Treatment equipment and method for treating workpieces

Abstract

In order to provide a treatment facility for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies, that is simple in structure and can be efficiently utilized, it is proposed that the treatment facility comprises: a) a plurality of treatment stations, each having a treatment vessel surrounding a treatment chamber for receiving the workpiece; b) one or more fluid tanks for receiving a fluid; and c) a fluid guide, by means of which a fluid can be guided i) from the one or more fluid tanks into at least one treatment chamber for injection into at least one of the treatment chambers, and / or ii) from at least one treatment chamber into one or more fluid tanks for discharge from at least one treatment chamber.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of workpiece treatment, in particular to the cleaning and coating of workpieces, for example vehicle bodies or vehicle parts. [Background technology]

[0002] To process the workpieces, for example, they can be immersed in an immersion bath, in which they are lowered and removed from the immersion bath after the processing step, whereby the rotation of the workpieces for optimal processing can take place in places that are difficult to access.

[0003] In this type of immersion treatment installation, this can be a disadvantage if workpieces of various sizes / shapes have to be treated and / or if different treatment periods are provided for the various workpieces. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method which allows optimal workpiece processing using cost-effective components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] This problem is solved by a treatment plant and a method according to the independent claims.

[0006] The processing installation is used for processing workpieces and in particular has one or several processing stations for carrying out one or several processing steps in each case.

[0007] The processing station preferably includes a processing vessel enclosing a processing chamber for receiving the workpiece.

[0008] Furthermore, a processing station may have multiple processing vessels of this type.

[0009] Preferably, the processing chamber is injectable with a fluid.

[0010] The fluid is in particular a treatment liquid, for example a cleaning fluid, in particular for degreasing the workpiece, and furthermore the fluid can be a coating fluid, for example for phosphating or painting the workpiece.

[0011] The fluid preferably exists in a liquid aggregate state throughout its use in processing a workpiece, in particular the fluid is liquid at standard conditions.

[0012] The process vessel can have at least one access opening for inserting a workpiece into the process chamber and / or removing a workpiece from the process chamber.

[0013] Preferably, the treatment vessel includes a closure device for selectively closing and opening the at least one access opening.

[0014] The treatment vessel may have a single access opening for inserting the workpiece into the treatment chamber and removing the workpiece from the treatment chamber.

[0015] Alternatively, the treatment vessel may have an inlet opening for inserting the workpiece into the treatment chamber and another outlet opening for removing the workpiece from the treatment chamber, in which case these inlet and outlet openings are arranged, in particular, on opposite sides or ends or on the front wall of the treatment vessel.

[0016] It may be advantageous if at least one access opening is arranged and / or formed in one or more side walls of the treatment vessel, in particular in one or more front walls of the treatment vessel.

[0017] The treatment vessel is substantially cuboid-shaped and preferably has, for example, a closed ceiling wall, a bottom wall, two or three closed side walls and two or one other side wall, and is provided with at least one access opening, wherein the at least one access opening can preferably be completely closed by a closing device.

[0018] It may be advantageous if a closure device is used to close the at least one access opening in a fluid-tight manner.

[0019] To this end, the closing device in particular has a closing element, which is for example designed to be self-locking and / or has a self-locking locking element and / or a self-locking sealing element. It may be advantageous if the closing device has a lifting device for raising and lowering the closing element of the closing device, in particular for lifting the closing element and moving it to the open position and / or for lowering the closing element and moving it to the closed position. Furthermore, the closing element can be lowered and moved to the open position and / or raised and moved to the closed position by means of the lifting device. A closing element of this kind may for example be a gate, in particular a locking gate.

[0020] The closure member can, for example, be formed in one piece and thus movable as a whole, or alternatively, it can be formed in several parts, in which case the parts of the closure member can be moved independently of one another or can perform different movements to close or open the access opening.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, the closure device may comprise a sliding device for, for example, sliding the closure member laterally to selectively move the closure member to the open or closed position.

[0022] Furthermore, the closing device can have a pivoting device for pivoting the closing member of the closing device, in which case the closing member can in particular pivot about an at least approximately horizontal pivot axis, or alternatively, the closing member can be pivoted about an at least approximately vertical pivot axis.

[0023] It may be advantageous if the treatment station comprises a fluid tank for containing a fluid, in particular a treatment fluid.

[0024] Fluid is preferably accessible from a fluid reservoir into the process chamber by a fluid guide for injection into the process chamber.

[0025] To drain the process chamber, the fluid can be guided from the process chamber back into the fluid tank, preferably by a fluid guide.

[0026] In that case, a direct connection can be provided between the treatment chamber and the fluid tank for both filling and draining, or alternatively, one or more intermediate stations or other devices through which the fluid must flow can be provided.

[0027] The treatment stations preferably have a transport device for transporting the workpiece, in particular for inserting the workpiece into the treatment chamber and / or for ejecting the workpiece from the treatment chamber and / or for transporting the workpiece from one treatment station to the next.

[0028] It may be advantageous if the transport device comprises one or more roller conveyors, chip conveyors, slide conveyors and / or stacker cranes for transporting and / or moving the workpieces, in particular for inserting the workpieces into the treatment chamber and / or removing the workpieces from the treatment chamber and / or for transferring the workpieces from one treatment station to the next.

[0029] Alternatively, or in addition, the transfer device may have one or more unmanned transport systems for transporting and / or moving the workpieces, in particular for loading the workpieces into the treatment chamber and / or for removing the workpieces from the treatment chamber and / or for transporting the workpieces from one treatment station to the next.

[0030] The workpiece is preferably movable along a horizontal level by a transport device and, in particular, is insertable into and / or removable from the treatment chamber.

[0031] Using the treatment station, in particular a method for treating workpieces can be carried out, which preferably comprises the following steps: Loading the workpiece into a treatment chamber of the treatment vessel through an access opening of the treatment vessel; closing the access opening of the treatment vessel with a closing device; Injecting a fluid into the process chamber to perform workpiece processing.

[0032] After the workpiece treatment (treatment step) has been carried out, the fluid is preferably removed, in particular discharged, from the treatment chamber.

[0033] More preferably, the workpiece is then removed from the treatment chamber through one access opening or the other.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the processing station may comprise a fluid tank for containing a fluid, and preferably further comprises a fluid guide, by means of which a fluid can be guided from the fluid tank into the processing vessel for injection into the processing chamber and / or from the processing vessel into the fluid tank for ejection from the processing chamber.

[0035] The fluid guide has one or more fluid conduits for this purpose, in which preferably a fluid conduit for supplying fluid from the fluid tank to the processing vessel and another fluid conduit, in particular a separate fluid conduit, for supplying fluid from the processing chamber to the fluid tank is provided.

[0036] It may be advantageous if the fluid tank is arranged above the treatment vessel with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0037] In particular, gravity can thereby be used to supply the fluid to the treatment vessel, in which case a separate pump device can preferably be dispensed with.

[0038] Alternatively, a pumping device may be preferred to pump the fluid from the process chamber into the fluid tank.

[0039] Alternatively, the treatment vessel can be arranged above the fluid tank with respect to the direction of gravity, whereby the fluid can be guided from the treatment vessel into the fluid tank without the aid of a pumping device, whereas preferably a pumping device is provided for guiding the fluid from the fluid tank into the treatment vessel.

[0040] The fluid guide can have a fluid line formed as a supply line, by means of which the fluid can be supplied to the treatment chamber, the supply line preferably leading into the treatment vessel in the bottom region of the treatment vessel, whereby in particular undesirable bubble formation when supplying the fluid into the treatment vessel can be reduced or completely avoided.

[0041] The bottom region of the treatment vessel is the lower third, preferably the lower fifth, of the treatment chamber, in particular with respect to the overall height of the treatment chamber and / or with respect to the maximum filling height.

[0042] The treatment vessel preferably has an inlet area, which is arranged in particular below the access opening of the treatment vessel, which is preferably filled with fluid even in the drained state of the treatment vessel, which is provided for changing the workpieces.

[0043] The supply conduit preferably leads into the inlet region, in particular below the fluid lines of the inlet region, to allow optimal fluid supply into the treatment chamber.

[0044] It may be advantageous if the fluid guide has multiple supply conduits, one or more of which communicate into the processing vessel within the bottom region of the processing vessel, and / or one or more of which terminate in or adjacent to one or more nozzles and / or other supply openings, which can be used to direct and / or provide fluid to the workpiece, for example as a beam or wave.

[0045] The drained state of the treatment vessel is preferably a state of the treatment vessel in which one or more access openings can be opened without or without risking the escape of fluids through the access openings, and therefore does not necessarily have to be a state of the treatment vessel in which residual fluids have been removed from the treatment vessel.

[0046] The medium, in particular gas, e.g. air, which is pushed out of the treatment chamber when it is injected into the treatment chamber, can be discharged, for example, to the environment or recycled or can be guided, for example, to an exhaust purification facility and / or into a dryer for drying the workpiece.

[0047] In particular, a pressure compensation device can be provided to compensate for pressure fluctuations resulting from the fluid flow, and in particular can be used to prevent or at least mitigate a pressure rise caused by the introduction of a liquid, in particular a processing liquid, into the fluid tank, for example by releasing gas displaced by the liquid.

[0048] Additionally, the extruded media may be introduced into a fluid tank.

[0049] It may be preferred if the fluid guide comprises a cleaning device for cleaning the fluid.

[0050] The cleaning device is preferably located outside the processing vessel and / or outside the fluid tank.

[0051] Preferably, the cleaning device is arranged in a return conduit for returning the fluid into the fluid tank, whereby the fluid can be purified and / or regenerated, preferably when returning it and / or before each start of the circulation, in particular before a new injection into one or more treatment vessels.

[0052] It may be advantageous if the treatment device has a heat exchanger, by means of which in particular the gas to be recycled or the recycled gas, in particular the treatment fluid, can be temperature-adjusted, in particular cooled or heated, in which case heat transfer can take place in particular to or from the surroundings of the treatment facility and / or to or from the heat exchange medium.

[0053] The processing station preferably comprises a control device by means of which the injection process in the processing chamber can be open-loop and / or closed-loop controlled, in particular by open-loop and / or closed-loop control of a valve device opening and closing a supply conduit for supplying fluid to the processing chamber.

[0054] For open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the implantation process, preferably one or more workpiece parameters are taken into account, in particular the geometry and / or size and / or position of the respective workpiece inside the process chamber.

[0055] The workpiece parameter(s) are passed to the control device, in particular via the machine control and / or by CAD data, barcode recognition, RFID information and / or other workpiece-specific data sets.

[0056] The injection process can be controlled by the control device, preferably in the following way: the filling speed and / or the rate of change of the filling state of the fluid in the treatment chamber are changed during injection, in particular to adapt to local stability changes of the workpiece and / or to the changing surface of the water surface along the gravity direction.

[0057] For example, the injection process may be controlled by a controller such that the fluid level within the process chamber rises at least approximately constantly.

[0058] Instead, the injection process can be controlled by a control device such that the volumetric flow of fluid supplied is increased when the fluid surface spreads over a more stable area of ​​the workpiece, and the volumetric flow of fluid supplied is decreased when the fluid surface spreads over a less stable area of ​​the workpiece.

[0059] The processing station may, for example, have one or more measuring devices, which may be used to determine, for example, the volumetric flow of fluid flowing into the processing chamber and / or the filling state or filling level inside the processing chamber and / or the filling state or filling level in a fluid tank.

[0060] The measured value or values ​​of the measuring device or devices are preferably taken into account for the open-loop and / or closed-loop control of the injection process.

[0061] Preferably, the maximum filling height (maximum filling level) in the injection process is selected according to the workpiece geometry and / or position, for example, if the workpiece is formed as a vehicle body, the treatment chamber is always filled with fluid such that the filling level is just above the roof of the vehicle body, for example at most about 10 cm above the roof, preferably at most about 5 cm, for example at most about 3 cm.

[0062] Furthermore, one or more leaks can be determined using one or more measuring devices, for example by monitoring the filling state or filling level or volume flow by means of one or more measuring devices, preferably on the basis of which the tightness of one or more closure devices can be estimated.

[0063] The processing station may in one embodiment have a counter tank which is arranged below the processing chamber with respect to the direction of gravity and to which the fluid to be removed from the processing chamber can be supplied.

[0064] In that case the fluid can be guided from the fluid tank into the treatment chamber and / or from the treatment chamber into the fluid tank, preferably using gravity alone.

[0065] For example, a pumping device may be used to pump fluid, preferably from the counter tank, back into the fluid tank.

[0066] The fluid tank is therefore in particular a storage tank in which a fluid is prepared, in particular in a state ready for carrying out a treatment process, for which the fluid can be purified or regenerated, in particular on the transfer path between the counter tank and the fluid tank, in particular by means of a cleaning device.

[0067] It may be advantageous if the treatment station has two or more treatment chambers, in particular two or more treatment chambers each equipped with a treatment vessel.

[0068] In that case, a common fluid reservoir may be provided to supply fluid to two or more process chambers.

[0069] Alternatively, multiple fluid tanks may be provided, particularly for multiple fluids in the same process chamber.

[0070] For example, different fluids may be selectively, and particularly alternately, injected into the process chambers of the processing stations to perform various processing steps on one or more workpieces located within the process chambers.

[0071] For this purpose, moreover, a number of counter tanks for a number of fluids can be provided.

[0072] Furthermore, one counter tank can be provided in common for more than two processing chambers.

[0073] In this specification and the accompanying claims, a tank is a general container, in particular for a fluid, which may for example be an individual container or a number of containers connected together.

[0074] The processing station may have a cleaning device for washing and / or cleaning the processing chamber, in which case a cleaning medium can be introduced, in particular sprayed, into the processing chamber and removed, in particular discharged, from the processing chamber by the cleaning device, in particular independently of a fluid, independently of a fluid tank and / or independently of a counter tank.

[0075] The cleaning device may in particular have a spray nozzle arranged in and / or directed into the treatment chamber, which spray nozzle is used in particular for cleaning walls and / or transport devices arranged in the treatment chamber.

[0076] In order to process the workpiece, in the described processing station, in particular, the workpiece can be inserted into a processing chamber of a processing vessel and a fluid can be injected into the processing chamber to perform the workpiece processing, in which case the fluid for injection into the processing chamber is guided from a fluid tank into the processing vessel and / or from the processing vessel into the fluid tank for draining it from the processing chamber.

[0077] When injecting into one or more treatment chambers, the fluid level inside the treatment chamber is preferably increased by at least a factor 10, preferably at least a factor 50, such as at least 100.

[0078] Furthermore, when filling one or more processing chambers, the liquid level is preferably increased from a minimum to at least about 50%, preferably at least about 70%, such as at least about 90%, of the total chamber height of the processing chamber.

[0079] To evacuate one or more treatment chambers, the fluid therein, in particular the treatment liquid, is preferably removed from the treatment chamber by at least about 50%, in particular at least about 80%, for example at least about 90%.

[0080] Preferably, an injection process and an evacuation process are performed for each workpiece, or for each group of workpieces that are separately introduced into the process chamber.

[0081] In one embodiment of the invention, the processing equipment has a plurality of first processing stations for performing a first step and a plurality of second processing stations for performing a second processing step, in which case each of the one or more first processing stations and the one or more second processing stations are components or form a processing unit of the processing equipment, preferably through which the workpiece passes to perform a processing step.

[0082] The treatment unit in particular has a number of treatment stations which are successive to one another along a main transport direction of a transport device for transporting the workpieces, with the aid of which preferably all process steps which can be carried out one after the other for the treatment of the workpieces can be carried out.

[0083] The processing facility may have a number of processing units, which in particular each have one or more first processing stations and one or more second processing stations and / or which in particular form different processing lines of the processing facility.

[0084] The one or more first processing stations of the different processing units have a common fluid guide and / or a common fluid tank. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more second processing stations of the different processing units can have a common fluid guide and / or a common fluid tank.

[0085] Alternatively or additionally, one or more first processing stations of different processing units can have a common counter tank and / or a common cleaning device. Alternatively or additionally, one or more second processing stations of different processing units can have a common counter tank and / or a common cleaning device.

[0086] A fluid, in particular a first processing fluid, is first guided by a fluid guide: a) can be fed into one or more treatment chambers of one or more treatment stations of a first treatment unit, in particular into one or more treatment stations of the first treatment unit, and then b) it is possible to supply one or more treatment chambers of one or more treatment stations of the second treatment unit, in particular of the first treatment station, It may be advantageous to provide one or more intermediate storage tanks between the first and the second processing unit and / or between two processing stations of the same processing unit or different processing units.

[0087] The fluid, in particular the second processing fluid, is first guided by the fluid guide: a) can be fed into one or more treatment chambers of one or more treatment stations of a first treatment unit, in particular into one or more treatment stations of a second treatment station, and then b) it is possible to supply one or more treatment stations of a second treatment unit, in particular one or more treatment chambers of the second treatment station, It may be advantageous to arrange one or more intermediate storage tanks between the first and second processing units and / or between two processing stations of the same processing unit or of different processing units.

[0088] It may be advantageous if the fluids can be alternately supplied to the process chambers of different process units by means of fluid guides.

[0089] Alternatively or additionally, fluids can be supplied alternately to the process chambers of the same process unit by means of fluid guides.

[0090] The fluid guide is preferably connected to or has a cleaning device so that the fluid can be cleaned after removal from one of the treatment chambers and / or before being resupplied to another of the treatment chambers.

[0091] Purification of the fluid preferably occurs upon evacuation from the processing chamber and / or after the fluid has been utilized one or more times in an injection process and / or processing step.

[0092] The total amount of fluid contained in the fluid guide as a whole is at most about two times, in particular at most about three times, the amount of fluid required to perform an individual implantation process in the process chamber.

[0093] The fluid guide preferably comprises all components for guiding and containing the fluid, in particular one or more fluid tanks, one or more processing chambers, one or more intermediate storage tanks and / or one or more counter tanks and optionally one or more cleaning devices.

[0094] The amount of fluid is in particular the mass of the fluid and / or the volume of the fluid, in particular at standard conditions.

[0095] To perform cleaning operations, a fluid can preferably be introduced, in particular pumped and stored in, individual or multiple components of the fluid guide. For example, to purify at least one fluid, the fluid can be completely contained in one or more process vessels and / or in one or more counter tanks. Furthermore, for example, to clean one or more process vessels, the fluid can be completely contained in one or more fluid tanks and / or in one or more counter tanks. Further alternatively, for example, to clean one or more counter tanks, the fluid can be completely contained in one or more fluid tanks and / or in one or more process vessels.

[0096] It can be advantageous if several, in particular all, of the processing stations of the processing units, in particular one or more or all of the first processing stations and one or more or all of the second processing stations of the processing units, are arranged on a common level of the processing installation, which means in particular that the processing chambers of the processing stations can be accessed themselves simply by moving the workpieces horizontally, in particular without level or level changes.

[0097] It may be advantageous if several processing units of a processing installation are arranged on different levels of the processing installation.

[0098] One or more processing stations of different processing units of a processing installation which have a common fluid guide and / or are used to perform the same processing step are preferably arranged one above the other along the gravity direction.

[0099] The multiple processing units located at different levels of the processing facility are preferably functionally identical, in particular so that the same processing steps are performed by each processing unit, ultimately providing a greater processing capacity of the processing facility compared to a single processing unit.

[0100] In that case, the workpiece is preferably each considered by itself assigned to only one of the multiple treatment units and passes through this only one treatment unit, whereas the fluid guide or guides are preferably formed across the treatment units and are assigned to multiple treatment units, in particular for carrying out the same treatment step.

[0101] It may be preferable if the processing stations arranged one above the other along the direction of gravity are connected by a common fluid guide, whereby in particular fluid can be supplied to the individual processing stations one after the other and available for carrying out the injection process, in which case in particular fluid can be supplied by means of gravity from one processing station to another processing station below it along the direction of gravity.

[0102] It may be advantageous if a common counter tank is located below all the processing stations and / or if a common fluid tank is located above all the processing stations.

[0103] In that case, the fluid can in particular be guided from the fluid tank to an upper processing station, then to a lower processing station (possibly to an intermediate processing station between them) and finally into the counter tank, from which the fluid can be pumped back into the fluid tank, preferably by means of a pump device.

[0104] It may be preferred if the processing equipment has a number of fluid guides for guiding different processing fluids, in which case the fluid guides are associated with different processing stations for carrying out various processing steps.

[0105] Alternatively or in addition, the processing equipment may have multiple fluid guides for guiding different processing fluids, in which case the fluid guides are associated with the same processing station, so that one of the processing fluids can be selectively supplied to the processing station in each case in order to selectively perform different processing steps.

[0106] Fluid guides are used to guide fluids from a fluid tank into one or more processing chambers for injection into the respective processing chambers and / or from the respective processing chambers into a fluid tank for drainage from the processing chambers.

[0107] It may be preferred if the fluid is taken from the fluid tank one after the other, in particular completely offset in time, and fed to the one or more treatment chambers. In particular, the fluid is then returned to the fluid tank, for example subsequently or at a later time, optionally after cleaning the fluid in a cleaning device. The fluid tank and / or the one or more treatment chambers are therefore preferably filled and drained alternately.

[0108] Furthermore, the fluids can be supplied one after the other, in particular with a complete time lag, to one or more treatment chambers in a treatment station of a first treatment unit and then, in particular subsequently or at a later time, for example after temporary storage in an intermediate storage tank, to one or more treatment chambers of a treatment station of a second treatment unit.

[0109] It may be preferable if the treatment installation has several treatment stations for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies, in which case one or several treatment stations preferably have at least one treatment vessel which encloses a treatment chamber for receiving the workpieces.

[0110] In one embodiment of the invention, a treatment installation for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies, comprises: a) a plurality of treatment stations, each having a treatment vessel enclosing a treatment chamber for receiving a workpiece; b) one or more fluid tanks for containing fluids; and c) a fluid guide, by means of which fluid can be guided i) from one or more fluid tanks into at least one of the processing chambers for injection into at least one of the processing chambers, and ii) from at least one of the processing chambers into one or more fluid tanks for discharge from the at least one processing chamber.

[0111] It may be preferable if a number of the processing stations are arranged at different height levels, in which case the processing chambers of these processing stations are or can be connected to one another by a fluid guide, i.e. such that the fluid can be guided from one processing chamber to the next, in particular directly, or indirectly via an intermediate storage tank between them in terms of flow and / or via a vertical arrangement of the fluid tanks.

[0112] The processing installation preferably has several processing levels arranged vertically one above the other, with preferably several processing stations arranged on one or more of the processing levels, the processing chambers of the processing stations arranged in common on one of the processing levels being preferably connected to one another and / or to one or more processing chambers of one or more processing stations arranged on one or more other processing levels by means of fluid guides.

[0113] A treatment level is in this description and the accompanying claims in particular the vertical height at which, for example, a workpiece is fed into a treatment chamber or at which the workpiece undergoes a treatment process.

[0114] It may be advantageous if the processing installation has two or more processing stations arranged on a common processing level, the processing chambers of which are connected to one another by fluid guides, in which case the processing installation preferably further has a control device which is formed and configured as follows: by means of the fluid guides connecting the processing chambers to one another, a partial filling process of one of the processing chambers can be carried out, in particular by means of gravity alone, by means of which a fluid can be guided from one of the processing chambers into another of the processing chambers.

[0115] In that case, the fluid connection of the two treatment chambers is provided in particular below half the filling height required for the injection process, for example in the respective bottom region of the treatment chambers.

[0116] The fluid connection is in particular based on the principle of interconnected pipes, whereby the fluid automatically flows from one of the treatment chambers to the other until the same filling state (level state) is reached in the two treatment chambers.

[0117] Therefore, when fluid tanks having at least approximately the same structure are at the same height level, in particular about half of the fluid contained in one fluid tank can be supplied to another fluid tank.

[0118] The remainder of the first fluid tank can be discharged, in particular by the influence of gravity, into a fluid tank that is vertically lower, and the remainder can be injected into the other fluid tank by supplying fluid from a fluid tank that is vertically higher.

[0119] For example, vertical and horizontal cascade guides may be provided within the fluid circulation.

[0120] In particular, within the fluid circulation on the upper and lower levels (higher and lower processing levels), two, for example, identically constructed processing stations, in particular identically constructed fluid tanks, can be provided, in particular alternately filled. Between these two levels, preferably an additional intermediate storage tank can be provided. In that case, in each filling / discharging process, the processing chambers to be filled can be filled only 50% from the processing chambers to be discharged on the same level. The filling or discharging of the remaining 50% of the filling volume of each processing chamber is then carried out, for example, from a storage tank or intermediate storage tank arranged above it or into an intermediate storage tank or counter tank arranged below it.

[0121] The advantage of such a double cascade guide is in particular the reduction of the pump volume flow and therefore the energy demand, since for each injection process carried out on the upper level only 50% of the required fluid volume needs to be pumped upwards, while for injection processes on the lower level preferably no further pumping energy is required.

[0122] All fluid tanks, which can be supplied with fluids in succession to carry out the treatment processes, can be arranged vertically one above the other or at least at different height levels.

[0123] Additionally, two or more fluid tanks may be positioned horizontally adjacent to one another.

[0124] At least a portion of the fluid is preferably first guided from a vertically higher fluid tank into a vertically lower fluid tank, then into another horizontally lower fluid tank, and finally into the fluid tank below it.

[0125] In particular, the fluid guides can be used to guide the fluid alternately vertically and horizontally.

[0126] It may be advantageous if the fluid guide comprises a storage tank and / or an intermediate storage tank from which fluid can be selectively supplied to one or more processing stations arranged below the storage tank or the intermediate storage tank.

[0127] In that case, it is possible, inter alia, to select the process chamber for the implantation process and to bypass the other process chambers.

[0128] It may be advantageous if the processing equipment comprises a pressure compensation device by means of which multiple fluid tanks and / or multiple processing vessels are fluidly connected to one another in order to compensate for pressure, particularly in the event of changes in the liquid filling state.

[0129] Particularly preferably, all fluid tanks and all processing vessels are fluidly connected to one another.

[0130] Pressure fluctuations occur, especially when the filling state in the treatment chamber is continuously changing. Therefore, all fluid tanks in the fluid circuit, especially in the liquid circuit, can have pressure compensation openings, especially ventilation openings, through which gas, especially air, can flow in or out. In order to avoid heat losses and to avoid the discharge of vapors of the fluid, especially of the treatment medium, it may be desirable to ensure that as little gas exchange as possible occurs between the fluid tanks and the surroundings. To achieve this, the ventilation openings of the fluid tanks are preferably connected to one another by pipes or passages.

[0131] Thereby, the air displaced during filling of the fluid tank can escape into another fluid tank, for example into the fluid tank from which the fluid for the filling process was taken, whereby no gas exchange with the surroundings is required.

[0132] Thus, preferably, the gas balance, in particular the air balance, also forms a closed system. In order to keep this system closed during the opening of the gate of a processing station, the pressure compensation opening, in particular the air opening, associated with this processing station can be provided with a cap or valve in order to close the air opening, in particular during the period of gate opening. This preferably ensures that air exchange between the remaining fluid tanks takes place only inside the system and not through the open processing station.

[0133] Although it is desirable to have the gas exchange between the fluid tanks take place only within the system, it may be sensible from a safety point of view if the pipe or passage system connecting the pressure compensation opening also has openings to the surroundings, which can preferably be connected to the housing of the transfer technology, which transfers the workpieces to the processing station.

[0134] It may be advantageous if the pressure compensation openings, in particular the vent openings and / or the pressure compensation conduit or conduits of the pressure compensation device are arranged, shaped and / or dimensioned in such a way that they can simultaneously be used as an overflow into the counter tank for a fluid tank positioned at an upper level, for which the pressure compensation openings, in particular the vent openings, are preferably positioned in the region of the maximum filling height of the fluid tank, in particular in the ceiling region.

[0135] It may be preferred if the pressure compensation conduit or conduits are sized and / or shaped to allow simultaneous flow of fluids, in particular liquids, downwards and gases upwards, so that pressure compensation is possible even in the case of flooding.

[0136] The fluid guide preferably has one or more bypass conduits by means of which fluid can bypass one or more fluid tanks vertically downwards and be filled into one or more fluid tanks at a vertically lower position.

[0137] Vertical references are used in this specification and the appended claims preferably simply to refer to various elevational positions, in which case vertical positioning or movement need not necessarily extend vertically itself, but may have a vertical component.

[0138] In particular, when the processing stations are arranged at different height levels and are connected to each other using a common fluid guide, the processing equipment may have one or more bypass conduits, which may be used to skip one or more fluid tanks that have no fluid supply, instead of supplying fluid to successive fluid tanks.

[0139] It may be advantageous if the fluid can be fed from the lowermost fluid tank, which is formed as a counter tank, directly to the intermediate storage tank by means of a return device, in particular without a detouring via the uppermost fluid tank, which is formed as a storage tank, so that the processing station arranged between the intermediate storage tank and the counter tank can remain available even if the processing station arranged above it is taken out of operation, for example due to maintenance work.

[0140] Alternatively or additionally, the fluid can be fed by means of a bypass line directly from the fluid tank formed as an intermediate storage tank to the fluid tank formed as a counter tank, in particular without guiding the fluid through the fluid tanks of the processing stations. The fluid can preferably also be fed directly from the counter tank to the topmost fluid tank formed as a storage tank. As a result, in particular the processing station arranged between the intermediate storage tank and the storage tank can remain available even if the processing station arranged below is taken out of operation, for example for maintenance work.

[0141] In one embodiment of the invention, the processing facility can have an intermediate storage tank arranged vertically between two or more processing stations, and the fluid guide can have a return conduit by means of which fluid can be supplied to the intermediate storage tank from a fluid tank arranged vertically below the intermediate storage tank.

[0142] Preferably, the storage tank(s) and / or the intermediate storage tank(s) can each always be supplied with at least approximately the amount of fluid required to carry out the treatment process in the next step, in which case the supply takes place in particular directly from the counter tank and / or directly into the storage tank(s) and / or the intermediate storage tank(s).

[0143] It may be advantageous if the treatment facility has a reflux device for refluxing fluid from a vertically lowest fluid tank, particularly a counter tank, into a vertically higher fluid tank, particularly an intermediate storage tank, or into a vertically uppermost fluid tank, particularly a storage tank.

[0144] The reflux device may have a pump device by means of which the reflux process can be carried out such that the fluid is refluxed at least approximately continuously and / or with an at least approximately constant fluid volume flow and / or fluid mass flow, and / or the pump device can be controlled by means of a control device of the processing equipment such that the fluid is refluxed at least approximately continuously and / or with an at least approximately constant fluid volume flow and / or fluid mass flow, in which case the fluid volume flow and / or fluid mass flow generated by the pump device is preferably at most approximately 1 / 10, in particular at most approximately 1 / 50, of the fluid volume flow and / or fluid mass flow of the fluid when filling the processing chamber of the processing station.

[0145] The fluid conduit or conduits for supplying fluid from a vertically higher fluid tank into a vertically lower fluid tank preferably include an energy recovery device, in particular a turbine.

[0146] In particular, the energy recovery device can be arranged upstream of a fluid tank used as a counter tank.

[0147] It may be preferred if the energy recovery device or devices are arranged in the supply conduit or conduits formed as fall pipes.

[0148] It may be advantageous if a valve device, in particular one or more valve caps, is arranged downstream of the energy recovery device, in particular in the same supply line, so that it can be ensured that the parts of the energy recovery device, in particular the turbine, which are in contact with the fluid, are covered or filled with the fluid without interruption.

[0149] In one form of the invention, one or more fluid tanks are fluid-tight sealable or sealed such that by draining the one or more fluid tanks by allowing a fluid, in particular a liquid, to flow out, a negative pressure is generated or can be generated in the one or more fluid tanks, which negative pressure is available at a later point in time, in particular for easily refilling the one or more fluid tanks.

[0150] This type of fluid-tight sealing can be achieved in particular when the intermediate storage tank is filled with fluid and the fluid tank formed as a counter tank is at least nearly empty. By draining the intermediate storage tank, a negative pressure can be generated therein, while the inflowing fluid generates an overpressure in the counter tank. This pressure situation can then be utilized to increase the pump power or pumping efficiency when the fluid is transferred from the counter tank to the intermediate storage tank and / or into the storage tank by the return device.

[0151] In another aspect of the invention, the vertically lowermost fluid tank is provided with a fluid regeneration circuit for regenerating fluid in the lowermost fluid tank, the circuit comprising at least one pumping device, at least one heat exchanger and at least one cleaning device.

[0152] Preferably, a heat exchanger for temperature regulation of the fluid is provided and is arranged downstream of the pumping device in the fluid regeneration circuit, and furthermore a cleaning device is preferably arranged downstream of the heat exchanger.

[0153] By means of the fluid regeneration circulation, the fluid in the vertically lowest fluid tank, in particular the counter tank, is regenerated, preferably continuously, so that the fluid returned via the return device to the vertically higher fluid tanks, in particular the storage tank and the intermediate tank, is at least partially regenerated, i.e. in particular at least partially purified.

[0154] It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for processing workpieces which can be carried out simply and efficiently.

[0155] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method as defined in the independent method claim.

[0156] The method preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in relation to the processing facility. Preferably, the processing facility further has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in relation to the method.

[0157] The method may be advantageous if it comprises: The fluid, i) from one or more fluid reservoirs into at least one processing chamber for injection into at least one processing chamber; and / or ii) from the at least one processing chamber into one or more fluid tanks for draining the at least one processing chamber; Guide.

[0158] To prepare for the implantation process, it may be preferred if fluid is supplied to a fluid tank located above the processing chamber, at least approximately in the amount required to perform the implantation process.

[0159] In particular, less than 120%, preferably less than 110%, of the amount required to perform the injection process is provided.

[0160] In one embodiment of the present invention, a reflux device is used to selectively a) supplying a storage tank with fluid to fill the storage tank and prepare the fluid for an injection process in a processing station located below the storage tank; or b) Bypassing the treatment station by means of a bypass conduit, leading in the circulation; It is possible.

[0161] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, a storage tank, in particular forming the topmost fluid tank in the vertical direction, can be continuously filled with fluid, in particular with treatment fluid, preferably with treatment liquid, so that a pump device transports the fluid, preferably continuously, into the storage tank.

[0162] Using one or more valve devices, a fluid connection is preferably formed between two or more fluid containers, so that fluid can flow into one or more fluid tanks located below, in particular via one or more supply conduits formed as fall pipes.

[0163] By means of the control device, the opening of the one or more valve devices is preferably open-loop and / or closed-loop controlled, i.e. in such a way that at least approximately a predetermined filling state is achieved in the underlying fluid tank or tanks, whereby the open-loop and / or closed-loop control can be effected by measuring or otherwise determining the filling state in the storage tank and / or in the intermediate storage tank and / or in the respective fluid tank.

[0164] Depending on the filling state in the intermediate storage tank or storage tank at the start of the injection process, a residual filling state is maintained therein after the injection process or the intermediate storage tank or storage tank can be emptied during the injection process so that the fluid transported by the pump device into the intermediate storage tank or storage tank flows unhindered through the intermediate storage tank or storage tank into the fluid tank located below, in particular into the treatment chamber, until the target filling state required for carrying out the treatment process in the fluid tank below is reached.

[0165] Instead, the topmost fluid tank, in particular the storage tank, can be filled by the pump device before each injection process exactly with the amount of fluid required in the fluid tank located below for a single injection into the process chamber. In this case, the valve device is opened for the injection process until the fluid tank, in particular the storage tank, is completely discharged into the fluid tank located below. In this way, the target filling state can be adjusted more easily, since no filling state measurement needs to be utilized during the highly dynamic injection process. The risk of overfilling is thereby minimized.

[0166] In that case, it is possible to selectively interrupt the pumping process into the counter tank at least while the injection process continues, which may require a temporary increase in the transport volume flow.Preferably in this case, a bypass is provided in the pump circulation, which allows the medium to circulate during the interruption of the transport process, instead of increasing the wear of the pump by an on-off process.

[0167] Further preferred features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0168] In the drawings: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0169] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a processing installation, in which a storage tank, a processing station, an intermediate storage tank, a further processing station and a counter tank are arranged one on top of the other. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation similar to FIG. 1 of a second embodiment of a processing installation, in which two processing levels each have two processing stations arranged. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation, similar to FIG. 1, of a third embodiment of a processing installation, in which a bypass conduit is provided to bypass at least one processing station of one processing level. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation similar to FIG. 1 of a fourth embodiment of a processing installation in which multiple bypass conduits are provided to bypass multiple processing stations of multiple processing levels. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation, similar to FIG. 1, of a fifth embodiment of a treatment installation, in which the counter tank is provided with a fluid regeneration circulation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0170] Identical or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numbers in all figures.

[0171] The embodiment of a processing system, generally designated 100 , shown in FIG. 1 is used to process a workpiece 102 , particularly a vehicle body 104 .

[0172] The treatment plant 100 is for example a coating plant, a pretreatment plant and / or a painting plant, which are used in the manufacture of motor vehicles, in particular passenger cars.

[0173] The processing facility 100 comprises a number of processing stations 106 in which processing steps can be performed, in particular pre-treatment, coating and / or painting steps.

[0174] The processing stations 106 each include a processing chamber 108 that is surrounded by a processing vessel 110. The processing vessel 110 is formed, inter alia, by a fluid tank 112 that can be filled with a fluid.

[0175] The fluid is in particular a process fluid, for example a process liquid.

[0176] Additionally, the processing facility 100 includes a number of other fluid tanks 112 that are used to contain and / or prepare fluids when the fluids are not disposed within the one or more fluid tanks 112 that form the processing vessel 110.

[0177] The other fluid tanks 112 form, in particular, a storage tank 114, a counter tank 116 and an intermediate storage tank 118, the storage tank being particularly arranged at the topmost position in the vertical direction, the counter tank being particularly arranged at the bottommost position in the vertical direction, and the intermediate storage tank being arranged between the two fluid tanks 112 forming the processing vessel 110.

[0178] The processing equipment 100 further includes a fluid guide 120, which is fluidically connected or connectable to one another so that the fluid tanks 112 can be used to guide fluid from one fluid tank 112 to the next.

[0179] In particular, the fluid guide 120 can be used to supply fluid to the processing chamber 108 and to remove the fluid from the processing chamber after processing.

[0180] The fluid guide 120 has a number of supply conduits 122, by means of which in particular the fluid can be guided from a vertically higher fluid tank 112 to a vertically lower fluid tank 112, without the need for a pump or other drive device. The supply of fluid via the supply conduits 122 is preferably carried out solely by gravity.

[0181] In the supply conduit 122, a valve device 124 is preferably arranged in order to allow the amount of fluid to be supplied and / or the fluid volume flow and / or the fluid mass flow to be regulated and / or controlled in an open-loop and / or closed-loop manner. A control device (not shown) of the treatment facility 100 can be provided, in particular for the open-loop and / or closed-loop control.

[0182] The fluid guide 120 further comprises a reflux device 126 by means of which the fluid can be guided, in particular transported, against the direction of gravity from a lower fluid tank 112 to a higher fluid tank 112. To this end, the reflux device 126 comprises in particular a pump device 128 and a reflux conduit 130, which directly connects the counter tank 116 with the storage tank 114.

[0183] The supply conduit 122 and the return conduit 130 , particularly with the fluid reservoir 112 , form a closed fluid circuit 132 for repeated use of the fluid within the process chamber 108 .

[0184] In order to regenerate and / or purify the fluid, the treatment facility 100 preferably comprises a cleaning device 134, by means of which in particular contaminants can be removed from the fluid and / or the chemical composition of the fluid can be adjusted to ensure optimal and uniform treatment results.

[0185] A cleaning device 134 may be disposed, for example, in or connected to the return conduit 130 so that purification or other regeneration of the fluid can take place, particularly while the fluid is returning from the counter tank 116 to the storage tank 114.

[0186] The treatment facility 100 further optionally includes a heat exchanger 136 for temperature conditioning of the fluid. The heat exchanger 136 can be coupled to any heat source or heat sink so that the fluid can be heated or cooled as needed. The heat exchanger 136 can also be disposed, for example, in or connected to the return conduit 130 so that temperature conditioning of the fluid can be performed, particularly during the return flow of the fluid from the counter tank 116 into the storage tank 114.

[0187] 1, the processing facility 100 further comprises a pressure compensation device 138, which fluidly connects the fluid tanks 112 with each other and / or with the surroundings of the processing facility 100, where the pressure compensation device 138 allows for gas exchange between the fluid tanks 112 and the fluid guides 120 allow for liquid exchange.

[0188] The pressure compensation device 138 allows compensation for pressure fluctuations within the fluid tank 112, which occur especially when the fluid tank 112 is filled and drained.

[0189] Any vapors or other gaseous impurities that may possibly escape from the fluid and form within the fluid container 112 may be conveyed away, preferably environmentally, via the pressure compensation device 138 and disposed of, particularly thermally.

[0190] The embodiment of the processing facility 100 shown in FIG. 1 functions as follows:

[0191] First, a fluid is prepared in a storage tank 114 and the workpiece is immersed in the underlying fluid tank 112 which forms the upper process chamber 108. The fluid tank 112 is then closed to allow the fluid to flow therein and to avoid unwanted escape of the fluid to the surroundings. The workpiece 102 is then completely or at least partially surrounded by the fluid, whereupon a chemical or physical process, such as a cleaning or coating step, is carried out.

[0192] After this treatment, the fluid is discharged from the fluid tank 112 forming the upper treatment chamber 108. The fluid then reaches the intermediate storage tank 118 and is thus prepared in the fluid tank 112 forming the lower treatment chamber 108 for a new use of the fluid.

[0193] As soon as the workpiece 102 is placed in this lower treatment chamber 108 and the treatment chamber 108 is closed, fluid is supplied from the intermediate storage tank 118 and the workpiece treatment is carried out, which preferably corresponds to the workpiece treatment carried out in the upper treatment chamber 108.

[0194] The fluid is then discharged from the lower process chamber 108 , where it reaches into the counter tank 116 .

[0195] The return device 126 can then be used to supply the fluid anew to the storage tank 114, in particular after the fluid has been purified by a cleaning device 134 and / or after its temperature has been regulated by a heat exchanger 136.

[0196] The second embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in FIG. 2 differs substantially from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that the two processing chambers 108 are arranged at the same height level, i.e. horizontally side-by-side.

[0197] The two processing chambers 108 arranged at the same height level are fluidly connected to each other in their respective bottom regions by fluid conduits 140. In the fluid conduits 140, respective valve devices 124 are arranged so that the fluid connection can be selectively made or blocked.

[0198] The fluid conduit 140 allows for the supply of fluid from one processing chamber 108 to other processing chambers 108 that are arranged at the same height level. For this purpose, first only one of the processing chambers 108 is filled with fluid from the fluid tank 112 above it, while the other processing chamber 108 remains empty. After workpiece processing has been carried out in the first filled processing chamber 108, the valve device 124 in the fluid guide 140 can be opened, so that the fluid flows into the other processing chamber 108 and fills it.

[0199] Since the two treatment chambers 108 are arranged at the same height level and a pumping device is preferably omitted at this point, the opening of the valve device 124 does not result in a complete transfer of the fluid into the other treatment chamber 108, but rather only an equalization of the filling conditions in both treatment chambers 108.

[0200] Thereafter, the valve arrangement 124 is closed and fluid is provided from the fluid reservoir 112 located thereon to fill other process chambers 108 to the desired fill state as required in the next step.

[0201] The first filled process chamber 108 is then completely emptied, particularly in parallel, by discharging any fluid that does not flow into the other process chambers 108 into the fluid tank 112 located below, particularly the intermediate storage tank 118.

[0202] Thus, in the second embodiment of the treatment installation 100 shown in FIG. 2, the fluid is furthermore guided, preferably at least partially alternatingly, in the horizontal and vertical directions.

[0203] By partially utilizing fluids at the same height level, the energy efficiency of the treatment facility 100 can preferably be optimized.

[0204] Otherwise, the second embodiment of the treatment facility 100 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds in terms of structure and function to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, so reference is made to the above description thereof to this extent.

[0205] The third embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in Figure 3 differs substantially from the second embodiment shown in Figure 2 by providing an additional fluid conduit which directly connects the intermediate storage tank 118 with the counter tank 116. This fluid conduit is a bypass conduit 142 which bypasses the fluid tank 112 which forms the lower processing chamber 108.

[0206] A valve device 124 disposed in the bypass conduit 142 allows open-loop and / or closed-loop control of fluid flow from the intermediate storage tank 118 into the counter tank 116 .

[0207] The bypass conduit 142 thus allows fluid circulation 132 to be maintained by bypassing the lower processing chamber 108 so that the processing equipment 100 can continue to be utilized, particularly when the lower processing chamber 108 is not operational, e.g., due to maintenance work.

[0208] Furthermore, the third embodiment of the treatment facility 100 shown in FIG. 3 includes a branch 144 in the return conduit 130 so that fluid can be selectively supplied by the return device 126 to the storage tank 114 or to the intermediate storage tank 118.

[0209] Thus, the storage tank 114 and the upper process chamber 108 immediately below it can likewise be selectively bypassed so that, when necessary, only the lower process chamber 108 can be utilized, with the upper process chamber 108 then being accessible, for example, for maintenance purposes.

[0210] Optionally, in each of the embodiments described and / or shown, an energy recovery device 141 may be provided, such as shown in the bypass conduit 142 of the processing facility 100 in FIG.

[0211] The energy recovery device 141 is used to convert the potential and / or kinetic energy of the fluid into electrical and / or mechanical energy. Thus, for example, the fluid leaving the intermediate storage tank 118 can be used to generate mechanical and / or electrical energy. Thereby, at least a part of the energy required for driving the fluid guide can preferably be recovered.

[0212] Otherwise, the third embodiment of the treatment facility 100 shown in FIG. 3 corresponds in terms of structure and function to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2, so reference is made to the above description thereof to this extent.

[0213] The fourth embodiment of the treatment installation 100 shown in FIG. 4 differs substantially from the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in that no intermediate storage tank is provided.

[0214] Rather, there are supply conduits 122 of the fluid guide 120, bypass conduits 142 and other fluid conduits 140 through which fluid can be supplied to all processing chambers 108 starting from the storage tank 114, directly or indirectly via the preceding processing chambers 108.

[0215] Furthermore, by means of a consistent bypass line 142 extending from the storage tank 114 to the counter vessel 116, all the processing chambers 108 can be bypassed if necessary, so that the fluid circulation 132 can be maintained, particularly when temporarily no workpiece processing is taking place, but shutting down the pumping device 128 is undesirable.

[0216] Otherwise, the fourth embodiment of the treatment facility 100 shown in FIG. 4 corresponds in terms of structure and function to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 3, so reference is made to the above description thereof to this extent.

[0217] The fifth embodiment of the treatment installation 100 shown in FIG. 5 is substantially distinguished from the third or fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 by the fact that in the most fully-formed expansion stage of the fluid guide 120 of the treatment installation 100, a fluid regeneration circuit 146 for regenerating the fluid in the counter tank 116 is arranged, a bypass conduit 142 is provided, and a pressure compensation device 138 is provided, which fluidly connects all the fluid tanks 112 and the treatment chambers 108 to each other in order to compensate the pressure in case of changes in the liquid filling state.

[0218] A fluid regeneration circuit 146 draws fluid from the counter tank 116 and the fluid is transported through the fluid regeneration circuit 146 by a pumping device 128 .

[0219] Downstream of the pumping device 128 is a heat exchanger 136 used for temperature conditioning of the fluid, and downstream of the heat exchanger 136 is a cleaning device 134 used for regenerating the fluid.

[0220] Downstream of the cleaning device 134 , the regenerated fluid is fed to the counter tank 116 .

[0221] The regeneration of the fluid is preferably performed continuously during operation of the treatment facility 100. Upon regeneration of the fluid collected in the counter tank 116, the at least partially regenerated fluid is guided into the reflux device 126, whereby it is at least partially regenerated and prepared again in the storage tank 114 and / or the intermediate storage tank 118.

[0222] Further, in the return conduit 130, downstream of the pumping device 128 of the return device 126, another cleaning device 134 may be provided which further regenerates the returned fluid before it is supplied to the storage tank 114 and / or the intermediate storage tank 118.

[0223] A bypass conduit 142 interconnects the storage tank 114, the intermediate storage tank 118 and the counter tank 116.

[0224] On the other hand, the bypass conduit 142 allows the fluid from the storage tank 114 to be guided around the intermediate storage tank 118 into the counter tank 116, for which the valve device 124 must be in the blocked position immediately upstream of the intermediate storage tank 118. Thus, for example, the storage tank 114 can be discharged into the counter tank 116.

[0225] On the other hand, a bypass conduit 142 can be used to allow fluid from the storage tank 114 to bypass the upper processing vessel 110 and be directed into the intermediate storage tank 118 via a branch 144, thereby providing more fluid to the lower processing vessel 110 for processing.

[0226] In order to divert fluid from the storage tank 114 into the intermediate storage tank 118, an additional valve device 124 (located downstream of the branch 144) located between the storage tank 114 and the counter tank 116 must be in the blocked position.

[0227] Furthermore, when the volume of workpieces 102 passing through the processing equipment 100 is low, processing on one horizontal level, i.e., in all processing vessels 110 at one level and / or in processing vessels 110 per level, can be omitted.

[0228] Otherwise, the fifth embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds in terms of structure and function to the third or fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, so reference is made to the above description thereof to that extent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0229] 100 Processing Facilities 102 Workpiece 104 Vehicle body 106 Processing Station 108 Processing Room 110 Processing vessel 112 Fluid Tank 114 Storage Tank 116 Counter Tank 118 Intermediate Storage Tank 120 Fluid Guide 122 Supply Conduit 124 Valve gear 126 Reflux device 128 Pumping Equipment 130 Reflux conduit 132 Fluid circulation 134 Cleaning device 136 Heat exchanger 138 Pressure Compensator 140 Fluid conduit 141 Energy Recovery Device 142 Bypass duct 144 Branches 146 Fluid regeneration circulation

Claims

1. A treatment installation (100) for treating a workpiece (102), in particular for cleaning and / or coating an automobile body (104), said treatment installation (100) comprising: a) a plurality of processing stations (106), each of said processing stations having a processing vessel (110), said processing vessel having a processing chamber (108) for receiving said workpiece (102); b) one or more fluid tanks (112) for containing fluids; and c) a fluid guide (120), by means of which the fluid can be guided i) from the one or more fluid tanks (112) into the at least one treatment chamber (108) for injection into the at least one treatment chamber (108) of the at least one treatment chamber (108) and / or ii) from the at least one treatment chamber (108) into the one or more fluid tanks (112) for drainage from the at least one treatment chamber (108); A processing facility (100).

2. 2. The treatment installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of the treatment stations (106) are arranged at different height levels and the treatment chambers (108) of these treatment stations (106) are connected or can be connected to one another by means of the fluid guides (120) in such a way that the fluid can be guided from one treatment chamber (108) to the next, in particular directly, or indirectly, in terms of flow and / or in terms of the vertical arrangement of the fluid tanks (112), via an intermediate storage tank (118) arranged therebetween.

3. 3. The treatment installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the treatment installation (100) has a plurality of treatment levels arranged vertically one on top of the other, a plurality of treatment stations (106) are respectively arranged on one or more of the treatment levels, and the treatment chambers (108) of the treatment stations (106) commonly arranged on one of the treatment levels are connected to each other by the fluid guide (120) and / or to one or more treatment chambers (108) of one or more of the treatment stations (106) arranged on one or more other treatment levels.

4. the processing facility (100) comprises two or more processing stations (106) arranged on a common processing level, the processing chambers (108) of the processing stations being connected to each other by the fluid guide (120); 4. The treatment installation (100) according to claim 1, further comprising a control device, the control device being formed and configured as follows: by means of the fluid guide (120) connecting the treatment chambers (108) to one another, in particular by means of gravity alone, a fluid can be guided from one of the treatment chambers (108) to another of the treatment chambers (108), thereby making it possible to carry out a partial filling process of one of the treatment chambers (108).

5. 5. The treatment installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid guide (120) has a storage tank (114) and / or an intermediate storage tank (118) from which fluid can be selectively supplied to one of a number of treatment stations (106) arranged below the storage tank (114) or the intermediate storage tank (118).

6. 6. The treatment facility (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the treatment facility (100) has a pressure compensation device (138) by means of which a plurality of fluid tanks (112) and / or a plurality of treatment vessels (110), in particular all of the fluid tanks (112) and all of the treatment vessels (110), are fluidly connected to one another in order to perform pressure compensation, in particular in the event of changes in the liquid filling state.

7. 7. The treatment installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the fluid guide (120) has one or more bypass conduits (142) by means of which fluid can be guided vertically downwards, around one or more fluid tanks (120) and / or filled into one or more fluid tanks (112) at a vertically lower position.

8. the treatment facility (100) comprises an intermediate storage tank (118) arranged vertically between two or more treatment stations (106); and the fluid guide (120) has a return conduit (130) by means of which fluid can be supplied to the intermediate storage tank (118) from a fluid tank (112) arranged vertically below the intermediate storage tank (118); A treatment facility (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. 9. The treatment installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the treatment installation (100) has a reflux device (126) for refluxing fluid from a vertically lowest fluid tank (112), in particular a counter tank (116), into a vertically higher fluid tank (112), in particular an intermediate storage tank (118), or into a vertically uppermost fluid tank (112), for example a storage tank (114).

10. 10. The treatment installation (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that the return device (126) has a pumping device (128) by means of which the return process can be carried out or the pumping device can be controlled by means of a control device of the treatment installation (100) in such a way that the fluid is returned at least approximately continuously and / or with an at least approximately constant fluid volume flow and / or fluid mass flow, the fluid volume flow and / or fluid mass flow generated by the pumping device (128) being at most approximately 1 / 10, in particular at most approximately 1 / 50, of the fluid volume flow and / or fluid mass flow of the fluid when filling one treatment chamber (108) of the treatment station (106).

11. 11. The treatment installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that an energy recovery device (141), in particular a turbine, is provided in one or more supply conduits (122) for supplying fluid from a fluid tank (112) which is at a higher vertical position into a fluid tank (112) which is at a lower vertical position.

12. 12. A treatment installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the one or more fluid tanks (112) are fluid-tight sealable or sealed in such a way that by emptying the one or more fluid tanks (112) by outflow of a fluid, in particular a liquid, a negative pressure is generated or can be generated in the one or more fluid tanks (112), which negative pressure is available at a later point in time, in particular for more easily filling the one or more fluid tanks (112) (112).

13. 13. The treatment installation (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the vertically lowest fluid tank (112) there is provided a fluid regeneration circulation (146) for regenerating the fluid in the lowest fluid tank (112), the fluid regeneration circulation comprising at least one pump device (128), at least one heat exchanger (136) and at least one cleaning device (134).

14. A method for treating a workpiece (102), in particular a vehicle body (104), said method comprising: i) from one or more fluid reservoirs (112) into at least one processing chamber (108) for injection into said at least one processing chamber (108); and / or ii) from the at least one treatment chamber (108) into the one or more fluid tanks (112) for draining the at least one treatment chamber (108); Guide the fluid, The method comprises:

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the fluid is supplied to a fluid tank (112) located above the processing chamber (108) in preparation for the injection process, at least approximately in an amount necessary to carry out the injection process.

16. The fluid is selectively passed through a reflux device (126), a) into a storage tank (114), whereby said storage tank is filled with fluid and said fluid is prepared for an injection process in a processing station (106) located below said storage tank (114), or b) being guided in a circular manner around said processing station (106) by a bypass conduit (142); 16. The method according to claim 14 or 15.

Images