CONVEYOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF WORKPIECES

Abstract

The present invention relates to a conveying system (100) for conveying workpieces (102), in particular vehicle bodies (104), the conveying system (100) comprising the following: - at least one main conveying device (106) for conveying the workpieces (102) in a main conveying direction (110) and / or in a transfer conveying direction (110); and - at least one lifting conveying device (114, 1146) having a lifting direction (122), by means of which the workpieces (102) can be brought into at least one treatment position; wherein the at least one lifting conveying device (114, 116) can be moved, in particular linearly, along the main conveying direction (108) and / or along the transfer conveying direction (110), and wherein the at least one lifting conveying device (114, 116) is designed to receive the workpieces (102) from the at least one main conveying device (106) and / or to transfer the workpieces to the at least one main conveying device (106). The present invention also relates to a method for treating workpieces (102), in particular vehicle bodies (104).

Description

[0001] Conveyor system and method for handling workpieces

[0002] The present invention relates to a conveyor system for conveying workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies. The present invention further relates to a method for treating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies.

[0003] In practice, it is known that conveyor systems for, for example, cathodic dip painting (KTL) or pre-treatment (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.

[0004] 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.

[0005] The transfer of the vehicle bodies in the area of ​​the respective treatment process inlet depends on the main conveyor system installed. Roller conveyor systems are known in this regard, which use transport carriages, also called "skids," as workpiece carriers, i.e., as supports for the vehicle bodies. Chain conveyor systems are also 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 system or a chain conveyor system, and are then transferred to the process conveyor system in the area of ​​the corresponding process inlet.

[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 picked up by a vertically immobile element of the main conveyor, with the body remaining static on the skid or crossbeam on the transfer conveyor or main conveyor, and then picked up by the process conveyor by lifting or unloading it.

[0008] Alternatively, the transfer can also be performed by a vertically movable element of the main conveyor. In this case, the corresponding element of the transfer conveyor or the 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] The object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor system in which the transfer of a workpiece into or out of a treatment process takes place at least almost without interruption.

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by a conveyor system having the features according to claim 1.

[0012] The conveyor system is used to convey workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies, preferably in a treatment plant, in particular a paint shop for vehicle bodies.

[0013] The conveyor system comprises the following: at least one main conveyor device for conveying the workpieces in a main conveying direction and / or in a transfer conveying direction; and at least one lifting conveyor device with a lifting direction, by means of which the workpieces can be brought into at least one treatment position; wherein the at least one lifting conveyor device is movable, in particular linearly movable, along the main conveying direction and / or along the transfer conveying direction, and wherein the at least one lifting conveyor device is configured to receive the workpieces from the at least one main conveyor device and / or to transfer them to the at least one main conveyor device.

[0014] The present invention is based on the fundamental idea that the transfer or acceptance of workpieces into or out of a treatment process does not take place before or after the respective treatment process area, but rather at the inlet or outlet of the actual treatment process area. In the case of KTL, the transfer therefore preferably takes place above the dip tank. By synchronizing and coordinating the movement of the devices involved in the transfer, it is ensured that the conveying flow of the workpieces between the main conveying device and the treatment process does not have to be interrupted or is kept as short as possible, which, among other things, allows the throughput times of the workpieces to be optimized.

[0015] Main conveyor devices are arranged upstream and / or downstream of the treatment processes in relation to the overall conveying flow of the workpieces in the conveyor system, whereas lifting conveyor devices are preferably assigned to a treatment process.

[0016] One or more lifting conveyor devices have the task, on the one hand, of taking over the workpiece to be treated for the treatment process or of removing 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.

[0017] The main conveying direction and the transfer conveying direction are preferably aligned horizontally, whereas the lifting direction is preferably aligned vertically.

[0018] Preferably, the one or more lifting conveyor devices are moved along a rail element or along a predetermined straight path, i.e., are moved linearly. It may be advantageous if the at least one lifting conveyor device comprises at least one receiving unit, by means of which the workpieces can be transferred and / or received.

[0019] By means of the receiving units, the workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier which carries the workpiece is picked up from the main conveying device, ie in particular docked and lifted, and / or placed on the main conveying device, ie lowered and undocked.

[0020] The terms "docking" and "undocking" in this description and the appended claims are to be understood in the broadest sense as establishing contact or breaking contact, respectively.

[0021] It can further be provided that at least one receiving unit is movable along the stroke direction.

[0022] 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 makes it clear that the movement processes or movement sequences described in this description and the appended claims are reversible.

[0023] Consequently, a workpiece can be conveyed into a treatment process by being transferred from a main conveying device to the at least one lifting conveyor device, and the workpiece can also be conveyed out of a treatment process again by being transferred from the at least one lifting conveyor device to the original or another main conveying device.

[0024] It is particularly advantageous if the at least one receiving element is L-shaped or U-shaped.

[0025] The lifting conveyors can preferably be designed as a vertically aligned column or tower. In combination with L-shaped receiving elements, 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 travel plane of the lifting conveyors, i.e., the plane of the route of the lifting conveyors, when the receiving elements are moved downwards along the lifting direction. Accordingly, the workpiece can be lowered into a dip tank of a cathodic dip coating system, which is located essentially below the lifting conveyors.

[0026] U-shaped receiving elements 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 receiving element are movably attached to a lifting conveyor device in each case and the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier are therefore received in the depression of the U-shape.

[0027] 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.

[0028] The transfer device itself is preferably movable in or on the main conveyor device along the main conveyor direction.

[0029] It may be advantageous if the main conveying direction and the transfer conveying direction are aligned at least approximately perpendicular to each other.

[0030] 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 first conveyed along the main conveying direction and, once an end position of the main conveying device has been reached, is further conveyed by the transfer device in the same direction, i.e. in extension of the main conveying direction.

[0031] 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. Furthermore, the conveyor system can be provided with one or more workpiece carriers, by means of which the workpieces can be conveyed and transferred between the at least one main conveying device and the at least one lifting conveyor device.

[0032] By using standardized workpiece carriers for conveying and transferring the workpieces, the entire coordination and synchronization of movements is decoupled from the dimensions of the workpiece(s). Therefore, workpieces of different shapes and dimensions can also be handled in the conveying flow.

[0033] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the one or more workpiece carriers are traverses and / or skids.

[0034] It can further be provided that a transfer position of the at least one receiving unit is adaptable to a transfer movement of a workpiece to be transferred.

[0035] The transfer position is preferably the position in which the receiving unit docks onto the workpiece or workpiece carrier and lifts it out of the transfer device. To reach a suitable transfer position, i.e., a position that causes very little interruption to the conveying flow, the receiving unit must be moved in at least two directions, which are preferably aligned perpendicular to one another, such as the transfer conveying direction and the lifting direction. In other words, the transfer position of a receiving unit is adjusted, in particular continuously adjusted, by moving the lifting conveying device in the main conveying direction or transfer conveying direction and moving the associated receiving unit in the lifting direction.

[0036] It is particularly advantageous if the at least one lifting conveyor device and / or the at least one receiving unit can be moved along with a workpiece to be transferred for at least almost uninterrupted transfer.

[0037] The synchronization of the movement of the one or more lifting conveyor devices 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 purpose the one or more lifting conveyor devices must be able to move along with the conveying movement of the workpiece.

[0038] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that two lifting conveyor devices are arranged one after the other along the main conveying direction or along the transfer conveying direction.

[0039] Thus, the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier can be picked up by the lifting conveyor devices at at least two sections in the conveying direction.

[0040] It can be advantageous if the two lifting conveyors can be moved independently of each other.

[0041] This allows the lifting conveyors to be moved to pick up the respective section of the workpiece or workpiece carrier, to be optimally aligned and, if necessary, to have their position individually corrected.

[0042] 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.

[0043] This allows the workpiece to be transferred from the transfer device to the lifting conveyor devices 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 conveyor devices, provided that the longitudinal extent of the workpiece is greater than the transverse extent.

[0044] 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. It can also be advantageous if the at least one lifting conveyor device comprises at least one pivoting device, in particular a pendulum device, on which at least one, preferably two receiving units are pivotably arranged.

[0045] The pivoting movement of the pivoting device preferably takes place in a plane which is spanned by the conveying direction of the workpiece and the lifting direction of the lifting conveyor devices, wherein the pivoting movement of the pivoting device is in particular a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation.

[0046] Due to the pivoting movement of the pivoting device, the receiving units can be moved essentially along the stroke direction.

[0047] In addition, it can be provided that at least one swivel device can be moved along the stroke direction.

[0048] The ability to move the swivel device along the stroke direction allows the receiving elements to be moved in a predetermined position relative to each other in the stroke direction. For example, the swivel device can be swiveled so that one receiving element is positioned higher relative to the stroke direction, whereby when the swivel device is moved along the stroke direction, this receiving element picks up a workpiece to be transferred first.

[0049] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the conveyor system comprises at least one detection device, in particular at least one sensor, by means of which a transfer movement of a workpiece can be monitored.

[0050] The detection device can be a stop sensor, a light barrier, or the like, which allows at least the position of the workpiece or the workpiece carrier to be detected and monitored. Preferably, the speed and / or acceleration of the workpiece in the conveying direction can also be monitored using a detection device.

[0051] For redundancy reasons, at least two detection devices are preferably used, in particular two different detection devices.

[0052] The one or more detection devices are arranged in particular in the conveyor system or also in the higher-level treatment system in such a way that a trouble-free and / or obstacle-free monitoring and / or detection of the transfer of the workpiece between the main conveyor device and the one or more lifting conveyor devices is possible.

[0053] 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 a transfer between the at least one main conveyor device and the at least one lifting conveyor device can be controlled and / or regulated, in particular by coordinating a movement of the at least one main conveyor device and / or the at least one lifting conveyor device on the one hand with the movement of the workpiece to be transferred on the other hand.

[0054] By coordinating the movement or the current position of the main conveyor device, the transfer conveyor device and the at least one lifting conveyor device with each other, corrective movements and / or waiting times are preferably avoided and the conveyor flow is interrupted as little as possible.

[0055] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a treatment system for treating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies, wherein the treatment system comprises at least one conveyor system as described above, and wherein the at least one treatment position is in particular an immersion position in which the workpiece is lowered into a dip tank.

[0056] In the treatment position or the immersion position, the workpiece is preferably completely immersed in a treatment liquid, whereby the treatment position can be adjusted for optimal rinsing of the workpiece by moving the receiving elements independently of one another or parallel to one another in the stroke direction.

[0057] The object is further achieved according to the invention by a method for treating workpieces.

[0058] The procedure includes the following steps:

[0059] Conveying the workpieces by means of at least one main conveying device along a main conveying direction and / or a transfer conveying device;

[0060] Transferring the workpieces by means of a transfer device in the main conveying direction or in the transfer conveying direction from the at least one main conveying device to at least one lifting conveying device and / or from the at least one lifting conveying device to the at least one main conveying device; and

[0061] Moving the workpiece by means of the at least one lifting conveyor device into at least one treatment position, wherein the picked-up workpiece is in particular lowered into a treatment position.

[0062] Furthermore, it can be provided that the method further comprises the following step: moving the at least one lifting conveyor device with a workpiece which is transferred between the at least one main conveyor device and the at least one lifting conveyor device as soon as the workpiece and / or a workpiece carrier on which the workpiece is conveyed has reached an initial position;

[0063] Picking up or placing down the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier while moving by means of at least one lifting conveyor device.

[0064] The initial position or, in the case of several lifting conveyors, the initial positions are preferably detected by at least one detection device.

[0065] 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.

[0066] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that two lifting conveyor devices, each having a receiving element, 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 receiving element, 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 receiving element.

[0067] The receiving movement of the receiving elements occurs essentially in the lifting direction.

[0068] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that two lifting conveyor devices, each having a receiving element, 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 receive a front and a rear section of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier at least approximately simultaneously.

[0069] 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.

[0070] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the lifting conveyor device has a pivoting device on which two receiving elements are pivotably arranged, wherein first the receiving element leading in the conveying direction receives a front section of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier and then the receiving element following in the conveying direction receives a rear section of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier.

[0071] Preferably, the pivoting device is pivoted at the beginning of the transfer such that, relative to the stroke direction, the leading receiving element is arranged or positioned higher than the following receiving element. Thus, the pivoting device can be moved upward in the stroke direction to pick up the front section.

[0072] After receiving the front section by moving the pivoting device along the stroke direction, the pivoting device preferably pivots such that the following receiving element is moved substantially upwards in the stroke direction, whereby a rear section of the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier is received.

[0073] 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 pickup elements 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.

[0074] The method preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the conveyor system. Furthermore, the conveyor system preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the method.

[0075] Further features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of exemplary embodiments.

[0076] The figures show:

[0077] Fig. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a first embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention at the beginning of a workpiece transfer; Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the first embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention at the beginning of a workpiece transfer;

[0078] Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the first embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention when receiving a front section of the workpiece carrier;

[0079] Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the first embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention after receiving a front section of the workpiece carrier;

[0080] Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the first embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention after receiving a rear section of the workpiece carrier;

[0081] Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention at the beginning of a workpiece transfer;

[0082] Fig. 7 is a schematic side view of the second embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention at the beginning of a workpiece transfer;

[0083] Fig. 8 is a schematic side view of the second embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention during the conveyance of the workpiece onto a telescopic section of the transfer device;

[0084] Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of the second embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention during parallel reception of the work carrier;

[0085] Fig. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention at the beginning of a workpiece transfer; Fig. 11 is a schematic side view of the third embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention at the beginning of a workpiece transfer;

[0086] Fig. 12 is a schematic side view of the third embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention when receiving a front section of the workpiece carrier; and

[0087] Fig. 13 is a schematic side view of the third embodiment of a conveyor system according to the invention after receiving a rear section of the workpiece carrier.

[0088] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0089] Figures 1 to 5 show a transfer process of a first embodiment of a conveyor system designated as a whole by 100.

[0090] The conveyor system 100 is used to convey workpieces 102, in particular for the at least almost uninterrupted transfer of workpieces 102 into a treatment process or out of a treatment process, ie the conveying flow of the workpieces 102 along the conveyor system 100 or within a treatment system is optimized such that time losses due to transfer processes of the workpieces 102 are minimized.

[0091] The workpieces 102 are in particular vehicle bodies 104.

[0092] The conveyor system 100 is in particular part of a treatment plant, in particular a paint shop for vehicle bodies 104.

[0093] The conveyor system 100 comprises a main conveyor device 106 for conveying the workpieces 102 in a main conveying direction 108 and a transfer conveying direction 110.

[0094] The main conveying device 106 is preferably a transverse conveying device 107, by means of which the illustrated vehicle body 104 is conveyed in a transverse orientation in the main conveying direction 108. The transverse orientation is oriented such that the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body runs transversely to the main conveying direction 108 or parallel to the transfer conveying direction 110.

[0095] The main conveyor device 106 comprises a transfer device 112 for transferring and / or receiving the workpieces 102 along the transfer conveying direction 110.

[0096] The conveyor system 100 further comprises, with respect to the transfer conveying direction 110, a leading lifting conveyor device 114 and a following lifting conveyor device 116, which are preferably movable independently of one another.

[0097] The lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 are preferably movable linearly along a rail element 118.

[0098] Both lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 each have a receiving element 120, both of which can be moved in a lifting direction 122 along the respective lifting conveyor device 114, 116.

[0099] The receiving elements 120 are L-shaped.

[0100] The lifting direction 122 is preferably vertical, while the main conveying direction 108 and the transfer conveying direction 110 are preferably horizontal.

[0101] In the first embodiment in Figs. 1 to 5, the transfer device 112 is a roller conveyor device 124.

[0102] The workpiece 102 is mounted on a workpiece carrier 126, by means of which it can be conveyed and transferred.

[0103] The workpiece carrier 126 is in particular a so-called skid 128, i.e. a transport carriage.

[0104] In Figs. 1 and 2, the roller conveyor device 124 has reached an end position 130 along the main conveying direction 108, from which the workpiece 102 can be transferred to the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116. Fig. 3 shows that after reaching the end position 130, the workpiece carrier 126, which carries the workpiece 102, is moved in the transfer conveying direction 110 by means of the roller conveyor device 124.

[0105] The workpiece carrier 126 with the workpiece 102 is brought into an overhanging position with respect to the roller conveyor device 124.

[0106] A detection device (not shown) determines an initial position of the workpiece carrier 126 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 114 preferably moves synchronously with the workpiece carrier 126 or the workpiece 102.

[0107] The initial position can be reached, for example, when the workpiece and / or the workpiece carrier touch a stop acting as a detection device or when a detection device configured as a light barrier is triggered. The detection device can also be a proximity switch or include a proximity switch.

[0108] When the leading lifting conveyor device 114 moves along, the receiving element 120 of this lifting conveyor device 114 is moved upwards in the lifting direction 122 and in doing so receives a front section 132 of the workpiece carrier 126.

[0109] In particular, two different sequences are conceivable here. In the first sequence of picking up the front section 132 of the workpiece carrier 126, the conveying movement of the workpiece carrier 126 with the workpiece 102 in the transfer conveying direction 110 is briefly interrupted so that the picking element 120 can pick up or dock the front section 132 of the workpiece carrier 126 and lift it out of the roller conveyor device 124. Since the picking element has already been brought into the correct position along the transfer conveying direction 110 during the movement, the actual picking takes place in a minimal time interval. In a second case, the conveying movement of the workpiece carrier 126 or the workpiece 102 is not interrupted, but the coordination quality of the movement of the picking element 120 in the transfer conveying direction 110 and in the lifting direction 122 is so high that both can take place in parallel.The front section 132 is picked up before the workpiece carrier 126 with the workpiece 102 projects far beyond the roller conveyor device 124 to the point where there is a risk of tipping over.

[0110] The receiving movement of the receiving element 120 in the lifting direction 122, with which the workpiece carrier 126 with the workpiece 102 is lifted from the roller conveyor device 124, is preferably so small that tilting of the workpiece 102 on the workpiece carrier 126 is prevented. In other words, after the front section 132 of the workpiece carrier has been picked up, the horizontal alignment or orientation of the workpiece 102 is at least approximately maintained.

[0111] The transfer between the main conveyor device 106 or transfer device 112 and the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 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 106 and the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 must be coordinated with the conveying movement of the workpiece 102 or the workpiece carrier 126.

[0112] For this purpose, the control and / or regulating device preferably comprises one or more sensors or one or more sensors are assigned to the control and / or regulating device, which, for example, detect when the stop points of the devices and components involved in the transfer are reached.

[0113] In Fig. 4 it can be seen that the leading lifting conveyor device 114 moves further in the transfer conveyor direction 110 after receiving the front section 132 of the workpiece carrier 126.

[0114] After receiving the front section 130 of the workpiece carrier 126, the detection device determines a further initial position of the workpiece carrier 126 and / or the workpiece 102, from which the following lifting conveyor device 116 preferably moves synchronously with the workpiece carrier 126 or the workpiece 102.

[0115] It is conceivable that the initiation or completion of the pickup of the front section 132 already initiates the movement of the following lifting conveyor device 116. As the following lifting conveyor device 116 moves along, the pickup element 120 of this lifting conveyor device 116 is moved upward in the lifting direction 122 and thereby picks up a rear section 134 of the workpiece carrier 126.

[0116] In particular, the pickup of the rear portion 134 of the workpiece carrier 126 is completed before the roller conveyor device 124 has completely conveyed the workpiece carrier 126 down, so that the workpiece carrier 126 with the workpiece 102 does not sag.

[0117] As shown in Fig. 5, after receiving the front and rear sections 132, 134 of the workpiece carrier 126, the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 move further in the transfer conveyor direction 110 until they reach a start position for the treatment process.

[0118] From this position, the receiving elements 120 are then moved downward, for example, parallel or offset in the stroke direction 122, whereby the workpiece carrier 126 with the workpiece 102 is lowered into a treatment position, which is preferably an immersion position, in an immersion tank. The immersion tank is, for example, a dip tank for a cathodic dipping system, in whose liquid the workpiece 102 is completely immersed for treatment.

[0119] Following the treatment process, the workpiece 102 can be conveyed back to the main conveyor device 106 in a correspondingly reverse sequence, wherein it is transferred to or placed on the roller conveyor device 124.

[0120] However, it is also conceivable that the workpiece carrier 126 and workpiece 102 are conveyed further along the transfer conveying direction 110 by means of the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 after the treatment process, in order to then be transferred to another main conveyor device 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 transfer from the main conveyor device 106 to the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 takes place. Figs. 6 to 9 show a transfer process of a second embodiment of the conveyor system 100 according to the invention.

[0121] In comparison to the first embodiment, the transfer device 112 of the second embodiment is designed as a chain conveyor device 136 and comprises at least one telescopic section 138, which in Figs. 6 to 9 is fully extended in the transfer conveying direction 110 for the transfer of the workpiece 102.

[0122] In addition, the workpiece carrier 126 is designed as a traverse 140, which requires that the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 or the receiving elements 120 for receiving the workpiece carrier 126 must be spaced apart from one another at a defined distance a.

[0123] The receiving elements 120 of the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 are arranged below the telescopic section 138 for transfer.

[0124] In Fig. 6 and 7, the workpiece carrier 126 with the workpiece 102 is in the end position 130 along the main conveying direction 108, ready for transfer to the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116.

[0125] For the movement sequence between the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 and the workpiece carrier 126 with workpiece 102, a dynamic or a static transfer is possible.

[0126] During the static transfer, which can be seen in Figs. 8 and 9, the workpiece carrier 126 with workpiece 102 is conveyed into a stop position 142 on the telescopic section 138, wherein the workpiece carrier 126 is preferably located completely on the telescopic section 138 when the stop position 142 is reached.

[0127] The lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 have already been moved such that they are aligned with this stop position at a distance a from one another, i.e. the receiving elements 120 are already located below the receiving sections of the workpiece carrier 126 or the cross member 140 when the workpiece carrier 126 has reached the stop position. As soon as the workpiece carrier 126 has reached the stop position 142, the receiving elements 120 of the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 are moved upwards along the lifting direction 122 at least approximately simultaneously or in parallel in order to pick up the workpiece carrier 126, i.e. the receiving elements 120 pick up the respective corresponding cross strut of the cross member 140 and lift it off the telescopic section 138.

[0128] The state in which the workpiece carrier 126 has been picked up by the spaced lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 is shown in Fig. 9.

[0129] After picking up the workpiece 102, the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 move the workpiece into the treatment position.

[0130] In the case of a dynamic transfer, the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 are initially moved along with the workpiece 102 during the conveying movement on the telescopic section 138, wherein either the distance a between the two lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 has already been taken up at the beginning of the transfer or this distance is taken up during the movement.

[0131] The movement of the lifting conveyor devices 114, 116 and the workpiece carrier 126 with workpiece 102 is preferably synchronized such that when the stop position 142 is reached, the receiving elements 120 are aligned with the cross struts of the traverse 140 with respect to the lifting direction 122 and can then receive them by moving upwards in the lifting direction 122.

[0132] Figures 10 to 13 show a transfer process of a third embodiment of the conveyor system 100 according to the invention.

[0133] The conveyor system 100 in Figs. 10 to 13 comprises only one lifting conveyor device 114, which comprises a pivoting device 144 that can be moved along the lifting direction 122.

[0134] The pivoting device 144 is preferably a pendulum device 145. A leading receiving element 146 and a following receiving element 148 are pivotably arranged on the pivoting device 144.

[0135] The transfer device 112 is designed, as in the first embodiment, as a roller conveyor device 124. Accordingly, the workpiece carrier 126 is designed as a skid 128.

[0136] For the transfer, the pivoting device 144 is initially pivoted such that the leading receiving element 146, relative to the stroke direction 122, is arranged higher than the following receiving element 148 or offset upwards relative to the following receiving element 148, as can be seen in Figs. 10 and 11.

[0137] In other words, the pivoting device 144 is pivoted clockwise, as shown in Figs. 10 to 13.

[0138] The workpiece carrier 126 with the workpiece 102 is then conveyed or moved in the transfer conveying direction 110 during the transfer and brought into an overhanging position with respect to the roller conveyor device 124.

[0139] A detection device (not shown) determines an initial position of the workpiece carrier 126 and / or the workpiece 102 during the cantilevered movement of the workpiece carrier 126 or the workpiece 102, from which position the lifting conveyor device 114 preferably moves synchronously with the workpiece carrier 126 or the workpiece 102.

[0140] As the lifting conveyor device 114 moves, the receiving elements 146, 148 of the lifting conveyor device 114 are moved upward in the lifting direction 122 by moving the pivoting device 144 to the uppermost position along the lifting conveyor device 114 in the lifting direction 122. The leading receiving element 146 receives the front section 132 of the workpiece carrier 126.

[0141] While the lifting conveyor device 114 and the workpiece carrier 126 with the workpiece 102 are now moved synchronously further along the transfer conveyor direction 110, the pivoting device 144 pivots counterclockwise, with reference to Figs. 10 to 13, whereby the following receiving element 148 moves substantially upwards in the lifting direction 122 and thereby receives the rear section 134 of the workpiece carrier 126.

[0142] The counterclockwise pivoting movement of the pivoting device 144 and the associated reception of the rear section 134 of the workpiece carrier is preferably completed before the tool carrier 126 has been completely conveyed down by the roller conveyor device.

[0143] After picking up both sections 132, 134, the lifting device 114 conveys the workpiece carrier 126 with the workpiece 102 further along the transfer conveying direction 110 and moves the workpiece 102 into a treatment position in the area of ​​the associated treatment process.

[0144] List of reference symbols

[0145] 100 conveyor system

[0146] 102 Workpiece

[0147] 104 Vehicle body

[0148] 106 Main conveyor device

[0149] 107 Cross conveyor device

[0150] 108 Main conveying direction

[0151] 110 Transfer conveyor direction

[0152] 112 Transfer device

[0153] 114 leading lifting conveyor

[0154] 116 following lifting conveyor device

[0155] 118 rail element

[0156] 120 receiving element

[0157] 122 stroke direction

[0158] 124 roller conveyor device

[0159] 126 workpiece carriers

[0160] 128 Skid

[0161] 130 End position

[0162] 132 front section of the workpiece carrier

[0163] 134 rear section of the workpiece carrier

[0164] 136 Chain conveyor device

[0165] 138 telescopic section

[0166] 140 T raverse

[0167] 142 stop position

[0168] 144 Swivel device

[0169] 145 Pendulum device

[0170] 146 leading, pivoting receiving element

[0171] 148 following pivoting support element a distance

Claims

Patent claims Conveyor system (100) for conveying workpieces (102), in particular vehicle bodies (104), wherein the conveyor system (100) comprises the following: at least one main conveyor device (106) for conveying the workpieces (102) in a main conveying direction (108) and / or in a transfer conveying direction (110); and at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 1146) with a lifting direction (122), by means of which the workpieces (102) can be brought into at least one treatment position; wherein the at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 116) is movable, in particular linearly movable, along the main conveying direction (108) and / or along the transfer conveying direction (110), and wherein the at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 116) is configured to receive the workpieces (102) from the at least one main conveying device (106) and / or to transfer them to the at least one main conveying device (106).Conveyor system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 116) comprises at least one receiving unit (120, 146, 148) by means of which the workpieces (102) can be transferred and / or received. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one receiving unit (120, 146, 148) is movable along the lifting direction (122). Conveyor system (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least one receiving element (120, 146, 148) is L-shaped or U-shaped. Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one main conveyor device (106) comprises at least one transfer device (112) for transferring and / or receiving workpieces. (102) along the main conveying direction (108) and / or along the transfer conveying direction (110). Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the main conveying direction (108) and the transfer conveying direction (110) are aligned at least approximately perpendicular to one another. Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the conveyor system (100) comprises one or more workpiece carriers (126) by means of which the workpieces (102) can be conveyed and transferred between the at least one main conveying device (106) and the at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 116). Conveyor system (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the one or more workpiece carriers (102) are crossbeams (140) and / or skids (128).Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that a transfer position of the at least one receiving unit (120, 146, 148) is adaptable to a transfer movement of a workpiece (102) to be transferred. Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 116) and / or the at least one receiving unit (120, 146, 148) are movable along with a workpiece (102) to be transferred for at least approximately uninterrupted transfer. Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that two lifting conveyor devices (114, 116) are arranged consecutively along the main conveying direction (108) or along the transfer conveying direction (110). Conveyor system (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the two lifting conveyor devices (114, 116) can be moved independently of one another. Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the main conveying device (106) is a transverse conveying device (107) by means of which the workpieces (102) can be conveyed in a transverse orientation, wherein the workpieces (102) are oriented in the transverse orientation such that a longitudinal direction, in particular a longitudinal axis, of the workpieces (102) is oriented transversely, in particular at least approximately perpendicularly, to the main conveying direction (110) and / or at least approximately horizontally. Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the transfer device (112) is a chain conveyor device (136) or a roller conveyor device (124), or that the transfer device (112) comprises a chain conveyor device (136) and / or a roller conveyor device (124).Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 116) comprises at least one pivoting device (144), in particular a pendulum device (145), on which at least one, preferably two receiving units (146, 148) are pivotably arranged. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 15, characterized in that the at least one pivoting device (144) is movable along the lifting direction (122). Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the conveyor system (100) comprises at least one detection device, in particular at least one sensor, by means of which a transfer movement of a workpiece (102) can be monitored.Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the conveyor system (100) comprises at least one control and / or regulating device by means of which a transfer between the at least one main conveyor device (106) and the at least one. The lifting conveyor device (114, 116) is controllable and / or regulatable, in particular by coordinating a movement of the at least one main conveyor device (106) and / or the at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 116) on the one hand with the movement of the workpiece (102) to be transferred on the other hand. A treatment system for treating workpieces (102), in particular vehicle bodies (104), wherein the treatment system comprises at least one conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 18, and wherein the at least one treatment position is in particular an immersion position in which the workpiece (102) is lowered into a dip tank. A method for treating workpieces (102), in particular vehicle bodies (104), wherein the method comprises the following steps: Conveying the workpieces (102) by means of at least one main conveying device (106) along a main conveying direction (108) and / or a transfer conveying device (110); Transferring the workpieces (102) by means of a transfer device (112) in the main conveying direction (108) or in the transfer conveying direction (110) from the at least one main conveying device (106) to at least one lifting conveying device (114, 116) and / or from the at least one lifting conveying device (114, 116) to the at least one main conveying device (106); and Moving the workpiece (102) by means of the at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 116) into at least one treatment position, wherein the picked-up workpiece (102) is lowered, in particular, into a treatment position. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the method further comprises the following steps: Moving the at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 116) with a workpiece (102) which is transferred between the at least one main conveyor device (106) and the at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 116) as soon as the workpiece (102) and / or a workpiece carrier (126) on which the workpiece (102) is conveyed has reached an initial position; Picking up or placing down the workpiece (102) and / or the workpiece carrier while moving by means of the at least one lifting conveyor device (114, 116). Method according to claim 21, characterized in that two lifting conveyor devices (114, 116), each having a receiving element (146, 148), are arranged one after the other along the main conveying direction (108) or along the transfer conveying direction (108), wherein first the lifting conveyor device (114) leading in the conveying direction (108, 110) is moved along with the workpiece (102) and receives a front section (132) of the workpiece (102) and / or of the workpiece carrier (126) with the receiving element (120), and wherein then the lifting conveyor device (116) following in the conveying direction (108, 110) is moved along with the workpiece (102) and receives a rear section (134) of the workpiece (102) and / or of the workpiece carrier (126) with the receiving element.Method according to claim 21, characterized in that two lifting conveyor devices (114, 116), each having a receiving element (120), are arranged successively along the main conveying direction (108) or along the transfer conveying direction (110) at an at least approximately constant distance (a) from one another, wherein both lifting conveyor devices (114, 116) are moved along with the workpiece (102) once the initial position has been reached and receive a front and a rear section (132, 134) of the workpiece (102) and / or of the workpiece carrier (126) at least approximately simultaneously.Method according to claim 21, characterized in that the lifting conveyor device (114) has a pivoting device (144) on which two receiving elements (146, 148) are pivotably arranged, wherein first the receiving element (146) leading in the conveying direction (108, 110) receives a front section (132) of the workpiece (102) and / or of the workpiece carrier (126) and then the receiving element (148) following in the conveying direction (108, 110) receives a rear section (134) of the workpiece (102) and / or of the workpiece carrier (126).