Conveying system, treatment installation, and method for conveying and treating workpieces

Abstract

The present invention relates to a conveying system (100) for conveying and treating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies and / or parts thereof, wherein the conveying system (100) comprises the following: at least one conveying section (102); and at least one rotary conveying device (104), by means of which at least one workpiece can be conveyed along the conveying section (102) and by means of which the workpiece can be rotated about at least one axis, in particular an at least approximately horizontal axis, of the rotary conveying device (104) for a workpiece treatment. The present invention also relates to a treatment installation for conveying and treating workpieces which comprises the conveying system (100), and to a corresponding method for conveying and treating workpieces.

Description

[0001] Conveyor system, treatment plant and process for conveying and treating workpieces

[0002] The present invention relates to a conveying system for conveying and treating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies and / or parts thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a treatment plant for conveying and treating workpieces, which comprises such a conveying system, and to a corresponding method for conveying and treating workpieces.

[0003] In known conveying systems, in which conveying devices move the workpiece held on the respective receiving shaft linearly along a conveyor rail for workpiece treatment, which runs parallel to several treatment basins arranged one behind the other, these conveying devices must be rotated at the ends of the conveyor rail by means of rotary tables by up to 180 degrees in order to then be able to move in the opposite direction.

[0004] When the conveyor devices are retracted at the end of the treatment process in order to pick up another workpiece to be treated, the shafts of the conveyor devices, around which the workpieces to be treated are rotated for workpiece treatment, are often folded down along the return rail to save space.

[0005] However, the hinge for folding down the shafts for return is complex in design.

[0006] Furthermore, the conveyor rail and the counter rail must be elaborately coordinated when setting up the associated treatment system, which includes the conveyor system and the treatment basins.

[0007] Furthermore, the components and assemblies of the known conveyor device, such as the pillow block bearing, the geared motor, or the gears, are relatively heavy and large in order to generate the required torques for rotating the workpieces, such as vehicle bodies, around the respective shaft in and above the treatment tanks. In addition, the components and assemblies must also be protected against damage from, for example, vapors and / or process media.

[0008] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a conveying system that is easier, more flexible and more cost-effective to install and / or operate.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by a conveying system for conveying and treating workpieces with the features according to independent claim 1.

[0010] The conveying system is specifically a conveying system for conveying and processing vehicle bodies and / or parts thereof.

[0011] Parts of a vehicle body include, in particular, body modules, body assemblies, vehicle add-on parts, structural parts, individual parts or the like.

[0012] Body modules include, for example, front module modules, rear module modules, roof module modules, passenger compartment module modules, passenger cell module modules, or door module modules.

[0013] Body assemblies include, for example, A-pillar assemblies, B-pillar assemblies, C-pillar assemblies, floor panel assemblies, wheel arch assemblies, or rear floor assemblies.

[0014] Vehicle add-on parts also include, for example, bumpers, exterior mirrors, side sill covers, fenders, front hoods, rear hoods, side panels, doors, spoilers or roof rails.

[0015] Structural components are also, in particular, those parts of a vehicle body which are at least partially not visible or inspectable from the outside and / or inside and therefore may require a small amount of painting.

[0016] The workpiece treatment preferably takes place in one or more treatment tanks.

[0017] The treatment of vehicle bodies and / or parts thereof can, for example, be pretreatment and / or cathodic dip coating in a treatment system designed as a paint shop, in which the workpieces to be treated are rotated through several tanks filled with a treatment fluid. The conveying system according to the invention comprises the following: at least one conveying section; and at least one rotary conveying device by means of which at least one workpiece can be conveyed along the conveying section and by means of which the workpiece can be rotated about at least one axis of the rotary conveying device for workpiece treatment.

[0018] The present invention is based on the fundamental idea that a cycloidal gear unit replaces the previously known combination of rotary conveying devices consisting of a pillow block bearing, gear, and motor gearbox, thereby making the rotary conveying device more compact and space-saving. The use of a cycloidal gear unit not only increases the precision of workpiece rotation but also reduces the weight of the rotary conveying devices by more than 25%, resulting in an estimated cost saving of 20% per device. Furthermore, the hollow shaft design extending from the workpiece carrier mounts towards the drive side of the cycloidal gear unit allows for a more compact connection of the cathode or...The power supply for cathodic dip coating can be located on the same side as the conveyor rail of the conveying system. This ensures that all components, parts, and / or assemblies related to the power supply of the conveying system are accessible to users on the same side of a treatment area within a treatment plant. Furthermore, the pivoting capability of the shaft or hollow shaft of the rotary conveying devices in a vertical plane eliminates the need for precise alignment of the conveyor rail and counter rail of the conveying system, meaning deviations can be compensated for within a wider tolerance range. In addition, the sequential operation of the individual rotary conveying devices ensures compliance with the safety requirements for mechanical conveying systems for unit loads as defined in DIN EN 619.

[0019] For workpiece treatment, the workpiece to be treated is rotated, in particular, around an axis of the rotary conveyor device that is at least approximately horizontal.

[0020] The conveying system is preferably arranged on a platform, for example a steel platform, so that the rotary conveying devices can be moved at or above the level of the top edge of basins filled with treatment fluid. It is advantageous if each rotary conveying device comprises at least one conveying unit that can be moved on and / or along the conveying system and at least one rotating unit.

[0021] It may further be provided that the rotary unit comprises the following: at least one reduction gear; and / or at least one motor module, preferably an electric bevel gear motor module, which is coupled to the reduction gear for driving the same; and / or at least one receiving element, in particular a mounting plate, to which the reduction gear and / or the motor module are attached, preferably flanged.

[0022] Preferably, a supply module, in particular an electrical control box, is also arranged on the receiving element. The supply module is connected, in particular, to at least one conveying unit and the motor module in order to supply the motor module with power and to control and / or regulate it.

[0023] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that each rotary conveying device comprises a hollow shaft on which at least one workpiece can be arranged, wherein the hollow shaft is connected to an output side of the reduction gear for rotating it, in particular by means of at least one flange element.

[0024] It can be advantageous if the reduction gear is a cycloidal gear, especially a fully integrated cycloidal gear, or a planetary gear.

[0025] Fully integrated means, in particular, that all components of the cycloidal gearbox, including at least two main bearings, are arranged within a compact and enclosed housing. This protects all components of the cycloidal gearbox from external influences, such as process media, and eliminates the need for external bearings.

[0026] It may further be provided that the cycloidal gear comprises the following: at least one cam disk for torque transmission, preferably two adjacent cam disks that are phase-shifted relative to each other; and / or at least one eccentric shaft for transmitting the torque from the motor module to the cam disks, preferably three eccentric shafts arranged at the same angle; and / or at least one output disk for transmitting the translated torque to the hollow shaft; and / or a pin ring.

[0027] The cam discs are arranged inside the bolt ring and roll on the bolt ring due to the rotation of the eccentric shafts.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, the cycloidal gear unit may comprise at least two transmission stages and have a transmission ratio in the range of 80:1 to 300:1, preferably from 250:1 to 275:1.

[0029] Due to its robust construction, the cycloidal gear unit has a particularly long service life, during which no relevant increase in backlash is observed.

[0030] The compact design also offers, preferably, high rigidity at a low weight.

[0031] Furthermore, no additional preliminary stages are required, and the described cycloidal gear unit preferably exhibits high overload safety.

[0032] Due to its cycloidal design, the described cycloidal gearbox preferably does without gears in the output and is not subject to any relevant shear forces.

[0033] The power transmission and torque transmission via bolts and rollers, typical for cycloidal gearboxes, also ensures in particular a high efficiency, a long service life and very low backlash in the gearbox.

[0034] Preferably, the contact between the cam discs and the bolt ring is almost complete and the force distribution during operation is almost uniform in order to achieve high load capacity.

[0035] A two-stage reduction principle particularly reduces vibrations and inertia, and allows for high overall reduction ratios. It can be advantageous if the cycloidal gear includes at least one central through-hole.

[0036] It may further be provided that the rotating unit comprises a stub hollow shaft which is connected at its drive-side end to the cycloidal gear and / or the hollow shaft, in particular non-rotating, wherein the stub hollow shaft extends through the central through-opening of the cycloidal gear and protrudes at least partially from the cycloidal gear on a drive side of the cycloidal gear.

[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a sliding contact unit is arranged at the output-side end of the stub hollow shaft, which is in particular mounted on the stub hollow shaft in a rotationally free manner and is preferably provided for a translationally sliding electrical connection with one or more busbars.

[0038] It can be advantageous if at least two workpiece carrier mounts spaced apart are arranged on the hollow shaft.

[0039] It may also be provided that the workpiece carrier mounts are designed asymmetrically to a plane in which the axis of rotation of the hollow shaft runs.

[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the rotation unit comprises an electrical conductor element, in particular an electrical copper conductor element, which is arranged within the hollow shaft and the stub hollow shaft, in particular in a rotationally free manner, and connects the workpiece carrier mounts to the sliding contact unit of the stub hollow shaft electrically, preferably by rotary sliding electrically.

[0041] It can be advantageous if each rotary conveying device comprises two conveying units, with the rotary unit being arranged at least partially between the two conveying units.

[0042] The conveying units are therefore spaced apart from each other and the rotating unit is arranged between them, whereby parts of the rotating unit may be arranged outside the vertical plane in which the two conveying units are located.

[0043] A rotary conveyor device is preferably designed such that the

[0044] Conveyor units are freely movable about two axes, so that the rotary conveying devices can follow the bending radii of the conveyor rail and the rotary unit between the two conveying units is at least partially rotatable, swiveling or tilting.

[0045] It may also be provided that the receiving element of the rotary unit is connected to a horizontal rotary bearing of each of the two conveyor units.

[0046] It can be advantageous if each of the conveying units includes at least one vertical rotary bearing which is connected to the respective horizontal rotary bearing, in particular directly connected.

[0047] Preferably, each conveying unit is connected to the rotating unit via a type of cardan joint or double joint.

[0048] The vertical axis of rotation of the vertical rotary bearings is preferably arranged at least approximately in the plane of rotation of the impellers of the conveyor units. Consequently, the impellers and the vertical axes of rotation are aligned at least approximately with respect to the conveying direction.

[0049] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if an additional connecting horizontal rotary bearing is arranged between the rotary unit and the conveying units, the horizontal axis of rotation of which is aligned perpendicular to the other two axes of rotation, i.e., in particular, horizontally and perpendicularly to the conveying direction. This makes it possible for the rotary conveying devices to also handle inclines and / or declines along the conveying path.

[0050] It can be advantageous if all rotary bearings of a rotary conveyor device are arranged above the conveying path.

[0051] It can be advantageous if the horizontal rotary bearing and the vertical rotary bearing of one conveying unit are arranged and / or designed in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction compared to the horizontal rotary bearing and the vertical rotary bearing of the other conveying unit.

[0052] In one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that a) the horizontal rotary bearing comprises an axial ball bearing or is designed as such; and / or b) the vertical rotary bearing comprises a plain bearing or is designed as such.

[0053] The axial ball bearings of the conveyor units preferably comprise two bearing shafts which are arranged in alignment with each other, i.e. the shaft axes lie on a common axis.

[0054] The axial ball bearings allow the rotating unit on the conveyor units to be folded down and / or raised.

[0055] The rotation unit can therefore preferably be rotated around the horizontal axis of rotation of the horizontal rotary bearings of the conveyor units from an upright position to a folded-down position and vice versa.

[0056] In contrast, the sliding bearings have a vertical axis of rotation, allowing the respective rotary conveying device to follow curved sections of the conveyor rail or conveying path. When traveling around a curve, the conveying units rotate around the vertical axis of rotation and are pivoted relative to the rotary unit.

[0057] Axial ball bearings transmit axial forces in particular, whereas plain bearings transmit rotational forces in particular.

[0058] Preferably, the axes of the bearings are secured against rotation on the one hand with respect to the direction of rotation and on the other hand in the axial direction by shaft nuts.

[0059] It may also be provided that each conveying unit includes at least one wheel which rolls along a conveyor rail of the conveying route.

[0060] A conveying unit is preferably designed in such a way that it transfers occurring or applied loads of the rotating unit, the workpiece being picked up and processed, and the workpiece carrier on which the workpiece is arranged, to the conveying path by means of at least one wheel rolling above or on the conveying rail.

[0061] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if a rotary conveying device comprises at least one driving conveying unit, which has at least one drive mechanism, and / or at least one moving conveying unit. It is preferably provided that the at least one drive mechanism is interchangeable. For this purpose, the drive mechanisms are designed in a modular manner.

[0062] It can be advantageous if each drive unit has at least one electric motor, at least one inverter and at least one gearbox that can be manually and / or automatically decoupled or coupled to the electric motor.

[0063] The gearbox of the drive unit is preferably flanged laterally to a driving conveyor unit and can be coupled to the impeller. The gearbox output shaft receives the impeller for coupling.

[0064] It can be advantageous if a lever is provided for the manual coupling or decoupling of the gearbox and motor of a drive unit.

[0065] The manual decoupling of the gearbox and motor of a drive unit of a conveyor unit allows a rotary conveyor device to be moved manually on the conveyor rail if necessary.

[0066] When the lever, especially the hand lever, is moved again, the engine is re-engaged with the gearbox.

[0067] The lever could also be automatically decoupled or coupled via a cam, so that decoupling or coupling could also be done, for example, by pressing a button, using a control element, a push button, or the like.

[0068] It can be advantageous if the driving conveyor unit includes a number of current collectors corresponding to the power lines of the conveyor rail, preferably spring-loaded contact finger elements, which contact the power lines for the power supply, in particular by sliding on them.

[0069] Preferably, four sliding contact finger elements are provided as current collectors, three 400 V contacts and one earthing contact.

[0070] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the moving conveyor unit comprises at least one optical sensor device, preferably a camera or a laser scanner, for detecting one or more symbols and / or codes of the symbol and / or code element of the conveyor rail and at least one antenna for short-range communication with the leakage waveguide of the conveyor rail.

[0071] Preferably, one of the QR codes of a symbol and / or code element designed as a QR band is detected by means of at least one optical sensor device, whereby the exact position of the respective rotary conveying device along the conveying path can be reliably detected and determined.

[0072] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that one of the conveying units has a radio antenna or the like, by means of which, in addition to short-range communication via the leakage waveguide, wireless communication to a stationary control and / or regulation device of the conveying system can be realized.

[0073] It is also conceivable that one of the conveying units has a radio antenna or the like, which alternatively or additionally communicates wirelessly directly, i.e. in particular without the leakage waveguide, with a stationary control and / or regulation device of the conveying system.

[0074] It may also be provided that the positions of the driving conveying unit and the accompanying conveying unit are interchangeable with respect to the rotating unit.

[0075] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if each conveying unit has at least one maintenance access point, preferably a lockable maintenance door, which is preferably located on one side of the conveying unit facing away from the conveyor rail.

[0076] This makes, for example, the pantographs, which are particularly prone to rubbing, or the camera or laser scanner easily accessible for maintenance or adjustment work.

[0077] It can be advantageous if each conveying unit includes at least one pair, preferably four pairs, of guide rollers which roll laterally and opposite each other on the conveying rail, wherein the guide rollers are adjustable to adapt the tracking of the respective rotary conveying device.

[0078] To keep the rotary conveyor precisely on the track of the conveyor rail, preferably eight adjustable guide rollers are arranged on each conveyor unit. The guide rollers preferably roll laterally along the four flanks of the double-T profile of the conveyor rail and are arranged in opposing pairs, so that two guide rollers roll one behind the other along each flank – with respect to the conveying direction.

[0079] In addition to guiding the track, the guide rollers also transfer any lateral forces, which may occur, for example, as a result of the folding down or straightening of the rotating unit, to the conveyor rail.

[0080] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the rotation unit together with the hollow shaft can be moved into at least one treatment position, in which the hollow shaft is preferably approximately horizontally aligned, and / or at least one return position by rotating the rotation unit around the axis of rotation of the horizontal rotary bearings of the conveying units.

[0081] Furthermore, the conveying units of a rotary conveying device or the centers of its impellers are preferably spaced so far apart from each other and / or from the shaft axis of the hollow shaft that there is no risk of the impellers lifting off the conveying rail when the center of gravity of the rotary conveying device shifts, for example when the rotary unit is folded down or stood upright.

[0082] It may also be provided that the rotary unit is connected to each conveying unit by means of at least one flexible and preferably replaceable hose connection, through which electrical lines are routed to supply power to a motor module of the rotary unit.

[0083] The flexibility of the hose connections and the electrical lines guided within them allows for the free joint movement of the horizontal and vertical rotary bearings between the conveyor units and the rotary unit.

[0084] The length of the hose connections is preferably dependent on the greatest possible range of motion of the connections between the rotating unit and the conveying units.

[0085] Each hose connection is interchangeable, particularly with regard to the electrical cables routed through it. In one embodiment of the invention, the conveying path may comprise at least one conveyor rail, on and / or along which the conveying units of the rotary conveying devices travel, and at least one counter rail for supporting the output-side end of the hollow shaft, wherein the counter rail runs parallel to the conveyor rail at least in sections.

[0086] It can be advantageous if at least one roller is arranged at the output-side end of the hollow shaft, which rolls on and / or against the counter rail.

[0087] It may also be provided that the conveyor rail comprises one or more conveyor rail elements, preferably aluminium conveyor rail elements with extruded profile.

[0088] In one embodiment of the invention, it may be provided that one or more conveyor rail elements are bent to form curved sections along the conveyor path.

[0089] The bending radii of the curve sections can be the same or different from each other.

[0090] Furthermore, the bending radii of the curve sections are preferably adaptable to the conditions at the installation site of the conveyor system.

[0091] The curved conveyor rail elements eliminate the need for rotary tables at the ends of the conveyor rail.

[0092] If several bending radii are provided for a conveyor rail element, these can be in the same direction and / or opposite directions. The latter would result in such a conveyor rail element being, for example, S-shaped or meandering.

[0093] The conveyor line can therefore also include curved sections, which, for example, have a semicircular radius. This allows the existing rotary tables to be replaced and parallel conveyor line sections to be directly connected to each other using curved conveyor rail elements, thus enabling a more flexible and cost-optimized layout or design of the conveyor line's path.

[0094] The conveyor rail elements, which in particular have an aluminum extruded profile, preferably form together an electric monorail rail system, wherein each element has a double-T profile, I-profile or H-profile, i.e. in particular a symmetrical profile.

[0095] It may further be provided that on the conveyor rail, preferably on the webs of the double-T profile of the conveyor rail elements, a) at least one leakage waveguide for controlling and / or regulating rotary conveyor devices; and / or b) at least one symbol and / or code element, in particular at least one QR code and / or a barcode element, for determining the position of the rotary conveyor devices along the conveyor route; and / or c) at least one, preferably four, power lines, in particular copper power lines, for three-phase power supply of the rotary conveyor devices are arranged.

[0096] The webs of the conveyor rail elements have, in particular, a perforated profile over the entire length of the conveyor rail element, so that retaining elements such as clips can be arranged at least approximately freely along the respective conveyor rail element.

[0097] The retaining elements can then be used to attach and guide the leakage waveguide, the QR tape or barcode element, and the four power lines to the conveyor rail elements.

[0098] The symbol and / or code element preferably comprises a plurality of consecutive symbols and / or codes, preferably two-dimensional codes or matrix codes, wherein two immediately consecutive symbols may be identical or differ from each other in shape and / or color. This allows the instantaneous position of a rotary conveyor device relative to the conveying path to be detected very precisely.

[0099] A symbol and / or code element is particularly preferably designed as a QR band, wherein such a band comprises a plurality of consecutive QR codes. This allows the exact position of a rotary conveyor along the conveying path to be reliably determined by scanning one of these QR codes.

[0100] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if two conveyor rail elements can be connected at least almost seamlessly. Two adjacent conveyor rail elements can thus be installed without joints.

[0101] It can be advantageous if at least one connection between two conveyor rail elements includes an expansion joint or is designed as such.

[0102] The conveyor rail elements can be mechanically separated from each other by expansion joints, which serve as length compensation and mechanical separation points.

[0103] The length compensation caused by the expansion joints between conveyor rail elements is particularly necessary when the floor or platform on which the conveyor line is erected has a coefficient of thermal expansion that differs from that of the conveyor rail elements.

[0104] The arrangement of expansion joints is preferably based on a predetermined maximum number of conveyor rail elements and / or building construction specifications.

[0105] It can be advantageous if the expansion joints – in relation to the conveying direction or the conveying distance – are arranged between the treatment basins of a treatment system, and consequently the conveying distance sections which are assigned to the treatment basins for treatment are free of expansion joints between the conveying rail elements.

[0106] It can be advantageous if the conveyor line has a large number of floor supports, with each conveyor rail element suspended from at least one floor support, in particular suspended in sections.

[0107] Expansion-free connections between two adjacent conveyor rail elements are advantageously supported by a floor support, i.e., in particular, that the conveyor rail elements concerned are pushed onto a receptacle of the floor support in a horizontal direction.

[0108] In one embodiment of the invention, each floor support can be adjusted to align the conveyor rail elements along and / or around a vertical axis. The floor supports can therefore be adjusted both vertically and rotationally to align the conveyor rail elements with one another.

[0109] A floor support, for example, can weigh at least approximately 35 kg to 45 kg, preferably 40 kg.

[0110] The conveying system preferably comprises a stationary control and / or regulating device which is always aware of the safe position of each rotary conveying device. A safe position is defined as a position that is inherently safe, can be reliably detected by the optical sensor device, and can be reliably transmitted to and processed by the stationary control and / or regulating device. The direction of travel and / or the speed of each rotary conveying device is preferably monitored reliably.

[0111] By determining, transmitting and processing a safe position of the rotary conveyor devices along the conveyor route, personal safety is ensured in accordance with the machinery directive.

[0112] The stationary control and / or regulation of the rotary conveying devices is preferably safety-oriented, particularly with regard to the communication between the rotary conveying devices and the stationary control and / or regulation.

[0113] The primary aim is to increase personal safety, particularly in accordance with DIN EN 619.

[0114] It may also be provided that a mobile operating device or mobile operating unit such as a handheld operating unit is battery-powered and communicates securely wirelessly with the rotary conveyor devices, whereby the operating radius or area of ​​influence of the mobile operating device is defined by the selection of wireless communication.

[0115] It may also be provided that one or more operating areas are provided in the area of ​​a conveying system, preferably along the conveying route, which are on the one hand definable and / or adaptable and on the other hand are particularly safety-oriented.

[0116] Each operating area is assigned one or more rotary conveyor devices, which can preferably only be controlled and / or regulated safely from within their respective operating area. This means, in particular, that an operating area is linked to the position ranges of rotary conveyor devices.

[0117] An operating area can be a visual, working, and / or resting area in which an operator is located and only operates or commands the assigned rotary conveyor devices from within this area, i.e., in particular, controls and / or regulates them. Consequently, the operator cannot control and / or regulate a rotary conveyor device in another operating area, thus preventing, for example, the remote control of rotary conveyor devices in another operating area that is not visible to the operator, and thereby potentially injuring or affecting other operators or workers in that area.

[0118] Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the operating device or control unit includes a safety-related operating element, such as a two-channel enabling switch, and / or an emergency stop release function.

[0119] Furthermore, the operating device is preferably designed to initiate an emergency stop when it leaves the assigned operating area, especially without prior logoff.

[0120] Furthermore, it may be stipulated that the mobile operating device or mobile operating unit must always register with the respective area of ​​operation before its operating capabilities can be activated.

[0121] Alternatively or additionally, it may be stipulated that the mobile operating device must synchronize with the respective operating area to unlock its operating options, so that the respective data records are consistent.

[0122] Furthermore, the conveying system may be designed to control and / or regulate the movements of the rotary conveying devices, i.e. preferably the translational and rotational movements, and / or the distances between any two rotary conveying devices.

[0123] The latter is particularly important to avoid collisions between the rotary conveyors and / or between the rotary conveyors and areas of the surrounding system. The movements of the rotary conveyors and the distances between them are preferably configurable, with the parameters being preset and / or automatically set or adjusted based on the position information of the individual rotary conveyors.

[0124] According to the invention, the conveying system further comprises a treatment system for conveying and treating, for example pretreatment and / or dip coating, workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies and / or parts thereof.

[0125] Such a treatment system preferably comprises the following: at least one treatment area, which has at least one treatment basin, preferably several treatment basins arranged one behind the other, for example pretreatment basins and / or immersion coating basins, which are filled with a treatment fluid for the workpiece treatment; and at least one conveying system according to the invention, which is arranged at least partially in the treatment area.

[0126] It can be advantageous if the conveyor rail of the conveyor line is located on one side of the treatment basins and the counter rail is located on the opposite side of the treatment basins.

[0127] It may also be provided that a lifting device with a lifting direction is provided in an entry zone and / or in an exit zone of the treatment area, which raises and / or lowers the hollow shafts of the rotary conveying devices.

[0128] The object of the present invention is further achieved by a method for conveying and treating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies and / or parts thereof, with the features according to the independent method claim.

[0129] The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

[0130] Transferring a workpiece into a treatment area of ​​a treatment system, in particular a treatment system according to the invention, to one of several rotary conveying devices of a conveying system according to the invention;

[0131] Picking up the workpiece, which is arranged on a workpiece carrier, onto the hollow shaft of the rotary conveyor device, wherein the picking up rotary conveyor device is in particular in its treatment position; conveying the picked-up workpiece along the conveying path, wherein the workpiece is rotated in a treatment section of the conveying path by means of the rotation unit of the rotary conveyor device through the fluid bath of one or more treatment basins of the treatment system; and

[0132] Handing over the treated workpiece from the treatment area of ​​the treatment system.

[0133] Furthermore, the procedure may include the following step: returning the transferring rotary conveyor device, in particular in its return position, to receive another workpiece to be processed.

[0134] For the treatment of the workpieces in one of the treatment basins, the respective rotary conveying device can temporarily stop at a position next to the respective treatment basin, and the rotary unit then rotates the workpiece, which is picked up and locked on the shaft, through the fluid bath at the predetermined rotational speed.

[0135] Alternatively or additionally, the rotary conveyor can continue moving in the conveying direction at a predetermined conveying or travel speed during the treatment, i.e., in particular during the rotation of a workpiece through the respective fluid bath. In this case, the rotary conveyor does not stop next to the respective treatment tank to allow the workpiece to rotate through the fluid bath for treatment.

[0136] The process preferably has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the conveying system. Preferably, the conveying system also has one or more of the features and / or advantages described in connection with the process.

[0137] Further preferred features and / or advantages of the invention are the subject of the following description and the graphic representation of embodiments.

[0138] The figures show:

[0139] Fig. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a conveying system according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of the rotary conveying device of the conveying system of Fig. 1;

[0140] Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of the rotary conveyor device of Fig. 2;

[0141] Fig. 4 shows a schematic vertical section through the rotary conveyor device along line AA in Fig. 3;

[0142] Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the rotary conveyor device of Fig. 2; and

[0143] Fig. 6 shows a schematic horizontal section through the rotary conveying device along the section line BB in Fig. 5.

[0144] Identical or functionally equivalent elements are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

[0145] A conveying system 100 shown in Figs. 1 to 6 is used for conveying and handling workpieces (not shown).

[0146] The workpieces are primarily vehicle bodies and / or parts thereof.

[0147] The treatment is preferably a pretreatment and / or a cathodic dip coating in a treatment system designed as a coating system with preferably several treatment tanks arranged in series, which are in particular designed as pretreatment tanks or dip coating tanks.

[0148] Fig. 1 shows a schematic, perspective view of the conveying system 100, looking at the side of the conveying system 100 that would be facing away from the treatment basins of a treatment plant.

[0149] The conveying system 100 of Fig. 1 comprises a conveying section 102 and at least one rotary conveying device 104, which can be conveyed or moved along the conveying section 102 in a conveying direction 106. The rotary conveying device 104 comprises a driving conveying unit 108, a moving conveying unit 110, and a rotary unit 112, which is arranged at least partially between the two conveying units 108 and 110.

[0150] The conveyor section 102 has a conveyor rail 114 which is arranged on a multitude of floor supports 116.

[0151] With regard to the conveying direction 104, the accompanying conveying unit 110 can be arranged in front of the driving conveying unit 108.

[0152] However, it is also possible that the driving conveying unit 108 is arranged in front of the following conveying unit 110 with respect to the conveying direction 104, i.e. the following conveying unit 110 follows the driving conveying unit 108.

[0153] The driving conveying unit 108 and the accompanying conveying unit 110 are preferably configured in such a way that they are interchangeable with respect to their respective positions.

[0154] The conveyor units 108, 110 roll on and / or along the guide rail 114, whereas the rotary unit 112 is not directly connected to the guide rail 114.

[0155] The floor supports 116 are preferably attached to a steel platform which is located next to the treatment pools of a treatment facility.

[0156] The driving conveying unit 108 comprises a drive device 118.

[0157] Each of the conveyor units 108, 110 has both a horizontal rotary bearing 120 and a vertical rotary bearing 122.

[0158] The horizontal rotary bearings 120 allow rotation about a common horizontal axis of rotation. The vertical rotary bearings 122, on the other hand, each allow rotation about their own vertical axis of rotation.

[0159] The common horizontal axis of rotation and the vertical axis of rotation of a conveyor unit 108, 110 are specifically aligned perpendicular to each other and intersect. By means of the two horizontal rotary bearings 120, the rotary unit 112 can be rotated about the common horizontal axis of rotation and thereby moved from the upright position shown in Fig. 1 to a folded-down position.

[0160] Conversely, a folded-down rotation unit 112 can be brought into an upright position by rotating it around the common horizontal axis of rotation of the horizontal rotary bearings 120 of the two conveying units 108, 110.

[0161] The upright position is also referred to as the machining position, in which the workpieces are rotated by the rotary unit 112 around a hollow shaft 124 of the rotary conveyor device 104 for machining.

[0162] The folded-down position of the rotary unit 112 is also referred to as the return position.

[0163] The horizontal rotary bearing 120 and the vertical rotary bearing 122 of the driving conveying unit 108 are arranged in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction 106 compared to the horizontal rotary bearing 120 and the vertical rotary bearing 122 of the accompanying conveying unit 110.

[0164] The vertical rotary bearings 122 of the two conveying units 108, 110 enable the rotary conveying device 104 to follow a curved or undulating path of the conveying rail 114.

[0165] A rotary conveying device 104 can, for example, either have a driving conveying unit 108 and a moving conveying unit 110 or two driving conveying units 108.

[0166] The conveying units 108, 110 are preferably designed such that their positions with respect to the rotary conveying device 104 are interchangeable, i.e. the driving conveying unit 108 can also be the conveying unit which is arranged at the front in the conveying direction 104, whereby the accompanying conveying unit 110 would be arranged at the rear accordingly.

[0167] The conveyor rail 114 in Fig. 1 comprises several conveyor rail elements 125, which are connected to one another and arranged on the five floor supports 116 shown. The conveyor rail elements 125 are suspended from the floor supports 116. The conveyor system 102 is therefore, in particular, an electric monorail.

[0168] The conveyor rail elements 125 are preferably aluminium conveyor rail elements with an extruded profile.

[0169] The profile of the conveyor rail elements 125 in Fig. 1 is preferably a double-T profile.

[0170] Furthermore, two workpiece carrier mounts 126, spaced apart from each other, are arranged on the hollow shaft 124.

[0171] By means of the workpiece carrier holders 126, the rotary conveyor device 104 can receive a workpiece carrier (not shown) on which a workpiece to be processed is arranged.

[0172] Furthermore, the hollow shaft 124 includes a roller 130 at its output-side end 128, which rolls supported on a counter rail (not shown) which runs parallel to the conveyor rail 114 on the opposite side of the treatment basins of a treatment system when the hollow shaft 124 is in its treatment position for workpiece treatment.

[0173] The workpiece carrier receptacles 126 are V-shaped, with the two legs 132 being approximately mirror-symmetrical to a plane in which the axis of rotation of the hollow shaft 124 runs. Only the locking devices 134 at the free ends of the legs 132 of the workpiece carrier receptacles 204 are not mirror-symmetrical, in order to ensure that the workpiece carrier can be locked to the workpiece carrier receptacles 204 easily and uniformly during transfer into the treatment area.

[0174] Preferably, the legs 132 are designed asymmetrically with respect to the described plane, i.e., in particular, one leg 132 is longer than the other. This shifts the center of gravity of the workpiece carrier and / or workpiece relative to the axis of the hollow shaft 124. Preferably, the center of gravity of the workpiece carrier and / or workpiece is offset eccentrically to the hollow shaft 124.

[0175] Furthermore, a lifting device with a lifting direction can be provided in an entry zone and / or an exit zone of the treatment area of ​​a treatment plant. This lifting device raises and / or lowers, or at least assists, the hollow shafts 124 of the rotary conveying devices 104. The lifting devices move the rotary units 112 together with the respective hollow shaft 124 into the treatment position and / or return position.

[0176] Fig. 2 shows the rotary conveying device 112 from Fig. 1 enlarged, which is why the rotary conveying device 112 will now be described in detail with reference to Fig. 2.

[0177] The rotation unit 112 of the rotary conveyor device 104 comprises a reduction gear 136, a motor module 138 and a receiving element 140.

[0178] The reduction gear 136 is preferably designed as a cycloidal gear 142.

[0179] The motor module 138 is preferably an electric angle geared motor module 144.

[0180] The receiving element 140 is designed in particular as a mounting plate 146.

[0181] The reduction gear 136 and the motor module 138 are attached to the mounting element 140, in particular by flanges.

[0182] Furthermore, the horizontal rotary bearings 120 of the conveyor units 108, 110 are attached to the receiving element 140.

[0183] The receiving element 140 is therefore not arranged directly above the conveyor rail 114, but preferably offset to the side.

[0184] Four power lines 148, preferably copper power lines, are arranged on the conveyor rail 114, in particular clipped in place. The power lines form three phases and an earth to supply the conveyor units 108, 110 with a 400 V voltage.

[0185] From the conveying units 108, 110, one or more flexible hose connections 150 lead to a supply module 152, which is also arranged on the receiving element 140 of the rotary unit 112.

[0186] The supply module 152 is designed in particular as an electrical switch box 154. The flexible hose connections 150 are in particular replaceable, preferably by means of a quick-release fastener.

[0187] Electrical power lines are routed through the flexible hose connections 150, so that the supply module 152 can be supplied with power from the power lines 154 via the conveying units 108, 110.

[0188] The supply module 152, which is electrically connected to the motor module 138, supplies the latter with power to drive the reduction gear 136.

[0189] In addition, the supply module 152 controls and / or regulates the motor module 138 to control and / or regulate the rotation of a workpiece around the axis of the hollow shaft 124.

[0190] The reduction gear 136, designed as a cycloidal gear 142, is arranged on the receiving element 140 such that a drive side 156 of the cycloidal gear 142 points away from the treatment basins of a treatment plant, whereas an output side 158 would point towards the treatment basins of the treatment plant.

[0191] The hollow shaft 124 is connected to the output side 158 of the cycloidal gear 142, whereby the torque introduced into the cycloidal gear 142 by the motor module 138 is translated in the cycloidal gear 142 and finally transferred as translated torque to the hollow shaft 124, whereupon the hollow shaft 124 rotates the workpiece for workpiece treatment around the axis of the hollow shaft 124.

[0192] The cycloidal gear unit 142 is in particular fully integrated, i.e. in particular that all components are arranged within a compact and enclosed housing 160.

[0193] The cycloidal gear 142 preferably comprises at least two cam disks which are phase-shifted relative to each other and roll on a surrounding pin ring of the cycloidal gear 142 to translate the torque.

[0194] The torque of the motor module 138 is transmitted to the cam discs via, in particular, three eccentric shafts of the cycloidal gear unit 142, the eccentric shafts preferably being arranged at equal angles, i.e., in particular offset by 120 degrees on a common circular path. The translated torque is transmitted via an output disc of the cycloidal gear unit 142, which engages the cam discs with several output pins, to the hollow shaft 124, the drive-side end 162 of which is attached to the drive disc by means of a flange element 164.

[0195] The cycloidal gear 142 includes, as can be seen in Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6, a central through-opening 166.

[0196] A stub hollow shaft 168 passes through the central through-opening 166, the drive-side end 170 of which is connected to the cycloidal gear 142 and / or the hollow shaft 124.

[0197] The stub hollow shaft 168 is screwed into the flange element 164 between cycloidal gear 142 and hollow shaft 124.

[0198] A sliding contact unit 174 is arranged at the output-side end 172 of the stub hollow shaft 168, which protrudes from the cycloidal gear 142 on its drive side 156.

[0199] The sliding contact unit is in particular mounted without rotation at the output-side end 172 of the stub hollow shaft 168 and is preferably provided for forming a translationally sliding electrical connection to one or more busbars with one or more sliding contact elements 176.

[0200] An electrical conductor element 178 is arranged inside the stub hollow shaft 168 and the hollow shaft 124, as can be seen in Figs. 4 and 6.

[0201] The electrical conductor 178 is preferably an electrical copper conductor 180, for example a copper cable.

[0202] The electrical conducting element 178 is preferably mounted in a rotationally free manner within the stub hollow shaft 168 and the hollow shaft 124 and is electrically connected to the sliding contact unit 174 on the one hand and the workpiece carrier mounts 126 on the other hand by rotary sliding.

[0203] In the case of cathodic dip coating, anode plates are arranged on one or more inner sides of the dip tanks in the corresponding dip treatment tanks, and the workpiece to be treated is connected to one or more busbars representing the cathode via the sliding contact unit 174, the electrical conductor 178, the workpiece carrier receptacles 126, and ultimately the associated workpiece carrier.

[0204] Furthermore, a display element 182 is arranged on a section of the stub hollow shaft 168, which is located outside the cycloidal gear 142, by means of which a zero position of the hollow shaft 124 with respect to its rotation can be easily determined.

[0205] This is the case, for example, if the rotary conveying devices 104 are at least partially separated from the treatment tanks by an enclosure or the like, and consequently the position of the hollow shaft 124 or the workpiece is not visible from outside this enclosure. Such an enclosure of the treatment tanks may be necessary if the area around the treatment tanks needs to be protected against splashes and / or vapors from the treatment fluids.

[0206] Reference symbol list

[0207] Funding system

[0208] Conveyor

[0209] Rotary conveyor

[0210] Conveyor direction driving conveying unit accompanying conveying unit rotation unit

[0211] conveyor belt

[0212] floor support

[0213] drive unit

[0214] Horizontal rotary bearing

[0215] Vertical rotary bearing

[0216] Hollow shaft

[0217] Conveyor rail element

[0218] Tool carrier up to take-out end of the hollow shaft roller

[0219] Leg of a workpiece carrier holder locking device

[0220] Reduction gear motor module

[0221] Recording element

[0222] Cycloidal gear electric angle gear motor module mounting plate

[0223] power cable flexible hose cable

[0224] Power supply module electrical switch box

[0225] Drive side of the cycloidal gear

[0226] Output side of the cycloidal gear unit; housing of the cycloidal gear unit; input end of the hollow shaft; flange element; central through-hole of the cycloidal gear unit; stub hollow shaft; input end of the stub hollow shaft; output end of the stub hollow shaft; sliding contact unit; sliding contact element; electrical conductor; electrical copper conductor; indicator element

Claims

Patent claims 1. Conveyor system (100) for conveying and treating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies and / or parts thereof, wherein the conveyor system (100) comprises: at least one conveying section (102); and at least one rotary conveying device (104), by means of which at least one workpiece can be conveyed along the conveying section (102) and by means of which the workpiece can be rotated about at least one axis, in particular an at least approximately horizontal axis, of the rotary conveying device (104) for workpiece treatment.

2. Conveying system (100) according to claim 1 , characterized in that each rotary conveying device (104) comprises at least one conveying unit (108, 110) which is movable on and / or along the conveying path (102) and at least one rotary unit (112).

3. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotary unit (112) comprises: at least one reduction gear (136); and / or at least one motor module (138), preferably an electric bevel gear motor module (144), which is coupled to the reduction gear (136) for driving the same; and / or at least one receiving element (140), in particular a mounting plate (146), to which the reduction gear (136) and / or the motor module (138) are attached, preferably flanged.

4. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that each rotary conveying device (104) comprises a hollow shaft (124) on which at least one workpiece can be arranged, wherein the hollow shaft (124) is connected to an output side (158) of the reduction gear (136) for rotation, in particular by means of at least one flange element (164).

5. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the reduction gear (136) is a cycloidal gear (142), in particular a fully integrated cycloidal gear, or a planetary gear.

6. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the cycloidal drive (142) comprises the following: at least one cam disk for torque transmission, preferably at least two adjacent cam disks that are phase-shifted relative to each other; and / or at least one eccentric shaft for transmitting the torque from the motor module (138) to the cam disks, preferably three eccentric shafts arranged at the same angle; and / or at least one output disk for transmitting the translated torque to the hollow shaft (124); and / or a pin ring, wherein the cam disks are arranged inside the pin ring and roll on the pin ring by the rotation of the eccentric shafts.

7. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cycloidal gear (142) comprises at least two transmission stages and has a transmission ratio in the range of 80:1 to 300:1, preferably from 250:1 to 275:

1.

8. Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the cycloidal gear (142) comprises at least one central through-opening (166).

9. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the rotation unit (112) comprises a stub hollow shaft (168) which is connected with its drive-side end (170) to the cycloidal gear (142) and / or the hollow shaft (124), wherein the stub hollow shaft (168) extends through the central through-opening (166) of the cycloidal gear (142) and at least partially protrudes from the cycloidal gear (142) on a drive side (156) of the same.

10. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that a sliding contact unit (174) is arranged at the output-side end (172) of the stub hollow shaft (168), which is in particular mounted rotationally free on the stub hollow shaft (168) and is preferably provided for a translationally sliding electrical connection with one or more busbars.

11. Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that at least two workpiece carrier receptacles (126) spaced apart from each other are arranged on the hollow shaft (124).

12. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 11 , characterized in that the workpiece carrier receptacles (126) are designed asymmetrically to a plane in which the axis of rotation of the hollow shaft (124) runs.

13. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the rotation unit (112) comprises an electrical conductor element (178), in particular an electrical copper conductor element (180), which is arranged in a rotationally free manner within the hollow shaft (124) and the stub hollow shaft (168) and connects the workpiece carrier receptacles (126) to the sliding contact unit (174) of the stub hollow shaft (168) electrically, preferably by rotary sliding electrical connection.

14. Conveying system (100) according to one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that each rotary conveying device (104) comprises two conveying units (108, 110), wherein the rotary unit (112) is arranged at least partially between the two conveying units (108, 110).

15. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the receiving element (140) of the rotation unit (112) is connected to each of the two conveyor units (108, 110) a horizontal rotary bearing (120).

16. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 15, characterized in that the rotation unit (112) together with the hollow shaft (124) can be moved into at least one treatment position, in which the hollow shaft (124) is preferably approximately horizontally aligned, and / or at least one return position by rotating the rotation unit (112) about the axis of rotation of the horizontal rotary bearings (120) of the conveying units (108, 110).

17. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that each of the conveying units (108, 110) comprises at least one vertical rotary bearing (122) which is connected, in particular directly connected, to the respective horizontal rotary bearing (120).

18. Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 2 to 17, characterized in that the rotary unit (112) is connected to each conveying unit (108, 110) by means of at least one flexible and preferably replaceable hose connection (150) through which electrical lines for supplying power to a motor module (138) of the rotary unit (112) are guided.

19. Conveyor system (100) according to one of claims 4 to 18, characterized in that the conveying section (102) comprises at least one conveying rail (114) on and / or along which the conveying units (108, 110) of the rotary conveying devices (104) travel, and at least one counter rail for supporting the output-side end (128) of the hollow shaft (124), wherein the counter rail runs at least sectionally parallel to the conveying rail (114).

20. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 19, characterized in that at least one roller (130) is arranged at the output-side end (128) of the hollow shaft (124), which rolls on and / or along the counter rail.

21. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the conveyor rail (114) comprises one or more conveyor rail elements (125), preferably aluminium conveyor rail elements with extruded profile.

22. Conveyor system (100) according to claim 21, characterized in that one or more conveyor rail elements (125) are bent to form curved sections along the conveyor route (102).

23. Treatment system for conveying and treating, for example pretreatment and / or dip coating, workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies and / or parts thereof, wherein the treatment system comprises: at least one treatment area, which has at least one treatment basin, preferably several treatment basins arranged in series, for example pretreatment basins and / or dip coating basins, which are filled with a treatment fluid for the workpiece treatment; and at least one conveying system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 22, which is arranged at least partially in the treatment area.

24. Treatment system according to claim 23, characterized in that the conveyor rail (114) of the conveyor line (102) is arranged on one side of the treatment basins and the counter rail is arranged on an opposite side of the treatment basins.

25. Method for conveying and treating workpieces, in particular vehicle bodies and / or parts thereof, wherein the method comprises the following steps: Transferring a workpiece into a treatment area of ​​a treatment plant, in particular a treatment plant according to claim 23 or 24, to one of several rotary conveying devices (104) of a conveying system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 22; Picking up the workpiece, which is arranged on a workpiece carrier, onto the hollow shaft (124) of the rotary conveyor device (104), wherein the receiving rotary conveyor device (104) is in particular in its treatment position; Conveying the workpiece along the conveying path (102), wherein the workpiece is rotated through the fluid bath of one or more treatment basins of the treatment system in a treatment section of the conveying path (102) by means of the rotation unit (112) of the rotary conveying device (104); and Handing over the treated workpiece from the treatment area of ​​the treatment system.

26. The method of claim 25, characterized in that the method further comprises the following step: Returning the transferring rotary conveyor device, particularly in its return position, to receive another workpiece to be processed.

Images