Processing apparatus and method for processing workpieces

Abstract

The present invention relates to a processing apparatus (100) for processing workpieces (102), particularly a carrier body (104), wherein the processing apparatus (100) comprises: - at least one processing tank (106), particularly at least one immersion tank, for processing the workpiece (102) with at least one processing fluid, and - at least one conveying device (108) for conveying the workpiece (102), which is respectively arranged on workpiece carriers (132), wherein the conveying device (108) comprises: - at least one main conveying device (110) for conveying the workpiece (102) in a main conveying direction (112) and / or in a transfer conveying direction (114); and - At least one lifting conveyor (120, 122), preferably at least two lifting conveyors (120, 122), are capable of traveling independently along the main conveying direction (112) and / or the transfer conveying direction (114) of at least one processing pool (106) in a lateral direction thereof, wherein at least one lifting conveyor (120, 122) includes at least one lifting arm (126) capable of traveling independently in the lifting direction (128) and is configured to at least partially receive the workpiece carrier (132) and / or the workpiece (102). The invention also relates to a method for processing the workpiece (102), which is particularly a carrier body (104).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a processing apparatus for processing workpieces, particularly vehicle bodies. The invention also relates to a method for processing workpieces, particularly vehicle bodies. Background Technology

[0002] In practice, it is known that conveying equipment for, for example, cathodic immersion coating (KTL) or pretreatment (VBH) of vehicle bodies is typically constructed as linear conveying equipment, in which process steps are carried out continuously or in cycles in the longitudinal direction of the conveyed vehicle body.

[0003] Especially in tachogenergy equipment, there are limitations in throughput, mainly due to the structure of the conveying equipment, and especially due to the handover of the main body of the transport vehicle to be processed between processes.

[0004] The transfer of the vehicle body in the corresponding process inlet area depends on the main conveying device provided. On one hand, roller conveyors are known, using a transport slide, also called a "carriage," as the workpiece carrier, i.e., as the carrier for the vehicle body. On the other hand, chain conveyors are also used, using a beam, also called a "crossbar," as the carrier for the vehicle body. Therefore, the vehicle body is transported to the actual process by means of a roller conveyor or a chain conveyor, so that it can then be transferred to the process conveying device in the corresponding process inlet area.

[0005] The main conveyor itself can be configured as a roller conveyor or a chain conveyor, or the main conveyor can include a transfer device configured as a roller conveyor or a chain conveyor. The transfer device can then move or travel along the main conveying direction, wherein the transfer conveying direction preferably extends transversely to, and especially perpendicularly to, the main conveying direction. For cases where workpieces are conveyed by the main conveyor into and / or out of the processing process, the transfer conveying direction and the main conveying direction preferably coincide.

[0006] Process conveying devices may be, for example, swing conveyors, rotary conveyors, or variations thereof.

[0007] The actual transfer of the vehicle body to the processing technology can be accomplished in various ways. On the one hand, the vehicle body can be received by a non-vertically movable component of the main conveyor, wherein the body remains stationary on a carriage or crossbeam located on the transfer device or the main conveyor, and is received by the process conveyor by lifting or raising it.

[0008] Alternatively, transport can be carried out via vertically movable components of the main conveyor. In this case, the transfer device or the corresponding component of the main conveyor is raised or lowered to transfer the main body of the transport vehicle, supported on a carriage or beam, to the process conveyor.

[0009] This handover process has historically typically occurred before other processes, specifically before the process pool or immersion pool in the case of KTL, and requires a certain amount of time. This limits the throughput of the vehicle body to be processed, as the handover requires starting and stopping operations or interrupting the transport flow. Furthermore, it has historically been technically necessary to spatially separate the handover / receiving area from the processing area, and correspondingly provide the necessary space, with the handover area typically located before and after the processing area.

[0010] Furthermore, monitoring of the handover process and the actual processing process is typically based on digital switching sensors, which can be combined with other digital switching sensors to jointly implement one or more monitoring functions. In other words, the monitoring functions used to date are purely based on sensor signals, where the digital switching sensors have defined switching thresholds and trigger points for activating the monitoring function. Therefore, on the one hand, changes in monitored parameters below the switching threshold are not recorded, and on the other hand, anomalies in the motion curve cannot be identified. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a processing device that enables more efficient workpiece processing.

[0012] According to the present invention, this objective is achieved by a processing device having the features of claim 1.

[0013] The processing equipment is used to process workpieces. The processing equipment is preferably a painting section for the body of a vehicle.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, the processing apparatus includes:

[0015] - At least one processing tank, particularly at least one immersion tank, for treating a workpiece with at least one processing fluid, and

[0016] - At least one conveying device for conveying workpieces arranged on workpiece carriers, wherein the conveying device includes:

[0017] - At least one main conveying device for conveying workpieces in the main conveying direction and / or in the transfer conveying direction; and

[0018] - At least one lifting conveyor, preferably at least two lifting conveyors, which can travel independently along the main conveying direction and / or the transfer conveying direction of at least one processing pool in the lateral direction of the processing pool.

[0019] At least one of the lifting conveying devices includes at least one lifting arm, which can travel independently in the lifting direction and is configured to at least partially receive the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece.

[0020] Corresponding to the first aspect, the present invention is based on the fundamental concept that certain monitoring functions must be provided when workpieces are transferred to the processing process and when they move through a processing tank filled with processing fluid. These functions ensure the required accuracy in coordinating the components of the conveying equipment, even at high conveying speeds, and also guarantee the high quality of the processed workpieces. The latter is achieved, in particular, by protecting the workpieces from falling, colliding with parts of the processing equipment, and / or deformation due to mechanical overload.

[0021] Referring to the overall conveying flow of the workpieces in the processing equipment, a main conveying device is arranged upstream and / or downstream of the processing process, i.e., the processing pool, while the lifting conveying device is associated with the processing process, i.e., the processing pool.

[0022] Preferably, two lifting conveyor devices are provided for each treatment pool, wherein the lifting conveyor devices are preferably constructed as lifting towers.

[0023] In the case of using only one lifting conveyor, it is conceivable that the lifting conveyor includes at least two lifting arms, which are connected to each other, for example, via rotatably supported crossbars or the like that can travel in the lifting direction, so that handover can be made between the main conveyor and the lifting conveyor.

[0024] The lifting and conveying device associated with the processing tank has the following tasks: on the one hand, it receives the workpiece to be processed for use in the processing process or outputs the processed workpiece from the processing process; on the other hand, it carries the workpiece to be processed to one or more processing positions in the area of ​​the corresponding processing process, in particular lowering and / or lifting it into the processing tank filled with processing fluid.

[0025] The main conveying direction and the transfer conveying direction are preferably oriented horizontally, while the lifting direction of the lifting conveying device is preferably oriented vertically.

[0026] Preferably, the lifting and conveying device travels along the track element or along a pre-defined straight section, i.e., linearly.

[0027] The lifting arm receives, in particular docks with and lifts, the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier that carries the workpiece from the main conveyor, and / or places, i.e. lowers, onto the main conveyor and detaches it.

[0028] The terms “docking” and “disengaging” in this specification and the appended claims shall be understood in the broadest sense as establishing contact and disengaging contact, respectively. Preferably, the workpiece carrier is locked to the lifting arm after being received onto the lifting arm, such that the workpiece carrier and the workpiece disposed thereon remain securely connected to the lifting arm during the processing period.

[0029] The term “independently movable” in this specification and the appended claims should be understood to mean that in a processing apparatus having more than one lifting conveyor and / or more than one lifting arm, each lifting conveyor or each lifting arm can move independently of the other lifting conveyors or lifting arms, wherein this should not exclude the synchronous or coupled movement of the lifting conveyors or lifting arms.

[0030] It should be understood that the main conveying direction, the transfer conveying direction, and the lifting direction essentially represent the direction of the axis, and movement along the axis in the corresponding two directions is possible. It should also be clarified that the movement process or flow described in this specification and the appended claims can preferably also be performed in reverse.

[0031] Therefore, workpieces can be transported into the processing process by being transferred from the main conveyor to the lifting conveyor, and workpieces can also be transported out of the processing process again by being transferred from the lifting conveyor to the original or other main conveyors.

[0032] Preferably, the two lifting and conveying devices are arranged successively along the main conveying direction or along the transfer conveying direction.

[0033] Therefore, the workpiece and / or workpiece carrier can be received by the lifting conveyor in at least two sections in corresponding conveying directions. Thus, the lifting conveyor can move together, be optimally oriented, and, if necessary, individually correct its position to receive the appropriate sections of the workpiece or workpiece carrier.

[0034] Advantageously, the conveying equipment is configured to transfer workpieces arranged on workpiece carriers between at least one main conveying device and at least one lifting conveying device.

[0035] It is also advantageous that the workpiece can be carried by means of at least one lifting conveyor to at least one processing position in at least one processing pool, especially at least one immersion position.

[0036] In other design embodiments of the invention, it may be specified that at least one lifting arm is configured as L-shaped or U-shaped.

[0037] The lifting conveyor can preferably be constructed as a vertically oriented column or tower. Combined with an L-shaped lifting arm connected at its upper L-shape to the corresponding lifting conveyor, it offers the advantage that, as the lifting arm travels downwards in the lifting direction, the received workpiece can be lowered below the horizontal travel plane of the lifting conveyor, i.e., below the plane of the guide section of the lifting conveyor. Correspondingly, the workpiece can be lowered into an immersion tank (KTL or VBH) substantially located below the lifting conveyor.

[0038] When two corresponding lifting conveyors are arranged opposite each other with reference to the conveying direction, i.e. opposite each other on both sides of the processing area, it is preferable to use a lifting arm constructed in a U-shape, wherein the upper end of the U-shape of the lifting arm is positioned in a traversable manner at one of the corresponding lifting conveyors, and thus receives the workpiece and / or workpiece carrier in the recess of the U-shape.

[0039] In other design embodiments of the invention, the workpiece carrier may be configured as a beam and / or a carriage.

[0040] It can also be specified that the handover position of at least one lifting arm can be adapted to the handover movement of the workpiece to be handed over.

[0041] The handover position is preferably the position where the lifting arm aligns with the workpiece or workpiece carrier and lifts it out of the main conveyor. To achieve a suitable handover position, i.e., one that causes very little interruption to the conveying flow, the lifting arm must travel in at least two directions, preferably perpendicular to each other, such as the main conveying direction or the handover conveying direction and the lifting direction. In other words, the handover position of the lifting arm is adapted, especially continuously, by causing the lifting conveyor to travel in the main conveying direction or the handover conveying direction and by causing the associated lifting arm to travel in the lifting direction.

[0042] Advantageously, at least one lifting conveyor and / or at least one lifting arm can move together with the workpiece to be transferred, so as to transfer the workpiece at least approximately uninterruptedly.

[0043] The synchronization of the movement of the lifting conveyor with the movement of the workpiece in the conveying direction, i.e. the main conveying direction or the transfer conveying direction, can minimize the interruption of the conveying flow. Therefore, the lifting conveyor must be able to move together with the conveying movement of the workpiece.

[0044] In other embodiments of the invention, the conveying equipment may include at least one control and / or regulating device by means of which the transfer of workpieces between at least one main conveying device and at least one lifting conveying device and / or the movement of workpieces to be processed in at least one processing tank can be controlled and / or regulated.

[0045] By coordinating the movement or current position of the main conveyor and the lifting conveyor, corrective movements and / or waiting times are preferably avoided, and the flow of transport is interrupted as little as possible.

[0046] It is also advantageous that the processing equipment includes at least one radar measuring mechanism and / or at least one laser measuring mechanism for detecting the position of the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece position, especially during the transfer of the workpiece between the main conveyor and at least one lifting conveyor.

[0047] When conveying the workpiece to be processed into the processing process or when conveying the processed workpiece out of the processing process, that is, during the transfer of the workpiece between the main conveyor and the two lifting conveyors, the transfer position must preferably always have high accuracy based on the current conveying speed.

[0048] It should be considered that the main conveying device is preferably constructed as a roller conveyor, or includes such a roller conveyor, especially for transfer. However, the indirect detection of the workpiece position via the drive rollers of the roller conveyor is too inaccurate due to slippage.

[0049] Conventional inspection methods for detecting workpiece carriers using digital sensors are also unsuitable because, as explained, digital sensors only switch when a limit or threshold is reached. Furthermore, digital sensors typically lack sufficient space at common measurement points on the workpiece carrier.

[0050] Therefore, by using at least one radar measuring mechanism and / or at least one laser measuring mechanism, preferably measuring the position of the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece position from the rear side of the workpiece carrier or the workpiece, the radar measuring mechanism and / or laser measuring mechanism have sufficiently high measurement accuracy and a sufficiently large working range.

[0051] The side pointing away from the processing tank when transferred to the processing process is preferably understood as the rear side of the workpiece carrier or the workpiece. Therefore, the front side is the side facing the processing tank when transferred to the processing process.

[0052] The measuring mechanism can be part of the conveying equipment. Preferably, the measuring mechanism is located at the main conveying device or the transfer device. It is generally considered more cost-effective to locate one or more measuring mechanisms at the main conveying device or the transfer device.

[0053] However, it is also conceivable that the measuring mechanism is arranged outside the conveying equipment, that is, the measuring mechanism is stationary in the processing equipment and does not move with the components of the conveying equipment.

[0054] Preferably, radar and laser measurement mechanisms are used for position detection, thereby compensating for the advantages and disadvantages of each method under different environmental conditions. However, it is conceivable that other mechanisms based on different measurement methods could also be used.

[0055] In actual operation of the processing equipment, the conveyor is located in a more humid, warm, and potentially foggy atmosphere, so reliable measurements of the workpiece carrier position or the workpiece position may not be guaranteed at every handover moment. Therefore, measurements from two different methods—laser measurement and radar measurement—are compared to verify the reasonableness of the actual position measurements.

[0056] Alternatively or supplementarily, other sensing devices can be installed in the processing equipment, such as measuring mechanisms to monitor the sliding of individual workpiece carriers. Workpiece carriers may also become stuck or even blocked in the main conveyor, which can also be measured and / or monitored. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous to have the equipped sensing devices monitor the constant and continuous movement of the workpiece carriers.

[0057] It is also advantageous that the conveying device includes at least one distance sensor, especially at least one inductive distance sensor, for detecting the distance between at least one main conveyor and the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece, particularly during the transfer of the workpiece between at least one lifting conveyor and the main conveyor.

[0058] The transfer of the workpiece carrier and the workpiece to be processed arranged on it by means of the lifting arm of the lifting conveyor is achieved by superimposing two motion processes: the workpiece carrier is horizontally transported by the main conveyor or the transfer device included in the main conveyor, and vertically transported in the lifting direction by the lifting arm along the upward lifting motion of the corresponding lifting conveyor.

[0059] When the lifting arm is inserted into the receiving hopper at the workpiece carrier, inaccuracy may cause the workpiece carrier to be briefly lifted from the main conveyor before it slides down the hopper ramp of the receiving section of the lifting arm due to gravity to its final position where it is preferably locked.

[0060] This brief lifting of the workpiece carrier during the insertion movement is preferably detected by at least one distance sensor, especially an inductive distance sensor, which can thus provide a measure of the insertion accuracy.

[0061] It is conceivable that the determined penetration accuracy can be compared with the position measurements from the laser and radar measuring mechanisms. All three values ​​provide information on the quality of the handover accuracy.

[0062] If the distance measured by at least one distance sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold or limit, a warning and / or fault signal is preferably output or generated.

[0063] In other design embodiments of the present invention, each lifting and conveying device may include at least one acceleration sensor for monitoring the conveying motion.

[0064] Preferably, a predetermined or determined movement program for the lifting conveyor is performed for each workpiece, the movement program including a specific motion curve and / or acceleration curve of the lifting conveyor along the processing pool.

[0065] During the actual processing of the workpiece, at least one acceleration sensor will be used to detect the current acceleration curve for each lifting and conveying device and compare it with a predetermined acceleration curve in order to identify anomalies, from which it can be predicted, for example, that limits or tolerance thresholds have been exceeded.

[0066] In the event of detecting or identifying an anomaly, a warning or fault signal is preferably output or generated.

[0067] It is possible to specify the maximum acceleration of the lifting and conveying device in general terms, or to specify it separately for different types of workpieces.

[0068] Preferably, it may also be specified that at least one, preferably all, lifting and conveying devices include at least one vibration sensor for monitoring and processing vibration curves.

[0069] Similar to accelerometers, a typical vibration curve is preferably identified or measured for each lifting conveyor, which is considered as a reference curve for vibration curves measured during processing in order to identify anomalies that can be predicted, for example, exceeding limits or tolerance thresholds.

[0070] In the event of detecting or identifying an anomaly, a warning or fault signal is preferably output or generated.

[0071] In the case of vibration sensors and acceleration sensors, it is advantageous to make anomaly identification dependent on the type of workpiece being transported or conveyed, i.e., especially the type of vehicle body, because the processing equipment is also suitable for handling a variety of body shapes and thus for traversing different movement curves.

[0072] For example, different vibration modes and / or acceleration modes can be derived from different workpiece weights or body weights. Different vibration modes and / or acceleration modes can also be conceived if different, body-specific movement trajectories exist.

[0073] It is also advantageous that at least one lifting conveyor is configured to prevent collisions between the workpiece to be processed and at least one processing pool.

[0074] During the processing, the workpiece moves through the processing tank according to a pre-defined trajectory. The workpiece moves within the pre-defined geometry of the tank.

[0075] With software support, the workpiece's external dimensions and contour and position data determined by the motion trajectory are compared with the pool geometry to avoid collisions between the workpiece and the processing pool.

[0076] In other words, by calculating the geometry to restrict the movement of the workpiece within the processing tank, the movement of the workpiece is stopped in time before it touches the tank wall.

[0077] As already described in vibration monitoring and / or acceleration monitoring, different geometries may also be required for calculations based on different subject types.

[0078] It can also be stipulated that each lifting conveyor is configured, especially when the lifting conveyor is moving in an unloaded manner, i.e. without receiving a workpiece, preferably in so-called manual operation, to prevent or avoid collisions with the corresponding processing pool.

[0079] Furthermore, it may be stipulated that at least one, preferably each, lifting and conveying device is configured to prevent or avoid collisions with other lifting and conveying devices.

[0080] Therefore, in particular, the lifting conveyors follow a distance adjustment that ensures that a minimum distance is always maintained between two adjacent lifting conveyors so that they do not collide with each other.

[0081] It is also advantageous that the processing equipment and / or lifting conveyor include or have the function of automatically lifting the lifting arm or workpiece from the processing fluid in the corresponding processing pool, which can be used especially in special circumstances.

[0082] In other embodiments of the invention, at least one lifting conveyor is configured to identify the unlocking of the received workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece to be processed during processing in at least one processing pool.

[0083] Due to a series of unfortunate events, it cannot be completely ruled out that the workpiece to be processed may separate from the locking mechanism of the lifting arm during processing in the processing tank.

[0084] In order to identify this and take appropriate countermeasures to protect the workpiece, a locking monitoring unit can be installed, which can be provided, in particular, by a locking sensor at the lifting arm.

[0085] Alternatively or supplementarily, a torque monitoring unit may be provided, which monitors the torque about the transverse axis of the workpiece, which is transverse to, and preferably perpendicular to, the movement axis of the lifting conveyor along the processing tank.

[0086] It is also beneficial that the speed and / or acceleration of the workpiece can be limited in at least one direction of motion during processing.

[0087] As the workpiece moves through the processing fluid in the processing tank, forces are applied to the workpiece, and these forces also increase with increasing velocity and / or acceleration. Therefore, it is advantageous to limit the forces applied to the workpiece to be processed, which can preferably be achieved with software support based on a virtual workpiece position.

[0088] Here, a distinction can be made between the velocity limits of the workpiece outside the treatment tank, i.e., outside the treatment fluid, and the velocity limits inside the treatment tank. This also applies to the acceleration or rotation of the workpiece.

[0089] In other embodiments of the invention, it may be specified that at least one main conveying device includes at least one transfer device for transferring and / or receiving workpieces along the main conveying direction and / or along the transfer conveying direction.

[0090] The handover device itself is preferably located in or at the main conveyor and travels along the main conveying direction.

[0091] Advantageously, the main transport direction and the transfer transport direction may be oriented at least approximately perpendicular to each other.

[0092] However, it is also conceivable that the main conveying direction and the transfer conveying direction are oriented at least approximately parallel to each other, so that the workpiece is first conveyed along the main conveying direction and then further conveyed by the transfer device in the same direction, i.e., along the extension direction of the main conveying direction, starting from the end position of the main conveying device.

[0093] The orientation of the main conveying direction and the transfer conveying direction is largely determined by the conditions at the installation location of the conveying equipment.

[0094] It can also be specified that the main conveying device is a transverse conveying device, by means of which the workpiece can be conveyed in a transverse orientation, wherein the workpiece is oriented in a transverse orientation such that the longitudinal direction of the workpiece, in particular the longitudinal axis, is oriented transversely, in particular at least substantially perpendicular to the main conveying direction and / or at least substantially horizontally.

[0095] Thus, the workpiece can be transferred from the transfer device to the lifting conveyor in its longitudinal direction, which usually makes more paths or segments available for the transfer movement and allows the workpiece to be received more stably on the lifting conveyor, provided that the longitudinal extension of the workpiece is greater than its lateral extension.

[0096] It is particularly advantageous that the transfer device is a chain conveyor or a roller conveyor, or the transfer device includes a chain conveyor and / or a roller conveyor.

[0097] According to the present invention, this objective is also achieved by a method for processing a workpiece.

[0098] This method is particularly useful for processing vehicle bodies, wherein the vehicle body is treated with at least one processing fluid in at least one processing pool of the processing equipment.

[0099] Preferably, the main body of the vehicle is treated with paint by immersion in the immersion pool of the painting section.

[0100] In principle, the treatment method also applies to VBH. Instead of an immersion tank with impregnation, various VBH tanks will be used, which are typically filled with a VBH-specific fluid.

[0101] The method here includes the following steps:

[0102] - Transfer the workpiece from at least one main conveyor to at least one lifting conveyor;

[0103] - Once the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier on which the workpiece is placed reaches the initial position for handover, at least one lifting conveyor moves together with the workpiece to be handed over.

[0104] - When moving together, at least one lifting arm of at least one lifting conveyor receives the workpiece to be transferred and / or the workpiece carrier; and

[0105] - The workpiece is brought to at least one processing position by means of at least two lifting conveyors, wherein the accepted workpiece is lowered to at least one immersion position.

[0106] Since the processing equipment is preferably suitable for conveying and processing different types of workpieces or vehicle bodies, it is actually necessary to identify the corresponding workpiece or vehicle body type and select an appropriate immersion trajectory before handing the workpiece over to the lifting conveyor.

[0107] The identification of the main body type of a workpiece or vehicle can be achieved through various of the identification methods described above. Below are just a few common examples:

[0108] - An RFID data carrier or similar at the workpiece carrier or on the workpiece; and / or

[0109] - Raster; and / or

[0110] - The workpiece is numbered and coded using the plate or label on the workpiece's support.

[0111] Furthermore, it can be specified that during the transfer of the workpiece to be processed from at least one main conveyor to at least one lifting conveyor...

[0112] a) Detecting the workpiece position and / or the position of the workpiece carrier using at least one radar measuring mechanism and / or at least one laser measuring mechanism; and / or

[0113] b) Detect the distance between the main conveyor and the workpiece and / or workpiece carrier by means of at least one distance sensor, especially at least one inductive distance sensor.

[0114] In other design embodiments of the present invention, it can be specified that during the processing of the workpiece...

[0115] a) Accordingly, the conveying motion of at least one lifting conveyor is monitored by means of at least one accelerometer; and / or

[0116] b) Monitor the vibration curves of at least one, preferably all, lifting and conveying devices using at least one vibration sensor; and / or

[0117] c) Monitor the movement path of the workpiece to be processed to avoid collisions between the workpiece and at least one processing tank; and / or

[0118] d) Monitor the locking of the workpiece to be processed and / or the workpiece carrier at at least one lifting arm; and / or

[0119] e) Monitor the torque of the workpiece to be processed about the transverse axis; and / or

[0120] f) Limit the speed and / or acceleration of the workpiece for at least one direction of motion.

[0121] In particular, the monitoring options a), b), c), e), and f) mentioned above may vary depending on the type of workpiece.

[0122] Workpieces can be received from the main conveyor or transfer device by means of at least one lifting conveyor, or placed onto the main conveyor or transfer device by means of at least one lifting conveyor. Correspondingly, receiving is preferably understood as accepting, and placing is preferably understood as transferring.

[0123] In other design embodiments of the present invention, it may be specified that two lifting conveying devices, each having a lifting arm, are arranged sequentially along the main conveying direction or along the transfer conveying direction. In this case, the lifting conveying device that is in front along the conveying direction moves together with the workpiece and uses the lifting arm to receive the front section of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier. Subsequently, the lifting conveying device that is behind along the conveying direction moves together with the workpiece and uses the lifting arm to receive the rear section of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier.

[0124] Basically, the lifting arm receives the object in the lifting direction.

[0125] In other design embodiments of the invention, it may be specified that two lifting conveying devices, each having a lifting arm, are arranged successively along the main conveying direction or along the transfer conveying direction at a distance that is at least substantially constant relative to each other, wherein the two lifting conveying devices begin to move together with the workpiece upon reaching their initial positions and receive the front and rear sections of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier at least substantially simultaneously.

[0126] It should be understood that the distance between the lifting and conveying devices has been taken at the start of the handover, or the distance between the lifting and conveying devices is dynamically taken during the conveying movement of the workpiece and the accompanying synchronous movement of the lifting and conveying devices and the workpiece.

[0127] Preferably, the lifting conveyor and the workpiece move at least approximately uninterruptedly, i.e., particularly substantially continuously, along the conveying direction throughout the entire process of receiving the workpiece. In this case, docking the lifting arm with the corresponding section of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier takes the least amount of time, because the movement of the lifting conveyor and the workpiece is, in particular, synchronized.

[0128] The method preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in conjunction with the processing device. Furthermore, the processing device preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in conjunction with the method.

[0129] According to a second aspect of the invention, the processing apparatus includes:

[0130] - At least one treatment tank, particularly at least one immersion tank, for treating the workpiece with at least one treatment fluid, and

[0131] - At least one conveying device for conveying workpieces arranged on workpiece carriers, wherein the conveying device includes:

[0132] - At least one roller conveyor for conveying workpieces in a transfer conveying direction; and

[0133] - At least one lifting conveyor, preferably at least two lifting conveyors, which can travel independently along the side of at least one processing pool in the transfer conveying direction.

[0134] At least one of the lifting conveying devices includes at least one lifting arm, which can travel independently in the lifting direction and is configured to at least partially receive the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece.

[0135] In addition, it can be specified that the workpiece bearing components include:

[0136] - Two longitudinal beams, which are spaced apart from each other and oriented parallel to each other;

[0137] - Four bell-shaped contact mechanisms; and

[0138] - At least one mounting bracket for mounting the workpiece at the workpiece carrier.

[0139] Two bell-shaped contact mechanisms are arranged at the longitudinal beams.

[0140] Corresponding to the second aspect, the invention is based on the fundamental concept that each workpiece carrier is constructed as a carriage and includes two pairs of opposing bell-shaped contact mechanisms. One pair of these pairs is arranged adjacent to the front end of the carriage so that the workpiece can be immersed steeply after the carriage is transferred from the roller conveyor to the lifting conveyor. The bell-shaped contact mechanisms also function according to the principle of a diving bell. This means that when the carriage is immersed in the treatment tank, the bell-shaped contact mechanisms are only partially filled with the treatment fluid and a dry area is left in which the free end of the conductive contact element touches the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact mechanism to allow current to flow to the workpiece, which forms the cathode in the KTL. The contact element here is part of an associated locking mechanism, which is also arranged in pairs on the lifting arm. Furthermore, the locking mechanism of the lifting arm and the bell-shaped contact mechanisms work together to prevent the workpiece from floating in the treatment tank starting from a certain tilt angle. Preferably, the carriage is also equipped with an anti-tipping element to prevent the workpiece carrier with the workpiece from tipping over when it is transferred from the roller conveyor to the two lifting conveyors.

[0141] Advantageously, the bell-shaped contact mechanisms are arranged in pairs opposite to each other.

[0142] Furthermore, it is advantageous that the two pairs of bell-shaped contact mechanisms facing each other are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal extension of the two longitudinal beams.

[0143] As described above, the pair of bell-shaped contact mechanisms at the front end of the workpiece carrier are arranged as close as possible to the front end of the workpiece carrier, so that the entire workpiece carrier does not have to be brought to a very far overhang or protruding position so that the lifting arm of the front lifting conveyor can receive the pair of bell-shaped contact mechanisms.

[0144] In other designs of the invention, each bell-shaped contact mechanism may have at least one corresponding element and a support pin on its inner side.

[0145] Preferably, each contact mechanism includes two corresponding elements on its inner side, which are configured as flat iron.

[0146] The flat irons are arranged at intervals relative to the longitudinal extension of the workpiece carrier and together form an axisymmetric V-shape, with the lower end of the V-shape being open due to the intervals.

[0147] Advantageously, each lifting arm may include at least one locking mechanism, preferably two locking mechanisms, wherein each locking mechanism is configured to receive and lock a bell-shaped contact mechanism.

[0148] In other design embodiments of the present invention, each locking mechanism may include:

[0149] - A receiving element, by means of which the support pin of the bell-shaped contact mechanism can be received; and

[0150] - Contact elements, which allow conductive dry contacts to be formed inside the bell-shaped contact mechanism.

[0151] The contact element, pointing away from the free end of the associated lifting arm, protrudes into the receiving bell-shaped contact mechanism and engages in frictional contact with the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact mechanism. This frictional contact ensures that once the tilt of the workpiece carrier changes, the coating is removed from the section of the inner surface that was covered by the processing fluid and thus coated during impregnation. This ensures that current can be established and maintained to the workpiece via the contact element.

[0152] Advantageously, the receiving element includes a blocking element, wherein once the workpiece carrier exceeds an angle of inclination in the range of 10 to 15 degrees, the blocking element acts on at least one corresponding element of the receiving bell-shaped contact mechanism to prevent the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece from floating.

[0153] The combined action of the locking mechanism and the bell-shaped contact mechanism prevents the geometric arrangement of the components from floating. This facilitates the insertion of the bell-shaped contact mechanism into the corresponding locking mechanism when transferring the workpiece carrier from the roller conveyor to the lifting conveyor. These components must first overcome the specific tilt angle of the workpiece carrier to lock together.

[0154] It is also advantageous that the workpiece carrier includes an anti-tipping element, by means of which the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece can be prevented from tipping over when transferred from the roller conveyor to at least one lifting conveyor.

[0155] In other embodiments of the invention, the anti-tipping element may be arranged between the longitudinal beams, wherein the roller conveyor has a roller guide having at least one crisscrossing pair of rollers in which the anti-tipping element may be guided.

[0156] The anti-tipping element is preferably constructed in the shape of a sword and has two lateral guide edges. Preferably, the roller pair of the roller guide, which is arranged on the roller conveyor and located adjacent to the treatment tank, rolls on the two lateral guide edges.

[0157] According to a third aspect of the invention, the processing apparatus includes:

[0158] - At least one processing tank, particularly at least one immersion tank, for treating a workpiece with at least one processing fluid, and

[0159] - At least one conveying device for conveying workpieces, each workpiece being arranged on a workpiece carrier, wherein the conveying device includes:

[0160] - At least one transfer device for conveying the workpiece in the transfer conveying direction; and

[0161] - At least one lifting conveyor, preferably at least two lifting conveyors, which can travel independently along the side of at least one processing pool in the transfer conveying direction.

[0162] At least one of the lifting conveying devices includes at least one lifting arm, which can travel independently in the lifting direction and is configured to at least partially receive the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece.

[0163] Advantageously, each lifting arm includes a central circular tube and two supporting circular tubes, wherein the central circular tube is arranged between the two supporting circular tubes with reference to the transfer and conveying direction.

[0164] Corresponding to the third aspect, the present invention is based on the fundamental concept that, during KTL, the lifting arm protruding into the treatment tank on one side affects the field force lines between the anode and the workpiece acting as the cathode, which are arranged inside the tank, thereby also affecting the coating quality of the treated workpiece. This can be offset by ensuring that the lifting arm causes as little shading as possible, which can be achieved by reducing the cross-section and / or at least making the cross-section section partially transparent. However, the lifting arms require a certain degree of rigidity so that they do not permanently deform due to dynamic loading during workpiece treatment. For this reason, circular tubes are preferably used for the lifting arms, because on the one hand, their curved surfaces not only have a smaller impact on the field force lines, but also make it more difficult for particles of the treatment fluid to adhere. Furthermore, it has been shown that sufficient rigidity is achieved while simultaneously causing an acceptable influence on the field force lines if three circular tubes are arranged such that, in terms of horizontal cross-section, they form a triangular shape at least in the main vertical section of the lifting arm.

[0165] In other embodiments of the invention, one or more electrical lines may be guided in a central circular tube and electrically connected to at least one locking mechanism of the lifting arm.

[0166] One advantage is that the cross-section of the central circular tube is larger than the cross-section of the supporting circular tube.

[0167] It is also beneficial that the central tube and the support tube are arranged in a triangular manner along the lifting arm, at least in sections, in the horizontal cross-section.

[0168] The triangle should mean that the central axes of the circular tubes preferably form a triangle.

[0169] In other design embodiments of the invention, it may be specified that the central circular tube and the supporting circular tubes are arranged at least segmentally spaced apart from each other, wherein at least one intermediate plate is arranged between the circular tubes and connected to the circular tubes.

[0170] Therefore, the intermediate plate fixes the spacing between the round tubes, thereby improving the rigidity of the lifting arm.

[0171] Advantageously, the lifting arm may correspond at least segmentally to the adjacent inner contour of the treatment tank.

[0172] Because the treatment tank preferably tapers at least on two opposite sides in the lower region to reduce the required volume and thus save treatment fluid, it is advantageous that the lifting arm also follows this taper in its shape, so that the entire vertical length of the lifting arm is available when moving in the lifting direction.

[0173] In other design embodiments of the present invention, each lifting arm may include at least one locking mechanism, preferably two locking mechanisms, for locking the workpiece carrier, wherein each locking mechanism has at least one conductive clamping element.

[0174] Advantageously, each clamping element has a guide, especially a horizontal guide, for receiving the receiving pin of the workpiece carrier.

[0175] It is also beneficial that the open end of the guide section of one lifting arm points in the direction of the transfer conveying relative to the direction of another lifting arm.

[0176] This locking mechanism is preferably configured for existing workpiece carriers.

[0177] With the help of clamping elements and their guides, once the lateral receiving pins of the workpiece carrier have been inserted into the guides, the workpiece carrier can be locked at the lifting arm by moving the lifting conveyor toward each other.

[0178] In other design embodiments of the present invention, a transfer device may be specified.

[0179] a) Constructed as a roller conveyor and the workpiece carrier is constructed as a carriage; or

[0180] b) It is constructed as a chain conveyor and the workpiece carriers each have at least two crossbeams.

[0181] The processing apparatus of the foregoing three aspects of the present invention preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in conjunction with other corresponding processing apparatuses. Attached Figure Description

[0182] Other features and / or advantages of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below.

[0183] As shown in the attached figure:

[0184] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the processing apparatus according to the present invention at the start of workpiece transfer is shown;

[0185] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the first embodiment without a workpiece support and a workpiece;

[0186] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of the first embodiment during workpiece processing in a processing tank;

[0187] Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of the roller conveyor and carriage is shown;

[0188] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of the bell-shaped contact mechanism of the carriage at the start of connection with the locking mechanism of the lifting arm in the second embodiment.

[0189] Figure 6 It shows Figure 4 A schematic perspective view of the bell-shaped contact mechanism of the carriage at the end of its connection with the locking mechanism of the lifting arm in the second embodiment.

[0190] Figure 7 It shows Figure 4 A schematic vertical sectional view of the bell-shaped contact mechanism of the carriage in two different tilt states, wherein the bell-shaped contact mechanism is locked to the second embodiment of the locking mechanism.

[0191] Figure 8 It shows Figure 4 A schematic vertical sectional view of the bell-shaped contact mechanism of the carriage, wherein the carriage is in a non-tilted state and the bell-shaped contact mechanism is connected to a second embodiment of the locking mechanism.

[0192] Figure 9 It shows Figure 4A schematic vertical sectional view of the bell-shaped contact mechanism of the carriage, wherein the carriage is tilted at approximately 15 degrees and the bell-shaped contact mechanism is locked at the second embodiment of the locking mechanism.

[0193] Figure 10 It shows Figure 4 A schematic vertical sectional view of the bell-shaped contact mechanism of the carriage, wherein the carriage is tilted at least approximately to its maximum extent, and the bell-shaped contact mechanism is locked at a second embodiment of the locking mechanism.

[0194] Figure 11 A schematic perspective vertical sectional view of a second embodiment of the processing device is shown, which has a second embodiment of a lifting arm;

[0195] Figure 12 It shows Figure 11 A schematic vertical partial sectional view along line AA of the second embodiment;

[0196] Figure 13 The second embodiment is shown along Figure 12 A schematic horizontal sectional view of line BB;

[0197] Figure 14 A schematic perspective side view of a third embodiment of a processing apparatus according to the present invention is shown, the processing apparatus having a chain conveyor and a locking mechanism for locking the crossbeam in the third embodiment;

[0198] Figure 15 It shows Figure 14 A schematic perspective view of the third embodiment;

[0199] Figure 16 A schematic perspective side view of a fourth embodiment of the processing apparatus according to the present invention is shown, wherein the processing apparatus has, when a conventional carriage is lowered into the processing pool. Figure 4 The second embodiment of the roller conveyor and the third embodiment of the locking mechanism; and

[0200] Figure 17 It shows Figure 16 A schematic perspective view of the fourth embodiment.

[0201] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are given the same reference numerals in all the figures. Detailed Implementation

[0202] exist Figure 1 The diagram shows the start of the handover process for the first embodiment of the processing device, which is indicated as a whole by 100.

[0203] The processing device 100 is used to process the workpiece 102.

[0204] In addition, Figure 2 The image shows the absence of workpiece 102. Figure 1 100 processing devices.

[0205] The workpiece 102, particularly the vehicle body 104, wherein the processing equipment 100 is preferably a painting section for coating the vehicle body.

[0206] The processing equipment 100 includes a processing pool 106 and a conveying device 108.

[0207] The processing equipment 100 is capable of transferring the workpiece 102 into or out of the processing process at least almost uninterrupted, i.e., the conveying flow of the workpiece 102 along or within the processing equipment 100 is optimized to minimize the time loss caused by the transfer process of the workpiece 102.

[0208] Here, the processing is carried out in a processing tank 106, which is filled with a processing fluid (not shown).

[0209] The conveying equipment 108 includes a main conveying device 110 for conveying workpiece 102 in the main conveying direction 112 and the transfer conveying direction 114.

[0210] The main conveying device 110 is preferably a transverse conveying device 116, by means of which the illustrated vehicle body 104 is conveyed in a transverse orientation in the main conveying direction 112. The transverse orientation is here oriented such that the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body 104 extends transversely to the main conveying direction 112 or parallel to the transfer conveying direction 114.

[0211] The main conveying device 110 includes a transfer device 118 for transferring and / or receiving workpieces 102 along the transfer conveying direction 114.

[0212] The conveying equipment 108, with reference to the transfer conveying direction 114, also includes a front lifting conveyor 120 and a rear lifting conveyor 122, which are preferably able to travel independently of each other.

[0213] The lifting and conveying devices 120 and 122 are preferably able to travel linearly along the track element 124.

[0214] The two lifting and conveying devices 120 and 122 each have a lifting arm 126, and these two lifting arms can travel along the corresponding lifting and conveying devices 120 and 122 in the lifting direction 128.

[0215] exist Figures 1 to 3 An embodiment of the lifting arm 126 is shown. Combined with... Figures 5 to 1 Image 9 shows another preferred embodiment of the lifting arm 126.

[0216] The lifting arm 126 is constructed in an L-shape.

[0217] The lifting direction 128 is preferably vertical, while the main conveying direction 112 and the transfer conveying direction 114 are preferably horizontal.

[0218] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the embodiment shown, the transfer device 118 is a roller conveyor 130.

[0219] The workpiece 102 is supported on the workpiece carrier 132, which allows the workpiece 102 to be transported and transferred.

[0220] The workpiece carrier 132, especially the so-called carriage 134, i.e., the transport carriage.

[0221] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the middle, the roller conveyor 130 has reached the end position 136 along the main conveying direction 112, and the workpiece 102 can be transferred from this end position to the lifting conveyor 120, 122.

[0222] Figure 3 A first embodiment of the processing apparatus 100 during the processing of workpiece 102 in processing pool 106 is shown.

[0223] exist Figure 3 In this process, the workpiece 102 or the workpiece carrier 132 is fully received by the lifting arm 126 of the lifting conveyor 120, 122 and is preferably locked thereto.

[0224] The lifting arm 126 of the lifting conveyor 122 at the front is lowered at least partially in the lifting direction 128, thereby immersing the front section of the workpiece 102 to be processed into the processing fluid of the processing pool 106.

[0225] In order to facilitate the transfer of workpieces between the roller conveyor 130 and the two lifting conveyors 120 and 122, the workpiece carrier 132 and the workpiece 102 arranged on it are in an extended posture.

[0226] The detection device (not shown) determines the initial position of the workpiece carrier 132 and / or the workpiece 102 during the sprawling movement of the workpiece carrier 126 or the workpiece 102, from which the preceding lifting conveyor 120 preferably begins to move synchronously with the workpiece carrier 132 or the workpiece 102.

[0227] For example, the initial position can be reached when the workpiece 102 and / or the workpiece carrier 132 touches the stop member serving as the detection device, or when the detection device configured as a grating is triggered. Furthermore, the detection device may also be a proximity switch or include a proximity switch.

[0228] However, it is also possible that the initial position is the position of the workpiece carrier being measured, which is detected by means of a measuring mechanism, especially the measuring mechanism that will be described in more detail below.

[0229] When the lifting conveyor 120 moves together with the lifting conveyor 120, the lifting arm 126 of the lifting conveyor 120 moves upward in the lifting direction 128 and receives the front section of the workpiece carrier 132 thereon.

[0230] In particular, two different sequences can be envisioned in this case. In the first sequence, where the workpiece carrier 132 is received, the conveying movement of the workpiece carrier 132 carrying workpiece 102 in the transfer conveying direction 114 is briefly interrupted, allowing the lifting arm 126 to receive or dock the front section of the workpiece carrier 132 and lift it out of the roller conveyor 130. Because the lifting arm 126 has already been brought to the correct position while moving together along the transfer conveying direction 114, the actual reception occurs with minimal time interval. In the second sequence, the conveying movement of either the workpiece carrier 132 or the workpiece 102 is not interrupted, but rather the coordination quality of the movement of the lifting arm 126 in the transfer conveying direction 114 and in the lifting direction 128 is so high that both can occur in parallel.

[0231] The reception of the front section is completed before the workpiece carrier 132 carrying workpiece 102 protrudes so far beyond the roller conveyor 130 that there is a risk of tipping over.

[0232] The receiving movement of the lifting arm 126 in the lifting direction 128 is preferably so small that the workpiece 102 on the workpiece carrier 132 is prevented from tipping over, and the workpiece carrier 132 carrying the workpiece 102 is lifted from the roller conveyor 130 by this receiving movement. In other words, after the front section of the workpiece carrier is received, the horizontal orientation or orientation of the workpiece 102 is at least approximately maintained.

[0233] After receiving the front section of the workpiece carrier 132, the detection device determines the other initial position of the workpiece carrier 132 and / or the workpiece 102, and the subsequent lifting conveyor 122 preferably starts from this other initial position and moves synchronously with the workpiece carrier 132 or the workpiece 102.

[0234] It can be envisioned that the opening or completion of the reception of the front section initiates the movement of the rear lifting and conveying device 122.

[0235] When the lifting conveyor 122 moves together with the rear lifting conveyor 122, the lifting arm 126 of the lifting conveyor 122 moves upward in the lifting direction 128 and receives the rear section of the workpiece carrier 132 thereon.

[0236] In particular, the rear section of the workpiece carrier 132 is received before the roller conveyor 130 completely conveys the workpiece carrier 132 downwards, so that the workpiece carrier 132 with the workpiece 102 does not sag.

[0237] After receiving the front and rear sections of the workpiece carrier 132, the lifting conveyors 120 and 122 move further in the transfer conveying direction 114 above the fluid bath contained in the treatment pool until they reach the starting position for the treatment process.

[0238] After the processing, the workpiece 102 can be transported back to the main conveyor 110 in the corresponding reverse order, whereby the workpiece is transferred to or placed on the roller conveyor 130.

[0239] However, it is also conceivable that the workpiece carrier 132 and the workpiece 102 are further conveyed along the transfer conveying direction 114 by means of the lifting conveyors 120, 122 after the processing, so that they can be subsequently transferred to other main conveyors (not shown) in the exit area of ​​the processing, which is opposite to the entry area of ​​the processing, where the first transfer from the main conveyor 110 to the lifting conveyors 120, 122 takes place.

[0240] The transfer between the main conveyor 110 or transfer device 118 and the lifting conveyors 120, 122 is controlled and / or regulated by at least one control and / or regulating device (not shown). Here, the movement or movement sequence of the main conveyor 110 and the lifting conveyors 120, 122 must be coordinated with the conveying movement of the workpiece 102 or the workpiece carrier 132.

[0241] In addition, various values ​​are detected and monitored during handover and processing to ensure sufficient accuracy in the movement sequence, identify anomalies in the movement sequence at an early stage, and guarantee high processing quality of the workpiece.

[0242] Therefore, the control and / or regulation device preferably includes one or more sensors and / or one or more measuring mechanisms, wherein the control and / or regulation device preferably operates with software support, such that, for example, the rated curve can be compared with the actual curve in real time.

[0243] In particular, the curve should be understood as the preferred or ideal change of the quantity to be measured over time, which is determined, for example, under ideal boundary conditions of the processing technology.

[0244] exist Figures 1 to 3 As can be seen, the radar measuring mechanism 138 and the laser measuring mechanism 140 are arranged on the roller conveyor 130.

[0245] Alternatively, the radar measuring mechanism 138 and the laser measuring mechanism 140 may also be arranged outside the conveying equipment 108, for example, behind the rear of the main body 104 of the vehicle to be handed over.

[0246] The two measuring mechanisms 138 and 140 correspond to their respective positions in Figures 1 to 3 In the embodiment, the arrangement detects the position of the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece position from its rear side, wherein the two measuring mechanisms 138, 140 have sufficiently high measurement accuracy and a sufficiently large working range.

[0247] By using redundant measurement structures for two different measurement techniques or methods, the advantages and disadvantages of the two techniques or methods under different environmental conditions can be mutually compensated.

[0248] The radar measuring mechanism 138 and the laser measuring mechanism 140 provide accurate values ​​regarding the position of the workpiece carrier and / or the position of the workpiece, thereby enabling accurate transfer even at high transport speeds.

[0249] Furthermore, a distance sensor 142, preferably configured as an inductive distance sensor, is arranged at the roller conveyor 130. This distance sensor detects the distance between the roller conveyor 130 of the main conveyor 110 and the workpiece carrier 132 and / or the workpiece 102. If the monitored distance exceeds a predetermined threshold or limit, a warning signal and / or a fault signal is output or generated, for example.

[0250] In addition, the lifting and conveying devices 120 and 122 each include an acceleration sensor 144, which can be used to monitor the acceleration along the track element 124.

[0251] The acceleration measured along the track element 124, i.e. along the processing pool 106, of the two lifting conveyors 120 and 122 is compared with a predetermined acceleration curve in order to identify acceleration anomalies at an early stage and thus avoid damage to the workpiece to be processed in a timely manner.

[0252] This also applies here; an abnormality in the acceleration of one or both lifting conveyors 120, 122 may also trigger a warning and / or fault signal.

[0253] The control and / or adjustment device may also be configured to prevent collision between the workpiece 102 to be processed and the processing tank 106.

[0254] During the processing, the workpiece 102 moves through the processing tank 106 according to a pre-defined trajectory. Here, the workpiece 102 moves within a pre-defined tank geometry.

[0255] Therefore, preferably with software support, the external dimensions of the workpiece 102 to be processed and the contour and position data determined by the motion trajectory are compared with the geometry of the pool to avoid collisions between the workpiece 102 and the processing pool 106. In other words, the movement of the workpiece 102 within the processing pool 106 is restricted by calculating the geometry, so that the movement of the workpiece 102 stops in time before it touches the pool wall.

[0256] The lifting arm 126 preferably has two locking mechanisms 146 that secure the received workpiece carrier 132 to the lifting arm 126 at least for the period of time it is immersed in the treatment tank 106.

[0257] Preferably, the locking mechanism 146 is also monitored so that the downward tipping of the workpiece 102 can be detected in a timely manner and corresponding countermeasures can be taken.

[0258] With the help of only Figures 1 to 3 The locking mechanism 146, schematically shown, not only secures the workpiece carrier 132, including the workpiece 102, at least temporarily at the lifting arm 126, i.e., in particular, to prevent it from floating during immersion treatment in the treatment tank 106, but also enables current to flow to and through the workpiece 102, which preferably forms a cathode in a cathode immersion coating, while the associated anode is arranged in the treatment tank 106.

[0259] The interaction between the carriage 134 and the corresponding locking mechanism 146 of the lifting arm 126 according to the present invention will be discussed in more detail below.

[0260] exist Figure 4 In the image, a separate transfer device 118 is shown, which is configured as a roller conveyor 130. On the other hand, a workpiece carrier 132, configured as a carriage 134, is shown for use with the roller conveyor 130.

[0261] The carriage 134 includes four bell-shaped contact mechanisms 150 at its longitudinal beam 148, which are arranged in pairs opposite each other.

[0262] Combination Figures 5 to 10 A detailed description of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150.

[0263] exist Figure 4 In the middle, the left side of the roller conveyor 130 is the side adjacent to the treatment pool 106 when the roller conveyor 130 has been brought to the handover position, while the right side is the side away from the treatment pool.

[0264] The carriage 134 shown is also oriented in the same direction, that is to say, Figure 4 The left side of the carriage 134 is the side or end of the carriage 134 that is first transported into the processing area of ​​the processing pool 106.

[0265] For simplicity, the following references to carriage 134 and roller conveyor will be made. Figure 4 The left or left end of the image plane is called the front side or front end, and the opposite side or opposite end is called the rear side or rear end. Therefore, this is also consistent, because the workpiece 102, which is constructed as the vehicle body 104, is usually first introduced into the processing area of ​​the processing pool 106 with its front, i.e., the area of ​​the engine hood.

[0266] Therefore, it can be seen that, relative to the rear end of the carriage 134, the front pair of bell-shaped contact mechanisms 150 are arranged closer to the front end of the carriage 134 than the rear pair of bell-shaped contact mechanisms 150.

[0267] The asymmetry of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 relative to the longitudinal axis of the carriage 134, which is preferably parallel to the transfer conveying direction 114, has the advantage that the workpiece 102 supported on the carriage 134 and to be processed can be immersed in the processing fluid in a very steep manner at the start of processing in the processing pool 106, and can be immersed in the processing pool more deeply in general.

[0268] Furthermore, the pair of bell-shaped contact mechanisms 150 positioned near the front end of the carriage 134 offer the advantage that the carriage 134 does not need to protrude as far before the lifting arm 126 of the preceding lifting conveyor 120 can receive the carriage 134 at the pair of bell-shaped contact mechanisms 150. In other words, the overhang of the carriage 134 beyond the roller conveyor 130 is kept as small as possible during handover.

[0269] As previously described, the radar measuring mechanism 138 and the laser measuring mechanism 140 are arranged at the roller conveyor 130 so that the position of the workpiece carrier 132, i.e. the carriage 134, in the transfer conveying direction 114 can be detected.

[0270] In addition, the carriage 134 includes three cross braces 152, at least one of which has two measuring plates 154, preferably vertical measuring plates, by means of which the position of the carriage 134 during the transfer between the two lifting conveyors 120, 122 and the roller conveyor 130 can be detected by radar measuring mechanism 138 and laser measuring mechanism 140, both of which are arranged at the roller conveyor 130.

[0271] In addition, the carriage 134 preferably includes four fork loader receiving sections 156, which are also arranged in pairs opposite to each other, such that each fork loader tooth can be guided through the pairs of receiving sections opposite to each other for lifting, transporting and / or placing the carriage 134.

[0272] Figure 4 The carriage 134 shown preferably also has an anti-tipping element 158, which is arranged in the rear section of the carriage 134.

[0273] Currently, the anti-tipping element 158 ​​is constructed in the shape of a sword and is fastened to the two rear cross braces 152.

[0274] In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-tipping element 158 ​​includes two lateral guide edges 160.

[0275] The anti-tipping element 158 ​​works together with its lateral guide edge 160 and the roller guide 162 arranged in the front section of the roller conveyor 130.

[0276] The roller guide 162 includes at least one, preferably multiple, pairs of straddled rollers 164 that roll on the lateral guide edges 160 of the anti-tipping element 158, which is guided by the roller guide 162. This ensures that the carriage 134 carrying the workpiece 102 will not tip over toward the processing tank 106 as the transfer process between the roller conveyor 130 and the lifting conveyors 120, 122 nears completion and reaches the extended position, but rather preferably remains in a generally horizontal position until the transfer is complete.

[0277] Additionally, the roller conveyor 130 includes a plurality of lateral guide rollers 166 that roll on the lateral outer surface of the longitudinal beam 148 during the transfer of the carriage 134, thereby preventing the carriage 134 from deflecting about the vertical axis during the transfer and correspondingly maintaining an orientation approximately parallel to the transfer conveying direction 144. This improves the accuracy of the locking process between the locking mechanism 146 and the carriage 134.

[0278] Figure 4 The carriage 134 also includes two mounting supports 167, which are used to connect the carriage 134 to the workpiece 102.

[0279] In the following Figures 5 to 10 The bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 of the carriage 134 is shown as an example to illustrate the process of insertion, locking and dry contact between the carriage 134 and the lifting arm 126 of the lifting conveyor 120, 122.

[0280] A bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 is shown, arranged at the front end of the carriage 134 and on the right side of the carriage 134 with reference to the transfer transport direction 114 into the processing process. Therefore, with reference to the vehicle body 104 to be processed, an associated locking mechanism 146 of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 and the lifting arm 126 of the forward lifting transport device 120 is depicted, located near the wheel cover of the right front tire.

[0281] The locking mechanism 146 includes a base 168 through which the locking mechanism 146 is connected to an associated lifting arm 126; an inner receiving element 170 configured as a fork; and an outer contact element 172 for electrical contact with the inner surface of a bell-shaped contact mechanism 150.

[0282] The receiving element 170 includes two guide teeth 174 and a guide groove 176 disposed between them.

[0283] The guide tooth 174 is preferably bent inward at its tip 175 at an angle ranging from 10 to 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the receiving element 170.

[0284] The blocking element 178 is located below the guide groove 176 on the outward-pointing side of the receiving element 170, that is, the side facing the contact element 172.

[0285] The bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 of the carriage 134 has a support pin 182 and two corresponding elements 184 on the inwardly pointing side 180 of the contact mechanism.

[0286] Corresponding element 184 is preferably constructed as a flat iron and arranged such that they together form a V-shape, wherein the tip of the V-shape is open at the bottom, as in Figure 8 As can be seen in the image.

[0287] The bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 preferably has a circle that is at least partially open downwards, i.e., pointing away from the workpiece 102.

[0288] Preferably, the support pin 182, which is at least sectionally constructed as a column, is preferably arranged at the center of the circular side 180 of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150, and has mating members 186 at opposite free ends of the support pin, as in Figure 4 As can be seen in the image.

[0289] exist Figure 5 The diagram shows the beginning of the insertion between the carriage 134 and the lifting arm 126, i.e., the carriage has been conveyed to the protruding position by the roller conveyor 130 along the transfer conveying direction 114, and the lifting arm 126 of the preceding lifting conveyor 120 has moved toward the carriage 134 along the lifting direction 128.

[0290] During this handover phase, the support pin 182 of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 is positioned above the guide groove 176 of the receiving element 170.

[0291] The guide tooth 174 tapers toward its corresponding tip 175, thus widening the guide groove 176 in its upper section, thereby allowing more space for the support pin 182 to initially enter the guide groove 176 in the transfer transport direction 114.

[0292] According to Figure 5 Upon insertion, the contact element 172 enters at least partially into the volume or cavity of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150.

[0293] Figure 6 The image shows the carriage 134 fully received by the lifting arm 126. In this state, the support pin 182 is located in the lower, narrow section of the guide groove 176, and the free end 188 of the contact element 172 touches the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150.

[0294] Due to the contact between the free end 188 of the contact element 172 and the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150, current can now flow from the anode in the processing pool 106 to the workpiece 102, which serves as the cathode.

[0295] The bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 is preferably configured such that when the carriage 134 and the workpiece 102 are immersed in the processing fluid of the processing tank 106, the processing fluid at least partially penetrates the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150. However, the geometry of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150, which preferably operates according to the diving bell principle, ensures that the free end 188 of the contact element 172 is arranged in the dry area 190, i.e., the area without processing fluid, independently of the tilt angle of the carriage 134. In other words, the area around the free end 188 of the contact element 172 is not washed away by the processing fluid, even at different tilt angles of the carriage 134, such as in Figure 7 As can be seen in the image.

[0296] The angle between the longitudinal axis of the workpiece carrier 132 or the carriage 134 and the horizontal line should preferably be understood as an inclination angle.

[0297] Figure 7 The tilt state of the carriage 134 on the left side shows the maximum possible tilt angle at which the contact element 172 touches the front stop 192 at the base of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150.

[0298] The bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 also includes a rear stop 194, which can achieve the same tilt angle of the carriage 134, but in the opposite direction. However, it is also conceivable that the stops 192 and 194 can achieve different maximum possible tilt angles in terms of the numerical value of the tilt angle.

[0299] Carriage 134 Figure 7 The tilt angle on the left side is approximately 60 degrees.

[0300] In this state, the drying area 190 is greatly reduced, but still sufficient to ensure that the free end 188 of the contact element 172 is not located in the processing fluid.

[0301] exist Figure 7 The tilted state of the right carriage 134 indicates a lower tilt than the state on the left. In the state on the left, the contact element 172 is located between the front stop 192 and the rear stop 194 of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150.

[0302] The tilt angle of carriage 134 when it is on the right side is approximately 30 degrees.

[0303] In this state, the dry area 190 is larger because only about two-thirds of the volume in the bell-shaped contact mechanism is filled with fluid.

[0304] As cathodic immersion may occur, the section of the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 that comes into contact with the processing fluid during immersion is coated.

[0305] However, the frictional contact between the free end 188 of the contact element 172 and the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 ensures that the paint cannot permanently adhere to the surface section of the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150, and the free end 188 of the contact element 172 rubs on this surface section by adjusting the tilt angle of the carriage 134.

[0306] In particular, when the carriage 134 is transferred back from the processing stage to the roller conveyor 130, the mating member 186, for example configured as a triangle, at the end of the support pin 182 preferably works in conjunction with the curved tip 175 of the guide tooth 174. This joint action prevents the carriage 134 from tilting laterally, thereby hindering its transfer to the roller conveyor 130.

[0307] exist Figures 8 to 10 The combined action of the blocking element 178 and the corresponding element 184, which is constructed as a flat iron, is illustrated exemplarily at different tilt angles.

[0308] exist Figure 8The diagram shows the state at the end of the insertion, that is, the lifting arm 126 of the preceding lifting conveyor 120 has received the carriage 134, and the free end 188 of the contact element 172 protrudes into the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 so that it touches its inner surface.

[0309] In this state, the carriage 134 has the potential to float and separate from the lifting arm 126 or the locking mechanism 146, because the blocking element 178, which is preferably configured as a trapezoid in cross-section, is not obstructed or blocked by the corresponding element 184 during vertical movement or upward movement.

[0310] exist Figure 8 In the middle, the tilt angle of carriage 134 is approximately 0 degrees.

[0311] The two corresponding elements 184 are preferably arranged in a manner that is axially symmetrical with respect to each other, and each forms an angle of about 60 degrees with the horizontal line when the carriage 134 is not tilted.

[0312] exist Figure 9 In this case, the carriage 134 is tilted at approximately 10 to 15 degrees. In other words, the lifting arm 126 of the preceding lifting conveyor 120 is lowered relative to the lifting arm 126 of the following lifting conveyor 122 in the lifting direction 128 to such an extent that the tilt angle of the carriage 134 is within the range of 10 to 15 degrees.

[0313] In this state, the buoyancy of the carriage 134 or upward movement caused by fluid has been prevented because the corresponding front element 184 is blocked by the blocking element 178 when moving vertically upward. This corresponding front element 184 is... Figures 8 to 10 The left corresponding element in the two corresponding elements 184.

[0314] Therefore, the carriage 134 is locked to the locking mechanism 146 or the lifting arm 126 at an angle of inclination in the range of 10 to 15 degrees.

[0315] exist Figure 10 In, with Figure 7 Compared to the left-hand position, this shows the maximum tilt of the carriage 134, in which the contact element 172 abuts against the front stop 192 of the bell-shaped contact mechanism 150. The tilt angle of the carriage 134 in this state is approximately 60 degrees, so the corresponding element 184 is now oriented approximately horizontally and arranged below the blocking element 178, such that the blocking element 178 can act precisely on the corresponding element 184 with its entire lower side to block or prevent the carriage 134 from floating.

[0316] Furthermore, as stated above, in Figures 11 to 13 The image shows a preferred second embodiment of the lifting arm 126, which in Figures 5 to 10 The details of this embodiment of the lifting arm 126 are already at least partially visible. To better illustrate the details of this embodiment, the lifting and conveying devices 120 and 122 have been concealed.

[0317] Since the lifting conveyors 120 and 122 are preferably arranged sequentially on one side of the treatment pool 106 and travel along the side of the pool in the transfer conveying direction 114, the associated lifting arm 126 is dynamically loaded on one side.

[0318] In the treatment tank 106, plate-shaped anodes 196 are arranged on the side wall for impregnation.

[0319] The side-mounted arrangement of the lifting arm 126 causes some of these anodes 196 to be at least partially obscured by the lifting arm 126, thereby disturbing the field lines in the affected area and potentially affecting the processing quality of the workpiece 102, and in particular the coating quality of the vehicle body 104.

[0320] Therefore, it is advantageous to keep the shielding caused by the lifting arm 126 as low as possible, which can be achieved in particular by the geometry of the lifting arm 126.

[0321] Therefore, the lifting arm 126 according to the preferred second embodiment includes two outer support tubes 198 and a central tube 200, with the central tube arranged between the two support tubes 198 with reference to the transfer and conveying direction 114.

[0322] By selecting a circular tube for the lifting arm 126, the field force lines are minimally affected, or significantly less affected compared to other cross-sectional shapes. Furthermore, particles in the processed fluid are less likely to adhere to the curved surface of the circular tube.

[0323] The cross-section of the central circular tube 200 is preferably larger than the cross-section of the two supporting circular tubes 198, and the cross-sections of the two supporting circular tubes 198 are preferably at least approximately the same size.

[0324] As in Figure 9 and Figure 13 As can be seen in the example, one or more electrical lines 201 are guided inside the central circular tube 200, which are electrically connected to one or two locking mechanisms 146 of the lifting arm 126 to ensure that current flows through the workpiece 102, which serves as the cathode.

[0325] The lifting boom 126 preferably has four sections, which will be discussed in detail below.

[0326] When place references such as “above” or “upper part” and “below” or “lower part” are used below, they refer to the image plane of the corresponding one or more figures unless otherwise stated.

[0327] In the upper section 202 of the lifting arm 126, the central circular tube 200 and the supporting circular tube 198 are securely connected to the base unit 204, which is preferably constructed as a mounting plate and is vertically oriented.

[0328] With the help of the base unit 204, the lifting arm 126 is connected to the associated lifting and conveying devices 120, 122.

[0329] In the upper section 202, the supporting circular tube 198 bends once toward the base unit 204 or the lifting and conveying devices 120, 122, preferably at an angle of 45 degrees.

[0330] Below the bend, each of the supporting tubes 198 is supported by a transverse tube 206 against the base unit 204, the transverse tube 206 preferably being oriented generally horizontally.

[0331] The transverse tube 206 prevents the lifting arm 126 from deforming toward the adjacent side wall of the processing pool 106 due to receiving and processing the carriage 134 carrying the workpiece 102.

[0332] The central tube 200 is preferably bent twice in the upper section 206 toward the corresponding lifting and conveying devices 120, 122, so that the plane of the base unit 204 and the central tube 200 are connected to each other approximately perpendicularly.

[0333] The upper section 202 is attached downward to a vertical section 208, in which the central circular tube 200 and the supporting circular tube 198 extend substantially vertically and parallel to each other. The supporting circular tube 198 is arranged at the same height with reference to a horizontal line that extends perpendicular to the transfer conveying direction 114, i.e., parallel to the main conveying direction 112. The central circular tube 200 is arranged inwardly spaced, i.e., further offset toward the workpiece 102 to be processed.

[0334] In the upper region of the vertical section 208, the central circular tube 200 and the two supporting circular tubes 198 are preferably connected to each other by a horizontal intermediate plate 209.

[0335] The horizontal intermediate plate 209 fixes the spacing between the central circular tube 200 and the support circular tube 198 and increases the rigidity of the lifting arm 126 without promoting shielding.

[0336] The vertical section 208 of the lifting arm 126 is attached downward to a corner section, in which the central tube 200 and the supporting tube 198 are also bent and specifically bent toward the central longitudinal axis of the treatment tank 106, which extends parallel to the transfer conveying direction 114.

[0337] The corresponding angles formed by the inward bending of the central tube 200 and the two supporting tubes 198 are also within the range of approximately 45 degrees. However, the angle of the supporting tubes 198 begins earlier from the top, and the bent sections 212 of the two supporting tubes 198 are longer than the corresponding sections of the central tube 200. Furthermore, the bent sections 212 merge downwards towards the central tube 200, so that these sections 212 are fastened to each other adjacently at their lower ends, preferably welded to the central tube 200.

[0338] The bends of the central circular tube 200 and the supporting circular tube 198 in the corner region 210 follow the tapering section 216 of the treatment pool 106 in the lower pool region, through which the treatment fluid can be saved.

[0339] Finally, the corner section 210 is attached to a horizontal section 218 in which the central circular tube 200 extends at least approximately horizontally.

[0340] Two locking mechanisms 146 are arranged in the horizontal section 218, wherein preferably, the locking mechanism 146 arranged away from the lifting conveyors 120, 122 is loaded or supplied with electricity.

[0341] These locking mechanisms 146 have a partition plate 220 between the respective base 168 and the central tube 200, so that the receiving element 170 and contact element 172 of the locking mechanism are preferably shorter than the receiving element 170 and contact element 172 of the adjacent locking mechanism 146, i.e., the other locking mechanism 146 of the same lifting arm 126, by the thickness of the partition plate 220.

[0342] Therefore, from the upper section 202 to the corner section 210, the central circular tube 200 and the supporting circular tube 198 are arranged such that they always present a triangular arrangement in the cross-section through all three tubes. This ensures the high rigidity of the lifting arm 126 on the one hand, and minimizes the impact on the field force lines between the anode 196 and the workpiece 102, which serves as the cathode.

[0343] exist Figure 13 The arrangement of triangles can be seen exemplarily in the diagram, which shows a horizontal cross-section at the height of the corner segment 210.

[0344] Figures 14 to 17 A third and fourth embodiment of the processing device 100 are shown, wherein the third embodiment is equipped with a locking mechanism 146, which is specifically provided for the existing workpiece carrier 132.

[0345] The known or conventional workpiece carrier 132 described below should be understood as an existing workpiece carrier 132 that does not have the advantages of the workpiece carrier 132 according to the present invention further described above.

[0346] In processing equipment 100 Figure 14 and Figure 15 In the third embodiment and the processing device 100 Figure 16 and Figure 17 In the fourth embodiment, lifting arms 126 are used as already combined Figures 5 to 13 The second implementation method is presented and explained.

[0347] exist Figure 14 and Figure 15 In this process, the transfer device 118 of the processing equipment 100 is configured as a chain conveyor 222. For this chain conveyor, two crossbeams 224, also referred to as "crossbars," are used as workpiece carriers 132 for each workpiece 102. The transfer device 118... Figure 16 and Figure 17 In the embodiment, it is constructed as a roller conveyor 130. However, for this roller conveyor, the conventional or known carriage 134 is used as the workpiece carrier 132, that is, there is no bell-shaped contact mechanism 150 and no anti-tipping element 158.

[0348] For processing equipment 100 Figure 14 and Figure 15 The embodiment of the chain conveyor 222 and the processing equipment 100. Figure 16 and Figure 17 In one embodiment with a roller conveyor 130, a locking mechanism 146 is configured to achieve reception and electrical contact in a clamping element 226, which extends the workpiece 102 to be processed into an overhang above the processing pool 106 for transfer to the lifting arm 126.

[0349] Each clamping element 226 preferably has a guide 228 that receives an associated lateral receiving pin 230 of the crossbeam 224 or carriage 134.

[0350] The guide 228 preferably extends horizontally, so that the lifting arm 126 does not need to perform any additional vertical movement when locking and unlocking the workpiece carrier 132.

[0351] The guide portion 228 of the clamping element 226 of the lifting arm 126 arranged at the front lifting conveyor 120 opens backward, i.e. towards the transfer device 118, while the guide portion 228 of the clamping element 226 of the lifting arm 126 arranged at the rear lifting conveyor 122 opens forward, i.e. towards the direction away from the transfer device 118.

[0352] Therefore, the guides 228 of the two lifting arms 126, which are opposite each other in the transfer conveying direction 114, are open relative to each other, so that once the receiving pins 230 of one or more workpiece carriers 132 abut against the guides 228 of the clamping element 226, the workpiece 102 can be locked at the lifting arm 126 by moving the lifting conveying devices 120, 122 toward each other.

[0353] Conversely, the workpiece 102 being processed is moved away from each other by two lifting conveyors 120, 122 and thus released from the clamping of the workpiece carrier 132 and is unlocked.

[0354] In the chain conveyor 222, such as Figure 14 and Figure 15 As depicted, the workpiece 102 is first extended and retracted above the processing pool 106. The workpiece is constructed as a vehicle body 104 and has mounted crossbeams 224 in the area of ​​the wheel cover.

[0355] Subsequently, the lifting arm 126 is raised along the lifting direction 128. The lifting arm is previously, preferably, lowered along the lifting direction 128 in parallel with the telescopic movement to below the plane of the chain conveyor 222 and sufficiently spaced apart from each other, so that the receiving pin 230 of the crossbeam 224 is directly positioned in front of the guide portion 228 of the clamping element 226 or against the lower protrusion 232 of the guide portion 228.

[0356] Subsequently, the lifting and conveying devices 120 and 122 eventually move toward each other until the receiving pin 230 has reached the end of the corresponding guide 228, and thus the workpiece 102 or the carrier body 104 has been locked at the lifting arm 126 by means of the crossbeam 224 for processing.

[0357] In the roller conveyor 130, such as Figure 16 and Figure 17 As depicted, the carriage 134 or the two front lateral receiving pins 230 first pass through the guide portion 228 of the clamping element 226 of the lifting arm 126 of the preceding lifting conveyor 120 by conveying the carriage 134 into the protruding position. Here, the two lifting conveyors 120, 122 are positioned as close as possible to the roller conveyor 130, so that the carriage 134 protrudes as little as possible to prevent the carriage 134 from tipping over toward the processing tank 106.

[0358] During this period, the lifting arm 126 of the rear lifting conveyor 122 is positioned such that the locking mechanism is positioned below the carriage 134.

[0359] Subsequently, the carriage 134 is further conveyed by the roller conveyor 130 along the transfer conveying direction 114 to the top of the treatment pool 106, wherein the lifting conveyor 120 in front moves synchronously together.

[0360] Meanwhile, the lifting arm 126 of the rear lifting conveyor 122 is lifted along the lifting direction 128, and specifically lifted to the height of the lifting arm 126 of the front lifting conveyor 120, wherein the lifting is coordinated such that when the height of the lifting arm 126 of the front lifting conveyor 120 is reached, the guide portion 228 of the clamping element 226 of the lifting arm 126 of the rear lifting conveyor 122 is located behind the lateral receiving pin 230 of the carriage 134 or the receiving pin abuts against the protrusion 232 of the guide portion 228.

[0361] Finally, the lifting and conveying devices 120 and 122 move toward each other to lock the carriage 134, and specifically until the receiving pin 230 has reached the end of the corresponding guide 228.

[0362] If the processed workpiece 102 is to be returned to the original transfer device 118, it is unlocked in the corresponding reverse order.

[0363] Similarly for Figures 14 to 17 With regard to the locking mechanism 146 in the embodiment, it is preferable that each lifting arm 126 is energized only to the locking mechanism 146 arranged on the side of the lifting arm 126 further away from the lifting conveyors 120, 122.

[0364] However, it is also conceivable that only the locking mechanism 146 arranged closer to the lifting and conveying devices 120, 122 is energized, or alternatively, both locking mechanisms 146 are energized, and the positions of the two locking mechanisms at the corresponding lifting arms 126 are different.

[0365] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0366] 100 processing equipment

[0367] 102 workpieces

[0368] 104 Main body of the transport vehicle

[0369] 106 treatment pool

[0370] 108 Conveying Equipment

[0371] 110 Main Conveying Unit

[0372] 112 Main Conveying Direction

[0373] 114 Handover of transport direction

[0374] 116 Horizontal Conveying Device

[0375] 118 handover device

[0376] 120 lifting and conveying device

[0377] 122 is the lifting and conveying device at the rear.

[0378] 124 track elements

[0379] 126 lifting arm

[0380] 128 lifting direction

[0381] 130 roller conveyor

[0382] 132 Workpiece Bearing

[0383] 134 carriage

[0384] 136 end position

[0385] 138 Radar Measurement Agency

[0386] 140 laser measurement mechanism

[0387] 142 distance sensor

[0388] 144 accelerometers

[0389] 146 Locking Mechanism

[0390] 148 longitudinal beams

[0391] 150 bell-shaped contact mechanism

[0392] 152 cross braces

[0393] 154 measuring plate

[0394] 156 Forklift Reception

[0395] 158 anti-tipping element

[0396] 160 guiding edge

[0397] 162 Roller Guide

[0398] 164-span roller pair

[0399] 166 lateral guide rollers

[0400] 167 Installation Support

[0401] 168 base

[0402] 170 receiving element

[0403] 172 contact elements

[0404] 174 guide teeth

[0405] The tip of the 175 guide tooth

[0406] 176 guide slot

[0407] 178 blocking element

[0408] 180 inner side

[0409] 182 support pin

[0410] 184 corresponding components

[0411] 186 matching parts

[0412] 188 Free end of contact element

[0413] 190 dry area

[0414] 192 front stop

[0415] 194 rear stop

[0416] 196 anode

[0417] 198 Supporting Round Tube

[0418] 200 central round tube

[0419] 201 Electrical Circuits

[0420] Upper section of 202 lifting boom

[0421] 204 base unit

[0422] 206 horizontal round tube

[0423] 208 vertical section

[0424] 209 intermediate plate

[0425] 210 Corner Section

[0426] 212 Supporting the bent section of the circular tube

[0427] 214 The bent section of the central circular tube

[0428] The tapering section of the 216 treatment tank

[0429] 218 Horizontal Section

[0430] 220 insulation board

[0431] 222 Chain Conveyor

[0432] 224 crossbeam

[0433] 226 clamping elements

[0434] 228 Guiding Department

[0435] 230 Acceptance Sales

[0436] 232 protrusion

Claims

1. A processing apparatus (100) for processing a workpiece (102), the workpiece being particularly a vehicle body (104), wherein the processing apparatus (100) comprises: - At least one processing tank (106), particularly at least one immersion tank, for treating the workpiece (102) with at least one processing fluid, and - At least one conveying device (108) for conveying the workpieces (102), the workpieces being arranged on workpiece carriers (132), wherein the conveying device (108) comprises: - At least one main conveying device (110) for conveying the workpiece (102) in the main conveying direction (112) and / or in the transfer conveying direction (114); and - At least one lifting conveyor (120, 122), preferably at least two lifting conveyors (120, 122), which are capable of traveling independently along the main conveying direction (112) and / or the transfer conveying direction (114) of at least one of the processing pools (106) in a lateral direction. At least one of the lifting and conveying devices (120, 122) includes at least one lifting arm (126) which is capable of traveling independently in the lifting direction (128) and is configured to at least partially receive the workpiece carrier (132) and / or the workpiece (102).

2. The processing apparatus (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying device (108) is configured to transfer a workpiece (102) arranged on a workpiece carrier (132) between at least one of the main conveying devices (110) and at least one of the lifting conveying devices (120, 122).

3. The processing apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The workpiece can be carried by means of at least one of the lifting and conveying devices (120, 122) to at least one processing position in at least one processing pool (106), especially at least one immersion position.

4. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, At least one of the lifting arms (126) is configured as L-shaped or U-shaped.

5. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The workpiece carrier (132) is constructed as a crossbeam (224) or a carriage (134).

6. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, At least one of the lifting arms (126) has a transfer position that can be adapted to the transfer movement of the workpiece (102) to be transferred.

7. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, At least one of the lifting conveyors (120, 122) and / or at least one of the lifting arms (126) are capable of moving together with the workpiece (102) to be transferred, so as to transfer the workpiece at least approximately uninterruptedly.

8. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The conveying device (108) includes at least one control and / or regulating device, by means of which the transfer of workpiece (102) between at least one of the main conveying devices (110) and at least one of the lifting conveying devices (120, 122) and / or the movement of the workpiece (102) to be processed in at least one of the processing pools (106) can be controlled and / or regulated.

9. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The processing device (100) includes at least one radar measuring mechanism (138) and / or at least one laser measuring mechanism (140) for detecting the position of the workpiece carrier and / or the position of the workpiece, particularly during the transfer of the workpiece (102) between at least one of the lifting conveyors (120, 122) and the main conveyor (110).

10. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The conveying device (108) includes at least one distance sensor (142), particularly at least one inductive distance sensor, for detecting the distance between at least one of the main conveying devices (110) and the workpiece carrier (132) and / or the workpiece (102), especially during the transfer of the workpiece (102) between the main conveying device (110) and at least one of the lifting conveying devices (120, 122).

11. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, Each lifting conveyor (120, 122) includes at least one acceleration sensor (144) for monitoring conveying motion.

12. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, At least one, preferably all, lifting and conveying devices (120, 122) includes at least one vibration sensor for monitoring and processing vibration curves.

13. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, At least one of the lifting conveyors (120, 122) is configured to prevent collision between the workpiece (102) to be processed and at least one of the processing pools (106).

14. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, At least one of the lifting conveyors (120, 122) is configured to identify the unlocking of the received workpiece carrier (132) and / or the workpiece (102) to be processed during processing in at least one of the processing pools (106).

15. The processing apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The speed and / or acceleration of the workpiece (102) can be limited during processing in at least one direction of motion.

16. A method for treating a workpiece (102) with at least one processing fluid in at least one processing tank (106) of a processing apparatus (100), the workpiece being particularly a vehicle body (104), the at least one processing tank being particularly at least one immersion tank, wherein the method comprises the following steps: - Transfer the workpiece (102) from at least one main conveyor (110) to at least one lifting conveyor (120, 122). - Once the workpiece (102) and / or the workpiece carrier (132) on which the workpiece (102) is arranged arrive at the initial position for handover, at least one of the lifting conveyors (120, 122) moves together with the workpiece (102) to be handed over. - When moving together, at least one lifting arm (126) of at least one lifting conveyor (120, 122) receives the workpiece (102) to be transferred and / or the workpiece carrier (132); and - The workpiece (102) is brought to at least one processing position by means of at least one lifting conveyor (120, 122), wherein the received workpiece (102) is lowered in particular to at least one immersion position.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, During the transfer of the workpiece (102) to be processed from at least one of the main conveying devices (110) to at least one of the lifting conveying devices (120, 122) a) Detecting the workpiece position and / or the workpiece carrier position using at least one radar measuring mechanism (138) and / or at least one laser measuring mechanism (140); and / or b) Detect the distance between the main conveying device (110) and the workpiece (102) and / or the workpiece carrier (132) by means of at least one distance sensor (142), especially at least one inductive distance sensor.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, During the processing of the workpiece (102) a) Accordingly, the conveying motion of at least one of the lifting conveying devices (120, 122) is monitored by means of at least one acceleration sensor (144); and / or b) Monitor the vibration curves of at least one, preferably all, lifting and conveying devices (120, 122) using at least one vibration sensor; and / or c) Monitor the movement path of the workpiece (102) to be processed to avoid collisions between the workpiece (102) and at least one of the processing pools (106); and / or d) Monitor the locking of the workpiece (102) to be processed and / or the workpiece carrier (132) at at least one of the lifting arms (126); and / or e) Monitor the torque of the workpiece (102) to be processed about the transverse axis; and / or f) Limit the speed and / or acceleration of the workpiece (102) for at least one direction of motion.

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