Treatment system for treating workpieces

Abstract

The present invention relates to a treatment plant (100) for treating workpieces (102), in particular vehicle bodies (104), wherein the treatment plant (100) comprises the following: - at least one treatment tank (106), in particular at least one immersion tank, for treating the workpieces (102) with at least one treatment fluid, and - at least one conveyor system (108) for conveying the workpieces (102), each of which is arranged on a workpiece carrier (132), wherein the conveyor system (108) comprises: - at least one transfer device (118) for conveying the workpieces (102) in a transfer conveying direction (114); and - at least one lifting conveyor device (120, 122), preferably at least two lifting conveyor devices (120, 122), which can be individually moved laterally along the at least one treatment tank (106) in the transfer conveying direction (114), wherein the at least one lifting conveyor device (120, 122) comprises at least one lifting arm (126) which can be individually moved in a lifting direction (128) and is designed to at least partially receive a workpiece carrier (132) and / or a workpiece (102).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a treatment system for treating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies.

[0002] In practice, it is known that conveyor systems for, for example, cathodic dip painting (KTL) or pretreatment (VBH) of vehicle bodies are usually designed as linear conveyor systems in which the process steps take place continuously or in cycles in the longitudinal direction of the conveyed vehicle body.

[0003] Especially in the case of synchronized systems, there are limitations with regard to throughput capacity, which are mostly due to the structure of the conveyor system, in particular the previously required transfer of the vehicle bodies to be treated between the processes.

[0004] The transfer of the vehicle bodies in the area of ​​the respective treatment process inlet depends on the main conveyor device installed. On the one hand, roller conveyors are known, which use transport carriages, also called "skids," as workpiece carriers, i.e., as supports for the vehicle bodies. On the other hand, chain conveyors are used, which use crossbars, also called "crossbars," as supports for the vehicle bodies. The vehicle bodies are therefore conveyed to the actual treatment process either by a roller conveyor or a chain conveyor, and are then transferred to the process conveyor device in the area of ​​the corresponding process inlet.

[0005] The main conveyor device itself can be configured as a roller conveyor device or a chain conveyor device, or the main conveyor device can comprise a transfer device configured as a roller conveyor device or a chain conveyor device. The transfer device is then, in turn, movable or displaceable along a main conveying direction, wherein the transfer conveying direction then preferably runs transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the main conveying direction. In the event that the workpieces are conveyed into and / or out of the treatment process by the main conveyor device, the transfer conveying direction and the main conveying direction preferably coincide.

[0006] The process conveyor device can be, for example, a pendulum conveyor device, a rotary conveyor device or a modification thereof.

[0007] The actual transfer of the vehicle body to the treatment process can be accomplished in various ways. Firstly, the vehicle body can be taken over by a vertically immobile element of the main conveyor, with the body remaining static on the skid or traverse on the transfer device or main conveyor and being taken over by the process conveyor by being lifted out or raised.

[0008] Alternatively, the transfer can also be performed by a vertically movable element of the main conveyor. The corresponding element of the transfer device or main conveyor is raised or lowered to transfer the vehicle body, which is supported on a skid or traverse, to the process conveyor.

[0009] This transfer process is usually located upstream of the process—i.e., in the case of CDP, upstream of the process tank or dip tank—and takes a certain amount of time. This limits the throughput of vehicle bodies to be treated, as the transfers require stop-and-go operation or interrupt the conveyor flow. Furthermore, it has been technically necessary to spatially separate the transfer / receipt area from the treatment process area and provide the necessary space accordingly. Typically, a transfer area is provided before and after the process area.

[0010] Furthermore, monitoring of the handover process and the actual treatment process is generally based on digitally switching sensors, which can be combined with other digitally switching sensors to form one or more monitoring functions. In other words, the monitoring functions used so far have been based purely on sensory signals, with digitally switching sensors having defined switching thresholds and trigger points for activating monitoring functions. Consequently, changes in a monitored variable below the switching thresholds are not recorded, and anomalies in the movement profile cannot be detected.

[0011] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a treatment system with which a more efficient workpiece treatment is possible.

[0012] This object is achieved according to the invention by a treatment plant having the features according to claim 1.

[0013] The treatment facility is used to treat workpieces. The treatment facility is preferably a paint shop for vehicle bodies.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, the treatment plant comprises the following: - at least one treatment tank, in particular at least one immersion tank, for treating the workpieces with at least one treatment fluid, and - at least one conveyor system for conveying the workpieces, each of which is arranged on a workpiece carrier, the conveyor system comprising: - at least one main conveying device for conveying the workpieces in a main conveying direction and / or in a transfer conveying direction; and - at least one lifting conveyor device, preferably at least two lifting conveyor devices, which can be moved individually laterally along the at least one treatment tank in the main conveying direction and / or transfer conveying direction, wherein the at least one lifting conveyor device comprises at least one lifting arm which can be moved individually in a lifting direction and is designed to at least partially receive a workpiece carrier and / or a workpiece.

[0015] According to the first aspect, the present invention is based on the fundamental idea that when a workpiece is transferred into a treatment process and when the workpiece is moved through the treatment tank filled with treatment fluid, certain monitoring functions must be provided. These monitoring functions ensure the required precision in coordinating the components of the conveyor system, even at high conveying speeds, and also guarantee high quality of the treated workpieces. The latter is achieved in particular by protecting the workpieces against falling, colliding with parts of the treatment system, and / or deformation due to mechanical overload.

[0016] Main conveyors are arranged upstream and / or downstream of the treatment processes, i.e. the treatment tanks, with respect to the overall conveying flow of the workpieces in the treatment plant, whereas lifting conveyors are assigned to a treatment process, i.e. a treatment tank.

[0017] Preferably, two lifting conveyor devices are provided per treatment tank, which are preferably designed as lifting towers.

[0018] In the event that only one lifting conveyor device is used, it is conceivable that this one lifting conveyor device comprises at least two lifting arms, which are connected to one another, for example, via a crossbeam or the like that is rotatably mounted and can be moved in the lifting direction, in order to enable a transfer between the main conveyor device and the lifting conveyor device.

[0019] The lifting conveyor devices assigned to a treatment tank have the task, on the one hand, of taking over the workpiece to be treated for the treatment process or of releasing the treated workpiece from the treatment process and, on the other hand, of moving the workpiece to be treated into one or more treatment positions in the area of ​​the corresponding treatment process, in particular of lowering and / or lifting it into the treatment tank filled with treatment fluid.

[0020] The main conveying direction and the transfer conveying direction are preferably aligned horizontally, whereas the lifting direction of the lifting conveyor devices is preferably aligned vertically.

[0021] Preferably, the lifting conveyor devices are moved along a rail element or along a predetermined straight path, i.e. linearly.

[0022] By means of the lifting arms, the workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier carrying the workpiece is picked up from the main conveyor device, i.e. in particular docked and lifted, and / or placed on the main conveyor device, i.e. lowered and undocked.

[0023] The terms "docking" and "undocking" in this description and the appended claims are to be understood in the broadest sense as establishing contact and breaking contact, respectively. Preferably, the workpiece carriers are locked to the lifting arms after being picked up by the lifting arms, so that the workpiece carrier with the workpiece arranged thereon remains securely connected to the lifting arms for the duration of the treatment.

[0024] The term "individually movable" in this description and the appended claims is to be understood as meaning that in treatment plants with more than one lifting conveyor device and / or more than one lifting arm, each lifting conveyor device or each lifting arm is movable independently of the other lifting conveyor devices or lifting arms, whereby a synchronous or coupled movement of the lifting conveyor devices or lifting arms is not to be excluded.

[0025] It should be understood that the main conveying direction, the transfer conveying direction and the lifting direction essentially represent axis paths along which movements are possible in both directions, which should also clarify that the movement processes or movement sequences described in this description and the appended claims are preferably also reversible.

[0026] Consequently, a workpiece can be conveyed into a treatment process by being transferred from a main conveyor to the lifting conveyors, and the workpiece can also be conveyed out of a treatment process by being transferred from the lifting conveyors to the original or another main conveyor.

[0027] Preferably, the two lifting conveyor devices are arranged one after the other along the main conveying direction or along the transfer conveying direction.

[0028] This allows the workpiece and / or workpiece carrier to be picked up by the lifting conveyors at at least two sections in the corresponding conveying direction. This allows the lifting conveyors to be moved, optimally aligned, and individually adjusted in their position to pick up the respective section of the workpiece or workpiece carrier.

[0029] It may be advantageous if the conveyor system is designed to transfer a workpiece arranged on a workpiece carrier between the at least one main conveyor device and the at least one lifting conveyor device.

[0030] It may also be advantageous if the workpieces can be moved into at least one treatment position, in particular at least one immersion position, in the at least one treatment tank by means of the at least one lifting conveyor device.

[0031] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one lifting arm is L-shaped or U-shaped.

[0032] The lifting conveyors can preferably be designed as vertically aligned columns or towers. In combination with L-shaped lifting arms, which are connected to the respective lifting conveyor at the upper end of their L-shape, this offers the advantage that a picked-up workpiece can be lowered below the horizontal travel plane of the lifting conveyors, i.e., the plane of the lifting conveyors' routing, when the lifting arms are moved downwards along the lifting direction. Accordingly, the workpiece can be lowered into a dip tank of a KTL or VBH, which is located essentially below the lifting conveyors.

[0033] U-shaped lifting arms are preferably used when two lifting conveyor devices are arranged opposite one another in relation to the conveying direction, ie opposite one another on both sides of a treatment process area, wherein the upper ends of the U-shape of a lifting arm are movably attached to a lifting conveyor device in each case and the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier are therefore picked up in the depression of the U-shape.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the workpiece carriers are designed as crossbeams and / or skids.

[0035] It can further be provided that a transfer position of the at least one lifting arm can be adapted to a transfer movement of a workpiece to be transferred.

[0036] The transfer position is preferably the position in which the lifting arms dock onto the workpiece or workpiece carrier and lift it out of the main conveyor. To achieve a suitable transfer position, i.e. a position that causes very little interruption to the conveyor flow, the lifting arms must be moved in at least two directions that are preferably aligned perpendicular to one another, such as the main conveying direction or transfer conveying direction and the lifting direction. In other words, the transfer position of a lifting arm is adjusted, in particular continuously adjusted, by moving the lifting conveyor in the main conveying direction or transfer conveying direction and moving the associated lifting arm in the lifting direction.

[0037] It may be advantageous if the at least one lifting conveyor device and / or the at least one lifting arm can be moved along with a workpiece to be transferred in order to transfer the workpiece at least almost without interruption.

[0038] The synchronization of the movement of the lifting conveyors with the movement of the workpiece in the conveying direction, i.e. the main conveying direction or the transfer conveying direction, enables the conveying flow to be interrupted as little as possible, for which the lifting conveyors must be able to move with the conveying movement of the workpiece.

[0039] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the conveyor system comprises at least one control and / or regulating device by means of which the transfer of a workpiece between the at least one main conveyor device and the at least one lifting conveyor device and / or the movement of the workpiece to be treated in the at least one treatment tank can be controlled and / or regulated.

[0040] By coordinating the movement or the current position of the main conveyor and the lifting conveyors, corrective movements and / or waiting times are preferably avoided and the conveyor flow is interrupted as little as possible.

[0041] It may also be advantageous if the treatment system comprises at least one radar measuring device and / or at least one laser measuring device for detecting the workpiece carrier position and / or the workpiece position, in particular during the transfer of a workpiece between the at least one lifting conveyor device and the main conveyor device.

[0042] When conveying the workpiece to be treated into the treatment process or when conveying the treated workpiece out of the treatment process, i.e. during the transfer process of the workpiece between the main conveyor device and the two lifting conveyor devices, the transfer position must preferably be consistently high-precision due to the prevailing conveying speed.

[0043] It should be noted that the main conveyor device is preferably designed as a roller conveyor device, or includes one, particularly for transfer. However, indirect detection of the workpiece position via the drive rollers of the roller conveyor device is too imprecise due to slippage.

[0044] A conventional detection method for detecting the workpiece carrier using digital sensors also appears unsuitable, since, as explained, the digital sensors only activate when a limit or threshold value is reached. Furthermore, digital sensors generally do not have sufficient space at the usual measuring points on a workpiece carrier.

[0045] Therefore, the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece position is measured, preferably from the rear side of the workpiece carrier or the workpiece, with at least one radar measuring device and / or at least one laser measuring device, both of which have a sufficiently high measuring accuracy and a sufficiently high range.

[0046] The rear side of the workpiece carrier or workpiece is preferably understood to be the side facing away from the treatment tank during transfer to the treatment process. Accordingly, the front side is the side facing toward the treatment tank during transfer to the treatment process.

[0047] The measuring devices can be part of the conveyor system. Preferably, the measuring devices are arranged on the main conveyor device or the transfer device. Arranging the one or more measuring devices on the main conveyor device or the transfer device is considered more cost-effective overall.

[0048] However, it is also conceivable that the measuring devices are arranged outside the conveyor system, i.e. the measuring devices are arranged stationary in the treatment system and are not moved with a component of the conveyor system.

[0049] Preferably, a radar measuring system and a laser measuring system are used for position detection, thus balancing the strengths and weaknesses of both methods under different environmental conditions. However, it is conceivable that other systems based on different measuring methods could also be used.

[0050] During actual operation of the treatment plant, the conveyor system is located in a humid, warm, and possibly foggy atmosphere, so a reliable measurement of the workpiece carrier position or the workpiece position may not be guaranteed at every point during transfer. Therefore, the measured values ​​of the two different measuring methods—the laser measurement value and the radar measurement value—are compared to verify the plausibility of the actual position measurement value.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, additional sensors can be installed in the processing system, such as measuring devices that monitor the slippage of individual workpiece carriers. A workpiece carrier can also jam or even become stuck in the main conveyor system, which can also be measured and / or monitored. It is therefore particularly advantageous if the integrated sensors monitor a constant and continuous movement of the workpiece carriers.

[0052] It may also be advantageous if the conveyor system comprises at least one distance sensor, in particular at least one inductive distance sensor, for detecting the distance between the at least one main conveyor device and a workpiece carrier and / or a workpiece, in particular during the transfer of a workpiece between the at least one lifting conveyor device and the main conveyor device.

[0053] The transfer of the workpiece carrier with the workpiece to be treated arranged thereon by means of the lifting arms of the lifting conveyor devices takes place by the superposition of two movement sequences: a horizontal conveying of the workpiece carrier by the main conveyor device or the transfer device which is included in the main conveyor device, and a vertical conveying in the lifting direction by the upward lifting movement of the lifting arms along the respective lifting conveyor device.

[0054] When threading the lifting arms into the receiving hoppers on the workpiece carrier, inaccuracies can result in the workpiece carrier being lifted briefly from the main conveyor device before the workpiece carrier slides, due to gravity, over the hopper slopes of the receiving sections of the lifting arms into the final position in which the workpiece carrier is preferably locked.

[0055] This brief lifting of the workpiece carrier during the threading movement is preferably detected by at least one distance sensor, in particular an inductive distance sensor, which can thereby provide a measure of the threading accuracy.

[0056] It is conceivable that the determined threading accuracy could be compared with the position measurements from the laser and radar measuring systems. All three values ​​provide a measure of the transfer precision.

[0057] If the distance measured by the at least one distance sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold or limit value, a warning and / or fault signal is preferably output or generated.

[0058] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that each lifting conveyor device comprises at least one acceleration sensor for monitoring the conveying movement.

[0059] Preferably, a travel program of the lifting conveyor devices is predetermined or measured for each workpiece treatment, which includes a specific movement profile and / or acceleration profile of the lifting conveyor devices along the treatment tank.

[0060] During the actual treatment of a workpiece, the current acceleration profile, which is recorded by means of at least one acceleration sensor per lifting conveyor, is compared with the predetermined acceleration profile in order to detect anomalies from which, for example, an exceeding of limit values ​​or tolerance thresholds can be predicted.

[0061] In case of detected or determined anomalies, a warning or fault signal is preferably issued or generated.

[0062] It can be provided that the maximum acceleration of the lifting conveyor devices is fixed as a general rule or is specified individually for the different types of workpieces.

[0063] It may further preferably be provided that at least one, preferably all lifting conveyor devices comprise at least one vibration sensor for monitoring a treatment vibration profile.

[0064] Similar to the acceleration sensors, a typical vibration profile is preferably determined or measured for each lifting conveyor device, which is used as a reference profile for the vibration profile measured during the treatment in order to detect anomalies from which, for example, an exceeding of limit values ​​or tolerance thresholds can be predicted.

[0065] In case of detected or determined anomalies, a warning or fault signal is preferably issued or generated.

[0066] For both the vibration and acceleration sensors, it can be advantageous to make the anomaly detection dependent on the type of transported or conveyed workpiece, i.e. in particular the vehicle body type, since the treatment system is also suitable for treating a wide variety of body shapes and thus also for running different driving profiles.

[0067] For example, different workpiece or body weights can result in different vibration and / or acceleration patterns. Different vibration and / or acceleration patterns are also conceivable if different, body-specific driving curves are present.

[0068] It may also be advantageous if the at least one lifting conveyor device is designed to prevent a collision between the workpiece to be treated and the at least one treatment tank.

[0069] During the treatment process, the workpiece moves through the treatment tank along a predefined motion curve. The workpiece moves within a predefined tank geometry.

[0070] The contour and position data of the workpiece, determined by the dimensions of the workpiece to be treated and by the movement curve, are compared with the tank geometry using software to avoid a collision of the workpiece with the treatment tank.

[0071] In other words, the movement of the workpiece within the treatment tank is limited by geometric calculation so that the movement of the workpiece stops in time before it touches the tank wall.

[0072] As with vibration and / or acceleration monitoring, different body types may result in different geometric calculations.

[0073] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one lifting conveyor device is designed to detect an unlocking of the received workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece to be treated during the treatment in the at least one treatment tank.

[0074] Due to an unfavorable chain of events, it cannot be completely ruled out that the workpiece to be treated will become detached from the locking mechanism of the lifting arms during treatment in the treatment tank.

[0075] In order to detect this and to be able to take appropriate countermeasures to protect the workpiece, a locking monitoring system can be provided, for example, which can be provided in particular by locking sensors on the lifting arms.

[0076] Alternatively or additionally, a torque monitoring device can also be provided which monitors the torque about a transverse axis of the workpiece, which is aligned transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the axis of movement of the lifting conveyor devices along the treatment tank.

[0077] It may also be advantageous if the speed and / or acceleration of the workpiece can be limited for at least one direction of movement during treatment.

[0078] As the workpiece moves through the treatment fluid in the treatment tank, forces act on the workpiece, which also increase with increasing speed and / or acceleration. It is therefore advantageous to limit the forces to the workpiece being treated, which can preferably be achieved with software support using virtual workpiece positions.

[0079] A distinction can be made between limit values ​​for the speed of the workpiece to be treated outside the treatment tank, i.e., outside the treatment fluid, and inside the treatment tank. The same applies to the acceleration or rotation of the workpiece.

[0080] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one main conveying device comprises at least one transfer device for transferring and / or receiving workpieces along the main conveying direction and / or along the transfer conveying direction.

[0081] The transfer device itself is preferably movable in or on the main conveyor device along the main conveying direction.

[0082] It may be advantageous if the main conveying direction and the transfer conveying direction are aligned at least approximately perpendicular to each other.

[0083] However, it is also conceivable that the main conveying direction and the transfer conveying direction are aligned at least approximately parallel to one another, whereby a workpiece is initially conveyed along the main conveying direction and, once an end position of the main conveying device has been reached, is conveyed further by the transfer device in the same direction, i.e. in extension of the main conveying direction.

[0084] The orientation of the main conveying direction and the transfer conveying direction is largely determined by the conditions at the installation site of the conveyor system.

[0085] It can further be provided that the main conveying device is a transverse conveying device by means of which the workpieces can be conveyed in a transverse orientation, wherein the workpieces are oriented in the transverse orientation such that a longitudinal direction, in particular a longitudinal axis, of the workpieces is oriented transversely, in particular at least approximately perpendicularly, to the main conveying direction and / or at least approximately horizontally.

[0086] This allows the workpiece to be transferred from the transfer device to the lifting conveyors in its longitudinal direction, which generally means that more path or distance is available for the transfer movement and the workpiece is held more stably on the lifting conveyors, provided that the longitudinal extent of the workpiece is greater than the transverse extent.

[0087] It is particularly advantageous if the transfer device is a chain conveyor device or a roller conveyor device or if the transfer device comprises a chain conveyor device and / or a roller conveyor device.

[0088] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a method for treating workpieces.

[0089] The method is used in particular for the treatment of vehicle bodies, whereby these are treated in at least one treatment tank of a treatment plant with at least one treatment fluid.

[0090] Preferably, the vehicle bodies are treated with a dip paint in a dip tank at a paint shop.

[0091] In principle, the treatment process would also be suitable for VBH. Instead of dipping tanks with dipping paint, various VBH tanks would be used, which are usually filled with VBH-specific fluids.

[0092] The procedure includes the following steps: - Transferring a workpiece from at least one main conveyor to at least one lifting conveyor; - Moving the at least one lifting conveyor device with the workpiece to be transferred as soon as the workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier on which the workpiece is arranged has reached an initial position for the transfer; - Picking up the workpiece to be transferred and / or the workpiece carrier while moving along by means of at least one lifting arm of the at least one lifting conveyor device; and - Moving the workpiece by means of the at least two lifting conveyor devices into at least one treatment position, wherein the picked-up workpiece is lowered in particular into at least one immersion position.

[0093] Since the treatment system is preferably suitable for conveying and treating different workpiece or vehicle body types, in practice the corresponding workpiece or vehicle body type is determined before the workpieces are transferred to the lifting conveyors and the appropriate dipping curve is selected from this.

[0094] The determination of the workpiece or vehicle body type can be carried out using many upstream recognition methods, of which only a few common ones are listed below as examples: - RFID data carriers or similar on the workpiece carrier or on the workpiece; and / or - light barriers; and / or - Workpiece number coding using sheets or labels on the workpiece carrier.

[0095] Furthermore, it can be provided that during the transfer of a workpiece to be treated from the at least one main conveyor device to the at least one lifting conveyor device a) the workpiece position and / or the workpiece carrier position is detected by means of at least one radar measuring device and / or at least one laser measuring device; and / or b) the distance between the main conveyor device and the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier is detected by means of at least one distance sensor, in particular at least one inductive distance sensor.

[0096] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that during the treatment of the workpiece a) the conveying movement of the at least one lifting conveyor device is monitored by means of at least one acceleration sensor; and / or b) a vibration profile of at least one, preferably all, lifting conveyor devices is monitored by means of at least one vibration sensor; and / or c) the movement path of the workpiece to be treated is monitored to avoid collision between the workpiece to be treated and the at least one treatment tank; and / or d) the locking of the workpiece to be treated and / or the workpiece carrier on which at least one lifting arm is monitored; and / or e) the torque of the workpiece to be treated is monitored around a transverse axis; and / or f) the speed and / or acceleration of the workpiece is limited for at least one direction of movement.

[0097] In particular, the above monitoring options a), b), c), e) and f) may vary depending on the workpiece type.

[0098] The workpiece can either be picked up from a main conveyor device or a transfer device by means of the at least one lifting conveyor device, or it can be placed on a main conveyor device or a transfer device by means of the at least one lifting conveyor device. Accordingly, picking up is preferably understood as receiving, and setting down is preferably understood as transferring.

[0099] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that two lifting conveyor devices, each having a lifting arm, are arranged one after the other along the main conveying direction or along the transfer conveying direction, wherein first the lifting conveyor device leading in the conveying direction is moved along with the workpiece and receives a front section of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier with the lifting arm, and then the lifting conveyor device following in the conveying direction is moved along with the workpiece and receives a rear section of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier with the lifting arm.

[0100] The lifting arms' picking movement essentially occurs in the lifting direction.

[0101] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that two lifting conveyor devices, each having a lifting arm, are arranged successively along the main conveying direction or along the transfer conveying direction with an at least approximately constant distance from one another, wherein both lifting conveyor devices are moved along with the workpiece once the initial position has been reached and pick up a front and a rear section of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier at least approximately simultaneously.

[0102] It should be understood that the distance between the lifting conveyors is either already taken at the beginning of the transfer or is taken dynamically during the conveying movement of the workpiece and the associated synchronization of the movement of the lifting conveyors and the workpiece.

[0103] Preferably, the lifting conveyor device and the workpiece move at least approximately uninterruptedly, i.e., in particular, approximately continuously, in the conveying direction throughout the entire workpiece pickup process. Docking the lifting arms to the respective section of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier takes minimal time, since, in particular, the movement of the lifting conveyor device and the workpiece are synchronized.

[0104] The method preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the treatment plant. Furthermore, the treatment plant preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the method.

[0105] According to a second aspect of the invention, the treatment plant comprises the following: - at least one treatment tank, in particular at least one immersion tank, for treating the workpieces with at least one treatment fluid, and - at least one conveyor system for conveying the workpieces, each of which is arranged on a workpiece carrier, the conveyor system comprising: - at least one roller conveyor device for conveying the workpieces in a transfer conveying direction; and - at least one lifting conveyor device, preferably at least two lifting conveyor devices, which can be individually moved laterally along the at least one treatment tank in the transfer conveying direction, wherein the at least one lifting conveyor device comprises at least one lifting arm which can be individually moved in a lifting direction and is designed to at least partially receive a workpiece carrier and / or a workpiece.

[0106] Furthermore, it can be provided that the workpiece carrier comprises the following: - two longitudinal beams which are arranged at a distance from each other and aligned parallel to each other; - four bell-shaped contact devices; and - at least one mounting strut for mounting the workpiece on the workpiece carrier, wherein two bell-like contact devices are arranged on each longitudinal carrier.

[0107] According to the second aspect, the present invention is based on the basic idea that each workpiece carrier is designed as a skid and comprises two pairs of oppositely arranged, bell-shaped contact devices. One of these pairs is arranged close to a front end of the skid to enable steep immersion of the workpiece after the skid has been transferred from the roller conveyor to the lifting conveyor. The bell-shaped contact devices also function according to the principle of a diving bell. This means that when the skid is immersed in the treatment tank, the bell-shaped contact devices are only partially filled with treatment fluid, leaving a dry area in which the free end of an electrically conductive contact element touches the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact device to enable an electrical current to flow to the workpiece, which forms the cathode in a cathode coating.The contact element is part of an associated locking device, which is also arranged in pairs on the lifting arms. Furthermore, the locking devices of the lifting arms and the bell-shaped contact devices interact in such a way that, once a certain inclination angle is exceeded, the workpiece is prevented from floating in the treatment tank. The skids are also preferably equipped with an anti-tip element, which prevents the workpiece carrier with the workpiece from tipping over during transfer from the roller conveyor to the two lifting conveyors.

[0108] It may be advantageous if the bell-like contact devices are arranged in pairs opposite each other.

[0109] It may also be advantageous if the two pairs of opposing, bell-shaped contact devices are arranged asymmetrically with respect to a longitudinal extension of the two longitudinal beams.

[0110] As mentioned, the front pair of bell-like contact devices, i.e. the pair arranged at the leading end of the workpiece carrier, is arranged as close as possible to the leading end of the workpiece carrier, whereby the entire workpiece carrier does not have to be brought too far into an overhanging or cantilevered position until the lifting arm of the leading lifting conveyor can pick up the front pair of bell-like contact devices.

[0111] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that each bell-shaped contact device has at least one counter element and one bearing pin on an inner side surface.

[0112] Preferably, each contact device comprises two counter elements on its inner side surface, which are designed as flat iron.

[0113] These flat bars are arranged at a distance from each other with respect to the longitudinal extent of the workpiece carrier and together form an axially symmetrical V-shape, the lower end of which is open due to the spacing.

[0114] It may be advantageous if each lifting arm comprises at least one locking device, preferably two locking devices, wherein each locking device is designed to receive and lock a bell-like contact device.

[0115] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that each locking device comprises the following: - a receiving element by means of which the bearing pin of a bell-shaped contact device can be received; and - a contact element by means of which an electrically conductive dry contact can be formed within a bell-shaped contact device.

[0116] The free end of the contact element, which points away from the associated lifting arm, extends into the bell-shaped contact device and forms a frictional contact with the inner surface of this bell-shaped contact device. The frictional contact ensures that sections of the inner surface that were covered with the treatment fluid during dip coating and were therefore coated are freed of the coating as soon as the inclination of the workpiece carrier is changed. This ensures that the electrical current flow to the workpiece can be established and maintained via the contact element.

[0117] It may be advantageous if the receiving element comprises a blocking element, wherein the blocking element acts on the at least one counter element of the received bell-like contact device to prevent the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece from floating as soon as the workpiece carrier exceeds an angle of inclination in the range of 10 degrees to 15 degrees.

[0118] A geometric arrangement of the elements of the locking device and the bell-shaped contact devices which interact to prevent floating and which must first overcome a certain angle of inclination of the workpiece carrier in order to be mutually locked, facilitates the threading of the bell-shaped contact devices into the respective locking device when transferring the workpiece carrier from the roller conveyor device to the lifting conveyor device.

[0119] It may also be advantageous if the workpiece carrier comprises an anti-tilt element by means of which tipping of the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece can be prevented during transfer from the roller conveyor device to the at least one lifting conveyor device.

[0120] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the anti-tip element is arranged between the longitudinal beams, wherein the roller conveyor device has a roller guide with at least one overlapping pair of rollers in which the anti-tip element can be guided.

[0121] The anti-tilt element is preferably sword-shaped and has two lateral guide edges on which the overlapping pairs of rollers of the roller guide, which is preferably arranged at a position adjacent to the treatment tank on the roller conveyor device, roll.

[0122] According to a third aspect of the invention, the treatment plant comprises the following: - at least one treatment tank, in particular at least one immersion tank, for treating the workpieces with at least one treatment fluid, and - at least one conveyor system for conveying the workpieces, each of which is arranged on a workpiece carrier, the conveyor system comprising: - at least one transfer device for conveying the workpieces in a transfer conveying direction; and - at least one lifting conveyor device, preferably at least two lifting conveyor devices, which can be individually moved laterally along the at least one treatment tank in the transfer conveying direction, wherein the at least one lifting conveyor device comprises at least one lifting arm which can be individually moved in a lifting direction and is designed to at least partially receive a workpiece carrier and / or a workpiece.

[0123] It may be advantageous if each lifting arm comprises two round support tubes and a central round tube, wherein the central round tube is arranged between the two round support tubes with respect to the transfer conveying direction.

[0124] According to the third aspect, the present invention is based on the basic idea that the lifting arms, which protrude into the treatment tank on one side during a cathode coating, impair the field lines between the anodes arranged on the inside of the tank and the workpiece as the cathode, which also influences the coating quality of the treated workpieces. This can be counteracted by ensuring that the lifting arms cause as little shading as possible, which can be achieved by a reduced and / or at least partially permeable cross-section. Nevertheless, a certain rigidity of the lifting arms is required so that they do not permanently deform as a result of the dynamic load during workpiece treatment. For this reason, round tubes are preferably used for the lifting arms, the curved surface of which not only impairs the field lines less but also makes it more difficult for particles of the treatment fluid to adhere.It has also been shown that if three round tubes are arranged in such a way that they form a triangular shape, at least in the predominantly vertical section of the lifting arm, with respect to a horizontal cross-sectional plane, sufficient stiffness is achieved and at the same time an acceptable impairment of the field lines is caused.

[0125] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that one or more electrical lines are guided in the central round tube, which are electrically connected to at least one locking device of the lifting arm.

[0126] It can be advantageous if the cross-section of the central round tube is larger than the cross-section of the supporting round tubes.

[0127] It may also be advantageous if the central round tube and the supporting round tubes are arranged in a triangular manner in a horizontal cross-sectional plane, at least in sections along the lifting arm.

[0128] Triangular means that the central axes of the round tubes preferably form a triangle.

[0129] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the central round tube and the supporting round tubes are arranged at least partially spaced from one another, wherein at least one intermediate plate is arranged between the round tubes and connected to them.

[0130] The intermediate plate thus fixes the spacing between the round tubes, thereby increasing the rigidity of the lifting arm.

[0131] It can be advantageous if the lifting arm corresponds at least in sections to an adjacent inner contour of the treatment tank.

[0132] Since the treatment tank is preferably tapered in the lower area at least on two opposite sides to reduce the required volume and thus to save treatment fluids, it is advantageous if the lifting arms also follow this taper in their shape so that the complete vertical length of the lifting arms is available during movements in the lifting direction.

[0133] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that each lifting arm comprises at least one locking device, preferably two locking devices, for locking a workpiece carrier, wherein each locking device has at least one electrically conductive clamp element.

[0134] It may be advantageous if each clamp element has a guide, in particular a horizontal guide, for receiving a receiving pin of the workpiece carrier.

[0135] It can also be advantageous if the open ends of the guides of one lifting arm point in the direction of the other lifting arm, relative to the transfer conveying direction.

[0136] Such locking devices are preferably provided for existing workpiece carriers.

[0137] By means of the clamping elements and their guides, it is possible to lock a workpiece carrier to the lifting arms by moving the lifting conveyor devices towards each other as soon as the lateral receiving pins of the workpiece carriers have been threaded into the guides.

[0138] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the transfer device a) is designed as a roller conveyor and the workpiece carriers are designed as skids; or b) is designed as a chain conveyor device and the workpiece carriers each comprise at least two cross members.

[0139] The treatment plants of the three aforementioned aspects of the present invention preferably have one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the respective other treatment plants.

[0140] Further features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of exemplary embodiments.

[0141] The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of a treatment system according to the invention at the beginning of a workpiece transfer; Fig. 2 a schematic, perspective view of the first embodiment of Fig. 1 without workpiece carrier and workpiece; Fig. 3 a schematic, perspective view of the first embodiment of Fig. 1 during the treatment of the workpiece in the treatment tank; Fig. 4 a schematic, perspective view of a second embodiment of a roller conveyor device and a skid; Fig. 5 a schematic, perspective view of a bell-like contact device of the skid from Fig. 4 at the beginning of a coupling with a second embodiment of a locking device of a lifting arm; Fig. 6 a schematic, perspective view of a bell-like contact device of the skid from Fig. 4 at the end of a coupling with the second embodiment of a locking device of a lifting arm; Fig. 7 a schematic vertical sectional view of a bell-shaped contact device of the skid from Fig. 4 in two differently inclined states, wherein the bell-like contact device is locked to the second embodiment of a locking device; Fig. 8 a schematic vertical sectional view of a bell-shaped contact device of the skid from Fig. 4, wherein the skid is in a non-inclined state and the bell-like contact device is coupled to the second embodiment of a locking device; Fig. 9 a schematic vertical sectional view of a bell-shaped contact device of the skid from Fig. 4, wherein the skid is inclined by approximately 15 degrees and the bell-like contact device is locked to the second embodiment of a locking device; Fig. 10 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a bell-shaped contact device of the skid from Fig. 4, wherein the skid is at least approximately maximally inclined and the bell-like contact device is locked to the second embodiment of a locking device; Fig. 11 is a schematic, perspective vertical sectional view of a second embodiment of a treatment plant with a second embodiment of lifting arms; Fig. 12 is a schematic vertical partial sectional view of the second embodiment of Fig. 11 along line AA; Fig. 13 is a schematic horizontal sectional view of the second embodiment along the line BB of Fig. 12; Fig. 14 a schematic, perspective side view of a third embodiment of a treatment plant according to the invention with a chain conveyor device and a third embodiment of locking devices when locking the cross members; Fig. 15 a schematic, perspective view of the third embodiment of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 a schematic, perspective side view of a fourth embodiment of a treatment plant according to the invention with the second embodiment of a roller conveyor device from Fig. 4 and the third embodiment of the locking devices when lowering a conventional skid into the treatment tank; and Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the fourth embodiment of Fig. 16.

[0142] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0143] In the Fig. 1 shows the beginning of a transfer process of a first embodiment of a treatment plant designated as a whole by 100.

[0144] The treatment system 100 is used to treat workpieces 102.

[0145] In addition, the Fig. 2 the treatment plant 100 from Fig. 1 without the workpiece 102.

[0146] The workpieces 102 are in particular vehicle bodies 104, wherein the treatment plant 100 is preferably a paint shop for coating vehicle bodies.

[0147] The treatment plant 100 comprises a treatment basin 106 and a conveyor system 108.

[0148] The treatment system 100 enables an at least approximately uninterrupted transfer of workpieces 102 into or out of a treatment process, ie the conveying flow of the workpieces 102 along the treatment system 100 or within a treatment system 100 is optimized such that time losses due to transfer processes of the workpieces 102 are minimized.

[0149] The treatment process takes place in the treatment tank 106, which is filled with a treatment fluid (not shown).

[0150] The conveyor system 108 comprises a main conveyor device 110 for conveying the workpieces 102 in a main conveying direction 112 and a transfer conveying direction 114.

[0151] 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 oriented such that the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body 104 runs transversely to the main conveying direction 112 or parallel to the transfer conveying direction 114.

[0152] The main conveyor device 110 comprises a transfer device 118 for transferring and / or receiving the workpieces 102 along the transfer conveying direction 114.

[0153] The conveyor system 108 further comprises, with respect to the transfer conveying direction 114, a leading lifting conveyor device 120 and a following lifting conveyor device 122, which are preferably movable independently of one another.

[0154] The lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 are preferably movable linearly along a rail element 124.

[0155] Both lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 each have a lifting arm 126, both of which can be moved in a lifting direction 128 along the respective lifting conveyor device 120, 122.

[0156] In the Fig. 1 to 3, an embodiment of the lifting arms 126 is shown. A further preferred embodiment of the lifting arms 126 is described in connection with the Fig. 5 to 19 shown.

[0157] The lifting arms 126 are L-shaped.

[0158] The lifting direction 128 is preferably vertical, while the main conveying direction 112 and the transfer conveying direction 114 are preferably horizontal.

[0159] The transfer device 118 is in the embodiment in the Fig. 1 to 3 a roller conveyor device 130.

[0160] The workpiece 102 is mounted on a workpiece carrier 132, by means of which it can be conveyed and transferred.

[0161] The workpiece carrier 132 is in particular a so-called skid 134, i.e. a transport carriage.

[0162] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the roller conveyor device 130 has reached an end position 136 along the main conveying direction 112, from which the workpiece 102 can be transferred to the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122.

[0163] Fig. 3 shows the first embodiment of a treatment system 100 during the treatment of a workpiece 102 in the treatment tank 106.

[0164] In Fig. 3, the workpiece 102 or the workpiece carrier 132 is completely received by the lifting arms 126 of the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 and preferably locked to them.

[0165] The lifting arm 126 of the leading lifting conveyor device 122 is at least partially lowered in the lifting direction 128, whereby the front section of the workpiece 102 to be treated is immersed in the treatment fluid of the treatment tank 106.

[0166] For the transfer of the workpiece between the roller conveyor device 130 and the two lifting conveyor devices 120, 122, the workpiece carrier 132 with the workpiece 102 arranged thereon is brought into an overhanging position.

[0167] A detection device (not shown) determines an initial position of the workpiece carrier 132 and / or the workpiece 102 during the cantilevered movement of the workpiece carrier 126 or the workpiece 102, from which position the leading lifting conveyor device 120 preferably moves synchronously with the workpiece carrier 132 or the workpiece 102.

[0168] The initial position can be reached, for example, when the workpiece 102 and / or the workpiece carrier 132 touch a stop as a detection device or when a detection device designed as a light barrier is triggered. The detection device can also be a proximity switch or include a proximity switch.

[0169] However, it is also possible that the initial position is a measured workpiece carrier position, which was recorded using a measuring device. In particular, a measuring device as described in more detail below.

[0170] When the leading lifting conveyor device 120 is moved along, the lifting arm 126 of this lifting conveyor device 120 is moved upwards in the lifting direction 128 and in doing so picks up a front section of the workpiece carrier 132.

[0171] In particular, two different sequences are conceivable. In the first sequence of receiving the front section of the workpiece carrier 132, the conveying movement of the workpiece carrier 132 with the workpiece 102 is

[0172] The transfer conveying direction 114 is briefly interrupted so that the lifting arm 126 can pick up or dock the front section of the workpiece carrier 132 and lift it out of the roller conveyor 130. Since the lifting arm 126 has already been brought into the correct position during the movement along the transfer conveying direction 114, the actual picking up takes place in a minimal time interval. In a second case, the conveying movement of the workpiece carrier 132 or the workpiece 102 is not interrupted; 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 take place in parallel.

[0173] The front section is picked up before the workpiece carrier 132 with the workpiece 102 projects so far beyond the roller conveyor device 130 that there is a risk of tipping over.

[0174] The lifting movement of the lifting arm 126 in the lifting direction 128, with which the workpiece carrier 132 with the workpiece 102 is lifted from the roller conveyor device 130, is preferably so small that tilting of the workpiece 102 on the workpiece carrier 132 is prevented. In other words, after the front section of the workpiece carrier has been picked up, the horizontal alignment or orientation of the workpiece 102 is at least approximately maintained.

[0175] After receiving the front section of the workpiece carrier 132, the detection device determines a further initial position of the workpiece carrier 132 and / or the workpiece 102, from which the following lifting conveyor device 122 preferably moves synchronously with the workpiece carrier 132 or the workpiece 102.

[0176] It is conceivable that the initiation or completion of the pickup of the front section already initiates the movement of the following lifting conveyor device 122.

[0177] When the following lifting conveyor device 122 is moved along, the lifting arm 126 of this lifting conveyor device 122 is moved upwards in the lifting direction 128 and in doing so picks up a rear section of the workpiece carrier 132.

[0178] In particular, the pickup of the rear portion of the workpiece carrier 132 is completed before the roller conveyor device 130 has completely conveyed the workpiece carrier 132 down, so that the workpiece carrier 132 with the workpiece 102 does not sag.

[0179] After receiving the front and rear sections of the workpiece carrier 132, the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 move further in the transfer conveyor direction 114 over the fluid bath contained in the treatment tank until they reach a starting position for the treatment process.

[0180] Following the treatment process, the workpiece 102 can be conveyed back to the main conveyor device 110 in a correspondingly reverse sequence, wherein it is transferred to or placed on the roller conveyor device 130.

[0181] However, it is also conceivable that the workpiece carrier 132 and workpiece 102 are conveyed further along the transfer conveying direction 114 by means of the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 after the treatment process in order to then be transferred to a further main conveying device (not shown) in an outlet region of the treatment process, which is opposite an inlet region of the treatment process, wherein the inlet region is the region in which the first transfer from the main conveying device 110 to the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 takes place.

[0182] The transfer between the main conveyor device 110 or transfer device 118 and the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 is controlled and / or regulated by at least one control and / or regulating device (not shown). The movement or movement sequence of the main conveyor device 110 and the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 must be coordinated with the conveying movement of the workpiece 102 or the workpiece carrier 132.

[0183] Furthermore, various values ​​are recorded and monitored during transfer and treatment, which ensure sufficient precision of the movement sequence, detect anomalies in the movement sequence at an early stage and guarantee a high treatment quality of the workpiece.

[0184] For this purpose, the control and / or regulating device preferably comprises one or more sensors and / or one or more measuring devices, wherein the control and / or regulating device preferably operates with software support, so that, for example, target profiles can be compared with actual profiles in real time.

[0185] A profile should be understood as the preferred or ideal temporal course of a quantity to be measured, which was determined, for example, under ideal boundary conditions of the treatment process.

[0186] In the Fig. 1 to 3 it can be seen that a radar measuring device 138 and a laser measuring device 140 are arranged on the roller conveyor device 130.

[0187] Alternatively, the radar measuring device 138 and the laser measuring device 140 can also be arranged outside the conveyor system 108, such as behind the rear of the vehicle body 104 ready for transfer.

[0188] The two measuring devices 138, 140 detect, according to their arrangement in the embodiment in the Fig. 1 to 3 the workpiece carrier and / or the workpiece position from the rear thereof, wherein both measuring devices 138, 140 have a sufficiently high measuring accuracy and a sufficiently high range.

[0189] The redundant measurement setup of two different measurement techniques or methods compensates for the strengths and weaknesses of both techniques or methods under different environmental conditions.

[0190] The radar measuring device 138 and the laser measuring device 140 provide precise values ​​regarding the workpiece carrier position and / or workpiece position, whereby a precise transfer can be realized even at high conveying speeds.

[0191] Furthermore, a distance sensor 142, which is preferably designed as an inductive distance sensor, is arranged on the roller conveyor device 130 and detects the distance between the roller conveyor device 130 of the main conveyor device 110 and the workpiece carrier 132 and / or the workpiece 102. If this monitored distance exceeds a predetermined threshold or limit value, a warning and / or an interference signal is output or generated, for example.

[0192] The lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 each further comprise an acceleration sensor 144, by means of which the acceleration along the rail element 124 can be monitored.

[0193] The acceleration of both lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 measured along the rail element 124, i.e. along the treatment tank 106, is compared with a predetermined acceleration profile in order to detect anomalies in the acceleration at an early stage and thus to be able to avert damage to the workpiece to be treated in good time.

[0194] Here too, detected anomalies in the acceleration of one or both lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 may trigger a warning and / or fault signal.

[0195] The control and / or regulating device can further be configured to prevent a collision between the workpiece 102 to be treated and the treatment tank 106.

[0196] During the treatment process, the workpiece 102 moves through the treatment tank 106 according to a predetermined movement curve. The workpiece 102 moves within a predetermined tank geometry.

[0197] The contour and position data of the workpiece, determined by the dimensions of the workpiece 102 to be treated and by the movement curve, are therefore preferably compared with the tank geometry using software to prevent a collision of the workpiece 102 with the treatment tank 106. In other words, the movement of the workpiece 102 within the treatment tank 106 is limited by geometric calculation so that the movement of the workpiece 102 stops in time before it touches the tank wall.

[0198] The lifting arms 126 each preferably have two locking devices 146 which secure the received workpiece carrier 132 to the lifting arms 126 at least for the duration of the immersion in the treatment tank 106.

[0199] The locking of the locking devices 146 is preferably also monitored in order to be able to detect a tipping of the workpiece 102 in good time and to take appropriate countermeasures.

[0200] By means of the locking devices 146, which are in the Fig. 1 to 3 are only shown schematically, not only is the workpiece carrier 132 including the workpiece 102 at least temporarily secured to the lifting arms 126, ie in particular prevented from floating during the immersion treatment in the treatment tank 106, but the locking devices 146 also realize the flow of electrical current to and through the workpiece 102, which preferably forms the cathode in a cathodic immersion coating, whereas the associated anodes are arranged within the treatment tank 106.

[0201] The interaction between a skid 134 according to the invention and the corresponding locking devices 146 of the lifting arms 126 will be discussed in more detail below.

[0202] In Fig. 4 shows, on the one hand, a free-standing transfer device 118, which is designed as a roller conveyor device 130. On the other hand, the workpiece carrier 132 provided for the roller conveyor device 130 is shown, which is designed as a skid 134.

[0203] The skid 134 comprises four bell-shaped contact devices 150 on its longitudinal beams 148, which are arranged in pairs opposite one another.

[0204] The bell-shaped contact devices 150 are used in conjunction with the Fig. 5 to 10 described in detail.

[0205] In Fig. 4, the left side of the roller conveyor 130 is the side which, when the roller conveyor 130 has been moved into the transfer position, borders on the treatment tank 106, whereas the right side is the side which points away from the treatment tank.

[0206] The Skid 134 shown is also aligned in the same direction, i.e. the left side of the Skid 134 in Fig. 4 is the side or end of the skid 134 which is first conveyed into the treatment area of ​​the treatment tank 106.

[0207] For simplicity, the left side or the left end of the skid 134 and the roller conveyor, relative to the image plane in Fig. 4, hereinafter referred to as the front side or the front end, and correspondingly, the opposite side or the opposite end as the rear side or the rear end. This is also consistent because workpieces 102, which are designed as vehicle bodies 104, are generally introduced into the treatment area of ​​the treatment tank 106 with their front side, ie, the area of ​​the engine hood, first.

[0208] It can thus be seen that the front pair of bell-like contact devices 150 is arranged closer to the front end of the skid 134 than the rear pair with respect to the rear end of the skid 134.

[0209] Such an asymmetry of the bell-shaped contact devices 150 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the skid 134, which is preferably aligned parallel to the transfer conveying direction 114, has the advantage that the workpiece 102 to be treated, which is mounted on the skid 134 and is to be treated, can be immersed very steeply into the treatment fluid right at the beginning of the treatment in the treatment tank 106 and overall a deeper immersion into the treatment tank is possible.

[0210] In addition, the front pair of bell-shaped contact devices 150, when arranged near the front end of the skid 134, offers the advantage that the skid 134 does not have to project as far before the lifting arm 126 of the leading lifting conveyor device 120 can pick up the skid 134 at the front pair of bell-shaped contact devices 150. This means that the overhang of the skid 134 beyond the roller conveyor device 130 is kept as small as possible during transfer.

[0211] As previously mentioned, a radar measuring device 138 and a laser measuring device 140 are arranged on the roller conveyor device 130 in order to be able to detect the position of the workpiece carrier 132, ie the skid 134, in the transfer conveying direction 114.

[0212] Furthermore, the skid 134 comprises three cross struts 152, of which at least one cross strut 152 has two measuring plates 154, preferably vertical measuring plates, by means of which the position of the skid 134 during the transfer between the two lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 and the roller conveyor device 130 can be detected by the radar measuring device 138 and the laser measuring device 140, which are both arranged on the roller conveyor device 130.

[0213] In addition, the skid 134 preferably comprises four forklift receptacles 156, which are also arranged opposite one another in pairs, so that a forklift tine can be guided through each opposing pair of receptacles in order to lift, transport and / or deposit the skid 134.

[0214] The Fig. 4 further preferably includes an anti-tip element 158 ​​disposed in a rear portion of the skid 134.

[0215] In the present case, this anti-tip element 158 ​​is sword-shaped and is attached to the two rear cross struts 152.

[0216] In the illustrated embodiment, the anti-tilt element 158 ​​comprises two lateral guide edges 160.

[0217] The anti-tilt element 158 ​​with its lateral guide edges 160 cooperates with a roller guide 162 which is arranged in a front section of the roller conveyor device 130.

[0218] The roller guide 162 comprises at least one, preferably several overlapping pairs of rollers 164, which roll on the lateral guide edges 160 of the anti-tip element 158, while the anti-tip element 158 ​​is guided by the roller guide 162. This ensures that the skid 134 with the workpiece 102 does not tip over toward the treatment tank 106 upon reaching an overhanging position towards the end of the transfer process between the roller conveyor device 130 and the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122, but preferably maintains an approximately horizontal position until the transfer is completed.

[0219] The roller conveyor device 130 further includes a plurality of lateral guide rollers 166, which roll on the lateral outer surfaces of the longitudinal beams 148 during the transfer of the skid 134, whereby the skid 134 does not yaw about a vertical axis during the transfer and accordingly remains aligned approximately parallel to the transfer conveying direction 144. As a result, the precision of the locking process between the locking devices 146 and the skid 134 is improved.

[0220] The Skid 134 in Fig. 4 further comprises two mounting struts 167, by means of which the connection between the skid 134 and the workpiece 102 is realized.

[0221] In the following Fig. 5 to 10, a bell-like contact device 150 of a skid 134 is shown as an example to explain the process of threading, locking and dry contacting between the skid 134 and the lifting arms 126 of the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122.

[0222] Shown is the bell-shaped contact device 150, which is arranged at the front end of the skid 134 and, with respect to the transfer conveyor direction 114 into the treatment process, on the right side of the skid 134. With respect to a vehicle body 104 to be treated, the bell-shaped contact device 150 and the associated locking device 146 of the lifting arm 126 of the leading lifting conveyor device 120 are shown, which are located near the wheel housing of the right front tire.

[0223] The locking device 146 comprises a base 168, via which the locking device 146 is connected to the associated lifting arm 126, an internally arranged receiving element 170, which is fork-shaped, and an externally arranged contact element 172 for electrically contacting the inner surface of the bell-like contact device 150.

[0224] The receiving element 170 comprises two guide prongs 174 and a guide groove 176 arranged therebetween.

[0225] The guide tines 174 are preferably bent inwards at their tips 175 at an angle in the range of 10 degrees to 45 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the receiving element 170.

[0226] On the side of the receiving element 170 which faces outwards, i.e. in the direction of the contact element 172, there is a blocking element 178 below the guide groove 176.

[0227] The illustrated bell-shaped contact device 150 of the skid 134 has a bearing pin 182 and two counter elements 184 on its inwardly facing side surface 180.

[0228] The counter elements 184 are preferably designed as flat iron and arranged so that they together form a V-shape, the tip of the V-shape being open at the bottom, as in Fig. 8 can be seen.

[0229] The bell-shaped contact device 150 preferably has a circular shape which is open at least in sections downwards, ie pointing away from the workpiece 102.

[0230] The bearing pin 182, which is preferably cylindrical at least in sections, is preferably arranged in the center of the circular side surface 180 of the bell-shaped contact device 150 and has a counterpart 186 at its opposite, free end, as can be seen in Fig. 4 can be recognized.

[0231] In Fig. 5 shows the beginning of the threading between the skid 134 and the lifting arm 126, ie the skid has already been conveyed by the roller conveyor 130 in the transfer conveying direction 114 into an overhanging position and the lifting arm 126 of the leading lifting conveyor 120 has been moved in the lifting direction 128 in the direction of the skid 134.

[0232] In this transfer stage, the bearing pin 182 of the bell-shaped contact device 150 is located above the guide groove 176 of the receiving element 170.

[0233] The guide tines 174 taper towards their respective tips 175, which is why the guide groove 176 is widened in its upper section, whereby more space is available for the initial threading of the bearing pin 182 into the guide groove 176 in the transfer conveying direction 114.

[0234] When threading according to the Fig. 5, the contact element 172 at least partially enters the volume or cavity of the bell-like contact device 150.

[0235] Fig. Figure 6 shows the state in which the skid 134 has been completely picked up by the lifting arm 126. In this state, the bearing pin 182 is located in a lower, narrow section of the guide groove 176, and a free end 188 of the contact element 172 contacts the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact device 150.

[0236] Due to the contact between the free end 188 of the contact element 172 and the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact device 150, an electrical current flow is now possible from the anodes in the treatment tank 106 to the workpiece 102 as the cathode.

[0237] The bell-shaped contact device 150 is preferably designed such that when the skid 134 and the workpiece 102 are immersed in the treatment fluid of the treatment tank 106, the treatment fluid at least partially penetrates the bell-shaped contact device 150. However, the geometry of the bell-shaped contact device 150, which preferably functions according to the principle of a diving bell, ensures that the free end 188 of the contact element 172 is arranged in a dry region 190, i.e., a region without treatment fluid, regardless of the angle of inclination of the skid 134. In other words, the area around the free end 188 of the contact element 172 is not surrounded by the treatment fluid, even at different angles of inclination of the skid 134, as in the Fig. 7 can be seen.

[0238] The angle of inclination should preferably be understood as the angle between the longitudinal axis of the workpiece carrier 132 or the skid 134 and a horizontal line.

[0239] The inclination state of the skid 134 left in Fig. 7 represents a maximum possible inclination at which the contact element 172 contacts a front stop 192 at the base of the bell-like contact device 150.

[0240] The bell-shaped contact device 150 further includes a rear stop 194, which allows the same angle of inclination of the skid 134, but with the opposite sign. However, it is also conceivable that the stops 192, 194—relative to the magnitude of the angle of inclination—allow different maximum possible angles of inclination.

[0241] The inclination angle of the skid 134 in the left position of the Fig. 7 is approximately 60 degrees.

[0242] In this state, the dry area 190 is greatly reduced, but still sufficient so that the free end 188 of the contact element 172 is not in the treatment fluid.

[0243] The inclination state of the skid 134 right in Fig. 7 shows a smaller inclination than in the left state, in which the contact element 172 is located between the front stop 192 and the rear stop 194 of the bell-like contact device 150.

[0244] The inclination angle of the skid 134 in the right position is approximately 30 degrees.

[0245] In this state, the dry area 190 is larger because approximately only two-thirds of the volume in the bell-shaped contact device is filled with fluid.

[0246] Due to the cathodic dip coating, it may happen that sections of the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact device 150, which come into contact with the treatment fluid during a dip coating process, are coated.

[0247] However, the frictional contact between the free end 188 of the contact element 172 and the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact device 150 ensures that no paint permanently adheres to the surface portion of the inner surface of the bell-shaped contact device 150 over which the free end 188 of the contact element 172 rubs due to the adjustment of the angle of inclination of the skid 134.

[0248] The counterpart 186 at the end of the bearing pin 182, which is triangular in shape, for example, preferably cooperates with the curved tips 175 of the guide tines 174, in particular when the skid 134 is transferred back from the treatment process to the roller conveyor device 130. This interaction ensures that the skid 134 does not tilt in a lateral direction in such a way that a transfer to the roller conveyor device 130 is hindered.

[0249] In the Fig. 8 to 10, the interaction of the blocking element 178 with the counter elements 184 designed as flat iron is shown by way of example at different angles of inclination.

[0250] In Fig. 8 shows the state at the end of threading, ie after the lifting arm 126 of the leading lifting conveyor device 120 has picked up the skid 134 and the free end 188 of the contact element 172 projects into the bell-like contact device 150 so far that it touches its inner surface.

[0251] In this state, the skid 134 would in principle have the possibility to float up and detach itself from the lifting arm 126 or the locking device 146, since the blocking element 178, which is preferably trapezoidal in cross-section, is not hindered or blocked by the counter elements 184 in a vertical movement or in an upward movement.

[0252] The inclination angle of the skid 134 is Fig. 8 almost 0 degrees.

[0253] The two counter elements 184 are preferably arranged axially symmetrically to one another and each enclose an angle of approximately 60 degrees with a horizontal line in the uninclined state of the skid 134.

[0254] In the Fig. 9, the skid 134 is inclined by approximately 10 degrees to 15 degrees. In other words, the lifting arm 126 of the leading lifting conveyor device 120 is lowered in the lifting direction 128 relative to the lifting arm 126 of the following lifting conveyor device 122 to such an extent that the angle of inclination of the skid 134 assumes a value in the range of 10 degrees to 15 degrees.

[0255] In this state, the skid 134 is already prevented from floating or from a fluid-induced buoyancy movement, since the front counter element 184, which is in the Fig. 8 to 10 is the left of the two counter elements 184, is stopped by the blocking element 178 during a vertical upward movement.

[0256] The skid 134 is thus locked to the locking devices 146 or the lifting arms 126 at an inclination angle in the range of 10 degrees to 15 degrees.

[0257] In Fig. 10 is comparable to the left state in Fig. 7 shows the maximum inclination of the skid 134, at which the contact element 172 rests against the front stop 192 of the bell-shaped contact device 150. The angle of inclination of the skid 134 in this state is approximately 60 degrees, which is why the front counter element 184 is now aligned approximately horizontally and is arranged below the blocking element 178 such that the blocking element 178 can act with its entire underside on this counter element 184 to block or prevent the skid 134 from floating up.

[0258] In the Fig. 11 to 13, as announced above, a preferred second embodiment of the lifting arms 126 is shown, which has already been shown in the Fig. 5 to 10 is at least partially visible. In order to better address the details of this embodiment of the lifting arms 126, the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 have been hidden.

[0259] Because the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 are preferably arranged one behind the other on one side of the treatment tank 106 and are moved along this side of the tank in the transfer conveying direction 114, the associated lifting arms 126 are dynamically loaded on one side.

[0260] In the treatment tank 106, plate-shaped anodes 196 are arranged on the side walls for dip painting.

[0261] The one-sided arrangement of the lifting arms 126 means that some of these anodes 196 are at least partially shaded by the lifting arms 126, whereby the field lines in the affected area are disturbed and the quality of the treatment of the workpiece 102, in particular the coating of a vehicle body 104, can be impaired.

[0262] It is therefore advantageous to keep the shading caused by the lifting arms 126 as low as possible, which can be achieved in particular by the geometry of the lifting arms 126.

[0263] The lifting arms 126 according to the preferred second embodiment therefore each comprise two outer round support tubes 198 and a central round tube 200, which is arranged between the two round support tubes 198 with respect to the transfer conveying direction 114.

[0264] By choosing round tubes for the lifting arms 126, the field lines are affected to a minimum, or significantly less, than with other cross-sectional shapes. Furthermore, particles in the treatment fluid adhere less well to the curved surface of the round tubes.

[0265] The cross section of the central round tube 200 is preferably larger than the cross section of the two support round tubes 198, whose cross section is preferably at least approximately the same size.

[0266] As exemplified in the Fig. 9 and Fig. 13, one or more electrical lines 201 are guided within the central round tube 200, which are electrically connected to one or both locking devices 146 of a lifting arm 126 in order to ensure an electrical current flow through the workpiece 102 as a cathode.

[0267] The lifting arms 126 preferably have four sections, which will be discussed in detail below.

[0268] When positional references such as “above” or “upper” and “below” or “lower” are used below, reference is made to the image plane of the respective figure or figures, unless otherwise stated.

[0269] In an upper section 202 of a lifting arm 126, the central round tube 200 and the support round tubes 198 are firmly connected to a base unit 204, which is preferably designed as a mounting plate and is vertically aligned.

[0270] By means of the base unit 204, a lifting arm 126 is connected to the associated lifting conveyor device 120, 122.

[0271] In the upper section 202, the support round tubes 198 are simply angled in the direction of the base unit 204 or the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122, preferably at an angle of 45 degrees.

[0272] Below the bend, each of the support round tubes 198 is supported against the base unit 204 by a transverse round tube 206, which is preferably aligned approximately horizontally.

[0273] The transverse round tubes 206 prevent deformation of the lifting arms 126 in the direction of the adjacent side wall of the treatment tank 106 as a result of the takeover and treatment of a skid 134 with workpiece 102.

[0274] The central round tube 200 is preferably angled twice in the upper section 206 in the direction of the respective lifting conveyor device 120, 122, so that the plane of the base unit 204 and the central round tube 200 are connected to each other approximately perpendicularly.

[0275] Adjoining the upper section 202 at the bottom is a vertical section 208 in which the central round tube 200 and the supporting round tubes 198 run essentially vertically and parallel to one another, the supporting round tubes 198 being arranged at the same height with respect to a horizontal direction which runs perpendicular to the transfer conveying direction 114, i.e. parallel to the main conveying direction 112, and the central round tube 200 being arranged at a distance inwards, i.e. being offset further in the direction of the workpiece 102 to be treated.

[0276] In the upper region of the vertical section 208, the central round tube 200 and the two supporting round tubes 198 are preferably connected to one another by a horizontal intermediate plate 209.

[0277] This horizontal intermediate plate 209 fixes the spacing of the central round tube 200 and the support round tubes 198 to each other and increases the rigidity of the lifting arm 126 without promoting shading.

[0278] The vertical section 208 of the lifting arms 126 is followed downwardly by a corner section in which the central round tube 200 and the supporting round tubes 198 are also angled in the direction of the central longitudinal axis of the treatment tank 106, which runs parallel to the transfer conveying direction 114.

[0279] The respective angle by which the central round tube 200 and the two support round tubes 198 are angled inward is also in the range of approximately 45 degrees. However, the angle of the support round tubes 198 begins earlier from above, and an angled section 212 of both support round tubes 198 is longer than a corresponding section of the central round tube 200. In addition, the angled sections 212 are joined downwards toward the central round tube 200, so that these sections 212 are attached, preferably welded, to the central round tube 200 at their lower ends, adjacent to one another.

[0280] The angling of the central round tube 200 and the supporting round tubes 198 in the corner section 210 follows a taper 216 of the treatment basin 106 in the lower basin area, by means of which treatment fluid can be saved.

[0281] The corner section 210 is finally followed by a horizontal section 218 in which the central round tube 200 runs at least approximately horizontally.

[0282] The two locking devices 146 are arranged in the horizontal section 218, wherein preferably the locking device 146, which is arranged further from the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122, is electrically supplied or acted upon.

[0283] These locking devices 146 have an insulating plate 220 between the respective base 168 and the central round tube 200, which is why their receiving element 170 and contact element 172 are preferably shorter by the thickness of the insulating plate 220 than the receiving element 170 and the contact element 172 of the adjacent locking device 146, i.e. the other locking device 146 of the same lifting arm 126.

[0284] From the upper section 202 to the corner section 210, the central round tube 200 and the supporting round tubes 198 are thus arranged in such a way that a triangular arrangement is always obtained in the cross section through all three tubes, which on the one hand ensures a high rigidity of the lifting arm 126 and on the other hand minimally impairs the field lines between the anodes 196 and the workpiece 102 as the cathode.

[0285] The triangular arrangement is exemplary in the Fig. 13, which shows a horizontal cross-section at the level of the corner section 210.

[0286] The Fig. 14 to 17 show a third and a fourth embodiment of a treatment plant 100, in which a third embodiment of the locking devices 146 is installed, which are provided in particular for existing workpiece carriers 132.

[0287] Existing workpiece carriers 132 are to be understood as known or conventional workpiece carriers 132 which do not have the advantages of the workpiece carriers 132 according to the invention described above.

[0288] In the third embodiment of a treatment plant 100 in the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 and in the fourth embodiment of a treatment plant 100 in the Fig. 16 and Fig. 17, the second embodiment of the lifting arms 126 is used, as described in connection with the Fig. 5 to 13 was presented and explained.

[0289] While in the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 the transfer device 118 of the treatment plant 100 is designed as a chain conveyor device 222, for which two crossbars 224, also called “crossbars”, are used as workpiece carriers 132 for each workpiece 102, the transfer device 118 in the embodiment in the Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 is designed as a roller conveyor device 130, for which, however, conventional or known skids 134 are used as workpiece carriers 132, ie in particular without bell-like contact devices 150 and without anti-tilt element 158.

[0290] Both for the embodiment of the treatment plant 100 in the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15 with a chain conveyor device 222, which telescopes the workpiece 102 to be treated into an overhang above the treatment tank 106 for transfer to the lifting arms 126, as well as for the embodiment of the treatment system 100 in the Fig. 16 and Fig. 17 with a roller conveyor device 130, the locking devices 146 are designed such that reception and electrical contacting are realized in a clamp element 226.

[0291] Each clamp element 226 preferably has a guide 228 which receives the associated lateral receiving pin 230 of the cross member 224 or the skid 134.

[0292] The guide 228 preferably runs horizontally so that the lifting arms 126 do not have to perform any additional vertical movement when locking and unlocking the workpiece carrier(s) 132.

[0293] The guides 228 of the clamp elements 226 of the lifting arm 126, which is arranged on the leading lifting conveyor device 120, are open to the rear, ie in the direction of the transfer device 118, whereas the guides 228 of the clamp elements 226 of the lifting arm 126, which is arranged on the following lifting conveyor device 122, are open to the front, ie pointing away from the transfer device 118.

[0294] Accordingly, the guides 228 of the two lifting arms 126, which are opposite one another in the transfer conveying direction 114, are open to one another, whereby the workpiece 102 can be locked to the lifting arms 126 by moving the lifting conveying devices 120, 122 towards one another as soon as the receiving pins 230 of the workpiece carrier(s) 132 rest against the guides 228 of the clamping elements 226.

[0295] Conversely, the treated workpiece 102 is unlocked by the two lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 moving apart and thus releasing the clamping of the workpiece carriers 132.

[0296] In a chain conveyor device 222, as shown in the Fig. 14 and Fig. 15, the workpiece 102, which is designed as a vehicle body 104 and has a mounted cross member 224 in the area of ​​the wheel arches, is first telescoped over the treatment tank 106.

[0297] Subsequently, the lifting arms 126, which were previously lowered - preferably parallel to the telescoping - below the level of the chain conveyor device 222 in the lifting direction 128 and sufficiently spaced from one another, are raised in the lifting direction 128 so that the receiving pins 230 of the cross members 224 are positioned directly in front of the guides 228 of the clamp elements 226 or rest against a lower projection 232 of the guides 228.

[0298] Thereafter, the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 are finally moved towards each other until the receiving pins 230 have reached the end of the respective guides 228 and thus the workpiece 102 or the vehicle body 104 have been locked to the lifting arms 126 by means of the cross members 224 for treatment.

[0299] In a roller conveyor device 130, as shown in the Fig. 16 and Fig. 17, the skid 134 used, or the two front lateral receiving pins 230, are first threaded into the guides 228 of the clamp elements 226 of the lifting arm 126 of the leading lifting conveyor device 120 by conveying the skid 134 into an overhanging position. The two lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 are positioned as close as possible to the roller conveyor device 130 so that the skid 134 overhangs as little as possible to prevent the skid 134 from tipping toward the treatment tank 106.

[0300] Meanwhile, the lifting arm 126 of the following lifting conveyor device 122 is positioned so that the locking devices are positioned below the skid 134.

[0301] The skid 134 is then conveyed further by the roller conveyor 130 in the transfer conveying direction 114 over the treatment tank 106, with the leading lifting conveyor 120 being moved synchronously.

[0302] At the same time, the lifting arm 126 of the following lifting conveyor device 122 is raised in the lifting direction 128, namely up to the height of the lifting arm 126 of the leading lifting conveyor device 120, wherein the lifting is coordinated such that when the height of the lifting arm 126 of the leading lifting conveyor device 120 is reached, the guides 228 of the clamp elements 226 of the lifting arm 126 of the following lifting conveyor device 122 are located behind the lateral receiving pins 230 of the skid 134 or the receiving pins rest on the projection 232 of the guides 228.

[0303] Finally, the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 are moved towards each other to lock the skid 134 until the receiving pins 230 have reached the end of the respective guide 228.

[0304] The unlocking takes place in the reverse order if the treated workpiece 102 is to be returned to the original transfer device 118.

[0305] Also for the locking devices 146 of the embodiments in the Fig. 14 to 17, it is preferably the case that per lifting arm 126 only the locking device 146 is energized which is arranged on the side of the lifting arm 126 which is arranged further away from the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122.

[0306] Nevertheless, it is also conceivable that only the locking devices 146 are energized which are arranged closer to the lifting conveyor devices 120, 122 or that alternatively two locking devices 146 are energized whose positions on the respective lifting arm 126 are different. List of reference symbols 100 treatment plant 102 Workpiece 104 Vehicle body 106 treatment pools 108 conveyor system 110 Main conveyor device 112 Main conveying direction 114 Transfer conveyor direction 116 Cross conveyor device 118 Transfer device 120 leading lifting conveyor 122 following lifting conveyor device 124 rail element 126 lifting arm 128 stroke direction 130 roller conveyor device 132 workpiece carriers 134 Skid 136 final position 138 radar measuring device 140 laser measuring device 142 Distance sensor 144 Accelerometer 146 Locking device 148 longitudinal members 150 bell-shaped contact device 152 cross brace 154 measuring plate 156 Forklift holder 158 Anti-tip element 160 leading edge 162 Rolling guide 164 overlapping role pair 166 lateral guide rollers 167 Mounting strut 168 bases 170 receiving element 172 contact element 174 guide tine 175 Tip of a guide tine 176 guide joint 178 Blocking element 180 inner side surface 182 bearing journals 184 Counter element 186 counterpart 188 free end of the contact element 190 dry area 192 front stop 194 rear stop 196 Anode 198 Support round tube 200 central round tube 201 electrical cable 202 upper section of a lifting arm 204 base unit 206 Cross round tube 208 Vertical section 209 Intermediate plate 210 corner section 212 angled section of a support round tube 214 angled section of a central round tube 216 Rejuvenation of the treatment pool 218 Horizontal section 220 insulation board 222 Chain conveyor device 224 Traverse 226 clamp element 228 leadership 230 locating pins 232 lead

Claims

[1] Treatment plant (100) for treating workpieces (102), in particular vehicle bodies (104), the treatment plant (100) comprising: - at least one treatment tank (106), in particular at least one immersion tank, for treating the workpieces (102) with at least one treatment fluid, and - at least one conveyor system (108) for conveying the workpieces (102), each of which is arranged on a workpiece carrier (132), wherein the conveyor system (108) comprises: - at least one transfer device (118) for conveying the workpieces (102) in a transfer conveying direction (114); and - at least one lifting conveyor device (120, 122), preferably at least two lifting conveyor devices (120, 122), which can be individually moved laterally along the at least one treatment tank (106) in the transfer conveying direction (114), wherein the at least one lifting conveyor device (120, 122) comprises at least one lifting arm (126) which can be individually moved in a lifting direction (128) and is designed to at least partially receive a workpiece carrier (132) and / or a workpiece (102). [2] Treatment plant (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that each lifting arm (126) comprises two support round tubes (198) and a central round tube (200), wherein the central round tube (200) is arranged between the two support round tubes (198) with respect to the transfer conveying direction (118). [3] Treatment plant (100) according to claim 2, characterized bythat one or more electrical lines (201) are guided in the central round tube (200), which are electrically connected to at least one locking device (146) of the lifting arm (126). [4] Treatment plant (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by that the cross-section of the central round tube (200) is larger than the cross-section of the supporting round tubes (198). [5] Treatment plant (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by that the central round tube (200) and the supporting round tubes (198) are arranged in a triangular manner in a horizontal cross-sectional plane at least in sections along the lifting arm (126). [6] Treatment plant (100) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by that the central round tube (200) and the supporting round tubes (198) are arranged at least partially spaced from one another, wherein at least one intermediate plate is arranged between the round tubes (198, 200) and connected to the same. [7] Treatment plant (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the lifting arm (126) corresponds at least in sections to an adjacent inner contour of the treatment tank (106). [8] Treatment plant (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that each lifting arm (126) comprises at least one locking device (146), preferably two locking devices (146), for locking a workpiece carrier (132), wherein each locking device (146) has at least one electrically conductive clamp element (226). [9] Treatment plant (100) according to claim 8, characterized by that each clamp element (226) has a guide (228), in particular a horizontal guide, for receiving a receiving pin of the workpiece carrier (132). [10] Treatment plant (100) according to claim 9, characterized bythat the open ends of the guides (228) of one lifting arm (126) point in the direction of the other lifting arm (126) with respect to the transfer conveying direction (114). [11] Treatment plant (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by that the transfer device (118) a) is designed as a roller conveyor device (130) and the workpiece carriers are designed as skids (134); or b) is designed as a chain conveyor device (222) and the workpiece carriers each comprise at least two cross members (224).

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