POSTAGE PROCEDURE AND POSTAGE DEVICE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying method which can be used in particular in a conveying device in a processing plant.

[0002] In processing plants, for example painting plants, roller conveyors, chain conveyors or overhead conveyors can be used in particular to transport workpieces to be painted.

[0003] From DE 10 2013 000 569 A1, a production plant for the series production of motor vehicles with multiple workstations is known, at each of which at least one predetermined work process can be carried out. The plant comprises a multitude of workstations, which are designed as separate and independent workstations, thus enabling the work processes to be carried out without a cycle time at these workstations. Furthermore, the plant comprises a multitude of independent first conveying units, with which a motor vehicle to be manufactured can be transported from one workstation to the next, and a higher-level control device with which each first conveying unit can be guided to the next designated workstation according to an individually defined work sequence for the motor vehicle being transported on it.

[0004] From JP H11-240608 A, a conveyor system is known in which the unmanned transport vehicles are arranged such that they are conveyed at equal intervals along a predetermined route and can be used as worktables for workers to perform predetermined tasks. Accordingly, it is possible to transport parts and the like with the unmanned transport vehicle, and for workers in a final assembly process to perform assembly work using the unmanned transport vehicle as a worktable.

[0005] Furthermore, US Patent 9,014,902 B1 discloses a system and method for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) which is capable of ensuring synchronized travel along a line or path while maintaining a desired cycle time, so that regular manufacturing operations on material or workpieces can be carried out on the vehicle without the need for a traditional conveyor system.

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a conveying method by means of which objects to be transported can be transported simply and flexibly.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1.

[0008] A vehicle is preferably suitable for transporting objects, especially vehicle bodies.

[0009] The vehicle includes the following: A base body; a chassis by means of which the base body rests on a drivable surface and / or is movable; a drive device for propelling the vehicle; a receiving device comprising one receiving element, two receiving elements, or more than two receiving elements for receiving at least one object. The drivable surface is, in particular, a floor, for example, a solid floor, especially a hall floor.

[0010] The drivable surface is primarily made of concrete or asphalt or metal, or includes concrete, asphalt and / or metal.

[0011] The vehicle is specifically designed to be self-driving and / or autonomous.

[0012] Preferably, the vehicle is floor-mounted.

[0013] The vehicle is preferably automatically controlled and / or guided or steerable without contact.

[0014] It may be provided that the receiving device comprises exactly two receiving elements.

[0015] The two receiving elements preferably allow for the receiving of exactly one object, in particular exactly one vehicle body.

[0016] Several receiving elements, in particular all receiving elements, preferably extend in a common plane, which in particular runs vertically and / or parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the vehicle.

[0017] Several receiving elements, in particular all receiving elements, preferably extend in a vertical longitudinal median plane of the vehicle.

[0018] In particular, the central axes or longitudinal axes of the individual receiving elements lie in a common plane, especially in a vertical longitudinal central plane.

[0019] Longitudinal axes or central axes of several receiving elements, in particular of all receiving elements, are preferably aligned parallel to each other and / or parallel to the direction of gravity, at least in a state of the vehicle in which it is arranged on a substantially horizontal drivable surface.

[0020] It can be advantageous if the longitudinal center axis of the vehicle defines one or two main directions of travel for the vehicle.

[0021] One or more receiving elements, in particular all receiving elements, are preferably the only elements projecting upwards from the base body of the vehicle.

[0022] Preferably, one or more receiving elements, in particular all receiving elements, project beyond the base body as the only components of the vehicle by more than approximately 5% or more than approximately 10% of the height of the base body.

[0023] It may be provided that the one receiving element, the two receiving elements or the more than two receiving elements are arranged movably on the base body.

[0024] In particular, the one receiving element, the two receiving elements or the more than two receiving elements are arranged on the base body in a manner movable parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0025] In this description, the direction of gravity is generally a vertical direction, which is essentially perpendicular to a drivable surface on which the vehicle can travel.

[0026] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that one receiving element, two receiving elements or more than two receiving elements are immovably connected to the base body.

[0027] It can also be provided that all receiving elements are movably arranged on the base body. Alternatively, it can be provided that all receiving elements are immovably arranged on the base body.

[0028] The vehicle preferably comprises a lifting drive device by means of which the one receiving element, the two receiving elements or the more than two receiving elements can be raised and / or lowered relative to the base body.

[0029] In particular, the one receiving element, the two receiving elements or the more than two receiving elements can be extended from and / or inserted into the base body by means of the lifting drive device.

[0030] The terms "extending" and "retracting" do not necessarily mean a complete removal or retraction. Rather, they can also refer to an extension or shortening of a section of a receiving element that protrudes from the base body.

[0031] It can be advantageous if the vehicle includes a scraper device by means of which contaminants adhering to one or more receiving elements can be scraped off when these elements are extended or lowered. This can preferably prevent or at least reduce unwanted contamination of the interior of the base body.

[0032] It can be advantageous if several receiving elements, especially all receiving elements, are coupled together and / or can only be moved together relative to the base body.

[0033] In particular, it may be provided that several receiving elements, especially all receiving elements, can only be raised and / or lowered simultaneously.

[0034] It can be advantageous if a lifting drive device of the vehicle comprises a lifting drive element, wherein the lifting drive element preferably connects a lifting drive motor and two or more than two receiving elements, so that the two or more than two receiving elements can be moved together by means of the lifting drive motor.

[0035] A lifting drive element is, in particular, a lifting drive belt or a lifting drive chain.

[0036] By means of the lifting drive element, the two or more than two receiving elements can preferably be raised and / or lowered together relative to the base body.

[0037] It can be advantageous if the lifting drive element extends through a drive axle of the drive device for propelling the vehicle.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the lifting drive element extends under a drive axle of the drive device to propel the vehicle.

[0039] Two or more than two receiving elements are preferably arranged on opposite sides of a drive axis of the drive device.

[0040] It can be advantageous if the drive device has a drive axle that connects two drive elements, in particular drive wheels, of the drive device. The drive axle is preferably oriented substantially transversely, and in particular at least approximately perpendicularly, to a longitudinal center axis and / or main direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0041] In particular, it may be stipulated that the vehicle has exactly one drive axle.

[0042] It can be advantageous if the drive device has a drive axle which connects two drive elements, in particular drive wheels, of the drive device, wherein the drive axle is arranged at least approximately centrally on the vehicle's base body with respect to a longitudinal center axis and / or main direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0043] The phrase "at least approximately centered" means in particular that one or more axes of rotation, about which one or more drive elements, for example drive wheels, of the drive axle can be rotated, are arranged at a distance of no more than approximately 20% of the total longitudinal extent of the vehicle from a horizontal transverse center axis of the vehicle.

[0044] The drive elements, in particular the drive wheels, are preferably arranged at a distance from each other of an amount greater than approximately 50%, in particular greater than approximately 70%, of a maximum width of the vehicle and / or the base body.

[0045] It can be advantageous to have one or more support rollers positioned in each of the four corner areas of the vehicle.

[0046] The support rollers are specifically non-driven support rollers.

[0047] Preferably, the support rollers are freely rotatable through 360° with respect to a substantially vertical axis of rotation.

[0048] It may be provided that the drive device has a drive axle which connects two drive elements, in particular drive wheels, of the drive device, wherein the drive elements are jointly mounted on the base body by means of the drive axle.

[0049] The drive axle includes, in particular, an axle element that rigidly connects the drive wheels to each other.

[0050] The drive axle is therefore, in particular, a rigid axle. Preferably, independent wheel suspension is not provided.

[0051] However, an alternative design may also incorporate independent wheel suspension. In this case, a coupling device for the mechanical coupling of the drive elements, in particular the drive wheels, is preferably provided, especially to ensure uniform pressure of the drive elements, in particular the drive wheels, against the road surface.

[0052] Several drive elements, in particular drive wheels, of the drive device are preferably independently driveable.

[0053] In particular, it may be provided that the vehicle includes several drive motors.

[0054] For example, each drive element, in particular the drive wheel, is assigned a drive motor.

[0055] A drive motor is, in particular, an electric motor.

[0056] It can be advantageous if the drive device includes a drive axle and / or one or more drive elements which can be lowered and / or pressed onto a floor and / or lifted from the floor by means of an actuating device.

[0057] The drive axle and / or one or more drive elements are preferably integrated into the vehicle body and / or surrounded by the vehicle body on five sides.

[0058] The actuating device is preferably accessible on an outside of the vehicle for actuation.

[0059] In particular, preferably inaccessible and / or protected drive components of the drive device are provided, wherein at the same time, for example, by lifting one or more drive elements from an outside of the vehicle using the actuating device, the drive device can be deactivated, in particular to be able to move the vehicle manually in the event of a failure of the drive device.

[0060] Furthermore, the actuating device preferably allows the contact pressure of one or more drive elements, in particular drive wheels, to be adjusted on the drivable surface.

[0061] It can be advantageous to provide an axle element rotatably mounted about an axis running parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the vehicle, which in particular rigidly connects two drive elements, especially drive wheels. The drive elements, especially drive wheels, preferably have axes of rotation that are fixed relative to each other, and in particular identical.

[0062] The axle element is rotatably or pivotably mounted on the vehicle's base body, particularly by means of a bearing element. Specifically, the bearing element is mounted on the base body in a height-adjustable and / or spring-loaded manner. The actuating device preferably allows the height of the axle element and / or bearing element relative to the base body to be adjusted.

[0063] The bearing element is preferably essentially U-shaped.

[0064] Preferably, the bearing element comprises a central part with a leg at each end. The bearing element is preferably rotatably or pivotably mounted on the base body by means of a leg.

[0065] Another leg of the bearing element is preferably engaged with or spring-loaded by a spring. In particular, the bearing element is resiliently movable relative to the base body.

[0066] The central part of the bearing element is preferably a bearing area on which the axle element is rotatably or pivotably mounted.

[0067] The U-shaped bearing element surrounds, in particular, a space through which a lifting drive element of the lifting drive device extends.

[0068] It can be advantageous if the gap is the area of ​​space which is limited on opposite sides by the legs of the bearing element.

[0069] It may be provided that the one receiving element, the two receiving elements or the more than two receiving elements each have a receiving section which tapers towards an upper end with respect to a direction of gravity.

[0070] In particular, it may be provided that one or more receiving sections, especially all receiving sections, are essentially conical, cone-section-shaped, frustoconical or frustoconical-section-shaped.

[0071] An engagement area of ​​an object and / or an adapter device for receiving one or more objects, designed at least partially to complement this, can thereby enable a particularly stable attachment of an object to the vehicle. In particular, the tapered design of the receiving section can prevent lateral tilting of the object. Even with only one or two receiving elements, which are preferably each simply pin-shaped, pin-shaped, or spike-like, a stable attachment of an object to the vehicle can preferably be achieved.

[0072] In one embodiment of the invention, the one receiving element, the two receiving elements, or the more than two receiving elements can be arranged in different positions relative to the base body. The one receiving element, the two receiving elements, or the more than two receiving elements preferably project from a top surface of the base body and / or out of the base body in a position that is lowest with respect to a direction of gravity.

[0073] It may be provided that the one receiving element, the two receiving elements or the more than two receiving elements have a height taken parallel to a direction of gravity which is greater than a height taken parallel to the direction of gravity of the base body of the vehicle.

[0074] One or more receiving elements are designed in particular as one piece or two pieces.

[0075] For example, one or more receiving elements are each designed as metal rods.

[0076] The one or more receiving elements each preferably comprise a substantially cylindrical, preferably circular cylindrical, shaft section, at the end of which a receiving section is arranged.

[0077] The extent of one or more receiving elements in one or both directions perpendicular to the direction of gravity is preferably at most approximately 10%, preferably at most approximately 5%, of a longitudinal or transverse extent of the vehicle's base body.

[0078] The basic body is preferably that part of the vehicle which forms or comprises a load-bearing structure of the vehicle, in particular a metal frame.

[0079] The base body preferably extends over at least approximately 80%, preferably at least approximately 90% of the total length or total width of the vehicle.

[0080] It can be advantageous if the vehicle includes one or more recording sensors by means of which an object arranged on at least one recording element can be detected and / or monitored for its correct positioning.

[0081] Alternatively or additionally, the vehicle may be provided with one or more recording sensors by means of which the orientation and / or positioning of an object arranged at a distance from the at least one recording element can be detected.

[0082] In particular, at least one recording sensor can be used to detect the alignment and / or positioning of the object before the at least one recording element is lifted or extended.

[0083] The object to be detected or monitored by means of the at least one recording sensor is in particular an object to be transported, especially a vehicle body, or also a combination of an object to be transported with an adapter device for receiving the object.

[0084] It can be advantageous if at least one recording sensor is arranged on the base body.

[0085] In particular, it may be provided that two or more recording sensors are arranged on the base body in an area surrounding one or more recording elements.

[0086] By means of this one or these multiple recording sensors, in particular the approach and / or positioning and / or presence of an object at the recording element and / or in the area of ​​the recording element can be detected and / or monitored.

[0087] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that at least one recording sensor is arranged on the recording element.

[0088] In particular, multiple recording sensors can be arranged on multiple recording elements.

[0089] In particular, sensors designed as contact sensors may be provided.

[0090] Recording sensors arranged on the base body are preferably non-contact recording sensors.

[0091] At least one recording sensor preferably interacts with a detection aid on an object to be recorded or recorded.

[0092] In particular, an opening, for example a hole, can be provided in an adapter device to receive an object. This opening can then be detected by means of a sensor.

[0093] It can be advantageous if a cover is arranged on the top side of the base body to cover an interior of the base body.

[0094] The cover is preferably placed on the base body.

[0095] Preferably, the cover is arranged and / or designed to be at least approximately completely flush with a bearing area of ​​the base body.

[0096] For example, it may be provided that the cover is at least approximately completely flush with a contact area of ​​the base body all the way around.

[0097] The upper surface of the vehicle is therefore preferably essentially completely flat, particularly disregarding one or more protruding receiving elements.

[0098] The cover is therefore preferably not accessible without the use of tools.

[0099] The cover is preferably simply placed on top and thus preferably held to the base body exclusively by gravity and / or by lateral clamping.

[0100] The cover preferably covers at least approximately 40%, for example at least approximately 60%, in particular at least approximately 80%, of the upper surface of the vehicle, especially the base body.

[0101] The cover is preferably made of one piece or multiple parts. In particular, several cover elements are provided in accordance with the cover described above.

[0102] For example, the cover can be lifted from the base using a suction cup device.

[0103] It can be advantageous if a cover is arranged on the top side of the base body to cover an interior of the base body, the cover preferably being at least partially transparent.

[0104] The term "transparent" is understood to mean, in particular, that a person can see through the cover, thus making at least some vehicle components located inside the base body visible. This can create a higher barrier to entry for entering the vehicle, which may result in reduced stress and / or wear on the vehicle or its components.

[0105] The cover can be, for example, tinted transparent.

[0106] The basic body preferably comprises one or more side surfaces, which are, for example, chamfered.

[0107] One or more side surfaces preferably run obliquely, in particular at an angle between approximately 30° and 70°, to the horizontal and / or vertical.

[0108] One or more emergency stop switches are preferably arranged on one or more side surfaces. This makes the emergency stop switches particularly easy to access, thereby increasing safety during vehicle operation.

[0109] It can be advantageous if the upper surface of the vehicle is set back from the lower surface. In particular, this allows for the easy implementation of beveled side surfaces. Furthermore, this can result in an optimized detection range for capturing the environment using sensors that will be described later.

[0110] It can be advantageous if the basic body is essentially cuboid in shape, with two or four corner areas of the basic body each being provided with an outwardly projecting sensor device of the vehicle.

[0111] One or more sensor devices preferably each have one or more sensor elements for detecting the vehicle's surroundings. The one or more sensor elements preferably have, individually or collectively, a detection range of at least approximately 250°, and in particular approximately 270°, in a substantially horizontal plane.

[0112] The one or more sensor devices are preferably coupled to a control device of the vehicle, wherein the control device is preferably designed and configured in such a way that the vehicle can be operated in two, three or more than three different operating modes depending on sensor values ​​which are detected and / or determined by means of the one or more sensor devices.

[0113] For example, it may be provided that one of the operating modes is a normal operation in which no unexpected and / or unknown and / or disruptive objects are located in a driving path or any other predetermined area surrounding the vehicle.

[0114] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that one of the operating modes is a warning mode in which one or more unexpected and / or unknown and / or disruptive objects are located in a predefined warning section of a route or other specified area surrounding the vehicle.

[0115] Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that one of the operating modes is a stop mode in which one or more unexpected and / or unknown and / or disruptive objects are located in a predefined stop section of a route and / or another specified area surrounding the vehicle.

[0116] A warning section and / or a stop section and / or the different environmental areas for triggering a warning operation and / or stop operation preferably result from predetermined minimum and / or maximum distances of the unexpected and / or unknown and / or disturbing objects from the vehicle, wherein these minimum and / or maximum distances are preferably variable depending on a current load of the vehicle and / or a current direction of travel and / or a current travel speed preferably by means of the control device.

[0117] Furthermore, it may be provided that the vehicle includes one or more sensor devices by means of which a spatial environment of the vehicle, including a spatial environment and / or a spatial area of ​​an object transported by means of the vehicle, can be detected and / or monitored.

[0118] Depending on whether the vehicle is loaded or unloaded, the control device can preferably be used to adjust environmental monitoring that triggers normal operation, warning operation, and / or stop operation. This prevents, in particular, a warning or stop operation from being triggered by an object located above the vehicle when no object is on the vehicle and the object therefore does not pose an obstacle.

[0119] In particular, bridges and / or return areas with reduced driving height can be driven under and / or through during normal operation, while at the same time monitoring ensures that there is actually no object to be transported attached to the vehicle which would otherwise be damaged.

[0120] In warning mode, the vehicle's speed is preferably reduced, particularly compared to normal operation. Furthermore, in warning mode, an acoustic and / or visual warning signal can preferably be emitted by means of a warning device on the vehicle.

[0121] When the vehicle is stopped, it is preferably capable of being braked to a standstill or is already braked to a complete stop. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided that, when stopped, an audible and / or visual emergency signal can be emitted by means of a warning device on the vehicle. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that, when stopped, an emergency signal can be transmitted by means of the control device to a higher-level control system for controlling and / or monitoring multiple vehicles.

[0122] A warning signal and / or an emergency signal preferably includes a request to clear the roadway and / or the area around the vehicle.

[0123] The warning signal and / or emergency signal can be, for example, a spoken message from a human or machine.

[0124] It can be advantageous if the vehicle is multidirectional, especially bidirectional.

[0125] By means of one or more display elements, it is preferably possible to indicate at each end area of ​​the vehicle, depending on the current direction of travel, whether the respective end area is currently a front area or a rear area of ​​the vehicle.

[0126] One or more display elements are arranged and / or designed, in particular at all corner areas of the vehicle.

[0127] The one or more display elements preferably also form indicator elements which, when cornering and / or turning off a main conveyor line, indicate the intended direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0128] In one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that the vehicle includes one or more charging points for charging an energy storage device of the vehicle.

[0129] A charging port is, for example, located on the underside of the base body. Preferably, the vehicle can be positioned over a corresponding charging port in a charging area to charge the energy storage device.

[0130] Alternatively or additionally, a charging connection point can be arranged on the upper side of the base body. Preferably, the vehicle can then be positioned under a corresponding charging connection point in a charging area to charge the energy storage device.

[0131] A charging area is, in particular, a part of a charging device in which contactless, for example inductive, and / or mechanically coupled energy transfer takes place.

[0132] At any given time, exactly one vehicle can be charged at a charging area.

[0133] A charging area preferably includes a charging connection point on the energy source side. A charging connection point on the storage side is preferably located and / or designed on the vehicle.

[0134] Energy is preferably supplied from the power grid via the charging point in the charging area.

[0135] Energy is preferably drawn from the charging point of the charging area via the vehicle's charging connection point and fed into the vehicle's energy storage system.

[0136] It can be advantageous if the charging point can be connected to a corresponding charging point in a charging area by touching it.

[0137] A contact charging point is, for example, a sliding contact.

[0138] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that a charging point can be coupled contactlessly with a corresponding charging point in a charging area.

[0139] In particular, inductive energy transfer can be provided for.

[0140] It can be advantageous if the vehicle includes a charging point located on a side wall of the base body, which is in particular an additional charging point that is provided in addition to a charging point located, for example, on the underside of the base body.

[0141] The charging point on a side wall of the base body is in particular another charging point which can be coupled to a corresponding charging point of a charging area, in particular by means of a plug connection.

[0142] The charging point located on the underside of the base body can, in one vehicle configuration, be a main charging point through which a large part of the energy required for operation can be absorbed during normal vehicle operation.

[0143] The additional charging point is primarily a reserve charging point and / or emergency charging point. Energy can be supplied to the vehicle's energy storage system via this additional charging point, particularly if the vehicle cannot be brought to a charging area for the main charging point for any reason.

[0144] It can be advantageous if at least one charging connection point is arranged and / or designed on at least one receiving element.

[0145] The receiving element may include one or more contact areas and / or a control contact.

[0146] The one or more contact areas are preferably inaccessible when the at least one receiving element is in a retracted position. The contact areas are then inaccessible, particularly for the purpose of optimized personal safety, especially when no objects are being transported by the vehicle and therefore no objects are covering the one or more receiving elements.

[0147] One or more contact areas and / or a control contact are arranged and / or formed, in particular, on a shaft area and / or on a receiving cylinder of at least one receiving element.

[0148] Preferably, two contact areas are arranged and / or formed on opposite sides of the at least one receiving element, in particular the shaft area and / or receiving cylinder of the at least one receiving element, with respect to a vertical longitudinal center axis of the vehicle.

[0149] Alternatively or additionally, contact areas may be provided, in particular at different heights, on the shaft area and / or receiving cylinder of the at least one receiving element.

[0150] In particular, one or more sliding contacts are preferably used to easily connect the one or more contact areas to the receiving element in order to supply energy to the vehicle's energy storage system.

[0151] It can be advantageous if the vehicle includes an energy storage device for storing and providing electrical energy to power the vehicle, wherein the energy storage device comprises one or more energy storage units designed as a capacitor, in particular a supercapacitor or ultracapacitor.

[0152] Furthermore, the vehicle may include an energy storage device by means of which electrical energy can be stored and made available to drive a lifting drive device of the vehicle.

[0153] Energy can preferably be stored and made available for both driving the lifting drive device and driving the vehicle by means of the same energy storage device, in particular by means of the same energy storage unit or by means of the same energy storage units of the energy storage device.

[0154] Propelling the vehicle is, in particular, moving the vehicle forward.

[0155] The vehicle preferably includes a control device which is designed and configured in such a way that the vehicle can be operated either in a safety mode or in an express mode.

[0156] Preferably, the vehicle is a) only in safety mode or b) only in express mode or c) optionally operable in normal operation and / or warning mode and / or stop mode in both safety mode and express mode.

[0157] The vehicle is preferably placed in or moved into safety mode when people are detected in the vicinity of the vehicle and / or when entering an area accessible to people.

[0158] Furthermore, the vehicle is preferably put into express mode or moved to express mode if no persons are detected in the vicinity of the vehicle and / or if an area is being driven on which is inaccessible to persons.

[0159] In particular, the vehicle can be operated in safety mode in such a way that the specifications and / or recommendations from VDI guideline 2510 are complied with.

[0160] Preferably, it is provided that in safety mode one or more sensor devices of the vehicle monitor the vehicle's surroundings.

[0161] Depending on the results of the sensor monitoring, in safety mode it is preferably possible to select by means of the control device whether the vehicle is operated in normal operation, in a warning operation and / or in a stop operation.

[0162] A maximum speed in safety mode is preferably adapted to existing standards, guidelines and / or recommendations for self-driving vehicles in rooms and / or areas where people are or may be.

[0163] In express mode, preferably no maximum speed is prescribed. Rather, in express mode, the vehicle is preferably controlled by the control device only in such a way as to prevent damage to property. In particular, a very high speed, far exceeding the maximum speed in safety mode, can be provided when the vehicle is unloaded. For example, the vehicle's speed in express mode is at least approximately 150%, in particular at least approximately 200%, for example at least approximately 300%, of the vehicle's maximum speed in safety mode.

[0164] It can be advantageous if the vehicle can be put into safety mode or express mode by means of a device not located on the vehicle, in particular a sensor device, for example using external safety contacts, etc.

[0165] A device not located on the vehicle is, in particular, a monitoring device that monitors, or can monitor, whether persons have or could have access to an express area in which the vehicle is operating in express mode. For example, a monitored access door to the express area, if opened, can cause the vehicle in the express area to immediately switch from express mode to safety mode.

[0166] Furthermore, it may be provided that a vehicle control device uses its own sensors and / or queries external sensors to check the status of an express zone before the vehicle is switched to express mode. For example, switching from safety mode to express mode in the express zone can be prevented if an internal or external sensor detects a person in the express zone.

[0167] Instead of person detection, other parameters or circumstances can also be used to reliably select Express mode.

[0168] An express area can, for example, be designed and / or provided in one or more levels of a processing plant.

[0169] It can be advantageous if an express area extends at least approximately completely, in particular to at least approximately 90%, for example to at least approximately 95%, of a usable area of ​​one or more levels of a processing plant across that one or these multiple levels.

[0170] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that a safety area is designed and / or provided, for example, in one or more levels of a processing plant.

[0171] It can be advantageous if a safety area extends at least approximately completely, in particular to at least approximately 90%, for example to at least approximately 95%, of a usable area of ​​one or more levels of a processing plant over that one or more levels.

[0172] Furthermore, it may be provided that one or more levels of a processing plant each have one or more safety areas and one or more express areas.

[0173] A level which is designed as an express area to at least approximately 50%, in particular at least approximately 80%, for example at least approximately 95%, is preferably a level with predominantly or exclusively automated workstations, i.e. with predominantly or exclusively such stations and / or processing areas in which the items are processed by means of robots or other machines.

[0174] A level which is designed as a safety area to at least approximately 50%, in particular at least approximately 80%, for example at least approximately 95%, is preferably a level with predominantly or exclusively manual workstations, i.e. with predominantly or exclusively such stations and / or processing areas in which the objects are processed by persons.

[0175] The vehicle's one or more receiving elements can, for example, be attached directly to an object to be conveyed.

[0176] However, it may also be provided that an item to be conveyed is fixed or can be fixed to one or more receiving elements of the vehicle by means of an adapter device.

[0177] The present invention therefore also relates to an adapter device for receiving an object, in particular a workpiece, for example a vehicle body.

[0178] The adapter device preferably comprises the following: a central element; one or more adapter elements which are fixed to the central element and geometrically adapted to the object for receiving the object.

[0179] One or more attack areas, in particular insertion openings, on which one or more receiving elements for receiving the adapter device attack, are preferably arranged and / or formed on the central element and / or on the one or more adapter elements.

[0180] The central element preferably connects several adapter elements together.

[0181] In particular, one or more adapter elements are provided with one or more receiving pins for receiving one or more objects, for example a vehicle body.

[0182] The one or more attack areas, in particular insertion openings, are preferably arranged and / or designed in a substantially complementary manner to one or more receiving sections.

[0183] In particular, one or more attack areas, for example insertion openings, are essentially conical, cone-section-shaped, frustoconical or frustocone-section-shaped.

[0184] It can be advantageous if one or more attack areas, in particular insertion openings, are arranged and / or formed on an underside of the adapter device and taper against the direction of gravity.

[0185] The adapter device according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in combination with a vehicle according to the invention.

[0186] The present invention therefore also relates to a combination of at least one vehicle and at least one adapter device.

[0187] In particular, several adapter elements of different geometry and / or size may be provided to accommodate objects of different geometry and / or size.

[0188] In particular, the combination can comprise a modular system for the manufacture of adapter devices for different types of objects, wherein in particular one or more identically designed central elements and optionally attachable, in particular screwable, adapter elements of different geometry and / or size are provided.

[0189] The vehicle and / or the adapter device and / or the combination according to the invention are particularly suitable for use in a conveying device for conveying objects.

[0190] The present invention therefore also relates to a conveying device for conveying objects, in particular workpieces, for example vehicle bodies.

[0191] The conveying device comprises in particular one or more vehicles, for example vehicles according to the invention.

[0192] The conveying device further preferably comprises one or more stations to which the items can be transported by means of one or more vehicles and / or at which the items can be unloaded and / or received.

[0193] In particular, the items must be transferable from the vehicles to a station conveying device and / or a station receiving device at one or more stations, or be able to be received from the same.

[0194] At least one of the stations preferably provides two or more than two positions for two or more than two items.

[0195] An object can preferably be delivered to the station in a first position using a vehicle. In a second position, an object can preferably be picked up by a vehicle and then transported away from the station.

[0196] The first position is specifically a sales position.

[0197] The second position is primarily a receiving position.

[0198] It can be advantageous if the items can be processed during transport from the first position to the second position or in an intermediate position.

[0199] It can be advantageous if at least one vehicle is designed and equipped in such a way that an item can be delivered to a station at a first position, and that an item previously delivered to this first position, which has meanwhile been conveyed to a second position at this station, can then be picked up at the second position. Using this at least one vehicle, a cycle of the conveying device can thus be skipped.

[0200] The vehicles are preferably reusable, while one or more items remain temporarily at a station, in particular for processing.

[0201] The item delivered by at least one vehicle at the first position is then picked up at the second position by another vehicle, which in the meantime has delivered another item at the first position, particularly after the item has been processed at an intermediate position.

[0202] The vehicles of the conveying system are therefore preferably optimized for the transport process. In particular, waiting times during the processing of objects are preferably avoided.

[0203] It can be advantageous if one or more stations include a partition floor under which at least one vehicle can be moved, especially while one or more objects can be moved above the partition floor and / or in order to move one or more objects above the partition floor.

[0204] The objects are preferably arranged entirely above the separating floor.

[0205] The at least one vehicle, in particular the base body and the chassis, is preferably arranged below the partition floor, with one or more receiving elements projecting through and / or into the partition floor. In particular, a base body of the at least one vehicle is preferably arranged completely below the partition floor.

[0206] The separating floor preferably extends from a discharge position to a receiving position.

[0207] At least the separating floor preferably extends in the area of ​​an intermediate position, in particular over an entire treatment area, if the station is, for example, a treatment station.

[0208] The separating floor is preferably walkable by people and / or drivable by machines.

[0209] The separating floor can, for example, be essentially flat or designed as a tunnel.

[0210] In particular, the separating floor can form a double floor, which is arranged essentially parallel to a drivable surface, in particular a hall floor, on which the conveying device is mounted.

[0211] The separating plate is preferably essentially fluid-tight, in particular drip-tight.

[0212] It can be advantageous if the separating floor and / or a station conveyor device can be raised and / or lowered, especially partially. This allows items to be picked up from one or more vehicles and / or other conveyor systems and / or transferred to one or more vehicles and / or other conveyor systems.

[0213] It can be advantageous if the separating floor is oriented essentially parallel to a drivable surface on which the conveying device is mounted. The distance between a preferably walkable surface of the separating floor and a preferably drivable surface of the drivable surface is preferably at most approximately five times, in particular at most approximately four times, and preferably at most approximately twice, the height of the vehicle and / or the height of the vehicle's base.

[0214] It can be advantageous if at least one section of the separating floor above a vehicle's conveying path is completely enclosed. This preferably ensures that the conveyed items are completely spatially separated from the at least one vehicle.

[0215] The vehicle(s) and the objects then preferably no longer touch each other. In particular, no parts protruding through the separating floor are provided. In this way, special protection of the vehicles against contamination, overheating, moisture, etc., can be ensured when the vehicles are driven under appropriately pressurized stations.

[0216] It may be provided that the completely closed section of the separating floor extends at least approximately over the entire longitudinal extent of a processing area for processing the objects.

[0217] Transfer from the vehicle to the station conveyor and / or transfer from the station conveyor to the at least one vehicle preferably takes place outside the processing area.

[0218] However, it is also possible to transport one or more items directly into a processing position using a vehicle. In this case, a station conveyor is preferably unnecessary. To protect the vehicle, it can then be arranged that the vehicle unloads the one or more items in the processing position and leaves the processing area. At a later time, the now-processed item(s) can be picked up again and transported further using the same or a different vehicle.

[0219] In this description, "processing" preferably refers, in general terms, to the execution of any step in the treatment, manufacture, and / or completion of a product. More specifically, processing includes the manufacture, treatment, coating, assembly, repair, inspection, etc., of a product or part thereof.

[0220] A longitudinal extension of a processing area is, in particular, an extension of the processing area along a conveying direction and / or a conveying path, for example from an input and / or a discharge position of the station to an output and / or a receiving position of the station.

[0221] It can be advantageous if the partition floor has a passage area, for example a passage slot, through which one or more receiving elements of the at least one vehicle extend or into which one or more receiving elements of the at least one vehicle extend.

[0222] The passage area, in particular the passage slot, preferably extends along a conveying path of the conveying device and / or defines a conveying path of the conveying device.

[0223] It may be provided that a passage edge area is formed on one or both sides of the passage area, in particular the passage slot, which is raised in particular compared to the rest of the separating floor.

[0224] The increased design refers in particular to a height level in a part of the separating floor surrounding the passage edge area, especially a walkable floor area of ​​the separating floor.

[0225] A passage opening formed by the passage area, in particular the passage slot, in the separating floor is therefore preferably arranged above a walkable floor level, which in particular prevents loose parts or liquids located on the walkable floor area of ​​the separating floor from passing through the passage area to the at least one vehicle.

[0226] An average free or releaseable distance between two passage edge areas opposite each other with respect to the passage area is preferably at most approximately four times, for example at most approximately three times, in particular at most approximately twice, an average thickness taken horizontally and perpendicular to the conveying path of at least one receiving element of the at least one vehicle.

[0227] It can be advantageous if the average free or available distance between two opposing passage edge areas with respect to the passage area is at most approximately 150%, preferably at most approximately 100%, for example at most approximately 80%, of the average horizontal and perpendicular extension of a central element of an adapter device for receiving at least one object. This allows the central element of the cover device to at least partially or completely cover the passage area, in particular the passage slot, thereby preventing or at least reducing unwanted contamination of the vehicle.

[0228] The passage edge area can, for example, be essentially L-shaped in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the conveying path.

[0229] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the penetration edge area extends obliquely to a direction of gravity and / or obliquely to a horizontal direction.

[0230] It can be advantageous if the conveying device, in particular the separating floor, for example the passage edge area, comprises one or more closing elements by means of which the passage area, in particular the passage slot, can be closed, preferably permanently or temporarily.

[0231] In particular, it may be provided that the passage area, especially the passage slot, can be automatically closed by means of one or more closing elements.

[0232] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the passage area, in particular the passage slot, can be closed by means of one or more closing elements, especially if no receiving element protrudes through the passage area.

[0233] Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the passage area, in particular the passage slot, can be closed by means of one or more closing elements in those sections of the passage area, in particular the passage slot, where no receiving element protrudes through the passage area.

[0234] One or more locking elements can be actuated, in particular by means of one or more receiving elements, especially by means of an open position and / or a closed position.

[0235] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that one or more locking elements can be moved automatically from an open position to a closed position by means of spring force and / or under the influence of gravity.

[0236] One or more closing elements are designed in particular as louvers and / or flaps.

[0237] It can be advantageous if the conveying device includes a station conveying device by means of which the items can be conveyed independently of the vehicles, the station conveying device preferably being integrated into a partition floor of the station.

[0238] The items can be conveyed by means of the station conveyor device, preferably independently of the vehicles, from a delivery position to a processing position and / or to a receiving position and / or to further stations and / or a buffer area for buffering items to be conveyed.

[0239] The station conveyor device can be, for example, a roller conveyor, a rail conveyor or a chain conveyor, or it can include a roller conveyor, a rail conveyor and / or a chain conveyor.

[0240] In particular, rollers of the roller conveyor, which can be driven individually, for example, are integrated into the separating floor.

[0241] Furthermore, one or more rails of a rail conveyor can be integrated into the separating floor.

[0242] It can be advantageous if the conveyor system has several vehicles that can be stacked.

[0243] In particular, the conveying device comprises several identically designed vehicles which can be stacked on top of and / or above each other.

[0244] The conveying device can, for example, include a stacking device for stacking and / or unstacking multiple vehicles.

[0245] A stack of vehicles can be particularly advantageous for transporting and / or storing them.

[0246] The stacking device can be used, in particular, to separate several vehicles stacked on top of each other after transport.

[0247] The stacking device can, for example, include a lifting unit by means of which one or more vehicles can be lifted relative to a drivable surface, in particular such that a top surface of the lifting unit, onto which a vehicle has been driven before lifting, is flush with a top surface of a vehicle or an intermediate element yet to be described, so that the vehicle on the lifting unit can drive onto the other vehicle.

[0248] The lifting unit includes in particular a side wall which is at least partially complementary to a side wall of the vehicles.

[0249] In particular, the drivable surface of the lifting unit is adapted at least on one side to the shape of the top of the vehicles and / or to the shape of intermediate elements for stacking the vehicles.

[0250] Furthermore, the use of one or more shelving units may be provided, wherein the vehicles can preferably be placed into the shelving units, in particular individual shelf compartments of the shelving units, by means of a stacking device.

[0251] The vehicles can, for example, be stacked directly on top of each other.

[0252] However, especially if one or more receiving elements protrude from a base body of the respective vehicle, these can prevent such stacking.

[0253] It can therefore be advantageous to place one or more intermediate elements, especially those that can be driven on, between each pair of vehicles or to attach them to a vehicle before another vehicle is placed on top of that vehicle.

[0254] The one or more intermediate elements create, in particular, a distance between the base bodies of the vehicles to be stacked on top of each other in order to avoid a collision with one or more receiving elements.

[0255] Furthermore, one or more intermediate elements can be used to anchor the vehicles to each other.

[0256] Furthermore, it can be advantageous to provide a charging point by means of an intermediate element, in order to be able to charge the energy storage units of those vehicles which are located on another vehicle and therefore cannot be driven directly via a charging point of a charging area.

[0257] In one embodiment of the invention, the conveying device comprises one or more charging areas for charging an energy storage device of the at least one vehicle.

[0258] One or more loading areas are preferably arranged at one or more stations of the conveying device, to which the items can be transported by means of the at least one vehicle and / or at which the items can be unloaded and / or picked up.

[0259] Furthermore, one or more loading areas are preferably arranged with respect to a conveying path of at least one vehicle between two stations of the conveying device, to which the items can be transported by means of the at least one vehicle and / or at which the items can be unloaded and / or picked up.

[0260] It may be provided that one or more loading areas are arranged in or along a conveying path of at least one vehicle. A conveying path is, in particular, a path along which objects can be conveyed by means of the at least one vehicle.

[0261] A total conveying path or total travel path of each vehicle preferably comprises a conveying path along which one or more items are conveyed and a return conveying path along which the respective vehicle is moved, for example, from a terminal station where an item is finally discharged from the conveying device back to a starting station where the items first come into contact with the conveying device.

[0262] A return transport route is, in particular, a route on which the vehicles are unloaded.

[0263] It can be advantageous if one or more loading areas are arranged in or on a section of the route which permanently or temporarily forms a section of a conveying path for one or more vehicles and a section of a return conveying path for the same or the same vehicles or for one or more other vehicles.

[0264] In particular, it may be provided that one or more loading areas are arranged in or on a section of the route which alternately forms a section of a conveying path for one or more vehicles and a section of a return conveying path for the same or the same vehicles or for one or more other vehicles.

[0265] It can be advantageous if one or more loading areas are arranged on a multidirectional conveyor area, in which and / or through which one or more vehicles travel in different directions.

[0266] It can be advantageous if one or more loading areas are located in or at an intersection area where one or more conveying paths and / or one or more return conveying paths of one or more vehicles intersect.

[0267] By appropriately positioning the charging areas, the cable length between an energy source and the respective charging area can be minimized.

[0268] One or more charging areas are preferably stationary charging areas where the at least one vehicle is stationary for charging the energy storage device and / or during the charging of the energy storage device.

[0269] It may be provided that one or more charging areas are arranged so that they lie directly within the conveyor path, for example, without any possibility of bypassing them. One or more vehicles can then be driven directly into the one or more charging areas and brought to a standstill there to charge their respective energy storage devices. After the charging process, the vehicle is set in motion again and follows the conveyor path once more.

[0270] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that one or more charging areas are located away from, for example, an optimized or shortest conveyor path. The at least one vehicle then briefly leaves the optimized and / or shortest conveyor path to recharge its respective energy storage device in the one or more charging areas. After the charging process, the one or more vehicles then return to the optimized or shortest conveyor path.

[0271] Particularly when there are significant temporal and / or spatial distances between several vehicles transported along a common conveyor path, a stop can be provided directly on the optimized and / or shortest conveyor path to recharge the respective energy storage device. This preferably allows for a particularly space-saving design of the conveyor system.

[0272] However, in the case of vehicles following one another at short temporal and / or spatial intervals, removing a vehicle to be charged from the specified, in particular optimized and / or shortest, conveying path may be advantageous in order not to block subsequent vehicles.

[0273] All of the above features can also be provided for non-stationary charging areas, i.e., mobile charging areas. In such mobile charging areas, a reduced speed compared to normal speed, or even normal speed itself, is provided as the vehicle's driving speed.

[0274] It can be advantageous if one or more charging areas are mobile charging areas, past which at least one vehicle can be moved during the charging of the energy storage system and / or through which at least one vehicle can be moved during the charging of the energy storage system.

[0275] A charging point can be located, for example, under a vehicle, on the side of the vehicle and / or above the vehicle.

[0276] Preferably, the charging point is inaccessible to persons during normal operation of the vehicle and / or the conveying device.

[0277] It can be advantageous if the conveying device, in particular one or more vehicles, for example all vehicles, each includes a release device by means of which one or more charging connection points of the respective vehicle and / or one or more charging connection points of the respective charging area can be temporarily released, in particular exposed, for charging the respective energy storage device. For example, it can be provided that contact areas are released, in particular by folding out contact elements and / or sliding open cover elements, etc.

[0278] A release device is activated in particular by an interaction between the vehicle and the loading area.

[0279] It can be advantageous if the release device is direction-dependent, so that, in particular, at least one loading area arranged in at least one multidirectional conveying area can release different contact areas for vehicles oriented in different directions. This can preferably prevent incorrect polarity.

[0280] One or more loading areas can, for example, be arranged and / or designed on or in a passage area of ​​a separating floor of the conveyor device.

[0281] For example, it may be provided that one or more locking elements form contact elements of the loading area for contacting contact areas on the vehicle, in particular one or more receiving elements.

[0282] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that one or more locking elements are actuating elements for actuating a release device to release one or more contact areas of the vehicle.

[0283] It can be advantageous if one or more loading areas are arranged and / or designed on the underside of a separating floor of a station of the conveyor device.

[0284] The one or more charging areas can then be contacted, in particular from below, wherein a charging connection point of the vehicle corresponding to the charging connection point of the charging area is preferably arranged and / or formed on a top side of the vehicle.

[0285] A charging point for the vehicle projects from below against the separating floor of the conveyor system, allowing the vehicle's energy storage system to be charged, particularly when the vehicle is stationary. Alternatively, mobile charging can also be provided, in which the vehicle's energy storage system is charged while the vehicle is driven into, through, and / or out of the station.

[0286] The conveying device preferably comprises several such stations.

[0287] It may be provided that one or more loading areas are arranged on a floor on which at least one vehicle can travel. The one or more loading areas are, in particular, arranged and / or designed directly beneath a partition floor of a station of the conveyor system.

[0288] It can be advantageous if one or more charging areas are designed as charging bays into which one or more vehicles can be brought to charge the respective energy storage device, especially with deviation from a, for example, optimized and / or shortest, conveying path and / or a, for example, optimized and / or shortest, return conveying path of the vehicle.

[0289] One or more loading bays are preferably waiting areas for the temporary storage of one or more vehicles.

[0290] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that one or more loading bays are maintenance areas for carrying out maintenance work on one or more vehicles.

[0291] A waiting area is, in particular, an area in which the respective vehicle waits for a subsequent order or in which the vehicle remains until an order that has already been placed becomes due.

[0292] A maintenance area is, in particular, an area where the maintenance and / or repair of one or more vehicles is carried out by personnel trained for this purpose.

[0293] In one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that one or more charging areas are arranged at a delivery position of a station and / or at a receiving position of a station in such a way that, in particular during a positioning process for positioning a vehicle relative to the station, especially for handing over or receiving an object, an energy storage device of the vehicle can be charged.

[0294] The delivery and receiving positions are, in particular, areas where one or more items are transferred from the vehicle to a station conveyor or from the station conveyor to the vehicle. Since this requires very precise positioning of the vehicle relative to the station, the positioning process can only be carried out at a reduced speed compared to the vehicle's maximum speed, for example, less than approximately 0.5 m / s. The vehicle covers correspondingly short distances during the positioning process, allowing the vehicle's energy storage system to be recharged during the process, for example, using sliding contacts or by induction.

[0295] It can be advantageous if the conveying device extends over several levels and includes one or more loading areas, which are arranged in a transfer device for transferring one or more vehicles from one level to another.

[0296] The transfer device is in particular a lift or other lifting device for transferring one or more vehicles from one level to another level.

[0297] The levels of the conveying device are preferably also levels of a treatment plant on which different or identical treatment processes are carried out.

[0298] The transfer device can be designed, in particular, to allow one or more vehicles to be transferred simultaneously or only one after the other. Transfer can be carried out either with one or more objects attached to the vehicle(s) or without objects.

[0299] It can be advantageous if the conveyor system includes one or more charging nodes, each of which includes several charging areas for the simultaneous charging of several vehicles.

[0300] The charging areas of one or more charging nodes are preferably arranged and / or aligned in such a way that several vehicles can be charged at the charging areas in different orientations or in identical orientations, i.e. parallel to each other.

[0301] One or more loading nodes are preferably arranged at locations where several conveying paths and / or return conveying paths intersect and / or overlap.

[0302] It can be advantageous if the conveying device comprises one or more safety zones and one or more express zones, wherein the one or more vehicles in the one or more safety zones can preferably be moved into safety mode by means of a control device, and wherein the one or more vehicles in the one or more express zones can preferably be moved into express mode by means of the control device.

[0303] The security area is accessible especially to people.

[0304] The express area is specifically an area that is at least temporarily inaccessible to people. If one or more sensor devices detect that people have gained or could gain access to the express area, this is detected and, preferably automatically, the security mode is activated for all vehicles within the express area.

[0305] The express area is, in particular, an area that is spatially separated and / or cordoned off from the security area.

[0306] One or more express areas preferably comprise one or more return conveyance routes or return conveyance route sections in which the one or more vehicles are unloaded.

[0307] In particular, no items to be transported are arranged on the respective vehicle when it is unloaded.

[0308] The at least one express area can therefore be designed to be so flat that no object can be picked up from the one or more vehicles when they are located in the express area.

[0309] The express area is specifically adapted to the height of the vehicle without any objects attached to it.

[0310] It can be advantageous if one or more express areas and / or one or more security areas are connected by means of one or more passageways.

[0311] The one or more passage openings are, in particular, openings through which one or more vehicles can travel from the express area into the security area and / or from the security area into the express area.

[0312] The one or more passage openings preferably have, at least in sections, a shape which is at least approximately and / or at least in sections complementary to a shape of one or more vehicles.

[0313] This can prevent unwanted access to the express area for people.

[0314] It may be provided that one or more passage openings are arranged in or at one or more stations of the conveying device.

[0315] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that one or more passage openings are formed by one or more stations of the conveying device.

[0316] One or more stations thus preferably separate an express area from a security area.

[0317] For example, it may be provided that an item to be conveyed is transported to a station by means of one or more vehicles and transferred to a station conveyor. The one or more vehicles are then driven through the station into the express area and can be accelerated, particularly to perform further tasks. The one or more items located in the station can then be removed from the station by means of a station conveyor and / or one or more other vehicles, for example, transported further, particularly to one or more other stations and / or a buffer device for temporary storage of the items.

[0318] It can be advantageous if one or more express areas are formed by means of a walkable and / or drivable raised floor.

[0319] In particular, the express area may be provided for as an intermediate space between a hall floor and an additional floor, which extends parallel to the hall floor.

[0320] The distance between the hall floor and the additional floor is preferably less than four times, preferably less than three times, for example at most approximately twice, the height of the vehicle, in particular the height of the vehicle's base body.

[0321] Instead of a hall floor, another drivable surface may also be present.

[0322] The area on the additional floor, or the area where there is no additional floor, is in particular a safety area.

[0323] The additional floor can, for example, be a partition floor or include a partition floor.

[0324] The conveying device preferably comprises several types of stations, wherein at least two types of stations preferably have several stations of each type.

[0325] The vehicles are preferably controllable by means of the control device depending on the occupancy of the stations of a respective type. In particular, the supply of items to the stations can preferably be selected depending on the respective occupancy of the stations of a respective type.

[0326] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the items to be conveyed can be transported by means of one or more vehicles in a predetermined sequence to and / or through one of the stations of different types. Preferably, a single station of each type can be selected by means of a control device, in particular a) depending on the current occupancy of the individual stations of a respective type of station and / or b) depending on the equipment of the individual stations of a respective type of station and / or c) depending on the design of the individual stations of a respective type of station and / or d) depending on the current maintenance status or degree of contamination of the individual stations of a respective type of station.

[0327] The conveying device is particularly suitable as part of a processing plant for processing objects, especially workpieces, for example vehicle bodies.

[0328] The present invention therefore also relates to a processing plant for processing objects.

[0329] The processing plant preferably comprises a conveying device, in particular a conveying device according to the invention.

[0330] The processing plant according to the invention preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the conveying device and / or the vehicle according to the invention.

[0331] It can be advantageous if one or more stations of the conveying device, which are interconnected for conveying objects using vehicles of the conveying device, are processing stations of the processing plant.

[0332] By means of one or more vehicles of the conveying device, items to be processed can thus preferably be fed successively to different processing stations of the processing plant.

[0333] The present invention further relates to methods for processing and / or conveying objects.

[0334] The items are transported in particular by means of one or more vehicles, especially vehicles according to the invention, and / or by means of a conveying device, especially a conveying device according to the invention.

[0335] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the items are processed in and / or by means of a processing plant, in particular a processing plant according to the invention.

[0336] The methods preferably have one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the vehicle, the conveying device and / or the processing plant.

[0337] In principle, all features and / or advantages of the vehicle, the adapter device, the conveyor device, the processing plant and / or the methods can of course be freely combined with one another to obtain special embodiments of the invention.

[0338] Furthermore, one or more or all of the features and / or advantages in this description and the attached claims may be used for the optional further development of a method for conveying objects.

[0339] Such a procedure provides in particular that the items are transported by means of a conveying device which comprises several vehicles, which are in particular floor-bound and / or self-propelled.

[0340] It is preferably provided that the vehicles are controlled by means of a control device assigned to the respective vehicle and / or by means of a control system superior to several vehicles.

[0341] Preferably, the individual vehicles, preferably driverless, are moved flexibly according to a material flow and / or production plan. A rigid schedule is preferably not provided. Instead, individual transport orders for the individual vehicles are preferably created by means of a higher-level control system.

[0342] Transport orders are preferably transmitted to the individual vehicles via a fleet management system, whereupon the individual vehicles execute the respective transport order.

[0343] Optionally, one or more fleet management subsystems may be provided, which are interposed in particular between the fleet management system and the individual vehicles.

[0344] In particular, if the conveying device has several independent groups of vehicles, each group can be assigned a separate fleet management subsystem.

[0345] The fleet management system can then, for example, only transmit the basic transport order for the respective group of vehicles. Only the fleet management subsystem can then assign the transport order to an individual vehicle within the group.

[0346] Independent groups of vehicles are, for example, vehicles located in spatially separated areas of a production plant, such as vehicles on different levels of a production plant, in particular a painting and / or manufacturing plant.

[0347] The control system can, in particular, represent and / or form a functional module "AGV Fleet Service", which, for example, creates transport orders as a higher-level basis and, in particular, transfers them to the fleet management system.

[0348] According to the invention, the transport of objects takes place between stopping points, which are in particular receiving stations, transfer stations, storage stations, processing stations, treatment stations, etc.

[0349] In particular, the transport of the items follows a priority based on a target matrix derived from the data set of an item, especially from a bodywork data set.

[0350] It can be advantageous to use data from a production planning system, especially current ERP data (data from an enterprise resource planning system), for example from a production plan of a specific item, to create and / or prioritize and / or execute transport orders.

[0351] In particular, an identification number, especially a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), can be coordinated and aligned with the material flow.

[0352] It can be advantageous if, for example, a "fleet service" (especially via the control system) is used to automatically generate transport orders between stopping points of the respective individual systems or subsystems or stations, and if the relevant data is exchanged with a fleet management system of the vehicles.

[0353] According to the invention, this fleet service (especially the control system) offers, within certain limits or even without limitation, possibilities for manual intervention and expansion. For example, it is possible to add or block stopping points for the vehicles, particularly virtual or real ones, in order to utilize the advantages of a flexible conveyor system. This allows prioritization changes to be taken into account during production when generating transport orders.

[0354] The method for controlling the vehicles is preferably also executable without an overriding database application for managing the product and process master data.

[0355] Optionally, configuration using database tables may be possible, especially for operation without an overarching management system (MES).

[0356] The start and end points of a transport order are preferably managed as standardized stopping points or halting points.

[0357] It can be advantageous if stopping points or stops can be manually activated or deactivated.

[0358] The dwell time of an object and / or a vehicle at a stopping point and / or a stop is preferably freely configurable or predetermined, for example by a cycle time.

[0359] The dwell time is transmitted to the control system, particularly the Fleet Service, when an item is ready for collection at a stopping point and / or a stop location. The transmission of the dwell time is primarily event-driven.

[0360] The control system preferably provides REST services, in particular to record and / or transmit data about which workpiece is ready for pickup at which station and which station is the next station to be approached.

[0361] For example, configuration options can preferably be used to record fixed target times for the proactive provision of vehicles at stopping points and / or stops.

[0362] Items are preferably collected on an event-based basis and / or automatically after a predetermined waiting period.

[0363] Routing can be based, for example, on the next stop transmitted in an event or on the sequence, whereby the next stop with the next highest rank is prioritized. If no higher rank is available, the station with the lowest sequence is preferably visited again.

[0364] If the fleet management system processes transport orders incorrectly, the transport order is preferably repeated, whereby a maximum number of repetitions can be configured, for example, via a parameter.

[0365] Further preferred features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of exemplary embodiments.

[0366] The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a vehicle; Fig. 2 a schematic horizontal section through the vehicle made of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of an underside of the vehicle. Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 a schematic vertical section through the vehicle made of Fig. 1 along line 4-4 in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 a schematic vertical section through the vehicle made of Fig. 1 along line 5-5 in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 6 a schematic vertical section through the vehicle made of Fig. 1 along line 6-6 in Fig. 3 ; Fig. 7 an enlarged view of area VII in Fig. 6 ; Fig. 8 a schematic horizontal section through the vehicle made of Fig. 1 along line 8-8 in Fig. 5 Fig. 9 a schematic perspective view of an adapter device which is attached to the vehicle Fig. 1 is definable and serves to hold an object; Fig. 10 a further schematic perspective view of the adapter device made of Fig. 9 ; Fig. 11 a schematic side view of the vehicle made of Fig. 1 , the adapter device from Fig. 9 and an object arranged thereon, partially shown; Fig. 12 a schematic side view of a stacking device for stacking and / or unstacking vehicles; Fig. 13 one of the Fig. 12 Fig. 14 shows a schematic representation of the stacking device, wherein a lifting unit of the stacking device is arranged in a raised position; Fig. 14 shows a schematic perspective view of parts of a conveying device used in a machining plant; Fig. 15 shows a schematic top view of a front end of the conveying device. Fig. 14 , with a view along the conveying direction; Fig. 16 one of the Fig. 15 A corresponding schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of a conveying device in which an overhead conveyor is provided as a station conveying device, wherein the overhead conveyor is arranged in a lowered position; Fig. 17 one of the Fig. 16 corresponding schematic representation of the conveying device Fig. 16 , wherein the overhead conveyor is arranged in a raised position; Fig. 18 one of the Fig. 15 A corresponding schematic representation of a further alternative embodiment of a conveying device, in which a station with lifting tables is provided for lifting an object; Fig. 19 a schematic representation of a partition floor of a station, by means of which a vehicle and an adapter device and optionally an object arranged thereon are separated from each other, wherein the partition floor has a passage area designed as a passage slot, which is bounded on both sides by sloping passage edge areas; Fig. 20 one of the Fig. 19 A corresponding schematic representation of an alternative embodiment of the separating plate, in which essentially L-shaped passage edge areas are provided; Fig. 21 one of the Fig. 19 A corresponding schematic representation of another alternative embodiment of the partition, in which the passage area can be closed by means of closing elements, wherein the closing elements are, for example, flaps; Fig. 22 one of the Fig. 19 A corresponding schematic representation of another alternative embodiment of a partition floor, in which the passage area can be closed by means of closing elements designed as louvers; Fig. 23 one of the Fig. 22 corresponding schematic representation of the partition floor, the vehicle and the adapter device Fig. 22 , wherein one or more receiving elements of the vehicle are arranged in a raised or extended position and thus the adapter device has been raised by a station conveyor; Fig. 24 a schematic representation of the layout of a processing plant which has several processing stations and several loading areas for loading the vehicles; Fig. 25 one of the Fig. 24 corresponding schematic representation of another level of the processing plant Fig. 24 ; Fig. 26 a schematic representation of a method for controlling a conveying device.

[0367] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0368] One in the Fig. 1 bis 8 The illustrated first embodiment of a vehicle designated as a whole by 100 is in particular a driverless transport vehicle for transporting objects 102 (see, for example, in this regard, Fig. 11 ).

[0369] How especially the Fig. 1 bis 8 As can be seen, the vehicle 100 comprises an essentially cuboid base body 104, which forms a supporting structure of the vehicle 100.

[0370] Furthermore, the vehicle 100 includes a chassis 106, which comprises several, for example four, support rollers 108 and a drive device 110.

[0371] The support rollers 108 are arranged in particular in four corner areas 112 of the vehicle 100 on an underside 114 of the vehicle 100.

[0372] The support rollers 108 are in particular partially embedded in the base body 104 of the vehicle 100, so that the vehicle 100 has the lowest possible overall height.

[0373] The support rollers 108 are mounted to rotate freely around essentially vertical axes of rotation 116 by 360°.

[0374] In particular, the support rollers are 108 non-driven wheels.

[0375] The drive device 110 comprises, for example, two drive elements 118, which are designed, for example, as drive wheels 120.

[0376] Each drive element 118 is preferably assigned a drive motor 122 of the drive device 110, so that the drive elements 118 can be driven independently of each other.

[0377] The drive motors 122 and the drive elements 118 are preferably rigidly connected to each other by means of an axle element 124.

[0378] The drive elements 118 are rotatably mounted, in particular at opposite ends of the axle element 124.

[0379] The axle element 124 is rotatably or pivotably mounted on the base body 104 of the vehicle 100 by means of a bearing element 126 of the drive device 110. For this purpose, the bearing element 126 is, for example, essentially C-shaped and / or comprises a central part 128 and two legs 130 extending from the central part 128 in the same direction.

[0380] An end of a leg 130 facing away from the central part 128 preferably forms a bearing point 132, at which the bearing element 126 is rotatably or pivotably mounted on the base body 104 of the vehicle 100.

[0381] The further leg 130 of the bearing element 126 preferably interacts with a spring element 134, so that the pivoting movement and / or rotational movement of the bearing element 126 relative to the bearing point 132, in particular about a bearing axis 136 defined by the bearing point 132, is a spring-loaded movement.

[0382] The bearing axis 136 is, in particular, substantially parallel to a main direction of travel 138 of the vehicle 100, which is preferably also parallel to a horizontal longitudinal center axis 140 of the vehicle 100. In the central section 128 of the bearing element 126, a pivot connection 142 is provided, in particular, for connecting the bearing element 126 to the axle element 124.

[0383] In particular, the axle element 124 is pivotably mounted on the bearing element 126 by means of the swivel connection 142.

[0384] A pivot axis 144, about which the axle element 124 can be pivoted relative to the bearing element 126, is preferably parallel to the bearing axis 136 and / or parallel to the longitudinal center axis 140 and / or parallel to the main direction of travel 138.

[0385] Furthermore, the pivot axis 144 is preferably arranged substantially centrally between the two drive elements 118 and / or substantially centrally between the two drive motors 122.

[0386] Since the pivot axis 144 and the bearing axis 136 are parallel offset from each other, the pivot connection 142 and thus also the axis element 124 together with the drive elements 118 arranged on it can be raised or lowered by rotating the bearing element 126 about the bearing axis 136.

[0387] How especially Fig. 4 As can be seen, this allows the drive wheels 118 to be positioned to protrude from the base body 104 to varying degrees.

[0388] For example, in Fig. 2 The actuating device 146 shown is preferably used to adjust the rotational alignment of the bearing element 126 about the bearing axis 136. In particular, this can be achieved by moving the spring element 134 or by moving a counterpart acting on the spring element 134.

[0389] Ultimately, the actuating device 146 preferably allows adjustment of how far the drive elements 118 protrude from the base body 104.

[0390] Since the drive device 110, in particular the axle element 124 and the drive elements 118, are arranged essentially centrally on the base body 104 with respect to the longitudinal center axis 140 of the vehicle 100, the vehicle 100 can be maneuvered in a particularly space-saving manner. In particular, the vehicle 100 can be turned on the spot by driving the drive elements 118 in different directions of rotation by means of the respective drive motor 122.

[0391] How especially Fig. 4 As can be seen, the drive elements 118 are rigidly connected to each other by means of the axle element 124, so that a drive axle 148 formed thereby is essentially a rigid axle.

[0392] The drive motors 122 of the vehicle 100 are preferably supplied with electrical energy by an energy storage device 150 of the vehicle 100.

[0393] The energy storage device 150 includes in particular several energy storage units 152, for example several supercapacitors 154.

[0394] The energy storage unit 150 can be recharged using a charging device 156.

[0395] The loading device 156 includes in particular a loading area 158, which is arranged, for example, on a drivable surface 160, in particular a hall floor 162 (see in particular Fig. 4 and 7 ). The charging area 158 includes in particular a charging connection point 164, which is, for example, attached to the drivable surface 160, for example, screwed in place.

[0396] A charging connection point 164 of the vehicle 100, which can be coupled to the charging connection point 164 of the charging area 158, is preferably arranged on the vehicle, in particular on the underside 114 of the vehicle 100 (see, for example, Fig. 3 ).

[0397] The charging connection points 164 can, for example, have or form a sliding contact. Other mechanical or non-contact transmission variants are also conceivable. For example, inductive energy transmission can also be provided.

[0398] In an alternative embodiment of the vehicle 100 (not shown), one or more additional charging connection points 164 can be arranged and / or formed, for example, in a side wall 166 of the vehicle 100, in particular in the base body 104. For example, conventional plug connections for connecting a charging cable can be provided.

[0399] Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, a charging connection point 164 of the vehicle 100 can be provided on one or more (still to be described) receiving elements.

[0400] How especially the Fig. 1 , 2 , 7 and 8 As can be seen, the vehicle 100 includes a receiving device 168 by means of which one or more objects 102 can be received.

[0401] In particular, the receiving device 168 comprises one or more, for example two, receiving elements 170 which protrude from a top surface 172 of the base body 104 of the vehicle 100.

[0402] The receiving elements 170 are in particular rod-shaped or pin-like.

[0403] Preferably, the receiving elements 170 are designed at least partially and / or at least approximately cylindrical, for example circular cylindrical.

[0404] The receiving elements 170 preferably have a height H AE which corresponds at least approximately to a height H GK of the base body 104 of the vehicle 100.

[0405] Each receiving element 170 preferably comprises a shaft section 173 to which a receiving section 174 is attached.

[0406] The receiving section 174 preferably tapers in the opposite direction of gravity g, provided that the vehicle 100 is on a horizontal plane and the top surface 172 of the base body 104 is oriented upwards.

[0407] How especially the Fig. 4 and 6 As can be seen, the receiving elements 170 are arranged such that their central axes lie in a vertical longitudinal median plane 176 of the vehicle 100.

[0408] The receiving elements 170 are movable, in particular by means of a lifting drive device 178, in particular extendable upwards from the base body 104 and at least partially retractable.

[0409] The lifting drive device 178 comprises in particular a lifting drive motor 180, which is for example an electric motor and can be driven using energy from the energy storage device 150.

[0410] Furthermore, the lifting drive device 178 comprises a lifting drive element 182, for example a lifting drive belt 184, by means of which the receiving elements 170 are coupled to each other and also to the lifting drive motor 180.

[0411] The two receiving elements 170 can therefore be moved together, in particular by means of the lifting drive motor 180.

[0412] Since the receiving elements 170 are preferably arranged along the longitudinal center axis 140 of the vehicle 100 on opposite sides of the drive device 110, it is advantageous for the permanent coupling of the two receiving elements 170 by means of the lifting drive element 182 if the lifting drive element 182 extends towards both the one and the other receiving element 170.

[0413] How especially Fig. 8 As can be seen, the lifting drive element 182, designed for example as a lifting drive belt 184, is passed through the drive device 110 for this purpose.

[0414] The lifting drive element 182 extends in particular through a space 186 formed between the two legs 130 of the bearing element 126.

[0415] With regard to the axle element 124 and / or the bearing element 126, it is also evident from Fig. 4 It can be seen that the lifting drive element 182 preferably also extends under the drive device 110.

[0416] The receiving elements 170 are thus mechanically coupled in a particularly simple way, which makes reliable operation of the same possible for receiving one or more objects 102.

[0417] The vehicle 100 preferably comprises one or more recording sensors 188 by means of which it is detectable whether an object 102 and / or an adapter device to be described is arranged on the vehicle 100.

[0418] The recording sensors 188 are arranged in particular along the longitudinal center axis 140 of the vehicle 100 in front of and behind one of the recording elements 170 (see in particular Fig. 1 and 2 ).

[0419] The detection method will be discussed in more detail below in connection with the description of the adapter device.

[0420] How especially Fig. 5 As can be seen, the vehicle 100 comprises one or more sensor devices 190, which are arranged in particular in corner areas 112 of the vehicle 100, in particular of the base body 104.

[0421] In particular, exactly one sensor device 190 is provided at each of two diagonally opposite corner areas 112.

[0422] By means of the sensor devices 190, an area 192 surrounding the vehicle 100 can be monitored, in particular to enable autonomous driving of the vehicle 100.

[0423] In addition, for example a barcode reader 194 can be provided on a top surface 172 of the base body 104, by means of which information about an object 102 arranged or to be arranged on the vehicle 100 can be recorded, in particular by scanning a barcode arranged, for example, on the object 102 and / or on the adapter device.

[0424] The base body 104 is preferably provided with a cover 196 on its upper surface 172.

[0425] The cover 196 is in particular a laid-on plate which rests on a ring-shaped closed circumferential support area 198 and is essentially flush with the support area 198.

[0426] The cover 196 is preferably fixed to the base body 104 without additional fastening elements, in particular without allowing unauthorized persons to remove the cover 196 without tools.

[0427] Cover 196 is preferably transparent, for example tinted transparent.

[0428] Components of the vehicle 100 arranged within the base body 104 are thus preferably visible through the cover 196.

[0429] The transparent design of the cover 196 can, in particular, have a deterrent effect, preventing people from accessing the top 172 of the base body 104. This can, for example, optimize safety during the operation of the vehicle 100.

[0430] The vehicle 100 preferably also includes a warning device 200, by means of which a warning can be issued in the event of a disturbing object detected by the sensor device 190, for example a person located in a driving path.

[0431] The warning device 200 is, for example, an acoustic warning device and / or an optical warning device, by means of which an acoustic warning signal, such as a warning tone or a warning message, and / or an optical warning signal, such as a flashing light, can be generated and emitted to the environment.

[0432] For example, a flashing warning signal can be generated for acoustic warning by means of one or more display elements 202 of the vehicle 100.

[0433] The vehicle 100, in particular individual, several or all of the aforementioned components, are preferably controllable by means of a control device 204 of the vehicle 100.

[0434] The control device 204 can, in particular, operate completely autonomously or communicate with a higher-level control system.

[0435] For example, items 102 can be arranged directly on the vehicle 100, for example on the receiving elements 170.

[0436] However, the use of an adapter device 208 may be advantageous, particularly for the arrangement of large and / or heavy objects 102, for example vehicle bodies 206.

[0437] An adapter device 208 is exemplified in the Fig. 9 bis 11 depicted.

[0438] The adapter device 208 comprises in particular a central element 210 which connects two or more than two adapter elements 212 together.

[0439] The adapter elements 212 are adapted to the object 102 to be conveyed. For example, each adapter element 212 has one, two or more than two receiving pins 214, which, for example, project upwards against the direction of gravity g and engage the underside of an object 102 designed, for example, as a vehicle body 206, to receive it.

[0440] The adapter elements 212 are adapted to the items 102 to be conveyed with regard to geometry, size, number and / or design of the receiving pins 214.

[0441] How especially Fig. 10 As can be seen, the adapter device 208 is provided with two attack areas 216, for example insertion openings 218, on which the receiving elements 170, in particular the receiving sections 174 of the receiving elements 170, can attack.

[0442] The insertion openings 218 are designed to be conically tapered in order to create a stable connection between the adapter device 208 and the receiving elements 170.

[0443] During the Fig. 9 bis 11 In the illustrated embodiment of the adapter device 208, the attack areas 216, in particular the insertion openings 218, are arranged on the adapter elements 212. However, it can also be provided that these are provided and / or formed on the central element 210.

[0444] How the Fig. 9 and 10As can further be seen, the adapter device 208 comprises a detection aid 220, which is designed, for example, as a through-opening. The detection aid 220 is arranged, in particular with respect to a longitudinal direction of the adapter device 208, in front of or behind an attack area 216, in particular an insertion opening 218, and in particular at the same distance as one or both receiving sensors 188 are from a receiving element 170 of the vehicle 100.

[0445] Since the detection aid 220 is simply present, the recording sensors 188 can be used to monitor whether the adapter device 208 is arranged in a correct rotational orientation on the vehicle 100, because either the detection aid 220, i.e., in the case of a passage opening, no object arranged directly above the recording sensor 188, or the central element 210 can be detected, depending on whether the adapter device 208 is arranged in a desired orientation on the vehicle 100 or not.

[0446] By means of the further recording sensor 188, which is not associated with the detection aid 220, an adapter element 212 can preferably be monitored for its presence, making it possible to determine whether an adapter device 208 is arranged on the vehicle 100 at all.

[0447] Of course, numerous other detection variants are conceivable, for example the use of contacting sensors on the receiving element 170, in particular the receiving section 174, to establish a mechanical or electrical contact for detecting and / or monitoring the adapter device 208.

[0448] The vehicle 100 is in particular part of a conveying device 222.

[0449] The conveying device 222 comprises in particular several essentially identical vehicles 100.

[0450] The conveying device 222 is, for example, a component of a processing plant 224, in particular a plant for the manufacture of motor vehicles.

[0451] In particular, if the conveying device 222 comprises numerous vehicles 100, all of which are essentially ground-based, it may be advantageous to stack the vehicles 100 at least temporarily.

[0452] The conveying device 222 therefore preferably comprises a stacking device 225, which is exemplified in the Fig. 12 and 13 is shown.

[0453] The stacking device 225 includes in particular a lifting unit 226, which enables one or more vehicles 100 to be lifted to different height levels.

[0454] For this purpose, the lifting unit 226 is arranged, for example, in a recess 228 and comprises, for example, a lifting floor 230, which can preferably be positioned essentially flush with a drivable surface 160.

[0455] A vehicle 100 can therefore drive directly from the drivable surface 160 onto the lifting floor 230 of the stacking device 225.

[0456] The vehicle 100 can then be lifted using the lifting unit 226.

[0457] Another vehicle 100, which is arranged in particular directly next to the depression 228 and / or directly next to the lifting unit 226, then forms the basis for a stack of several vehicles 100.

[0458] How especially Fig. 13 As can be seen, the vehicle 100 driven onto the lifting platform 230 can, after being lifted by means of the lifting unit 226, be driven onto the vehicle 100 arranged next to it and thus be stacked on the other vehicle.

[0459] Depending on how far one or more receiving elements 170 protrude from the top surface 172 of the base body 104 of the respective vehicle 100, these receiving elements 170 may obstruct stacking.

[0460] Therefore, in one embodiment it may be advantageous if one or more intermediate elements 232 are applied to the vehicle 100 forming the base of the stack of vehicles 100 in order to enable subsequent driving on it by means of the further vehicle 100.

[0461] The stacked vehicles 100 can preferably be connected to one another by means of one or more (not shown) securing devices. For example, the receiving elements 170 of the lower vehicle 100 could be extended to engage in corresponding engagement areas on an underside 114 of the upper vehicle 100 and thus fix the vehicles 100 relative to each other.

[0462] Naturally, more than just two vehicles can be stacked on top of each other using the stacking device 225; 100 vehicles can be stacked on top of each other.

[0463] Furthermore, several stacked vehicles 100 can be unstacked in reverse order. This can be particularly advantageous for transporting the vehicles 100 from their place of manufacture to their place of use, in order to minimize the transport area required.

[0464] The conveying device 222 preferably comprises one or more stations 234 to which the items 102 can be conveyed by means of several vehicles 100.

[0465] The stations 234 are in particular processing stations 236 if the conveying device 222 is part of a processing plant 224.

[0466] For example, in the processing stations 236 one or more robots 238 are arranged to treat a surface of the objects 102, in particular the vehicle bodies 206.

[0467] As an alternative or supplement to robots 238, the processing stations 236 can also be used for manual tasks.

[0468] How especially the Fig. 14 and 15 As can be seen, a station 234 preferably comprises a first position 240, which is in particular a delivery position 242 and serves for the transfer of an item 102 from a vehicle 100 to a station conveying device 244.

[0469] The station conveyor device 244 is in particular a roller conveyor 245. In addition or alternatively, a chain conveyor and / or a rail conveyor may be provided.

[0470] Station 234 includes, in particular, a lifting device 246 at the first position 240, by means of which the station conveying device 244 can be raised and lowered in order to lift the object 102 from the vehicle 100.

[0471] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the receiving elements 170 of the vehicle 100 are lowered when the vehicle 100 is positioned at the first position 240 in order to place the object 102 on the station conveyor device 244 and thus transfer it to the station conveyor device 244.

[0472] How especially Fig. 15 As can be seen, station 234 includes in particular one or more separating floors 248, which are arranged above a drivable surface 160, in particular above a hall floor 162 and under which the vehicle 100 can pass.

[0473] The object 102, however, is arranged above the separating floor 248.

[0474] The station conveyor device 244 is integrated in particular into the separating floor 248.

[0475] By means of the lifting device 246, in the first position 240 in particular the separating floor 248 can be raised or lowered in order to lift the object 102 from the vehicle 100.

[0476] By means of the station conveying device 244, the object 102 can be conveyed through the processing station 236, in particular in the conveying direction 250.

[0477] In particular, item 102 can be conveyed from the first position 240 through a processing area 252 of the processing station 236 and to a second position 254 of the station 234.

[0478] The second position 254 is in particular a receiving position 256, at which the item 102 can be transferred from the station conveying device 244 to a vehicle 100, i.e. at which the item 102 can be picked up by the vehicle 100.

[0479] The second position 254 is also provided in particular with a lifting device 246 to raise and lower the separating floor 248, which is also provided at the second position 254, in order to ultimately transfer the object 102 to the vehicle 100.

[0480] The three-part representation of station 234 in the Fig. 14 and 15 This serves to simplify the representation of the functionally different positions. In an actual embodiment of the conveying device 222, the station conveying device 244 is of course continuously designed in order to actually convey the object 102 from the first position 240 to the second position 254.

[0481] In the intermediate position 258 formed between the first position 240 and the second position 254 by the machining area 252, the vehicle body 206 can be machined, in particular treated.

[0482] In particular, surface treatment, seam sealing and / or inspection can be carried out on the object 102 by means of one or more robots 238 and / or by means of manual processing.

[0483] Particularly if contamination can occur in the processing area 252, it can be advantageous if the separating plate 248 is closed, at least in the processing area 252. The separating plate 248 thus comprises a closed section 260, which extends in particular over the entire length of the processing area 252 along the conveying direction 250.

[0484] At the first position 240 and / or at the second position 254, the separating plate 248 preferably has a passage area 262, which is in particular designed as a passage slot 264 and extends along the conveying direction 250.

[0485] In particular, one or more receiving elements 170 of the vehicle 100 can project through this passage area 262 in order to position the object 102 above the partition 248 by moving the vehicle 100 below the partition 248.

[0486] In particular, with the receiving elements 170 retracted, the vehicle 100 can also pass below the closed section 260 of the separating floor 248 without risking a collision with the separating floor 248.

[0487] For this purpose, the separating floor 248 has in particular a cross-sectionally, for example triangular, raised section which extends along the conveying direction 250 and thus creates a space for the receiving elements 170 below the separating floor 248.

[0488] The area below the partition floor 248 is in particular a driving space 266, which is not accessible to persons.

[0489] Therefore, the vehicles 100 do not pose a danger in this driving area 266, so that the vehicles 100 can be driven at increased speed, for example.

[0490] The area below the separating floor 248 can therefore be, in particular, an express area 268 in which the vehicles 100 can be operated in an express mode.

[0491] Outside of station 234, and particularly when persons are in the vicinity of a vehicle 100 without spatial separation from it, this vehicle 100 is preferably operated in a safety mode. The area outside the express area 268 is therefore, in particular, a safety area 270.

[0492] How the Fig. 14 and 15Furthermore, it can be seen that the adapter device 208 can also be designed as a skid, in particular to enable simple conveying of the object 102 on a station conveyor device 244 designed as a roller conveyor 245.

[0493] One or more attack areas 216, in particular insertion opening 218, are then preferably arranged and / or formed on a crossbar or on a central element of the adapter device 208 designed as a skid, which is arranged on crossbars.

[0494] In order to make efficient use of the vehicles 100 in the conveying device 222, it may be advantageous if the vehicle 100 for conveying an item 102 is not permanently assigned to the same item 102.

[0495] For example, vehicle utilization can be optimized by transferring an item 102 to be conveyed from the first position 240 of station 234 to the station conveyor 244 using a vehicle 100. An item 102 that was previously transferred to the station conveyor 244, processed in the meantime at processing station 236, and conveyed to the second position 254 by the station conveyor 244, can then be picked up and transported further using this vehicle 100.

[0496] Vehicle 100 therefore preferably skips at least one cycle when conveying items 102 through station 234.

[0497] One in the Fig. 16 and 17 The alternative embodiment of station 234 shown differs from the one described in the Fig. 14 and 15The embodiment shown differs essentially in that the items 102 do not remain on the station conveyor device 244, which is designed as a roller conveyor 245, in the processing area 252. Instead, a lifting device 272 is provided for lifting the items 102 from the station conveyor device 244 and / or from the adapter device 208.

[0498] The lifting system 272 is in particular a suspended conveyor and / or an electric monorail or at least enables the object 102 to be lifted in a stationary position in a horizontal direction.

[0499] By means of the lifting system 272, in particular an underside of the object 102 can be made accessible for robots 238 and / or for manual processing, for example to apply underbody protection or seam sealing to an underside of the object 102, in particular a vehicle body 206.

[0500] Moreover, the one in the Fig. 16 and 17The illustrated embodiment of station 234 with regard to structure and function is shown in the Fig. 14 and 15 the embodiment shown is the same, so reference is made to its preceding description.

[0501] The conveying device 222 can have one or more stations 234 according to the one described in the Fig. 14 and 15 the embodiment shown as well as according to the one in the Fig. 16 and 17 The embodiment shown is provided for, in particular to carry out different processing steps on the object 102.

[0502] One in Fig. 18 The further alternative embodiment of station 234 shown differs from the one described in the Fig. 16 and 17 The embodiment shown is essentially distinguished by the fact that the lifting system 272 is designed as lifting tables 274 arranged on both sides of the station conveying device 244.

[0503] This also allows objects 102 to be raised to different height levels in order to carry out different processing steps on the object 102.

[0504] Moreover, the in Fig. 18 The alternative embodiment of station 234 shown with regard to structure and function is shown in the Fig. 16 and 17 the embodiment shown is the same, so reference is made to its preceding description.

[0505] Even those in Fig. 18 The illustrated embodiment of a station 234 can be provided singly or multiple times in a conveying device 222, in particular as an alternative or supplement to one or more of the embodiments according to the Fig. 14 and 15 and / or alternatively or additionally to one or more of the embodiments according to the Fig. 16 and 17 .

[0506] In the Fig. 19 bis 23 Different variants of the separating floor 248 and the passage area 262 are shown enlarged to illustrate their function and variants thereof.

[0507] Each of the in the Fig. 19 bis 23 The illustrated embodiments of the separating floor 248 and / or the passage area 262 can, in principle, be used at any conceivable station 234, in particular any of those described above and / or in the Fig. 14 bis 18 The illustrated embodiments are provided for.

[0508] One in Fig. 19 The depicted design of the separating floor 148 essentially corresponds to that shown in the Fig. 14 bis 18 as illustrated embodiment, wherein the passage area 262 is completely open and in particular no closed section 260 is provided.

[0509] To minimize contamination of the vehicle 100 below the separating floor 248, it may be provided, for example, that the central element 210 of the adapter device 208 has a width transverse to the conveying direction 250 which is greater than the width of the passage slot 264.

[0510] By means of the central element 210, the passage slot 264 can thus preferably be at least partially covered.

[0511] The two areas of the separating floor 248 that delimit the passage area 262 are hereinafter referred to as passage edge areas 276 and are described in the Fig. 19 In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the openings are oriented obliquely to the direction of gravity g. The opening edge regions 276 extend obliquely upwards, particularly from the separating base 248. This prevents objects from falling or rolling into the opening slot 264. Furthermore, the suitable design of the opening edge regions 276 minimizes any potential danger to persons emanating from the opening slot 264.

[0512] In particular, the passage edge areas 276 are part of the raised section formed in the separating floor 248 in order to provide a movement space for the receiving elements 170.

[0513] How Fig. 19 As can be seen in the dashed lines, in one design of the vehicle 100 and / or the conveying device 222, a charging device 156 for charging an energy storage device 150 of the vehicle 100 can alternatively or additionally be designed in such a way as to allow energy transfer from a charging area 158 to the vehicle 100 in the area of ​​one or more receiving elements 170.

[0514] For this purpose, a receiving element 170 is provided, for example, with one or more contact areas 278, which form a charging connection point 164 of the vehicle 100.

[0515] A charging connection point 164 to be engaged herewith is formed, for example, by one or more contact elements 280, which are arranged in particular on the separating base 248 and project in the direction of the receiving element 170, in particular towards the contact areas 278.

[0516] The contact elements 280 form in particular sliding contacts, which enable a contact energy transfer from the charging area 158 to the vehicle 100.

[0517] In particular, a control contact 282 can also be provided for optimized control of the charging process. Alternatively or additionally, the information transmission required for optimizing the charging process can take place wirelessly, for example via WLAN.

[0518] One in Fig. 20 The further embodiment of the separating plate 248 shown differs from the one in Fig. 19 The embodiment shown is essentially characterized by the fact that the passage edge areas 276 are essentially parallel to each other and / or essentially perpendicular to the separating base 248 and thus, for example, are essentially L-shaped.

[0519] Moreover, the in Fig. 20 The illustrated embodiment of the separating floor 248, with regard to its structure and function, is comparable to the one shown in Fig. 19 the embodiment shown is the same, so reference is made to its preceding description.

[0520] One in Fig. 21 The illustrated embodiment of a separating floor 248 differs from the one shown in Fig. 20 The embodiment shown is essentially characterized by the fact that the passage edge areas 276 are pivotably arranged and / or formed on the separating base 248.

[0521] The passage edge area 276 thus comprises in particular one or more closing elements 284, which are preferably pivotably arranged on the separating base 248 and enable the passage area 262, in particular the passage slot 264, to be closed.

[0522] The locking elements 284 are preferably spring-loaded and / or arranged and / or designed in such a way that they automatically enter a closed position, for example, essentially horizontal, due to gravity without any actuation of the same.

[0523] When a vehicle 100 is passed under the partition 248, the locking elements 248 can be opened, depending on the extension position of the receiving elements 170, by pressing them open, in particular by lifting them upwards. As soon as the receiving element 170 or the receiving elements 170 have moved past the individual locking elements 248, these preferably return automatically to the closed position.

[0524] Preferably, numerous closing elements 248 are arranged one behind the other and can be actuated independently of each other along the conveying direction 250.

[0525] Therefore, preferably only those locking elements 248 are in the open position on which a receiving element 170 is currently engaged and / or arranged.

[0526] Moreover, the in Fig. 21 The illustrated embodiment of the separating floor 248, with regard to its structure and function, is comparable to the one shown in Fig. 20 the embodiment shown is the same, so reference is made to its preceding description.

[0527] One in Fig. 22 The alternative embodiment of a separating floor 248 shown differs from the one in Fig. 21 The embodiment shown is essentially characterized by the fact that the closing elements 248 are designed, for example, as lamellae and are particularly deflectable in a horizontal direction in order to temporarily release the passage area 262 for the passage of one or more receiving elements 170.

[0528] The locking elements 248 can be used in this way - as well as, in principle, the locking elements 248 according to Fig. 21 - form or comprise one or more contact elements 280, so that energy can be transferred by means of the locking elements 248 to charge the energy storage device 150 of the vehicle 100.

[0529] Depending on the positioning of the receiving element 170 and / or depending on the design of the receiving element 170, different areas may be available for engaging the locking elements 248 and / or the contact elements 280.

[0530] How especially the Fig. 22 and 23As can be seen, it may be provided that the receiving elements 170 each comprise and / or are arranged in a receiving cylinder 286 that already projects beyond the base body 104 of the vehicle 100. Movable parts of the receiving elements 170 or the entire receiving elements 170 are, in particular, movable relative to the base body 104 and / or the respective receiving cylinder 286, and in particular, extendable from and / or extendable into it.

[0531] The receiving cylinder 286 can, for example, be designed such that it always projects through the passage area 262, in particular the passage slot 264. By differently positioning the receiving elements 170, in particular by extending movable parts from the receiving cylinder 286 to different extents, an adapter device 208, including any object 102 optionally attached to it, can then be lowered (see Fig. 22 ) or raised (see Fig. 23 ) become.

[0532] Moreover, the one in the Fig. 22 and 23 The illustrated embodiment of the separating floor 248, with regard to its structure and function, is comparable to the one shown in Fig. 21 the embodiment shown is the same, so reference is made to its preceding description.

[0533] In the Fig. 24 and 25 Figure 224 is a schematic example of a layout for a processing plant.

[0534] The processing plant 224 comprises numerous stations 234, which are in particular processing stations 236 for processing and / or checking objects 102, in particular vehicle bodies 206.

[0535] The Fig. 24 and 25 This shows two different levels 288 of the same processing plant 224, so that for the following description both Fig. 24 , 25 to be considered together.

[0536] The processing plant 224 includes in particular one or more transfer devices 290, by means of which items to be conveyed 102 can be brought to the respective level 288.

[0537] The transfer devices 290 are in particular elevators or other lifting devices.

[0538] The processing plant 224 includes in particular a conveying device 222 according to one of the embodiments described above and thus in particular several vehicles 100 for conveying objects 102.

[0539] For the sake of clarity, items 102 and vehicles 100 are listed in the Fig. 24 and 25 not shown. Rather, these figures show conveying paths 292 and return conveying paths 294, along which the vehicles 100 can travel.

[0540] Along the conveyor routes 292, 102 items can be conveyed.

[0541] Along the return conveying paths 294, only the vehicles 100 without any objects 102 attached to them can be moved, in particular to move the vehicles 100 from an end position of a processing section of the processing system 224 back to an initial position. The stations 234 are represented as rectangles and labeled with letters indicating an exemplary conveying sequence. In particular, the objects can be fed successively to the following stations 234 by means of the vehicles 100: For example, from a sorting warehouse 296, the objects 102 are necessarily fed successively to stations A, B, C, and D by means of one or more vehicles 100 (see Fig. 25 ).

[0542] Stations E and F are optional and can either be skipped or passed through multiple times, especially in different sequences.

[0543] Subsequently, the items 102 are conveyed to a transfer device 290 and by means of which they are transferred to the Fig. 24 The depicted plane 288 is transferred.

[0544] The items 102 are then mandatorily fed to stations H, J, K, L, O, Q and R, before the items 102 are returned to the in by means of a further transfer device 290. Fig. 25 The components are transferred to the depicted level 288. There, they are fed to the stations S and finally transferred via another transfer device 290 to a level 288 (not shown) for further processing.

[0545] Optionally, one or more stations G can be passed through before stations H.

[0546] Station M can be provided, bypassing stations L.

[0547] Furthermore, stations N and / or P are provided for the optional bypassing of stations O.

[0548] In a first layout variant, the following could be provided: Stations 234 on the in Fig. 24 The levels 288 shown are predominantly or exclusively manual stations or workstations where the items 102 are processed by persons. Persons must therefore preferably have permanent access to the stations 234, which is why the vehicles 100 are located on the level shown. Fig. 24 The depicted plane 288 is preferably mostly, in particular to at least approximately 90%, for example at least approximately 95%, of its service life and / or its travel path in safety mode.

[0549] In particular, the following stations are or include 234 manual stations or workstations: G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R.

[0550] However, one or more of these stations can also be designed as automatic stations or workstations in which the items 102 are processed by means of robots 238 or other machines.

[0551] Stations 234 on the in Fig. 25 The levels 288 shown are predominantly or exclusively automated stations or workstations where the items 102 are processed by means of robots 238 or other machines. Persons therefore need only temporary access to the stations 234, preferably for maintenance or inspection purposes. The vehicles 100 on the level shown Fig. 25 The level 288 shown can therefore preferably be in express mode for the majority, in particular at least approximately 90%, for example at least approximately 95% of their service life in the unloaded state and / or in the loaded state.

[0552] Furthermore, the vehicles can travel 100 on the in Fig. 25 The depicted plane 288 preferably covers a large portion, in particular at least approximately 90%, for example at least approximately 95%, of its travel path in the unloaded state and / or in the loaded state in express mode.

[0553] In particular, the following stations are or include 234 automatic stations or workstations: A, B, C, D, E, F, S.

[0554] However, one or more of these stations can also be designed as manual stations or workplaces in which the items 102 are processed by persons.

[0555] In a second layout variant, however, the following could be provided: Stations 234 on the in Fig. 25 The levels 288 shown are predominantly or exclusively manual stations or workstations where the items 102 are processed by persons. Persons must therefore preferably have permanent access to the stations 234, which is why the vehicles 100 are located on the level shown. Fig. 25 The depicted plane 288 is preferably mostly, in particular to at least approximately 90%, for example at least approximately 95%, of its service life and / or its travel path in safety mode.

[0556] In particular, the following stations are or include 234 automatic stations or workstations: A, B, C, D, E, F, S.

[0557] However, one or more of these stations can also be designed as automatic stations or workstations in which the items 102 are processed by means of robots 238 or other machines.

[0558] Stations 234 on the in Fig. 24 The levels 288 shown are predominantly or exclusively automated stations or workstations where the items 102 are processed by means of robots 238 or other machines. Persons therefore need only temporary access to the stations 234, preferably for maintenance or inspection purposes. The vehicles 100 on the level shown Fig. 24 The level 288 shown can therefore preferably be in express mode for the majority, in particular at least approximately 90%, for example at least approximately 95% of their service life in the unloaded state and / or in the loaded state.

[0559] Furthermore, the vehicles can travel 100 on the in Fig. 24 The depicted plane 288 preferably covers a large portion, in particular at least approximately 90%, for example at least approximately 95%, of its travel path in the unloaded state and / or in the loaded state in express mode.

[0560] In particular, the following stations are or include 234 manual stations or workstations: G, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R.

[0561] However, one or more of these stations can also be designed as manual stations or workplaces in which the items 102 are processed by persons.

[0562] The items 102 are transferable back and forth between levels 288, with the vehicles 100 preferably remaining on the same level 288. However, it is also possible to transport the items 102 such that the vehicles 100 are transferred back and forth between levels 288 together with the vehicles 102.

[0563] Numerous loading areas 158 are required for optimal operation of the conveying device 222 for conveying the objects 102.

[0564] All loading areas 158 are in the Fig. 24 and 25represented by circles. In particular, preferably all empty or hatched circles in the Fig. 24 and 25 158 loading areas.

[0565] In particular, if the energy storage units 150 of the vehicles 100 comprise supercapacitors 154 instead of lithium-ion batteries, recharging of the energy storage unit 150 of each vehicle 100 must be possible at relatively short intervals in time and / or space. Charging areas 158 are therefore arranged, in particular, at each station 234, preferably at a discharge position 242 of each station 234. These charging areas 158 are preferably stationary charging areas 298.

[0566] The vehicles 100 are stationary, in particular during the handover of the items 102 to the respective station 234, so that the stop of the vehicle 100, which is necessary anyway for the handover, can be used for a charging process.

[0567] Alternatively or additionally, a loading area 158 may also be provided in the case of a take-off at a receiving position 256 of a respective station 234.

[0568] Depending on the total length of the conveying path 292 and / or the return conveying path 294, loading areas 158 may also be provided in the conveying paths 292 and / or the return conveying paths 294 instead of and / or in addition to the loading areas 158 assigned to the stations 234.

[0569] The loading areas 158 can be used in particular on the area shown in the Fig. 24 and 25 The optimal and / or shortest path shown as conveyor path 292 and return conveyor path 294 should be arranged. The vehicles 100 then stop without detour to be loaded.

[0570] Alternatively, it can be provided that the vehicles are charged while driving. The charging areas 158 are then specifically mobile charging areas 300.

[0571] Furthermore, it may be provided that the vehicles 100 temporarily deviate from an optimal and / or shortest conveying path 292 and / or return conveying path 294 to charge the respective energy storage unit 150 and, for example, are driven into a charging bay 302. After charging has been completed, the vehicles 100 then preferably return to the optimal and / or shortest conveying path 292 and / or the optimal and / or shortest return conveying path 294.

[0572] A charging bay 302 can in particular be a waiting area 304 in which vehicles 100 can stay not only for charging the energy storage unit 150, but also when there is not 100% utilization of the vehicles 100 and thus a waiting time until the next transport order has to be bridged.

[0573] The loading bay 302 and / or the waiting area 304 can also be a maintenance area 306 in which one or more vehicles 100 are serviced or maintained manually and / or automatically. For example, repairs or other work on the vehicle 100 can be carried out in a maintenance area 306.

[0574] The charging areas 158 are preferably arranged such that as many conveying paths 292 and / or return conveying paths 294 as possible are covered with the shortest possible cable lengths and as few charging areas 158 as possible.

[0575] For this purpose, one or more loading areas 158 are arranged, for example, at a loading node 308 and / or at a multidirectional conveying area 310.

[0576] A charging point 308 is, in particular, an area in which several charging areas 158 are provided for the simultaneous charging of several vehicles 100. This allows, in particular, the cable lengths for supplying the charging areas 158 with electrical energy to be reduced.

[0577] The arrangement of one or more loading areas 158 within a multidirectional conveyor area 310 enables, in particular, optimal utilization of the one or more loading areas 158, since in multidirectional conveyor areas 310 one or more vehicles 100 can traverse and / or drive over the one or more loading areas 158 successively or simultaneously in different directions. This eliminates the need for time-consuming alignment of the vehicles 100.

[0578] The one or more charging areas 158 arranged in the multidirectional conveying area 310 can therefore be used more frequently and can be used to charge more vehicles 100 in a shorter time.

[0579] Multidirectional conveying areas 310 may in particular include overlapping and / or intersecting conveying paths 292 and / or return conveying paths 294.

[0580] In order to optimize the conveying speed, the conveying device 222 can preferably be divided into different areas.

[0581] A security area 270 is in particular the area in which the vehicles 100 together with any objects 102 attached to them are accessible to persons, so that the persons must be specially protected.

[0582] The vehicles 100 have in particular a specified maximum speed as well as additional safety measures to ensure the protection of persons and at the same time to protect the items 102 being transported from damage.

[0583] In addition to the security area 270, an express area 268 may be provided.

[0584] Express area 268 is, in particular, an area spatially separated from security area 270, which is not accessible to persons, at least temporarily.

[0585] In particular, one or more return conveying paths 294 are preferably designed as express areas 268, so that the vehicles 100 can be moved from an end position of a processing section back to an initial position at a speed increased compared to the maximum speed in the safety area 270, for example.

[0586] This makes the vehicles available for a new conveying process 100 times faster, thereby increasing the efficiency of the conveying device 222.

[0587] The vehicles 100 are capable of passing through one or more passage openings 312 in one or more separating devices, in particular partition walls, to separate the express area 268 from the security area 270.

[0588] The passage openings 312 are adapted, in particular with regard to their shape, to an outer contour of the vehicle 100, which preferably ensures, without a locking mechanism for closing the passage opening 312, that no persons gain unauthorized access to the express area 268 and thereby put themselves in danger.

[0589] Should a person nevertheless gain access to express area 268 despite these precautions, such intrusion can preferably be detected by means of (not shown) sensor devices. The vehicles 100 located in or entering express area 268 will then preferably not be put into express mode, but will remain in the safety mode they are in when they are in safety area 270.

[0590] The in the Fig. 24 and 25 The variants of the layout of the stations 234 and the arrangement and / or design of the loading areas 158 shown are merely exemplary and can be used in any combination with the other described and / or illustrated embodiments of other stations 234 and / or other loading areas 158.

[0591] In Fig. 26The diagram shows a process flowchart which illustrates an example of optimized control of a conveying device 222.

[0592] Preferably, the individual, preferably driverless, vehicles 100 are moved flexibly according to a material flow and / or production plan. A rigid schedule is preferably not provided. Instead, individual transport orders for the individual vehicles 100 are preferably created by means of a higher-level control system 400.

[0593] The transport orders are transmitted to the individual vehicles 100 via a fleet management system 402, whereupon the individual vehicles 100 execute the respective transport order.

[0594] Optionally, one or more fleet management subsystems 404 may be provided, which are interposed in particular between the fleet management system 402 and the individual vehicles 100.

[0595] In particular, if the conveying device 222 has several independent groups of vehicles 100, each group can be assigned a separate fleet management subsystem 404.

[0596] The fleet management system 402 can then, for example, only transmit the basic transport order for the respective group of vehicles 100. Only the fleet management subsystem 404 can then, for example, assign the transport order to an individual vehicle 100 from the group.

[0597] Independent groups of vehicles 100 are, for example, vehicles 100 located in spatially separated areas of a production plant, for example, vehicles 100 on different levels of a production plant, in particular a painting and / or manufacturing plant.

[0598] The control system 400 can in particular represent and / or form a functional module "AGV Fleet Service", which, for example, creates transport orders as a higher-level basis and in particular transfers these to the fleet management system 402.

[0599] The transport of items 102 preferably takes place between stopping points, which are in particular receiving stations, transfer stations, storage stations, processing stations, treatment stations, etc.

[0600] In particular, the transport of the items follows a priority of the target matrix from the data set of an item, especially from a bodywork data set.

[0601] It can be advantageous to use data from a production planning system (406), especially current ERP data (data from an enterprise resource planning system), for example, from a production plan for a specific item, to create, prioritize, and / or execute transport orders. In particular, an identification number, especially a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), can be assigned to each item (102) and aligned with the material flow.

[0602] It can be advantageous if, for example, transport orders between stop points 408, 410 of the respective individual systems are generated fully automatically by means of a "fleet service" (especially by means of the control system 400) and related data is exchanged with a fleet management system 402 of the vehicles 100.

[0603] For example, within certain limits or even without restrictions, this fleet service (especially the control system 400) can preferably offer options for manual intervention and expansion. It is therefore preferably possible to add or block 100 stop points for the vehicles, especially real stop points 408 and / or virtual stop points 410, in order to utilize the advantages of a flexible conveyor system. This allows for prioritization changes to be taken into account, particularly during production, when generating transport orders.

[0604] The method for controlling the vehicles is preferably also executable without an overriding database application for managing the product and process master data.

[0605] Optionally, configuration using database tables may be possible, especially for operation without an overarching management system (MES).

[0606] The start and end points of a transport order are preferably managed as standardized stopping points or halting points.

[0607] It can be advantageous if stopping points or halts 408, 410 can be manually activated or deactivated.

[0608] The dwell time of an object 102 and / or a vehicle 100 at a stopping point and / or a stop 408, 410 is preferably freely configurable or predetermined, for example by a cycle time.

[0609] The dwell time is transmitted to control system 400, in particular to Fleet Service, when an item 102 is ready for collection at a stopping point and / or a stop 408, 410. The transmission of the dwell time is event-based.

[0610] The control system 400 preferably provides REST services, in particular recording and / or transmitting data about which item is ready for collection at which station and which station is the next station to be visited.

[0611] For example, fixed target times for the proactive provision of vehicles 100 at holding points and / or stopping points 408, 410 can preferably be recorded via configuration options.

[0612] Items 102 are preferably collected on an event-based basis and / or automatically after a specified dwell time has elapsed.

[0613] Routing can be based, for example, on the next stop transmitted in an event or on the sequence, whereby the next stop (408, 410) with the next higher rank is served. If no higher rank is available, the station with the lowest sequence is served again.

[0614] If the fleet management system 402 processes transport orders incorrectly, the transport order is preferably repeated, whereby a maximum number of repetitions can be configured, for example, via a parameter.

[0615] The following are special embodiments: 1. Vehicle (100), in particular for conveying objects (102), for example vehicle bodies (206), wherein the vehicle (100) comprises the following: a base body (104); a chassis (106) by means of which the base body (104) rests on and / or is movable on a drivable surface (160); a drive device (110) for driving the vehicle (100); a receiving device (168) comprising one receiving element (170), two receiving elements (170), or more than two receiving elements (170) for receiving at least one object (102). 2. Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 1, characterized in that the receiving device (168) comprises exactly two receiving elements (170). 3.1. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 or 2, characterized in that several receiving elements (170), in particular all receiving elements (170), extend in a plane which runs vertically and parallel to a longitudinal center axis (140) of the vehicle (100). 2. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 3, characterized in that the one receiving element (170), the two receiving elements (170), or the more than two receiving elements (170) are movably arranged on the base body (104). 3. Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 4, characterized in that the vehicle (100) comprises a lifting drive device (178) by means of which the one receiving element (170), the two receiving elements (170), or the more than two receiving elements (170) can be raised and / or lowered relative to the base body (104). 4.7. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 5, characterized in that several receiving elements (170), in particular all receiving elements (170), are coupled to one another and are movable only together relative to the base body (104). 7. Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 6, characterized in that a lifting drive device (178) of the vehicle (100) comprises a lifting drive element (182), in particular a lifting drive belt (184) or a lifting drive chain, wherein the lifting drive element (182) connects a lifting drive motor (180) and two or more than two receiving elements (170) to one another, such that the two or more than two receiving elements (170) are movable together by means of the lifting drive motor (180), in particular can be raised and / or lowered relative to the base body (104). 8.Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 7, characterized in that a) the lifting drive element (182) extends through a drive axle (148) of the drive device (110) for driving the vehicle (100) and / or b) the lifting drive element (182) extends under a drive axle (148) of the drive device (110) for driving the vehicle (100). 9. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 8, characterized in that the drive device (110) has a drive axle (148) which connects two drive elements (118), in particular drive wheels (120), of the drive device (110), wherein the drive axle (148) is oriented substantially transversely, in particular at least approximately perpendicularly, to a longitudinal center axis (140) and / or main direction of travel (138) of the vehicle (100). 10.11. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 9, characterized in that the drive device (110) has a drive axle (148) which connects two drive elements (118), in particular drive wheels (120), of the drive device (110) to each other, wherein the drive axle (148) is arranged at least approximately centrally on the base body (104) of the vehicle (100) with respect to a longitudinal center axis (140) and / or main direction of travel (138) of the vehicle (100). 12. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 10, characterized in that the drive device (110) has a drive axle (148) which connects two drive elements (118), in particular drive wheels (120), of the drive device (110) to each other, wherein the drive elements (118) are jointly mounted on the base body (104) by means of the drive axle (148).13. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 11, characterized in that several drive elements (118), in particular drive wheels (120), of the drive device (110) can be driven independently of one another. 14. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 12, characterized in that the drive device (110) comprises a drive axle (148) and / or one or more drive elements (118) which can be lowered and / or pressed onto a ground and / or lifted from the ground by means of an actuating device (146), wherein the drive axle (148) and / or one or more drive elements (118) are preferably integrated into the base body (104) of the vehicle (100) and / or are surrounded on five sides by the base body (104) and / or wherein the actuating device (146) is preferably accessible on an outer side of the vehicle (100) for actuation. 15.Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 13, characterized in that the one receiving element (170), the two receiving elements (170), or the more than two receiving elements (170) each have a receiving section (174) which tapers towards an upper end with respect to a direction of gravity (g). 15. Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 14, characterized in that one or more receiving sections (174), in particular all receiving sections (174), are essentially conical, cone-section-shaped, frustoconical, or frustoconical-section-shaped. 16.Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 15, characterized in that the one receiving element (170), the two receiving elements (170), or the more than two receiving elements (170) can be arranged in different positions relative to the base body (104), wherein the one receiving element (170), the two receiving elements (170), or the more than two receiving elements (170) preferably project beyond a top surface (172) of the base body (104) in a position lowest with respect to a direction of gravity (g). 17. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 16, characterized in that the one receiving element (170), the two receiving elements (170), or the more than two receiving elements (170) have a height parallel to a direction of gravity (g) which is greater than the height of the base body (104) of the vehicle (100) parallel to the direction of gravity (g). 18.Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 17, characterized in that the vehicle (100) comprises one or more receiving sensors (188) by means of which a) an object (102) arranged on at least one receiving element (170) can be detected and / or its correct positioning can be monitored; and / or b) the orientation and / or position of an object (102) arranged at a distance from the at least one receiving element (170) can be detected. 19. Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 18, characterized in that at least one receiving sensor (188) is arranged on the base body (104) and / or on the receiving element (170). 20. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 18 or 19, characterized in that at least one receiving sensor (188) interacts with a detection aid (220) on an object (102) to be detected or detected. 21.22. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 20, characterized in that a cover (196) for covering an interior of the base body (104) is arranged on a top surface (172) of the base body (104), wherein the cover (196) is placed on the base body (104) and / or is at least approximately completely flush with a bearing area (198) of the base body (104). 23. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 21, characterized in that a cover (196) for covering an interior of the base body (104) is arranged on a top surface (172) of the base body (104), wherein the cover (196) is at least partially transparent. 24.24. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 22, characterized in that the base body (104) is essentially cuboid in shape, wherein four corner regions (112) of the base body (104) are preferably each provided with a support roller (108) rotatable through 360° and / or undriven. 25. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 23, characterized in that the base body (104) is essentially cuboid in shape, wherein two or four corner regions (112) of the base body (104) are each provided with an outwardly projecting sensor device (190) of the vehicle (100).Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 24, characterized in that the vehicle (100) comprises one or more sensor devices (190), each of which has one or more sensor elements for detecting the environment of the vehicle (100), wherein the one or more sensor elements, individually or jointly, have a detection range of at least approximately 250°, in particular approximately 270°, in a substantially horizontal plane. 26.Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 25, characterized in that the vehicle (100) comprises one or more sensor devices (190) which are coupled to a control device (204) of the vehicle (100), wherein the control device (204) is designed and configured such that the vehicle (100) can be operated in different operating modes depending on sensor values ​​which are detected and / or determined by means of the one or more sensor devices (190), in particular in at least three different operating modes. 27.Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 26, characterized in that a) one of the operating modes is a normal operation in which no unexpected and / or unknown and / or disruptive objects are arranged in a travel path or other predetermined environmental area (192) of the vehicle (100); and / or b) one of the operating modes is a warning operation in which one or more unexpected and / or unknown and / or disruptive objects are arranged in a predefined warning section of a travel path or other predetermined environmental area (192) of the vehicle (100); and / or c) one of the operating modes is a stop operation in which one or more unexpected and / or unknown and / or disruptive objects are arranged in a predefined stop section of a travel path or other predetermined environmental area (192) of the vehicle (100). 28.Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 27, characterized in that i) in warning mode, the vehicle's (100) speed is reduced and / or in warning mode, an acoustic warning signal and / or a visual warning signal is emitted by means of a warning device (200) of the vehicle (100); and / or ii) in stop mode, the vehicle (100) decelerates to a standstill and / or in stop mode, an acoustic emergency signal and / or a visual emergency signal is emitted by means of a warning device (200) of the vehicle (100); and / or in stop mode, an emergency signal is transmitted by means of the control device (204) to a higher-level control system for controlling and / or monitoring several vehicles (100). 29. Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 28, characterized in that a warning signal and / or an emergency signal includes a request to clear the route and / or the area around the vehicle (100). 30.Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 29, characterized in that the vehicle (100) is multidirectional, in particular bidirectional, and that by means of one or more display elements (202) at each end region of the vehicle (100) it is possible to indicate, depending on the current direction of travel, whether the respective end region is currently a front region or a rear region of the vehicle (100). 31. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 30, characterized in that the vehicle (100) comprises one or more charging connection points (164) for charging an energy storage device (150) of the vehicle (100). 32. Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 31, characterized in that a charging connection point (164) is arranged on an underside (114) of the base body (104) and that the vehicle (100) can be positioned over a corresponding charging connection point (164) of a charging area (158) for charging the energy storage device (150). 33.34. Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 32, characterized in that this charging connection point (164) can be coupled to a corresponding charging connection point (164) of a charging area (158) by contact, for example by means of a sliding contact, and / or without contact, for example inductively. 35. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 31 to 33, characterized in that a further charging connection point (164) is arranged on a side wall (166) of the base body (104), wherein this further charging connection point (164) can be coupled to a corresponding charging connection point (164) of a charging area (158) in particular by means of a plug connection. 36. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 31 to 34, characterized in that at least one charging connection point (164) is arranged and / or formed on at least one receiving element (170). 37.37. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 35, characterized in that the vehicle (100) comprises an energy storage device (150) for storing and providing electrical energy for powering the vehicle (100), wherein the energy storage device (150) comprises one or more energy storage units (152) which are designed as a capacitor, in particular a supercapacitor (154) or ultracapacitor. 38. Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 36, characterized in that the vehicle (100) comprises an energy storage device (150) by means of which electrical energy can be stored and provided for powering a lifting drive device (178) of the vehicle (100).Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 37, characterized in that energy can be stored and made available for both driving the lifting drive device (178) and driving the vehicle (100) by means of the same energy storage device (150), in particular by means of the same energy storage unit (152) or by means of the same energy storage units (152) of the energy storage device (150). 39.Vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 38, characterized in that the vehicle (100) comprises a control device (204) which is designed and configured such that the vehicle (100) can be operated either in a safety mode or in an express mode, wherein the vehicle (100) is switched to safety mode when persons are detected in the vicinity of the vehicle (100) and / or an area accessible to persons is entered, and wherein the vehicle (100) is switched to express mode when no persons are detected in the vicinity of the vehicle (100) and / or an area inaccessible to persons is entered. 40. Vehicle (100) according to embodiment 39, characterized in that the vehicle (100) is controlled by means of a device not located on the vehicle (100), in particular a sensor device (190), for example using external safety contacts, etc., can be switched to safety mode or express mode. 41. Adapter device (208) for receiving an object (102), in particular a vehicle body (206), wherein the adapter device (208) comprises: a central element (210); one or more adapter elements (212) which are fixed to the central element (210) and geometrically adapted to the object (102) for receiving the object (102), wherein one or more engagement areas (216), in particular insertion openings (218), on which one or more receiving elements (170) for receiving the adapter device (208) engage, are arranged and / or formed on the central element (210) and / or on the one or more adapter elements (212). 42. Combination of at least one vehicle (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 40 and at least one adapter device (208) according to embodiment 41. 43.Combination according to embodiment 42, characterized in that several adapter elements (212) of different geometries and / or sizes are provided for receiving objects (102) of different geometries and / or sizes. 44. Conveyor device (222) for conveying objects (102), in particular workpieces, for example vehicle bodies (206), wherein the conveyor device (222) comprises one or more vehicles (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 40. 45. Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 44, characterized in that the conveyor device (222) comprises one or more stations (234) to which the objects (102) can be transported by means of the vehicles (100) and / or at which the objects (102) can be unloaded and / or received. 46.Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 45, characterized in that at least one of the stations (234) provides two or more than two positions (240, 254) for two or more than two items (102), wherein an item (102) can be delivered to the station (234) in a first position (240) by means of a vehicle (100), and wherein an item (102) can be picked up in a second position (254) by means of a vehicle (100) and subsequently transported away from the station (234). 47. Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 46, characterized in that the items (102) can be conveyed by means of a station conveying device (244) of the conveying device (222) that is different from the vehicles (100), in particular from the first position (240) to the second position (254). 48.Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 47, characterized in that the items (102) can be processed during conveyance from the first position (240) to the second position (254) or in an intermediate position (258). 49. Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 46 to 48, characterized in that at least one vehicle (100) is designed and configured such that an item (102) can be discharged at a station (234) in a first position (240) and that an item (102) previously discharged at this first position (240), which has meanwhile been conveyed to a second position (254) of this station (234), can then be received at the second position (254). 50.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 45 to 49, characterized in that one or more stations (234) comprise a partition (248) under which the at least one vehicle (100) can be moved, in particular while one or more objects (102) are movable above the partition (248) and / or to move one or more objects (102) above the partition (248). 51. Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 50, characterized in that the partition (248) is accessible to persons. 52.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 50 or 51, characterized in that the separating floor (248) is oriented substantially parallel to a drivable surface (160) on which the conveying device (222) is mounted, wherein the distance between a preferably walkable surface of the separating floor (248) and a surface of the drivable surface (160) is preferably at most approximately five times, in particular at most approximately four times, preferably at most approximately twice, the height of the vehicle (100) and / or the height of the base body (104) of the vehicle (100). 53. Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 50 to 52, characterized in that at least one section (260) of the separating floor (248) is completely closed over a conveying path (292) of a vehicle (100) and thereby completely spatially separates the conveyed objects (102) from the vehicle (100). 54.Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 53, characterized in that the completely closed section (260) of the separating plate (248) extends at least approximately over the entire longitudinal extent of a processing area (252) for processing the objects (102). 55. Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 50 to 54, characterized in that the separating plate (248) has a passage area (262), in particular a passage slot (264), through which one or more receiving elements (170) of the at least one vehicle (100) extend. 56. Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 55, characterized in that the passage area (262), in particular the passage slot (264), extends along a conveying path (292) of the conveying device (222) or defines a conveying path (292) of the conveying device (222). 57.Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 56, characterized in that a passage edge area (276) is formed on one or both sides of the passage area (262), in particular the passage slot (264), which is designed to be raised, in particular, compared to the remaining separating plate (248). 58. Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 57, characterized in that an average free or releaseable distance between two passage edge areas (276) opposite each other with respect to the passage area (262) is at most approximately four times, preferably at most approximately three times, in particular at most approximately twice, an average thickness, measured horizontally and perpendicular to the conveying path (292), of at least one receiving element (170) of the at least one vehicle (100). 59.Conveying device (222) according to one of embodiments 57 or 58, characterized in that an average free or releaseable distance between two passage edge regions (276) opposite each other with respect to the passage area (262) is at most approximately 150%, preferably at most approximately 100%, and in particular at most approximately 80%, of an average horizontal and perpendicular extension to the conveying path (292) of a central element (210) of an adapter device (208) for receiving at least one object (102). 60. Conveying device (222) according to one of embodiments 57 to 59, characterized in that the passage edge region (276) is substantially L-shaped in a cross-section taken perpendicular to the conveying path (292). 61.Conveying device (222) according to one of embodiments 57 to 60, characterized in that the passage edge region (276) extends obliquely to a direction of gravity (g) and / or obliquely to a horizontal direction. 62. Conveying device (222) according to one of embodiments 55 to 61, characterized in that the conveying device (222), in particular the separating plate (248), for example the passage edge region (276), comprises one or more closing elements (284) by means of which the passage region (262), in particular the passage slot (264), can be closed, in particular automatically and / or especially when no receiving element (170) projects through the passage region (262), and / or especially in those sections of the passage region (262), in particular the passage slot (264), where no receiving element (170) projects through the passage region (262). 63.Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 62, characterized in that one or more closing elements (284) can be actuated by means of the receiving element (170), in particular brought into an open position and / or a closed position. 64. Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 50 to 63, characterized in that the conveying device (222) comprises a station conveying device (244) by means of which the objects (102) can be conveyed independently of the vehicles (100), wherein the station conveying device (244) is preferably integrated into a partition (248) of the station (234). 65. Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 64, characterized in that the station conveying device (244) is a roller conveyor (245). 66. Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 44 to 65, characterized in that the conveyor device (222) comprises a stacking device (225) for stacking and / or unstacking several vehicles (100). 67.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 44 to 66, characterized in that the conveyor device (222) comprises one or more charging areas (158) for charging an energy storage device (150) of the at least one vehicle (100). 68. Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 67, characterized in that one or more charging areas (158) are arranged at one or more stations (234) of the conveyor device (222), to which the items (102) can be transported by means of the at least one vehicle (100) and / or at which the items (102) can be unloaded and / or received. 69.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 or 68, characterized in that one or more loading areas (158) are arranged between two stations (234) of the conveyor device (222) with respect to a conveying path (292) of at least one vehicle (100), to which the items (102) can be transported by means of the at least one vehicle (100) and / or at which the items (102) can be unloaded and / or received. 70. Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 69, characterized in that one or more loading areas (158) are arranged in or on a return conveying path (294) of at least one vehicle (100). 71.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 70, characterized in that one or more loading areas (158) are arranged in or on a path section which permanently or temporarily, in particular alternately, forms a section of a conveying path (292) of one or more vehicles (100) and a section of a return conveying path (294) of the same or the same vehicles (100) or of one or more other vehicles (100). 72. Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 71, characterized in that one or more loading areas (158) are arranged in or on an intersection area in which one or more conveying paths (292) and / or one or more return conveying paths (294) of one or more vehicles (100) intersect. 73.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 72, characterized in that one or more charging areas (158) are stationary charging areas (298) at which the at least one vehicle (100) is stationary for charging the energy storage device (150) and / or during the charging of the energy storage device (150). 74. Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 73, characterized in that one or more charging areas (158) are mobile charging areas (300) at which the at least one vehicle (100) can be moved past during the charging of the energy storage device (150) and / or through which the at least one vehicle (100) can be moved during the charging of the energy storage device (150). 75. Conveying device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 74, characterized in that one or more loading areas (158) are arranged and / or formed on or in a passage area (262) of a separating floor (248) of the conveying device (222). 76.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 75, characterized in that one or more loading areas (158) are arranged and / or formed on the underside of a partition (248) of a station (234) of the conveyor device (222). 77. Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 76, characterized in that one or more loading areas (158) are arranged on a drivable surface (160) on which the at least one vehicle (100) can be driven, wherein the one or more loading areas (158) are arranged and / or formed, in particular, directly under a partition (248) of a station (234) of the conveyor device (222). 78.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 77, characterized in that one or more loading areas (158) are designed as loading bays (302) into which one or more vehicles (100) can be inserted for charging the respective energy storage device (150), in particular deviating from a conveying path (292) and / or return conveying path (294) of the vehicle (100). 79. Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 78, characterized in that one or more loading bays (302) are waiting areas (304) for the temporary storage of one or more vehicles (100) and / or maintenance areas (306) for carrying out maintenance work on one or more vehicles (100). 80.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 79, characterized in that one or more charging areas (158) are arranged at a discharge position (242) of a station (234) and / or at a receiving position (256) of a station (234) such that, in particular, during a positioning process for positioning a vehicle (100) relative to the station (234), an energy storage device (150) of the vehicle (100) can be charged. 81. Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 80, characterized in that the conveyor device (222) extends over several levels (288) and comprises one or more charging areas (158) which are arranged in a transfer device (290) for transferring one or more vehicles (100) from one level (288) to another level (288). 82.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 67 to 81, characterized in that the conveyor device (222) comprises one or more loading nodes (308), each of which comprises several loading areas (158) for the simultaneous loading of several vehicles (100). 83. Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 82, characterized in that one or more loading nodes (308) are arranged at locations where several conveying paths (292) and / or return conveying paths (294) intersect and / or overlap. 84.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 44 to 83, characterized in that the conveyor device (222) comprises one or more safety zones (270) and one or more express zones (268), wherein the one or more vehicles (100) in the one or more safety zones (270) can be moved into safety mode by means of a control device (204), and wherein the one or more vehicles (100) in the one or more express zones (268) can be moved into express mode by means of the control device (204). 85. Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 84, characterized in that one or more express zones (268) comprise one or more return conveying paths (294) or return conveying path sections in which the one or more vehicles (100) are, in particular, unloaded. 86.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 84 or 85, characterized in that one or more express zones (268) and / or one or more safety zones (270) are connected to one another by means of one or more passage openings (312), wherein the one or more passage openings (312) preferably have, at least partially, a shape which is at least approximately and at least partially complementary to a shape of one or more vehicles (100). 87. Conveyor device (222) according to embodiment 86, characterized in that a) one or more passage openings (312) are arranged in or on one or more stations (234) of the conveyor device (222) and / or b) one or more passage openings (312) are formed by one or more stations (234) of the conveyor device (222). 88.Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 84 to 87, characterized in that one or more express areas (268) are formed by means of a walkable and / or drivable double floor. 89. Conveyor device (222) according to one of embodiments 44 to 88, characterized in that the conveyor device (222) comprises several types of stations (234), wherein several stations (234) of at least two types of stations (234) are provided. 90.Conveying device (222) according to embodiment 89, characterized in that the items (102) to be conveyed can be conveyed by means of one or more vehicles (100) in a predetermined sequence to and / or through one of the stations (234) of different types, wherein a single station (234) of a respective type of station (234) can be selected by means of a control device (204), in particular a) depending on the current occupancy of the individual stations (234) of a respective type of station (234) and / or b) depending on the equipment of the individual stations (234) of a respective type of station (234) and / or c) depending on the design of the individual stations (234) of a respective type of station (234) and / or d) depending on the current maintenance status or degree of contamination of the individual stations (234) of a respective type of station (234). 91.92. Processing plant (224) for processing objects (102), in particular vehicle bodies (206), wherein the processing plant (224) comprises one or more conveying devices (222) according to one of embodiments 44 to 90. 92. Processing plant (224) according to embodiment 91, characterized in that one or more stations (234) of the conveying device (222), which are connected to one another for conveying objects (102) by means of vehicles (100) of the conveying device (222), are processing stations (236) of the processing plant (224). 93. Method for conveying objects (102), wherein the objects (102) are conveyed by means of one or more vehicles (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 40 and / or by means of a conveying device (222) according to one of embodiments 44 to 90. 94.Method for processing objects (102), wherein the objects (102) are processed in and / or by means of a processing plant (222) according to one of embodiments 91 or 92. 95. Method for conveying objects (102), in particular a method according to embodiment 93, wherein the objects (102) are conveyed by means of a conveying device (222), in particular a conveying device (222) according to one of embodiments 44 to 90, which comprises several vehicles (100), in particular vehicles (100) according to one of embodiments 1 to 40, which are in particular ground-based and / or self-propelled, wherein the vehicles (100) are controlled by means of a control device (204) assigned to the respective vehicle (100) and / or by means of a control system (400) superior to several vehicles (100). 96.Method according to embodiment 95, characterized in that the control system (400) creates transport orders and transmits them to a fleet management system (402). 97. Method according to embodiment 96, characterized in that the control system (400) uses, in particular, data from a production planning system (406) to create and / or prioritize and / or execute the transport orders. 98. Method according to one of embodiments 96 or 97, characterized in that the transport orders are transmitted directly from the fleet management system (402) to the individual vehicles (100), whereupon the individual vehicles (100) execute the respective transport order. 99.A method according to one of embodiments 96 or 97, characterized in that the transport orders are transmitted from the fleet management system (402) via one or more fleet management subsystems (404) to the individual vehicles (100), whereupon the individual vehicles (100) execute the respective transport order. 100. A method according to embodiment 99, characterized in that each fleet management subsystem (404) is assigned to a group of vehicles (100), wherein each vehicle (100) is preferably assigned to only one of several groups of vehicles (100). 101. A method according to embodiment 100, characterized in that the groups of vehicles (100) are vehicles (100) located in spatially separated areas of a production plant, for example, vehicles (100) on different levels of a production plant, in particular a painting and / or manufacturing plant. 102.A method according to one of embodiments 95 to 101, characterized in that the transport of objects (102) by means of the vehicles (100) takes place between stop points (408, 410). 103. A method according to embodiment 102, characterized in that the stop points, in particular real stop points (408), are receiving stations, transfer stations, storage stations, processing stations and / or treatment stations. 104. A method according to one of embodiments 102 or 103, characterized in that one or more virtual stop points (410) can be inserted or removed between the, in particular, real stop points (408), in particular for the preferably automatic adaptation of a transport order to changing boundary conditions. 105.Conveyor device (222) for conveying objects (102), in particular workpieces, for example vehicle bodies (206), wherein the conveying device (222) comprises one or more vehicles (100), each vehicle (100) comprising: a base body (104); a chassis (106) by means of which the base body (104) rests on a drivable surface (160) and / or is movable; a drive device (110) for driving the vehicle (100); a receiving device (168) for receiving at least one object (102), characterized in that the conveying device (222) comprises a control system (400) superior to several vehicles (100) for controlling the vehicles (100), wherein, in particular, a method according to one of embodiments 95 to 104 can be carried out by means of the control system (400).

Claims

1. Method for conveying objects (102), in particular workpieces, for example vehicle bodies (206), wherein the objects (102) are conveyed by means of a conveying device (222), which comprises a number of vehicles (100) which are designed in particular as floor-bound and / or self-propelled, wherein the vehicles (100) are controlled by means of in each case a control device (204) which is assigned to the respective vehicle (100) and communicates with a superordinate control installation (400) and / or by means of the control installation (400) which is superordinate to a number of vehicles (100), characterized in that the transport of objects (102) by means of the vehicles (100) takes place between stopping points (408, 410), wherein the control installation (400) offers possibilities for manual interventions and supplementary actions to add stopping points (408, 410) or block them, so that changes in prioritization in the generation of transport orders are taken into account during production.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the control installation (400) creates transport orders and transmits them to a fleet management system (402).

3. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the control installation (400) uses data from a production planning system (406) for creating and / or prioritizing and / or implementing the transport orders.

4. Method according to either of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the transport orders are transmitted by the fleet management system (402) directly to the individual vehicles (100), whereupon the individual vehicles (100) carry out the respective transport order.

5. Method according to either of Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the transport orders are transmitted by the fleet management system (402) to the individual vehicles (100) via one or more fleet management subsystem(s) (404), whereupon the individual vehicles (100) carry out the respective transport order.

6. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that each fleet management subsystem (404) is respectively assigned to a group of vehicles (100), wherein each vehicle (100) is preferably assigned to only one of a number of groups of vehicles (100).

7. Method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the groups of vehicles (100) are vehicles (100) located in areas of a production plant that are spatially separate from one another, for example vehicles (100) on different levels of a production plant, in particular a paint shop and / or a manufacturing facility.

8. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the stopping points (408) are receiving stations, transfer stations, storage stations, processing stations and / or treatment stations.

9. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that between the, in particular real, stopping points (408) one or more virtual stopping points (410) can be inserted or removed, in particular for the preferably automatic adaptation of a transport order to changing boundary conditions arising.

10. Conveying device (222) for conveying objects (102), in particular workpieces, for example vehicle bodies (206), wherein the conveying device (222) comprises one or more vehicles (100), wherein each vehicle (100) comprises the following: - a main body (104); - a chassis (106), by means of which the main body (104) rests and / or is movable on a drivable surface (160); - a drive device (110) for driving the vehicle (100); - a receiving device (168) for receiving at least one object (102), characterized in that the conveying device (222) comprises a control installation (400) which is superordinate to a number of vehicles (100) and is intended for controlling the vehicles (100), wherein by means of the control installation (400) a method according to one of Claims 1 to 9 can be implemented.