Treatment station for treating workpieces

Abstract

A treatment station (100) for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies, wherein: the treatment station (100) comprises at least one treatment container (102), which surrounds a treatment compartment (110) for accommodating the workpieces; the treatment station (100) comprises at least one fluid reservoir (104) and at least one counter-reservoir (106), which are provided for accommodating and / or temporarily storing a fluid; and the treatment station (100) comprises a fluid-conducting structure (108) by means of which the fluid can be conducted a) from the fluid reservoir (104) into the treatment container (102) in order to flood the treatment compartment (110); and / or b) from the treatment container (102) to the counter-reservoir (106) in order to empty the treatment compartment (110).

Description

[0001] Treatment station for treating workpieces

[0002] The present invention relates to a treatment station for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies.

[0003] A treatment plant with treatment stations for treating workpieces designed as vehicle bodies is known from WO 2022 / 002311 A1.

[0004] The present invention is based on the object of providing a treatment station which, using cost-effective components, enables optimized flooding of the workpiece-receiving treatment containers and optimized fluid guidance.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by a treatment station having the features according to claim 1.

[0006] The treatment station is in particular a station for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies, which is preferably arranged in a treatment plant for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies.

[0007] A treatment plant preferably comprises several treatment stations, each of which is intended for one or more treatment sub-processes. The treatment sub-processes of the individual treatment stations can be the same or different.

[0008] The treatment station comprises at least one treatment container, which surrounds a treatment space for receiving the workpieces.

[0009] Furthermore, it can be provided that a treatment station comprises several such treatment containers.

[0010] If a treatment sub-process of a treatment station requires a significantly longer sub-process time for the treatment of the workpieces than the treatment sub-processes of the other treatment stations, it can be advantageous if two treatment containers arranged next to each other are provided for the treatment sub-process of the corresponding treatment station in order not to limit the overall throughput of the associated treatment level of the treatment system.

[0011] For this longer treatment sub-process, each workpiece only passes through one treatment container of the corresponding treatment station, with the workpiece following in the treatment sequence passing through the other treatment container of this treatment station.

[0012] Preferably, it can be provided that the treatment chamber can be flooded with a fluid.

[0013] The fluid is, in particular, a treatment fluid, for example, a cleaning fluid, especially for degreasing the workpieces. Furthermore, the fluid can be a coating fluid, for example, for phosphating or painting the workpieces.

[0014] The treatment station comprises at least one fluid tank and at least one counter tank, which are provided for receiving and / or temporarily storing a fluid.

[0015] Furthermore, it can be provided that the treatment station comprises a fluid guide by means of which the fluid can be guided a) from the fluid tank into the treatment container for flooding the treatment space; and / or b) from the treatment container into the counter tank for emptying the treatment space.

[0016] The fluid flow at each treatment station is preferably closed.

[0017] It can be provided that different fluids are used alternately in a treatment tank for the treatment of the workpieces. Such a treatment tank can also be part of several fluid lines of different treatment stations.

[0018] Flooding and / or emptying a treatment chamber preferably takes less than 60 seconds. It may be advantageous if the control and / or regulation of the flooding or the flooding process of a treatment chamber is based on continuous level measurement in the treatment chamber, the treatment tank, and / or the fluid tank.

[0019] It may be advantageous if the treatment tank has a bottom wall, a ceiling wall, two opposite side walls, a front wall and a rear wall which is opposite the front wall.

[0020] Preferably, the fluid tank, the counter tank and the one or more treatment tanks are cuboid-shaped.

[0021] The length of the treatment room is considered as the extension from the front to the rear wall, the width as the extension from one side wall to the other side wall and the height as the extension from the floor to the ceiling wall.

[0022] In the case of workpieces designed as vehicle bodies, the treatment chamber of the treatment container preferably has a length which is 100 mm to 1000 mm, preferably 200 mm to 300 mm, longer than the longest vehicle body to be treated, a width which is 200 mm to 500 mm, preferably approximately 250 mm, wider than the widest vehicle body to be treated and a height which is at least 200, preferably 350 mm higher, higher than the upper edge of the vehicle body introduced into the treatment chamber.

[0023] The front wall of the treatment container preferably comprises an inlet and / or outlet opening through which workpieces can be inserted and / or removed into the treatment chamber of the respective treatment container.

[0024] It can be advantageous if the inlet and / or outlet opening can be closed fluid-tight by means of a closing device.

[0025] The closing device is preferably a lifting device with a lock gate or is designed as such.

[0026] The treatment tank has an insertion direction that extends horizontally from the front wall to the rear wall and runs at least approximately parallel to the side walls. The treatment tank also has a width direction that is horizontal and / or perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0027] It can be advantageous if the bottom wall of the treatment tank slopes from the front wall to the rear wall.

[0028] It can be advantageous if the slope of the floor wall is continuous.

[0029] Preferably, the fluid tank is arranged above the treatment tank with respect to the direction of gravity and the counter tank is arranged below the treatment tank with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0030] This allows, in particular, gravity to be used to supply the fluid to the one or more treatment tanks, whereby a separate pumping device can preferably be dispensed with. The same applies to emptying the treatment tanks, which can thus be emptied using gravity, i.e., in particular, without a pump or pumping device.

[0031] It may be advantageous if the fluid guide comprises at least one feed downpipe and at least one discharge downpipe, wherein the feed downpipe fluidically connects the fluid tank to the treatment tank, and wherein the discharge downpipe fluidically connects the counter tank to a treatment tank.

[0032] Due to the rapidly changing fill level, it can further be provided that the fluid tank, the one or more treatment tanks, and the counter tank each comprise one or more ventilation openings through which air can flow in and out. To prevent heat loss and / or the release of vapors into the environment of the treatment station, the ventilation openings of a treatment station are connected to each other via ventilation ducts. This allows air displaced during the flooding of a treatment tank to escape into the fluid tank and / or counter tank.

[0033] It may also be advantageous if the counter tank comprises one or more counter tank containers. Each counter tank container includes at least one inward-opening maintenance door for maintenance and / or cleaning.

[0034] Preferably, the counter tank comprises two separate counter tank containers which are fluidically and / or atmospherically connected to each other.

[0035] Furthermore, it can be provided that the treatment tank has a feed opening in the rear wall, which is fluidly connected to the feed downpipe.

[0036] It may be advantageous if the feed opening is arranged at least approximately centrally in relation to the width direction.

[0037] It can further be provided that the feed opening is arranged in the lower third of the rear wall of the treatment container.

[0038] Preferably, the feed opening is arranged at least approximately directly adjacent to the bottom wall of the treatment container, so that the fluid flow initially flows approximately horizontally beneath the workpiece to be treated when flooding the treatment chamber.

[0039] It may be advantageous if the treatment tank has a discharge opening in the bottom wall, which is fluidically connected to a discharge downpipe, wherein the discharge opening is at least approximately directly adjacent to the rear wall.

[0040] It can further be provided that the discharge opening is preferably arranged centrally with respect to the width direction.

[0041] The discharge opening preferably has a nominal diameter in the range of 500 mm to 700 mm, particularly preferably approximately 600 mm.

[0042] It may be advantageous if the feed downpipe comprises a conical section, at least one straight section, a deflection section and a feed section.

[0043] The feed downpipe preferably has a nominal diameter in the range of 350 mm to 550 mm, particularly preferably approximately 450 mm. It may be advantageous if the deflection section has a bend in the range of 20 degrees to 70 degrees, preferably in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

[0044] By only having one deflection section, the flow pressure loss in the feed downpipe is kept as low as possible.

[0045] Furthermore, it can be provided that the feed section has an arc in the range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees, preferably 90 degrees.

[0046] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the feed downpipe is fluidly connected to a bottom wall of the fluid tank and runs at least in sections along the rear wall of the treatment tank.

[0047] It may be advantageous if the conical section is asymmetrical, preferably eccentric, with the conical section spacing the feed downpipe from the rear wall of the treatment tank.

[0048] The conical section serves to increase the volume flow with the smallest possible nominal diameter of the feed downpipe by reducing the inlet pressure loss in the feed downpipe.

[0049] Due to the eccentricity of the conical section, the fluid tank can project as little as possible over the rear wall of the treatment tank in relation to the direction of introduction, while still leaving sufficient space between the feed downpipe and the rear wall of the treatment tank for the connection of the feed section.

[0050] It can be advantageous if the discharge downpipe extends into the counter tank and preferably opens in the area of ​​a bottom wall of the counter tank.

[0051] It may be provided that the filling downpipe within the counter tank is extended with an additional pipe to the bottom wall of the counter tank.

[0052] By feeding the fluid deep, i.e., close to the bottom wall, the fluid flow is optimized, the noise during filling of the counter tank is reduced, and excessive foaming of the fluid is prevented. Furthermore, the feed downpipe may include at least one feed blocking device for blocking and releasing the fluid flow guided through the feed downpipe.

[0053] It may be advantageous if the discharge downpipe comprises at least one discharge blocking device for blocking and releasing the fluid flow guided through the discharge downpipe.

[0054] Furthermore, it can be provided that the supply blocking device and / or discharge blocking device comprise an automatic blocking flap, preferably a pneumatically driven automatic blocking flap, or are designed as such.

[0055] The discharge blocking device is preferably only opened after the required process time of the respective treatment sub-process of a treatment container or a treatment station for emptying the treatment chamber.

[0056] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the feed blocking device is arranged at least approximately on the deflection section or on the feed section of the feed downpipe.

[0057] This makes the feed shut-off device easily accessible for maintenance purposes and, in addition, when the feed shut-off device is locked, the feed downpipe is at least almost completely filled with fluid, allowing maximum flow to be achieved.

[0058] It may be advantageous if the fluid guide of the treatment station comprises at least one transfer pump and at least one transfer line, by means of which fluid can be conveyed from the counter tank into the fluid tank, wherein the fluid can preferably be conveyed continuously from the counter tank into the fluid tank.

[0059] The volume flow of the transfer pump is preferably dimensioned such that the fluid tank at least approximately continuously contains a sufficient amount of fluid to flood a treatment container as soon as a workpiece has been introduced into the treatment chamber and the closing device has sealed the treatment container fluid-tight. A sufficient amount of fluid in the fluid tank means that at least the amount of fluid in the fluid tank plus the amount of fluid pumped during flooding of the treatment chamber corresponds to the amount of fluid required for the treatment process of the treatment station.

[0060] For this purpose, in the case of a treatment station with several treatment levels, the total amount of fluid in this treatment station must be large enough that when a treatment tank is filled on each treatment level, there is still sufficient fluid available to enable simultaneous refilling of the top fluid tank.

[0061] It can be advantageous if the fluid quantity for treatment stations with one treatment level and one treatment tank is approximately 30 m 3 with two treatment levels arranged one above the other and one treatment tank per treatment level, approximately 80 m 3 and with two treatment levels and two treatment stations120 m 2 up to 130 m 2 in order to achieve a throughput of the treatment system of approximately 15 to 20 workpieces per hour per treatment level.

[0062] It may also be advantageous if the transfer line from the counter tank to the fluid tank runs along one of the side walls of the treatment tank.

[0063] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the volume of the fluid tank is 110% to 150%, preferably 120%, of the volume of a treatment container.

[0064] Furthermore, it can be provided that the counter tank has an inwardly opening maintenance door which is arranged on one of the side walls of the counter tank, wherein the counter tank preferably has a ventilation opening in the ceiling wall.

[0065] The fluid tank and / or the counter tank can preferably have additional supply and / or discharge openings of the fluid guides than those previously described, by means of which the fluid tank and / or counter tank can be fluidically integrated into further fluid circuits of the fluid guide.

[0066] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a walkable platform is arranged between the treatment tank and the counter tank, via which the treatment tank and components of the fluid guide are accessible for maintenance.

[0067] Further preferred features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the drawings of embodiments.

[0068] The figures show:

[0069] Fig. 1 is a schematic, isometric view of a first embodiment of a treatment station according to the invention;

[0070] Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the first embodiment of Fig. 2;

[0071] Fig. 3 is a schematic vertical longitudinal section of a treatment tank;

[0072] Fig. 4 is a schematic, isometric view of the front of a second embodiment of a treatment station according to the invention;

[0073] Fig. 5 is a schematic, isometric view of the rear side of the second embodiment of a treatment station according to the invention integrated in a treatment plant; and

[0074] Fig. 6 is a schematic, isometric representation of a treatment plant comprising several treatment stations according to the invention.

[0075] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0076] A first embodiment of a treatment station designated as a whole by 100, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is used to treat workpieces (not shown).

[0077] The treatment station 100 is in particular a station for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies (not shown).

[0078] The treatment station 100 comprises a treatment container 102, a fluid tank 104, a counter tank 106 and a fluid guide 108. The fluid guide 108 basically comprises all components that are required for conveying the fluid through the treatment station 100 and / or are involved in conveying the fluid.

[0079] The treatment container 102 comprises a treatment chamber 110 for receiving and treating workpieces.

[0080] The fluid tank 104, the treatment tank 102 and the counter tank 106 preferably have a cuboid shape.

[0081] The treatment tank 102 has a bottom wall 112, a top wall 114, two opposite side walls 116, a front wall 118 and a rear wall 120, which is opposite the front wall 120.

[0082] The designation of the walls of the treatment tank 102 applies analogously to the fluid tank 104 and the counter tank 106.

[0083] The front wall 118 comprises an inlet and / or outlet opening 122 through which workpieces can be inserted and / or removed into the treatment chamber 110 of the treatment container 102.

[0084] The inlet and / or outlet opening 122 can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a closing device 124, which preferably comprises a lifting device 126 with a lock gate 128 or is designed as such.

[0085] The treatment container 102 has an introduction direction 130 in which the workpieces are introduced into the treatment chamber 110 and against which the workpieces are removed from the treatment chamber 110.

[0086] The insertion direction 130 runs horizontally from the front wall 118 to the rear wall 120 or from the rear wall 120 to the front wall 118 and also runs at least approximately parallel to the side walls 116. The treatment tank 102 further has a width direction 132, which is horizontal and / or perpendicular to the insertion direction 130. Further details regarding the treatment tank 102 are described below in connection with Fig. 3.

[0087] The fluid tank 104 is arranged above the treatment tank 102 at a distance relative to the direction of gravity g, whereas the counter tank 106 is arranged below the treatment tank 102 at a distance relative to the direction of gravity g.

[0088] The fluid tank 104 and the treatment container 102 are supported by a support structure 134.

[0089] The fluid tank 104 is fluidically connected to the treatment tank 102 via a feed downpipe 136. Thus, the treatment chamber 110 of the treatment tank 102 can be flooded with the fluid temporarily stored in the fluid tank 104 via the feed downpipe 136.

[0090] The treatment tank 102 is further fluidically connected to the counter tank 106 via a discharge downpipe 138, whereby the fluid-flooded treatment chamber 110 of the treatment tank 102 can be emptied into the counter tank 106 after the treatment.

[0091] The discharge downpipe 138 preferably has a nominal diameter of 500 mm.

[0092] The feed downpipe 136 is connected or attached to a bottom wall 140 of the fluid tank 104 and the rear wall 120 of the treatment vessel 102.

[0093] The feed downpipe 136 comprises a conical section 142, at least one straight section 144, a deflection section 146 and a feed section 148.

[0094] The conical section 142, which is directly connected to or connected to the fluid tank 104, is preferably eccentrically formed so that the feed downpipe 136 runs at a distance from the treatment tank 102 along its rear wall 120.

[0095] The conical section 142 preferably tapers the nominal diameter of the feed downpipe 136 from 600 mm to 450 mm. The deflection section 146 preferably comprises a bend in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees. The feed section 136 preferably also comprises a bend, but of 90 degrees, in order to guide the fluid into the treatment chamber 110 in a substantially horizontal flow that is directed at least approximately parallel to the introduction direction 130.

[0096] The feed downpipe 136 further comprises a feed shutoff device 150, which preferably comprises or is designed as a pneumatically driven automatic shutoff valve 152. The feed shutoff device 150 allows the fluid flow through the feed downpipe 136 to be blocked and released.

[0097] The feed shutoff device 150 is arranged as close as possible to the feed section 148 for ease of access during maintenance. An arrangement in the lower section of the feed downpipe 136 also has the advantage that the feed downpipe 136 is almost completely filled with fluid when the feed shutoff device 150 is in the closed state, thus allowing a nearly maximum flow rate to be achieved when the flow cross-section of the feed downpipe 136 is released to flood the treatment chamber 110.

[0098] The discharge downpipe 138 is connected to or attached to the bottom wall 112 of the treatment tank 102 and a top wall 154 of the counter tank 106.

[0099] The discharge downpipe 138 further comprises a compensator section 156, by means of which assembly tolerances during the installation of the fluid tank 104, the treatment tank 102 and the counter tank 106 can be compensated.

[0100] Furthermore, the discharge downpipe 138 comprises a discharge shut-off device 158, which preferably also comprises or is designed as a pneumatically driven automatic shut-off valve 152. The discharge shut-off device 158 allows the fluid flow through the discharge downpipe 138 to be blocked and released.

[0101] The discharge barrier device 158 is preferably arranged as close as possible to the bottom wall 112 of the treatment tank 102.

[0102] The automatic shut-off valves 152 are preferably aligned horizontally when the supply downpipe 136 or the discharge downpipe 138 are closed. The discharge downpipe 138 extends into the counter tank 106, preferably just before a bottom wall 160 of the counter tank 106, in order to optimize the flow of the incoming fluid, reduce noise during the inflow of the fluid, and prevent excessive foaming of the incoming fluid.

[0103] The counter tank 106 comprises on at least one side wall 162 and / or on a rear wall 164 and / or a front wall 166 an inwardly opening

[0104] Maintenance door 168, through which the interior of the counter tank 106 is accessible for maintenance and / or cleaning activities.

[0105] Looking at Fig. 2, it can be seen that the fluid tank 104, relative to the introduction direction 130, is arranged set back from the front wall 118 of the treatment tank 102 and projects beyond the rear wall 120 of the treatment tank 102. This horizontal offset allows the lifting device 126 to be arranged on the ceiling wall 114 of the treatment tank 102, and the lock gate 128 to be raised for the open position and lowered for the closed position.

[0106] The counter tank 106 is also set back in the direction of introduction relative to the plane of the front wall 118 of the treatment tank 102 and also projects beyond the rear wall 120 of the treatment tank 102.

[0107] The extension of the fluid tank 104, the treatment tank 102 and the counter tank 106 in the width direction 132 is preferably at least approximately equal.

[0108] The volume of the fluid tank 104 is 110% to 150%, preferably 120%, of the volume of the treatment tank 102. Furthermore, the volume of the counter tank 106 is dimensioned such that the counter tank 106 and the fluid tank 104 together can hold or temporarily store the entire fluid of the respective treatment station 100.

[0109] Fig. 3 shows a schematic, vertical longitudinal section of a treatment tank 102, wherein the lock gate 128 is raised into its open position and thus releases the inlet and / or outlet opening 122.

[0110] The transition 170 between a side wall 116 and the bottom wall 112 is preferably oblique, whereby the treatment tank 102 has a hexagonal cross-section. The transition 170 has, for example, an angle of 45 degrees. The transition 170 can be realized, for example, in that the side walls 116 or the inner surfaces of the side walls in the area near the bottom are bent inwards by the corresponding angle, i.e. into the treatment chamber 110. However, it is also conceivable that built-in elements are arranged at the transitions between the side walls 116 and the bottom wall 112, which have, for example, an isosceles-right-angled triangular cross-section and preferably extend over the entire length of the treatment chamber 102, i.e. the extent of the treatment chamber 102 in the introduction direction 130.

[0111] The inclined transitions 170 prevent fluid from remaining in the transition between the side walls 116 and the bottom wall 112 after the treatment chamber 110 has been emptied. Escaping fluid is guided through the inclined transitions, relative to the width direction 132, toward the center of the treatment chamber 110.

[0112] The treatment tank 102 has a feed opening 172 in the rear wall 120, to which the feed downpipe 136 is fluidly connected.

[0113] The feed opening 172 is arranged centrally and directly adjacent to the bottom wall 112 with respect to the width direction 132.

[0114] Due to such an arrangement of the feed opening 172, the first part of the fluid flow when flooding the treatment chamber 110 does not hit the workpiece to be treated with full force, which workpiece is preferably not arranged directly on the floor wall 112 in the treatment chamber 110, but rather is supported on a workpiece carrier, such as a skid or a traverse, which is conveyed into the treatment chamber 110 for treatment by an infeed and / or outfeed conveyor device (not shown) and is conveyed out after the treatment.

[0115] Accordingly, the supplied fluid flow initially flows horizontally, counter to the introduction direction 130, essentially beneath the workpiece to be treated, toward the front wall 118, whose inlet and / or outlet opening 122 is sealed fluid-tight by the lock gate 128. At the closed lock gate 128, the fluid flow is deflected and redirected, creating high flow turbulence in the treatment chamber 110, which is beneficial for the treatment effect. For example, this can enhance the cleaning effect during a cleaning process or the mixing and material transport during a coating process.

[0116] In the treatment chamber 110, a plurality of flood nozzles 174 are arranged on the side walls 116 and / or on the bottom wall 112, by means of which a flow of the fluid can be generated and / or conveyed during the treatment.

[0117] The treatment tank further has a discharge opening 176 in the bottom wall 112, which is fluidly connected to the discharge downpipe 138.

[0118] The discharge opening 176 is arranged centrally and directly adjacent to the rear wall 120 with respect to the width direction 132, wherein the bottom wall 112 has a gradient from the front wall 118 to the rear wall 120, ie in the insertion direction 130, so that when the treatment chamber 110 is emptied, the fluid is directed to the discharge opening 176.

[0119] The discharge opening 176 may further include a grid that prevents objects from falling into the discharge downpipe 138.

[0120] The treatment chamber 110 can therefore be at least almost completely emptied of fluid by the inclined transitions 170 and the gradient of the bottom wall 112.

[0121] In the treatment chamber 110, a plurality of spray nozzles 177 are also arranged on the ceiling wall, which rinse the workpiece during the emptying of the treatment chamber 110 or treat areas of the workpiece which are treated with the fluid for the shortest time during the flooding and emptying process for a longer or more intensive period.

[0122] The effective areas of the spray nozzles 177 overlap in such a way that each workpiece can be additionally treated over its entire surface from above without the workpiece having to be moved during treatment.

[0123] The treatment tank 102 also includes a ventilation and / or overflow opening in the ceiling wall 114 and at least one fill level sensor. The fluid tank 104 and the counter tank 106 also have a ventilation opening 178 in their ceiling wall.

[0124] Fig. 4 shows a schematic, isometric representation of the front of a second embodiment of the treatment station 100.

[0125] The treatment station 100 shown in Fig. 4 comprises a fluid tank 104, two treatment containers 102 arranged next to one another on a treatment level 180 and a counter tank 106 which comprises two counter tank containers 182 which are fluidically connected to one another and which are each arranged below one of the two treatment containers 102 with respect to the direction of gravity g.

[0126] In Figs. 4 to 6, a main conveying direction 184 is additionally shown, which is aligned horizontally and perpendicularly to the introduction direction 130 and, with reference to the schematic representation of Figs. 4 and 6, points from left to right and, with reference to the schematic representation of Fig. 5, points from right to left.

[0127] This main conveying direction 184 corresponds to the conveying direction of the one or more main conveying devices which convey the workpieces in a transverse orientation in a treatment system 300, as shown in Fig. 6, from one treatment station 100 to a subsequent treatment station 100.

[0128] The fluid tank 104 is preferably arranged above the first treatment tank 102 in the main conveying direction 184.

[0129] The first treatment tank 102 is emptied into the first counter tank tank 182 by means of a first discharge downpipe 138 and the second treatment tank 102, ie the treatment tank 102 following in the main conveying direction 184, is emptied into the second counter tank tank 182 by means of a second discharge downpipe 138.

[0130] The counter-tank containers 182 of the counter-tank 106 are, on the one hand, fluidically connected to one another via the intake line 186 of a transfer pump 188, wherein the transfer pump 188 and the intake line 186 are encompassed by the fluid guide 108 and serve to convey the fluid from the counter-tank 106 or the counter-tank containers 182 into the fluid tank 104. The intake line 186 connected to the transfer pump 188 is preferably connected to the front wall 166 of the counter-tank containers 182, wherein fluid can be conveyed from one and / or both counter-tank containers 182 into the fluid tank 104.

[0131] One or more locking devices 190 are provided in the suction line 186, by means of which the suction from the counter tank containers 182 can be controlled and / or regulated.

[0132] Furthermore, the two counter tank containers 182 are connected to each other for the purpose of pressure equalization via a pressure equalization line 192, which is preferably connected to the two mutually facing side walls 116 of the counter tank containers 182.

[0133] In addition, a further suction line 194 is connected to the front wall 166 of the counter tank container 182, via which fluid can be supplied from one and / or both counter tank containers 182 to a treatment circuit by means of a further transfer pump 196. The suction via the suction line 194 into the treatment circuit can also be controlled and / or regulated via one or more shut-off devices 198.

[0134] Fig. 5 shows a schematic, isometric view of the rear side of the second embodiment of the treatment station 100, wherein the treatment station 100 in Fig. 5 is integrated into a treatment system 300 as shown in Fig. 6.

[0135] The fluid tank 104 is connected via a first feed downpipe 200 to the first treatment tank 102 in the main conveying direction 184 and via a second feed downpipe 202 to the second treatment tank 102 in the main conveying direction 184, whereby both treatment tanks 102 can be flooded alternatively or alternately with the fluid temporarily stored in the fluid tank 104.

[0136] While the first feed downpipe 200 corresponds to the feed downpipe 136 of the embodiment of a treatment station 100 according to Figs. 1 and 2 in terms of its sections and their arrangement, the second feed downpipe 202 has a further straight section 144 between the deflection section 146 and the feed section 148 in order to realize the shortest possible fluid connection between the fluid tank 104 and the second treatment tank 102. Fig. 5 shows that a walkable platform 204 is arranged between the treatment tanks 102 and the counter tank 106, by means of which, among other things, the feed blocking devices 150 and discharge blocking devices 158 arranged above this platform 204 are easily accessible. The walkable platform 204 projects beyond a rear wall 206 of the fluid tank 104 in the introduction direction 130.

[0137] Furthermore, a circulation pump 208 and a filter device 210 are arranged for each treatment tank 102 on the walkable platform 204, wherein, with respect to the main conveying direction 184, these are preferably arranged at least in sections upstream of the first treatment tank 102 or downstream of the second treatment tank 102.

[0138] The circulation pumps 208 and the filter devices 210 are each part of a circulation circuit 212, by means of which fluid can be sucked from the respective treatment tank 102 and supplied to the respective flood nozzles 174 and / or the spray nozzles 177.

[0139] The fluid sucked from the counter tank containers 182 by means of the transfer pump 188 is supplied to the fluid tank 104 via one or more transfer lines 214, which preferably run along the outwardly facing side wall 116 of the first treatment tank 102, wherein the fluid transfer from the counter tank 106 into the fluid tank 104 preferably takes place continuously.

[0140] Fig. 6 shows a treatment system 300 schematically and isometrically illustrated, which comprises two treatment stations 100 of the first embodiment, ie, with one treatment tank 102 per treatment level 180, and two treatment stations 100 of the second embodiment, ie, with two treatment tanks 102 per treatment level 180. In addition, the treatment system 300 of Fig. 6 comprises one treatment station 302 for spray degreasing and two treatment stations 304 for spray rinsing.

[0141] With reference to the main conveying direction 184, in the treatment system 300 according to Fig. 6, the treatment first takes place in the treatment station 302 for spray degreasing. The workpieces are then immersion degreased in a treatment station 100 of the second embodiment. Following immersion degreasing, a spray rinsing takes place in the first treatment station 304, followed by immersion rinsing in a treatment station 100 of the first embodiment. After immersion rinsing, the workpieces are subjected to a thin-film treatment in a treatment station 100 of the second embodiment. After the thin-film treatment, the workpieces are spray rinsed again in the second treatment station 304. Finally, another immersion rinsing takes place in a treatment station 100 of the first embodiment.

[0142] The treatment system 300 includes two treatment levels 180 arranged one above the other, on which workpieces can be treated.

[0143] Each treatment level 180 comprises a main conveyor device 216, by means of which the workpieces designed as vehicle bodies are conveyed in a transverse orientation on transverse transfer carriages 218 along the main conveying direction 184 to the required treatment stations 100.

[0144] The main conveyor device 216 of each treatment level 180 is preferably enclosed by a tunnel 219.

[0145] With respect to the main conveying direction 184, a transfer station 220 is provided at the beginning and at the end of the treatment system 300, by means of which the workpieces are introduced into a treatment level 180 of the treatment system 300 and removed from the respective treatment level 180 after passing through all required treatment stations 100, 302, 304.

[0146] By providing two treatment levels 180, which enable a higher workpiece throughput, the respective counter tank 106 of the treatment stations 100, which is assigned to the upper treatment level 180, is at the same time the fluid tank 104, which is assigned to the lower treatment level 180.

[0147] The tank between the two treatment levels 180, which simultaneously functions as a counter tank 106 and as a fluid tank 104, is preferably arranged in treatment stations 100 of the second embodiment, relative to the main conveying direction 184, below the first treatment tank 102 of the upper treatment level 180 or above the first treatment tank 102 of the lower treatment level 180. List of reference symbols

[0148] Treatment station treatment tank fluid tank

[0149] Counter tank fluid supply treatment room

[0150] Bottom wall of the treatment tank Ceiling wall of the treatment tank Side wall of the treatment tank Front wall of the treatment tank Rear wall of the treatment tank Inlet and / or outlet opening Closing device

[0151] Lifting device Lock gate Introduction direction Width direction Support structure Feeding downpipe Discharge downpipe

[0152] Bottom wall of the fluid tank conical section straight section deflection section

[0153] Feed section

[0154] Feed locking device automatic locking flap

[0155] Ceiling wall of the counter tank Compensator section Discharge barrier device

[0156] Bottom wall of the counter tank Side wall of the counter tank Rear wall of the counter tank Front wall of the counter tank 168 Maintenance door

[0157] 170 Transition

[0158] 172 Feed opening

[0159] 174 flood nozzles

[0160] 176 discharge opening

[0161] 177 spray nozzles

[0162] 178 Ventilation opening

[0163] 180 treatment level

[0164] 182 counter tank containers

[0165] 184 Main conveying direction

[0166] 186 intake line

[0167] 188 Transfer pump

[0168] 190 locking device

[0169] 192 pressure equalization line

[0170] 194 intake line

[0171] 196 Transfer pump

[0172] 198 locking device

[0173] 200 first feed downpipe

[0174] 202 second feed downpipe

[0175] 204 walkable platform

[0176] 206 Rear wall of the fluid tank

[0177] 208 Circulation pump

[0178] 210 filter device

[0179] 212 Circulation circuit

[0180] 214 Transfer line

[0181] 216 Main conveyor device

[0182] 218 transverse transfer carriages

[0183] 219 tunnels

[0184] 220 transfer station

[0185] 300 treatment plant

[0186] 302 Treatment station for spray degreasing

[0187] 304 Treatment station for spray rinsing g gravity direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Treatment station (100) for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies, wherein the treatment station (100) comprises at least one treatment container (102) which surrounds a treatment chamber (110) for receiving the workpieces, wherein the treatment station (100) comprises at least one fluid tank (104) and at least one counter-tank (106) which are provided for receiving and / or temporarily storing a fluid, and wherein the treatment station (100) comprises a fluid guide (108) by means of which the fluid can be guided a) from the fluid tank (104) into the treatment container (102) to flood the treatment chamber (110); and / or b) from the treatment container (102) into the counter-tank (106) to empty the treatment chamber (110).

2. Treatment station (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the treatment container (102) has a bottom wall (112), a top wall (114), two opposing side walls (116), a front wall (118) and a rear wall (120) which is opposite the front wall (118), wherein the front wall (118) has an inlet and / or outlet opening (122) through which workpieces can be introduced and / or removed into the treatment chamber (110) of the treatment container (102), wherein the inlet and / or outlet opening (122) can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a closing device (124), preferably a lifting device (126) with a lock gate (128), wherein the treatment container (102) has an introduction direction (130) which points horizontally from the front wall (118) to the rear wall (120) and at least approximately parallel to the side walls (116) and wherein the treatment container (102) has a width direction (132),which is horizontal and / or perpendicular to the insertion direction (130).

3. Treatment station (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bottom wall (112) of the treatment container (102) slopes downwards from the front wall (118) to the rear wall (120), preferably continuously.

4. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fluid tank (104) is arranged above the treatment container (102) with respect to the direction of gravity (g), and that the counter tank (106) is arranged below the treatment container (102) with respect to the direction of gravity (g).

5. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the fluid guide (108) comprises at least one feed downpipe (136, 200, 202) and at least one discharge downpipe (138), wherein the feed downpipe (136, 200, 202) fluidically connects the fluid tank (104) to the treatment container (102), and wherein the discharge downpipe (138) fluidically connects the counter tank (106) to a treatment container (102).

6. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the counter tank (106) comprises one or more counter tank containers (182), wherein the counter tank (106) preferably comprises two separate counter tank containers (106) which are fluidically and / or atmospherically connected to one another.

7. Treatment station (100) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the treatment container (102) has a feed opening (172) in the rear wall (120) which is fluidly connected to the feed downpipe (136, 200, 202).

8. Treatment station (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the feed opening (172) is arranged at least approximately centrally with respect to the width direction (132).

9. Treatment station (100) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the feed opening (172) is arranged in the lower third of the rear wall (120) of the treatment container (102), preferably at least approximately directly adjacent to the bottom wall (112).

10. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the treatment container (102) has a discharge opening (176) in the bottom wall (112), which is fluidically connected to a discharge downpipe (138), wherein the discharge opening (176) is at least approximately directly adjacent to the rear wall (120), wherein the discharge opening (176) is preferably arranged centrally with respect to the width direction (132), and wherein the discharge opening (176) preferably has a nominal diameter in the range from 500 mm to 700 mm, particularly preferably of approximately 600 mm.

11. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the feed downpipe (136, 200, 202) comprises a conical section (142), at least one straight section (144), a deflection section (146) and a feed section (148), wherein the feed downpipe (136, 200, 202) preferably has a nominal diameter in the range of 350 mm to 550 mm, particularly preferably of approximately 450 mm.

12. Treatment station (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that the deflection section (146) has an arc in the range of 20 degrees to 70 degrees, preferably in the range of 30 degrees to 60 degrees.

13. Treatment station (100) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the feed section (148) has an arc in the range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees, preferably 90 degrees.

14. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the feed downpipe (136, 200, 202) is fluidly connected to a bottom wall (140) of the fluid tank (104) and runs at least in sections along the rear wall (120) of the treatment container (102).

15. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the conical section (142) is asymmetrical, preferably eccentric, wherein the conical section (142) spaces the feed downpipe (136, 200, 202) from the rear wall (120) of the treatment tank (102).

16. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 5 to 15, characterized in that the discharge downpipe (138) projects into the counter tank (106) and preferably opens in the region of a bottom wall (160) of the counter tank (106).

17. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 5 to 16, characterized in that the feed downpipe (136, 200, 202) comprises at least one feed blocking device (150) for blocking and releasing the fluid flow guided through the feed downpipe (136, 200, 202).

18. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 5 to 17, characterized in that the discharge downpipe (138) comprises at least one discharge blocking device (158) for blocking and releasing the fluid flow guided through the discharge downpipe (138).

19. Treatment station (100) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the feed blocking device (150) and / or discharge blocking device (158) comprise or are designed as an automatic blocking flap (152), preferably a pneumatically driven automatic blocking flap.

20. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the feed blocking device (150) is arranged at least approximately on the deflection section (146) or on the feed section (148) of the feed downpipe (136, 200, 202).

21. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the fluid guide (108) of the treatment station (100) comprises at least one transfer pump (188) and at least one transfer line (214), by means of which fluid can be conveyed from the counter tank (106) into the fluid tank (104), wherein the fluid can preferably be conveyed continuously from the counter tank (106) into the fluid tank (104).

22. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the transfer line (214) runs from the counter tank (106) to the fluid tank (104) along one of the side walls (116) of the treatment container (102).

23. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the volume of the fluid tank (104) is 110% to 150%, preferably 120%, of the volume of a treatment container (102).

24. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the counter tank (106) has an inwardly opening maintenance door (168) which is arranged on one of the side walls (116) of the counter tank (106), wherein the counter tank (106) preferably has a ventilation opening (178) in the ceiling wall (154).

25. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that a walkable platform (204) is arranged between the treatment tank (102) and the counter tank (106), via which the treatment tank (102) and components of the fluid guide (108) are accessible for maintenance.

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