Treatment station, treatment equipment and method for treating workpieces

Abstract

In order to provide an apparatus and method for processing a workpiece (102) that allows for optimal workpiece processing, it is proposed that the processing station (114) have a processing chamber (136) into which fluid can be injected for workpiece processing.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] To process the workpieces, they can be immersed, for example, in an immersion bath, where they are lowered into the immersion bath and removed from the immersion bath after the processing step, and the workpieces can be rotated to optimally process them even in difficult-to-reach locations.

[0003] Problems can arise in this type of immersion treatment equipment when workpieces of different sizes and / or shapes are to be treated and / or when different treatment times are provided for the various workpieces. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

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

[0006] The apparatus is in particular a processing station or processing installation for processing workpieces.

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

[0008] Furthermore, a processing station may have a number of such processing vessels.

[0009] Preferably, the processing chamber is capable of being injected with a fluid.

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

[0011] The process vessel can have at least one access opening for loading a workpiece into the process chamber and / or for ejecting a workpiece from the process chamber.

[0012] Preferably, the processing vessel includes a closure device for selectively closing and opening the at least one access opening.

[0013] The process vessel can have only one access opening for loading the workpiece into the process chamber and for ejecting the workpiece from the process chamber.

[0014] Alternatively, the treatment vessel may have an access opening for loading the workpiece into the treatment chamber and another access opening for unloading the workpiece from the treatment chamber, in which case these access openings are located, in particular, on opposite sides or ends or on the front wall of the treatment vessel.

[0015] Preferably, the at least one access opening may be located and / or formed in one or more side walls of the processing vessel, in particular in one or more front walls of the processing vessel.

[0016] The treatment vessel is particularly formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and preferably has, for example, a closed top wall, a bottom wall, two or three closed side walls and two other side walls or other side walls with at least one access opening, in which case at least one access opening can preferably be completely closed by a closing device.

[0017] It may be advantageous if a closure device is used to fluid-tightly close the at least one access opening.

[0018] For this purpose, the closure device in particular has a closure element which is for example designed to be self-locking and / or has a self-locking locking element and / or a self-locking seal.

[0019] Furthermore, at least one knee lever may be used or may be usable to ensure the sealing action of the closure device, in particular to adapt the closure member to the sealing device.

[0020] It may be advantageous if the closure device comprises a lifting device for raising and lowering the closure member of the closure device, in particular for raising the closure member and moving it to the open position and / or for lowering the closure device and moving it to the closed position.

[0021] Furthermore, the closure member may be lowerable by a lifting device to move to the open position and / or liftable to move to the closed position.

[0022] A closure of this kind can be, for example, a gate, in particular a locking gate.

[0023] The closure member may, for example, be formed in one piece and be movable as a whole, or alternatively, may be formed in several pieces, the parts of which are preferably movable independently of one another or perform different movements to close or open the access opening.

[0024] Alternatively or additionally, the closure device may comprise a sliding device, for example for sliding the closure member laterally to selectively move it into the open or closed position.

[0025] Furthermore, the closing device can have a swinging device for swinging the closing member of the closing device, in which case the closing member can be swingable in particular about an at least approximately horizontal swing axis, whereas alternatively the closing member can be swingable about an at least approximately vertical swing axis.

[0026] It may be advantageous if the closure member or members, in particular at least one flap member, comprise or form one or more transport members of the transport device, in particular one or more guide members of a guide device of the transport device. One or more roller members of the transport device, in particular formed as a roller lane conveyor, may be arranged on the closure member or members.

[0027] It may be advantageous if one or more closure members of the closure device form part of the transfer device or support or house part of the transfer device.

[0028] The closure device preferably comprises a closure drive for automatically moving the closure member of the closure device, in particular for automatically moving the closure member into the open position and / or into the closed position.

[0029] The closing drive can act, for example electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically, on the closing element to selectively move it into the open or closed position, whereby, for example, one or more electric motors and / or spindle gears and / or feed chains and / or cable winches can be provided for moving the closing element.

[0030] Furthermore, gravity can be used to move the closure members, for example by mechanically coupling two closure members together, so that one closure member is lowered, thereby raising the other closure member, or at least simplifying its raising.

[0031] It may be advantageous if the processing station comprises a fluid tank for containing a fluid, in particular a processing fluid.

[0032] The fluid is preferably accessible from a fluid reservoir into the process chamber using a fluid guide for injection into the process chamber.

[0033] To evacuate the processing chamber, the fluid can be guided back from the processing chamber into the fluid reservoir, preferably using a fluid guide.

[0034] In this case, a direct connection between the process chamber and the fluid tank can be provided for both fluid injection and drainage, whereas, alternatively, one or more intermediate stations or other flow-through devices can be provided.

[0035] The treatment stations preferably have a transfer device for transferring the workpieces, in particular for loading the workpieces into the treatment chamber and / or for unloading the workpieces from the treatment chamber and / or for transferring the workpieces from one treatment station to the next.

[0036] It may be advantageous if the transport device comprises one or more roller lane conveyors, lift conveyors, slide conveyors and / or shelf handling devices for transporting and / or moving the workpieces, in particular for loading the workpieces into the treatment chamber and / or for unloading the workpieces from the treatment chamber and / or for transporting the workpieces from one treatment station to the next.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, the transfer device may have one or more unmanned transfer systems for transporting and / or moving the workpieces, in particular for loading the workpieces into the processing chamber and / or for unloading the workpieces from the processing chamber and / or for transporting the workpieces from one processing station to the next.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transport device can have multiple transport device sections with different transport technologies in terms of the drive and / or in terms of receiving and guiding the workpiece, in which case the workpiece can preferably be transported into the area in front of the processing vessel of the processing station by a first transport device section, and in which case the workpiece can be introduced into the processing chamber of the processing station by a different second transport device section.

[0039] For example, one or more roller lane conveyors may be provided outside the processing chamber for transporting the workpieces, and the workpieces may be slid into and / or out or withdrawn from the processing chamber using one or more slide conveyors.

[0040] It may be advantageous if the workpiece or workpieces are arranged on a workpiece support, the workpiece support being in particular a skid for receiving the workpiece, which is preferably formed as a vehicle body.

[0041] In this case, the transport and / or movement of the workpieces is preferably carried out in common by the workpiece support, so the expressions "transport of a workpiece" or "movement of a workpiece" can also be considered as transporting or moving at least one workpiece support together with at least one workpiece arranged on it.

[0042] In accordance with aspects of the present invention, the workpiece may be placed on or secured to a workpiece support throughout the processing units of the processing facility.

[0043] Alternatively, the workpiece can be transported through the entire treatment unit of the treatment facility without a workpiece support, in which case the workpiece can be delivered or placed on and / or fixed to a fixed workpiece holder provided for this purpose, in particular in the treatment chamber.

[0044] The workpiece is preferably movable along a horizontal plane by a transport device, in particular capable of being introduced into and / or removed from the treatment chamber.

[0045] In particular, the workpieces can be moved at floor level by means of the transport device, in particular can be introduced into and / or removed from the treatment chamber.

[0046] It may be advantageous if the transport device has one or more drive units for moving the workpieces, in which case the drive units, in particular the entire drive unit of the transport device, are preferably arranged outside the treatment chamber, at least while the treatment step (workpiece treatment) is being carried out.

[0047] It may be advantageous if the transport device has a guide device for supporting and accommodating the load of the workpiece, in which case the guide device extends into the treatment chamber from outside the treatment chamber, in particular through at least one access opening.

[0048] In this case, the guide device is preferably arranged at least partially inside the treatment chamber, even when a treatment step (workpiece treatment) is being carried out.

[0049] Furthermore, the transfer device may have a guide device that supports and accommodates the load of the workpiece, in which case the guide device has at least one guide section arranged outside the treatment chamber and at least one guide section arranged inside the treatment chamber, in which case the workpiece can be transferred through the access opening from the guide section arranged outside the treatment chamber to the guide section arranged inside the treatment chamber, in particular by driving the workpiece by one or more drive units.

[0050] The drive unit can be, for example, a slide device or a gripper device or a roller device.

[0051] Preferably, the workpiece can be released (removed) from the treatment chamber after the treatment step has been performed by the same drive unit or a different drive unit.

[0052] In one embodiment of the invention, the transport device can have one or more drive units that act on the guide section of the transport device from outside the process chamber. The drive units can be, for example, electric motors or can have electric motors.

[0053] The drive unit(s) are preferably coupled to the guide section purely mechanically. In particular, a coupling device can form a mechanical connection between the drive unit(s) and the guide section of the transport device. In this case, the workpiece guided on the guide section, in particular inside the treatment chamber, can be driven, preferably linearly, by the drive unit(s) arranged outside the treatment chamber.

[0054] It may be advantageous if the drive unit or units are arranged above the maximum filling level or above the maximum filling height of the treatment chamber and / or outside a side wall of the treatment vessel surrounding the treatment chamber.

[0055] Preferably, the drive unit or units are arranged in an end region of the treatment vessel opposite the access opening of the treatment vessel and / or in a region of the side wall of the treatment vessel near the ceiling.

[0056] The coupling device is preferably guided at the level of the drive unit or units, preferably through the side wall. The insertion opening for the coupling device is preferably arranged and / or formed above the maximum filling level or maximum filling height of the treatment chamber. The coupling element of the coupling device, which is guided through the side wall, is preferably a rotation shaft or a coupling shaft.

[0057] The rotating shafts or coupling shafts are preferably connected to other rotating shafts or coupling shafts by tension members, in particular by belts and / or chains, e.g. duplex chains, which are arranged in the region of the guide section and ultimately act directly or indirectly on the workpiece to move it.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, in embodiments of the present invention, the processing station may have one or more sensor devices that allow for state and / or position detection within the processing chamber from outside the processing chamber, for example, the sensor devices may be used to determine or monitor the correct position of a workpiece within the processing chamber.

[0059] The one or more sensor devices preferably each have one or more sensor elements arranged outside the treatment chamber, which are preferably coupled purely mechanically to one or more encoder elements inside the treatment chamber. In particular, a coupling device can form a mechanical coupling between the one or more sensor elements and the one or more encoder elements. In this case, the one or more sensor elements arranged outside the treatment chamber can be used to detect, preferably determine or monitor the position of, a workpiece arranged inside the treatment chamber.

[0060] It may be advantageous if the sensor element or elements are arranged above the maximum filling level or above the maximum filling height of the process chamber and / or outside a side wall of the process vessel surrounding the process chamber.

[0061] Preferably, one or more sensor elements are arranged in a region of the side wall of the process vessel near the ceiling.

[0062] The coupling device is preferably guided through the side wall, preferably at the level of the sensor element or elements, with the insertion opening for the coupling device being preferably arranged and / or formed above the maximum level or height of the process chamber. The coupling element of the coupling device, guided through the side wall, is preferably a rotation shaft or a coupling shaft.

[0063] The rotating shaft or coupling shaft is preferably connected to another rotating shaft or coupling shaft by a tensioning or pressing element, in particular by a coupling rod, which is arranged, for example, in the bottom region and / or in the region of the guide section and is connected to an encoder element. Operation of the encoder element, for example by rotation of the encoder element, can preferably result in a rotation of the other rotating shaft or coupling shaft, thereby, for example, vertical sliding of the coupling rod and thereby rotation of the (upper) rotating shaft or coupling shaft, which ultimately causes or results in a movement of the (upper) rotating shaft or coupling shaft emerging from the process chamber, which can be detected by at least one sensor element. Thus, a purely mechanical operation of the coupling device can detect a change in orientation or other movement of the encoder element by one or more sensor elements.

[0064] It can be advantageous if all bearing points which come into contact with fluids, in particular process fluids, during operation of the process station are configured as lubricant-free and / or graphite-free components or have only lubricant-free and / or graphite-free components. It is particularly preferable for all plain and / or rolling bearings to be configured lubricant-free and / or graphite-free.

[0065] In accordance with the present invention, all bearing points that come into contact with fluids, in particular working fluids, during operation of the treatment station can be formed as bronze-sintered bushings and / or as plastic elements or can have bronze-sintered bushings and / or plastic elements.

[0066] Preferably, all components that come into contact with fluids, in particular process fluids, during operation of the process station are designed for permanent fluid retention or contact, e.g. by selecting rust-free special steel, in particular V4A, as material.

[0067] Preferably, no electrical components are arranged inside the process chamber, in particular inside the inner section of the process vessel.

[0068] It may be advantageous if the transfer device for transferring the workpieces is formed in an exposed state and / or does not require cover elements that at least partially cover components of the transfer device inside the processing chamber, which may allow for easy flow-through and / or cleaning of the transfer device, thereby optimizing accessibility.

[0069] The transport device preferably includes a restraining device for restraining the workpiece within the processing position within the processing chamber.

[0070] The arresting device can block the movement of the workpiece, in particular along the direction of gravity.

[0071] The use of such a restraining device preferably prevents the workpiece from lifting or otherwise moving or lifting when fluid is injected into the processing chamber.

[0072] The restraining device may, for example, have one or more locking devices or flap elements or retaining elements that act directly on the workpiece(s) or on one or more workpiece supports for accommodating the workpiece(s).

[0073] The workpiece(s) can be secured to one or more workpiece supports, preferably outside the treatment chamber and / or before being introduced into the treatment chamber, in particular to prevent shifting or lifting. Alternatively or additionally, the workpiece(s) can be secured inside the treatment chamber and / or with one or more workpiece supports, in particular secured relative to each other and / or relative to the treatment chamber.

[0074] Alternatively or additionally, the restraint can be achieved by transferring at least one workpiece or a workpiece support for accommodating at least one workpiece into a restraint receptacle formed at least partially complementary thereto, in particular when loading the at least one workpiece and, if applicable, the workpiece support into the processing chamber.

[0075] Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the transport device comprises a displacement device for tilting and / or rotating the workpiece, in particular for temporarily changing its position relative to an at least approximately horizontal normal position.

[0076] The horizontal normal position is the standard orientation of the workpiece, in particular during its transport and / or processing. The movement device preferably allows tilting and / or rotation processes to be carried out, in particular to obtain a more efficient outflow of fluid from the workpiece.

[0077] The processing station may be a component of a processing installation, for example a painting installation.

[0078] The processing station can be used to carry out a method for processing workpieces, which preferably comprises the following steps: loading the workpiece into a treatment chamber of the treatment vessel through an access opening in the treatment vessel; closing the access opening of the treatment vessel with a closing device; To perform workpiece processing, a fluid is injected into the processing chamber.

[0079] After the workpiece treatment (treatment step) has been carried out, the fluid is preferably removed, in particular discharged, from the treatment chamber.

[0080] Thereafter, the workpiece is preferably removed from the process chamber through the aforementioned or other access opening.

[0081] In aspects of the present invention, the processing station may have one or more built-in components located or positionable within the processing chamber to assist in the fluid injection process.

[0082] Such an integrated element is in particular a component distinct from the transfer device that transfers the workpiece.

[0083] Preferably, these built-in elements have no other technical function or are not used for other purposes besides supporting the fluid injection process, but alternatively, one or more built-in elements can also be used to accommodate functional components of the processing station, such as devices for distributing fluids within the processing chamber, measuring devices or other sensor devices, etc.

[0084] By means of the integrated components, the fluid injection process can be supported, preferably with regard to time progression and / or with regard to optimization of the process steps for treating the workpiece.

[0085] It may be advantageous if a flow is generated and / or optimized inside the treatment chamber, for example by one or more integrated elements, and / or by one or more supply conduits, and / or by one or more discharge conduits, and / or by one or more pumping devices.

[0086] It may be preferable to arrange one or more nozzles in the treatment chamber for supplying and / or circulating a fluid, in which case the fluid is particularly directed toward areas of the workpiece(s) that require additional treatment and / or in which gas collections, such as air bubbles, may form during injection. Using the one or more nozzles, the fluid can preferably be supplied in such a way that gas collections, such as air bubbles, are expelled.

[0087] Alternatively or additionally, the transport device and / or a moving device provided in addition to or instead of the transport device may be capable of performing lifting and / or tilting and / or rotational movements of at least one workpiece to be processed in order to expel gas accumulations, e.g., gas bubbles.

[0088] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more embedded elements can be formed as exclusion elements, which can be used in particular to fill the free space inside the processing chamber that would otherwise be empty and therefore filled with fluid during the fluid injection process without the respective embedded element.

[0089] Thus, by using one or more built-in elements formed as displacement elements, it is possible to reduce, in particular, the fluid volume required for carrying out the fluid injection process, in particular by at least about 5%, preferably at least about 10%, for example at least about 20% of the fluid volume required overall for carrying out the fluid injection process, which in turn preferably reduces the length of time for carrying out the fluid injection process.

[0090] It may be advantageous if the embedded element or elements are adapted or adaptable with respect to their position and / or with respect to their function and / or with respect to their shape to the workpiece to be processed.

[0091] For example, the one or more removal elements can be at least partially or regionally adapted or adaptable to the shape of the workpiece to be processed, and in particular the one or more removal elements can be formed at least partially and / or at least approximately complementary to the workpiece, so that the free space inside the processing chamber can be preferably minimized.

[0092] For example, the one or more exclusion members may be configured to fit the side walls and / or bottom area and / or front bonnet area and / or rear bonnet area of ​​a workpiece configured as a vehicle body.

[0093] Furthermore, the built-in element(s) can be arranged and / or movable in such a way that they project into or are at least partially located within the interior space of the workpiece during processing thereof, in particular without coming into contact with the workpiece. For example, in a workpiece formed as a vehicle body such as a transporter or a (small) bus, the built-in element(s) can be inserted into the interior of the respective workpiece through a rear flap, thereby reducing the interior volume and therefore the fluid volume required for the fluid injection process.

[0094] The displacement member or members may have a hollow body, which may be filled and / or remain full and / or may be drained, preferably independent of the fluid injection process.

[0095] In particular, the expulsion member(s) is / are configured as a hollow body and have one or more closable filling openings and / or one or more discharge openings.

[0096] This type of exclusion element can be particularly lightweight and therefore easily positioned in the treatment chamber. Unwanted floating or other movement of the exclusion element during the fluid injection process is preferably prevented by properly securing the exclusion element inside the treatment vessel and / or by weighting it, for example by filling it with a hollow body. For example, a fluid different from or the same as the fluid used to perform the workpiece treatment can be used to fill the exclusion element(s). Furthermore, water can be provided as a filling fluid for the exclusion element(s).

[0097] It may be advantageous if the geometric arrangements of the inside and outside of one or more of the elimination members differ from one another, thereby forming, for example, a cavity inside the one or more of the elimination members that is optimized for filling and emptying.

[0098] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the treatment vessel may have one or more receptacles for fastening one or more installation members, in particular an exclusion member.

[0099] One or more built-in elements, such as exclusion elements, in particular exclusion elements having various shapes and / or dimensional designs, have fixing sections that are preferably formed complementarily to the receiving part, so that they are preferably easily fixable and / or replaceable.

[0100] The displacement member or members may be rigidly formed.

[0101] The mounting element(s), in particular the expulsion element(s), are or can be fixed, preferably positively and / or forcefully and / or removably, to and / or in the treatment vessel.

[0102] It may be advantageous if the displacement member or members are made flexible and / or shape-changeable and / or size-changeable, for example pumpable.

[0103] The displacement member or members can thereby be specifically adapted to various workpiece types to optimize the respective processing steps and / or fluid injection processes.

[0104] The processing station preferably has a change device for changing the shape and / or size of one or more of the exclusion members, in particular for reducing the free space inside the processing chamber into which fluid must be injected for the processing process.

[0105] The change device can be, for example, a pump device, using which filling fluid can be supplied to the hollow chamber inside one or more of the elimination elements in order to optimize the fluid injection process, in which case control and / or regulation is carried out automatically, in particular by means of a suitably configured and arranged control device, in such a way that the amount of filling fluid supplied is selected in accordance with the respective workpiece to be processed.

[0106] The one or more displacement members may fill one or more free spaces in the region of the transfer device of the processing station.

[0107] Alternatively or additionally, one or more clearance elements can fill the free space above the workpiece formed as a vehicle body, in particular above the vehicle front and / or above the vehicle rear of the vehicle body.

[0108] In other complementary or alternative embodiments, one or more embedded members may be formed as support members for supporting the workpiece to be treated during the fluid injection process.

[0109] The one or more support members therefore preferably contact the workpiece during the fluid injection process and preferably prevent the respective workpiece from bulging or breaking or otherwise deforming, and to that end the one or more support members are preferably movable and / or variable in shape and / or size.

[0110] In particular, one or more embedding elements formed as exclusion elements can simultaneously be used as support elements.

[0111] To carry out the treatment step and / or after filling the treatment chamber with fluid, the support member(s) are preferably removed from the workpiece, in particular to ensure complete wetting of the workpiece with fluid, in particular with treatment fluid. To this end, the support member(s) can in particular be moved away from the workpiece. Alternatively or additionally, removal can be achieved by a change in the shape and / or size of the support member(s).

[0112] It may be advantageous if the one or more support members each have a support section which is adapted to support the workpiece by directly abutting against the workpiece.

[0113] The support section may comprise a material that avoids damage to the workpiece and / or may be configured to be elastically flexible, for example the support section may be provided with a textile surface.

[0114] In a development of the invention, the one or more built-in elements can be formed as temperature regulation elements for regulating the temperature of the process vessel and / or the fluid.

[0115] For this purpose, the one or more built-in elements are or can be filled, in particular with a heating or cooling medium, in particular through which the heating or cooling medium can flow.

[0116] It may be advantageous if one or more of the built-in elements formed as temperature regulating elements have one or more ribs or other surface enlargements to optimize heat transfer.

[0117] It can be advantageous if the built-in element or elements formed as temperature adjustment elements are flooded with fluid during the filling of the treatment chamber, which also allows for a favorable optimization of heat transfer.

[0118] In particular, to variably adapt the processing station to differently sized workpieces, one or more built-in elements may be temporarily or permanently positioned within the processing chamber for one or more processing processes and / or fluid injection processes.

[0119] In particular, the treatment station can have a set of differently dimensioned inserts, whereby one of the inserts, in particular an insert adapted to a given type of workpiece, is inserted into the treatment chamber as needed and fixed there, and when changing the type of workpiece, the insert is then preferably replaced by an insert that is different in dimension or in terms of its function.

[0120] The one or more embedded members may be secured against movement within the process chamber during a fluid injection process, during a treatment process, and / or during evacuation of the process chamber.

[0121] Alternatively, the one or more built-in elements may be movable within the processing chamber, for example, capable of being inserted into the free space of the processing chamber to be filled with fluid during the fluid injection process and / or removed from the free space to be filled with fluid, particularly automatically, after the fluid injection process and / or processing process (processing step) has been carried out.

[0122] The one or more embedding members may be disposed or positionable in a closure member for closing an access opening in a process vessel.

[0123] The one or more built-in members are then movable, in particular by movement of the closure member itself, in particular into a position that assists the fluid injection process.

[0124] The one or more embedding members are preferably movable to a rejection position or a support position by a closure member.

[0125] It may be advantageous if the embedding member or members are movable together with the closure member, in particular linearly movable and / or swingable.

[0126] The treatment station can be used to treat workpieces, in particular to clean and / or coat vehicle bodies.

[0127] To this end, the workpiece is placed in the treatment chamber of the treatment vessel, and the treatment chamber is subsequently filled with a fluid for performing the workpiece treatment, the fluid filling being assisted by one or more built-in components arranged or capable of being arranged in the treatment chamber.

[0128] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the processing station may comprise a fluid tank for containing a fluid, and preferably further comprises a fluid guide by means of which fluid can be guided from the fluid tank into the processing vessel for injection into the processing chamber and / or from the processing vessel into the fluid tank for draining from the processing chamber.

[0129] For this purpose, the fluid guide preferably has one or more fluid conduits, in which case there is preferably a fluid guide for guiding fluid from the fluid tank to the processing vessel and another fluid guide, in particular a separate fluid guide, for supplying fluid from the processing vessel to the fluid tank.

[0130] It may be advantageous if the fluid tank is arranged above the processing vessel in relation to the direction of gravity.

[0131] In particular, gravity can thereby be used to supply the fluid to the treatment vessel, in which case a separate pumping device can preferably be dispensed with.

[0132] Alternatively, a pumping device may be effective to pump the fluid from the processing chamber back into the fluid reservoir.

[0133] Alternatively, the treatment vessel can be arranged above the fluid tank in relation to the direction of gravity, whereby fluid can be guided from the treatment vessel into the fluid tank without the use of a pumping device, whereas a pumping device is preferably provided to guide the fluid from the fluid tank into the treatment vessel.

[0134] The fluid guide can have a fluid conduit formed as a supply conduit, by means of which the fluid can be supplied to the treatment chamber, the supply conduit preferably leading into the treatment vessel in the bottom region of the treatment vessel, thereby reducing or completely avoiding undesirable bubble formation when supplying the fluid into the treatment vessel.

[0135] The bottom region of the treatment vessel is in particular the lower third, preferably the lower fifth, of the treatment chamber with respect to the overall height of the treatment chamber and / or with respect to the maximum filling height.

[0136] The treatment vessel preferably has an inflow area, which is arranged in particular below the access opening of the treatment vessel, and which is preferably filled with fluid even in the drained state of the treatment vessel, which is intended for replacing the workpiece.

[0137] The minimum filling height between the two fluid injection processes and / or between the treatment of the two workpieces is preferably selected or selectable so that the transfer device and / or other functional components or tank integrations inside the treatment chamber always remain below the filling level, thereby avoiding drying and sticking of dirt, especially when using sticky or otherwise adhesive treatment fluids.

[0138] Furthermore, instead of or in addition to avoiding contamination with media that tend to stick or solidify and stick, it is possible to keep wet or clean the built-in parts and other components in the treatment vessel, especially the tank built-in parts such as nozzle bars, the anodes and transfer devices, and the filling and draining pipes necessary for driving the treatment stations, in the treatment vessel, especially after the fluid injection process, and especially after the fluid evacuation of the treatment vessel. For this purpose, liquids and / or filtrates can be used that provide a cleaning output via suitable measures, such as fixedly arranged nozzle bars or variably movable tank cleaning nozzles. For components that are not easily accessible, such as the seal between the treatment vessel and the closing device, it is also possible to use selective self-cleaning methods, such as a fluid-injectable seal, preferably with a defined outlet.

[0139] Furthermore, the process vessel and the components arranged therein can be protected from drying out by hermetically closing it. Furthermore, the humidity in such a closed unit can be monitored and additional humidity can be added if necessary. This can also be optionally provided in units that are not hermetically closed.

[0140] Alternatively, sticking can also be countered by permanent wetting with the medium used, in particular the treatment fluid. This is particularly possible in transport-technical components and also in filling and discharging pipes.

[0141] The supply conduit preferably communicates within the inlet region, particularly below the fluid line of the inlet region, thereby enabling optimal fluid supply into the processing chamber.

[0142] Furthermore, the inflow area can be arranged and / or formed in one or more inflow containers, in particular in the removal member, inside the treatment chamber, with the supply conduit in particular leading into the inflow container. The inflow area, for example at its upper side, in particular has an outlet opening through which the fluid for injection into the treatment chamber can flow into the treatment chamber.

[0143] To avoid sedimentation, the fluid can be permanently and / or regularly circulated in the inflow area and / or treated, in particular purified.

[0144] It may be advantageous for the fluid guide to have multiple supply conduits, one or more of which communicate with the processing vessel within the bottom region thereof and / or one or more of which terminate at or within one or more nozzles or other supply openings that can direct and / or supply fluid to the workpiece, for example, as a beam or wave.

[0145] The drained state of the processing vessel is preferably a state of the processing vessel in which one or more access openings can be opened without or without fear of fluids leaking through the access openings, and therefore the drained state does not necessarily have to be a state of the processing vessel in which any residual fluids have been removed from the processing vessel.

[0146] The medium, in particular gas, e.g. air, which is expelled from the treatment chamber when the treatment chamber is filled with fluid, can be discharged, for example, to the environment or treated and / or further guided, for example, to an exhaust gas cleaning system and / or into a dryer for drying the workpiece;

[0147] Additionally, the displaced media can be introduced into a fluid reservoir.

[0148] In particular, if foam formation is or may be predicted during the fluid injection process or filling stage based on the supply method and / or the selected fluid, it can be advantageous for the treatment station to have a compensation device that minimizes or avoids foam formation. The compensation device in particular has a nozzle device, such as a nozzle bar, for spraying the liquid, in particular the filtrate. The nozzle device is in particular arranged in the ceiling area of ​​the treatment chamber. Alternatively or additionally, the compensation device can have a vacuum device for sucking air out of the treatment chamber. Furthermore, alternatively or additionally, a chemical agent, in particular an antifoaming agent, can be supplied to the fluid.

[0149] If a medium that tends to contain air and requires degassing is used as the fluid, a device for removing it can be additionally provided in the treatment vessel. Alternatively or additionally to the possibility of vacuum suction, ultrasound can also be generated in the treatment vessel in batch and continuous processes to coalesce the air bubbles, with the necessary devices being integrated or integrable, for example, into an additional or existing circuit. Alternatively, chemical modification of the receptor and / or addition of additives to the fluid to be introduced can be carried out.

[0150] It may be advantageous if the fluid guide comprises a cleaning device for cleaning the fluid.

[0151] The cleaning device is preferably located outside the processing vessel and / or outside the fluid tank.

[0152] Preferably, the cleaning device is arranged in a return conduit that returns the fluid to the fluid tank, so that the fluid can be purified and / or treated, preferably as it returns and / or before each start of a circulation, in particular before a new fluid injection process in one or more treatment vessels.

[0153] The processing station preferably has a control device by means of which the fluid injection process in the processing chamber can be controlled and / or adjusted, in particular by controlling and / or adjusting valve devices that open and close supply conduits that supply fluid to the processing chamber.

[0154] To control and / or adjust the fluid injection process, preferably one or more workpiece parameters are taken into account, in particular the geometry and / or size and / or position of the workpiece inside the process chamber.

[0155] The workpiece parameter(s) are passed on to the control device, in particular via the machine control and / or by CAD data, barcode recognition, RFID information or other workpiece-specific data sets.

[0156] The fluid injection process can be preferably controlled by the control device as follows: during fluid injection, the filling speed and / or rate of change of the filling state of the fluid in the treatment chamber is changed, in particular to adapt to local stability differences of the workpiece and / or to adapt to the changing area of ​​the water surface along the direction of gravity.

[0157] For example, the fluid injection process may be controllable by a controller such that the fluid level in the process chamber rises at least approximately constantly.

[0158] Alternatively, the fluid injection process can be controlled by a control device such that the volumetric flow of fluid supplied is increased when the fluid level flows over a more stable area of ​​the workpiece, and the volumetric flow of fluid supplied is decreased when the fluid level flows over a less stable area of ​​the workpiece.

[0159] The processing station may, for example, have one or more measuring devices, which may be used to determine, for example, the volumetric flow of fluid flowing into the processing chamber and / or the filling state or filling level inside the processing chamber and / or the filling state or filling level in a fluid tank.

[0160] One or more measurements of one or more measuring devices are preferably taken into account to control and / or regulate the fluid injection process.

[0161] Preferably, the maximum filling height (maximum filling level) in the fluid injection process is selected according to the workpiece geometry and / or position, e.g., if the workpiece is formed as a vehicle body, the treatment chamber can always be filled with fluid so that the filling level is just above the roof of the vehicle body, e.g., at most about 10 cm, preferably at most about 5 cm, e.g., at most about 3 cm above the roof.

[0162] Furthermore, one or more measuring devices can be used to determine one or more leaks, for example by monitoring the filling state or filling level or volume flow by means of one or more measuring devices, from which the tightness of one or more closure devices can preferably be estimated.

[0163] In one embodiment, the treatment station can have a counter tank, which is arranged below the treatment chamber, in particular with respect to the direction of gravity, and which can be supplied with the fluid to be removed from the treatment chamber.

[0164] In that case, the fluid can be guided from the fluid tank into the treatment chamber and / or from the treatment chamber into the counter tank, preferably solely by using gravity.

[0165] For example, a pumping device can be used to guide the fluid preferably from the counter tank back to the fluid tank.

[0166] The fluid tank is therefore an auxiliary tank for preparing fluids, in particular fluids ready for carrying out a treatment process, so that the fluids can be purified or treated, in particular on the transfer path between the counter tank and the fluid tank, in particular by means of a cleaning device.

[0167] It may be advantageous if the processing station has more than one or two processing chambers, in particular two or more processing vessels each with a processing chamber.

[0168] In that case, a common fluid reservoir may be provided to supply fluid to two or more processing chambers.

[0169] Alternatively, multiple fluid reservoirs may be provided, particularly for multiple fluids in the same processing chamber.

[0170] For example, the process chambers of a processing station can be selectively, and particularly alternately, injected with different fluids to perform various processing steps, particularly on one or more workpieces residing within the process chambers.

[0171] For this purpose, it is also possible to provide a plurality of counter tanks for a plurality of fluids.

[0172] Furthermore, one counter tank can be provided in common for more than two processing chambers.

[0173] A tank, in this description and the accompanying claims, is a general container, in particular for a fluid, which may for example be an individual container or a number of containers connected to one another.

[0174] The processing station may have a cleaning device for cleaning and / or purifying the processing chamber, in which case a cleaning medium can be introduced, in particular sprayed, into the processing chamber and removed, in particular ejected, from the processing chamber, in particular independently of a fluid, independent of a fluid tank and / or independent of a counter tank, using the cleaning device.

[0175] The cleaning device may have a cleaning nozzle, in particular arranged in the processing chamber and / or directed towards the processing chamber, which cleaning nozzle is used in particular to rinse the walls and / or the transport device arranged in the processing chamber.

[0176] In order to process the workpiece, in the described processing station, in particular, the workpiece can be introduced into the processing chamber and a fluid can be injected into the processing chamber to perform the workpiece processing, in which case the fluid is guided from a fluid tank into the processing vessel for injection into the processing chamber and / or from the processing vessel into the fluid tank for discharge from the processing chamber.

[0177] The processing station can be used in particular in a processing facility.

[0178] The treatment facility is used in particular for treating workpieces.

[0179] Preferably, the treatment installation comprises a number of treatment stations for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies.

[0180] Each processing station preferably has at least one processing vessel surrounding a processing chamber for receiving the workpiece, in which case each processing station has its own fluid tank for receiving a fluid, or a plurality of processing stations have in common a fluid tank for receiving a fluid, in which case the processing station preferably has a fluid guide by means of which a fluid can be guided from the fluid tank into the respective processing vessel for injection into one or more processing chambers, and / or from the respective processing vessel into the fluid tank for discharge from the processing chamber.

[0181] When injecting fluid into one or more processing chambers, the fluid level inside the processing chamber(s) is preferably increased by a factor of at least 10, preferably at least 50, such as at least 100.

[0182] Furthermore, when injecting fluid into one or more processing chambers, the liquid level is raised from a minimum to at least about 50%, preferably at least about 70%, such as at least about 90% of the total interior height of the processing chamber.

[0183] When evacuating one or more processing chambers, preferably at least about 50%, especially at least about 80%, such as at least about 90%, of the fluid, especially processing fluid, therein is removed from the processing chamber(s).

[0184] Preferably, a fluid injection process and an evacuation process are performed for each workpiece or group of workpieces separately introduced into the process chamber.

[0185] In one embodiment of the present invention, the processing facility has a plurality of first processing stations for carrying out a first step and a plurality of second processing stations for carrying out a second processing step, wherein each of the one or more first processing stations and the one or more second processing stations preferably constitute or form a processing unit of the processing facility, through which the workpiece passes for carrying out the processing step.

[0186] The processing unit has a number of processing stations that are successively arranged along the main transport direction of the transport device for transporting the workpieces, and preferably all processing steps that can be carried out sequentially for processing the workpieces can be carried out using the processing unit.

[0187] The processing facility may have a plurality of processing units, which in particular each have one or more first processing stations and one or more second processing stations, and / or the processing units in particular form different processing lines of the processing facility.

[0188] One or more first processing stations of different processing units preferably have a common fluid guide and / or a common fluid tank, alternatively or in addition, one or more second processing stations of different processing units may have a common fluid guide and / or a common fluid tank.

[0189] Further alternatively or additionally, one or more first processing stations of different processing units can have a common counter tank and / or a common cleaning device. Further alternatively or additionally, one or more second processing stations of different processing units can have a common counter tank and / or a common cleaning device.

[0190] The fluid, in particular the first process fluid, is first guided by a fluid guide. a) can be supplied to one or more processing stations of a first processing unit, in particular to one or more processing chambers of the first processing station, and then b) can be supplied to one or more processing stations of the second processing unit, in particular to one or more processing chambers of the first processing station; One or more intermediate storage tanks can be arranged between the first and second processing units and / or between two processing stations of the same or different processing units.

[0191] The fluid, in particular the second process fluid, is first guided by a fluid guide a) can be supplied to one or more processing chambers of one or more processing stations of the first processing unit, in particular of the second processing station, and then b) can be supplied to one or more treatment chambers of one or more treatment stations of a second treatment unit, in particular of the second treatment station; It may be advantageous to arrange one or more intermediate storage tanks between the first and second processing units and / or between two processing stations of the same or different processing units.

[0192] It may be advantageous if the fluid can be supplied alternately by a fluid guide to the process chambers of different process units.

[0193] Alternatively or additionally, fluid can be supplied alternately by fluid guides to several process chambers of the same process unit.

[0194] The fluid guide is preferably connected to or has a cleaning device so that the fluid can be purified, in particular after being removed from one of the treatment chambers and / or before being resupplied to another treatment chamber.

[0195] Fluid purification preferably occurs upon evacuation from the processing chamber and / or after one or more uses of the fluid within the fluid injection process and / or processing step.

[0196] The total amount of fluid contained within the fluid guide as a whole is preferably at most about two times, in particular at most about three times, the amount of fluid required to perform an individual fluid injection process within the processing chamber.

[0197] In that case, the fluid guide preferably comprises all components for guiding and containing the fluid, in particular one or more fluid tanks, one or more processing chambers, one or more intermediate storage tanks and / or one or more counter tanks and optionally one or more cleaning devices.

[0198] The amount of fluid is in particular the mass of the fluid and / or the volume of the fluid, in particular under normal conditions.

[0199] To perform cleaning operations, the fluid can be preferably selectively transferred, in particular pumped, into one or more components of the fluid guide and processed therein. For example, to clean at least one fluid tank, the fluid can be completely contained in one or more processing vessels and / or one or more counter tanks. Furthermore, for example, to clean one or more processing vessels, the fluid can be completely contained in one or more fluid tanks and / or one or more counter tanks. Further selectively, for example, to clean one or more counter tanks, the fluid can be completely contained in one or more fluid tanks and / or one or more processing vessels.

[0200] It may be advantageous if several, in particular all, of the processing stations of the processing units, in particular one or more or all of the first processing stations and one or more or all of the second processing stations of the processing units, are arranged in a common plane of the processing installation, meaning that in particular the processing chambers of the processing stations are accessible to the workpieces themselves only by horizontal movement of the workpieces, without leveling or releveling.

[0201] It may be advantageous if the processing units of the processing installation are arranged on different planes of the processing installation.

[0202] The processing stations can be arranged one on top of the other in the direction of gravity. In this case, the processing stations can be arranged, in particular supported, on different sections or levels of a supporting structure, in particular a steel structure, of the processing installation. Furthermore, one or more processing stations can each support and accommodate the weight of one or more processing stations arranged thereon. In this case, additional support structures can be omitted. For this purpose, the processing vessel is preferably dimensioned and designed to absorb the weight of one or more processing stations arranged thereon.

[0203] It may be advantageous if one or more fluid tanks or counter tanks are arranged above or between one or more treatment vessels, in particular supported by one or more treatment vessels so as to absorb their weight, in which case there is preferably no need for additional supporting structures for the one or more fluid tanks or counter tanks.

[0204] Furthermore, one or more processing vessels can be placed directly on one or more fluid tanks and / or counter tanks, and the one or more fluid tanks and / or counter tanks can house the one or more processing vessels in a weight-supporting manner.

[0205] One or more processing stations of different processing units of a processing installation which have a common fluid guide and / or are used to perform the same processing step are preferably arranged one above the other along the direction of gravity.

[0206] The processing units arranged on different planes of the processing facility are preferably functionally identical, so that in particular the same processing steps can be performed by each processing unit, which ultimately allows for a greater processing capacity of the processing facility compared to individual processing units.

[0207] In this case, each workpiece is assigned to one of the processing units and passes through only this processing unit, whereas one or more fluid guides are preferably formed across the processing units, in particular for carrying out the same processing step.

[0208] It can be advantageous if processing stations arranged one above the other along the direction of gravity are connected to a common fluid guide, whereby fluid can be supplied to the individual processing stations one after the other and used to carry out the fluid injection process, in which case the fluid can be guided from one processing station to another processing station below it along the direction of gravity, in particular by using gravity.

[0209] It may be advantageous if a common counter tank is located below all the processing stations and / or if a common fluid tank is located above all the processing stations.

[0210] In this case, the fluid can be guided in particular from the fluid tank to an upper processing station, then to a lower processing station (possibly with intermediate processing stations therebetween) and finally into the counter tank, from which the fluid can be pumped back into the fluid tank, preferably by means of a pumping device.

[0211] It can be advantageous if the processing equipment has a plurality of fluid guides for guiding different processing media, in which case the fluid guides are associated with different processing stations for carrying out various processing steps.

[0212] Alternatively or additionally, the processing equipment may have multiple fluid guides that guide different processing fluids, in which case the fluid guides are associated with the same processing station so that one of the processing fluids can be selectively supplied to the processing station in order to selectively perform different processing steps.

[0213] For processing the workpiece, in particular a method is implemented in which the following method steps are carried out: loading one or more workpieces into one or more processing chambers of one or more processing stations; injecting fluid into one or more processing chambers to perform a process; In this case, fluid guides are used to guide fluids for injection into one or more processing chambers from the fluid tank into the respective processing chambers and / or from the respective processing chambers into the fluid tank for discharge from the processing chambers.

[0214] It may be advantageous if the fluid is drawn from the fluid tank and supplied to one or more treatment chambers one after the other, in particular completely staggered in time. In particular, later, for example subsequently or at a later time, the fluid is preferably guided back into the fluid tank, preferably after purification of the fluid in a cleaning device. The fluid tank and / or one or more treatment chambers are therefore preferably filled and drained alternately.

[0215] Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the fluids are supplied one after the other, in particular with a complete time lag, to one or more processing chambers in a processing station of a first processing unit, and then, in particular subsequently thereto or at a later point in time, for example after temporary storage in an intermediate storage tank, to one or more processing chambers of a processing station of a second processing unit.

[0216] It can be advantageous if the treatment facility has a plurality of treatment stations for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies, in which case one or more treatment stations preferably each have at least one treatment vessel, which treatment vessel surrounds a treatment chamber for receiving the workpieces.

[0217] The processing equipment preferably comprises fluid guides by means of which fluids can be injected into and evacuated from one or more of the processing chambers.

[0218] It may be advantageous if the treatment facility has a transfer device for transferring the workpieces, by means of which the workpieces can be introduced into or removed from one or more treatment chambers in a fluid-evacuated state of the treatment chamber(s). Furthermore, the workpieces may be movable along a horizontal plane by means of the transfer device, in particular by which they can be introduced into and / or removed from the treatment chamber(s).

[0219] In that case, the workpieces can be introduced into the treatment chamber through a particular access opening or can be removed from the treatment chamber through another or the same access opening.

[0220] The processing installation preferably has a main transport section extending along a main transport direction, along which workpieces can be transported by a transport device from one processing station to another, in which preferably various processing steps are or can be performed.

[0221] The workpieces can be transported along the main transport direction or along the main transport section, preferably in a transverse orientation.

[0222] Lateral orientation of the workpiece is an orientation of the workpiece in which, when the workpiece is transported along a direction of movement, in particular along a main transport direction, the main longitudinal axis of the workpiece, in particular the main longitudinal axis of the vehicle body, is oriented laterally, preferably at least approximately perpendicular to the direction of movement, in particular the main transport direction.

[0223] Longitudinal orientation of the workpiece is an orientation of the workpiece in which, when the workpiece is transported along a direction of movement, in particular along a main transport direction, the main longitudinal axis of the workpiece, in particular the main longitudinal axis of the vehicle body, is oriented at least approximately parallel to the direction of movement, in particular the main transport direction.

[0224] The workpiece may be longitudinally oriented and loaded into or unloaded from one or more processing chambers.

[0225] The direction of movement of the workpieces when introduced into and / or removed from the treatment chamber is preferably transverse, in particular at least approximately perpendicular, to the main transport direction.

[0226] In particular, the workpieces can be introduced into the treatment chamber in an introduction direction, which is transverse, in particular at least approximately perpendicular, to the transport direction of the transport device.

[0227] The processing facility preferably has a plurality of processing stations for carrying out the same processing step, with one or more of such processing stations being arranged on opposite sides of the main transport section of the transport device.

[0228] By means of the transport device, the supplied workpieces are preferably distributed alternately to the processing stations.

[0229] Furthermore, the treatment facility can have multiple treatment stations for carrying out the same treatment step, with two or more such treatment stations being arranged adjacent to one another along the main transport direction of the transport device and / or next to one another and / or on the same side of the main transport section. By means of the transport device, the workpieces can also preferably be distributed onto the same treatment stations, in particular to enable optimal utilization of the treatment facility.

[0230] A plurality of processing stations may form a processing unit, in which case a plurality of, in particular all, processing stations of the processing unit, in particular one or more or all first processing stations and one or more or all second processing stations of the processing unit, are arranged on a common plane of the processing facility.

[0231] In one embodiment of the present invention, the processing installation can have a main transport section extending in a main transport direction, along which the workpieces can be moved from one processing station to another by a transport device, and in this case the main transport section has one or more tunnel sections enclosing the main transport section.

[0232] Preferably, one or more tunnel sections, in particular one or more tunnel sections arranged between two processing stations along the main transport direction, comprise cleaning and / or washing and / or injection stations, for example for supplying a cleaning fluid, for example a degreasing fluid, which can in particular be sprayed or ejected in waves onto the workpiece.

[0233] During the transport of the workpieces, fluid may drip from the workpieces, so the transport device, in particular the main transport section, preferably has one or more catch members, which are formed, for example, as catch tanks and are used to collect fluid dripping from the workpieces.

[0234] In order to seal in the transition area between the treatment vessel and the one or more capture elements and / or between the treatment vessel and the tunnel section, for example, flush terminations and / or one or more sealing elements, such as sealing seats, sealing brushes, sealing hoods and / or one or more suction devices, may be provided.

[0235] It may be advantageous if the treatment station and / or treatment facility has a blower device for blowing fluid away from the workpiece. Such a blower device can be arranged, for example, inside the treatment vessel and / or in the tunnel section and / or in the transition area between them. For example, the blower device can be arranged and / or formed outside the treatment vessel in the area of ​​the closure device.

[0236] The blower device has one or more air curtain devices for generating an air curtain for localized application to the workpiece and / or one or more nozzle devices, e.g., cast nozzles, for generating individual jet streams for localized application to the workpiece, particularly for targeting and blowing away fluid masses.

[0237] The processing facility preferably has two processing units arranged on a common plane of the processing facility, in which case the main transport sections of the transport devices of the two processing units are oriented antiparallel to each other and / or are arranged linearly consecutive to each other.

[0238] In particular, the two processing units can have oppositely arranged supply stations for supplying workpieces and / or oppositely arranged removal stations for removing workpieces and / or a common removal station for removing workpieces, which is arranged in the middle, in particular between the transport sections.

[0239] Alternatively, the two processing units can have oppositely arranged removal stations for removing workpieces and / or oppositely arranged supply stations for supplying workpieces and / or a common supply station for supplying workpieces, in particular arranged centrally between the main transport sections.

[0240] It may be advantageous if the transfer device has one or more branch conveyors by means of which the workpieces can be removed from the main transfer section and introduced into one or more processing chambers, and / or by means of which the workpieces can be discharged from one or more processing chambers and returned to the main transfer section.

[0241] In particular in a treatment installation of this kind, for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies, the following steps can preferably be carried out: transferring one or more workpieces using a transfer device; loading one or more workpieces into a processing chamber of a processing station for performing a processing step; injecting fluid into the processing chamber; The fluid is removed and the workpiece is removed from the treatment chamber by means of a transport device, the workpiece being introduced into and removed from the treatment chamber, in particular in an at least approximately horizontal orientation.

[0242] Preferably, moreover, the workpieces are transported from one processing station to the next along a main transport direction and are introduced into the processing chambers of the processing stations in an introduction direction that extends transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the main transport direction.

[0243] In another embodiment of the treatment facility, the treatment facility can have a plurality of treatment stations for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies, in which case one or more treatment stations each have at least one treatment vessel, which treatment vessel surrounds a treatment chamber for receiving the workpieces, and in which case the treatment facility has a fluid guide, by means of which one or more of the treatment chambers can be selectively filled with or emptied of fluid.

[0244] The treatment equipment preferably has a transport device for transporting the workpieces, by means of which the workpieces can be introduced into the treatment chambers through access openings formed as input openings when the respective treatment chambers are in a fluid-exhausted state, and by means of which the workpieces can be discharged from the treatment chambers through access openings formed as discharge openings when the respective treatment chambers are in a fluid-exhausted state.

[0245] The input and output openings are preferably different access openings, especially in opposite side walls of the processing station.

[0246] It may be advantageous if the workpiece is movable along a horizontal plane by means of a transport device, in particular capable of being introduced into and / or removed from the treatment chamber.

[0247] Preferably, the height position of the workpiece when loading the workpiece into the treatment chamber and / or when unloading the workpiece from the treatment chamber remains at least approximately unchanged.

[0248] It may be advantageous if the treatment installation has a main transport section extending in a main transport direction, along which the workpieces can be transferred from one treatment station to another by means of a transfer device.

[0249] Furthermore, the workpiece may be oriented in its longitudinal direction and movable along the main transport direction and / or along the main transport section.

[0250] The workpiece is preferably oriented longitudinally and transportable through one or more processing chambers.

[0251] The transport device can have one or more transfer stations at or by means of which workpieces can be selectively transferred from one processing station to another processing station of the same and / or a different processing unit of the processing installation, which is adjacent to it along the main transport device. Transfer stations of this kind can be used to transfer workpieces from one processing station to another, in particular to make it possible to temporarily bypass, for example, a processing station that has broken down or is to be maintained or cleaned, without the processing unit in question having to be completely taken out of service.

[0252] It may be preferable if the processing facility has a plurality of processing stations for carrying out the same processing step, in which case two or more of such processing stations are preferably arranged adjacent to each other and / or are components of processing units or processing lines of the processing facility that run parallel to each other.

[0253] In that case, a processing line is in particular a processing unit whose processing stations are arranged one after the other along a processing direction, in particular along the main transport direction.

[0254] In one embodiment of the present invention, the processing installation can have a main transport section extending in a main transport direction, along which workpieces can be transported from one processing station to another by a transport device, in which case the main transport section has one or more tunnel sections enveloping the main transport section, in which case one or more tunnel sections, in particular one or more tunnel sections arranged between two processing stations along the main transport direction, have cleaning stations and / or washing stations and / or spraying stations.

[0255] The cleaning station(s) and / or washing station(s) and / or jetting station(s) are / are preferably arranged and / or formed in the transfer station(s).

[0256] Mechanical gates, such as roll gates or quick-open gates, may be provided to separate the individual tunnel sections and / or one or more cleaning stations and / or washing stations and / or jetting stations.

[0257] The treatment installation has at least two treatment stations for carrying out the same treatment process, with a distribution device or a co-guiding device being arranged before and / or after these treatment stations in relation to the main transport direction of the workpieces.

[0258] By means of the distribution device, the workpieces fed via the transport device can be divided or distributed to preferably at least two processing stations, whereby a common supply of workpieces can be achieved in order to optimize the transport technical effort.

[0259] By using the joint guiding device, workpieces coming out of at least two processing stations can be guided together or transported further together, so that the technical transport effort can likewise be kept low.

[0260] The distribution device and / or the co-guiding device are preferably each configured as a cross-feed device.

[0261] In this type of transverse feed device, in particular, the workpiece is fed transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the main transport direction, thereby making it possible to subsequently carry out a further transport displaced parallel to the main transport direction, in particular a further transport displaced parallel to the main transport section.

[0262] The processing facility preferably comprises one or more processing stations for carrying out a fluid injection process and one or more processing stations for carrying out a immersion process.

[0263] In a treatment station for carrying out a fluid injection process, the workpiece is preferably left stationary and a fluid is introduced into the treatment chamber, whereupon the fluid injection process is carried out.

[0264] In contrast, in a treatment station for carrying out an immersion process, the fluid is preferably substantially stationary, so that the workpieces are introduced into the fluid, in particular from above, for example by rotating the respective workpieces in and out or lowering and raising them, and are then moved upwards out of the fluid after the treatment process has been carried out.

[0265] One or more treatment stations for carrying out a fluid injection process are each used for pre-treatment of the workpiece, in particular cleaning, degreasing and / or phosphating.

[0266] The one or more treatment stations for carrying out the immersion process are preferably used for coating, in particular painting, the workpieces, and for example cathodic immersion coating in the form of a treatment station for carrying out the immersion process can be provided followed by one or more treatment stations for carrying out the fluid injection process.

[0267] To process the workpiece, a method is carried out which comprises in particular the following steps: transferring one or more workpieces using a transfer device; loading one or more workpieces into a processing chamber of a processing station for performing a processing step; injecting fluid into the processing chamber; removing the fluid and releasing the workpiece from the processing chamber using a transfer device; In this case, the workpiece is introduced into the treatment chamber using the transport device through an access opening formed as an input opening when the respective treatment chamber is in a fluid-exhausted state, and the workpiece is discharged from the treatment chamber using the transport device through an access opening formed as a discharge opening when the respective treatment chamber is in a fluid-exhausted state, wherein the input opening and the discharge opening are preferably different access openings.

[0268] The workpieces are preferably longitudinally oriented and transported along the main transport direction from one processing station to the next and are transported through the processing chambers of the processing stations in the same longitudinal orientation.

[0269] It may be advantageous if one or more processing stations, in particular one or more processing vessels and / or fluid tanks, are configured and arranged modularly and / or separately so as to be transportable as a whole, in particular one or more processing stations, in particular one or more processing vessels and / or fluid tanks, can be arranged in or removed from the main transport section as needed and can likewise be selectively loaded with workpieces or transferred within the processing unit row.

[0270] Other preferred features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0271] In the drawings: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0272] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagrammatically showing a first embodiment of a processing installation, in which two processing units arranged one above the other, each with a plurality of processing stations, are provided, in which the workpieces can be transported along the main transport direction in a transversely oriented manner by a transport device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the treatment installation of FIG. 1 diagrammatically in vertical longitudinal section. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows the processing installation of FIG. 1 in a schematic top view from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the processing installation of FIG. 1 diagrammatically in vertical cross section. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a processing station of the processing installation of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the processing station of FIG. 5, in which the side walls of the processing vessel of the processing station have been removed. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic perspective view, corresponding to FIG. 1, of a second embodiment of a processing installation, in which the workpieces are oriented in their longitudinal direction and can be transported along the main feed direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the processing facility of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a top view diagrammatically showing the processing equipment of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows the processing installation of FIG. 7 diagrammatically in vertical cross section. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a processing station of the processing installation of FIG. 7 in a schematic perspective view corresponding to FIG. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 shows a processing station of the processing installation of FIG. 7 in a schematic perspective view corresponding to FIG. 11, in which the side walls of the processing vessels of the processing station have been removed. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic top view of a third embodiment of a processing installation, in which processing stations are provided on either side of the main transfer section. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a top view diagrammatically showing a fourth embodiment of the processing equipment, in which the two opposite ends of a common main transport section or two transport sections are adjacent to a supply station for supplying workpieces, and in which a common unloading station for unloading the workpieces is provided substantially in the center. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a top view diagrammatically showing a fifth embodiment of the processing equipment, in which a distribution device and a device for jointly guiding the transport device are provided, so that the workpieces can be distributed to various processing stations and can be jointly guided to reduce the technical transport effort. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows in a schematic top view the upper side of a sixth embodiment of a processing installation, in which a combination of processing stations for performing a fluid injection process and for performing an immersion process is provided. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows an enlarged view of area XVII in FIG. 16 in the form of a vertical longitudinal section. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 shows an enlarged view of region XVIII in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 shows an alternative configuration of the processing station shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 shows the processing station of FIG. 19 in a schematic vertical cross section, with the workpieces to be processed arranged differently inside the processing chamber of the processing station. [Figure 21]FIG. 21 shows a schematic perspective view of a processing station in which a drive unit located outside the transport device and two outside sensor elements of the sensor device are provided. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 shows a schematic exploded perspective view of the transfer device and sensor device of FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 shows an enlarged view of the area XXIII in FIG. 22, looking inward towards the process chamber, at the upper part of the drive unit and coupling device. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 shows an enlarged view of region XXIV in FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 shows an enlarged view of area XXV in FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 shows an enlarged view of region XXVI in FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 shows an enlarged view of the region XXVI in FIG. 22 in another viewing direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0273] In all figures, identical or functionally equivalent parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0274] The processing equipment, generally designated 100 in FIGS. 1-6, is used to process a workpiece 102, such as a vehicle body 104.

[0275] The processing facility 100 includes one or more processing units 106, for example, two processing units 106, through which a workpiece 102 is selectively passed for performing multiple processing steps.

[0276] In a first embodiment of a processing facility 100, shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, a supply station 108 is provided to supply the processing unit 106.

[0277] In that case, the supply station 108 is a component of a transfer device 110 of the processing facility 100 .

[0278] Preferably, the supply station 108 includes a distribution device 112 that distributes the workpieces 102 to the processing units 106 .

[0279] The supply stations 108 are formed, for example, as lifts and are used to supply the workpieces 102 to the processing units 106 which are arranged on different planes of the processing installation 100 .

[0280] The processing facility 100, and in particular each processing unit 106, includes one or more processing stations 114 for processing the workpieces 102, and in particular for performing a fluid injection process, which will be described in more detail below.

[0281] The processing stations 114 are arranged one after the other along a main transport direction 116 of the transport device 110 .

[0282] In the first embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in Figures 1 to 6, a main transport section 118 of the transport device 110 is provided, which extends along the entire processing stations 114 and from which workpieces 102 can be supplied to the individual processing stations 114.

[0283] The main transfer section 118 includes, among other things, one or more tunnel sections 120 that enclose at least individual sections of the main transfer section 118 .

[0284] Additionally, the main transfer section 118 preferably includes one or more cleaning stations 122 and / or spraying stations 124 and / or washing stations 126 .

[0285] The cleaning station 122, the spraying station 124 and / or the washing station 126 are arranged and / or formed before one or more processing stations 114, between multiple processing stations 114 and / or after one or more processing stations 114, particularly with respect to the main transport direction 116.

[0286] After processing the workpieces 102 , they can be further transported using an unloading station 128 .

[0287] The unloading station 128 forms in particular a co-guiding device 130 for guiding together the workpieces processed in the various processing units 106 and for their further transport together.

[0288] The workpieces 102 are transportable in the first embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, particularly in a lateral orientation 132, particularly along the main transport direction 116.

[0289] In particular, the vehicle body 104 is introduced into the processing station 114 laterally adjacent the main transfer section 118, preferably along its longitudinal axis.

[0290] As can be seen particularly from FIG. 3, for example, each processing unit 106 includes a first processing station 114a, a second processing station 114b, a third processing station 114c, and a fourth processing station 114d.

[0291] In that case, each processing station 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d preferably has a fluid reservoir 134 associated therewith.

[0292] Additionally, each processing station 114a, 114b, 114c, 114d includes one or more processing vessels 136 for performing workpiece processing.

[0293] The workpiece 102 can be treated with one or more fluids, particularly in the form of a liquid.

[0294] Therefore, during transport of the workpiece 102, liquids in particular may drip from the workpiece.

[0295] Therefore, the transfer device 110, in particular the main transfer section 118, preferably has one or more catch members 138, which are formed, for example, as catch tanks and are used to collect liquid dripping from the workpiece 102.

[0296] The capture member 138 is particularly incorporated into a fluid guide of the processing facility 100, which will be described later, so that the liquid captured thereby can be reused or transported away.

[0297] As can be seen particularly from FIG. 6, each processing station 114 includes a fluid tank 134, such as a liquid tank, positioned above a processing vessel 136, for example.

[0298] The fluid reservoir 134 and the process vessel 136 are connected to each other by, or form part of, a fluid guide 140 .

[0299] The fluid guide 140 includes, among other things, a fluid conduit, such as a supply conduit 142 , by means of which fluid can be introduced from the fluid reservoir 134 into the processing vessel 136 .

[0300] By means of the valve device 144 the supply is controllable and / or adjustable, in particular with regard to volumetric flow.

[0301] The supply conduit 142 communicates with a process chamber 148 within the process vessel 136 , particularly within a bottom region 146 .

[0302] The process vessel 136 has, among other things, a closed bottom wall 150 , a closed top wall 152 , two closed side walls 154 , and a closed front wall (other side wall) 156 .

[0303] The other front wall 156 , ie the other, and therefore fourth, side wall 154 , preferably has an access opening 158 .

[0304] The access opening 158 preferably extends over at least about 60%, preferably at least about 80%, especially at least about 50% of the total area of ​​the front wall 156 .

[0305] The access opening 158 is used, among other things, to load the workpiece 102 and / or to unload the workpiece 102 .

[0306] The access opening 158 is therefore in particular an input opening 160 and / or a discharge opening 162 .

[0307] The access opening 158 is preferably closable by a closure device 164 of the processing station 114 .

[0308] The closure device 164 includes, inter alia, a closure member 166 which is selectively movable by a closure drive 168 into an open position or a closed position.

[0309] The closure drive 168 is, or includes, for example, a lifting device 170 .

[0310] In particular, the closure drive 168 comprises an electric motor and a spindle drive for driving, in particular for lifting and lowering, the closure member 166 .

[0311] The closure member 166 can thereby be preferably moved in front of or lifted above the access opening 158 .

[0312] The closure member 166 forms, inter alia, a locking gate 172 of the closure device 164 .

[0313] In order to guide the closure member 166 and / or support the fluid pressure acting on the closure member 166 during the fluid injection process within the processing vessel 136, the processing vessel 136 is preferably provided with a guide device 174 for closably receiving and guiding the closure member 166.

[0314] The closure device 164 is preferably configured to be self-locking and / or self-sealing to ensure the fluid-tightness of the process vessel 136 .

[0315] In particular, the transfer device 110 or at least one section of the transfer device 110 is located and / or formed within the bottom region 146 of the process vessel 136 .

[0316] In particular, in the bottom region 146, a guide device 176 of the transfer device 110 is arranged and / or formed to support the load and accommodate the workpiece 102.

[0317] The guide device 176 can be used to accommodate, in particular, a receiving device 178, e.g., a skid 180 for receiving the workpiece 102, which is configured as a vehicle body 104, and which can be introduced into and / or removed from the treatment chamber 148 in an introduction direction 182, in particular a horizontal direction 184. The transport device 110 preferably only has the guide device 176 inside the treatment vessel 136. The drive components of the transport device 110 are preferably arranged and / or configured outside the treatment vessel 136.

[0318] Fluid can be supplied via supply conduit 142 to perform a fluid injection process within process vessel 136. The fluid can preferably be removed from process vessel 136 using discharge conduit 186.

[0319] To allow the fluid to flow completely around the workpiece 102 or to completely submerge the workpiece 102 in the fluid, the interior space (processing chamber 148) of the process vessel 136 must be filled with fluid to a predetermined fill height.

[0320] In order to reduce the amount of fluid required for this purpose, one or more embedding elements 188 are preferably provided, in particular embedding elements 188 configured as expulsion elements 190 .

[0321] In that case, the expulsion member 190 is used, particularly within the process chamber 148, to reduce free space that may unnecessarily fill with fluid.

[0322] In this case, the removal element 190 is adapted, in particular at least partially, to the shape of the workpiece 102 to be processed, for example its shape facing the workpiece 102 at least approximately follows the shape of the front region of the workpiece 102 (see Figure 6).

[0323] Furthermore, in the region of the transfer device 110, at least one embedding element 188 formed as an exclusion element 190 can be provided in order to reduce the free space in the bottom region 146.

[0324] Other embedded members 188 may include, for example, one or more support members 192 .

[0325] The support member 192 can, for example, at least regionally support the workpiece in order to secure and, in particular, support the workpiece so that it does not move and / or deform during the fluid injection process, thereby preferably achieving an acceleration of the fluid injection of the process chamber 148.

[0326] After fluid injection, each support member 192 is preferably removed from workpiece 102 to ensure that the fluid thoroughly wets and / or flows around workpiece 102 .

[0327] Additionally, to optimize the fluid injection process, one or more of the displacement members 190 may be moved before, during, and / or after the fluid injection process.

[0328] In particular, if the fluid tends to form bubbles as it enters, the fluid can be allowed to enter the processing chamber 148 below a permanent and / or minimum fluid level in the inflow area 194. This inflow area 194 is particularly located below the access opening 158 to avoid unwanted outflow of fluid when the closure device 164 opens.

[0329] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 4, the processing stations 114 of the different processing units 106 can be connected to one another by one or more common fluid guides 140 .

[0330] In particular, the fluid guide 140 allows fluid from the fluid tank 134 of an upper processing unit 106 in relation to the direction of gravity g to first be guided into the processing vessel 136 of this upper processing unit 106, and then introduced from this processing vessel 136 into the fluid tank 134 of a lower processing unit 106 in relation to the direction of gravity g, thereby providing it for a fluid injection process in the processing vessel 136 of the lower processing unit 106.

[0331] Subsequently, the fluid can be guided, for example, into a counter tank 196 arranged below the lower processing unit 106, from where it is returned to the fluid tank 134 of the upper processing unit 106 after purification, for example, using a pumping device 198 and / or using a cleaning device 200.

[0332] A fluid guide 140 of this kind can in principle be provided for each of the various processing stations 114 of a plurality of processing units 106 .

[0333] The second embodiment of the processing equipment 100, shown in Figures 7 to 12, is distinguished from the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 substantially by the fact that the workpieces 102 are transported through the processing vessel 136 of the processing station 114 in a longitudinal orientation 202 along the main transport direction 116.

[0334] As can be seen particularly from Figures 11 and 12, to this end, the processing vessel 136 of the processing station 114 has access openings 158 on both sides, with one access opening 158 forming an input opening 160 and the other access opening 158 forming a discharge opening 162.

[0335] In this case, the workpiece 102 can be transported through the treatment chamber 148 in particular in the input direction 182 .

[0336] In order to perform a fluid injection process within the processing chamber 148, two access openings 158 must be closed. To this end, a separate closing device 164 is associated with each access opening 158.

[0337] In the embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 12, the processing stations 114 arranged one after the other form, for example, a processing line.

[0338] In this case, each processing line can be a processing unit 106, and therefore, for example, two processing units 106 can be arranged on the same plane.

[0339] In that case, the fluid guides 140 may be associated with processing stations 114 on the same plane or on different planes (see especially FIG. 10) to allow for optimal fluid guidance and / or fluid utilization.

[0340] Otherwise, the second embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in Figures 7 to 12 corresponds in structure and function to the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6, and to that extent reference is made to the above description thereof.

[0341] The third embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in Figure 13 is substantially distinguished from the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 by the fact that the processing stations 114 are arranged on either side of the main transfer section 118.

[0342] Thus, for workpiece treatment, the workpiece 102 can be selectively introduced into the treatment chamber 148 of the treatment station 114 by the transport device 110 to the right or left of the main transport section 118. This allows the main transport section 118 to be particularly short and compact.

[0343] To allow optimized feeding into the main transfer section 118, the rotary table 204 can be used to change the orientation of the workpiece 102, particularly at or before the feeding station.

[0344] In a third embodiment shown in Figure 13, the fluid guide 140 (not shown in Figure 13) is provided, for example, as follows: processing stations 114 that are always arranged opposite each other with respect to the main transport section 118 have a common fluid guide 114 and are therefore used to perform the same processing steps.

[0345] The third embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in FIG. 13 can form processing units 106, which can of course be provided in multiples, in particular stacked.

[0346] Otherwise, the third embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in FIG. 13 corresponds in terms of structure and function to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, and to that extent reference is made to the above description thereof.

[0347] The fourth embodiment of the treatment installation 100 shown in Figure 14 differs from the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 essentially by the provision of a centrally arranged removal station 128 with respect to the main transfer section 118 or with respect to the two main transfer sections 118. The workpieces 102 are therefore removed from the treatment units 106 centrally and fed accordingly to opposite ends 206 of the main transfer sections 118, at which respective feed stations 108 are provided.

[0348] Thus, the workpieces 102 are fed from the two feed stations 108 one after the other and removed and further transported by a common unload station 128 .

[0349] Otherwise, the fourth embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in FIG. 14 corresponds in structure and function to the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, and to that extent reference is made to the above description thereof.

[0350] The fifth embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in Figure 15 is substantially distinguished from the second embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 12 in that the processing unit 106 forming the processing line has a plurality of processing stations 114 which can be loaded parallel to one another.

[0351] To this end, the main transfer section 118 of the transfer device 110 of the processing equipment 100 preferably has one or more distribution devices 112 for distributing the workpieces 102 supplied via the supply station 108 onto the processing stations 114 arranged parallel to each other.

[0352] The distributor 112 is in particular a transverse feed device 208 .

[0353] Another traverse device 208 preferably forms a co-guiding device 130, which is arranged after the treatment station 114 and serves to co-guide the workpieces 102 and transport them further together. In that case, in particular, the workpieces 102 can be fed to the cleaning station 126 or the spraying station 124.

[0354] In that case, one or more distribution devices 112, processing stations 114 arranged parallel to one another and / or co-guiding devices 130 can be provided for other processing steps of the processing installation 100.

[0355] In a fifth embodiment of the processing installation shown in FIG. 15, two processing steps of this kind are provided by processing stations 114 arranged parallel to each other.

[0356] Otherwise, the fifth embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in FIG. 15 corresponds in structure and function to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, and to that extent reference is made to the above description thereof.

[0357] The sixth embodiment of the processing equipment 100 shown in Figures 16 to 18 is distinguished from the second embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 12 essentially by the possibility of exchanging the workpieces 102 between two processing units 106 arranged on one plane.

[0358] For this purpose, the transfer device 110 of the processing unit 106 has one or more transfer stations 210, by means of which the workpiece 102 can be transferred from the transfer device 110 of one processing unit 106 to the transfer device 110 of another processing unit 106.

[0359] In particular, a workpiece 102 can be transferred from the main transfer section 118 of one processing unit 106 to the main transfer section 118 of another processing unit 106 using a transfer station 210 .

[0360] This allows, in particular, to isolate and bypass a processing station 114 that is to be maintained and / or cleaned and / or repaired without the need to temporarily shut down the common processing unit 106 .

[0361] As is particularly clear from FIG. 17, the sixth embodiment of the treatment installation 100 shown in FIGS. 16 to 18 further provides for workpiece treatment by immersion of the workpiece in addition to workpiece treatment by fluid injection.

[0362] For this purpose, one or more treatment vessels 136 formed as immersion tanks 212 are provided, in which case the associated treatment stations 114 are used to carry out the immersion process.

[0363] An immersion bath 212 of this kind is used in particular for coating the workpiece 102, for example in the context of cathodic immersion coating.

[0364] In particular, a plurality of such immersion tanks 212 can be arranged in succession along the main transport direction 116, for example after one or more processing stations 114 which carry out an immersion process for pre-treating the workpieces.

[0365] As can be seen particularly from FIG. 17, a processing station 114 may be associated with multiple fluid tanks 134 and / or multiple counter tanks 196 to enable various processing steps to be performed within the same processing chamber 148.

[0366] In that case, the treatment chamber 148 can be flushed with different fluids, in particular treatment liquids, in particular alternately or one after the other.

[0367] As can be seen particularly from FIG. 18, instead of the closure member 166 being formed as a locking gate 172, a flap member 214 may also be provided as the closure member 166.

[0368] The flap members 214 are particularly arranged to be pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis and are movable to a vertical orientation to close the respective access openings 158 and to a horizontal orientation to open the access openings 158 (the two positions are shown in FIG. 18).

[0369] The closure member 166 can, for example, provide a partial cover of the access opening 158 or a complete cover of the access opening 158. In the embodiment shown in Figure 18, only a partial cover of the access opening 158 is provided, so the processing station 114 shown in Figure 18 is only suitable for a partial fluid injection process.

[0370] The dimensions of the closure member 166 can be selected according to the fill level required to perform the workpiece processing.

[0371] The at least one closure member 166, in particular the at least one flap member 214, can comprise or form, for example, one or more transport members of the transport device 110, in particular one or more guide members of a guide device of the transport device 110 (not shown). In that case, the closure member 166 is used to support and guide the load, in particular when the one or more workpieces 102 are introduced over the closure member 166 into the process chamber 148.

[0372] Otherwise, the embodiment of the processing installation 100 shown in Figures 16 to 18 corresponds in terms of structure and function to the second embodiment shown in Figures 7 to 12, and to that extent reference is made to the above description thereof.

[0373] 19 and 20 show another alternative embodiment of the processing station 114, which substantially corresponds to the embodiment of the processing station 114 shown in FIG. 18, but has a capture container 218 formed as a capture funnel 216 below the processing chamber 148, which can capture fluid to be drawn out of the processing chamber 148.

[0374] The catch vessel 218 therefore forms in particular a counter-tank 196 for the fluid guide 140 .

[0375] Otherwise, the embodiment of the processing station 114 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 corresponds in structure and function to the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, and to that extent reference is made to the above description thereof.

[0376] 21 to 27 show alternative deployments of the processing station 114. In that case, the transport device 110 has one or more drive units 220, which act on guide section sections 222 of the transport device 110 from outside the processing chamber 148. The drive units 220 can be or have, for example, electric motors.

[0377] The one or more drive units 220 are preferably coupled purely mechanically to the guide section 222. In particular, a coupling device 224 can form the mechanical coupling between the one or more drive units 220 and the guide section 222 of the transport device 110. In this case, the workpiece 102, which is guided on the guide section 222 inside the treatment chamber 148, can be driven, preferably moved linearly, for example, into or removed from the treatment chamber 148, using the one or more drive units 220 arranged outside the treatment chamber 148.

[0378] It may be advantageous if one or more drive units 220 are positioned above the maximum fill level or above the maximum fill height of the process chamber 148 and / or on the outside 226 of a side wall 228 of the process vessel 136 surrounding the process chamber 148.

[0379] Preferably, one or more drive units 220 are positioned in an end region of the process vessel 136 opposite the access opening 158 of the process vessel 136 and / or in an area near the ceiling of a sidewall 228 of the process vessel 136.

[0380] The coupling device 224 is preferably guided at the level of the drive unit(s) 220, preferably through the side wall 228. In this case, an insertion opening 230 for inserting the coupling device 224 is preferably arranged and / or formed above the maximum filling level or above the maximum filling height of the process chamber 148. The coupling member 232 of the coupling device 224, which is guided through the side wall 228, is preferably a rotation shaft or a coupling shaft.

[0381] The rotating or coupling shaft is preferably connected to the other rotating or coupling shaft by a tensioning member 234, in particular by a belt or chain, for example a duplex chain, which is arranged in the region of the guide section 222 and which ultimately acts directly or indirectly on the workpiece 102 to drive it. The tensioning member 234 can be clamped, in particular by one or two clamping members 236, in particular tension rollers.

[0382] 21-27, the processing station 114 includes one or more sensor devices 238 that allow for condition and / or position detection within the processing chamber 148 from outside the processing chamber 148. For example, the sensor devices 238 can be used to determine or monitor the proper positioning of the workpiece 102 within the processing chamber 148.

[0383] The one or more sensor devices 238 preferably each have one or more sensor elements 240 arranged outside the process chamber 148, which are coupled, preferably purely mechanically, to one or more encoder elements 242 inside the process chamber 148 (see in particular Figures 25 to 27). In particular, the coupling device 224 can form a mechanical coupling between the one or more sensor elements 240 and the one or more encoder elements 242. In this case, the one or more sensor elements 240 arranged outside the process chamber 148 can be used to detect, preferably determine the position of, or monitor, in particular the workpiece 102 arranged inside the process chamber 148.

[0384] It may be preferable if one or more sensor elements 240 are positioned above the maximum fill level and / or above the maximum fill height of the processing chamber 148 and / or on the outside 226 of the side wall 228 of the processing vessel 136 surrounding the processing chamber 148.

[0385] Preferably, one or more sensor elements 240 are positioned in the area of ​​the sidewall 228 of the process vessel 136 near the ceiling.

[0386] The coupling device 224 of the sensor device 238 is preferably guided through the side wall 228, preferably at the level of the sensor element(s) 240. In this case, an insertion opening 230 for inserting the coupling device 224 is preferably arranged and / or formed above the maximum filling level or maximum filling height of the process chamber 148. The coupling member 232 of the coupling device 224, which is guided through the side wall 228, is preferably a rotation shaft or a coupling shaft.

[0387] The rotating or coupling shaft is preferably coupled to another rotating or coupling shaft by a tension or pressure member, in particular by a coupling rod 244, which is arranged, for example, in the bottom region and / or in the region of the guide section section 222 and is connected to an encoder element 242. By manipulating the encoder element 242, for example by rotating the encoder element 242, a rotation of the other rotating or coupling shaft can be preferably brought about, thereby for example vertically sliding the coupling rod 244 and thereby rotating the (upper) rotating or coupling shaft, in which case the (upper) rotating or coupling shaft introduced from the process chamber 148 ultimately performs or brings about a movement that can be detected by the at least one sensor element 240. Thus, by mechanically manipulating the coupling device 224, a change in orientation or other movement of the encoder element 242 can be detected by the one or more sensor elements 240.

[0388] The preferred embodiment is the following:

[0389] 1. A processing station (114) for processing a workpiece (102), in particular for cleaning and / or coating a vehicle body (104), In that case, the processing station (114) includes a processing vessel (136) that encloses a processing chamber (148) for receiving the workpiece (102).

[0390] 2. The processing chamber (148) is fluid injectable, and the processing vessel (136) has at least one access opening (158) for inserting the workpiece (102) into the processing chamber (148) and / or ejecting the workpiece (102) from the processing chamber (148); 10. The processing station (114) of claim 1, wherein the processing vessel (136) has a closing device (164) for selectively closing and opening at least one access opening (158).

[0391] 3. A processing station (114) according to embodiment 2, characterized in that at least one access opening (158) is arranged and / or formed in one or more side walls (154) of the processing vessel (136), in particular in one or more front walls (156) of the processing vessel (136).

[0392] 4. The processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 2 or 3, wherein a closing device (164) is used to close at least one access opening (158) in a fluid-tight manner.

[0393] 5. A processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 2 to 4, characterized in that the closing device (164) has a lifting device (170) for raising and lowering the closing member (166) of the closing device (164), in particular for lifting the closing member (166) and moving it to an open position, and for lowering the closing member (166) and moving it to a closed position.

[0394] 6. A processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 2 to 5, characterized in that the closing device (164) has a rocking device for rocking the closing member (166) of the closing device (164), in which case the closing member (166) is particularly rockable about an at least approximately horizontal rocking axis.

[0395] 7. The processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 2 to 6, wherein the closing device (164) has a closing drive (168) for automatically moving the closing member of the closing device (164).

[0396] 8. A processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 2 to 7, characterized in that the processing station (114) has a fluid tank (134) for containing a fluid, in particular a processing fluid, wherein the fluid can be introduced from the fluid tank (134) into the processing chamber (148) by a fluid guide (140) for injection into the processing chamber (148) and / or wherein the fluid can be guided from the processing chamber (148) into the fluid tank (134) by the fluid guide (140) for discharge from the processing chamber (148).

[0397] 9. A processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 2 to 8, characterized in that the processing station (114) has a transport device (110) for transporting the workpiece (102), in particular for introducing the workpiece (102) into the processing chamber (148) and / or for discharging the workpiece (102) from the processing chamber (148).

[0398] 10. The treatment station (114) according to embodiment 9, characterized in that the workpiece (102) is movable along a horizontal plane by the transport device (110), in particular capable of being introduced into and / or discharged from the treatment chamber (148).

[0399] 11. A processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 9 or 10, characterized in that the transport device (110) has one or more drive units for moving the workpiece (102), in which case the drive units of the transport device (110), in particular all drive units, are arranged outside the processing chamber (148), at least during the workpiece processing.

[0400] 12. A processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 9 to 11, characterized in that the transport device (110) has a guide device (176) for supporting a load and accommodating the workpiece (102), wherein the guide device (176) extends from outside the processing chamber (148), in particular through at least one access opening (158), into the processing chamber (148).

[0401] 13. A processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 9 to 12, characterized in that the transfer device (110) has a guide device (176) for supporting a load and accommodating the workpiece (102), wherein the guide device (176) has at least one guide section arranged outside the processing chamber (148) and at least one guide section arranged inside the processing chamber (148), and in that, in particular, by driving the workpiece (102) by one or more drive units, the workpiece (102) can be transferred through the access opening (158) from the guide section arranged outside the processing chamber (148) to the guide section arranged inside the processing chamber (148).

[0402] 14. A processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 9 to 13, characterized in that the transport device (110) has a restraining device for restraining the workpiece (102) in a processing position inside the processing chamber (148), in which case the restraining device can in particular block movement of the workpiece (102) against the direction of gravity (g).

[0403] 15. A processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 9 to 14, characterized in that the transport device (110) has a movement device for tilting and / or rotating the workpiece (102), in particular for temporarily changing its position relative to an at least approximately horizontal normal position.

[0404] 16. The processing station (114) of any one of embodiments 1 to 15, wherein the processing chamber (148) is capable of injecting a fluid, and wherein the processing station (114) has one or more built-in members (188) disposed or disposable within the processing chamber (148) for assisting the fluid injection process.

[0405] 17. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 16, characterized in that the one or more built-in elements (188) are adapted or can be adapted to the workpiece (102) to be processed in terms of their position, and / or their function, and / or their shape.

[0406] 18. A processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 16 or 17, characterized in that one or more built-in elements (188) are formed as displacement elements (190) with which free space inside the processing chamber (148) can be filled in particular, which free space would remain empty and therefore be filled with fluid without the respective built-in element (188) during the fluid injection process.

[0407] 19. The processing station (114) of embodiment 18, wherein the one or more exclusion members (190) are at least partially or regionally adapted to or are adaptable to the shape of the workpiece (102) to be processed.

[0408] 20. The processing station (114) according to embodiment 18 or 19, characterized in that the one or more displacement members (190) have a hollow body, which can be filled and / or can remain filled and / or can be drained independently of the fluid injection process.

[0409] 21. One or more displacement members (190) are configured to be shape-changeable and / or size-changeable, e.g., pumpable; and the processing station (114) has a change device for changing the shape and / or size of one or more of the displacement members (190), in particular for reducing the free space inside the processing chamber (148) into which fluid must be injected for the processing process; 21. The processing station (114) of any one of embodiments 18 to 20.

[0410] 22. The processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 18 to 21, characterized in that one or more exclusion members (190) fill one or more free spaces in the area of ​​the transfer device (110) of the processing station (114).

[0411] 23. A processing station (144) according to any one of embodiments 18 to 22, characterized in that one or more exclusion members (190) fill the free space above the workpiece (102) formed as a vehicle body (104), in particular above the vehicle front and / or above the vehicle rear of the vehicle body (104).

[0412] 24. The processing station (144) of any one of embodiments 16 to 23, wherein one or more built-in members (188) are formed as support members (192) for supporting the workpiece (102) to be processed during the fluid injection process.

[0413] 25. A processing station (144) as described in embodiment 24, characterized in that one or more of the support members (192) each have a support section that is used to directly attach to the workpiece (102) to support the workpiece.

[0414] 26. The processing station (144) of any one of embodiments 16 to 25, wherein one or more built-in elements (188) are formed as temperature control elements for temperature control of the processing vessel (136) and / or fluid.

[0415] 27. A processing station (144) according to any one of embodiments 16 to 26, characterized in that one or more embedded components (188) are temporarily or permanently positioned or positionable within the processing chamber (148) for one or more processing processes and / or fluid injection processes.

[0416] 28. A processing station (144) according to any one of embodiments 16 to 27, characterized in that one or more built-in elements (188) can be automatically inserted into the free space of the processing chamber (148) into which fluid is to be injected in order to carry out a fluid injection process and can be automatically removed from the free space into which fluid is to be injected after the fluid injection process has been carried out.

[0417] 29. One or more embedding members (188) are disposed or positionable in a closure member (166) for closing an access opening (158) of a processing vessel (136); and One or more embedding members (188) are movable into a position to assist the fluid injection process by moving the closure member (166) into a closed position. 29. The processing station (144) of embodiment 28.

[0418] 30. The processing station (114) has a fluid tank (134) for containing a fluid; and The processing station (144) has a fluid guide through which the fluid a) introduceable into the processing vessel (136) from the fluid reservoir (134) for injection into the processing chamber (148); and / or b) guideable from the processing vessel (136) into the fluid reservoir (134) for fluid evacuation of the processing chamber (148); 30. The processing station (144) of any one of embodiments 1-29.

[0419] 31. The processing station (144) of embodiment 30, wherein the fluid tank (134) is disposed above the processing vessel (136) in relation to the direction of gravity (g).

[0420] 32. A processing station (144) according to any one of embodiments 30 or 31, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) has a pumping device (198) by means of which fluid can be pumped from the processing chamber (148) into the fluid tank (134).

[0421] 33. A processing station (144) according to any one of embodiments 30 to 32, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) has a fluid conduit formed as a supply conduit (142) by means of which a fluid can be supplied to the processing chamber (148), and in which the supply conduit (142) is in communication with the processing vessel (136) in its bottom region (146).

[0422] 34. A processing station (144) according to embodiment 33, characterized in that the processing vessel (136) has an inflow area (194) located in particular below the access opening (158) of the processing vessel (136), which inflow area is filled with fluid even in the fluid-empty state of the processing vessel (136) intended for the replacement of the workpiece (102), and in which case the supply conduit (142) is connected into the inflow area (194).

[0423] 35. A processing station (144) according to any one of embodiments 30 to 34, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) has a cleaning device (200) for purifying the fluid, in which case the cleaning device (200) is arranged in particular in a return conduit of the fluid guide (140) for returning the fluid into the fluid tank (134).

[0424] 36. The processing station (114) has a control device by means of which the fluid injection process in the processing chamber (148) is controllable and / or adjustable, in particular by controlling and / or adjusting the valve device (144) that opens and closes the supply conduit (142) for supplying the fluid to the processing chamber (148); 36. The processing station (144) of any one of embodiments 30 to 35.

[0425] 37. A processing station (144) according to embodiment 36, characterized in that one or more workpiece parameters, in particular the geometric arrangement and / or size and / or position of each workpiece (102) inside the processing chamber (148), are taken into account in order to control and / or adjust the fluid injection process.

[0426] 38. A processing station (144) according to any one of embodiments 36 or 37, characterized in that the fluid injection process is controllable by the control device in the following way: the filling speed and / or rate of change of the filling state of the fluid in the processing chamber (148) is varied during fluid injection, in particular adapted to local stability differences of the workpiece (102).

[0427] 39. A processing station (144) according to any one of embodiments 36 to 38, characterized in that the processing station 114 (144) has one or more measuring devices by means of which it is possible to determine the volumetric flow of fluid flowing into the processing chamber (148) and / or the filling state or filling level inside the processing chamber (148) and / or the filling state or filling level in the fluid tank (134), and in which one or more measured values ​​of the one or more measuring devices are taken into account for controlling and / or regulating the fluid injection process.

[0428] 40. A processing station (144) according to any one of embodiments 30 to 39, characterized in that the processing station (114) has a counter tank (196), which is arranged below the processing chamber (148), particularly in relation to the direction of gravity (g), and to which the fluid to be drawn from the processing vessel (148) can be supplied.

[0429] 41. The processing station (144) of embodiment 40, wherein the fluid flows from the fluid tank (134) into the processing chamber (148) and / or from the processing chamber (148) into the counter tank (196) using only gravity (g).

[0430] 42. A processing station (144) according to any one of embodiments 30 to 41, characterized in that the processing station (114) has two or more processing chambers (148), in particular two or more processing vessels (136) each with a processing chamber (148), in which case a fluid tank (134) is provided for directing fluid to the two or more processing chambers (148).

[0431] 43. A processing station (114) according to any one of embodiments 30 to 42, characterized in that the processing station (114) comprises a cleaning device for cleaning and / or purifying the processing chamber (148), in which case a cleaning medium can be introduced, in particular sprayed, into the processing chamber (148) and removed, in particular expelled, from the processing chamber by the cleaning device, in particular independently of a fluid, independently of a fluid tank (134) and / or independently of a counter tank (196).

[0432] 44. A processing installation (100), particularly as described in any one of embodiments 1 to 43, having one or more processing stations (114), each processing station (114) having at least one processing vessel (136), said processing vessel enclosing a processing chamber (148) for receiving a workpiece (102); In this case, each processing station (114) has its own fluid tank (134) for containing a fluid, or a plurality of processing stations (114) have in common a fluid tank (134); and In that case, the processing station (114) has a fluid guide (140) by which the fluid is guided a) introduceable from the fluid reservoir (134) into a respective processing vessel (136) for injection into one or more processing chambers (148); and / or b) guideable from each processing vessel (136) into the fluid reservoir (134) for discharging from the processing chamber (148); A processing facility characterized by:

[0433] 45. The processing equipment (100) according to embodiment 44, characterized in that the processing equipment (100) has a plurality of first processing stations (114) for performing a first processing step and a plurality of second processing stations (114) for performing a second processing step, wherein one or more of the first processing stations (114) and one or more of the second processing stations (114) respectively are components of or form processing units (106) of the processing equipment (100), through which the workpieces (102) pass to perform the processing steps.

[0434] 46. ​​The processing facility (100) comprises a plurality of processing units (106), each of which comprises one or more first processing stations (114) and one or more second processing stations (114), and said processing units form different processing lines of the processing facility (100); a) one or more first processing stations (114) of the different processing units (106) then have a common fluid guide (140) and / or a common fluid reservoir (134); and / or b) in which case one or more second processing stations (114) of different processing units (106) have a common fluid guide (140) and / or a common fluid reservoir (134), 46. ​​The processing facility (100) of embodiment 45.

[0435] 47. A processing installation (100) according to any one of embodiments 44 to 46, characterized in that a fluid, in particular a first processing fluid, can be supplied by a fluid guide first a) to one or more processing chambers (148) of one or more processing stations (114) of a first processing unit (106), in particular of the first processing station (114), and then b) to one or more processing chambers (148) of one or more processing stations (114) of a second processing unit (106), in particular of the first processing station (114).

[0436] 48. A treatment installation (100) according to any one of embodiments 44 to 47, characterized in that a fluid, in particular a second treatment fluid, can be supplied by a fluid guide (140) first a) to one or more treatment chambers (148) of one or more treatment stations (114) of the first treatment unit (106), in particular the second treatment station (114), and then b) to one or more treatment chambers (148) of one or more treatment stations (114) of the second treatment unit (106), in particular the second treatment station (114).

[0437] 49. The treatment facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 44 to 48, wherein the fluid can be supplied alternately to the treatment chambers (148) of different treatment units (106) by the fluid guide (140).

[0438] 50. A treatment facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 44 to 49, characterized in that the fluid guide (140) is connected to a cleaning device (200) so that the fluid can be purified, in particular after removal from one of the treatment chambers (148) and / or before being supplied again to another treatment chamber (148).

[0439] 51. A processing facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 44 to 50, characterized in that the total amount of fluid contained in the fluid guide (140) as a whole is at most about twice, in particular at most about three times, the amount of fluid required to carry out an individual fluid injection process in the processing chamber (148).

[0440] 52. A processing facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 44 to 51, characterized in that a plurality of, in particular all, processing stations (114) of the processing unit (106), in particular one or more or all first processing stations (114) and one or more or all second processing stations (114) of the processing unit (106), are arranged on a common plane of the processing facility (100).

[0441] 53. The processing facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 44 to 52, wherein the processing units (106) of the processing facility (100) are arranged on different planes of the processing facility (100).

[0442] 54. A processing equipment (100) according to any one of embodiments 44 to 53, characterized in that one or more processing stations (114) of different processing units (106) of the processing equipment (100) having a common fluid guide (140) and / or used to perform the same processing step are arranged one on top of the other along the direction of gravity (g).

[0443] 55. The processing equipment (100) has a plurality of fluid guides (140) for guiding different processing fluids, where the fluid guides (140) are associated with different processing stations (114) for performing different processing steps. 55. The treatment facility (100) of any one of embodiments 44 to 54.

[0444] 56. A system having a plurality of processing stations (114) for processing the workpieces (102), in particular for cleaning and / or coating the vehicle body (104), In this case, one or more processing stations (114) each have at least one processing vessel (136) enclosing a processing chamber (148) for receiving the workpiece (102); In this case, the processing equipment (100) includes a fluid guide (104) by which one or more of the processing chambers (148) can be selectively filled or evacuated with fluid; In this case, the processing facility (100) comprises a transfer device (110) for transferring the workpieces (102), by means of which the workpieces (102) can be introduced into and / or discharged from one or more processing chambers (148) in a fluid-evacuated state of the processing chambers. 56. The treatment facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 44 to 55.

[0445] 57. The treatment facility (100) according to embodiment 56, characterized in that the workpiece (102) is movable along a horizontal plane by the transport device (110), in particular capable of being introduced into and / or discharged from the treatment chamber (148).

[0446] 58. A processing facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 or 57, characterized in that the processing facility (100) has a main transport section (118) extending along a main transport direction (116), along which the workpieces (102) can be transported from one processing station (114) to another processing station (114) by a transport device (110).

[0447] 59. The processing installation (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 to 58, characterized in that the workpiece (102) is transportable in its lateral orientation (132) along the main transport direction (116) and / or along the main transport section (118).

[0448] 60. A processing facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 to 59, characterized in that the workpiece (102) can be introduced into and / or discharged from one or more processing chambers (148) in its longitudinal orientation (202).

[0449] 61. A treatment installation (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 to 60, characterized in that the workpiece (102) can be introduced into the treatment chamber (148) in an introduction direction (182), whereby the introduction direction (182) is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the main transport direction (116) of the transport device (110).

[0450] 62. The processing installation (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 to 61, characterized in that the processing installation (100) has a plurality of processing stations (114) for carrying out the same processing step, in which case two or more of such processing stations (114) are arranged on opposite sides of the main transport section (118) of the transport device (110).

[0451] 63. The processing installation (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 to 62, characterized in that the processing installation (100) has a plurality of processing stations (114) for carrying out the same processing step, wherein one or more of such processing stations (114) are arranged consecutively and / or next to one another along the main transport direction (116) of the transport device (110).

[0452] 64. A processing facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 to 63, characterized in that a plurality of processing stations (114) form a processing unit (106), in which a plurality of, in particular all, processing stations (114) of the processing unit (106), in particular one or more or all first processing stations (114) and one or more or all second processing stations (114) of the processing unit (106) are arranged on a common plane of the processing facility (100).

[0453] 65. The treatment installation (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 to 64, characterized in that the treatment installation (100) has a main transport section (118) extending along a main transport direction (116), along which the workpieces (102) can be transported from one treatment station (114) to another treatment station (114) by a transport device (110), wherein the main transport section (118) has one or more tunnel sections (120) enclosing the main transport section (118), wherein one or more tunnel sections (120), in particular one or more tunnel sections (120) arranged between two treatment stations (114) along the main transport direction (116), have cleaning stations (122) and / or washing stations (126) and / or spraying stations (124).

[0454] 66. The processing facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 to 65, characterized in that the processing facility (100) has two processing units (106), which are arranged on a common plane of the processing facility (100), and in which the main transport sections (118) of the transport devices (110) of the two processing units (106) are oriented antiparallel to each other and / or arranged linearly to each other.

[0455] 67. A processing equipment (100) according to embodiment 66, characterized in that the two processing units (106) a) have supply stations (108) arranged opposite to each other for supplying the workpieces (102), and / or b) have removal stations (128) arranged opposite to each other for removing the workpieces (102), and / or c) have a common removal station (128) for removing the workpieces (102).

[0456] 68. A processing installation (100) according to any one of embodiments 56 to 67, characterized in that the transfer device (110) has one or more branch conveyors by means of which the workpieces (102) can a) be removed from the main transfer section (116) and introduced into one or more processing chambers (148); and / or b) be released from one or more processing chambers (148) and moved back to the main transfer section (116).

[0457] 69. A system having a plurality of processing stations (114) for processing workpieces (102), in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies (114), In this case, one or more processing stations (114) each have at least one processing vessel (136) enclosing a processing chamber (148) for receiving the workpiece (102); In this case, the processing equipment (100) includes a fluid guide (140) by which one or more of the processing chambers (148) can be selectively filled or evacuated with fluid; In this case, the processing equipment (100) has a transport device (110) for transporting the workpiece (102), by means of which the workpiece (102) can be introduced into the processing chamber (148) through an access opening (158) formed as an input opening (160) when the respective processing chamber (148) is in a fluid-exhausted state, and the processing equipment (100) can be discharged from the processing chamber (148) through an access opening (158) formed as a discharge opening (162) when the respective processing chamber (148) is in a fluid-exhausted state, in which case the input opening (160) and the discharge opening (162) are different access openings (158), particularly in any one of embodiments 44 to 68.

[0458] 70. The treatment facility (100) according to embodiment 69, characterized in that the workpiece (102) is movable along a horizontal plane by the transport device (110), in particular capable of being introduced into and / or discharged from the treatment chamber (148).

[0459] 71. A processing facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 69 or 70, characterized in that the processing facility (100) has a main transport section (118) extending in a main transport direction (116), along which the workpieces (102) can be transported from one processing station (114) to another processing station (114) by a transport device (110).

[0460] 72. The processing installation (100) according to any one of embodiments 69 to 71, characterized in that the workpiece (102) is transportable in its longitudinal orientation (202) along the main transport direction (116) and / or along the main transport section (118).

[0461] 73. The processing equipment (100) of any one of embodiments 69 to 72, wherein the workpiece (102) is transportable in its longitudinal orientation (202) through one or more processing chambers (148).

[0462] 74. The treatment facility (100) according to any one of embodiments 69 to 73, characterized in that the transfer device (110) has one or more transfer stations (210) at or by means of which the workpieces (102) can be selectively transferred from one treatment station (114) to another treatment station (114) of the same treatment unit (106) and / or of a different treatment unit (106) of the treatment facility (100) successively along the main transport direction (116).

[0463] 75. The processing installation (100) according to any one of embodiments 69 to 74, characterized in that the processing installation (100) has a plurality of processing stations (114) for carrying out the same processing step, in which two or more of such processing stations (114) are components of processing units (106) or processing lines of the processing installation (100) arranged adjacent to each other and / or extending parallel to each other.

[0464] 76. The treatment installation (100) according to any one of embodiments 69 to 75, characterized in that the treatment installation (100) has a main transport section (118) extending along a main transport direction (116), along which the workpieces (102) can be transported from one treatment station (114) to another treatment station (114()) by means of a transport device (110), and in which the main transport section (118) has one or more tunnel sections (120) enclosing the main transport section (118), and in which one or more tunnel sections (120), in particular one or more tunnel sections (120) arranged between two treatment stations (114) along the main transport section (116), have cleaning stations (122) and / or washing stations (126) and / or spraying stations (124).

[0465] 77. The processing installation (100) of any one of embodiments 69 to 76, wherein one or more cleaning stations (122) and / or washing stations (126) and / or spraying stations (124) are arranged or formed in one or more transfer stations (210).

[0466] 78. The processing facility (100) has at least two processing stations (114) for performing the same processing process; and In relation to the main transport direction (116) of the workpieces (102), before and / or after these processing stations (114) there are arranged distribution devices (112) or co-guiding devices (130), 78. The treatment facility (100) of any one of embodiments 69 to 77.

[0467] 79. The processing installation (100) according to embodiment 78, wherein the distribution device (112) and / or the co-guiding device (130) are each configured as a cross-feed device.

[0468] 80. The processing facility (100) of any one of embodiments 69 to 79, wherein the processing facility (100) comprises one or more processing stations (114) for performing a fluid injection process and one or more processing stations (114) for performing a immersion process.

[0469] 81.a) one or more processing stations (114) are used to pre-treat, in particular clean, degrease and / or phosphate, the workpieces (102) in order to carry out the fluid injection process; and / or b) one or more treatment stations (114) for carrying out immersion treatments, used for coating, in particular painting, of workpieces; 81. The processing facility (100) of embodiment 80.

[0470] 82. A method for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating a vehicle body (104), in which one or more treatment stations (114) according to any one of embodiments 1 to 43 and / or one or more treatment installations (100) according to any one of embodiments 44 to 81 are used.

[0471] 83. In that case, the method comprises: - placing the workpiece (102) into the treatment chamber (148) of the treatment vessel (136); - injecting a fluid into the treatment chamber (148) to perform workpiece treatment; wherein the fluid a) introduced from the fluid reservoir (134) into the processing vessel (136) for injection into the processing chamber (148); and / or b) directed from the processing vessel (136) into the fluid reservoir (134) for discharge from the processing chamber (148); A method, particularly as described in embodiment 82.

[0472] 84. Wherein the method comprises: - loading one or more workpieces (102) into one or more processing chambers (148) of one or more processing stations (114); - injecting fluid into one or more processing chambers (148) to perform a process; In this case, the fluid is guided by the fluid guide (140). a) directed from the fluid reservoir (134) into one or more processing chambers (148) for injection into the respective processing chambers (148); and / or b) directed from each processing chamber (148) into the fluid reservoir (134) for discharging from the processing chamber (148); In particular, the method according to any one of embodiments 82 or 83.

[0473] 85. When fluids move in succession, especially at complete time lags, a) drawn from a fluid reservoir (134) and delivered to one or more processing chambers (148); and b) thereafter, in particular subsequently or at a later time, be guided back into the fluid tank (134), for example after cleaning of the fluid in the cleaning device (200); In that case, the fluid reservoir (134) and / or one or more processing chambers (148) are filled and drained, preferably in alternating fashion. 85. The method of any one of embodiments 82 to 84.

[0474] 86. Fluids move in succession, especially when they are completely out of phase with each other in time. a) supplied to one or more processing chambers (148) of a processing station (114) of a first processing unit (106); and b) then, in particular subsequently or at a later time, after temporary storage, for example in an intermediate storage tank, into one or more treatment chambers (148) of a treatment station (114) of the second treatment unit (106); 86. The method of any one of embodiments 82 to 85.

[0475] 87. For treating a workpiece (102), in particular for cleaning and / or coating a vehicle body (104), a method comprises: - loading the workpiece (102) into the treatment chamber (148) of the treatment vessel (136) through the access opening (158) of the treatment vessel (136); - closing the access opening (158) of the treatment vessel (136) using a closing device (164); - injecting a fluid into the treatment chamber (148) to perform workpiece treatment; 87. The method of any one of embodiments 82 to 86.

[0476] 88. For treating a workpiece (102), in particular for cleaning and / or coating a vehicle body (104), a method comprises: transferring one or more workpieces (102) using a transfer device (110); Loading one or more workpieces (102) into a processing chamber (148) of a processing station (114) to perform a processing step; injecting a fluid into the processing chamber (148); removing the fluid and releasing the workpiece (102) from the processing chamber (148) using a transfer device (110); In this case, the workpiece (102) is introduced into and removed from the treatment chamber (148) in an at least approximately horizontal direction. In particular, the method according to any one of embodiments 82 to 87.

[0477] 89. A method for treating a workpiece (10), particularly as described in any one of embodiments 82 to 88, in which the workpiece (102) is transported from one treatment station (114) to the next along a main transport direction (116) and is introduced into the treatment chamber (148) of the treatment station (114) in an introduction direction (182) extending transversely, particularly perpendicularly, to the main transport direction (116).

[0478] 90. Wherein the method comprises: - placing the workpiece (102) into the treatment chamber (148) of the treatment vessel (136); - injecting a fluid into the treatment chamber (148) to perform workpiece treatment, wherein the injection is supported by one or more embedded elements (188) located or positionable within the treatment chamber (148); A method for treating a workpiece (102), in particular for cleaning and / or coating a vehicle body (104), in particular according to any one of embodiments 82 to 89.

[0479] 91. Wherein the method comprises: transferring one or more workpieces (102) using a transfer device (110); Loading one or more workpieces into a processing chamber (148) of a processing station (114) to perform a processing step; injecting a fluid into the processing chamber (148); removing the fluid and ejecting the workpiece (102) from the processing chamber (148) using a transfer device (110); In this case, the workpieces (102) are introduced into the treatment chambers (148) using the transfer device (110) through the access openings (158) formed as input openings (160) in the fluid-exhausted state of the respective treatment chambers (148), and the workpieces (102) are discharged from the treatment chambers (148) using the transfer device through the access openings (158) formed as discharge openings (162) in the fluid-exhausted state of the respective treatment chambers (148), wherein the input openings (160) and the discharge openings (162) are different access openings (158). A method for treating a workpiece (102), in particular for cleaning and / or coating a vehicle body (104), in particular according to any one of embodiments 82 to 90.

[0480] 92. The method according to embodiment 91, characterized in that the workpiece (102) is transported in its longitudinal orientation (202) along the main transport direction (116) from one processing station (114) to the next, and in the same longitudinal orientation (114) through the processing chambers (148) of the processing stations (114). [Explanation of symbols]

[0481] 100 Processing Facilities 102 Workpiece 104 Vehicle body 106 Processing Unit 108 Supply Station 110 Transfer device 112 Distribution device 114 Processing Station 116 Main transport direction 118 Main Transfer Section 120 Tunnel Section 122 Cleaning Station 124 Spraying Station 126 Washing Station 128 Removal Station 130 Guiding device 132 Lateral Orientation 134 Fluid Tank 136 Processing vessel 138 Capture member 140 Fluid Guide 142 Supply conduit 144 Valve gear 146 Bottom area 148 Processing Room 150 bottom wall 152 Ceiling Wall 154 Side wall 156 Front wall 158 Access Opening 160 Input opening 162 Discharge opening 164 Closure device 166 Closure member 168 Closed Drive 170 Lifting device 172 Lock Gate 174 Guide device 176 Guide device 178 Containment Device 180 Skid 182 Feeding direction 184 Horizontal Orientation 186 Discharge conduit 188 Built-in components 190 Exclusion member 192 Support member 194 Inflow Area 196 Counter Tank 198 Pumping equipment 200 Cleaning Device 202 Longitudinal Orientation 204 Rotating Table 206 Termination 208 Traverse feed device 210 Delivery Station 212 Soaking tank 214 Flap member 216 Capture Funnel 218 Capture Container 220 drive unit 222 Guide Section 224 Coupling device 226 Outside 228 Side wall 230 Insertion opening 232 Coupling member 234 Tension member 236 Fastening members 238 Sensor Device 240 sensor element 242 Encoder element 244 Coupling rod g direction of gravity

Claims

1. A processing facility (100) for processing a workpiece (102), comprising: a plurality of processing stations (114) for processing the workpieces (102); Each processing station (114) has at least one processing vessel (136) enclosing a processing chamber (148) for receiving the workpiece (102); Each processing station (114) has its own fluid tank (134) or a plurality of processing stations (114) have in common a fluid tank (134) for containing a fluid; and The processing station (114) has a fluid guide (140), by means of which the fluid is a) capable of being introduced from a fluid reservoir (134) into a respective processing vessel (136) for injection into one or more processing chambers (148); and b) can be guided from each treatment vessel (136) into one or more counter tanks (196) for discharging from the treatment chamber (148); Processing equipment (100).

2. 2. The processing installation (100) of claim 1, wherein the processing installation (100) comprises a plurality of first processing stations (114) for performing a first processing step and a plurality of second processing stations (114) for performing a second processing step, and wherein each of the one or more first processing stations (114) and the one or more second processing stations (114) are components of or form processing units (106) of the processing installation (100), through which the workpieces (102) pass to perform the processing steps.

3. forming a processing line of the processing facility (100), the processing facility (100) having a plurality of processing units (106), the processing units having one or more first processing stations (114) and one or more second processing stations (114), the processing units being different from one another; a) one or more first processing stations (114) of different processing units (106) have a common fluid guide (140) and / or a common fluid tank (134); and / or b) one or more second processing stations (114) of different processing units (106) have a common fluid guide (140) and / or a common fluid tank (134); The treatment facility (100) of claim 2.

4. A treatment installation (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a first treatment fluid can be supplied using a fluid guide first a) to one or more treatment chambers (148) of a first treatment station (114) of a first treatment unit (106), and then b) to one or more treatment chambers (148) of a first treatment station (114) of a second treatment unit (106).

5. A treatment installation (100) as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second treatment fluid can be supplied using a fluid guide (140) first a) to one or more treatment chambers (148) of a second treatment station (114) of the first treatment unit (106), and then b) to one or more treatment chambers (148) of a second treatment station (114) of the second treatment unit (106).

6. 6. The treatment installation (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the fluid can be supplied alternately by the fluid guide (140) to the treatment chambers (148) of different treatment units (106).

7. 7. The treatment installation (100) according to claim 1, wherein the fluid guide (140) is connected to a cleaning device (200), so that the fluid can be cleaned, in particular after removal from one of the treatment chambers (148) and / or before being resupplied to another treatment chamber (148).

8. 8. The treatment facility (100) of claim 1, wherein the total amount of fluid contained in the fluid guide (140) as a whole is at most approximately twice the amount of fluid required to perform an individual fluid injection process in the treatment chamber (148).

9. 9. The treatment facility (100) according to claim 1, wherein one or more or all of the first treatment stations (114) of the treatment unit (106) and one or more or all of the second treatment stations (114) of the treatment unit (106) are arranged on a common plane of the treatment facility (100).

10. 10. The treatment facility (100) according to claim 1, wherein the treatment units (106) of the treatment facility (100) are arranged on different planes of the treatment facility (100).

11. 11. The processing installation (100) according to claim 1, wherein one or more processing stations (114) of different processing units (106) of the processing installation (100) having a common fluid guide (140) and / or used to perform the same processing step are arranged one on top of the other along the direction of gravity (g).

12. 3. The processing equipment (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the processing equipment (100) has a plurality of fluid guides (140) for guiding different processing fluids, the fluid guides (140) being associated with different processing stations (114) for carrying out various processing steps.

13. A method for treating a workpiece (102), the method comprising: - loading one or more workpieces (102) into one or more processing chambers (148) of one or more processing stations (114); - injecting fluids into one or more processing chambers (148) to perform a process, The fluid guide (140) allows the fluid to a) directed from a fluid reservoir (134) into one or more processing chambers (148) for injection into the respective processing chambers (148); and b) injecting fluids from each treatment chamber (148) into one or more counter tanks (196) for draining the treatment chambers (148); A method comprising:

14. The fluids flow one after the other, completely out of sync in time. a) is drawn from a fluid reservoir (134) and delivered to one or more processing chambers (148); and b) then, subsequently or at a later time, being guided back into the fluid reservoir (134); The fluid reservoir (134) and / or one or more processing chambers (148) are thereby alternately filled and drained; 14. The method of claim 13.

15. The fluids flow one after the other, completely out of sync in time. a) supplied to one or more processing chambers (148) of a processing station (114) of a first processing unit (106); and b) then, subsequently or at a later point in time, into one or more processing chambers (148) of a processing station (114) of a second processing unit (106); 15. The method according to claim 13 or 14.

Images