Processing system and processing method

Abstract

A processing system 100 having a processing area for receiving a workpiece 102 to be processed and one or more operation devices 130 for performing one or more operations on the workpiece 102 to be processed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a treatment system for treating workpieces. A treatment system of this kind can be provided, for example, for the treatment of car bodies. In particular, the treatment system can serve for coating the workpieces. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0002] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a processing system which has a simple structure and which can be used flexibly and efficiently. [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] This object is achieved according to the invention by the dependent device claims.

[0004] It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for treating workpieces in a simple, flexible and efficient manner.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention by means of the features of the dependent method claims.

[0006] A processing system for processing workpieces, in particular car bodies, comprises: a processing area for receiving a workpiece to be processed; one or more work devices for performing one or more operations on the workpiece to be processed; Equipped with.

[0007] The treatment area is for example a machining area and / or a coating area for machining and / or treating a workpiece.

[0008] The operations carried out on the workpiece to be treated are in particular treatment operations, such as coating procedures and / or treatment procedures.

[0009] Optionally, the processing system comprises at least an access area from and / or in which the one or more working devices can be accessed when the one or more working devices are in an access condition.

[0010] In particular, one or more working implements may be accessible from and / or in at least one access area to persons, e.g. workers, and / or mechanically, in particular to maintenance machines and / or set-up machines, when the at least one or more working implements are in an access condition.

[0011] An access condition for a working device is in particular a condition other than a processing condition and / or a ready condition.

[0012] When the working device is in the access condition, it is in particular accessible for carrying out maintenance and / or setup operations, and in particular when the working device is in the access condition, it is not possible to carry out any operations on the workpiece to be processed by the working device.

[0013] The processing conditions of a working device are in particular the conditions under which an operation, such as a coating procedure and / or an operating procedure, is carried out by this working device on the workpiece to be processed.

[0014] The ready condition of a working implement is in particular a condition in which this working implement is ready to carry out a specific operation on the workpiece to be processed.

[0015] In order to be able to perform operations on the workpiece during the processing conditions of the working device, the device is preferably arranged in close proximity to the workpiece to be processed.

[0016] In the ready condition of the working device, the device is preferably spaced a greater distance from the workpiece being treated than in the processing condition.

[0017] When the working device is in the access condition, the device is preferably arranged at a distance and / or remote from the workpiece to be processed. Preferably, when the working device is in the access condition, the device is at least partially arranged within the access area or adjacent to the access area.

[0018] Preferably, at least one access area is an area that is spatially distinct and / or separated from the processing area.

[0019] In particular, it is preferred that there is no spatial overlap between the processing area and the at least one access area.

[0020] The processing area and the at least one access area are preferably subareas of a processing space of the processing system that is enclosed by the housing. The processing space of the processing system thus preferably comprises the processing area and the at least one access area.

[0021] Here, the treatment space is bounded by a base wall, in particular a floor accessible to humans, a covering wall, in particular a filter covering, and two side walls arranged opposite each other, in order to define the boundary in the remaining two directions of the space, one or more further side walls, one or more locks, in particular airlocks, one or more gates and / or doors, etc. are provided.

[0022] Preferably, one or more of the working devices, in particular all of them, are permanently or at least almost permanently and / or entirely or at least almost entirely arranged in the treatment space, in particular between the two side walls. Preferably, the working devices are not removed from the treatment space in order to carry out maintenance and / or set-up operations.

[0023] Preferably, all working devices remain within the treatment space while a treatment procedure is performed on the workpiece.

[0024] Preferably, all working devices are or remain permanently or at least almost permanently and / or entirely or at least almost entirely within a spatial region whose width is the minimum or maximum cross-section of the processing space running perpendicular to the conveying direction as the cross-section shifts in the conveying direction to both ends of the processing space and / or processing system.

[0025] One or more of the access areas, in particular all of them, are preferably arranged to be always stationary, in particular each permanently arranged at a single location within the treatment space.

[0026] Preferably, all access areas are or remain permanently or at least almost permanently and / or entirely or at least almost entirely within a spatial area whose width is the smallest or largest cross-section of the processing space running perpendicular to the transport direction when the cross-section shifts in the transport direction to both ends of the processing space and / or processing system.

[0027] Preferably, the treatment system comprises a transport device for transporting the workpiece, which can be transported into, through and / or out of the treatment area in a transport direction.

[0028] Here, the transport device can be capable of transporting in a single direction, for example in the case of a processing line of a processing system, but also allows the workpieces to be transported in various directions, for example through a feed opening into the processing space, and once processing is complete, to be transported out of the processing space again through the same feed opening. do.

[0029] The transport device may preferably be arranged to transport the workpieces above a foundation wall of the processing system, in particular above a human-accessible floor of the processing system.

[0030] In particular, the upper surface of the conveying device which is at the top in relation to the direction of gravity is arranged at the same level as the human-accessible floor of the processing space of the processing system.

[0031] Alternatively, the upper surface of the uppermost transport device with respect to the direction of gravity can be arranged at least about 30 cm, for example at least about 40 cm, in particular about 50 cm, above the human-accessible floor of the processing space of the processing system. Compared to alternatively conceivable floor-level transport devices, this allows to generate an enlarged spatial area for multiple and / or additional working devices in the processing space. Furthermore, this allows to optimize the accessibility to one or more working devices.

[0032] It may be preferable for the entire transport apparatus, and in particular all of its components arranged in the treatment space, to be arranged above the base wall, and in particular above the human-accessible floor of the treatment space.

[0033] It may be preferred if the processing system has a human accessible floor extending at different heights. The human accessible floor is in particular a grid floor or includes a grid floor.

[0034] Preferably, a normal level of the floor accessible to humans is provided in the entrance and / or exit areas of the treatment space, the normal level being a height level that allows stepping over the transport device, in particular while complying with existing safety regulations, for example with a maximum height of the obstacle formed by the transport device of at most about 10 cm, in particular at most about 5 cm.

[0035] Preferably, in the processing area, in particular between the entrance and exit areas, there is a drop level, where the human-accessible floor is lower in the entrance and / or exit areas. In the area of ​​the drop level, the human-accessible floor is preferably at least about 300 mm, for example at least about 400 mm, in particular about 500 mm, lower than the normal level.

[0036] Preferably, the lowered level and the normal level are connected by one or more steps, which are arranged, for example, between the two access areas when viewed in a transverse direction extending horizontally and perpendicular to the conveying direction, in particular on both sides of a conveying device for conveying the workpieces.

[0037] The handling system may preferably comprise one or more guiding elements for guiding the working device or devices respectively.

[0038] It may be preferred if one or more, in particular all, of the guide elements of the treatment system are arranged above the base wall, in particular above the human-accessible floor of the treatment space, which allows easy access to the components of the treatment system.

[0039] The processing system according to the invention preferably comprises a plurality of working devices, which are preferably accessible from and / or in the access area, in particular for maintenance and / or set-up, in particular for cleaning.

[0040] It may be advantageous if a plurality of working devices are accessible from and / or in a common access area, at least in their access conditions.

[0041] Preferably, at least one access area is associated with a plurality of working devices.

[0042] Each access area may preferably be associated with a plurality of working devices.

[0043] Furthermore, each working device may be associated with exactly one access area, where preferably at least one working device each shares a common access area with one or more further working devices.

[0044] The working device or devices are preferably arranged and / or formed to be movable, and in the present application such working devices are specifically referred to as mobile working devices.

[0045] The working device or devices are displaceable, in particular along the guide element or elements, in particular in the guide direction.

[0046] Here, the guiding direction is in particular at least approximately parallel to the conveying direction of the conveying device.

[0047] The working device or devices may preferably be at least partially movable into and / or to the at least one access area.

[0048] The working device or devices are preferably movable as a whole and / or themselves.

[0049] It may be preferred if the one or more working devices each have an operating base, which is arranged, for example, on a guide element.Furthermore, it may be preferred if the one or more working devices each comprise an operating element for performing a task.

[0050] The actuation element and the actuation base may preferably be interconnected by an actuation arm, in particular a robotic arm.

[0051] The actuating elements are therefore in particular arranged and / or formed to be movable relative to the actuating base.

[0052] It may be preferred that the one or more operating elements of the one or more working devices are movable into and / or to the at least one access area, the operating base and / or the operating arm of the respective working device being in this case in particular arranged outside and / or spaced apart from the access area.

[0053] The working devices can preferably be configured to be arranged in different access conditions, in which case different parts and / or components of the respective working devices are accessible to a person, in particular an operator, under different access conditions, in particular depending on a risk condition for a person, e.g. as a result of different voltages at the actuating elements and / or actuating arms.

[0054] The working device or devices may each preferably have one or more actuating elements, in particular one or more application elements and / or operating elements.

[0055] One or more of the operating elements, in particular all of the working devices, can be moved partially and / or completely and / or simultaneously and / or sequentially into and / or to the access area, in particular when the respective working device is in an access condition.

[0056] The actuation arm is in particular movable and / or displaceable in multiple axes and / or by means of multiple joints, for example a 5-axis, 6-axis or 7-axis configuration can be provided.

[0057] The treatment system may preferably comprise one or more separation elements, in particular separation walls, by means of which the at least one access area and the treatment area are separated from each other.

[0058] The at least one access area and the treatment area are preferably interconnected by one or more approach openings in one or more separation elements, in particular in a separation wall.

[0059] The approach opening(s) are in particular openings and / or recesses in the separation element(s).

[0060] Instead of or in addition to a separating element in the form of a separating wall, one or more nozzles can be provided, for example, for providing an inlet air flow. By means of the one or more nozzles, it is possible in particular to generate an air curtain, in particular an inlet air curtain, by means of which the treatment area and the at least one access area can be separated from each other.

[0061] In particular, the or nozzles can prevent air in the processing area from flowing into the at least one access area.

[0062] The nozzle or nozzles preferably form an air tenn device of the treatment system. Furthermore, the nozzle or nozzles may form an integral part of an air curtain device.

[0063] In particular, an air curtain, e.g. an air curtain blown in, may be generated at one or more approach openings by one or more nozzles, in particular to prevent or at least minimize air exchange between the processing area and one or more access areas.

[0064] It may be advantageous for the nozzle or nozzles, in particular the slot nozzles, to be arranged above the approach opening or openings, in particular directly and / or immediately above and / or spaced above the upper edge of the approach opening or openings with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0065] The nozzle or nozzles may preferably be arranged, and may be in such a form, that the main direction of flow of the gas stream, in particular the air stream, provided by the nozzle forms an angle (α, alpha) with the direction of gravity of at least about 5°, in particular at least about 10°, and / or at most about 30°, in particular at most about 20°.

[0066] Furthermore, the nozzles can be variably, in particular variably and / or adjustably, arranged and / or configured such that the main direction of flow of the gas stream, in particular the air stream, provided by the nozzle forms an adjustable angle (α, alpha) with the direction of gravity, the angle being preferably adjustable continuously or in discrete steps between at least about 0° and about 90°, in particular at least about 5° and about 45°.

[0067] The deflection element or elements can be arranged above the approach opening or openings with respect to the direction of gravity, in particular immediately above an upper edge of the approach opening or openings, such that the air flow, in particular the recirculating air flow, guided downwards in the direction of gravity through the treatment area is configured to be deflected away from the approach opening or openings, in particular in a direction projecting away from the approach openings perpendicularly with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0068] The distance between the deflection element(s) and / or nozzle(s) on the one hand and the upper edge of the approach opening on the other hand is preferably at most about 700 mm, in particular at most about 500 mm, for example at most about 200 mm, so that in the region of the approach opening a uniform flow can be generated, preferably with a low flow rate and a low volumetric flow rate.

[0069] It may be preferred if the upper surface of the deflection element that deflects the air flow forms an angle (β, beta) with the direction of gravity of at least about 10°, in particular at least about 20° and / or at most about 40°, in particular at most about 30°.

[0070] In one embodiment of the invention, the nozzle(s), in particular the slot nozzle(s) and the deflection element(s) can be arranged above the approach opening(s) with respect to the direction of gravity, in particular just above the upper edge of the approach opening(s), the nozzle(s) being arranged below the deflection element(s) and / or leading into a spatial region arranged just below the deflection element(s).

[0071] The nozzle or nozzles, in particular slot nozzles, preferably protrude from the separation element into or in the direction of the treatment region. In particular, the nozzle or nozzles, in particular slot nozzles, by themselves or together with the deflection element, when viewed in cross section, can have an at least approximately triangular shape, with one side of the triangle preferably running at least approximately horizontally.

[0072] In particular for stabilising the flow, the approach opening(s) and / or the separation element(s) can each be provided with one or more diverting elements, in particular lateral diverting elements, whereby the air flow can be influenced in the area surrounding the approach opening(s).

[0073] One or more of the flow diverting elements, especially the lateral flow diverting elements, are preferably stabilizing elements.

[0074] The lateral diversion element or elements may preferably be arranged in particular adjacent and / or spaced apart from one or more side edges of the approach opening or openings, and preferably extend at least approximately perpendicular and / or at least approximately orthogonal to the separating element which receives or bears or supports the respective lateral diversion element.

[0075] In particular, in each case a lateral diversion element is arranged on each side of the approach opening or openings.

[0076] The lateral flow diversion elements are preferably arranged and / or formed at least approximately parallel to one another.

[0077] The deflection element or elements, the nozzle or elements and / or the diverting element or elements, in particular the lateral diverting elements, can be arranged at a distance from the respective approach opening so that a separation element portion is formed which surrounds the respective approach opening and is in particular planar, along which and / or by which an air flow which is as undisturbed and / or laminar as possible is obtained.

[0078] It can be advantageous if the separation element portion takes the form of being particularly planar below the respective approach opening and / or does not comprise deflection and / or diverting elements, in which case the formation of vortex currents can be prevented.

[0079] The separation element parts preferably extend on one, two, three or four sides, in particular upwardly, downwardly and / or laterally, in particular a distance of at least about 50 mm, preferably at least about 100 mm, for example at least about 150 mm, away from the approach opening, which allows for a uniform flow in the area of ​​the approach opening.

[0080] The access area and / or spatial area which is separated from the treatment area by at least one separating element, in particular by at least one separating wall, is preferably a so-called cubicle or maintenance tower or forms a cubicle or maintenance tower.

[0081] Preferably, by means of the air guiding device an air flow can be supplied in particular to one or more access areas and / or to one or more nozzles, for example to one or more nozzles of one or more air curtain devices.

[0082] The primary supply air flow can be drawn in by suction and / or conditioned and then supplied as an air flow to each access area or air curtain device, or each air flow can be supplied and / or conditioned separately for each access area or air curtain device, independent of the other air flows.

[0083] Preferably, the air stream can be split into two partial stream parts, one partial air stream can be fed to the access area and another partial air stream can be fed to one or more nozzles, e.g. one or more nozzles of an air curtain device, in which case the splitting can take place immediately upstream of the access area and / or immediately upstream of the one or more nozzles.

[0084] It may be preferable if it is manually or automatically controllable by open-loop or closed-loop control, for example using one or more valves or dampers, in which case it is preferable to have a control device in the form and arranged for controlling the splitting by open-loop or closed-loop control, in particular depending on airflow parameters in the processing area of ​​the processing system and / or depending on airflow parameters of the airflow being supplied and / or split or to be split.

[0085] The air flow, in particular the partial air flow, is supplied to the access area, for example by a filter cover or a plenum immediately above the access area. Alternatively or additionally, the air flow, in particular the partial air flow, can be supplied to the access area by one or more nozzles in or above the access area, for example by one or more fan nozzles having a cross section in the form of a quarter cylinder and / or of a quarter circle and arranged, for example, along one, two or more edge areas between the cover and the dividing wall of the access area.

[0086] For example, two nozzles, in particular fan nozzles, arranged opposite each other can be arranged on either side of an entrance opening and / or on either side of an approach opening.

[0087] Instead of or in addition to a nozzle in the form of a fan nozzle, one or more triangular nozzles may also be provided.

[0088] A nozzle, in particular a fan nozzle, may preferably be arranged on the side of the separation element on which the approach openings are arranged. A further nozzle, in particular a further fan nozzle, is preferably arranged on the side opposite to this side.

[0089] In particular, the use of an air curtain device can advantageously eliminate the need for a predetermined amount of fresh air to be provided and / or supplied to, for example, one or more access areas in addition to a predetermined amount of fresh air to maintain preset air parameters in the treatment area.

[0090] Rather, when supplied to the access area(s), the volume fraction of the fresh air flow in the recirculated air flow may preferably be provided at most about 20%, in particular at most about 15%, for example at most about 10%, preferably at most about 5%, so that a human-accessible atmosphere can preferably be maintained in the access area(s), preferably while at the same time avoiding an explosive atmosphere in the processing area.

[0091] From an energy standpoint, it is preferred that the optimum proportion (by volume) of fresh air flow provided is about 3% to 7% (by volume) of the recirculated air flow.

[0092] Furthermore, depending on the climatic conditions and the proportion (by volume) of the fresh air flow in the recirculated air flow (by volume), a temperature difference between the temperature of the fresh air flow and the temperature of the recirculated air flow of at most about 7°C, in particular at most 5°C, preferably at most 2°C, may yield advantageous results from an energy point of view.

[0093] As a concrete example of an access area, the area may have the following dimensions (in each case the internal dimensions between the walls bounding the access area): Base surface area: approx. 1500mm x 1500mm Height: Approx. 2500mm

[0094] The volumetric flow rate of air supplied to each access area is at most approximately 400 m 3 / h, e.g. at least about 600m 3 / hour and / or at most about 1500m 3 / hour, e.g. at most about 1000m 3 / hour. In particular, for example, 860m 3 A volumetric air flow rate of 1000 rpm / hour may be advantageous.

[0095] Preferably, the flow rate of air passing through the access area is, on average, at least about 0.1 m / s, such as at least about 0.14 m / s, and / or at most about 0.3 m / s, such as 0.16 m / s. In particular, such a flow rate of about 0.16 m / s may be advantageous.

[0096] The flow rate of air passing through the treatment area may be preferably at least about 0.2 m / s, such as at least about 0.3 m / s and / or at most about 0.6 m / s, such as at most 0.5 m / s, at the center and / or on average. In particular, such flow rates of about 0.35 to 0.4 m / s may be advantageous.

[0097] In the edge region of the treatment area and / or upstream and / or downstream of the treatment area in the direction of transport, the air flow rate may be preferably at least about 0.1 m / s, for example at least about 0.2 m / s and / or at most about 0.4 m / s, for example at most about 0.3 m / s, on average. In particular, it may be advantageous for such a flow rate to be between 0.22 m / s and about 0.28 m / s.

[0098] The average flow rate, in particular the sink rate, in the treatment area is preferably greater than or at least approximately the same as the average flow rate, in particular the sink rate, in the access area, in particular given a deviation of at most about 5%.

[0099] If there is a large difference in the sink rates upstream and downstream of an approach opening, a pressure differential can occur that can result in mixing of the two air streams. Air curtains minimize this exchange and stabilize the separation of recirculated air from fresh air.

[0100] If the velocity in the access area is low, the air forming the air curtain must accelerate to obtain optimal fluid separation.

[0101] In order to minimize the separation effect between the processing area and the access area, instead of or in addition to the air curtain, a mechanical closing device can be installed for at least partially or completely opening and closing the approach opening. For example, a saloon door or a sliding window can be envisaged. The mechanical closing device is preferably monitorable, in particular to avoid a collision of the closing element of the closing device with one or more working devices when the working devices are brought into an access condition.

[0102] The temperature of the air flow can affect the fluidic separation of the treatment area from the access area. Preferably, for this reason, the temperature difference between the air flow in the treatment area and the air flow in the access area is at most about 10 K, in particular at most about 7 K, for example at most about 4 K.

[0103] As supply air for one or more access areas, air from a clean space can be used, for example, in which case the air should be in the temperature range of, for example, about 16°C to about 30°C, if the temperature of the recirculating air stream in the treatment area is about 23°C.

[0104] One or more of the approach openings may, for example, be open at all times.

[0105] Alternatively or additionally, the approach opening(s) may be closable, in particular automatically closable, for example by a motor. Furthermore, manual opening and closing of the approach opening(s) may be possible.

[0106] In particular one or more flaps and / or sliders can be provided for closing the approach opening or openings.

[0107] It may be preferable if one or more approach openings are automatically opened if and / or as soon as one or more working implements are placed in an access condition and accessible from the access area associated with the respective approach opening.

[0108] Preferably, the respective approach opening is closed, for example automatically, when the working device is again brought into the ready and / or processing condition and / or leaves the access area.

[0109] It is preferred that the approach opening or openings, in particular all of the approach openings, have a height, in particular an internal clearance, which corresponds to at most about 40%, for example at most about 20%, preferably at most about 10%, of the height of the treatment space (in particular the spacing between the covering wall and the base wall).

[0110] It is preferred that the width of the approach opening or openings, in particular the overall width of the approach openings, is at most about 20%, in particular at most about 10%, for example about 5%, of the width of the treatment space (in particular the spacing between mutually opposing side walls relative to the vertical longitudinal central plane of the treatment space).

[0111] Preferably, the spatial area of ​​the treatment space separated from the treatment area by one or more separation elements and in particular comprising or forming an access area extends over at least about 50%, preferably at least about 80%, of the total height of the treatment space (in particular the distance between the base wall and the covering wall).

[0112] It may be preferable for the one or more approach openings to be arranged in one or more separation elements, in particular in a separation wall, the one or more separation elements being arranged in particular transverse to the conveying and / or guiding direction, preferably at least approximately perpendicular thereto.

[0113] The approach opening or openings may preferably be arranged in the upper half and / or the upper or central third of the processing space of the processing system.

[0114] In particular, the approach opening or openings can be arranged, in particular with respect to the midpoint of the respective approach opening, at least about 80 cm, for example at least about 1 m, and / or at most about 1.80 m, for example at most about 1.50 m, above a floor accessible to persons in a spatial region of the processing space separated by the separating element or elements, thereby allowing easy access for persons to the operating element or elements of the working device or devices.

[0115] Thus, at least one access area is accessible from the processing area or from an intermediate area arranged between the processing area and the respective access area, preferably from one or two directions parallel to the conveying direction and / or parallel to the guide direction.

[0116] Alternatively or additionally, the approach opening or openings can be arranged in one or more separation elements, in particular in a separation wall, the separation element or elements being arranged and / or oriented at least approximately parallel to the conveying direction and / or the guiding direction.

[0117] It is preferred that one or more access areas, in particular all of the access areas, are arranged closer to or extend further in the direction of the vertical longitudinal central plane of the processing space than one or more, in particular all of the guide elements for guiding a working device associated with the respective access area.

[0118] The one or more separation elements separating the at least one access area and the processing area from each other, in particular all of the separation elements, are preferably arranged and / or positioned on an inner surface (facing the processing area) of a side wall surrounding the processing space.

[0119] In particular, preferably, at least a portion of at least one side wall forms one or more boundary walls of one or more access areas. It may be preferred if one or more entrance openings, in particular one or more doors, are arranged in one or more parts of the respective side wall so as to allow one or more persons from outside the treatment space to access a spatial area of ​​the treatment space separated from the treatment area by one or more separation elements.

[0120] It may be advantageous for the approach opening or openings each to have a plurality of openings, whereby free cross sections of various dimensions of the respective approach opening can be passed or blocked.

[0121] For example, depending on the respective operating mode of the processing system and / or depending on the respective maintenance or setup operations on one or more working devices, it may be preferable for different opening portions of one or more approach openings to be passable or blockable, in particular by one or more mechanical closing elements.

[0122] Furthermore, one or more or all of the approach openings may be completely blockable, for example by closing off all of the opening portions of the respective approach openings.

[0123] The apertures may be arranged or formatted so that they overlap one another, are adjacent to one another, or are spaced apart from one another.

[0124] One or more or all of the openings may advantageously be mechanically closeable, for example by one or more flaps or doors configured to be selectively placed in an open or blocked position by one or more hinge or sliding elements.

[0125] In order to close one or more or all of the openings of one or more or all of the approach openings, one or more or all of the block elements may preferably be partially or fully transparent, in particular configured to allow a person to see through them. In particular, one or more or all of the block elements may be made of or contain a transparent material. Alternatively or additionally, one or more or all of the block elements may be formed and / or arranged in such a way that they are not completely continuous but are interrupted, for example in a grid pattern.

[0126] It may be advantageous if one or more or all of the blocking elements are configured to be automatically, in particular autonomously and / or mechanically driven into the blocking and / or opening positions.

[0127] Alternatively or additionally, one or more or all of the blocking elements may be further configured to be put into the blocking and / or opening position manually, in particular by a person, e.g. an operator.

[0128] The position of one or more or all of the blocking elements is preferably measurable by the control device, in particular detectable by a sensor.

[0129] In one embodiment of the invention, an entry opening for persons, in particular workers, to enter the access area can be openable only if one or more or all of the blocking elements are arranged in their respective preset positions, in which case the entry opening can be closed or closable, in particular mechanically or pneumatically, to deny entry.

[0130] Alternatively or in addition to the above-mentioned variants of one or more or all of the blocking elements, one or more or all of the blocking elements can be configured to be actuated by a working device, in particular by a working device accessible in the access area. For example, one or more or all of the blocking elements of an approach opening can be configured to be actuated by the working device, in particular to be pushed open or otherwise in an open position, when the working device extends or protrudes through or into the approach opening. One or more or all of the blocking elements are preferably configured to be returned to a blocking position when the working device is removed from the approach opening, in particular the blocking elements can be in the form of being automatically reset.

[0131] The air curtain can be generated by one or more nozzles of the treatment system, and the treatment area and the at least one access area are separated from each other by the air curtain.

[0132] One or more persons may enter specifically into the access area.

[0133] The entry opening or openings are preferably closable, in particular to avoid undesirable air exchange with the area surrounding the treatment system.

[0134] To minimise air exchange and / or the ingress of contaminants into the treatment space, the entry openings may be equipped with locks and / or air curtains and / or compressed air showers or the like.

[0135] The access area is preferably accessible to persons from outside the housing of the processing system through an entrance opening, particularly a door.

[0136] The access area is preferably accessible by one or more working devices from the processing area through an approach opening.

[0137] In particular, the access area is accessible by one or more working devices directly from the processing area through an approach opening.

[0138] Furthermore, in particular, the access area is accessible to persons directly from outside the housing of the processing system through an entry opening, in particular without persons having to pass through the processing area to reach the access area.

[0139] Preferably, a person does not come into contact with the atmosphere of the treatment area to reach the access area.

[0140] Preferably, the access region has a different gas composition than the gas composition of the treatment region, in particular a lower toxic load, e.g. a smaller solvent concentration.

[0141] In the access area, an atmosphere prevails which allows people to be there without protection, preferably permanently, whereas in the treatment area there may be higher concentrations of toxic substances, in particular higher concentrations of solvents, in particular solvent concentrations which exceed the maximum concentrations for e.g. workplaces with a hazardous substance load.

[0142] In one embodiment of the invention, the treatment system may include an air supply that includes a recirculating air supply and / or a blown air supply.

[0143] The recirculating air supply device preferably directs the recirculating air stream through the treatment area multiple times.

[0144] By means of the inlet air supply device an inlet air flow, in particular a fresh air flow and / or a factory air flow, can preferably be supplied to the access area or areas.

[0145] In particular, by means of the inlet air supply device, a respective inlet air flow can be supplied to each of the spatial regions of the treatment space which are separated from the treatment region by one or more separation elements.

[0146] Generally, the inlet air is, for example, fresh air and / or factory air. The inlet air can be supplied unconditioned and / or unaltered from the respective source (e.g. from the surrounding area and / or from the factory). Alternatively, a conditioned supply can be provided, in which case it is conditioned or has been conditioned, in particular by heating, cooling, humidification and / or dehumidification.

[0147] By means of the air supply device, preferably separate air can be supplied to the access area or areas on the one hand and to the treatment area on the other hand, so that in particular different toxic substance loads, in particular different solvent concentrations, can be obtained and in particular adjusted. Preferably, from the point of view of optimal protection of persons, this allows the toxic substance concentrations in the access area or areas to be minimized. For example, from the point of view of operating the treatment system in an energy-saving manner as much as possible, the air guided through the treatment area is recirculated multiple times, so that the purification costs of purifying the exhaust gases and the regulation costs of adjusting the total amount of air required are minimized.

[0148] Advantageously, the recirculating air flow from the processing area and the inlet air flow from one or more access areas may be combined into a common air flow by means of a recirculating air supply.

[0149] By means of the recirculating air supply device, preferably at least a partial air flow (by volume) of the common air flow can be supplied again as a recirculating air flow to the treatment area.

[0150] By means of the exhaust gas guide it is preferably arranged that a partial air flow (by volume) of the common air flow is guided outwards as exhaust air.

[0151] In particular, preferably, downstream of the stripping device for purifying the common air flow, the shared air flow is divided (by volume) into partial air flows which are again fed to the treatment area, and the exhaust air flow is purified, for example by a thermal purification device, in particular a regenerative thermal exhaust gas purification device, and finally discharged to the surrounding area or reused in another way.

[0152] It may be advantageous for one or more of the access areas, in particular all of them, to have respective inlets arranged, as viewed in the direction of gravity, in particular at the upper end of a spatial area of ​​the processing space separated from the processing area by one or more separation elements.

[0153] The inlets are in particular arranged in the covered area of ​​the treatment space, in particular in the covered wall.

[0154] Furthermore, one or more of the access areas, in particular all of them, can have a respective outlet arranged, in particular at the lower end, as viewed in the direction of gravity, of a spatial area separated from the processing area by one or more separating elements.

[0155] The outlet or outlets preferably lead to the treatment area, in particular to a bottom area of ​​the treatment area which is at the bottom with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0156] One or more or all of the outlets may preferably be adjustable with respect to the respective cross section, in order to regulate the volumetric flow rate, for example manually or automatically, by means of a valve or flap device, in particular by means of an open-loop or closed-loop control, so that it is possible to influence in particular the flow conditions and / or the flow guidance in the treatment space and / or in the at least one access area.

[0157] Alternatively or in addition, one or more of the access areas, particularly all of them, may not have a separate exhaust outlet other than one or more approach openings so as to form a single exhaust outlet for the airflow supplied to the access areas.

[0158] Furthermore, one or more exhaust outlets can be led to a raw gas shaft arranged below the treatment space, in particular so that the air guided out of the access area is combined with the air guided out of the treatment area only when it is downstream of the treatment area.

[0159] The flow cross-section through the approach opening(s) and the exhaust opening(s) is preferably selected so that the feed air, in particular fresh air and factory air, supplied by the inlet(s) flows from the access area through the approach opening(s) in the direction of the processing area.

[0160] Alternatively or in addition, the approach opening(s) and / or the exhaust opening(s) may be dimensioned, particularly with respect to their respective flow cross-sections, such that an air flow is generated out of the treatment area and into the access area, particularly by appropriately selecting the volumetric flow rate of the inlet air flow supplied through the approach opening(s) by the inlet(s).

[0161] In another development of the invention, the feed air, in particular fresh air and / or factory air, guided through the access area can be used preferably without or with only minor contamination by the recirculated air guided through the processing area for flushing the guiding element(s), in particular in order to prevent and / or at least minimize an undesirable outflow of the recirculated air onto the guiding element(s).

[0162] A mixture of recirculated air and blown air is generated in particular in the region of the guide element or elements.

[0163] The processing system may advantageously comprise a controller configured to selectively place the processing system in different modes of operation.

[0164] In particular, one or more of the following operating modes are provided: a) A processing mode in which one or more workpieces are processed in a processing area by one or more working devices, during which preferably no people are or can be present in one or more access areas. Processing modes of this kind serve in particular to minimize the need for blown air, in particular in cases where the prevailing atmosphere in the access area is not suitable for human access without protection. b) A safety mode, in which one or more workpieces are treated in the treatment area by one or more working devices. During this time, preferably at least one person is or can be present in the access area or areas. In this type of safety mode, the atmosphere prevailing in the access area or areas preferably has a toxic substance load that is low enough for a person to be present there without protection. In particular, when the treatment system is operated in the safety mode, a toxic substance load that is lower than the maximum permissible workplace concentration is provided in the access area or areas. The treatment system can be in the safety mode, in particular for carrying out maintenance and / or set-up work on the working devices and simultaneously carrying out another treatment procedure on the workpieces in the treatment area. Thus, preferably, it is not necessary to completely shut down the treatment system in order to be able to carry out at least separate maintenance and / or set-up work on the working devices or areas. c) A maintenance mode in which no processing of workpieces takes place in the processing area. The processing system is preferably placed in the maintenance mode only when it is necessary to perform maintenance on a component or part of the processing system that is not accessible in or from the access area even when one or more work devices are in the access condition.

[0165] For example, using one or more sensors arranged, for example, at one or more entry openings, and / or based on maintenance predictions and / or maintenance plans, the processing system can be automatically placed, preferably by a controller, into processing mode, safety mode or maintenance mode as required.

[0166] Furthermore, the working device or devices can preferably be automatically deactivated with respect to one or more functions by the control device, in particular when the respective working device is brought into the access state, for example a high voltage applied to an actuating element of the working device can be switched off when the associated actuating element approaches and / or moves into the access area.

[0167] The processing system may preferably have multiple safety areas and / or safety steps that are rated with respect to risk to personnel and / or with respect to potential contamination and / or damage to workpieces.

[0168] In particular, the safety regions and / or safety steps are arranged such that increasing distance from the processing region poses lower risk steps.

[0169] In the individual safety areas and / or safety steps, different movement speeds can be provided for the workpieces and / or the working devices, in particular the actuating elements, preferably with the highest movement speeds being permitted in the processing areas and the lowest speeds being permitted in the access areas or other areas accessible to persons, between which intermediate areas, in particular intermediate steps, can be provided in order to provide transition areas between the high and low speeds of movement.

[0170] It may be preferred if the processing system comprises one or more automatic maintenance devices, in particular cleaning devices, for each one or more operating elements. In particular, the automatic cleaning device may be a so-called bell cleaner, in particular for cleaning one or more operating elements, which may in particular be an application head, in particular a spray head.

[0171] The automatic maintenance device or devices, in particular cleaning devices, can for example be arranged outside the access area and / or on the side of the separating element or elements, in particular the separating wall, facing the treatment space.

[0172] Alternatively or additionally, one or more automatic maintenance devices, in particular cleaning devices, can be arranged in the access area and / or on the side of the separating element or elements, in particular separating walls, facing away from the treatment space.

[0173] In the safety mode, it can be advantageous if the working device or devices, in particular the operating element or elements of the working device or devices, can be moved, in particular sequentially in time, into and / or to the at least one access area so that maintenance and / or set-up operations can be carried out by personnel, in particular in this case the workpiece processing, in particular the workpiece coating, is not interrupted in the safety mode.

[0174] The or each working device in the access condition is at least temporarily replaced in its function by one or more other working devices of the processing system, in particular for carrying out maintenance and / or set-up operations.

[0175] The processing system, in particular the working equipment, is preferably capable of operating in a degraded mode, in which all tasks required to process the workpiece are assigned in the event of a break or defect to working equipment that is not in an access condition and / or break condition but is in a ready and / or processing condition.

[0176] It may be preferable for a processing system to have more work equipment than is necessary to perform the operations required to process a workpiece, such that each or multiple work equipment can be sequentially temporarily disconnected from their respective jobs and made accessible to perform one or more maintenance and / or set-up operations.

[0177] The treatment system may comprise a transport device, by means of which the workpieces can be transported into, through and / or out of the treatment region in a transport direction.

[0178] Preferably, at least two access areas are arranged and / or formed on mutually opposite sides of a vertical longitudinal central plane of the processing system parallel to the transport direction.

[0179] In this way, the workpiece is in particular accessible from both sides and can preferably be treated simultaneously from both sides and / or alternately from each side in turn.

[0180] Alternatively or in addition, at least two access areas can be provided, of which at least one access area is arranged upstream of the processing area when viewed in the conveying direction and at least one other access area is arranged downstream of the processing area when viewed in the conveying direction.

[0181] Preferably, in this way, at least two access areas are arranged opposite one another with respect to a transverse central plane perpendicular to the transport direction of the processing area and / or the processing system.

[0182] In particular, two or four access areas can be associated with each processing area, the access areas being arranged in particular in corner areas of the processing space surrounding the processing area.

[0183] Preferably, below the treatment area, in particular directly below the treatment space, a stripping device is arranged for stripping contaminants from the air flow guided through the treatment area.

[0184] The stripping device is fluidly connected to the treatment area, in particular by the raw gas shaft of the treatment system.

[0185] The air flow guided from the treatment area can be fed, in particular by means of a raw gas shaft, to one or more stripping units of the stripping device.

[0186] The raw gas shaft is in particular arranged substantially centrally below the treatment space, in particular preferably extending in the conveying direction of the treatment system, for example directly below the conveying device.

[0187] Preferably, a plenum is arranged above the treatment area, in particular immediately above the treatment space, for supplying air to the treatment area.

[0188] The plenum can be, for example, a split plenum, by means of which different air flows can be supplied to different regions of the processing space, for example by means of a split plenum, which allows recirculated air to be supplied to a processing region and, for example, feed air, in particular fresh air and / or factory air, to one or more access regions.

[0189] Furthermore, the treatment system preferably comprises one or more ventilators for driving one or more air flows, in particular for driving a recirculating air flow and / or a blown air flow and / or an exhaust air flow.

[0190] In particular, the use of split plenums and / or the use of additional nozzles can have the effect of dividing the process space into regions having different sink rates.

[0191] In particular, an air flow, especially a recirculating air flow, can be supplied to a treatment area at a higher sink rate than one or more air flows are supplied to one or more other areas, especially one or more access areas.

[0192] For example, the treatment space can be divided into regions of different sink rates, in particular in the transport direction, with the region with the maximum sink rate preferably being arranged in the middle of the treatment region or comprising the treatment region, preferably one or two or more regions with lower sink rates being located upstream and / or downstream of the region with the maximum sink rate as viewed in the transport direction, the sink rate preferably decreasing with increasing distance from the region with the maximum sink rate.

[0193] Preferably, the sink rate in the region with the maximum sink rate is at least about 0.25 m / s, such as at least about 0.35 m / s, and / or at most about 0.5 m / s, such as at most about 0.4 m / s, in particular at most about 0.35 m / s.

[0194] In one or both of the regions immediately adjacent to this region, the sink rate is preferably at least about 0.15 m / s, such as at least about 0.2 m / s, and / or at most about 0.4 m / s, such as at most about 0.3 m / s, especially at most about 0.25 m / s.

[0195] As the distance from the region with the maximum sink rate increases, it is preferred that at least one region is provided with a sink rate of at least about 0.05 m / sec, for example at least about 0.08 m / sec, and / or at most about 0.3 m / sec, for example at most about 0.2 m / sec, in particular at most about 0.1 m / sec.

[0196] For the supply of air to one or more or all of the access areas, preferably at least one separate air guide is provided.

[0197] The treatment method is in particular a method for treating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies.

[0198] Preferably, in the method, one or more operations are performed on the workpiece in the processing area by one or more working devices.

[0199] Furthermore, it is preferable that one or more working devices are brought into an access condition, in particular for carrying out maintenance work and / or set-up work, and are then accessible from and / or in at least one access area.

[0200] Preferably, the processing system is selectively operated in different operating modes, in particular one or more of the following operating modes are provided: a processing mode in which one or more workpieces are processed in the processing area by one or more working devices, during which preferably no one is or can be in the access area or areas, and / or a safety mode in which one or more workpieces are processed in the processing area by one or more working devices, during which preferably at least one person is or can be in the access area or areas, and / or a maintenance mode in which no processing of workpieces takes place in the processing area at all.

[0201] It may be preferable if different working devices are brought into an access condition sequentially and at least one maintenance operation and / or setup operation is performed for each of the working devices, while one or more processing operations are performed in the processing area to process workpieces by one or more working devices that are not in an access condition, in particular continuing and / or maintaining without interruption.

[0202] In particular, multiple work devices may have overlapping task areas to allow for reduced maintenance and / or set-up time by alternating use of the work devices.

[0203] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one working device, for example in the form of an external painting robot, can perform at least one additional task, for example an internal painting operation and / or handling operation, in particular an opening and closing procedure for the body bonnet or doors of the workpiece, depending on the availability and functional scope of one or more other working devices.

[0204] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, at least one working device, for example in the form of an interior painting robot, can perform at least one additional task, such as an exterior painting operation or an operating operation, in particular an opening and closing procedure for the body bonnet or doors of the workpiece, depending on the availability and / or functional scope of one or more other working devices.

[0205] It may be advantageous if one or more handling operations, in particular one or more opening and closing procedures of the body bonnet or door of the workpiece, can be performed by a plurality of working devices, in particular by a plurality of working devices that differ with respect to their main task, for example the same at least one handling operation can be performed by a plurality of working devices in the form of painting robots.

[0206] It may be advantageous if at least one operating operation can be variably, in particular alternately, performed by the workpiece depending on the process details of the processing sequence for processing the workpiece. In particular, the control device can be configured in such a way that it is possible to select which operating device in each individual case performs the respective operating operation depending on the process details of the processing sequence.

[0207] The method preferably has each or more of the features and / or advantages described with respect to the processing system.

[0208] Moreover, the processing system preferably has each or several of the features and / or advantages described with respect to the method.

[0209] In one embodiment of the invention, the processing system can comprise one or more guide elements on which one or more working devices are respectively displaceably arranged. The guide element or elements, in particular all of the guide elements, can preferably take the form of a guide rail.

[0210] The guide element or elements are preferably formed and / or oriented at least approximately parallel to one another in a particular area or over the entire area and / or at least approximately parallel to the transport direction of the transport device of the processing system in a particular area or over the entire area.

[0211] In particular, the guiding direction in which the working device or devices can be displaced as guided by the guiding element or elements is at least approximately parallel to the conveying direction or inclined or perpendicular thereto.

[0212] "At least approximately" and "about" or "substantially" in particular mean a deviation of at most about 20%, preferably at most about 10%, of the specified value, giving in the case of angles a deviation of at most 20°, in particular at most 10°, preferably at most 5°.

[0213] The processing system may advantageously comprise two or more guide elements arranged on the same side with respect to a vertical longitudinal central plane of the processing system, in particular on a housing side wall of the processing system surrounding the processing area.

[0214] The vertical longitudinal central plane of the processing system is in particular the plane that runs parallel between the side walls of the housing.

[0215] In particular, the vertical longitudinal center plane is centrally aligned between the side walls of the housing.

[0216] The vertical longitudinal central plane of the processing system forms in particular a plane of symmetry for the side wall, the working device or devices and / or the guide element or elements and / or the access area or areas.

[0217] The processing system may advantageously comprise two or more guide elements arranged on mutually opposing sides with respect to a vertical longitudinal central plane of the processing system, in particular on mutually opposing side walls of a housing of the processing system surrounding the processing region.

[0218] Preferably, the processing system comprises a transport device. The one or more guide elements are preferably arranged below the transport device in relation to the direction of gravity, in particular completely below an upper surface of the transport device forming an upper boundary of the transport device in relation to the direction of gravity.

[0219] Alternatively or additionally, the guide element or elements can be arranged above the conveying device as viewed in the direction of gravity, in particular completely above a top surface of the conveying device which forms an upper boundary of the conveying device as viewed in the direction of gravity.

[0220] Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, the guide element or elements can be arranged at the same level as the conveying device when viewed in the direction of gravity, in particular at the same level as an upper surface of the conveying device which forms an upper boundary of the conveying device when viewed in the direction of gravity.

[0221] The working devices are preferably displaceable past one another in a guiding direction of one or more guiding elements of the treatment system and / or in a conveying direction of a conveying device of the treatment system.

[0222] In this case, the actuating devices are preferably designed in such a way that, as a result of the basic mobility of the respective working device, they can theoretically collide with one another, i.e. in particular they occupy movement spaces which at least partially overlap one another.

[0223] Preferably, the working implements are programmed and / or controlled to avoid collisions thereof. In particular, movement modes or conditions can be set for one or more working implements that can move past each other avoiding overlapping areas.

[0224] In particular, one or more working implements are placed in a movement mode when the respective working implement is removed from a ready or processing condition and placed in an access condition and thus displaced past another working implement.

[0225] Preferably, one or more guiding elements of the processing system each precisely guide two or more working devices.

[0226] In particular, different working implements are in each case guided by only one of the guide elements.

[0227] It may be preferred that a common access area is associated with a plurality of working devices, the working devices being accessible from and / or in the common access area at least under their access conditions.

[0228] The working devices are in particular configured to be sequentially brought into access conditions in order to enable maintenance and / or set-up operations to be carried out.

[0229] The common access area can preferably be associated with two or more working devices which are guided on mutually different guide elements of the processing system.

[0230] For example, two or three working devices guided on two or three mutually different guide elements can be arranged in a common end area of ​​the guide elements and can be fed into the access area.

[0231] The common end region of the guide elements is in particular the spatial region of the processing space in which each of the guide elements terminates.

[0232] It may be advantageous if an access area is arranged between two guide elements in the guiding direction of one or more guide elements of the processing system and / or in the transport direction of a transport device of the processing system, from and / or in the access area at least two working devices guided on the two guide elements are accessible at least in the access conditions of the working devices.

[0233] In particular, it may be preferred if one working device is arranged on a guide element and another working device is arranged on another guide element, preferably the same access area being associated with both working devices.

[0234] The access area can in this case in particular be arranged between two working devices.

[0235] The access area can for example interrupt one or more guide elements or actually be arranged for example in a central area of ​​one or more guide elements.

[0236] In such a case too, preferably two or more working devices can be associated with the same access area, the access area being in particular arranged between the working devices.

[0237] The access area or areas preferably interrupt the guide element or elements, in particular in the conveying direction and / or in the guiding direction.

[0238] Alternatively or additionally, one or more access areas can be arranged, for example in a central area of ​​successive guide elements in the conveying direction and / or in the guiding direction.

[0239] It may be advantageous if the respective access areas are arranged in mutually opposing end areas of one or more guide elements in the guiding direction of the one or more guide elements of the processing system and / or in the transport direction of a transport device of the processing system.

[0240] In particular, this results in that in each case two working implements are installed on the respective guide element, each working implement being associated with one of the two access areas respectively.

[0241] For example, three guide elements respectively can be arranged on each side wall of the treatment space, with two working devices respectively arranged on each guide element, if the respective access areas are arranged in the end areas of the guide elements, this results in four access areas from which and / or here a total of twelve working devices are accessible for carrying out maintenance and / or setup operations, at least in the respective access conditions of each working device.

[0242] It goes without saying that it is also possible to provide more or fewer guide elements and / or working devices and / or access areas.

[0243] In one embodiment of the invention, the processing system can comprise one or more fixed working devices. It should be understood that "fixed working device" means in particular a working device that is at a fixed location and / or has a stationary working base. The working arm of this type of working device is preferably not common to the working base but is movable relative to it.

[0244] Instead of one or more fixed working devices, the processing system may optionally be provided with one or more movable working devices, in particular one or more working devices whose working base is arranged and / or formed so as to be movably, in particular shiftably along the guide element.

[0245] In particular, when the processing device comprises one or more fixed working devices and one or more mobile working devices, the one or more fixed working devices can be arranged between the one or more mobile working devices on the one hand and the access area on the other hand, in particular with respect to the transport direction of the transport device of the processing system. In particular, the respective working bases of the one or more fixed working devices can be arranged between one or more guide elements on the one hand and the access area on the other hand for guiding the one or more mobile working devices, in particular with respect to the transport direction.

[0246] It may be preferred if one or more fixed work implements and one or more mobile work implements are associated with the same access area.

[0247] It may be advantageous for the one or more mobile working devices to cover or encase the one or more fixed working devices, particularly on the upper side of the working arms of the one or more fixed working devices and / or on the side away from the center of the processing space, in order to feed or guide the working elements of the respective mobile working devices to or into the access area.

[0248] Furthermore, it may be advantageous for several mobile working devices, in particular several mobile working devices arranged on a common guide element, to be associated with the same access area, where one of the mobile working devices can overlap or envelope at least another one of the mobile working devices, in particular on the upper side of the working arm of the one or more other mobile working devices and / or on the side remote from the center of the processing space, in order to feed or guide the working elements of the mobile working devices to or into the access area.

[0249] The processing system may comprise several pairs or groups of working devices, each with exactly one or several mobile working devices and exactly one or several fixed working devices, associated with a common access area, for example in each case two or four pairs or groups of working devices are associated with each processing area.

[0250] Preferably, the processing system has a holding point depending on the type of workpiece to be processed, in particular a reaching position of the processing area to which, in relation to the transport direction, for example the frontmost or rearmost point of the workpiece to be processed is transported before the processing of the workpiece starts.

[0251] Depending on the respective maximum longitudinal dimension of the various types of workpieces to be treated, the workpieces extend from the holding point by different amounts in the conveying direction or in the opposite direction. In particular, in order to ensure the treatment of all types of workpieces, at least one fixed working device, which is arranged in particular on the side of the treatment space remote from the holding point, can be of such a type that even the shortest types of workpieces to be treated can be treated. For example, the working arm of this working device can have an appropriate length so that it can reach even the shortest types of workpieces.

[0252] The processing system preferably comprises an at least approximately cubic processing space, in particular with a substantially central processing area.

[0253] Preferably, one, two, three or four access areas are arranged and / or formed in one, two, three or four corner areas of the treatment space.

[0254] In particular, respective access regions are arranged and / or formed in each corner region of the processing space.

[0255] A corner region of the treatment space is in particular a region that is arranged at one of the four corners with respect to a horizontal cross-section of the treatment space and that preferably extends over at least about 50%, for example at least about 80%, preferably about 100%, of the total height of the treatment area and / or treatment space.

[0256] Preferably, the access area or areas, in particular all of the access areas, are shaped and / or arranged to be at least approximately cubic.

[0257] The processing system may preferably comprise a processing line with a plurality of processing areas adjacent to one another, in particular in the transport direction of the transport device of the processing system. Preferably, between two processing areas one or more access areas are arranged in each case, from which and / or in which at least two working devices are accessible for carrying out operations in mutually different processing areas, at least in the access conditions of the working devices.

[0258] The access area or areas are in particular accessible from both sides, in particular a double-sided approach opening is provided in the separating element or elements, in particular in a separating wall, in order to separate the respective access area from the processing area.

[0259] In one embodiment of the invention, the treatment system comprises one or more guiding elements for movably, in particular displaceably, guiding the one or more working devices, which are preferably arranged on a side wall of the treatment space, in particular electronic and / or electrical and / or pneumatic components of the one or more working devices being arranged partly outside the side wall.

[0260] An outer wall of the access area(s) can be substantially flush with a side wall of the processing space and / or processing area.

[0261] Alternatively, the outer walls of one or more access areas can be arranged offset outwardly with respect to the side walls of the processing space and / or processing area, so that a wider passage can be provided for guiding the workpiece, in particular between two access areas.

[0262] It may be advantageous if the outer walls of the access area or areas are arranged offset outwardly with respect to the side walls of the processing space by at most the amount that the structural and / or mechanical and / or electronic and / or electrical and / or pneumatic components of the working device or devices protrude outwardly from the side walls of the processing space. The spatial area required in any case on the side of the side walls of the processing space remote from the processing space for the components can thus be efficiently used for positioning the access area or areas.

[0263] Further preferred features and / or advantages of the invention form the subject matter of the following description and of the figures of preferred embodiments of the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0264] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view, partially cut away, of a processing system for processing workpieces, showing only one side of the working apparatus for optimal illustration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the inlet side of the processing system of FIG. 1, without showing the processing system housing. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the discharge port side of the processing system of FIG. 1, showing only one side of the working device, and further showing a transport device for transporting workpieces. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of the processing system of FIG. 1, showing only one side of the working device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of region V in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is another schematic perspective view, partially cut away, similar to FIG. 1, of the processing system of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of an access area of ​​the processing space of the processing system of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a simplified view of the treatment system of FIG. 1 looking towards the covering wall that bounds the upper part of the treatment space. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a processing system according to FIG. 4, showing various safety areas. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a simplified schematic diagram of a vertical cross section of the processing system of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. 8 of another embodiment of a processing system with an alternative air guide. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. 8 of yet another embodiment of a processing system including an alternative air guide. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram of a processing system with four working devices and four access areas arranged in corner regions of the processing space. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. 13 of another embodiment of a processing system, in which the access areas are each arranged between two working devices. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram corresponding to Figure 13 of yet another embodiment comprising multiple processing areas, with two access areas in both the corner and central areas of the processing space comprising multiple processing areas, and two working devices each arranged between the two access areas in the conveying direction. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a processing system to illustrate various air guide variations. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view of an isolation element and an approach opening disposed therein, further comprising an air curtain device for fluidly isolating a processing region from an access region of a processing system. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the separation wall, approach opening and air curtain arrangement of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of the air curtain device according to the diagram of FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a schematic front view of the separation wall, approach opening and air curtain arrangement of FIG. [Figure 21]FIG. 21 is a schematic plan view of another embodiment of an approach opening comprising multiple apertures. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 of another embodiment of a processing system including both mobile and fixed working devices. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 of the processing system of FIG. 22, with the mobile working implement disposed in the access position. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a processing system comprising three guide elements each having two functionally identical working devices. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a view corresponding to FIG. 24 of another embodiment of a processing system, comprising three fixed working devices and three movable working devices. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a view corresponding to FIG. 24 of another embodiment of a processing system, comprising two guide elements each having a functionally different working device and one guide element having two functionally identical working devices. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram of areas of a human accessible floor of a processing system, the human accessible floor having different height levels. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0265] Similar or functionally equivalent elements will have the same reference numbers in all drawings.

[0266] The processing system illustrated in FIGS. 1-10 and generally designated 100 is particularly useful for processing a workpiece 102 .

[0267] The processing system 100 is, inter alia, a painting system 104 for painting a vehicle body 106 .

[0268] Preferably, the processing system 100 comprises a processing region 108 into which the workpieces 102 can be sequentially guided for performing one or more processing operations, in particular coating steps.

[0269] The processing region 108 is, inter alia, a component of a processing space 110 that is surrounded by a housing 112 of the processing system 100 .

[0270] The housing 112 is in particular substantially cubic in shape. The processing space 110 is preferably substantially cubic in shape as well.

[0271] The housing 112 comprises two mutually opposing side walls 114 and an inlet side 116. The inlet side 116 comprises in particular a feed opening 118 through which the feed can be led into and / or out of the treatment space 110.

[0272] Optionally, another side wall 114 can be disposed opposite the inlet side 116. Additionally, an outlet side 120 can be disposed opposite the inlet side 116.

[0273] In the former case, the processing system 100 is specifically a single-sided feed, single-box system, whereas in the latter case, the processing system is a run-through, single-box system or is part of a handling line.

[0274] With respect to the direction of gravity g, the processing space 110 is bounded at its lower end by a base wall 122 and at its upper end by a cover wall 124 .

[0275] The processing system 100 preferably includes a conveying device 126 for conveying the workpiece 102 in a conveying direction 128 (FIG. 2, in particular).

[0276] Two mutually opposing side walls 114 of the housing 112 are oriented in particular parallel to the conveying direction 128 .

[0277] The inlet side 116 and the outlet side 120 are preferably oriented substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction 128 .

[0278] As can be seen particularly in FIGS. 1 and 6, the processing system 100 preferably includes a number of work devices 130 for performing one or more operations for processing the workpiece 102 .

[0279] The operations are in particular coating operations and / or handling operations.

[0280] The working device 130 is therefore in particular an application device and / or a handling device, such as an application robot 132 and / or a handling robot 134 .

[0281] Preferably, both a working device 130 in the form of an application robot 132 and another working device 130 in the form of a handling robot 134 are provided.

[0282] As can be seen particularly in FIG. 2, the working apparatus 130 is preferably mounted on both side walls 114 of the processing space 110 .

[0283] In particular, an arrangement of the working devices 130 is provided which is substantially mirror symmetrical with respect to a vertical longitudinal central plane 136 of the processing space 110 .

[0284] To simplify the description of the application device 130, particular reference is made to Figures 1 and 6, which show only the working device 130 of a single side wall 114. The opposing side wall 114 may therefore also be provided with the working device 130 shown in Figures 1 and 6.

[0285] Additionally, in other embodiments (not shown), a separate working device 130 may be eliminated as well, or additional working devices 130 may be provided.

[0286] It goes without saying that an arrangement of the working device 130 that is asymmetric with respect to the vertical longitudinal central plane 136 can also be provided.

[0287] As can be seen in particular from Fig. 6, the processing system 100 preferably comprises one or more, for example three, guide elements 138 for guiding one or more working devices 130 respectively. For example, on each guide element 138, two working devices 130 respectively are guided, in particular displaceably guided.

[0288] The guide element 138 in particular forms or takes the form of a guide rail 140 .

[0289] The guide element 138 extends in particular in a guide direction 142 .

[0290] The guiding direction 142 is in particular at least approximately parallel to the conveying direction 128 of the conveying device 126 .

[0291] It may be preferable for two or more guide elements 138 to accompany and / or serve to guide two application devices 130 in the form of application robots 132 .

[0292] Another guide element 138 preferably serves to receive and / or guide one, two or more working devices 130 in the form of handling robots 134 .

[0293] A guide element 138 for receiving and / or guiding one or more working devices 130 in the form of an operating robot 134 is preferably arranged below one or more guide elements 138 serving to receive one or more working devices 130 in the form of an application robot 132.

[0294] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 7, each working device 130 preferably comprises an operating base 144 , by means of which the respective working device 130 is particularly displaceably arranged on the respective guide element 138 .

[0295] Furthermore, each working device 130 preferably comprises an operating element 146 serving to perform the operation, for example a spray head for applying a coating agent.

[0296] Furthermore, the actuating element 146 is, for example, a gripper, by means of which the working device 130 in the form of the handling robot 134 acts on the workpiece 102 in the form of, for example, a car body 106, for example to open a door.

[0297] The operating base 144 and the operating element 146 of each working device 130 are specifically arranged at mutually opposing ends of an operating arm 148 of each working device 130 .

[0298] The actuation arm 148 of each work device 130 may take the form of, for example, an articulated arm and / or a robotic arm.

[0299] In particular, a multiple joint and / or multi-axis robotic arm may be provided as the actuation arm 148.

[0300] 2, the working devices 130 can be arranged in various positions and / or movement conditions, and in particular, the working devices 130 on different guide elements 138 can extend into overlapping spatial regions. Thus, when the working devices 130 move along the guide elements 138, a possibility of collision may occur.

[0301] A control device (not shown) of the processing system 100 can preferably coordinate the working devices 130, particularly by appropriate positioning and / or orientation of their respective actuating arms 148, so that the working devices can pass each other without collision.

[0302] 3, the base wall 122 may itself be human-accessible. The base wall 122 thus forms a human-accessible floor 150 of the treatment space 110.

[0303] However, preferably, an additional human-accessible floor 150 is arranged above the base wall 122 bounding the treatment space 110, for example retractable, rotatable and / or slidable to the area above the base wall 122.

[0304] A personnel accessible floor 150 may be implemented to provide personnel accessible areas in the processing space 110 only when specifically needed, for example for maintenance purposes only.

[0305] In this case, the human-accessible floor 150 is preferably further below all working devices 130 and / or all guide elements 138, so that simple access to the working devices 130 and / or the guide elements 138 can be guaranteed, in particular for maintenance. The human-accessible floor 150 is preferably further arranged below the transport device 126 in this case.

[0306] If the transport device 126 itself is human-accessible, a step or offset of preferably at most 70 cm, in particular at most about 60 cm, for example about 50 cm, is preferably created between the human-accessible floor 150 and the upper surface of the transport device 126. In this case, a safety barrier may not be necessary.

[0307] 1, 4, 6 and 7 in particular, the processing space 110 preferably comprises a plurality of spatial regions separated from the processing region 108 and designated below as access regions 152. Below, to simplify the description of the invention, the separated spatial regions will be designated collectively as the access region 152. However, from a functional standpoint, the spatial region considered as the access region 152 may only be a sub-region of the spatial region separated from the processing space 110.

[0308] The access area 152 is an area where a person can enter to, among other things, gain access to one or more working devices 130 without having to enter the processing area 108 or being exposed to its atmosphere.

[0309] To this end, the working device 130 is particularly configured to be placed in an access condition to allow human access from or in the access area 152, as will be further explained below.

[0310] The access region 152 is spatially separated from the processing region 108 by, among other things, a number of isolation elements 154 .

[0311] The separating element 154 is in particular a separating wall 156 .

[0312] For example, the separation wall 156 forms a shaft wall 158 of the access area 152 which takes the form of a service shaft 160 .

[0313] The access area 152 is preferably flushed with or through the infuser air by an infuser air supply 199, described below.

[0314] The intake air is in particular fresh air and / or factory air, preferably unconditioned fresh air and / or factory air.

[0315] For this purpose, the access area 152 has an inlet 162 arranged at the upper end of the access area 152, in particular with respect to the direction of gravity g.

[0316] Additionally, the device preferably includes one or more exhaust ports 164 (described below). The exhaust ports 164 can have a variety of variations, which will be discussed with reference to FIG.

[0317] The problem here is that the access area 152 is supplied with feed air via the inlet 162 and, as a result of the presence of the separation element 154, in particular the separation wall 156, the feed air does not mix or only to a small extent mixes with the gas, in particular the recirculated air, in the treatment area 108.

[0318] The air flowing through the access area 152 thus has a low concentration of toxic substances, so that personnel can be in the access area 152 without protection, particularly even when the workpieces 102 are being processed in the processing area 108.

[0319] At least one separation element 154 preferably has an approach opening 166 .

[0320] The approach opening 166 inter alia connects between the access region 152 and the processing region 108 .

[0321] In particular, at least one part of the working device 130, in particular the operating element 146, can be led through the approach opening 166 into the access area 152 in order to be able to carry out maintenance and / or set-up operations.

[0322] In particular, the working devices 130 are sequentially movable such that at least their respective operating elements 146 protrude into or are arranged within the access area 152. Since maintenance and / or set-up operations can be performed on the working devices 130 in the access area 152, and since the access area 152 preferably has an atmosphere that is always or at least temporarily not harmful to humans, processing of the workpieces 102 in the processing area 108 can continue while the maintenance and / or set-up operations are being performed.

[0323] Access to the access area 152 for one or more persons is possible specifically through an entry opening 168 in the side wall 114 of the housing 112 of the processing system 100 .

[0324] In particular, the entry opening 168 is a door 170 through which a person can enter the access area 152 .

[0325] The approach opening 166 is preferably arranged in at least one separation element 154 so that the operating element 146 of the working device 130 protruding through the approach opening 166 into the access area 152 is easily accessible to a person in the access area 152, for example at waist height and / or chest height.

[0326] In particular, it is preferred that the centre of the approach opening 166 in this case is arranged at least approximately 1 m, for example about 1.20 m, and / or at most approximately 1.80 m, in particular at most approximately 1.60 m, above the floor 150 accessible to persons in the access area 152.

[0327] Preferably, the approach opening 166 has a lower edge 172 at the bottom with respect to the direction of gravity g, and an upper edge 174 at the top with respect to the direction of gravity g and opposite the lower edge 172. It further has two side edges 176 interconnecting the two edges 172, 174.

[0328] Preferably, the upper edge 174 of the approach opening 166 is at a height of at most about 2 m above the human-accessible floor 150 , for example at a height of at most about 1.80 m above the human-accessible floor 150 in the access area 152 .

[0329] The lower edge 172 is preferably at least about 80 cm, and preferably at least about 1.20 m, above the human-accessible floor 150 of the access area 152 .

[0330] The approach opening 166 is preferably dimensioned such that one or more operating elements 146 of one or more working devices 130 are configured to pass through and in particular reach the approach opening 166 unhindered. For example, the free passage area of ​​the approach opening 166 is at least 50% larger, for example at least 100% larger, and / or at most about 500% larger, for example at most about 200% larger, than the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​one or more, in particular all, of the operating elements 146 that are introduceable or can be introduced through the respective approach opening 166 into the access area 152.

[0331] The shape of the approach opening 166 may be selected to be, for example, rectangular.

[0332] Alternatively, the approach opening 166 may have a shape that matches the contours of one or more, and in particular all, of the actuation elements 146 .

[0333] It is preferred that the approach opening 166, in particular its geometric center, is arranged substantially centrally with respect to the height H of the processing space 110, in particular in the range of about 30% to about 70%, in particular in the range of about 40% to about 60% of the height H of the processing space 110.

[0334] It may be preferable for the approach opening 166 to be aligned and / or formed entirely within the central third of the processing space 110 in terms of its height.

[0335] The approach openings 166 may preferably be arranged at least approximately at the same height as the workpieces 102. Additionally, one or more of the approach openings 166 may be arranged above or overlapping one or more of the workpieces 102 in a vertical direction parallel to the direction of gravity.

[0336] The working device 130 is preferably configured to be selectively placed in different conditions to perform different tasks.

[0337] In particular, a ready or processing condition may be provided when the workpiece 102 is ready to be processed or at least when the respective working device 130 is ready to be processed.

[0338] Furthermore, the access condition is preferably provided when the respective working device 130 is movable relative to the access area 152, in particular to perform maintenance and / or set-up operations. In particular, in the access condition, the operating element 146 of the respective working device 130 is arranged in the access area 152.

[0339] The working devices 130 are configured to move past each other in order to be brought into an access condition and / or a processing condition and / or a ready condition, and preferably take a form such that they do not interfere with each other, in particular at least with the working devices 130 that are guided on the same guide element 138.

[0340] Furthermore, the working devices 130 are preferably configured and / or controlled to have overlapping activity profiles and thus are at least partially, at least temporarily, interchangeable with one another.

[0341] For example, two or more working devices 130 can be configured and / or controlled to perform the same coating procedure, so that if maintenance is required for one of the working devices 130, the coating procedure can continue to be performed on the workpiece 102 by one of the working devices 130 while the other working devices 130 are brought into access conditions and undergo maintenance, e.g., cleaning, in the access area.

[0342] The working device or devices 130 are therefore particularly configured and / or arranged and / or controlled to be redundant.

[0343] Since, when in operation, the working device 130 poses a risk to personnel and / or other components of the processing system 100, e.g. as a result of high voltage discharges, a number of safety areas are preferably provided within the processing system 100, the safety areas being rated in particular with regard to their respective likelihood of risk and / or damage.

[0344] As can be seen in FIG. 9, this provides high risk areas 177, particularly in the treatment area 108.

[0345] While the procedure is being performed, no one can access this high risk area 177. In particular, the maximum movement speed of the working device 130 is permitted in the high risk area 177. Furthermore, a high voltage supply is activated in the high risk area 177 in order to perform the procedure.

[0346] The access area 152 is a particularly low-risk area 178. In this low-risk area 178, the working device 130 preferably moves at a minimum speed. Furthermore, high voltages are preferably deactivated, so that the risk of injury to persons and damage to other components of the processing system 100 is reduced as much as possible.

[0347] Between the high risk area 177 and the low risk area 178 there is preferably further an intermediate risk area 180, in which there are rated speed limits, particularly for moving the working implement 130.

[0348] All of the regions 177, 178, 180 can be made safe by additional safety measures. For example, movement of the working device 130 can be permitted in one or more of the individual regions, e.g., the low risk region 178 and / or the adjacent medium risk region 180, only if a person enables this, e.g., by pressing an acceptance switch.

[0349] Furthermore, one or more, particularly all, of the working devices 130 can be monitored, for example by cameras. One or more personnel can view images and / or videos captured by the one or more cameras, for example on a display, in order to assess, in particular, possible malfunctions or proper functioning of the processing system 100.

[0350] FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram of the cladding wall 124 of the treatment system 100 .

[0351] In particular, one or more air streams are provided through this covering wall 124 into the treatment space 110 .

[0352] Here, the covering wall 124 is in particular provided with a substantially central filter cover 182 through which a recirculating air flow can be supplied to the treatment area 108 .

[0353] Additionally, the covering wall 124 includes a number of inlets 162 for supplying airflow, in particular one or more inlet airflows 186 , to the access area 152 .

[0354] Here, the access region 152 is arranged in a corner region 188 of the substantially cubic processing space 110 .

[0355] One or more additional flow regions may be provided facing the side wall 114, and a corresponding air flow may likewise be supplied through the covering wall 124, if appropriate separately from the recirculating air flow 184 or through one or more guide elements 138.

[0356] 11 and 12 show another flow deformation, which differs from the flow guide of FIG. 8 in that a substantially separate flow region is created, particularly between the recirculating air flow 184 supplied to the processing area 108 and the inlet air flow 186 supplied to the access area 152.

[0357] These further regions may in particular form airlocks or air curtains to more efficiently separate the atmosphere of the processing region 108 on the one hand from the atmosphere of the access region 152 on the other hand.

[0358] These regions are therefore referred to below as separation regions 190.

[0359] The separation area 190 may further, or alternatively or in addition, be provided with an opposite outward guide opening 192 in the area of ​​the feed opening 118, so as to obtain a locking function, particularly in the area transporting the workpiece 102.

[0360] Otherwise, the alternative flow guide shown in FIG. 11 corresponds in terms of its structure and function to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, so in this regard reference is made to the above description.

[0361] Yet another embodiment of the flow guide shown in FIG. 12 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 11 substantially in that a separate inlet air flow 186 is not supplied to each access area 152, but rather two flow portions, each encompassing two access areas 152, are formed continuously between the two side walls 114.

[0362] Such flow portion is separated from the recirculating air stream 184 which is supplied to the treatment region 108 by a separation region 190 .

[0363] By appropriately controlling the valves 194, preferably the volumetric flow rate and / or velocity of the airflow supplied to each individual area can be controlled as desired to minimize toxic loads, particularly in the access area 152, while simultaneously minimizing the cost of regulating the recirculated airflow 184 and / or the inlet airflow 186.

[0364] Otherwise, the alternative embodiment of the flow guide shown in FIG. 12 corresponds in terms of its structure and function to the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, so that in this respect reference is made to the above description.

[0365] FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram of a processing system 100 .

[0366] The processing system 100 is shown in this case in a plan view from above and comprises an access area 152 in each corner area 188 of the processing space 110 and two further guide elements 138 arranged on mutually opposing side walls 114, on each of which two working devices 130 are displaceably arranged.

[0367] By means of the working device 130, the treatment area 108 is accessible specifically for treating the workpiece 12 (not shown in FIG. 13).

[0368] It can be seen in particular from FIG. 13 that, by appropriate movement, each working device 130 has equal access to the access area 152 so that maintenance and / or set-up operations can be performed on each working device 130.

[0369] Another embodiment of a processing system 100 shown in FIG. 14 differs substantially from the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 in that it only comprises two access areas 152, each arranged between two working devices 130.

[0370] Each working device 130 therefore shares an access area 152 with another working device 130 .

[0371] The working device 130 arranged upstream of the access area 152 in the conveying direction 128 can serve to process the workpiece 102 in a first processing area 108, while the working device 130 arranged downstream of the access area 152 in the conveying direction 128 serves to process the workpiece 102 in another processing area 108.

[0372] Thus, in the embodiment of the processing system 100 shown in FIG. 14, each access area 152 is associated with a plurality of working devices 130 from a different processing area 108 .

[0373] The embodiment of the processing system 100 shown in FIG. 14 may be particularly used in a processing line 196, whereas the embodiment of the processing system 100 shown in FIG.

[0374] In the embodiment of the processing system 100 shown in FIG. 14, the guide element 138 for guiding the working device 130 is interrupted by an access area 152 .

[0375] However, the access area 152 may be arranged substantially in the middle of the successive guide elements 138 in the conveying direction 128 and offset from the vertical longitudinal central plane of the treatment space 110 .

[0376] Otherwise, the embodiment of the processing system 100 shown in FIG. 14 corresponds in structure and function to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, so in this regard reference is made to the above description.

[0377] The embodiment of the processing system 100 shown in FIG. 15 differs substantially from the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 in that it includes a separate working device 130 and a separate access area 152 .

[0378] In particular, six access areas 152 are provided, four of which are arranged in corner areas 188 .

[0379] The two further access areas 152 are arranged substantially in the center of the treatment space 110 , in particular as seen in the conveying direction 128 .

[0380] Preferably, in this case, eight working devices 130 are provided and four guide elements 138 are provided for guiding the eight working devices 130 in total.

[0381] The access areas 152 are arranged in particular at the ends of the guide element 138 so that each working device 130 has access to one of the access areas 152 .

[0382] Otherwise, the embodiment of the processing system 100 shown in FIG. 15 corresponds in terms of its structure and function to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, so reference is made to the above description in this regard.

[0383] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an air guide that may be provided in essentially all of the processing systems 100 illustrated and / or described.

[0384] For this reason, the variants obtained from FIG. 16 are also provided in the processing system 100 according to FIGS. 1 to 10, so that reference will be made below in particular to the processing system 100 according to FIGS.

[0385] In accordance with FIG. 16, the processing system 100 may include, inter alia, a recirculating air supply device 200 by means of which a recirculating air flow 184 may be provided to the processing area 108 .

[0386] Furthermore, the processing system 100 includes an inlet air supply 202 by means of which one or more inlet air flows 186 , in particular fresh air flows and / or factory air flows, can be supplied to the access area 152 via the inlet 162 .

[0387] In particular, the recirculating air flow 184 and the infeed air flow 186 are provided by a plenum 204 , and more particularly by a split plenum above the processing volume 110 .

[0388] Below the treatment volume 110, in particular, a stripping device 206 of the treatment system 10 is arranged, by means of which the gas flow guided from the treatment volume 110 can be stripped of contaminants.

[0389] As can be seen in FIG. 16, the recirculated air stream 184 and the one or more infeed air streams 186 are combined and mixed, for example, in the region of the raw gas shaft 208 below the treatment space 110 .

[0390] A portion of the common air flow thus obtained is again fed to the treatment area 108 as a recirculated air flow 184. The return of the recirculated air flow 184, i.e. from a region of the treatment system 100 arranged below the treatment space 110 into a plenum 204 arranged above the treatment space 110, is preferably carried out within the outer contour of the treatment system 100, for example according to Fig. 5, using a width region present outside the side wall 114, in particular as a result of the guide elements 138 and / or components of the working device 130 protruding from the side wall 114.

[0391] As can be further seen in FIG. 16, preferably, a portion of the common air flow is directed out as exhaust air through an exhaust guide 210 of the processing system 100 .

[0392] In order to maintain a constant pressure, the portion guided out as exhaust air substantially corresponds to the portion supplied as inlet air.

[0393] There are many options for combining the recirculated air stream 184 with one or more of the inlet air streams 186 .

[0394] For example, at least one inlet air stream 186 may flow into the processing region 108 exclusively through the approach opening 166 .

[0395] Alternatively or in addition, one or more exhaust ports 164 are provided above or below the base wall 122 in the lower end region of the access area 152 with respect to the direction of gravity g, through which at least one incoming air flow 186 is guided to the recirculating air flow 184.

[0396] The outlet 164 may be specifically arranged above the base wall 122 so that it may lead to the processing area 108 .

[0397] It is preferred that the one or more exhaust ports 164 are arranged facing the vertical longitudinal central plane 136 of the processing space 110 or, in fact, arranged, for example, perpendicularly to it, i.e., arranged or formed in the separation element 154 transverse to and in particular perpendicular to the vertical longitudinal central plane 136 of the processing space 110.

[0398] Additionally, one or more of the exhaust ports 164 may lead directly to the raw gas shaft 208 so that the recirculated air stream 184 can mix with the at least one inlet air stream 186 only upon entering the raw gas shaft 208 .

[0399] Furthermore, it may be advantageous for the exhaust opening 164 to be arranged in the same separation element 154 as the approach opening 166 , in which case the exhaust opening 164 is in particular arranged vertically immediately below the approach opening 166 .

[0400] One or more or all of the outlets 164 may preferably be adjustable with respect to their respective cross-section, in particular for control by open-loop or closed-loop control, for example manually or automatically by means of a valve or damper device, to regulate the volumetric flow rate, so that in particular the flow conditions and / or the flow guidance in the treatment space 110 can be influenced.

[0401] As a result of suitable guidance of the recirculating air flow 184 and / or the inlet air flow 186, atmospheric conditions can be obtained, particularly in the at least one access area 152, containing minimal concentrations of toxic substances that allow one or more people to be present in the at least one access area 152 without protection. Thus, the fact that the workpieces 102 are being processed in the processing area 108 does not represent an obstacle to carrying out maintenance and / or set-up operations on the one or more working devices 130. Thus, the processing system 100 can be used particularly efficiently for workpiece processing.

[0402] 17-20 illustrate optional alternative developments of the processing system 100. FIG.

[0403] This alternative development is possible in principle in all processing systems 100 in which the processing region 108 is separated from the access region 152 by a separation element 154 .

[0404] In particular, when the approach openings 166 are arranged in the separation element 154, the air curtain device 300 according to the embodiment shown in Figures 17 to 20 advantageously enables fluid separation of the atmosphere prevailing in the treatment area 108 on the one hand from the atmosphere prevailing in the access area 152 on the other hand.

[0405] For this purpose, the air curtain device 300 preferably comprises a deflection element 302, for example in the form of a baffle plate oriented obliquely with respect to the direction of gravity g, the deflection element 302 forming an angle β of for example 25° with the direction of gravity g.

[0406] The deflection element 302 can deflect the air flow guided through the processing area 108 from top to bottom in relation to the direction of gravity g, away from the separation element 154, in particular to prevent the air flow flowing through the processing area 108 from flowing through the approach opening 166 into the access area 152.

[0407] Additionally, the air curtain device 300 preferably includes one or more nozzles 304 , such as slot nozzles 306 .

[0408] The slot nozzle 306 is in particular arranged below the deflection element 302 and allows air, for example incoming air, in particular fresh air, to flow into the spatial region below the deflection element 302 .

[0409] The air supplied through the nozzle 304 is in particular supplied at an angle α (nozzle angle) between the separating element 154 and the deflecting element 302. The angle α is for example about 15°. This angle α is preferably adjustable manually or automatically, for example by a motor, in particular upon start-up of the air curtain device 300 and / or during operation of the air curtain device 300.

[0410] The air supplied through the nozzles 304 flows specifically downward along the separation element 154 with respect to the direction of gravity g, thereby forming an air curtain over the separation element 154, i.e., between the separation element 154 and the air flowing through the processing area 108.

[0411] The deflection elements 302 and nozzles 304 are preferably arranged at a predetermined distance from the approach opening 166 so as to establish a uniform and / or laminar flow in the separation element portion 308 of the separation element 154, which surrounds the approach opening 166 and is particularly planar. As a result, preferably, little turbulence is generated in the area of ​​the approach opening 166, thus resulting in an efficient fluidic separation between the processing region 108 and the access region 152.

[0412] Preferably, two lateral diverting elements 310 of the air curtain device 300 extend from the deflecting element 302 on either side of the approach opening 106 , in particular at least possibly at the lower edge 172 of the approach opening 106 .

[0413] The lateral diversion elements 310 extend parallel to one another in a substantially vertical direction, in particular projecting perpendicularly away from the separation element 154 .

[0414] The side diverter elements 310 preferably likewise enable optimization of laminar flow in the region of the approach opening 166. In particular, lateral turbulence or traverse flow is preferably minimized or avoided entirely by the side diverter elements 310.

[0415] The air supplied to the nozzle 304 is in particular supplied to the nozzle 304 by a nozzle casing 312 of the air curtain device 300. For optimal and / or uniform air supply to the nozzle 304 by the nozzle casing 312, the nozzle casing 312 preferably has a height of at least about 70 mm, in particular at least about 100 mm.

[0416] Nozzle casing 312 , a portion of which is fed by, for example, a ventilator (not shown), may house additional conditioning devices for heating, cooling, humidifying and / or dehumidifying the airflow provided to nozzle 304 .

[0417] In particular, the nozzle casing 312 together with the nozzle 304 are components of the air supply system 199 , in particular the inlet air supply system 202 .

[0418] Preferably, the air supply device 199 can supply an air flow to the nozzle casing 312 on the one hand and to a distributor duct 314 on the other hand, by means of which the air can be supplied to one or more supply ducts 316 of the processing system 100 .

[0419] The one or more supply ducts 316 lead, for example, to one or more fan nozzles 318, for example fan nozzles 318 taking the form of a quarter cylinder and / or having a cross section in the shape of a quarter circle and / or arranged in two corner regions at the upper end of the access area 152 with respect to the direction of gravity g (in particular, FIG. 18).

[0420] Preferably, an air flow, particularly an inlet air flow, such as a fresh intake air flow, can be provided to the access area 152 via the fan nozzle 318 .

[0421] Instead of or in addition to a fan nozzle, for example, a woven duct may be provided in which air may flow through a woven wall into the access area 152 .

[0422] As a result of appropriate selection of the flow conditions, flow direction, diversion elements, in particular the lateral diversion elements 310, the deflection elements 302, the angles α, β and / or the air temperature, optimal fluidic separation of the access area 152 from the processing area 108 can be achieved.

[0423] The front view of the approach opening 166 shown in FIG. 21 illustrates another embodiment of the approach opening 166 in which the approach opening has various apertures 320 that can be opened or closed depending on the operating mode or other general conditions, rather than only preset cross-sectional areas being permanently open or temporarily openable.

[0424] In particular, it may be possible to have an aperture 320 that is, for example, the following: a minimum aperture, for example rectangular, surrounded by a maximum aperture, for example rectangular.

[0425] Furthermore, for example, additional openings, in particular elongated additional openings, can be provided below the minimum and maximum openings.

[0426] The minimum opening is, for example, a temporarily openable or permanently passable window, preferably having an edge length of less than 545 mm, in particular to prevent climbing through it, or it can have an edge length of, for example, at most about 900 mm, in which case additional measures are preferably provided to prevent climbing through it. The minimum opening is particularly useful for carrying out short-term maintenance work.

[0427] The maximum opening preferably has a larger dimension than the minimum opening, and preferably at least the part of the maximum opening that protrudes beyond the minimum opening when the two openings overlap is mechanically closable. The maximum edge length of the maximum opening is preferably at most about 1400 mm, for example at most about 1200 mm, in particular at most 1000 mm. The maximum opening is particularly useful for maintenance operations that last for a relatively long period of time, for example the time it takes to replace parts of the working device 130.

[0428] The additional opening portion provides, for example, a closable additional opening for the minimum opening portion as well as the maximum opening portion, and the shape of the additional opening portion preferably matches the shape of the working device 130 to be maintained. In particular, the additional opening portion can have a height of at least about 600 mm and / or at most about 1000 mm, for example about 800 mm, and / or a width of at least about 200 mm and / or at most about 600 mm, for example about 300 mm. The additional opening portion is particularly useful for maintaining and / or cleaning the working device 130.

[0429] Preferably, one or more blocking elements 400 are arranged or can be arranged at one or more approach openings 166, respectively. By means of the blocking elements 400, preferably individual or multiple or all of the openings 320 of the respective approach opening 166 can be mechanically closed. For example, the blocking elements 400 are dampers 402 or doors 404 that are configured to be put into an open or blocked position, for example by one or multiple hinges or sliding elements.

[0430] One or more, or all, of the block elements 400 may optionally be partially or fully transparent, particularly to allow a person to see through them. In particular, one or more, or all, of the block elements 400 may be formed from or include a transparent material. Alternatively or additionally, one or more, or all, of the block elements 400 may be formatted and / or arranged such that they are not completely continuous but are interrupted, for example, like a grid.

[0431] One or more, or all, of the blocking elements 400 are optionally configured to be automatically, in particular autonomously and / or mechanically driven into the blocking and / or opening positions.

[0432] Alternatively or additionally, one or more or all of the blocking elements 400 may be configured to be placed into the blocked and / or open positions manually, particularly by a person, such as an operator.

[0433] The approach opening 166 shown in FIG. 21, or variations thereof, can essentially replace any of the approach openings 166 described above.

[0434] 22 and 23 show another embodiment of a processing system 100, which differs from the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 10 essentially in that the processing system 100 comprises one or more fixed working devices 130f. A fixed working device 130f is a working device 130 having a fixed position and / or comprising a non-movable working base 144. The working arm 148 of this type of working device 130 is movable relative to the working base 144, but not together with it.

[0435] In addition to one or more fixed working devices 130f, the processing system 100 according to Figures 22 and 23 comprises one or more movable working devices 130b, the operating base 144 of each of which is arranged and / or formed so as to be movable, in particular displaceable along the guide element 138.

[0436] The fixed work apparatus 130f is arranged between one or more mobile work apparatus 130b on one side and an access area 152 on the other side in relation to the conveying direction 128, and the same access area 152 is associated with the fixed work apparatus 130f and the one or more mobile work apparatus 130b.

[0437] As can be seen from FIG. 23, it is preferable for one or more mobile working devices 130b to cover or surround one or more fixed working devices 130f, particularly above the working arms 148 of one or more fixed working devices 130f and / or on the side away from the center of the processing space 110, in order to supply or guide the working elements 146 of each mobile working device 130b to or into the access area 152.

[0438] 22 and 23, the working device 130 is shown only on one side. Preferably, the working device 130 of the same configuration is installed on the opposite side of the processing space 110, and the working device can be arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the vertical longitudinal central plane of the processing space 110 or actually symmetrically with respect to the vertical longitudinal central axis of the processing space 110. The fixed working devices 130f are therefore preferably arranged opposite each other with respect to the vertical longitudinal central plane or actually arranged diametrically opposite each other.

[0439] Otherwise, the embodiment of the processing system 100 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 corresponds in structure and function to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, so reference is made to the above description in this regard.

[0440] 24-26 show various variants of the arrangement and fixation of the working device 130. These variants and others derived therefrom can be used in any of the variants of the processing system 100 described herein.

[0441] According to FIG. 24, three guide elements 138 are installed between the two access areas 152. Each guide element 138 supports two working devices 130, so that in total there are six working devices 130 that are mobile. The working devices 130 of each guide element 138 are functionally identical, at least with respect to their respective functions. Two working devices 130, for example in the form of external painting robots A, are arranged on the topmost guide element 138. On the bottommost guide element 138, two working devices 130, for example in the form of handling robots S (for example so-called SCARA), are arranged. On the intermediate guide element 138 between them, two working devices 130, for example in the form of internal painting robots I, are arranged.

[0442] Alternatively to the embodiment shown in Fig. 24, the lowest guide element 138 can be omitted and the handling robot or robots S can take the form of a fixed working device 130f. In this case, a single handling robot S, in particular for opening the bonnet or boot of the workpiece 102, can be installed in the end region of the two remaining guide elements 138 and / or below it. The door or doors of the workpiece 102 can then be opened, for example, by one or more of the mobile working devices 130b. Alternatively, the door or doors of the workpiece 102 can be opened, for example, by one or more handling robots S in the form of a fixed working device 130f, and the bonnet and / or boot of the workpiece 102 can be opened, in particular, by one or more fixed working devices 130f.

[0443] According to FIG. 25, three guide elements 138 are installed between the two access areas 152. However, the guide elements are of shorter form and each support only a single working device 130. In addition to the mobile working device 130b thus formed, according to FIG. 25, three fixed working devices 130f are provided. In this case, one mobile working device 130b and one fixed working device 130f respectively are of functionally the same form and / or are installed at at least approximately the same height in the treatment space 110. The uppermost working device 130 in this case takes, for example, the form of an external painting robot A. The lowermost working device 130 takes, for example, the form of a handling robot S (for example, a so-called SCARA). The working device 130 arranged between them takes, for example, the form of an internal painting robot I. Preferably, the fixed working device 130f is associated with one of the access areas 152 and the mobile working device 130b with another one of the access areas 152.

[0444] Alternatively to the embodiment shown in Fig. 25, the upper guide element 138 of Fig. 25 can be omitted together with the upper working device 130, and the guide element 138, which passes continuously from one access area 152 to another access area 152, can be provided with in particular two or more mobile working devices 130b, which are preferably universal painting robots serving to paint both the outside and the inside. On the same or another guide element 138, in particular in the end region of the same guide element 138, a working device 130, in particular in the form of an operating robot S, can be arranged, which working device 130 is either a fixed working device 130f or a mobile working device 130b. Below said guide element 138, another guide element 138, in particular of a relatively short configuration, can be arranged, which supports only one fixed working device 130f or a mobile working device 130b, for example in the form of an operating robot S.

[0445] The variant according to Fig. 26 corresponds substantially to the variant shown in Fig. 24, in which some of the guide elements 138 are equipped with functionally different working devices 130. The uppermost guide element 138 is thus equipped with a working device 130, for example, in the form of an internal painting robot I and a working device 130 in the form of an external painting robot A. The intermediate guide element 138 is, for example, also equipped with a working device 130 in the form of an internal painting robot I and a working device 130 in the form of an external painting robot A. In this case, the functionally different working devices 130 are arranged in such a way that on each side of the guide element 138 associated with each access area 152, in each case three functionally different working devices 130 are installed. As a result, the functionally different working devices 130 are installed at different heights in the treatment space 110 and also on different sides of the guide element 138, which can preferably allow an optimized and in particular accelerated treatment of the workpieces.

[0446] 24-26 show the working devices 130 on only one side of the processing space 110. Preferably, on the opposite side of the processing space 110, the same configuration of guide elements 138 and working devices 130 are provided, which can be arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the vertical longitudinal central plane of the processing space 110 or actually symmetrically with respect to the vertical longitudinal central plane of the processing space 110. Furthermore, mutually different configurations of guide elements 138 and working devices 130 can be provided on the two sides of the processing space 110, for example a configuration according to FIG. 25 on one side and a configuration according to FIG. 26 on the other side.

[0447] 27 shows a preferred embodiment of the human accessible floor 150 of the processing system 100. This embodiment can partially or completely replace or be added to any of the embodiments described above.

[0448] In the illustrated embodiment of the human accessible floor 150, the floor extends at different height levels. The human accessible floor 150 is in particular a lattice floor or comprises a lattice floor.

[0449] The entrance area 460 and / or exit area 462 of the treatment space 110 is provided with a human-accessible floor 150 at a normal level 464. The normal level 464 is at a height that allows for the straddling of the transport device 126 in a transverse direction 466, in particular while adhering to existing safety standards.

[0450] In the processing area 108, in particular between the entrance area 460 and the exit area 462, a descending level 468 is preferably provided, at which level the human-accessible floor 150 is lowered relative to the entrance area 460 and / or the exit area 462. In the area of ​​the descending level 468 the human-accessible floor 150 is lowered below the normal level 464 by at least about 300 mm, for example by at least about 400 mm, in particular by about 500 mm.

[0451] Preferably, the descending level 468 and the normal level 464 are connected by one or more stairs 470, which are arranged, for example, between the two access areas 152 in a transverse direction 466 extending parallel to and perpendicular to the conveying direction 128, in particular on both sides of the conveying device 126 for conveying the workpieces 102.

[0452] The height level of the access area 152 can be adapted to a desired access height that is particularly convenient for accessing the working equipment 130. For example, in this case, the normal level 464 or indeed a level higher than the normal level 464 can be provided. Furthermore, an ambient level 472 can be optionally provided in the access area 152, so that a person can enter the access area 152 from the area surrounding the processing system 100 without having to go through a height difference.

[0453] The various elevation levels of the personnel accessible floor 150 preferably provide the advantage that the work implement 130 maintains a higher movement clearance than a generally continuous floor without creating operational safety issues. Additionally, the use of the lowered level 468 optimizes flow around the workpiece 102 by reducing disruptive contours that affect flow in the vicinity of the workpiece.

[0454] The preferred embodiment is as follows:

[0455] [Embodiment 1] A processing system (100) for processing a workpiece (102), in particular a vehicle body (106), comprising: a processing area (108) for receiving the workpiece (102) to be processed; - one or more work devices (130) for carrying out one or more operations on the workpiece (102) to be treated; A processing system (100).

[0456] [Embodiment 2] The processing system (100) of embodiment 1, characterized in that the processing system (100) comprises at least one access area (152) from and / or in which one or more working devices (130) are accessible when the one or more working devices (130) are at least in an access condition.

[0457] [Embodiment 3] The treatment system (100) of embodiment 2, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises one or more nozzles (304) for supplying an inlet air flow, the one or more nozzles (304) being capable of generating an air curtain, and the treatment area (108) and at least one access area (152) being capable of being separated from each other by the air curtain.

[0458] [Embodiment 4] The treatment system (100) of embodiment 3, characterized in that the one or more nozzles (304) can prevent air in the treatment area (108) from flowing into at least one access area (152).

[0459] [Embodiment 5] The treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 3 or 4, characterized in that the one or more nozzles (304) can prevent or at least minimize air exchange between the treatment area (108) and the one or more access areas (154).

[0460] [Embodiment 6] The processing system (100) according to any one of embodiments 2 to 5, characterized in that at least one access area (152) is an area spatially distinct and / or separated from the processing area (108).

[0461] [Embodiment 7] The processing system (100) according to any one of the first to sixth embodiments, characterized in that a plurality of working devices (130) are accessible from and / or in the common access area (152) at least under the access conditions.

[0462] [Embodiment 8] A processing system (100) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 7, characterized in that one or more working devices (130) are arranged and / or formed to be movable, and at least some of the one or more working devices (130) are movable into and / or to at least one access area (152).

[0463] [Embodiment 9] A treatment system (100) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that at least one access area (152) and the treatment area (108) are interconnected by one or more approach openings (166) of one or more separation elements (154), in particular separation walls (156).

[0464] [Embodiment 10] A treatment system (100) as described in embodiment 9, characterized in that one or more nozzles (304), in particular slot nozzles (306), are arranged above one or more approach openings (166) in relation to the gravity direction (g), in particular immediately above the upper edge (174) of the one or more approach openings (166).

[0465] [Embodiment 11] A treatment system (100) according to embodiment 10, characterized in that the one or more nozzles (304) are arranged such that the main direction of flow of the gas flow, in particular the air flow, provided by the nozzles forms an angle (α, alpha) with the direction of gravity (g) of at least 5°, in particular at least 10° and / or at most about 30°, in particular at most about 20°.

[0466] [Embodiment 12] The treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 9 to 11, characterized in that one or more deflection elements (302) are arranged above the one or more approach openings (166) in relation to the direction of gravity (g), in particular immediately above the upper edge (174) of the one or more approach openings (166), such that the one or more deflection elements (302) are configured to deflect an air flow, in particular a recirculation air flow, guided downwards in the direction of gravity (g) through the treatment area (108), away from the one or more approach openings (166).

[0467] [Embodiment 13] A treatment system (100) as described in embodiment 12, characterized in that the upper surface of the deflection element (302) for deflecting the air flow forms an angle (β, beta) with the direction of gravity (g) of at least about 10°, in particular at least about 20° and / or at most about 40°, in particular at most about 30°.

[0468] [Embodiment 14] A treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 9 to 13, characterized in that the one or more nozzles (304), in particular the slot nozzles (306) and the one or more deflection elements (302) are arranged above the one or more approach openings (166) in relation to the gravity direction (g), in particular immediately above the upper edge (174) of the one or more approach openings (166), and the one or more nozzles (304) are arranged below the one or more deflection elements (304) and / or lead to a spatial region arranged immediately below the one or more deflection elements (304).

[0469] [Embodiment 15] A treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 9 to 14, characterized in that the one or more approach openings (166) and / or the one or more separation elements (154) each comprise one or more diversion elements, in particular lateral diversion elements (310), by means of the diversion device the air flow can be influenced in the area surrounding the one or more approach openings (166).

[0470] [Embodiment 16] A treatment system (100) as described in embodiment 15, characterized in that the one or more lateral diversion elements (310) are arranged in particular adjacent to and / or spaced apart from one or more side edges (176) of the one or more approach openings (166), and that the one or more lateral diversion elements (310) preferably extend at least approximately perpendicular to and / or at least approximately orthogonal to a separation element (154) that receives, supports or supports the respective lateral diversion element (310).

[0471] [Embodiment 17] A treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 9 to 16, characterized in that one or more deflection elements (302), one or more nozzles (304) and / or one or more diverting elements, in particular lateral diverting elements (310), are arranged at a distance from the respective approach openings (166) in order to form a separation element portion (308) which surrounds the respective approach opening (166) and is in particular planar, along and / or by which an air flow which is preferably as undisturbed and / or laminar as possible is obtained.

[0472] [Embodiment 18] A treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 9 to 17, characterized in that one or more approach openings (166) each have a plurality of openings (320) by which free cross-sections of various dimensions of each approach opening (166) can pass or be blocked.

[0473] [Embodiment 19] A treatment system (100) as described in embodiment 18, characterized in that various opening portions (320) of one or more approach openings (166) are passable or blockable depending on the respective operating mode of the treatment system (100) and / or depending on the respective maintenance or setup operations on one or more working devices (130).

[0474] [Embodiment 20] A treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 19, characterized in that the one or more working devices (130) each have one or more actuating elements (146), in particular one or more application elements and / or operating elements, and one or more of these actuating elements (146), in particular all of the actuating elements (146), are partially and / or completely and / or simultaneously and / or sequentially movable into and / or to the access area (152).

[0475] [Embodiment 21] The treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 20, characterized in that the access area (152) is spatially separated from the treatment area (108) by one or more separation elements (154), in particular a separation wall (156), and (a) the access area (152) is accessible by one or more working devices (130) from the treatment area (108) through an approach opening (166), and / or b) the access area (152) is accessible by a person from outside the housing (112) of the treatment system (100) through an entrance opening (168), in particular a door (170).

[0476] [Embodiment 22] The treatment system (100) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises an air supply device (199) with a recirculation air supply device (200) and / or a feed air supply device (202), by means of which the recirculation air supply device (200) is capable of directing the recirculation air flow (184) through the treatment area (108) multiple times and / or by means of which the feed air supply device (202) is capable of supplying one or more feed air flows (186), in particular one or more fresh air flows and / or one or more factory air flows, to one or more access areas (152).

[0477] [Embodiment 23] The treatment system (100) of embodiment 22, characterized in that the recirculation air supply device (200) is capable of combining the recirculation air flow (184) from the treatment area (108) and at least one input air flow (186) from one or more access areas (152) into a common air flow, and that the recirculation air supply device (200) is capable of supplying at least a partial air flow (by volume) of the common air flow back to the treatment area (108) as the recirculation air flow (184).

[0478] [Embodiment 24] The processing system (100) includes a controller configured to selectively place the processing system (100) in various operating modes, particularly operating modes: a processing mode in which one or more workpieces (102) are processed in a processing area (108) by one or more working devices (130), during which preferably no one is or can be present in one or more access areas (152), and / or a safety mode in which one or more workpieces (102) are processed in a processing area (108) by one or more working devices (130), while preferably at least one person is or can be present in one or more access areas (152), and / or a maintenance mode, in which no processing of the workpiece (102) takes place in the processing area (108); 24. The processing system (100) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 23, characterized in that one or more of the following is provided.

[0479] [Embodiment 25] A processing system (100) as described in embodiment 24, characterized in that in a safety mode, one or more working devices (130), in particular one or more operating elements (146) of the one or more working devices (130), are movable, in particular sequentially in time, into and / or to at least one access area (152) so that personnel can carry out maintenance and / or setup operations.

[0480] [Embodiment 26] The treatment system (100) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises a transport device (126) by means of which the workpieces (102) can be transported into, through and / or out of the treatment area (108) in a transport direction (128), and at least two access areas (152) are arranged and / or formed on mutually opposite sides of a vertical longitudinal central plane (136) of the treatment system (100) running parallel to the transport direction.

[0481] [Embodiment 27] The treatment system (100) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises a transport device (126) by means of which the workpieces (102) can be transported into, through and / or from the treatment area (108) in a transport direction (128), and at least two access areas (152) are provided, of which at least one access area (152) is arranged upstream of the treatment area (108) as viewed in the transport direction (128) and at least one other access area (152) is arranged downstream of the treatment area (108) as viewed in the transport direction (128).

[0482] [Embodiment 28] A processing system (100) according to any one of the preceding embodiments 1 to 27, characterized in that the processing system (100) comprises one or more guide elements (138), in particular guide rails (140), on which one or more working devices (130), respectively, are displaceably arranged.

[0483] [Embodiment 29] A treatment system (100) as described in embodiment 28, characterized in that the guide elements (138) are formed and / or oriented at least approximately parallel to each other in certain areas or over the entire area and / or at least approximately parallel to the conveying direction (128) of the conveying device (126) of the treatment system (100) in certain areas or over the entire area.

[0484] [Embodiment 30] The treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 28 or 29, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises two or more guide elements (138) arranged on the same side with respect to a vertical longitudinal central plane (136) of the treatment system (100), in particular on a side wall (114) of a housing (112) of the treatment system (100) surrounding the treatment area (108).

[0485] [Embodiment 31] The treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 28 to 30, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises two or more guide elements (138) arranged on mutually opposing sides with respect to a vertical longitudinal central plane (136) of the treatment system (100), in particular on mutually opposing side walls (114) of a housing (112) of the treatment system (100) surrounding the treatment area (108).

[0486] [Embodiment 32] The treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 28 to 31, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises a transport device (126) by means of which the workpieces (102) can be transported in a transport direction (128) into, through and / or out of the treatment area (108), and one or more guide elements (138) are arranged below the transport device (126) with respect to the direction of gravity (g), in particular completely below an upper surface of the transport device (126) that forms an upper boundary of the transport device (126) as seen in the direction of gravity (g).

[0487] [Embodiment 33] A treatment system (100) according to any one of embodiments 28 to 32, characterized in that a plurality of working devices (130) are displaceable past each other in a guiding direction of one or more guiding elements (138) of the treatment system (100) and / or in a conveying direction (128) of a conveying device (126) of the treatment system (100).

[0488] [Embodiment 34] A processing system (100) according to any one of embodiments 28 to 33, characterized in that one or more guide elements (138) of the processing system (100) each guide exactly two or more working devices (130).

[0489] [Embodiment 35] A processing system (100) according to any one of embodiments 28 to 34, characterized in that a common access area (152) is associated with a plurality of working devices (130), and the working devices (130) are accessible from and / or in the common access area at least under their access conditions.

[0490] [Embodiment 36] A processing system (100) as described in embodiment 35, characterized in that a common access area (152) is associated with two or more working devices (130) guided on mutually different guide elements (138) of the processing system (100).

[0491] [Embodiment 37] The processing system (100) according to any one of embodiments 28 to 36, characterized in that the processing system (100) comprises one or more fixed working devices (130f) and one or more movable working devices (130b).

[0492] [Embodiment 38] A treatment system (100) as described in embodiment 37, characterized in that one or more fixed working devices (130f) are arranged between one or more movable working devices (130b) on the one hand and the access area (152) on the other hand, particularly with respect to the transport direction (128) of the transport device (126) of the treatment system (100).

[0493] [Embodiment 39] A processing system (100) as described in any one of embodiments 37 and 38, wherein one or more fixed working devices (130f) and one or more mobile working devices (130b) are associated with a common access area (152).

[0494] [Embodiment 40] A processing system (100) according to any one of embodiments 28 to 39, characterized in that the access area (152) is arranged between two guide elements (138) in the guiding direction of one or more guide elements (138) of the processing system (100) and / or in the transporting direction (128) of the transporting device (126) of the processing system (100), and at least two working devices (130) guided from the access area and / or on the two guide elements (138) in the access area are accessible at least under the access conditions of the working devices (130).

[0495] [Embodiment 41] A processing system (100) according to any one of embodiments 28 to 40, characterized in that the respective access areas (152) are arranged in mutually opposing end areas of the one or more guide elements (138) in the guiding direction of the one or more guide elements (138) of the processing system (100) and / or in the conveying direction (128) of the conveying device (126) of the processing system (100).

[0496] [Embodiment 42] The processing system (100) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the processing system (100) comprises an at least approximately cubic processing space with a processing area (108) substantially in the center, and one, two, three or four access areas (152) are arranged and / or formed in one, two, three or four corner areas (188) of the processing space (110).

[0497] [Embodiment 43] The treatment system (100) according to any one of the preceding embodiments, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises a treatment line comprising a plurality of treatment areas (108) adjacent to one another in the conveying direction (128) of the conveying device (126) of the treatment system (100), in each case arranged between two treatment areas (108) one or more access areas (152), from and / or in the access areas at least two working devices (130) are accessible for carrying out work in mutually different treatment areas (108), at least in the access conditions of the working devices (130).

[0498] [Embodiment 44] A method for treating a workpiece (102), in particular a car body (106), in which one or more operations are performed on the workpiece (102) in a treatment area (108) by one or more working devices (130).

[0499] [Embodiment 45] The method according to embodiment 44, characterized in that one or more working devices (130) are accessible, at least in the access condition, preferably from and / or in the at least one access area (152), in particular for carrying out maintenance and / or setup operations.

[0500] [Embodiment 46] The processing system (100) is selectively operable in various operating modes, in particular operating modes i.e. a processing mode in which one or more workpieces (102) are processed in a processing area (108) by one or more working devices (130), during which preferably no one is or can be present in one or more access areas (152), and / or a safety mode in which one or more workpieces (102) are processed in a processing area (108) by one or more working devices (130), while preferably at least one person is or can be present in one or more access areas (152), and / or a maintenance mode, in which no processing of the workpiece (102) takes place in the processing area (108); 46. ​​The method according to any one of embodiments 44 or 45, wherein one or more of the following is provided:

[0501] [Embodiment 47] The method according to any one of embodiments 44 to 46, characterized in that different working devices (130) are successively brought into an access condition and at least one maintenance operation and / or at least one setup operation is performed for each of the working devices, during which one or more processing operations for processing the workpiece (102) are performed, in particular continued and / or maintained uninterrupted, by one or more working devices (130) that are not in an access condition.

[0502] [Embodiment 48] The method according to any one of embodiments 44 to 47, characterized in that an air curtain is generated by one or more nozzles (304) of the treatment system (100), thereby separating the treatment area (108) and at least one access area (152) from each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0503] 100 Processing Systems 102 Workpiece 104 Painting System 106 Body 108 Processing Area 110 Processing Space 112 Housing 114 Side wall 116 Inlet side 118 Supply opening 120 Side of outlet 122 Foundation Wall 124 Covered wall 126 Transport Equipment 128 Transport direction 130 Work equipment 130f fixed work equipment 130b mobile work equipment 132 Coating robot 134 Operated Robot 136 Longitudinal center plane 138 Guidance elements 140 Guide Rail 142 Guidance Direction 144 Operation Base 146 Actuating Elements 148 Actuating Arm 150 accessible floors 152 Access Area 154 Separation elements 156 Separation wall 158 Shaft Wall 160 Maintenance shaft 162 Inlet 164 Outlet 166 Approach Opening 168 Entrance opening 170 Doors 172 Lower edge 174 Upper edge 176 Side edge 177 High-Risk Areas 178 Low-risk areas 180 Intermediate Risk Area 182 Filter cover 184 Recirculating Air Flow 186 Inlet Air Flow 188 Corner Area 190 Separation area 192 Outward guide opening 194 Valve 196 Processing Line 198 Processing Box 199 Air supply device 200 Recirculating Air Supply 202 Intake air supply 204 Plenum 206 Stripping Equipment 208 Raw Gas Shaft 210 Exhaust guide 300 Air curtain device 302 Deflection element 304 Nozzle 306 Slot Nozzle 308 Separation element part 310 Lateral diversion element 312 Nozzle casing 314 Distributor Duct 316 Supply Duct 318 Fan Nozzle 320 Opening part 440 Block Elements 402 Damper 404 Doors 460 Entrance area 462 Exit area 464 Normal Level 466 Transverse 468 Descent Level 470 Steps 472 Ambient Level α angle β angle g direction of gravity H Height A Exterior painting robot I Interior painting robot S Operation Robot

Claims

1. A processing system (100) for processing a workpiece (102), said processing system (100) comprising: a treatment area (108) for receiving the workpiece (102) to be treated; one or more working devices (130) for carrying out one or more operations on the workpiece (102) to be treated; Equipped with the processing system (100) comprises at least one access area (152) from and / or in which the one or more working devices (130) are accessible at least when the one or more working devices (130) are in an access condition; the processing region (108) and the at least one access region (152) are subregions of a processing volume of the processing system (100) enclosed within a housing; A processing system (100), wherein said at least one access region (152) and said processing region (108) are interconnected by one or more approach openings (166) in one or more isolation elements (154).

2. 2. The treatment system (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises one or more nozzles (304) for supplying an inlet air flow, the one or more nozzles (304) being capable of generating an air curtain, the air curtain being capable of separating the treatment area (108) and the at least one access area (152) from each other.

3. 3. The treatment system (100) of claim 2, wherein one or more nozzles (304) are capable of preventing air in the processing region (108) from possibly flowing into the at least one access region (152).

4. 4. The treatment system (100) of claim 2 or 3, characterized in that one or more nozzles (304) can prevent or at least minimize air exchange between the treatment area (108) and the one or more access areas (154).

5. The treatment system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one access area (152) is an area distinct and / or separate from said treatment area (108).

6. The processing system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a plurality of working devices (130) are accessible from and / or in a common access area (152) at least under their access conditions.

7. A processing system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that one or more working devices (130) are arranged and / or formed to be movable, and at least some of the one or more working devices (130) are movable into and / or to the at least one access area (152).

8. 2. The treatment system (100) of claim 1, wherein the one or more nozzles (304) are arranged above the one or more approach openings (166) with respect to the direction of gravity (g).

9. 9. The treatment system (100) of claim 8, characterized in that the one or more nozzles (304) are shaped and configured such that a main direction of flow of the gas stream provided by the nozzles forms an angle with the direction of gravity (g) of at least about 5° and / or at most about 30°.

10. The treatment system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that one or more deflection elements (302) are arranged above one or more approach openings (166) with respect to the direction of gravity (g), and are configured by the one or more deflection elements (302) to deflect an air flow guided downward in the direction of gravity (g) through the treatment area (108) away from the one or more approach openings (166).

11. 11. The treatment system (100) of claim 10, characterized in that the upper surface of the deflection element (302) that deflects the air flow forms an angle (β, beta) with the direction of gravity (g) of at least about 10° and / or at most about 40°.

12. The treatment system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that one or more nozzles (304) and one or more deflection elements (302) are arranged above one or more approach openings (166) with respect to the gravity direction (g), said one or more nozzles (304) being arranged below said one or more deflection elements (302) and / or leading to a spatial region arranged immediately below said one or more deflection elements (302).

13. A treatment system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the one or more approach openings (166) and / or the one or more separation elements (154) each comprise one or more diversion elements, by means of which the air flow can be influenced in an area surrounding the one or more approach openings (166).

14. 14. The treatment system (100) of claim 13, characterized in that one or more lateral diversion elements (310) are arranged adjacent to and / or spaced apart from one or more side edges (176) of the one or more approach openings (166), the one or more lateral diversion elements (310) extending at least approximately perpendicular and / or at least approximately orthogonal to the separation element (154) that receives, supports or supports the lateral diversion elements (310), respectively.

15. A treatment system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that one or more deflection elements (302), one or more nozzles (304) and / or one or more diverting elements are arranged at a distance from each approach opening (166) so as to form separation element portions (308) which respectively surround the approach opening (166) and are planar, along and / or by which an air flow which is as undisturbed and / or laminar as possible is obtained.

16. The treatment system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that one or more approach openings (166) each have a plurality of openings (320) by means of which free cross-sections of various dimensions of each of said approach openings (166) can pass or can be blocked.

17. The treatment system (100) of claim 16, characterized in that various opening portions (320) of the one or more approach openings (166) are passable or blockable depending on the respective operating mode of the treatment system (100) and / or depending on respective maintenance or setup operations on one or more working devices (130).

18. A processing system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that one or more working devices (130) each have one or more operating elements (146), and one or more of these operating elements (146) are partially and / or completely and / or simultaneously and / or sequentially movable into and / or to the access area (152).

19. the access region (152) is spatially separated from the processing region (108) by one or more separation elements (154); and (a) the access area (152) is accessible by one or more working devices (130) from the processing area (108) through an approach opening (166); and / or (b) the access area (152) is accessible to a person from outside the housing (112) of the treatment system (100) through an entrance opening (168).

20. 20. The treatment system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises an air supply device (199) comprising a recirculation air supply device (200) and / or a feed air supply device (202), by means of which a recirculation air flow (184) can be guided through the treatment area (108) multiple times and / or by means of which one or more feed air flows (186) can be supplied to the one or more access areas (152).

21. 21. The treatment system (100) of claim 20, characterized in that the recirculating air supply device (200) is capable of combining the recirculating air flow (184) from the treatment area (108) with at least one input air flow (186) from one or more access areas (152) into a common air flow, and that the recirculating air supply device (200) is capable of supplying a partial air flow, at least by volume, of the common air flow back to the treatment area (108) as the recirculating air flow (184).

22. The processing system (100) includes a controller configured to selectively place the processing system (100) in various operating modes, namely: a processing mode in which one or more workpieces (102) are processed in said processing area (108) by one or more working devices (130), during which no one is or can be present in said one or more access areas (152), and / or a safety mode in which one or more workpieces (102) are processed in said processing area (108) by one or more working devices (130), while at least one person is or can be present in said one or more access areas (152); and / or a maintenance mode, in which no processing of the workpiece (102) takes place in said processing area (108); The processing system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that one or more of the following are provided.

23. 23. The processing system (100) of claim 22, characterized in that in the safety mode, one or more working devices (130) are movable into and / or to at least one of the access areas (152) sequentially in time to allow personnel to perform maintenance and / or setup operations.

24. 24. The treatment system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises a transport device (126) by means of which the workpiece (102) can be transported into, through and / or out of the treatment area (108) in a transport direction (128), and in that at least two access areas (152) are arranged and / or formed on mutually opposite sides of a vertical longitudinal central plane (136) of the treatment system (100) running parallel to the transport direction (128).

25. 25. The treatment system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the treatment system (100) comprises a transport device (126) by means of which the workpiece (102) can be transported into, through and / or from the treatment area (108) in a transport direction (128), and at least two access areas (152) are provided, of which at least one access area (152) is arranged upstream of the treatment area (108) as viewed in the transport direction (128) and at least one further access area (152) is arranged downstream of the treatment area (108) as viewed in the transport direction (128).

26. A method for treating a workpiece (102), comprising: The method includes performing one or more operations on the workpiece (102) in a processing area (108) by one or more operating devices (130) of a processing system (100); and the one or more working devices (130) are accessible, at least in the access condition, from and / or in the at least one access area (152) for performing maintenance and / or setup operations; the processing region (108) and the at least one access region (152) are subregions of a processing volume of the processing system (100) enclosed within a housing; The method, wherein the at least one access area (152) and the processing area (108) are interconnected by one or more approach openings (166) of one or more isolation elements (154).

27. The processing system (100) is selectively placed into various operating modes, i.e. a processing mode in which one or more workpieces (102) are processed in said processing area (108) by one or more working devices (130), during which no one is or can be present in said one or more access areas (152), and / or a safety mode in which one or more workpieces (102) are processed in said processing area (108) by one or more working devices (130), while at least one person is or can be present in said one or more access areas (152); and / or a maintenance mode, in which no processing of the workpiece (102) takes place in said processing area (108); 27. The method of claim 26, wherein one or more of the following are provided:

28. 28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that different working devices (130) are successively brought into an access condition and at least one maintenance operation and / or at least one setup operation is performed for each of the working devices, while one or more processing operations for processing the workpiece (102) are continued and / or maintained uninterrupted by one or more working devices (130) that are not in the access condition.

29. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, wherein an air curtain is generated by one or more nozzles (304) of the treatment system (100), thereby separating the treatment area (108) and the at least one access area (152) from each other.

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