration at the top and bottom of the plate is determined by the position of the turn-up roll (s) perpendicular to the plane of the plate. This role (s) is / are in their perpendicular to the plate plane position depending on the selected broader or narrower tape envelope in height adjustable, the tape envelope can be zero in extreme cases.

The application of the tape is done essentially in three successive and flowing into one another merging steps: First, the band is frontally placed in the correct position on the plate edge and fixed with a leading edge and spring-loaded in x- / y-plane tape guide roller. Subsequently, the tape is beaten around the edge by means of a transfer roll before it is compressed by means of a compression roller defined in the final position on the disk.

If the applicator now reaches a plate corner, then the tape guide roller pivots already in the x- and y-plane over the corner without play, past the next plate edge located behind this corner. The transfer and compression rollers continue to be guided free of play in front of / at the last edge. The swivel arm of the tape guide roller is provided with identifiers indicating at cover where the feed must be stopped to trim the belt at the corner. The circumcision of the corners is thus made between Bandführungs- and Umschlag role. For this purpose, a corner former and trimmer is pressed over the corner tip at an angle to the corner. The Eckformer hits the band around the corner and forms the "ears" - d. H. the excess strip material - by folding over the corner both above and at the same time also at the bottom of the plate. In each case directly following cutting blades separate the "ears" flush or with freely adjustable addition then.

By separating the "ears", the subsequent envelope and finally the compression roll can work without interruption. Both roles are not hampered by thickened band overlays at the corners.

After the Eckformer has fulfilled its task at the respective corner and again retracted manually, the feed is continued. The remaining two rollers can now be guided along the edges of the edges without play: the tape guide roller was first guided free of play along the spring-loaded swivel arm at the edge, and the two following rollers are now also around the corner shaping in x- and y-plane Corner pressed against the plate edge. With this procedure, the perfect function of all three rollers is guaranteed at all times.

When the applicator finally reaches the starting point after complete circulation, an identifier is again placed in front of the tape guide roller, which must be brought to coincide with the beginning of the tape. Now, at the point defined by a further mark the tapered band z. B. be separated with scissors. The separation in position to the identifier now allows the gap and cover-free impact bonding of the beginning of the tape with the separate end of the tape or even a desired tape coverage or tape recess. Subsequently, the applicator is pushed over the impact point with the wrapping and compressing roller, before finally being pulled off the plate again.

The advantages and features of the invention are explained in more detail by the attached figures:

1 shows how the application device ( 3 ) flush with the edge around the thin plate ( 1 ) to be led. The tapered band (2) is thereby around the edge of the plate ( 1 ) and glued. When driving over the corners, the corner bead is shaped and cut at the same time at the top and bottom during the wrapping of the adhesive tape along the angle bisector (see FIGS. 5 et seq.)

The device ( 3 ) can be performed both manually and mechanically. Also, a fixed and rotatably mounted device is conceivable, on which the plate is moved in rotation and flush with the edge.

In 2 is determined by the vertical section through the device ( 3 ) and the thin plate ( 1 ) the limitation of the possible movement along the plate in the horizontal plane (x / y) visible, as well as the moment stiff guide in the vertical planes (x / z and y / z).

Decisive for this restriction and moment stiffness is the mandatory guidance in the processing rolls, here as a compression roll ( 7 ). This is staged at the groove bottom executed so that both the raw plate ( 1 ) as well as the tape-coated and thus thicker plate are each exactly centered.

This mandatory guidance is supported by at least two guide balls ( 5 ) or other rolling or sliding elements, which by means of the stiffening plate ( 6 ) prevent any rolling movement of the device. Only the yaw in the occupancy level, ie the rotational movement about the vertical axis, is freely possible and desirable.

The vertical section through the processing rollers ( 12 . 13 . 14 ) in 3 shows the sequence of adhesive tape application. The tape guide roller takes over the vertical positioning of the tape ( 2 ) on the edge of the plate ( 1 ). This can be symmetrical with the same length envelope top and bottom or asymmetric, z. B. with much stronger tape envelope above, as shown here. As a result of the pressing of the band ( 2 ) on the edge this is prefixed in its position.

The Umschlagrolle ( 13 ) forces the band edges into the horizontal plane and fixes them on the top and bottom of the plate edge. The compression roller ( 14 ) assumes the necessary compression of the adhesive tape ( 2 ), which is determined by the difference of the plate and twice the strip thickness to the puncture width of the roller groove.

The axis of the transfer roller ( 13 ) is simultaneously the axis of rotation of the pivot arms ( 11 ), on which in turn the axis of the tape guide roller ( 12 ) is attached. These swivel arms ( 1 ) are force-loaded in the plate direction with tension springs. This ensures that, when the guide is flush with the edge, the envelope ( 13 ) and compression roller ( 14 ) also the tape guide roller ( 12 ) by the spring always edge flush - especially around the corners - on the plate ( 1 ) to be led.

The top view in 4 shows the flush-mounted guide of the device ( 3 ) on the thin plate ( 1 ). The ribbon ( 2 ) is controlled by the 16 ), which allows a sufficiently large feed angle and is mounted in such a way that it allows sideways movements to plan stabilization of the adhesive tape support, fed into the device and via an intermediate roller ( 17 ) of the pivoting tape guide roller ( 12 ) to hand over.

Through the tape guide roller ( 12 ), the tape is attached to the edge of the thin plate ( 1 ) prefixed. About the Umschlagrolle ( 13 ) the band edge is turned over and also on the plate ( 1 ) prefixed. The compression roller ( 14 ) presses the tape on the plate ( 1 ).

The swivel arm ( 11 ) is in an extended position and presses the tape guide roller ( 12 ) spring-loaded ( 15 ) against the edge of the plate ( 1 ).

The corner former / trimmer ( 18 ) is in retracted position and allows the free passage of the device ( 3 ) on the plate ( 1 ).

5 and 6 represent in top view the flush-mounted guide of the device ( 3 ) on the thin plate ( 1 ) along with pivoting the tape guide roller ( 12 ) over the corner.

Due to the tilt-free guide along the plate edge ( 1 ) and by the standing at a right angle axis of the pivot arms ( 11 ) is given that the tape guide roller is always out the same height over corner.

When the device finally reaches a mark indicating the exact bisecting position of the corner former above the corner, the device is manually stopped at this point and the corner former ( 18 ) is also triggered. After forming the corner and simultaneously removing the adhesive ears ( 26 , s. 10 ), the Eckformer ( 18 ) in turn withdrawn manually and engages spring-loaded again. Afterwards, the device will be continued over the now free-cutting corner, flush with the edge. The balls of the ball guide (not visible here) fix 5 ) continue the area of the non-stick plate ( 1 ). All three processing rollers (tape guide roller, transfer roller and compression roller) are flush with the plate at all times ( 1 ) guided.

7 describes the time when the device with the end marker ( 28 ) the beginning of the strip of glued tape ( 4 ) reached. At exactly this marking the device is stopped and the incoming tape ( 2 ) is between the roles ( 12 ) and ( 17 ) are cut off at a point set to the mark.

The device ( 3 ) can now be rolled over this push away. Beginning and end of the tape ( 4 ) are flush closed there. When changing the point, a supernatant of the beginning of the tape over the end of the tape or a gap can deliberately be preset.

The corner former / trimmer ( 18 ) is on a linear guide ( 19 , s. 8th and 9 ) built up. This linear guide ( 19 ) is to the axial direction of the envelope ( 13 ) and compression roller ( 14 ) are mounted in the bisector of the corner to be machined. For a 90 ° corner to be machined, the corner former / trimmer ( 18 ) So at an angle of 45 ° to the plate edge.

9 shows the arrangement of the carrier plates ( 22 ) with Eckformer ( 24 ) and knives ( 23 ) on the leadership ( 19 ). A compression spring ( 21 ) presses the carrier plates in the corner direction until they stop. In the start position, the carrier sheet ( 22 ) now held against the spring force by means of locking lever. This locking lever is manually for spring force release and thus to feed the Eckformers / -beschneiders ( 18 ).

The vertical section along the bisector in 10 shows the prefixed band ( 25 ) between the tape guide roller, not shown here, and the Umschlag role also not shown here at the corner. The corner former / trimmer ( 18 , please refer 7 ) is in the cocked start position at a distance from the plate for free passage.

After release of the locking lever, the carrier carriage ( 22 , s. 9 ) released and spring-loaded pressed against the corner. First, the corner form sheets ( 24 ) against the band ( 25 ), the band edges ( 25 ) over the plate ( 1 ) and form the adhesive ears ( 26 ).

Then the knives used ( 23 ) against the now vertical ears ( 26 ) and cut these ( 27 ).

The corner former / trimmer ( 18 ) can now be pulled back into the starting position and engage the locking lever.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 thin plate with n corners (n ≥ 3)

2

 tapered band

3

 Band applicator, hand or motor guided

4

 glued tape (for different conditions)

5

 guide balls

6

 gusset

7

 Komprimierrolle

8th

 Handle knurled

9

 Axles for rolls of tape

10

 Tape roll axis and pivot point swivel arm

11

 swivel arm

12

 Tape guide roller

13

 hemming roller

14

 Komprimierrolle

15

 mainspring

16

 Fang role

17

 intermediate wheel

18

 Eckformer / -beschneider

19

 linear guide

20

 Plungers

21

 compression spring

22

 spring plate

23

 knife

24

 Eckformerbleche

25

 positioned band at the corner

26

 shaped corner

27

 cut corner

28

 end mark

Claims (10)

Adhesive tape applicator ( 3 ) with rollers for transport, handling and compression as well as sliding or ball elements for guiding a strip for fully or partially folding, symmetrical or asymmetric edge bonding of thin plates ( 1 ), characterized in that the applicator ( 3 ) contains essentially the following features: a) sliding and / or ball guides ( 5 ) for play-free gripping of the plate lying in the x / y-plane and in the x / z- and y / z-planes b) a leading and in x / y-plane spring-loaded pivotable tape guide roller ( 12 ) c) at least one transfer roll ( 13 ) and d) at least one compression roller ( 14 ) and e) a corner forming and cutting device ( 18 ) Adhesive tape applicator ( 3 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the Umschlagagroll (s) mounted in the applicator parallel and perpendicular to the plane of the plate and with respect to the desired envelope width to the plate edges is variably adjustable / are. Adhesive tape applicator ( 3 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the leading and in x / y-plane spring-loaded pivotable tape guide roller ( 12 ) the frontally positionally correct placement and fixation of the adhesive tape ( 4 ). Adhesive tape applicator ( 3 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive tape ( 4 ) by means of the at least one transfer roll ( 13 ) is hit around the plate edges. Adhesive tape applicator ( 3 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the compression roller ( 14 ) the tape ( 4 ) defined in end position on the plate ( 1 ) compressed. Adhesive tape applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the corner forming and cutting device consists of a corner former ( 18 ) whose task it is to make the tape ( 4 ) to beat around the plate corner while the then excess strip material ( 26 ) over the corner and a corner trimmer ( 18 ), whose several cutting knives this excess strip material ( 27 ) split off. Use of an adhesive tape applicator ( 3 ) according to any one of claims 1-6 on a plate line in the following steps: a) Feeding the in the tape applicator ( 3 ) ( 4 ) to the edges of a thin plate ( 1 ) perpendicular to the plate plane b) in the x / z and y / z planes play-free encompassing of the applicator ( 3 ) around the plate ( 1 ) by means of sliding or ball guides ( 5 ) c) adjustment of the band at the top and bottom of the plate ( 1 ) on the position of the vertically variable band-guiding rollers ( 7 d) positionally correct placement and fixation of the band ( 4 ) at the end face of the plate edges by means of the tape guide roller ( 12 e) folding the tape around the plate edges by the turnup roll (s) ( 13 ) f) compression of the strip in the final position on the plate by means of the compression roller ( 14 ) Use of an adhesive tape applicator ( 3 ) according to any one of claims 1-6 at a plate corner or curve in the following steps: a) feeding of the strip applicator in the tape applicator ( 4 ) to the edges of a thin plate ( 1 ) perpendicular to the plate plane b) In the x / z and y / z planes, play-free recapture of the applicator around the plate by means of sliding or ball guides ( 5 ) c) Adjustment of the band change on the top and / or bottom of the plate over the position of the vertically variable band-guiding rollers ( 7 ) d) Accurate placement and fixation of the tape frontally to the plate edges by means of the tape guide roller ( 12 ) e) bonding a plate edge by guiding the applicator ( 3 ) with the adhesive tape ( 4 ) to the next corner / curve f) Swinging the tape guide roller ( 12 ) over the corner backlash to the next edge to a point at which then overlapping identifiers on the swivel arm ( 11 ) of the tape guide roller ( 12 ) indicate where the feed must be stopped to trim the ribbon (4) at the corner. g) pressing a corner former ( 18 ) bisecting the corner tip, thereby turning the tape around the corner and forming the excess strip material ( 26 ) by folding this strip material together at the corner at the same time on both edges of the thin plate ( 1 h) separation of the excess strip material ( 27 ) by means of cutting knives of the corner cutting device ( 18 i) folding the tape around the edges of the plate by the Umschlagagroll ( 13 ) k) compression of the strip in the final position on the plate by means of the compression roller ( 14 ) Use of an adhesive tape applicator ( 3 ) according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that upon reaching an identifier ( 28 ) on the pivot arm of the tape guide roller ( 12 ) after complete circulation of the applicator ( 3 ) around the thin plate ( 1 ) the incoming band ( 2 ) With a cutting device is separated, whereby depending on the intended application, both a gap and cover-free impact adhesive tape beginning with the separate end of the tape can be achieved as well as an overlap of the tape end on the beginning of the tape or a tape-free gap between the beginning and end of the tape. Use of an adhesive tape applicator ( 3 ) according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that after the separation of the incoming strip ( 2 ) and the feed of the envelope ( 13 ) and compression rollers ( 14 ) over the impact point and thus the positive compression of the tape, the applicator ( 3 ) again from the plate ( 1 ) is deducted.

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