Conveyor device for a workpiece processing system and method for conveying workpieces

Abstract

Conveyor device (112) for a workpiece treatment system (100), in particular for a dip coating system (104) for dip coating vehicle bodies (106), comprising several conveying units (120) for picking up, transporting and delivering at least one workpiece (102) and a conveying section (118) along which the several conveying units (120) are bidirectionally movable, wherein each conveying unit (120) comprises at least one receiving device (128) for releasably securing the at least one workpiece (102) to the conveying unit (120), characterized in that each conveying unit (120) is movable along a conveying section (122) of the conveying section (118) of the conveying device (112), wherein the conveying section sections (122) of at least two conveying units (120) overlap.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device for a workpiece treatment system, in particular for a dip coating system for painting vehicle bodies.

[0002] In such a conveying device, it can be provided that at least one workpiece can be conveyed by means of a conveying unit. The conveying unit can, for example, be moved along a closed, annular path. In particular, the conveying unit can be moved in a first direction along a first path segment to convey the at least one workpiece. To return the conveying unit to its starting position, it is then moved, for example, along a second path segment that differs from the first.

[0003] From DE 37 43 237 A1 a transfer system for transporting sets of goods carriers back and forth between stations arranged along a guide is also known.

[0004] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a conveying device for a workpiece processing system which has a small footprint and can be operated efficiently.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention by a conveying device for a workpiece treatment system, in particular for a dip coating system for painting vehicle bodies, which comprises one or more conveying units for picking up, transporting and delivering at least one workpiece and a conveying path along which the one conveying unit or the several conveying units are bidirectionally movable, wherein each conveying unit comprises at least one receiving device for releasably fixing the at least one workpiece to the conveying unit.

[0006] Because one or more conveying units are bidirectionally movable according to the invention, the conveying device can preferably be designed to save space. Furthermore, this allows the conveying device to be operated more efficiently.

[0007] A bidirectional movement of a conveying unit means in particular that the conveying unit can be moved along a conveying path in one direction, especially to convey at least one workpiece in that direction, and that the conveying unit can also preferably be moved along the same conveying path in the opposite direction, especially to be moved back to a starting position.

[0008] The conveyor line preferably has an open beginning and an open end.

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the at least one workpiece can be picked up and / or unloaded, in particular deposited, at several positions along the conveyor line by means of one or more conveyor units.

[0010] It can be advantageous if at least one workpiece can be unloaded, in particular placed, at at least one position along the conveyor route by means of a conveyor unit, and can be picked up and transported further at a later time by means of the same conveyor unit and / or by means of another conveyor unit.

[0011] It can be provided that, by means of a conveying unit, at least one first workpiece can first be transported to a first position along the conveying path and can be placed there, in particular deposited, that, by means of the same conveying unit, at least one second workpiece can then be transported to a second position along the conveying path and placed there, in particular deposited, and that, by means of the same conveying unit, the at least one workpiece can then be picked up again at the first position and transported to a further position along the conveying path.

[0012] It can be advantageous if the holding device includes a rotary device by means of which the at least one workpiece held on the holding device can be rotated.

[0013] In particular, it may be provided that the at least one workpiece held on the receiving device can be rotated by means of the rotation device about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation and / or about a substantially vertical axis of rotation.

[0014] The axis of rotation is preferably aligned essentially parallel or essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0015] The rotating device includes in particular a rotating element, which is designed, for example, as a shaft.

[0016] Preferably, the rotating element is arranged on a motion device for moving, in particular driving, the conveying unit along the conveying path. The rotating element projects, for example, substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction from the motion device.

[0017] A movement device of the conveying unit advantageously includes a drive for rotating the rotating element around the axis of rotation.

[0018] The receiving device of each conveying unit is preferably arranged on the rotating element of the conveying unit, so that by rotating the rotating element the receiving device together with a workpiece arranged on it is rotated.

[0019] It may be provided that the at least one workpiece can be transported in a first rotational orientation by means of at least one conveying unit and can be unloaded, in particular deposited, at at least one position along the conveying path in a second rotational orientation different from the first rotational orientation.

[0020] The first rotational alignment and the second rotational alignment are preferably rotated relative to each other by approximately 180°, for example between approximately 120° and approximately 240°, in particular between approximately 170° and approximately 190°.

[0021] It can be advantageous if the at least one workpiece is positioned above, and in particular directly above, the holding device during transport. When the at least one workpiece is in its lowered position, it is preferably positioned below, and in particular directly under, the holding device. The holding device can thus preferably be moved over the workpiece when it is in its lowered position.

[0022] However, it can also be provided that the at least one workpiece is arranged below, and in particular directly below, the receiving device during transport. In the unloaded state of the at least one workpiece, it is then preferably arranged above, and in particular directly above, the receiving device. In this case, the receiving device can then preferably be moved below the at least one workpiece when it has been unloaded, i.e., is in the unloaded state.

[0023] According to the invention, the conveying device comprises several conveying units, each conveying unit being movable along a conveying section of the conveying route of the conveying device, with the conveying sections of at least two conveying units overlapping.

[0024] It may be stipulated that the conveyor sections are at least partially identical. However, it may also be stipulated that the conveyor sections are at least partially different.

[0025] Furthermore, it may be provided that at least two conveying units of the conveying device are movable along conveying route sections which are completely misaligned.

[0026] It can be advantageous if at least one conveying unit can be moved to at least one conveying line position which is inaccessible to at least one other conveying unit.

[0027] Each conveying unit preferably includes a locking device controllable by means of a control device of the conveying device, by means of which a connection between the at least one workpiece and the receiving device can be locked and / or unlocked.

[0028] The connection between the at least one workpiece and the holding device is, in particular, centrally lockable and / or unlockable electrically and / or mechanically.

[0029] In particular, the receiving device may comprise several locking units or locking elements by means of which at least one workpiece, in particular a workpiece carrier for receiving the at least one workpiece, can be detachably fixed to the receiving device. Preferably, all locking units or locking elements can be locked and / or unlocked centrally and / or simultaneously by means of the control device and / or the locking device.

[0030] The control device and / or the locking device is preferably part of the conveying unit and, preferably with the exception of a control pulse for locking and / or unlocking, can be operated independently of other components of the conveying device.

[0031] The conveying device is particularly suitable for use in a workpiece treatment system for the treatment of workpieces, especially in a dip coating system for painting vehicle bodies.

[0032] The present invention therefore also relates to a workpiece treatment system for the treatment of workpieces, which comprises at least one conveying device according to the invention.

[0033] The workpiece treatment system preferably comprises several treatment areas, in particular immersion tanks, in which the workpieces can be positioned, in particular placed, by means of the conveying device.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for conveying workpieces by means of a conveying device.

[0035] The invention is based on the objective of providing a method by which workpieces can be conveyed in a space-saving and efficient manner.

[0036] This problem is solved according to the invention by a method for conveying workpieces by means of a conveying device, which comprises the following: Picking up, transporting and delivering at least one workpiece by means of one or more conveying units of the conveying device, wherein the at least one workpiece is detachably fixed to the conveying unit by means of at least one receiving device of each conveying unit; bidirectional movement of the one conveying unit or the several conveying units along a conveying path of the conveying device.

[0037] It can be advantageous if the at least one workpiece is picked up at several positions along the conveyor line by means of one or more conveyor units and / or delivered, in particular deposited, at several positions along the conveyor line.

[0038] Furthermore, it may be provided that at least one workpiece is delivered, in particular deposited, by means of a conveying unit at at least one position along the conveying path, and is picked up and transported further at a later time by means of the same conveying unit and / or by means of another conveying unit.

[0039] In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one first workpiece is transported to a first position along the conveyor line by means of a conveying unit and delivered there, in particular placed there, that at least one second workpiece is then transported to a second position along the conveyor line by means of the same conveying unit and delivered there, in particular placed there, and that the at least one first workpiece is subsequently picked up again at the first position by means of the same conveying unit and transported to a further position along the conveyor line.

[0040] The at least one workpiece is preferably transported in a first rotational orientation by means of at least one conveyor unit. Furthermore, the at least one workpiece is preferably discharged, in particular deposited, at at least one position along the conveyor path by means of the at least one conveyor unit in a second rotational orientation different from the first.

[0041] The at least one workpiece is rotated by means of the conveying unit, in particular by means of a rotary device of the conveying unit, preferably at the position from the first rotary orientation to the second rotary orientation at which the at least one workpiece is discharged, in particular deposited.

[0042] Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one workpiece is rotated from the second rotary orientation to the first rotary orientation at the position where the at least one workpiece is picked up by means of the at least one conveying unit.

[0043] A connection between the at least one workpiece and the receiving device is preferably locked and / or unlocked centrally by means of a control device assigned to a conveyor unit.

[0044] Preferably, each conveying unit is assigned a locking device, in particular to lock and / or unlock all locking elements and / or locking units centrally for the respective conveying unit.

[0045] The inventive method for conveying workpieces by means of a conveying device is particularly suitable for implementation in a method for treating workpieces.

[0046] The present invention therefore also relates to a method for treating workpieces, in particular for dip coating of vehicle bodies.

[0047] In the inventive method for treating workpieces, the workpieces are conveyed in particular according to the inventive method for conveying workpieces.

[0048] Preferably, several positions at which the at least one workpiece can be picked up and / or dropped off, in particular placed, are treatment areas of a workpiece treatment system, in particular immersion tanks of an immersion coating system.

[0049] It may be provided that at least one workpiece is fed successively to different treatment areas by means of the conveying device for the purpose of carrying out different treatment steps.

[0050] The at least one workpiece is preferably picked up in a treatment area by means of a conveying unit, transported by means of the conveying unit to another treatment area and delivered there, in particular deposited.

[0051] During the treatment of this at least one workpiece in the further treatment area, a further workpiece can preferably be conveyed by means of the conveying unit, in particular to transport this further workpiece from one treatment area to another treatment area.

[0052] Preferably, at most one workpiece can be arranged, in particular placed, in each treatment area.

[0053] The conveying device, the workpiece treatment system, the method for conveying workpieces and / or the method for treating workpieces according to the invention preferably have one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the conveying device, the workpiece treatment system, the method for conveying workpieces and / or the method for treating workpieces.

[0054] Furthermore, the conveying device according to the invention, the workpiece treatment system according to the invention, the method according to the invention for conveying workpieces and / or the method according to the invention for treating workpieces may have one or more of the features and / or advantages described below: Preferably, at least one conveying unit can be used to convey at least one workpiece after the (first) conveying of this workpiece and during treatment of the same, to convey at least one further workpiece.

[0055] The locking device preferably has several locking units or locking elements that can be locked and / or unlocked via a central geared motor.

[0056] To secure the at least one workpiece on a conveyor unit at the beginning of a conveyor line, the at least one workpiece is preferably fed above the receiving device of the conveyor unit and gripped from below by means of the receiving device, in particular by means of the locking device.

[0057] At least one workpiece, in particular a vehicle body, is preferably fixed to a workpiece carrier, in particular a skid.

[0058] Preferably, at least one workpiece is received on the receiving device by means of a workpiece carrier and / or can be detachably fixed on the receiving device by means of a workpiece carrier.

[0059] To deliver, and in particular deposit, at least one workpiece at a position along the conveyor path, especially in a processing area, the workpiece is preferably rotated at this position by approximately 180° using the rotary device of the conveyor unit and then positioned over stationary support elements, for example by a short translational movement. Following this, the workpiece is preferably placed onto the support elements and the receiving device is removed from the at least one workpiece.

[0060] For example, with a conveying unit speed of approximately 24 m / min and a rotational speed of the rotary device of approximately 360 degrees / min, it can be provided that in a workpiece treatment system which has a length of, for example, 60 m and 10 process stages (treatment areas), one conveying unit (carrier) is sufficient to process, for example, four workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies, per hour, i.e., to finish processing them using the workpiece treatment system.

[0061] Using two conveyor units (carriers), for example, seven workpieces per hour can be processed, and using three conveyor units, for example, nine workpieces per hour, depending on process times, travel speeds and waiting times.

[0062] Preferably, the number of conveying units can be reduced compared to known conveying devices while maintaining the same workpiece throughput.

[0063] Particularly when the conveyor path is essentially linear, rotary tables for aligning the workpieces can preferably be dispensed with.

[0064] It can be advantageous if at least one workpiece, preferably exclusively, can be introduced into and / or removed from a treatment area, in particular an immersion tank, by rotating it using the rotating device of the conveying unit.

[0065] Further preferred features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of an exemplary embodiment.

[0066] The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective representation of a workpiece processing plant in which a conveying device for conveying workpieces is provided, comprising three conveying units; Fig. 2 an enlarged view of a treatment area of ​​the workpiece treatment system Fig. 1 including a workpiece arranged therein and a conveying unit for receiving and transporting this workpiece; Fig. 3 a schematic perspective representation of a conveying unit of the workpiece processing system from Fig. 1; Fig. 4 a schematic perspective representation of a locking element of a locking device of a conveying unit, wherein the locking element is in a locked state; Fig. 5 one of the Fig. 4. A corresponding schematic perspective representation of the locking element, wherein the locking element is in an unlocked state; Fig. 6 a schematic perspective representation of a workpiece picked up by means of a conveying unit, wherein the workpiece is in a rotational orientation in which the workpiece can be transported along a conveying path; Fig. 7 one of the Fig. 6. A corresponding schematic perspective representation of the workpiece arranged on the conveyor unit, wherein the workpiece is rotated to be placed in a treatment area of ​​the workpiece treatment system; Fig. 8 one of the Fig. 6. A corresponding schematic perspective representation of the workpiece arranged on the conveyor unit, wherein the workpiece is shown in comparison to the representation in Fig. 7 was rotated further around a rotational axis; Fig. 9 one of the Fig. 6. A corresponding schematic perspective representation of the workpiece arranged on the conveyor unit, wherein the workpiece has been rotated into a rotational orientation in which it can be placed in the treatment area; Fig. 10 one of the Fig. 6. A corresponding schematic perspective representation of the workpiece picked up at the conveyor unit, showing the workpiece in comparison to the representation in Fig. 9 was moved along the conveyor line to position it over support elements; Fig. 11 one of the Fig. 6. A corresponding schematic perspective view of the workpiece, which is placed in the treatment area, with the receiving device of the conveyor unit removed from the workpiece; and Fig. 12 one of the Fig. 6. A corresponding schematic perspective representation of the workpiece placed in the treatment area, wherein the receiving device of the conveyor unit is shown in Fig. The rotary orientation shown in section 6 was moved so that the conveyor unit can be moved along the conveyor path and removed from the workpiece.

[0067] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0068] One in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. The workpiece treatment system shown in Figure 12, designated as a whole as 100, serves to treat workpieces 102.

[0069] The workpiece treatment system 100 is designed, for example, as a dip coating system 104 for dip coating workpieces 102, in particular vehicle bodies 106.

[0070] The workpiece treatment system 100 comprises several treatment areas 108, for example treatment areas 108 for cleaning, coating and / or painting the workpieces 102.

[0071] The treatment areas 108 are arranged in a row, one behind the other.

[0072] For example, nine treatment areas 108 are provided in a workpiece treatment system 100 (see in particular Fig. 1).

[0073] The treatment areas 108 are, for example, designed as immersion tanks 110 in a workpiece treatment system 100 designed as an immersion coating system 104.

[0074] The immersion tanks 110 are dimensioned in such a way that one workpiece 102 can be arranged in each immersion tank 110 forming a treatment area 108.

[0075] The workpiece handling system 100 further comprises a conveying device 112, by means of which the workpieces 102 can be conveyed, in particular in a conveying direction 114. The conveying device 112 can, for example, be a rail conveyor, a roller conveyor or an electric monorail.

[0076] The conveying device 112 comprises, for example, a conveying section 118 formed from a conveying rail 116, which extends, for example, in the conveying direction 114 next to the treatment areas 108 and serves to accommodate conveying units 120 of the conveying device 112.

[0077] The conveying units 120 are movable along the conveying path 118.

[0078] The conveying units 120 can be moved over the entire length of the conveying line 118 or over conveying line sections 122 of the conveying line 118.

[0079] Preferably, at least two conveying units 120 are movable along the conveying path 118 in such a way that the conveying path sections 122 of these conveying units 120 overlap at least section by section.

[0080] How especially the Fig. 2 and Fig. As can be seen from Figure 3, each conveying unit 120 comprises a movement device 124, which in particular includes a drive device 126 for driving and moving the conveying unit 120 along the conveying path 118.

[0081] The movement device 124 is arranged in particular directly on the conveyor line 118, especially on the conveyor rail 116.

[0082] By means of the movement devices 124, the conveying units 120 can preferably be moved independently of each other.

[0083] Each conveying unit 120 further comprises a receiving device 128 for receiving a workpiece 102 and a rotation device 130 by means of which a workpiece 102 arranged on the receiving device 128 can be rotated, for example, about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation 132.

[0084] The axis of rotation 132 is oriented in particular essentially perpendicular to the conveying direction 114.

[0085] Preferably the rotating device 130 comprises a rotating element 131, which is designed, for example, as a shaft.

[0086] The rotating element 131 extends in particular along the axis of rotation 132 and preferably projects substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction 114 away from the movement device 124.

[0087] The rotating element 131 is arranged in a rotatable manner on the movement device 124.

[0088] The holding device 128 is arranged on the rotating element 131. By rotating the rotating element 131, the holding device 128, together with a workpiece 102 arranged on it, can also be rotated.

[0089] The conveying unit 120 further comprises a locking device 134, by means of which a connection between the conveying unit 120, in particular the receiving device 128, and the workpiece 102 can be established, locked and / or unlocked.

[0090] How in particular Fig. As can be seen from Figure 2, the workpiece 102 is preferably not arranged directly on the holding device 128. Rather, it is preferably provided that the workpiece 102 is fixed directly on a workpiece carrier 136 and that the workpiece carrier 136 can be detachably fixed directly on the holding device 128.

[0091] In the Fig. 2 and Fig. In the state of the conveying unit 120 and the workpiece 102 shown in Figure 3, the receiving device 128 thus engages directly on the workpiece carrier 136, on which the workpiece 102 is in turn directly fixed.

[0092] However, it can also be provided that the workpiece 102 can be detachably fixed directly to the holding device 128.

[0093] The locking device 134 comprises several, for example four, locking elements 138 for releasably securing the workpiece 102, in particular the workpiece carrier 136, to the receiving device 128.

[0094] The locking elements 138 can be controlled by means of a common control device 140, in particular locked and / or unlocked.

[0095] The locking device 134 comprises a locking drive 142, which is coupled to all locking elements 138 in order to actuate them simultaneously, in particular to lock and / or unlock them.

[0096] The locking drive 142, for example an electric motor, is coupled to the locking elements 138 by means of transmission elements 144, in particular transmission shafts.

[0097] It can be provided that the locking drive 142 is arranged on the motion device 124 and is coupled to the locking elements 138 by means of transmission elements 144, which run partly inside the rotation element 131.

[0098] How Fig. As can be seen from 2, the workpieces 102 can be placed in the treatment areas 108, in particular in the immersion tanks 110, by means of the workpiece carriers 136.

[0099] The workpiece carriers 136 can in particular be placed on support elements 146 of the treatment areas 108, especially the immersion tanks 110.

[0100] How in particular Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the workpieces 102 can be transported in a first rotational orientation along the conveyor line 118 (see in particular the workpiece 102 which is arranged above the treatment area 108 designated by V).

[0101] In a second rotary orientation different from the first rotary orientation, the workpieces 102 can be placed in the treatment areas 108 (see in particular the workpieces 102 in the treatment areas 108 designated I, IV, VI and VII).

[0102] The in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. The conveying device 112 shown in 12 and the workpiece treatment system 100 comprising this conveying device 112 function as follows:

[0103] In an initial section 148 of the conveyor line 118, the workpiece 102, which is fixed to the workpiece carrier 136, is fed to a conveying unit 120 of the conveying device 112.

[0104] The workpiece 102 is fed to the conveyor unit 120, in particular above it, so that the receiving device 128 can grip the workpiece 102, in particular the workpiece carrier 136, from below.

[0105] In a subsequent step, the locking device 134 locks the connection between the holding device 128 and the workpiece carrier 136. The workpiece carrier 136 is then positively connected to the holding device 128.

[0106] In particular, two rails 150 of the workpiece carrier 136 are then positively locked to the locking elements 138 of the locking device 134.

[0107] In the locked state, the workpiece 102 can be rotated arbitrarily around the axis of rotation 132 by rotating the rotating element 131, without having to fear an unwanted slippage or fall of the workpiece 102 from the holding device 128.

[0108] In the rotational orientation in which the workpiece 102 was fed to the conveying unit 120, the workpiece 102 is moved along the conveying direction 114.

[0109] In particular, the workpiece 102 is transported to a treatment area 108 of the workpiece treatment system 100.

[0110] In order to be able to treat the workpiece 102 in this treatment area 108 of the workpiece treatment system 100, the workpiece 102 must be moved from the position and rotational orientation arranged above the treatment area 108 (see, for example, Fig. 6), in which the actual transport of the workpieces 102 along the conveying direction 114 takes place, they are moved downwards and placed in the treatment area 108, in particular immersed in the immersion tank 110 filled with a treatment fluid.

[0111] For this purpose, the workpiece 102 is rotated by means of the rotary device 130 by rotating the rotary element 131 together with it about the axis of rotation 132 and thereby moved downwards until the workpiece 102 is in a rotational orientation rotated by approximately 180° (see in particular the Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. 9).

[0112] In the 180° rotated orientation, the workpiece 102 is essentially completely located within the treatment area 108, in particular within the immersion tank 110. The workpiece 102 is then, in particular, completely surrounded by and completely filled with the treatment fluid.

[0113] As can be seen in particular from a comparison of the Fig. 9 and Fig. As can be seen from 10, the workpiece 102 is moved in or against the conveying direction 114 after rotation, until, for example, the rails 150 of the workpiece carrier 136 are arranged over support elements 146 of the treatment areas 108 and the workpiece 102 can thus be placed in the treatment areas 108, in particular in the immersion tanks 110, by means of the workpiece carriers 136.

[0114] After the workpiece 102 has been placed in the treatment area 108, the locking elements 138 of the locking device 134 can be unlocked.

[0115] The receiving device 128 can then be removed from the workpiece 102, in particular from the workpiece carrier 136 (see Fig. 11 and Fig. 12), in particular by swiveling the receiving device 128 away from the workpiece 102, in particular from the workpiece carrier 136, by means of the rotating device 130.

[0116] The conveying unit 120 can then be moved away from the workpiece 102 along the conveying path 118 and used to convey another workpiece 102, while the workpiece 102 is treated in the treatment area 108, for example cleaned, coated, in particular painted, or otherwise processed.

[0117] After the workpiece 102 has been treated, it can be picked up again and removed from the treatment area 108 using the same conveying unit 120 or another conveying unit 120.

[0118] The steps described above, which are particularly relevant in the Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. The steps shown in section 12 are carried out in reverse order.

[0119] After the workpiece 102 is reconnected to the holding device 128, locked and rotated into the orientation suitable for transport (see Fig. 6) has been brought to a further position, in particular to a further treatment area 108, along the conveyor line 118 of the workpiece treatment system 100.

[0120] At this further position, the workpiece 102 can be subjected to a further treatment process by being placed back into the treatment area 108 and treated there in accordance with the above descriptions.

[0121] At an end section 152 of the conveyor line 118 opposite the initial section 148, the workpiece 102 is transferred to a further (not shown) conveyor device after passing through one or more, in particular all, treatment steps.

[0122] How in particular Fig. As can be seen from 1, several workpieces 102 can be treated simultaneously using the workpiece treatment system 100.

[0123] The conveying units 120 are not connected to the workpieces 102 during their treatment, but are used to transport other workpieces 102 that are not currently being treated.

[0124] By using several conveyor units 120, a large number of workpieces 102 can be efficiently processed using the workpiece treatment system 100.

[0125] For example, it may be provided that a first conveying unit 120a serves to take over the workpieces 102 in the initial section 148 and to transport them from and to the treatment areas 108 designated I to IV (see Fig. 1).

[0126] A second conveying unit 120b then serves, for example, to transport the workpieces 102 from and to the treatment areas 108, which are designated III to VII.

[0127] Finally, a third conveying unit 120c serves, for example, to transport the workpieces 102 from and to the treatment areas 108, which are designated VI to IX, as well as to the final section 152.

[0128] The conveying units 120, in particular the first conveying unit 120a, the second conveying unit 120b and the third conveying unit 120c, are moved back and forth along the conveying path 118 to transport the workpieces 102. The conveying units 120 are thus moved bidirectionally to pick up the workpieces 102 at predetermined positions (treatment areas 108) along the conveying path 118 and to deliver them, in particular to deposit them, at further predetermined positions (treatment areas 108) along the conveying path 118.

[0129] For example, by means of the first conveying unit 120a a workpiece 102 is moved along the conveying direction 114 in order to deposit it in the treatment area 108 designated IV.

[0130] Subsequently, the first conveying unit 120a is moved against the conveying direction 114 in order to pick up another workpiece 102 at the initial section 148 of the conveying path 118 and to place this further workpiece 102, for example, in the treatment area 108 designated II.

[0131] Meanwhile, by means of the second conveying unit 120b, for example, the workpiece 102, which was treated in the treatment area 108 designated IV, is removed from this treatment area 108 and fed to another treatment area 108, for example the treatment area 108 designated VII, in particular placed in the treatment area 108 which is designated VII.

[0132] The third conveying unit 120c, while receiving the workpiece 102 in treatment area 108 designated IV, uses the second conveying unit 120b to, for example, remove a workpiece 102 located in treatment area 108 designated VII and transfers it at the end section 158 of the conveying path 118 to another conveying device (not shown). Subsequently, the third conveying unit 120c can again be moved in the opposite direction to the conveying direction 114, for example, to reach treatment area 108 designated VI, and to receive the workpiece 102 located therein and transport it further.

[0133] Particularly when the workpiece processing system 100 is operating at low capacity, it may also be possible for the workpieces 102 to be continuously arranged at the conveyor units 120 during processing. Each workpiece 102 is then, for example, permanently assigned to a conveyor unit 120 for the duration of its stay in the workpiece processing system 100.

[0134] Because the conveying units 120 of the conveying device 112 are bidirectionally movable along the conveying path 118, the conveying device 112 can be designed to be particularly compact. Furthermore, because the conveying units 120 are available to convey further workpieces 102 while the workpieces 102 are being processed, efficient operation of the conveying device 112 and thus of the workpiece processing system 100 is possible.

Claims

[1] Conveying device (112) for a workpiece treatment system (100), in particular for a dip coating system (104) for dip coating vehicle bodies (106), comprising several conveying units (120) for picking up, transporting and delivering at least one workpiece (102) and a conveying path (118) along which the several conveying units (120) are bidirectionally movable, wherein each conveying unit (120) comprises at least one receiving device (128) for releasably securing the at least one workpiece (102) to the conveying unit (120), characterized by , that each conveying unit (120) is movable along a conveying section (122) of the conveying section (118) of the conveying device (112), wherein the conveying sections (122) of at least two conveying units (120) overlap. [2] Conveying device (112) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the at least one workpiece (102) can be picked up and / or unloaded, in particular deposited, at several positions along the conveyor line (118) by means of the several conveying units (120). [3] Conveying device (112) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by , that at least one workpiece (102) can be unloaded, in particular placed, at at least one position along the conveyor line (118) by means of a conveyor unit (120), and can be picked up and transported further at a later time by means of the same conveyor unit (120) and / or by means of another conveyor unit (120). [4] Conveying device (112) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by, that by means of a conveying unit (120) at least one first workpiece (102) can be transported to a first position along the conveying path (118) and can be unloaded, in particular placed, there, that by means of the same conveying unit (120) at least one second workpiece (102) can then be transported to a second position along the conveying path (118) and can be unloaded, in particular placed, there, and that by means of the same conveying unit (120) the at least one first workpiece (102) can then be picked up again at the first position and transported to a further position along the conveying path (118). [5] Conveying device (112) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the receiving device (128) comprises a rotation device (130) by means of which the at least one workpiece (102) received on the receiving device (128) can be rotated. [6] Conveying device (112) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the at least one workpiece (102) can be transported in a first rotational orientation by means of at least one conveying unit (120) and can be discharged, in particular deposited, at at least one position along the conveying path (118) in a second rotational orientation different from the first rotational orientation. [7] Conveying device (112) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by , that each conveying unit (120) comprises a locking device (134) controllable by means of a control device (140) of the conveying device (112), by means of which a connection between the at least one workpiece (102) and the receiving device (128) can be locked and / or unlocked. [8] Workpiece treatment system (100) for treating workpieces (102), comprising a conveying device (112) according to one of claims 1 to 7. [9] Workpiece treatment system (100) according to claim 8, characterized by, that the workpiece treatment system (100) comprises several treatment areas (108), in particular immersion tanks (110), in which the workpieces (102) can be positioned, in particular placed, by means of the conveying device (112). [10] Method for conveying workpieces (102) using a conveying device (112), the method comprising: - Picking up, transporting and delivering at least one workpiece (102) by means of several conveying units (120) of the conveying device (112), wherein the at least one workpiece (102) is detachably fixed to the conveying unit (120) by means of at least one receiving device (128) of each conveying unit (120); - bidirectional movement of the multiple conveying units (120) along a conveying path (118) of the conveying device (112), characterized by, that each conveying unit (120) is movable along a conveying section (122) of the conveying section (118) of the conveying device (112), wherein the conveying sections (122) of at least two conveying units (120) overlap. [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized by , that the at least one workpiece (102) is picked up by means of the several conveying units (120) at several positions along the conveying path (118) and / or delivered, in particular deposited, at several positions along the conveying path (118). [12] Method according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized by , that at least one workpiece (102) is delivered, in particular deposited, by means of a conveying unit (120) at at least one position along the conveying path (118) and is picked up and transported further at a later time by means of the same conveying unit (120) and / or by means of another conveying unit (120). [13] Method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by , that by means of a conveying unit (120) at least one first workpiece (102) is first transported to a first position along the conveying path (118) and delivered there, in particular placed there, that by means of the same conveying unit (120) at least one second workpiece (102) is then transported to a second position along the conveying path (118) and delivered there, in particular placed there, and that by means of the same conveying unit (120) the at least one first workpiece (102) is subsequently picked up again at the first position and transported to another position along the conveying path (118). [14] Method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized by, that the at least one workpiece (102) is transported in a first rotary orientation by means of at least one conveying unit (120) and that the at least one workpiece (102) is delivered, in particular deposited, in a second rotary orientation different from the first rotary orientation at at least one position along the conveying path (118). [15] Method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, characterized by , that a connection between the at least one workpiece (102) and the receiving device (128) is locked and / or unlocked centrally by means of a control device (140) assigned to a conveying unit (120). [16] Method for treating workpieces (102), in particular for dip coating vehicle bodies (106), comprising a method for conveying workpieces (102) according to any one of claims 10 to 15.

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