Treatment station, treatment installation, and method for treating workpieces

Abstract

The invention relates to a treatment station (100) for treating workpieces (104), in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies (106), wherein the treatment station (100) comprises a treatment container (108) which surrounds a treatment chamber (116) for receiving the workpieces (104), the treatment container (108) comprises at least one access opening (114) for introducing the workpieces (104) into the treatment chamber (116) and / or for discharging the workpieces (104) from the treatment chamber (116), the treatment station (110) comprises at least one closing device (120) for selectively closing and uncovering the at least one access opening (114), and the closing device (120) comprises a sealing device (138) for sealing off the treatment chamber (116) from the surroundings (139) of the treatment chamber (116). The invention further relates to a treatment installation (102), which comprises one or more treatment stations (100) according to the invention, and to a corresponding method for treating workpieces.

Description

[0001] Treatment station, treatment system and procedure for treating workpieces

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

[0003] For treating workpieces, they can, for example, be immersed in immersion tanks. The workpieces are lowered into the tank and removed after each treatment step. Rotation of the workpiece can be incorporated to ensure optimal treatment, even in hard-to-reach areas.

[0004] Such immersion treatment systems can be disadvantageous if workpieces of different sizes and / or shapes are to be treated and / or if different treatment durations are planned for different workpieces.

[0005] As an alternative to immersing workpieces, a treatment chamber can also be flooded to treat a workpiece placed within it. If the workpieces are to be inserted laterally into the treatment chamber for this purpose, a reliable seal of the access opening must be ensured.

[0006] From DE 102021 210225 A1 a treatment station for treating workpieces is known, the treatment container of which has a closing device by means of which the access opening of the treatment container, through which the workpieces are brought into and / or out of the treatment chamber of the treatment container, can be selectively closed and released.

[0007] However, when the sealing device is closed, the access opening of the treatment container is not sealed in such a way as to prevent, for example, steam, condensate, and / or mist from escaping the treatment chamber, which is filled with a treatment fluid for workpiece treatment. In cases where the treatment chamber is filled with a treatment fluid, known sealing devices are preferably sealed only in their lower section against leakage of the treatment fluid into the surrounding area. Thus, the remaining section between the sealing device and the treatment container remains open. Therefore, existing sealing devices for floodable treatment chambers are not circumferential.

[0008] Depending on the temperature of the treatment fluid, steam, condensate and / or mist can escape through the gap(s) between the treatment container and the sealing device into the environment of the treatment room, contaminating it or leading to unwanted contamination and / or condensation.

[0009] The present invention therefore aims to provide a treatment station which enables reliable, safe and sustainable workpiece treatment using cost-effective components.

[0010] This problem is solved according to the invention by a treatment station for treating workpieces with the features according to claim 1.

[0011] A treatment station is, in particular, a component of a treatment plant and is used to treat workpieces.

[0012] A treatment station preferably comprises a treatment container which surrounds a treatment room for receiving the workpieces.

[0013] Preferably, the treatment chamber is designed to be floodable with a treatment fluid. Flooding the treatment chamber can, in particular, be understood to mean partially filling it with a treatment fluid, especially a liquid.

[0014] The treatment fluid is, for example, a cleaning fluid, particularly for degreasing the workpieces. Furthermore, the treatment fluid may be a coating fluid, for example, for phosphating or painting the workpieces. Alternatively or additionally to flooding the treatment chamber with a treatment fluid, an application process, such as a spraying process, may be possible within the treatment chamber to apply the treatment fluid to the workpieces. In this case, the treatment fluid may be liquid and / or gaseous and / or vaporous and / or an aerosol and / or applied as such.

[0015] The treatment container may include at least one access opening for introducing the workpieces into the treatment chamber and / or for removing the workpieces from the treatment chamber.

[0016] Preferably, the treatment station also includes a locking device for selectively closing and releasing the at least one access opening.

[0017] Selective locking and unlocking means in particular that the locking device can be brought, at the discretion of a user and / or a system control, alternatively a) into a closed position or b) into an open position, in particular once in succession for each workpiece into a closed position and then into an open position.

[0018] It can be advantageous if at least one access opening is arranged and / or formed in one or more side walls of the treatment container, in particular in one or more end walls of the treatment container.

[0019] The treatment container is in particular essentially cuboid in shape and preferably comprises, for example, a closed or open top wall, a closed bottom wall, two or three closed side walls and two or one further side wall, which is provided with at least one access opening, wherein the at least one access opening is preferably completely closable by means of the closing device.

[0020] The closing device may include a sealing device for sealing the treatment chamber from its surroundings. It may be advantageous if the closing device serves to seal the at least one access opening in a fluid-tight manner.

[0021] The locking device includes, in particular, a locking element which, for example, is designed to be self-locking and / or is provided with a self-locking mechanism and / or with a self-locking seal.

[0022] Furthermore, it may be provided that at least one toggle lever is used or can be used to ensure the sealing effect of the closing device, in particular to press a closing element against a sealing device.

[0023] It may be advantageous if the locking device includes a lifting device for raising and lowering a locking element of the locking device, in particular for raising the locking element to bring it into an open position, and / or for lowering the locking element to bring it into a closed position.

[0024] A closing element can be, for example, a gate, in particular a lock gate or lifting gate.

[0025] The closing element can, for example, be designed as a single piece and movable as a whole. Alternatively, the closing element can be designed as a multi-part piece, wherein the parts of the closing element are preferably movable independently of one another or perform different movements to close or release the access opening.

[0026] It may also be advantageous if the sealing device comprises a main sealing device and an additional sealing device.

[0027] Preferably, the main sealing device serves to create a liquid seal between the treatment chamber in the area of ​​the closure device and the surrounding environment. Alternatively or additionally, the secondary sealing device preferably serves to create a fluid seal, in particular a vapor seal, between the treatment chamber and the surrounding environment.

[0028] It may also be provided that the main sealing device and the additional sealing device both act as seals on a closing element of the closing device or in an area of ​​a closing element of the closing device.

[0029] For example, the main sealing device and the additional sealing device act on opposite sides of the closing element.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, it can be provided that the main sealing device acts as a seal on a side of the closing element facing away from the treatment chamber and the additional sealing device acts as a seal on a side of the closing element facing the treatment chamber, in particular with respect to an insertion direction along which the workpieces can be inserted into the treatment chamber.

[0031] Furthermore, it may be provided that the main sealing device and the additional sealing device act in different directions from each other, in particular in opposite directions.

[0032] It may be advantageous if the additional sealing device is arranged in or on an upper section of the closing device, in particular the closing element, and the main sealing device is arranged in or on a lower section of the closing device, in particular the closing element, and extends laterally on both sides in at least an approximately vertical direction along the closing element.

[0033] It may be provided that the main sealing device extends, for example, in a U-shape in or on an outer edge area of ​​the closing device, in particular the closing element.

[0034] Preferably, the main sealing device extends upwards at least as far as a maximum fill level in the treatment chamber requires a liquid seal. It may be advantageous if the sealing device includes a guide device for guiding the sealing element, wherein the guide device comprises one or more vertical guide sections, in particular four vertical guide sections, and one or more locking sections, in particular four locking sections.

[0035] It can be advantageous if one or more locking sections, in particular the four locking sections, are connected to a lower end in the vertical direction of each vertical guide section.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that one or more locking sections, in particular the four locking sections, extend from each vertical guide section towards a sealing surface of the closing device, which is arranged on the side of the closing element facing away from the treatment room.

[0037] In the area of ​​the end position in the closed position of the closing element, the guide tracks, which each consist in particular of a vertical guide section and a locking section, preferably have cam guides which are in particular shaped in such a way that the closing element approaches the sealing surface shortly before reaching its end position (closed position), i.e. a disengagement movement away from the treatment room takes place.

[0038] One or more sealing elements of the main sealing device are clamped between the sealing surface and the closing element and are preferably compressed by the contact pressure of the closing element to such an extent that a sealing effect sufficient for starting the flooding process of the treatment container is achieved.

[0039] The main movement of the closing element, in particular a lowering until just before reaching the closed position, preferably takes place at such a large distance from the sealing surface that the closing element does not touch the sealing element, thus protecting the latter from wear.

[0040] The locking element is preferably fixed in its final position (closed position) solely by gravity and / or fluid pressure when the treatment container is filled. The geometry of the cam guide is preferably selected such that the applied fluid pressure cannot cause any vertical movement of the locking element.

[0041] It may be provided that the maximum sealing compression is determined by a corresponding shaping of the cam guide.

[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the treatment container is spaced apart from the closing element of the closing device, i.e., a gap exists on the side of the closing element facing the treatment chamber.

[0043] This gap increases particularly when the closing element reaches the cam guides of the guide device during closing and the closing element is moved out in a direction away from the treatment room.

[0044] It may therefore be provided that the additional sealing device is configured to bridge a disengagement movement of the closing element away from the treatment room when closing the at least one access opening.

[0045] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the additional sealing device comprises at least one stationary sealing element and at least one movable sealing element.

[0046] A movable sealing element is understood to be a sealing element which is itself arranged in a movable manner or which is arranged on a movable component of the closing device.

[0047] It can be advantageous if at least one stationary sealing element is arranged on the treatment container and at least one movable sealing element is arranged on the closure element.

[0048] The stationary sealing element and the movable sealing element preferably work together to produce or achieve a sealing effect. The movable sealing element may be provided to have a sheet metal component.

[0049] Furthermore, it can be provided that the sheet metal element is elastically deformable.

[0050] Preferably, the elastically deformable sheet metal element is a stainless steel sheet with a thickness of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.3 mm.

[0051] It may be advantageous if the sheet metal element is angled, wherein the section of the sheet metal element arranged on the closing element projects from the closing element towards the treatment space and forms an angle of less than 90 degrees, preferably an angle of 80 degrees, with the free section of the sheet metal element.

[0052] The section arranged on the closing element is preferably attached to the closing element and extends from it towards the treatment room.

[0053] The extension of this section of the closing element is preferably so large that even after the closing element has been released during the closing of the access opening, the gap to the treatment container or treatment chamber on this side of the closing element can be reliably sealed.

[0054] The remaining, free section of the closing element was bent or folded downwards. Therefore, this section protrudes into or points into the gap.

[0055] The sheet metal element can also preferably be arranged between two hold-down elements, for example two hold-down plates, wherein the hold-down elements stabilize and / or support the downwardly angled section in its shape.

[0056] The angle between the two sections is, in particular, less than 90 degrees.

[0057] Preferably, the two sections of the sheet metal element enclose an angle of approximately 90 degrees. In a further embodiment of the invention, the stationary sealing element may have a contact rail which contacts the movable sealing element when the at least one access opening is closed, in particular by friction.

[0058] The contact rail preferably has an inclined surface which is inclined in the direction of the closing element, i.e., slopes down in a direction pointing out of the treatment room, in particular in a direction pointing towards the closing element.

[0059] It may be provided that the downwardly angled section of the sheet metal element contacts the inclined surface when closing the access opening, rubs along it and remains in contact with it when the closing element has reached the closed position.

[0060] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the additional sealing device comprises a roller element, wherein the stationary sealing element comprises a console surface sloping down towards the closing element, on which the roller element is mounted to rotate freely.

[0061] It can be advantageous if the roller element makes continuous contact with the stationary sealing element and the movable sealing element and / or the closing element.

[0062] The roller element is therefore preferably mounted on the console surface of the stationary sealing element, which slopes down towards the closing element, and can rotate freely along the console surface.

[0063] Due to gravity, the roller element continuously rolls down the inclined console surface until it touches the movable sealing element, which is arranged on the closure element, and / or the closure element itself. The gap between the closure element and the treatment container or treatment chamber is thus always sealed by the roller element in the area of ​​the additional sealing device. Even in an embodiment with a sealing roller element, the movable sealing element projects sufficiently from the closure element towards the treatment chamber to ensure a continuous seal.

[0064] It can be advantageous if, in this case as well, the movable sealing element has a lower section that also slopes down towards the closing element and preferably touches or is connected to it at its end. This ensures that the roller element can roll freely along the closing element and the movable sealing element, and that the disengagement movement of the closing element can be bridged.

[0065] The roller element preferably consists of an elastic material such as rubber. The elastic material is preferably a synthetic rubber such as ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber.

[0066] The roller element can preferably contain a segmented round tube, which acts as a stabilizing element.

[0067] It can be advantageous to have a sliding rail between the console surface and the roller element.

[0068] The sliding rail preferably reduces counter-rotation of the roller element on the console surface when the closing element is moved.

[0069] In a further embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the additional sealing device comprises a nozzle arrangement by means of which a barrier medium can be sprayed as a fluid seal on at least one side of the closing device in the direction of the treatment chamber.

[0070] The nozzle arrangement is preferably configured such that, for example, a barrier medium such as water or air can spray as a spray mist into one or more gaps between the sealing element and the treatment chamber and / or one or more gaps between the sealing element and a tunnel of a treatment system, to which the treatment stations of a system are connected and along which the workpieces to be treated are conveyed between the stations. Alternatively or additionally, a fluid curtain of a barrier medium can be generated by means of the nozzle arrangement to separate the treatment chamber from its surroundings.

[0071] Furthermore, the additional sealing device may include a suction device. The suction device preferably allows for the extraction of a fluid flow exiting the treatment chamber.

[0072] The extraction device can, for example, be located in one or more areas between the main sealing device and the additional sealing device.

[0073] Furthermore, it may be provided that the extraction device, in particular in a slot-like manner, extends along the additional sealing device, for example in or on an upper section of the closing device.

[0074] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the extraction device is arranged and / or designed on one or both sides of the closing device.

[0075] It can be advantageous if the suction device can create a reduced negative pressure within the treatment room compared to the ambient pressure. This can preferably prevent or at least reduce unwanted leakage of treatment fluid from the treatment room at other, inadequately sealed points.

[0076] In one embodiment of the invention, the extraction device may be essentially U-shaped and extend downwards on the upper side of the closing device and from there on both sides.

[0077] Furthermore, it may be provided that the extraction device is arranged and / or designed on or in the area of ​​one or more guideways of the guide device.

[0078] The treatment station according to the invention is particularly suitable for use as a component in a treatment system. The present invention therefore also relates to a treatment system, in particular a cleaning system or painting system, wherein the treatment system preferably comprises one or more treatment stations according to the invention.

[0079] The object of the present invention is further achieved by a method for treating workpieces with the features according to the independent method claim.

[0080] The method for treating workpieces, in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies, for example using a treatment station or treatment system, comprises the following:

[0081] Insertion of the workpieces through at least one access opening into a treatment room, which is surrounded by a treatment container of a treatment station;

[0082] Closing the at least one access opening by means of a closing element of a closing device of the treatment container, wherein the treatment chamber is sealed against the environment of the treatment chamber by means of a main sealing device of the closing device and an additional sealing device; and

[0083] Releasing at least one access opening by means of the closing element of the treatment container's closing device.

[0084] It may be provided that the main sealing device of a liquid seal of the treatment room in the area of ​​the closing device serves towards an environment of the treatment room.

[0085] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the additional sealing device serves as a fluid seal, in particular a vapor seal, of the treatment room towards the environment of the treatment room.

[0086] Further features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of exemplary embodiments.

[0087] The figures show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective representation of a state-of-the-art treatment station;

[0088] Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a closing device of a treatment station according to the invention;

[0089] Fig. 3 shows a schematic vertical sectional view of the first embodiment of a locking device;

[0090] Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective sectional view of the additional sealing device of the first embodiment of a locking device;

[0091] Fig. 5 schematic sectional views of the additional sealing device of the first embodiment of a closing device during closing;

[0092] Fig. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a closing device of a treatment station according to the invention;

[0093] Fig. 7 shows a schematic vertical sectional view of the second embodiment of a locking device;

[0094] Fig. 8 shows a schematic perspective sectional view of the additional sealing device of the second embodiment of a locking device; and

[0095] Fig. 9 schematic sectional views of the additional sealing device of the second embodiment of a closing device during closing.

[0096] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are designated with the same reference numerals in all figures. A treatment station shown in Fig. 1, designated as a whole by 100, is in particular a component of a treatment system 102 and serves to carry out cleaning and / or coating processes on workpieces 104, for example vehicle bodies 106.

[0097] The treatment station 100 shown in Fig. 1 is from DE 102021 210225 A1.

[0098] In a treatment facility 102, several such treatment stations 100 may be provided.

[0099] The treatment station 100 includes a treatment container 108 in which a workpiece 104 can be received.

[0100] The treatment container 108 comprises several side walls 110, wherein an access opening 114 is formed in one or two of the side walls 110, in particular in opposing end walls 112.

[0101] Through the access opening 114, the workpiece 104 can be inserted into and / or removed from a treatment chamber 116 of the treatment container 108.

[0102] For conveying the workpieces 104, a conveying device 118 is provided in particular.

[0103] The treatment station 100 includes, in particular, a locking device 120 for each access opening 114, by means of which the respective access opening 114 can be closed.

[0104] The closing device 120 comprises a closing element 122, which can be brought into a closed position or an open position by means of a closing drive 124.

[0105] The locking element 122 is in particular a lifting gate 126.

[0106] The closing drive 124 is in particular a lifting device 128, for example an electric drive. By means of the closing drive 124, the closing element 122 can preferably be raised to release the access opening 114, and lowered to close the access opening 114.

[0107] The treatment station 100 further comprises a fluid tank 130, which is connected to the treatment chamber 116 by means of a fluid line 132. Treatment fluid can thus be supplied to the treatment chamber 116 from the fluid tank 130 via the fluid line 132, in particular to flood the treatment chamber 116 at least partially.

[0108] The flooding process can preferably be controlled and / or regulated by means of a control device 134 and / or a valve device 136 of the treatment station 100.

[0109] The closing device 120 preferably comprises a sealing device 138 to seal the treatment chamber 116 against an environment 139 of the treatment chamber 116.

[0110] Furthermore, the closing device 120 preferably comprises a guide device 140 by means of which the closing element 122 can be reliably brought into a predetermined closing position in order to ensure the sealing function of the sealing device 138.

[0111] Figures 2 to 5 show a first embodiment of a closing device 120 of a treatment station 100 according to the invention.

[0112] The embodiment of the closing device 120 shown in Figures 2 to 5 can, in particular, be provided instead of the closing device 120 shown in Figure 1. Furthermore, a treatment station 100 equipped with the embodiment of a closing device 120 shown in Figures 2 to 5 preferably corresponds to the treatment station 100 shown in Figure 1 with respect to one or more features relating to its construction and / or function, so that reference is made to its preceding description in this respect.

[0113] The embodiment of the locking device 120 shown in Figures 2 to 5 comprises a guide device 140, which includes several guide tracks 142 for guiding the locking element 122 from the open position to the closed position. Each guide track 142 includes a vertical guide section 144 and a locking section 146.

[0114] The locking section 146 of each guide track 142 is arranged in particular at a lower end with respect to the direction of gravity of the vertical guide section 144 of the respective guide track 142.

[0115] The guide device 140 further comprises several guide rollers by means of which the closing element 122 is slidably mounted on the guide tracks 142.

[0116] The guide rollers are rotatably arranged on the closing element 122 and roll on or in the guide tracks 142.

[0117] Preferably, each guideway 142 is assigned one or more, for example two, guide rollers.

[0118] One of the guide rollers, for example, forms a lateral support roller by means of which the closing element 122 is prevented, in particular, from tilting about an axis running parallel to an insertion direction. The insertion direction is, in particular, the direction in which a workpiece 104 can be inserted through the access opening 114 into the treatment chamber 116.

[0119] The further guide role is formed in particular by a pressure roller 148, by means of which, in combination with a cam guide 150 of the locking section 146, the closing element 122 can be moved towards a sealing surface 152 of the closing device 120.

[0120] By means of the pressure roller 148 and the cam guide 150, a gap 154 ​​between the closing element 122 and the sealing surface 152 is preferably reduced and a gap 156 between the closing element 122 and the treatment container 108 is increased.

[0121] The locking section 146 is significantly shorter than the vertical guide section 144; for example, its length is at most approximately one fifth, or at most approximately one tenth, of the length of the vertical guide section 144. This allows the pressing movement or the disengaging movement of the locking element 122 to be limited to the point shortly before reaching the closed position.

[0122] The pressing or disengaging movement, which is created by the interaction of the pressure rollers 148 with the respective cam guides 150, causes the reduction of the gap 154 ​​between the closing element 122 and the sealing surface 152.

[0123] The sealing device 138 comprises a main sealing device (not shown) and an additional sealing device 158 for sealing the treatment chamber 116 against the environment 139 of the treatment chamber 116.

[0124] The main sealing device is arranged in a lower area of ​​the closing device 120, preferably in the gap 154 ​​between the sealing surface 152 and the closing element 122.

[0125] When the pressure rollers 148 are moved downwards in the associated cam guides 150, thereby creating the gap 154 ​​between the sealing surface and the closing element 122, the main sealing device seals the treatment chamber 116. The main sealing device preferably achieves its full sealing effect at the end of the disengagement movement.

[0126] In particular, the main sealing device prevents the treatment fluid from flowing out of the treatment container 108. The main sealing device preferably serves to seal the treatment chamber 116 from the environment 139 of the treatment chamber 116.

[0127] The additional sealing device 158, which is arranged in an upper section of the closing device 120, comprises at least one stationary sealing element 160 and at least one movable sealing element 162.

[0128] The stationary sealing element 160 is preferably arranged on the treatment container 108, the treatment container being at least partially hidden in Figures 2 to 5. The movable sealing element 162 is arranged on the closure element 122 and thus moves with the closure element 122.

[0129] The movable sealing element 162 preferably comprises a sheet metal element 164, which has a section 166 arranged on the closing element 122 and a free section 168.

[0130] In the illustrated embodiment, the first-mentioned section 166 is attached to the closing element 122 and projects in a horizontal orientation beyond the closing element 122 in the direction of the treatment chamber 116.

[0131] The free section 168 of the sheet metal element 164 is angled downwards from the section 166 arranged on the closing element 122.

[0132] The two sections 166 and 168 together form an angle which is preferably less than 90 degrees. The angle between the two sections 166 and 168 is preferably 80 degrees.

[0133] The free section 168 is preferably stabilized and / or supported by at least one hold-down element 170, in particular two hold-down plates 172.

[0134] Figures 4 and 5 show that the sheet metal element 164 is arranged between two hold-down plates 172.

[0135] The sheet metal element 164 is preferably elastically deformable and has a thickness of 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, preferably 0.3 mm.

[0136] The stationary sealing element 160 comprises a contact rail 174.

[0137] The contact rail 174 preferably has an inclined surface 176 which slopes down towards the closing element 122.

[0138] When the locking device 120 is closed, i.e. when the locking element 122 is lowered into the closed position, the downwardly angled, free section 168 of the sheet metal element 164 of the movable sealing element 162 contacts the inclined surface 176 of the contact rail 174 of the stationary sealing element 160 and rubs along it.

[0139] The contact rail 174 and in particular the sheet metal element are shaped and dimensioned in such a way that the release movement of the closing element 122 and the associated increase in the gap 156 between closing element 122 and treatment container 108 can be bridged or compensated, so that the contact between the stationary sealing element 160 and the movable sealing element 162 is maintained even during and after the release movement and the additional sealing device 158 seals reliably.

[0140] The process of sealing the additional sealing device 158 according to the first embodiment of the closing device 120 is shown in selected intermediate steps in Fig. 5.

[0141] In the upper left of Fig. 5, it can be seen that the free section 168 of the sheet metal element 164 approaches the inclined surface 176 of the contact rail 174.

[0142] In the upper right of Fig. 5, the free section 168 of the sheet metal element 164 touches the inclined surface 176 of the contact rail 174.

[0143] In the lower left of Fig. 5, the free section 168 of the sheet metal element 164 rubs along the inclined surface 176 of the contact rail 174 and the gap 156 has been enlarged as a result of the disengagement movement.

[0144] In the lower right of Fig. 5, the fully closed position of the locking element 122 was reached in which the free section 168 of the sheet metal element 164 continues to touch the inclined surface 176 of the contact rail 174.

[0145] The second embodiment of the locking device 120 shown in Figures 6 to 9 can also be provided, in particular, instead of the locking device 120 shown in Figure 1. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment of the locking device 120 in the construction and operation of the additional sealing device 158.

[0146] A roller element 178 is arranged between the stationary sealing element 160 and the movable sealing element 162, which is mounted to rotate freely and thereby continuously seals the gap 156 between the closing element 122 and the treatment container 108, i.e. in particular both in the open position and in the closed position of the closing device 120.

[0147] In the second embodiment shown in Figs. 6 to 9, the stationary sealing element 160 is shaped such that the roller element 178 is at least partially received in a cam 180.

[0148] The backdrop 180 of the stationary sealing element 160 has a console surface 182 sloping towards the closing element 122, on which the roller element 178 can roll freely.

[0149] Due to gravity, the roller element 178 rolls continuously down the inclined console surface 182 until it touches the movable sealing element 162, which is arranged on the closing element 122, and / or the closing element 122.

[0150] The movable sealing element 162, which preferably comprises a sheet or is formed from one, also projects sufficiently in the second embodiment towards the treatment chamber 116 from the closing element 122 to enable a continuous seal.

[0151] The movable sealing element 162 has, in particular, a lower section 184 which slopes down towards the closing element 122 and contacts or is connected to it at its end. This ensures that the roller element 178 can roll freely along the closing element 122 and the movable sealing element 162, and that the disengagement movement of the closing element 122 can be bridged or compensated. The roller element 178 is preferably made of an elastic material such as rubber. The elastic material is preferably a synthetic rubber such as ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber.

[0152] A segmented round tube 186 can preferably be arranged in the roller element 178, which acts as a stabilizing element.

[0153] A slide rail 188 is preferably arranged between the console surface 182 of the cam 180 of the stationary sealing element 160 and the roller element 178. The slide rail 188 preferably reduces, at least to some extent, the counter-rotation of the roller element 178 on the console surface 182 when the closing element 122 is moved.

[0154] The process of sealing the additional sealing device 158 according to the second embodiment of the closing device 120 is shown in selected intermediate steps in Fig. 9.

[0155] In the upper left of Fig. 9, it can be seen that the roller element 178 has rolled down the inclined console surface on the slide rail 188 due to gravity until it touches the closing element 122.

[0156] In the upper right of Fig. 9, the closing element 122 was moved further down in the closing device 120, so that the roller element 178 now rests against the lower section 184 of the movable sealing element 162 and is moved away from the closing element 122 by this along the slide rail 188 or the console surface 182.

[0157] In the lower part of Fig. 9, the fully closed position of the locking device 120 has been reached, in which the roller element 178 is preferably clamped between the cam 180 and the movable sealing element 162. Reference numeral list

[0158] Treatment station, treatment facility, workpiece

[0159] Vehicle body, treatment container, side wall

[0160] Front wall access opening treatment room conveyor device closing device closing element closing drive lifting gate

[0161] Lifting device fluid tank

[0162] Fluid guide control device valve device sealing device

[0163] Guide device, guide track, vertical guide section, locking section, pressure roller, cam guide, sealing surface

[0164] gap

[0165] gap

[0166] Additional sealing device, stationary sealing element, movable sealing element, sheet metal element, section of the sheet metal element arranged on the closing element, free section of the sheet metal element

[0167] hold-down element

[0168] retaining plate

[0169] Contact rail

[0170] inclined surface

[0171] Roller element

[0172] backdrop

[0173] Console area lower section

[0174] round tube

[0175] Slide rail

Claims

Patent claims 1. Treatment station (100) for treating workpieces (104), in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies (106), wherein the treatment station (100) comprises a treatment container (108) which surrounds a treatment chamber (116) for receiving the workpieces (104), wherein the treatment container (108) comprises at least one access opening (114) for introducing the workpieces (104) into the treatment chamber (116) and / or for removing the workpieces (104) from the treatment chamber (116), wherein the treatment station (110) comprises a closing device (120) for selectively closing and releasing the at least one access opening (114) and wherein the closing device (120) comprises a sealing device (138) for sealing the treatment chamber (116) against an environment (139) of the treatment chamber (116).

2. Treatment station (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing device (138) comprises a main sealing device and an additional sealing device (158), wherein the main sealing device preferably serves to provide a liquid seal of the treatment chamber in the area of ​​the closing device to an environment of the treatment chamber and / or wherein the additional sealing device preferably serves to provide a fluid seal, in particular a vapor seal, of the treatment chamber to the environment of the treatment chamber.

3. Treatment station (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the main sealing device and the additional sealing device (158) both act sealingly on a closing element (122) of the closing device (122), for example on opposite sides of the closing element (122).

4. Treatment station (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that the main sealing device is located on a side facing away from the treatment room (116). of the closing element (122) and the additional sealing device (158) on a side of the closing element (122) facing the treatment chamber (116) acts as a seal.

5. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the main sealing device and the additional sealing device (158) act sealingly in different directions from each other, in particular in opposite directions.

6. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the additional sealing device (158) is arranged on or in an upper section of the closing device (120), in particular the closing element (122), and / or that the main sealing device is arranged on or in a lower section of the closing device (120), in particular the closing element (122), and / or extends laterally on both sides in at least approximately vertical directions along the closing element (122).

7. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the additional sealing device (158) is configured to bridge a disengagement movement of the closing element (122) away from the treatment room (116) when closing the at least one access opening (114).

8. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the additional sealing device (158) comprises at least one stationary sealing element (160) and at least one movable sealing element (162).

9. Treatment station (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one stationary sealing element (160) is arranged on the treatment container (108) and at least one movable sealing element (162) is arranged on the closure element (122), which is preferably designed as a lifting gate (126).

10. Treatment station (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the movable sealing element (162) has a sheet metal element (164).

11. Treatment station (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that the sheet metal element (164) is elastically deformable.

12. Treatment station (100) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the sheet metal element (164) is angled, wherein the section (166) of the sheet metal element (164) arranged on the closing element (122) projects from the closing element (122) in the direction of the treatment chamber (116) and forms an angle of less than 90 degrees, preferably an angle of 80 degrees, with the free section (168) of the sheet metal element (164).

13. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the stationary sealing element (160) has a contact rail (174) which contacts the movable sealing element (162) when closing the at least one access opening (114), in particular by friction.

14. Treatment station (100) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the additional sealing device (158) comprises a roller element (178), wherein the stationary sealing element (160) comprises a console surface (182) sloping down to the closing element (122), on which the roller element (178) is mounted so as to be freely rotatable, and wherein the roller element (178) continuously contacts the stationary sealing element (160) and the movable sealing element (162) and / or the closing element (122).

15. Treatment station (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that a slide rail (188) is arranged between the console surface (178) sloping down to the closing element (122) and the roller element (178).

16. Treatment station (100) according to one of claims 2 to 15, characterized in that the additional sealing device (158) comprises a nozzle arrangement by means of which a barrier medium is applied as a fluid seal on at least one The side of the closing device (120) can be sprayed in the direction of the treatment room (116).

17. Treatment plant (102), in particular cleaning plant or painting plant, comprising one or more treatment stations (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. Method for treating workpieces (104), in particular for cleaning and / or coating vehicle bodies (106), for example using a treatment station (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 16 or a treatment system (102) according to claim 17, wherein the method comprises the following: Insertion of the workpieces (104) through at least one access opening (114) into a treatment room (116) which is surrounded by a treatment container (108) of a treatment station (100); Closing the at least one access opening (114) by means of a closing element (122) of a closing device (120) of the treatment container (108), wherein the treatment chamber (116) is sealed against an environment (139) of the treatment chamber (116) by means of a main sealing device of the closing device (120) and an additional sealing device (158); and Releasing the at least one access opening (114) by means of the closing element (122) of the closing device (120) of the treatment container (108).

19. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the main sealing device serves as a liquid seal of the treatment chamber (116) in the area of ​​the closing device (120) towards an environment of the treatment chamber (116) and / or the additional sealing device (158) serves as a fluid seal, in particular a vapor seal, of the treatment chamber (116) towards the environment (139) of the treatment chamber (116).

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